JP5820149B2 - Bath equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a bath apparatus having a fine bubble generating function for generating fine bubbles (white turbidity) in a bathtub.

  A bubble generating device that generates bubbles in the bathtub is used. Among them, by discharging very fine bubbles from the bubble generating device into the bathtub hot water, There is an increasing demand for devices that generate fine bubbles (which appear cloudy). It is said that the generation of fine bubbles (white turbidity type) in the bathtub has the effect of improving the heat retention of the bather and making it easier to remove dirt, and the user sends a comfortable bathing time. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 2512952

  By the way, in order to generate fine bubbles in the bathtub, the present inventor circulates the bathtub hot water and adds air to the bathtub hot water in a hot water circulation path connecting the bathtub and bath equipment for circulating and driving the bathtub hot water. A pump having a function of pressure melting was provided, and it was considered that fine bubbles were jetted into the hot water in the bathtub by jetting hot water in which the air was melted into the bathtub. In addition, in order to pressurize and melt air into the bathtub hot water circulating through the hot water circulation path by the pump, a valve for introducing air is provided on the suction side of the pump and the air is introduced into the hot water circulation path. We thought that it was necessary to melt the circulated air in bath water and circulate it.

  However, for example, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the arrangement relationship between the bath equipment 60 and the bathtub 26 is various. And as shown in FIG.15 (b), if the bathtub 26 is below the bath equipment 60, the pressure of the suction side of the pump (not shown) in the bath equipment 60 becomes a negative pressure. As shown in FIG. 15A, when the bathtub 26 is arranged on the second floor of the house and the bath equipment 60 is arranged outdoors on the first floor of the house, the potential energy for the pump of the bathtub is positive. Therefore, even if the pipe resistance is subtracted, the pressure on the suction side of the pump does not become a negative pressure, so that air cannot be sucked by the pump, and the air cannot be melted in the bath water. 15 shows a configuration in which a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure on the suction side of the pump is provided in the hot water circulation path 25 outside the bath device 60 for easy understanding of the drawing.

  This invention is made | formed in order to solve the said subject, The objective is interposed in the hot water circulation path which connects a bathtub and bath equipment irrespective of the arrangement | positioning relationship between a bathtub and bath equipment. An object of the present invention is to provide a bath apparatus capable of melting air in bathtub hot water by driving a pump, and thereby generating fine bubbles in the bathtub hot water.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration as means for solving the problems. That is, 1st invention has the bath equipment which circulates and drives the bathtub hot water, the entrance side pipe line which connects the entrance side of the hot water to the bath equipment and the bathtub, and the exit side of the hot water from the bath equipment A hot water circulation path having an outlet side pipe line connecting the bathtub and the outlet side pipe, and an outlet side pipe line connecting the outlet side pipe line and the inlet side pipe line in the bath equipment, A pump having a function of circulating hot water and an air introduction control valve arranged at a position on the suction side of the pump are interposed in the equipment internal pipe of the hot water circulation path, and the air introduction control valve is provided with hot water. A water passage and an air introduction passage for introducing air into the water passage, and an orifice valve is provided in the water passage, and a function of changing an introduction state and a cutoff state of the air introduced from the air introduction passage Provided with an air valve, and driving the pump when the air valve is in an air-introduced state. Ri before SL and the introduced air enters through the orifice valve the air valve to the hot water passed through the hot water and air forms a structure to derive the suction side of the pump, the said orifice valve wherein A structure constituted by a variable orifice valve for varying the passage resistance of the water passage serves as means for solving the problem.

  Further, in the second invention, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, a reduced diameter region formed by reducing the diameter of the water passage is formed in the water passage of the air introduction control valve. The orifice valve is moved back and forth between the outside of the reduced diameter region and the inside of the reduced diameter region, and the orifice valve is moved into the reduced diameter region so that the clearance between the inner periphery of the reduced diameter region and the outer periphery of the orifice valve is increased. There is provided an orifice valve control means for making an orifice non-formation state by moving the orifice valve to the outside of the reduced diameter region.

  Furthermore, in addition to the configuration of the second invention, the third invention has a mode in which the outer diameter of the orifice valve changes continuously or stepwise in the forward and backward movement direction of the orifice valve, and the orifice valve control means When the orifice valve is moved into the reduced diameter region of the water channel, the sectional area of the orifice in the orifice formation state is changed continuously or stepwise depending on the amount of the orifice valve introduced into the reduced diameter region. It is characterized by the composition.

  Further, the fourth aspect of the present invention is, in addition to the configuration of the second or third aspect of the invention, provided in the hot water circulation path is a dynamic pressure that is a pressure on the suction side of the pump when hot water is circulated through the hot water circulation path. Pressure detection means for detecting at least one of pressure and static pressure on the pump suction side when hot water is not circulated, and control information of the orifice valve corresponding to the dynamic pressure given in advance and the pressure detection means The orifice valve control means controls the orifice valve based on the detected value of the dynamic pressure detected by or the estimated value of the dynamic pressure estimated from the detected value of the static pressure, and the dynamic pressure on the suction side of the pump is It is characterized in that the passage resistance of the water passage of the air introduction control valve is variably controlled so as to become a predetermined negative pressure range or negative pressure value.

  Further, the fifth invention is characterized in that, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to fourth inventions, a reheating heat exchanger for reheating the bathtub hot water is interposed in the apparatus internal conduit, and the hot water circulation is provided. The passage is provided with pressure detection means for detecting the pressure on the pump suction side of hot water circulating in the hot water circulation path as a dynamic pressure during hot water circulation and detecting the pressure on the pump suction side when hot water is not circulated as a static pressure. The rotational speed control information of the pump corresponding to the differential pressure value obtained by subtracting the static pressure from the dynamic pressure detected by the pressure detecting means is given in advance, and the rotational speed control information of the pump and the differential pressure value And a pump rotational speed determining means for determining the rotational speed of the pump when the hot water in the bathtub is circulated in a state where the air from the air introduction control valve is shut off, and the air introduction control valve is closed. Drive the pump During have fired operation, characterized in that it has a pump driving control means for controlling the rotational speed of the pump at a rotation speed determined by the pump speed determining means.

  Furthermore, the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, drives the pump with the air valve of the air introduction control valve in the air introduction state, thereby bringing the pump into the suction side of the pump. The pumped air and hot water are pressurized by the pump to melt the air into the hot water, and the hot water in which the air has been melted is connected to the bathtub in the hot water circulation passage. A fine bubble jetting device is provided that jets fine bubbles into the hot water in the bathtub.

  Furthermore, in the seventh invention, in addition to the configuration of the sixth invention, the fine bubble jetting device is configured to cause the hot water circulated through the hot water circulation path to be jetted into the bathtub through the nozzle. A flow path for generating fine bubbles, a flow path for repelling the bathtub hot water into the bathtub without passing through the nozzle, and a flow rate according to the flow rate of hot water introduced into the fine bubble ejection device A pump for controlling the flow of hot water introduced through the hot water circulation path and introduced into the fine bubble jetting device by controlling the rotational speed of the pump. And the pump drive control means is configured to close the flow rate corresponding valve by setting the flow rate of hot water introduced into the fine bubble ejection device to be equal to or higher than the set flow rate during the fine bubble ejection operation. The hot water is jetted into the bathtub through the fine bubble generating flow path, and the flow rate of the hot water introduced into the fine bubble jetting device is controlled by the pump during the reheating operation to be less than the set flow rate. The hot water is led out into the bathtub through the reheating channel.

