JP5772053B2 - Bathtub cleaning equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a bathtub cleaning apparatus for automatically cleaning dust or hot water attached to an inner wall surface by spraying cleaning water on the inner wall surface of the bathtub, in particular, automatically determining an actual bathing situation, The present invention relates to a technique capable of performing cleaning after automatically adjusting to a cleaning ability according to bathing conditions.

  Conventionally, as a bathtub cleaning device, a cleaning nozzle is installed in the bathtub, and the cleaning water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub by supplying cleaning water to the cleaning nozzle. What cleans an inner wall surface automatically is known. In such a bath cleaning apparatus, for example, in Patent Document 1, the number of baths is counted by detecting the water level fluctuation in the bathtub using a water level sensor, and if the counted number of baths is greater than the set number of times, the standard is exceeded. It has been proposed to execute either one or both of increasing the amount of detergent and / or increasing the spray time of washing water containing the detergent. Further, in Patent Document 2, a contamination level detection sensor is attached to the water line position of the bathtub, and the detergent amount, the temperature of the cleaning water, and the cleaning time are obtained by calculation based on the contamination level detected by the contamination level detection sensor. Has been proposed. In addition, as a contamination level detection sensor, a transparent cover is interposed between the light emitting element and the light receiving element, the same contamination as the inner wall of the bathtub is attached to the transparent cover, and the contamination level is detected based on the amount of light that passes through the contamination. The point to do is disclosed. Furthermore, in patent document 3, in the washing mode with a high washing | cleaning capability in proportion to the increase in the usage frequency of the jet function by a user, targeting the bathtub provided with the jet function in which the hot water mixed with air was injected in the bathtub. It has been proposed to clean the bathtub inner wall.

JP-A-4-164432 JP-A-5-146394 JP-A-11-206603

  By the way, it is thought that the stain | pollution | contamination condition adhering to a bathtub by bathing changes with the conditions of bathing use greatly. For this reason, in the bathtub cleaning device, in addition to the standard course set normally, cleaning courses with different cleaning capabilities such as “strong and saving” are added, and a cleaning course other than the standard course can be selected and set by the user. Has been.

  However, on the user's side, there is a case where it is difficult to understand the correspondence between the degree of contamination and the corresponding cleaning course. In addition, there are various and various bathing patterns, and an appropriate cleaning course is selected each time. Thus, changing and setting is considered troublesome. For this reason, even if a plurality of different cleaning courses are added as functions to the bathtub cleaning device, it is considered that the situation is not sufficient for the convenience of the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to automatically determine the actual bathing situation and to optimize the result based on the determination result in order to improve user convenience. Another object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub cleaning apparatus that can perform cleaning in a bathtub after changing to a proper cleaning capability.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a water level for detecting a water level in the bathtub for a bathtub cleaning device for cleaning by spraying cleaning water from the cleaning nozzle toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub. And a bathing status determination processing unit that integrates a time during which a water level fluctuation of a set amount or more continues during bathing as a parameter for determining an actual bathing status based on a water level detection value detected by the water level detection unit. When the accumulated water level fluctuation duration value is equal to or greater than a set time value, cleaning capacity setting means for changing to a higher cleaning capacity, and cleaning water from the cleaning nozzle by the cleaning capacity after the change setting And a cleaning control means for injecting water (claim 1 ).

Furthermore, in 2nd invention, the water level detection means which detects the water level in the said bathtub for the bathtub washing | cleaning apparatus wash | cleaned by injecting washing water from the washing nozzle toward the inner wall surface of a bathtub, and the said water level Bathing that detects the level of water level fluctuation during bathing as a parameter for determining the actual bathing status based on the water level detection value detected by the detection means, while integrating the time during which the water level fluctuation continues over the set amount during bathing When the situation determination processing means and the water level fluctuation degree value are equal to or greater than a set value, and the accumulated water level fluctuation duration value is equal to or greater than a set time value, the cleaning ability is changed to a higher side. The cleaning capability setting means to be set, and the cleaning control means for injecting the cleaning water from the cleaning nozzle by the cleaning capability after the change setting (claim 2 ).

