Bathing equipment

Abstract

To provide bathing equipment in which a plurality of areas having different water temperatures are disposed in one bathtub.SOLUTION: Bathing equipment 100a, 100b include a first water discharge part 30a for discharging bathtub water of a first temperature into a bathtub 10, and a second water discharge part 30b' for discharging water or hot water of a second temperature higher than the first temperature into the bathtub 10, and therefore, a plurality of areas having different water temperatures can be simultaneously disposed in the one bathtub 10. With this, a user can bath in an area of a water temperature which matches his / her preference. Especially, in the case of applying to a water bath provided together with a sauna bath, for instance, an area of comparatively cold water bath of less than 10°C, and an area of comparatively tepid water bath of about 15°C which are divided by the preferences of the users can be simultaneously disposed in the one bathtub 10. Therefore, needs of both users are satisfied by the one bathtub 10, and a degree of satisfaction of the users can be improved while suppressing a burden on a facility side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to bathing equipment that provides multiple areas with different water temperatures within a single bathtub. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, sauna baths, which involve warming the body in a high-temperature room and encouraging sweating, have become popular. In such sauna baths, the general bathing method is to warm the body in the sauna room, then cool it down in a cold bath, and then alternate between these two. In terms of the temperature of the cold bath, users tend to be divided into those who prefer a relatively cold water temperature of less than 10°C and those who prefer a relatively lukewarm water temperature of around 15°C. However, installing multiple cold baths of different temperatures is problematic in that it places a large burden on the facility when considering space issues and maintenance.

[0003] Here, the following [Patent Document 1] discloses an invention that allows one bathtub to be switched between a hot bath and a cold bath. By using the invention described in [Patent Document 1], it becomes possible to switch one bathtub between a low-temperature cold bath and a relatively lukewarm-temperature cold bath. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-150750 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the invention described in [Patent Document 1] only switches the water temperature, and does not allow users to use water baths with different water temperatures simultaneously, and does not fully meet the needs of users.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide bathing equipment in which a single bathtub has multiple areas with different water temperatures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to (1) The above problem is solved by providing bathing equipment 100a, 100b, which is characterized by having a bathtub 10 for storing bath water, a plurality of water outlets for discharging hot or cold water of different temperatures into the bathtub 10, a water intake section for taking in the bathtub water, and a circulation unit for adjusting the bathtub water taken in by the water intake section to a preset water temperature and sending it to the corresponding water outlet section. (2) The water discharge section is composed of a first water discharge section 30a that discharges bath water of a first temperature into the bathtub 10, and a second water discharge section 30b' that discharges water or hot water of a second temperature higher than the first temperature into the bathtub 10, and the second water discharge section 30b' is located between the water intake section 32 and the first water discharge section 30a, The above problems are solved by providing the bathing equipment 100a described in (1) above, characterized in that a circulation unit 40 adjusts the bath water taken in by the water intake section 32 to a first temperature and sends it to the first water discharge section 30a, and the second water discharge section 30b' discharges water or hot water at a second temperature when the temperature of the bath water taken in by the water intake section 32 falls below a specified temperature. (3) The water discharge section is composed of a first water discharge section 30a that discharges bath water at a first temperature into the bathtub 10, and a second water discharge section 30b that discharges bath water at a second temperature higher than the first temperature into the bathtub 10; The water intake section is composed of a first water intake section 32a provided at a predetermined distance from the first water discharge section 30a and a second water intake section 32b provided at a predetermined distance from the second water discharge section 30b, The above problem is solved by providing the bathing equipment 100b described in (1) above, characterized in that the circulation unit is composed of a first circulation unit 40a that adjusts the bath water taken in by the first water intake section 32a to the first temperature and supplies it to the first water discharge section 30a, and a second circulation unit 40b that adjusts the bath water taken in by the second water intake section 32b to the second temperature and supplies it to the second water discharge section 30b. (4) The above problem is solved by providing bathing equipment 100a, 100b described in any one of (1) to (3) above, characterized in that the water outlet section for discharging bath water is strip-shaped and arranged along the side wall 14 of the bathtub 10. (5) The above problem is solved by providing bathing equipment 100a, 100b as described in (4) above, characterized in that the water outlet position of the water outlet section that discharges bath water is located higher than the water surface level of the bathtub 10. (6) The above problem is solved by providing bathing equipment 100a, 100b described in (5) above, which is characterized in that the water outlet section that discharges bath water and the bathtub 10 are connected by a water drop wall 36, and the bathtub water discharged from the water outlet section flows down the water drop wall 36 into the bathtub 10, thereby suppressing the generation of splashes and excessive stirring when the water is supplied. (7) The circulation unit is provided with water temperature adjustment means 50, 50a, 50b for cooling or heating the bath water, The water temperature adjustment means 50, 50a, 50b include a heat exchanger (cooling means 52, 52a, 52b, heating means 54a, 54b) that exchanges heat between the bath water and cold water or hot water supplied from outside, temperature control pipes (cooling temperature control pipe 67, heating temperature control pipe 68) that supply cold water or hot water to the heat exchanger, a bypass pipe 66 connected in parallel to the heat exchanger, and a flow rate adjustment mechanism 64 that changes the flow rate ratio of the temperature control pipes 67, 68 and the bypass pipe 66. The above problems are solved by providing bathing equipment 100a, 100b described in any one of (1) to (3) above, which is characterized in that the flow rate control mechanism 64 changes the flow rate of the temperature control pipes 67, 68 depending on the temperature of the bath water, thereby adjusting the temperature of the bath water to a preset water temperature while keeping the flow rate of the bath water flowing through the heat exchanger constant. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The bathing equipment of the present invention can simultaneously provide multiple areas with different water temperatures within one bathtub, allowing users to bathe in an area with a water temperature that suits their preference, thereby improving user satisfaction while reducing the burden on the facility. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a bathing facility according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a top view showing the water discharge section and water intake section of a bathing facility of a first embodiment according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a bathing facility according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a top view showing the water discharge section and the water intake section of a bathing facility of a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a side view showing the water outlet section and the water intake section of a bathing facility of a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 shows a bathing facility according to the present invention having two rows of water intake sections. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The bathing equipment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention will be described here using a cold bath attached to a sauna bath as an example, but the present invention is not limited to cold baths and can also be applied to general bathing equipment for warm baths.

