JPH1183165A - Bathtub water filter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reuse the hot water utilized for thermal sterilization as the bathtub hot water by heating up the hot water up to a specified temperature required for raising the temperature of hot water in a bathtub to a set level or thereabout at the time of thermal sterilization and then injecting the heated hot water into the bathtub upon elapsing a specified time required for thermal sterilization. SOLUTION: At the time of thermal sterilization, a heater 23 is turned on and the hot water flowing through a bypath 30 into a circulation path 20 is heated up to a specified thermal sterilizaticn temperature or above to produce sterilization hot water. The sterilization hot water is circulated for a specified thermal sterilization time and a filtering tank 22 is exposed thereto thus sterilizing the filtering tank 22. When sterilization of the filtering tank 22 is ended upon elapsing the specified thermal sterilization time, the sterilization hot water passed through the filtering tank 22 has no hygienic problem and it is not desirable to discharge the sterilization hot water in view point of saving energy and water.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bath tub water filtration apparatus for purifying water by circulating water in a bath tub, and more particularly to hot sterilizing the filtration tub by flowing hot water through the filtration tub provided in the apparatus. Tub water filtration apparatus provided with means capable of performing the above-mentioned steps.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a bathtub water filtration device for circulating and filtering water in a bathtub (hereinafter referred to as bathtub water).
Bathtub water is guided to a circulation path of the bathtub water filtration device, passes through a filtration tank provided in the circulation path, is purified by the filtration tank, and is returned into the bathtub.

[0003] The filtration tank is, for example, a filter that captures hair and dirt circulating with bath water, and a activated carbon for adsorbing human sweat and fat and other organic substances such as ammonia contained in hot water. Equipped with filter material.

As described above, bathtub water circulating in the circulation path is
Since it is purified by passing through the filtration tank provided in the circulation path and returned to the bathtub again, the propagation of various bacteria in the bathtub and the adhesion of scale to the bathtub due to the propagation of various bacteria are prevented,
The inside of a bathtub can be maintained hygienically.

[0005]

On the other hand, dust and organic matter trapped and adsorbed thereby adhere to the filtration tank, so that various bacteria can easily propagate there. Among various germs, there are malignant bacteria having a bad effect on the human body such as Legionella spp. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically sterilize the filtration tank and maintain it hygienically. The sterilization of the filtration tank is generally performed by sterilization using a chemical such as chlorine or heat sterilization using high-temperature hot water.

[0006] Sterilization treatment with chemicals requires specialized knowledge in handling chemicals such as chlorine and the cost of chemicals, which makes maintenance troublesome.

On the other hand, the heat sterilization treatment is carried out by heating the circulating hot water by a heater provided in a circulation path of a bath water filter and passing hot water having a predetermined temperature or higher through the filtration tank. Maintenance is easier than sterilization treatment by

At this time, conventionally, the hot water used for the heat sterilization has been drained after the heat sterilization. However, since this hot water is hot water used for the sterilization treatment, no bacteria have propagated in the hot water,
It is a sanitary hot water.

Therefore, draining hot water used for sterilization is not preferable from the viewpoint of energy saving and water saving, and also contradicts the purpose of energy saving and water saving which are the objectives of the bathtub water filtration device.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub water filtration device capable of reusing hot water used for heat sterilization as hot water in a bathtub.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided a circulation path having both ends connected to a bathtub and for injecting water from the bathtub flowing from one end into the bathtub from the other end, A filtering means provided in the circulation path for filtering water flowing through the circulation path; a heating means for heating water flowing through the circulation path; and a bypass for circulating water in the circulation path without passing through the bathtub. The hot water circulating in the circulation path via the path and the bypass path is heated by the heating means to a temperature not lower than the minimum temperature required for heat sterilization, and is flown into the filtration means. A bathtub water filtration device comprising a control unit for performing a treatment, wherein the control unit is configured to, when the hot water is injected into the bathtub during the heat sterilization treatment, increase the bathtub water temperature to a set temperature or a vicinity thereof. Heat the hot water to the required predetermined temperature The heated the water, a bath water filtration device, characterized by injecting into the bath after a predetermined time required for thermal sterilization.

