Bathroom faucet device
The bathroom faucet device addresses the issue of cold floors by maintaining hot water discharge after reaching a set temperature, effectively warming the floor and enhancing user comfort.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024036215
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-03-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-19
AI Technical Summary
Conventional bathroom faucets discharge hot water into the drainage channel, causing the floor to cool and discomfort to users.
A bathroom faucet device with a drainage channel that continues to discharge hot water after reaching a predetermined temperature, warming the floor before use.
Prevents the floor from feeling cold during hot water preparation, ensuring a comfortable bathroom experience.
Smart Images

Figure 2025137165000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a bathroom faucet device, and more particularly to a bathroom faucet device that can drain remaining water upstream before hot or cold water is discharged from the water discharge section. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, bathroom faucet devices have been known that, when hot water is discharged from the discharge part of a faucet or shower head, perform a so-called "hot water preparation" by discharging any hot water remaining in the flow path within the faucet body in advance so as to prevent cold water from being discharged when the water starts to be discharged, thereby shortening the waiting time until the hot water is actually discharged. In such conventional bathroom faucet devices, a drainage device is provided downstream of the flow rate adjustment unit and upstream of the water discharge unit, and this drainage device drains and drains the hot water in the flow path downstream of the flow rate adjustment unit before hot water is discharged from the water discharge unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-48983 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] However, in the conventional bathroom faucet device described above, when hot water preparation is performed and water is discharged from the drainage channel of the drainage device onto the floor of the bathroom (such as the floor of the washing area), the drainage can cool the floor, which can cause the user to feel uncomfortable as if the floor is cold. Therefore, in recent years, a pressing issue has arisen as to how to warm up the cold floor in the bathroom using hot water discharged from the drainage channel so that users do not feel uncomfortable with the cold floor when preparing hot water.
[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the problems of the conventional technology mentioned above and the issues that have been required in recent years, and aims to provide a bathroom faucet device that can prevent the floor from feeling cold when preparing hot water, allowing users to use the bathroom comfortably. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a bathroom faucet device, which includes a faucet body that is installed in a bathroom and receives hot water and cold water from a hot water supply source and a cold water supply source, a water discharge section that is installed downstream of the faucet body and discharges hot water, cold water, or a mixture of hot and cold water supplied from the faucet body, and an operating section that is operated by a user. The faucet body includes a hot and cold water mixing section that mixes the hot water and cold water, a water discharge / stop switching section that switches the water discharge section between a water discharge state and a water stop state, and a water discharge section that is installed downstream of the hot and cold water mixing section and is connected to the outside of the faucet body to drain water into the bathroom. The control unit is equipped with a drainage channel through which hot water flows, a drainage switching valve that switches the opening and closing of the drainage channel, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the hot water mixed in the hot water mixing unit, and a control unit with a hot water preparation mode that opens and closes the drainage switching valve in response to commands from the operating unit to control the drainage of hot water from the drainage channel, and is characterized in that in the hot water preparation mode, after opening the drainage switching valve, the control unit maintains the open state of the drainage switching valve so that drainage from the drainage channel continues for a predetermined time from when the temperature of the hot water detected by the temperature sensor reaches a predetermined temperature. In the present invention configured in this manner, when the hot water preparation mode is executed, the drain switch valve opens under the control of the control unit, and then the open state of the drain switch valve is maintained so that drainage from the drain channel continues for a predetermined time from when the temperature of the hot water detected by the temperature sensor reaches a predetermined temperature.Therefore, for example, the hot water drained from the drain channel onto the floor in the bathroom can warm up a previously cold floor. Therefore, when a user in the bathroom comes into contact with the floor, the user is prevented from feeling that the floor is cold, and the bathroom can be used comfortably.
[0007] In the present invention, preferably, the predetermined time period can be changed by the user. In the present invention configured in this manner, the user can change the setting for the specified time for which hot water continues to be drained from the drain channel after the temperature of the hot water detected by the temperature sensor reaches a specified temperature, depending on the usage situation, so that the floor surface in the bathroom (such as the floor of the washing area) can be effectively heated.
[0008] In the present invention, preferably, the back side of the faucet body is attached to the wall in the bathroom, and the drainage channel has a drain outlet directed downward and located closer to the wall than the hot and cold water mixing section so that hot and cold water discharged from the drain outlet at its downstream end flows down along the wall. In the present invention configured in this manner, the back side of the faucet body is attached to the wall in the bathroom, and the drain outlet at the downstream end of the drainage channel is directed downward and is located closer to the wall than the hot and cold water mixing section so that the hot and cold water discharged from the drain outlet flows down along the wall.Therefore, even if the water discharged from the drain outlet flows down along the wall to the floor in the bathroom when the hot water preparation mode is first started, the area in which the floor cools can be kept to a limited area on the wall side of the floor.
[0009] In the present invention, it is preferable that the bathroom further includes a counter attached to the wall, the faucet body being positioned below the counter, and the drainage channel having a drain outlet at its downstream end positioned lower than the counter. In the present invention configured in this manner, the faucet body is positioned below the counter attached to the wall in the bathroom, and the drain outlet at the downstream end of the drain channel is positioned lower than the counter.Therefore, in the hot water preparation mode, hot water that has reached a predetermined temperature can be prevented from being cooled by the air in the bathroom after being discharged from the drain outlet of the drain channel, and the floor surface in the bathroom (such as the floor of the washing area) can be effectively heated.
[0010] In the present invention, it is preferable that the drainage channel has a drain outlet at its downstream end directed toward the floor surface of the bathroom, and the drain outlet is positioned at a height of 25 mm or more above the floor surface. In the present invention configured in this manner, the drain outlet at the downstream end of the drainage channel is directed toward the floor surface of the bathroom, and the drain outlet is positioned at a height of 25 mm or more above the floor surface, so that the height of the drain outlet can be set at an appropriate height without being set too low. Therefore, the drain outlet and the floor surface (such as the floor of the washing area) can be separated without using any special means, and backflow from the drain outlet into the drainage channel can be prevented. In addition, in the hot water preparation mode, the height of the drain outlet is set too low, which can prevent hot water that has reached a predetermined temperature from spreading easily over the floor surface after flowing down onto the floor surface in the bathroom.
