JPH1096254A - Sanitary washing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sanitary washing device capable of stably controlling it based on the ambient temperature without requiring any exclusive temperature sensor. SOLUTION: Temperature variation speed such as time required for hot water temperature to vary a specific temperature section is measured by a thermometer 15 for detecting temperature of hot water in a hot water tank 13, and the ambient temperature is speculated from the variation speed to be obtained. Temperature variation speed in hot water is measured in optional temperature sections TH1-TH2 between temperature TH off and TH on, and the ambient temperature is speculated from the variation speed to be obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sanitary washing apparatus, and more particularly to a sanitary washing apparatus which performs various controls based on a detected ambient temperature.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of sanitary washing apparatus, various controls are performed by detecting the temperature in a toilet room where the apparatus is installed. For example, in the case of having a function of heating a toilet room with a hot air heater, the temperature of the device is detected and the ambient temperature of the device is heated to an appropriate temperature so that the user can spend comfortably, or the temperature is below freezing. In such a case, a predetermined freezing prevention operation is performed. Conventionally, when detecting the ambient temperature, a temperature sensor such as a heat-sensitive resistance element is provided inside the apparatus, and a signal obtained from the temperature sensor is processed to calculate the ambient temperature.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional sanitary washing apparatus, a temperature sensor is provided inside the apparatus to detect the ambient temperature. Therefore, a dedicated temperature for detecting the ambient temperature is used. In addition to the need for a sensor, if a general thermal resistance element is used as the temperature sensor, the heat capacity of the temperature sensor itself is small, so even a small change in the ambient temperature is detected, and stable control cannot be performed. There was a problem. The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary washing device capable of performing stable control based on an ambient temperature without requiring a dedicated temperature sensor.

[0004]

In order to achieve such an object, a sanitary washing apparatus according to the present invention is arranged such that the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank detected by the temperature detecting means changes in an arbitrary temperature section. , And control means for estimating the ambient temperature from the time measured by the timer based on the relationship between the time required to change the temperature section and the ambient temperature. Therefore, the time required for the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank to change in an arbitrary temperature section is measured by the time-measuring means. Based on the relationship between the time required for changing this temperature section and the ambient temperature, the time-measuring means is used. The ambient temperature is estimated from the time measured by.

[0005] The timer means measures the time required for the hot water in the hot water tank to change an arbitrary temperature section while the temperature drops from the second temperature to the first temperature.
Therefore, the hot water in the hot water tank is changed from the second temperature to the first temperature.
The time required to change any temperature interval while the temperature is lowered to the temperature of the above is measured. In addition, the time measuring means may be arranged so that the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank is between the first temperature and the second temperature and is at least in an arbitrary temperature section higher than the first temperature or at least lower than the second temperature. It measures the time required to change an arbitrary temperature section located. Therefore, the time required to change at least an arbitrary temperature section located higher than the first temperature or at least an arbitrary temperature section located lower than the second temperature is measured. The timer means measures a time required for the hot water in the hot water tank to relatively change by a predetermined temperature from the temperature of the hot water at the predetermined timing start timing. Therefore, the time required for the hot water in the hot water tank to relatively change by a predetermined temperature from the temperature of the hot water at the predetermined timing start timing is measured.

Further, a measuring means for measuring a temperature difference between hot water temperatures in an arbitrary time section based on the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank detected by the temperature detecting means, a temperature difference between the hot water temperature in the time section and an ambient temperature Control means for estimating the ambient temperature from the temperature difference measured by the measurement means based on the relationship Therefore, the temperature difference of the hot water temperature in an arbitrary time section is measured based on the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank detected by the temperature detecting means, and based on the relationship between the temperature difference of the hot water temperature in that time section and the ambient temperature. Then, the ambient temperature is estimated from the temperature difference measured by the measuring means. A time measuring means for measuring a time required to change an arbitrary section in a cycle in which the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank detected by the temperature detecting means changes; a time required for changing the section and an ambient temperature. Control means for estimating the ambient temperature from the time measured by the time measuring means based on the relationship. Therefore, the time required to change an arbitrary section in the cycle in which the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank changes is timed by the timing means, and based on the relationship between the time required to change this section and the ambient temperature. The ambient temperature is estimated from the time measured by the timer.

