Water outlet and bathtub

Abstract

To provide a water discharge device that can realize water discharge desired by a user, and improve quality of water discharge.SOLUTION: A water discharge device comprises a pump 3 for circulating and pumping bathtub water (water of a bathtub), a first flow passage 41 (a flow passage) connected downstream of the pump 3, a first selection valve 51 (a selection valve) for causing the bathtub water flowing through the first flow passage 41, to flow into one or more flow passages selected out of a second flow passage 42 and a third flow passage 43 (a plurality of flow passages), and a first flow rate adjustment valve 61 (a flow rate adjustment valve) and a second flow rate adjustment valve 62 (a flow rate adjustment valve) provided in the second flow passage 42 and the third flow passage 43, and for adjusting flow rates in the flow passages.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a water ejection device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a water ejection device that circulates the water in a bathtub and applies a massage effect to each of a plurality of parts such as the shoulders and waist of a bather (see, for example, Patent Document 1). "Water" in this specification is used as a term including cold water and warm water (hot water). When such a water ejection device ejects water to the shoulders and the waist of a bather from one pump, the flow path downstream of the pump is branched into a flow path for ejecting water to the shoulders and a flow path for ejecting water to the waist, and a valve for opening and closing the flow path is provided in each of the branched flow paths. When only ejecting water to the shoulders, the valve of the shoulder flow path is opened and the valve of the waist flow path is closed. When only ejecting water to the waist, the valve of the waist flow path is opened and the valve of the shoulder flow path is closed. When ejecting water to both the shoulders and the waist, both the valve of the shoulder flow path and the valve of the waist flow path are opened.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In such a water ejection device, when switching to ejection of only one of them (for example, only the shoulders) while ejecting water to both the shoulders and the waist, the valve of one (shoulders) flow path is kept open, and the valve of the other (waist) flow path is closed. Therefore, when the valve of the other flow path is closed, a large amount of bathtub water flows into one flow path. As a result, the amount of water ejected from one flow path increases, and the user may feel discomfort.

[0005] In such a water spraying device, when adjusting the water spraying amount, the output of the pump is adjusted. However, when spraying water from both the shoulders and the waist, since the valves of both flow paths are open, it is not possible to adjust the water spraying amount of only one of them. As a result, the water spraying desired by the user may not be achieved.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a water spraying device capable of realizing the water spraying desired by the user and improving the quality of the water spraying.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To achieve the above object, a water spraying device according to the present disclosure includes a pump for circulating and pumping the water in the bathtub, a flow path connected downstream of the pump, a selection valve for allowing the water in the bathtub flowing through the flow path to flow into one or more selected flow paths among a plurality of flow paths, and a flow rate adjustment valve provided in the plurality of flow paths for adjusting the flow rate of the flow path.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] (First Embodiment) As shown in Fig. 1, the water spraying device 1 according to the first embodiment is installed in the bathtub 2 and is configured to circulate the water stored in the bathtub 2 and spray it on the shoulders and waist of the bather 11. Hereinafter, the water stored in the bathtub 2 and sprayed on the bather 11 by the water spraying device 1 will be referred to as "bathtub water 21". The water spraying device 1 has a shoulder water spraying port 31 that sprays the bathtub water 21 on the shoulders of the bather 11 and a waist water spraying port 32 that sprays the bathtub water 21 on the waist of the bather 11. The shoulder water spraying port 31 is located above the water level 22 of the bathtub 2. The waist water spraying port 32 is located below the water level 22 of the bathtub 2. The shoulder water spraying port 31 is formed in a slit shape extending in the horizontal direction and sprays the bathtub water 21 in a film shape. The waist water spraying port 32 is formed in a round hole shape and sprays the bathtub water 21 in a linear shape. A plurality of waist water spraying ports 32 may be provided. Hereinafter, the water spraying from the shoulder water spraying port 31 may be referred to as "shoulder water spraying", and the water spraying from the waist water spraying port 32 may be referred to as "waist water spraying".

[0010] As shown in Fig. 2, the water spraying device 1 includes a pump 3 that pumps the bathtub water 21, a first flow path 41 connected downstream of the pump 3, a first selection valve 51 connected downstream of the first flow path 41, a second flow path 42 and a third flow path 43 connected downstream of the first selection valve 51 and branching through the first selection valve 51, a first flow rate adjustment valve 61 provided in the second flow path 42, a second flow rate adjustment valve 62 provided in the third flow path 43, and a control unit 35 that controls the pump 3, the first selection valve 51, the first flow rate adjustment valve 61, and the second flow rate adjustment valve 62. The second flow path 42 is connected to the shoulder water spraying port 31. The third flow path 43 is connected to the waist water spraying port 32. The first flow path 41 - the third flow path 43 are all tubular bodies.

[0011] The first selection valve 51 is a three-way valve. The first selection valve 51 is configured to be switchable to any one of a mode in which the bathtub water 21 from the first flow path 41 flows only to the second flow path 42 (referred to as the shoulder water spraying mode), a mode in which it flows only to the third flow path 43 (referred to as the waist water spraying mode), and a mode in which it flows to both the second flow path 42 and the third flow path 43 (referred to as the shoulder and waist water spraying mode).

