JP6102453B2 - Bathtub cleaning system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a bathtub cleaning system for automatically cleaning a bathtub by ejecting cleaning water from a cleaning nozzle provided in the bathtub.

  As a bathtub cleaning system, a cleaning pipe connected to a cleaning nozzle provided in the bathtub is connected to a water heater (heat source device), and the cleaning liquid, hot water or water is supplied from the cleaning nozzle using hot water or water supplied from the water heater. Is known to perform a bathtub washing operation by spraying the water.

  As such a bath cleaning system, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2009-207753 (Patent Document 1) has a cleaning pipe connected between a cleaning nozzle and a connecting pipe drawn from a hot water outlet pipe of the water heater. In addition, a configuration in which an on-off valve that is an on / off valve that opens and closes the flow path of the cleaning pipe is provided. In Patent Document 1, when the on-off valve is opened, hot water or water is introduced from the hot water outlet pipe of the water heater into the cleaning pipe through the connecting pipe. The introduced hot water or water flows through the cleaning pipe and is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle into the bathtub, thereby cleaning the inside of the bathtub.

JP 2009-207753 A JP2011-15312A

  However, in the above-described bathtub cleaning system, when an open failure occurs in which the on-off valve is stuck in the open state during the execution of the bathtub cleaning operation, the supply of hot water from the water heater to the cleaning pipe cannot be cut off. There is a possibility that hot water may be ejected from the washing nozzle at an unintended timing. In addition, when the hot water supply temperature is set to a high temperature, hot water in a high temperature state may be ejected from the washing nozzle.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and the object thereof is to reliably protect the user from unintentional hot water jets in the event of an open valve failure. To provide a bath cleaning system.

  A bathtub cleaning system according to the present invention includes a cleaning nozzle provided in a bathtub, a cleaning pipe disposed between a tapping pipe and a cleaning nozzle of a heat source machine, and an on-off valve for opening and closing a flow path of the cleaning pipe. And an operation unit for generating an execution command for instructing execution of a bath cleaning operation in which the cleaning water supplied from the heat source device is ejected from the cleaning nozzle while the on-off valve is opened, and is executed from the operation unit And a control device for opening and closing the on-off valve when receiving the command. When it is diagnosed that the open / close valve is stuck in the open state, the control device prohibits execution of the bath cleaning operation until the power source of the bath cleaning system is reset.

  According to the bathtub cleaning system of the present invention, when an open / close valve failure occurs, execution of the bathtub cleaning operation is prohibited until the power of the bathtub cleaning system is reset. This is because there is a high possibility that the on-off valve has not been replaced or repaired until the power is reset. By prohibiting the execution of the bathtub washing operation, the user can be reliably protected from unintentional hot water jets.

  In the bathtub cleaning system, the operation unit is configured to generate an execution command in response to an input operation. When it is diagnosed that the on-off valve is open, the control device outputs a close command to the on-off valve and disables the operation unit from accepting input until the power source of the bathtub cleaning system is reset.

  Thereby, execution of the bathtub cleaning operation can be reliably prohibited until the power supply of the bathtub cleaning system is reset.

  The bathtub cleaning system further includes a display unit configured to visually notify the opening / closing valve failure until the power source of the bathtub cleaning system is reset when the opening / closing valve failure is diagnosed.

  As a result, the on-off valve may be open failure, hot water may be spouted at an unintended timing when the bathtub cleaning operation is performed in this state, and contact the installer to replace the on-off valve. It is possible to notify the user that it is necessary to perform repair work.

  The bathtub cleaning system further includes an audio output unit configured to audibly notify the open / close valve open failure when diagnosed as an open / close valve open failure. The voice output unit stops the notification when there is an input operation of the operation unit during the notification or when a predetermined time elapses without the input operation of the operation unit.

  As a result, the on-off valve may be open failure, hot water may be spouted at an unintended timing when the bathtub cleaning operation is performed in this state, and contact the installer to replace the on-off valve. It is possible to notify the user that it is necessary to perform repair work.

  In the bathtub cleaning system, the sound output unit changes the notification mode according to the temperature of the cleaning water.

  Thereby, it is possible to sufficiently recognize the possibility that high-temperature hot water is ejected from the cleaning nozzle.

  In the bathtub cleaning system described above, the sound output unit reports an open / close valve failure when the temperature of the cleaning water is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature.

  Thereby, it can fully be made to recognize that high temperature hot water is ejected from the washing nozzle with respect to a user.

  In the bathtub cleaning system described above, when the control device is diagnosed with an open / close valve failure, the open / close valve open command and the close command are output as one set, and the predetermined set is the upper limit, and the control device opens and closes each set. Determine whether the valve has returned from an open failure.

  By performing opening / closing return processing as an emergency measure, unintentional hot water ejection can be stopped as much as possible.

  In the bathtub cleaning system, the control device outputs a closing command to the on / off valve until the power source of the bathtub cleaning system is reset after the return operation of the on / off valve is completed.

