JPH05311712A - Automatic draining device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To modify an automatic draining device, having a motor-operated drive part, which rapidly opens the drain plug of a bath tub through a high suction force and releases the suction force by a force, being approximately a half or less of a force during charge, during return. CONSTITUTION:A permanent magnet 28 is inserted in electromagnetic coil 23 such that a moving core 27 where a permanent magnet 28 is located at a central part can be attracted to a fixed core 24, and a moving rod 29 extending through the fixed core 24 is inserted in the center of the moving core 27. One end of the moving rod 29 is drivingly connected to a drain plug 15 through a dividably arranged drive transmission shaft 49a, and the other end is provided with a push power relieving means to operate a lever body 32 through a lever action. Further, a yoke 26 for forming a closed magnetic passage is fitted in the outer periphery of the electromagnetic coil 23, and a motor-operated drive part 21a comprising a self-holding type solenoid formed in a manner to be surrounded with a covering case 35 having a draining means. A drain plug 15 is automatically or manually rapidly and reliably opened and closed by means of the drive means 21 having a motoroperated drive part 21a.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic drainage device in which a drainage plug installed on the bottom of a bath such as a bathtub or a wash basin can be arbitrarily opened or closed automatically or manually as required.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, most of the drainage devices installed in a bathtub are those in which a drainage plug connected to a drainage hole drilled on the bottom surface of the bathtub is connected by a chain to stop or open the drainage plug. There is. When the drain plug is stopped at the time of its use, it may leak water unless it is pressed into the drain port with a horizontally averaged pressure, and the chain accidentally connected to the drain plug during bathing. There was a problem such as causing water leakage when touching it and moving and tilting it. Further, when draining the residual hot water in the bathtub, the chain of the drain plug was pulled up to open the drainage port, but when the residual hot water in the bathtub is full, put the hand in the residual hot water and pull up the chain. Therefore, when a housewife or the like puts his / her hand into the residual hot water and opens the drain plug during the kitchen work, there is a resistance that the residual hot water stains the hand. In particular, there is a strong feeling in the discharge of residual hot water from bathtubs installed in hotels and the like. For this reason, in recent years, it has been desired that the drain plug can be opened from the outside without soiling the hands with the residual hot water.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, a device which can open and close the drain plug from the outside of the bathtub has been devised. That is, in FIG. 10, a drainage pipe 3 is provided in communication with the drainage port 2 at the bottom of the bathtub 1.
A support rod 5 having a drain plug 4 fixed to the upper end is housed therein, while a knob 6 for manual operation is provided on the upper edge 1a of the rim portion of the bathtub 1.
The operating rod 7 protruding from the support rod 5 and the support rod 5 are drivingly connected by a connecting rod 9 which rotates about a pivot 8.
In operating the drain plug 4, when the knob 6 is manually pushed down as shown by the two-dot chain line, the drain plug 4 rises and opens as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 and the knob 6
When the drain plug 4 is manually pulled up as shown by the solid line 0, the drain plug 4 closes the drain port 2 as shown by the solid line.

Recently, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a drain plug which is automatically opened / closed by electric operation instead of manually has been developed. For example, an automatic drainage device 60 shown in FIG. 11 is provided at a drainage port 2 at the bottom of a bathtub 1 so as to be able to move up and down, and a lifting shaft 61 is provided below a drainage plug 4 that covers the drainage port 2 in an openable and closable manner.
A vertical pipe wall 6 of a drainage pipe 3 which is attached to the lower side of the bathtub 1 and communicates with the drainage port 2 is provided below the lifting shaft 61.
2, a rotary shaft 64 is horizontally and rotatably inserted and supported by a bearing 63, and a cam member 65, which is in sliding contact with the lower end of the lifting shaft 61, is eccentrically located on the rotary shaft 64. An electric motor 66 which is fastened by attaching the rotary shaft 64 to the pipe wall 62.
Is connected via a speed reducer 67 in a drivable manner. And
When the opening / closing operation of the drainage port 2 is performed, the electric motor 66 can be operated by an operation switch (not shown) arranged outside the bathroom.
Is rotated forward and backward, and the cam member 65 eccentrically attached to the rotation shaft 64 is rotated by half a rotation to move the lifting shaft 61 up and down, and the drain plug 4 attached to the lifting shaft 61 is driven in the vertical direction. The drainage port 2 is opened and closed.

Further, the automatic drainage device 70 shown in FIG.
Instead of providing a drain plug 4 for opening and closing the drain outlet 2,
As shown in FIG. 12, a drainage pipe 3 communicating with a drainage port 2 in which a perforation plate 72 having a water passage hole 71 is detachably attached is connected to the drainage pipe 3 on the lower side of the bathtub 1 (in the vicinity of the drainage port 2). Position)
When the hot water in the bathtub 1 is discharged by connecting the electric valve 73 to the pipe, or when the hot water is supplied to the bathtub 1, the electric valve 73 provided in the middle of the pipe is operated from the outside to drain water. The hot and cold water can be drained from the bathtub 1 by opening and closing the pipe 3.

