JPH11173662A - Bath apparatus with hot water filling function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately determine a reference water level in a relation data of the water level of a bathtub and the water quantity of the bathtub during the hot water filling operation in a memory mode. SOLUTION: After hot water is injected to a bathtub 6 to a water level slightly lower than a range of the water level that allows circulation of hot water of the bathtub 6 through a reheating circulation path 11 by the driving of a circulation pump 8, the operations are repeated to inject a predetermined very small amount of water to the bathtub 6 and to detect the a flow rate of circulated water in the reheating circulation path 11 by driving the circulation pump 8 during the stoppage of the hot water injecting operation. When the circulation flow rate obtained by the subsequent detection is almost equal to the circulation flow rate obtained by the preceding detection, no bubbles are determined to exist in hot water in the reheating circulation path 11. In this manner, the water level of the bathtub obtained by the subsequent detection of the circulation flow rate can be accurately detected by the water level sensor 14 without being adversely affected by the bubbles to define the water level obtained as reference water level. Thus, a correct relation data of the water level and the water quantity of the bathtub is generated based on the reference water level.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bath apparatus having a hot water filling function capable of automatically filling a bathtub with hot water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 3 shows an example of a bath apparatus having a hot water filling function. This bath equipment (apparatus) with hot water filling function
Has a hot water supply heat exchanger 1 which is a hot water supply heat source and a reheating heat exchanger 2 which is a reheating heat source as shown in FIG.
A water supply passage 3 for guiding water from a water supply source to the hot water supply heat exchanger 1 is connected to an inlet of the hot water supply heat exchanger 1, and an outlet of the hot water supply heat exchanger 1 is connected to the water supply passage 3. A hot water supply passage 4 for guiding the flowing hot and cold water to a hot water supply place such as a kitchen or a shower is connected.

[0003] One end of the forward heat exchanger 2 is connected to one end of an outgoing pipe 5, and the other end of the outgoing pipe 5 is connected to a circulation fitting 27.
Is connected to the bathtub 6 via the. One end of a passage 7 is connected to the other end of the reheating heat exchanger 2, and the other end of the passage 7 is connected to a discharge port of a circulation pump 8. One end of the return pipe 10 is connected to the suction port of the circulation pump 8, and the other end of the return pipe 10 is connected to the bathtub 6 via the circulation fitting 27. The forward pipe 5, the reheating heat exchanger 2, the passage 7, the circulation pump 8, and the return pipe 10 constitute a reheating circulation path 11 for circulating hot water in the bathtub 6 by driving the circulation pump 8.

A pouring passage 12 is provided for connecting the passage 7 of the reheating circulation passage 11 and the hot water supply passage 4 to each other. The pouring passage 12 is formed by an electromagnetic valve for opening and closing the passage. The hot water filling control valve 13 and the bathtub 6
And a water level sensor 14 for detecting the water level of the water.
A hot water filling passage is constituted by a passage from the hot water supply heat exchanger 1 to the hot tub 6 through the hot water supply passage 4, the pouring passage 12 and the additional heating circulation passage 11 in order.

A hot water supply burner 15 for burning and heating the hot water supply heat exchanger 1 and a reheating burner 16 for burning and heating the reheating heat exchanger 2 are provided. Gas supply passages 17 and 18 branched from passages (not shown) connected to the gas supply source are respectively connected. In the passage from the fuel gas supply source to each burner, a proportional valve (not shown) for variably controlling the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner based on the valve opening is provided.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 20 denotes a water quantity sensor for detecting the flow rate of water flowing through the water supply passage 3, reference numeral 21 denotes a water input thermistor for detecting the temperature of incoming water flowing into the hot water supply heat exchanger 1, and reference numeral 22 denotes heat exchange for hot water supply. The reference numeral 23 denotes a tap water thermistor for detecting the temperature of hot water flowing out of the vessel 1, a reference numeral 23 denotes a bath temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the bath water flowing through the reheating circulation path 11 as a bath temperature, and the reference numeral 24 denotes a reheating circulation path 1.
1 shows a water flow switch for detecting a circulating water flow.

The hot water supply device with a hot water filling function is provided with a control device 25 for controlling appliance operation such as hot water supply operation, hot water filling operation and reheating operation, and a remote control 26 is connected to the control device 25. I have. The remote controller 26 has a hot water supply temperature setting means for setting a hot water supply (hot water filling) temperature, and a bathtub 6.
A bathtub water level setting means for setting the water level, a bath temperature setting means for setting the bath temperature, and the like are provided.

The control device 25 captures information of various sensor outputs from the water amount sensor 20 and the like and information of a remote controller 26 such as a hot water supply set temperature, and, based on the captured information, a hot water supply operation, a hot water supply operation, and a reheating operation. Are controlled as follows. For example, when a hot-water tap (not shown) of the hot-water supply passage 4 guided to a hot-water supply place such as a kitchen or a shower is opened, and the water supply sensor 3 detects the flow of water in the hot-water supply passage 3, the hot-water supply burner by the hot-water supply operation is performed. 15 by starting the combustion of the hot water supply burner 15 and controlling the valve opening of the proportional valve so that the hot water supply temperature becomes the hot water supply set temperature set on the remote controller 26 (that is, By controlling the amount of fuel gas supplied to the hot water supply burner 15), the hot water of the hot water supply heat exchanger 1 is heated by the heat of the combustion flame of the hot water supply burner 15 to produce hot water, and the hot water passes through the hot water supply passage 4. Hot water is supplied to a desired hot water supply place. When the hot water tap is closed and the water quantity sensor 20 detects the stoppage of the water supply in the water supply passage 3, the combustion of the hot water supply burner 15 is stopped to prepare for the next hot water supply operation.

