JP2010071510A - Bath device - Google Patents

Abstract

【Task】
Expiration water that accurately determines the idle operation of the circulation pump to prevent damage and eliminate the idle operation in a bath device in which a circulation path for circulating hot water is provided between the bathtub and the water heater. [Solution]
A circulation path 3 for circulating hot water W by a circulation pump 4 is disposed between the bathtub 1 and the water heater 2. The circulation pump 4 is of a type in which the shaft portion is in contact with the hot water W and is connected to the controller 10. The controller 10 has a rotation speed detection unit 10b that detects the rotation speed of the circulation pump 4, and when the rotation speed detection unit 10b detects that the rotation speed of the circulation pump 4 does not reach an appropriate rotation speed at the initial stage, the circulation pump 4 stops rotation and instructs the circulation pump 4 to exhale.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention belongs to a technical field related to a bath apparatus in which a circulation path through which hot water is circulated by a circulation pump is provided between a bathtub and a water heater.

  Recently, for safety reasons, a hot water heater has been installed outside the bathroom (outdoors), and a circulation path through which hot water is circulated by a circulation pump is installed between the hot water heater and the bathtub installed in the bathroom. More and more bath equipment has been used. In this bath apparatus, in order to prevent freezing in winter, draining is performed by discharging hot water from a water heater, a circulation path, and a circulation pump. Moreover, depending on the relative installation height of the water heater, the circulation pump, and the bathtub, hot water may flow from the water heater, the circulation path, or the circulation pump to the bathtub or the like.

  When the circulation pump is rotated (empty operation) in a state where hot water has been removed, the rotation pump is forced to rotate, causing serious damage to the main body of the circulation pump and the attached motor. For this reason, development of the technique which prevents the idle driving | operation of a circulation pump is desired.

Conventionally, for example, the following techniques are known as general techniques aimed at preventing idling of the pump.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-277895 discloses a pump control technique that detects an abnormal rotation speed (high speed rotation) of the pump, determines that it is idling, and stops the pump.

  The pump control technology according to Patent Document 1 does not provide a technology for supplying hot water to the inside of the circulation pump (exhalation water), and therefore has a problem that its utility is low even if it is applied as it is to the above bath apparatus. There is. In addition, since the high-speed rotation of the circulation pump may occur in other than the idling operation in the bath apparatus described above, it is inappropriate to determine the idling operation from the high-speed rotation of the circulation pump.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and provides a bath apparatus that can determine the idle operation of the circulation pump accurately to prevent damage and enable exhalation water to eliminate the idle operation. The task is to do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the bath apparatus according to the present invention employs means described in each of the claims.

  That is, in claim 1, in a bath apparatus in which a circulation path for circulating hot water with a circulation pump is provided between a bathtub and a water heater, the circulation pump is a type in which a shaft portion is in contact with hot water and connected to a controller. The controller has a rotation speed detection unit for detecting the rotation speed of the circulation pump, and stops rotation of the circulation pump when the rotation speed detection unit detects that the rotation speed does not reach an appropriate rotation speed at the initial stage of rotation of the circulation pump. It is characterized by instructing the circulating pump to draw water.

  In this means, when the controller connected to the circulation pump does not reach the appropriate rotation speed at the initial rotation speed of the circulation pump, the hot water disappears from the periphery of the circulation pump shaft and friction increases. By determining the idling operation and stopping the rotation of the circulation pump and instructing the expiration pump to the circulation pump, hot water is injected as the expiration water into the circulation pump whose rotation has been stopped.

  Further, in the bath apparatus according to claim 1, the bath apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a hot water supply passage disposed with a hot water supply valve between a hot water supply passage through which hot water is supplied from a water heater and a circulation passage. Is connected to the hot-water valve, and is characterized in that an instruction of exhalation to the circulation pump is executed as the hot-water valve is opened.

  In this means, hot water supplied from the hot water supply path is injected into the circulation path through the hot water supply path where the hot water valve is opened, so that the circulation pump finally attached to the circulation path and stopped in rotation is supplied. Hot water is injected as expiratory water.

