JP3776181B2 - Bath water sterilizer with cleaning function in bath water circulation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
The present invention relates to a bath water sterilizer having a cleaning function in a bath water circulator capable of satisfactorily purifying an ultraviolet sterilizer lamp used in a bath water circulator by electrolytic action.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Various devices have been developed in which bath water in a bathtub is circulated by a circulation pump, purified, sterilized, and sent again to the bathtub. Purification by these devices is performed in a filtration tank made of activated carbon, barley stone, etc., and sterilization is performed by passing the bath water through a sterilization tank with a built-in ultraviolet lamp, and generating ozone using an ozone generator. The ozone was sterilized by mixing the ozone into the bath water and sterilizing. The conventional bath water circulation apparatus not only removes the dirt of the bath water as described above, but also provides a bath water apparatus that can perform bathing comfortably for 24 hours by simultaneously performing sterilization and heat insulation.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When sterilizing using an ultraviolet germicidal lamp (simply referred to as a germicidal lamp), it is desirable to provide a protective tube made of glass or quartz material that transmits ultraviolet light in order to prevent electrical damage and damage to the germicidal lamp. It is. However, in the water treatment such as bath water, the protective tube is soiled and the transmittance of ultraviolet rays gradually decreases, so that cleaning has to be performed regularly once every six months. The germicidal lamp has a lifetime, and the replacement frequency is once every few years for the cold cathode type and once every two to one year for the hot cathode type.
[0004]
As a conventional cleaning method, the protective tube has to be removed from the sterilization unit and manually removed with a cloth soaked in detergent. This series of work consists of (1) temporarily stopping the operation of the bath water circulator, (2) removing the cover of the bath water circulator, (3) removing the screw on the lid where the sterilization unit is housed, and (4) Remove the protective tube and sterilizing lamp from the sterilizing unit, and (5) separate the protective tube and sterilizing lamp. (6) Remove the dirt adhering to the protective tube with a cloth etc. with gloves. (7) Set the sterilization lamp on the protection tube, (8) Set the protection tube and sterilization lamp on the sterilization unit, (9) Set the sterilization unit on the device, and finally (10) Close the lid of the sterilization unit. . There was a lot of work, and it was extremely troublesome even once every six months, and sometimes a lamp placed near the work was broken.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention relates to a sterilization lamp for sterilizing bath water in a bath water circulation device including a circulation pump for circulating bath water, a heater for heating bath water, and a purification filter for purifying bath water, A protective tube for protecting the sterilizing lamp from the bath water, a switching valve capable of switching the bath water from the circulation pump side to the sterilizing unit side or the electrolyzer side, and the flowing direction of the bath water after passing through the sterilizing lamp And a second switching valve for switching between the outflow to the bathtub side and the shut-off for closing the pipe line, and the electrolyzer generates acidic water for cleaning the inside of the sterilizing unit, and sterilizes The problem could be solved by making it possible to add to the unit.
Moreover, this invention was able to solve a subject by providing the rotary body and motor for stirring the inside of the said sterilization unit.
Furthermore, the present invention provides a sterilization lamp for sterilizing bath water in a bath water circulation apparatus comprising a circulation pump for circulating bath water, a heater for heating the bath water, and a purification filter for purifying the bath water. A protective tube for protecting the sterilizing lamp from the bath water, a switching valve for adjusting the flow rate of the bath water from the circulation pump side, and the flowing direction of the bath water after passing the sterilizing lamp on the bathtub side Alternatively, the second switching valve for switching to the discharge side and the electrode for electrolysis for cleaning the inside of the sterilizing unit can be solved in the sterilizing unit.