[0006]

However, as shown in FIG. 10, in the device for manually opening and closing the drain plug, the knob for manually operating the drain plug is projected on the upper surface of the rim portion of the bathtub. When a bather such as an infant accidentally catches his feet on the picking while bathing, he falls over in the bathroom to injure himself, or the infant tricks the picking and pushes down the water in the bathtub. There was a problem that it was accidentally discharged.

Further, in the automatic drainage devices 60 and 70 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, an electric drive unit equipped with an electric motor, an electric valve or the like which is a drive means for opening and closing the inside of the drain plug or the drain pipe is provided under the bathtub. Since the electric drive cannot be operated manually at the time of a power failure because it is installed on the side or in the middle of the drain pipe, the drain plug cannot be opened and closed, and in the worst case, until the power is restored. There was a problem that the water in the bathtub could not be drained.

Further, even when the electric drive unit fails, it is difficult to take out the electric drive unit to the outside for repair, as in the case of a power failure, and there is a problem that the bathtub cannot be used until the repair is completed. Furthermore, when the electric drive unit is composed of an electric motor, when the drain plug is opened to drain hot water when cleaning the bathtub, etc. (when the drain plug is rising from the drain port), the drain plug is accidentally opened with the foot. If the drain plug is overloaded, such as when it is stepped on, the rotating shaft that fastens the cam member may bend, making it impossible to smoothly move the drain plug up and down (opening and closing). There was a problem that it could not operate smoothly and satisfactorily.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned various problems.
A drive means having an electric drive unit attached to the upper portion of the rim portion of the bathtub is installed, and the drive means and the drain plug are drive-coupled via a drive transmission shaft, and the drain plug is electrically driven as necessary. Allows you to automatically open and close by remote control,
An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic drainage device in a bathtub or the like in which a drain plug can be manually opened / closed by manually operating an electric drive unit at the time of power failure.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a drive in which an electric drive unit for driving a drain plug for opening and closing a drain port at the bottom of a bath is built in the upper portion of a rim of a bath. The driving means and the drain plug are drivably connected to each other by a drive transmission shaft formed by dividing a driving rod and an operating lever so that they can be contacted and separated from each other.

The electric drive unit for forming the drive means for operating the drain plug has a hollow cylindrical yoke made of a magnetic material and a permanent magnet in the center.
A movable iron core having magnetic members arranged on both sides and arranged to be movable along the axial direction of the yoke, and a movable iron core arranged outside the movable iron core and connected to a power source. Electromagnetic coil that cooperates with the permanent magnet to generate an attractive magnetic flux in the movable iron core when attracting, a fixed iron core that is disposed below the coil to attract and restore the movable iron core, and penetrates the movable iron core. A movable rod that is fixed and protrudes upward and downward, and at its lower end side, penetrates the fixed iron core and is connected to the drive rod, and an upper portion of the movable rod that protrudes above the movable iron core. The pushing force reducing means for manually operating the movable iron core provided on the end side, and the pushing force reducing means provided above the yoke and the movable rod of the movable iron core are individually brought into contact with each other to manually move the movable iron core. Input (sucking) ) - manual reset constituting the self-hold solenoid that includes possible and the the respective operation buttons for on and restored.

Further, the solenoid constituting the electric drive unit is provided with a resin-made cover case on the outside of the hollow cylindrical yoke, and a drain groove for discharging water infiltrating into the case to the outside. Since the cover case is fitted in the state of being able to be hung vertically inside the upper edge of the water tank, its operation is as follows.

[0013]

The present invention, as described above, is provided at the upper portion of the rim portion of the bathtub.
A drive means having a built-in electric drive section composed of a self-holding solenoid is installed, and the drive means and the drain plug at the bottom of the tank are connected so as to be drivable via a splittable drive transmission shaft. When the electric drive unit fails, only that portion can be easily pulled out above the rim portion, so that repair, maintenance, inspection, etc. can be easily performed when the drive unit fails.

