JPH1089765A - Bathtub water pouring abnormality monitoring device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bathtub water pouring abnormality monitoring device, capable of reducing the amount of wasteful water as much as possible and monitoring the abnormality of water pouring due to leakage of water and the like by deciding the same surely within a shorter period of time. SOLUTION: A bathtub water pouring abnormality monitoring device is provided with a pouring water flow rate sensor 45, a ciculation permitting water level deciding means, deciding whether the pouring water has achieved the additional heating circulation permitting water level of the bathtub 10 or not, a deciding reference flow rate value operating means, learing the value of accumulated pouring water flow rate necessitated until the additional heating circulation permitting water level by employing one to a plurality of accumulated flow rate values until the additional heating circulation permitting water level is achieved when the water pouring has arrived at the additional heating circulation permitting water level of a bathtub 10 while adding a given flow rate on thelearning to operate employing the value of flow rate as the flow rate value of reference of the decision, a deciding reference flow rate value memory means, and a pouring abnormality deciding means, deciding the abnormality of pouring by deciding whether the additional heating circulation permitting water level has been achieved or not before the accumulated flow rate value has become more than the deciding reference flow rate value.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bath dropping abnormality monitoring device for monitoring a dropping abnormality such as a leak of hot water due to forgetting to close a bathtub plug when a water bath is automatically dropped into a bathtub.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the case where hot water or water from a water heater is automatically dropped into a bathtub, a method for detecting a dropping abnormality due to forgetting to close a drain plug of the bathtub or the like is performed for a certain time limit, for example, 30 minutes or more. Take a long enough time,
If the water level does not become higher than the reheatable circulation water level at which the water level can be detected even after the elapse of the time, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the dropping. In addition, even after reaching the reheatable circulating water level at which the water level can be detected, if the water level does not reach the set water level after a certain sufficiently long time limit, for example, 30 minutes, it is determined that there is an abnormality in dropping. Was.

[0003]

However, in the above-described conventional method for determining a dropping abnormality, when the drain plug is not completely closed but is slightly closed, or when the drain plug is slightly clogged, the drainage capacity is reduced. When the drop is smaller, the water level will gradually increase as long as the drop is performed,
Within the time limit, the water level exceeds the reheatable circulating water level, and within the time limit, the water level reaches the set water level, but the water leakage continues even after the dropping is completed because the drainage is not determined to be abnormal, resulting in a large amount of water. There was a problem that water wasted. In addition, the above-mentioned time limit has a problem that the value is inevitably large because the capacity of the bathtub is a value of the greatest common denominator in consideration of the type and the amount of water dropped.

