KR102146444B1 - Whirlpool Having Pipe Cleaning Function - Google Patents

Abstract

The whirlpool bathtub (1) having a pipe washing function according to the present invention includes a bathtub body (10) in which a bathtub (11) is formed; Suction port 20; Spray nozzle 30; Pump 40; The injection pipe 51 is piped between the injection nozzle 30 and the pump 40 to supply water to the injection nozzle 30, and a pump between the suction port 20 at the high position and the pump 40 at the lower position ( 40) a circulation pipe 50 including a suction pipe 52 which is piped at a low slope and supplies water from the bathtub 11 to the pump 40 through the suction port 20; Drain 60; A washing water supply pipe 70 which is piped between the water supply source 2 supplying clean water and the suction pipe 52 to supply washing water from the water supply source 2 to the suction pipe 52, and in which an openable water supply valve 71 is installed; And a control unit 80 for controlling the operation of the pump 40 and opening and closing of the water supply valve 71. Including, when the washing mode is executed in the control unit 80, the water supply valve 71 is opened for a certain time and the pump 40 is operated, so that the washing water supplied from the washing water supply pipe 70, the suction pipe 52, The inside of the circulation pipe 50 is washed while flowing through the pump 40, the injection pipe 51, the injection nozzle 30, the bathtub 11 and the drain 60.

Description

Whirlpool Having Pipe Cleaning Function {Whirlpool Having Pipe Cleaning Function}

The present invention relates to a whirlpool bath, and more particularly, to a whirlpool bath having a pipe washing function capable of washing contaminated water embedded in the pipe of the whirlpool bath.

As is widely known, a whirlpool bath is a bath in which an effect such as a massage can be obtained by spraying water or bubble water (hereinafter collectively referred to as “water”) in the bath at high pressure.

As a conventional technique for a whirlpool bathtub, there is a whirlpool bathtub of Fig. 4 disclosed in Korean Utility Model Publication No. 20-2009-0000774, for example.

As shown in Figure 4, the conventional whirlpool bath 100, a bathtub body 110 in which a bathtub 111 is formed, a suction port 120 for sucking water contained in the bathtub 111, and water into the bathtub 111. A pump 140 that sucks water from the bathtub 111 through the spray nozzle 130 and the suction port 120 to spray, and provides a water pressure that allows high-pressure water to be sprayed into the bathtub 111 through the spray nozzle 130 , A circulation pipe 150 piped to circulate water between the suction port 120 and the spray nozzle 130, and a drain port 160 formed at the bottom of the bathtub 111 to drain the water from the bathtub 111 into sewage. ).

The circulation pipe 150 is piped between the pump 140 and the injection nozzle 130 to supply water to the bathtub 111, a water supply pipe 151 (injection pipe), and a pipe between the bathtub 111 and the suction port 120 It includes a recovery pipe (152: suction pipe) for recovering the water in the bathtub (111).

Since the whirlpool bath is a device that repeatedly circulates a certain amount of water, contaminants such as components contained in tap water or when separated from the human body are attached to the inner surface of the circulation pipe 150. It is easy to generate scale (scale).

The scale formed in the circulation pipe 150 leaves the bath water in the process of using the whirlpool bath and contaminates the bath water, so it is not hygienic and makes the user feel unclean, and as a result, the use of the whirlpool bath It acts as a factor that makes you reluctant.

In this background, the whirlpool bath is required to hygienically manage the pipe line represented by the above-described circulation pipe 150, and one of the conventional piping hygiene management methods of the most common whirlpool bath is periodically strong cleaning. This is a method of washing and removing scale formed in the pipe using an effective chemical detergent.

Other prior art related to the piping hygiene management method of the whirlpool bath is a method of suppressing bacterial growth by applying an'ozone sterilization device' like a whirlpool bath disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open Patent No. 10-2011-0099978, and a Korean patent Like the whirlpool bath disclosed in No. 10-1541875, there is a method of preventing'residue water' from remaining in the whirlpool bath.