With this configuration, the hot water used for the heat sterilization can be poured into the bathtub without being drained, and the bathtub water temperature can be raised to near the set temperature.

In the above arrangement, the control means measures, for example, the predetermined time from when the hot water reaches the predetermined temperature. At this time, the predetermined time is a first time required for heat sterilization when the hot water is constant at the predetermined temperature.

[0014] In the above configuration, the control means may measure the predetermined time from when the hot water reaches the minimum temperature. At this time, the predetermined time is a sum of a second time for the hot water to rise from the minimum temperature to the predetermined temperature and a third time after the temperature reaches the predetermined temperature, Is set according to the heat sterilization treatment performed in the second time, and is shorter than the first time required for heat sterilization when the hot water is constant at the predetermined temperature. Further, when the predetermined time elapses before the hot water is heated to the predetermined temperature, the control unit injects the hot water into the bathtub after the hot water is heated to the predetermined temperature.
As a result, the bathtub water temperature can be raised to or near the set temperature.

[0015] In the bathtub water filtration apparatus having the above-mentioned structure, when the predetermined temperature is lower than the minimum temperature, the heat sterilization processing is on standby, and when the predetermined temperature becomes equal to or higher than the minimum temperature, the heat sterilization processing is performed. May be performed. Alternatively, when the predetermined temperature is lower than the minimum temperature, the heat sterilization may not be performed.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a bathtub water filtration device according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to FIG. 1, both ends 20 a and 20 b of a circulation path 20 through which bath water is circulated are connected to the bath 10, and the bath water is recirculated in the direction of arrow A by a pump 21 provided in the circulation path 20. It flows inside 20. Further, a temperature sensor 2 for detecting the temperature of the circulating hot water is provided in the circulation path 20 downstream of the pump 21 sequentially in the circulation direction.
4. Heater 23 for heating the circulating hot water and filtration tank 22
Is provided.

The circulation path 2 downstream of the filtration tank 22
0 is provided with a four-way valve Y, and a three-way valve S is provided in the circulation path 20 upstream of the pump 21. Further, as shown, a bypass path 30 is provided which is connected to the entrance 4 of the four-way valve Y and the entrance 3 of the three-way valve S.

Further, the bathtub filtration apparatus of the present embodiment is provided with a control means (not shown) such as a microcomputer, for example.
It is performed under the control of this control means.

By the ordinary filtration operation of the bath water filter,
When the hot water in the bathtub 10 is filtered, the bathtub water drawn into the circulation path 20 flows through the pump 21 in the direction of arrow A from the entrance 1 to the entrance 2 of the three-way valve S. Then, the hot water in the bathtub enters the filtration tank 22 without being heated by the heater 23 and is purified there. Further, the bath water filtered by the filtration tank 22 is supplied from the entrance 1 to the entrance 2 of the four-way valve Y.
Through the tub 10.

In such a bath water filtration apparatus, when heat sterilization of the filtration tank 22 is performed, the flow path of the four-way valve Y is set in the direction from the entrance 1 to the entrance 4 and the bath water flowing out of the filtration tank 22 is set. Is led to the bypass path 30. By setting the flow path of the three-way valve S in the direction from the entrance 3 to the entrance 2, the hot water in the circulation path 20 does not pass through the bathtub 10 but circulates through the circulation path 20 via the bypass path 30. A circuit is configured.

Further, at the time of heat sterilization, the heater 23 is turned on, and the circulation
The hot water flowing through the inside is heated to a predetermined heat sterilization temperature (for example, 65 ° C.) or higher to be the sterilized hot water. Then, the sterilized hot water is circulated for a predetermined heat sterilization time (for example, 10 minutes or more when the temperature of the hot water is 65 ° C. or more), and the sterilized hot water is filtered into the filtration tank 2.
By exposing 2, the sterilization of the filtration tank 22 is performed.

