JP4934646B2 - Hot water filling device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water filling apparatus.

  There is known a hot water filling device that automatically fills a bathtub. In a fully automatic hot water filling device equipped with a water level sensor that detects the water level in the bathtub, the amount of hot water is adjusted so that the water is filled in the bathtub at the final set water level by supplying water while watching the water level in the bathtub. Make adjustments. In many fully automatic hot water filling apparatuses, a water level sensor is provided in a circulation path for circulating hot water in a bathtub.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for filling a bathtub with a fully automatic hot water filling device. In this technique, when the water level of the bathtub is lower than the circulation fitting and the water level of the bathtub cannot be detected using the water level sensor, hot water is supplied to the bathtub little by little. And if the water level of a bathtub becomes higher than a circulation metal fitting and a water level sensor will be able to be utilized, the amount of hot water supplies will be adjusted, observing the water level of a bathtub. Thereby, even if remaining hot water is present in the bathtub, the hot water can be filled in the bathtub at the set water level.

JP-A-3-99159

  In a semi-automatic hot water filling apparatus that does not include a water level sensor that measures the water level of the bathtub, the hot water filling cannot be performed using the technique of Patent Document 1. In the technique of Patent Document 1, hot water is supplied while watching the water level of the bathtub with a water level sensor after the water level of the bathtub becomes higher than the circulating metal fittings, and the water level is used to adjust the final water level. A sensor is essential.

  Even if it is a semi-automatic hot water filling device, if there is no remaining hot water in the bathtub, hot water filling with the set water amount can be performed by supplying hot water of the same amount as the set water amount. However, when there is remaining hot water in the bathtub, it is difficult to fill the hot water with the set amount of water. In the conventional semi-automatic hot water filling device, it cannot be determined whether or not there is remaining hot water in the bathtub. In addition, even if it can be determined that there is remaining hot water in the bathtub, it is not possible to know how much remaining hot water is present and how much hot water is supplied to reach the set amount of water. . Therefore, when remaining hot water is present in the bathtub, it is difficult to perform hot water filling with an appropriate amount of water.

  The present invention solves the above problems. The present invention provides a technique capable of performing hot water filling with an appropriate amount of water without using a water level sensor for measuring the water level of a bathtub.

  The present invention is embodied as an apparatus for filling a bathtub. The hot water filling device is provided in a hot water supply means for supplying hot water to the bathtub, a circulation path in which one end communicates with the suction port of the bathtub and the other end communicates with the discharge outlet of the bathtub, and the circulation path. A circulation pump for sucking out hot water in the bathtub from the suction port and returning the sucked hot water from the discharge port into the bathtub, and a water flow detecting means for detecting the water flow through the circulation path are provided. The hot water filling device performs a first circulating water flow determination to determine whether or not the water flow detection means detects the water flow in a state where the circulation pump is driven when performing the hot water filling to the bathtub. When the water circulation is not detected in the first circulating water flow determination, the hot water filling device supplies an initial water amount that is smaller than the amount of water in the bathtub when the suction port is submerged (reference water amount) to the bathtub. After supplying the hot water to the bathtub, the second circulating water flow determination is performed to determine whether or not the water flow detecting means detects the water flow with the circulation pump driven. The hot water filling device supplies hot water to the bathtub by subtracting the initial water amount from the set water amount when no water flow is detected in the second circulating water flow determination. When the water flow is detected by the second circulating water flow determination, the hot water filling device supplies hot water to the bathtub by subtracting the initial water amount and the reference water amount from the set water amount.

  In the above hot water filling device, the first circulating water flow determination confirms that there is no hot water with a water amount exceeding the reference water amount in the bathtub at the time of starting the hot water filling, and then less than the reference water amount to the bathtub. Supply the initial amount of water. The hot water filling device performs the second circulating water flow determination after supplying the initial amount of hot water to the bathtub.

