JP4770439B2 - Jet bath equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a jet bath apparatus capable of detecting the level of hot water in a bathtub.

  Conventionally, a suction port and an injection port provided in a bathtub are connected to each other through a circulation path, and hot water in the bathtub is sucked into the circulation path from the suction port in the middle of the circulation path and the sucked hot water is injected from the ejection port into the bathtub. 2. Description of the Related Art A jet bath apparatus provided with a pump for performing such a process is known.

  Various types of additional functions may be added to this type of jet bath apparatus, and a water level sensor that detects the level of hot water in the bathtub may be provided in order to control these various functions.

  For example, Patent Document 1 includes a cardiac function sensor that measures a cardiac function such as a heart rate of a bather. A water level sensor provided separately in a bathtub examines a bather's thorax movement, and thus a respiratory cycle. Based on this, the detection result obtained by the cardiac function sensor is corrected.

However, when a water level sensor is newly provided in the jet bath apparatus as described above, there arises a problem that the cost increases.
JP 7-31654 A

  This invention is invented in view of the said conventional problem, Comprising: It aims at providing the jet bath apparatus which can detect the water level of the hot water in a bathtub at low cost.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the jet bath device according to the present invention connects the suction port 2 and the injection port 3 provided in the bathtub 1 through the circulation path 4 and sucks hot water in the bathtub 1 in the middle of the circulation path 4. A pump 5 is provided for injecting hot water from the inlet 2 into the circulation path 4 and injecting the sucked hot water into the bathtub 1 from the injection outlet 3. The auxiliary suction port 7 communicating with the upstream side of the pump 5 is formed, and both the suction port 2 and the auxiliary suction port 7 are operated during the operation of the pump 5 when the water level in the bathtub 1 is higher than the auxiliary suction port 7. The hot water in the bathtub 1 is sucked from the hot water passing through the pump 5 when the pump 5 is in operation when the water level in the bathtub 1 is lower than the auxiliary suction port 7 and higher than the suction port 2. The air sucked from the sub suction port 7 is entrained and the pump 5 The air look state detecting means for detecting that the state provided, as the air is observed state detection means, and pump speed detecting means for detecting the number of revolutions per unit of pump 5 times, the pump speed detecting Control means for determining that the pump 5 is in the air-spilling state when the number of rotations per unit time of the pump 5 detected by the means exceeds a predetermined value is provided .

By having the said structure , based on the rotation speed per unit time of the pump 5, an air stagnation state can be detected. When the air stagnation state detection means detects the air stagnation state, it can be determined that the hot water level in the bathtub 1 is at a level equal to or lower than the auxiliary suction port 7, and the air stagnation state detection means detects air stagnation. When not detected, it can be determined that the hot water level in the bathtub 1 is higher than the sub-inlet 7. Therefore, the water level of the bathtub 1 of the jet bath apparatus can be detected without providing a separate water level sensor, and the cost can be reduced. Further, when detecting a decrease in the water level of the hot water in the bathtub 1, a mixture of the air sucked from the auxiliary suction port 7 and the hot water in the bathtub 1 sucked from the suction port 2 flows. In this case, it is possible to prevent an idle operation in which only air flows through the pump 5, and safety is also good.
Moreover, the other jet bath apparatus which concerns on this invention connects the suction inlet 2 and the injection port 3 which were provided in the bathtub 1 by the circulation path 4, and connects the hot water in the bathtub 1 from the suction opening 2 in the middle of the circulation path 4. A pump 5 is provided for sucking into the circulation path 4 and jetting the sucked hot water into the bathtub 1 from the injection port 3, and the pump 5 is connected to a location located above the suction port on the side wall of the bathtub 1 via the connection path 6. The auxiliary suction port 7 communicating with the upstream side is formed, and when the pump 5 is operated when the hot water level in the bathtub 1 is higher than that of the auxiliary suction port 7, both the suction port 2 and the auxiliary suction port 7 enter the interior of the bathtub 1. In the operation of the pump 5 when the water level in the bathtub 1 is lower than the sub-suction port 7 and higher than the suction port 2, the sub-suction port 7 is added to the hot water passing through the pump 5. The air that was sucked in from the air was entrained and the pump 5 The air leakage state detecting means for detecting the air current is provided, and as the air leakage state detecting means, the pump current value detecting means for detecting the current value flowing in the pump 5 and the pump 5 detected by the pump current value detecting means flows. Control means is provided for determining that the pump 5 is in the air stagnation state when the current value becomes less than a predetermined value .
By having the above configuration, it is possible to detect a state of air leakage based on the value of the current flowing through the pump 5. When the air stagnation state detection means detects the air stagnation state, it can be determined that the hot water level in the bathtub 1 is at a level equal to or lower than the auxiliary suction port 7, and the air stagnation state detection means detects air stagnation. When not detected, it can be determined that the hot water level in the bathtub 1 is higher than the sub-inlet 7. Therefore, the water level of the bathtub 1 of the jet bath apparatus can be detected without providing a separate water level sensor, and the cost can be reduced. Further, when detecting a decrease in the water level of the hot water in the bathtub 1, a mixture of the air sucked from the auxiliary suction port 7 and the hot water in the bathtub 1 sucked from the suction port 2 flows. In this case, it is possible to prevent an idle operation in which only air flows through the pump 5, and safety is also good.