The bathing operation is an operation of automatically filling the bathtub 6 with the bathtub set water level set on the remote controller 26. The bathing operation includes a bathtub water level P as shown in FIG. Filling operation in a storage mode for automatically creating PQ data, which is data relating to bathtub water volume Q, and an execution mode for automatically filling bathtub 6 based on the created PQ data. There is a hot water operation.

At the time of filling operation in the storage mode, for example,
First, the hot water filling control valve 13 is opened, and the hot water produced by the hot water supply heat exchanger 1 is poured into the bathtub 6 through the hot water supply passage 4, the hot water supply passage 12, and the additional heating circulation passage 11 in this order. .
The amount of pouring from the start of pouring is determined by integrating the flow rate detected by the water amount sensor 20 after the start of pouring, and the determined amount of pouring from the start of pouring is shown in FIG. When it reaches the indicated a liter (for example, 40 liters), the filling control valve 13 is closed and the pouring into the bathtub 6 is temporarily stopped (step 10 in the flowchart of FIG. 5).
2).

After the pouring is stopped, the circulating pump 8 is driven (step 103), and it is determined whether or not the circulating water flow in the reheating circulation passage 11 by the driving of the circulating pump 8 is detected by the water flow switch 24 (step 103). Step 10
4). Although the hot water filling operation in the storage mode is performed from the empty state of the bathtub 6, when the circulating water flow can be detected by the above circulating water flow presence / absence judgment, the amount of water in the water level above the disposing position of the circulating metal fitting 27 is increased. 6 and determines that PQ data cannot be created in that state, and outputs an error signal (step 116).

If the circulating water flow cannot be detected by the water flow switch 24 according to the above-mentioned circulating water flow presence / absence judgment, the operation of the circulating pump 8 is stopped, and then the filling control valve 13 is opened and set in advance as described above. 6 liters (for example, 10 liters) shown in FIG. 6 is poured into the bathtub 6 (step 105). After the pouring is stopped, the circulating pump 8 is driven (step 106), and the presence or absence of the circulating water flow is determined using the water flow switch 24 in the same manner as described above (step 107).
When the circulating water flow cannot be detected, it is determined that the bathtub water level has not reached the position where the circulation fitting 27 is provided,
The b liter is poured into the bath 6 again.

When the circulating water flow is detected by the water flow switch 24 by judging the presence or absence of the circulating water flow after the b liter is poured, it is determined that the bathtub water level has reached the water level above the position where the circulation fitting 27 is provided. When it is determined that the bath level can be detected by the water level sensor 14 and the circulation pump 8 is stopped, the bath level is detected by the water level sensor 14 (step 108). Thereafter, in the same manner as above, a predetermined c l (for example, 10
Liter) (Step 109), the bathtub water level is detected again by the water level sensor 14, and the bathtub water level at this time is determined as the reference water level Psh (Step 110).

The bath water level Pa detected before pouring the c-liter and the bath water level Psh detected after pouring the c-liter, and the bath water level required for the bath level to rise from the water level Pa to the water level Psh. The opening area S of bathtub 6 (S = c / (P
sh-Pa)) is obtained (step 111).

Next, the detected bathtub water level Psh is compared with the bathtub set water level preset on the remote controller 26, and it is determined whether or not the bathtub water level Psh has reached the bathtub set water level (step 112). When it is determined that the bathtub water level has not reached the bathtub set water level, the pouring amount assumed to be necessary to reach the bathtub set water level from the reference water level Psh is poured into the bathtub 6 (step 113). After the hot water is stopped, the bath level is detected by the water level sensor 14 (step 114), and it is determined whether the detected bath level has reached the bath level set in the same manner as described above, and it is determined that the bath level has reached the bath level set. At times, the pouring operation is stopped, and the reference water level Psh obtained above, the bathtub water amount (pouring amount) Qsh up to the reference water level Psh, the bathtub set water level Pst, and the bathtub water amount Qst up to the bathtub set water level Pst are obtained. On the basis, a predetermined P-Q
The PQ data as shown in FIG. 4 is created according to the data creation method, the created PQ data is stored in the internal memory of the control device 25, and the filling operation in the storage mode is terminated (step 115).

When performing the hot water filling operation in the execution mode,
First, the circulation pump 8 is turned on for a predetermined time (for example, 1).
(Step 202 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7), and it is determined whether the circulating water flow in the reheating circulation passage 11 by the driving of the circulation pump 8 is detected by the water flow switch 24 (step 203). When the circulating water flow cannot be detected by the water flow switch 24, it is determined that there is no hot water in the bathtub 6 or the water level of the bathtub 6 is lower than the position where the circulation fitting 27 is provided.
The hot water filling control valve 13 is opened, and a predetermined x liter (for example, 40 liter) is poured into the bathtub 6 (step 2).
04).

After the pouring is stopped, the circulating pump 8 is driven in the same manner as described above (step 205), and the presence / absence of the circulating water flow in the additional heating circulation passage 11 driven by the circulating pump 8 is determined by the water flow switch 24 (step 205). Step 206),
When it is determined that the circulating water flow in the additional heating circulation passage 11 has not been detected by the water flow switch 24, the hot water control valve 13 is opened and the hot water produced by the hot water supply heat exchanger 1 in the same manner as described above is dispensed for a predetermined y liter. (For example, 10 liters) is poured into the bathtub 6 (step 207).

Further, in the same manner as described above, the circulation pump 8 is driven after the pouring is stopped (step 208), and the presence or absence of the circulating water flow in the reheating circulation passage 11 by the driving of the circulation pump 8 is determined by the water flow switch 24 (step 209). If the circulating water flow cannot be detected, the hot water produced by the hot water supply heat exchanger 1 is poured into the bathtub 6 by a predetermined z liter (for example, 15 liters) (step 210).