[0011] In the present invention, the drainage channel is preferably provided downstream of the hot and cold water mixing section. In the present invention configured in this manner, the drainage channel is located downstream of the hot water and cold water mixing section, so that in the hot water preparation mode, hot water from the hot water source upstream of the hot water and cold water mixing section is not discharged directly onto the floor from the drainage channel without passing through the hot water and cold water mixing section, allowing the bathroom to be used safely. [Effects of the Invention]
[0012] The bathroom faucet device of the present invention can prevent the floor from feeling cold when preparing hot water, allowing the bathroom to be used comfortably. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an entire hot water supply system including a bathroom faucet device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a system configuration diagram of a bathroom faucet device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a partial side cross-sectional view of a bathroom faucet device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] 1 is a front view of a bathroom remote control for a bathroom faucet device according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the state before the hot water preparation mode is executed. [Figure 4B] 1 is a front view of a bathroom remote control for a bathroom faucet device according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing the state in which a hot water preparation mode is being executed. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart of a normal hot water preparation process (first hot water preparation mode) in the hot water preparation mode of a bathroom faucet device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart of the hot water preparation process (second hot water preparation mode) from the overhead shower spout and the overhead pillar spout in the hot water preparation mode of the bathroom faucet device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which hot water preparation processing (second hot water preparation mode) is being performed from the overhead shower spout and overhead pillar spout in the hot water preparation mode of a bathroom faucet device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Hereinafter, a bathroom faucet device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the entire hot water supply system including a bathroom faucet device according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of the bathroom faucet device according to this embodiment. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a hot water supply system S including a bathroom faucet device 1 according to this embodiment has a water supply source 2 such as a water supply system and a hot water supply source (water heater 4) installed outdoors O. Next, the bathroom faucet device 1 according to this embodiment includes a faucet body 6 installed in the bathroom B. Furthermore, the faucet body 6, the various components of which will be described later, is designed to supply cold water and hot water from the water supply source 2 and the hot water supply source (water heater 4), respectively, and is positioned below the counter C1 attached to the wall W in the bathroom B. The faucet device 1 also has a water discharge section 8 provided on the downstream side (secondary side) of the faucet body 6. This water discharge section 8 has multiple water discharge sections 10, 12, 14, and 16 (hand shower water discharge section 10, faucet water discharge section 12, overhead shower water discharge section 14, and overhead pillar water discharge section 16). Each of the water discharge sections 10, 12, 14, and 16 is capable of discharging hot water, cold water, or a mixture of hot and cold water supplied from the faucet body 6 on the upstream side (primary side).
[0015] Here, the hand shower water spouting portion 10 is equipped with a shower head 10a having a different form from the overhead shower water spouting portion 14 and the overhead pillar water spouting portion 16. On the other hand, the overhead shower spout 14 and the overhead pillar spout 16 are equipped with a common, generally circular shower head (overhead shower head OH) that is installed so as to protrude downward from the ceiling surface in bathroom B. Moreover, the water discharge form of the overhead shower water discharger 14 is a spray form in which water is discharged from a plurality of spray holes 14a. In contrast, the water discharge pattern of the overhead pillar water discharge section 16 is such that water is discharged from a single water discharge port 16a in the center of the overhead shower head OH, and the diameter of this single water discharge port 16a is set larger than the diameter of each of the multiple spray holes 14a of the overhead shower water discharge section 14. As a result, the water discharge flow rate (instantaneous flow rate) Q1 [L / min] discharged from the single water discharge port 16a of the overhead pillar water discharge section 16 is set to be greater than the water discharge flow rate (instantaneous flow rate) Q2 [L / min] discharged from the multiple spray holes 14a of the overhead shower water discharge section 14 (Q1>Q2). In this specification, a "shower head" is defined as a device that sprays water toward the user's body.
[0016] Furthermore, faucet device 1 is equipped with bathroom remote control 18 and outside bathroom remote control 20. Bathroom remote control 18 is installed in bathroom B and is an operation unit (first operation unit) that is operated by a user in bathroom B. On the other hand, the outside bathroom remote control 20 is an operation unit (second operation unit) that is installed outside the bathroom B, for example, in a washroom that also serves as a changing room or a kitchen, and is remotely operated by a user outside the bathroom B, but this second operation unit may also be replaced by a mobile communication terminal such as a smartphone.
[0017] Next, the configuration of the faucet body 6 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. As shown in Figure 2, the faucet body 6 first has a water-side stop valve 24, a water-side check valve 26, and a water-side drain plug 28 in the primary water supply passage 22 extending from the upstream water supply source 2 side to the downstream side. In addition, the faucet body 6 is provided with a hot water stop valve 32, a hot water check valve 34, a hot water drain plug 36, and a hot water temperature sensor 38 in the primary hot water supply path 30 extending from the upstream hot water source 4 side to the downstream side. Furthermore, the faucet body 6 is equipped with a hot and cold water mixing section 40 to which the downstream sides of the water supply passage 22 and the hot water supply passage 30 are connected to mix hot and cold water, a flow rate adjustment section 42 provided downstream of this hot and cold water mixing section 40, and a temperature sensor 44 provided downstream of this flow rate adjustment section 42. The hot and cold water mixed in the hot and cold water mixer 40 is adjusted to a predetermined flow rate by the flow rate adjuster 42, and then the temperature of the hot and cold water is measured by the temperature sensor 44.