  It is also preferable to provide a control unit 10 that stops the operation of the pump 5 when the air stagnating state detecting means detects the air stagnating state of the pump 5.

  When the water level of the hot water in the bathtub 1 is lower than the auxiliary suction port 7, it is possible to detect the air trapped state of the pump 5 and stop the operation of the pump 5. It is possible to prevent the hot water from being sprayed from 3 on the face of the bather.

  In this invention, the water level of the bathtub of a jet bath apparatus can be detected without providing a separate water level sensor, and cost can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

  The bathtub 1 of the jet bath apparatus of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a suction port 2 through which hot water in the bathtub 1 is sucked and an injection port 3 for injecting hot water into the bathtub 1. The suction port 2 and the injection port 3 are provided at substantially the same level below the different side walls of the bathtub 1, and precisely, the upper end of the injection port 3 is located slightly below the upper end of the suction port 2.

  Here, the injection port 3 is opened obliquely upward so that hot water can be applied to the body part of the bather from below. The injection port 3 may be a fixed opening that opens only obliquely upward, or the opening direction is changed within a range from diagonally upward to horizontal or diagonally downward in order to enhance the massage effect. It may be possible.

  One end and the other end of a circulation path 4 disposed outside the bathtub 1 are connected to the suction port 2 and the ejection port 3, respectively, so that the suction port 2 and the ejection port 3 communicate with each other via the circulation path 4. is doing.

  A pump 5 is provided in the middle of the circulation path 4. The pump 5 is provided with a direct current motor or the like as a drive source and is driven to rotate. By operating the pump 5, the hot water in the bathtub 1 is sucked into the circulation path 4 from the suction port 2 and the hot water sucked in is sucked. It can be injected into the bathtub 1 from the injection port 3, so that the bather can apply the hot water that has been jetted from the injection port 3 to the body to obtain a massage effect.

  By the way, since the injection port 3 opens obliquely upward, when the pump 5 is operated when the water level in the bathtub 1 is lowered to the vicinity of the injection port 3, the hot water injected from the injection port 3 There is a risk that it will erupt over the water surface and hit the bather's face.

  Therefore, in the jet bath apparatus of the present embodiment, when the water level detecting means for detecting the level of hot water in the bathtub 1 and the level of the hot water in the bathtub 1 detected by the water level detecting means are lower than a predetermined position. A control means for stopping the pump 5 is provided in the above, and a specific configuration will be described below.

