Heat exchanger and toilet device

Abstract

To provide a heat exchanger and a toilet device that can detect the temperature of washing water even when the flow of washing water is at rest.SOLUTION: A heat exchanger includes: a case; a heating part which is provided inside the case; a heating flow passage which is formed between the case and the heating part and in which washing water is heated; a water discharge flow passage in which washing water discharged from the heating flow passage circulates; and a temperature sensor which detects a temperature of washing water in the water discharge flow passage. The water discharge flow passage includes: a small-diameter part which is positioned above the heating part and is connected to the heating flow passage; and a large-diameter part which is positioned above the small-diameter part and has a bore diameter larger than a bore diameter of the small diameter part. The temperature sensor detects the temperature of washing water in the large-diameter part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Aspects of the present invention generally relate to a heat exchanger and a toilet device.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a toilet device that can control the hot water temperature at the start of local cleaning without using a flow rate sensor or an incoming water temperature sensor (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the toilet device described in Patent Document 1, for example, when water supply stops, the flow of the washing water stops, so there is a risk that the washing water may be overheated.

[0005] Aspects of the present invention have been made based on the recognition of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a heat exchanger and a toilet device capable of detecting the temperature of washing water even when the flow of the washing water has stopped.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A first invention includes a case, a heat generating part provided inside the case, a heating flow path formed between the case and the heat generating part through which washing water is heated, a discharge flow path through which the washing water discharged from the heating flow path flows, and a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the washing water in the discharge flow path. The discharge flow path has a small-diameter part located above the heat generating part and connected to the heating flow path, and a large-diameter part located above the small-diameter part and having a larger hole diameter than that of the small-diameter part. The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the washing water in the large-diameter part. The heat exchanger is characterized in that.

[0007] According to this heat exchanger, even when the supply of washing water stops due to temporary water cut-off, the heated washing water moves into the large-diameter portion by convection. Further, due to the small-diameter portion and the large-diameter portion, the convecting washing water is agitated, so that the detection accuracy of the temperature sensor can be improved and the temperature of the washing water can be detected more stably.

[0008] A second invention is the heat exchanger according to the first invention, wherein the heating flow path has a spiral flow path extending spirally around the heat generating portion and a water discharge chamber connected to the downstream side of the spiral flow path, and the small-diameter portion is connected to the water discharge chamber.

[0009] According to this heat exchanger, the temperature of the washing water being heated can be made uniform by agitating the washing water with the spiral flow path. Further, by connecting the small-diameter portion to the water discharge chamber, the agitation performance can be enhanced for the convection to the small-diameter portion. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the temperature sensor for the washing water temperature is improved.

[0010] A third invention is the heat exchanger according to the first invention, which includes a connection flow path connected to the downstream side of the large-diameter portion, and the connection flow path has a first flow path extending upward from the large-diameter portion and a second flow path extending from the first flow path in a bent manner.

[0011] According to this heat exchanger, since the convection is easily agitated between the first flow path and the second flow path, it becomes easier for the temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the washing water, and the detection accuracy is improved.

[0012] A fourth invention is a toilet device including the heat exchanger according to any one of the first to third inventions, a water supply unit that supplies washing water toward the heat exchanger, and a control unit that controls the operation of the heat exchanger and the operation of the water supply unit, wherein the control unit stops the operation of the heat generating portion when the detected value of the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a threshold value.

[0013] According to this toilet device, it is possible to suppress the washing water from being heated more than necessary.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to an aspect of the present invention, there are provided a heat exchanger and a toilet device capable of detecting the temperature of washing water even when the flow of the washing water has stopped.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and detailed descriptions thereof are appropriately omitted. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a toilet unit provided with a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet unit 2 according to the embodiment includes a Western-style toilet bowl (hereinafter, simply referred to as "toilet bowl" for convenience of explanation) 4 and a toilet device 10. The toilet device 10 is provided on the toilet bowl 4. The toilet device 10 has a casing 12, a toilet seat 14, a toilet lid 16, and a local cleaning device 20 mounted in the casing 12. The toilet lid 16 is provided as necessary and may be omitted.

