A bathtub structure and a bathtub control method

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of bath machines, in particular to a bath tub structure, comprising a bath tub body, a control valve, a pressure pump and a control system, the bath tub body is provided with a water tank, the inside of the bottom side of the bath tub body is provided with a cavity, the bottom of the water tank is provided with a plurality of through holes, the through holes are connected to the cavity, a shower head is arranged in each through hole, the bottom end of the shower head is provided with a pipe joint, the control valve and the pressure pump are arranged in the cavity, the control valve is provided with at least four connection ports, the input port and the output port of the pressure pump are connected to two connection ports of the control valve, the other two connection ports of the control valve are respectively provided with a first connecting pipe and a second connecting pipe, the pipe joints of the plurality of shower heads are connected to the first connecting pipe, the remaining shower heads are connected to the second connecting pipe, the control valve and the pressure pump are electrically connected to the control system, the control system is used for controlling the control valve to switch the first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe to water inlet or water outlet, and the massage effect on the human skin is continuously switched.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of bathing machines, and particularly relates to a bathtub structure and a bathtub control method. Background Technology

[0002] With the improvement of people's living standards and the rapid development of the home furnishing industry, people's demand for home furnishing products is increasing. More and more young people now want to install bathtubs when renovating their bathrooms, which precisely meets the current demand for high-quality home furnishing products. Traditional bathtubs are simply tubs that can hold water; as long as water can be added, they can meet people's bathing needs. With the development of the bathroom industry, people have given bathtubs more functions, and with the rapid rise of the smart home industry, more and more bathtubs with massage functions are entering people's lives.

[0003] Existing whirlpool bathtubs primarily use a motor to propel air-infused water jets from nozzles along the bathtub's walls, creating a circulating water flow that provides a massage effect. Taking a Kohler whirlpool bathtub with a single-speed water pump and pneumatic switches as an example: it operates self-sufficiently once filled with water. A water inlet at the bottom of the tub draws water into the pump, which then flows back into the tub through nozzles mounted on either side. Air is drawn in through air inlets and mixes with the water flow at the nozzles; rotating the edge of each nozzle adjusts the airflow. However, this method of using jet-like water jets for massage is limited in functionality and fails to meet the actual needs of users. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a bathtub structure and a bathtub control method to solve the problem of the limited massage function of existing bathtubs.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this invention provides a bathtub structure comprising a bathtub body, a control valve, a pressure pump, and a control system. The bathtub body has a water tank, and a cavity is provided inside the bottom side of the bathtub body. Multiple through holes are provided at the bottom of the water tank, extending into the cavity. Each through hole contains a nozzle, and the bottom end of each nozzle has a pipe connector. The control valve and the pressure pump are located within the cavity. The control valve has at least four connection ports. The input and output ports of the pressure pump are connected to two of the connection ports of the control valve, and the other two connection ports of the control valve are respectively provided with a first connecting pipe and a second connecting pipe. The pipe connectors of the multiple nozzles are connected to the first connecting pipe, and the remaining nozzles are connected to the second connecting pipe. The control valve and the pressure pump are electrically connected to the control system, which controls the control valve to switch the water inlet or outlet between the first and second connecting pipes.

[0006] Furthermore, the control valve has five connection ports, and the fifth connection port of the control valve is connected to a drain pipe, the end of which extends out of the cavity.

[0007] Furthermore, the control valve is also provided with a water inlet, which is connected to a hydrogen-rich water machine.