After the pouring is stopped again, the circulation pump 8
Is driven (step 211), and the presence / absence of circulating water flow in the additional heating circulation passage 11 driven by the circulation pump 8 is determined by the water flow switch 24 (step 212). When the circulating water flow cannot be detected, the circulating water flow cannot be detected, despite the fact that a sufficient amount of pouring water has been poured into the bathtub 6 so as to exceed the disposition position of the circulation fitting 27 after the hot water filling operation was started. Is determined to be abnormal, and an error signal is output (step 217).

Judgment of presence / absence of circulating water flow in the reheating circulation passage 11 by driving the circulation pump 8 (step 20 in FIG. 7)
3, 206, 209, 212), when it is determined that the water level of the bathtub 6 is above the position where the circulation fitting 27 is provided, the water level sensor 14 detects the bathtub water level (step 213). It is determined whether or not the detected water level has reached the bathtub set water level set on the remote controller 26 (step 214). If it is determined that the detected water level has not reached the bathtub set water level, the remaining notes required to reach the bathtub set water level are determined. The amount of hot water is detected based on the created PQ data, and after the remaining amount of the detected pouring water is poured, the water level sensor 1
4, the bathtub water level is detected (step 215), and it is determined whether the detected bathtub water level is the bathtub set water level (step 214), and it is determined that the detected bathtub water level has reached the bathtub set water level. At this time, the hot water filling operation in the execution mode ends (step 216).

When the reheating operation is performed, the circulation pump 8 is driven to circulate the bath water through the reheating circulation passage 11, and after the circulating water flow in the reheating circulation passage 11 is detected by the water flow switch 24, the reheating burner is operated. The fuel cell 16 starts the combustion, heats the circulating hot and cold water flowing through the reheating heat exchanger 2 to perform reheating, and the bath temperature detected by the bath temperature sensor 23 reaches the bath set temperature set on the remote controller 26. At times, the combustion of the reheating burner 16 is stopped, the circulation pump 8 is stopped, and the reheating operation is terminated.

If the bath is provided with an automatic operation, the circulation pump 8
Is driven to circulate the bath tub water through the additional heating circulation passage 11. At this time, when the bath temperature detected by the bath temperature sensor 23 does not reach the bath set temperature set on the remote controller 14, the above additional heating operation is performed. To raise the temperature of the bathtub to the set temperature, and when it is determined that the temperature of the bath has reached the set temperature based on the sensor output of the bath temperature sensor 23, a buzzer or the like indicating the boiling of the bath is provided. Notify the boiling of the bath.

[0023]

By the way, in the hot water filling operation in the storage mode, a predetermined pouring amount is set after the circulating water flow in the reheating circulation passage 11 driven by the circulating pump 8 is first detected by the water flow switch 24. (C liter)
Was poured, and the bathtub water level after the pouring was detected by the water level sensor 14, and the detected bathtub water level was determined as the reference water level.

However, when the circulating water flow in the additional heating circulation passage 11 is first detected by the water flow switch 24 during the filling operation in the storage mode, the water level in the bathtub 6 is determined by the position of the circulation fitting 27. In such a water level state, by driving the circulation pump 8, the air is also drawn into the circulation passage 11 together with the bathtub hot water by the driving of the circulation bath 8, and the bathtub hot water and the air bubbles circulate in the reclamation circulation passage 11. In some cases, air bubbles are mixed in the hot and cold water in the reheating circulation passage 11 after the circulation pump 8 is stopped.

After the circulating water flow is first detected by the water flow switch 24, the flow of hot water in the reheating circulation channel 11 flows out to the bathtub 6 due to the flow of hot water. All the hot and cold air bubbles in the bathtub 6
In this state, the water level of the bathtub detected by the water level sensor 14 may be different from the water level of the bathtub 6 due to the air bubbles.

As described above, when the water level detected by the water level sensor 14 is incorrect and the water level is determined as the reference water level, the PQ data created using the reference water level becomes inaccurate. , PQ data has low reliability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a control structure capable of detecting that there is no bubble in hot and cold water in a reheating circulation passage during a hot water filling operation in a storage mode. To provide a bath apparatus with a hot water filling function that can set a water level when it is possible to detect that there is no bubble in the hot water in the reheating circulation passage as a reference water level and create accurate relation data between a bathtub water level and a bathtub water volume. It is in.

[0028]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following structure to solve the above problems. That is, the first invention has a hot water supply passage for dropping the hot water produced by the hot water supply heat source into the bathtub, and a reheating heating circulation passage for circulating the bathtub water by driving the circulation pump. In a bath device with a hot water filling function that can perform hot water filling operation in a storage mode for automatically creating relation data between the bath water volume and the bathtub water volume, the flow rate of the circulating water flow flowing through the reheating steam circulation passage by driving the circulation pump is Circulating flow rate detecting means for detecting; a small amount of water predetermined after pouring to a water level slightly lower than a bathtub water circulatable water level range in which bathtub water can be circulated through a reheating heater by driving a circulation pump. A small amount of water pouring into the bathtub from the hot water filling passage, and circulating the recirculating pump by driving the circulating pump while pouring operation is stopped. The circulation flow detection operation of detecting the flow rate of the flow by the circulation flow detection means is repeatedly performed during the filling operation in the storage mode, and when the detected circulation flow becomes substantially equal to the previously detected circulation flow, A reference water level setting unit that sets one of a bathtub water level when the circulation flow rate is detected and a bathtub water level when the circulation flow rate is detected later as a reference water level in the relation data between the bathtub water level and the bathtub water amount; The means for solving the above-described problem is provided by a configuration provided with the above.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hot water supply passage for dropping hot water produced by a hot water supply heat source into a bathtub, and a reheating heating circulation passage for circulating bathtub water by driving a circulation pump. In a bath apparatus with a hot water filling function that can drop hot water from a hot water passage into a bath tub and automatically fill hot water to a predetermined bath tub set water level, the flow rate of the circulating water flow flowing through the reheating steam circulation passage by driving the circulation pump is Circulating flow rate detecting means for detecting; a small amount of water predetermined after pouring to a water level slightly lower than a bathtub water circulatable water level range in which bathtub water can be circulated through a reheating heater by driving a circulation pump. A small amount of water pouring into the bathtub from the hot water filling passage, and circulating the recirculating pump by driving the circulating pump while pouring operation is stopped. The circulation flow detection operation of detecting the flow rate of the flow by the circulation flow rate detection means is repeated, and when the detected circulation flow rate deviates from the previously detected circulation flow rate beyond a predetermined allowable range, reheating is performed. Judging that there is a possibility that air bubbles may be mixed in the circulation passage, and when the detected circulation flow rate is substantially equal to the previously detected circulation flow amount, it is determined that air bubbles are not mixed in the reheating circulation passage. And a unit for judging the presence or absence of air bubbles to be judged is provided as means for solving the above problem.