The present invention also relates to a sterilization lamp for sterilizing bath water in a bath water circulation apparatus including a circulation pump for circulating the bath water, a heater for heating the bath water, and a purification filter for purifying the bath water. A protective tube for protecting the sterilizing lamp from the bath water, a switching valve for controlling the inflow of the bath water from the circulation pump side or controlling the inflow state, and the bath water after passing through the sterilizing lamp By providing in the sterilization unit a second switching valve for switching the flowing water direction between at least the outflow to the bathtub side and the shutoff for closing the pipe line, and an electrode for electrolysis for cleaning the inside of the sterilization unit. We were able to solve the problem.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The bath water environment apparatus is basically composed of a circulation pump 30 for circulating bath water, a heater 31 for heating bath water, a purification filter 32 for cleaning bath water, and an ultraviolet sterilizer A for sterilizing bath water. It is configured. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultraviolet sterilizer A includes a sterilization unit 1 having a bath water inlet 1a on the upper side and a discharge port 1b on the lower side, and stainless steel provided on the inner surface of the sterilization unit 1. A reflector 2, a sterilizing lamp 3 housed in the sterilizing unit 1, a protective tube 4 for protecting the sterilizing lamp 3, and the sterilizing lamp 3 and the protective tube 4 at their respective upper ends, 1 and a lid-like attachment body 5 fixed above and below. The lid-like mounting body 5 is provided with a control circuit for controlling lighting of the sterilizing lamp 3.
[0007]
One end of an inflow side circulation pipe 6 provided with the circulation pump 30 is connected to the inlet 1a of the sterilization unit 1, and the backflow of bath water is prevented on the inlet 1a side of the inflow side circulation pipe 6. A check valve 7 is provided. Electrodes are provided inside the electrolytic bath 8 and electrolyze the bath water to generate acidic water, contrary to a general commercially available alkaline ionized water adjuster. The acidic water is connected to the inlet 1a side of the inflow circulation pipe 6 from the check valve 7 via the acidic water injection pipe 9, and a second check valve 10 is connected to the acidic water injection pipe 9. Is provided so that the acidic water does not flow back into the electrolytic cell 8. The electrolytic bath 8 is connected to the circulation pump 30 side of the check valve 7 of the inflow side circulation pipe 6 via a water injection pipe 8a, and a three-way valve 11 is provided at the connection location. Moreover, the alkali ion water produced | generated with the electrolytic bath 8 is discharged | emitted via the discharge pipe 8b.
[0008]
An outflow side circulation pipe 12 is connected to the outlet 1b of the sterilization unit 1, and a second three-way valve 13 is provided in the vicinity of the outlet 1b. The end of the tube 14 is connected. Thereby, the direction of the bath water is controlled to a pipe line for returning the bath water to the bathtub 33 as a normal circulation path and a pipe line for discharging sewage discharged when the inside of the sterilization unit 1 is washed.
[0009]
In the above configuration, when the protective tube 4 is manually cleaned, the cleaning switch 15 for instructing the start of cleaning to clean the protective tube 4 and the cleaning time in response to the cleaning switch 15 are measured. And a cleaning measuring means 16 (a simple timer or the like).
[0010]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of cleaning of the protective tube 4 by manual operation according to the present invention, and is a type in which a bather periodically cleans the protective tube 4. First, at T10, when the bather finishes bathing, it is determined whether or not the washing switch 15 such as a washing button is used for washing. When washing is performed, the input corresponding to the washing switch 15 is performed. The three-way valve 11 is operated to switch the flow direction of the bath water from the sterilization unit 1 side to the electrolytic cell 8 side (see S10). And it supplies with electricity to the electrode built in the electrolytic cell (refer S11), performs electrolysis of bath water, and produces | generates the acidic water opposite to the water ionizer of alkaline ion water in one electrode (refer S12). . At the same time, alkaline water is generated on the other electrode and discharged (see S13). And the produced | generated acidic water is inject | poured in the sterilization unit 1 (refer S14). In this state, the timer is activated (see S15), it is determined whether or not the predetermined time has passed (see T11), and acidic water is poured into the unit within the predetermined time. That is, the timer counts until acidic water is accumulated in the sterilization unit 1. After a certain period of time, the interior of the sterilization unit 1 becomes all acidic water. Then, the flow direction of the second three-way valve 13 is shut off (see S16), the circulation pump 30 is also stopped (see S17), the heater 31 is also turned off (see S18). Thus, the reflection plate and the protective tube inside the sterilization unit 1 start to be washed (see S19). Washing with acidic water is measured again with a timer (see S20 and T12), and when the predetermined time is reached, the flowing direction of the second three-way valve 13 is switched to the drain side (see S21), and the power source of the electrolytic cell 8 is switched on. It is set to OFF (see S22), and the three-way valve 11 is operated to switch the flow direction of the bath water from the electrolytic cell 8 side to the sterilization unit 1 side (see S23). Then, the circulation pump 30 is driven (see S24), and the heater 31 is turned on (see S25). Then, the bath water flows into the sterilizing unit 1, and the washed dirty acidic water is discharged (see S26). It is determined whether or not the discharge is completed (see T13). When the discharge is completed, the flow direction of the second three-way valve 13 is switched to the bathtub side (see S27), and it is determined whether or not all cleaning operations are completed (see T14). ), When completed, the process returns to {circle around (2)} in the flowchart of the operation of the normal bath water circulation apparatus of FIG.