  A sub-suction port 7 communicating with the upstream side of the pump 5 through a connecting path 6 is provided at an upper portion of the side wall of the bathtub 1 where the suction port 2 is provided. In the illustrated example, one end of the connecting path 6 is connected to the sub suction port 7, and the other end is connected to the upstream side of the pump 5 of the circulation path 4. Accordingly, when the pump 5 is operated when the hot water level in the bathtub 1 is higher than the auxiliary suction port 7 as shown in FIG. 1, the hot water in the bathtub 1 circulates from both the inlet 2 and the auxiliary suction port 7. The hot water is sucked into the passage 4 and is injected into the bathtub 1 from the injection port 3 through the pump 5. In addition, when the pump 5 is operated when the water level in the bathtub 1 is lower than the auxiliary inlet 7 and higher than the inlet 2 as shown in FIG. 2, the hot water in the bathtub 1 is discharged from the inlet 2. At the same time, the hot water in the bathtub 1 containing air or air is sucked in from the auxiliary suction port 7, and the hot water containing the air sucked in from the auxiliary suction port 7 passes through the pump 5, and then enters the bathtub 1 from the injection port 3. Is injected into.

  A detection circuit 8 is connected to the pump 5. The detection circuit 8 is sucked into the hot water passing through the pump 5 from the sub suction port 7 during operation of the pump 5 when the water level in the bathtub 1 is lower than the sub suction port 7 and higher than the suction port 2. This constitutes air stagnation state detecting means for detecting that the pump 5 is in the air stagnation state due to the entrained air, and the detection circuit 8 changes the water level of the hot water in the bathtub 1 to the sub suction port 7. It is possible to detect whether or not the position is higher than that. That is, in the present embodiment, the water level detection means is constituted by the detection circuit 8 constituting the air stagnation state detection means and the auxiliary suction port 7 connected to the upstream side of the pump 5 through the connecting path 6.

  FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the detection circuit 8 connected to the pump 5. A control unit 10 composed of a CPU connected to a power source 9 is connected to a pump 5 via a voltage conversion unit 11 composed of a PAM control circuit and an ON / OFF switch unit 12 composed of an FET. The DC voltage applied to the motor can be changed in the range of 19.5V to 50V. The switch unit 12 is connected to the control unit 10, and the control unit 10 switches the switch unit 12 so that the operation of the pump 5 can be switched ON / OFF. The input side of the control unit 10 is connected to the pump 5 via a rotation speed detection circuit 13 (pump rotation speed detection means) and a current detection circuit 14 (pump current value detection means) arranged in parallel. Here, the rotational speed detection circuit 13 detects the rotational speed per unit time of the pump 5 (the rotational speed per unit time of the motor output shaft or the like), and the current detection circuit 14 flows to the motor of the pump 5. The current value is detected.

  The controller 10 constantly detects the rotation speed per unit time of the pump 5 and the current value flowing through the pump 5 during operation of the pump 5, and detects the unit time of the pump 5 during operation of the pump 5 detected through the rotation speed detection circuit 13. The number of rotations per unit is greater than a predetermined value set for each voltage applied to the pump 5, and the current value flowing through the pump 5 during operation of the pump 5 detected through the current detection circuit 14 is increased for each voltage applied to the pump 5. When it falls below the set predetermined value, it is determined that the air sucked from the auxiliary suction port 7 is caught in the hot water passing through the pump 5 and the pump 5 is in a state where air is trapped. In other cases, it is determined that the pump 5 is determined not to be in the air-filled state, and control for continuing the operation of the pump 5 is performed.

  Here, in detecting the number of rotations of the pump 5 per unit time, the control unit 10 samples a voltage of a pulse that changes in accordance with the rotation of the pump 5 every predetermined time t1, as shown by an arrow in FIG. When the L level is continuously detected a predetermined number of times a (the predetermined number is a plurality of times) or more, the number of pulses (= the number of rotations) is counted as 1. Then, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the number of pulses detected within the predetermined time t2 is larger than the predetermined number of times b. If it is determined that the pump 5 is in a stagnant state, and if it is not large, it is determined that the pump 5 is not in a stagnant state by looking at the rotational speed per unit time of the pump 5. That is, the controller 10 determines in advance the number of rotations per unit time of the pump 5 when the pump 5 is operated when the level of the hot water in the bathtub 1 is lower than the auxiliary suction port 7 and higher than the suction port 2. It is set as a predetermined rotational speed (that is, the predetermined number of times b). By comparing this predetermined rotational speed with the rotational speed per unit time of the pump 5 which is a detected value, the rotational speed per unit time of the pump 5 can be seen. Thus, it is determined whether or not the pump 5 is in a state of air.