  If no water flow is detected in the second circulating water flow determination, hot water is further supplied to the bathtub with a water amount obtained by subtracting the initial water amount from the set water amount. The case where the water flow is not detected in the second circulation determination is a case where there is no remaining hot water in the bathtub or a slight remaining hot water is present at the time when the hot water filling is started. In this case, in the hot water filling device described above, after the second circulating water flow determination, the amount of water that becomes the set amount of water when added to the initial amount of water is further supplied to the bathtub. If there is no remaining hot water in the bathtub at the start of the hot water filling, the hot water filling is finally performed with the set amount of water. Moreover, when there is a little remaining hot water in the bathtub at the time of starting the hot water filling, the hot water filling is finally performed with a water amount slightly exceeding the set water amount. In this case, since it is a very small amount of water that exceeds the set amount of water, there is no problem in practical use. That is, in the above-described hot water filling device, when there is no remaining hot water in the bathtub at the start of hot water filling, or when there is a little remaining hot water, an appropriate determination is made by determining the circulating water flow twice. It is possible to quickly fill the bathtub with the amount of water.

  When a water flow is detected in the second circulating water flow determination, hot water is further supplied to the bathtub with a water amount obtained by subtracting the initial water amount and the reference water amount from the set water amount. The water flow is detected in the second circulating water flow determination when there is some remaining hot water in the bathtub at the start of hot water filling. Although this remaining hot water is smaller than the reference water amount, the amount of water exceeds the reference water amount when the initial water amount is added. In this case, when the hot water is further supplied to the bathtub with the amount of water obtained by subtracting the initial amount of water from the set amount of water, the hot water filling is finally performed with the amount of water greatly exceeding the set amount of water. Therefore, in the hot water filling device, when a water flow is detected by the second circulating water flow determination, hot water is supplied with a water amount obtained by subtracting the initial water amount and the reference water amount from the set water amount. Thereby, the hot water filling is finally performed with a water amount slightly below the set water amount. That is, in the above-mentioned hot water filling device, when there is some remaining hot water in the bathtub at the time of starting the hot water filling, the hot water filling to the bathtub is quickly performed with an appropriate amount of water by the determination of the circulating water flow twice. It can be carried out.

  The above hot water filling device further includes a heating means for heating the hot water flowing through the circulation path and a temperature measurement means for measuring the temperature of the hot water flowing through the circulation path, and when the water flow is detected by the first circulation water flow judgment In addition, the reheating water amount is estimated to obtain the estimated water amount of the bathtub from the temperature rise rate of the temperature measured by the temperature measuring means when the hot water is heated with the heating means while driving the circulation pump, and after the reheating water amount estimation It is preferable to supply hot water to the bathtub by subtracting the estimated amount of water from the set amount of water.

  In the hot water filling device, when a water flow is detected in the first circulating water flow determination, the amount of water in the bathtub is estimated by the amount of reheating water. When hot water is heated by the heating means while driving the circulation pump, the rate of temperature rise of the hot water flowing through the circulation path varies depending on the amount of water in the bathtub. When there is a lot of hot water in the bathtub, the rate of temperature rise of the hot water flowing through the circulation path is low. Conversely, when there is little hot water in the bathtub, the rate of temperature rise of hot water flowing through the circulation path is high. Therefore, the amount of water in the bathtub can be estimated from the temperature rise rate of the hot water flowing through the circulation path. In the hot water filling device described above, the estimated amount of water in the bathtub is obtained by estimating the amount of reheating water. And the amount of water which subtracted the estimated amount of water from the set amount of water further supplies hot water to the bathtub. Thereby, the hot water filling with the set amount of water can be performed finally. That is, in the above-described hot water filling device, when there is remaining hot water exceeding the reference water amount in the bathtub at the start of hot water filling, it is properly determined by one circulation water flow judgment and one hot water estimation. It is possible to quickly fill the bathtub with a large amount of water.

  In the hot water filling device described above, the water flow is detected by the second circulating water flow judgment, and after supplying the water amount obtained by subtracting the initial water amount and the reference water amount from the set water amount to the bathtub, hot water is supplied by the heating means while driving the circulation pump. Estimate the amount of reheating water to obtain the estimated amount of water in the bathtub from the temperature rise rate of the temperature measured by the temperature measuring means when heated, and after estimating the amount of reheating water, subtract the estimated amount of water from the set amount of water to the bathtub It is preferable to supply hot water.

