Bath apparatus

Abstract

To provide a bath device capable of more surely notifying a user of completion of reheating.SOLUTION: A hot water supply device 1 (bath device) includes a bathing transition detection part 133a for detecting transition operation to bathing, a reheating execution part 133b for executing reheating to hot water in a bathtub according to a reheating command input via a kitchen remote controller 13 (operation device) disposed outside a bath room, and a notification processing part 133c for notifying completion of reheating. The notification processing part 133c performs reheating completion notification in response to the completion of reheating, and performs reheating completion notification again based on the fact that the detection of the transition operation to bathing by the bathing transition detection part 133a is not obtained after the reheating completion notification.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bath device that performs a predetermined bath function. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, bath devices have been equipped with a reheating function for reheating the water in the bathtub. The reheating function can be performed by operating a remote controller installed in the bathroom, as well as in the kitchen, living room, etc. In the latter case, the user is usually outside the bathroom and is therefore unaware of the reheating operation and its completion. In contrast, the following Patent Document 1 describes a bath water heater that notifies the user that the reheating has been completed by a notification means such as a buzzer or voice. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-173657 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the configuration of Patent Document 1, if the user misses the notification that the reheating is complete, the user will have to continue waiting for the reheating to be completed. As a result, even though the reheating is complete, the temperature of the water in the bathtub may drop, and the user may need to reheat the water again.

[0005] In view of such problems, the present invention aims to provide a bath device that can more reliably notify the user when reheating is complete. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The main aspect of the present invention relates to a bath apparatus. The bath apparatus includes a bath transition detection unit for detecting a transition to bathing, a reheating execution unit for reheating the water in the bathtub in response to a reheating command input via an operating device located outside the bathroom, and a notification processing unit for notifying the user that reheating is complete. The notification processing unit notifies the user that reheating is complete when reheating is complete, and if the bath transition detection unit does not detect a transition to bathing after notifying the user that reheating is complete, the notification processing unit issues a reheating completion notification again.

[0007] With this bath device, if the user does not notice the reheating completion notification that is given when the reheating is complete and does not take a bath or enter the bathroom afterwards, the reheating completion notification will be given again, allowing the user to more reliably know that the reheating is complete and to continue bathing before the reheated water cools down too much. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] As described above, according to the present invention, the completion of reheating can be more reliably notified to the user.

[0009] The effects and significance of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments, however, the embodiments shown below are merely examples of how the present invention can be implemented, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a water heater according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing circuit blocks of each device constituting the water heater according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a combustion system and piping of the water heater according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4]Fig. 4(a) is a diagram schematically showing the first notification of completion of reheating according to embodiment 1. Fig. 4(b) is a diagram schematically showing the second notification of completion of reheating according to embodiment 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process related to reheating executed by the control unit of the kitchen remote controller according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process related to reheating executed by the control unit of the kitchen remote controller according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a second notification of completion of reheating according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a water heater 1. As shown in FIG.

[0013] The hot water supply device 1, as a bath device, performs bath functions such as an automatic bath function, a reheating function, a hot water addition function, and a cold water addition function.

[0014] The water heater 1 includes a water heater 11 and remote controllers 12 and 13. The water heater 11 is a gas water heater that uses gas as fuel to supply hot water. The hot water generated by the water heater 11 is supplied to a kitchen faucet, a bathtub, a faucet, etc. through pipes connected to the hot water outlet 11a. If the water heater 11 has a floor heating function, a bathroom heating function, or a heating function using a panel heater, the hot water is supplied from the water heater 11 to the devices that realize these functions.

[0015] Remote controllers 12 and 13 are connected to water heater 11 and are used to make various settings for each function of water heater 1. Remote controller 12 has display unit 121 and input unit 122, and remote controller 13 has display / input unit 131 consisting of a touch panel and operation button 132. The operator can make any settings for hot water filling, hot water supply temperature, hot water filling temperature, etc. by operating input unit 122 according to the screen displayed on display unit 121. The operator can also make settings for hot water filling, hot water filling temperature, etc. by operating display / input unit 131.

[0016] The remote controller 12 is installed in a bathroom, and the remote controller 13 is installed in a kitchen, etc. The remote controllers 12 and 13 are provided with audio windows 12a and 13a for inputting and outputting audio.