[0018] Here, the hot and cold water mixing section 40 is equipped with a water inlet 40a, a hot water inlet 40b, a mixed hot and cold water outlet 40c, and a temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) such as an SMA thermo valve that adjusts the opening of the water inlet 40a and the hot water inlet 40b. The flow rate adjustment section 42 also includes a flow regulation valve V2 (valve body 42a) that adjusts the flow rate of the hot and cold water mixed in the hot and cold water mixing section 40. The faucet body 6 also has motors 46, 48 (temperature control motor 46, flow control motor 48) which are actuators that operate the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) of the hot and cold water mixing section 40 and the flow control valve V2 (valve body 42a) of the flow rate adjustment section 42, respectively.
[0019] Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the faucet body 6 is provided with a switching unit 50 provided downstream of the temperature sensor 44. The switching unit 50 also has a water discharge / stop switching section 60 which includes solenoid valves 52, 54, 56, 58 (solenoid valve 52 for hand shower, solenoid valve 54 for faucet, solenoid valve 56 for overhead shower, solenoid valve 58 for overhead pillar) which switch each water discharge section 10, 12, 14, 16 to a water discharge state or a water stop state, respectively. Here, the water discharge / stop switching unit 60 has multiple flow paths 60a, 60b, 60c, and 60d that communicate with each of the multiple water discharge units 10, 12, 14, and 16, and each flow path 60a, 60b, 60c, and 60d upstream (primary side) of each solenoid valve 52, 54, 56, and 58 is connected to a connecting flow path 66. As a result, when the water dischargers 10, 12, 14, 16 are discharging water or stopping water, the flow paths 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d are opened and closed by the solenoid valves 52, 54, 56, 58, respectively.
[0020] Next, the faucet body 6 is provided with a drainage channel 62 for preparing hot water, which is provided in the flow path downstream of the hot and cold water mixing section 40 and the temperature sensor 44. The downstream side of this drainage channel 62 is connected to the outside of the faucet body 6 (inside the bathroom B), and is a dedicated drainage channel that is different from the water discharge flow paths of each of the water discharge sections 10, 12, 14, and 16. The switching unit 50 of the faucet body 6 further includes a drain electromagnetic valve 64. This drain electromagnetic valve 64 is a drain switching valve for hot water preparation that is provided at the inlet 62a of the drain path 62 for hot water preparation so as to be able to open and close. Here, the connecting flow path 66 branches into each flow path 60 a , 60 b , 60 c , and 60 d midway downstream of the flow rate adjusting unit 42 and is connected to each of the electromagnetic valves 52 , 54 , 56 , and 58 of the water discharge / stop switching unit 60 . As a result, the solenoid valves 52, 54, 56, and 58 of the water discharge / stop switching unit 60 are arranged in the flow paths 60a, 60b, 60c, and 60d that are respectively located in the middle of the connecting flow path 66 between the hot and cold water mixing unit 40 and the drain solenoid valve 64, so that the drain path 62 and the drain switching valve (drain solenoid valve 64) that opens and closes it are located downstream of the water discharge / stop switching unit 60 in the connecting flow path 66.
[0021] Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the faucet body 6 is equipped with a control section 68 including a communication unit 68A and a control board 68B. The communication unit 68A of the control unit 68 is capable of electrically communicating with both the bathroom remote control 18 and the outside bathroom remote control 20. In addition, the control board 68B of the control unit 68 incorporates a control circuit that receives commands transmitted from each remote control 18, 20 via the communication unit 68A and controls the operation of each motor 46, 48 of the hot and cold water mixing unit 40 and the flow rate adjustment unit 42, a memory that stores the opening degree of each valve body 40d, 42a of the hot and cold water mixing unit 40 and the flow rate adjustment unit 42, and a control circuit that controls the operation of each solenoid valve 52, 54, 56, 58, 64 of the switching unit 50. Furthermore, the control board 68B of the control unit 68 has a built-in control circuit that executes multiple (two) hot water preparation modes (first hot water preparation mode M1, second hot water preparation mode M2), which will be described in detail later, and before each water outlet 10, 12, 14, 16 starts to discharge water, the hot water in the connecting flow path 66 is drained in advance from the drainage channel 62 in response to a command from each remote control 18, 20, or the water is drained by discharging it from either the overhead shower water outlet 14 or the overhead pillar water outlet 16, thereby executing so-called ``hot water preparation.''
[0022] That is, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the bathroom faucet device 1 of this embodiment, when normal water discharge is performed, the user operates the bathroom remote control 18, and in response to this command, one of the solenoid valves 52, 54, 56, and 58 of the water discharge / stop switching section 60 in the switching unit 50 opens, and one of the water discharge sections 10, 12, 14, and 16 is switched to a water discharge state, and the other three water discharge sections are switched to a water stop state. On the other hand, before normal water discharge, when the user operates the bathroom remote control 18 or the bathroom remote control 20 to execute the "first hot water preparation mode M1," which will be described in detail later, only the drain solenoid valve 64 of the switching unit 50 opens in response to a command from the operating units 18, 20, and the hot and cold water in the connecting flow path 66 connecting the hot and cold water mixing unit 40 and the drain switching valve 64 is drained from a dedicated drain path 62, separate from each of the water discharge units 10, 12, 14, 16. Furthermore, when the user operates the remote control 20 outside the bathroom to execute the "second hot water preparation mode," which will be described in detail later, the operation unit 20 commands only one of the overhead shower solenoid valve 56 or the overhead pillar solenoid valve 58 of the switching unit 50 to open, and hot water in the connecting flow path 66 is drained from only one of the overhead shower outlet 14 or the overhead pillar outlet 16.
[0023] Next, FIG. 3 is a partial side cross-sectional view of a bathroom faucet device 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the faucet body 6 is housed within a cover C2, and the rear side of this cover C2 is attached to a wall W inside the bathroom B. In addition, the drainage channel 62 has a drain outlet 62b at its downstream end that is directed toward the floor F in the bathroom B below, and is located closer to the wall W than the hot and cold water mixing section 40, so that the hot and cold water W1 for preparing hot water discharged from the drain outlet 62b flows down along the wall W. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the drain outlet 62b of the drain channel 62 is located at a position lower than the counter C1 and is spaced apart at a height greater than the height dimension H1 (= 130 mm) from the floor surface F. In this embodiment, the height H1 from the floor F is set to 130 mm or more, but may be set to 25 mm or more depending on the usage situation.
