Bathroom disinfectant water spraying device and bath room system equipped therewith

Abstract

To provide a bathroom disinfectant water spraying device that can appropriately resolve issues such as clogging caused by deposits when the chamber of the disinfectant water generator dries out while the device is stopped.SOLUTION: A bathroom disinfectant water spraying device B includes a water flow path 7, one end of which is the water inlet side and the other end is provided with a nozzle 43 for spraying water into the bathroom 1; and a disinfectant water generator 42 that has a chamber 42a into which non-disinfectant water supplied to the water flow path 7 flows, and that can generate disinfectant water from the water flowing into the chamber 42a and direct it toward the nozzle 43. The water flow path 7 includes a water seal section 7A where water or disinfectant water remains accumulated when water supply to the flow path 7 is stopped, and the chamber 42a of the disinfectant water generator 42 is provided in the water seal section 7A, forming at least part of the water seal section 7A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a disinfectant water spraying device for a bathroom, for example, using ozone water to disinfect a bathroom, and a bathroom system equipped with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Specific examples of disinfectant water spraying devices for bathrooms include those described in Patent Documents 1 to 3. The disinfectant water spraying devices for bathrooms described in these documents are installed on the ceiling of the bathroom or the like and are capable of spraying ozone water as disinfectant water from a nozzle toward the bathroom. The ozone water is generated, for example, using an ozone water generator that uses water electrolysis. Spraying ozone water into the bathroom provides the disinfecting effect of the ozone water, which is preferable for maintaining a hygienic bathroom.

[0003] However, the above-mentioned conventional techniques have the following problems to be solved.

[0004] In other words, the ozone water generating device used in the disinfecting water spraying device has a chamber equipped with electrodes for electrolysis, and by supplying water to the chamber from a specified water flow channel, ozone is generated by electrolyzing the water, thereby producing ozone water. On the other hand, when the disinfectant water sprayer is stopped from operating, the water flow into the water channel and the ozone water generator is stopped, and the chamber of the ozone water generator may become dry or partially dry without water. However, in such a state, minerals in the water may precipitate in the chamber, causing clogging of the chamber or coating of the electrode surfaces with precipitates, resulting in a decrease in the performance of ozone water generation. It is desirable to appropriately eliminate such risks. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-2058 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-2325 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-2326 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention was conceived in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its objective is to provide a disinfectant water spraying device for bathrooms that can appropriately resolve the problem of the chamber of the disinfectant water generating device becoming dry when operation is stopped, resulting in clogging with precipitated substances, and a bathroom system equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following technical solutions.

[0008] A disinfectant water spraying device for a bathroom provided by a first aspect of the present invention comprises a water flow channel having a water inlet at one end and a nozzle for spraying water into the bathroom at the other end, and a disinfectant water generating device having a chamber into which water supplied to the water flow channel as non-sterilized water flows, and capable of generating disinfectant water from the water that has flowed into the chamber and causing it to flow toward the nozzle, wherein the water flow channel has a sealed water section in which the water or disinfectant water remains when water inflow into the water flow channel is stopped, and the chamber of the disinfectant water generating device is provided in the sealed water section and constitutes at least a part of the sealed water section. It is characterized by:

[0009] With this configuration, even when water is not flowing into the water channel, the chamber of the disinfectant water generating device can be filled with water that has accumulated in the water seal, preventing the chamber from drying out and causing mineral components and other substances to precipitate within the chamber, and appropriately preventing or suppressing problems such as clogging of the chamber due to precipitated substances or a decrease in the ozone water generating function.

[0010] In the present invention, preferably, the flow channel has a first falling section that is lower in height toward the downstream side, a rising section located downstream of the first falling section and that is higher in height toward the downstream side, and a connecting section that connects the lower parts of these rising sections and the first falling section, and the first falling section, the rising section, and the connecting section constitute the water sealing section.

[0011] With this configuration, the water sealing portion has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture.

[0012] In the present invention, it is preferable that the device further includes a first atmosphere release valve that is positioned higher than the highest water surface height of the water seal section and that can set the portion of the water flow channel upstream of the water seal section to an atmosphere open state.

