JPH0473025A - Shower device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To save hot water without draining the hot water waste-fully, and lengthen the span of the life of a drain valve by draining residual water after the lapse of a specified time after stopping the water of a shower, and by setting the draining timing when an operating switch for the following use of the shower is operated. CONSTITUTION:Shower discharge ports 1 and a mixing tap 2 are arranged, and a hot water feeding conduit line 3 for mixing water and hot water to be fed from a water feeding source 13 and a hot water feeding source B, at a required temperature by a mixing tap and feeding them to the shower discharge ports is set. Then, the hot water feeding conduit line between the mixing tap and the shower discharge ports is provided with discharging opening or closing valves 4 for opening or closing the conduit line, and a drain conduit line 5 connected to a space between the mixing tap and the discharging opening or closing Valves. The drain conduit line 5 is provided with drain valves 6 for opening or closing the conduit line, and an operating switch T for operating the use and stop of a shower. Besides, a timer 8b to be started by the shower stopping operation of the operating switch and to be reset by shower using operation is set. In this case, when the counting time of the the timer 8b passes a specified time at the time of the shower using operation of an operating switch 7, then a controller 8 for opening the drain valves 6 for a fixed time before opening the discharging opening or closing valves 4 is to be set.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a shower device, and particularly to treatment of residual water that accumulates in piping after a shower is used.

(Prior Art) It is ideal for a shower device to immediately start discharging water at a desired target temperature adjusted by a mixing faucet.

Therefore, in shower apparatuses, a major problem is how to dispose of residual water that always remains in the hot water supply pipe from the mixing faucet to the discharge on-off valve after the shower is stopped before the shower can be used again.

Regarding the treatment of residual water in shower equipment,
1-166105 (Utility Model Application Publication No. 63-69914) is known.

To explain the technology described in the above application, water supplied from the water supply source and the hot water supply source are mixed at a desired temperature with a mixer faucet and then supplied to the shower outlet. In addition to installing an on-off valve, a drain pipe with a drain valve is connected to the hot water supply pipe between these two valves, and when the shower is stopped, the main solenoid valve and the discharge on-off valve are closed first. Then, the drain valve and the discharge valve are opened to drain the water remaining in the hot water supply pipe through the drain pipe.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) Therefore, in the conventional shower device described above, there is not enough time between the use of a shower and the next use of the shower for the remaining water in the pipes to naturally cool down, and the remaining water cannot be disposed of. Even if there is enough water to use the next time you use the shower, the water will drain.
Hot water will be wasted.

In addition, each time the shower is stopped, the main solenoid valve is opened, the discharge on/off valve is closed and opened, and the drain valve is opened, and because these valves are operated many times, they are easily damaged quickly. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and aims to conserve hot water by minimizing the drainage of water remaining in the pipes after using a shower, and preventing wasteful drainage of hot water. The purpose of this is to reduce the number of operations of drain valves, etc., and extend their lifespan.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the shower device of the present invention includes a shower outlet and a mixing faucet, and the water supplied from the water supply source and the hot water source are connected to the mixing faucet. a water supply pipe that mixes the hot water at a desired temperature and supplies it to the shower outlet; a discharge on-off valve that is interposed in the hot water supply pipe between the mixing faucet and the shower outlet to open and close the water supply pipe; and a mixing faucet. A drain pipe connected between the discharge on-off valve, a drain valve interposed in the drain pipe to open and close the pipe, an operating switch for operating the use and stop of the shower, and an operating switch for the shower. Equipped with a timer that is started by the stop operation and reset by the shower use operation, and when the timer's count time or the predetermined time is exceeded when the shower operation is performed using the operation switch, the drain valve is closed before opening the discharge on/off valve. It is equipped with a controller that opens the valve for a certain period of time.

In addition, instead of the above-mentioned timer, a temperature sensor is installed in the hot water supply pipe between the mixing faucet and the shower discharge on/off valve, and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is set in advance when the controller is operated to use the shower using the operating switch. When the temperature is below a predetermined temperature, the drain valve may be first opened for a certain period of time, and then the discharge on-off valve may be opened.