[0008] Furthermore, the control valve includes a housing, a moving block, and an electric cylinder; the housing has a piston chamber, and the outer side of the housing has a first connection port, a second connection port, a third connection port, a fourth connection port, a fifth connection port, and a sixth connection port communicating with the piston chamber; the first connection port and the second connection port are respectively connected to the input end and the output end of the pressure pump; the third connection port and the fourth connection port are respectively connected to the first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe; the fifth connection port is connected to the drain pipe, and the sixth connection port is connected to the inlet pipe; the moving block is slidably disposed in the piston chamber; the moving block has four sets of water flow channels, including a first channel, a second channel, a third channel, a fourth channel, a fifth channel, a sixth channel, a seventh channel, and an eighth channel; the electric cylinder is connected to the moving block and is used to push the moving block so that the different water flow channels communicate with the first connecting pipe, the second connecting pipe, and the input end and the output end of the pressure pump.

[0009] Furthermore, a switching valve is also connected between the first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe to switch the connection between the first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe.

[0010] Furthermore, the control valve includes a first solenoid valve, a second solenoid valve, and a third solenoid valve; the input end of the pressurizing pump is provided with a first water pipe, and the output end is provided with a second water pipe; the first solenoid valve is provided with four connectors, wherein the first connector is connected to the first water pipe, the second connector is connected to the second water pipe, the third connector is connected to the first connecting pipe, and the fourth connector is connected to the second connecting pipe; the second solenoid valve is provided with two connectors, which are respectively connected to the inlet pipe and the first water pipe; the third solenoid valve is provided with two connectors, which are respectively connected to the second water pipe and the drain pipe.

[0011] Furthermore, the edge of the through hole is recessed downwards to form a cavity, and the nozzle is disposed in the cavity.

[0012] Furthermore, the nozzle is a spherical nozzle, and the position of the spray nozzle can be adjusted.

[0013] Furthermore, the nozzle includes a base and a spherical nozzle. The base has a through hole and a spherical cavity. The spherical nozzle is rotatably disposed in the spherical cavity. The base has a water passage hole communicating with the spherical nozzle.

[0014] The bathtub structure provided in this embodiment of the invention has at least the following technical effects:

[0015] Hot water for bathing can be poured into the tub, allowing the user to lie down. The control system operates a pressure pump, creating a circulating water flow through the pump, first connecting pipe, second connecting pipe, and tub. During pressure pump operation, water from the tub enters the first connecting pipe from some of the nozzles, then sequentially flows into the pressure pump and second connecting pipe, finally exiting from the nozzle connected to the second connecting pipe. This provides a massage effect on the skin, while the nozzle connected to the first connecting pipe creates negative pressure, resulting in a pulling sensation on the skin. This creates two different massage effects. By continuously switching the water flow direction in the first and second connecting pipes via a control valve, the system can switch between water intake and spraying, thus varying the massage effect on the skin to meet different user needs. Furthermore, the control system can control the pressure pump to pump water continuously or in a pulsed manner, while simultaneously switching the control valve to alternately connect the first and second connecting pipes to the pressure pump's input. This allows for switching between different massage modes, enhancing the overall experience. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a bathtub structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the bathtub structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle portion of a bathtub structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of embodiment 1 of the control valve for the bathtub structure provided in this invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of embodiment 2 of the control valve for the bathtub structure provided in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the embodiments of the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0023] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention.