  In the third aspect of the present invention, the bath apparatus of the first aspect further includes an alarm device connected to the controller, and the controller executes an instruction of exhalation to the circulation pump as an exhalation alarm from the alarm device. Features.

  In this means, when the user who has received the exhalation warning from the alarm device manually performs exhalation work, hot water is injected as exhalation into the circulation pump whose rotation has been stopped.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the bath apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects further comprises a water flow switch that is attached to the circulation path and senses the circulation of the hot water, and the controller is connected to the water flow switch so that the rotational speed detection unit circulates. If the water flow switch does not detect the circulation of hot water even if it detects that the appropriate number of rotations has been exceeded at the beginning of the rotation of the pump, the circulation pump stops rotating and instructs the circulation pump to draw water. To do.

  In this means, even when the initial rotation speed of the circulation pump exceeds the appropriate rotation speed, the controller is in a state where air is caught in a part of the circulation pump when hot water is not circulating in the circulation path. By determining that the operation is half-empty, and stopping the rotation of the circulation pump and instructing the expiration water to the circulation pump, hot water is injected as expiration water into the circulation pump whose rotation has been stopped.

  Moreover, in Claim 5, in the bath apparatus in any one of Claims 1-4, it is equipped with the alarm connected to the controller, and the controller is the initial stage of the re-rotation of the circulation pump after the expiration of the rotation number detection part. When it is detected that the proper rotational speed is not reached, the rotation of the circulating pump is stopped and an alarm device is instructed to transmit an abnormality alarm.

  In this means, when the initial rotation speed of the circulation pump after the exhalation does not reach the appropriate rotation speed, the controller determines that an abnormality other than the idling operation of the circulation pump and stops the rotation of the circulation pump. By sending an abnormality alarm to the device, the user is advised that appropriate countermeasures should be taken with the circulation pump stopped.

  In the bath apparatus according to the present invention, when the controller connected to the circulation pump does not reach the appropriate rotation speed at the initial rotation speed of the circulation pump, hot water disappears from the periphery of the shaft portion of the circulation pump and the friction increases. Since it is determined that the idling operation has been stopped and the rotation of the circulation pump is stopped and the expiration pump is instructed, hot water is injected into the circulation pump that has stopped rotating as expiration water. It is possible to accurately determine the idle operation of the circulation pump to prevent damage and to make it possible to execute exhalation water that eliminates the idle operation.

  Furthermore, as claimed in claim 2, hot water supplied from the hot water supply path is injected into the circulation path through the hot water supply path with the hot water valve opened, so that the rotation is finally stopped and the rotation is stopped. Since hot water is injected into the circulation pump as expiratory water, there is an effect that expiratory water that eliminates the idling operation can be quickly executed using the hot water filling mechanism.

  Furthermore, as claimed in claim 3, since the user who has received the exhalation warning from the alarm device manually performs exhalation work, hot water is injected as exhalation into the circulation pump whose rotation has been stopped. Even under a simple mechanism that does not include a hot water filling mechanism or the like, there is an effect that expiratory water that eliminates idling can be quickly executed.

  Further, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, even when the controller has an initial rotational speed exceeding the appropriate rotational speed, if hot water is not circulating in the circulation path, air is entrained in a part of the circulating pump. Since it is determined that the pump is in a semi-empty operation, the rotation of the circulation pump is stopped and the expiration pump is instructed, so that hot water is injected as the expiration water into the circulation pump whose rotation has been stopped. There is an effect that it is possible to determine the idle operation of the circulation pump more accurately to prevent damage and to enable exhalation water that eliminates the idle operation.

  Furthermore, as claimed in claim 5, when the initial rotation speed of the circulation pump after the expiration has not reached the appropriate rotation speed, the controller determines that the abnormality is not the idling operation of the circulation pump, and rotates the circulation pump. In order to guide the user to take appropriate countermeasures with the rotation of the circulating pump stopped by stopping and sending an alarm to the alarm device, damage caused by causes other than idling of the circulating pump There is an effect that can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the bath apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 3 show a first example of the best mode for carrying out a bath apparatus according to the present invention.