  Thereby, since the possibility that the opening / closing failure of the on-off valve will recur can be eliminated, it is possible to reliably avoid unintentional hot water ejection from the user.

  In the bathtub cleaning system, the control device instructs the heat source device to lower the hot water supply temperature of the heat source device when it is diagnosed that the on-off valve is open.

  Thereby, possibility that a user will accidentally touch hot water can be avoided.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably protect the user from unintended hot water ejection when an open / close valve malfunction occurs.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a bath system to which a bathtub cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram of the washing | cleaning unit shown in FIG. It is an external view which shows an example of a washing | cleaning remote control. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence for implement | achieving the open fault diagnostic process and fail safe process of the pouring electromagnetic valve according to embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the process of FIG.4 S03 further in detail. 5 is a timing chart for explaining the process of step S04 of FIG. 4 in more detail.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

[Bath system configuration]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a bath system to which a bathtub cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In addition, FIG. 1 has shown the structure of the bath system when wash | cleaning a bathtub with a bathtub washing system.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the bath system includes a bathroom 2 provided inside a building 1 and a water heater 3 serving as a heat source device. A bathtub 40 and a cleaning unit 10 are installed inside the bathroom 2. A water heater 3 is installed outside the bathroom 2 or outside the building 1. A power supply device 4 for supplying power to loads such as the cleaning unit 10 and the water heater 3 is further installed outside the bathroom 2. The power supply device 4 converts AC power supplied from a commercial power supply into power suitable for driving the load, and supplies the power to each load via the power supply line 5.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which power is supplied from the power supply device 4 to the load such as the cleaning unit 10 and the water heater 3 is illustrated. However, as a modification, the power supply device 4 supplies power only to the cleaning unit 10. The water heater 3 is configured so that a commercial power supply is directly input to the water heater 3 without receiving power supply from the power supply device 4, and a power supply device (not shown) built in the water heater 3 It can be set as the structure which supplies the electric power suitable for the drive of load.

  The water heater 3 is a heat source machine having a hot water supply function, a hot water filling function, and a reheating function. The water heater 3 according to the present embodiment is configured as a single can / two water type. That is, although not shown, the hot water heater 3 is configured such that the hot water heat exchanger and the bath heat exchanger are disposed in one can and heat-exchanged by a combustion burner that is a common heat source. ing. The water heater 3 may be configured not to have a hot water filling function and a chasing function.

  The hot water heater 3 includes a water supply pipe 70 and a hot water discharge pipe 72 connected to the hot water supply heat exchanger, and a forward pipe 74 and a return pipe 76 connected between the bath heat exchanger and the circulation adapter 42 in the bathtub 40. . The water supply pipe 70 and the hot water discharge pipe 72 constitute a hot water supply pipe, and the forward pipe 74 and the return pipe 76 constitute a circulation pipe for realizing a reheating function.

  The water heater 3 receives tap water or the like from the water supply pipe 70 and causes the hot water heated to a predetermined temperature by heat exchange heating with the combustion heat of the combustion burner in the hot water supply heat exchanger to be discharged from the hot water discharge pipe 72. A hot water tap (not shown) such as a currant 73 and a shower head for hot water use is connected to the terminal of the hot water discharge pipe 72. Further, the water heater 3 can reheat the bath water returned from the bathtub 40 to the water heater 3 through the circulation line to a predetermined temperature by heat exchange heating with the combustion heat of the combustion burner in the bath heat exchanger. It is like that.

  The water heater 3 is provided with a control unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of the water heater 3, and the control unit controls hot water supply operation, hot water filling operation, reheating operation, and the like. A remote controller for remotely operating the water heater 3 is connected to the control unit via a communication line 6. In FIG. 1, a kitchen remote controller 7 and a bathroom remote controller 9 are shown as an example. The kitchen remote control 7 and bathroom remote control 9 are provided with operation switches, hot water filling switches, reheating switches, touch panels, and the like. On the touch panel, an operation screen for inputting and setting a hot water supply set temperature, a hot water set temperature, and the like is displayed by performing a touch operation on the screen.

  In the bathtub 40, a circulation adapter 42 is installed in the vicinity of the lowermost end of the side wall, and an automatic opening / closing drive control type drain plug 44 and a cleaning nozzle 60 are installed on the bottom wall. An opening / closing drive mechanism 46 and a detergent tank 50 are installed on the flange wall on the upper surface side of the bathtub 40. The circulation adapter 42 is connected to the return pipe 74 and the return pipe 76 of the circulation line, respectively. Bath water in the bathtub 40 is sucked into the return pipe 76 via the circulation adapter 42, while the return pipe 76 is connected to the bathtub 40. Bathtub water is discharged inside. The drain plug 44 performs an opening / closing operation in response to transmission of the opening / closing driving force from the opening / closing driving mechanism 46. The opening / closing drive mechanism 46 is provided with a sensor for detecting whether the drain plug 44 is open or closed, and the opening / closing drive mechanism 46 controls the opening / closing operation of the drain plug 44 based on the output signal of the sensor. To do. When the drain plug 44 is opened by the opening / closing drive mechanism 46, hot water in the bathtub 40 is discharged to the bottom of the bathroom 2 and subsequently drained from a drain port (not shown) of the bathroom 2.