[0024] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of embodiments of the present invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0025] In the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0026] In one embodiment of the bathtub structure of the present invention, please refer to Figures 1 to 5A bathtub is used for bathing and massage. Specifically, the bathtub includes a bathtub body 100, a control valve 200, a pressure pump 300, and a control system (not shown in the attached drawings). The bathtub body 100 has a water tank 101, and a cavity 102 is provided inside the bottom side of the bathtub body 100. The bottom of the water tank 101 has multiple through holes 103, and the through holes 103 extend into the cavity 102. Each through hole 103 has a nozzle 400, and the bottom end of the nozzle 400 has a pipe connector 410. The control valve 200 and the pressure pump 300 are located in the cavity 102. The control valve 200 has at least four connection ports. The input and output ports of the pressure pump 300 are connected to two of the connection ports of the control valve 200, and the other two connection ports of the control valve 200 are respectively provided with a first connecting pipe 500 and a second connecting pipe 600. Multiple nozzles 400 have pipe joints 410 connected to the first connecting pipe 500, while the remaining nozzles 400 are connected to the second connecting pipe 600. The control valve 200 and the pressurizing pump 300 are electrically connected to the control system. The control system controls the control valve 200 to switch the water inlet or outlet of the first connecting pipe 500 and the second connecting pipe 600, thereby switching the water flow direction between the two pipes. Specifically, when using the bathtub for bathing and massage in this embodiment, hot water can be injected into the water tank 101. The user can lie in the water tank 101 of the bathtub, and the control system controls the pressurizing pump 300 to operate. The pressurizing pump 300, the first connecting pipe 500, the second connecting pipe 600, and the water tank 101 form a circulating water flow, causing the water in the water tank 101 to continuously circulate through the pressurizing pump 300. When the pressure pump 300 is activated, water from the water tank 101 enters the first connecting pipe 500 through some of the nozzles 400, and then sequentially enters the pressure pump 300 and the second connecting pipe 600. Finally, it is sprayed out from the nozzles 400 connected to the second connecting pipe 600, thus providing an impact massage to the skin. Simultaneously, a negative pressure is created at the nozzles 400 connected to the first connecting pipe 500, creating a pulling sensation on the skin, resulting in two different massage effects. By continuously switching the water flow direction between the first connecting pipe 500 and the second connecting pipe 600 via the control valve 200, the nozzles 400 can be switched between suction and spraying water, thereby continuously changing the massage effect on the skin to meet user needs. Furthermore, the control system controls the pressure pump 300 to pump water continuously or in a pulsed manner, while simultaneously switching the control valve 200 to alternately connect the first connecting pipe 500 and the second connecting pipe 600 to the input end of the pressure pump 300. This allows for switching between different massage modes, enhancing the user experience.

[0027] Furthermore, refer to Figure 4The control valve 200 has five connection ports. The fifth connection port of the control valve 200 is connected to a drain pipe 700, the end of which extends out of the cavity 102. In this embodiment, the control valve 200 can switch the first connection pipe 500 to be connected to the drain pipe 700, while the second connection pipe 600 is in a closed state. Therefore, the pressure pump 300 can create a negative pressure at the nozzle 400 connected to the first connection pipe 500, drawing water from the water tank 101 into the pressure pump 300, which then discharges the water from the drain pipe 700, thus quickly draining the water from the water tank 101.

[0028] Furthermore, refer to Figure 4 The control valve 200 also has a water inlet connected to the hydrogen-rich water machine. Therefore, by switching the control valve 200 to allow the water inlet to form a water circuit with the pressure pump 300 and the second connecting pipe 600, the pressure pump 300 pumps water from the hydrogen-rich water machine into the water tank 101, allowing for a hydrogen-rich bath. Alternatively, the user can lie down in the bathtub, and the pressure pump 300 pressurizes the hydrogen-rich water before it is sprayed from the nozzle 400, providing a massage effect.

[0029] Furthermore, a specific embodiment of the control valve 200. Specifically, please refer to... Figure 4The control valve 200 includes a housing 210, a moving block 220, and an electric cylinder 230. The housing 210 has a piston chamber 211, and the outer side of the housing 210 has a first connection port 212, a second connection port 213, a third connection port 214, a fourth connection port 215, a fifth connection port 216, and a sixth connection port 217 communicating with the piston chamber 211. The first connection port 212 and the second connection port 213 are respectively connected to the input and output ends of the pressure pump 300; the third connection port 214 and the fourth connection port 215 are respectively connected to the first connecting pipe 500 and the second connecting pipe 600. The fifth connection port 216 is connected to the drain pipe 700, and the sixth connection port 217 is connected to the inlet pipe 800. The moving block 220 is slidably disposed within the piston chamber 211. The moving block 220 has four sets of water flow channels, which continuously switch between the pressure pump 300, the second connecting pipe 500, and the second connecting pipe 600. Specifically, the four sets of water flow channels include a first channel 221, a second channel 222, a third channel 223, a fourth channel 224, a fifth channel 225, a sixth channel 226, a seventh channel 227, and an eighth channel 228. Specifically, the first channel 221 and the second channel 222 form the first set of water flow channels; the third channel 223 and the fourth channel 224 form the second set of water flow channels; the fourth channel 224 and the fifth channel 225 form the third set of water flow channels; and the seventh channel 227 and the eighth channel 228 form the fourth set of water flow channels. The electric cylinder 230 is connected to the moving block 220 and is used to push the moving block 200, so that the different water flow channels connect the first connecting pipe 500, the second connecting pipe 600, and the input and output ends of the pressure pump 300.