  In the hot water filling device described above, the water flow is detected by the second circulating water flow judgment, and after the hot water is supplied to the bathtub by subtracting the initial water volume and the reference water volume from the set water volume, the estimated water volume in the bathtub is obtained by reheating water volume estimation. To do. And the amount of water which subtracted the estimated amount of water from the set amount of water further supplies hot water to the bathtub. Thereby, the hot water filling with the set amount of water can be performed finally. That is, in the above-described hot water filling device, when there is some remaining hot water in the bathtub at the start of hot water filling, an appropriate amount of water can be obtained by determining the circulating water flow twice and estimating the amount of reheating water once. Can quickly fill the bathtub.

  According to the present invention, hot water filling can be performed with an appropriate amount of water without using a water level sensor for measuring the water level of a bathtub.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.
(Mode 1) The hot water filling device is a semi-auto type that does not include a water level sensor for measuring the water level of a bathtub.
(Mode 2) The reference water amount and the initial water amount are set and stored in a trial operation after installing the hot water filling device.

  Hereinafter, a hot water filling apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water filling device 100 includes a hot water supply path 102 for supplying hot water to the hot water tap T, a circulation path 104 for circulating hot water in the bathtub B, and a hot water supply path 106 connecting the hot water supply path 102 and the circulation path 104. , A controller 150 and a remote controller 152 are provided. The hot water supply path 102 heats the tap water supplied from the water supply to a set temperature by the hot water supply burner 108 and supplies the hot water to the hot water tap T. The hot water supply path 102 bypasses the hot water supply flow rate sensor 110 that measures the flow rate of tap water supplied to the hot water supply path 102, the hot water supply thermistor 112 that measures the temperature of tap water supplied to the hot water supply path 102, and the hot water supply burner 108. A hot water supply flow rate adjusting valve 116 that adjusts the flow rate of hot water supplied from the hot water supply route 102, and a hot water supply thermistor 118 that measures the temperature of hot water supplied from the hot water supply route 102.

  The upstream end and the downstream end of the circulation path 104 are connected to a circulation fitting 120 provided near the bottom inside the bathtub B. The circulation fitting 120 includes a suction port 122 connected to the upstream end of the circulation path 104 and a discharge port 124 connected to the downstream end of the circulation path 104. The suction port 122 is provided at a position higher than the discharge port 124. The circulation path 104 includes a circulation pump 126 that circulates hot water in the circulation path 104, a water flow detection switch 128 that detects that hot water is flowing in the circulation path 104, and the temperature of hot water that flows into the circulation path 104 from the bathtub B. A circulation thermistor 130 for measuring and a circulation burner 132 for heating hot water flowing through the circulation path 104 are provided.

  The hot water filling path 106 extends from between the hot water tap T of the hot water supply path 102 and the hot water supply thermistor 118, and is connected between the circulation thermistor 130 of the circulation path 104 and the circulation pump 126. The hot water filling path 106 includes a hot water flow rate adjusting valve 134 that adjusts the flow rate of hot water flowing from the hot water supply path 102 to the circulation path 104, and a hot water flow rate sensor 136 that measures the flow rate of hot water flowing from the hot water supply path 102 to the circulation path 104. A negative pressure release valve 138 for releasing the pressure of the hot water filling passage 106 when the hot water supply passage 102 becomes negative pressure due to water breakage, a hot water on / off valve 140 for opening and closing the hot water filling passage 106, and the circulation route 104. A check valve 142 is provided to prevent backflow to the hot water supply path 102.

  The remote control 152 includes an input unit 154 and a display unit 156. A set temperature for hot water supply to the hot water tap T, a set temperature for hot water filling to the bathtub B, and a set water amount for hot water filling to the bathtub B are input to the input unit 154. The input unit 154 also includes a hot water start button for starting automatic hot water filling. Display unit 156 displays a set temperature for hot water supply to hot-water tap T, a set temperature for hot water filling to bathtub B, and a set amount of water for hot water filling to bathtub B. The display unit 156 displays a filling icon when automatic filling is started.