  According to the present invention, a hot water circulation path connecting a bath device that circulates and drives bath water and a bathtub includes a pump having a function of circulating hot water and a position on the suction side of the pump. The air introduction control valve is provided with a hot water passage and an air introduction passage for introducing air into the passage. An orifice is provided in the passage. Since the orifice valve is constituted by a variable orifice valve for varying the passage resistance in the water passage, by operating the orifice valve, the passage resistance is varied and the hot water is supplied. The pressure (dynamic pressure) on the suction side of the hot water pump circulating in the circulation path can be set to an appropriate negative pressure range.

  That is, according to the present invention, for example, even when the bath equipment is arranged on the first floor of the building and the bathtub is arranged on the second floor, the dynamic pressure on the suction side of the pump is reduced by operating the orifice valve. Therefore, it is possible to introduce air through the air valve to the air introduction control valve by driving the pump. Then, the air and the hot water passing through the orifice valve can be led out to the suction side of the pump, and the air can be melted into the hot water by the pump.

  Further, a reduced diameter region formed by reducing the diameter of the water passage is formed in the water passage of the air introduction control valve, and the orifice valve control means is provided between the outside of the reduced diameter region and the inside of the reduced diameter region. The orifice valve is moved forward and backward, and the orifice valve is moved into the reduced-diameter region, whereby an orifice is formed by a gap between the inner periphery of the reduced-diameter region and the outer periphery of the orifice valve. By moving to the outside of the region to make the orifice non-formation state, the orifice formation state and the orifice non-formation state can be easily and accurately formed automatically.

  Further, the outer diameter of the orifice valve is changed continuously or stepwise in the forward / backward movement direction of the orifice valve, and has the orifice valve control means, and the orifice valve control means passes the orifice valve through the water channel. When the orifice is moved into the reduced diameter region, the orifice cross-sectional area in the orifice formation state is changed continuously or stepwise depending on the amount of the orifice valve introduced into the reduced diameter region. The cross-sectional area of the pump can be easily and accurately adjusted automatically, and the dynamic pressure on the suction side of the pump can be set to an appropriate value.

  Furthermore, at least one of the dynamic pressure that is the pressure on the suction side of the pump when hot water is circulated through the hot water circulation path and the static pressure that is the pressure on the pump suction side when hot water is not circulated in the hot water circulation path. Pressure detecting means for detecting is provided, and the dynamic pressure estimated from the control value of the orifice valve corresponding to the dynamic pressure given in advance and the detected value of the dynamic pressure or the detected value of the static pressure detected by the pressure detecting means. Based on the estimated pressure value, the orifice valve control means controls the orifice valve so that the dynamic pressure on the suction side of the pump falls within a predetermined negative pressure range or negative pressure value. By variably controlling the passage resistance, the orifice valve can be controlled more accurately, and air can be introduced into the air introduction control valve when the pump is driven and sent to the pump side along with hot water passing through the water passage.

  Furthermore, a reheating heat exchanger that retreats the hot water in the bathtub is provided in the pipe in the equipment, and the pressure on the suction side of the hot water pump circulating in the hot water circulation path is set to the dynamic pressure during the hot water circulation in the hot water circulation path. Rotational speed control information of the pump corresponding to the differential pressure value obtained by subtracting the static pressure from the dynamic pressure detected by the pressure detection means And determining the number of revolutions of the pump when the hot water in the bathtub is circulated in a state where the air from the air introduction control valve is shut off based on the rotational speed control information of the pump and the detected value of the differential pressure value. Thus, it is possible to determine the rotation speed of the pump at the time of hot water circulation in the air shutoff state to an appropriate value that is smaller than that at the time of circulating the bathtub hot water in the air introduction state from the air introduction control valve. .

  In other words, it is necessary to increase the number of rotations of the pump in order to pressurize and melt and discharge air into the bathtub hot water by pumping both the hot water and air in the bathtub. When circulating the hot water in the bathtub without melting, the number of rotations of the pump may be smaller than in the case of circulating the hot water in the bathtub, and the resistance of the pipe connecting the bath equipment and the bathtub ( The appropriate pump speed at which hot water can be circulated at an appropriate flow rate during the reheating operation differs according to the value corresponding to the differential pressure value. Therefore, the rotation speed of the pump during hot water circulation in the air shut-off state given to the rotation speed control information of the pump is set to an appropriate value smaller than that in the case where air is melted and circulated in bathtub hot water, and the rotation speed control is performed. By controlling the pump speed at the time of reheating operation (at the time of reheating operation) with the revolving speed determined based on the information and the differential pressure value, it is possible to save energy at the revolving speed of the pump during reheating operation. Can be set to any value.

  Furthermore, by driving the pump while the air valve of the air introduction control valve is in the air introduction state, the function of pressurizing the air and hot water led to the suction side of the pump by the pump to melt the air into the hot water Providing a micro-bubble jetting device that jets hot water in which the air is melted into the bathtub and jets micro-bubbles into the hot water in the bathtub at a connecting portion of the hot water circulation passage with the bathtub. It is possible to appropriately generate fine bubbles.

  Furthermore, a pump drive control means for adjusting the flow rate of the hot water by controlling the drive rotation speed of the pump is provided, and the fine bubble ejection device includes a fine bubble generation channel, a reheating channel, and a fine bubble ejection device. By providing a flow rate corresponding valve that opens and closes according to the flow rate of the hot water to be introduced, the following operation is possible. That is, during the fine bubble ejection operation, the flow rate of the hot water introduced into the fine bubble ejection device is controlled to be equal to or higher than the set flow rate by controlling the pump, so that the flow rate corresponding valve is closed and the hot water is used for generating the fine bubbles. The water flow is injected into the bathtub through the flow path, and the flow rate of hot water introduced into the fine bubble jetting device by the control of the pump is made less than the set flow rate during the reheating operation, the flow rate corresponding valve is opened, and the hot water is It can be led out into the bathtub through the reheating channel.

  And, by controlling the driving of the pump in this way, the flow path of hot water in the fine bubble ejection device during the chase operation and the fine bubble generation operation can be automatically switched, so the fine bubble ejection device There is no need to provide other means such as an electromagnetic valve in the inside, and no arrangement of electrical wiring or the like is provided in the fine bubble ejection apparatus, so that the apparatus configuration and control configuration can be simplified.

It is explanatory drawing (a) which shows typically the cross-sectional structure of the air introduction control valve provided in one Example of the bath apparatus which concerns on this invention, and the perspective view (b) of an air introduction control valve. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the orifice formation presence / absence operation | movement of the air introduction control valve provided in the bath apparatus of an Example by sectional drawing. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the forced closing operation | movement (a) and forced opening operation | movement (b) of the air valve in the air introduction control valve provided in the bath apparatus of an Example by sectional drawing. It is a system block diagram of the bath apparatus of an Example. It is a block diagram which shows the control structural example of the bath apparatus of an Example. It is a graph which shows the example of data used in order to determine the orifice formation presence or absence of the air introduction control valve in the bath apparatus of an Example. It is a schematic diagram which shows the control operation example of the air introduction control valve in the bath apparatus of an Example. It is a graph which shows the example of data used in order to determine the pump rotation speed at the time of the chasing operation | movement in the bath apparatus of an Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the pressurized container provided in the bath apparatus of an Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows another example of the partition plate provided in a pressurized container. It is typical sectional drawing which shows the structure of the fine bubble ejection apparatus applied to the bath apparatus of an Example, and its operation example. It is typical sectional drawing which expands and shows an operation | movement part about operation | movement of the fine bubble ejection apparatus shown in FIG. It is a graph for demonstrating the function example of the flow-corresponding on-off valve applied to the fine bubble ejection apparatus shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows another example of the air introduction control valve provided in the bath apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an arrangement | positioning aspect of the bath apparatus and bathtub in a bath apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same names as the components used in the above description.