[0013] With this configuration, when negative pressure occurs in the water flow channel upstream of the first atmosphere release valve, air is sucked in through the first atmosphere release valve, preventing negative pressure from acting on the water seal downstream of the first atmosphere release valve. As a result, water in the water seal is appropriately prevented from flowing back upstream. In addition, because the first atmosphere release valve is positioned higher than the water surface height of the top of the water seal, backflow of water due to hydraulic head pressure in the water seal does not occur.

[0014] In the present invention, preferably, a second falling section is connected to the downstream side of the sealed water section of the flow channel, the second falling section having a height that decreases toward the downstream side and the nozzle at its lower end, and the flow channel further includes a second atmosphere release valve that is positioned higher than the highest water surface height of the sealed water section and can set the second falling section to an atmosphere open state.

[0015] With this configuration, when water is not flowing into the water channel, the second atmosphere release valve is opened to allow the water in the second falling section to be drained to the outside through the nozzle. This prevents water from remaining in the second falling section and prevents a large amount of water from dripping from the nozzle after disinfectant water has been sprayed into the bathroom.

[0016] A bathroom system provided by a second aspect of the present invention is characterized by including the disinfecting water spray device for a bathroom provided by the first aspect of the present invention.

[0017] With this configuration, the same effects as those described for the disinfecting water sprayer for bathrooms provided according to the first aspect of the present invention can be obtained.

[0018] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of a bathroom system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a bathroom drying device equipped with a disinfecting water sprayer for a bathroom that constitutes the bathroom system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0021] The bathroom system SY shown in Figures 1 and 2 includes a bathroom drying device A incorporating a disinfectant water sprayer B. The bathroom drying device A is configured by combining a main body A0 installed on the ceiling 10 of the bathroom 1 in which the bathtub 11 is installed, with a separate remote control 2. In this embodiment, the sterilized water is "ozone water." Furthermore, tap water, for example, is used as "non-sterilized water" for producing the sterilized water.

[0022] Bathroom drying apparatus A can receive hot water from water heater 8. Water heater 8 can supply hot water to bathtub 11 via piping 80, and also has the function of supplying general hot water to the kitchen and other areas. It also has bathroom remote control 81A and kitchen remote control 81B.

[0023] Main body A0 of bathroom drying device A includes blower fan 60 (also called a circulation fan), heat exchanger 31 for heating air, ventilation fan 32 for bathroom 1, control unit 5, and housings 34, 34a that house these components. The blower fan 60 can draw air from the bathroom 1 through an air intake port 62 provided on the underside of the housing 34 and blow the air into the bathroom 1 through a louver 61 provided at the air outlet. Heat exchanger 31 heats the air drawn into blower fan 60 through air inlet 62, and heated hot water can be supplied to heat exchanger 31 from water heater 8 as a medium for this heating. When blower fan 60 is driven, heated hot water is supplied from water heater 8 to heat exchanger 31, and hot air is blown from louver 61 into bathroom 1. When the supply of heated hot water to heat exchanger 31 is stopped, unheated air (unheated air) is blown from louver 61 into bathroom 1. Ventilation fan 32 can draw air from bathroom 1 into housing 34 through air inlet 62 and exhaust it to the outside through exhaust outlet 37.

[0024] The disinfecting water spraying device B is a device for carrying out a disinfecting water spraying step of spraying ozone water as disinfecting water into the bathroom 1. This disinfecting water spraying device B is equipped with a water flow channel 7 having a water inlet 79 at one end and receiving tap water from the outside through this water inlet 79, a water sealing section 7A provided in this water flow channel 7, an ozone water generating device 42 (which corresponds to an example of the "disinfecting water generating device" as defined in the present invention) provided in the water sealing section 7A, and a spray nozzle 43 located at the end of the water flow channel 7. The water flow passage 7 is further provided with an on-off valve Va such as a solenoid valve, a flow rate sensor Sa, a temperature sensor Sb for detecting water temperature, a pressure reducing valve 79, and first and second atmosphere release valves V1 and V2.

[0025] The ozone water generator 42 generates ozone water by electrolyzing water. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the ozone water generator 42 includes water-splitting electrodes 43 and 44 disposed within a chamber 42a having an inlet 47 and an outlet 48. An ion exchange resin or the like is appropriately disposed in the space between the electrodes 43 and 44. Tap water flowing into the chamber 42a through the inlet 47 is electrolyzed as it passes through the space between the electrodes 43 and 44, generating ozone. Ozone water containing ozone is then generated and discharged from the outlet 48. This ozone water eventually reaches the nozzle 43 and is sprayed toward the bathroom 1. When ozone water generator 42 is turned off, ozone water is not generated, and in this state, tap water can be sprayed into bathroom 1 from nozzle 43.