  The controller 150 is a general microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, and input / output. The controller 150 receives input signals from the water supply flow rate sensor 110, the water supply thermistor 112, the hot water supply thermistor 118, the water flow detection switch 128, the circulation thermistor 130, the hot water flow rate sensor 136, and the remote controller 152. The controller 150 controls operations of the hot water supply burner 108, the hot water supply flow rate adjustment valve 116, the circulation pump 126, the circulation burner 132, the hot water flow rate adjustment valve 134, the hot water on / off valve 140, and the remote controller 152.

  The controller 150 can accumulate the flow rate measured by the hot water flow rate sensor 136 to obtain an accumulated water amount of hot water supplied from the hot water supply route 102 to the bathtub B via the hot water supply route 106 and the circulation route 104. it can. The controller 150 can adjust the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub B by controlling the hot water flow rate adjusting valve 134 and the hot water on / off valve 140 according to the accumulated amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub B.

  In the hot water filling device 100 of the present embodiment, the amount of water in which the suction port 122 of the circulation fitting 120 of the bathtub B is submerged is stored as the reference water amount of the bathtub B. The reference water amount of the bathtub B is acquired in a trial operation after the hot water filling device 100 is installed in a house. During the trial operation, the hot water filling device 100 supplies a unit amount of water (for example, 5 liters) to the bathtub B, drives the circulation pump 126, and within a predetermined time after the circulation pump 126 is driven, the water flow detection switch 128 It is determined whether or not to detect. When the water flow detection switch 128 does not detect the water flow, the unit water amount is again supplied to the bathtub B, the circulation pump 126 is driven, and the water flow detection switch 128 supplies the water flow within a predetermined time after the circulation pump 126 is driven. It is determined whether or not to detect. This is repeated, and when the water flow is detected by the water flow detection switch 128, the accumulated amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub B so far is calculated as the amount of water in which the suction port 122 of the circulation fitting 120 of the bathtub B is submerged, that is, the reference Memorize as the amount of water.

  When the reference water amount of the bathtub B is acquired as described above, the controller 150 stores a water amount slightly smaller than the reference water amount (for example, a water amount that is 10 liters smaller than the reference water amount) as an initial water amount.

  With reference to FIG. 2, an operation in which the hot water filling device 100 of the present embodiment fills the bathtub B will be described. When the user presses the hot water filling start button of the input unit 154 of the remote controller 152, the controller 150 starts the automatic hot water filling operation of FIG.

  In step S202, the circulation pump 126 is driven, and it is determined whether or not the water flow detection switch 128 detects the water flow until a predetermined time has elapsed since the circulation pump 126 was driven. When the water flow detection switch 128 detects a water flow (when there is a water flow in step S202), it is determined that there is remaining hot water in the bathtub B that exceeds the reference water amount, and the process proceeds to step S204. When the water flow detection switch 128 does not detect a water flow (when there is no water flow in step S202), it is determined that there is no remaining hot water in the bathtub B or there is a remaining hot water with an amount less than the reference water amount. Then, the process proceeds to step S208.

  In step S204, the amount of reheating water is estimated. At the time when the process of step S204 is performed, the bathtub B has hot water with an amount of water exceeding the reference amount of water. In step S204, the circulation pump 126 is driven and heating by the circulation burner 132 is started. Thereby, the hot water in the bathtub B gradually increases in temperature while circulating in the circulation path 104. The temperature of hot water flowing through the circulation path 104 is acquired by the circulation thermistor 130. From the change over time of the detected temperature of the circulation thermistor 130, the temperature rise rate of the hot water flowing through the circulation path 104 can be calculated. If the heating capability of the circulation burner 132 is the same, the temperature increase rate of the hot water flowing through the circulation path 104 becomes lower as the amount of water in the bathtub B increases. Conversely, the smaller the amount of water in the bathtub B, the higher the temperature rise rate of the hot water flowing through the circulation path 104. Therefore, the amount of water in the bathtub B can be estimated from the heating capacity of the circulation burner 132 and the temperature rise rate of the hot water flowing through the circulation path 104. In this embodiment, the correspondence relationship between the heating capacity of the circulation burner 132, the temperature rise rate of the hot water flowing through the circulation path 104, and the amount of water in the bathtub B is acquired in advance during the trial operation, and the controller 150 displays the correspondence table. I remember it. The controller 150 can acquire the estimated amount of water in the bathtub B using the correspondence table from the heating capacity of the circulation burner 132 and the temperature rise rate of the hot water flowing through the circulation path 104.