[0012] The first flow rate adjustment valve 61 is configured to be able to adjust the flow rate flowing from the first flow path 41 into the second flow path 42. The first flow rate adjustment valve 61 employs, for example, a ball valve 7, and adjusts the flow rate of the second flow path 42 by adjusting the rotation angle of the valve body. Thereby, the amount of water (flow rate) discharged from the shoulder water discharge port 31 is adjusted.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 3, the ball valve 7 has a valve box 71 and a valve body 72 rotatably supported by the valve box 71. A through hole 73 through which the bathtub water 21 passes is formed in the valve body 72. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the axial direction of the through hole 73 (the direction of arrow B in the figure) of the ball valve 7 is the flow direction of the bathtub water 21 (the direction of arrow A in the figure) and the valve body 72 is arranged so that the through hole 73 faces the upstream side, the bathtub water 21 flows into the through hole 73 and the bathtub water 21 flows to the downstream side of the ball valve 7. This state is defined as the open state.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 5, when the axial direction of the through hole 73 is orthogonal to the flow direction of the bathtub water 21, the through hole 73 does not open in the flow direction of the bathtub water 21, and the valve body 72 is arranged so that the portion where the through hole 73 of the valve body 72 is not formed faces the flow direction of the bathtub water 21, the bathtub water 21 does not flow into the through hole 73 and the bathtub water 21 does not flow to the downstream side of the ball valve 7. This state is defined as the closed state.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 6, the through hole 73 is open in the flow direction of the bathtub water 21. When the valve body 72 is arranged so that the axial direction of the through hole 73 is inclined with respect to the flow direction of the bathtub water 21, less amount of bathtub water 21 than in the open state flows into the through hole 73 and flows to the downstream side of the ball valve 7. In this state, the opening area of the through hole 73 as viewed from the flow direction of the bathtub water 21 (the area in the range of arrow 731 in FIG. 6) is smaller than the opening area of the through hole 73 as viewed from the flow direction of the bathtub water 21 in the open state (the area in the range of arrow 731 in FIG. 4). This state is defined as the slightly open state. The flow rate passing through the ball valve 7 is proportional to the opening area of the through hole 73 as viewed from the flow direction of the bathtub water 21. Hereinafter, the "opening area of the through hole 73 as viewed from the flow direction of the bathtub water 21" will be referred to as the "opening area of the through hole 73".

[0016] Returning to FIG. 2, when adjusting the flow rate to an arbitrary value with the first flow rate adjustment valve 61 and the second flow rate adjustment valve 62, the angle of the valve body 72 is adjusted to adjust the value of the opening area of the through hole 73. For example, when setting the flow rate to 50% of the flow rate in the open state, the angle of the valve body 72 is adjusted so that the opening area of the through hole 73 is 50% of the opening area of the through hole 73 in the open state. The ratio of the flow rate in the first flow path 41 to the flow rate in the second flow path 42 is the same as the ratio of the opening areas of the through holes 73 of the first flow rate adjustment valve 61 and the second flow rate adjustment valve 62.

[0017] The second flow rate adjustment valve 62 is configured to be able to adjust the flow rate flowing from the first flow path 41 into the third flow path 43. The second flow rate adjustment valve 62 employs, for example, a ball valve 7, and adjusts the flow rate of the third flow path 43 by adjusting the rotation angle of the valve body 72. Thereby, the amount of water (flow rate) discharged from the waist discharge port 32 is adjusted. The second flow rate adjustment valve 62 employs the same ball valve 7 as the first flow rate adjustment valve 61.

[0018] In the water discharge device 1, the bathtub water 21 (see FIG. 1) pumped from the pump 3 flows into the first flow path 41 and reaches the first selection valve 51. By switching the first selection valve 51, it flows into either only the second flow path 42, only the third flow path 43, or both the second flow path 42 and the third flow path 43.

[0019] When the first selection valve 51 is controlled to be in the shoulder water discharge mode and the first flow rate adjustment valve 61 is in the open state or the slightly open state, the bathtub water 21 flows only into the second flow path 42, and only shoulder water discharge is performed. When the first selection valve 51 is controlled to be in the waist water discharge mode and the second flow rate adjustment valve 62 is in the open state or the slightly open state, the bathtub water 21 flows only into the third flow path 43, and only waist water discharge is performed. When the first selection valve 51 is controlled to be in the shoulder and waist water discharge mode, the first flow rate adjustment valve 61 is in the open state or the slightly open state, and the second flow rate adjustment valve 62 is in the open state or the slightly open state, the bathtub water 21 flows into the second flow path 42 and the third flow path 43, and both shoulder water discharge and waist water discharge are performed. By adjusting the opening areas of the through holes 73 of the first flow rate adjustment valve 61 and the second flow rate adjustment valve 62, the amount of water discharged from the shoulder water discharge port 31 and the waist water discharge port 32 is adjusted.