In the case of the first and second inventions described above, the actual bathing situation is automatically determined based on the water level fluctuation during bathing obtained by the water level detecting means, and the judgment result relating to the bathing situation is a set value or set time value. When it is larger than that, since the cleaning in the bathtub is executed after changing to the higher side cleaning capacity, the bathing pattern is different and the dirt attached to the bathtub is also quite different Even so, the inner wall of the bathtub and the like can be automatically cleaned with the optimum cleaning ability in accordance with the actual bathing condition so that dirt can be reliably removed. In particular, when the invention according to 請 Motomeko 1, because you have to automatically determine a bathing situation the value of the level change duration set amount or more of water level variation obtained by integrating the time to continue during bathing, the actual Information reflecting the bathing situation can be detected, and based on this, washing is performed based on the changed washing ability, so automatic washing with the optimum washing ability according to the actual bathing situation is realized. Can do. Furthermore, in the case of the invention according to claim 2 , since the bathing situation is automatically determined based on both the water level fluctuation degree and the water level fluctuation duration value, the actual bathing situation is more accurately reflected. In addition, the cleaning ability can be further optimized, and the attached dirt can be more reliably cleaned and removed in accordance with the actual bathing condition.

In the bathtub cleaning device of the above invention, the hot water or non-heated water after heating is supplied as the cleaning water, and connected to each other by a conduit that can communicate with the hot water in the bathtub and the bathtub. A heat source device may be provided, and the heat source device may include water level detection means for detecting a water level in the bathtub based on a water pressure from the inside of the bathtub acting in the pipe line. 3 ). By doing in this way, it becomes possible to use the water level detection means with which the said heat source machine is provided as a water level detection means for detecting the water level fluctuation | variation during bathing. For this reason, it becomes possible to detect the fluctuation of the water level during bathing efficiently by linking with the heat source unit without specially installing a water level sensor or the like for the bathtub.

  As described above, according to the bathtub cleaning device of the present invention, the actual bathing situation is automatically determined based on the water level fluctuation during bathing obtained by the water level detecting means, and the determination result regarding the bathing situation is a set value or When it is longer than the set time value, the setting is changed to a higher cleaning capacity and the bath is washed.Therefore, the bathing pattern is different, and the degree of dirt attached to the bath is different accordingly. Even if it is different, dirt can be reliably removed by automatically washing the inner wall of the bathtub or the like with the optimum washing ability according to the actual bathing situation.

In particular, according to the 請 Motomeko 1, because you have to automatically determine a bathing situation the value of the level change duration set amount or more of water level variation obtained by integrating the time to continue during bathing, the actual bath conditions Can be detected, and based on this, the cleaning is performed based on the changed cleaning capacity. Therefore, automatic cleaning with the optimal cleaning capacity according to the actual bathing condition can be realized. . Furthermore, according to claim 2 , since the bathing situation is automatically determined based on both the water level fluctuation degree and the water level fluctuation duration value, the actual bathing situation can be more accurately reflected. In addition, the cleaning ability can be further optimized, and the attached dirt can be more reliably cleaned and removed in accordance with the actual bathing condition.

Furthermore, according to claim 3 , the water level detecting means provided in the heat source machine can be used as the water level detecting means for detecting the water level fluctuation during bathing, and without installing a water level sensor or the like specially for the bathtub. In addition, it becomes possible to efficiently detect fluctuations in the water level during bathing by linking with the heat source machine side.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the bath system to which embodiment of the bathtub cleaning apparatus of this invention is applied. It is a block block diagram of the part which concerns on bathtub cleaning control in embodiment. It is the first half part of the control flowchart which concerns on the bathing condition determination process by the side of a heat source machine. It is a second half part of the control flowchart of FIG. It is a control flowchart which concerns on the cleaning control by the bathtub cleaning apparatus side. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the water level fluctuation | variation in the bathtub at the time of bathing use, and time passage. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the state of the reference water level when the hot water filling is completed and non-bathing, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the state where the bather has bathed and the water level has risen. is there. FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a state where the water level is lowered to the circulation port in the middle of drainage after the bathing is completed, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the state of the cleaning process for injecting the cleaning water. It is.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a bath system to which a bathtub cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a bathroom wall or a building wall including a bathroom that defines a bathroom. A bathtub 2 and a bathtub cleaning unit 3 are disposed inside the wall 1, while a heat source machine is disposed outside the wall 1. (For example, a hot water heater-equipped bath pot) 4 is provided. In addition, FIG. 1 shows the connection of piping etc., and does not specify a vertical relationship.

  The heat source unit 4 is a composite heat source unit having a hot water supply function, a hot water filling function, and a replenishment function, and FIG. That is, the heat source device 4 is configured such that the bath heat exchanger 41 and the hot water supply heat exchanger 42 are arranged in one can and heat-exchanged by the combustion burner 43 that is a common heat source. In the following, the heat source device 4 will be described in detail, and then the configuration of the bathtub 2 side will be described in detail.