[0026] 3, nozzle 43 has a hollow nozzle body 43a into which ozone water flows after flowing through water flow channel 7. Multiple small-diameter nozzle holes 43b for spraying water are provided in the peripheral wall of nozzle body 43a. Nozzle 43 is supported by an appropriate bracket 38 and protrudes downward from panel 35 on the bottom side of bathroom drying device A.

[0027] The water sealing section 7A of the water flow channel 7 is a section where water is stored when the on-off valve Va is closed and water supply to the water flow channel 7 is stopped. This water sealing section 7A has a first falling section 70 that decreases in height toward the downstream side, and a rising section 72 that is connected to the first falling section 70 downstream via a connecting section 71 and increases in height toward the downstream side. The ozone water generator 42 is located, for example, midway along the rising section 72 and is provided in the water sealing section 7A. More specifically, the chamber 42a of the ozone water generator 42 is provided in the water sealing section 7A and forms at least a part of the water sealing section 7A. However, the ozone water generator 42 may be provided at a position separate from the rising portion 72 in the water sealing portion 7A.

[0028] In the water flow channel 7, an additional connecting portion 74, for example, having a substantially horizontal shape, is connected to the upper portion of the rising portion 72 of the water sealing portion 7A, and a second falling portion 73 is further provided on the additional connecting portion 74. This second falling portion 73 is a portion whose height decreases toward the downstream side, and at its lower end a nozzle 43 is provided.

[0029] The first and second atmosphere release valves V1 and V2 are both valves that are set to an open state when the on-off valve Va is in a closed state. The first atmosphere release valve V1 is located upstream of the water sealing section 7A and is provided at a height that is at least an appropriate dimension H above the water surface height of the top of the water sealing section 7A (the height of the additional connecting section 74). The second atmosphere release valve V2 is provided at a position higher than the water surface height of the top of the water sealing section 7A (the height of the additional connecting section 74), and is connected to the additional connecting section 74 and the second falling section 73 so that these sections can be set to an atmosphere open state.

[0030] Control unit 5 is configured using a microcomputer and other devices, and performs operational control and data processing for each component of bathroom drying device A. Control unit 5 is also capable of wireless data communication with remote control 2 via communication unit 50. Remote control 2 is, for example, portable and includes a communication circuit (not shown) for wirelessly communicating with control unit 5 via communication unit 50, control unit 22, multiple operation switches 20 for issuing various operational commands, display unit 21 configured using an LCD or other device and capable of displaying various data, and speaker SP. Control unit 22 and control unit 5 work together to control operations such as the sterilization process of bathroom 1 using sterilizing water sprayer B, and to process various data.

[0031] Next, the operation of the disinfecting water spraying device B and the bathroom system SY equipped with the same will be described.

[0032] According to this embodiment, even if water flow into the water flow channel 7 is stopped and disinfectant water is not sprayed into the bathroom 1 for a relatively long period of time, water can remain in the sealed water portion 7A of the water flow channel 7, and the chamber 42a of the ozone water generator 42 can be filled with water. This prevents the chamber 42a from drying out, which can lead to the deposition of mineral components of tap water in the chamber 42a. As a result, problems such as clogging of the chamber 42a due to the deposited material or the electrodes 43, 44 becoming covered with the deposited material can be appropriately prevented or suppressed.

[0033] In this embodiment, the flow channel 7 has a first atmospheric release valve V1 on the upstream side. When negative pressure occurs, air is sucked in through the first atmosphere release valve V1, preventing negative pressure from acting downstream of the first atmosphere release valve V1. As a result, water in the water seal unit 7A is appropriately prevented from flowing back upstream. Furthermore, because the first atmosphere release valve V1 is positioned higher than the water surface height of the top of the water seal unit 7A (the height of the additional connecting portion 74), backflow of water due to the head pressure of the water seal unit 7A does not occur. Because the water seal unit 7A is located inside the housing 34, while the first atmosphere release valve V1 is located inside the housing 34a above the housing 34, it is easy to position the first atmosphere release valve V1 higher than the water surface height of the top of the water seal unit 7A (the height of the additional connecting portion 74).