Accordingly, the present invention solves the above-described problem of the conventional dropping abnormality detection, reduces the amount of wasted water as much as possible, and reliably determines and monitors the dropping abnormality due to water leakage in a shorter time. An object is to provide a bath dropping abnormality monitoring device that can be used.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a bath dropping abnormality monitoring device according to the present invention automatically closes a drain plug of a bathtub when hot water or unheated water from a water heater is dropped into a bathtub and supplied with hot water. An apparatus for monitoring a dropping abnormality due to forgetting, etc., a dropping flow rate sensor for detecting a dropping flow rate, a circulating water level determining means for determining whether or not the dropping has reached the reheatable circulating water level of the bathtub, and When the reheatable circulating water level of the bathtub is reached, the integrated flow rate value required to reach the reheatable circulable water level is learned by using one or more integrated flow values until the reheatable circulable water level is reached. Determination reference flow value calculation means for calculating a flow value obtained by adding a constant flow value to the learning value as a determination reference flow value; A determination reference flow rate storage means for storing a flow rate value, and a dropping abnormality determination means for determining a dropping abnormality by determining whether or not the reheatable circulating water level has been reached before the integrated flow value at this time becomes equal to or greater than the determination reference flow rate value. Is a first feature. Further, the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device of the present invention is a device for monitoring a dropping abnormality caused by forgetting to close a drain plug of a bathtub when automatically supplying hot water or non-heated water from a water heater to a bathtub and supplying hot water. A drop flow rate sensor that detects the drop, a circulating water level determination unit that determines whether the drop has reached the reheating circulating water level of the bathtub, and a bathtub water level sensor that detects the bathtub water level at or above the reheating recirculating water level. After the drop reaches the recirculating water level in the bath tub, the accumulated flow value required for the bath tub water level to rise to a certain level is learned using one or more of the integrated flow values required for the rise in the constant water level, and the Determination reference flow value calculation means for calculating a flow value obtained by adding a constant flow value to the learning value as a determination reference flow value;
A determination reference flow value storage means for storing the calculated determination reference flow value, and whether or not the integrated flow value after reaching the reheating recyclable water level this time has reached a certain level before reaching the determination reference flow value or more A second feature is that it has a dropping abnormality determining means for determining a dropping abnormality based on this. Further, the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device of the present invention is a device for monitoring a dropping abnormality caused by forgetting to close a drain plug of a bathtub when automatically supplying hot water or non-heated water from a water heater to a bathtub and supplying hot water. A drop flow rate sensor that detects the drop, a circulating water level determination unit that determines whether the drop has reached the reheating circulating water level of the bathtub, and a bathtub water level sensor that detects the bathtub water level at or above the reheating recirculating water level. Timer means for counting the time of dropping after the drop reaches the reheatable circulating water level of the bathtub, and one or more times required for a certain water level to rise after the drop reaches the reheatable circulating water level of the bathtub. The time required for the bathtub water level to rise to a certain level is learned using Determination time calculation means for calculating the determined time as a determination reference time, determination reference time storage means for storing the calculated determination reference time, and the integrated drop-in time after reaching the reheatable circulating water level this time. A third feature is that a dropping abnormality determination unit that determines a dropping abnormality based on whether or not a predetermined water level has risen before the reference time or more has elapsed. Further, the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device of the present invention, in addition to any one of the above-described first to third features, issues a dropping-down stop command and a dropping-down abnormality display command when a dropping-down abnormality is determined by dropping-abnormality determining means. The fourth feature is to have a safety command means.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the hot water supply or the hot water or the non-heated water starts the bath dropping, the dropping flow rate sensor detects the integrated flow rate of the dropping. The circulating water level determining means monitors whether or not the bathtub water level has been reheated and the circulating water level has reached. The dropping abnormality determination means receives the determination information as to whether or not the bathtub water level has reached the reheatable circulation possible water level by the circulatable water level determination means, while determining the reference flow rate value from the determination reference flow rate storage means, Compare the magnitude of the dropping integrated flow rate value detected by the dropping flow rate sensor with the magnitude of the dropping integrated flow rate value. judge. The determination reference flow value is calculated by the determination reference flow value calculation means and stored in the determination reference flow value storage means. The calculation of the determination reference flow value by the determination reference flow value calculation means is performed by detecting the integrated flow value until reaching the reheating recyclable water level when the drop is not determined to be abnormal (that is, when the drop is performed normally). Can be employed, for example, one or more times in the past, and can be calculated from those values. That is, in the case of adopting only the past integrated flow rate value detected in the past, for example, a value obtained in a test run when the apparatus is installed is learned as a drop integrated flow rate value required to reach a reheatable circulating water level, and the value is learned. Is a learning value, and a constant flow rate value as a margin value, for example, 30 to
A flow rate value as small as about 40 liters is added to determine the determination reference flow rate value, which can be stored. In addition, the accumulated flow value detected until reaching the reheating recyclable water level at the previous time, which was not determined to be a dropping abnormality, may be used as a learning value, and a constant flow value as a margin value may be added to the learned value to obtain a determination reference flow value. it can. On the other hand, in the case of adopting the past integrated flow rate values of a plurality of times, when the apparatus is installed, a test operation is performed a plurality of times, for example, three or five times, and the reheating cycle is performed a plurality of times when the drop is normally performed. Adopt the detected integrated flow rate value until reaching the possible water level, use the average value as a learning value, add a constant flow value as a margin value to this learning value, for example, an appropriate small flow value up to 30 to 40 liters, Determined as the reference flow rate value,
This can be stored. In addition, the detected integrated flow values until the water reaches the reheatable circulating water level obtained in a plurality of run-ups in the past that were not determined to be dropping abnormal were adopted, and an average value of these values was used as a learning value. A constant flow value can be added as a margin value to the value to make the determination reference flow value. In this case, it is necessary to provide a plurality of temporary values, for example, 200 liters, which is the capacity of a general bathtub, as the detected integrated flow rate value until the reheating circulating water level is reached at the beginning. Even if the provisional value is a large value, by repeating the dropping operation, an appropriate determination reference flow rate value is calculated for the bathtub after the plurality of normal drops are performed. . According to the above-mentioned first feature, the dropping integrated flow rate is reduced until the refillable circulating water level of the bathtub is reduced, so that the presence or absence of a dropping abnormality during a small integrated dropping flow rate and during a short elapsed time. The determination can be made reliably.