[0017] In this specification, "up", "down", "front", "rear", "right", and "left" are the directions as seen from a user sitting on the toilet seat 14 with the toilet lid 16 on the back, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0018] The casing 12 has a case plate 12a and a case cover 12b. The case plate 12a is located at the lower part of the casing 12. The case plate 12a is placed on the rear part of the toilet bowl 4. The case cover 12b is provided on the case plate 12a and covers the upper part of the case plate 12a. The casing 12 houses functional parts such as an opening / closing part for opening and closing the toilet seat 14 and the toilet lid 16, a deodorizing unit, and a local cleaning device 20 for cleaning the user's local area, inside the space surrounded by the case plate 12a and the case cover 12b.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the local cleaning device mounted on the casing as seen from above. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main part configuration of the local cleaning device. In FIG. 3, the main part configuration of the water channel system and the main part configuration of the electrical system of the local cleaning device are shown together.

[0020] The local cleaning device 20 is mounted inside the casing 12. The local cleaning device 20 has a heat exchanger unit 30 and a nozzle 80. The heat exchanger unit 30 is provided between a water supply source such as a water supply pipe and the nozzle 80. The heat exchanger unit 30 heats the water introduced from the water supply source and supplies it to the nozzle 80. The heat exchanger unit 30 has a water supply part 40, a heat exchanger 50, and a control part 90.

[0021] The water supply part 40 has an electromagnetic valve 41 that can be opened and closed. When the electromagnetic valve 41 is in the open state, it allows the water flowing from the water supply part 40 towards the heat exchanger 50. When the electromagnetic valve 41 is in the closed state, it blocks the water flowing from the water supply part 40 towards the heat exchanger 50. The opening and closing operation of the electromagnetic valve 41 is controlled by a command signal from the control part 90.

[0022] The heat exchanger 50 is provided downstream of the water supply section 40. The heat exchanger 50 is an instantaneous heating type (instantaneous type) heat exchanger using, for example, a ceramic heater or the like. The user can set the hot water temperature by operating an operation unit 93 such as a remote control.

[0023] The heat exchanger 50 heats the washing water supplied from the water supply source by the heat generating section 53 and raises the temperature to a specified temperature. The heat exchanger 50 converts the washing water supplied from the water supply source into hot water at the set temperature. The washing water includes the water (cold water) supplied from the water supply source and the hot water heated by the heat exchanger 50. The specific configuration of the heat exchanger 50 will be described later.

[0024] The vacuum breaker (VB) 60 is provided downstream of the heat exchanger 50. The vacuum breaker 60 promotes draining of the downstream portion. The vacuum breaker 60 promotes draining of, for example, the nozzle 80.

[0025] The flow control / flow path switching valve 70 is provided downstream of the vacuum breaker 60. The flow control / flow path switching valve 70 can switch the supply destination of the washing water to any one of the discharge ports 81 to 83 of the nozzle 80 and the nozzle washing chamber. Further, the flow control / flow path switching valve 70 adjusts the flow rate of the washing water flowing to the nozzle 80.

[0026] The nozzle 80 discharges washing water for performing local washing of the user sitting on the toilet seat 14. At the tip of the nozzle 80, a buttocks washing discharge port 81, a buttocks soft washing discharge port 82, and a bidet washing discharge port 83 for discharging washing water are provided.

[0027] The nozzle 80 moves forward and backward by receiving the driving force of the nozzle motor 85. The nozzle motor 85 advances the nozzle 80 into the bowl of the toilet 4 or retracts the nozzle 80 into the casing 12 by the driving force. The nozzle 80 is housed inside the casing 12 in the retracted state. The nozzle motor 85 moves forward and backward based on the operation of the operation unit 93.