[0030] Specifically, when the first connecting pipe 500 is connected to the input end of the pressurizing pump 300 and the second connecting pipe 600 is connected to the output end of the pressurizing pump 300, the electric cylinder 230 pushes the moving block 220 to move, so that the two ends of the first channel 221 are connected to the first connecting port 212 and the first connecting pipe 500 respectively, and the second channel 222 is connected to the second connecting port 213 and the second connecting pipe 600.

[0031] When the water flow in the first connecting pipe 500 and the second connecting pipe 600 needs to be reversed, the electric cylinder 230 drives the moving block 220 to move again, so that the third channel 223 is connected to the input end of the booster pump 300 and the second connecting pipe 600 respectively, and the fourth channel 224 is connected to the output end of the booster pump 300 and the first connecting pipe 500 respectively.

[0032] When water needs to be added to the water tank 101, the electric cylinder 230 pushes the moving block 220 to move, so that the fifth channel 225 is connected to the sixth connection port 217 and the first connection port 212, and the sixth channel 226 is connected to the second connection port 213 and the second connecting pipe 600. Therefore, the water from the inlet pipe 800 enters the fifth channel 225 and then enters the first connection port 212. After being pressurized by the pressure pump 300, it is output from the sixth channel 226 to the second connecting pipe 600, thereby adding water to the water tank.

[0033] When drainage is needed, the electric cylinder 230 pushes the moving block 220 to move, so that the seventh channel 227 is connected to the third interface 214 and the first interface 212, and the eighth channel 228 is connected to the fifth interface 216 and the second interface 213. Therefore, the first connecting pipe 500, the seventh channel 227, the pressure pump 300, the eighth channel 228 and the drain pipe 700 form a water circuit, and the water in the water tank 101 can be discharged by the pressure pump 300.

[0034] For further details, please refer to... Figure 4 A switching valve 900 is also connected between the first connecting pipe 500 and the second connecting pipe 600 to switch the connection between the first connecting pipe 500 and the second connecting pipe 600. In this embodiment, the switching valve 900 can connect the first connecting pipe 500 and the second connecting pipe 600; therefore, when adding or draining water into the water tank 101, the first connecting pipe 500 and the second connecting pipe 600 can work simultaneously, improving efficiency. Furthermore, water can be added to both the first connecting pipe 500 and the second connecting pipe 600 simultaneously using the inlet pipe 800, allowing for the cleaning of both pipes with clean water. Simultaneously, when draining water, the water in the water tank 101 can be used to flush the remaining channels in the control valve 200, preventing the growth of bacteria in the control valve 200, the first connecting pipe 500, and the second connecting pipe 600.

