Water level determination device and hot water supply facility for bathtub

Abstract

To properly mount a water level sensor for detecting the water level of a bathtub.SOLUTION: The water supply device includes a water supply pipe, a body 13 which is located closer to a bathtub 11 side than a waterproof layer 41 and into which the water supply pipe is inserted, a lid 22 provided on the body 13, and a water level sensor 30 for detecting a water level of the bathtub 11. The sensor insertion hole 37 has an attachment / detachment port 38 communicating with a second space 36 partitioned by the body 13 and the lid 22 and provided on the waterproof layer 41 side from the hot water gate, and a hot water intake port 17 provided below the attachment / detachment port 38 in the body 13, communicating with the attachment / detachment port 38, and capable of taking in hot water in the bathtub 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water level determination device and a hot water supply system for a bathtub. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in public baths, water level sensors are installed to maintain an appropriate water level in the bathtub (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The water level sensor is connected to a controller, which adjusts the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub based on the detection results of the water level sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-83091 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] One possible method for installing a water level sensor is to install a sleeve that penetrates the wall that separates the bathtub and then attach the water level sensor to the sleeve. However, since the sleeve must penetrate the waterproof layer on the outside of the bathtub, there is a risk of water leakage. Therefore, installing a water level sensor while avoiding water leakage has not been easy.

[0005] Other methods of installing a water level sensor include directly attaching it to the inside surface of the bathtub or hanging it from a handrail or other device installed in the bathtub. However, in this case, the entire water level sensor is visible to users in the bathtub, which detracts from the aesthetic appearance. Furthermore, there is a risk that the water level sensor will not function properly if it comes into contact with an object or a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a water level determination device for determining the water level of a water tank, comprising: a water level sensor; and a sensor housing having a sensor insertion hole through which the water level sensor is detachably inserted with a gap therebetween, the sensor housing having an opening that connects the sensor insertion hole to the water tank and allows water from the water tank to be drawn into the sensor insertion hole, and the water level of the water tank is determined based on the water level in the sensor insertion hole detected by the water level sensor.

[0007] The present invention provides a hot water supply system for a bathtub, comprising the water level determination device, a water supply pipe, a lid for the sensor housing, and a control unit for controlling the amount of hot water discharged into the bathtub, the sensor housing being provided with the water supply pipe and positioned closer to the bathtub than the bathtub's waterproof layer, the sensor housing and the lid defining a spout for discharging the hot water supplied from the water supply pipe into the bathtub, and the control unit controlling the amount of hot water discharged into the bathtub based on the detection result of the water level sensor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a water level determination device and a hot water supply system for a bathtub can be provided that can easily install a water level sensor that detects the water level in a water tank and that is easy to maintain and has an aesthetically pleasing appearance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a hot water supply system for a bathtub. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 and is a plan view of the hot water supply equipment with the lid removed. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the water level sensor according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a water level determination device and a hot water supply system for a bathtub according to the present invention will be described. An overview of the water level determination device will be described. The water level determination device includes a water level sensor and a sensor housing having a sensor insertion hole through which the water level sensor is detachably inserted with a gap. The sensor housing has an opening that connects the sensor insertion hole to the water tank and allows water from the water tank to be taken into the sensor insertion hole, and the water level of the water tank is determined based on the water level in the sensor insertion hole detected by the water level sensor.

[0011] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the water level determination device is applied to a hot water supply system for a bathtub as a water tank. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a hot water supply system for a bathtub. As shown in FIG. 1, hot water supply system 10 is installed in bathtub 11 in bathroom 100. In the example of FIG. 1, hot water supply system 10 is installed in one corner of bathtub 11. Hot water supply system 10 has a spout 12 located higher than bathtub 11. Hot water is discharged from spout 12 in a waterfall-like manner. Hot water supply system 10 includes a main body 13, a water supply pipe 14, a lid 22, and a water level sensor (not shown) that detects the water level. Hot water supply system 10 has an installation structure for the water level sensor. The water level sensor will be described in more detail below.

[0012] <Hot water supply equipment> The hot water supply system 10 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 corresponds to Figure 1 and is a plan view of the hot water supply system 10 with the lid 22 removed. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 2. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in Figure 2.

