JPH0952006A - Bath water circulating and purifying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the consumption amt. of bath water at a time of the washing of a filter material. SOLUTION: This bath water circulating and purifying apparatus has a stirring means pumping up the bath water 3 in a bathtub 2 to circulating the same through a circulating passage to return the same to the bathtub 2 and filtering this bath water by the granular filter material 17 housed in the filter case 9 provided on the way of the circulating passage 7 and periodically stirr the filter material 17 to wash the same. The control means controlling the circulating pump 4 is provided and a washing mode stopping the circulating pump 4 for a predetermined time when the filter material 17 is washed to stirr the filter material 17 by the stirring means and subsequently operating the circulating pump 4 to pass water through the filter case 9 is provided to the control means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bath water circulation purifying apparatus for circulating water in a bathtub into a circulation flow path by a circulation pump, and filtering and purifying the water with a filter or the like installed in the circulation flow path.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a device for purifying water in a bathtub for household use and enabling it to be used for a long time, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-4.
As shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 9822, a filter cylinder 2 accommodating the filter medium 1 is horizontally provided, and the bath water in the bathtub 15 is circulated in the filter cylinder by the pump 13. Some remove dirt and bacteria.

Further, in the above construction, a biofilm of bacteria is generated on the surface of the filter medium due to the filtering operation to cause clogging and the filtering ability is deteriorated. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically rotate the filter cylinder to wash the filter medium. I am configuring.

On the other hand, at the time of cleaning the filter medium, the filter cylinder is rotated and at the same time the bath water is passed through the filter cylinder by the pump to clean the filter medium.

[0005]

Therefore, there is a problem that the amount of bath water in the bathtub is reduced by the above-mentioned cleaning operation and the heat energy for heating the bath water is also lost.

Therefore, the present invention is intended to reduce the consumption of bath water and thermal energy when cleaning the filter medium.

[0007]

According to the present invention, bath water in a bathtub is sucked up by a circulation pump, circulated in the circulation passage, returned to the bath, and stored in a filtration case provided in the middle of the circulation passage. A filter provided with a stirring means for filtering with a granular filter medium and periodically stirring and cleaning the filter medium. In addition to providing a control means for controlling a circulation pump and the like, the control means has a circulation pump for a predetermined time when cleaning the filter medium. After the cleaning is stopped and the filter medium is stirred by the stirring means, the circulation pump is operated to provide a cleaning mode in which water is passed into the filtration case.

Further, according to the present invention, the stirring means is constituted by a motor for rotating the filtration case.

Further, according to the present invention, in the cleaning mode, the circulation pump is stopped, the filter medium is stirred by the stirring means, the circulation pump is operated to pass water through the filtration case, and then the filter vortex case is rotated half a predetermined time. After standing for a waiting time, the circulation pump is operated to pass water through the filtration case and rotate the filtration case.

Further, according to the present invention, the control means is constituted so as to continuously perform the cleaning mode a plurality of times.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described first with reference to FIG.
Circulates by sucking up from the water supply pipe 5 by the circulation pump 4,
A circulation flow path 7 for spraying water into the bath 2 from a water discharge pipe 6, a heater 8 mounted upstream of the circulation pump 4 in the circulation flow path, and a filtration case 9 also connected downstream of the circulation pump 4. Sterilization case 10 connected downstream of this filtration case
And a switching valve 11 connected downstream of the sterilization case, and a drain passage 12 branched from the switching valve.

The heater 8 is composed of a sheath heater (not shown) or the like, and keeps the bath water sucked from the water supply pipe 5 from the bath 2 at a predetermined temperature suitable for bathing, and then in the sterilization case 10. Has a wavelength of approximately 185 nm or 250, for example.
germicidal lamp 13 such as a mercury lamp that emits ultraviolet rays of nm
Is stored and is configured to sterilize the bath water in the same manner.

On the other hand, the filtering case 9 is constructed by arranging a cylindrical case rotatably sideways as shown in FIG. 2, and a strainer having a plurality of water holes 14 ... Partitioned by 15 and 16, a storage chamber 18 is formed between these strainers, in which a large number of granular filter media 17 having a specific gravity of around 1.3, such as ceramic balls mainly composed of barley stone and sunstone, are stored. In addition, the inflow chamber 19 and the outflow chamber 20 are formed above and below the strainers 15 and 16, and one side surface of the inflow chamber 19 is formed into the circulation pump 4
The downstream side of the sterilization case 10 is connected to one side of the outflow chamber 20.

As a result, the bath water 3 sucked up by the circulation pump 4 flows into the inflow chamber 19 located above the filtration case 9, and then passes through the water passage holes 14 of the strainer 15 to be stored in the storage chamber 18. After passing through the gap between the filter media 17 and so on, fat and the like are adsorbed and removed while passing therethrough, and then through the water passage holes 14 of the strainer 16 and the outflow chamber 2
0 from one side, and by the flow of bath water 3
.. will not be agitated and worn.