  In this embodiment, t1 = 100 μs, a = 2, t2 = 500 ms, b = 500, that is, the pulse voltage is sampled every 100 μs, and the number of pulses is 1 when the L level is detected twice or more continuously. When the number of pulses detected in 500 ms exceeds 500, it is determined that the pump 5 is in a state of air leakage by looking at the number of rotations per unit time of the pump 5.

  Further, in detecting the current value flowing through the pump 5, the control unit 10 samples the current value flowing through the pump 5 every predetermined time t3, performs the sampling c times (the number of times of sampling is a plurality of times), Among the current values acquired c times, an average value of f (that is, f = c− (d + e)) excluding the highest d (one or more) and the lowest e (one or more) is used for determination. It is determined whether or not the current value for determination is less than a predetermined current value. If the current value is smaller than the predetermined current value, it is determined that the pump 5 is in a state of air leakage when viewed from the current value flowing through the pump 5. If it is not less than that, it is determined that the pump 5 is not in a state of air seeing from the current value of the pump 5. That is, in the control unit 10, the current value flowing through the pump 5 when the pump 5 is operated when the hot water level in the bathtub 1 is higher than the auxiliary suction port 7 is set in advance as the predetermined current value. By comparing the current value and the current value flowing through the pump 5 that is the detected value, it is determined whether or not the pump 5 is in a state of air leakage by looking at the current value flowing through the pump 5. The current value for determination is updated every predetermined time as needed.

  In this embodiment, t3 = 20 ms, c = 10, d = e = 2, and f = 6. That is, the current value flowing through the pump 5 is sampled every predetermined time 20 ms, and the sampling is performed 10 times. Among the current values that have been taken in, the average value of the six values excluding the upper and lower two is used as a current value for determination. When the current value for determination is less than a predetermined current value, Is determined to be in a state of air stagnation.

  In the jet bath apparatus having the above-described configuration, when detecting the level of hot water in the bathtub 1, the upstream side of the pump 5 is connected to a location located above the suction port 2 on the side wall of the bathtub 1 via the connection path 6. The auxiliary suction port 7 communicating with the side is formed, and the hot water passing through the pump 5 is operated during the operation of the pump 5 when the water level in the bathtub 1 is lower than the auxiliary suction port 7 and higher than the suction port 2. Since air suction state detecting means for detecting that the air sucked from the sub suction port 7 is entrained and the pump 5 is in the air state is provided, the air state is detected by the air state detection means. When the water level is detected, it can be determined that the level of hot water in the bathtub 1 is at a level below the auxiliary suction port 7. Can be determined to be higher than . Therefore, the water level in the bathtub 1 of the jet bath apparatus can be detected without providing a separate water level sensor. Further, when detecting a decrease in the level of hot water in the bathtub 1, not only air flows through the pump 5, but the inside of the bathtub 1 in which the air sucked from the sub suction port 7 is sucked from the suction port 2. What is mixed with hot and cold water flows, and in this case, it is possible to prevent idle operation in which only air flows through the pump 5, and safety is also good. Further, in this case, since the height position of the auxiliary suction port 7 is a reference for determining the level of the hot water in the bathtub 1, it is only necessary to change the height position of the auxiliary suction port 7 provided in the bathtub 1. The criteria for judging the water level can be changed.

  Moreover, since the operation of the pump 5 is stopped when the air leakage state of the pump 5 is detected as described above (when the water level of the hot water in the bathtub 1 becomes equal to or less than the auxiliary suction port 7), the operation in the bathtub 1 is stopped. It is possible to prevent hot water from being jetted toward the bather's face from the jet port 3 facing upward when the water level is equal to or lower than the auxiliary suction port 7.