  The heat source unit 4 receives supply water such as tap water in a water supply passage, and causes hot water heated to a predetermined temperature by heat exchange heating with the combustion heat of the combustion burner 43 in a hot water supply heat exchanger 42 to the hot water supply passage 44. Hot water is supplied to hot water taps 45 and bathtub cleaning units 3 in various places such as a kitchen and a washroom through a hot water supply path 44. Further, the heat source unit 4 is provided with a recirculation circuit 48 composed of a return path 46 and a forward path 47 for realizing a reheating function, and hot water filled in the bathtub 2 is operated by operation of a circulation pump (not shown). It can be circulated between the bath heat exchanger 41 and heated up to a predetermined temperature. Further, in the heat source unit 4, the recirculation circuit 48 receives pouring water through a pouring path branched from the hot water supply path 44, and the pouring water is poured into the bathtub 2 through the recirculation circuit 48. The hot water filling is performed. At that time, the water level in the bathtub 2 is detected by the pressure detection type water level sensor 49 interposed in the recirculation circuit 48 in the heat source unit 4, and the detected water level value is output to the heat source unit controller 5. It has become. The water level sensor 49 measures and senses the water level in the bathtub 2 by detecting the water pressure in the closed recirculation circuit 48 communicated with the hot water in the bathtub 2. The water level sensor 49 constitutes a water level detection means.

  Each of the above hot water supply, reheating, and hot water filling operations is realized by operation control by the heat source controller 5 based on setting information such as a set hot water temperature and hot water temperature inputted by the kitchen remote controller 51 or the like. ing. For example, in the hot water supply control by the hot water supply control unit 52, when the hot water tap 45 is opened or the hot water solenoid valve 30 of the bathtub cleaning unit 3 is opened and water is detected to enter a predetermined operating flow rate or more, the combustion burner 43 Is heated to heat incoming water from the water supply passage, and hot water having a predetermined temperature is discharged to the hot water supply passage 44. When the hot water filling control is started, the hot water pouring path is opened, and the combustion burner 43 is fired to heat the incoming water from the water feeding path so that hot water at a predetermined temperature is supplied to the hot water feeding path 44 and the hot water pouring path. The hot water is filled by pouring to the bathtub 2 through the recirculation circuit 48. At that time, in the case of automatic bath processing, after this hot water filling, reheating control for raising the temperature to a predetermined boiling temperature and maintaining it is performed by operating the circulation pump (not shown) and the combustion burner 43, respectively. To be done.

  In the bathtub 2 installed in the bathroom, a circulation adapter 21 is installed in the vicinity of the lowermost end of the side wall, a drain plug 22 of an automatic opening / closing drive control type and a cleaning nozzle 24 described later are installed on the bottom wall, and the upper surface side An opening / closing drive mechanism 23 and a later-described detergent tank 27 are installed on the flange wall. The circulation adapter 21 is connected to a return path 46 and a forward path 47 of the recirculation circulation path 48, and when the circulation pump is operated, the bath water in the bathtub 2 is returned to the return path 46 via the circulation adapter 21. While being sucked into the bathtub 2, it is discharged into the bathtub 2 from the outgoing path 47. The drain plug 22 is opened and closed by receiving an opening / closing drive force from the opening / closing drive mechanism 23. The open / close drive mechanism 23 has an operation state (whether the drain plug 22 is open or closed). ) Is installed, and the opening / closing drive mechanism 23 is controlled based on the output signal from the sensor. When the drain plug 22 is opened, hot water in the bathtub 2 is discharged to the bottom of the bathroom and subsequently drained from the drain outlet of the bathroom.

  The bathtub cleaning unit 3 is installed for cleaning the inner wall surface of the bathtub 2 and the like. The bathtub cleaning unit 3 includes a cleaning nozzle 24 installed on the bottom wall of the bathtub 2, a cleaning pipe 25 that supplies cleaning water to the cleaning nozzle 24, and a detergent mixture that mixes detergent at the upstream end of the cleaning pipe 25. Section 26, the detergent tank 27 storing the detergent to be supplied to the detergent mixing section 26, the detergent solenoid valve 28 for switching the supply / stop of the detergent from the detergent tank 27, and the washing pipe 25. A hot water supply pipe 44 that communicates with the hot water supply passage 44 so that hot water or water for cleaning (hereinafter referred to as “hot water”) is supplied to the upstream end of the hot water, and hot water from the hot water supply passage 44 that is interposed in the hot water supply pipe 29 Pouring solenoid valve 30 for switching whether to supply or not, a flow rate sensor 31 for detecting the supply flow rate, and a supply flow rate (discharge flow rate from the cleaning nozzle 24) is changed and adjusted in conjunction with the flow rate sensor 31. Water to do It is constituted by a flow control valve 32 as configured flow adjusting means by the servo valve. In addition, a check valve / edge cut valve set is interposed in the pouring pipe 29 between the detergent mixing portion 26 and the pouring electromagnetic valve 30. The check valve / edge cut valve set in the figure is configured by inserting two edge cut valves 34, 34 in a state of being sandwiched between the check valves 33, 33 on both upstream and downstream sides. In order to block the heat source device 4 side, which is the primary side, from flowing back from the bathtub 2 side to the heat source device 4 side even if it falls into a low pressure state (negative pressure state) due to a power failure or failure. It is to be intervened. In addition, the code | symbol 35 of FIG. 1 is a filter. Here, the term “washing water” includes not only hot water mixed with a detergent but also hot water for preliminary washing and rinsing without detergent.