In this case, the hot water supply pipe is branched into multiple branch pipes downstream of the mixing faucet, and the shower use operation on the operation switch is different from the shower outlet that was being used before the operation. When the operation is about using a shower outlet in a different system, the shower outlet used before the operation is for hot water, and the shower outlet corresponding to the operated operation switch belongs to the system. Only when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor installed in the branch pipe is below a predetermined temperature, before opening the discharge on-off valve corresponding to the switch operated during the above operation, is the on-off valve connected to the branch pipe of the system to which it belongs. The drain valve of the drain pipe line may be opened for a certain period of time.

(Function) The shower device configured as described above can be used when a predetermined period of time has passed after the shower is stopped, or when residual water accumulated in the hot water supply pipe between the mixing faucet and the discharge on/off valve is removed. When the temperature drops below a predetermined temperature, the remaining water is discharged the next time the operating switch is operated for shower use, and hot water at the set temperature is supplied into the hot water supply pipe to replace it.

This newly supplied hot water is then sent to the shower outlet. Therefore, residual hot water that has cooled naturally will not be discharged from the shower outlet, but hot water at the appropriate temperature set by the mixing faucet will be discharged from the beginning.

However, when managing the state of residual water by temperature, in devices where the hot water supply pipe branches into multiple systems, following the shower outlet in use, the shower outlet in a different system from the hot water supply pipe When using the shower outlet, even if the temperature of the remaining water in the hot water supply pipe of the system to which the shower outlet belongs is below the predetermined temperature, if the previously used shower was not a hot water shower, the cooling remaining water is It is discharged without being discharged.

(Example) Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

In this embodiment, a plurality of shower outlets 1 are provided on the front side of a panel body A formed in a tower shape, and hot water supply pipes 3 for supplying hot water to each of these shower outlets 1 are installed on the back side of the panel body A. The hot water supply pipe 3 is connected to a first hot water supply pipe 3a connected to a hot water supply source B, and connected to the first hot water supply pipe 3a via a mixing faucet 2, and connected to two branch pipes 3b-1 and 3b-2. The branching second hot water supply pipe 3b is connected to each branch pipe 3 of the second hot water supply pipe 3b.
It consists of a plurality of third hot water supply pipes 3c connected to b-1 and 3b-2, and each of the third hot water supply pipes 3c is connected to the shower outlet 1.

Depending on the specifications, the hot water supply source B may be configured to supply hot water directly from the water heater 10 or to store the hot water from the water heater 10 in the hot water tank 11 before supplying hot water. In the latter case, hot water heated by a water heater 10 is stored in a hot water tank 11, and a pressurizing pump 1 is used.
2 from the first hot water supply pipe 3a to the mixing faucet 2.
We are supplying to.

The mixing faucet 2 uses a manual thermostatic mixing valve, and the first hot water supply pipe 3a is connected to the hot water inlet of the mixing faucet 2, and the water supply pipe 14 that connects to the water supply tank 13 which is the water supply source is connected to the same. It is connected to the water supply port of the mixing faucet 2.

On the other hand, each branch pipe 3b- of the second hot water supply pipe 3b is connected to the hot water supply pipe 3.
A flow rate sensor 15 and a flow rate regulating valve 16 are provided in + and 3i1-2, respectively, and a discharge opening/closing valve 4 is provided in each third hot water supply pipe 3c, respectively.

Thus, each shower outlet 1 is divided into two systems: one connected to one of the two branch pipes 3b-i and 3tl-2 of the second hot water supply pipe 3b, and the other connected to the other. By appropriately combining and opening the discharge solenoid valves 4 of each system, it is possible to simultaneously discharge from the shower outlet a 1 of different systems, and each branch pipe 3b-1, 3
By adjusting the opening degree of the flow rate control valve 16 provided at b-2, the flow rates of the shower discharge ports 1 of different systems that discharge at the same time can be individually adjusted.