[0024] Next, the hot water preparation mode will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Here, for each of the first hot water preparation mode M1 and the second hot water preparation mode M2, it can be set in advance before execution as to whether it will be executed by operating either the operation part of the bathroom remote control 18 or the outside bathroom remote control 20. Therefore, in this embodiment, as an example, an example will be described in which the first hot water preparation mode M1 is set to be executed by operation from both the bathroom remote control 18 and the outside bathroom remote control 20, while the second hot water preparation mode M2 is set to be executed only by operation from the outside bathroom remote control 20. First, the first hot water preparation mode M1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B are front views of the bathroom remote control of a bathroom faucet device according to this embodiment, showing the state before and during the hot water preparation mode, respectively. Also, FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the normal hot water preparation process (first hot water preparation mode M1) in the hot water preparation mode of the bathroom faucet device according to this embodiment.
[0025] As shown in Figures 4A and 5, when a user in the bathroom wants to prepare hot water, for example, the user presses and holds down two buttons on the bathroom remote control 18, C button 18a for setting cold or hot water and H button 18b for setting hot water, simultaneously for two seconds, and a command signal from the bathroom remote control 18 is sent to the control board 68B via the communication unit 68A of the control unit 68. This causes the alarm unit (not shown) built into the bathroom remote control 18 to beep, confirming the start operation of the normal hot water preparation process (first hot water preparation mode M1) by the bathroom remote control 18, and starts the first hot water preparation mode M1 at step S1 in Figure 5. As shown in FIG. 4B, if the user wishes to cancel the hot water preparation after starting the first hot water preparation mode M1, they can press and hold only the C button 18a for setting the cold / hot setting on the bathroom remote control 18 for at least three seconds, or they can press and hold any one of the multiple water discharge operation buttons 18c, 18d, 18e, 18f (faucet water discharge operation button 18c, hand shower water discharge operation button 18d, overhead shower water discharge operation button 18e, overhead pillar water discharge operation button 18f) that control the water discharge of each of the water discharge sections 10, 12, 14, 16. This will cause the display screen 18g to display the message "Hot water preparation in progress, press [Cancel], C for at least three seconds," and the first hot water preparation mode M1 will be stopped. In addition, if a water discharge operation is performed using any of the water discharge operation buttons 18c, 18d, 18e, and 18f on the first operation unit (bathroom remote control 18) while the first hot water preparation mode M1 is being executed, the control unit 68 can stop the first hot water preparation mode M1 that is being executed.
[0026] Next, as shown in Figure 5, when the first hot water preparation mode M1 is started in step S1, in step S2, the memory of the control board 68B of the control unit 68 stores the current opening position of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) of the hot and cold water mixing unit 40 set by the temperature control motor 46, and the current opening position of the flow control valve V2 (valve body 42a) of the flow rate adjustment unit 42 set by the flow control motor 48. Then, in step S3, the temperature control motor 46 drives the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d), and this temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) is set to a predetermined position (origin position), i.e., a position where the initial set temperature T0 of hot water is set to a predetermined temperature (T0 = 42 degrees). In step S4, the flow adjustment motor 48 is returned to its origin, and the opening of the flow adjustment valve V2 (valve element 42a) is set to the maximum so that the flow rate becomes the maximum. In other words, when executing the first hot water preparation mode M1, the control unit 68 controls the temperature control motor 46 and the flow control motor 48 so that hot water flows from the hot water preparation drainage channel 62 at a predetermined flow rate (instantaneous flow rate) Q0 (e.g., Q0 = 10 L / min) at a predetermined temperature T1 (e.g., T1 = 40 degrees), regardless of the hot water temperature set on the bathroom remote control 18. The initial hot and cold water temperature T0 and the predetermined temperature T1 can be changed by the user. Then, in step S5, when the drain solenoid valve 64 is switched from a closed state to an open state, the inlet 62a of the drain channel 62 for preparing hot water is opened, and hot water W1 (see Figures 1 and 3) for preparing hot water is discharged from the drain channel 62 for preparing hot water. At this time, the solenoid valves 52, 54, 56, and 58 of the water discharge / stop switching unit 60 are closed, so that the water discharge units 10, 12, 14, and 16 are maintained in a water stop state.
[0027] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, in step S6, if the hot water temperature T2 set by the bathroom remote control 18 is set to a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature T1 (for example, T2<37 degrees), and the hot water temperature Tm measured by the temperature sensor 44 is lower than 37 degrees (if "NO" in step S6), the temperature control motor 46 is controlled to adjust the opening of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) of the hot water mixing section 40 so that the hot water temperature Tm measured by the temperature sensor 44 is 37 degrees or higher, and the hot water temperature T3 discharged from the drainage channel 62 is set to a predetermined temperature (for example, 37 degrees) or higher (T3≧37 degrees). Then, in step S7, if one minute has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S8. On the other hand, in step S6, if the hot water temperature T2 set by the bathroom remote control 18 is set to a temperature higher than the predetermined temperature T1 (T2≧37 degrees), and the hot water temperature Tm measured by the temperature sensor 44 is 37 degrees or higher but lower than 43 degrees (if "YES" in step S6), the opening of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) of the hot water mixing section 40 is maintained as is without being changed. Furthermore, if the temperature Tm of the hot water measured by the temperature sensor 44 is 43 degrees or higher, the opening of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) of the hot water mixing section 40 is adjusted so that the temperature T3 of the hot water discharged from the drainage channel 62 becomes a predetermined temperature (37 degrees or higher and less than 43 degrees), and the process proceeds to step S8.