[0011]
FIG. 5 shows a specific embodiment of the second embodiment, and the bottom 1 c of the sterilization unit 1 is provided with a rotating body 17 that rotates by driving of a motor 19. ing. The bath water inside the sterilization unit 1 is rotated by the rotation of the rotating body 17. The rotating body 17 may be a magnetic metal material or a stirrer coated with a magnetic material with a resin material or the like. In order to prevent irregular rotation of the rotating body 17 serving as a stirrer, a tray-shaped rotation range restricting portion may be formed of the same member as the bottom portion 1c or a different member. Immediately below the bottom 1c of the sterilizing unit 1, a magnet body 18 for rotating the rotating body 17 is provided at the upper end of the shaft of the motor 19 and is in contact with the lower surface of the bottom 1c. With this configuration, the rotating body 17 and the magnet body 18 become a non-contact type, and water leakage from the sterilization unit 1 can be surely prevented and safety can be considered.
[0012]
By driving the motor 19, the rotating body 17 inside the sterilization unit 1 rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the magnetic flux by the rotation of the magnetic flux of the magnet body 18. The bath water is rotated. Further, the shape of the rotating body 17 as the stirrer is not limited to the embodiment, and may be a configuration in which a blade portion is attached as well as a rod-like shape. Further, although not shown, the rotating body 17 may be a screw blade directly connected to the motor 19 shaft. In this case, the motor 19 shaft portion is watertightly provided on the bottom 1c of the sterilization unit 1 with a sealing material.
[0013]
In the second embodiment of the present invention, a rotating body 17, a magnet body 18, and a motor 19 that are not used in the first embodiment are added. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. Referring to the flowchart in this case, another routine of (3) [see FIG. 6 (A)] is inserted between S18 and S19 in FIG. 3, that is, the motor of the rotating body 17 is turned on (S30). And the rotation start of the rotating body 17 (see S31). Further, another routine of (4) [see FIG. 6B] is inserted between T12 and S21, that is, the motor of the rotating body 17 is turned off (see S40) and the rotating body 17 is rotated. Stop (see S41) is entered, and in such a rotating body 17, the acidic water comes into better contact with the protective tube 4 and the reflector 2 and is cleaned. Other flowcharts are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0014]
Further, what is shown in FIG. 7 is a specific embodiment of the third embodiment. Inside the sterilizing unit 1, electrodes 20 and 20 that are arc-shaped semicircular plates are provided. By applying an appropriate voltage, electrolysis is suitably performed in the sterilization unit 1, whereby alkaline water is applied to the positive electrode 20 side and acidic water is applied to the negative electrode 20 side. Are generated. In FIG. 7, the inflow side circulation pipe 6 is provided with an electromagnetic valve 21.
[0015]
The flow chart of the third embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the bather is of a type that periodically cleans the protective tube 4. First, in S50, when the bather finishes bathing, it is determined whether or not the washing switch 15 such as a washing button is used for washing, and when washing is performed, the input corresponding to the washing switch 15 is performed. The second three-way valve 13 is operated to switch to either side (see S50). The electromagnetic valve 21 is shut off (see S51), the circulation pump 30 is stopped (see S52), the heater 31 is turned off (see S53), the electrodes 20 and 20 are energized (see S54), and the electrolysis of the bath water is performed. Is started (see S55). Acidic water opposite to the alkaline ionized water conditioner is generated at one electrode 20 and at the same time, alkaline water is generated at the other electrode. In this way, the inside of the sterilization unit 1 is cleaned (see S56).