  FIG. 4 shows a system configuration in an embodiment of the bath apparatus according to the present invention. This bath apparatus has a bath device 60 that circulates and drives bathtub hot water, and is connected to the bathtub 26. The bath device 60 is installed outdoors, and a reheating burner 16 and a hot water supply burner 10 having three combustion surfaces are provided in the appliance case 27, and the hot water supply heat exchanger 13 ( 13a, 13b), on the upper side of the reheating burner 16, reheating heat exchangers 15 (15a, 15b) for reheating the bathtub hot water are respectively provided.

  As the fuel for the hot water supply burner 10 and the reheating burner 16, gas is used in the bath apparatus of the present embodiment, and combustion air is sent to the burners 10 and 16 by the fan 78. The hot water supply heat exchanger 13a and the reheating heat exchanger 15a are primary heat exchangers, and the hot water supply heat exchanger 13b and the reheating heat exchanger 15b are secondary heat exchangers (latent heat recovery heat exchangers). A water supply passage 18 is provided on the entry side of the hot water supply heat exchanger 13, and a flow rate sensor 17 is interposed in the water supply passage 18. A hot water supply passage 11 is connected to the outlet side of the hot water supply heat exchanger 13 a, and a hot water supply temperature sensor 12 is provided in the hot water supply passage 11.

  A conduit 19 and a return pipe 23 connected to the bathtub 26 are connected to the inlet side of the reheating heat exchanger 15b, and the return pipe 23 is disposed outside the bath device 60. The pipe line forms an inlet side pipe line connecting the inlet side of the hot water to the bath device 60 and the bathtub 26. Further, the outgoing pipe 24 connected to the bathtub 26 is connected to the outlet side of the reheating heat exchanger 15a, and a pipe line provided outside the bath device 60 in the outgoing pipe 24 is connected to the bath 26. An outlet side pipe connecting the outlet side of the hot water from the device 60 and the bathtub 26 is formed. Of the outgoing pipe 24 and the return pipe 23, the pipe disposed inside the bath device 60, the pipe 19, and the pipe of the reheating heat exchanger 15 are connected to the outlet pipe. An in-apparatus pipe that communicates with the side pipe in the bath device 60 is formed, and has a pipe in the hot water circulation path (reheating) having the in-apparatus pipe, the outlet pipe, and the inlet pipe. A circulation path) 25 is formed.

  The pipe 19 includes a pump 21 having a function of circulating bath water, an air introduction control valve 38, a water level sensor 20, a running water switch 22, and a discharge side of the pump 21 arranged at the suction side of the pump 21. And a pressurized water container 30 disposed at the position of the water temperature switch 28. A bath temperature sensor 28 is built in the flowing water switch 22. The bath temperature sensor 28 may be provided in the outgoing pipe 24 as shown by a chain line in FIG. The pump 21 is formed by a cascade pump that can be driven even if air is sucked, and has a function of pressurizing and melting the air in the bath water. The water level sensor 20 detects the pressure on the pump suction side of hot water circulating in the hot water circulation path 25 as a dynamic pressure during hot water circulation, and detects the pressure on the pump suction side when hot water is not circulated as a static pressure. It functions as a pressure detection means. The static pressure is set, for example, by circulating water in the bathtub 26 after a certain amount of water (for example, a position half the depth of the bathtub 26 or a set water level set for bathing) is stretched. Detect without.

  Further, in the pipe line 19, the piping of parts from the position where the air introduction control valve 38 is provided to the tank 31 of the pressurization vessel 30 includes the tank 31 to the piping, the pump 21, and the pump 21 emperor. Until now, in order to prevent the rust and the crack, the structure using a resin pipe such as a soft cross-linked polyethylene pipe or PPS (polyphenylene sulfide resin) and a resin member is used to prevent the rust and the crack. In addition, at the connection portion of the hot water circulation path 25 with the bathtub 26, the fine bubble jetting device 39 that jets fine bubbles into the hot water in the bathtub 26 by jetting the hot water in which the air is dissolved into the bathtub 26. Is provided.

  The hot water circulation passage 25 is connected to the hot water supply passage 11 via a pouring passage 14, and a pouring electromagnetic valve 34 is interposed in the pouring passage 14. 4, reference numeral 40 denotes a gas passage, reference numerals 41 to 44 and 65 denote gas solenoid valves, reference numeral 66 denotes a drain pipe, and reference numeral 67 denotes a drain neutralizer.

  The bath apparatus of the present embodiment has a remote control device (not shown) connected to the bath equipment 60, and includes a hot water supply operation function performed in accordance with the operation of the remote control device, and hot water filling to the bathtub 26. It has an automatic operation function, a hot water reheating function, and a cloudy bubble generating function for generating fine bubbles in the hot water in the bathtub 26.

  The operation of the hot water supply function is to burn the hot water supply burner 10 so that the hot water supply temperature by the hot water supply temperature sensor 12 (the hot water temperature) becomes the hot water supply set temperature based on the incoming water temperature into the hot water supply passage 18 and the amount of hot water supplied by the flow sensor 17. In this function, the water passing through the hot water supply heat exchanger 13 is heated to create hot water, and the hot water is supplied to a hot water supply destination such as a kitchen or a bathroom through the hot water supply pipe 11.

  The automatic operation of the water heater 27 continuously performs the operation of the hot water filling function, the operation of the reheating function, and the operation of the heat retaining function. During operation of the hot water filling function, the hot water solenoid valve 34 is opened, and the hot water heated through the hot water supply heat exchanger 13 enters the hot water supply path 14 from the hot water supply pipe line 11 as in the operation of the hot water supply function, It is dropped into the bathtub 26 through the hot water circulation path 25. When hot water is filled to the set water level, the hot water solenoid valve 34 is closed. In the present embodiment, as described above, the detection is performed by the bath temperature sensor 28 integrated in the running water switch 22, and when the detected temperature is lower than the hot water set temperature (bath set temperature), the pump 21 The hot water in the bathtub 26 is circulated through the hot water circulation path 25 by driving, the hot water passing through the reheating heat exchanger 15 is heated by the reheating burner 16, and the reheating function is operated so as to reach the bath set temperature. In addition, the operation of the heat retaining function is continuously performed so that the temperature of the bathtub hot water does not become lower than the allowable temperature of the bath over an allowable range for a preset time.

  The chasing function is also performed when a chasing command is issued by operating the remote control device.

  The operation of the cloudy bubble generating function is as follows. Air is introduced into the hot water circulation path 25 from the outside by the characteristic air introduction control valve 38 provided in the bath apparatus of this embodiment, and the air is pumped by the pump 21 and the pressurized container 30. The hot water is pressurized and melted in the hot water of the bathtub, circulated through the hot water circulation path 25, and ejected into the bathtub 26.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the air introduction control valve 38 has a body 3 made of resin (made of PPS), and the body 3 has a connection portion 61 with the pipe 19 and a connection portion 62 with the pouring passage 14. A connecting portion 63 with the return pipe 23 is formed. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the body 3 is provided with a hot water passage 1 and an air introduction passage 2 for introducing air into the passage 1. A filter 59 is provided at the inlet. Water introduced from the connection parts 62 and 63 side passes through the water passage 1 and is led out from the connection part 61 side. The water passage 1 has a reduced diameter region 8 formed by reducing the diameter of the water passage 1, and an orifice valve 4 is provided so as to be movable between the outer side and the inner side of the reduced diameter region 8. ing. 2 and 3 show a partial configuration of the air introduction control valve 38. FIG.

  The water passage 1 is provided with a valve shaft body 35 having one end fixed to the motor shaft 9 of the stepping motor 29, and the orifice valve 4 is formed on the other end side of the valve shaft 35. The orifice valve 4 has a configuration that moves within a predetermined setting range in the left-right direction in FIGS. 1A, 2, and 3 as the stepping motor 29 is driven. This movement forms a variable orifice valve for changing the passage resistance in the water passage 1.