[0007]

Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a sanitary washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control section 1 supplies supplied cold water to hot water by heat exchange, and a control section 1 separates the control section 1 from a toilet. The cleaning unit 2 is disposed and cleans a local area by discharging hot water from the control unit 1. The electromagnetic valve 11 is a control valve that controls supply / stop of cold water (such as tap water) supplied to the control unit 1 via a pressure reducing valve (not shown). The cold water output from the solenoid valve 11 is supplied to a closed hot water tank 13 via a safety valve 12.
Supplied to

The hot water tank 13 has a heater 14 for warming the cold water in the tank by heat exchange, and a thermometer (temperature detecting means) 15 for measuring the temperature of the hot water in the tank.
And a float switch 16 for detecting the level of hot water in the tank. The control circuit 19 controls the solenoid valve 11
By supplying cold water to the hot water tank 13 until a predetermined water level is detected by the float switch 16 and controlling the heater 14 on / off based on the water temperature measured by the thermometer 15, This is control means for maintaining and controlling the water temperature in the tank at an appropriate temperature.

The switch section 18 is provided with various operation switches and a display indicating the operation state. When the operation of the switch section 18 is detected, the control circuit 19 causes the cleaning section 2 to operate.
To control hot water supply to the plant. For example, when a switch for instructing local cleaning is operated, the control circuit 19 controls the electromagnetic valve 11
To supply cold water to the hot water tank 13. Thereby, the tank internal pressure in the hot water tank 13 is increased, and the hot water in the tank is supplied to the cleaning unit 2 via the vacuum breaker 17 and the pipe 3.

The vacuum breaker 17 prevents backflow from the washing section 2 and is disposed at a position somewhat higher than the nozzle 23 and the flow control valve 21 of the washing section 2, for example, above the hot water tank 13. . When a backflow occurs from the washing unit 2, the backflow water is drained from the washing unit 2 to the toilet via a pipe 4 different from hot water, like the drain from the safety valve 12.

The flow control valve 21 of the cleaning unit 2 is provided with a control circuit 1
9 is a valve for controlling the supply channel of the hot water supplied from the control unit 1 and the amount of water discharged by the motor 22 controlled by the control unit 9. The hot water channel has a nozzle 23 side and a residual water treatment side. . The nozzle 23 is a nozzle that injects hot water from the tip during local cleaning, and the extension and storage of the tip are controlled by a motor 24 controlled by the control circuit 19.

Next, the operation of the sanitary washing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The hot water in the hot water tank 13 is heated by the drive control of the heater 14 based on the water temperature detected from the thermometer 15, that is, on / off control, as described above. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing heater control. Before time T0, no current is supplied to the heater 14 (off), and the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank 13 gradually decreases with time. Control circuit 1
9 monitors the temperature of the hot water based on a signal from the thermometer 15, and the temperature of the hot water is monitored at a predetermined temperature THon (first temperature THon).
(Time T0), the heater 1
4 is supplied (on) to warm the hot water in the tank.

Thereafter, when the hot water in the hot water tank 13 rises to a predetermined temperature THoff (second temperature) (time T1), the control circuit 19 turns off the heater 14 and stops heating the hot water. As a result, the temperature of the hot water gradually decreases, and when the temperature drops to the temperature THon (time T2), the control circuit 19 turns on the heater 14 again to start heating. In this way, by repeatedly turning on / off the heater 14, the temperature of the hot water is maintained between THon and THoff.

Here, there is a predetermined relationship between the times t1 and t2 for turning on / off the heater 14 and the ambient temperature. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the ambient temperature and the heater off time t2. When the ambient temperature is relatively low, the hot water in the hot water tank 13 is easily cooled, and the heater off time t
2, that is, the time required for the hot water to decrease from the temperature THoff to the temperature THon is short. On the other hand, when the ambient temperature is relatively high, the hot water is hardly cooled, and the heater off time t
2 is long.

In this embodiment, attention is paid to the relationship between the ambient temperature and the rate of change of the hot water, and the ambient temperature is calculated from the time required for the hot water in the hot water tank provided in the sanitary washing device to change a predetermined temperature section. It is something to do. FIG.
Is a flowchart showing the ambient temperature detection process. Hereinafter, the ambient temperature detection operation will be described with reference to FIG. 3 by taking an example in which the ambient temperature is detected based on the heater off time t2. The control circuit 19 has a predetermined period, for example, 100
The ambient temperature detection process shown in FIG. 3 is performed at a cycle of about ms.

First, the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank 13 is detected based on a signal from the thermometer 15 (step 3).
1). Next, the current control (on / off) state of the heater 14 is checked (step 32). Here, time T in FIG.
As shown at 0 to T1, when it is determined that the heater 14 is in the ON state (step 32: YES), it is determined whether the water temperature detected at step 31 is lower than the temperature THoff (step 33). If it is lower than THoff (step 33: YES), the heater 14 is kept on (step 34), and the process ends.