Further, the electric drive part of the drive means is composed of a self-holding type solenoid, and when the movable iron core of the electric drive part is attracted to the fixed iron core, a large current is instantaneously applied to the electromagnetic coil as compared with the time of restoration. By the synergistic effect of the magnetic flux flowing in the magnetic member that constitutes the movable iron core and the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet, the movable iron core is attracted to the fixed iron core by a large attraction force, and the drain plug that closes the drain outlet in a watertight manner Open quickly against the water pressure. After opening, the movable iron core is attracted and held by the fixed iron core only by the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet to maintain the opened state. Conversely, if you want to block the drainage port,
The electromagnetic coil is instantly energized with a small electric power that generates a magnetic flux in the direction opposite to the direction of the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet, and the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet is canceled to temporarily release the attraction force of the permanent magnet to the movable iron core. Return to the original position by the return spring. Therefore, by releasing the force (pushing force) for opening the drain plug, the drain plug descends by its own weight and closes the drain port. Therefore,
Even if a load is applied to the drain plug when the drain plug is opened, the load only pushes up the movable iron core via the drive transmission shaft, and therefore the load does not damage the electric drive unit.

Further, according to the present invention, in the event of a failure of the driving means or a power failure, the movable iron core is pushed down by the operation of the closing operation button provided on the upper part of the electric drive section to act as a permanent magnet. Facilitates suction with the fixed iron core.
When returning the movable iron core, press the return operation button
The lever action of the pushing force reducing means allows the movable iron core sucked to the fixed iron core to be self-recovered with a small force, which facilitates the manual operation of the drain plug and the failure of the driving means for supplying and draining the bathtub. There is nothing to prevent.

Moreover, in the present invention, a drain groove for draining inflow water to the outside of the electric drive unit is specially provided between the yoke of the electric drive unit and the covering case fitted to the outside of the yoke. Therefore, for example, when the water overflows in the bathtub and this flows into the rim portion and tries to enter the electric drive unit, the drainage groove provided in the electric drive unit itself prevents the inflow of water. Since it can be easily discharged to the outside, it can be used in a stable state for a long time even if the electric drive unit is placed near the water supply,
It is possible to provide a highly reliable automatic drainage device.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An example in which the present invention is applied to a means for opening and closing a drain plug for a bathtub will be described below with reference to FIGS. At first,
In FIGS. 1 and 2, 11 is a bathtub, and a drain port 12 is opened at the bottom of the bathtub 11. Reference numeral 13 denotes a transmission shaft insertion pipe that is arranged in the rim portion a above the bathtub 11 so as to extend from the side surface of the bathtub 11 to the bottom portion, and is integrally connected to the drainage pipe 13a that communicates with the drainage port 12 and the communication port 14. There is. Reference numeral 15 is a drain plug that opens and closes the drain port 12, and a guide guide 16 for engaging with the inner peripheral surface of the drain port 12 is integrally formed below the outer peripheral edge thereof. Reference numeral 17 denotes a support shaft vertically provided on the back surface of the drain plug 15, and an operation lever 18 is pivotally attached to the support shaft 17 in the transmission shaft insertion tube 13. As shown in FIG. 1, the operating lever 18 is composed of a flat lever rod 19 and a connecting rod 20 which are formed in a substantially inverted V shape. In addition, a rotation stopping member (not shown) is integrally formed on the connecting rod 20 in the vicinity of a pivotal support with the lever rod 19 so as to rotate both upward but not in the opposite direction. ing.

Reference numeral 21 is a driving means for driving the drain plug 15 attached to the uppermost portion inside the rim portion a above the bathtub 11, which has a built-in electric driving portion 21a consisting of a self-holding solenoid. 3 will be described. Reference numeral 22 denotes a cylindrical bobbin around which the electromagnetic coil 23 is wound. At one open end (lower side in FIG. 3) of the bobbin 22, a fixed iron core 24 having a vertical hole b at its center is fitted. An auxiliary yoke 25 is fitted to the other open end (upper side in FIG. 3) in a state of protruding above the bobbin 22 so as not to close the hollow hole of the bobbin 22. A hollow cylindrical yoke 26 surrounding the electromagnetic coil 23 is provided outside the electromagnetic coil 23.
However, it is fitted and held over the auxiliary yoke 25 and the fixed iron core 24.

Reference numeral 27 denotes a movable iron core which is vertically movably inserted into the hollow hole of the bobbin 22, and the movable iron core 27 has a first magnetic member c on the fixed iron core 24 side as shown in FIG. A second magnetic member d is provided on the yoke 25 side, and a permanent magnet 28 is formed between the first and second magnetic members c and d.
The first magnetic member c is inserted into the locking step portion e provided at substantially the center of the movable rod 29 penetrating the vertical hole b of No. 4, and subsequently,
The movable iron core 27 is attached to the movable rod 29 by placing the permanent magnet 28 and the second magnetic member d on the first magnetic member c and screwing them on the threaded portion f screwed on the movable rod 29.