Another prior art related to a method for managing piping sanitation for a whirlpool bath is a “whirlpool bath equipped with a descaling device” of Korean Patent No. 10-1885055. In this conventional whirlpool bath, a part of the water in the water supply pipe is returned to the pump directly without passing through the bath, and by forming and mixing bubble water therein, while suppressing the formation of scale in the tube by the bubble water, It is a whirlpool bath that cleans the already formed scale.

However, even if the dirty water (contaminated water) of the bathtub used after the use of the whirlpool is drained through the drain hole, although it is a small amount, some of the contaminated water is still buried on the inner wall of the circulation pipe. In the prior art related to the method, since the contaminated water embedded in the pipe of the whirlpool bath is not immediately washed with clean water immediately after the use of the whirlpool bath is terminated, the contaminant remains on the inner wall of the pipe after the water evaporates. The above-described problem of the scale (scale) of the whirlpool bath cannot be satisfactorily solved.

The Korean Patent No. 10-1541875 discloses a whirlpool bath for washing contaminated water buried in a circulation pipe with clean water. However, in this whirlpool bathtub, after draining the contaminated water from the used bathtub, the bathtub is filled with clean water again, and the filled clean water is idled in the circulation pipe to clean the circulation pipe. There is a problem that it is necessary to wait a considerably long time until it is filled, and the amount of water used is excessive.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a whirlpool bathtub capable of more hygienic management of the piping by allowing contaminated water embedded in the piping of the whirlpool bathtub to be immediately washed with clean water after the use of the whirlpool bathtub is terminated.

According to the present invention, a whirlpool bath with a pipe washing function is provided.

The whirlpool bath according to the present invention includes a bath body, a suction port, an injection nozzle, a pump, a circulation pipe, a drain, a washing water supply pipe, and a control unit.

A bathtub is formed in the bathtub body.

The suction port sucks water contained in the bathtub.

The spray nozzle sprays water into the bathtub.

The pump sucks water in the bathtub through the suction port and provides a hydraulic pressure for spraying water through the spray nozzle.

The circulation pipe includes an injection pipe and a suction pipe.

The injection pipe is piped between the injection nozzle and the pump to supply water to the injection nozzle.

The suction pipe is piped between the suction port at a high position and the pump at a lower position so that the pump side is inclined at a low angle, and supplies water from the bathtub to the pump through the suction port.

The drain hole is formed on the bottom of the bathtub to drain water from the bathtub.

The washing water supply pipe is piped between a water supply source supplying clean water and the suction pipe, supplies clean washing water from the water supply source to the suction pipe, and a water supply valve capable of opening and closing is installed.

The control unit controls operation of the pump and opening and closing of the water supply valve.

When the control unit executes the washing mode, the water supply valve is opened for a certain period of time and the pump is operated, so that the washing water supplied from the washing water supply pipe, the suction pipe, the pump, the injection pipe, the injection nozzle, the bathtub and the While flowing through the drain port, the inside of the circulation pipe is washed.

When the control unit executes the washing mode, the water supply valve is opened and the pump can be operated at the same rotation speed as the rotation speed when water is sprayed through the spray nozzle.

When the control unit executes the washing mode, the pump may be operated at a rotation speed lower than the rotation speed when water is sprayed through the spray nozzle.

When executing the washing mode in the control unit, after a certain period of time has elapsed after the water supply valve is opened, the pump is operated at the same rotation speed as when water is sprayed through the injection nozzle, and then the pump Can be repeatedly started and stopped at regular intervals.

The whirlpool bath of the present invention may further include a drain pipe through which residual water of the washing water remaining in the suction pipe is drained.

The drain pipe is piped at the lowest position of the suction pipe, and a drain valve capable of opening and closing is provided.

After cleaning of the circulation pipe is completed, the drain valve is opened, and residual water remaining in the suction pipe is drained through the drain pipe.

According to the whirlpool bath according to the present invention, after the use of the whirlpool bath is terminated and all used water is drained through the drain port, when the control unit executes the washing mode, the water supply source to the suction pipe through the washing water supply pipe. In addition to being supplied with washing water, depending on the amount of washing water supplied to the suction pipe, the pump is operated at a low speed, high speed, or delayed and intermittently operated, so that the washing water supplied from the washing water supply pipe, the suction pipe, the pump, The pipe of the whirlpool bath can be managed more hygienically by cleaning the inside of the circulation pipe covered with contaminated water while flowing through the pipe, the spray nozzle, the bathtub, and the drain hole.