  In step S206, the difference between the set amount of hot water set in remote controller 152 and the estimated amount of water acquired in step S204 is calculated, and the amount of water obtained by subtracting the estimated amount of water from the set amount of water is supplied to bathtub B. The controller 150 opens the hot water on / off valve 140, fully opens the hot water flow rate adjusting valve 134, and starts heating by the hot water supply burner 108. Thereby, the tap water supplied to the hot water supply path 102 is heated to the set temperature, and hot water is supplied to the bathtub B via the hot water filling path 106 and the circulation path 104. When the accumulated water amount obtained by integrating the flow rate detected by the hot water flow rate sensor 136 from the start of hot water supply becomes equal to the water amount obtained by subtracting the estimated water amount from the set water amount, the controller 150 closes the hot water on-off valve 140 and supplies hot water. The heating by the burner 108 is finished.

  FIG. 3A shows a state where hot water is filled in the bathtub B by the operation from step S202 to step S206. In this case, as shown in the state a1, the remaining amount of hot water exceeding the reference water amount exists in the bathtub B from the beginning. In step S204, the amount of water in the bathtub B is estimated, and in step S206, hot water is supplied so that the set amount of water is obtained. As a result, as shown in the state a2, the bathtub B can be filled with a set amount of water.

  In step S208, hot water of the initial amount is supplied to bathtub B. The controller 150 opens the hot water on / off valve 140, fully opens the hot water flow rate adjusting valve 134, and starts heating by the hot water supply burner 108. Thus, hot water is supplied to the bathtub B. When the accumulated amount of hot water supplied to bathtub B reaches the initial amount of water, controller 150 closes hot water on / off valve 140 and stops heating by hot water supply burner 108.

  In step S210, the circulation pump 126 is driven, and it is determined whether or not the water flow detection switch 128 detects the water flow until a predetermined time has elapsed since the circulation pump 126 was driven. When the water flow detection switch 128 does not detect the water flow (when there is no water flow in step S210), it is determined that the water amount in the bathtub B is smaller than the reference water amount, and the process proceeds to step S212. When the water flow detection switch 128 detects a water flow (when there is a water flow in step S210), it is determined that the water amount in the bathtub B has exceeded the reference water amount, and the process proceeds to step S214.

  In step S212, the difference between the set amount of hot water set in remote controller 152 and the initial amount of hot water supplied in step S208 is calculated, and the amount of water obtained by subtracting the initial amount of water from the set amount of water is supplied to bathtub B. The controller 150 opens the hot water on / off valve 140, fully opens the hot water flow rate adjusting valve 134, and starts heating by the hot water supply burner 108. Thus, hot water is supplied to the bathtub B. When the accumulated amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub B becomes equal to the amount of water obtained by subtracting the initial amount of water from the set amount of water, the controller 150 closes the hot water on / off valve 140 and ends the heating by the hot water supply burner 108.

  The process of step S212 is performed when hot water filling is started, either there is no remaining hot water in the bathtub B or a slight remaining hot water exists, and even if the initial amount of hot water is supplied in step S208, This is the case when the reference water volume has not been reached. If there is no remaining hot water in the bathtub B at the time of starting the hot water filling, the hot water filling with the set amount of water is performed by the hot water supply in step S212. In addition, when there is a little remaining hot water in the bathtub B at the time of starting the hot water filling, the hot water filling is performed with the amount of water slightly exceeding the set water amount by the hot water supply in step S212. In this case, since it is a very small amount of water that exceeds the set amount of water, there is no problem in practical use.