On the auxiliary yoke 25, a movable iron core 27 is screwed on the auxiliary yoke 25 with the lower end of the movable rod 29 protruding into the yoke 26 protruding from the auxiliary yoke 25.
Is a cap-shaped stopper for restricting the rising range of the movable core, 31 is a cushioning material placed on the upper part of the movable iron core 27, and 32 is a free end of the movable rod 29 protruding above the stopper 30. The lever body is a substantially V-shaped lever body, and the base end side thereof is formed to extend to a position on the extension line of the inner peripheral surface of the yoke 26, as shown in FIG. 3, and the lever body 32 manually operates the movable iron core 27. When the movable iron core 27 is raised, the movable iron core 27 can be returned to its original position with a small force by applying the principle of leverage. Reference numeral 33 is a spring seat that is screwed to the protruding end of the movable rod 29 that projects from the lever body while being in contact with the lever body 32, and 34 is a nut that prevents the spring seat 33 from being pulled out.

Reference numeral 35 denotes a tubular covering case surrounding the outside of the hollow cylindrical yoke 26. As shown in FIG. 5, a ridge 36 slidably contacting the outer circumference of the yoke 26 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the covering case 3.
5, a plurality of lines are provided in the axial direction and fixed to the covering case 35,
The yoke 26 accommodating the solenoid main body A composed of the movable iron cores 24, 27 and the like is accommodated and retained by locking the lower end thereof to the engaging portion 36a in the lower part of the covering case 35, and at the upper opening end of the covering case 35. A flange portion 37 having a threaded portion is provided on the outer peripheral edge thereof. As shown in FIG. 3, the double cylinder-shaped cap 38 having the inner cylinder g is brought into contact with the peripheral edge of the upper end of the stopper 30 and the outer cylinder h is screwed onto the threaded portion of the flange 37, thereby The electric drive unit main body A is housed and fixed in the covering case 35 via the yoke 26.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a closing operation button for pushing down the top of the movable rod 29 protruding from the lever body 32 to perform the closing operation of the movable iron core 27 when the movable iron core 27 is manually operated.
Reference numeral 41 denotes an operation button for manually returning the movable iron core 27, which is fitted to the outside of the closing operation button 40 by locking the operation button 40 irremovably, and the lower portion thereof is pulled out into the inner cylinder g of the cap 38. In the state in which it is irremovably locked, it is fitted and held in the inner cylinder g so as to always come into contact with the extended end of the lever body 32, and each operation button 40, 41 for manual closing and manual return is provided. By doing so, the manual operation means 39 of the electric drive unit 21a is configured.

In FIG. 3, 42 is a fixed iron core 24.
And a movable iron core 27 are interposed between the movable iron core 27 and the movable iron core 27, 43 is a compression spring for upward movement of the operation button 41 inserted between the stopper 30 and the return operation button 41, and 44 is a spring seat 33. A compression spring for moving the operation button 40 inserted between it and the closing operation button 40. The closing and returning operation buttons 40 and 41 forming the manual operation means 39 cannot be removed by individual locking means. And the compression springs 43, 44
The cap 38 is vertically movably attached to the cap 38 while being constantly urged upward by the urging force. Reference numeral 45 is a lead wire protection cover of the electric drive unit 21a, and 46 is the electric drive unit 21.
a nut for mounting the electric drive portion 21a, the bath 1
1 is inserted into the rim portion a through the opening i at the upper edge of the rim portion a, is mounted on the mounting plate 47 attached inside thereof, and in this state, an inspection port (not shown) provided on the side surface of the rim portion a (transmission The nut 45 is attached to the mounting plate 47 using the shaft insertion tube 13 as well.
The electric drive portion 21 a is fixed to the mounting plate 47 by being screwed onto the threaded portion of the covering case 35 from below. After mounting the electric drive unit 21a, as shown in FIG. 1, the screw hole 48 under the movable rod 29 of the movable iron core 27 is previously attached to the screw unit 48 of the movable iron core 27 using the inspection port (not shown) of the rim unit a. Before the attachment to the mounting plate 47, the upper end of a drive rod 49, which is inserted into the drainage pipe 13 through the opening i so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the uppermost end of the operation lever 18, is screwed and connected, thereby electrically driving. The portion 21a and the drain plug 15 include a drive transmission shaft 49 including the drive rod 49 and the operating lever 18.
It is drivably coupled via a. Reference numeral 50 denotes a lid body which is detachably attached to the opening i of the rim portion a and is made of a material having excellent water resistance such as rubber.