[0017] Hereinafter, the remote controller 12 installed in the bathroom will be referred to as the "bathroom remote control 12," and the remote controller 13 installed in the kitchen or the like will be referred to as the "kitchen remote control 13."

[0018] Input section 122 of bathroom remote control 12 includes operation button 122a. Operation buttons 122a and 132 are buttons for switching water heater 11 between an operation on state and an operation off state.

[0019] Furthermore, input unit 122 and display input unit 131 include buttons for changing the hot water supply temperature and the hot water filling temperature. By operating these buttons, the operator can change the set temperatures for hot water supply and hot water filling. In addition, input unit 122 and display input unit 131 include buttons for controlling the operation of water heater 11, such as buttons for executing the automatic bath function, reheating function, hot water addition function, water addition function, etc., and a button for setting the time from when the automatic bath function is turned on until it is automatically turned off.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing circuit blocks of each device constituting water heater 1. As shown in FIG.

[0021] The water heater 11 includes a control unit 111, a storage unit 112, a communication unit 113, and a detection unit 114.

[0022] Control unit 111 includes a microcomputer, and controls each unit in water heater 11 according to a program stored in storage unit 112. Storage unit 112 includes a memory, and stores a predetermined control program.

[0023] Communication unit 113 communicates with bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13 under the control of control unit 111. Communication unit 113 is connected to communication unit 125 of bathroom remote control 12 and communication unit 135 of kitchen remote control 13 via two-core communication lines L1 and L2. In addition, two-core communication lines L1 and L2 are connected to each other inside communication unit 113. Therefore, communication unit 125 of bathroom remote control 12 and communication unit 135 of kitchen remote control 13 are connected to each other by two-core communication lines L1 and L2. Therefore, a signal transmitted from any of communication units 113, 125, and 135 is simultaneously transmitted to the other communication units.

[0024] Detection unit 114 includes various sensors arranged in water heater 11. For example, as will be described later in FIG. 3, detection unit 114 includes a water level sensor S1 for detecting the water level in bathtub 2, a flow rate sensor S2 for detecting the flow rate of water entering water heater 11, a temperature sensor S3 for detecting the temperature of water entering water heater 11, a temperature sensor S4 for detecting the temperature of the hot water after heating, and a temperature sensor S5 for detecting the temperature of the hot water stored in bathtub 2.

[0025] Bathroom remote control 12 includes not only display unit 121 and input unit 122 described above, but also control unit 123, memory unit 124, communication unit 125, speaker 126, and pyroelectric sensor 127. Display unit 121 is configured, for example, with a liquid crystal panel. Input unit 122 includes various operation buttons such as a temperature setting button. Display unit 121 may also be a touch panel.

[0026] The control unit 123 includes a microcomputer and performs predetermined control in accordance with a program stored in the storage unit 124. The storage unit 124 includes a memory and stores the predetermined control program.

[0027] Communication unit 125 communicates with water heater 11 and kitchen remote control 13 under the control of control unit 123. Speaker 126 outputs audio based on an audio signal generated by control unit 123. Control unit 123 reads audio information stored in storage unit 124 as needed to generate an audio signal. The audio output from speaker 126 is output from audio window 12a in FIG. 1.

[0028] Pyroelectric sensor 127 detects human movement in bathroom 3 (see FIG. 3) where bathtub 2 is installed. The detection range of pyroelectric sensor 127 includes both bathtub 2 and the washing area. Pyroelectric sensor 127 outputs a detection signal to control unit 123. Based on the input detection signal, control unit 123 detects people entering and exiting bathroom 3 and people's movement within bathroom 3. Control unit 123 transmits these detection results to water heater 11 and kitchen remote control 13 as needed.

[0029] Kitchen remote control 13 includes display input unit 131 and operation button 132 described above, as well as control unit 133, storage unit 134, communication unit 135, and speaker 136.

[0030] Control unit 133 includes a microcomputer and performs predetermined control according to a program stored in storage unit 134. Storage unit 134 includes a memory and stores predetermined control programs. When control unit 133 executes the predetermined program stored in storage unit 134, the functions of bathing transition detection unit 133a, reheating execution unit 133b, and notification processing unit 133c are imparted to control unit 133. The processes performed by bathing transition detection unit 133a, reheating execution unit 133b, and notification processing unit 133c will be described later with reference to FIG. 5.