[0011] Here, Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of bathing equipment 100a of a first embodiment according to the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a top view illustrating water discharge sections 30a, 30b' and water intake section 32 of bathing equipment 100a. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of bathing equipment 100b of a second embodiment according to the present invention, and Fig. 4 is a top view illustrating water discharge sections 30a, 30b and water intake sections 32a, 32b of bathing equipment 100b.

[0012] First, the bathing equipment 100a, 100b of the present invention have, as their common components, a bathtub 10 for storing bath water, multiple water outlet sections (first water outlet section 30a, second water outlet section 30b, 30b') for discharging water or hot water of different temperatures into the bathtub 10, a water intake section (32, 32a, 32b) for taking in bath water (water or hot water in the bathtub 10), and a circulation unit (40, 40a, 40b) for adjusting the bath water taken in by the water intake section to a preset water temperature and sending it to the corresponding water outlet section.

[0013] In the bathing equipment 100a of the first embodiment according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the water discharge section is composed of a first water discharge section 30a that discharges bath water at a first temperature, and a second water discharge section 30b' that discharges water or hot water at a second temperature higher than the first temperature. In addition, the bathing equipment 100a of the first embodiment has one water intake section 32 for the two water discharge sections, the first water discharge section 30a and the second water discharge section 30b', as shown in FIG. 2, and the second water discharge section 30b' is located between the water intake section 32 and the first water discharge section 30a. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the circulation unit 40 of the bathing equipment 100a of the first embodiment is provided between the water intake section 32 and the first water discharge section 30a, and adjusts the bath water taken in by the water intake section 32 to a first temperature and sends it to the first water discharge section 30a. In addition, a known temperature measuring means 76 such as a temperature sensor is installed on the path of the circulation unit 40 to obtain the temperature of the bath water taken in by the water intake section 32.

[0014] A mixer tap 70 is connected to the second water outlet 30b' of the bathing equipment 100a of the first embodiment via a flow rate control valve 74, and a water supply tap 72 to which tap water or the like is supplied and a hot water pipe 63 to which hot water is supplied from a well-known water heater 62 such as a heater or boiler installed outside are connected to the mixer tap 70. The flow rate control valve 74 is opened when the temperature of the bath water acquired by the temperature measuring means 76 falls below a preset specified temperature, and water or hot water at a second temperature adjusted by the mixer tap 70 is discharged from the second water outlet 30b' into the bathtub 10. The temperature of the water discharged from the mixer tap 70 (second temperature) and the flow rate of the flow rate control valve 74 (discharge amount from the second water outlet 30b') are previously adjusted so that two temperature regions described later are well formed in the bathtub 10.

[0015] 3, the water discharge section of the bathing equipment 100b of the second embodiment is composed of a first water discharge section 30a that discharges bath water at a first temperature into the bathtub 10, and a second water discharge section 30b that discharges bath water at a second temperature higher than the first temperature into the bathtub 10. The water intake section of the bathing equipment 100b is composed of a first water intake section 32a provided at a predetermined distance from the first water discharge section 30a (closer to the corresponding first water discharge section 30a), and a second water intake section 32b provided at a predetermined distance from the second water discharge section 30b (closer to the corresponding second water discharge section 30b). The circulation unit of the bathing equipment 100b is composed of a first circulation unit 40a that adjusts the bath water taken in by the first water intake section 32a to a first temperature and sends it to the first water discharge section 30a, and a second circulation unit 40b that adjusts the bath water taken in by the second water intake section 32b to a second temperature and sends it to the second water discharge section 30b. Note that the bathing equipment 100b of the second embodiment of the present invention is mainly described here using an example of two water discharge sections, but the number of systems is not limited to two, and may be three, including the third water discharge section 30c, as shown in Figure 4(d), or may be three or more systems, such as four or five systems. In this case, however, the water intake section and the circulation unit are also provided separately for each water discharge section.

