JPH0268430A - Hot water feeder for bathtub - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent wasteful hot water feeding by a method wherein hot water is not fed when a hot water level in a bathtub is higher than a predetermined level at the starting of hot water feeding, and hot water feeding is stopped when the hot water level in the bathtub is lower than the predetermined level even after the lapse of predetermined hot water feeding time length. CONSTITUTION:In the case where hot water feeding is started: when the integrated value of hot water feed time length has reached a predetermined value set in advance, whether a hot water level in a bathtub is more than a predetermined value B is determined, and when the hot water level has not yet reached the predetermined value B, it is judged tht a drain plug 16 is left open, thereupon a motor-operated value 3 is closed to stop a hot water feeding operation. In the case where the hot water level in the bathtub 4 is more than the predetermined value B, the hot water feeding operation is continued as it is, and in the case where the hot water level in the bathtub 4 exceeds a predetermined value C being a full hot water level, it is judged that the bathtub 4 has been filled with the necessary amount of hot water, thereupon the motor-operated valve 3 is closed to stop the hot water feeding operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] This invention relates to a hot water supply device for a bathtub that automatically supplies hot water by remote control from a hot water storage type water heater.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, as a hot water supply device for a bathtub that automatically supplies hot water by remote control, a remote control device is installed in the kitchen outside the bathroom, such as the hot water supply device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-7791. There is a device that automatically supplies hot water to the bathtub by installing it and operating this remote control device.
Like the water heater disclosed in Publication No. 41, you can press from an outside line! - There is a system that automatically supplies hot water to the bathtub by operating the hot button.

Furthermore, if the water heater disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 62-284143 is equipped with an integrated flow rate detector (C), and the flow rate control valve is clogged with debris and the hot water supply operation does not stop, Even if the water heater is equipped with a water level sensor such as the water heater disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-217045, and the follow-up operation is instructed by remote control, the water level in the bathtub will not exceed the specified water level. It will not work if there is not enough water, so there is something to protect the follow-up pump.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the conventional hot water supply device for a bathtub as described above, when hot water is automatically supplied by remote control, hot water may be supplied unnecessarily. For example, if you forgot to close the drain in the bathtub, if there was leftover hot water in the bathtub from the previous day, or if the bathtub was already filled with hot water, automatic hot water supply can be performed. Sometimes I have to put it away.

That is, the automatic stop of the hot water supply operation in the hot water supply apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-7791 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 62-293041 is achieved by installing a water level sensor and stopping the water supply from the water level in the bathtub to a predetermined water level. For example, if you have forgotten to close the drain plug in the bathtub, the water level in the bathtub will not reach the specified water level no matter how much hot water is supplied, so the water level in the bathtub will not reach the specified water level, so the water level in the bathtub will not reach the specified water level, Until someone notices the problem, hot water will continue to be wasted.

In addition, like the water heater disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-284143, a limit cumulative flow rate is set and the water heater is detected by a cumulative flow rate detector, and this hot water supply amount is the limit cumulative flow rate. If the water exceeds 1I, stop the hot water supply operation 1.
Even in those equipped with II, the water heater continues to operate until the limit cumulative outflow amount is exceeded, making it impossible to detect and stop wasteful hot water supply at an early stage.

Furthermore, with conventional water heaters, if there is hot water left in the bathtub from the previous day, or if hot water has already been supplied to the bathtub,
There is no way to detect this, and automatic hot water supply ends up being wasted.

The conventional hot water supply system for bathtubs as mentioned above is equipped with a water heater that uses scum, petroleum, etc. to heat the water in a short period of time, and hot water is supplied from there, so there is a slight Even if hot water is heated unnecessarily, it is not a problem as long as the increase in operating costs is tolerated. However, in bathtub water heaters that supply hot water from a hot water storage type water heater such as a late-night electric water heater, once the hot water from the 7fi hot water tank is used, it cannot be recovered until the next day, so there is no need to waste hot water. Zuko becomes an important issue.

The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hot water supply device for a bathtub that prevents unnecessary hot water supply even when hot water is supplied automatically by remote control.

[Means for Solving the Problems] A hot water supply device for a bathtub according to the present invention includes an electric valve that opens and closes piping for supplying hot water, a water level determining means that determines the water level in the bathtub, and a hot water supply time that integrates the hot water supply time. If the water level in the bathtub is below a predetermined water level at the start of hot water supply, hot water will not be supplied, and if the water level in the bathtub is below a predetermined water level after the predetermined hot water supply time has elapsed, hot water will not be supplied. We have decided to stop.