  Moreover, the orifice valve 4 has the recessed part 36a as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and the one end side of the valve shaft body 6 is fitted by the recessed part 36a. One end side of the valve shaft body 6 penetrates the recessed portion 36a of the orifice valve 4 and is fitted into a recessed portion 36b formed in the valve shaft body 35. The valve shaft body 6 is connected to the recessed portion 36a of the orifice valve 4. The valve shaft body 35 is slidably fitted in the left and right directions of FIGS. Further, a spring 7 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the valve shaft body 6, one end side of the spring 7 is fixed in the recessed portion 36 a of the orifice valve 4, and the other end side is connected to a locking portion 37 of the valve shaft body 6. It is fixed.

  An air valve 5 is formed in the valve shaft body 6, and the air valve 5 has a function of changing an introduction state and an interruption state of air introduced from the air introduction passage 2. The air valve 5 is formed by an elastic member (for example, a rubber member) fixed to the valve shaft body 6 and is urged to the right side in the drawing by the urging force of the spring 7.

  In the air introduction control valve 38, as shown in FIG. 3A, the motor shaft 9 of the stepping motor 29 is fully extended (for example, extended to the right side of 3.9 mm), and the valve shaft body 35 and the orifice valve 4 are expanded. In the position where both of the valve shaft bodies 6 are pushed to the right in the figure by the stepping motor 29, the air valve 5 is in close contact with the engaging portion of the body 3, and the air valve 5 is in an air blocking state ( Closed position of the air valve 5). In this case, the hot water passing through the water passage 1 is not mixed with air, and only hot water is led out to the suction side of the pump 21 through the water passage 1 as shown by the arrow B in the figure (tub 26 side). To the pump 21 side). Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the motor shaft 9 of the stepping motor 29 is fully contracted (a state where the motor shaft 9 is contracted 3.9 mm to the left from the state shown in FIG. 3A), the air valve 5 opens. .

  As shown in FIG. 15B, when the bathtub 26 is installed below the bath equipment 60, the pressure (dynamic pressure) on the suction side of the pump 21 when the pump 21 is driven is negative. Since the pressure (negative pressure) is reached, as shown in FIG. 2A, the pump is operated in a state where the orifice valve 4 and the valve shaft body 6 are slightly moved (for example, 0.3 mm) to the left side of the drawing by the stepping motor 29. 21 is driven, the valve shaft body 6 moves to the left against the biasing force of the spring 7, and the air valve 5 is slightly opened (a slight gap between the air valve 5 and the body 3). Is formed). Then, as shown by the arrow A in the figure, air is introduced into the air introduction passage 2 through the air valve 5, and this air and the hot water passing through the orifice valve 4 as shown by the arrow B in the figure pass through the water passage 1. It passes through the suction side of the pump 21.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15A, when the bathtub 26 is installed above the bath equipment 60, the pressure on the suction side of the pump 21 when the pump 21 is driven (if the orifice is not formed) ( (Dynamic pressure) does not become negative pressure but becomes positive pressure (plus pressure), and as shown in FIG. 2B, the stepping motor 29 moves the orifice valve 4 together with the valve shaft 35 to the left side in the figure. Then, by moving the orifice valve 4 into the reduced diameter region 8 of the water channel 1, an orifice is formed by a gap between the inner periphery of the reduced diameter region 8 and the outer periphery of the orifice valve 4. When the pump 21 is driven in this state, the outlet side of the water passage 1 (the side close to the connecting portion 61 of the body 3) becomes negative pressure, and the air is attached to the spring 7 as shown by an arrow A in the figure. The air is introduced into the air introduction passage 2 through the air valve 5 which is slightly opened against the force.

  In this way, even if the orifice valve 4 is moved to the left side in the figure to form the orifice, the valve shaft body 6 is urged to the right side in the figure by the urging force of the spring 7, so the air valve 5 2A, the air is slightly opened, and air is introduced into the air introduction passage 2 through the air valve 5 as indicated by an arrow A in FIG. And this air and the hot water which passed the orifice valve 4 are guide | induced to the suction side of the pump 21 through the water flow path 1, as shown to the arrow B of a figure.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, the orifice valve 4 is moved outside the reduced diameter region 8 from the state shown in FIG. As described above, the orifice formation state and the orifice non-formation state are selectively controlled by moving the orifice valve 4 forward and backward between the outside of the reduced diameter region 8 of the water passage 1 and the reduced diameter region 8. .

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control configuration for selectively controlling the orifice formation state and the orifice non-formation state includes an orifice valve control means 72, a memory unit 73, a pump rotation speed determination means 74, and a pump drive, as shown in FIG. The control means 75 is provided, and the pump drive control means 75 controls the drive of the pump 21.

  In the memory unit 73, static pressure is obtained from the control information (for example, information as shown in FIG. 6) of the orifice valve corresponding to the dynamic pressure detected by the water level sensor 20 and the dynamic pressure detected by the water level sensor 20. Pump speed control information corresponding to the subtracted differential pressure value is given in advance.

  In the present embodiment, the orifice valve control means 72 performs movement control of the orifice valve 4 and opening / closing control of the air valve 5. The orifice valve control means 72 drives the stepping motor 29 based on the control information of the orifice valve 4 given to the memory unit 73 and the detected value of the dynamic pressure detected by the water level sensor 20. The passage resistance is controlled so that the dynamic pressure on the suction side of the pump 21 becomes a predetermined negative pressure range or negative pressure value (for example, a range of -30 KPa or more and -15 KPa or less, or a value within this range) controlled by pulse control. Is variably controlled.

  For example, the orifice valve control means 72 applies a command to the pump drive control means 75 when a fine bubble generation operation section 76 (for example, whitening switch) provided in the remote control device is operated, and is applied for generating fine bubbles. The pump 21 is driven at a rotational speed of 3500 rpm, and the pressure (dynamic pressure) on the suction side of the pump 21 at this time is detected by the water level sensor 20. Then, in correspondence with this detected pressure (that is, in correspondence with the detected output voltage), as shown in FIG. 6, when the output voltage detected by the water level sensor 20 is 2.76 V or more, the orifice formation state is set. The orifice valve 4 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 2 (b) so that the orifice valve 4 is not formed when it is less than 2.76V, as shown in FIG. 2 (a). Move it to the correct position. The control information is not limited to the data information shown in FIG. 6, and appropriate graph data, table data, and the like are given.

  In addition, as described below, the orifice valve control means 72 repeats the operation of opening the air valve 5 minutely and the operation of closing the air valve 5 alternately after the operation at the time of initializing, thereby introducing the air introduction state. And the interruption state are repeated alternately. That is, regardless of whether or not an orifice is formed in the water passage 1, first, as shown by an arrow a in FIGS. 7A and 7B, for example, the stepping motor 29 is fully contracted (FIG. 3B). The voltage of CCW141P (pulse) in the direction of extending the motor shaft 9 of the stepping motor 29 (positive direction) is applied from the forced open state of the air valve 5 shown in FIG.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 3A, the valve shaft bodies 6 and 35 together with the motor shaft 9 move 3.9 mm to the right side in the drawing, and the air valve 5 is closed. If the voltage of CCW141P is applied to the stepping motor 29, it should be possible to move the motor shaft 9 by 4.1 mm, but the motor will idle in the step-out region indicated by the diagonal lines in the figure, The shaft bodies 6 and 35 move 3.9 mm.

  Thereafter, in order to prevent the air valve 5 from sticking, the CW 141P (pulse) in the direction (negative direction) in which the motor shaft 9 of the stepping motor 29 is contracted (in the negative direction) as shown by an arrow b in FIGS. A voltage is applied to bring the motor shaft 9 into a fully contracted state. Then, as shown in FIG. 3B, the valve shaft bodies 6 and 35 are moved 3.9 mm to the left in the drawing together with the motor shaft 9, and the air valve 5 is opened. The operation so far is the operation at the time of initial initialization.