[0016] Next, the water discharge sections 30a, 30b, and 30b' will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 4. First, in the first form of bathing equipment 100a shown in Figure 2, the second water discharge section 30b' is provided between the water intake section 32 and the first water discharge section 30a as described above. In this case, the first water discharge section 30a located on the outside is basically provided along the side wall 14 of the bathtub 10. Also, the second water discharge section 30b' located on the inside is basically provided on the bottom surface 12 of the bathtub 10.

[0017] In addition, in the bathing equipment 100b of the second embodiment, the first water discharger 30a and the second water discharger 30b are both located on the outside, so it is preferable to provide them along the side wall 14 of the bathtub 10, as with the water discharger 30a of the first embodiment. Therefore, when the shape of the bathtub 10 is a rectangle or a polygon, the water dischargers 30a, 30b, and (30c) are provided along the sides of the side wall 14 of the bathtub 10, as shown in Figures 4(a), (b), and (d). When the shape of the bathtub 10 is a circle, an ellipse, or an indefinite shape, they are provided along the curve of the side wall 14 of the part where they are installed, as shown in Figure 4(c). It is also preferable to install the water dischargers 30a, 30b, and (30c) as far apart as possible, rather than close to each other, in the bathtub 10. In particular, when the shape of the bathtub 10 is a rectangle, it is preferable to provide them on two opposing sides, as shown in Figure 4(a).

[0018] Furthermore, it is preferable that the water discharge sections 30a, 30b of the bathing equipment 100a, 100b have multiple water discharge ports 31 installed in a band-shaped water discharge groove 34, as shown in each of Figures 1 to 6, and that water or hot water is discharged in a band-like shape through this water discharge groove 34.

[0019] Next, the installation positions in the height direction of the water dischargers 30a, 30b of the bathing equipment 100a, 100b will be explained. First, the installation positions of these water dischargers 30a, 30b can be provided on the bottom surface 12 of the bathtub 10 as shown in Figure 5(a). In this case, it is preferable to fit a grating or the like into the upper surface of the water discharge groove 34 or the water discharge port 31, so that there is no step on the bottom surface 12. The same applies to the second water discharger 30b' of the bathing equipment 100a.

[0020] Another option is to install the water outlets 30a and 30b below the water surface of the bathtub 10, as shown in FIG. 5(b). In this configuration, cold water from the water outlets 30a and 30b can be discharged directly onto the upper body of the user. In bathing facilities that circulate bath water, it is necessary to prevent splashes of the circulating water as a countermeasure against infectious diseases caused by Legionella bacteria. In this regard, in the configuration shown in FIG. 5(a) and (b), the water outlets 30a and 30b are located below the water surface of the bathtub 10, so splashes can be prevented when water is discharged.

[0021] Next, the installation position and configuration of the water discharge units 30a, 30b of the bathing equipment 100a, 100b suitable for the present invention will be explained using the bathing equipment 100b in FIG. 5(c) as an example. The water discharge units 30a, 30b suitable for the present invention are provided in a strip shape by, for example, a water discharge groove 34, and this water discharge groove 34 and the side wall 14 of the bathtub 10 are connected by a water fall wall 36. The upper end of the water fall wall 36 is positioned higher than the water surface position of the bathtub 10, and the bath water discharged from the water discharge units 30a, 30b flows into the bathtub 10 in a strip shape along the water fall wall 36. At this time, if the water discharge position (the upper end of the water fall wall 36) is too high, splashes may occur when the discharged water flows into the bathtub 10, so the water discharge position is preferably several centimeters to about 15 cm from the water surface of the bathtub 10. By optimizing the amount of water discharged from the water discharge units 30a, 30b, splashes can be prevented when the discharged water flows in. In addition, the water drop wall 36 may be configured with a slope that slopes down toward the bathtub 10 in order to further prevent splashes. In this configuration, the cold water discharged from the water dischargers 30a and 30b can be applied directly to the shoulders and back of the user, further improving the cooling sensation of the user.