Further, a drain pipe line 5 is connected to the downstream end of each branch pipe 3b-1, 3b-2 of the second hot water supply pipe 3b via a drain valve 6.
By opening the drain valve 6, water (hot water) in the hot water supply pipe 3 upstream of the discharge on-off valve 4 can be discharged and drained.

The discharge on-off valve 4, drain valve 6, flow rate control valve 16, and flow rate sensor 15 are electrically connected to a controller 8 placed at a suitable position on the back side of the panel body A.

The controller 8 is an operation panel 1 provided at a suitable location on the front of the panel body A.
7 and electrically communicate with each operation switch 7 of the operation panel 17.
The water stop confirmation means 8a controls the operation of the shower device based on the operation of the flow sensor 15, and inputs the flow rate detection signal from the flow rate sensor 15, and generates an output when the signal is no longer input.
, T1 starts when the water stoppage confirmation means 8a generates an output.
Timer 8b, T.

Input the count of the timer 8b and the shower use operation signal of the operation switch 7, that is, the ON signal of the operation switch 7,
The time count value of the T1 timer 8b when the ON signal is input is compared with a predetermined time T1, and when the count value is greater than the predetermined time T1, an output signal is sent to the drain valve driving means 8c and the T2 timer 8d, which will be described later. is generated and for a predetermined time T, the operation switch 7 is turned ON.
Input the signal to generate a drive output to the pump 12 and turn it off.
Starts by inputting the output signal of the pump driving means 8g and the use interval determining means 81, which eliminates the output, and generates a time-up signal to the drain valve driving means 8c and the discharge valve driving means 8e according to the time-up, and resets the pump driving means 8g.
2 timer 8d, a driving output is generated to the drain valve 6 by inputting the output signal of the use interval determining means 8f, and the T2 timer 8d
When the time-up signal of the drain valve driving means 8C%T2 timer 8d is inputted and the output signal of the use interval determining means 8f is inputted, the output of the drain valve driving means 8C disappears due to the input of the time-up signal of the discharge valve 4. The discharge valve driving means 8e eliminates the output when the operation switch 7 is turned OFF, and a timer reset means 8h resets the timer 8b when the operation switch 7 is turned OFF.

The discharge on-off valve 4 and the drain valve 6 are opened when the drive output of the discharge valve drive means 8e1 and the drain valve drive means 8c are input, and closed when the drive output is no longer input.

The pump 12 is driven when the drive output of the pump drive means 8g is input, and stops when the drive output is no longer input.

The above T and time are the expected time required for the remaining hot water in the pipe to cool naturally, and 12 hours is the time required to drain the remaining hot water in the pipe, and each is calculated based on the volume of the pipe, etc. be done.

Therefore, this shower device has operation switch 7 during its operation.
When using the shower, or if more than T1 hours have passed since the last shower use, first close the drain valve 6.
When the valve is opened, the remaining water mainly in the second hot water supply pipe 3b between the mixing faucet 2 and the discharge on-off valve 4 is pushed out by the newly supplied hot water at the set temperature by the drive of the pump 12, and is discharged.

After this remaining water is drained for 12 hours and the drain valve 6 is closed, the discharge on-off valve 4 is opened and shower discharge from the shower outlet 1 is performed.

Further, when the shower use operation of the operation switch 7 is performed within T1 hours from the end of the previous shower use, the discharge on-off valve 4 is immediately opened and the shower discharge is performed.

In the figure, 18 is a first water supply pipe drain line connected to the first water supply pipe 32, and 19 is a third water supply pipe drain line connected to each third hot water supply pipe 3c. In preparation, open the drain valves 20 and 21 as necessary to drain the first hot water pipe 3.
This is to drain the remaining water in the water supply pipe a and the third hot water supply pipe 3c.

A time chart is shown in Figure 4.