[Function] In this invention, when the water level in the bathtub is below a predetermined water level at the start of hot water supply, hot water is not supplied;
We have decided to stop the hot water supply if the water level in the bathtub is below the specified water level after the specified hot water supply time has elapsed, so if you have forgotten to close the bathtub drain valve, have leftover hot water from the previous day in the bathtub, or have already filled the bathtub. Wasted hot water supply is no longer performed when hot water that has already been supplied is already filled.

[Example] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the logical configuration of a device according to the present invention, in which (1) is a hot water storage type water heater, (2) is a hot water mixing valve, (3) is an electric valve, (4) is a bathtub, (5) is a water level detector that detects changes in the water level in the bathtub (4) by changes in water pressure and notifies this with an electrical signal; (6) is a water level determination means;
) is a hot water supply time accumulation means, (8) is a low water level prevention control means,
9) shows the high water level prevention control means.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply device for a bathtub according to the present invention includes a hot water mixing valve (2) and an electric valve (3) on a pipe connecting a hot water storage type water heater (1) and a bathtub (4). Furthermore, a water level detector (5) is installed in the bathtub (4), and the water level in the bathtub (4) is determined using this water level detector (5) and water level determination means (6), and the water supply time is calculated. The means (7) integrates the hot water supply time from the start of hot water supply, and if the water level in the bathtub (4) is higher than a predetermined water level at the start of hot water supply, the high water level prevention control means (9) prevents the electric valve (3) from opening. This prevents wasted hot water supply when there is hot water left over from the previous day, and when the water level in the bathtub (4) remains below a predetermined water level even after a predetermined time has passed since the start of hot water supply.
The electric valve (3) is closed by the low water level prevention control means (8) to stop hot water supply, thereby preventing wasted hot water supply when the 4JI faucet of the bathtub (4) is forgotten to be closed. .

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the outline of the actual configuration of the device according to the present invention. In the figure, the same symbols as in FIG. 1 indicate the same parts, (10) is a water supply pipe, (11) is a pressure reducing check valve,
(12) is the hot water supply pipe, (13) is the safety valve attached to the hot water supply pipe (12), (14) is the heater installed in the hot water storage water heater (1), and (15) is the control installed in the bathroom. The device (notification) is the drain plug of the bathtub (4), and A, B, and C each represent the water level.

Further, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device (15) shown in FIG. 2, where the same reference numerals as in FIG. 2 indicate the same parts.
(17) is a microcomputer, CPU (1,8)
Memory (19), timer (20), input circuit (21)
), and an output circuit (22). Further, (23) is an analog multiplexer into which the output signal of the water level detector (5) is input, <24> is an A/D converter that converts the output into a digital signal, and (25) is an analog multiplexer that receives the output signal of the water level detector (5). It is connected to a multiplexer (23). <26
) is a hot water supply start switch, and the status signal of this switch is given to the input circuit (21). (27) is a mixing valve controller, (28) is an electric valve controller, and (29) is a power source for this control device (15).

Further, the output circuit (22) is connected to a hot water mixing valve (2) via a mixing valve controller (27) and an electric valve (3) via an electric valve controller (28).

Next, the operation will be explained. FIG. 4 is a flowchart 1 showing a control program stored in the memory (19) of the microcomputer (17) shown in FIG. 3, and (30) to (38) indicate each step.

First, when the hot water supply start switch (26) is pressed in the third country, the on signal is input to the input circuit (21),
Star 1~ shown in FIG. 4 is started. Step (30
), the water level in the bathtub (4) reaches the predetermined value A before the hot water supply operation starts.
It is determined whether or not the value is less than or equal to the value. That is, the signal from the water level detector (5) is sent to the analog multiplexer (23) and A/D.
If the water level in the bathtub (4) is below a predetermined value A shown in FIG. It is determined that there is remaining hot water, and the process moves to step (31)/\, where the CPU (1
8) issues a command and stops the hot water supply operation.

If the water level in the bathtub (4) is below a predetermined value A, the process moves to the stelaph controller 32), and the CPU (18) issues a command to the electric valve controller (28) via the output circuit (22). The electric valve (3) is opened to start hot water supply. At the same time as this hot water supply starts, in step (33) the CPU (]
, 8), the timer (2o) starts accumulating the hot water supply time.

In addition, the preset value of the hot water temperature set by the hot water temperature setting device (25) is changed from analog multiplex to no (23).
, input circuit (21) via A/D converter (24)
The CPU (18) receives this and issues a command to the mixing valve controller (27) via the output circuit (22).
This command causes the mixing valve controller (27) to control the hot water mixing valve (27).
) to control the hot water temperature to the set temperature.