[0022] Next, the water intake sections 32, 32a, 32b of the bathing equipment 100a, 100b according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 2, 4, and 6. First, the water intake section 32 of the bathing equipment 100a of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2 is provided for two water discharge sections, the first water discharge section 30a and the second water discharge section 30b', as described above. The water intake sections 32a, 32b of the bathing equipment 100b of the second embodiment are provided individually in one-to-one correspondence with the respective water discharge sections 30a, 30b. Therefore, when the bathing equipment 100b has two systems, the first water intake section 32a corresponding to the first water discharge section 30a is provided at a predetermined distance (from the first water discharge section 30a), as shown in Figs. 4(a), (b), and (c). Also, a second water intake section 32b corresponding to the second water discharge section 30b is provided at a predetermined distance (from the second water discharge section 30b). Furthermore, for example, as shown in Fig. 4(d), when the water discharge section is composed of three sections, namely, the first, second, and third water discharge sections 30a, 30b, and 30c, the water intake section is also composed of three sections, namely, the first water intake section 32a, the second water intake section 32b, and the third water intake section 32c, corresponding to the first, second, and third water discharge sections 30a, 30b, and 30c. Also, for example, as shown in Fig. 4(c), if the shape of the bathtub 10 is a circle or the like and the water discharge sections 30a, 30b are curved along the sidewall 14 of the bathtub 10, the arrangement of the water intake ports 33 constituting the water intake sections 32a, 32 may be linear regardless of the shape of the water discharge sections 30a, 30b, but it is preferable to arrange them in a parallel curve conforming to the shape of the water discharge sections 30a, 30b. The water intake sections 32, 32a, 32b, (32c) of the bathing equipment 100a, 100b may be configured by simply arranging multiple water intake ports 33 side by side on the bottom surface 12 of the bathtub 10, but as shown in Fig. 4(b), multiple water intake ports 33 may be installed in a strip-shaped water intake groove 35, and bath water may be taken in a strip through this water intake groove 35. However, when providing water intake groove 35, it is preferable to fit a grating or the like into the upper surface of water intake groove 35 so as not to provide a step on bottom surface 12 of bathtub 10. Furthermore, while Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 show an example in which water intakes 33 are arranged in a single row to form water intake sections 32, 32a, 32b, water intakes 33 are not limited to one row, and may be arranged in two rows each as shown in Fig. 6, or in three or four rows.Furthermore, when the water intakes 33 are in multiple rows, the amount of water taken from each row of the water intakes 33 may be changed to maintain the temperature range described below, or each row may be made openable and closable depending on the usage situation. Furthermore, the water intakes 33 may be arranged in a dot pattern to form the water intake sections 32, 32a, 32b as a surface.

[0023] Next, the circulation units 40, 40a, 40b of the bathing equipment 100a, 100b according to the present invention will be described. The circulation units 40, 40a, 40b according to the present invention adjust the water or hot water (bath water) in the bathtub 10 taken in by the water intakes 32, 32a, 32b to a preset water temperature and send it to the corresponding water discharges 30a, 30b, respectively. As mentioned above, one circulation unit is provided in the bathing equipment 100a, and one is provided for each water intake 32a, 32b in the bathing equipment 100b.

[0024] Each of the circulation units 40, 40a, 40b has a hair catcher 42 that collects large debris such as hair in the taken bath water, a water supply means 44 that supplies the bath water into the circulation units 40, 40a, 40b, a filter 46 that filters the bath water that has passed through the hair catcher 42, and water temperature adjustment means 50, 50a, 50b that adjusts the temperature of the filtered bath water to a predetermined temperature. There are no particular limitations on the hair catcher 42, water supply means 44, and filter 46, and well-known devices used in general bathing equipment and water treatment equipment can be used.

[0025] Furthermore, when the first type of bathing equipment 100a is a cold bath, the water temperature adjustment means 50 of the circulation unit 40 has only a cooling means 52 for cooling the bath water after filtration. When the second type of bathing equipment 100b is a cold bath, the water temperature adjustment means 50a, 50b have heating means 54a, 54b for heating the bath water after filtration in addition to the cooling means 52a, 52b. Furthermore, when the bathing equipment 100a, 100b is a hot bath equipment, they only have a heating means.

[0026] Next, examples of cooling means 52, 52a, 52b and heating means 54a, 54b suitable for bathing facilities 100a, 100b will be described with reference to Fig. 3. As the cooling means 52, 52a, 52b and heating means 54a, 54b suitable for the present invention, it is preferable to use a heat exchanger, and in particular, it is preferable to use a coil-type heat exchanger (cooling coil, reheating coil) in which cold or hot water is passed through a coiled tube with high thermal conductivity to exchange heat with the surrounding water or hot water.