  FIG. 3B shows a state where hot water is filled in the bathtub B by the operation from step S202 to step S212. In this case, as shown in the state b1, when the hot water filling is started, there is no remaining hot water or very little remaining hot water in the bathtub B. Even after the initial amount of hot water is supplied in step S208, the reference amount of water has not been reached as shown in state b2. When the amount of water obtained by subtracting the initial amount of water from the set amount of water in step S212 is supplied with hot water, as shown in state b3, the bath B is filled with the amount of water that is the same as the set amount of water or slightly exceeding the set amount of water.

  In step S214, hot water is supplied to the tub B by subtracting the initial water amount and the reference water amount from the set amount of hot water set in the remote controller 152. The controller 150 opens the hot water on / off valve 140, fully opens the hot water flow rate adjusting valve 134, and starts heating by the hot water supply burner 108. Thus, hot water is supplied to the bathtub B. When the accumulated amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub B becomes equal to the amount of water obtained by subtracting the initial water amount and the reference water amount from the set water amount, the controller 150 closes the hot water on / off valve 140 and ends the heating by the hot water supply burner 108. .

  The process of step S214 is performed at the time when hot water filling is started, because there is some remaining hot water in the bathtub B, which is initially smaller than the reference water amount, but the initial water amount is supplied in step S208. This is the case when it exceeds the reference water volume. In this case, if the amount of water obtained by subtracting the initial amount of water from the set amount of water is supplied to the bathtub as in step S212, the set amount of water may be greatly exceeded in the end. Therefore, in such a case, the hot water filling device 100 supplies hot water to the bathtub by subtracting the initial water amount and the reference water amount from the set water amount. Thereby, hot water filling is performed in the bathtub B with the amount of water slightly lower than the set amount of water.

  In step S216, the amount of reheating water is estimated. In step S216, the circulation pump 126 is driven and heating by the circulation burner 132 is started. Thereby, the hot water in the bathtub B gradually increases in temperature while circulating in the circulation path 104. From the change over time of the detected temperature of the circulation thermistor 130, the temperature rise rate of the hot water flowing through the circulation path 104 can be calculated. The controller 150 can acquire the estimated amount of water in the bathtub B using the correspondence table from the heating capacity of the circulation burner 132 and the temperature rise rate of the hot water flowing through the circulation path 104.

  In step S218, the difference between the set water amount of hot water set in the remote controller 152 and the estimated water amount acquired in step S216 is calculated, and the water amount obtained by subtracting the estimated water amount from the set water amount is supplied to the bathtub B. The controller 150 opens the hot water on / off valve 140, fully opens the hot water flow rate adjusting valve 134, and starts heating by the hot water supply burner 108. Thus, hot water is supplied to the bathtub B. When the accumulated amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub B becomes equal to the amount of water obtained by subtracting the estimated amount of water from the set amount of water, the controller 150 closes the hot water on / off valve 140 and ends the heating by the hot water supply burner 108.

  FIG. 3C shows a state where hot water is filled in the bathtub B by the operation from step S202 to step S218. In this case, as shown in the state c1, there is some remaining hot water in the bathtub B when the hot water filling is started. This remaining hot water is smaller than the reference water amount, but after the initial water amount is supplied in step S208, it exceeds the reference water amount as shown in state c2. When the amount of water obtained by subtracting the initial amount of water and the reference amount of water from the set amount of water in step S214 is supplied with hot water, as shown in state c3, the hot water is filled to a water amount slightly below the set amount of water. Then, the amount of water in the bathtub B is estimated in step S216, and hot water is supplied so that the set amount of water is obtained in step S218. As a result, as shown in the state c4, the bathtub B can be filled with the set amount of water.

  According to the hot water filling device 100 of the present embodiment, when there is no remaining hot water in the bathtub B at the time when hot water filling is started or there is a slight remaining hot water, the circulating water flow determination is performed twice. The bath B can be quickly filled with an appropriate amount of water.

  According to the hot water filling device 100 of the present embodiment, when there is some remaining hot water less than the reference water amount in the bathtub B at the time of starting the hot water filling, the circulating water flow determination and the 1 By estimating the amount of reheating water, it is possible to quickly fill the bathtub B with an appropriate amount of water.