  When the orifice is formed in the water passage 1, as shown by an arrow c in FIG. 7A, the CCW 20P voltage is applied in the direction in which the motor shaft 9 of the stepping motor 29 is extended to apply the valve shaft bodies 6, 35. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the air is taken in with the air valve 5 slightly opened in the orifice formation state. Thereafter, as shown by an arrow d in FIG. 7A, a voltage of CCW 124P in the direction of extending the motor shaft 9 of the stepping motor 29 is applied to extend the valve shaft bodies 6 and 35 by 3.3 mm, and FIG. The air valve 5 is closed as shown in FIG.

  Further, as shown by an arrow e in FIG. 7A, the voltage of the CW 114P in a direction to contract the motor shaft 9 of the stepping motor 29 is applied to contract the valve shaft bodies 6 and 35 by 3.3 mm, and again in FIG. As shown in b), in the orifice formation state, the air valve 5 is finely opened to take in air, and in this orifice formation state, air is taken in, and as described above, the voltage of the CCW 124P is applied to apply the valve shaft bodies 6, 35. Is increased by 3.3 mm and the operation of closing the air valve 5 is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the orifice is not formed in the water passage 1, the voltage of the CCW 124P in the direction of extending the motor shaft 9 of the stepping motor 29 as shown by the arrow f after the operation at the time of initialization as shown in FIG. And the valve shaft bodies 6 and 35 are extended by 3.6 mm, and as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the air valve 5 is finely opened in the state where the orifice is not formed, and then the air is taken in, as shown in FIG. 7 (b). As shown by the arrow g in FIG. 3, the CCW 20P voltage in the direction of extending the motor shaft 9 of the stepping motor 29 is applied to extend the valve shaft bodies 6 and 35 by 0.3 mm, and as shown in FIG. Close valve 5.

  Thereafter, as indicated by an arrow h in FIG. 7B, the voltage of the CW 10P in the direction of contracting the motor shaft 9 of the stepping motor 29 is applied to contract the valve shaft bodies 6 and 35 by 0.3 mm, and again in FIG. As shown in a), when the air valve 5 is finely opened in the state where the orifice is not formed and air is taken in, and in the state where the orifice is not formed, the air is taken in, and the voltage of the CCW 20P is applied as described above to apply the valve shaft 6 , 35 is extended by 0.3 mm, and the operation of closing the air valve 5 is repeated.

  As described above, the orifice valve control means 72 applies a command to the pump drive control means 75 when operating the fine bubble generating operation section 76 to drive the pump 21 at the rotational speed for generating fine bubbles. The operation of detecting the pressure (dynamic pressure) on the suction side of the pump 21 by the water level sensor 20 may be performed every time the operation of the fine bubble generation operation unit 76 is performed, but is performed only at the first operation. The detected value of the water level sensor 20 detected in the above may be stored in the memory unit 73, and from the next time, the drive control of the stepping motor 29 may be performed based on the stored value.

  The pump rotation speed determination means 74 is based on the pump rotation speed control information given to the memory unit and the differential pressure value obtained by subtracting the detection value of the static pressure from the detection value of the dynamic pressure detected by the water level sensor 20. Then, the rotational speed of the pump 21 when the hot / cold hot water is circulated by the pump drive control means 75 in a state where the air from the air introduction control valve 38 is shut off is determined.

  That is, the pipe resistance varies depending on the diameter and length of the pipe of the hot water circulation path 25, and the pipe resistance is a difference obtained by subtracting the detected value of the static pressure from the detected value of the dynamic pressure detected by the water level sensor 20. It is a value corresponding to the pressure value. Moreover, since the appropriate pump speed at the time of hot water circulation differs according to piping resistance, the appropriate pump speed is set by setting the speed of the pump 21 according to the differential pressure value. be able to.

  For example, characteristic lines a and b in FIG. 8 show an example of a result of obtaining a relationship between the length of the pipe and the pipe resistance. A characteristic line a indicates a pipe having a pipe diameter of 10A (inner diameter 10 mm), and a characteristic line b in FIG. 8 indicates a pipe having a pipe diameter of 13A (inner diameter 13 mm). As a result of this examination, the bathtub 26 is provided at a position substantially horizontal to the bath equipment 60, and the detection value of the water level sensor 20 when the hot water of the bathtub 21 is circulated with the rotation speed of the pump 21 being 3500 rpm is set as the dynamic pressure. A value (sensor output voltage difference of the water level sensor 20) corresponding to a differential pressure value obtained by subtracting the static pressure during hot water non-circulation from the pressure is shown as a pipe resistance.

  Further, in FIG. 8, the pipe diameter is 10A and the length is 3m, 6m, 8m and 20m, and the pipe diameter is 13A and the length is 3m, 6m, 8m and 25m. The results obtained for the flow rates when the rotational speed is 1550 rpm and 1700 rpm are shown. From this result, the hot water circulation flow rate when the rotation speed of the pump 21 is 1550 rpm and 1700 rpm is the differential pressure value between the dynamic pressure and the static pressure corresponding to the pipe resistance (the sensor output of the water level sensor 20). When the sensor output voltage difference of the water level sensor 20 is 1.3 V or more, the rotation speed of the pump 21 is 1700 rpm, and when it is 1.1 V or less, the rotation speed of the pump 21 is 1550 rpm. It has been found that the bath water circulation flow rate can be set to an appropriate value from 4 liters / minute to 5.5 liters / minute.

  That is, as marked with ● in FIG. 8, when the pipe diameter is 10A and the length is 20m, the sensor output voltage difference of the water level sensor 20 becomes much larger than 1.3V. When the rotation speed of the pump 21 is 1550 rpm, the hot water circulation flow rate is 3.6 liters / minute, which is smaller than 4 liters / minute. When the piping system is 13A and the length is 3 m, 6 m, or 8 m, the sensor output voltage difference of the water level sensor 20 is much smaller than 1.1 V. At this time, the rotational speed of the pump 21 is reduced. At 1700 rpm, the hot water circulation flow rate is 5.7 liters / minute, 5.8 liters / minute, and 5.7 liters / minute, respectively, which is larger than 5.5 liters / minute (suitable for generating fine bubbles). Flow rate). Therefore, in order to avoid such a state, it is preferable to switch the rotation speed of the pump 21 according to the sensor output voltage difference of the water level sensor 20 as described above. When the sensor output voltage difference of the water level sensor 20 is 1.1 to 1.3 V, the rotation speed of the pump 21 may be 1700 rpm or 1550 rpm.

  In this embodiment, when an operation of the reheating operation unit 77 (reheating switch) provided in the remote control device is performed for the first time, a command is given to the pump drive control means 75 via the fine bubble generation operation unit 76. Then, the pump drive control means 75 drives the pump 21 at 3500 rpm to circulate the bath water. The pump rotation speed determination means 74 takes in the detected value of the water level sensor 20 at this time, obtains a differential pressure value obtained by subtracting the static pressure during hot water non-circulation from this value, and based on this differential pressure value, the air introduction control valve The number of rotations of the pump 21 when the bath hot water is circulated in a state where the air from the air is cut off is determined, and the determined value is added to the pump drive control means 75.

  In addition, since the pipe resistance may change over time due to some clogging in the piping of the hot water circulation path 25 while using the bath apparatus, the pump rotation speed determination means 74 performs the chasing operation operation. As described above, the rotation of the pump 21 is performed not only when the operation of the unit 77 is performed for the first time but also by the pump drive control means 75 as described above for each preset period, for each preset operation, or each time. The differential pressure value obtained by subtracting the static pressure during hot water non-circulation from the detection value of the water level sensor 20 when the bath water is circulated by driving the number at 3500 rpm, and the rotational speed of the pump 21 is determined based on this differential pressure value. An operation may be performed.