  The washing nozzle 24 is installed so as to penetrate the bottom wall of the bathtub 2, and the washing water is ejected from the front end opening (upper surface opening) toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub 2 with a predetermined range. Although only one cleaning nozzle 24 is shown in the figure, two or more cleaning nozzles 24 can be installed in a predetermined arrangement depending on the size of the bathtub 2 or the bathtub to be cleaned. For this purpose, the second and third cleaning pipes may be branched from the cleaning pipe 25 toward the other cleaning nozzles.

  The detergent mixing part 26 is constituted by a venturi tube. The detergent mixing unit 26 opens the detergent electromagnetic valve 28 (for example, intermittently opens at predetermined time intervals) so that a predetermined amount of detergent supplied from the detergent tank 27 passes through the washing water in the detergent mixing unit 26. It is sucked into the washing water and mixed by the negative pressure suction action that accompanies it. The detergent supply amount for one cleaning can be adjusted by the length of the valve opening time in which the detergent electromagnetic valve 28 is opened. The detergent tank 27 is provided with a float switch for detecting the liquid level of the detergent. The float switch 27 detects that the liquid level has dropped to a predetermined liquid level and outputs it to the cleaning controller 6 described later.

  The operation elements 28, 30, 32 of the bathtub cleaning unit 3 and the operation elements 22, 23 related to cleaning of the bathtub 2 are controlled by a cleaning controller 6 as a cleaning control means. The cleaning controller 6 is connected to a cleaning remote controller 61 for cleaning operation. The cleaning controller 6 (see also FIG. 2) is connected to the heat source controller 5 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. Then, when the user performs an input operation (for example, an ON operation of the cleaning switch) using the cleaning remote controller 61, the cleaning controller 6 performs bath cleaning control for the bathtub or the like in cooperation with the heat source controller 7. It is supposed to run. In addition to the kitchen remote controller 51, a bathroom remote controller 62 is connected to the heat source controller 5. The bathroom remote controller 62 can be used for input operations such as hot water filling and chasing operation. In addition, the execution of the bathtub cleaning control may be automatically started at a previous stage such as bathing with a bath automatic switch or the like, or a drain switch after completion of bathing by a user setting or the like. It may be automatically started at a predetermined timing after the wastewater treatment by an ON operation such as.

  Next, bathtub cleaning control executed by the cleaning controller 6 will be described in detail. In the following description, it is assumed that bathtub cleaning control is started by an ON operation of a cleaning switch. The bath washing control is performed by the bathing state determination process of the previous stage, which is a premise of the control, and the number of bathers counter Vp and the water level pulsation counter Vm related to the degree and strength of the water level fluctuation at the time of bathing obtained by this bathing state determination process. And a bath cleaning process that is performed after changing the cleaning capacity in accordance with each value. And the heat source controller 5 is provided with the hot water supply control part 52, the bath control part 53, and the bathing condition determination process part 54, and the washing | cleaning controller 6 changes and sets washing | cleaning capability with the washing | cleaning control part 63 which performs a bathtub washing process. And a cleaning capability setting unit 64. The bathing status determination processing unit 54 automatically determines the actual bathing status such as the number of people who took a bath in the previous use of the bathtub from filling to drainage, and the intensity (strongness) of water level fluctuation during bathing (FIGS. 3 and 4). The cleaning capability setting unit 64 sets the current cleaning capability based on the actual bathing situation (see FIG. 5), and the bathtub cleaning control unit 63 executes bath cleaning based on the set cleaning capability. Will be.

  Hereinafter, the bathing state determination process will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. This bathing status determination process counts the number of bathers in the bathing number counter Vp based on the fluctuation of the water level detection value from the water level sensor 49 obtained from the completion of the hot water filling until the completion of bathing and draining. Then, the presence / absence of occurrence of water level pulsation with an intensity greater than a predetermined level is monitored, and the number of generated water level pulsations is counted in a water level pulsation counter Vm.