[0013] Main body 13 includes base 15 and discharge section 16. Base 15 corresponds to the sensor housing section. Base 15 has a pipe housing section 42 that houses water supply pipe 14, and a stone slab 43 that covers the side of pipe housing section 42 on the bathtub 11 side. Pipe housing section 42 is composed of a first pipe housing section 42A made of concrete and a second pipe housing section 42B made of mortar.

[0014] A sensor insertion hole 37 is provided in the base 15. The sensor insertion hole 37 is formed by a pipe 57 provided in the first piping housing 42A. The pipe 57 is generally L-shaped and is made of a resin pipe such as a PVC pipe or a PVC pipe joint. The sensor insertion hole 37 has a sensor attachment / detachment opening 38. The sensor insertion hole 37 is configured so that a gap 50 is provided between the inner circumferential surface of the sensor insertion hole 37 and the water level sensor 30. The sensor attachment / detachment opening 38 is an opening that allows the water level sensor 30 to be attached and detached to the sensor insertion hole 37. The sensor attachment / detachment opening 38 is provided on the top surface of the base 15.

[0015] The water level sensor 30 is electrically connected to the control unit 60. The water level sensor 30 outputs the detection result to the control unit 60. The control unit 60 controls the amount of hot water discharged into the bathtub 11 based on the detection result.

[0016] An opening, hot water inlet 17, is provided near the bottom of bathtub 11 on base 15. Hot water inlet 17 is an entrance for drawing hot water from bathtub 11 into sensor insertion hole 37. Hot water inlet 17 opens at the lower end of stone slab 43. Hot water inlet 17 communicates with sensor attachment / detachment opening 38.

[0017] On the wall 101 side of the base 15, a wall backing 43C, a heat insulating layer 40, and a waterproof layer 41 are provided. That is, the hot water supply equipment 10 is located closer to the bathtub 11 than the waterproof layer 41. Furthermore, an auxiliary waterproof layer 44 is provided between the pipe housing 42A and the pipe housing 42B. Note that the auxiliary waterproof layer 44 is not essential and is provided optionally. The wall backing 43C is made of, for example, an "LGS + glass fiber cloth board," but is not limited to this. The "LGS + glass fiber cloth board" is made of a light gauge steel frame (LGS) and glass fiber cloth in which glass fibers are woven in a cross shape.

[0018] Water supply pipe 14 and drain pipe 18 are inserted through base 15. Water supply pipe 14, which is inserted above wall 101, extends along waterproof layer 41, and after being inserted through base 15, extends further toward bathtub 11, branching off into water supply pipes 14A and 14B along the way. Outlets 19A and 19B of water supply pipes 14A and 14B, respectively, protrude upward from bottom plate 20.

[0019] The discharge section 16 includes a bottom plate 20, side plates 21, and a partition plate 23. The discharge section 16, together with a lid 22 and other components, defines the spout 12 through which hot water is discharged into the bathtub 11. The bottom plate 20 is placed on top of the base 15. The bottom plate 20 receives the hot water discharged from the outlet of the water supply pipe 14 and guides the hot water to the spout 12. The partition plate 23 will be described in more detail below.

[0020] The bottom plate 20 is provided with a fixing portion 31 for fixing the lid 22. The space inside the spout, which is partitioned by the main body 13 and the lid 22, is further partitioned by a partition plate 23 into a first space 35 and a second space 36. The partition plate 23 is disposed between the first space 35 and the second space 36, and prevents hot water from entering the second space 36 from the first space 35.

[0021] The first space 35 is connected to the spout 12. The first space 35 contains the outlets 19A and 19B of the water supply pipes 14A and 14B, respectively, and the inlet 18A of the drain pipe 18. The hot water discharged from the outlets 19A and 19B of the water supply pipe 14 flows toward the spout 12 as shown by the dashed dotted line in Figure 2. The drain pipe 18 drains the hot water from the first space 35 during cleaning, etc. The inlet 18A of the drain pipe 18 is located in the first space 35, and the outlet 18B is located on the side of the base 15.