[0007] According to the second feature of the present invention, the hot water supply device starts bathing with hot water or non-heated water, and the circulating water level determining means raises the bathtub water level to reach the circulating water level. When the determination is made, with respect to the subsequent dropping, the dropping flow rate sensor detects the dropping integrated flow rate, and the bathtub water level sensor detects the bathtub water level. And the dropping abnormality determination means receives the water level information from the bathtub water level sensor, while determining the reference flow rate value from the determination reference flow rate storage means,
Comparing the magnitude of the integrated flow rate with the drop detected by the drop flow rate sensor, if the integrated flow rate of the drop is equal to or greater than the determination reference flow rate before the bathtub water level rises to a certain level, it is determined that the dropping is abnormal. . The calculation of the determination reference flow value by the determination reference flow value calculation means is performed by calculating the detected integrated flow value required for rising the constant water level when the drop is not determined to be abnormal (that is, when the drop is performed normally). For example, it can be adopted one or more times in the past, and can be calculated from those values. That is, in the case of adopting only the past integrated detection flow rate value in the past, for example, a value obtained in a test run when the apparatus is installed is learned as a drop integrated flow rate value required to increase a constant water level, for example, 2.5 cm. Then, the value is set as a learning value, and a fixed flow value as a margin value, for example, a small flow value of about 5 liters is added to the learned value to determine the determination reference flow value, which can be stored. In addition, the accumulated flow value detected until reaching the reheating recyclable water level at the previous time, which was not determined to be a dropping abnormality, may be used as a learning value, and a constant flow value as a margin value may be added to the learned value to obtain a determination reference flow value. it can. The value of the constant water level rise can be appropriately determined based on experiments. Further, according to the constant value of the rise in the water level, the constant flow value added as the margin value is appropriately determined based on experiments. On the other hand, in the case of adopting a plurality of past detection integrated flow values, when the apparatus is installed, a test operation is performed a plurality of times, for example, three or five times, and a constant water level in a plurality of times when the drop is normally performed is performed. The detected integrated flow value required for the rise is adopted, and the average value thereof is used as a learning value. A fixed flow value, for example, a small flow value of about 5 liters is added as a margin value to the learned value, and the determined reference flow value is determined. Then, this can be stored. In addition, adopt the detected integrated flow rate value required for the rise of the constant water level obtained in a plurality of operations that go up in the past that was not determined to be a dropping abnormality, and the average value of these values is used as a learning value. A fixed reference flow rate value can be added as a margin value to obtain a determination reference flow rate value. In this case, it is necessary to provide a plurality of temporary values as the detected integrated flow rate value required for the rise of the constant water level at the beginning. Even if this temporary value is a large value,
By repeatedly performing the dropping operation, an appropriate determination reference flow rate value is calculated for the bathtub after the plurality of normal drops are performed. As for the value of the constant water level rise, the constant flow rate value as a margin value, and the temporary value given as an initial value, appropriate values can be determined in advance by experiments. According to the second feature, it is possible to reliably determine the presence or absence of the dropping abnormality without performing a further large amount of dropping after the dropping becomes equal to or higher than the reheatable circulating water level.

[0008] According to the third feature of the present invention, the hot water supply device starts bathing with hot or non-heated water, and the circulating water level determining means raises the bathtub water level to reach the circulating water level. When the determination is made, the dropping flow rate sensor detects the dropping integrated flow rate, the bathtub water level sensor detects the bathtub water level, and the timer means counts the dropping time. And the dropping abnormality determining means receives the water level information by the bathtub water level sensor and the information of the dropping time by the timer means,
A comparison is made between the reference time from the reference flow rate storage means and the drop time counted by the timer means, and when the drop time is equal to or longer than the reference time before the bathtub water level rises to a certain level. Determines that the drop is abnormal. The calculation of the determination reference time by the determination reference time calculation means is performed by, for example, determining the dropping time required for increasing the predetermined water level when the dropping is not determined to be abnormal (that is, when the dropping is performed normally), for example, by using the past one time. It can be employed one or more times and can be calculated from those times. That is, when adopting the dropping time required for the rise of the constant water level only once in the past, for example, it was obtained in a trial run when the apparatus was installed,
The drop time required for rising the constant water level is learned as the drop time required for raising the constant water level, for example, 2.5 cm, and the value is used as a learning value, and the constant drop time as a margin value, for example, about 1 minute By adding a time that is less, the determination reference time can be determined and stored. In addition, the dropping time required for the previous rise of the constant water level, which was not determined to be a dropping abnormality, can be used as a learning value, and a fixed time as a margin value can be added to the learning value to make a determination reference time. The constant water level at the rise of the constant water level can be appropriately determined based on experiments. Further, the constant time added as the margin value according to the constant value of the rise of the water level is appropriately determined based on experiments. On the other hand, when the dropping time required for a plurality of past rises in the constant water level is employed, when the apparatus is installed, a plurality of test runs are performed, for example, three or five times, and a plurality of times when the dropping is performed normally is performed. The dropping time required for the rise of the constant water level in each round is adopted, the average value of these is set as a learning value, and a constant time, for example, a small flow rate value of about 1 minute is added to the learning value as a margin value to determine It can be determined and stored. In addition, the drop time required for a constant water level rise obtained in a plurality of operations that go up in the past, which was not determined to be a drop abnormality, is employed, and an average value thereof is used as a learning value. A predetermined time can be added as the reference time. In this case,
It is necessary to give a plurality of temporary values as the drop time required for the rise of the constant water level at the beginning. Even if the provisional value is a large value, by repeatedly performing the dropping operation, an appropriate determination reference time is calculated for the bathtub after the plurality of normal droppings are performed. As for the value of the constant water level at the rise of the constant water level, the constant time as the margin value, and the temporary value given as the initial value, appropriate values can be determined in advance by experiments.
According to the third feature, after the drop is equal to or higher than the reheatable circulating water level, it is possible to reliably determine whether there is a drop abnormality before performing a large drop due to the elapse of a longer drop time. Can be.