[Configuration of bathtub cleaning system]
The bathtub cleaning system performs a bathtub cleaning operation for automatically cleaning the bathtub 40 by causing the cleaning unit 10 to eject hot water or water (hereinafter also referred to as cleaning water) or detergent liquid into the bathtub 40. In addition, you may comprise so that bathroom members, such as the wall surface and floor surface which comprise the bathroom 2, can also be wash | cleaned by installing a washing nozzle further in the wall surface or upper part of the bathroom 2. FIG.

  The bathtub cleaning system includes a cleaning nozzle 60 installed on the bottom wall of the bathtub 40, a cleaning pipe 78 for supplying cleaning water to the cleaning nozzle 60, a detergent supply pipe 54 for mixing a detergent liquid into the cleaning water, and a detergent. A detergent tank 50 for storing the stock solution, a cleaning unit 10 provided between the water heater 3 and the bathtub 40, and a cleaning remote controller 8 for remotely operating the cleaning unit 10 are provided.

  The cleaning nozzle 60 is installed to penetrate the bottom wall of the bathtub 40 and is configured to eject cleaning water with a predetermined range from the front end opening (upper surface opening) toward the inner wall of the bathtub 40 and the outside of the bathtub 40. Yes. Although only one cleaning nozzle 60 is shown in FIG. 1, two or more cleaning nozzles 60 can be installed in a predetermined arrangement depending on the size of the bathtub 40, the bathroom member to be cleaned, and the like.

  One end of the cleaning pipe 78 is connected to the cleaning nozzle 60, and the other end is connected to a connection pipe 75 drawn out from the hot water discharge pipe 72 of the water heater 3. The detergent supply pipe 54 extends from the lower part of the detergent tank 50 and is connected in the middle of the washing pipe 78. The detergent tank 50 is installed on the flange wall on the upper surface side of the bathtub 40. A detergent replenishing port exposed on the flange wall is provided at the top of the detergent tank 50.

  The cleaning unit 10 is installed on the outer periphery of the bathtub 40 and the like, receives supply of hot water from the water heater 3, and jets detergent liquid and cleaning water into the bathtub 40 to automatically clean the bathtub 40. In FIG. 1, a path through which the detergent solution and the washing water flow is indicated by a thick line. Hereinafter, the cleaning unit 10 will be further described with reference to FIG.

[Configuration of cleaning unit]
With reference to FIG. 2, the cleaning pipe 78 includes, in order from the upstream side connected to the connection pipe 75, a water inlet fitting 12, a water governor valve 14, a thermistor 16, a water amount sensor 18, a pouring electromagnetic valve 20, and a check valve 22. , 24, a check valve 26, an air release valve 28, a check valve 30, a detergent electromagnetic valve 32, and a detergent mixing part 34 are interposed.

  By connecting the connecting pipe 75 to the water fitting 12, the cleaning pipe 78 and the connecting pipe 75 are connected. Hot water supplied from the hot water heater 3 flows into the cleaning pipe 78 through the hot water outlet pipe 72. The water governor valve 14 makes the water pressure in the cleaning pipe 78 constant.

  The thermistor 16 detects the temperature of hot water flowing in the cleaning pipe 78 and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 36. The water amount sensor 18 detects the flow rate of hot water supplied from the hot water discharge pipe 72 of the water heater 3 to the cleaning pipe 78 and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 36.

  The pouring solenoid valve 20 is operated by a control command from the control unit 36 to open and close the flow path of the cleaning pipe 78. Specifically, when the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 is opened in response to the opening command from the control unit 36, the hot water supplied from the hot water discharge pipe 72 of the hot water heater 3 is washed via the connection pipe 75. Introduced in. Hot water introduced into the cleaning pipe 78 is controlled to a constant water pressure by the water governor valve 14, flows through the cleaning pipe 78, and is ejected from the cleaning nozzle 60 into the bathtub 40. Thereby, the rinsing washing in the bathtub 40 is performed.

  On the other hand, the hot water supply solenoid valve 20 is closed in response to a closing command from the control unit 36, whereby the supply of hot water to the cleaning pipe 78 is shut off. The pouring solenoid valve 20 is used as a representative example of an “open / close valve” that can open and close the flow path of the cleaning pipe 78. That is, any type of on-off valve can be used in place of the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 as long as the valve is configured to be able to be switched between full open and fully closed.

  The check valves 22 and 24 allow passage of hot water in the direction from the connection pipe 75 to the cleaning pipe 78, and disable passage of hot water in the direction from the cleaning pipe 78 to the connection pipe 75.