  In the first example, one suitable for installation in a general household is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first example is a bathtub 1, a water heater 2, a circulation path 3, a circulation pump 4, a water flow switch 5, a water supply path 6, a hot water supply path 7, a hot water path 8, a hot water valve 9, and a controller. 10 and an alarm device 11.

  Bathtub 1 is installed in a bathroom of a house and stores hot water W (hot water) in the bath for bathing. Hot water inlet / outlet (hot water circulation port) through which hot water W enters and exits in the middle of the depth direction of side 1a. 1b is provided.

  The water heater 2 is installed outside the bathroom of the house (for example, the outer wall of the house) and heats the hot water W, and includes a heat exchanger 2a provided with a channel through which the hot water W flows non-linearly. It consists of a combustion heating type heated by a heating source 2b such as an oil burner.

  The circulation path 3 is disposed between the bathtub 1 and the water heater 2 and circulates the hot water W. The hot water inlet / outlet 1b of the bathtub 1 and the heat of the water heater 2 are made of a pipe material covered with a heat insulating material at a necessary portion. It is piped between the exchanger 2a. The circulation path 3 includes an outward path 3 a that serves as a supply path for hot water W from the water heater 2 to the bathtub 1, and a return path 3 b that serves as a return path for the hot water W from the bathtub 1 to the water heater 2.

  The circulation pump 4 is attached to the forward path 3 a of the circulation path 3 and drives circulation of the hot water W in the circulation path 3. The circulation pump 4 sucks the hot water W stored in the bathtub 1 and enters the heat exchanger 2 a of the water heater 2. Dispense towards. About this circulation pump 4, what a shaft part contacts hot water W like a can type is adopted.

  The water flow switch 5 is attached closer to the bathtub 1 than the circulation pump 4 in the forward path 3 a of the circulation path 3 and senses the circulation of the hot water W in the circulation path 3, and the circulation of the hot water W from the bathtub 1 to the circulation pump 4. Responds to pressure.

  The water supply channel 6 is disposed between the water pipe and the water heater 2 and supplies hot water (tap water) W to the water heater 2. It is piped between the two heat exchangers 2a. This water supply channel 6 is branched for water supply to a water tap (not shown) installed in the bathtub 1 as necessary.

  The hot water supply path 7 is disposed between the water heater 2 and the kitchen, wash basin, etc. to supply hot water W to the kitchen, wash basin, etc. Between the heat exchanger 2a and the kitchen, the sink of the washstand, and the like. This hot water supply path 7 is branched to a hot water tap installed in the bathtub 1 for hot water supply as needed.

  The water supply path 6 and the hot water supply path 7 form a flow path separate from the circulation path 3 in the heat exchanger 2 a of the water heater 2.

  The hot water path 8 is provided between the circulation path 3 and the hot water supply path 7 and supplies hot water W to the circulation path 3 (tub 1). 3 is connected between the intermediate position of the circulation pump 4 and the water flow switch 5 in the forward path 3 a and the hot water supply path 7.

  The hot-water valve 9 is attached to the hot-water passage 8 and intermittently supplies hot water W to the circulation passage 3, and includes an open / close valve that opens and closes the hot-water passage 8.