In the invention having the above construction, for example, a circulating flow rate detecting means for detecting a circulating water flow rate in the reheating circulation passage driven by the circulating pump is provided. After pouring the water to a water level slightly lower than the range, the reference water level setting unit drives the circulation pump while the pouring operation is stopped while a minute amount of water is poured into the bathtub from the filling passage through a predetermined minute amount of water. When the circulating flow detecting operation of detecting the circulating flow of the reheating circulation passage by the circulating pump driven by the circulating pump by the circulating flow detecting means is repeatedly performed, and the detected circulating flow becomes substantially equal to the previously detected circulating flow, ,
One of the bathtub water level when the circulation flow rate was detected before and the bathtub water level when the circulation flow rate was detected later is set as the reference water level.

For example, when hot water is filled in the bathtub to the water level in the lower limit area of the bathtub water circulatable water level range, the bathtub hot water and air are both drawn into the recirculation passage by driving the circulation pump, so that not only the bathtub hot water but also Bubbles may also circulate in the reheating circuit. As described above, when the air bubbles are circulated in the recirculating circulation passage together with the bath water by driving the circulation pump, the circulating flow rate detected by the circulating flow rate detecting means is caused by the air bubbles, and the circulating flow rate in the reheating circulation passage is reduced. In addition to being different from the detected circulating flow rate when no air bubbles are present in the circulating hot and cold water, it also fluctuates greatly due to the change in the flow state of the air bubbles.

Therefore, as described above, the operation of pouring a small amount of water and the operation of detecting the circulating flow rate are repeatedly performed, and the detected circulating flow rate deviates from the previous circulating flow rate by, for example, exceeding a predetermined allowable range. In some cases, it is possible to determine that bubbles have been mixed in the circulating hot and cold water in the additional heating circulation passage at least when the circulating flow rate was previously detected.

The circulating flow detected in a state where there is no bubble in the circulating hot and cold water in the reheating circulation passage is predetermined and hardly fluctuates. Therefore, when the detected circulating flow is substantially equal to the previously detected circulating flow, When the circulation flow rate is detected later or when the previous circulation flow rate is detected, it can be determined that no bubbles are contained in the circulating hot and cold water in the additional heating circulation passage.

The bathtub water level in the state where it is determined that there is no bubble in the circulating hot water in the reheating circulation passage is set to the reference water level as described above, so that the accurate bathtub water level and bathtub water amount can be determined based on the reference water level. It becomes possible to create relational data, and the above-mentioned problem is solved.

[0035]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The features of this embodiment are as follows.
As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 3, a circulation flow sensor 28 is provided as circulation flow detection means capable of detecting the flow rate of the circulating water flowing through the reheating circulation passage 11 by driving the circulation pump 8. The control configuration for setting the bathtub water level as the reference water level when it is determined that there is no air bubble in the reheating circulation passage 11 during the hot water filling operation in the storage mode by using the circulation flow rate detected by the above. The other configuration is the same as that of the bath apparatus with a hot water filling function shown in FIG. 3, and the duplicated description of the common parts will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, a control device 25 according to this embodiment includes a filling controller 30 and a pouring amount detector 3.
1, a data storage unit 32, and a reference water level setting unit 33. The reference water level setting unit 33 includes a minute water volume pouring control unit 35, a reference water level determination unit 36, and a circulating flow rate capturing unit. 37 and a circulating flow rate comparison unit 38.

The pouring amount detecting means 31 takes in the flow rate detected by the water amount sensor 20 from time to time, and receives the pouring amount detection start command issued from the filling control unit 30 described later. Of the above water quantity sensor 20
Bath 6 after receiving the above command
Detects the amount of hot water poured into

When detecting that the command for starting the filling operation in the storage mode is issued from, for example, the remote controller 26, the filling control unit 30 outputs the command for starting the pouring amount detection to the filling amount detecting unit 31 and fills the filling. Detection of the pouring amount from the start is started, and while monitoring the detected pouring amount, the circulating pump 8 drives the hot water in the bathtub 6 to reheat the circulation passage 1.
Performing pouring of a pouring volume (for example, 40 liters) that is assumed to be able to reach a water level slightly lower than a bathtub water circulating water level range that can be circulated through 1;
After the pouring is stopped, the circulation pump 8 is driven to determine the presence or absence of the circulating water flow in the additional heating circulation passage 11 using the water flow switch 24 as described above. In this state, it is determined that PQ data cannot be created and an error signal is output.
When the circulating water flow cannot be detected by the above-mentioned circulating water flow presence / absence judgment, a predetermined minute pouring amount (for example, 10 liters) is poured.
The circulating pump 8 is driven to determine the presence or absence of the circulating water flow, and when the circulating water flow cannot be detected,
The circulating water flow presence / absence determination is performed by pouring the small amount of pouring.
When the circulating water flow can be detected based on the circulating water flow presence / absence judgment, the hot water control unit 30 outputs a reference water level setting command for setting the reference water level to the circulating flow rate capturing unit 37 of the reference water level setting unit 33. I do.