Here, when a predetermined heat sterilization time elapses and the sterilization of the filtration tank 22 is completed, conventionally, the flow path of the four-way valve Y is set from the entrance 1 to the entrance 3, Hot water was drained through drainage channel 31. However, as described above, the sterilized hot water that has flowed in the filtration tank 22 is originally a hot water that does not pose a problem in terms of sanitation, and thus draining is not preferable from the viewpoint of energy saving and water saving.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the sterilized hot water used for sterilizing the filtration tank 22 is returned to the bathtub 10 from the viewpoint of energy saving and water saving. That is, at the end of the heat sterilization, the flow path of the four-way valve Y is set in the direction from the entrance 1 to the entrance 2 and the sterilizing water is returned to the bathtub 10 without being drained. As a result, the amount of hot water in the bathtub 10 does not decrease, and there is no need to add hot water, thereby saving water. Then, since hot water having a temperature higher than a general set temperature of the bathtub water (around 40 degrees) is supplied, energy required for keeping the bathtub water warm can also be saved, so that energy saving is achieved.

Further, in the above embodiment, since the sterilized hot water is not drained through the drain passage 31, the four-way valve Y of the bathtub water filtration device does not have the entrance 3 in the four-way valve Y, and the entrances 1, 2 And a four-way valve comprising 4 may be used.

In the embodiment of the present invention,
The temperature of the sterilizing hot water circulating during the heat sterilization treatment (hereinafter, referred to as heat sterilization temperature) is adjusted based on the water temperature of the bathtub 10 (hereinafter, referred to as bathwater temperature) and the amount of water in the bathtub 10 (hereinafter, referred to as bathwater amount). More specifically, at the time of heat sterilization, hot water having a predetermined pipe capacity (for example, 30 liters) circulating in the circulation path 20 through the bypass path 30 is supplied to the bathtub 10.
When the temperature is returned to the above, the heat sterilization temperature at which the bathtub water temperature becomes the set temperature is obtained. Then, the sterilized water is heated to the heat sterilization temperature by the heater 23, and after the heat sterilization is completed, the bathtub 10 is heated.
Is returned to.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the temperature of the bath water before the heat sterilization treatment and the temperature of the hot sterilization water required to bring the bath water temperature to the set temperature. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the bathtub water temperature and the heat sterilization temperature when the bathtub water volume is 170 liters and the hot water volume of 30 liters circulates through the circulation path 20. The horizontal axis in FIG. 2 is the bathtub water temperature before the heat sterilization process is performed. The vertical axis represents the bathtub water temperature at the set temperature (44 in FIG. 2).
Temperature) is the heat sterilization temperature required to achieve

For example, as shown by a point R in FIG. 2, when the bathtub water temperature (horizontal axis) before the heat sterilization treatment is 40 ° C., the heat sterilization temperature required to bring the bathtub water temperature to the set temperature is shown in the figure. Is 67 degrees. Therefore, when the heat sterilization process is performed, the hot water circulating in the circulation path 20 via the bypass path 30 is heated to the heat sterilization temperature by the heater 23, and thereafter circulates for a predetermined heat sterilization time. Then, the circulated hot water is returned to the bathtub 10 after the heat sterilization treatment is completed.
Thereby, the bathtub water temperature rises to the set temperature. That is, simultaneously with the heat sterilization, the temperature of the bath 10 can be increased.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the heat sterilization process in the first embodiment of the present invention based on the above embodiment. The above embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. According to FIG. 3, when the normal filtration operation is being performed in step S1, step S2
As shown in (1), heat sterilization is started when a control means such as a microcomputer receives a heat sterilization signal instructing heat sterilization. The heat sterilization signal is transmitted, for example, when the user operates a remote controller (not shown). Further, a heat sterilization signal may be automatically output at predetermined time intervals by a clock function of the control means, and heat sterilization processing may be performed.

In step S2, when the microcomputer, which is the control means, receives the heat sterilization signal, in step S3, the microcomputer determines the bath tub water temperature,
The heat sterilization temperature is determined from the bathtub water volume and the set bathtub temperature. Specifically, for example, the graph shown in FIG.
RO of microcomputer for bathtub water temperature and set temperature
It is stored in a memory such as M. Then, the heat sterilization temperature is read from the detected bathtub water temperature and bathtub water volume.

At this time, since the bathtub water temperature is the same as the water temperature flowing through the circulation path 20, it can be detected by the temperature sensor 23. Further, the bathtub water volume can be determined, for example, by multiplying a water level detected by a bathtub water level sensor not shown in FIG. 1 by a previously determined bottom area of the bathtub. The set temperature is set by a remote controller or the like.