[0027] The cooling means 52, 52a, 52b suitable for the present invention includes a cooling temperature control pipe 67 for supplying cold water to the cooling means 52, 52a, 52b, a bypass pipe 66 connected in parallel to each of the cooling means 52, 52a, 52b, a flow rate control mechanism 64 such as a proportional three-way valve that changes the flow rate ratio between the bypass pipe 66 and the cooling temperature control pipe 67, and a known temperature measurement means 53 installed downstream of the cooling means 52, 52a, 52b to acquire the temperature of the cooled bath water. The cooling temperature control pipe 67 of the cooling means 52, 52a, 52b is connected in parallel to a cold water pipe 61 connected to a cooler 60 via the flow rate control mechanism 64. The cooler 60 is a known cold water facility such as a chiller installed outside, and the cold water cooled by the cooler 60 circulates in the cold water pipe 61. In the cooling means 52, 52a, 52b, heat is exchanged between the bath water and the cold water sent from the cold water pipe 61 via the cooling temperature adjustment pipe 67, thereby cooling the bath water.

[0028] The heating means 54a, 54b suitable for the present invention include a heating temperature control pipe 68 for supplying hot water to the heating means 54a, 54b, a bypass pipe 66 connected in parallel to each of the heating means 54a, 54b, a flow rate adjustment mechanism 64 for changing the flow rate ratio between the bypass pipe 66 and the heating temperature control pipe 68, and a temperature measurement means 55 installed downstream of the heating means 54a, 54b for acquiring the temperature of the heated bath water. The heating temperature control pipe 68 of the heating means 54a, 54b is connected in parallel to a hot water pipe 63 connected to a water heater 62 via a flow rate adjustment mechanism 64. The water heater 62 is a well-known hot water supply facility such as a heater or boiler installed outside, and the hot water heated by the water heater 62 circulates in the hot water pipe 63. In the heating means 54a, 54b, heat is exchanged between the hot water sent from the hot water pipe 63 via the heating temperature control pipe 68 and the bath water, thereby heating the bath water.

[0029] Next, the operation of the bathing equipment 100a of the first embodiment according to the present invention will be explained using a cold bath as an example. First, water is supplied to the bathtub 10 of the bathing equipment 100a from the water supply tap 72. The water level of this bathtub 10 is acquired by a water level sensor (not shown). Then, when the water in the bathtub 10 reaches a preset water level, the water level sensor detects this and stops the supply of water from the water supply tap 72. When the water level in the bathtub 10 decreases due to use by the user, etc., the water level sensor detects this and opens and closes the water supply tap 72 to maintain the water level in the bathtub 10 at a preset water level.

[0030] Next, the bathing equipment 100a is operated. Also, the cooler 60 and the water heater 62 are operated. As a result, cold water cooled by the cooler 60 circulates at a constant flow rate through the cold water piping 61. Note that when the cooler 60 and the water heater 62 are responsible for supplying cold water and hot water to the entire facility, these cooler 60 and the water heater 62 basically operate all the time when the facility is in operation.

[0031] When bathing equipment 100a is operated, water supply means 44 of circulation unit 40 is started. As a result, bath water is taken from water intake section 32 and sent to water temperature adjustment means 50 via hair catcher 42 and filter 46. The temperature of the sent bath water is acquired by temperature measurement means 76. The temperature of the bath water after the temperature adjustment is acquired by temperature measurement means 53.

[0032] Here, it is assumed that the temperature of the bath water is 10°C. The set temperature (first temperature) of the water temperature adjustment means 50 is 7°C. If the temperature of the bath water acquired by the temperature measurement means 53 is higher than the set first temperature (7°C), the water temperature adjustment means 50 increases the flow rate of cold water to the cooling temperature control pipe 67 through the flow rate adjustment mechanism 64 of the cooling means 52, and reduces or sets to zero the flow rate of cold water to the bypass pipe 66 side accordingly. As a result, the cooling means 52 performs a cooling operation, and heat is exchanged between the cold water flowing through the cooling means 52 and the bath water, thereby cooling the bath water. The flow rate of cold water to the cooling means 52 side is controlled by the value of the temperature measurement means 53, and the flow rate adjustment mechanism 64 increases or decreases the flow rate of cold water to the cooling means 52 according to the temperature of the bath water acquired by the temperature measurement means 53. As a result, the bath water flowing through the circulation unit 40 is finally adjusted to the first temperature of 7°C and is discharged from the first water discharge portion 30a into the bathtub 10. In the vicinity of the first water discharger 30a in the bathtub 10, bath water at the first temperature (7° C.) is continuously discharged, forming a relatively low temperature area.

[0033] While the bath water is heated by the body temperature of the bather, the first water discharger 30a continuously discharges bath water at the first temperature. Therefore, a temperature gradient is formed in the bathtub 10 such that the water temperature increases with distance from the first water discharger 30a. As a result, a relatively low temperature region is formed in the area near the first water discharger 30a in the bathtub 10 due to the discharge of water at the first temperature (7°C), and a temperature region is formed in the area far from the first water discharger 30a where the water temperature is higher than the first temperature heated by the body temperature of the bather. These two temperature regions are disturbed by the user entering and exiting the bathtub 10 and moving around, but bathing at the relatively cold first temperature is always possible near the first water discharger 30a.