[0020] When stopping the lumbar water discharge and only performing the shoulder water discharge from the state where both the shoulder water discharge and the lumbar water discharge are being performed, the following control is carried out. The first selection valve 51 is set to the shoulder water discharge mode, and the output of the pump 3 is adjusted to adjust the flow rate discharged from the pump 3. For example, when the flow rate discharged from the pump 3 is 60 L / min and the flow rates of the shoulder water discharge and the lumbar water discharge are each 30 L / min, to perform only the shoulder water discharge, the first selection valve 51 is set to the shoulder water discharge mode, and the flow rate discharged from the pump 3 is set to 30 L / min. Thereby, the lumbar water discharge can be stopped while maintaining the flow rate of the shoulder water discharge at 30 L / min.

[0021] When reducing the flow rate of the lumbar water discharge and maintaining the flow rate of the shoulder water discharge at the same amount from the state where both the shoulder water discharge and the lumbar water discharge are being performed, the following control is carried out. Without changing the mode of the first selection valve 51, the ratio of the opening areas of the through holes 73 of the first flow rate adjustment valve 61 and the second flow rate adjustment valve 62 is adjusted, and the output of the pump 3 is adjusted to adjust the flow rate of the water discharged from the pump 3. For example, when the flow rate discharged from the pump 3 is 60 L / min and the flow rates of the shoulder water discharge and the lumbar water discharge are each 30 L / min, to set the flow rate of the shoulder water discharge to 30 L / min and the flow rate of the lumbar water discharge to 10 L / min, the ratio of the opening areas of the through holes 73 of the first flow rate adjustment valve 61 and the second flow rate adjustment valve 62 is set to 3:1, and the flow rate discharged from the pump 3 is set to 40 L / min. Thereby, the flow rate of the lumbar water discharge can be reduced to 10 L / min while maintaining the flow rate of the shoulder water discharge at 30 L / min.

[0022] In the water discharge device 1 according to the above embodiment, flow rate adjustment valves (the first flow rate adjustment valve 61, the second flow rate adjustment valve 62) are provided in the second flow path 42 and the third flow path 43 downstream of the first selection valve 51. When it is desired to reduce the lumbar water discharge from a state where both shoulder water discharge and lumbar water discharge are being performed, the ratio of the opening areas of the through holes 73 of the first flow rate adjustment valve 61 and the second flow rate adjustment valve 62 is adjusted to adjust the flow rate of the water discharged from the pump 3. Thereby, the flow rate of the lumbar water discharge can be reduced while maintaining the same amount of the flow rate of the shoulder water discharge. Thus, the water discharge device 1 according to the above-described embodiment can increase or decrease the flow rate of one of the two flow paths while maintaining the flow rate of the other flow path. For this reason, when increasing or decreasing the flow rate of one of the flow paths, the user does not feel a sense of incongruity that the flow rate of the other flow path increases or decreases. As a result, the water discharge desired by the user can be realized, and the quality of the water discharge can be improved.

[0023] The water discharge device 1 according to the above-described embodiment is provided with the first selection valve 51. When stopping the lumbar water discharge and performing only the shoulder water discharge from a state where both the shoulder water discharge and the lumbar water discharge are being performed, the following control is performed. The first selection valve 51 is set to the shoulder water discharge mode, and the output of the pump 3 is adjusted to adjust the flow rate discharged from the pump 3. Thereby, the lumbar water discharge can be stopped while maintaining the flow rate of the shoulder water discharge. Thus, the water discharge device 1 according to the above-described embodiment can stop the water discharge from one of the two flow paths while maintaining the flow rate of the other flow path. For this reason, when stopping the water discharge from one of the flow paths, the user does not feel a sense of incongruity that the flow rate of the other flow path increases. As a result, the water discharge desired by the user can be realized, and the quality of the water discharge can be improved.

[0024] (Second Embodiment) Other embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar members and parts as those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. A configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the water discharging device 1B according to the second embodiment has a neck water discharging port 33 that discharges the bathtub water 21 (see FIG. 1) onto the neck of the bather 11 (see FIG. 1) in addition to the shoulder water discharging port 31 and the hip water discharging port 32. The neck water discharging port 33 is located above the water level 22 of the bathtub 2. Hereinafter, the water discharged from the neck water discharging port 33 may be referred to as "neck water discharge".

[0025] The water discharging device 1B includes a pump 3 that pumps the bathtub water 21, a first flow path 41 connected downstream of the pump 3, a first selection valve 51 connected downstream of the first flow path 41, a second flow path 42B and a third flow path 43B connected downstream of the first selection valve 51 and branching via the first selection valve 51, a second selection valve 52 connected downstream of the second flow path 42B, a fourth flow path 44 and a fifth flow path 45 connected downstream of the second selection valve 52 and branching via the second selection valve 52, a first flow rate adjustment valve 61B provided in the fourth flow path 44, a second flow rate adjustment valve 62B provided in the fifth flow path 45, a third flow rate adjustment valve 63 provided in the third flow path 43B, and a control unit 35 (see FIG. 1) that controls the pump 3, the first selection valve 51, the second selection valve 52, the first flow rate adjustment valve 61B, the second flow rate adjustment valve 62B, and the third flow rate adjustment valve 63. The fourth flow path 44 is connected to the shoulder water discharging port 31. The fifth flow path 45 is connected to the neck water discharging port 33. The third flow path 43B is connected to the hip water discharging port 32. The first flow path 41 to the fifth flow path 45 are all tubular bodies.

