JPH01285737A - Bathtub water level setting for automatic bath boiler equipped with hot-water supplier - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To permit correct hot-water pouring to a set water level by a method wherein the position of a circulating metal fitting of a bathtub is detected to store the position into a microcomputer control unit as a reference point for setting a water level in the bathtub and set a desired water level based on the reference point. CONSTITUTION:A pump 4 is stopped and a solenoid valve 10 is closed when a flow water switch 6 is put ON to detect a pressure generated by a water level in a bathtub at that time is detected by a pressure sensor 5 and store the output value of the pressure sensor 5 into a microcomputer control unit. This means that a distance X from the position (point A) of the pressure sensor 5 to a circulating fitting (point E) is detected and stored. Next, an arbitrary water level is set by an user employing the detected position of the circulating fitting as a reference value. The level can be set from the position (point E) of the circulating metal fitting to an upper limit water level (point B), however, a lower limit water level X1, in which bathing can be effected, exists actually and, therefore, the knob 21 of a variable resistor may be operated so that the user is permitted to set a set water level (point C) between the lower limit water level (point D) and the upper limit water level (point B).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a bathtub water level setting method for an automatic bathtub with a water heater.

[Conventional technology]

How to set the bathtub water level for automatic bathtubs with water heaters.

A water level switch method and a water amount sensor method are known.

The advantage of the water level switch method is that no matter what level of water remains in the bathtub, the amount of hot water can be correctly stopped at the required water level, but the water level switch unit must be placed outside the bathtub and separate from the fixtures. Therefore, there is a problem that the construction work is expensive and complicated. On the other hand, the one-type water sensor is easy to install because the water sensor can be incorporated into the fixture, but the user must check the amount of water remaining in the bathtub and correct the amount counted by the water sensor each time. ,
There is a problem that the hot water may overflow from the bathtub or the water level may be lower than the required level, making it extremely inconvenient to use.

In order to improve the problems of the conventional technology, the present inventors and others measured the change in water volume with respect to the water level (pressure) from the empty state of the bathtub until it reached the desired water level when installing the equipment, and collected the data. We proposed a method in which data is stored in a control device, and when equipment is installed, the data stored in the control device is used to fill hot water to the desired water level.
90658).

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

According to this method, the construction work is easy, and the amount of hot water filled can be correctly stopped at the desired water level regardless of the presence or absence of residual water, and the user can set the desired water level. It has the advantage of being able to

However, in the above method, in order to store data on the water level and water amount in the control device when installing the equipment, the construction contractor or service personnel must perform a trial run and store the data.

The present invention improves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art due to force, and instead of having a person set the water level in the bathtub when installing the appliance, when automatic operation is performed for the first time after installing the appliance, the appliance and the bathtub are automatically operated. It is an object of the present invention to provide a bathtub water level setting method that can detect the position of a circulation fitting for connecting a bathtub and a bathtub and set a desired water level using the detected position as a reference point.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention first detects the position of the circulation fitting in the bathtub when the automatic operation switch is turned on for the first time after installing the appliance, and then adjusts the position of the detected circulation fitting to the water level in the bathtub. The microcomputer controller stores this as a reference point for setting the water level, and the desired water level is set based on the reference point.

In addition, for detecting the position of the circulation fitting of the bathtub.

After supplying a certain amount of water (hot water) into the bathtub, the reheating circuit is activated and the presence or absence of running water is repeatedly detected, and the time when running water is detected is detected as the position of the circulation fitting, and the reheating circuit is activated. Air is removed from the return pipe by supplying a certain amount of water (hot water) into the bathtub via the return pipe of the circuit, and in this state, water is supplied into the bathtub via the return pipe of the reheating circuit.
There is a method in which the change in the value detected by the pressure sensor is monitored while hot water is being used, and the point at which the change occurs is detected as the position of the circulation fitting.

[For production]

When performing the first automatic operation, the position of the bathtub's circulation fittings, that is, the height between the pressure sensor inside the device and the circulation fittings, is not known. The position of the circulation fitting can be detected at the time when flowing water is detected or when a pressure change occurs.

Therefore, by storing the position of the circulation fitting in the microcomputer control unit as a reference point and setting the desired water level in the controller based on the position of the circulation fitting, hot water can be filled accurately at the set water level. I can do it.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, an example of the implementation of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an operational flow diagram of the data input device 1 according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the same, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the adjustment range, and FIG. 4 is an overview of the device to which the present invention is applied. It is an explanatory diagram.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 1 denotes an appliance main body, which houses a hot water supply heat exchanger 2 and a bath heat exchanger 3. The bathtub 13 and the bath heat exchanger 3, which are installed at a distance from the appliance body 1, are connected through an outgoing pipe 12 and a return pipe 11, and a pump 4 is installed in the middle of the return pipe 11. A pressure sensor 5 and a water flow switch 6 are installed in the pipe on the suction side of the pump.