[0016]
In this state, the timer is activated (see S57), it is determined whether the predetermined time has passed (see T20), and the reflector and the protective tube are cleaned in the electrolysis state within that time. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the energization of the electrodes 20 and 20 is terminated (see S58), and the cleaning is terminated (see S59). Then, the flowing direction of the second three-way valve 13 is switched to the drain side (see S60), the electromagnetic valve 21 is opened (see S61), the circulation pump 30 is driven (see S62), and the heater 31 is turned on. Then, the bath water flows into the sterilization unit 1 and the electrolyzed liquid such as the cleaned alkaline water and acidic water is discharged. This is because the timer is activated to measure a predetermined time (see S64), and it is determined whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed, that is, whether or not the discharge has ended (see T21). 13 is switched to the bathtub side (see S65), and it is determined whether or not the cleaning operation is finished (see T14). If it is finished, ▲ 2 in the flowchart of the operation of the normal bath water circulation apparatus in FIG. Return to ▼.
[0017]
In the flowchart of the normal operation state of the bath water circulation device, as shown in FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not the bath water circulation device is driven (see T1). Is turned on (see S1), the circulation pump 30 is driven (see S2), the heater 31 is turned on (see S3), the sterilizing lamp 3 is turned on (see S4), and the bath water circulation device is driven. Let At that time, it is determined whether or not the protective tube 4 is to be cleaned (see T2), and if it is to be cleaned, the flowchart of the manual or automatic subroutine (1) is obtained. If it is determined not to be washed, it is driven as it is, and it is determined whether or not to stop the bath water circulation device (see T3). If it is stopped, it is terminated, and if it is not stopped, the bath water circulation device is turned on. Return to the front.
[0018]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the bath water is sterilized in the bath water circulating apparatus including the circulation pump 30 for circulating the bath water, the heater 31 for heating the bath water, and the purification filter 32 for cleaning the bath water. A sterilizing lamp 3 for protecting the sterilizing lamp 3 from the bath water, and a three-way valve 11 capable of switching the bath water from the circulation pump 30 side to the sterilizing unit 1 side or the electrolyzer C side. And a second three-way valve 13 for switching the flowing direction of the bath water after passing through the sterilizing lamp 3 to the bathtub side or the discharge side, and the electrolyzer C is an acid for cleaning the inside of the sterilizing unit 1 By using a bath water sterilizer that has a washing function in the bath water circulation device that generates water and can be added to the sterilization unit 1, first, cleaning of the protective tube 4 and the inner wall of the sterilization unit 1 is easy at any time. Can be second The effect of such possible prevention of damage to the protective tube 4 and the sterilizing lamp 3.
[0019]
As a specific effect, the troublesome process of bathing (workers, consumers) periodically stopping the apparatus, removing the sterilizing unit 1 and performing cleaning or cleaning work can be eliminated. The protective tube 4 and the inner wall of the sterilization unit 1 can be washed with the acidic water injected into the sterilization unit 1. For this reason, the damage accident of the protection tube 4 and the sterilizing lamp 3 during work, which has frequently occurred in the past, can be reliably prevented. Furthermore, in the present invention, since the sterilizing lamp 3 is not taken out and washed, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an accident due to poor contact of the adapter between the sterilizing lamp 3 and each control circuit or an attachment error. In addition, in the present invention, since it can be performed at any time, it is possible to easily perform every day, every week, etc. Also, if the cleaning cycle is short (daily or weekly), dirt is easily removed, and sterilization is always performed in an optimum state. Sterilization by the lamp 3 can be performed.
[0020]
In invention of Claim 2, it was set as the bath water sterilization apparatus provided with the washing | cleaning function in the bath water circulation apparatus provided with the rotary body 17 and the motor 19 for stirring the inside of the said sterilization unit 1 in Claim 1. Thus, the acidic water rotates while circulating in the sterilizing unit 1 and can cope with the acidic water.