[0026] The first selection valve 51 and the second selection valve 52 are three-way valves similar to the first selection valve 51 of the first embodiment. The first selection valve 51 is configured to be switchable to any of the following modes: a mode in which the bathtub water 21 from the first flow path 41 flows only into the second flow path 42B (referred to as the first shoulder and neck water discharge mode), a mode in which it flows only into the third flow path 43B (referred to as the waist water discharge mode), and a mode in which it flows into both the second flow path 42B and the third flow path 43B (referred to as the shoulder, neck, and waist water discharge mode). The second selection valve 52 is configured to be switchable to any of the following modes: a mode in which the bathtub water 21 from the second flow path 42B flows only into the fourth flow path 44 (referred to as the shoulder water discharge mode), a mode in which it flows only into the fifth flow path 45 (referred to as the neck water discharge mode), and a mode in which it flows into both the fourth flow path 44 and the fifth flow path 45 (referred to as the second shoulder and neck water discharge mode).

[0027] The first flow rate adjustment valve 61B is configured to be able to adjust the amount of the bathtub water 21 that has flowed from the second flow path 42B into the fourth flow path 44 and flows downstream. The second flow rate adjustment valve 62B is configured to be able to adjust the amount of the bathtub water 21 that has flowed from the second flow path 42B into the fifth flow path 45 and flows downstream. The third flow rate adjustment valve 63 is configured to be able to adjust the amount of the bathtub water 21 that has flowed from the first flow path 41 into the third flow path 43B and flows downstream. The first flow rate adjustment valve 61B, the second flow rate adjustment valve 62B, and the third flow rate adjustment valve 63 are configured in the same manner as the first flow rate adjustment valve 61 and the second flow rate adjustment valve 62 of the first embodiment, and for example, a ball valve 7 similar to that of the first embodiment is employed.

[0028] In the water discharge device 1B, the bathtub water 21 pumped from the pump 3 flows into the first flow path 41 and reaches the first selection valve 51, and by switching the first selection valve 51, it flows into either only the second flow path 42B, only the third flow path 43B, or both the second flow path 42B and the third flow path 43B. The bathtub water 21 that has flowed into the second flow path 42B reaches the second selection valve 52, and by switching the second selection valve 52, it flows into either only the fourth flow path 44, only the fifth flow path 45, or both the fourth flow path 44 and the fifth flow path 45.

[0029] When the first selection valve 51 is in the first shoulder and neck water discharge mode, the second selection valve 52 is in the shoulder water discharge mode, and the first flow rate adjustment valve 61B is controlled to be in the open state or the slightly open state, the bathtub water 21 passes through the second flow path 42B and the fourth flow path 44, and shoulder water discharge is performed. When the first selection valve 51 is in the first shoulder and neck water discharge mode, the second selection valve 52 is in the neck water discharge mode, and the second flow rate adjustment valve 62B is controlled to be in the open state or the slightly open state, the bathtub water 21 passes through the second flow path 42B and the fifth flow path 45, and neck water discharge is performed. When the first selection valve 51 is in the first shoulder and neck water discharge mode, the second selection valve 52 is in the second shoulder and neck water discharge mode, and the first flow rate adjustment valve 61B and the second flow rate adjustment valve 62B are controlled to be in the open state or the slightly open state, the bathtub water 21 passes through both the fourth flow path 44 and the fifth flow path 45 from the second flow path 42B, and shoulder water discharge and neck water discharge are performed.

[0030] When the first selection valve 51 is in the hip water discharge mode and the third flow rate adjustment valve 63 is controlled to be in the open state or the slightly open state, the bathtub water 21 flows only into the third flow path 43B, and only hip water discharge is performed.

[0031] When the first selection valve 51 is in the shoulder, neck and hip water discharge mode, the second selection valve 52 is in the shoulder water discharge mode, and the first flow rate adjustment valve 61B and the third flow rate adjustment valve 63 are controlled to be in the open state or the slightly open state, the bathtub water 21 passes through the second flow path 42B and the fourth flow path 44, and shoulder water discharge is performed, and at the same time, hip water discharge is performed through the third flow path 43B. When the first selection valve 51 is in the shoulder, neck and hip water discharge mode, the second selection valve 52 is in the neck water discharge mode, and the second flow rate adjustment valve 62B and the third flow rate adjustment valve 63 are controlled to be in the open state or the slightly open state, the bathtub water 21 passes through the second flow path 42B and the fifth flow path 45, and neck water discharge is performed, and at the same time, hip water discharge is performed through the third flow path 43B. When the first selection valve 51 is in the shoulder, neck and hip water discharge mode, the second selection valve 52 is in the second shoulder and neck water discharge mode, and the first flow rate adjustment valve 61B, the second flow rate adjustment valve 62B and the third flow rate adjustment valve 63 are controlled to be in the open state or the slightly open state, the bathtub water 21 passes through both the fourth flow path 44 and the fifth flow path 45 from the second flow path 42B, and shoulder water discharge and neck water discharge are performed, and at the same time, hip water discharge is performed through the third flow path 43B.