  The backflow prevention valve 26 is a safety device for cutting off the miscellaneous water and clean water in the bath. The backflow prevention valve 26 normally closes the overflow port due to the pressure difference between the supply water source pressure (primary pressure) and the supply destination pressure (secondary pressure). Further, the backflow prevention valve 26 is opened when negative pressure is generated on the water supply source side due to water cut or the like, and discharges miscellaneous water from the overflow port to the outside of the cleaning unit 10. The overflow port is connected to the drainage part of the cleaning unit 10 through a pipe (not shown).

  The atmosphere release valve 28 communicates with the atmosphere in the cleaning pipe 78 in a state where the cleaning water does not flow through the cleaning pipe 78, and blocks communication with the atmosphere while the cleaning water flows in the cleaning pipe 78. The check valve 30 is provided on the upstream side of the detergent mixing portion 34. The check valve 30 prevents the detergent liquid from flowing back to the upstream side.

  The detergent mixing part 34 is constituted by a venturi tube. The downstream end of the detergent supply pipe 54 is connected to the detergent mixing portion 34 in communication. The upstream end of the detergent supply pipe 54 is connected to the detergent tank 50, while the detergent solenoid valve 32 is interposed in the middle of the detergent supply pipe 54. The detergent electromagnetic valve 32 is operated by a control command from the control unit 36 to open and close the flow path of the detergent supply pipe 54. Specifically, when the detergent electromagnetic valve 32 is opened in response to an opening command from the control unit 36, a predetermined amount of the detergent stock solution supplied from the detergent tank 50 is supplied to the cleaning nozzle 60 in the detergent mixing unit 34. A detergent solution is produced by mixing with hot water passing toward the surface by a negative pressure suction action. Then, this detergent liquid is ejected from the cleaning nozzle 60 into the bathtub 40. Thereby, detergent washing in bathtub 40 is performed.

  On the other hand, the detergent electromagnetic valve 32 is closed in response to the closing command from the control unit 36, whereby the supply of the detergent stock solution to the detergent mixing unit 34 is shut off. That is, it is possible to adjust the amount of detergent supplied for one cleaning by the length of the valve opening time for opening the detergent electromagnetic valve 32. A detergent switch 50 is provided inside the detergent tank 50 for detecting the liquid level of the detergent stock solution, and is configured to detect that the liquid level has dropped to a predetermined liquid level and output it to the control unit 36. Has been.

  The cleaning unit 10 further includes a control unit 36 including a microcomputer, a memory, a timer, and the like (not shown). The operation of the bath cleaning operation is controlled by causing the microcomputer to execute the control program for the cleaning unit 10 stored in the memory by the control unit 36. A cleaning remote controller 8 for remotely operating the cleaning unit 10 is connected to the control unit 36. The control unit 36 transmits / receives various signals to / from the cleaning remote controller 8. The control unit 36 is further configured to be capable of bidirectional communication with a control unit (not shown) of the water heater 3. When the user inputs the execution of the bathtub cleaning operation using the cleaning remote controller 8, the control unit 36 executes the bathtub cleaning process in cooperation with the control unit of the water heater 3. Note that a kitchen remote controller 7 and a bathroom remote controller 9 are connected to the control unit of the water heater 3 via a communication line 6, and an input operation for hot water filling or chasing operation can be performed by these remote controllers.

FIG. 3 is an external view showing an example of the cleaning remote controller 8.
Referring to FIG. 3, cleaning remote controller 8 includes switches 80, 82, 84, 86 for performing an input operation of the bathtub cleaning operation, a display unit 88, and an audio output unit 90.

  The operation switch 80 is a switch for selecting operation / stop of the cleaning unit 10. By setting the operation switch 80 to “ON”, the operation of a later-described cleaning switch 82 can be accepted, and by setting the operation switch 80 “OFF”, the operation of a later-described cleaning switch 82 is operated. Will not be accepted.

  The washing switch 82 is a switch for selecting execution / stop of the bathtub washing operation. When the washing switch 82 is turned “ON” with the operation switch 80 turned on, the bathtub washing operation is executed. When the washing switch 82 is turned “OFF”, the bathtub washing operation is stopped.

  The hot water supply setting switch 84 is a switch for setting various conditions related to the bathtub cleaning operation in the operation mode (hot water supply temperature, operation time, etc.) of the bathtub cleaning operation. The time display switch 86 is a switch for setting the current time.

  The display unit 88 displays the operation state (operation / stop) of the bathtub cleaning system. The display content can be switched arbitrarily by the user, or can be switched automatically at regular intervals. The display unit 88 further displays an error code indicating the content of the error when an error occurs in the bathtub cleaning system. Note that at least a part of the display unit 88 and the switches 80, 82, 84, and 86 may be configured by a touch panel that is an input / output device configured integrally. On this touch panel, an operation screen for performing input settings for bath washing operation is displayed by touching the screen.

  The sound output unit 90 generates sound for notifying the operation status of the bathtub cleaning system such as execution / stop of the bathtub cleaning operation. The audio output unit 90 further includes a buzzer for listening to a notification sound when an error occurs in the bathtub cleaning system. Note that the audio output unit 90 may be configured only with a buzzer.