[0028] The control unit 90 controls the operation of the heat exchanger 50 and the operation of the water supply unit 40. Based on the command signal from the operation unit 93, the control unit 90 controls the opening and closing operation of the electromagnetic valve 41 of the water supply unit 40. Further, the control unit 90 controls the operation of the heat generating unit 53 of the heat exchanger 50 based on, for example, the command signal from the operation unit 93, the detection of a human body by the human body detection sensor 95 or the seating detection sensor 96, and the detection value of the temperature sensor 57 of the heat exchanger 50. The human body detection sensor 95 detects, for example, a user present in front of the toilet unit 2 or a user who has entered the toilet room in which the toilet unit 2 is provided. The seating detection sensor 96 detects a user seated on the toilet seat 14. Also, the control unit 90 controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment / flow path switching valve 70 and the operation of the nozzle motor 85 based on the command signal from the operation unit 93.

[0029] Next, the configuration of the heat exchanger 50 will be described. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the heat exchanger as viewed from above. FIG. 5 is a front view of the heat exchanger as viewed from the front. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger as viewed in the direction of arrow A-A in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 6. In FIGS. 4 to 6, a vacuum breaker 60 is provided downstream of the heat exchanger 50.

[0030] The heat exchanger 50 includes a case 51, a heat generating unit 53, a heating flow path 54, a water discharge flow path 56, and a temperature sensor 57. The case 51 forms the outer shell of the heat exchanger 50 and is a cylindrical body through which cleaning water circulates inside. As shown in FIG. 7, a cylindrical body 52 is inserted inside the case 51. A spiral flow path 54a is engraved on the inner peripheral surface of the case 51.

[0031] The water supply unit 40 is connected to one end side (the right end side in FIG. 7) of the cylindrical body 52. The cleaning water flowing out from the water supply unit 40 flows into the inside of the cylindrical body 52. The cleaning water flowing through the inside of the cylindrical body 52 is turned back to the one end side at the other end side (the left end side in FIG. 7) of the case 51 and flows into the spiral flow path 54a described later.

[0032] The heating part 53 is provided inside the case 51. Specifically, the heating part 53 is composed of, for example, a sheet heater and is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 52. The heating part 53 extends along a heating flow path 54 described later. The heating part 53 is heated by its operation. The heating part 53 is connected to the control part 90, and temperature control is performed by the control part 90.

[0033] The heating flow path 54 is formed between the case 51 and the heating part 53 and is the part where the washing water is heated. The heating flow path 54 has a spiral flow path 54a that extends spirally around the heating part 53 and a water discharge chamber 54b connected to the downstream side of the spiral flow path 54a. The washing water flowing into the heating flow path 54 is heated by the heating part 53 and flows into a water discharge flow path 56 described later.

[0034] A coil 55 that closes the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the case 51 and the heating part 53 is wound around the spiral flow path 54a. The washing water flowing through the spiral flow path 54a is efficiently heated by the heating part 53. The water discharge chamber 54b is provided between the spiral flow path 54a and a water discharge flow path 56 described later. The water discharge chamber 54b is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the case 51 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 52. Note that the heating part 53 extends up to the water discharge chamber 54b.

[0035] The water discharge flow path 56 is the part through which the washing water discharged from the heating flow path 54 flows. The water discharge flow path 56 extends upward from the water discharge chamber 54b of the heating flow path 54. The downstream end of the water discharge flow path 56 opens to the outer peripheral surface of the case 51. As shown in FIG. 7, the water discharge flow path 56 has a small-diameter part 56a located above the heating part 53 and connected to the heating flow path 54, and a large-diameter part 56b located above the small-diameter part 56a and having a hole diameter D2 larger than the hole diameter D1 of the small-diameter part 56a.

[0036] The small-diameter part 56a is connected to the water discharge chamber 54b of the heating flow path 54. As shown in FIG. 7, the heating part 53 is located below the small-diameter part 56a. Thereby, the convection C of the washing water heated by the heating part 53 goes from the water discharge chamber 54b to the water discharge flow path 56.

[0037] Further, the aperture diameter D1 of the small-diameter portion 56a is smaller than the length L of the water discharge chamber 54b. As a result, the convection C of the heated cleaning water in the water discharge chamber 54b is stirred when moving to the small-diameter portion 56a. Also, the aperture diameter D2 of the large-diameter portion 56b is larger than the aperture diameter D1 of the small-diameter portion 56a. Therefore, the convection C of the heated cleaning water in the small-diameter portion 56a is stirred when moving to the large-diameter portion 56b.