[0032] Also in the second embodiment, by adjusting the opening areas of the through holes 73 of the first flow rate adjustment valve 61B, the second flow rate adjustment valve 62B, and the third flow rate adjustment valve 63, the water volumes of the shoulder water discharge, the neck water discharge, and the waist water discharge are adjusted. For example, when the flow rate discharged from the pump 3 is 80 L / min, the flow rate of the shoulder water discharge and the flow rate of the waist water discharge are each 30 L / min, and the flow rate of the neck water discharge is 20 L / min, the following control is performed. The ratio of the opening area of the through hole 73 of the first flow rate adjustment valve 61B, the opening area of the through hole 73 of the second flow rate adjustment valve 62B, and the opening area of the through hole 73 of the third flow rate adjustment valve 63 is set to 3:2:3.

[0033] When stopping the neck water discharge and performing the shoulder water discharge and the waist water discharge from the state where the shoulder water discharge, the neck water discharge, and the waist water discharge are being performed, the second selection valve 52 is set to the shoulder water discharge mode, and the output of the pump 3 is adjusted to adjust the flow rate discharged from the pump 3. For example, when the flow rate discharged from the pump 3 is 80 L / min, the flow rate of the shoulder water discharge and the flow rate of the waist water discharge are each 30 L / min, and the flow rate of the neck water discharge is 20 L / min, to stop the neck water discharge and perform the shoulder water discharge and the waist water discharge, the first selection valve 51 is set to the shoulder water discharge mode, and the flow rate discharged from the pump 3 is set to 60 L / min. Thereby, the neck water discharge can be stopped while maintaining the flow rates of the shoulder water discharge and the waist water discharge at 30 L / min.

[0034] When reducing the head water discharge from the state where the shoulder water discharge, the head water discharge, and the waist water discharge are being performed, and maintaining the same flow rates for the shoulder water discharge and the waist water discharge, the following control is carried out. Without changing the mode of the second selection valve 52, adjust the ratio of the opening areas of the through holes 73 of the first flow rate adjustment valve 61B, the second flow rate adjustment valve 62B, and the third flow rate adjustment valve, and adjust the output of the pump 3 to adjust the flow rate discharged from the pump 3. For example, when the flow rate discharged from the pump 3 is 80 L / min, the flow rate of the shoulder water discharge and the waist water discharge is 30 L / min, and the flow rate of the head water discharge is 20 L / min, to make the flow rate of the shoulder water discharge 30 L / min, the flow rate of the head water discharge 10 L / min, and the flow rate of the waist water discharge 30 L / min, set the ratio of the opening areas of the through holes 73 of the first flow rate adjustment valve 61B, the second flow rate adjustment valve 62B, and the third flow rate adjustment valve to 3:1:3, and set the flow rate discharged from the pump 3 to 70 L / min. Thereby, while maintaining the flow rates of the shoulder water discharge and the waist water discharge at 30 L / min, the flow rate of the head water discharge can be reduced to 10 L / min.

[0035] In the water discharge device 1B according to the second embodiment described above, even when having three water discharge ports, it exhibits the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0036] (Third Embodiment) As shown in FIG. 8, the water discharge device 1C according to the third embodiment has a foot water discharge port 34 for discharging the bathtub water 21 (see FIG. 1) to the feet of the bather 11 (see FIG. 1) in addition to the shoulder water discharge port 31, the head water discharge port 33, and the waist water discharge port 32. The foot water discharge port 34 is located below the water level 22 (see FIG. 1) of the bathtub 2. Hereinafter, the water discharge from the foot water discharge port 34 may be referred to as "foot water discharge".

[0037] The water spraying device 1C includes a pump 3 that pumps the bathtub water 21, a first flow path 41 connected downstream of the pump 3, a first selection valve 51 connected downstream of the first flow path 41, a second flow path 42C and a third flow path 43C connected downstream of the first selection valve 51 and branching via the first selection valve 51, a second selection valve 52C connected downstream of the second flow path 42C, a fourth flow path 44C and a fifth flow path 45C connected downstream of the second selection valve 52C and branching via the second selection valve 52C, a third selection valve 53 connected downstream of the third flow path 43C, a sixth flow path 46 and a seventh flow path 47 connected downstream of the third selection valve 53 and branching via the third selection valve 53, a first flow rate adjustment valve 61C provided in the fourth flow path 44C, a second flow rate adjustment valve 62C provided in the fifth flow path 45C, a third flow rate adjustment valve 63C provided in the sixth flow path 46, a fourth flow rate adjustment valve 64 provided in the seventh flow path 47, and a control unit 35 (see FIG. 1) that controls the pump 3, the first selection valve 51, the second selection valve 52C, the first flow rate adjustment valve 61C, the second flow rate adjustment valve 62C, and the third flow rate adjustment valve 63C. The fourth flow path 44C is connected to the shoulder water outlet 31. The fifth flow path 45C is connected to the neck water outlet 33. The sixth flow path 46 is connected to the waist water outlet 32. The seventh flow path 47 is connected to the foot water outlet 34. All of the first flow path 41 - the seventh flow path 47 are pipe bodies.