[0034] Furthermore, when water flow into the water flow channel 7 is stopped, the second atmosphere release valve V2 can be opened to allow the water in the additional connecting portion 74 and the second falling portion 73 to be drained to the outside through the nozzle 43. This prevents water from remaining in the second falling portion 73, and prevents a large amount of ozone water or tap water from dripping from the nozzle 43 after spraying ozone water or tap water into the bathroom 1 has finished.

[0035] 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, elements that are the same as or similar to those in the previous embodiment are given the same reference numerals as in the previous embodiment, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0036] In the disinfecting water sprayer Ba shown in Fig. 4, the connecting portion 71 is crank-shaped and not simply horizontal. The second falling portion 73 has two inclined portions 73a, 73b that decrease in height toward the downstream side and a vertical portion 73c that extends substantially vertically, and does not extend linearly in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the portion corresponding to the additional connecting portion 74 in the above-described embodiment is essentially omitted or is very short. In this embodiment, the flow channel 7 can be configured to be bent as appropriate and inclined relative to the vertical direction.

[0037] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the specific configuration of each part of the bathroom system according to the present invention can be freely modified in various ways within the intended scope of the present invention.

[0038] The disinfecting water may be any liquid that exhibits disinfecting properties and is not limited to ozone water. For example, other types of disinfecting water, such as hypochlorous acid water, may also be used. Therefore, the disinfecting water generator is not limited to an ozone water generator. Furthermore, the specific method for generating disinfecting water and the concentration of specific components in the generated disinfecting water are not limited. The nozzle may have a configuration different from that of the above-described embodiment, and may be used in multiple numbers rather than just one, and the specific number is not important. Furthermore, the disinfecting water or non-disinfecting water may be sprayed continuously or intermittently, for example, at a predetermined short interval. The non-sterilized water is not limited to tap water, and water other than tap water, such as well water pumped up by a pump, can also be used.

[0039] In the above-described embodiment, the disinfecting water spraying device is incorporated into the bathroom drying device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure it so that it is not incorporated into the bathroom drying device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] SY Bathroom System B,Ba disinfectant water spraying device V1, V2 First and second atmospheric release valves 1 bathroom 42 Ozone water generator (sterilizing water generator) 42a Chamber 43 nozzle 7 Waterway 7A Water sealing part

Claims

1. a water channel having one end as a water inlet and the other end provided with a nozzle for spraying water into the bathroom; a sterilizing water generating device having a chamber into which the non-sterilized water supplied to the water flow channel flows, and capable of generating sterilized water from the water flowing into the chamber and causing the sterilized water to flow toward the nozzle; A disinfectant water spraying device for a bathroom, comprising: the flow channel includes a water sealing section in which the water or the sterilized water remains when water inflow into the flow channel is stopped; A disinfectant water spraying device for a bathroom, characterized in that the chamber of the disinfectant water generating device is provided in the water sealing section and constitutes at least a part of the water sealing section.

2. The disinfectant water spraying device for a bathroom according to claim 1, The flow channel has a first falling portion that decreases in height toward the downstream side, a rising portion that is located downstream of the first falling portion and increases in height toward the downstream side, and a connecting portion that connects lower portions of the rising portion and the first falling portion, The disinfectant water spray device for a bathroom, wherein the first falling portion, the rising portion, and the connecting portion constitute the water sealing portion.

3. The disinfectant water spraying device for a bathroom according to claim 1, A disinfectant water spraying device for a bathroom further comprising a first atmosphere release valve that is positioned higher than the highest water surface height of the water seal section and that can set the portion of the water flow channel upstream of the water seal section to an atmosphere open state.

4. The disinfectant water spraying device for a bathroom according to claim 1, A second falling portion is connected to the downstream side of the water sealing portion of the flow channel, the second falling portion having a height lower toward the downstream side and the nozzle provided at a lower end thereof, A disinfecting water spraying device for a bathroom, further comprising a second atmosphere release valve that is positioned higher than the highest water surface height of the sealed water section and that can set the second falling section to an atmosphere open state.

5. A bathroom system comprising the disinfecting water spraying device for bathroom use according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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