The microcomputer can also determine the heat sterilization temperature by calculation. That is, the following equation (2) for obtaining the heat sterilization temperature Tk is obtained from the heat quantity relational equation shown in the following equation (1). Qk × Tk + QB × TB = (Qk + QB) × Ts (1) Tk = Ts + (Ts−TB) × QB / Qk (2) where QB is the amount of bath water and TB is the temperature of bath water. , Ts is the set temperature, and Qk is the amount of circulating hot water (the fixed amount of hot water circulating in the circulation path 20 via the bypass path 30, that is, the pipe capacity, for example, 30 liters). And the above (2)
The equation is stored in the memory, and the heat sterilization temperature Tk is obtained by calculation of the CPU of the microcomputer.

Then, in step S4, it is determined whether or not the obtained temperature Tk is equal to or higher than the minimum temperature Tmin required for sterilizing the filtration tank 22. Generally, in order to perform heat sterilization, the filtration tank 22 is heated in hot water of about 60 degrees or more.
Need to be exposed. Therefore, the minimum temperature Tmin is, for example, 60 degrees.

For example, when the bath water temperature is boiling up to near the set temperature, the heat sterilization temperature Tk is lower than 60 degrees, as is apparent from FIG. At such a temperature Tk, the filtration tank 22 cannot be immersed in hot water at a temperature required for heat sterilization, and the heat sterilization treatment may be insufficient.

Therefore, in step S4, the heat sterilization temperature Tk obtained in step S3 is changed to the predetermined minimum temperature Tk.
If it is smaller than min, the process proceeds to step S5, and the heat sterilization process enters a standby state. Then, the heat sterilization process is on standby until the heat sterilization temperature Tk obtained in step S3 exceeds the minimum temperature Tmin.

If the heat sterilization temperature Tk exceeds the minimum temperature Tmin in step S4, the valves in FIG. 1 are switched in step S6. Specifically, the flow path of the four-way valve Y is set in the direction from the entrance 1 to the entrance 4, and the flow path of the three-way valve S is set in the direction from the entrance 3 to the entrance 2. Therefore, the hot water in the circulation path 20 circulates in the circulation path 20 through the bypass path 30. At this time,
The heater 23 is turned on.

The temperature sensor 24 detects the heat sterilization temperature T.
When k is detected (step S7), a timer built in the microcomputer is started to measure a predetermined heat sterilization time for exposing the filtration tank 22 to the sterilizing water (step S8).

Then, a predetermined heat sterilization time (heat sterilization temperature T)
When k is equal to or greater than 65 degrees, for example, for 10 minutes), the filtration tank 22 is exposed to sterilized hot water, and heat sterilization is performed. After a predetermined heat sterilization time has elapsed in step S9, the sterilization of the filtration tank 22 ends, and the valves switched in step S6 are returned to the state before the heat sterilization was performed (step S10). That is, the flow path of the four-way valve Y is set in the direction from the entrance 1 to the entrance 2, and the flow path of the three-way valve S is set in the direction from the entrance 1 to the entrance 2. Therefore, hot water at the heat sterilization temperature Tk is returned to the bathtub 10, and the bathtub water temperature is raised to the set temperature. Then, the operation returns to the normal filtration operation state again (step S1). At this time, the heater 23
Is also turned off.

In the first embodiment, the heat sterilization temperature Tk at which the bathtub water temperature reaches the set temperature was determined. However, in that case, as described above, if the bathtub water temperature has already reached or near the set temperature,
The heat sterilization process is on standby until the bathtub water temperature decreases (step S5 in FIG. 3). Therefore, in order to perform the heat sterilization process as soon as possible after the heat sterilization signal is issued, the heat sterilization temperature Tk may be determined such that the bathtub water temperature when the hot sterilization water is poured into the bathtub becomes higher than the set temperature. . The bathtub water temperature at this time is, for example, about the set temperature +2 degrees, and is set in a range where a person does not feel uncomfortable with the hot water at the set temperature. Thus, the heat sterilization process can be performed even when the bathtub water temperature is boiling up to the set temperature.