  The pump drive control means 75 controls the rotational speed of the pump 21 at the rotational speed (an appropriate value of 1550 rpm or 1700 rpm) determined by the pump rotational speed determination means 74 during the reheating operation in the air shut-off state. In addition, the pump drive control means 75 controls the pump rotational speed to a rotational speed of about 3500 rpm, which is larger than that in the chasing operation, during the fine bubble generation operation, and the hot water circulation flow rate is larger than 5.5 liters / minute. The value can be 5 liters / minute or less.

  During the microbubble generation operation, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the air introduction control valve 38 opens and closes the air valve 5, and the pump 21 drives the bathtub hot water circulation function. In the closed state of the air valve 5, bath water (only) is sent to the pressurized container 30, and in the open state of the air valve 5 of the air introduction control valve 38, air and bathtub hot water are pumped from the air introduction control valve 38 to the pump 21. The air is pressurized and melted in the bathtub hot water by the pump 21 and sent to the pressurized container 30 side. Note that the configuration of the pressurization container 30 is not particularly limited and is appropriately set. However, in this embodiment, the pressurization container 30 having the configuration shown in FIG. 9 is applied, and the configuration is simple. Explained.

  As shown in the schematic cross-sectional view of the figure, the pressurized container 30 is filled with the water containing the air at the center of the upper end of a substantially cylindrical tank 31 into which the water containing air is introduced under pressure. An inlet 132 for discharging into the tank 31 is formed facing downward. The pressurized container 30 has a bowl shape with a substantially elliptical cross section so that it can withstand a high pressure applied to the pressurized container 30. Although the water containing air is agitated in the pump 21 as described above, a part of the air that cannot be dissolved reaches the tank inlet 132 shown in FIG. 9 as it is (the gas-liquid two-phase mixed flow). . Therefore, there are two types of pressurized introduction into the tank 31: the case of water containing air and the case of water alone. In addition, a water outlet 33 and a water outlet 137 for draining water from the tank when not in use for a long time are formed on the lower end side of the tank 31. The outlet 137 is normally closed. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9C, a partition plate (target plate) 134 is provided below the inlet 32 of the pressurization vessel 30 so as to partition the inside of the tank 31 up and down with a space therebetween. The pressurized container 30 is provided with electrodes 135 and 136 for detecting the water level below the partition plate 134 and a ground electrode (not shown). These electrodes are formed of carbon electrodes.

  When the water level is no longer detected by the electrode 135 of the pressurized container 30, the air valve 5 of the air introduction control valve 38 is closed, and when the water level is detected by the electrode 136, the air valve 5 of the air introduction control valve 38 is opened (air introduction). 9 (c), the volume of the air layer (undissolved air layer) A (shaded portion) formed on the water in the tank 31 is adjusted. That is, based on the water level detection results of the electrodes 135 and 136, when the detected water level exceeds the set high reference water level, the air valve 5 of the air introduction control valve 38 is opened to be lower than the partition plate 134 in the pressurized container 30. The volume of the undissolved air between the hot water (reserved water) and the upper end of the container is increased so that the water level of the stored water is equal to or lower than the set high reference water level, and the detected water level is lower than the set low reference water level. When the temperature becomes lower, the air valve 5 of the air introduction control valve 38 is closed (in an air shut-off state), and the volume of the air layer A can be reduced to make the hot water level higher than the set low reference water level.

  The water level detected by the electrodes 135 and 136 and the ground electrode may be the surface of the water. In many cases, the upper end of the bubble spreading on the water surface is detected as the water level by the respective electrodes, and air is introduced based on the detected water level. The air valve 5 of the control valve 38 is controlled to open and close.

9B, a gap S having a predetermined set interval is formed between the outer peripheral edge of the partition plate 134 and the inner peripheral wall of the tank 31. . Note that the partition plate 134 is formed with holes in the passages that pass through the electrodes 135 and 136 and the ground electrode, but these holes are not shown in FIG. 9B. For example, the diameter of the inner wall of the tank 31 is 45 mm, whereas the diameter of the partition plate 134 is 42 mm, and the diameter S of the gap S (the gap between the tank inner wall and the outer periphery of the partition plate 134) is The thickness is 1.5 mm and the area is 204.885 mm ² . The size of the gap S is determined so that the area of the gap is formed larger than the cross-sectional area 50 mm ^{2 of the} inlet 32 having a diameter of 8 mm. That is, the gap nozzle utilizes the difference in diameter between the partition plate 134 and the tank inner wall.

  As shown in the schematic operation diagram of FIG. 9C, the water containing the air poured from the inlet 32 falls onto the central portion of the partition plate 134 as shown by the arrows in the figure, and the partition plate 134. After passing above, it passes through the gap S, and then (according to Bernoulli's theorem and the adsorption phenomenon due to the suction effect due to the reaction force of the water bending force due to the viscosity of the water) While adhering to the wall surface, the water passing through the gap S is made to flow along the surface to be added to the inner peripheral wall of the tank so that the water drops do not scatter evenly in the air layer A, and the water flows together. .

  Then, this water flow is caused to flow down to the lower part of the tank while being jetted, and the water containing the air reaching the water surface stored in the lower part of the tank is reduced in velocity due to the collision with the stored water and becomes normal flow. Vigorous vortex motion is generated by the water jump phenomenon that occurs at the time of discontinuous change to flow, and the vortex of the vortex motion that is formed by the kinetic energy released by discontinuous change from this jet to normal flow Air is dissolved efficiently by entraining the liquid and dissolving the gas.

  Instead of forming the partition plate 134 in a disk shape as shown in FIG. 9B and forming a donut-shaped gap with the inner wall of the tank, for example, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10C. As described above, various configurations such as forming notches on the outer peripheral side of the partition plate 134 are applied. FIG. 10B is a sectional view showing a state in which the partition plate 134 shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B can be applied to the fine bubble ejection device 39. The fine bubble ejection device 39 includes a main body 49 and a cover member 50, and the cover member 50 is provided with a filter 54 provided with a large number of small circular through holes having a diameter of 0.8 mm. The main body 49 is provided with a pipe connection port 55 connected to the outgoing pipe 24 and the return pipe 23 of the hot water circulation path 25 and a discharge port 56 to the bathtub 26 side. A fine bubble generating channel 46 and a reheating channel 47 are provided. A flow rate corresponding on-off valve 48 is provided between the fine bubble generating channel 46 and the reheating channel 47. This flow rate corresponding on-off valve 48 makes the valve body movable by a spring, generates a predetermined pressure upstream of the valve according to the flow rate hitting the valve body, and closes the flow when the valve body reaches the valve seat above the set flow rate. As a result, the upstream pressure of the valve suddenly rises, and this sudden rise in pressure ensures more closure.

  When the pump 21 is driven, the bath water is sucked into the main body 49 of the fine bubble ejection device 39 through the filter 54 and guided to the return pipe 23 of the hot water circulation path 25. On the other hand, the hot water introduced into the main body 49 from the outgoing pipe 24 side passes through at least one of the fine bubble generating flow path 46 and the reheating flow path 47 and is discharged from the discharge port 56. In addition, the flow path 46 for generating fine bubbles causes the bathtub hot water circulated through the hot water circulation path 25 to be ejected into the bathtub 26 through the nozzle 45 as shown by an arrow in FIG. To generate fine bubbles. The reheating channel 47 guides the bathtub hot water into the bathtub 26 without passing through the nozzle 45 as shown by the arrow in FIG.