[0021]
Next, in the invention of claim 3, in a bath water circulation apparatus comprising a circulation pump 30 for circulating bath water, a heater 31 for heating bath water, and a purification filter 32 for purifying bath water, A sterilizing lamp 3 for sterilizing, a protective tube 4 for protecting the sterilizing lamp 3 from bath water, a solenoid valve 21 for adjusting the flow rate of bath water from the circulation pump 30 side, and the sterilizing A second three-way valve 13 for switching the flowing direction of the bath water after passing through the lamp 3 to the bathtub side or the discharge side and an electrode for electrolysis for cleaning the inside of the sterilization unit 1 are provided in the sterilization unit 1. As a result, bubbles generated in the sterilization unit 1 exhibit a turbulent state in which the purified water is in a turbulent state, thereby extremely cleaning the protective tube 4 and the inner wall of the sterilization unit 1 in the sterilization unit 1. It can be suitably performed.
[0022]
Next, in the invention of claim 4, the electrode 20 for electrolysis for cleaning the inside of the sterilization unit 1 is provided in the sterilization unit 1, and an appropriate voltage is applied to the electrode 20, whereby the sterilization unit 1. Electrolysis action is performed in the inside, and acidic water for washing the sterilizing unit 1 can be generated in the sterilizing unit 1. Thereby, the sterilizing lamp 3 can be cleaned favorably by the electrolytic action.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a partial cross section of a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a whole bath water circulation apparatus showing the operation state of FIG. Flowchart of protection tube cleaning [FIG. 4] Flowchart of normal operation state of bath water circulation device [FIG. 5] Side view showing a partial cross section of the second embodiment of the present invention [FIG. 6] Protection by manual operation of FIG. FIG. 7A is a side view of a partial cross section of the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. Flow chart of protective tube cleaning by manual operation of Fig. 8 [Explanation of symbols]
3 ... sterilizing lamp 4 ... protective tube 8 ... electrolytic bath 11 ... three-way valve 13 ... second three-way valve 15 ... cleaning switch 16 ... cleaning measuring means 17 ... rotating body 19 ... motor 21 ... solenoid valve 30 ... circulation pump 31 ... heater 32 ... Purification filter

Claims (4)

In a bath water circulation device comprising a circulation pump for circulating bath water, a heater for heating bath water, and a purification filter for purifying bath water, a sterilization lamp for sterilizing bath water, A protection tube for protecting from the bath water, a switching valve capable of switching the bath water from the circulation pump side to the sterilization unit side or the electrolyzer side, and at least the bathtub side of the flowing direction of the bath water after passing through the sterilization lamp A second switching valve for switching between outflow to and shutoff closing the pipeline,
The electrolyzer generates acidic water for cleaning the inside of the sterilization unit and can be added to the sterilization unit.   The bath water sterilizer having a cleaning function in the bath water circulating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rotating body and a motor for stirring the inside of the sterilization unit.   In a bath water circulation device comprising a circulation pump for circulating bath water, a heater for heating bath water, and a purification filter for purifying bath water, a sterilization lamp for sterilizing bath water, A protective tube for protecting from the bath water, a switching valve for adjusting the flow rate of the bath water from the circulation pump side, and switching the flowing direction of the bath water after passing the sterilizing lamp to the bathtub side or the discharge side A bath water sterilization apparatus having a cleaning function in a bath water circulation apparatus, wherein a second switching valve for electrolysis and an electrode for electrolysis for cleaning the inside of the sterilization unit are provided in the sterilization unit.   In a bath water circulation device comprising a circulation pump for circulating bath water, a heater for heating bath water, and a purification filter for purifying bath water, a sterilization lamp for sterilizing bath water, A protection pipe for protecting from the bath water, a switching valve for blocking or controlling the inflow of the bath water from the circulation pump side, and the flowing direction of the bath water after passing the sterilizing lamp at least on the bathtub side A bath characterized by comprising a second switching valve for switching between the outflow to the outlet and the shutoff for closing the pipe, and an electrode for electrolysis for washing the inside of the sterilizing unit. A bath water sterilizer equipped with a washing function in a water circulation device.

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