  First, after confirming that the hot water filling has been completed (YES in step S11), both the bathing number counter Vp and the water level pulsation counter Vm are reset to set 0 (zero) as an initial value. The hot water filling is completed based on an output signal from the bath control unit 53 of the heat source controller 5, that is, hot water filling control, and the water level in the bathtub 2 is set to the reference hot water level Ls (FIG. 6 and FIG. Judgment is made in response to an output signal indicating that the hot water filling up to) has been completed.

  Next, the water level detection value L from the water level sensor 49 is taken in (step S13), and based on the change in the water level detection value L, it is determined whether the bather has bathed (step S14). This determination determines that the bather has bathed if there is a sudden rise in the water level that is greater than or equal to the set value in the minute time from the previous detection of the water level detection value L to the current detection, otherwise it is determined that there is no bathing. If there is bathing (YES in step S14), "1" is added to the bathing number counter Vp (step S15). As shown in FIG. 6 where “first person bathing” and FIG. 7B show, the water level rises from Ls to the water level Lup due to bathing by the bather P.

  Next, the bather determines whether or not he / she has gone out of the bathtub (step S16). If not yet (NO in step S16), the setting for misrecognition determination from the start of the current bathing (YES in step S14). After confirming that the time has not elapsed (NO in step S17), the water level detection value L from the water level sensor 49 is repeatedly taken in (step S18). Whether or not the bather has gone out is determined that the bather has gone out of the bathtub if there is a sudden drop in water level over the set value within a predetermined minute time, as in the case of bathing, otherwise the bathing is continued. It is determined that In addition, when the bather has not yet come out even if the set time for the erroneous recognition determination has elapsed in step S17 (NO in step S16, YES in step S17), the determination of the start of the current bathing is due to erroneous recognition. It determines with it being a thing, and returns to the measurement of a water level detection value (step S13), and repeats determination (step S14) whether it bathed. As the set time for the misrecognition determination, a time value that is not normally possible for bathing continuation is set.

  Then, it is determined whether or not a water level pulsation has occurred based on the water level detection value (step S19). If it is determined that a water level pulsation has occurred (YES in step S19), the water level pulsation counter Vm is set to “ 1 "is added (step S20). Whether or not the water level pulsation has occurred is determined as follows. That is, on the ascending side (+ side) or the descending side (− side) with a standard water level (for example, Lup; see FIG. 7B) during bathing between a predetermined unit time or minute time (for example, 1 to 2 sec) It is determined whether or not there has been a fluctuation in the water level that is greater than or equal to the set amount Hm (see FIG. 7B), and such a fluctuation in the water level that is greater than or equal to the set amount Hm is set a predetermined number of times (for example, 10 seconds). If it occurs 5 times or more, it is determined that the water level pulsation has occurred, and “1” is added to the water level pulsation counter Vm. Whether or not such water level pulsation has occurred is determined from the start of bathing until the bather leaves (until steps S16 to S20 are repeated and YES in step S16). It is performed every time, and if it is determined that water level pulsation occurs at every monitoring time, “1” is added in order.

  The generation of the water level pulsation will be further described with reference to the example of FIG. 6. In the first bathing, the bathing in the bathtub 2 is performed almost quietly, so even if there is a fluctuation in the water level, It remains below the set amount Hm. Therefore, even if it is determined that no water level pulsation has occurred or not, the count up to the water level pulsation counter Vm is slight. On the other hand, in the second bathing, for example, the child constantly moves in the tub by playing in the tub, and for this reason, the water level fluctuation frequently exceeds the set amount Hm. For this reason, “1” is added to the water level pulsation counter Vm every time the monitoring time elapses.

  And if it is determined by the determination in step S16 that the bather has left the bathtub (YES in step S16), or if it is determined by the determination in step S14 that the bather is not taking a bath ( In step S14, NO, the process proceeds to step S21 (see the arrow “A” in FIGS. 4 and 3), and it is confirmed that the drainage is not completely performed by the determination after step S21. After confirming that it has not been completely drained (NO in steps S21, S22, S23), the process returns to step S13 (see the arrow “B” in FIGS. 4 and 3). If there is bathing, it is determined whether or not water level pulsation has occurred before leaving the bathtub, and counting up to the bathing number counter Vp and water level pulsation counter Vm is repeated (steps S14 to S20). As a result, if there is a second or subsequent bath (YES in step S14), “1” is further added to the bathing number counter Vp, and if it is determined that the water level pulsation has occurred, the value of the water level pulsation counter Vm is increased. . In this case, the determination of the occurrence of water level pulsation is based on the detected water level detected when the second and subsequent bathers take a bath (corresponding to the Lup of the first person), and the set amount Hm on the plus / minus side. This is done depending on whether there is any fluctuation in water level.