Next, the operation of the device of the present invention will be described. First, drain the remaining hot water in the bathtub 11
A case will be described in which the drain is opened to drain water to the drain pipe 13a. When opening the drain plug 15, first, the electromagnetic coil 23 of the electric drive unit 21a is instantly energized with a current in a predetermined direction by means not shown. The energization in this case supplies a current to the electromagnetic coil 23 in a direction in which the movable iron core 27 is attracted to the fixed iron core 24. As a result, the yoke 26
→ auxiliary yoke 25 → second magnetic member d of the movable iron core 27 →
Permanent magnet 28 → first magnetic member c → void → fixed iron core 24
A closed magnetic path is formed, and the magnetic flux flowing in the closed magnetic path causes an attractive force to act on the movable iron core 27.
7 moves toward the fixed iron core 24 side against the force of the return spring 42 and attracts the fixed iron core 24. Even after the electromagnetic coil 23 is de-energized after the movable iron core 27 has been attracted, the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet 28 continues to be transmitted into the closed magnetic circuit.
7, the magnetically attracting force of the permanent magnet 28 holds the attracting state of the magnet 7. That is, the self-holding state is maintained.

As described above, when the movable iron core 27 operates, the movable rod 29 moves downward as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and pushes down the drive rod 49 of the drive transmission shaft 49a,
The operating lever 18 provided so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the drive rod 49
Press the upper end of. Then, the operating lever 18 slides laterally (rightward in FIG. 1) in the horizontal portion of the transmission shaft insertion pipe 13, pushes up the drain plug 15 pivotally attached to the other end, and opens it. The remaining hot water from the drainage port 12 to the drain pipe 1
Drain into 3a.

Next, a case will be described in which after draining the residual hot water in the bathtub 11, the drain plug 15 is closed to close the drain port 12. In this case, it suffices to cancel the suction state of the movable iron core 27 of the electric drive unit 21a.
In addition, a current that is smaller than the energizing current at the time of attraction and has a reverse energizing direction is instantaneously applied to induce a magnetic flux that cancels the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet 28. Therefore, when the attraction force of the permanent magnet 28 to the movable iron core 27 is reduced or becomes zero, the movable iron core 27 is pushed upward by the urging force of the return spring 42 and separated from the fixed iron core 24, as shown in FIG. As shown, it is returned to the original position by being received by the stopper 30 via the cushioning material 31.

When the movable iron core 27 returns to its original position,
The movable rod 29 also rises as shown in FIG. 4, and the pressing of the operation lever 18 via the drive rod 49 of the drive transmission shaft 49a is released. As a result, a gap is created between the upper end of the operating lever 18 and the drive rod 49, so that the drain plug 15 returns to its original position as shown in FIG. The mouth 12 is closed.

Next, the relationship between the suction force and the restoring force of the electric drive unit 21a when the drain plug 15 is opened and closed will be described. First, when draining the residual hot water in the bathtub 11, the drain plug 15 that closes the drain port 12 is loaded with the water pressure by the residual hot water. The load applied to the drain plug 15 can be calculated by the following equation (1).

[0029]

[Equation 1]

Here, Wo: Combined load when the drain plug is opened Wh: Load applied to the surface of the drain plug (water pressure) Wk: Weight of the drain plug Wl: Ambient friction load when the drain port of the drain plug is closed H: Bathtub Water level m: specific gravity of water D: diameter of drain plug.

As can be seen from the above formula (1), the drain plug 15
When opening the plug, as shown in FIG. 8, which shows the relationship between the load (Wo) received by the drain plug 15 and the water level (H), suction that exceeds the combined load (Wo) at the time of opening A force is required for the electric drive unit 21a.

From the above, the electric drive unit 21a may be designed so as to obtain the suction force expressed by the following equation (2).

[0033]

[Equation 2]

Here, Fs: attraction force of electric drive unit K: constant Φm: magnetic flux of permanent magnet Φi: magnetic flux generated by passing current through electromagnetic coil Wo: combined load when drain plug is opened Ws: return spring It represents the urging force.

As described above, in the apparatus of the present invention, when the drain plug 15 is opened, when the bathtub 11 is fully filled with hot water, the electric power is assumed assuming the load due to the water pressure applied to the drain plug 15. Since the drive unit 21a is configured to obtain the suction force that overcomes the load, the drain plug 15 is immediately opened by the instantaneous energization of the electromagnetic coil 23 to drain the water in the bath 11. Water can be drained from the mouth 12 into the drain pipe 13a. When the drainage is started by the opening of the drainage port 12, as shown in FIG. 8, the combined load (Wo ′) after opening the drainage plug 15 decreases the water level as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. It will be gradually reduced along with.

As a result, the electric drive unit 21a is connected to the drain plug 15
Only when the plug is opened, a current twice as large as that when the plug is closed is instantly applied to the electromagnetic coil 23 to cause the movable iron core 27 to be attracted to the fixed iron core 24 with a large attraction force, and immediately after the attraction, electricity is applied by a disconnecting means (not shown). Even if it is turned off, as described above, the load applied to the drain plug 15 after opening is sequentially reduced, so that the movable iron core 27 of the electric drive unit 21 a causes the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet 28 to overcome the force of the return spring 42. As a result, since the suction state can be maintained, the drainage port 12 can continue to be in an open state for good drainage, and at the same time, it is possible to continue the drainage by cutting off the power supply to the electric drive unit 21a. In the drainage work, the electric drive unit 21a can be driven with a small amount of electric power, and the energy saving effect in the drive source of the drain plug 15 can be improved.