[0022] Second space 36 is located closer to wall 101 than first space 35, separated by partition plate 23. As a result, when hot water supply equipment 10 is viewed from the spout 12 side, second space 36 is hidden by partition plate 23 and cannot be seen. Sensor attachment / detachment port 38 is provided on the flat surface of base 15 on the second space 36 side, and is connected to second space 36.

[0023] Lid 22 comprises a movable lid 22A and a fixed lid 22B. Movable lid 22A is configured to be removable from discharge portion 16. Fixed lids 22B are provided on both sides of movable lid 22A and are fixed to side panel 21 and wall 101 of bathroom 100. A piping space (not shown) is provided behind wall 101 of bathroom 100.

[0024] <Water level sensor> The water level sensor 30 will be described in detail with reference to Figure 5. The water level sensor 30 detects the level of hot water in the sensor insertion hole 37. The water level sensor 30 has a case 51 and a pair of support plates 52 that support the case 51. The case 51 has a hanging part 53 extending below the support plate 52, a case lid 54, and a sensor main body (not shown) housed in the hanging part 53. The sensor main body is, for example, a pressure-type sensor that detects pressure due to changes in water depth and converts it into water level.

[0025] Case lid 54 is fixed to hanging portion 53 with fastening members 55 such as screws. Case lid 54 is provided with a pair of support plates 52. Support plate 52 is provided with fastening holes 56 for fastening fastening members 55 that fix support plate 52 to base 15. The pair of support plates 52 are each parallel to the plane of case lid 54 and are provided so as to extend in different directions. The angle formed by the extending directions of each support plate 52 is, for example, 90 degrees or more, but is not particularly limited as long as it is an angle that can support case 51. Each support plate 52 is, for example, a metal plate, and is fixed to lid 54 with fastening members 55 such as screws.

[0026] Here, if the longest length from one support plate 52 to the other support plate 52 on the same plane is defined as the maximum width W of the pair of support plates 52, the maximum width W is sufficiently larger than the inner diameter of the sensor attachment / detachment opening 38 of the sensor insertion hole 37. Therefore, when the water level sensor 30 is inserted into the sensor insertion hole 37, the support plate 52 abuts against the base 15. The case 51 supported by the support plate 52 hangs down in the sensor insertion hole 37. The support plate 52 abutting against the base 15 can be fixed to the base 15 by fastening members 55.

[0027] The vertical length of sensor through-hole 37 (vertical depth of sensor through-hole 37) is designed to match the height of case 51. When the hot water supply equipment 10 is viewed from the discharge portion 16 side, the second space 36 in which the sensor insertion hole 37 is located is hidden by the partition plate 23, so that the water level sensor 30 is not visible to users of the bathroom 100.

[0028] When hot water is filled in bathtub 11, hot water supply system 10 takes in hot water from hot water inlet 17 in the direction of the arrow indicated by the dashed line in Figure 4 and flows into gap 50. The hot water level 102 that flows into sensor insertion hole 37 becomes the same height as the hot water level 102 in bathtub 11. Therefore, the water level in bathtub 11 can be detected by detecting the water level in sensor insertion hole 37 with water level sensor 30. Then, based on the detection result, hot water is supplied into bathtub 11 if, for example, the amount of hot water in bathtub 11 does not reach a standard.

[0029] When performing maintenance on the water level sensor 30, the movable lid 22A of the hot water supply equipment 10 is removed. Furthermore, the fastening members 55 are removed from the support plate 52 of the water level sensor 30, and the water level sensor 30 is pulled out from the sensor insertion hole 37. When installing the water level sensor 30 after maintenance, the case 51 is inserted into the sensor insertion hole 37, and the support plate 52 and base 15 are fixed together with the fastening members 55.

[0030] <Effects of this embodiment> As described above, according to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) According to the above embodiment, the water heating equipment 10, which is located closer to the bathtub 11 than the waterproof layer 41, is provided with a sensor insertion hole 37 through which the water level sensor 30 can be inserted. Because the sensor insertion hole 37 extends along the waterproof layer 41, the water level sensor 30 does not need to be inserted through the waterproof layer 41 when it is installed. This eliminates the need for water leakage during installation, making it easy to install the water level sensor 30. Furthermore, the sensor attachment / detachment opening 38 of the water level sensor 30 is located at the back of the spout 12, in the second space 36 partitioned by the lid 22 and the base 15. This prevents the water level sensor 30 from being visible from the outside, and prevents the water level sensor 30 from coming into contact with objects or users of the bathroom 100. Furthermore, providing the water level sensor 30 in the water heating equipment 10 facilitates installation and maintenance after installation compared to installing the water level sensor 30 separately from the water heating equipment 10.