The water passage holes 14 formed in the strainers 15 and 16 are formed to have a diameter smaller than that of the filter media 17 so that these filter media do not flow out.

Further, the filtering case 9 includes a motor 21 and a gear 2 for rotating the filtering case 9 by the rotation of the motor 21.
The above-mentioned motor 21 is provided with a stirring means composed of 2 and 22.
Etc. are controlled by the control circuit 23.

In the above embodiment, the stirring means is used as the filter case 9.
Is constituted by a rotating member which rotates, but it may be constituted by inserting a stirring rod or the like, which is rotated by a motor or the like, for stirring the filter media 17 in the filtering case 9.

The control circuit 23 controls the circulation pump 4
And the heater of the heater 8 and the like are controlled, and the bath water in the bathtub 2 is supplied by the circulation pump 4 during normal operation.
It is sucked up into the circulation flow path 7 and kept at a predetermined temperature by the heater 8 and sequentially passed through the filtration case 9 and the sterilization case 10, so that dirt such as fat in the bath water is adsorbed and removed by the filter medium 17 ... Or sterilized by the ultraviolet rays emitted from the sterilization lamp 13, and then returned to the bathtub 2 from the water discharge pipe 6 via the switching valve 11 for purification and heat retention.

On the other hand, the control circuit 23 has a built-in 24-hour timer, for example, and has a cleaning mode for cleaning the filter media 17 ... Every two weeks.

In this cleaning mode, for example, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 3, it is determined in step S1 whether or not, for example, 2 weeks have passed, and if so, the process proceeds to S2, the circulation pump 4 is stopped, and the sheath heater and sterilization are performed. The lamp 13 is turned off, the motor 21 is energized to rotate the filter case 9, the filter media 17 in the case are agitated, and the biofilm of bacteria adhering to these surfaces is rubbed by the contact between the filter media. Remove with.

Next, the process proceeds to S3 and a predetermined time (for example, 5
(10 minutes) Counting, and when the time has passed, the process proceeds to S4 to stop the rotation of the motor 21, and the process proceeds to S5 to switch the switching valve 11 to the drainage passage 12, and then proceeds to S6 to rotate the circulation pump 4. Rotate the motor 21 together with the bathtub 2
Suction the bath water inside and start passing water through the filtration case 9,
The biofilms of bacteria accumulated in the filtration case 9 by the operations of S2 to S3 are discharged from the drainage passage 12 to the outside, and when this operation is performed for a predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes) in S7, the normal operation is performed in S8. Return to.

Although the predetermined time is set in S3 and S7, the number of rotations of the filtration case 9 may be counted in S3, and the processing may be completed after 10 rotations, for example.
Then, for example, a flow rate sensor for detecting the water flow rate may be provided in the circulation flow path 7, and the flow rate sensor may be configured to terminate when measuring 20 liters, for example.

When the rotation of the filtration case 9 by the motor 21 is finished, the rotation position is detected by a rotation position detecting means composed of a micro switch (not shown) so that the inflow chamber 19 is located above the filtration case 9.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing another embodiment of the cleaning mode. The operation will be described with reference to the time chart of FIG. 5. In S11, for example, it is judged whether two weeks have passed,
After a lapse of time, the process proceeds to S12, the circulation pump 4 is stopped, the sheath heater and the sterilization lamp 13 are turned off, the motor 21 is energized to rotate the filtration case 9, and the filter medium 17 in the case is agitated. The biofilm of bacteria adhering to the surface of the is removed by friction caused by contact between the filter media.

Next, in S13, it is counted whether or not the filtration case 9 has made, for example, 10 revolutions. If it is rotated, the process proceeds to S14 to stop the rotation of the motor 21, and to S15 to proceed to the switching valve 11.
After switching to the drainage passage 12, the flow proceeds to S16, the circulation pump 4 is slightly rotated, the motor 21 is energized to rotate the filtration case 9, and the bath water in the bathtub 2 is sucked up to flow into the filtration case 9. And the biofilm etc. of the bacteria accumulated in the filtration case 9 by the above S12 to S13 is drained.
Discharge more outside.

After performing this operation for a predetermined time (for example, 20 seconds) in S17, the process proceeds to S18, in which the motor 21 is stopped at the half rotation position of the filter vortex case 9 and the circulation pump 4 is stopped at the same time. Predetermined time in S19 (for example, 5 seconds)
maintain.

As a result, the filter medium 17
· The biofilms released from the cells concentrate on the strainer 16 on the outflow chamber 20 side during S19, but by stopping at the half-turn position in S18 to 19, the filter medium 17 ··· is separated from the strainer 16 by its own weight. By dropping and proceeding to S20, the circulation pump 4 is slightly rotated and the motor 21 is energized to rotate the filtration case 9, so that the biofilms and the like accumulated above the filter material 17 are securely discharged from the drain passage 12. It can be discharged to the outside and the filter medium can be washed efficiently.