Next, the case where the residual hot water in the bathtub 11 is drained and then the drain port 12 is closed by the drain plug 15 will be described. In this case, since no load is applied to the drain plug 15, the drain plug 15 descends due to its own weight to close the drain port 12 by returning the movable iron core 27 of the electric drive unit 21a to the original position. It is like this. Therefore, in order to cancel the attraction force of the movable iron core 27 of the electric drive unit 21a, the force of the return spring 42 overcomes the attraction force of the permanent magnet 28 that attracts and holds the movable iron core 27 to the fixed iron core 24. It should be reduced.

In order to reduce the attraction force of the permanent magnet 28 with respect to the movable iron core 27, the following equation (3) can be used.

[0039]

[Equation 3]

Here, Fr is a holding force of the electric drive unit K is a constant Φm is a magnetic flux of the permanent magnet Φi is a magnetic flux generated by passing a current through the electromagnetic coil Ws is a biasing force of the return spring. Then, in order to actually reduce the holding force of the movable iron core 27, in the formula (3), the permanent magnet 28
It is necessary to reduce the magnetic flux of.

Therefore, based on the above, only when Fr <Ws is satisfied, the movable iron core 27 is released from the attracted state with the fixed iron core 24, and is rapidly returned to the original position by the urging force of the return spring 42. In order to realize the capping work by energizing the electromagnetic coil 23, the electromagnetic coil 23
When a weak energizing current is momentarily applied in the direction opposite to the direction when the movable iron core 27 is attracted, a magnetic flux that cancels the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet 28 is induced in the closed magnetic circuit of the electric drive unit 21a, and thus the permanent magnet The attraction force of the magnet 28 to the movable iron core 27 is reduced, and the urging force of the return spring 42 overcomes the attraction force of the movable iron core 27 to rapidly return the movable iron core 27 to the original position.

When the movable iron core 27 returns to the original position (see FIG. 4), the drive transmission shaft 49a is connected to the movable rod 29, and thus moves upward together with the movable iron core 27. For this reason, a gap is inevitably formed between the drive rod 49 constituting the drive transmission shaft 49a and the operating lever 18, so that the drain plug 15 is unopened and falls to the drain port 12 side by its own weight. The drainage port 12 is closed. By the descent of the drain plug 15, that is, the closing action, the operation lever 18 moves clockwise in the transmission shaft insertion tube 13 and moves to a position where it can contact the lower end of the drive rod 49 as shown in FIG. To securely close the drain plug 15. In this way, when the drain plug 15 is closed, the electric drive unit 2 is operated with a small electric power as in the case of closing the drain plug 15.
It becomes possible to drive 1a.

Incidentally, in the case where the drainage work is temporarily stopped during the drainage to clean the inside of the bathtub 11 and then the drainage work is continued again, the same operation as described above may be performed. is there.

Next, the case of manually opening and closing the drain plug 15 will be described. First, a case where the movable iron core 27 is sucked by the fixed iron core 24 to open the drain plug 15 in FIG. 6 will be described. Prior to opening the cap, after removing the lid 50 that closes the opening i of the rim portion a in the upper part of the bathtub 11, as shown in FIG. 6, a closing operation button 40 for manual operation which constitutes the manual operation means 39. Is pushed downward against the force of the compression spring 44, the top of the movable rod 29 is pushed by a boss provided at the center of the inside of the operation button 40, and the movable iron core 27 is resisted against the force of the return spring 42. Then, the fixed iron core 24 is attracted by using the attraction force of the permanent magnet 28. By the suction of the movable iron core 27, the drive rod 49 descends via the movable rod 29 to move the drain plug 15 upward, and the drain port 12 is opened in the same manner as described above. This allows the drain plug 15 to be easily opened even when the electric drive unit 21a is out of order or a power failure occurs.

Next, a case where the suction of the movable iron core 27 sucked by the fixed iron core 24 is released to manually close the drain plug 15 will be described. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, when the return operation button 41 for manual operation is pushed down against the force of the compression spring 43, a part of the lower end edge of the operation button 41 partially extends the extension end of the lever body 32. Push down. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the lever body 32 is pushed down on the long piece L ₁ side with the point J in contact with the top of the stopper 30 of the lever body 32 as a fulcrum, and conversely, the short piece L ₂ side is pushed up. The spring seat 33 which is in contact with the projecting end on the short piece L ₂ side.
To push up the movable rod 29 with the compression spring 4
Move up against the power of 4.