According to the fourth feature, the first to third features are provided.
In addition to the operation and effect of any one of the above characteristics, when the dropping abnormality determining unit determines that the dropping is abnormal, the safety commanding unit issues a dropping stop command and a dropping abnormal display command. Therefore, when there is a dropping abnormality, the dropping can be automatically stopped immediately, the dropping abnormality display can be immediately recognized, and the cause of the dropping abnormality can be repaired.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a hot water supply apparatus using a bath dropping abnormality monitoring apparatus according to the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration in a controller according to the first embodiment of the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control example according to the first embodiment of the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control configuration in a controller according to a second embodiment of the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control example according to the second embodiment of the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration in a controller according to the third embodiment of the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a control example according to the third embodiment of the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device of the present invention.

First, the entire hot water supply apparatus of FIG. 1 will be described. Ten
Is a bathtub, 20 is a water heater, and 30 is a bath kettle. The bathtub 10
Is provided with a drain plug 11, and a circulation fitting 12 for reheating circulation is provided at a position slightly lower than the center of the side wall of the bathtub 10. The bath is automatically dropped and supplied with hot water through the circulation fitting 12. The bath kettle 30 has a burner 31 for reheating.
Is provided, and a heat exchanger 32 for reheating is provided. The reheating heat exchanger 32 and the circulation fitting 12 of the bathtub 10
A recirculation circuit 33 for reheating is provided between the recirculation circuit 33 and the recirculation circuit 33 for reheating, a bathtub water level sensor 34 including a water pressure sensor,
A circulation pump 35, a water flow switch 36, a bathtub temperature sensor 37 and the like are provided. The water heater 20 is provided with a hot water supply burner 21 and a hot water supply heat exchanger 22. A water inlet 23 is connected to the hot water supply heat exchanger 22, and the water inlet 23 is provided with an incoming water flow rate sensor 24 and an incoming water temperature sensor 25. A tapping path 26 is connected to the hot water supply heat exchanger 22, and a tapping temperature sensor 27 is provided in the tapping path 26.
From the water inlet channel 23, a bypass 28 having a water mixing controller 29 is connected to the hot water channel 26, and at the junction, hot water and unheated water are mixed by the flow controller 29, and the downstream of the junction is a hot water supply channel.
It is 40. The hot water supply path 40 is provided with a water amount adjuster 41 and a hot water supply temperature sensor 42. On the way, the hot water supply path 40 branches into a general hot water supply path 43 and a bath automatic dropping hot water supply path 44. The bath automatic dropping hot water supply path 44 is connected in the middle of the additional heating circulation path 33, and provided with a dropping flow rate sensor 45, a vacuum breaker 46, a dropping electromagnetic valve 47, and a check valve 48 in the middle thereof. 50 is a controller for controlling the whole water heater, and 60 is a remote controller. The controller 50 has a built-in microcomputer, receives a command from the remote controller 60, inputs information from sensors of each part of the water heater, performs calculation, determination and storage according to predetermined software, and issues an operation command to each part of the water heater. Put out. The bath is automatically dropped by setting the water level of the bathtub with the remote controller 60 or the like and turning on the automatic dropping operation switch with the remote controller or the like. Drop solenoid valve
By opening 47, the hot water or unheated water that has passed through the hot water supply 20 through the hot water supply path 26, the bath automatic drop water supply water supply path 44,
The water enters the reheating circuit 33 and is introduced into the bathtub 10 from the circulation fitting 12 through the reheating circuit 33.

In the bath automatic dropping operation, when the hot water or the non-heated water is smoothly dropped into the bathtub 10 and reaches the set water level, the automatic bath dropping ends. On the other hand, there is a case where the drain plug 11 of the bathtub 10 is forgotten to be set, a setting method is bad, or there is a case where water is leaking from the bathtub 10.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a first embodiment of a bath dropping abnormality monitoring device according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration relating to a bath dropping abnormality monitoring device out of the internal configuration of the controller 50. The circulating water level determination unit 51, the determination reference flow value calculation unit 52, the determination reference flow value storage unit 53, the dropping The abnormality determination means 54 and the safety command means 55 are internally configured. Circulating water level determination means
Reference numeral 51 denotes a means for determining whether or not the bathtub water level has reached a water level that can be detected by the bathtub water level sensor 34 provided in a part of the reheating circuit 33. When the circulating water level is equal to or higher than the circulating water level, the water level can be detected by the bathtub level sensor 34. On the other hand, below the circulating water level, the water level in the bathtub cannot be detected. The circulatable water level can be said to be a water level at which the circulation fitting 12 of the bathtub 10 is immersed in water. The determination by the circulatable water level determining means 51 is performed by a method of determining the inflection point of the detection value by the bathtub water level sensor 34, and by periodically driving the circulating pump 35 so that the bathtub water is actually reheated. There is a circulation determination method for determining whether to circulate.
The method of capturing the inflection point of the detection value of the bathtub water level sensor 34 is based on the bathtub water level sensor
The detected value by 34 is taken into the circulatable water level determination means 51,
This is a method of determining that the bathtub water level has reached the circulating water level when a certain inflection point occurs in the detected value. The detection value of the bathtub water level sensor 34 in the reheating circuit 33 indicates that when the bathtub water level reaches the circulation fitting 12, the water gradually enters the reheating circuit 33, The use circulation path 33 starts to greatly change from the detection value in the empty state, and indicates an inflection point. When the bathtub water level sinks the circulation fitting 12, the stable change is again exhibited. Therefore, by catching the inflection point by the circulatable water level determining means 51, it is possible to determine whether or not the bathtub water level has reached the reheatable circulatable water level. On the other hand, in the circulation determination method, after the dropping into the bathtub 10 is started, the dropping is periodically stopped, the circulation pump 35 is driven, and a water flow switch 36 determines whether or not bathtub water circulates in the reheating circuit 33. The circulatable water level determination means 51 makes a determination by capturing the signal from