Further, according to the whirlpool bath according to the present invention, residual water remaining in the suction pipe after washing of the circulation pipe is drained through the drain pipe, thereby preventing contamination of the circulation pipe by residual water.

1 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary whirlpool bath according to the present invention.
2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary whirlpool bath according to the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a main part of an exemplary whirlpool bath according to the present invention.
Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a conventional whirlpool bath.

Hereinafter, a whirlpool bath having a pipe washing function according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following specific examples are merely illustrative of the present invention and do not limit the present invention.

As exemplarily shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the whirlpool bathtub 1 according to the present invention, like a conventional whirlpool bathtub, has a bathtub body 10 having a predetermined shape for bathing. ), the inlet 20 for inhaling water contained in the bathtub 11, a plurality of spray nozzles 30 for injecting water (or bubble water in which water and air are mixed) into the bathtub 11, and the inlet 20 A pump 40 that sucks water in the bathtub 11 and provides water pressure for spraying water through the spray nozzle 30, and a circulation pipe through which water is circulated by being piped between the bathtub 11 and the pump 40 50), and a drain port 60 formed on the bottom of the bathtub 11 to drain the water of the bathtub 11 into sewage.

The circulation pipe 50 in which the pump 40 is installed is composed of an injection pipe 51 and a suction pipe 52 around the pump 40.

The injection pipe 51 is a pipe which is piped between the injection nozzle 30 and the pump 40 to supply water to the injection nozzle 30.

The suction pipe 52 is a pipe which is piped between the suction port 20 and the pump 40 and sucks water from the bathtub 11 back into the pump 40.

According to the whirlpool bath (1) of the present invention, by the operation of the pump (40), the water contained in the bath (11) is sucked into the suction port (20) and sent to the pump (50) through the suction pipe (52). And, the water pumped by the pump 50 circulates in such a manner that it is injected into the bathtub 11 through the injection nozzle 30 formed at the end thereof via the injection pipe 51 again. After the use is complete, the water in the bathtub 11 is drained to sewage or the like through the drain 60.

According to the characteristics of the whirlpool bath 1 according to the present invention, the suction pipe 52 is, between the suction port 20 at a relatively high position and the pump 40 at a relatively low position, toward the pump 40 It is piped obliquely in the lowering direction.

The inclination of the suction pipe 52 is sufficient as long as the water therein can flow down toward the pump 40. Excessive expression of the inclination of the suction pipe 52 in the illustrated embodiment is only exaggerated to make it easier to visually understand that the suction pipe 52 is inclined in the whirlpool bath 1 of the present invention, and the actual inclination angle I don't mean it.

According to another feature of the present invention, the whirlpool bath (1) of the present invention includes a washing water supply pipe (70) and a control unit (80).

The washing water supply pipe 70 is piped between the suction pipe 52 and the water supply source (2: water pipe). The washing water supply pipe 70 is. It is a pipe that supplies clean washing water of the water supply source 2 to the suction pipe 52. That is, the washing water supply pipe 70 is piped between a water supply source 2 such as a water pipe and a suction pipe 52 installed in the bathroom, thereby providing clean washing water for washing the circulation pipe 50 of the whirlpool bath. It is supplied to the suction pipe 52.

2, the washing water supply pipe 70 is connected to the upstream of the suction pipe 52 adjacent to the suction port 20, so that the washing water supplied upstream of the suction pipe 52 is toward the pump 40. It is possible to clean the suction pipe 52 while flowing.

In addition, as exemplarily shown in FIG. 3, by branching the washing water supply pipe 70 into several and connecting it to a plurality of positions of the suction pipe 52, the washing water ejected from the washing water supply pipe 70 at a plurality of positions is the suction pipe 52. ), as well as cleaning the suction pipe 52 while the washing water flows toward the pump 40 along the suction pipe 52, thereby further improving the washing power.