The principle of operating the lever body 32 with a small force by leverage can be obtained by the following equation.

[0047]

[Equation 4]

Here, W ₁ : operating force of the operating button W ₂ : pushing force acting on the movable rod L ₁ : length dimension of the long piece of the lever body L ₂ : length dimension of the short piece of the lever body θ: length Inclination angle on one side α: Represents the inclination angle on the short side. And now, W ₁ = 1kg, L ₁ =
5, W ₂ when L ₂ = 1, α = 45 °, and θ = 30
Is obtained, W ₂ × 1 × cos 45 ° = 1 × 5 × cos 30 ° W ₂ = 6.1 kg. As a result, even if the return operation button 41 is pressed with a small force, a large force is applied to the movable rod 29, and the movable iron core 27 is easily separated from the fixed iron core 24 against the attractive force of the permanent magnet 28. Can be returned to the position. Thereby, when the device of the present invention is manually operated during a power failure,
Not only can the operation be performed easily without requiring a large force, but also the operation buttons 40 and 41 for closing and loading can be operated by simply pressing them down. Therefore, even when the electric drive unit 21a breaks down or a power failure occurs, It is possible for women and women to easily open and close the drain plug 15.

Next, overflow water at the time of bathing, splash water during cleaning of the bathtub 11 or the like from the mounting portion of the electric drive unit 21a which is the drive means 21 of the drain plug 15 from the opening i of the rim portion a. When it penetrates into the inside, the electric drive unit 21a has a hollow cylindrical shape in which the electromagnetic coil 23 and the movable iron core 27 are built in by disposing a seal member such as an O-ring or a packing at an assembly joint portion of each member. Although it is configured so that water does not enter the inside of the yoke 26, when the overflow water or the like enters the portion where the stopper 30 is located through the minute gaps of the cap 38, the operation buttons 40, 41, etc., as shown in FIG. So that the yoke 26
The inside of the cover case 35 that surrounds the outside of the
Between the plurality of projections 36 for inserting and holding 6 there is a drainage groove 5 which is a concave stripe.
Since 1 is formed as a recess integrally with the covering case 35,
Since the infiltrated water is configured to flow down the drain groove 51 into the drain pipe 13 outside the yoke 26, it is possible to reliably prevent the solenoid 21 from being stopped due to the intruded water.

Further, when the electric drive section 21a of the drive means 21 is broken and the electric drive section 21 is replaced,
Similar to the case of manually operating the electric drive unit 21a, the lid 50 that closes the opening i of the rim portion a is removed, and then the cap 3 that constitutes the manual operation means 39 of the electric drive unit 21a.
8 is removed from the opening i by unscrewing the screw portion of the flange portion 37 provided at the upper opening end of the covering case 35. As a result,
The operation buttons 40 and 41 for turning on and returning are used for the cap 38
Since the retaining effect due to is eliminated, it can be directly pulled out from the opening i. After removing the operation buttons 40 and 41, the remaining electric drive unit main body A is moved to the movable rod 29.
At the same time as taking out the movable iron core 27 with the electromagnetic coil 2
3, each member of the auxiliary yoke 25, the yoke 26, and the fixed iron core 24 is integrally pulled out from the covering case 35. For this reason,
The drive rod 4 connected to the lower end of the movable rod 29.
9 can also be taken out from the transmission shaft insertion tube 13 at the same time. Thus, when the electric drive member 21a fails,
Since the electric drive member 21a can be easily pulled out above the rim portion a by unscrewing the cap 38,
It will be possible to easily carry out repairs, maintenance and inspections of the automatic drainage device.

[0051]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects. (1) According to the present invention, the drive means including the electric drive member for automatically opening and closing the drain plug is installed above the rim member of the bathtub, and the electric drive member and the drain plug can be separated from each other. Since it is connected so that it can be driven with the electric drive unit, the electric drive unit can be easily taken out of the rim of the bath tub and replaced in the event of a failure, and maintenance and inspection can be performed easily. It is possible to surely solve the conventional problem that hot water cannot be supplied and drained due to the failure of.

(2) In addition, since the permanent magnet is interposed in the central portion of the movable iron core of the electric drive unit composed of the self-holding solenoid used as the drive means, this is especially after the movable iron core is attracted. By using the attractive force of the permanent magnet, it is possible to perform the attraction without passing a current, which saves power, and the attractive force of the permanent magnet does not act strongly when returning. It is possible to fully exert the energy saving effect when using it as a drive source, such as releasing the force.