  According to the hot water filling device 100 of the present embodiment, when there is remaining hot water exceeding the reference water amount in the bathtub B at the time of starting the hot water filling, the circulating water flow is judged once and the amount of reheated water is taken once. By the estimation, it is possible to quickly fill the bathtub B with an appropriate amount of water.

  As described above, according to the hot water filling device 100 of the present embodiment, hot water filling can be performed with an appropriate amount of water without using a water level sensor for measuring the water level of the bathtub B. According to the hot water filling device 100 of the present embodiment, hot water filling can be performed with a set water amount or a water amount close to the set water amount, regardless of the amount of remaining hot water in the bathtub B.

  In the above embodiment, the method of heating tap water by the hot water supply burner 108 and supplying hot water to the bathtub B has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this method. For example, the present invention can be similarly applied to a system in which hot water stored in a hot water storage tank is supplied to the bathtub B.

Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above.
The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Moreover, the technique illustrated in this specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical usefulness by achieving one of the objects.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a hot water filling device 100. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the hot water filling device 100. FIG. 3 is a view showing a state of filling the bathtub B with hot water.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Hot water filling apparatus 102 Hot water supply path 104 Circulation path 106 Hot water filling path 108 Hot water supply burner 110 Water supply flow rate sensor 112 Water supply thermistor 114 Bypass path 116 Hot water supply flow rate adjustment valve 118 Hot water supply thermistor 120 Circulation fitting 122 Suction port 124 Discharge port 126 Circulation pump 128 Water flow detection Switch 130 Circulation thermistor 132 Circulation burner 134 Filling flow rate adjustment valve 136 Filling flow rate sensor 138 Negative pressure release valve 140 Filling on-off valve 142 Check valve 150 Controller 152 Remote control unit 154 Input unit 156 Display unit

Claims (3)

An apparatus for filling a bathtub with hot water,
Hot water supply means for supplying hot water to the bathtub,
A circulation path with one end communicating with the suction port of the bathtub and the other end communicating with the discharge port of the bathtub;
A circulation pump that is provided in the circulation path, sucks out hot water in the bathtub from the suction port, and returns the sucked hot water from the discharge port to the bathtub;
Equipped with water flow detection means to detect the water flow through the circulation path,
When filling the bathtub,
A first circulating water flow determination is performed to determine whether or not the water flow detection means detects a water flow with the circulation pump driven,
When the water flow is not detected in the first circulating water flow determination,
Hot water is supplied to the tub with an initial amount of water that is less than the amount of water in the tub when the inlet is submerged (reference water amount),
After supplying the initial amount of water to the bathtub, a second circulating water flow determination is performed to determine whether or not the water flow detecting means detects the water flow in a state where the circulation pump is driven,
When water flow is not detected in the second circulating water flow determination, hot water is supplied to the bathtub by subtracting the initial water volume from the set water volume.
A hot water filling device for supplying hot water to a bathtub by subtracting an initial water amount and a reference water amount from a set water amount when a water flow is detected by the second circulating water flow determination. Heating means for heating hot water flowing through the circulation path;
It further includes a temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of hot water flowing through the circulation path,
When a water flow is detected in the first circulating water flow determination,
The reheating water amount is estimated to obtain the estimated water amount of the bathtub from the temperature rise rate of the temperature measured by the temperature measuring means when the hot water is heated by the heating means while driving the circulation pump,
The hot water filling device according to claim 1, wherein after the reheating water amount is estimated, the water amount obtained by subtracting the estimated water amount from the set water amount is supplied to the bathtub. After detecting the water flow in the second circulating water flow determination and supplying the hot water to the bathtub by subtracting the initial water amount and the reference water amount from the set water amount,
The reheating water amount is estimated to obtain the estimated water amount of the bathtub from the temperature rise rate of the temperature measured by the temperature measuring means when the hot water is heated by the heating means while driving the circulation pump,
The hot water filling device according to claim 2, wherein after the reheating water amount is estimated, the water amount obtained by subtracting the estimated water amount from the set water amount is supplied to the bathtub.

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