Step S in the flowchart of FIG.
The thermal sterilization temperature T obtained without the standby state as shown in FIG.
When k is lower than the minimum temperature Tmin, the heat sterilization may not be performed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing step S in FIG.
Step S15 is provided instead of the step S5. In step S15 of FIG. 4, the heat sterilization temperature T
When k is lower than the minimum temperature Tmin, the heat sterilization signal is cleared. Therefore, heat sterilization is not performed.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the above-described first embodiment, the measurement of the heat sterilization time is started after the temperature of the hot water circulating in the circulation path 20 (hereinafter referred to as the circulation temperature) reaches the heat sterilization temperature Tk higher than the minimum temperature Tmin. (See step S8 in FIG. 3).
However, the actual heat disinfection operation has already begun when the circulation temperature has reached the minimum temperature Tmin. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a heat sterilization time is determined in consideration of the heat sterilization performed until the circulation temperature reaches the heat sterilization temperature Tk from the minimum temperature Tmin, and the heat sterilization time based on the heat sterilization time is determined. A sterilization process is performed.

FIG. 5 shows heat sterilization temperature Tk and heat sterilization time tn.
FIG. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis indicates the heat sterilization time tn, and the vertical axis indicates the heat sterilization temperature Tk. As shown in FIG. 5, in general, when the heat sterilization temperature Tk is equal to or higher than the minimum temperature Tmin (for example, 60 degrees), the heat sterilization temperature Tk and the heat sterilization time tn include the heat sterilization temperature Tk × heat sterilization time tn = C. (C is a constant) (2) Therefore, in the above description, the heat sterilization temperature Tk1 for setting the bathtub water temperature to the set temperature is equal to the above (1).
The heat sterilization time tn1 with respect to the heat sterilization temperature Tk1 is obtained from the above equation (2). Here, if the above constant C is defined as the heat sterilization amount required for one heat sterilization treatment, the heat sterilization amount C is constant, and therefore, the heat sterilization temperature Tk is changed to Tk2, Tk3, and Tk4 as shown in the figure. And the heat sterilization times tn2, tn3 and t, respectively.
It is shortened to n4.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the second embodiment. In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the circulation temperature Ta. In the first embodiment, the heat sterilization is performed for the heat sterilization time tn from the time t1 at which the circulation temperature Ta reaches the heat sterilization temperature Tk in order to secure the heat sterilization amount C. Then, the heat sterilization process ends at time t3 when the heat sterilization time tn has elapsed. That is, the heat sterilization amount C1 between the time t1 and the time t3 is And is equal to the heat sterilization amount C required for the heat sterilization treatment. The heat sterilization amount C1 is represented as an area S1 in FIG.

On the other hand, as described above, the heat sterilization operation starts at time t0 when the circulation temperature Ta exceeds Tmin (for example, 60 degrees). That is, the circulation temperature Ta becomes the minimum temperature Tmi.
from the time t0 when the temperature reaches n to the heat sterilization temperature Tk
The heat sterilization treatment is also performed for the time tp until 1.

Therefore, in the second embodiment,
In consideration of the heat sterilization amount ΔC of the heat sterilization performed during the time tp, the heat sterilization process performed from the time t0 is equal to the heat sterilization amount C.
Tm (hereinafter referred to as effective heat sterilization time). First, the heat sterilization amount ΔC during the time tp until the circulation temperature Ta reaches the heat sterilization temperature Tk from the minimum temperature Tmin is represented by the area ΔS in FIG. Therefore, the heat sterilization amount ΔC
Is expressed as ΔC = tp × (Tk−Tmin) × 1/2 (4) Here, assuming that the rising speed of the circulation temperature Ta, that is, the capacity of the heater 23 is Ht (degrees / minute), the time t
Since p is represented by tp = (Tk−Tmin) / Ht (5), from this equation (5), the heat sterilization amount ΔC in the above equation (4) is ΔC = (Tk−Tmin) ² / 2Ht (6)

Then, in the second embodiment, in order to secure the heat sterilization amount C, assuming that the necessary heat sterilization amount is C2 from time t1 in FIG. 6, the following equation is obtained: C2 = C-ΔC 7) Expressed as The heat sterilization amount C2 is represented by an area S in FIG.
Expressed as 2. Then, from time t1, heat sterilization temperature T
k, the time tr required to perform the heat sterilization of the heat sterilization amount C2
Is