The criterion reference flow value calculating means 52 is a means for calculating a criterion reference flow value for judging whether or not the bath drop is abnormal. (If dropping is performed normally), the integrated flow value detected until the reheating circulating water level is reached is taken from the drop flow sensor 45, and the detected integrated flow value until the reheating circulating water level is reached is calculated from the latest one. A plurality of regressions in the past, for example, five repetitions, are adopted, and the average value of them is used as a learning value, and a constant flow value, for example, an appropriate small flow value of 30 to 40 liters is added as a margin value to the learning value, and the judgment is made This is a reference flow value. In this case, since there is no detection integrated flow rate value to be initially used, a plurality of temporary values, for example, 200 liters, which is the capacity of a general bathtub, must be given instead. Even if the provisional value is a large value, by repeating the dropping operation, after the normal dropping is performed a plurality of times, for example, five times for the adoption of the five times, the dropping operation is appropriately performed for the bathtub. The determined reference flow rate value is calculated. When the judgment reference flow value is calculated, the judgment reference flow value is stored in the judgment reference flow value storage means 53.

The dropping abnormality determination means 54 receives the determination information from the determination reference flow rate storage means 53 while receiving the determination information as to whether or not the bathtub water level has reached the reheatable circulation possible water level by the circulation possible water level determination means 51. The reference flow rate value and the magnitude of the integrated dropping flow value detected by the dropping flow sensor 45 are compared, and before the bathtub water level reaches the reheatable circulating water level, the integrated dropping flow value is equal to or greater than the determination reference flow rate value. In this case, it is determined that the drop is abnormal. The safety commanding means 55 receives the determination of the dropping abnormality by the dropping abnormality determination means 54, and
Then, a command indicating that the dropping is abnormal is issued, and a command to close the dropping solenoid valve 47 is issued to stop the automatic dropping hot water supply.

A control example of the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Now, when the automatic dropping operation switch (not shown) of the remote controller 60 is turned on, the automatic dropping operation is started, the dropping solenoid valve 47 is opened by the command of the controller 50, the dropping hot water supply is started, and at the same time, the dropping flow rate sensor is turned on. The counting of the drop flow rate by 45 is started (step S1).
When the dropping hot water supply operation is started, the integrated flow rate value detected by the dropping flow rate sensor 45 and the judgment reference flow rate value from the judgment reference flow rate storage means 53 are compared by the dropping abnormality judgment means 54 (step S2). The determination by the circulatable water level determining means 51 is taken into the dropping abnormality determining means 54, and it is determined whether or not the bathtub water level is equal to or higher than the reheatable circulating water level (step S3). The dropping abnormality determination means 54 compares the integrated flow rate value with the determination reference flow rate value, and takes in whether the bathtub water level is equal to or higher than the reheatable circulating water level, and the bathtub water level is equal to or higher than the reheatable circulatable water level. If the integrated flow rate value is equal to or greater than the determination reference flow rate value (Yes in S2, No in S3), it is determined that the drop is abnormal. If it is determined that the drop is abnormal,
When the safety commanding means 55 issues a closing command to the dropping electromagnetic valve 47 and a remote control 60 to display a dropping abnormal display command, the dropping hot water supply is stopped and a dropping abnormal display is made (step S4). On the other hand, when the dropping abnormality determination means 54 does not determine that the dropping is abnormal (No in S2 and Yes in S3), the determination reference flow rate value calculation means 52 determines whether the dropping reaches the reheatable circulating water level. The integrated flow value is newly taken in, the reference flow value is calculated, and the calculated value is stored in the reference flow value storage means 53 (step S5). Thereafter, separately from the calculation and storage procedure of the determination reference flow rate value, it is monitored whether or not the bathtub water level sensor 34 detects the set water level or more (step S6). End the hot water supply operation (step S
7).