[0034] Also, if there are no bathers or only a few bathers for a long time, the continuous discharge of water from the first water discharger 30a will cause the low water temperature area to expand, and eventually the entire bathtub 10 may become low temperature. Therefore, in the bathing equipment 100a according to the present invention, the temperature of the bathtub water taken in by the water intake unit 32 is acquired through the temperature measuring means 76, and the flow rate control valve 74 is opened when the temperature of the bathtub water falls below a predetermined temperature. As a result, the hot water flowing through the hot water pipe 63 and the water from the water supply tap 72 flow into the mixer tap 70, where they are mixed to a second temperature (e.g., 25°C) and discharged from the second water discharger 30b' into the bathtub 10. The water of the second temperature discharged from the second water discharger 30b' mixes with the cold water on the first water discharger 30a side as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 1, and becomes a moderate temperature, for example, around 15°C, and moves to the water intake unit 32 side. As a result, a relatively low temperature area is formed in the area between the first water discharge section 30a and the second water discharge section 30b' due to the discharge of water at the first temperature. In addition, in the area on the water intake section 32 side of the second water discharge section 30b', a relatively high temperature area is formed where the water at the second temperature discharged from the second water discharge section 30b' and the bath water on the first water discharge section 30a side are mixed. As a result, two areas with different water temperatures are maintained, and the user can take a bath in an area with a water temperature that suits his or her preference. In addition, when the temperature of the bath water taken by the water intake section 32 exceeds a predetermined temperature due to the discharge of the water at the second temperature from the second water discharge section 30b', the flow rate adjustment valve 74 is closed and the discharge of the water or hot water at the second temperature from the second water discharge section 30b' is stopped.

[0035] Next, the operation of bathing equipment 100b according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be explained using a two-system cold bath as an example. First, like bathing equipment 100a, water is supplied to bathtub 10 of bathing equipment 100b from water supply tap 72. Then, when the water in bathtub 10 reaches a preset water level, a water level sensor detects this and stops the supply of water from water supply tap 72. The water level in bathtub 10 is also maintained at a preset water level.

[0036] Next, the bathing equipment 100b is operated. Also, the cooler 60 and the water heater 62 are operated. As a result, cold water cooled by the cooler 60 circulates through the cold water pipe 61 at a constant flow rate. Also, hot water heated by the water heater 62 circulates through the hot water pipe 63 at a constant flow rate.

[0037] When bathing equipment 100b is operated, water supplying means 44 of first circulation unit 40a and second circulation unit 40b are started. As a result, bath water is taken from first water intake section 32a and second water intake section 32b, and is sent to water temperature adjusting means 50a and 50b via hair catcher 42 and filter 46. Temperature measuring means 53 and 55 acquire the temperature of the water that is sent.

[0038] Here, it is assumed that the temperature of the bath water is 10°C. The set temperature (first temperature) of the water temperature adjustment means 50a of the first circulation unit 40a is 7°C, and the set temperature (second temperature) of the water temperature adjustment means 50b of the second circulation unit 40b is 15°C. In this case, the water temperature adjustment means 50a of the first circulation unit 40a recognizes from the values ​​of the temperature measurement means 53, 55 that the bath water temperature (10°C) is higher than the first temperature (7°C) that has been set in advance. In this case, the water temperature adjustment means 50a causes the cooling means 52a to perform a cooling operation and stops the function of the heating means 54a. Specifically, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 64 corresponding to the cooling means 52a increases the flow rate of cold water to the cooling temperature adjustment pipe 67, and reduces or sets to zero the flow rate of cold water to the bypass pipe 66 side accordingly. As a result, heat is exchanged between the cold water flowing in the cooling means 52a and the bath water, and the bath water flowing in the first circulation unit 40a is cooled. The flow rate of cold water to cooling means 52a is controlled by the value of temperature measuring means 53 provided in cooling means 52a, and flow rate adjustment mechanism 64 increases or decreases the flow rate of cold water to cooling means 52a according to the temperature of the bath water acquired by temperature measuring means 53. As a result, the bath water flowing through first circulation unit 40a is finally adjusted to the first temperature of 7°C.

[0039] In addition, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 64 corresponding to the heating means 54a stops the supply of hot water to the heating temperature control pipe 68, and sends the hot water flowing through the hot water pipe 63 to the bypass pipe 66. As a result, the heating means 54a does not function as a heat exchanger, and the bath water cooled to the first temperature by the cooling means 52a passes through the heating means 54a as is and is discharged into the bathtub 10 from the first water discharger 30a.