[0031] (2) According to the above embodiment, water level sensor 30 is provided in hot water supply equipment 10, and therefore maintenance of water level sensor 30 can be performed simultaneously when cleaning discharge portion 16 of hot water supply equipment 10, which is efficient. In addition, sensor insertion hole 37 is provided in pipe housing portion 42A formed by pouring concrete, which reduces the adhesion of dirt.

[0032] (3) According to the above embodiment, the hanging portion 53 constituting the case 51 of the water level sensor 30 hangs down into the sensor insertion hole 37 by a pair of support plates 52. Therefore, during maintenance, an operator can easily remove the case 51.

[0033] <Example of change> The above-described embodiment can be modified as follows: Each embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0034] In the above embodiment, the hot water supply equipment 10 is provided in a corner of the bathtub 11, but it may be provided in another position as long as it is capable of discharging hot water into the bathtub 11. In the above embodiment, the first space 35 and the second space 36 are separated by the partition plate 23. However, if hot water discharged from the water supply pipe 14 does not flow into the second space 36, the partition plate 23 may not be provided. For example, instead of providing the partition plate 23, a step may be provided between the first space 35 and the second space 36 so that the sensor attachment / detachment opening 38 of the sensor insertion hole 37 is located above the bottom surface of the first space 35.

[0035] The shape of the water level sensor 30 is not limited to that of the above embodiment as long as it can be inserted into the sensor insertion hole 37. The water level sensor 30 may have a shape that omits the support plate 52. If the support plate 52 is included, the water level sensor 30 may be attached by, for example, fixing the side surface of the case 51 to the inner circumferential surface of the sensor insertion hole 37.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the water level determination device determines the water level of a bathtub, but the water level determination device may also determine the water level of a tank other than a bathtub. Next, the technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and other examples will be described below.

[0037] The hot water supply equipment, wherein the sensor insertion hole is a flow path that bends inside the sensor accommodating portion, and the vertical length is equal to or greater than the length of the water level sensor. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 11...bathtub corresponding to the water tank, 12...water outlet, 14...water supply pipe, 15...base corresponding to the sensor accommodating section, 17...water inlet, 22...lid, 30...water level sensor, 37...sensor insertion hole, 35...first space, 36...second space, 38...sensor attachment / detachment opening, 41...waterproof layer, 60...control section.

Claims

1. A water level determination device for determining the water level of a water tank, A water level sensor; a sensor accommodating portion having a sensor insertion hole through which the water level sensor is detachably inserted with a gap therebetween, the sensor accommodating portion has an opening that communicates the sensor insertion hole with the water tank and allows water from the water tank to be taken into the sensor insertion hole, A water level determination device that determines the water level of the water tank based on the water level in the sensor insertion hole detected by the water level sensor.

2. The water level determination device according to claim 1; Water supply pipes and a lid provided to the sensor housing portion; A hot water supply system including a control unit that controls the amount of hot water discharged into the bathtub, The sensor housing is provided with the water supply pipe and is located closer to the bathtub than a waterproof layer of the bathtub; The sensor housing and the lid define a spout through which the hot water supplied from the water supply pipe is discharged into the bathtub, The control unit controls the amount of hot water discharged into the bathtub based on the detection result of the water level sensor.

3. The sensor accommodating section further includes a partition plate, The partition plate is The hot water supply equipment for a bathtub as described in claim 2, wherein the space partitioned by the lid and the sensor accommodating section is divided into a first space in which the water supply pipe outlet is provided, and a second space in which the attachment / detachment opening of the sensor insertion hole through which the water level sensor is attached and detached is provided.

4. The water level sensor has a support plate and a hanging portion supported by the support plate and extending below the support plate, The hot water supply system for a bathtub according to claim 2 , wherein the hanging portion is hung down into the sensor insertion hole by bringing the support plate into contact with the sensor accommodating portion.

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