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration relating to a bath dropping abnormality monitoring device out of the internal configuration of the controller 50. The circulating water level determination unit 51a, the determination reference flow value calculation unit 52a, the determination reference flow value storage unit 53a, the dropping Abnormality determination means 54a
, Safety command means 55a, integrated flow count reset means 5,
6a is internally configured. Circulating water level determination means 5
The mechanism, operation, and the like of 1a are the same as those of the circulatable water level determining means 51 described in the first embodiment. The determination reference flow value calculating means 52a is means for calculating a determination reference flow value for determining whether or not the bath drop is abnormal.
The calculation of the determination reference flow value by the determination reference flow value calculation means 52a is performed when the water level is not determined to be abnormal (i.e., when the water flow is normally performed). The required detected integrated flow rate value is adopted for a plurality of times, for example, five times, going backward from the latest one, and the average value of them is used as a learning value. The judgment reference flow value is calculated by adding a small flow value. The rise in the constant water level can be obtained from information from the bathtub water level sensor 34, and the detected integrated flow value required for the rise in the constant water level can be obtained from information from the drop-in flow rate sensor 45. The calculated reference flow rate value is stored in the determination reference flow value storage means 53a. In the second embodiment, it is necessary to provide a plurality of temporary values as the detected integrated flow value required for the rise of the constant water level in the calculation of the determination reference flow value at the beginning. Even if this provisional value adopts a large value, by repeating the dropping operation, an appropriate determination reference flow rate value is calculated for the bathtub after the plurality of normal drops are performed. Will be. As for the value of the rise of the constant water level, the constant flow rate value as a margin value, and the temporary value given as an initial value, appropriate values can be determined in advance by experiments. The dropping abnormality determination unit 54a receives the water level information from the bathtub water level sensor 34, and receives the determination reference flow value from the determination reference flow value storage unit 53a and the integrated dropping flow value detected by the dropping flow sensor 45. The magnitude is compared, and if the integrated flow rate value of the bath becomes equal to or greater than the determination reference flow rate before the bathtub water level rises to a certain level, it is determined that the dropping is abnormal. The safety command means 55a is provided with the first
The same functions and actions as those of the safety command means 55 in the embodiment are performed. The integrated flow count reset means 56a is means for resetting the integrated flow rate detected by the drop flow sensor 45.

A control example of the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 5, steps S11-S
Up to 14, the conventional method of monitoring a dropped bath is adopted, but this method may be replaced with steps S1 to S4 in FIG. The important points of the monitoring of the bath dropping abnormality according to the second embodiment are steps S15 to S18. now,
When the automatic dropping operation switch (not shown) of the remote controller 60 is turned on, the automatic dropping operation starts,
The drop solenoid valve 47 is opened by a command from the controller 50, the drop hot water supply is started, and a timer (not shown) of the controller 50 is started (step S11).
The controller 50 determines whether the bathtub water level becomes equal to or higher than the reheatable circulating water level before a predetermined fixed time limit, for example, 30 minutes, elapses, based on the accumulated time from the timer and the determination by the circulating water level determining means 51a. It is monitored (steps S12 and S13) that if the water level does not exceed the reheatable circulating water level even after the time limit has elapsed (yes in step S12,
In step S13, it is determined that the drop is abnormal. Then, the dropping hot water supply is stopped, and a dropping abnormality is displayed (step S14). The above is the same as the conventional method.
It may be replaced with the flow of 1 to S4. Next, if the bathtub water level becomes equal to or higher than the reheatable circulating water level before the time limit elapses (No in step S12, Yes in step S13), the controller 50 determines the flow rate by the integrated flow rate count resetting means 56a. The integration is newly started, and the water level detection by the bathtub water level sensor 34 is started (step S15). Then, the dropping abnormality determination means 54a determines whether or not the integrated flow rate value detected by the dropping flow rate sensor 45 is equal to or greater than a determination reference flow rate value (Step S).
16) If not (No in step S16), it is further determined whether or not the bathtub water level has risen above a predetermined fixed water level (step S17). That is, the dropping abnormality determination means 54a determines whether or not the integrated flow value is equal to or greater than the determination reference flow value, and determines whether or not the bathtub water level has risen above a predetermined fixed water level. If the integrated flow rate value is not less than a predetermined value and the integrated flow rate value is equal to or more than the determination reference flow value (Yes in step S16, No in S17), it is determined that the drop is abnormal. If it is determined that the dropping is abnormal, the safety commanding means 55a issues a closing command to the dropping electromagnetic valve 47 and a remote control 60 gives a display command indicating the dropping abnormality, whereby the dropping hot water supply is stopped and the dropping abnormal display is performed ( Step S1
Four). On the other hand, if the dropping abnormality determination means 54a does not determine that the dropping is abnormal (No in S16, Yes in S17), the integration required until the predetermined water level rises in the dropping is calculated by the determination reference flow rate calculating means 52a. The flow rate value is newly taken in, the judgment reference flow value is calculated, and the calculated value is stored in the judgment reference flow value storage means 53a (step S18). Thereafter, separately from the calculation and storage procedure of the judgment reference flow rate value, it is monitored whether or not the bathtub water level sensor 34 detects the set water level or more (step S19). The hot water supply operation ends (step S20).