  If there is no bathing (NO in step S14) or the bather has gone out (YES in step S16) and the process proceeds to step S21, a continuous water level drop at a constant speed based on the water level detection value L will occur. Determination of whether or not there has been (Step S21), if there is a corresponding water level drop (YES in Step S21), it is determined whether or not the water level drop has fallen below the circulation port of the circulation adapter 21 (Step S22), FIG. As shown in (a), if the water level falls from the reference water level Ls and the water level falls below the circulation port of the circulation adapter 21 (YES in step S22), the set time td (see FIG. 6) has passed since the drop. Whether or not (step S23) is executed in order. In the determination in step S23, if the set time td has elapsed (YES in step S23), the values stored in the bathing number counter Vp and the water level pulsation counter Vm at that time are used as the cleaning controller 6. (Step S24), and waits until the next hot water filling is completed (NO in step S11). If the water level drop falls below the circulation port of the circulation adapter 21, the water level cannot be detected by the water level sensor 49 anymore, so that the time value required for complete drainage from the drain plug 22 is set as described above. After waiting for the elapse of time td, it is determined that the water has been completely drained from the bathtub 2. This completes the bathing status determination process in the current hot water filling state.

  Next, a bath cleaning process executed by the cleaning controller 6 based on the values stored in the bathing number counter Vp and the water level pulsation counter Vm sent from the heat source controller 5 will be described. As a premise, the bath cleaning control is started when the cleaning switch of the cleaning remote controller 61 is turned on by the user and a signal related to the cleaning command is output.

  First, a basic example of cleaning performed in the bathtub cleaning process will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 8B. Wash water that does not mix detergent in the detergent mixing unit 26 is ejected from the cleaning nozzle 24 and the inner wall of the bathtub, etc. A cycle consisting of preliminary washing for washing out and washing with detergent mixed in the detergent mixing section 26 from the washing nozzle 24 to wash away the inner wall of the bathtub and the like is performed as one washing. For example, first, the opening / closing drive mechanism 23 is opened to convert the drain plug 22 to open, and the drain plug 22 remains open to wait for a set time (for example, 10 minutes), thereby remaining water in the bathtub 2. Even if there is, wait until the remaining water is drained and emptied. Next, by opening and controlling the pouring solenoid valve 30 while the detergent solenoid valve 28 is closed, the combustion burner 43 is combusted via the heat source controller 5, and hot water is supplied through the hot water supply passage 44 and the pouring pipe 29. Is supplied to the cleaning pipe 25. The hot water supplied is ejected from the cleaning nozzle 24 into the bathtub 2 as cleaning water, and preliminary cleaning is performed. After the pre-cleaning for a predetermined time or a predetermined flow rate is continued, the detergent electromagnetic valve 38 is switched to open, whereby the detergent cleaning is executed with the cleaning water mixed with the detergent. That is, when the hot water supplied to the cleaning pipe 25 passes through the detergent mixing portion 26, the detergent supplied through the open detergent electromagnetic valve 28 is mixed and mixed in the hot water by the negative pressure suction action. The cleaning water mixed with is ejected from the cleaning nozzle 24 into the bathtub 2. After the detergent cleaning for a predetermined time or a predetermined flow rate is continued, both the hot water solenoid valve 30 and the detergent solenoid valve 38 are closed and waited.

  In the bathtub cleaning process according to the present embodiment, the cleaning capability setting unit 64 changes and sets the strength (high or low) of the cleaning capability based on the result obtained by the actual bathing condition determination. Specifically, how many times the cleaning of the cycle is repeated as the strength (high or low) of the cleaning capability based on the magnitude of each value of the bathing number counter Vp and the water level pulsation counter Vm, which are the bathing status determination results. It is set to change. First, as shown in FIG. 5, after confirming that each value of the bathing number counter Vp and the water level pulsation counter Vm has been received from the heat source controller 5 (YES in step S31), it is received. In accordance with the value of the bather number counter Vp, the discharge flow rate of the cleaning water is increased or decreased from the standard value, and the flow rate adjustment valve 32 is changed and adjusted so as to be the passing flow rate of the discharge flow rate (step S32). Next, based on the values of the bather number counter Vp and the water level pulsation counter Vm, a cleaning frequency correction value is obtained by calculation (step S33). This calculation is performed, for example, by simply summing the values of the bathing number counter Vp and the water level pulsation counter Vm, multiplying the two values with each other, or summing the values after multiplying each value by a coefficient.