[0038] The first selection valve 51, the second selection valve 52C, and the third selection valve 53 are three-way valves similar to the first selection valve 51 of the first embodiment. The first selection valve 51 is configured to be switchable to any one of a mode of flowing the bathtub water 21 from the first flow path 41 only to the second flow path 42C (referred to as the first shoulder and neck water spraying mode), a mode of flowing only to the third flow path 43C (referred to as the first waist and foot water spraying mode), and a mode of flowing to both the second flow path 42C and the third flow path 43C (referred to as the shoulder, neck, waist, and foot water spraying mode). The second selection valve 52C is configured to be switchable to any of the following modes: a mode in which the bathtub water 21 from the second flow path 42C flows only into the fourth flow path 44C (referred to as the shoulder water discharge mode), a mode in which it flows only into the fifth flow path 45C (referred to as the neck water discharge mode), and a mode in which it flows into both the fourth flow path 44C and the fifth flow path 45C (referred to as the second shoulder and neck water discharge mode). The third selection valve 53 is configured to be switchable to any of the following modes: a mode in which the bathtub water 21 from the third flow path 43C flows only into the sixth flow path 46 (referred to as the waist water discharge mode), a mode in which it flows only into the seventh flow path 47 (referred to as the foot water discharge mode), and a mode in which it flows into both the sixth flow path 46 and the seventh flow path 47 (referred to as the second waist and foot water discharge mode).

[0039] The first flow rate adjustment valve 61C is configured to be able to adjust the amount of the bathtub water 21 flowing from the second flow path 42C into the fourth flow path 44C and flowing downstream. The second flow rate adjustment valve 62C is configured to be able to adjust the amount of the bathtub water 21 flowing from the second flow path 42C into the fifth flow path 45C and flowing downstream. The third flow rate adjustment valve 63C is configured to be able to adjust the amount of the bathtub water 21 flowing from the third flow path 43C into the sixth flow path 46 and flowing downstream. The fourth flow rate adjustment valve 64 is configured to be able to adjust the amount of the bathtub water 21 flowing from the third flow path 43C into the seventh flow path 47 and flowing downstream. The first flow rate adjustment valve 61C, the second flow rate adjustment valve 62C, the third flow rate adjustment valve 63C, and the fourth flow rate adjustment valve 64 are configured in the same manner as the first flow rate adjustment valve 61 and the second flow rate adjustment valve 62 of the first embodiment. For example, the first flow rate adjustment valve 61C, the second flow rate adjustment valve 62C, the third flow rate adjustment valve 63C, and the fourth flow rate adjustment valve 64 employ the same ball valve 7 as in the first embodiment.

[0040] In the water discharge device 1C, the bathtub water 21 pumped from the pump 3 flows into the first flow path 41 and reaches the first selection valve 51. By switching the first selection valve 51, it flows into either only the second flow path 42C, only the third flow path 43C, or both the second flow path 42C and the third flow path 43C. The bathtub water 21 flowing into the second flow path 42C reaches the second selection valve 52C. By switching the second selection valve 52C, it flows into either only the fourth flow path 44C, only the fifth flow path 45C, or both the fourth flow path 44C and the fifth flow path 45C.

[0041] When the first selection valve 51 is controlled to be in the first shoulder and neck water discharge mode, the second selection valve 52C is in the shoulder water discharge mode, and the first flow rate adjustment valve 61C is in the open state or the slightly open state, the bathtub water 21 passes through the second flow path 42C and the fourth flow path 44C, and shoulder water discharge is performed. When the first selection valve 51 is controlled to be in the first shoulder and neck water discharge mode, the second selection valve 52C is in the neck water discharge mode, and the second flow rate adjustment valve 62C is in the open state or the slightly open state, the bathtub water 21 passes through the second flow path 42C and the fifth flow path 45C, and neck water discharge is performed. When the first selection valve 51 is controlled to be in the first shoulder and neck water discharge mode, the second selection valve 52C is in the second shoulder and neck water discharge mode, and the first flow rate adjustment valve 61C and the second flow rate adjustment valve 62C are in the open state or the slightly open state, the bathtub water 21 passes through both the fourth flow path 44C and the fifth flow path 45C from the second flow path 42C, and shoulder water discharge and neck water discharge are performed.