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a third embodiment of the bath dropping abnormality monitoring apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device in the internal configuration of the controller 50. The circulating water level determination unit 51b, the determination reference time calculation unit 52b, the determination reference time storage unit 53b, the dropping abnormality determination. Means 54b, safety command means 55b, integrated flow count reset means 56b,
Timer means 57b is internally configured. The mechanism, operation, and the like of the circulatable water level determination means 51b are the same as those of the circulatable water level determination means 51 described in the first embodiment. The criterion time calculating means 52b is means for calculating a criterion time for determining whether or not the bath drop is abnormal, and the calculation of the criterion time by the criterion time calculating means 52b is a dropping abnormality. In the case where it is not determined (that is, when the drop is performed normally), the detection time required to rise a certain water level, for example, 2.5 cm, is taken for a plurality of times, for example, five times, which goes up from the latest one to the past. The average value is used as a learning value, and a fixed time value, for example, a short time of about one minute is added as a margin value to the learning value to calculate a determination reference time. The constant water level rise can be obtained from information from the bathtub water level sensor 34, and the time required for the constant water level rise is determined by a timer means.
57b. The calculated reference time is stored in the reference time storage means 53b. In the third embodiment, it is necessary to provide a plurality of temporary values as the detection time required for the rise of the constant water level in the initial determination reference time calculation. Even if this provisional value adopts a large value, by repeating the dropping operation, an appropriate determination reference time is calculated for the bathtub after the plurality of normal drops are performed. Will be. As for the value of the rise of the constant water level, the constant time as the margin value, and the temporary value to be given as the initial value, appropriate values can be determined in advance by experiments. The dropping abnormality determination unit 54b receives the water level information from the bathtub water level sensor 34, while determining the determination reference time from the determination reference time storage unit 53b, and the integrated dropping time after the bathtub water level reaches the reheatable circulation possible water level. If the integrated drop time becomes equal to or longer than the determination reference time before the water level rises to a certain level, it is determined that the drop is abnormal. The accumulated drop time after the bathtub water level reaches the reheatable circulating water level is determined by the timer means
Counted by 57b. The safety command means 55b includes:
The same functions and actions as those of the safety command means 55 in the first embodiment are performed. The integrated flow count reset means 56
b is the same as the integrated flow count resetting means 56a in the second embodiment, and is a means for resetting the integrated flow rate detected by the drop flow rate sensor 45. The timer means 57b is a means for accumulating the dropping time from the start of operation until the bathtub water level reaches the reheatable circulating water level, and for newly integrating the dropping time after the bathtub water level has reached the reheatable circulating water level. is there.

A control example of the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 7, steps S31 to S31
Up to 34, a conventional method of monitoring a drop-in bath is adopted, but this method may be replaced with steps S1 to S4 in FIG. The important points of the monitoring of the bath dropping abnormality according to the third embodiment are steps S35 to S38. now,
When the automatic dropping operation switch (not shown) of the remote controller 60 is turned on, the automatic dropping operation starts,
The drop solenoid valve 47 is opened by a command from the controller 50, the drop hot water supply is started, and the timer for integrating the drop time by the timer means 57b of the controller 50 is started (step S31). Controller 50
Is determined based on the accumulated time from the timer means 57b and the determination by the circulating water level determination means 51b to determine whether the bathtub water level becomes equal to or higher than the reheatable circulating water level before a predetermined fixed time limit, for example, 30 minutes, elapses. Is monitored (step S32,
S33) If the water level does not exceed the reheatable circulating water level even after the time limit has elapsed (Yes in Step S32, No in Step S33), it is determined that the dropping is abnormal. Then, the dropping hot water supply is stopped, and a dropping abnormality is displayed (step S34). The above is the same as the conventional method, and is repeated, but steps S1 to S4 in FIG.
It may be replaced with the flow of FIG. Next, when the bathtub water level becomes equal to or higher than the reheatable circulating water level before the time limit elapses (No in step S32, and Yes in step S33), the controller 50 sets the new dropping time by the timer means 57b. In addition, the counting of the integrated flow is newly started by the integrated flow count reset means 56b, and the water level detection by the bathtub water level sensor 34 is started (step S35). Then, it is determined by the drop abnormality determining means 54b whether or not the integrated drop time counted by the timer means 57b is equal to or longer than the determination reference time (step S36), and if not (NO in step S36), the bathtub water level is further increased. It is determined whether or not has risen above a predetermined fixed water level (step S37). That is,
The dropping abnormality determination means 54b determines whether the integrated dropping time is equal to or longer than the determination reference time and determines whether the bathtub water level has risen above a predetermined fixed water level, and further, the bathtub water level is higher than a certain level. If the integrated flow value is not lower than the reference flow value (Yes in step S36, No in S37), it is determined that the drop is abnormal. If it is determined that the dropping is abnormal, the safety command means 55
By issuing a closing command to the drop solenoid valve 47 and a drop abnormal display command to the remote controller 60 by b, the drop hot water supply is stopped and a drop abnormal display is made (step S34). On the other hand, if the dropping abnormality determination means 54b does not determine that the dropping is abnormal (No in S36, Yes in S37), the determination reference time calculation means 52b calculates the integration required until the constant water level in the dropping rises. The drop-in time is newly taken in, the reference time is calculated, and the value is stored in the reference time storage means 53b (step S38). Thereafter, separately from the calculation and storage procedure of the determination reference time, it is monitored whether or not the bathtub water level sensor 34 detects the set water level or higher (step S39), and if it is above (yes in step S39),
The dropped hot water supply operation ends (step S40).