  Then, the number of cleaning repetitions is set based on the obtained cleaning frequency correction value (step S34). In this setting of the number of repetitions, the relationship between the cleaning number correction value and the number of repetitions is determined and stored in advance in the form of a relationship table, and is calculated from this relationship table, or the relationship between the cleaning number correction value and the number of repetitions is calculated. A relational expression is determined in advance for the relation, and the relational expression is used to obtain it by calculation. For example, the range is divided according to the value of the cleaning frequency correction value. If the cleaning frequency correction value is in the low value range, the number of repetitions is 2; If it is a side range, 4 times is set as the number of repetitions. That is, if the value of the water level pulsation counter Vm indicating the degree of fluctuation in the water level is a large value range that is greater than or equal to a set value, the number of repetitions is changed to the maximum number of times to increase the cleaning performance.

  Then, before starting the actual cleaning operation, it is confirmed whether or not the user has selected and set the number of repetitions as the cleaning capability (step S35). This is to prioritize the user's intention over the process of determining the actual bathing condition and automatically setting the cleaning ability. That is, in the cleaning remote controller 61, for example, three types of cleaning courses of “strong, standard, and saving” are set. The standard course is set to “3 times” as the number of repetitions, and the standard course is set as a default if the user does not perform any setting operation. If the user intends to perform cleaning with a stronger cleaning capability, by selecting and setting the strong course with the cleaning remote controller 61, the number of repetitions of the standard course is changed to four, and conversely, the cleaning remote controller 61 saves. By selecting and setting the course, the number of repetitions of the standard course is changed to two.

  If the user has selected and set the cleaning course from the standard course to the strong course or saving course (YES in step S35), the number of repetitions corresponding to the cleaning course selected by the user (strong course or saving course) Is overwritten and overwritten by the number of repetitions set in step S34 (step S36), and the next cleaning process is performed (step S37). If the user has not performed the setting operation (NO in step S35), the cleaning process is performed with the number of repetitions set in step S34 (step S37).

  In the cleaning process in step S37, one cycle consisting of the preliminary cleaning and the detergent cleaning in which the cleaning water is jetted from the cleaning nozzle 24 with the waterline level Lk shown in FIG. Execute as a cleaning process. This cleaning cycle is repeated until the set number of repetitions is completed (NO in step S38, step S37). When the cleaning cycle for the set number of repetitions has been executed (YES in step S38), a rinse cleaning process (step S39). ) Is executed, the subsequent accompanying processing is executed. As the rinsing process, as in the pre-cleaning, cleaning water of only clean hot water that does not contain detergent is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 24 onto the inner wall of the bathtub for a predetermined time or a predetermined amount. At this time, the drain plug 22 is opened, and the washing water mixed with the detergent is discharged from the drain plug 22. Moreover, as said accompanying process, closing conversion of the drain plug 22 after completion | finish of drainage of the washing water for rinse washing etc. are mentioned, for example.

  In addition, since the start of the above bathtub cleaning process is performed based on a user's input operation with respect to the cleaning remote controller 61, the process is executed before or after using the bath, or even if the bath is used. Whether or not to execute the cleaning process is left to the user's selection.

  In the case of the above bathtub cleaning treatment, the actual bathing situation is automatically judged, and the washing capacity is automatically set to the optimal one according to the judgment result regarding the bathing situation, and then the washing in the bathtub is executed. Even if the bathing pattern differs and the amount of dirt attached to the bathtub varies greatly, the inner wall of the bathtub is automatically washed with the optimum cleaning ability according to the actual bathing condition to remove dirt reliably. Will be able to. The degree of dirt attached to the bathtub differs greatly, for example, when a single person always takes a bath and when multiple family members take a bath, and even when the same number of people take a quiet bath in the bathtub. It is thought that even if the water level fluctuates by moving around in the bathtub, it is greatly different. In the present embodiment, such a state of soiling is grasped by detecting the number of bathers (the number of bathers counter Vp) and the level of water level fluctuation (water level pulsation counter Vm), and the number of bathers counter Vp and The optimum cleaning capacity can be automatically set by changing and setting the number of repetitions of the cleaning cycle according to each value of the water level pulsation counter Vm. As described above, it is not necessary for the user to bother to select and set the cleaning capacity according to the bathing condition, and the optimum cleaning capacity can be automatically set by automatically determining the bathing condition, making the user's convenience as much as possible. Can be increased. Furthermore, since the water level sensor 49 incorporated in the heat source unit 4 is used to grasp the water level fluctuation for bathing condition determination, the heat source unit controller is not required to install a water level sensor or the like in the bathtub 2 in particular. Thus, the actual bathing state determination process can be efficiently performed by linking with No.5.