Next, FIGS. 5 to 7 show another embodiment. In contrast to the previous embodiment, in which the opening operation of the drain valve 6 is managed based on the time after the previous shower stop, this embodiment It is controlled by the temperature of the remaining water.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the second hot water supply pipe 3b of the hot water supply pipe line 3
Each branch pipe 31. ．． ) A temperature sensor 9 is installed in each of 3b-Q, and the controller 8, as shown in FIG. Enter
The branch pipe (3b-1 or 3b
-2) When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined reference temperature, an output signal is generated to the drain valve driving means 8C and the T2 timer 8d, and when the temperature is higher than the reference temperature, an output signal is generated to the discharge valve driving means 8e. Comparison means 811 for sending output
The pump driving means 8g generates a driving output to the pump 12 by inputting the ON signal of the operation switch 7, and the output disappears when it is turned OFF.The pump driving means 8g receives the output of the comparing means 81 and starts the pump, and due to time-up, the drain valve driving means 8c and The T2 timer 8d sends a time-up signal to the water discharge valve driving means 8e, and upon receiving the output signal from the comparison means 81, generates a driving output to the drain valve 6 of the system to which the shower discharge port 1 corresponding to the operated switch belongs, Drain valve driving means 85 whose output disappears when the time-up signal of the T2 timer 8d is inputted; and the discharge opening/closing valve 4 corresponding to the switch operated when the time-up signal of the T2 timer 8d is inputted and the output signal of the comparing means 81 is inputted. The discharge valve driving means 8e is provided with a discharge valve driving means 8e, etc., which generates a driving output and eliminates the output when the operation switch 7 is turned off, that is, when the ON signal disappears.

Therefore, according to the shower device of this embodiment, when the shower device is powered on and the temperature of the water remaining in the second hot water supply pipe 3b is below the predetermined temperature, the operation switch 7 is first turned on. When the discharge on-off valve 4 corresponding to the operation switch 7 is opened, the discharge on-off valve 4 is opened.
The remaining water is drained by opening the drain valve 6 of the system for 12 hours, and the water in the second hot water supply pipe 3b of the system is replaced with new hot water whose temperature is adjusted to the desired temperature using the mixer faucet 2 prior to discharging the shower. Replace with.

During operation of the device, when the operation switch 7 is operated for the second time or later to use the shower, the residual water mainly remains in the second hot water pipe 3b between the mixing faucet 2 and the discharge on-off valve 4 being used. If the temperature is above a predetermined temperature, the water discharge on/off valve 4 opens and the shower discharge from the shower spout 1 begins immediately, but if some time has passed since the last discharge or the previous discharge was cold water discharge. When the residual water temperature is below the predetermined temperature, first, the drain 6 belonging to the same system as the discharge on-off valve 4 to be used is opened for 12 hours, and the valve is opened for 12 hours between the mixing faucet 2 and the discharge on-off valve 4 to be used. The remaining water in the hot water supply pipe 3b is discharged and replaced with hot water at the set temperature that is newly supplied by driving the pump 12.

After the remaining water has been drained, the discharge on-off valve 4 is opened and discharge from the shower outlet 1 is started. A time chart is shown in FIG.

Next, FIG. 8 shows a still further embodiment in which, like the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the opening operation of the drain valve 6 is controlled by the temperature of the remaining water. If the temperature of the remaining water in the hot water supply pipe of the system to which the shower outlet 1 to which the desired shower belongs belongs is below a predetermined temperature, the remaining water is not necessarily drained when the operation switch 7 is operated, but is used before the operation switch 7 is operated. The system of the hot water supply pipe 3 is different from that of the newly used shower outlet 1, and the remaining water is drained only when the shower outlet 1 is used for hot water.