When receiving the reference water level setting command, the circulating flow rate intake section 37 drives the circulating pump 8 with the pouring operation stopped. In this embodiment, as described above, the circulating water flow in the reheating
Since the circulation pump 8 is driven by the circulation flow rate intake unit 37 after the detection by the circulation pump 4, the water in the bathtub 6 is drawn into the reheating circulation passage 11 by the driving of the circulation pump 8, and the reheating circulation is performed by the circulation flow sensor 28. The flow rate of the circulating water flow in the passage 11 can be detected. The circulating flow intake unit 37 checks the sensor output of the circulating flow sensor 28 after the unstable state of the circulating water flow in the reheating circulation passage 11 at the time of starting the driving of the circulating pump 8 is increased, and recirculates the circulating flow of the And outputs a signal indicating the circulating flow rate to the circulating flow comparing section 38.

Upon receiving the information on the circulating flow rate from the circulating flow rate acquiring section 37, the circulating flow rate comparing section 38 determines whether or not the information on the circulating flow rate is stored in a built-in memory (not shown). When the circulating flow is first taken from the start of filling, and the information of the circulating flow is not stored in the memory, the circulating flow from the circulating flow taking section 37 is stored in the built-in memory, and the minute water amount is stored. Is output to the minute water amount pouring control unit 35 for injecting a small amount of water into the bathtub 6.

When detecting that the start command for injecting the minute amount of water has been issued, the minute amount pouring control unit 35 opens the filling control valve 13 and the amount of pouring detected by the amount detecting unit 31. Based on the above, only a predetermined amount of small amount of water (for example, 10 liters) is poured into the bathtub 6, and after the addition of this amount of small amount of water, the injection of minute amount of water indicating that the addition of the minute amount of water is completed is completed. The signal is output to the circulating flow rate capturing section 37.

Upon receiving the above-mentioned minute pouring amount end signal, the circulating flow intake section 37 drives the circulating pump 8 to detect the circulating flow in the reheating circulation passage 11 from the circulating flow sensor 28 in the same manner as described above. The information on the circulated flow rate is output to the circulated flow rate comparison unit 38.

The circulating flow comparing section 38 is again operated by the reheating circulating passage 11 taken in by the circulating flow taking section 37.
When the received circulating flow rate is received, the circulating flow rate received this time is compared with the circulating flow rate previously taken in and stored in the built-in memory. .5 liters / min), and if it is judged that there is a deviation, at least the last time when the circulation flow rate was taken in, the circulation pump 8 was driven to burn not only the bathtub hot water but also the air. It is determined that the bath water and air bubbles have been circulated in the reheating heating circulation passage 11 by being drawn into the circulation passage 11, the circulation flow amount received this time is stored in the built-in memory, and the circulation flow comparison unit 38 is again performed. Is a small amount of water pouring controller 3
At 5, a minute water injection command is issued.

The circulating flow comparing section 38 compares the circulating flow received from the circulating flow capturing section 37 with the previous circulating flow as described above, and the current circulating flow exceeds the allowable range with respect to the previous circulating flow. When it is determined that there is no deviation, that is, when it is determined that the previous circulation flow rate and the current circulation flow rate are substantially equal, the circulation flow rate is detected both when the previous circulation flow rate is detected and when the current circulation flow rate is detected. By driving the pump 8, only the bathtub hot water is drawn into the additional heating circulation passage 11 and it is determined that only the bathtub hot water is circulating in the additional heating circulation passage 11, and the reference water level detection command is determined as the reference water level. Output to the unit 36, and
Clear the internal memory.

When the reference water level determination unit 36 receives the detection command for the reference water level, the hot water in the reheating circulation path 11 is in a state in which no bubbles are mixed, and the reheating circulation path 1
It is determined that the accurate bathtub water level can be detected by the water level sensor 14 without being adversely affected by the air bubbles in 1.
The sensor output of the water level sensor 14 is detected as a bathtub water level,
The detected water level is determined as the reference water level and stored in the data storage unit 32. After determining the reference water level, the reference water level determination unit 36 outputs a reference water level determination signal to the filling controller 30.

The hot water filling control unit 30 detects the bathtub water amount up to the determined reference water level by the pouring amount detecting unit 31,
The bathtub water amount of the reference water level is stored in the data storage unit 32 in correspondence with the reference water level.
Is opened to restart the pouring operation, and as described above, when the pouring is performed while monitoring the bathtub water level detected by the water level sensor 14, and the water level of the bathtub 6 is determined to have reached the bathtub set water level. , The filling control valve 13 is closed to end the pouring operation,
The bathtub water amount up to the bathtub set water level is detected by the pouring amount detection unit 31, and the bathtub set water level, the bathtub water amount up to the bathtub set water level, the reference water level stored in the data storage unit 32, and the reference water level up to the reference water level are stored. Based on the bath water volume, create PQ data based on a predetermined PQ data creation method,
The created PQ data is stored in the data storage unit 32.

There are various PQ data creation methods for creating PQ data based on the reference water level, the bathtub water amount up to the reference water level, the bathtub set water level and the bathtub water amount up to the bathtub set water level. Here, any of these methods may be used to create the PQ data, and the description of the method will be omitted.

Further, when the filling control command is issued while the PQ data is stored in the data storage unit 32, the filling control unit 30 executes the execution as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Controls the mode filling operation.

The characteristic control configuration of this embodiment is configured as described above. An example of the control operation for determining the reference water level will be described below briefly with reference to the flowchart of FIG. For example, after the start command of the hot water filling operation in the storage mode is issued and the operations of steps 101 to 107 of the flowchart of FIG. After pouring water to a water level slightly lower than the circulating water level range of the bathtub water that can be circulated through 11, the operation of pouring a small amount of pouring water and the operation of judging the presence or absence of circulating water flow are performed. Is poured into the bathtub 6 by the hot water filling control unit 30 until is first detected,
In step 301 shown in FIG. 2, while the driving of the circulation pump 8 is continued following the operation of step 107,
The circulation flow rate intake unit 37 detects the circulation flow rate of the reheating circulation passage 11 by the circulation flow rate sensor 28 and stores the detected circulation flow rate. A small amount of water is poured by the section 35, and after the pouring is completed, in step 303, the circulation pump 8 is driven, and the recirculation passage 1 is driven by the water flow switch 24.
The presence or absence of the circulating water flow is determined.