In step 33, if the water temperature is equal to or higher than the temperature THoff (step 33: N
O), it is determined that it is time to start timing, and at this time (time T1), timing of the heater off time t2 is started (step 35), and the heater 14 is turned off to stop heating the hot water (step 37). ), And terminate the process. On the other hand, in step 32, time T1 to T in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, when it is determined that the heater 14 is in the off state (step 32: NO), it is determined whether the water temperature detected in step 31 is higher than the temperature THon (step 36), and the temperature THon is determined. If it is higher (step 36: YES), the heater 14 is kept off (step 37), and the process ends.

In step 36, if the water temperature is lower than the temperature THon (step 36: N
O), it is determined that it is time to end the timing, and at this time (time T2), the measurement of the heater off time t2 is ended (step 38), and the ambient temperature is calculated from the measured heater off time (step 39). The heater 14 is turned on to restart the heating to the hot water (step 34).
The process ends. Therefore, for example, the hot water tank 13
Has the characteristics as shown in FIG. 4, when the measured heater off time t2 is 800 sec, the ambient temperature at that time is estimated to be about 14 ° C.

As described above, the rate of change of the temperature of the hot water is measured by the thermometer 15 for detecting the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank 13, and the ambient temperature is estimated from the rate of change. In addition, a dedicated temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature is not required, and the ambient temperature can be measured using a hot water temperature detecting thermometer provided in most sanitary washing devices in advance. Further, since a certain volume of hot water is accumulated in the hot water tank 13, even if the ambient temperature changes temporarily, the hot water temperature gradually changes, and the ambient temperature is changed based on the hot water temperature. Since the estimation is performed, stable temperature detection becomes possible and stable control can be performed, similarly to the case where the ambient temperature is detected using a temperature sensor having a large heat capacity.

In the above description, the control circuit 19 is actually
When estimating the ambient temperature from the heater off time t2, the characteristic as shown in FIG. 4 may be measured in advance, and the ambient temperature may be calculated using an arithmetic expression indicating the characteristic. A table indicating the correspondence between the heater off time t2 and the ambient temperature may be prepared, and the ambient temperature may be estimated by referring to the table. Further, the relationship between the ambient temperature and the required temperature change time (speed) is not limited to the case where the heater 14 is in the off state, and even during the period in which the heater 14 is in the on state, that is, from the heater on time t1. The ambient temperature can be estimated in a similar manner even during the period in which the heater 14 repeats the ON / OFF state, that is, from the heater ON / OFF cycle t0.

However, when hot water is heated by the heater 14, the heat exchange efficiency varies depending on variations in the resistance value of the heater 14 and fluctuations in the power supply voltage supplied to the heater 14, so that the heater ON time t1 is different from the ambient temperature. It is thought that the heat exchange efficiency is susceptible to errors and fluctuations. Therefore, as compared with the case where the ambient temperature is estimated based on the heater-on time t1 or the heater-on / off cycle t0, the estimation of the ambient temperature based on the heater-off time t2 is less likely to be affected by errors or fluctuations in the heat exchange efficiency. Thus, it is possible to more accurately measure the ambient temperature.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Due to the arrangement of the heater 14 and the thermometer 15 and the stagnation in the hot water tank 13, the warm water may be overheated. For example, the heater 14
When the distance between the thermometer 15 and the thermometer 15 is large, a difference occurs in the temperature distribution of the hot water between the vicinity of the heater 14 and the thermometer 15. Thus, when the temperature THoff is detected by the thermometer 15, the heater 14 is heated to a temperature higher than the temperature THoff in the vicinity of the heater 14, and the warm water is overheated. Therefore, an overshoot occurs in which the temperature of the hot water rises even after the temperature of the hot water becomes equal to or higher than the temperature THoff by the thermometer 15 (time T1), and an error occurs in the heater off time t2.

In such a case, as shown in FIG.
Between the temperature THoff and THon and the temperature T
Any temperature section TH located lower than Hoff
1 to TH2, required time (speed) of temperature change of hot water
Should be measured. That is, at time T1, the heater 14
Is controlled to be in the OFF state, the control circuit 19 monitors the hot water temperature, and starts measuring time t3 from the time (time T11) when the hot water temperature becomes TH1 lower than THoff,
Thereafter, at the time (time T12) when the hot water temperature decreases to TH2 (TH1> TH2), the measurement of the time t3 ends, and the ambient temperature is estimated based on the obtained time t3.