That is, in this embodiment, the controller 8 inputs the shower use operation signal of the operation switch 7 and the outputs from the temperature sensor 9 and the flow rate sensor 15, as shown in FIG.
The branch pipe (3b-1 or 3b-2) where the flow rate sensor 15 was detecting the flow of water when the shower use operation signal was input.
), and if the water is hot water, an output is generated to the drain valve driving means 8c and the T2 timer circuit 8d, and if it is cold water, an output is generated to the discharge valve driving means 8e. The previous shower state identification means 8j detects the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 9 and the shower use operation signal of the operation switch 7, that is, the ON state of the operation switch 7.
A signal is input, and the branch pipe (3
b-1 or 3b-2) when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined reference temperature, the drain valve driving means 8C
and a comparison means 81 which generates an output to the T2 timer 8d, a pump drive means 8g which generates a drive output to the pump 12 by inputting the ON signal of the operation switch 7, and eliminates the output by turning it OFF, a previous shower state identification means 8j, and The T2 timer 8d starts when it receives the outputs from both the comparing means 81 and sends a time-up signal to the drain valve driving means 8c and the spouting valve driving means 8e upon time-up, the output signals from both the previous shower state identifying means 8j and the comparing means 81. When received, a driving output is generated to the drain valve 6 of the system to which the shower outlet 1 corresponding to the operated switch belongs,
Drain valve driving means 8c whose output disappears when the time-up signal of the T2 timer 8d is input, and a discharge opening/closing valve 4 corresponding to the switch operated when the output of the previous shower state identification means 8j or the time-up signal of the T2 timer 8d is input. generates a drive output and turns the operation switch 7 OFF.
It is equipped with a discharge valve driving means 88 and the like that eliminates the output when the F operation is performed, that is, when the ON signal disappears.

Therefore, according to the shower device of this embodiment, during shower discharge, the discharge from the shower outlet 1 connected to one branch pipe 3b-1 of the second hot water supply pipe 3b continues for a long time, and When the residual water in the pipe on the 2 side naturally cools down to a predetermined temperature or lower and the above-mentioned shirt discharge is hot water, the shower outlet 1 is connected to the branch pipe 3b-2 on the side where the cooling residual water stays. When the operation switch 7 is turned on, first, the drain valve 6 of the branch passage 3b-2 is opened for 12 hours to drain the remaining cooling water, and the inside of the branch passage 3b-2 is replaced with fresh hot water at the set temperature. The discharge on-off valve 4 is opened.

However, when the shower discharge is cold water, the discharge on-off valve 4 is immediately opened without draining the remaining cooling water.
Discharge remaining cooling water.

This is because after a cold shower, even if the remaining cooling water is expelled, there is no risk of causing discomfort like when cold water is suddenly expelled.

(Effects) Since the present invention is constructed as described above, the following effects are achieved.

Regarding claim 1, while the shower device is in operation, the state of remaining water in the hot water supply pipe between the mixer faucet and the discharge on/off valve after the shower water is turned off is managed by time, and a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the shower water is turned off. In addition, the water is drained when the next shower operation switch is operated, so only when the shower has been used for a long time and the remaining water has cooled down. Moreover, no matter how long the interval between showers is, the water is only drained once during the next shower use, so hot water is not wasted and water is saved.

Additionally, compared to conventional shower equipment that drains water remaining in the pipes each time the shower is stopped, the number of times the drain valve opens and closes is significantly reduced, so the life of the drain valve is extended.

Regarding claim 2; The state of the remaining water in the hot water supply pipe between the mixing faucet and the discharge on/off valve after the shower water is turned off is controlled by the water temperature, and the water is drained when the remaining water temperature falls below a predetermined temperature. , and the timing of the drainage is set to the next time the operation switch is operated.
Even though the remaining water is still at a usable temperature, it will not be drained unnecessarily, and no matter how long the interval between showers is, it will only be drained once, so you will be charged for draining the hot water. As in the case of item (1), hot water consumption is reduced to the minimum necessary amount, which has a great effect on saving hot water consumption.

Furthermore, the number of opening operations of the drain valve is also kept to the necessary minimum as in the case of claim (1), so that the life of the drain valve is extended.

Furthermore, even if you take a shower with cold water and then use hot water soon after, there is no inconvenience like taking a shower with cold water.

Regarding claim 3.