[0021]

According to the present invention, there is provided the above construction.
According to the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device described in (1), it is possible to reliably determine the presence or absence of a dropping abnormality due to water leakage etc. during a short dropping flow rate and during a short elapsed time, where the dropping is equivalent to the level of the reheatable circulating water level of the bathtub. can do. In addition, according to the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device of the second aspect, even after the dropping becomes equal to or higher than the reheatable circulating water level, it is possible to reliably determine whether there is a dropping abnormality without performing a further large amount of dropping. can do. Further, according to the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device according to the third aspect, even after the dropping becomes equal to or higher than the reheatable circulating water level, before dropping a large amount due to the elapse of a longer dropping time, the dropping abnormality is performed. Can be reliably determined. According to the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device of the fourth aspect, in addition to the operation and effect of the configuration according to any one of the first to third aspects, when the dropping abnormality determination unit determines that a dropping abnormality is detected. Since the dropping can be stopped immediately by the safety command means, any further useless dropping can be automatically eliminated. Further, since the dropping abnormality is immediately displayed, the user can immediately know the dropping abnormality and can quickly take measures against it.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a hot water supply device using a bath dropping abnormality monitoring device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration in a controller according to the first embodiment of the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control example according to the first embodiment of the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control configuration in a controller according to a second embodiment of the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control example according to a second embodiment of the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration in a controller according to a third embodiment of the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control example according to a third embodiment of the bath dropping abnormality monitoring device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Bathtub 11 Drain tap 12 Circulation fitting 20 Water heater 30 Bath kettle 33 Circulating path for reheating 34 Bathtub water level sensor 44 Bath automatic drop water supply path 45 Drop flow sensor 47 Drop solenoid valve 50 Controller 60 Remote control

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Eiichi Tsuji 93, Edocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo Pref.

Claims (4)

[Claims] An apparatus for monitoring a dropping abnormality caused by forgetting to close a drain plug of a bathtub when automatically dropping hot water or non-heated water from a water heater into a bathtub, and detecting a dropping flow rate. And a circulating water level determining means for determining whether the drop has reached the reheatable circulating water level of the bathtub, and if the drop has reached the reheatable circulatory water level of the bathtub until the reheatable circulating water level is reached. Using one or more of the integrated flow values of the above, learning the integrated reduced flow value required to reach the reheatable circulating water level and calculating a flow value obtained by adding a constant flow value to the learned value as a determination reference flow value Reference flow rate calculation means, determination reference flow value storage means for storing the calculated determination reference flow value, and A dropping-abnormality monitoring device comprising: a dropping-abnormality judging means for judging a dropping-abnormality depending on whether or not the reheatable circulating water level is reached before reaching a quasi-flow rate or more. 2. A device for monitoring a dropping abnormality caused by forgetting to close a drain plug of a bathtub when automatically supplying hot water or unheated water from a water heater into a bathtub, and detecting a dropping flow rate. Circulating water level determining means for determining whether the drop has reached the reheating circulating water level of the bathtub, a tub water level sensor for detecting the tub water level above the reheating circulating water level, and the dropping is for reheating the bathtub. The accumulated flow value required to raise the constant water level after reaching the recyclable water level is 1
And a reference flow rate calculating means for learning a drop integrated flow rate value required for the bathtub water level to rise to a certain level using a plurality of pieces and calculating a flow rate value obtained by adding a constant flow value to the learned value as a determination reference flow value. A determination reference flow rate storage means for storing the calculated determination reference flow rate value, and whether the integrated flow value after reaching the reheating recyclable water level this time reaches a certain level before reaching the determination reference flow rate value or more. A dropping-abnormality monitoring device, comprising: a dropping-abnormality judging means for judging a dropping-abnormality based on whether or not it is not. 3. An apparatus for monitoring a dropping abnormality caused by forgetting to close a drain plug of a bathtub when automatically supplying hot water or non-heated water from a water heater into a bathtub, and detecting a dropping flow rate. Circulating water level determining means for determining whether the drop has reached the reheating circulating water level of the bathtub, a tub water level sensor for detecting the tub water level above the reheating circulating water level, and the dropping is for reheating the bathtub. Timer means for counting the time of drop after reaching the circulatable water level, and one or more times required for the drop to reach a constant water level after the drop reaches the recirculating water level of the bathtub, and the bathtub water level is determined. The time required for the water level to rise to a certain level is learned, and the time obtained by adding the certain time to the learning value is used as the judgment reference time. The determination reference time calculation means for calculating, the determination reference time storage means for storing the calculated determination reference time, and the integrated drop time after reaching the reheating recyclable water level at this time before the determination reference time is equal to or longer than the determination reference time A bath dropping abnormality monitoring device, comprising: a dropping abnormality determination unit that determines a dropping abnormality based on whether a predetermined water level has risen. 4. The bath dropping abnormality monitoring device according to claim 1, further comprising safety commanding means for issuing a dropping down command and a dropping error display command when the dropping abnormality determination means determines that the dropping is abnormal. .