[0028] Next, in step S8, "extended drainage" is performed, in which drainage for preparing hot water is continued for a predetermined time t1 (for example, t1=10 seconds). Here, in step S8, the predetermined time t1 for which the drainage continues can be set or changed by the user. Then, in step S9, the drain electromagnetic valve 64 switches from an open state to a closed state, the inlet 62a of the hot water preparation drain path 62 is closed, and the hot water preparation drainage ends.
[0029] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, in step S10, if the hot water setting temperature T2 set by the bathroom remote control 18 before starting the hot water preparation mode was set to a hot water temperature above a predetermined temperature (T2≧37 degrees), and the opening degree of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) memorized by the control unit 68 in step S2 is not the opening degree set to the side that dispenses cold water (hereinafter referred to as the "cold water side opening"), but the opening degree set to the side that dispenses hot water (hereinafter referred to as the "hot water side opening") (if "NO" in step S10), then in step S11, the temperature control motor 46 is operated under the control of the control unit 68, and the opening degree of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) of the hot water mixing unit 40 is restored to the opening degree set by the bathroom remote control 18 before starting the hot water preparation mode. Then, in step S12, the flow adjustment motor 48 is operated under the control of the control unit 68, and the opening of the flow adjustment valve V2 (valve body 42a) of the flow rate control unit 42 is restored to the opening set by the bathroom remote control 18 before the hot water preparation mode was started, and then in step S13, the first hot water preparation mode M1 is completed. That is, when completing the first hot water preparation mode M1, the control unit 68 controls the temperature control motor 46 according to the set hot water temperature set by the bathroom remote control 18 to adjust the opening degree of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) of the hot water mixing unit 40. In addition, when completing the first hot water preparation mode M1, the control unit 68 controls the flow adjustment motor 48 according to the hot water flow rate set by the bathroom remote control 18 to adjust the opening degree of the flow adjustment valve V2 (valve body 42a) of the flow rate adjustment unit 42.
[0030] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 5, in step S10, if the hot water setting temperature T2 set by the bathroom remote control 18 before starting the hot water preparation mode was set to a cold water temperature below the predetermined temperature (T2 < 37 degrees), and the opening of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) memorized by the control unit 68 in step S2 is the opening on the cold water side (if "YES" in step S10), the opening of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) of the hot water mixing unit 40 in step S11 is not restored to the opening on the cold water side, and the opening on the hot water side of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) of the hot water mixing unit 40 in the first hot water preparation mode M1 is maintained on the hot water side. Then, in step S12, only the opening degree of the flow regulation valve V2 (valve element 42a) of the flow rate regulator 42 is restored, and then in step S13, the first hot water preparation mode M1 is completed. In other words, when the first hot water preparation mode M1 is executed with the bathroom remote control 18 setting the hot water setting temperature T2 to a cold water temperature below a predetermined temperature (T2 < 37 degrees), the control unit 68 adjusts the opening of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) of the hot water mixing unit 40 so that the temperature of the hot water mixed in the hot water mixing unit 40 becomes a hot water temperature warmer than the cold water temperature, and controls the temperature control motor 46 so that the opening of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) is maintained on the hot water side even when the first hot water preparation mode M1 is completed. Also, in step S13, when the first hot water preparation mode M1 is completed, a reception sound from an alarm unit (not shown) built into the bathroom remote control 18 sounds a beep, and the display screen 18g of the bathroom remote control 18 switches from the state shown in Figure 4B to the state shown in Figure 4A. This notifies the user that the first hot water preparation mode M1 has been completed.
[0031] Next, the second hot water preparation mode will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Fig. 6 is a flowchart of the hot water preparation process (second hot water preparation mode) from the overhead shower spout and overhead pillar spout in the hot water preparation mode of the bathroom faucet device according to this embodiment. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the hot water preparation process (second hot water preparation mode) from the overhead shower spout and overhead pillar spout is being performed in the hot water preparation mode of the bathroom faucet device according to this embodiment. As shown in Figures 2 and 6, when a user outside the bathroom wants to prepare hot water, for example, the user presses the hot water preparation button 70 on the outside bathroom remote control 20, and a command signal from the outside bathroom remote control 20 is sent to the control board 68B via the communication unit 68A of the control unit 68. As a result, the preparation LED of notification unit 72 provided on outside bathroom remote control 20 lights up, the hot water preparation mode is started, and it is notified that hot water preparation is in progress (step S20).
[0032] Next, in step S21 of FIG. 6, if the control unit 68 does not have a hot water preparation mode (second hot water preparation mode M2) from the overhead shower head OH (if "NO" in step S21), in step S22, the first hot water preparation mode M1 is executed, which is a series of steps S1 to S13 shown in FIG. 5. On the other hand, in step S21, if the control unit 68 has a hot water preparation mode (second hot water preparation mode M2) from the overhead shower head OH (if "YES" in step S21), the second hot water preparation mode M2 is started in step S23. In step S23, similar to step S2 in Figure 5, the memory of the control board 68B of the control unit 68 stores the current opening position of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) of the hot and cold water mixing unit 40 set by the temperature control motor 46, and the current opening position of the flow control valve V2 (valve body 42a) of the flow rate adjustment unit 42 set by the flow control motor 48. As shown in FIG. 4B, if the user wishes to cancel the hot water preparation after starting the second hot water preparation mode M2, they can press and hold only the cold / hot setting C button 18a on the bathroom remote control 18 for at least three seconds, or they can press and hold any one of the multiple water discharge operation buttons 18c, 18d, 18e, 18f (faucet water discharge operation button 18c, hand shower water discharge operation button 18d, overhead shower water discharge operation button 18e, overhead pillar water discharge operation button 18f) that control the water discharge of each of the water discharge sections 10, 12, 14, 16. This will cause the display screen 18g to display the message "Hot water preparation in progress, press [Cancel], C for at least three seconds," and the second hot water preparation mode M2 will be stopped. In addition, if a water discharge operation is performed using any of the water discharge operation buttons 18c, 18d, 18e, and 18f on the first operation unit (bathroom remote control 18) while the second hot water preparation mode M2 is being executed, the control unit 68 can stop the second hot water preparation mode M2 that is being executed.