A water supply valve 71 is installed in the washing water supply pipe 70. Since the water supply valve 71 is normally closed, washing water is not supplied to the suction pipe 52. When the whirlpool bath is in the washing mode, the water supply valve 71 is opened so that the washing water is supplied to the suction pipe 52 through the washing water supply pipe 70.

As the water supply valve 71, by applying an electrically controllable valve such as a solenoid valve, it can be automatically opened and closed under the control of the controller 80.

The controller 80 is a controller that controls the operation of the pump 40 and the opening and closing of the water supply valve 71, and may be installed, for example, on the deck panel 12 of the bathtub 11.

According to a feature of the present invention, the control unit 80 is constructed to execute a “use mode” when taking a bath and a “wash mode” for washing the circulation pipe 50.

After the bath is ended and the contaminated water in the used bathtub 11 is drained through the drain port 60, when the washing mode is executed in the control unit 80, the closed water supply valve 71 is opened and the pump 40 By operating, clean washing water supplied from the washing water supply pipe 70 flows through the suction pipe 52, the pump 40, the injection pipe 51, the injection nozzle 30, the bathtub 11, and the drain port 60. As it goes out, the contaminated water buried inside the circulation pipe 50 is cleaned.

When the washing mode of the whirlpool bath 1 according to the present invention is executed, the washing water supplied from the washing water supply pipe 70 to the suction pipe 52 while the water supply valve 71 is opened is pumped by the inclination of the suction pipe 52. 40).

At this time, when the pump 40 is operated in a state where the water supply amount of the washing water flowing into the pump 40 is insufficient, air is mixed with the washing water and the pumping water of the washing water from the pump 40 to the injection pipe 51 is increased. It may become incomplete, and this incomplete pumping may occur when the water supply amount is insufficient and/or when the rotational speed of the pump 40 is high compared to the water supply amount.

The water supply amount of the washing water supplied from the washing water supply pipe 70 to the suction pipe 52 may be different depending on the environment (condition) in which the whirlpool bath 1 of the present invention is installed.

For example, when the diameter of the washing water supply pipe 70 is large and the water pressure is high, and the water supply amount of the washing water supplied from the washing water supply pipe 70 to the suction pipe 52 is a sufficient condition, the problem of the above-described incomplete pumping due to insufficient water supply amount It rarely occurs.

Therefore, when executing the washing mode in the control unit 80 in an environment with sufficient water supply, the water supply valve 71 is opened and at the same time, a high speed equal to the rotational speed when the pump 40 sprays water through the injection nozzle 30. It can be operated at the rotational speed of.

That is, when the whirlpool bath 1 of the present invention is installed under the condition that the amount of water supplied to the suction pipe 52 from the washing water supply pipe 70 is large, and the washing mode is executed, the water supply valve 71 is opened and at the same time , The control circuit of the control unit 80 can be constructed so that the pump 40 is operated at a high rotational speed equal to the speed at which water is injected through the injection nozzle 30.

In the case of this embodiment, despite the high-speed rotation of the pump 40, since the water supply amount of the washing water is large, smooth washing of the circulation pipe 50 by the washing water is performed without incomplete pumping.

As another example, if the water supply amount of the washing water supplied from the washing water supply pipe 70 to the suction pipe 52 is insufficient because the diameter of the washing water supply pipe 70 is small and the water pressure is low, the above-described incomplete pumping water Since a problem may occur, when executing the washing mode in the control unit 80, the pump 40 can be operated at a lower rotational speed than the speed at which water is injected through the injection nozzle 30.

That is, when the whirlpool bath 1 of the present invention is installed under the condition that the amount of water supplied to the suction pipe 52 from the washing water supply pipe 70 is insufficient and the washing mode is executed, the water supply valve 71 At the same time as it is opened, the control circuit of the control unit 80 can be constructed so that the pump 40 is operated at a lower rotational speed than the speed at which water is injected through the injection nozzle 30.

In the case of the present embodiment, the pump 40 rotates at a low speed despite the small amount of water supply, so that smooth washing of the circulation pipe 50 by washing water is performed without incomplete pumping water.