[0040] The water temperature adjustment means 50b of the second circulation unit 40b recognizes from the values ​​of the temperature measurement means 53, 55 that the bath water temperature (10°C) is lower than the preset second temperature (15°C). In this case, the water temperature adjustment means 50b activates the heating means 54b to heat and stops the function of the cooling means 52b. Specifically, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 64 corresponding to the heating means 54b increases the flow rate of hot water to the heating temperature control pipe 68 and reduces or sets to zero the flow rate of hot water to the bypass pipe 66 side. The flow rate adjustment mechanism 64 corresponding to the cooling means 52b stops the supply of cold water to the cooling temperature control pipe 67 and sends the cold water flowing through the cold water pipe 61 to the bypass pipe 66 side. As a result, the cooling means 52b does not exchange heat with the bath water, and the bath water flowing through the second circulation unit 40b is sent directly to the heating means 54b. Then, in the heating means 54b, heat exchange takes place between the hot water flowing through the hot water pipe 63, thereby heating the bath water flowing through the second circulation unit 40b. The flow rate of hot water to the heating means 54b is controlled by the value of the temperature measuring means 55 provided in the heating means 54b, and the flow rate adjustment mechanism 64 increases or decreases the flow rate of hot water to the heating means 54b according to the temperature of the bath water acquired by the temperature measuring means 55. As a result, the bath water flowing through the second circulation unit 40b is finally adjusted to the second temperature of 15°C. Then, the bath water heated to the second temperature is discharged from the second water discharger 30b into the bathtub 10.

[0041] In addition, when the temperature of the bath water taken by the second water intake section 32b is higher than the second temperature, the water temperature adjustment means 50b performs the cooling operation of the cooling means 52b in the same manner as the water temperature adjustment means 50a, and stops the function of the heating means 54b. Specifically, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 64 corresponding to the cooling means 52b increases the flow rate of cold water to the cooling temperature control pipe 67, and reduces or sets to zero the flow rate of cold water to the bypass pipe 66 side accordingly. In addition, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 64 corresponding to the heating means 54b stops the supply of hot water to the heating temperature control pipe 68, and sends the hot water flowing through the hot water pipe 63 to the bypass pipe 66 side. As a result, the cold water flowing through the cold water pipe 61 flows through the cooling means 52b via the flow rate adjustment mechanism 64 and the cooling temperature control pipe 67. Then, heat exchange occurs between the cold water and the bath water in this cooling means 52b, and the bath water flowing through the second circulation unit 40b is cooled. The flow rate of cold water to the cooling means 52b is controlled by the value of the temperature measuring means 53 provided in the cooling means 52b, and the bath water flowing through the second circulation unit 40b is finally adjusted to the second temperature of 15° C. The bath water cooled by the cooling means 52b passes directly through the heating means 54b and is discharged from the second water discharger 30b into the bathtub 10.

[0042] In the above-described manner, the bath water at the first and second temperatures discharged from the first and second water dischargers 30a and 30b into the bathtub 10 is taken again from the water intakes 32a and 32b along a route generally indicated by the dashed arrows in Fig. 5, in an ideal state in which the flow rate of the circulation units 40a and 40b is optimized and the user is not stirring the water. As a result, a relatively low-temperature region is formed in the area between the first water discharger 30a and the first water intake 32a in the bathtub 10, where the discharged water at the first temperature (7°C) circulates. In addition, a relatively high-temperature region is formed in the area between the second water discharger 30b and the second water intake 32b, where the discharged water at the second temperature (15°C), which is higher than the first temperature, circulates. In addition, these two temperature regions are disturbed by convection, the body temperature of the bather, and the user entering and exiting the bathtub 10 and moving around, and the temperature rises from the time of water discharge, but bathing is possible at these first and second temperatures near the water discharge sections 30a and 30b. In addition, this disturbance in the temperature region is gradually eliminated over time. In particular, in the configuration shown in FIG. 5(c) in which the water discharge sections 30a and 30b are located higher than the water surface position of the bathtub 10 and the discharged water flows into the bathtub 10 along the waterfall wall 36, the discharged water that flows in is generally diffused toward the bottom surface 12 of the bathtub 10 along the side wall 14 of the bathtub 10 as shown by the dashed arrow. For this reason, stirring of the discharged water when it flows in is suppressed, and the temperature region can be maintained more than in other configurations, and in addition, the discharged cold water can be directly flowed onto the user's body near the waterfall wall 36, which allows for effective cooling and improved cooling sensation for the user.

[0043] In addition, if the water discharge amount of the water discharger 30a, 30b and the water intake amount of the water intake 32, 32a, 32b of the bathing equipment 100a, 100b, i.e., the water supply amount of the circulation unit 40, 40a, 40b, changes, the above temperature ranges may be disturbed. Therefore, the water discharge amount of the water discharger 30a, 30b and the water intake amount of the water intake 32, 32a, 32b are constant at a flow rate that satisfactorily forms two temperature ranges, and are basically fixed at this value. The strength of cooling or heating of the bath water is controlled by the flow rate of cold water or hot water flowing through the cooling means 52, 52a, 52b or the heating means 54a, 54b, as described above, by the flow rate adjustment mechanism 64. As a result, the bathing equipment 100a, 100b according to the present invention can maintain the temperature of the bath water discharged from the water discharger 30a, 30b at a specified temperature while maintaining the two temperature ranges in the bathtub 10.