As described above, the error due to the overshoot described above can be reduced by measuring the time required for the temperature change of the hot water in any temperature section TH1 to TH2 in which the temperature of the hot water is lower than the temperature THoff. Further, since the time required for temperature change is measured in an arbitrary temperature section TH1 to TH2 located at a place higher than the temperature THon, THo having a relatively gentle temperature change is measured.
The error in the measurement time due to the temperature detection error is smaller than in the vicinity of n, and the ambient temperature can be estimated with high accuracy.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the above description, the timing for starting the temperature change required time has been described as an example in which the hot water temperature is the first temperature in the temperature sections TH1 to TH2, that is, the time when the temperature TH1 is reached. A predetermined time point based on another control timing such as the OFF operation timing may be used. In addition, temperature section T
As for H1 to TH2, it is sufficient that the temperature section width is constant, and the temperature section is a temperature section for measuring a time from the hot water temperature at a predetermined timing start timing to a point when the temperature changes relatively by a predetermined temperature ΔTH. The point in time when ΔTH has changed may be used as the timing end timing.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the time after the elapse of the time t4 from the time T1 when the heater 14 is turned off is set as the timing start timing, and the hot water temperature at that time is set as TH1, that is, the start of the temperature section. Thereafter, a point in time when the temperature of the hot water is relatively decreased by ΔTH from the temperature TH1 is defined as the end of the temperature section, and is defined as timing end timing. Based on the time t3 from the timing start timing to the timing end timing, the ambient temperature is estimated from the relationship between the ambient temperature and the temperature change required time (speed) described above (see FIG. 4).

As described above, the predetermined time point based on another control timing such as the ON / OFF operation timing of the heater 14 is set as the timing start timing, and the temperature of the hot water at that time changes by a relatively constant temperature. Since the ambient temperature is estimated from the relationship between the ambient temperature and the required time (speed) of the temperature change based on the required time, the required time of the temperature change of the hot water is measured in the above-mentioned arbitrary temperature sections TH1 to TH2. As in the case described above, the error of the measurement time caused by the overshoot and the temperature detection error is reduced, and the ambient temperature can be estimated with high accuracy.
Further, a section for measuring the temperature gradient can be set irrespective of the hot water temperature, so that even when the management temperature of the hot water changes, the ambient temperature can be accurately estimated.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the above-described first to third embodiments, the case where the temperature section width is fixed and the ambient temperature is estimated from the time required to change the temperature section has been described. From the relationship between the ambient temperature and the temperature change width in a predetermined time section as shown in FIG. 7, the ambient temperature may be estimated based on the temperature change width that changes within a certain time section.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a temperature change width ΔTH that changes from a predetermined hot water temperature TH1 to a certain time interval t3 = 100 sec is measured to estimate the ambient temperature. Therefore, when the hot water tank 13 has the characteristics as shown in FIG. 7, the measured temperature width ΔTH is 1.0 ° C.
, The ambient temperature at that time is estimated to be about 3 ° C. The measurement start timing of the temperature change width ΔTH may be the time when the predetermined hot water temperature TH1 is reached, or may be the predetermined time based on another control timing such as the heater ON / OFF operation timing.

As described above, the temperature gradient of the hot water temperature is measured based on the temperature change width that changes within a certain time interval, and the ambient temperature of the hot water tank is estimated from the relationship between the ambient temperature and the temperature change width in the predetermined time interval. Thus, even when the temperature of the hot water hardly changes, for example, when the temperature of the hot water is substantially equal to the ambient temperature, the temperature gradient can be accurately measured, and the ambient temperature can be estimated more accurately.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank detected by the temperature detecting means changes in an arbitrary temperature section or an arbitrary section in a cycle in which the temperature of the hot water changes. The time required to perform this operation is measured, and the ambient temperature is estimated from the time measured by the time measuring means based on the relationship between the time required to change this section and the ambient temperature. Ambient temperature can be detected without the need for a dedicated temperature sensor to detect the ambient temperature, and stable control is performed compared to the case where a general heat-sensitive resistance element with a small heat capacity is used as a temperature sensor. be able to. In addition, since the time required for changing an arbitrary temperature section while the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank decreases from the second temperature to the first temperature is measured, variations in the heat exchange efficiency of the heater and the temperature of the heater are measured. , It is possible to avoid the influence of the fluctuation of the power supply voltage supplied to the power supply, and it is possible to more accurately estimate the ambient temperature. Also, any temperature section in which the hot water in the hot water tank is between the first and second temperatures and is at least higher than the first temperature, or any temperature section that is at least lower than the second temperature Since the time required to change the temperature section is measured, errors due to retention of hot water in the hot water tank, the positional relationship between the heater and the temperature detecting means, or detection errors of the temperature detecting means are reduced. It becomes possible.