  The flow rate corresponding on-off valve 48 is a valve having a structure in which the water pressure rises upstream of the on-off valve 48 in accordance with the flow rate of hot water introduced into the fine bubble ejection device 39, and therefore the valve closing set pressure generated at the set flow rate. The valve is closed at the above time, and once the valve is closed, the hot water is led out only through the narrow bubble generating channel 46 having a narrow channel, so that the pressure rises rapidly. The valve is opened when the flow rate is reduced to be equal to or lower than the valve opening set pressure. The pump drive control means 75 controls the number of rotations (pressure) of the pump 21 as follows. In accordance with this operation, hot water is led into the bathtub 26 through at least one of the fine bubble generating flow path 46 and the reheating flow path 47 as described above.

  In other words, at the time of the chasing operation, the circulating water amount of the pump 21 is temporarily reduced to a stop position by the pump drive control means 75 (rotational speed control or the like), or the pump 21 is temporarily stopped. When the pressure generated by the flow rate of the hot water introduced into the bubble ejection device 39 is equal to or lower than the valve opening set pressure, the flow rate corresponding on-off valve 48 is biased against the spring 53 as shown in FIGS. 11 (a) and 12 (a). Will be open. After opening the valve, the rotational speed of the pump 21 is increased to 1550 rpm or 1700 rpm, which is the rotational speed for reheating, so that the hot water is led out into the bathtub 26 through the reheating channel 47 as shown by the solid line arrow. The normal bathtub hot water reheating operation is performed. During this reheating operation, hot water passes through the reheating channel 47, and the fine bubble generating channel 46 is much narrower than the reheating channel 47. When not closed, it preferentially passes through the reheating channel 47 (the flow rate of hot water passing through the fine bubble generating channel 46 is small). Therefore, fine bubbles are not generated during the chasing operation.

  On the other hand, at the time of the fine bubble ejection operation, the flow rate of the hot water introduced into the fine bubble ejection device 39 is controlled to be equal to or higher than the valve closing pressure by controlling the pump 21 by the pump drive control means 75 (rotational speed control or the like). By setting it to a value equal to or greater than (liters / minute), the flow rate corresponding on-off valve 48 is pushed against the urging force of the spring 53 by water pressure and closed, as shown in FIGS. 11 (b) and 12 (b). . As a result, the hot water is jetted into the bathtub 26 through the fine bubble generating flow path 46 as indicated by the broken line arrow, whereby the fine bubbles are jetted into the bathtub 26 to cause white turbidity. .

  In this way, by forming the fine bubble ejection device 39 by applying the flow rate corresponding on-off valve 48, the configuration of the electrical wiring or the like is provided in the fine bubble ejection device 39 only by controlling the rotation speed of the pump 21. In addition, the flow path in the fine bubble ejection device 39 can be switched between the chasing operation and the fine bubble generating operation, and the device configuration and control configuration can be simplified.

  Note that the flow rate corresponding on-off valve 48 has the switching characteristics shown in FIG. 13, and when the flow rate of hot water introduced into the fine bubble ejection device 39 is small, the hot water introduced from the pipe connection port 55 is replenished. The flow rate pressure characteristic is derived into the bathtub 26 through the use channel 47, and increases as the flow rate of the hot water introduced into the fine bubble ejection device 39 increases, as indicated by the characteristic line a in FIG.

  However, when the flow rate of the hot water introduced into the fine bubble ejection device 39 exceeds the set flow rate, the flow rate corresponding on-off valve 48 is closed against the biasing force of the spring 53 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the hot water cannot pass through the reheating channel 47 and is ejected into the bathtub 26 through the fine bubble generating channel 46. When bath water is circulated through the fine bubble generating channel 46, the relationship between the flow rate and the pressure applied to the fine bubble generating channel 46 is as shown by the characteristic line b. Since the fine bubble generating flow path 46 is very small, a large pressure is generated even at a small flow rate. Therefore, in order to open the flow rate corresponding on-off valve 48, the flow rate must be reduced to near zero. (The flow rate is less than the switching pressure.)

  In order to increase the thermal efficiency during the chasing operation, it is preferable that the hot water circulation flow rate is large. However, as in the present embodiment, the fine bubble ejection device 39 provided with the flow rate corresponding on-off valve 48 is provided, and this fine air injection device 39 is provided. A bath apparatus configured to introduce a hot water circulating through the hot water circulation passage 25 into the bubble jetting device 39 to generate fine bubbles (microbubbles) and an operation to repel without generating fine bubbles. In this case, it is not possible to simply increase the hot water circulation flow rate during the chasing operation. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the pipe resistance of the hot water circulation passage 25 is small (for example, the pipe diameter is 13A and the length is shorter than 3 m), the rotation speed of the pump 21 is set to 1700 rpm. In some cases, the hot water circulation flow rate exceeds 5.7 liters / minute, and the flow rate on / off valve may be over the set flow rate (for example, 6 liters / minute) that is higher than the passing flow valve opening pressure. Regardless of the time, hot water is led out through the fine bubble generating flow path 46, which causes a problem.

  Therefore, even when the bath device 60 is installed in a place where the pipe cross-sectional area and pipe distance of the hot water circulation passage 25 are unknown, the water level sensor 20 detects the problem so that such a problem does not occur. By setting the number of rotations of the pump 21 according to the pipe resistance corresponding to the differential pressure value obtained by subtracting the detected static pressure value from the detected dynamic pressure value (according to the output voltage difference of the water level sensor 20) It is possible to set an appropriate pump rotational speed capable of performing both the blowing operation and the fine bubble generating operation satisfactorily, and at the same time, whether or not an orifice is formed when air is introduced by the air introduction control valve 38 as described above. By performing the movement control of the orifice valve 4 and the opening / closing control of the air valve 5 based on this, it is possible to satisfactorily perform the fine bubble generation operation and the reheating operation.

  According to the present embodiment, as described above, air is introduced from the air introduction control valve 38 into the hot water circulation path 25 regardless of the positional relationship between the bath device 60 and the bathtub 26. Therefore, the air can be melted into the bathtub hot water by the pump 21 and the pressurized container 30 and ejected into the bathtub 26 from the fine bubble ejection device 39 to generate cloudy bubbles. By circulating the bathtub hot water at an appropriate pump speed smaller than that when white cloudy bubbles are generated, the hot water can be recirculated by circulating the bathtub hot water with energy saving.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, It sets suitably. For example, as shown in FIG. 14A, the outer diameter of the orifice valve 4 continuously changes in the forward / backward movement direction (arrow A direction in the figure) of the orifice valve 4, or in FIG. As shown, the orifice valve 4 may be changed stepwise in the forward / backward movement direction. In such an embodiment, when the orifice valve control means 72 moves the orifice valve 4 into the reduced diameter region 8 of the water channel, the orifice formation state is determined by the amount of the orifice valve 4 introduced into the reduced diameter region 8. The sectional area of the orifice may be changed continuously or stepwise.

  Also in these cases, the relational data between the pressure (dynamic pressure) detected by the water level sensor 20 and the sectional area of the orifice during the circulation of the bathtub and hot water, the movement amount of the orifice unit 4 (or the pulse value of the stepping motor 29), and the sectional area of the orifice. Is given to the memory unit 73 in advance, and the bath device 60 is moved by moving the orifice valve 4 so as to have an appropriate orifice sectional area corresponding to the dynamic pressure based on the relationship data. Whatever the positional relationship between the tub 26 and the bathtub 26, air can be appropriately introduced into the hot water circulation path 25 from the air introduction control valve 38.