  In the present embodiment, the controller 10 causes the pump 5 rotation speed per unit time detected by the pump rotation speed detection means to exceed a predetermined value, and the current flowing through the pump 5 detected by the pump current value detection means. When the value becomes less than the predetermined value, it is determined that the pump 5 is in a state of air stagnation, so that the state of air stagnation of the pump 5 can be reliably detected, and the water level in the bathtub 1 can be detected accurately.

  In this embodiment, the rotational speed per unit time of the pump 5 detected by the pump rotational speed detecting means is greater than a predetermined value, and the current value flowing through the pump 5 detected by the pump current value detecting means is less than the predetermined value. It is determined that the pump 5 is in an air-filled state only when it becomes, but the pump current value detection means is not provided, and the rotation speed per unit time detected by the pump rotation speed detection means is a predetermined value. The pump 5 may be determined to be in an air-filled state when the flow rate exceeds the predetermined value, and the current value flowing through the pump 5 detected by the pump current value detection unit without the pump rotation number detection unit is predetermined. When it becomes less than the value, it may be determined that the pump 5 is in a state of air. Further, as in the present embodiment, the pump current value detection means and the pump rotation speed detection means are provided, the rotation speed per unit time of the pump 5 detected by the pump rotation speed detection means is greater than a predetermined value, and the pump current value Only when the value of the current flowing through the pump 5 detected by the detection means becomes less than a predetermined value, it is determined that the pump 5 is in an air-filled state, or the pump rotational speed detection means regardless of the value of the current flowing through the pump 5 When the rotational speed per unit time of the pump 5 detected by the above is greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that the pump 5 is in the air-filled state, or the pump 5 regardless of the rotational speed per unit time of the pump. When the value of the current flowing through the pump 5 detected by the current value detection means becomes less than a predetermined value, it can be determined that the pump 5 is in an air-filled state, and three types of determination conditions can be switched. Or it may be so.

It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of embodiment of this invention and shows the state which the water level of the hot water in a bathtub exists in normal height. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which the water level of the hot water in a bathtub same as the above fell. It is a block diagram of a detection circuit same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which shows the detection method of the pulse number same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bathtub 2 Suction port 3 Injection port 4 Circulation path 5 Pump 6 Connection path 7 Sub suction port

Claims (3)

A pump that connects the suction port and the injection port provided in the bathtub with a circulation path, sucks hot water in the bathtub into the circulation path from the suction port in the middle of the circulation path, and injects the sucked hot water into the bathtub from the injection port Provide a sub-suction port that communicates with the upstream side of the pump via a connection path at a location located above the suction port on the side wall of the bathtub, and the water level in the bathtub is higher than that of the sub-suction port. During the operation of the pump, the hot water in the bathtub is sucked from both the suction port and the sub suction port, and when the water level in the bathtub is lower than the sub suction port and higher than the suction port, Air scooping state detection means for detecting that the air sucked from the sub suction port is caught in hot water passing through the pump and the pump is in a state of air scuffing is provided . Pump rotation per unit time And a control for determining that the pump is in the air-congested state when the number of revolutions per unit time of the pump detected by the pump revolution number detecting means exceeds a predetermined value. whirlpool apparatus being characterized in that a means. A pump that connects the suction port and the injection port provided in the bathtub with a circulation path, sucks hot water in the bathtub into the circulation path from the suction port in the middle of the circulation path, and injects the sucked hot water into the bathtub from the injection port Provide a sub-suction port that communicates with the upstream side of the pump via a connection path at a location located above the suction port on the side wall of the bathtub, and the water level in the bathtub is higher than that of the sub-suction port. During the operation of the pump, the hot water in the bathtub is sucked from both the suction port and the sub suction port, and when the water level in the bathtub is lower than the sub suction port and higher than the suction port, Air scooping state detection means for detecting that the air sucked from the sub suction port is caught in hot water passing through the pump and the pump is in a state of air scuffing is provided . Detects the current flowing through the pump A pump current value detection means and a control means for determining that the pump is in the air stagnation state when a current value flowing through the pump detected by the pump current value detection means is less than a predetermined value are provided. Jet bath equipment. 3. The jet bath apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that stops the operation of the pump when the air leakage state detecting means detects the air leakage state of the pump.

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