[0035] Furthermore, a specific embodiment of the control valve 200. Specifically, please refer to... Figure 5The control valve 200 includes a first solenoid valve 201, a second solenoid valve 202, and a third solenoid valve 203. The pressure pump 300 has a first water pipe 301 at its input end and a second water pipe 302 at its output end. The first solenoid valve 201 has four connectors: a first connector connects to the first water pipe 301, a second connector connects to the second water pipe 302, a third connector connects to the first connecting pipe 500, and a fourth connector connects to the second connecting pipe 600. The second solenoid valve 202 has two connectors, connecting to the inlet pipe 800 and the first water pipe 301 respectively. The third solenoid valve 203 has two connectors, connecting to the second water pipe 302 and the drain pipe 700 respectively. Specifically, in this embodiment, when water needs to be circulated in the water tank 101 using the first connecting pipe 500 and the second connecting pipe 600, the first solenoid valve 201 opens, and the other solenoid valves close. Simultaneously, the first solenoid valve 201 can continuously switch the flow direction of the water through the first connecting pipe 500 and the second connecting pipe 600. When water is added to the water tank 101, the second solenoid valve 202 opens; when water is drained, the third solenoid valve 203 opens.

[0036] Furthermore, the edge of the through hole 103 is recessed downwards to form a cavity, and the nozzle 400 is disposed in the cavity. This ensures that the nozzle 400 does not protrude from the upper surface of the water tank 101.

[0037] Furthermore, the nozzle 400 is a spherical nozzle, and the position of the spray nozzle can be adjusted.

[0038] Furthermore, the nozzle 400 includes a base 420 and a spherical nozzle 430. The base 420 has a through hole and a spherical cavity inside. The spherical nozzle 430 is rotatably disposed within the spherical cavity. The base 420 has a water passage hole communicating with the spherical nozzle 430.

[0039] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bathtub structure, characterized in that, The bathtub includes a bathtub body, a control valve, a pressurizing pump, and a control system. The bathtub body has a water tank, and a cavity is formed inside the bottom side of the bathtub body. Multiple through holes are provided at the bottom of the water tank, extending into the cavity. Each through hole contains a spray nozzle, and the bottom end of each spray nozzle has a pipe connector. The control valve and the pressurizing pump are located within the cavity. The control valve has at least four connection ports. The input and output ports of the pressurizing pump are connected to two of the connection ports of the control valve, and the other two connection ports of the control valve are respectively provided with a first connecting pipe and a second connecting pipe. The pipe connectors of multiple spray nozzles are connected to the first connecting pipe, and the remaining spray nozzles are connected to the second connecting pipe. The control valve and the pressurizing pump are electrically connected to the control system, which controls the control valve to switch the water inlet or outlet between the first and second connecting pipes. The control valve includes a first solenoid valve, a second solenoid valve, and a third solenoid valve; the input end of the pressurizing pump is provided with a first water pipe, and the output end is provided with a second water pipe; the first solenoid valve is provided with four connectors, wherein the first connector is connected to the first water pipe, the second connector is connected to the second water pipe, the third connector is connected to the first connecting pipe, and the fourth connector is connected to the second connecting pipe; the second solenoid valve is provided with two connectors, which are respectively connected to the inlet pipe and the first water pipe; the third solenoid valve is provided with two connectors, which are respectively connected to the second water pipe and the drain pipe.

2. The bathtub structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control valve has five connection ports, and the fifth connection port of the control valve is connected to a drain pipe, the end of which extends out of the cavity.

3. The bathtub structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control valve is also provided with a water inlet, which is connected to a hydrogen-rich water machine.

4. The bathtub structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The edge of the through hole is recessed downward to form a cavity, and the nozzle is disposed in the cavity.

5. The bathtub structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The nozzle is a spherical nozzle, and the position of the spray nozzle can be adjusted.

6. The bathtub structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The nozzle includes a base and a spherical nozzle. The base has a through hole and a spherical cavity. The spherical nozzle is rotatably disposed in the spherical cavity. The base has a water passage hole communicating with the spherical nozzle.

7. A bathtub control method, characterized in that, The bathtub structure includes any one of claims 1 to 6; the control system controls the pressurizing pump to continuously or pulse to pump water, and at the same time the control system switches the control valve so that the first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe are alternately connected to the input end of the pressurizing pump.

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