[0033] Then, in step S24 of Figure 6, similar to step S3 of Figure 5, the temperature control motor 46 drives the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d), and this temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) is set to a predetermined position (origin position), i.e., a position where the initial hot water temperature T0 is set to a predetermined temperature (T0 = 42 degrees). Furthermore, in step S25, similar to step S4 in FIG. 5, the flow adjustment motor 48 is returned to its origin, and the opening of the flow adjustment valve V2 (valve element 42a) is set to the maximum so that the flow rate becomes the maximum. In other words, when executing the second hot water preparation mode M2, the control unit 68 controls the temperature control motor 46 and the flow control motor 48 so that hot water flows from the overhead pillar water outlet 16 at a predetermined flow rate (e.g., 10 L / min) at a predetermined temperature T1 (e.g., T1 = 40 degrees), regardless of the hot water temperature set on the remote control 20 outside the bathroom. The initial hot and cold water temperature T0 and the predetermined temperature T1 can be changed by the user. Then, in step S26, when only the overhead pillar solenoid valve 58 is switched from the closed state to the open state, the overhead pillar water discharge section 16 is opened and hot water W2 (see FIG. 7) is discharged from only the single water discharge port 16a to prepare hot water. This discharged hot water W2 is discharged onto the floor F of the bathroom B. At this time, since the solenoid valves 52, 54, 56 other than the overhead pillar solenoid valve 58 in the water discharge / stop switching unit 60 are closed, the water discharge units 10, 12, 14 other than the overhead pillar water discharge unit 16 are maintained in a water stop state. Furthermore, the drain electromagnetic valve 64 of the drain passage 62 for preparing hot water is also maintained in a closed state.
[0034] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, in step S27, if the hot water temperature T2 set by the remote control 20 outside the bathroom is set to a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature T1 (for example, T2 < 37 degrees), and the hot water temperature Tm measured by the temperature sensor 44 is lower than 37 degrees (if "NO" in step S27), the temperature control motor 46 is controlled to adjust the opening of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) of the hot water mixing section 40 so that the hot water temperature Tm measured by the temperature sensor 44 is 37 degrees or higher, and the hot water temperature T3 discharged from the drainage channel 62 is higher than the predetermined temperature (37 degrees). Then, in step S28, if one minute has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S29. On the other hand, in step S27, if the hot water temperature T2 set by the remote control 20 outside the bathroom is set to a temperature higher than the predetermined temperature T1 (T2≧37 degrees), and the hot water temperature Tm measured by the temperature sensor 44 is 37 degrees or higher but lower than 43 degrees (if "YES" in step S27), the opening of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) of the hot water mixing section 40 is maintained as is without being changed. Furthermore, if the temperature Tm of the hot water measured by the temperature sensor 44 is 43 degrees or higher, the opening of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) of the hot water mixing section 40 is adjusted so that the temperature T3 of the hot water discharged from the drainage channel 62 becomes a predetermined temperature (37 degrees or higher and less than 43 degrees), and the process proceeds to step S29.
[0035] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, in step S29, hot and cold water continues to be discharged from the overhead pillar water discharge section 16 for a predetermined time (waiting time of 5 seconds), then in step S30, the overhead pillar solenoid valve 58 closes, and then in step S31, the overhead shower solenoid valve 56 opens. This opens the overhead shower spout 14, and hot water W3 (see FIG. 7) for preparing hot water is discharged only from the multiple spray holes 14a. This discharged hot water W3 is discharged onto the floor F of the bathroom B. At this time, since the solenoid valves 52, 54, 58 other than the overhead shower solenoid valve 56 in the water discharge / stop switching unit 60 are closed, the water discharge units 10, 12, 16 other than the overhead shower water discharge unit 14 are maintained in a water-stopped state. Furthermore, the drain electromagnetic valve 64 of the drain passage 62 for preparing hot water is also maintained in a closed state.
[0036] As a result, when the second hot water preparation mode M2 is executed, the overhead pillar water outlet 16 drains hot water W2 until the hot water temperature Tm detected by the temperature sensor 44 reaches a predetermined temperature (for example, Tm = 37 degrees), and after the hot water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 44 reaches the predetermined temperature (for example, Tm = 37 degrees), the overhead shower water outlet 14 begins draining hot water W3. In addition, the first flow rate (instantaneous flow rate) Q1 [L / min] at which the overhead pillar water outlet 16 discharges water is set to be greater than the second flow rate (instantaneous flow rate) Q2 [L / min] at which the overhead shower water outlet 14 discharges water (Q1>Q2), and in the second hot water preparation mode M2, the drainage of hot water W2 from the overhead pillar water outlet 16 is performed with priority over the drainage of hot water W3 from the overhead shower water outlet 14.
[0037] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, after a waiting time of 5 seconds has elapsed in step S32, an "extended drain" is performed in step S33, in which drainage for preparing hot water is continued for a further predetermined time t2 (for example, t2 = 10 seconds). Here, in step S33, the setting of the predetermined time t2 for which the drainage continues can be changed by the user. Then, in step S34, the overhead shower solenoid valve 56 switches from an open state to a closed state, the overhead shower water outlet 14 is closed, and the water discharge in preparation for hot water ends.