[0042] When the first selection valve 51 is controlled to be in the first hip and foot water discharge mode, the third selection valve 53 is in the hip water discharge mode, and the third flow rate adjustment valve 63C is in the open state or the slightly open state, the bathtub water 21 passes through the third flow path 43C and the sixth flow path 46, and only hip water discharge is performed. When the first selection valve 51 is controlled to be in the first hip and foot water discharge mode, the third selection valve 53 is in the foot water discharge mode, and the fourth flow rate adjustment valve 64 is in the open state or the slightly open state, the bathtub water 21 passes through the third flow path 43C and the seventh flow path 47, and foot water discharge is performed. When the first selection valve 51 is controlled to be in the first hip and foot water discharge mode, the third selection valve 53 is in the second hip and foot water discharge mode, and the third flow rate adjustment valve 63C and the fourth flow rate adjustment valve 64 are in the open state or the slightly open state, the bathtub water 21 passes through both the sixth flow path 46 and the seventh flow path 47 from the third flow path 43C, and both hip water discharge and foot water discharge are performed.

[0043] When the first selection valve 51 is in the shoulder / neck / lumbar / foot water discharge mode, the second selection valve 52C is in the shoulder water discharge mode, the first flow rate adjustment valve is in the open state or slightly open state, the third selection valve 53 is in the lumbar water discharge mode, and the third flow rate adjustment valve 63C is in the open state or slightly open state, the bathtub water 21 passes through the second flow path 42C and the fourth flow path 44C to perform shoulder water discharge, and passes through the third flow path 43C and the sixth flow path to perform lumbar water discharge. When the first selection valve 51 is in the shoulder / neck / lumbar / foot water discharge mode, the second selection valve 52C is in the shoulder water discharge mode, the first flow rate adjustment valve is in the open state or slightly open state, the third selection valve 53 is in the foot water discharge mode, and the fourth flow rate adjustment valve 64 is in the open state or slightly open state, the bathtub water 21 passes through the second flow path 42C and the fourth flow path 44C to perform shoulder water discharge, and passes through the third flow path 43C and the seventh flow path to perform foot water discharge. Thus, when the first selection valve 51 is in the shoulder / neck / lumbar / foot water discharge mode, and the second selection valve 52C selects any one of the shoulder water discharge mode, the neck water discharge mode, and the second shoulder / neck water discharge mode, and the third selection valve 53 selects any one of the lumbar water discharge mode, the foot water discharge mode, and the second lumbar / foot water discharge mode, and the flow rate adjustment valve of the flow path connected to the water discharge port to be discharged is in the open state or slightly open state, water discharge corresponding to the mode selected by the second selection valve 52C and the third selection valve 53 becomes possible.

[0044] Also in the third embodiment, by adjusting the opening areas of the through holes 73 of the first flow rate adjustment valve 61C, the second flow rate adjustment valve 62C, the third flow rate adjustment valve 63C, and the fourth flow rate adjustment valve 64, the water volumes of shoulder water discharge, neck water discharge, lumbar water discharge, and foot water discharge are adjusted. For example, when the flow rate discharged from the pump 3 is 110 L / min, the flow rate of shoulder water discharge, the flow rate of lumbar water discharge, and the flow rate of foot water discharge are each 30 L / min, and the flow rate of neck water discharge is 20 L / min, the following control is performed. The ratio of the opening areas of the through holes 73 of the first flow rate adjustment valve 61C, the second flow rate adjustment valve 62C, the third flow rate adjustment valve 63C, and the fourth flow rate adjustment valve 64 is set to 3:2:3:3.

[0045] From the state where shoulder water discharge, head water discharge, waist water discharge, and foot water discharge are being performed, when stopping the head water discharge and setting it to shoulder water discharge port 31, waist water discharge, and foot water discharge, the following control is performed. The second selection valve 52C is set to the shoulder water discharge mode, and the output of the pump 3 is adjusted to adjust the flow rate discharged from the pump 3. For example, when the flow rate discharged from the pump 3 is 110 L / min, the flow rate of shoulder water discharge, waist water discharge, and foot water discharge is 30 L / min each, and the flow rate of head water discharge is 20 L / min, to stop the head water discharge and set it to shoulder water discharge, waist water discharge, and foot water discharge, the first selection valve 51 is set to the shoulder water discharge mode, and the flow rate discharged from the pump 3 is set to 90 L / min. Thereby, the head water discharge can be stopped while maintaining the flow rates of shoulder water discharge, waist water discharge, and foot water discharge at 30 L / min.