Return pipe 11. Pump 4. Heat exchanger 3. A forced play circuit is constituted by the outgoing pipe 12. 10 is a solenoid valve disposed in the return pipe 11.

A water supply pipe 16 and a hot water supply pipe 17 are connected to the hot water supply heat exchanger 2, and a flow sensor 14 is provided in the middle of the water supply pipe 1G to form a hot water supply circuit, and this hot water supply circuit is connected to a hopper by a branch pipe I8. Lead to 15.

A solenoid valve 7 is installed at the outlet of this branch pipe 18.

The lower part of the hopper 15 is connected to the return pipe 11 of the forced heating circuit via the solenoid valve 8, so that water (hot water) can be supplied from the hot water supply heat exchanger 2 to the reheating circuit. In addition, 19 is the outgoing pipe 12 of the reheating circuit when water (hot water) is supplied.
A bypass pipe is provided so that water can flow from both the return pipe II and the bathtub, and a solenoid valve 9 is provided in the middle of the bypass pipe.

Next, the method of the present invention using the apparatus constructed as described above will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

When starting automatic operation for the first time after installing the equipment, make sure that the position of the bathtub circulation fitting is W (point E in Figure 2 is not known).
When the automatic operation switch is turned on in this state, it is determined whether or not the bathtub reference water level data has been input to the microcomputer control unit (not shown). At the same time as opening the solenoid valve 7,
8. Close 9 and drive pump 4 to perform circulation operation.
Note that once data is inputted, this data input operation is not performed and the process proceeds to the automatic operation flow.

While performing the circulation operation as described above, the water flow switch 6 detects the presence or absence of running water, and when it is confirmed that there is no water in the bathtub, the electromagnetic valve 10 is closed and the drive of the pump 4 is stopped.
Open the solenoid valves 7, 8, and 9 to supply water (hot water) @ from the pump 4.
A certain amount of water (hot water) is supplied into the bathtub 13, and when the certain amount of water (hot water) is confirmed by the flow sensor 14, the reheating circuit is replaced again to detect whether the water flow switch 6 is turned on. Thereafter, this operation is repeated until the running water switch is turned on, and when the running water switch 6 is turned on (the appliance is in a reheating circuit), the pump 4 is stopped and the solenoid valve 10 is closed, depending on the water level in the bathtub at that time. The pressure is detected by the pressure sensor 5, and the output value is stored in the microcomputer control section.

This means that in FIG. 2, the distance X from the position of the pressure sensor 5 (point A) to the circulation fitting (point E) has been detected and stored.

Next, the user is allowed to set an arbitrary water level using the position of the circulation fitting detected as described above as a reference value. The water level can be set from the circulating metal point WE to the upper limit water level B, but in reality there is a lower limit water level XI at which bathing is possible.
The knob 21 of the variable resistor allows the user to set the set water level C point between the lower limit water level point and the upper limit water level B point.
, x2 is the water level set by the user, and x3 is the water level set by the user.
is an adjustable range.

It is unnecessary to explain that once the user sets a desired water level as described above, hot water is automatically supplied until that water level is reached, thereby allowing accurate filling of the water.

Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the present invention is applied to a device in which a solenoid valve 20 is disposed on an outgoing pipe 12 (the other configuration is almost the same as that shown in FIG. 4). So,
(The explanation of the configuration is omitted.)

When the automatic button is turned on, the solenoid valve 10 is opened and the pump 4 is driven to perform a circulation operation, while the water flow switch 6 detects the presence or absence of running water. When it is confirmed that there is no running water, the solenoid valve 10 is closed and a water supply (hot water) circuit is configured using the return pipe 11, and the pump 4 is driven to supply a certain amount of water (hot water) to the bathtub via the return pipe 11. When the flow sensor 14 confirms that a certain amount of water (hot water) has been supplied, the solenoid valves 7, 8 and 9 are closed and the pump 4 is stopped. Since the air in the return pipe 11 is discharged by this constant amount of water (hot water) supplied, the return pipe 11 becomes full of water and pressure detection becomes possible.

Next, by opening the solenoid valves 7, 8, and 20 and driving the pump 4, the water (hot water) from the hot water supply heat exchanger 2 is transferred to the outgoing pipe 1.
2, that is, at this time, while water (hot water) is being supplied into the bathtub from the outgoing pipe 12, the change in pressure is measured in the return pipe 11. The output value of the pressure sensor 14 does not change when the water level in the bathtub is below the circulation fitting, but changes when the bathtub water level reaches the position of the circulation fitting. When this pressure change is detected, the water supply (hot water) is stopped and the solenoid valve 10
, and drive the pump 4 to perform circulation operation.

Detect whether the running water switch is turned on. this is,
This is to ensure that the return pipe is filled with water, in case air enters the pipe after the return pipe is filled with water.