Tr = C2 / (Tk−Tmin) = (C1−ΔC) / (Tk−Tmin) (9) Then, in the above equation (9), the above (3),
By substituting equation (6),

Tr = tn− (Tk−Tmin) / 2Ht (10) Then, the effective heat sterilization time tm = tp +
Since tr is obtained by substituting the above equations (5) and (10) into this equation,

Tm = tn + (Tk−Tmin) / 2Ht (11) Therefore, in the second embodiment, the heat sterilization process ends at time t2 when time tm elapses from time t0 when the circulation temperature Ta reaches the minimum temperature Tmin. Further, as is apparent from the above equation (10), the time t
Since r is shorter than the heat sterilization time tn, the time t2 is
It is earlier than the time t3 at which the heat sterilization process ends in the first embodiment.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the time required for performing the heat sterilization with the heat sterilization amount C is measured from the time when the circulation temperature Ta exceeds the minimum temperature Tmin. The heat sterilization can be completed earlier than when the measurement is performed from the time when the circulation temperature Ta reaches the heat sterilization temperature Tk.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the heat sterilization process according to the second embodiment. According to FIG. 7, similarly to FIG. 3, when a normal filtration operation is performed in step S21, as shown in step S22, a control means such as a microcomputer receives a heat sterilization signal instructing heat sterilization. Then, heat sterilization is started. Then, in step S23, the heat sterilization temperature Tk is obtained from the graph shown in FIG. 2 or the equation (3) stored in the memory of the microcomputer. In the second embodiment, the effective heat sterilization time tm is further obtained from the above equation (11).

Then, in step S24, similarly to step S4, it is determined whether or not the obtained heat sterilization temperature Tk is equal to or higher than the minimum temperature Tmin required for sterilizing the filtration tank 22. Further, in step S24, when the heat sterilization temperature Tk obtained in step S23 is lower than the predetermined minimum temperature Tmin, the process proceeds to step S25, as in step S5, and the heat sterilization process is in a standby state. Then, the heat sterilization process is on standby until the heat sterilization temperature Tk determined in step S23 exceeds the minimum temperature Tmin. Alternatively, the heat sterilization signal may be cleared as in step S15 shown in FIG.

When the heat sterilization temperature Tk obtained in step S23 exceeds the minimum temperature Tmin, step S2 is executed.
At 6, each valve in FIG. 1 is switched in the same manner as in step S6 in FIG. Further, the heater 23 is turned on.

Then, in step S27, FIG.
Unlike step S7, when the temperature sensor 23 detects the minimum temperature Tmin, a timer built in the microcomputer starts to measure the effective heat sterilization time tm obtained in step S23 (step S28). .

Then, during the effective heat sterilization time tm, the filtration tank 22 is exposed to sterilized hot water to perform heat sterilization. Further, in step S29, when the effective heat sterilization time tm elapses, the sterilization of the filtration tank 22 is completed, and
Each valve switched in step 26 corresponds to step S in FIG.
As in the case of 10, the state before the heat sterilization is performed is returned (step S30). At this time, the heater 23 is also turned off. Thus, the state returns to the normal filtration operation state again.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a modification of the second embodiment. In this modification, the heat sterilization temperature Tk is considerably higher than the minimum temperature Tmin, and the heat sterilization amount ΔC (area ΔS) until the circulation temperature Ta reaches the heat sterilization temperature Tk from the minimum temperature Tmin is determined by the heat sterilization required for the heat sterilization. It is equal to or greater than the quantity C (area S). That is, as shown in FIG. 8, at time t4 earlier than time t5 when the circulation temperature Ta reaches the heat sterilization temperature Tk, the heat sterilization amount reaches C (area S).
Therefore, in the case of this modification, it is not necessary to perform heat sterilization after the circulation temperature Ta reaches the heat sterilization temperature Tk.