  Instead of the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the remote control function of the washing remote controller 8 is provided in the remote controller of the water heater 3 (such as the kitchen remote controller 7 or the bathroom remote controller 9), and the remote controller of the water heater 3 is configured as a multi-function remote controller. Thus, the cleaning remote controller 8 may not be provided.

[Tub washing operation]
Next, the operation of the bathtub cleaning operation by the bathtub cleaning system will be described.

  The bathtub cleaning operation is performed by a combination of the above-described rinse cleaning and detergent cleaning. As an example, the preliminary rinse cleaning step, the detergent cleaning step, and the finish rinse cleaning step are performed in this order. It is assumed that a bathtub lid (not shown) is placed on the upper portion of the bathtub 40.

  When the washing switch 82 is turned on while the operation switch 80 is turned on in the washing remote controller 8, the bathtub washing operation is started. First, the drain plug 44 is opened by opening the opening / closing drive mechanism 46. Even if there is residual water in the bathtub 40 by waiting for the set time while the drain plug 44 is in the open state, it waits until the residual water is drained and the bathtub 40 becomes empty.

  Next, a preliminary rinse cleaning process is started. In the preliminary rinsing cleaning step, the hot water solenoid valve 20 of the cleaning unit 10 is opened, hot water that has been heat exchanged and heated to a predetermined temperature is poured into the cleaning pipe 78 from the hot water heater 3 side, and the cleaning nozzle 60 is directed into the bathtub 40. Erupt. As a result, dirt such as hair and scale adhering to the inner wall surface of the bathtub 40 is preliminarily washed away.

  When the above-described rinse cleaning is performed for a predetermined time, the preliminary rinse cleaning process is terminated and the process proceeds to the next standby process. In the standby process, the injection of the washing nozzle 60 is stopped by closing the hot water solenoid valve 20, and the hot water is adhered to the inner wall surface of the bathtub 40 until the predetermined time elapses. Thereby, moisture permeates dirt such as scale attached to the inner wall surface of the bathtub 40, and the dirt can be lifted to be easily washed away in the next detergent cleaning step. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the standby process is terminated and the process proceeds to the next detergent cleaning process.

  When the detergent cleaning process is started, the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 of the cleaning unit 10 is opened and the detergent electromagnetic valve 32 is opened. The detergent stock solution in the detergent tank 50 is injected into the detergent mixing part 34 via the detergent supply pipe 54 to generate a detergent solution. This detergent liquid is ejected from the cleaning nozzle 60 into the bathtub 40. As a result, dirt such as scale adhering to the inner wall surface of the bathtub 40 is washed. Note that the time and number of times the detergent cleaning is performed can be changed by a user input setting for the cleaning remote controller 8.

  When the detergent cleaning is performed for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times, the detergent cleaning process is terminated and the process proceeds to the next standby process. This standby process is similar to the standby process before the detergent cleaning process described above, in which the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 is closed to stop the ejection from the cleaning nozzle 60, and the detergent liquid adheres to the inner wall surface of the bathtub 40. And left until a predetermined time elapses. This is because the detergent liquid penetrates into dirt such as scales attached to the inner wall surface of the bathtub 40. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the standby process is terminated and the process proceeds to the next finish rinse cleaning process.

  When the finish rinsing cleaning process is started, the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 is opened and hot water heat-exchanged and heated to a predetermined temperature is poured into the cleaning pipe 78 from the hot water heater 3 side in the same manner as the preliminary rinsing cleaning process. Then, it is ejected from the cleaning nozzle 60 into the bathtub 40. Thereby, dirt such as scales floating on the inner wall surface of the bathtub 40 by the detergent liquid is washed away together with the detergent liquid. The bathtub cleaning operation is completed at the end of the finish rinse cleaning process.

  While performing the bathtub washing operation as described above, the control unit 36 performs an open failure diagnosis process for detecting the occurrence of an open failure in which the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 is stuck in the open state. An open failure of the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 occurs, for example, when the valve body inside the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 bites in a foreign object or when the rubber or the like constituting the valve body is deteriorated. If an open failure of the hot water solenoid valve 20 occurs, the supply of hot water from the water heater 3 to the cleaning pipe 78 cannot be shut off, so that hot water may be ejected from the cleaning nozzle 60 at a timing unintended by the user. In addition, when the hot water supply temperature is set to a high temperature, hot water in a high temperature state may be ejected from the cleaning nozzle 60.

  Therefore, in the bathtub cleaning system according to the present embodiment, an open failure of the pouring solenoid valve 20 is diagnosed during execution of the bathtub cleaning operation. And when it is diagnosed as an open failure of the hot water solenoid valve 20, a fail safe process for protecting the user from unintentional hot water ejection is executed.