[0046] From the state where shoulder water discharge, head water discharge, waist water discharge, and foot water discharge are being performed, when reducing the head water discharge and maintaining the water volumes of shoulder water discharge, waist water discharge, and foot water discharge at the same amount, the following control is performed. Without changing the mode of the second selection valve 52C, the ratio of the opening areas of the through holes 73 of the first flow rate adjustment valve 61C, the second flow rate adjustment valve 62C, the third flow rate adjustment valve 63C, and the fourth flow rate adjustment valve 64 is adjusted, and the output of the pump 3 is adjusted to adjust the flow rate of water discharged from the pump 3. For example, when the flow rate discharged from the pump 3 is 110 L / min, the flow rate of shoulder water discharge, waist water discharge, and foot water discharge is 30 L / min, and the flow rate of head water discharge is 20 L / min, to set the flow rate of shoulder water discharge to 30 L / min, the flow rate of head water discharge to 10 L / min, the flow rate of waist water discharge to 30 L / min, and the flow rate of foot water discharge to 30 L, the ratio of the opening areas of the through holes 73 of the first flow rate adjustment valve 61C, the second flow rate adjustment valve 62C, the third flow rate adjustment valve 63C, and the fourth flow rate adjustment valve 64 is set to 3:1:3:3, and the flow rate discharged from the pump 3 is set to 100 L / min. Thereby, the flow rates of shoulder water discharge, waist water discharge, and foot water discharge can be maintained at 30 L / min while reducing the flow rate of head water discharge to 10 L / min.

[0047] In the water discharge device 1C according to the third embodiment described above, even when having four water discharge ports, it has the same effect as the first embodiment.

[0048] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, in the water ejection devices 1, 1B, and 1C of the above-described embodiments, the bathtub water 21 is configured to be ejected onto the shoulders, waist, neck, and feet of the bather. In contrast, the part to which the bathtub water 21 ejected by the water ejection device 1 is applied may be other than the above.

[0049] In the above-described embodiments, three-way valves are used for the first selection valve 51, the second selection valve 52, and the third selection valve 53. As long as it is a valve capable of selecting a flow path, it may be other than a three-way valve. In the above-described embodiments, ball valves 7 are used for the first flow rate adjustment valve 61, the second flow rate adjustment valve 62, the third flow rate adjustment valve 63, and the fourth flow rate adjustment valve 64. In contrast, the first flow rate adjustment valve 61, the second flow rate adjustment valve 62, the third flow rate adjustment valve 63, and the fourth flow rate adjustment valve 64 may be other than the ball valve 7 as long as they are valves capable of adjusting the flow rate, and may be, for example, solenoid valves or the like.

[0050] In the above-described second embodiment, a flow rate adjustment valve is provided in the third flow path 43. The flow rate adjustment valve may not be provided in the third flow path 43. The third flow path 43 is a flow path for waist water ejection and is configured to eject (inject) the bathtub water 21 into the water. Therefore, even if the flow rate changes during the switching of water ejection, the bather is less likely to feel discomfort compared to shoulder water ejection or neck water ejection that ejects water above the water level of the bathtub. Therefore, even if a flow rate adjustment valve is not provided in the fourth flow path, the quality of water ejection can be improved.

[0051] In the above-described third embodiment, flow rate adjustment valves are provided in the sixth flow path 46 and the seventh flow path 47. The flow rate adjustment valve may not be provided in at least one of the sixth flow path 46 and the seventh flow path 47. The sixth flow path 46 is a flow path for waist water ejection, and the seventh flow path 47 is a flow path for foot water ejection, and both are configured to eject (inject) the bathtub water 21 into the water. Therefore, even if the flow rate changes during the switching of water ejection, the bather is less likely to feel discomfort compared to shoulder water ejection or neck water ejection that ejects water above the water level of the bathtub. Therefore, even if the flow rate adjustment valve is not provided in at least one of the sixth flow path 46 and the seventh flow path 47, the quality of water ejection can be improved.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0052] 1, 1B, 1C water discharge device, 2 bathtub, 3 pump, 11 bather, 41 first flow path (flow path), 42, 42B, 42C second flow paths, 43, 43B, 43C third flow paths, 44, 44C fourth flow paths, 45, 45C fifth flow paths, 46 sixth flow path, 47 seventh flow path, 51 first selection valve (selection valve), 52B, 52C second selection valves, 53 third selection valve, 61, 61B, 61C first flow rate adjustment valves (flow rate adjustment valves), 62, 62C second flow rate adjustment valves (flow rate adjustment valves), 63, 63C third flow rate adjustment valves (flow rate adjustment valves), 64 fourth flow rate adjustment valve (flow rate adjustment valve)

Claims

1. A pump that circulates and pressurizes the water in the bathtub, a flow path connected downstream of the pump; a selection valve for causing the bathtub water flowing through the flow path to flow into one or more selected flow paths among a plurality of flow paths, When the amount of water discharged from one of the plurality of flow paths is changed, the water discharge device discharges water so that the amount of water discharged from the other flow paths does not change.

2. When the selection valve causes water to flow into two or more of the plurality of flow paths and water is discharged from each of the two or more flow paths, The water discharge device according to claim 1, wherein when the amount of water discharged from one of the two or more flow paths is changed, water is discharged from the other flow paths without changing the amount of water discharged from the other flow paths.

3. A water discharge device as described in claim 1 or 2, having a control unit that controls the flow rate of the pump and at least one of the selection valves.

4. A bathtub equipped with a water discharge device described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Any one of the plurality of flow paths is connected to a water outlet that discharges water toward the shoulders of a bather bathing in the bathtub, The bathtub according to claim 4, wherein the other flow path is connected to a spout that spouts water toward the waist of the bather.

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