JPH0779773B2 - Bath water level sensor - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a water level sensor for watching the water level of hot water in a bathtub.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a water level sensor of an automatic bath device with remote reheating, there is a water level sensor that uses a count type of a flow rate sensor or a diaphragm type pressure switch.

An example of the conventional bathtub water level sensor described above will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are schematic diagrams showing the overall configuration of a conventional automatic bath system with long-distance heating using a bath water level sensor. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 is a water heater body with remote reheating. Reference numeral 2 is a heat exchanger for additional heating, 3 is a self-priming pump for circulating hot water in the bathtub, 4 is a running water switch for preventing empty heating, 5 is a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of hot water in the bathtub, and 6 is a temperature sensor 5. A fuel cutoff valve that stops the detected hot water temperature at a specified temperature,
A burner 7 heats the heat exchanger 8. 8 is a heat exchanger for hot water supply, 9 is a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of hot water, 10 is a flow rate counter for pouring hot water to a predetermined water level in the bathtub, 11
Is a water shutoff valve that detects the predetermined water level with the flow rate counter 10 and stops the supply of hot water, 12 is a vacuum breaker, 13
Is a controller. Reference numeral 14 is a bath controller for operating the water heater main body 1 from inside the bathroom, which is provided with an operation switch, a hot water temperature setting knob, a knob for setting the amount of hot water, and the like. Reference numeral 15 is a bathtub, and 16 is a connection adapter for connecting the connection pipe from the water heater body 1 and the bathtub 15.

The operation of the remote heating-equipped automatic bath system configured as described above will be described. First, in order to fill the bathtub 15 with hot water at a predetermined water level and temperature, set the knob of the bath controller 14 and turn on the operation switch. The water cutoff valve 11 opens and the fuel cutoff valve 6 opens, and the burner opens. 7 burns to heat the hot water supply heat exchanger 8, and the connection adapter for the bathtub 15
Hot water is supplied from 16. When the flow rate counter 10 supplies a predetermined amount of water, the water cutoff valve 11 is closed to stop the supply of hot water and the fuel cutoff valve 6 is closed. Next, when the self-priming pump 3 is operated and the temperature sensor 5 does not reach a predetermined temperature, the fuel cutoff valve 6 is opened to add heat for heat exchange 2
The bathtub 15 is heated by the burner 7 and circulated as shown by the arrow.
Raise the temperature of the hot water inside. The operation is stopped when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature. With the above operation, the bathtub at the specified water level and temperature
It means that hot water was poured on 15. When the hot water has cooled with time, the self-priming pump 3 is operated by turning on the additional heating operation switch of the bath controller 14, the additional heat exchanger 2 is heated, and the temperature of the hot water rises.

Next, FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the entire configuration of the same automatic bath system with remote reheating as shown in FIG. 3, but the flow rate counter 10 provided on the heat exchanger for hot water supply shown in FIG. 3 is eliminated, and the diaphragm is used instead. A pressure switch 17 of the formula is provided on the connection adapter 16. The operation is the same as that described above, and the water level is detected by the diaphragm type pressure switch 17 attached to the bath.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, with the above-described configuration, in the conventional example of FIG. 3, since there is no sensor for detecting the water level on the bathtub 15 side, automatic hot water is supplied from the remaining hot water in the bathtub to the predetermined water level. I can't stretch. Further, in the conventional example shown in FIG. 4, since the sensor is located outside the bath 15, wiring work is first required. Secondly, a maintenance space is required for maintenance at the time of failure and inspection.

In view of the above problems, the present invention is capable of automatically pouring hot water at a predetermined water level and temperature regardless of the state of the bathtub, and additionally, a separate maintenance space is provided in the bathtub. It provides an automatic bath system with remote reheating that is not necessary.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the bathtub water level sensor of the present invention is provided with a semiconductor pressure sensor in the drain plug of the bathtub, and the lead wire of this pressure sensor is used as a substitute for the drain plug hanging chain. The bath controller provided in the bathroom is connected to the bath controller.

Effect The present invention, by providing a sensor for directly detecting the water level in the drain plug of the bath by the above-mentioned configuration, the water level sensor can be easily maintained, and the water level is detected by the pressure. It can be measured and a constant water level can be maintained regardless of the amount of remaining hot water.

Example Hereinafter, a bathtub water level sensor of an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and different parts will be mainly described.

FIG. 1 shows a vertical sectional view of a bath water level sensor in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of an automatic bath system with remote reheating using the bath level sensor of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 18 denotes a semiconductor pressure sensor which also serves as a drain plug of the bath 15, and 19 denotes a lead wire of the semiconductor pressure sensor 18 which also serves as a chain for lifting the drain plug 18.

The operation of the bath water level sensor configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. When the operation switch of the bath controller 14 in the bathroom is turned “on”, the water cutoff valve 11 of the water heater main body 1 is opened, the fuel cutoff valve 6 is opened, the burner 7 is ignited, and the hot water supply heat exchanger 8 is heated. Then, hot water is supplied from the pipe 20 to the bathtub 15 via the connection adapter 16. As the amount of hot water increases, the pressure received by the semiconductor pressure sensor 18 also increases, and when the water level adjustment, that is, the set water level of the bath controller 14, is reached, the pressure of the semiconductor pressure sensor 18 becomes the set pressure, and the bath controller
A signal is sent to the controller 13 in the water heater main body 1 via 14 to close the water shutoff valve 11 to stop the supply of hot water to the bathtub 15. Regarding the temperature of the hot water, the hot water is supplied to the bathtub 15 so that it is lower than the set temperature of the temperature control knob of the normal bath controller 14, and then the self-priming pump 3 built in the water heater body 1 is used. The hot water in the bathtub 15 is operated and the circulation paths 21 and 22
The heating heat exchanger 2 for heating is heated until the temperature of the temperature sensor 5 reaches a predetermined temperature. Then, the predetermined filling of water is completed. Next, when the water has cooled and the water level has dropped,
When the operation switch of the bath controller 14 is turned on,
In the same manner as described above, hot water is poured to a predetermined water level and heated at a predetermined temperature to complete the process. Here, the hot water in the bathtub 15 is lowered in temperature and water level with the lapse of time and the number of times of use, but if the automatic operation mode for automatically performing the above-mentioned operation is put in, the set temperature and the set water level are always maintained. You can also

As described above, if the semiconductor pressure sensor is provided on the drain plug of the bathtub and is used as the water level sensor, an automatic boiling bath system can be realized regardless of the state of the hot water in the bathtub. Further, it is not necessary to secure a maintenance space for that purpose.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION As described above, according to the present invention, the semiconductor pressure sensor is provided in the drain plug of the bathtub, the lead wire of this pressure sensor is used as a substitute for the drain plug lifting chain, and it is connected to the bath controller provided in the bathroom. With the configuration, regardless of the state of the hot water in the bathtub, the automatic filling is completed only by operating the operation switch. Moreover, for that reason, new wiring work is not required, and there is no need to secure a space for maintenance in the bathroom, and automation of the bath can be realized at a low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a bathtub using a bathtub water level sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the entire configuration of an automatic bath system using the bathtub water level sensor of FIG. 1, FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the entire configuration of an automatic bath system using a conventional bathtub water level sensor. 14 …… Bath controller, 15 …… Bath, 17 …… Semiconductor pressure sensor, 18 …… Lead wire.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A semiconductor pressure sensor is provided with a drain plug of a bathtub, a lead wire of a semiconductor pressure sensor which substitutes for a chain for lifting the drain plug, and a bath controller for controlling the supply of hot water to the bathtub. A bath water level sensor that connects the lead wire of the pressure sensor to the bath controller.