[0038] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, in step S35, if the hot water setting temperature T2 set by the remote control outside the bathroom 20 before starting the hot water preparation mode was set to a hot water temperature above a predetermined temperature (T2≧37 degrees), and the opening degree of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) memorized by the control unit 68 in step S23 is not the opening degree set to the side that discharges cold water (hereinafter referred to as the "cold water side opening"), but the opening degree set to the side that discharges hot water (hereinafter referred to as the "hot water side opening") (if "NO" in step S35), then in step S36, the temperature control motor 46 is operated under the control of the control unit 68, and the opening degree of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) of the hot water mixing unit 40 is restored to the opening degree set by the remote control outside the bathroom 20 before starting the hot water preparation mode. Then, in step S37, the flow adjustment motor 48 is operated under the control of the control unit 68, and the opening of the flow adjustment valve V2 (valve body 42a) of the flow rate control unit 42 is returned to the opening set by the outside bathroom remote control 20 before the hot water preparation mode was started, and then in step S38, the second hot water preparation mode M2 is completed. That is, when completing the second hot water preparation mode M2, the control unit 68 controls the temperature control motor 46 according to the set hot water temperature set by the remote control 20 outside the bathroom, to adjust the opening degree of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) of the hot water mixing unit 40. In addition, when completing the second hot water preparation mode M2, the control unit 68 controls the flow adjustment motor 48 according to the hot water flow rate set by the remote control 20 outside the bathroom, to adjust the opening degree of the flow adjustment valve V2 (valve body 42a) of the flow rate adjustment unit 42.
[0039] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, in step S35, if the set temperature T2 of hot water set by the remote control outside the bathroom 20 before starting the hot water preparation mode was set to a cold water temperature below the predetermined temperature (T2<37 degrees), and the opening of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) memorized by the control unit 68 in step S23 is the opening on the cold water side (if "YES" in step S35), the opening of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) of the hot water mixing unit 40 in step S36 is not restored to the opening on the cold water side, and the opening on the hot water side of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) of the hot water mixing unit 40 in the second hot water preparation mode M2 is maintained on the hot water side. Then, in step S35, only the opening degree of the flow regulation valve V2 (valve element 42a) of the flow rate regulator 42 is restored, and then in step S38, the second hot water preparation mode M2 is completed. In other words, when the second hot water preparation mode M2 is executed while the set hot water temperature T2 is set by the remote control 20 outside the bathroom to a cold water temperature that is lower than a predetermined temperature (T2 < 37 degrees), the control unit 68 adjusts the opening of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) of the hot water mixing unit 40 so that the temperature of the hot water mixed in the hot water mixing unit 40 becomes a hot water temperature that is warmer than the cold water temperature, and controls the temperature control motor 46 so that the opening of the temperature control valve V1 (valve body 40d) is maintained on the hot water side even when the second hot water preparation mode M2 is completed. Furthermore, in step S38, when second hot water preparation mode M2 is completed, the preparation LED of notification unit 72 of outside bathroom remote control 20 goes out and then the completion LED lights up. This lit completion LED then goes out three minutes after it started to light up. This notifies the user that the second hot water preparation mode has been completed.
[0040] In the bathroom faucet device 1 of the above-described embodiment, when the second hot water preparation mode M2 is executed, hot water W2 or W3 for hot water preparation is discharged from either the overhead pillar water outlet 16 or the overhead shower water outlet 14. However, in addition to the overhead pillar water outlet 16 and the overhead shower water outlet 14, hot water for hot water preparation may also be discharged from the hand shower water outlet 10 or the faucet water outlet 12.
[0041] Next, the operation of the bathroom faucet device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, according to the bathroom faucet device 1 of this embodiment, when the first hot water preparation mode M1 is executed, the drain switch valve (drain solenoid valve 64) is opened under the control of the control unit 68, and then the drain switch valve 64 is maintained in an open state so that the drainage of hot water W1 from the hot water preparation drain channel 62 continues until a predetermined time t1 (e.g., t1 = 10 seconds) has elapsed since the hot water temperature Tm detected by the temperature sensor 44 reaches a predetermined temperature (e.g., 37 degrees) (see steps S5 to S8 in Figure 5).Therefore, for example, the hot water W1 drained from the drain channel 62 to the floor F (such as the washing area floor) in the bathroom B can warm up the cold floor F. Therefore, when a user in bathroom B comes into contact with floor surface F, the user is prevented from feeling that floor surface F is cold, and bathroom B can be used comfortably.
[0042] Next, according to the bathroom faucet device 1 of this embodiment, the user can change the setting of the predetermined time t1 (see step S8 in Figure 5) for continuing to drain hot water W1 from the hot water preparation drainage channel 62 after the hot water temperature Tm detected by the temperature sensor 44 reaches a predetermined temperature (e.g., 37 degrees) according to the usage situation, so that the floor F (sink floor, etc.) in the bathroom B can be effectively heated.
[0043] Furthermore, according to the bathroom faucet device 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the back side of the faucet body 6 is attached to the wall W in the bathroom B, and the drain outlet 62b is directed downward and is located closer to the wall W than the hot and cold water mixing section 40 so that the hot and cold water W1 discharged from the drain outlet 62b at the downstream end of the hot water preparation drainage channel 62 flows down along the wall W. As a result, even if the water discharged from the drain outlet 62b at the beginning of the hot water preparation mode flows down along the wall W in the bathroom B to the floor F, the area where the floor F cools can be kept to a minimum within a limited area on the wall W side of the floor F.
[0044] Furthermore, according to the bathroom faucet device 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the faucet body 6 is positioned below the counter C1 attached to the wall W in the bathroom B, and the drain outlet 62b at the downstream end of the drainage channel 62 is positioned at a position lower than the counter C1. This prevents the hot water W1 that has reached a predetermined temperature in the first hot water preparation mode M1 from being cooled by the air in the bathroom B after being discharged from the drain outlet 62b of the drainage channel 62, thereby effectively heating the floor surface F (such as the floor of the washing area) in the bathroom B.