When hot water supply pipes are branched into multiple systems, if the shower outlet belonging to one system is used for a long time and the remaining water in the hot water pipes of the other system cools down naturally,
When the shower belonging to the system on which this cooled residual water accumulates is subsequently used at the shower outlet belonging to one of the above systems, if the shower used earlier was a hot shower, the cooling residual water must be discharged. The hot water that is newly supplied from the shower is discharged at the set temperature, but if the previously used shower was a cold shower and the shower that is being used subsequently discharges residual cooling water, it will not be very unpleasant. Since the remaining water is not drained and is discharged as it is, the draining of the remaining water, that is, the opening of the drain valve is kept to the minimum necessary, thereby saving water and extending the service life of the drain valve.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of the shower device of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the entire device, Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of the controller, Fig. 4 is a time chart, and Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of another embodiment, FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the controller, FIG. 7 is a time chart, and FIG. 8 is a function of the controller showing still another embodiment. It is a block diagram. 1. Shower outlet 2: Mixing faucet 3: Hot water supply pipe 4: Discharge on/off valve 5; Drain pipe 6/drain valve 7: Operation switch 8: Controller 8b, timer (T) 9 = Temperature sensor 15: Flow rate Sensor 13, water supply source (water tank) B: hot water source timer)

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A hot water supply pipe equipped with a shower outlet and a mixing faucet, which mixes water and hot water supplied from a water supply source and a hot water source to a desired temperature with a mixing faucet and supplies the mixture to the shower outlet; A discharge on-off valve that is interposed in the hot water supply pipe between the outlet and opens and closes the pipe; a drain pipe that is connected between the mixing faucet and the discharge on-off valve; a drain valve that opens and closes the pipe, an operation switch that operates the use and stop of the shower, and a controller that controls the opening and closing of the discharge on-off valve and the drain valve based on the operation of the operation switch, The device has a timer that starts when the shower stop operation is performed using the operation switch, and when the timer count time exceeds a predetermined time when the operation switch is operated to use the shower, the drain valve is closed for a certain period of time before opening the discharge on-off valve. A shower device characterized by an opening valve. (2) A hot water supply pipe equipped with a shower outlet and a mixing faucet, which mixes water and hot water supplied from a water supply source and a hot water source to a desired temperature with a mixing faucet and supplies the mixture to the shower outlet; A discharge on-off valve that is interposed in the hot water supply pipe between the outlet and opens and closes the pipe; a drain pipe that is connected between the mixing faucet and the discharge on-off valve; A drain valve that opens and closes the pipe, a temperature sensor installed in the hot water supply pipe between the mixing faucet and the discharge on/off valve, an operation switch that operates the shower on and off, and an operation switch that operates the operation switch. and a controller that controls the opening and closing of the discharge on-off valve and the drain valve based on the
The shower device is characterized in that the controller opens the drain valve for a certain period of time before opening the discharge on-off valve when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is below a predetermined temperature when the operation switch is operated to use the shower. (3) A water supply source, a hot water supply pipe that is equipped with a mixing faucet that mixes water and hot water supplied from the hot water supply source to a desired temperature, and that branches into a plurality of branch pipes on the downstream side of the mixing faucet, and each of the hot water supply pipes. A plurality of shower outlets connected to the branch pipes, a discharge on-off valve interposed in the hot water supply pipe between the mixing faucet and each shower outlet to open and close the pipe, and a mixing faucet and the discharge outlet. A drain pipe line connected to each branch pipe between the on-off valve, a drain valve interposed in the drain pipe line to open and close the pipe line, and each branch pipe between the mixing faucet and the discharge on-off valve. a temperature sensor installed in the shower, an operation switch for operating the use and stop of the shower, and a controller for controlling the opening and closing of the discharge on-off valve and the drain valve based on the operation of the operation switch, and the controller is operable. When the shower use operation of the switch is related to the use of a shower outlet whose branch pipe system of the hot water supply pipe is different from the shower outlet used before the operation, the shower outlet used before the operation If the outlet is used for hot water and the detected temperature of the temperature sensor installed in the branch pipe of the system to which the shower outlet corresponding to the operated operation switch belongs is below a predetermined temperature, the operation switch will respond to the operation switch at the time of the above operation. A shower device characterized in that, prior to opening a discharge on-off valve, a drain valve of a drain pipe line connected to a branch pipe of a system to which the on-off valve belongs is opened for a certain period of time.