  The controller 10 is electrically connected to the circulation pump 4, the water flow switch 5, and the hot water valve 9 to drive and control the circulation pump 4 and the hot water valve 9. It is built into a control panel (remote control) that controls the entire bath apparatus. As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 10 includes a central processing unit 10 a composed of a microcomputer, a rotation speed detection unit 10 b that detects the rotation speed of the circulation pump 4 from a drive current circuit, and the circulation path using the water flow switch 5. 3, a circulation detection unit 10 c to which the presence / absence of circulation of hot and cold water W is input, a rotation number data unit 10 d to which an appropriate rotation number of the circulation pump 4 is input, and a circulation pump drive unit 10 e that is a drive driver of the circulation pump 4. And a hot-water valve drive unit 10 f which is a drive driver of the hot-water valve 9. The central processing unit 10a has a comparison processing function between the initial rotation number of the circulation pump 4 detected by the rotation number detection unit 10b and the appropriate rotation number of the circulation pump 4 input to the rotation number data unit 10d. When the rotation speed of the circulation pump 4 does not reach an appropriate rotation speed, the circulation pump drive unit 10e is instructed to stop the rotation of the circulation pump 4, and the hot water valve drive unit 10f is opened. It is set to direct. Even when the rotational speed of the circulation pump 4 exceeds an appropriate rotational speed, the same applies when the fact that the hot water W is circulating in the circulation path 3 is not input to the circulation detection unit 10c. The central processing unit 10a has a timer function, and after stopping the rotation of the circulation pump 4 and opening the hot water valve 9 for a certain period of time, the hot water valve 9 is closed and the circulating pump drive unit 10e is turned on. It is set to instruct the rotation of the circulation pump 4 again. Further, the central processing unit 10a instructs the circulation pump driving unit 10e to stop the rotation of the circulation pump 4 when the initial rotation number of the rotation of the circulation pump 4 does not reach an appropriate rotation number. 11 is set to send an abnormality alarm.

  The alarm device 11 is connected to the central processing unit 10a of the controller 10 and transmits a sound / light abnormality alarm, and is installed in the vicinity of a control panel for controlling the entire bath apparatus. It is also possible to display alarm contents such as numbers and letters as an abnormality alarm.

  According to the first example, when the circulation pump 4 is rotated for tracking or the like, the controller 10 detects the initial number of rotations of the circulation pump 4.

  Then, the controller 10 determines that the circulation pump 4 is idling when the rotation number of the circulation pump 4 does not reach an appropriate rotation number. At this time, due to the characteristics of the circulation pump 4, the shaft portion of the circulation pump 4 does not come into contact with the hot water W and the function of the lubricating water of the hot water W is lost, the friction of the shaft portion of the circulation pump 4 increases and the circulation pump 4. It is thought that the number of rotations of is no longer rising. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine that the circulation pump 4 is idling as compared with a case where idling is judged from high-speed rotation of a normal pump. Assuming that the canned type circulation pump 4 is set to an appropriate rotational speed of 4,000 to 5,000 rpm, the hot water W is completely discharged from the inside of the circulation pump 4 at 1,000 rpm or less. Decreases to rotation speed.

  Further, the controller 10 determines that the circulation pump 4 is idling even when the number of rotations of the circulation pump 4 exceeds an appropriate number of rotations and the hot water W does not circulate in the circulation path 3. At this time, it is considered that the operation is a semi-empty operation in which air is entrained in a part of the inside of the circulation pump 4.

  The controller 10 that has determined the idling operation stops the rotation of the circulation pump 4 and opens the hot water valve 9. The controller 10 that has not determined the idle operation instructs a steady operation such as normal pursuit.

  The opening of the hot-water valve 9 by stopping the rotation of the circulation pump 4 is continued for a certain time. That is, sufficient time is ensured for hot water W supplied from the hot water supply passage 7 by tap water pressure, hot water supply pump pressure, etc. to fill the circulation pump 4 as expiratory water through the hot water supply passage 8.

  Thereafter, the controller 10 rotates the circulation pump 4 again and detects the initial rotation number of the rotation again.

  Then, when the rotation speed of the circulation pump 4 does not reach an appropriate rotation speed, the controller 10 determines that some abnormality other than the idling operation has occurred in the circulation pump 4.

  The controller 10 that has determined the abnormality stops the rotation of the circulation pump 4 and causes the alarm device 11 to issue an abnormality alarm. The controller 10 that has not determined the abnormality instructs a steady operation such as normal pursuit.