[0045] Furthermore, according to the bathroom faucet device 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the drain outlet 62b at the downstream end of the drainage channel 62 is directed toward the floor surface F in the bathroom B, and the drain outlet 62b is positioned at a height distance from the floor surface F that is equal to or greater than the height dimension H1 (= 130 mm). This allows the height position of the drain outlet 62b to be set at an appropriate height position without being set too low, so that the drain outlet 62b can be separated from the floor surface F (washing area floor, etc.) without using any special means, and backflow from the drain outlet 62b to the drainage channel 62 can be prevented. In addition, in the hot water preparation mode, the height position of the drain outlet 62b is too low, which prevents the hot water W1 that has reached a predetermined temperature from spreading easily on the floor F after flowing down onto the floor F in the bathroom B.
[0046] Furthermore, according to the bathroom faucet device 1 of this embodiment, a drainage channel 62 for preparing hot and cold water is provided downstream of the hot and cold water mixer 40, as shown in FIG. As a result, in the first hot water preparation mode M1, hot water from the hot water source 4 upstream of the hot and cold water mixing section 40 is not discharged directly onto the floor surface F from the drainage channel 62 without passing through the hot and cold water mixing section 40, so that the bathroom B can be used safely. [Explanation of symbols]
[0047] 1. A bathroom faucet device according to one embodiment of the present invention 2 Water source 4. Water heater (hot water source) 6 Faucet body 8 Water outlet 10 Hand shower outlet (water outlet) 10a shower head 12 Faucet outlet (water outlet) 14 Overhead shower outlet (outlet, second outlet) 14a Watering hole 16 Overhead pillar outlet (outlet, first outlet) 16a Outlet 18 Bathroom remote control (operation unit, first operation unit) 18a C button for hot and cold settings 18b H button for high temperature setting 18c Faucet water control button 18d Hand shower water control button 18e Overhead shower water control button 18th floor Overhead pillar water discharge control button 18g display screen 20 Remote control outside the bathroom (operation unit, second operation unit) 22 Primary side water supply channel 24 Water side stop valve 26 Water side check valve 28 Water side drain valve 30 Primary hot water supply passage 32 Hot water stop valve 34 Hot water side check valve 36 Hot water drain valve 38 Hot water side temperature sensor 40 Hot water mixing section 40a Water inlet 40b Hot water inlet 40c Mixed hot water outlet 40d Temperature control valve, valve body 42 Flow rate adjustment section 42a Flow regulation valve, valve body 44 Temperature Sensor 46 Temperature control motor (actuator) 48 Flow regulation motor (actuator) 50 Switching Unit 52 Hand shower solenoid valve 54 Solenoid valve for faucet 56 Solenoid valve for overhead shower 58 Solenoid valve for overhead pillar 60 Water discharge / stop switching section 60a flow path 60b Flow path 60c flow path 60d flow path 62 Drainage channel for preparing hot water (drainage channel) 62a Inlet to drain for hot water preparation 62b Outlet of drainage channel for hot water preparation (downstream end of drainage channel) 64 Drain solenoid valve (drain switching valve) 66 Connecting Channel 68 Control Unit 68A Communication Unit 68B control board 70 Hot water preparation button 72 Information Department B Bathroom C1 Counter C2 Cover F Floor H1 Height from floor to drain outlet M1 First hot water preparation mode M2 Second hot water preparation mode O outdoor OH overhead shower head Q0 Flow rate of hot water discharged from the drainage channel for hot water preparation Q1: Water flow rate discharged from a single outlet on the overhead pillar outlet (first flow rate) Q2 Water flow rate discharged from multiple nozzles in the overhead shower outlet (second flow rate) S Hot Water System T0 Initial temperature of hot and cold water (predetermined temperature) T1 Predetermined temperature of hot water T2 The hot and cold water temperature set by the bathroom remote control T3 Temperature of hot water discharged from the drain Tm: The temperature of the water measured by the temperature sensor t1 specified time t2 specified time V1 temperature control valve V2 Flow Adjustment Valve W wall W1 Hot water for hot water preparation discharged from the hot water preparation drainage channel W2 Hot water for preparing hot water discharged from the overhead pillar outlet W3 Hot water for preparing hot water discharged from the overhead shower outlet
Claims
1. A bathroom faucet device, a faucet body provided in the bathroom and supplied with hot water and cold water from a hot water supply source and a cold water supply source, respectively; A water discharge section is provided downstream of the faucet body and discharges hot water, cold water, or mixed hot water supplied from the faucet body; an operation unit operated by a user, The faucet body is equipped with a hot and cold water mixing section that mixes hot and cold water, a water discharge / stop switching section that switches the water discharge section between a water discharge state and a water stop state, a drainage channel that is located downstream of the hot and cold water mixing section and communicates with the outside of the faucet body to drain water into the bathroom, a drainage switching valve that switches the opening and closing of this drainage channel, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the hot and cold water mixed in the hot and cold water mixing section, and a control section that has a hot water preparation mode that opens and closes the drainage switching valve in response to commands from the operating section to control the drainage of hot and cold water from the drainage channel, The control unit, in the hot water preparation mode, after opening the drain switching valve, maintains the open state of the drain switching valve so that drainage from the drain channel continues for a predetermined time from when the temperature of the hot water detected by the temperature sensor reaches a predetermined temperature.
2. 2. The bathroom faucet device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time can be changed by the user.
3. A bathroom faucet device as described in claim 1, wherein the back side of the faucet body is attached to the wall in the bathroom, and the drainage channel has a drain outlet directed downward and located closer to the wall than the hot and cold water mixing section so that hot and cold water discharged from the drain outlet at its downstream end flows down along the wall.
4. Further, the bathroom has a counter attached to a wall, 2. The bathroom faucet device according to claim 1, wherein the faucet body is positioned below the counter, and the drain outlet at the downstream end of the drainage channel is positioned lower than the counter.
5. A bathroom faucet device as described in claim 1, wherein the drainage channel has a drain outlet at its downstream end directed toward the floor surface of the bathroom, and the drain outlet is positioned at a height of at least 25 mm above the floor surface.
6. 2. The bathroom faucet device according to claim 1, wherein the drainage channel is provided downstream of the hot and cold water mixing section.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Hot water supply system
JP2017048983A