Further, since the time required for the hot water in the hot water tank to relatively change by a predetermined temperature from the temperature of the hot water at the predetermined timing start timing is measured, the hot water in the hot water tank is measured in the same manner as described above. It is possible to reduce the error caused by stagnation, the positional relationship between the heater and the temperature detecting means, or the detection error of the temperature detecting means, and to set a section for measuring the temperature gradient regardless of the hot water temperature. Therefore, even when the management temperature of the hot water changes, the ambient temperature can be accurately estimated.
In addition, the temperature difference of the hot water temperature in an arbitrary time section is measured based on the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank detected by the temperature detecting means, and from this temperature difference, the temperature difference of the hot water temperature in the time section and the ambient temperature are determined. Since the ambient temperature is estimated based on the relationship, even when the temperature of the hot water hardly changes, for example, even when the temperature of the hot water is substantially equal to the ambient temperature, the temperature gradient can be accurately measured, and the ambient temperature can be more accurately determined. It can be estimated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a sanitary washing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing heater control.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an ambient temperature detection process.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between an ambient temperature and a heater off time.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing another ambient temperature detection process.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing another ambient temperature detection process.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between an ambient temperature and a temperature change in a predetermined time section.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control part, 11 ... Electromagnetic valve, 12 ... Safety valve, 13 ... Hot water tank, 14 ... Heater, 15 ... Thermometer (temperature detection means), 16 ... Float switch, 17 ... Vacuum breaker, 18 ... Switch part, 19 ... Control circuit (control means), 2 ... washing unit, 21 ... flow regulating valve, 22 ... motor,
23 ... nozzle, 24 ... motor, 3,4 ... piping. THon
... temperature (first temperature), THoff ... temperature (second temperature).

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroaki Kodama 100, Maeda-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside (72) Inventor Keisuke Sakuma 100, Maeda-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Koito Kogyo Inside the corporation

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A hot water tank for storing hot water for cleaning a local area by discharging water from a nozzle, a heater for warming hot water in the hot water tank, and a temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the hot water, A sanitary washing device that maintains the temperature of the hot water by driving the heater to warm the hot water when the temperature of the hot water drops to the first temperature and stopping the driving of the heater when the temperature of the hot water rises to the second temperature. In, the time measuring means for measuring the time required for the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank detected by the temperature detecting means to change an arbitrary temperature section, and the time required for changing the temperature section and the ambient temperature. Control means for estimating the ambient temperature from the time measured by the time measuring means based on the relationship. 2. The sanitary washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the timer measures a time required to change an arbitrary temperature section while the hot water in the hot water tank decreases from the second temperature to the first temperature. A sanitary washing device characterized by measuring the time. 3. The sanitary washing device according to claim 1, wherein the time keeping means comprises an arbitrary part in which the hot water in the hot water tank is located between the first and second temperatures and at least higher than the first temperature. A sanitary washing device characterized by measuring a time required to change a temperature section. 4. The sanitary washing device according to claim 1, wherein the time keeping means comprises an optional device in which the hot water in the hot water tank is located between the first and second temperatures and at least lower than the second temperature. A sanitary washing device characterized by measuring a time required to change a temperature section. 5. The sanitary washing device according to claim 1, wherein the timing means measures a time required for the hot water in the hot water tank to relatively change by a predetermined temperature from the temperature of the hot water at a predetermined timing start timing. A sanitary washing device characterized by that: 6. A hot water tank for accumulating hot water for cleaning a local area by discharging water from a nozzle, a heater for heating the hot water in the hot water tank, and a temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the hot water, A sanitary washing device that maintains the temperature of the hot water by driving the heater to warm the hot water when the temperature of the hot water drops to the first temperature and stopping the driving of the heater when the temperature of the hot water rises to the second temperature. Measuring means for measuring a temperature difference of the hot water temperature in an arbitrary time section based on the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank detected by the temperature detecting means; and Control means for estimating the ambient temperature from the temperature difference measured by the measuring means based on the relationship. 7. A hot water tank for storing hot water for cleaning a local area by discharging water from a nozzle, a heater for warming the hot water in the hot water tank, and a temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the hot water, A sanitary washing device that maintains the temperature of the hot water by driving the heater to warm the hot water when the temperature of the hot water drops to the first temperature and stopping the driving of the heater when the temperature of the hot water rises to the second temperature. A time measuring means for measuring a time required to change an arbitrary section in a cycle in which the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank detected by the temperature detecting means changes; and a time required to change the section and surroundings. A sanitary washing apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to estimate an ambient temperature from the time measured by the time measuring unit based on a relationship with the temperature.