If the circulating water flow cannot be detected by the water flow switch 24, the operation from step 105 onward is repeated. If the circulating water flow can be detected, the circulating flow intake unit 37 returns to step 304, as described above. In step 305, the detected circulating flow is compared with the previously detected circulating flow,
It is determined whether or not the circulating flow detected this time is substantially equal to the previously detected circulating flow (determining whether or not the circulating flow this time is out of an allowable range from the previous circulating flow), and
When it is determined that they are not equal to each other, at least when the previous circulation flow rate is detected, it is determined that bubbles are mixed in the circulating water flow in the reheating circulation passage 11, and due to bubbles of hot and cold water in the reheating circulation passage 11. Since it is determined that the accurate water level cannot be detected by the water level sensor 14, the circulating flow rate detected this time is stored, and the operation after step 302 is repeated.

When it is determined that the current circulation flow rate is substantially equal to the previous circulation flow rate in the determination operation in step 305, it is determined that there is no bubble in the hot and cold water in the reheating circulation passage 11, and the water level sensor 14 accurately determines. It is determined that the bathtub water level can be detected properly.
The bathtub water level is detected by 4 and the detected bathtub water level is determined as the reference water level, and the operation of determining the reference water level ends.
Thereafter, for example, the same operation as the operation after step 109 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is performed as described above to create the PQ data, and the filling operation in the storage mode ends.

According to this embodiment, when the filling operation in the storage mode is being performed, when the reference water level is determined, the operation of pouring a very small amount of water and the operation of the circulation pump 8 are performed. The operation of detecting the circulating flow rate of the reheating circulating passage 11 by driving is repeatedly performed to compare the detected circulating flow rate with the previously detected circulating flow rate, and determine whether the current circulating flow rate is substantially equal to the previous circulating flow rate. It can be determined from the result of this comparison whether or not air bubbles are mixed in the hot and cold water in the reheating circulation passage 11.

That is, the circulation flow rate detected when the bubbles are circulated in the recirculation passage 11 together with the bathtub hot water by the driving of the circulation pump 8, Unlike the circulating flow rate detected in a state where there is no bubble in the bubble 11, the circulating flow rate in the bubble containing state takes various values according to the state of the bubble contained in the reheating circulation passage 11. From this, the circulation flow rate detected when the air bubbles are circulating in the reheating circulation passage 11 is equal to the circulation flow rate at which a minute amount of water is poured after this circulation flow rate is detected and the detection is performed again. It rarely happens.

On the other hand, the circulating flow rate detected in the absence of air bubbles has a value which does not fluctuate and is determined in advance by the capacity of the circulating pump 8 and the like. When the detected circulating flow rate is equal to the previously detected circulating flow rate, no bubbles are mixed in the hot and cold water in the additional heating circulation passage 11 both when the circulating flow rate is detected before and when the circulating flow rate is detected later. It can be determined that there is.

From the above, by judging whether or not the current circulation flow rate is substantially equal to the previous circulation flow rate,
It is possible to determine whether or not there are bubbles in the reheating circulation passage 11.

In this embodiment, it is possible to determine whether or not air bubbles are mixed in the hot water in the reheating circulation passage 11 using the circulation flow rate as described above. Since the bathtub water level when it is determined that there is no bathtub is detected by the water level sensor 14, the accurate bathtub water level cannot be detected by the water level sensor 14 due to the adverse effect of bubbles in the hot and cold water in the reheating circulation passage 11. Can reliably be avoided, and since the accurate bathtub water level detected by the water level sensor 14 is determined as the reference water level, it is possible to obtain an accurate relationship between the bathtub water level and the bathtub water amount based on the reference water level. As a result, highly reliable PQ data can be created.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can adopt various embodiments. For example, in the embodiment described above, the operation of pouring a minute amount of water and the operation of detecting the circulation flow rate of the reheating circulating passage 11 by driving the circulation pump 8 are repeated so that the detected circulation flow rate is equal to the previously detected circulation flow rate. When approximately equal, the bathtub water level when the circulating flow was detected later was detected by the water level sensor 14 and the detected water level was determined as the reference water level, but the bathtub water level when the previous circulating flow was detected was set as the reference water level. Is also good. In this case, for example, every time the pouring of a very small amount of water ends, the bathtub water level is detected as the provisional reference water level by the water level sensor 14 while the circulation pump 8 is stopped, and up to the provisional reference water level. The bathtub water amount is detected by the pouring water amount detection unit 31, and the provisional reference water level and the bathtub water amount up to the provisional reference water level are stored in a storage unit such as the data storage unit 32.

In the above embodiment, the circulation flow rate sensor 28 is used as the circulation flow rate detection means to reheat the circulation passage 11.
However, circulating flow rate detecting means other than the circulating flow rate sensor 28 may be provided. For example, since it is possible to detect the circulation flow rate of the reheating circulation passage 11 based on the power consumption of the circulation pump 8, it is possible to detect the circulation flow rate of the reheating circulation passage 11 based on the power consumption of the circulation pump 8. May be provided in advance, and circulating flow rate detecting means for detecting the circulating flow rate of the reheating circulation passage 11 based on the data and the power consumption of the circulating pump 8 may be provided instead of the circulating flow rate sensor 28.