[0038] The temperature sensor 57 detects the temperature of the cleaning water in the water discharge passage 56. Specifically, the temperature sensor 57 detects the temperature of the cleaning water in the large-diameter portion 56b of the water discharge passage 56. The temperature sensor 57 transmits the detected value to the control unit 90. The control unit 90 changes the output of the heat generating unit 53 based on the detected value of the temperature sensor 57.

[0039] The connection passage 58 is connected downstream of the water discharge passage 56. The connection passage 58 is provided between the water discharge passage 56 and the vacuum breaker 60. That is, the cleaning water flowing out from the large-diameter portion 56b flows into the vacuum breaker 60 via the connection passage 58.

[0040] The connection passage 58 has a first passage 58a connected to the large-diameter portion 56b and a second passage 58b connected to the first passage 58a. The first passage 58a extends upward from the large-diameter portion 56b. On the other hand, the second passage 58b extends by bending from the first passage 58a. The second passage 58b is preferably bent at 90 degrees or more with respect to the first passage 58a. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the convection C of the cleaning water flowing through the connection passage 58 hits the upper surface 58c of the first passage 58a and is stirred. Thereby, the temperature of the cleaning water in the water discharge passage 56 is made uniform.

[0041] The heat exchanger 50 according to the present embodiment has the configuration as described above. Next, for example, control processing when the flow of the cleaning water stops will be described.

[0042] The temperature of the cleaning water discharged from the nozzle 80 is detected by a temperature sensor 57 located downstream of the heating flow path 54. Here, for example, when the flow of the cleaning water stops due to a temporary water cut-off or the like, there is a risk that the cleaning water will become higher than a predetermined value due to the heat generating part. In such a case, since the temperature sensor provided downstream of the heat generating part cannot detect the appropriate temperature of the cleaning water because the flow of the cleaning water has stopped.

[0043] Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the state where the heat exchanger 50 is mounted on the casing 12, the water discharge flow path 56 extends upward from the heating flow path 54. Further, the heat generating part 53 extends from the spiral flow path 54a to the water discharge chamber 54b. That is, in the heat exchanger 50, the water discharge flow path 56 is located above the heat generating part 53. Thereby, when the temperature of the cleaning water in the water discharge chamber 54b becomes higher than the temperature of the cleaning water in the water discharge flow path 56, a convection C of the cleaning water toward the water discharge flow path 56 located above the water discharge chamber 54b occurs.

[0044] The water discharge flow path 56 has a small-diameter part 56a connected to the water discharge chamber 54b and a large-diameter part 56b located above the small-diameter part 56a and having a hole diameter D2 larger than the hole diameter D1 of the small-diameter part 56a. As shown in FIG. 7, the hole diameter D1 of the small-diameter part 56a is formed smaller than the length L of the water discharge chamber 54b. Thereby, the convection C of the cleaning water is agitated when moving from the water discharge chamber 54b to the small-diameter part 56a. Also, the convection C of the cleaning water is agitated when moving from the small-diameter part 56a to the large-diameter part 56b.

[0045] Furthermore, above the large-diameter part 56b, a connection flow path 58 having a first flow path 58a and a second flow path 58b bent from the first flow path 58a is connected. Thereby, when the convection C of the cleaning water moves from the large-diameter part 56b to the first flow path 58a, it hits the upper surface 58c of the first flow path 58a and is agitated. As a result, the temperature of the cleaning water in the large-diameter part 56b is made uniform.

[0046] As a result, the temperature sensor 57 can detect the temperature of the washing water that can be discharged from the nozzle 80 even when the flow of the washing water stops due to, for example, temporary water cut-off. The temperature sensor 57 transmits the detected value of the washing water temperature to the control unit 90. When the detected value of the temperature sensor 57 is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the control unit 90 stops the operation (heating) of the heating unit 53. This threshold value is set to an arbitrary value in the range of, for example, 40°C to 45°C and is stored in the storage unit of the control unit 90. Thereby, the heat exchanger 50 is suppressed from heating the washing water to a predetermined temperature or higher in the heating flow path 54.