<Other embodiments>
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Other various embodiment is included. That is, the installation position of the washing nozzle 24 is not limited to the bottom wall of the bathtub 2, and may be, for example, a side wall near the bottom wall, and the heat source unit 4 is not limited to one can two water type. The present invention can also be applied to the case where various configurations such as a can two-water type are used. Furthermore, although the example which used the water level sensor 49 incorporated in the heat source unit 4 for the water level detection was shown, not only this but water level detection means, such as a water level sensor or a water level meter, was installed in the bathtub 2 grade | etc., And this May be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the number of repetitions as the cleaning capability is changed based on the values of both the bathing number counter Vp and the water level pulsation counter Vm. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and cleaning is performed based only on the water level pulsation counter Vm. The capability (number of repetitions) may be changed and set. In short, if the number of bathers increases in the water level pulsation counter Vm, the number of occurrences of the water level pulsation for each bather is integrated, so that the bathing situation can be grasped only by the value of the water level pulsation counter Vm. In addition, in order to determine the degree of bathing intensity, which indicates the degree of increase or decrease in dirt adhesion, in the above embodiment, the value of the water level pulsation counter Vm, which is the degree of fluctuation of the water level, that is, water level pulsation occurs. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to grasp the intensity of the bathing situation by the value of the water level fluctuation duration, which is the sum of the time when the water level pulsation has occurred, and to determine the value of this water level fluctuation duration. Accordingly, the cleaning ability may be changed and set, that is, if the value of the water level fluctuation duration exceeds a certain set time value, the cleaning ability may be changed and set higher. As the water level fluctuation continuation time, for example, the value of the water level pulsation accumulated time obtained by integrating the time values of the monitoring time determined as the occurrence of the water level pulsation in the embodiment may be used. Alternatively, if the value of the water level pulsation counter Vm exceeds a predetermined set number of times and the value of the water level fluctuation continuation time (water level pulsation integrated time) exceeds a predetermined set time value, the cleaning capacity is changed and set higher. You may do it.

  In the above-described embodiment, the change in the cleaning capability is represented by the change in the number of repetitions of the cleaning cycle. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cleaning capability may be changed with another method. For example, the cleaning capability can be changed between high and low, in addition to the number of repetitions described above, the amount of detergent mixed in the detergent mixing unit 26 (small or light detergent concentration) There are long and short injection durations of cleaning water sprayed from the nozzle 24 (a large and small amount of cleaning water to be sprayed), and hot water supply temperatures supplied from the heat source unit 4 as cleaning water, which may be used. . For example, in order to further increase the cleaning ability by the amount of detergent, the amount of detergent may be increased.

2 Bath 3 Bathtub cleaning unit 4 Heat source machine 5 Heat source machine controller 6 Cleaning controller (cleaning control means)
24 Cleaning nozzle 48 Recirculation circuit (pipe that can communicate with hot water in the bathtub)
49 Water level sensor (water level detection means)
54 Bathing status determination processing unit (bathing status determination processing means)
63 Cleaning control unit (cleaning control means)
64 Cleaning capacity setting section (cleaning capacity setting means)

Claims (3)

A bathtub cleaning device for cleaning by spraying cleaning water from the cleaning nozzle toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub,
Water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the bathtub;
Bathing condition determination processing means for integrating the time during which the water level fluctuation of a set amount or more continues during bathing as a parameter for determining the actual bathing condition based on the water level detection value detected by the water level detection means;
When the value of the accumulated water level fluctuation continuation time is equal to or greater than a set time value, cleaning capacity setting means for changing and setting to a higher level cleaning capacity,
A bath cleaning apparatus comprising: a cleaning control unit that jets cleaning water from the cleaning nozzle according to the cleaning ability after the change setting. A bathtub cleaning device for cleaning by spraying cleaning water from the cleaning nozzle toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub,
Water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the bathtub;
While detecting the level of water level fluctuation during bathing as a parameter for determining the actual bathing status based on the water level detection value detected by the water level detection means, the time during which the water level fluctuation over the set amount continues during bathing is integrated Bathing status determination processing means to perform,
When the value of the water level fluctuation degree is equal to or greater than a set value, and when the value of the accumulated water level fluctuation duration is equal to or greater than a set time value, a cleaning capacity setting unit that changes and sets the cleaning capacity on the higher side. When,
A bath cleaning apparatus comprising: a cleaning control unit that jets cleaning water from the cleaning nozzle according to the cleaning ability after the change setting. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
A heat source unit attached to supply heated hot water or non-heated water as the washing water, and connected to each other by a conduit that can communicate with the hot water in the bathtub and the bathtub;
The said heat source machine is a bathtub washing | cleaning apparatus provided with the water level detection means which detects the water level in the said bathtub based on the water pressure from the said bathtub which acts in the said pipe line.

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