As another example, when the diameter of the washing water supply pipe 70 is small and the water pressure is low, and the water supply amount of the washing water supplied from the washing water supply pipe 70 to the suction pipe 52 is insufficient, the washing mode is set to the controller 80. When executed, the pump 40 is not operated at the same time as the water supply valve 71 is opened, but is operated after a certain period of time has elapsed. When the pump 40 is operated, water is sprayed through the injection nozzle 30. In addition to being operated at a high-speed rotational speed equal to the speed, the pump 40 may intermittently repeat the operation and stop at regular intervals after that.

That is, when the whirlpool bath 1 of the present invention is installed in a condition where the amount of water supplied to the suction pipe 52 from the washing water supply pipe 70 is insufficient, and the washing mode is executed, the water supply valve 71 When the pump 40 is not operated at the same time as the opening and after a certain period of time elapses, the pump 40 is operated at a high rotational speed equal to the speed at which water is sprayed through the spray nozzle 30, and then the pump ( The control circuit of the control unit 80 may be constructed so that 40) intermittently repeats the operation and stop at a periodic time of a predetermined time. In the case of this embodiment, despite the small amount of water supply and the pump 40 rotates at high speed, the pump 40 is operated after a time delay after opening of the water supply valve 71 and intermittently operated, so that the circulation pipe by washing water without incomplete pumping water (50) smooth washing is made.

In the above specific example, the operation delay time of the pump 40, and the intermittently repeated operation continuation time and stop continuation time may be appropriately selected according to the water supply amount and the capacity of the pump, for example, within 2-10 seconds. Can be set by time.

According to the water supply amount of the washing water supplied from the washing water supply pipe 70 to the suction pipe 52, the washing modes of the above three methods (high speed operation, low speed operation and intermittent operation of the pump) are suitable for the environment in which the whirlpool bath is installed. Basically, only one washing mode is built into the control circuit of the controller 80, but all three washing modes are built into the control circuit of the controller 80, while the user You can also choose one to run.

After the washing operation in the whirlpool bath 1 according to the present invention is completed, most of the washing water is drained through the drain port 60, but very little washing water may remain in the circulation pipe 50, particularly the suction pipe 52. Since such residual water is not contaminated water, there is no major obstacle to the hygiene of the whirlpool bath, but it is not preferable when residual water remains in the suction pipe 52 for a long time while the whirlpool bath is not used.

For this reason, the whirlpool bath 1 according to the present invention may further include an openable drain pipe 90 which is piped at the lowest position of the suction pipe 52 and drains residual water remaining in the suction pipe 52.

The drain pipe 90 is piped at the lowest position of the suction pipe 52 where residual water is accumulated in the inclined suction pipe 52, and a drain valve 91 is installed in the drain pipe 90. The drain valve 91 may be configured to be closed again after opening the drain pipe 90 for a predetermined time after the cleaning mode is executed and the cleaning of the circulation pipe 50 is completed. As the drain valve 91, by applying an electrically controllable valve such as a solenoid valve, it can be automatically opened and closed under the control of the controller 80.

In the whirlpool bath 1 of the present invention, after executing the washing mode in the control unit 80, the washing duration until the water supply valve 71 is opened and then closed and the drain valve 91 is opened and then closed. The duration of the residual water drainage until, can be set enough to wash the circulation pipe 50 and drain the residual water, respectively, and the closing of the open water supply valve 71 and the drain valve 91 allows the user to end the washing mode. It can be executed by directly operating the switch, or can be executed automatically by applying a time switch to the control circuit of the controller 80.

In the whirlpool bath 1 according to the present invention, the operation and interruption of the pump 40 in the washing mode, the operation delay time and intermittently repeated operation and stop time, the water supply valve 71 and the drain valve 91 ) Of the open, closed, and open duration, etc., can be set in the control unit 80 according to the purpose of the present invention using known techniques well known in the control field.