[Opening fault diagnosis processing and fail-safe processing of the pouring solenoid valve]
Hereinafter, the open failure diagnosis process and fail-safe process of the pouring solenoid valve 20 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for realizing an open-fault diagnosis process and a fail-safe process of pouring solenoid valve 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is realized by a program stored in advance in the control unit 36 being called from the main routine when the bathtub cleaning operation is being executed and executed at a predetermined cycle.

  Referring to FIG. 4, control unit 36 first diagnoses an open failure of pouring electromagnetic valve 20 in step S01. Specifically, the control unit 36 determines the flow rate of the hot water introduced into the cleaning pipe 78 (the pouring flow rate) in the state where the close command is output to the pouring solenoid valve 20, as detected by the water amount sensor 18. Monitor by. And the control part 36 measures the time when a pouring flow volume becomes more than predetermined | prescribed flow volume (for example, 1.5 L / min) using a timer etc. This predetermined flow rate is a discriminating value for discriminating whether or not the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 is blocked against the closing command from the control unit 36. The predetermined flow rate is set in consideration of fluctuation on the water heater 3 side, measurement error of the water amount sensor 18, and the like.

  When the pouring solenoid valve 20 closing command is output and the time during which the pouring flow rate is continuously equal to or higher than the predetermined flow rate reaches a predetermined time (for example, 25 seconds) (YES in step S01). The control unit 36 diagnoses an open failure of the pouring electromagnetic valve 20. On the other hand, when the pouring flow rate when the closing command for the pouring solenoid valve 20 is output is less than the predetermined flow rate, or when the pouring flow rate continuously exceeds the predetermined flow rate does not reach the predetermined time (NO in step S01), pouring solenoid valve 20 is diagnosed as normal, and the process ends.

  When it is diagnosed in step S01 that the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 has an open failure, the control unit 36 notifies the user of the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 in an open failure in step S02. Specifically, the control unit 36 displays an error code indicating an open failure of the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 on the display unit 88 (FIG. 3) of the cleaning remote controller 8. In addition, the control unit 36 generates a notification sound (such as a buzzer) from the sound output unit 90 of the cleaning remote controller 8. These error notifications may be performed by the cleaning remote controller 8 and also by using a remote controller (such as the kitchen remote controller 7) of the water heater 3.

  As an error notification, the hot water solenoid valve 20 has failed to open, there is a risk that hot water may be ejected at an unintended timing when the bathtub washing operation is performed in this state, and the installation contractor is notified. As long as it is possible to visually and audibly notify the user that a repair work such as replacement of the hot water solenoid valve 20 is necessary, any mode may be used.

  When the notification sound is blown by the buzzer, the output of the notification sound may be changed according to the temperature of hot water flowing in the cleaning pipe 78 based on the detection signal from the thermistor 16. For example, when the temperature of hot water flowing through the cleaning pipe 78 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the sound output unit 90 may be sounded. Alternatively, the volume of the notification sound may be increased as the temperature of hot water flowing through the cleaning pipe 78 increases. Thereby, it can fully be made to recognize that high temperature hot water is ejected from the washing nozzle 60 with respect to a user.

  Control part 36 performs processing for stopping bathtub washing operation by Step S03 while an error has occurred. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the process of step S03 of FIG. 4 in more detail.

  Referring to FIG. 5, in step S <b> 31, control unit 36 forcibly sets the control command output to pouring solenoid valve 20 to the close command. Therefore, when the bathtub cleaning operation is being performed, even if the process proceeds to the above-described cleaning step, the pouring solenoid valve 20 is not given an open command, and receives a close command from the control unit 36 in the valve closing direction. Driven. However, since the pouring solenoid valve 20 has an open failure, the pouring solenoid valve 20 cannot actually be fully closed.

  In step S32, the control unit 36 switches the cleaning switch 82 of the cleaning remote controller 8 from ON to OFF. Further, in step S33, the control unit 36 puts the cleaning remote controller 8 into a locked state in which the input operation of the cleaning switch 82 is not accepted. That is, the control unit 36 prevents the bathtub cleaning operation from being executed while an error occurs. In this manner, when an error that causes the pouring solenoid valve 20 to open fails occurs, an error notification is given and the execution of the bathtub washing operation during the occurrence of the error is prohibited.

  Control part 36 determines whether power reset of the bathtub washing system was performed by Step S34. When the control unit 36 (more specifically, the above-described microcomputer not shown) is restarted by turning the power supply device 4 off and on, the control unit 36 determines that the power of the bathtub cleaning system has been reset. .

  When it is determined that the power supply reset of the bathtub cleaning system has been performed (YES in step S34), control unit 36 releases the error in step S35. That is, the control unit 36 sets power reset of the bathtub cleaning system as an error cancellation condition. By releasing this error, the error notification is stopped and the lock state of the cleaning switch 82 is also released. On the other hand, when it is determined that the power supply reset of the bathtub cleaning system has not been performed (NO in step S34), control unit 36 does not cancel the error.