  As a result, when the circulation pump 4 is idling, the circulation pump 4 is not forced to be driven rotationally, and the idling operation of the circulation pump 4 is accurately determined to prevent damage and eliminate idling. Expiration can be made feasible.

  Further, even if any abnormality occurs in the circulation pump 4, it is possible to prevent the circulation pump 4 from being damaged without forcing the circulation pump 4 to be rotationally driven. Then, it is possible to send an abnormality alarm from the alarm device 11 to guide the user that appropriate countermeasures should be taken.

  4 to 6 show a second example of the best mode for carrying out the bath apparatus according to the present invention.

  In the second example, the hot water supply path 8 and the hot water supply valve 9 of the first example are omitted, and the exhalation for the idle operation of the circulation pump 4 is performed manually.

  In the second example, the central processing unit 10a of the controller 10 instructs the circulation pump drive unit 10e to stop the rotation of the circulation pump 4 when the rotation number of the circulation pump 4 does not reach an appropriate rotation number. It is set so that the alarm device 11 can issue a breath warning. Further, the central processing unit 10a of the controller 10 continues until the return switch 12 connected to stop the rotation of the circulation pump 4 and the opening of the hot-water valve 9 is turned on, and when the return switch 12 is turned on. It is set to instruct the rotation of the circulation pump 4 again.

  In the second example, the rear return switch 12 in which the user manually infuses hot water W into the circulation pump 4 by turning on the exhalation alarm of the alarm device 11 is turned on.

  According to the second example, the present invention can be carried out even when the hot water filling mechanism including the hot water filling passage 8 and the hot water filling valve 9 is not provided.

  Other actions and effects of the second example are achieved in substantially the same manner as in the first example.

  As described above, in addition to the illustrated examples, the present invention can be applied to a large-scale apparatus installed in a business facility.

  About the alarm device 11, it is also possible to install separately for exclusive use of a breath alert and an abnormal alarm.

It is the simplified block diagram of the 1st example of the best form for implementing the bath apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of FIG. 1. It is a flowchart of the operation | movement of FIG. It is the simplified block diagram of the 2nd example of the best form for implementing the bath apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of FIG. 4. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bathtub 2 Water heater 3 Circulation path 4 Circulation pump 5 Water flow switch 8 Hot water path 9 Hot water valve 10 Controller 10b Rotation speed detection part 11 Alarm 12 Return switch

Claims (5)

  In a bath apparatus in which a circulation path for circulating hot water with a circulation pump is provided between a bathtub and a water heater, the circulation pump is connected to a controller with a shaft portion that is in contact with hot water, and the controller is connected to the controller of the circulation pump. A rotation speed detection unit for detecting the rotation speed, and when the rotation speed detection unit detects that the rotation speed does not reach an appropriate rotation speed at the initial stage of the rotation of the circulation pump, the rotation of the circulation pump is stopped and the priming to the circulation pump A bath apparatus characterized by directing.   The bath apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a hot water supply passage provided with a hot water supply valve between a hot water supply passage through which hot water is supplied from a water heater and a circulation passage, and the controller is connected to the hot water supply valve. A bath apparatus characterized by executing an instruction of exhalation to the circulation pump as opening of a hot water valve.   The bath apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an alarm device connected to the controller, wherein the controller executes an instruction of exhalation to the circulation pump as transmission of an exhalation alarm from the alarm device.   The bath apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a water flow switch that is attached to the circulation path and senses the circulation of hot water, the controller is connected to the water flow switch, and the rotation speed detection unit rotates properly at the initial rotation of the circulation pump. A bath apparatus characterized by stopping the rotation of the circulation pump and instructing the circulation pump to irrigate when the water flow switch does not sense the circulation of hot water even if it is detected that the number has been exceeded.   The bath apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an alarm device connected to the controller, wherein the controller does not reach an appropriate number of revolutions at an early stage of the rotation of the circulation pump after the expiration. A bath apparatus characterized by stopping rotation of a circulation pump and instructing an alarm device to transmit an abnormality alarm when an error is detected.