However, in such a case, when the effective heat sterilization time tm is obtained based on the above equation (11), the circulation temperature T
This is a time shorter than the time tp at which a reaches the heat sterilization temperature Tk. Therefore, hot water having a temperature lower than the heat sterilization temperature Tk is returned to the bathtub 10, so that the bathtub water temperature does not reach the set temperature. Therefore, in FIG. 8, in such a case, the heating of the heater 23 is continued even after the time t4 when the heat sterilization amount C is reached. Then, at time t5 when the circulation temperature Ta reaches the heat sterilization temperature Tk, the heat sterilization process is terminated, and the hot water used for the heat sterilization is returned to the bathtub 10. That is, step S2 in FIG.
In 9, the time tp from the minimum temperature Tmin to the heat sterilization time Tk is used instead of the effective heat sterilization time tm. In addition. The time tp is obtained from the above equation (5). In the case of this modification, in step S28 in FIG. 7, the timer measurement is not performed, and the temperature sensor 24 detects that the circulation temperature Ta has reached the heat sterilization temperature Tk, and the process proceeds to step S30 in FIG. May be.

[0059]

According to the present invention, when a filtration tank provided in a bathtub water filtration device is subjected to heat sterilization, hot water used for heat sterilization (hot sterilization water) is injected into the bathtub without being drained. . Therefore, the hot sterilized water is not wasted, is reused as bath water, and water saving and energy saving can be achieved.

Further, since the heat sterilization temperature is variable, it is possible to set the bath water temperature to an arbitrary temperature (for example, a set temperature).

Further, since the time required for the heat sterilization treatment is measured from the time when the temperature of the hot water circulating in the circulation path reaches the minimum temperature required for the heat sterilization before reaching the heat sterilization temperature, rapid heat sterilization is performed. Processing is performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a bathtub water filtration device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between a bathtub water temperature before the heat sterilization treatment and a temperature of the hot sterilization water required for setting the bathtub water temperature to a set temperature.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between heat sterilization temperature Tk and heat sterilization time tn.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a heat sterilization process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Bathtub 20 Circulation path 21 Pump 22 Filtration tank 23 Heater 24 Temperature sensor 30 Bypass path

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Katsuya Kitayama 3-4 Fukamidai, Yamato-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Gaster Co., Ltd.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A circulating passage having both ends connected to a bathtub and injecting water from the bathtub flowing in from one end into the bathtub from the other end, and a filter provided in the circulation passage for filtering water flowing through the circulating passage. Means, heating means for heating water flowing through the circulation path, a bypass path for circulating water in the circulation path without passing through the bathtub, and hot water circulating in the circulation path via the bypass path Is heated to a minimum temperature or higher required for heat sterilization by the heating means, and is passed through the filtration means, thereby performing a heat sterilization treatment of the filtration means. The means heats the hot water to a predetermined temperature required for the bath water temperature to rise to or near a set temperature when the hot water is injected into the bath at the time of the heat sterilization treatment. After a predetermined time required for heat sterilization Bath water filtration device, characterized by injecting the serial tub. 2. The bathtub water filtration device according to claim 1, wherein the control means measures the predetermined time from when the hot water reaches the predetermined temperature. 3. The bathtub water filtration device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined time is a first time required for heat sterilization when the hot water is constant at the predetermined temperature. 4. The bathtub water filtration device according to claim 1, wherein said control means measures said predetermined time from when said hot water reaches said minimum temperature. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined time is a sum of a second time until the hot water rises from the minimum temperature to the predetermined temperature and a third time after the temperature reaches the predetermined temperature. The third time is set according to the heat sterilization performed in the second time, and is shorter than the first time required for heat sterilization when the hot water is constant at the predetermined temperature. A bathtub water filtration device characterized by the above-mentioned. 6. The control device according to claim 4, wherein when the predetermined time elapses before the hot water is heated to the predetermined temperature, the control means sets the temperature of the hot water to a predetermined temperature. A bathtub water filtration device characterized by injecting hot water into the bathtub. 7. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit waits for the heat sterilization when the predetermined temperature is lower than the minimum temperature, and the predetermined temperature becomes equal to or higher than the minimum temperature. A bath tub water filtration device, wherein the heat sterilization treatment is performed. 8. The bathtub water filtration device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit does not perform the heat sterilization when the predetermined temperature is lower than the minimum temperature.