[0044] As described above, the bathing facilities 100a and 100b according to the present invention have multiple areas with different water temperatures in one bathtub 10, so that users can take a bath in an area with a water temperature that suits their preference. In particular, when the present invention is applied to a cold water bath attached to a sauna bath, for example, a cold water bath area with a relatively cold water temperature of less than 10°C, which is different for different users, and a cold water bath area with a relatively warm water temperature of around 15°C can be provided in one bathtub 10 at the same time. This makes it possible to meet the needs of both users with one bathtub 10, and improve user satisfaction while reducing the burden on the facility. Furthermore, the bathing facility 100a of the first embodiment according to the present invention can be configured with one circulation unit 40, so that space can be saved and equipment and running costs can be reduced.

[0045] Furthermore, the configuration, arrangement, number, mechanism, shape, dimensions, operation, piping routes, etc. of each part of the bathing equipment 100a, 100b, water outlet section, water intake section, circulation unit, etc. shown in this example are merely examples, and are not particularly limited to this example, and the present invention can be modified and implemented within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10 Bathtub 14 Side wall 30a First water outlet 30b, 30b' Second water outlet section 32 Water Intake Section 32a First Water Intake Section 32b Second Water Intake Section 36 Falling Water Wall 40 Circulation Unit 40a First circulation unit 40b Second circulation unit 50, 50a, 50b Water temperature adjustment means 52, 52a, 52b Cooling means (heat exchanger) 54a, 54b Heating means (heat exchanger) 64 Flow rate adjustment mechanism 66 Bypass pipe 67 Temperature control piping for cooling (temperature control piping) 68 Temperature control piping for heating (temperature control piping) 100a, 100b Bathing facilities

Claims

1. A bathtub for storing bathtub water, and a plurality of water outlets for discharging water or hot water of different temperatures into the bathtub; A water intake section for taking in the bathtub water; A bathing facility characterized by having a circulation unit that adjusts the bathtub water taken in by the water intake section to a preset water temperature and sends it to the corresponding water discharge section.

2. The water discharge section is composed of a first water discharge section that discharges bath water at a first temperature into the bathtub, and a second water discharge section that discharges water or hot water at a second temperature higher than the first temperature into the bathtub, and the second water discharge section is located between the water intake section and the first water discharge section; Bathing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that a circulation unit adjusts the bath water taken in by the water intake section to a first temperature and sends it to a first water discharge section, and the second water discharge section discharges water or hot water at a second temperature when the temperature of the bath water taken in by the water intake section falls below a specified temperature.

3. The water discharge unit is composed of a first water discharge unit that discharges bathtub water at a first temperature into the bathtub, and a second water discharge unit that discharges bathtub water at a second temperature higher than the first temperature into the bathtub, The water intake section is composed of a first water intake section provided at a predetermined distance from the first water discharge section and a second water intake section provided at a predetermined distance from the second water discharge section, The bathing equipment described in claim 1, characterized in that the circulation unit is composed of a first circulation unit that adjusts the bath water taken in at the first water intake section to the first temperature and supplies it to the first water discharge section, and a second circulation unit that adjusts the bath water taken in at the second water intake section to the second temperature and supplies it to the second water discharge section.

4. 4. The bathing equipment according to claim 1, wherein the water outlet for outletting the bath water is strip-shaped and is provided along the side wall of the bathtub.

5. 5. The bathing equipment according to claim 4, wherein the water outlet of the water outlet for the bathtub is located at a higher position than the water surface of the bathtub.

6. The bathing equipment described in claim 5, characterized in that the water outlet section that discharges bathtub water and the bathtub are connected by a water drop wall, and the bathtub water discharged from the water outlet section flows down the water drop wall into the bathtub, thereby suppressing the generation of splashes and excessive stirring when the water is supplied.

7. The circulation unit is provided with a water temperature adjustment means for cooling or heating the bath water, The water temperature adjustment means includes a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the bath water and cold water or hot water supplied from outside, a temperature control pipe that supplies cold water or hot water to the heat exchanger, a bypass pipe connected in parallel to the heat exchanger, and a flow rate adjustment mechanism that changes the flow rate ratio of the temperature control pipe and the bypass pipe; Bathing equipment as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the flow rate control mechanism changes the flow rate of the temperature control piping in accordance with the temperature of the bath water, thereby adjusting the temperature of the bath water to a predetermined water temperature while keeping the flow rate of the bath water flowing through the heat exchanger constant.

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