Further, in the above embodiment, after the operation of pouring the minute amount of water by the minute amount pouring control unit 35 (operation of step 302 shown in FIG. 2), the circulating pump 8 is driven, and After performing the circulating water flow presence / absence determining operation (operation of step 303), the circulating flow rate detecting operation has been performed. Since the above-described minute water pouring operation is performed after the circulating water flow is first detected by the water flow switch 24, it is known that the water level in the bathtub 6 is higher than the position where the circulation fitting 27 is provided. In addition, since it is possible to determine the presence or absence of the circulating water flow based on the sensor output of the circulating flow sensor 28, the circulating water in the reheating circulating passage 11 after the pouring of the minute amount of water is completed. Presence determination operation (operation of step 303) may be omitted.

Further, in the above embodiment, the circulation flow sensor 28 is provided and the water flow switch 24 is provided in the reheating circulation passage 11. However, the presence or absence of the circulating water flow in the reheating circulation passage 11 is determined by the circulation flow sensor 28. Since the determination can be made, the water flow switch 24 may be omitted. In this case, an increase in the number of parts can be prevented. When the circulating flow sensor 28 also serves as the circulating water flow detecting function, for example, when the circulating flow sensor 28 detects the circulating flow, it may be determined that the circulating water flow is present in the reheating circulation passage 11. Alternatively, it may be determined that the circulating water flow is detected when the circulating flow detected by the circulating flow sensor 28 is equal to or more than a predetermined operating flow.

Further, in the above embodiment, during the filling operation in the storage mode, PQ is determined based on the reference water level, the bathtub water amount corresponding to the reference water level, the bathtub set water level and the bathtub water amount corresponding to the water level. Although data was created, during bathing operation between setting the reference water level and reaching the bathtub set water level, the bathtub water level was detected at one or more water levels, and the bathtub water volume up to the detected bathtub water level was detected. Alternatively, the PQ data may be created in consideration of the data of the bathtub water level and the bathtub water volume detected from the reference water level to the bathtub set water level. In this case, it is possible to create PQ data in which the opening area of the bathtub 6 increases from the bottom to the top.

Further, as described above, the operation of pouring a very small amount of water and the operation of detecting the circulation flow rate are repeated, and when the previously detected circulation flow rate and the subsequently detected circulation flow rate become substantially equal, the reheating heating circulation passage It can be determined that there is no air bubble in the hot and cold water, and the accurate bathtub water level can be obtained by detecting the bathtub water level with the water level sensor in the state where there is no air bubble in the reheating circulation path. The following control structure for performing the filling operation in the execution mode utilizing this fact can be provided.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the control device 25 includes a filling control unit 30 for controlling the filling operation, a pouring amount detecting unit 31, a water level capturing unit 42, A judgment unit 41 is provided. The bubble mixing presence / absence determining unit 41 includes a minute water flow pouring control unit 35, a circulating flow intake unit 37, and a circulating flow comparing unit 38. Each of the flow rate intake section 37 and the circulation flow rate comparison section 38 has substantially the same configuration as the configuration shown in the above embodiment.

After the circulating water flow in the reheating circulation passage 11 driven by the circulating pump 8 can be detected by the water flow switch 24 and the bathtub water level is determined to be within the bathtub water circulatable water level range, the water level sensor 14 When the command to detect the bathtub water level is issued from the hot water filling control unit 40, the small water amount pouring operation by the small water amount pouring control unit 35 of the bubble mixing presence / absence determining unit 41 and the circulation flow rate taking unit 3
7 is repeatedly performed in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and the circulating flow detected later by the circulating flow comparing operation by the circulating flow comparing unit 38 is determined in advance from the previously detected circulating flow by an allowable range ( For example, 0.
When it is determined that the temperature exceeds 5 liter / min), it is determined that air bubbles are mixed in the hot and cold water in the reheating circulation passage 11 as described above, and the circulation flow rate detected later is detected last time. When it is determined that the flow rate does not deviate from the circulating flow rate beyond the allowable range, that is, when it is determined that
Both when the circulation flow rate was detected last time and when the circulation flow rate was detected later, it was determined that bubbles were not mixed in the hot and cold water in the additional heating circulation passage 11, and in this state, the water level sensor 14 It is determined that the detected bathtub water level is accurate, and a bathtub water level detection permission command by the water level sensor 14 is issued to the water level capturing unit 42. The water level capturing unit 42 receives the bathtub water level detection permission command, and , The bathtub water level is detected, and the taken bathtub water level is output to the bath filling control unit 30. The filling control unit 30 continues the filling operation using the bathtub water level.

As described above, the air bubble mixing presence / absence determining section 41 is provided, and after the bubble mixing presence / absence determining section 41 determines that no air bubbles are mixed in the hot and cold water in the reheating steam circulation passage 11, the water level sensor 14 By detecting the bathtub water level, it is possible to avoid a problem that an inaccurate bathtub water level is detected by the water level sensor 14 due to bubbles in the hot water in the reheating circulation path 11, and an accurate bathtub water level can be avoided. Can be obtained. From this, it becomes possible to pouring hot water more accurately to a predetermined bathtub setting water level.

Further, the above embodiment has been described with reference to the bath apparatus having a hot water filling function shown in FIG. 3 as an example. However, a hot water passage for dropping hot water produced by a hot water supply heat source into a bathtub is provided, and The present invention can be applied to a bath apparatus other than the bath apparatus with a hot water function shown in FIG. 3 as long as the bath apparatus has a hot water function provided with a function of performing an operation.

For example, in the apparatus shown in FIG.
And the reheating furnace 2 are provided separately, and the hot water supply heat exchanger 1 and the reheating heat exchanger 2 are provided with independent burners 15 and 16, respectively. However, the hot water supply heat exchanger 1 and the reheating heat exchanger 2
The present invention is also applicable to a one-can-two-channel type bath apparatus with a hot water filling function in which a burner for integrally burning and heating the integrated heat exchangers 1 and 2 is provided. Can be.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the hot water supply heat exchanger 1 and the hot water supply burner 15 are provided as hot water supply heat sources, but a heat source such as an electric heater may be provided as the hot water supply heat source. Further, in the apparatus shown in FIG. 3, the water level sensor 14 is provided, but the present invention can also be applied to a bath apparatus with a hot water filling function in which the water level sensor 14 is omitted.