After further proceeding to S21, the so-called rinsing operation of S20 is performed for a predetermined time (for example, 15 seconds), and then proceeding to S22, stopping the circulation pump 4 and the motor 21, and proceeding to S23 to circulate the switching valve 11. After switching to the road 7 side and repeating the same operations as S12 to S22 in S24 to S33 to surely wash the filter medium, in S34 the motor 21 is stopped and the circulation pump 4 is strongly rotated, and this is Predetermined time (for example, 3 in S35)
After 0 seconds), the biofilm remaining in the filtration case 9 and the drainage passage 12 is surely discharged to the outside, and then the process proceeds to S36 where the switching valve 11 is switched to the circulation flow path 7 side, and the normal mode is performed at S37. Return to.

In the time chart of FIG. 5, the circulation pump is rotated for 2 seconds before the circulation pump 4 of step S16 of FIG. 4 is slightly rotated.
When a flow sensor or a water flow switch is installed inside to detect water flow in the circulation flow path, it is possible that the flow sensor or the water flow switch may not operate due to a weak rotation of the circulation pump. It is a thing.

In the above embodiment, the circulation pump 4 is slightly rotated, for example, at S16 and S20, but preferably the circulation pump 4 is strongly rotated while the filtration case 9 is rotated at high speed to efficiently wash the filter medium. However, when the filtration case 9 is rotated at a high speed, a relatively large motor is required, which inevitably increases the cost.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the circulation pump 4 is used while cost reduction is performed by using a relatively small motor 21.
By slightly rotating, the amount of bath water used can be reduced and the filter medium can be efficiently washed.

Further, in the above embodiment, steps S13 and S2 are performed.
5, the filtration case 9 is rotated 10 times, but is not limited to this, and a predetermined time (for example, 5 to 10 minutes)
The filtration case may be rotated.

[0033]

According to the constitution of the present invention, in the washing mode for washing the filter medium, first, the circulation pump is stopped and the filter medium is stirred by the stirring means, so that the biofilm of bacteria adhering to the surface of the filter medium is separated between the filter mediums. After dropping by contact, by operating the circulation pump to pass the bath water through the filter case to wash the filter medium, it is possible to wash the filter medium even when stirring the filter medium as compared with the case where the bath water is passed through the filter case. It is possible to significantly reduce the amount of drainage and to reduce the heating energy for heating the bath water to a predetermined heat retention temperature and the consumption of water.

Further, according to the present invention, the agitating means for agitating the filter medium can be agitated with a relatively simple structure by constructing the agitating means by a motor for rotating the filtration case.

Further, according to the present invention, in the cleaning mode, the filter case is kept in a half-rotation state for a predetermined period of time so that the filter medium in the filter case is dropped to the bottom of the filter case by its own weight. And the like can be reliably separated, and the cleaning effect can be further improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the filter medium is surely cleaned by continuously performing the cleaning mode a plurality of times, thereby making the cleaning interval relatively long and, for example, the consumption of the bath water consumed at the time of cleaning. It will be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side longitudinal sectional view of a main part of the same.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the same.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a time chart of another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Bathtub 3 Bath water 4 Circulation pump 7 Circulation flow path 9 Filtration case 17 Filter material 21 Motor 23 Control circuit

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of the front page (72) Hideki Yamazawa, Inventor Hideki Yamazawa 3-201 Minamiyoshikata, Tottori-shi, Tottori Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Soichiro Ohama 3-201 Minamiyoshikata, Tottori-shi, Tottori Sanyo Denki Incorporated (72) Inventor Shio Hamada 3 201 Minamiyoshikata, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture Tottori Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. The bath water in the bath tub is sucked up by a circulation pump to circulate in the circulation channel and then returned to the bath, and is filtered by a granular filter medium housed in a filtration case provided in the middle of the circulation channel. In a device provided with a stirring means for periodically stirring and washing the filter medium, a control means for controlling the circulation pump and the like is provided, and the control means stops the circulation pump for a predetermined time when washing the filter medium. The bath water circulation purification apparatus is characterized in that a cleaning mode is provided in which the circulation pump is operated after the filter medium is stirred by the stirring means and water is passed through the filtration case. 2. The bath water circulation purification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stirring means is constituted by a motor that rotates the filtration case. 3. In the washing mode, after the circulation pump is stopped and the filter medium is stirred by the stirring means, the circulation pump is operated to pass water through the filter case, and then the filter vortex case is rotated halfway to a predetermined standby state. The bath water circulation purification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circulation pump is operated after being left for a period of time to pass water through the filtration case and rotate the filtration case. 4. The bath water circulation purification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means is configured to continuously perform the cleaning mode a plurality of times.