This hot water mixing valve (2) handles the hot water sent from the hot water storage type water heater (1) through the hot water supply pipe (12) and the water supply pipe (1).
It mixes water from 0) and controls the temperature of hot water from here to the set value.It is known that it is an electric type that combines a wax servo and a motor, but it is also known that it is an electric type that combines a wax servo and a motor, but it is also a manual type. It is also possible to use the formula.

When hot water supply is started, in step (34) it is determined whether the cumulative value of hot water supply time has reached a predetermined value (that is, whether a predetermined time has elapsed or not), and whether the cumulative value of hot water supply time has reached a predetermined value is determined. If so, the process proceeds to step (35), where it is determined whether the water level of the bathtub (4) is equal to or higher than a predetermined value B shown in FIG. is the drain plug (16)
[0] Then, the process moves to step (36), where the electric valve controller (28) is controlled via the output circuit (22), the electric valve (3) is closed, and the hot water supply operation is stopped. If the water level in the bathtub (4) is equal to or higher than the predetermined value 8, the hot water supply operation continues and step (3)
Step 7>, if the water level of the bathtub (4) exceeds a predetermined value C, which is the full water level, it is determined that the bathtub (4) has been filled with the necessary amount of hot water, and the process proceeds from step (38) to C1)U. A command is issued via the output circuit (22) to close the electric valve (3) and stop the hot water supply operation.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the predetermined value A of each water level of the bathtub (4),
The predetermined values of B, C and cumulative hot water supply time are predetermined values stored in the memory (19), or these predetermined values may be changed arbitrarily, and the predetermined value A and the predetermined value It may be the same value as C.

Also, when stopping the hot water supply operation in step (31) and step (36), unlike when stopping the hot water supply operation in step (38), there are cases where there is residual hot water or there is a case where the drain valve (16) has been forgotten to close. In this case, an abnormality signal may be outputted via the CPU (18) or the output circuit (22), and the alarm may be notified by a buzzer or a lamp.

Further, in the above embodiment, an electric valve (3) is used to control the hot water supply to the bathtub (4), or this may be a normal solenoid valve, and a water level detector <5) is used to control the water pressure. It is also possible to use a water level detector based on a different principle, or use a water level detector based on a different principle. Alternatively, this may be a hot water storage type water heater using another heat source.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, in this invention, when the water level in the bathtub is above a predetermined water level when hot water supply starts, hot water is not supplied, and after the predetermined hot water supply time has elapsed, the water level in the bathtub is below the predetermined water level. If you forget to close the drain in the bathtub, there is leftover hot water from the previous day in the bathtub, or there is already hot water in the bathtub, you may be wasting your time. There is no need to supply hot water, and it is effective in preventing wastage of stored hot water, especially when hot water is automatically supplied by remote control from a hot water storage type water heater.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the logical configuration of a device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the actual configuration of the device according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control device.
FIG. 4 shows flowcharts 1-- showing the control program. (1) is a hot water storage type water heater, (2) is a hot water mixed 4T, (3)
is an electric valve, (4> is a bathtub, (5) is a water level detector, (6)
is a water level determination means, (7) is a hot water supply time integration means, (8) is a low water level prevention control means, (ku) is a high water level rain prevention control means, (
15) is a control device, (16) is a drain plug, (17) is a microcomputer, (18) is a CPU, (19) is a memory, (20) is a timer, (21) is an input circuit, (22) is a
) is the output circuit, (23) is the analog multiplexer, (
24) is an A/D converter, (25) is a hot water temperature setting device, (
26) is a hot water supply start switch, (27) is a mixing valve controller,
(28) is the electric valve controller, (29) is the power supply, each A, BC
are the respective water levels. Note that the same reference numerals in each figure indicate the same parts.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] From a hot water storage type water heater to a bathtub, which boils and stores hot water using electric power during a predetermined time period, such as late-night electric power, and supplies hot water in response to a request from a hot water supply load, by remote control using a control device. In a hot water supply device for a bathtub where hot water is supplied, an electric valve is installed on a piping for supplying hot water from the hot water storage type water heater to the bathtub, and opens and closes the piping in response to a command from the control device; a hot water supply time accumulating means that is opened to accumulate hot water supply time from the start of hot water supply; a water level determining means that determines the water level of the bathtub; and a water level of the bathtub obtained by the water level determining means at the time of starting hot water supply that is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. a high water level prevention control means that stops hot water supply when
Low water level prevention that stops hot water supply if the water level in the bathtub obtained by the water level determination means is below a predetermined water level when the hot water supply time obtained by the hot water supply time integration means has passed a predetermined predetermined time. A hot water supply device for a bathtub, characterized by comprising a control means.