  In this way, when an error that causes the pouring solenoid valve 20 to open fails occurs, the error is canceled only by resetting the power source of the bathtub cleaning system. In other words, the error is not canceled until the bathtub cleaning system is reset. As a result, the bathtub cleaning system is prohibited from performing the bathtub cleaning operation until the power is reset. As described above, when an open failure of the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 is diagnosed, the control unit 36 prompts the user to perform repair work such as replacement of the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 by an error notification. In this restoration work, the power supply device 4 is normally turned off by the installer and the pouring solenoid valve 20 is replaced or repaired. Then, after the repair work is completed, the control unit 36 is restarted when the installer turns on the power supply device 4. In consideration of the flow of such a series of repair work, the control unit 36 regards the power reset as that in which the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 has been repaired and cancels the error. Thereby, execution of bathtub washing operation is permitted.

  By setting it as such a structure, the possibility that the open failure of the pouring solenoid valve 20 will reoccur in a scene where the bathtub washing operation is executed after the occurrence of an error can be eliminated. As a result, it is possible to reliably avoid hot water jets unintended by the user.

  Referring to FIG. 4 again, control unit 36 performs a process for returning pouring electromagnetic valve 20 from the open failure in step S04 while an error has occurred. FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the process of step S04 of FIG. 4 in more detail.

  Referring to FIG. 6, when it is diagnosed that the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 is open, the control unit 36 displays an error code and sounds a notification sound by a buzzer as an error notification (time t1). Further, the control unit 36 repeatedly outputs an opening command and a closing command as one set to the pouring electromagnetic valve 20. And every time it outputs 1 set, the control part 36 confirms whether the pouring solenoid valve 20 returned from the open failure.

  Specifically, the control unit 36 outputs an opening command to the pouring solenoid valve 20 during a period from time t1 to time t2 (for example, 5 seconds), and then a period from time t2 to time t3 ( For example, the closing command is output to the pouring solenoid valve 20 at 5 seconds). During the period when the closing command is output to the pouring electromagnetic valve 20, the control unit 36 monitors the flow rate of the hot water introduced into the cleaning pipe 78 (the pouring flow rate) based on the detection value of the water amount sensor 18. And the control part 36 measures the time when the pouring flow volume becomes smaller than predetermined flow volume (for example, 1.0 L / min) using a timer etc. This predetermined flow rate is a discriminating value for discriminating whether or not the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 is fully closed according to the closing command. The predetermined flow rate is set in consideration of fluctuation on the water heater 3 side, measurement error of the water amount sensor 18, and the like.

  When the time for which the pouring flow rate is continuously smaller than the predetermined flow rate reaches a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds), the control unit 36 determines that the pouring solenoid valve 20 has returned from the open failure. When the return of the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 is confirmed, the control unit 36 sets the control command to be given to the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 to the close command. For example, when two sets are output to the pouring solenoid valve 20 and the return of the pouring solenoid valve 20 is confirmed (time t5), the control unit 36 sets the control command to the close command after time t5. To do.

  On the other hand, when the return of the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 cannot be confirmed even if a plurality of sets (for example, 5 sets) are output to the pouring electromagnetic valve 20, the control unit 36 performs a series of operations. Stop the return operation and set the control command to the close command.

  Here, as a cause of the open failure of the pouring electromagnetic valve 20, in addition to the above-mentioned foreign object biting and deterioration of the constituent members, a shift of the electromagnetic valve load biting can be considered. In this case, once the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 is fully opened and then closed again, the electromagnetic valve load comes to mesh well, and the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 may be fully closed. Therefore, the controller 36 repeatedly opens and closes the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 as described above, thereby causing the possibility that the pouring electromagnetic valve 20 returns from an open failure.

  Regardless of whether or not the pouring solenoid valve 20 has returned from the open failure, the control command for the pouring solenoid valve 20 is set to the close command after performing the return processing. This corresponds to step S03 in FIG. 4 and the process during the occurrence of error shown in FIG. In other words, the control unit 36 continues to output a close command until the bathtub cleaning system is reset.

  Moreover, if the return | pouring of the hot water solenoid valve 20 is confirmed (time t5), the control part 36 will stop blowing the notification sound by a buzzer. This is because the possibility of hot water being ejected at an unintended timing can be avoided for the time being. However, since it is not possible to deny the possibility that the hot water solenoid valve 20 will open again by resuming the bathtub washing operation, the error code display is continued even after the hot water solenoid valve 20 is returned (until the power is reset). .

  Referring to FIG. 4 again, control unit 36 determines whether or not the hot water supply temperature can be adjusted by controlling hot water heater 3 in step S05 during the occurrence of an error. As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning remote controller 8 and the control unit of the water heater 3 are connected by the communication line 6, and the control unit 36 of the cleaning unit 10 and the control unit of the water heater 3 can be linked. The control unit 36 determines that the hot water supply temperature can be adjusted (YES in step S05), and instructs the control unit of the water heater 3 to perform a process for lowering the hot water supply temperature to a predetermined temperature in step S06. Let It should be noted that by adjusting the hot water supply temperature in this way, the temperature of the hot water used by the other plugs also decreases, but it is significant in that safety is given priority over user comfort.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the hot water supply temperature cannot be adjusted (NO in step S05), control unit 36 determines whether or not a stop condition for stopping the notification sound by the buzzer is satisfied in step S07. judge. Specifically, when the user performs an input operation of the operation switch 80 after starting to hear the notification sound, or when a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour) has elapsed since the start of the notification sound. In addition, the control unit 36 determines that the stop condition is satisfied (YES in step S07), and stops the blowing of the notification sound in step S08. On the other hand, when it is determined that the stop condition is not satisfied (NO in step S07), control unit 36 continues to hear the notification sound in step S09.