The specific control circuit of the control unit 80 applied to the present invention can be variously and easily constructed for the purpose of the present invention by a person having ordinary knowledge in the relevant technical field, and the specific circuit itself is directly related to the present invention. Therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

According to the whirlpool bathtub according to the present invention described above, after the use of the whirlpool bathtub is terminated and all contaminated water in the bathtub 11 is drained through the drain port 60, the control unit 80 is operated to execute the washing mode. When the water supply valve 71 is opened, the washing water is supplied to the suction pipe 52 through the washing water supply pipe 70, and the washing water from the suction pipe 52 is caused by high-speed rotation, low-speed rotation, or intermittent rotation of the pump 40. The suction pipe 51 and the injection pipe 52 are washed while flowing to the bathtub 11 through the injection pipe 51 and the injection nozzle 30, and the water used for washing is the drainage port 60 of the bathtub 11 After the time set in the control unit 80 elapses or by the user's end operation of the washing mode, the water supply valve 71 is closed, the supply of washing water is stopped, and the pump 40 is stopped. It is completed, and finally, since the residual water in the suction pipe 52 is drained through the opening of the drain valve 91, draining the residual water, and closing the drain valve 91, after using the whirlpool bath, the remaining water buried in the circulation pipe 50 Since the contaminated water is washed with clean washing water and no residual water remains, the whirlpool bath can be managed and used more hygienic and clean.

1: whirlpool bath of the present invention 2: water source
10: bathtub body 11: bathtub
20: inlet 30: injection nozzle
40: pump 50: circulation pipe
51: injection pipe 52: suction pipe
60: drain 70: washing water supply pipe
71: on-off valve 80: control unit
90: drain pipe 91: on-off valve

Claims (5)

The bathtub body 10 in which the bathtub 11 is formed;
A suction port 20 for sucking water contained in the bathtub 11;
A spray nozzle 30 for spraying water into the bathtub 11;
A pump 40 that sucks water in the bathtub 11 through the suction port 20 and provides a water pressure for spraying water through the spray nozzle 30;
An injection pipe 51 which is piped between the injection nozzle 30 and the pump 40 to supply water to the injection nozzle 30, and the suction port 20 at a high position and the pump 40 at a low position. ) A circulation pipe (50) including a suction pipe (52) in which the pump (40) is inclined to be low and supplies water from the bath (11) to the pump (40) through the suction port (20);
It is formed on the bottom of the bathtub (11). A drain port 60 for draining the water in the bathtub 11;
Piped between the water supply source 2 supplying clean water and the suction pipe 52, and connected to the upstream of the suction pipe 52 adjacent to the suction port 20, the clean washing water from the water supply source 2 A washing water supply pipe 70 supplied upstream of the suction pipe 52 and provided with a water supply valve 71 capable of opening and closing; And
A control unit 80 for controlling the operation of the pump 40 and opening and closing of the water supply valve 71; Including,
When the washing mode is executed in the control unit 80, the water supply valve 71 is opened for a certain time and the pump 40 is operated, so that the washing water supply pipe 70 is supplied upstream of the suction pipe 52. Washing water flows down to the pump 40 along the inclined suction pipe 52, and the pump 40, the injection pipe 51, the injection nozzle 30, the bathtub 11 and the drain hole Whirlpool bath with a pipe washing function, characterized in that, while flowing through (60) sequentially, washing the inside of the circulation pipe (50). The method of claim 1,
When the washing mode is executed in the control unit 80, the water supply valve 71 is opened and the pump 40 is rotated at the same rotational speed as when water is sprayed through the injection nozzle 30. Whirlpool bathtub with a pipe washing function, characterized in that it is movable. The method of claim 1,
When executing the washing mode in the control unit 80, the pump 40 is operated at a rotational speed lower than the rotational speed when water is sprayed through the injection nozzle 30. Equipped whirlpool bathtub. The method of claim 1,
When executing the washing mode in the control unit 80, after a certain period of time has elapsed after the water supply valve 71 is opened, the pump 40 rotates when water is injected through the injection nozzle 30. A whirlpool bath with a pipe washing function, characterized in that it is operated at the same rotational speed as the speed, and then the pump 40 repeats the operation and stop at regular intervals. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Piped at the lowest position of the suction pipe 52, a drain valve 91 capable of opening and closing is installed, and further comprising a drain pipe 90 through which residual water of the washing water remaining in the suction pipe 52 is drained, and the circulation After the cleaning of the pipe 50 is completed, the drain valve 91 is opened for a certain period of time, and the residual water remaining in the suction pipe 52 is drained through the drain pipe 90. Equipped whirlpool bathtub.

Images