In this way, when the flowing water switch 6 is turned on, it can be determined that the output value at the time when the first pressure change occurs is the position of the circulation fitting, and there is no limit to the fact that the flowing water switch will be turned on by reheating at that water level. It can be determined that the water level is close to the position of the circulation fitting and that there is water with certainty, and thus the reference point between the pressure sensor installed in the appliance and the circulation fitting of the bathtub can be detected. Also in this embodiment, the final desired water level is set based on the reference point, as in the previous embodiment.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to one aspect of the present invention, the position of the circulation fitting can be detected by simply turning on the automatic operation switch after installing the equipment, without the need for a construction worker or service personnel to perform a trial run.
This has the effect that a desired water level can be set using the detected position as a reference point.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a data input operation flow diagram showing an example of the implementation of the present invention, Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram of the same, Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the adjustment range, and Figure 4 applies the method shown in Figure 1. It is a schematic block diagram of an instrument. FIG. 5 is a data input operation flow diagram showing the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a device to which the method shown in FIG. 5 is applied. 1... Appliance, 2... Heat exchanger for hot water supply, 3... Heat exchanger for bath, 4... Pump, 5... Pressure switch,
6... Flowing water switch, 7, 8, 9. 10... Solenoid valve, 11... Return pipe, 12... Outgoing pipe, 13... Bathtub, 14... Flow sensor, 15... ·hopper,
16... Water supply pipe, 17... Hot water supply pipe, 18... Branch pipe, 19... Bypass pipe, 20... Solenoid valve. Patent applicant: Gaster Co., Ltd. Patent attorney Masami Akimoto (one other person)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A reheating circuit for reheating the hot water in the bathtub is provided between the bathtub and the appliance body, and the reheating circuit includes a pressure sensor for detecting the water level in the bathtub and running water. In an automatic bath pot with a water heater that has a running water switch that detects the presence or absence of
When you turn on the automatic operation switch for the first time after installing the equipment,
First, the position of the circulation fitting of the bathtub is detected, and the detected position of the circulation fitting is stored in the microcomputer control unit as a reference point for setting the water level of the bathtub, and the desired water level is set based on that reference point. A bathtub water level setting method for an automatic bathtub with a water heater, which is characterized by: 2. A reheating circuit for reheating the hot water in the bathtub is provided between the bathtub and the appliance body, and the reheating circuit is equipped with a pressure sensor that detects the water level in the bathtub and a running water switch that detects the presence or absence of running water. In an automatic bath pot with a water heater, when the automatic operation switch is turned on for the first time after the appliance is installed, the reheating circuit is opened and the circulation pump is driven, and the presence or absence of running water in the reheating circuit at that time is detected, When it is confirmed that there is no running water, the reheating circuit is closed and the hot water supply circuit is opened to supply a certain amount of water (hot water) into the bathtub via the return pipe of the reheating circuit, and then the hot water supply circuit is closed again and the hot water supply circuit is opened. The heating circuit is opened and the circulation pump is driven, and the presence or absence of running water in the reheating circuit is detected at that time.When it is detected that there is no running water, the reheating circuit is closed again, and the hot water supply circuit is opened to return the reheating circuit. A certain amount of water (hot water) is supplied into the bathtub via a pipe, and this process is repeated until the water level at the time when the water in the reheating circuit is detected is detected by a pressure sensor, and the detected value is used as the position of the circulation fitting. A bathtub water level setting method for an automatic bathtub with a water heater, characterized in that the desired water level is set by storing the water in a microcomputer control unit and using the position of the circulation fitting as a reference point. 3. A reheating circuit is installed between the bathtub and the appliance body to reheat the hot water in the bathtub, and the reheating circuit includes a pressure sensor to detect the water level in the bathtub and a running water sensor to detect the presence or absence of running water. In an automatic bath pot with a water heater having a switch,
When you turn on the automatic operation switch for the first time after installing the equipment,
The reheating circuit is opened and the circulation pump is driven, the presence or absence of running water in the reheating circuit is detected at that time, and when it is confirmed that there is no running water, the reheating circuit is closed and the hot water supply circuit is opened to return the reheating circuit. A fixed amount of water (hot water) is supplied into the bathtub via a pipe, and the air in the return pipe leading to the pressure sensor is exhausted, and in this state, the hot water supply circuit is opened while monitoring the presence or absence of pressure changes with the pressure sensor. Water (hot water) is supplied into the bathtub via the outgoing pipe of the reheating circuit, and when a change in pressure is detected, the water supply (hot water) is stopped and the reheating circuit is operated while detecting the presence or absence of running water. Then, the value detected by the pressure sensor at that time is stored in the microcomputer control unit as the position of the circulation fitting, and the desired water level is set using the position of the circulation fitting as a reference point. How to set the water level in the pot.