  Since an open failure of the pouring solenoid valve 20 is mostly detected when switching from open to close during the bathtub washing operation, the user may be in the building 1 when the open failure occurs. is assumed. Therefore, when it is determined that the user who noticed the notification sound has performed an operation of turning on / off the operation switch 80, the control unit 36 determines that the purpose of calling the user's attention is achieved. Stop sounding notification sound.

  As described above, according to the bathtub cleaning system according to the embodiment of the present invention, when an open failure of the pouring solenoid valve occurs, the unintended hot water is prohibited by prohibiting the execution of the bathtub cleaning operation until the bathtub cleaning system is reset. Thus, the user can be surely protected from the eruption.

  In addition, by visually and audibly notifying the open failure of the hot water solenoid valve, the user's attention is drawn to the hot water being ejected, and thus the possibility of the user touching the hot water can be avoided.

  Furthermore, unintentional hot water ejection can be stopped as much as possible by performing return processing of the hot water solenoid valve as an emergency measure.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  1 building, 2 bathroom, 3 water heater, 4 power supply, 5 power line, 6 communication line, 7 kitchen remote control, 8 washing remote control, 9 bathroom remote control, 10 washing unit, 12 water fitting, 14 water governor valve, 16 thermistor, 18 Water quantity sensor, 20 Pouring solenoid valve, 22, 24, 30 Check valve, 26 Backflow prevention valve, 28 Air release valve, 32 Detergent solenoid valve, 34 Detergent mixing part, 36 Control part, 40 Bathtub, 42 Circulation adapter, 44 Drain plug, 46 Open / close drive mechanism, 50 Detergent tank, 52 Float switch, 54 Detergent supply pipe, 60 Washing nozzle, 70 Water supply pipe, 72 Hot water pipe, 73 Karan, 74 Outward pipe, 75 Connection pipe, 76 Return pipe, 78 Wash tube.

Claims (9)

A bath cleaning system,
A cleaning nozzle provided in the bathtub;
A cleaning pipe disposed between the hot water outlet pipe of the heat source machine and the cleaning nozzle;
An on-off valve for opening and closing the flow path of the cleaning pipe;
An operation unit for generating an execution command for instructing execution of a bathtub cleaning operation for cleaning the bathtub by ejecting the cleaning water supplied from the heat source unit from the cleaning nozzle while opening the on-off valve;
A control device for opening and closing the on-off valve when receiving the execution command from the operation unit;
The said control apparatus is a bathtub washing | cleaning system which prohibits execution of the said bathtub washing | cleaning driving | operation until the power supply of the said bathtub washing | cleaning system is reset, when it diagnoses with the open failure which the said on-off valve adheres in an open state. The operation unit is configured to generate the execution command in response to an input operation,
When the controller is diagnosed as an open failure of the on-off valve, it outputs a close command to the on-off valve until the power source of the bathtub cleaning system is reset, and the operation unit cannot accept input. The bathtub cleaning system according to claim 1.   The display unit according to claim 2, further comprising a display unit configured to visually notify the open failure of the on / off valve until a power supply of the bathtub cleaning system is reset when the open / close valve open failure is diagnosed. The described bath cleaning system. An audio output unit configured to audibly notify the open failure of the on-off valve when diagnosed as an open failure of the on-off valve;
The said audio | voice output part stops alerting | reporting, when there exists input operation of the said operation part during alerting | reporting, or when predetermined time passes without the input operation of the said operating part. Bathtub cleaning system.   The bathtub output system according to claim 4, wherein the sound output unit changes a notification mode according to a temperature of the cleaning water.   The said audio | voice output part is a bathtub washing | cleaning system of Claim 5 which alert | reports the open failure of the said on-off valve when the temperature of the said wash water becomes more than threshold temperature.   When the controller is diagnosed as having an open / close valve failure, the controller opens and closes the open / close valve command as a set, repeatedly outputs a predetermined set as an upper limit, and opens the open / close valve for each set. The bathtub cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein it is determined whether or not a failure has been recovered.   The bathtub cleaning system according to claim 7, wherein the control device outputs a closing command to the on-off valve until a power source of the bathtub cleaning system is reset after completion of the return operation of the on-off valve.   The bathtub cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control device instructs the heat source device to lower a hot water supply temperature of the heat source device when it is diagnosed as an open failure of the on-off valve. .

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