(3) Further, the electric drive unit can be manually operated in the event of a power failure or the like.
In particular, in the returning operation of the movable iron core, since the returning operation of the movable iron core is possible without requiring a large force due to the lever action of the pushing force reducing means, it can be easily operated even by women and women. In addition, the manual operation is configured so that it can be operated by simply pushing each operation button when attracting and returning the movable iron core, so that the manual operation does not require a large force as described above. Together, it can be done quickly and easily and is convenient.

(4) In addition, even when the present invention is used in a place around water, since the outside of the electric drive unit is surrounded by the covering case having the drainage groove, infiltration water should be prevented. Even if it enters the inside of the electric drive unit, special means for draining it to the outside is specially equipped, so the electric drive unit can be used in a stable state for a long period of time, and it can be used as a drive source. In use, the reliability can be significantly improved.

(5) When the drain plug is accidentally stepped on with a foot while the drain plug is opened to clean the inside of the bathtub,
Since the driving means of the drain plug is composed of an electric drive section consisting of a self-holding solenoid, the drain plug descends as it is to close the drain port, and via the drive transmission shaft consisting of the operation lever and the drive rod. Since the movable iron core can be returned to the original position against the attractive force of the permanent magnet, accidentally stepping on the drain plug in the open state may damage the drive means or injure your foot. It can be surely prevented. Moreover, since the drive transmission shaft can be pulled out from the transmission shaft insertion pipe, it can be easily cleaned even if the insertion pipe is contaminated with hot water, and the drive transmission shaft can be smoothly driven for a long period of time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an automatic drainage device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential part showing a closed state of a drain plug in the automatic drainage device of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of an electric drive unit used in the automatic drainage device of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a restored state of an electric drive unit used in the device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view of an essential part of an electric drive unit.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of an essential part showing a case where the electric drive unit is sucked by a manual operation.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of relevant parts showing a case where the electric drive unit is returned to the original position by a manual operation.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the load received by the drain plug and the water level.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship of operating forces when the electric drive unit is manually returned.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a conventional device for manually opening and closing a drain plug.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of an essential part showing a conventional automatic drainage device using an electric motor as an electric drive unit.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part showing a conventional automatic drainage device using an electric valve as an electric drive unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 Drainage Port 13 Transmission Shaft Insertion Pipe 15 Drain Plug 18 Operation Lever 21 Drive Means 21a Electric Drive Unit 23 Electromagnetic Coil 24 Fixed Iron Core 26 Yoke 27 Movable Iron Core 28 Permanent Magnet 29 Movable Rod 30 Stopper 32 Lever Body 33 Spring Seat 35 Covering Case 36 Ridges 39 Manual Operation Means 40 Operation Buttons for Loading 41 Operation Buttons for Return 42 Return Springs 49 Drive Rod 51 Drainage Groove L ₁ Long Piece of Lever L ₂ Short Piece of Lever

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Koichiro Mochizuki 1 Aichi-cho, Aichi-cho, Kasugai-shi, Aichi Prefectural company (72) Inventor Takehide Miyajima 1-ichi Aichi-cho, Kasugai-shi, Aichi Aichi-denki Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A tubular case having a drive unit having an electric drive unit built therein is mounted on an upper portion of a rim of a bathtub, and a manual operation unit for manually operating the electric drive unit is provided on an upper portion of the drive unit. Further, a drive transmission shaft is interposed between a lower portion of the drive means and a drain plug that opens and closes a drain of a bathtub, the drain plug is drivably connected, and the drive means is electrically or manually operated. The automatic drainage device is characterized in that the drain port is automatically opened and closed by the drain plug. 2. The electric drive unit has a movable iron core movably arranged along an axis in an electromagnetic coil, and a closed magnetic circuit is formed outside a fixed iron core to which the movable iron core is attracted and the electromagnetic coil. In a device in which a movable yoke is fitted, the movable iron core is formed by integrally fixing a pair of magnetic members and a permanent magnet interposed between the magnetic members. Includes a movable rod, one of which is movably penetrated through the center of the fixed iron core and the other of which is protruded above the movable iron core. The movable rod can be driven together with the drive transmission shaft. 5. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the structure is combined.
Automatic drainage device described. 3. A lever-shaped body bent substantially in a V shape is loosely engaged with a protruding end of the movable core that is not coupled to the drive transmission shaft of the movable rod. Locking means for swingably supporting the lever body are attached to the upper and lower portions of the lever body of the loosely movable rod, and the extended end of the lever body on the long side away from the movable rod is pressed by leverage. 3. The automatic drainage device according to claim 1, wherein the movable rod is configured to be manually returnable. 4. A closing operation button for abutting the movable rod to attract the movable iron core to a fixed iron core by a manual operation at the upper ends of the lever body and the movable rod, and an extension end of the lever body on the long piece side. 4. A return operation button which is brought into contact with the lever and manually returns the movable iron core to the original position by the lever action of the lever body. Automatic drainage device described.