[0047] The embodiment may include the following configuration.

[0048] (Configuration 1) A case, A heating unit provided inside the case, A heating flow path formed between the case and the heating unit, through which the washing water is heated, A water discharge flow path through which the washing water discharged from the heating flow path flows, A temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the washing water in the water discharge flow path, Comprising, The water discharge flow path, A small-diameter portion located above the heating unit and connected to the heating flow path, A large-diameter portion located above the small-diameter portion and having a larger aperture diameter than that of the small-diameter portion, Having, The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the washing water in the large-diameter portion. A heat exchanger characterized by this. (Configuration 2) The heating flow path, A spiral flow path that spirally extends around the heating unit, A water discharge chamber connected to the downstream side of the spiral flow path, Having, The small-diameter portion is connected to the water discharge chamber. The heat exchanger according to Configuration 1, characterized by this. (Configuration 3) A connection flow path connected to the downstream side of the large-diameter portion is provided, The connection flow path, a first flow path extending upward from the large-diameter portion; a second flow path extending from the first flow path with a bend; The heat exchanger according to Configuration 1 or 2, characterized by having the above. (Configuration 4) The heat exchanger according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3; a water supply unit for supplying washing water to the heat exchanger; a control unit for controlling the operation of the heat exchanger and the operation of the water supply unit; Comprising: The toilet device, characterized in that the control unit stops the operation of the heat generating unit when the detected value of the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a threshold value.

[0049] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. Regarding the above-described embodiments, those obtained by appropriately making design changes by those skilled in the art are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, dimensions, material, arrangement, etc. of each element included in the heat exchanger and the toilet device are not limited to those illustrated and can be appropriately changed. In addition, each element included in each of the above-described embodiments can be combined as far as technically possible, and those obtained by combining these are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention.

Description of Signs

[0050] 2 Toilet unit 4 Toilet bowl 10 Toilet device 12 Casing 12a Case plate 12b Case cover 14 Toilet seat 16 Toilet lid 20 Local cleaning device 30 Heat exchanger unit 40 Water supply unit 41 Solenoid valve 50 Heat exchanger 51 Case 52 Cylindrical body 53 Heat generating part 54 Heating flow path 54a Spiral flow path 54b Water discharge chamber 55 Coil 56 Water discharge flow path 56a Small diameter part 56b Large diameter part 57 Temperature sensor 58 Connection flow path 58a First flow path 58b Second flow path 58c Upper surface 60 Vacuum breaker 70 Flow regulation and flow path switching valve 80 Nozzle 81 Anus cleaning water discharge port 82 Anus soft cleaning water discharge port 83 Vulva cleaning water discharge port 85 Nozzle motor 90 Control unit 93 Operation unit 95 Human body detection sensor 96 Seating detection sensor C Convection

Claims

1. A case, A heating part provided inside the case, A heating flow path formed between the case and the heating part through which washing water is heated, A water discharge flow path through which the washing water discharged from the heating flow path flows, A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the washing water in the water discharge flow path, Comprising, The water discharge flow path, A small-diameter part located above the heating part and connected to the heating flow path, A large-diameter part located above the small-diameter part and having a larger aperture diameter than that of the small-diameter part, Having, The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the washing water in the large-diameter part. A heat exchanger characterized by this.

2. The heating flow path, A spiral flow path extending spirally around the heating part, A water discharge chamber connected to the downstream side of the spiral flow path, Having, The small-diameter part is connected to the water discharge chamber. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized by this.

3. Comprising a connection flow path connected to the downstream side of the large-diameter part, The connection flow path, A first flow path extending upward from the large-diameter part, A second flow path extending by bending from the first flow path, The heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized by having this.

4. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A water supply part for supplying washing water toward the heat exchanger, A control part for controlling the operation of the heat exchanger and the operation of the water supply part, Comprising, When the detected value of the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a threshold value, the control part stops the operation of the heating part. A toilet device characterized by this.

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