[0070]

In the case where the reference water level setting section is provided, the reference water level setting section allows the hot water to drop to a water level slightly lower than the bathtub water circulation possible water level during the filling operation in the storage mode. By repeating the operation of pouring a small amount of water and the operation of detecting the circulating flow rate and comparing the detected circulating flow rate with the previously detected circulating flow rate, bubbles are generated in the circulating water flow in the reheating circulation passage driven by the circulating pump. Can be determined whether or not there is a mixture, the circulation flow detected later and the previously detected circulation flow are almost equal, and when the previous circulation flow is detected and when the circulation flow is detected later When it is determined that there is no air bubble in the reheating circulation passage, either one of the bathtub water level when the circulation flow was detected last time and the bathtub water level when the circulation flow was detected later is determined. Since the set as the reference water level,
The bathtub water level in a state where the hot water in the reheating circulation passage contains no air bubbles can be set as the reference water level, and the bathtub water level and the bathtub water volume can be set using the reference water level and the bathtub water volume up to the reference water level. Since the relation data is created, accurate relation data between the bathtub water level and the bathtub water volume can be obtained.

In the apparatus provided with the bubble mixing presence / absence judging section, the minute water quantity pouring operation and the circulating flow rate detecting operation are repeatedly performed by the bubble mixing presence / absence determining section, and the detected circulating flow rate is determined by the previously detected circulating flow. Compared to the flow rate, when it is determined that the previously detected circulating flow rate deviates from the circulating flow rate detected later beyond a predetermined allowable range, bubbles are mixed in the hot and cold water in the reheating circulation passage. When it is determined that there is a possibility that the circulation flow rate detected last time is substantially equal to the circulation flow rate detected later, it can be determined that no bubbles are mixed in the hot and cold water in the additional heating circulation passage. When the water level detection means capable of detecting the water level is provided in the hot water filling passage, the bathtub water level is raised in response to the determination result that no bubbles are mixed in the hot water in the reheating circulation passage. By detecting the tub water level detecting means, it is possible to obtain an accurate bath water. If bubbles are mixed in the hot and cold water in the reheating circuit,
There is a possibility that an accurate bathtub water level cannot be obtained by the water level detecting means due to the air bubbles. However, as described above, the water level detecting means detects the hot water in the reheating circulation passage after it is determined that there are no air bubbles. The measured bathtub water level is accurate without being affected by air bubbles, and by performing the bathing operation based on the bathtub water level detected in this way, it is possible to accurately fill the bathtub with a predetermined bathtub set water level. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a characteristic control configuration in the embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of setting a reference water level during a filling operation in a storage mode characteristic of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a model diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a bath apparatus with a hot water filling function.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of relationship data between bathtub water level and bathtub water volume.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a hot water filling operation in a storage mode.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a change in bathtub water level when a pouring operation is performed intermittently.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a hot water filling operation in an execution mode.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a control configuration provided with a bubble inclusion presence / absence determination unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hot-water supply heat exchanger 6 Bathtub 8 Circulation pump 11 Reheating boiler circulation passage 12 Pouring passage 28 Circulation flow sensor 33 Reference water level setting part 41 Bubble mixing presence / absence determination part

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A hot water supply passage for dropping hot water produced by a hot water supply heat source into a bathtub, and a reheating heating circulation passage for circulating bathtub water by driving a circulation pump,
In a bath apparatus with a hot water filling function capable of performing a hot water filling operation in a storage mode for automatically creating relational data between bath water level and bath water quantity, in a bath apparatus with a hot water filling function, a circulation pump is driven to recirculate a circulating water flow through a reheating steam circulation passage. A circulating flow rate detecting means for detecting a flow rate; a predetermined minute amount after pouring to a water level slightly lower than a bathtub water circulating water level range in which bathtub water can be circulated through a reheating heating circulation passage by driving a circulation pump. A small amount of water pouring operation that drops a large amount of water into the bathtub from the hot water filling passage, and a circulating pump is driven while pouring operation is stopped. The detected circulating flow rate is repeatedly performed during the filling operation in the storage mode, and the detected circulating flow rate is substantially equal to the previously detected circulating flow rate. When it becomes low, one of the bathtub water level when the circulating flow is detected before and the bathtub water level when the circulating flow is detected later is set as the reference water level in the relation data between the bathtub water level and the bathtub water volume. And a reference water level setting unit. 2. A hot water supply passage for dropping hot water produced by a hot water supply heat source into a bathtub, and a reheating circulation passage for circulating bathtub water by driving a circulation pump,
In a bath apparatus with a hot water filling function capable of dropping hot water from the hot water filling passage into a bath tub and automatically filling hot water to a predetermined bath tub set water level, a flow rate of a circulating water flow flowing through a reheating heating circulation passage by driving a circulation pump. A circulating flow rate detecting means for detecting a circulating flow rate; after pouring to a water level slightly lower than a bathtub water circulating possible water level range in which bathtub water can be circulated through a reheating heating circulation passage by driving a circulation pump;
A small amount of water pouring operation for dropping a predetermined small amount of water from the hot water filling passage into the bathtub, and a circulation pump is driven while pouring operation is stopped, and the flow rate of the circulating water flow in the reheating circulation passage driven by the circulation pump is circulated. The circulation flow detection operation detected by the flow detection means is repeatedly performed, and when the detected circulation flow deviates from the previously detected circulation flow beyond a predetermined allowable range, bubbles are generated in the reheating circulation passage. When it is determined that there is a risk of mixing, and when the detected circulation flow rate becomes substantially equal to the previously detected circulation flow rate, it is determined that no bubbles are mixed in the reheating circulation passage. And a bath device with a hot water filling function.