  In the above embodiment, the orifice valve control means 72 is provided to automatically move the orifice valve. However, instead of providing the orifice valve control means 72, for example, manually according to the operation of the manual operation unit. The orifice valve 4 may be variable by moving it back and forth between the outside of the reduced diameter region 8 and the inside of the reduced diameter region 8.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the pressure (dynamic pressure) on the pump suction side during hot water circulation in the hot water circulation passage 25 detected by the water level sensor 20 and the control information of the orifice valve 4 corresponding to the dynamic pressure are used. Based on the above, the orifice valve control means 72 controls the orifice valve 4. For example, when the pressure error generated on the pump suction side of the hot water circulation passage 25 is small when the pump 21 is driven, for example, Also good.

  That is, the water level sensor 20 detects the pressure (static pressure) on the pump suction side when the hot water circulation passage 25 is not circulating, and is generated on the pump suction side according to the detected value of the static pressure and the rotation speed of the pump 21. Based on the information on the pressure (for example, the negative pressure value generated when the pump 21 is rotated at 3500 rpm), the dynamic pressure on the pump suction side during the hot water circulation in the hot water circulation passage 25 is estimated (for example, obtained by calculation). . The orifice valve control means 72 controls the orifice valve 4 based on the estimated value and the control information of the orifice valve 4 (control information corresponding to the dynamic pressure), and the dynamic pressure on the suction side of the pump 21 is preliminarily set. The passage resistance of the water passage 1 of the air introduction control valve 38 may be variably controlled so that a predetermined negative pressure range or negative pressure value is obtained.

  Furthermore, the system configuration of the bath apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. That is, the bath apparatus of the present invention has a bath as long as it has an air introduction control valve 38 having a configuration in which at least the orifice valve 4 is a variable orifice as shown in FIGS. The apparatus may be a bath apparatus having only a reheating function of replenishing water supplied to the bathtub 26, or may have other functions such as a heating function and a solar heat collecting function. The bath device may be a device that burns fuel other than gas to heat water to make hot water, or may be a device that heats water by electricity to make hot water, and the details are set as appropriate. Is.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY Since the hot water in the bathtub can be made cloudy and a comfortable bathing time can be realized, the present invention can be used as a bath device provided in various places such as homes and hotel accommodations.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water flow path 2 Air introduction path 3 Body 4 Orifice valve 5 Air valve 6 Valve shaft body 7 Spring 8 Reducing area 9 Motor shaft 15 Reheating heat exchanger 16 Reheating burner 20 Water level sensor 21 Pump 25 Hot water circulation path 26 Bath 29 Stepping motor 30 Pressurized container 35 Valve shaft body 38 Air introduction control valve 39 Fine bubble ejection device 46 Fine bubble generation passage 47 Reflow passage 48 Flow rate corresponding on-off valve 71 Control device 72 Orifice valve control means 73 Memory portion 74 Pump rotational speed determination means 75 Pump drive control means 76 Fine bubble generation operation section 77 Reheating operation operation section

Claims (7)

A bath device that circulates and drives hot water in the bathtub, an inlet side pipe that connects the hot water inlet to the bath device and the bathtub, and an outlet that connects the hot water outlet from the bath device and the bathtub. A hot water circulation path is formed by having a side pipe line, an outlet pipe line and an in-apparatus pipe line that communicates the inlet side pipe line in the bath equipment, and the hot water circulation path in the equipment pipe Is provided with a pump having a function of circulating hot water and an air introduction control valve disposed at a position on the suction side of the pump. The air introduction control valve is provided in the hot water passage and the water passage. An orifice valve is provided in the water passage having an air introduction passage for introducing air, and an air valve having a function of changing an introduction state and a cutoff state of air introduced from the air introduction passage is provided. , through the pre-Symbol orifice valve Ri by to drive the pump when the air introduction state of the air valves Hot water in which the said hot water and the air introducing air entering through said air valve forms a structure to derive the suction side of the pump after, the said orifice valve varies the flow resistance of the water passage A bath apparatus characterized by comprising a variable orifice valve for carrying out the operation.   In the water passage of the air introduction control valve, a reduced diameter region is formed by reducing the diameter of the water passage, and the orifice valve is moved forward and backward between the outside of the reduced diameter region and the reduced diameter region, By moving the orifice valve into the reduced diameter region, an orifice is formed by a gap between the inner periphery of the reduced diameter region and the outer periphery of the orifice valve, and the orifice valve is moved outside the reduced diameter region. The bath apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an orifice valve control means for making an orifice non-formed state.   The outer diameter of the orifice valve is changed continuously or stepwise in the direction of forward and backward movement of the orifice valve, and when the orifice valve control means moves the orifice valve into the reduced diameter region of the water channel, The bath apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sectional area of the orifice in the orifice formation state is changed continuously or stepwise according to the amount of the orifice valve introduced into the reduced diameter region.   The hot water circuit detects at least one of dynamic pressure, which is the pressure on the pump suction side when hot water is circulated through the hot water circuit, and static pressure, which is the pressure on the pump suction side when hot water is not circulated. Pressure detection means is provided, and the dynamic pressure estimated from the control value of the orifice valve corresponding to the dynamic pressure given in advance and the detection value of the dynamic pressure or the detection value of the static pressure detected by the pressure detection means Based on the estimated pressure value, the orifice valve control means controls the orifice valve so that the dynamic pressure on the suction side of the pump falls within a predetermined negative pressure range or negative pressure value. 4. The bath apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the passage resistance is variably controlled.   A reheating heat exchanger that replenishes hot and cold water in the bathtub is installed in the internal pipe of the equipment, and the hot water circulating through the hot water circulation path is used as the dynamic pressure during hot water circulation in the hot water circulation path. A pressure detection means for detecting the pressure on the pump suction side when hot water is not circulated as a static pressure is provided, and a pump corresponding to a differential pressure value obtained by subtracting the static pressure from the dynamic pressure detected by the pressure detection means The rotational speed control information is preliminarily given, and based on the rotational speed control information of the pump and the detected value of the differential pressure value, the hot water in the bathtub is circulated in a state where the air from the air introduction control valve is shut off. A pump rotational speed determining means for determining the rotational speed of the pump and a revolving speed determined by the pump rotational speed determining means at the time of a repulsive operation in which the pump is driven while the air introduction control valve is closed. The pump Bath apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it has a pump driving control means for controlling the rotational speed.   By driving the pump with the air valve of the air introduction control valve in the air introduction state, the air and hot water led to the suction side of the pump are pressurized by the pump and the air is melted into the hot water. The connecting portion of the hot water circulation passage with the bathtub is provided with a fine bubble jetting device for jetting fine bubbles into the hot water in the bathtub by jetting hot water in which the air is melted into the bathtub. The bath apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that:   The fine bubble ejection device includes: a fine bubble generating channel for generating fine bubbles in the bathtub by ejecting the bathtub hot water circulated through the hot water circulation path into the bathtub through the nozzle; and the nozzle hot water through the nozzle. A reflow channel that leads out into the bathtub without passing through, and a flow rate corresponding valve that closes when the flow rate is equal to or higher than a set flow rate according to the flow rate of hot water introduced into the fine bubble ejection device, and the hot water circulation A pump drive control means for controlling the flow rate of hot water introduced into the fine bubble jetting device by circulating through the passage by controlling the rotational speed of the pump, and the pump drive control means is configured to eject the fine bubble during the fine bubble jet operation. By making the flow rate of the hot water introduced into the apparatus equal to or higher than the set flow rate, the hot water is jetted into the bathtub through the fine bubble generating channel so that the flow rate corresponding valve is closed. When the reheating operation is performed, the flow rate of the hot water introduced into the fine bubble jetting device is controlled to be less than the set flow rate under the control of the pump, and the flow rate corresponding valve is opened, and the hot water is passed through the reheating flow channel. The bath apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the bath apparatus is led out.

Images