[0031] Communication unit 135 communicates with water heater 11 and bathroom remote control 12 under the control of control unit 133. Speaker 136 outputs audio based on an audio signal generated by control unit 133. Control unit 133 reads audio information stored in memory unit 134 as needed to generate an audio signal. The audio output from speaker 136 is output from audio window 13a in FIG. 1.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the combustion system and piping of water heater 11. As shown in FIG.

[0033] Water heater 11 includes, as components of its combustion system, a water heating section 210, a reheating section 220, and a bypass section 230. Water heater 11 is installed outside bathroom 3 in which bathtub 2 is provided.

[0034] The hot water supply unit 210 includes a water supply pipe 211, a hot water heat exchanger 212, a hot water pipe 213, a hot water combustor 214, and an air supply fan 215. The water supply pipe 211 is connected to a water pipe and the hot water heat exchanger 212, and the hot water pipe 213 is connected to the hot water heat exchanger 212, the bathroom faucet 4, and the exterior faucet 5. A quantity of gas (fuel gas) corresponding to the opening degree of a proportional valve 216 is supplied to the hot water combustor 214 through a hot water gas pipe 217. When a gas solenoid valve (not shown) is opened, gas is supplied to the hot water gas pipe 217. The hot water combustor 214 burns the gas as fuel at an intensity corresponding to the amount of gas supplied. The air supply fan 215 supplies air for combustion to the hot water combustor 214.

[0035] The reheating section 220 includes a return pipe 221, a bath heat exchanger 222, an outgoing pipe 223, a bath burner 224, and a circulation pump 225. The return pipe 221 is connected to the circulation adapter 2a of the bathtub 2 and the bath heat exchanger 222, and the outgoing pipe 223 is connected to the bath heat exchanger 222 and the circulation adapter 2a. The return pipe 221, the bath heat exchanger 222, and the outgoing pipe 223 form a circulation path P1 for circulating hot water in the bathtub 2 between the water heater 11 and the bathtub 2.

[0036] A quantity of gas (fuel gas) corresponding to the opening of proportional valve 226 is supplied to bath combustor 224 through bath gas pipe 227. When a gas solenoid valve (not shown) is opened, gas is supplied to bath gas pipe 227. Bath combustor 224 burns gas as fuel at an intensity corresponding to the amount of gas supplied. Air supply fan 215 is shared between hot water supply section 210 and reheating section 220, and air for combustion is supplied from air supply fan 215 to bath combustor 224. A circulation pump 225 and a water level sensor S1 are arranged in return pipe 221. Water level sensor S1 detects the water level in bathtub 2 based on the water pressure in return pipe 221.

[0037] The bypass unit 230 includes a bypass pipe 231 and a hot water supply electromagnetic valve 232. The bypass pipe 231 is connected to the hot water supply pipe 213 and the return pipe 221. The hot water supply electromagnetic valve 232 opens and closes the bypass pipe 231.

[0038] In addition to water level sensor S1, water heater 11 is equipped with flow rate sensor S2 for detecting the flow rate in water supply pipe 211, temperature sensor S3 for detecting the temperature of water introduced into water supply pipe 211 (the temperature of water entering water heater 11), and temperature sensor S4 for detecting the temperature of the hot water after being heated by hot water heat exchanger 212. Water heater 11 is also equipped with temperature sensor S5 for detecting the temperature of the hot water stored in bathtub 2 by detecting the temperature of the hot water in return pipe 221. These sensors S1 to S5 are included in detection unit 114 in Figure 2. The detection results of sensors S1 to S5 are transmitted to bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13 as needed.

[0039] The control unit 111 controls the hot water combustor 214, the air supply fan 215 and the proportional valve 216 of the hot water supply unit 210, the bath combustor 224, the circulation pump 225 and the proportional valve 226 of the reheating unit 220, the hot water solenoid valve 232 of the bypass unit 230, and the like.

[0040] When bathroom faucet 4 or external faucet 5 is opened, the hot water supply function is executed. Water from the water pipe is introduced into hot water heat exchanger 212 through water supply pipe 211, and hot water combustor 214 combusts, heating hot water heat exchanger 212. The water introduced into hot water heat exchanger 212 is heated to become hot water, which is then supplied to bathroom faucet 4 or external faucet 5 through hot water pipe 213. When bathroom faucet 4 or external faucet 5 is closed, the water supply from the water pipe to water supply pipe 211 stops, and the combustion in hot water combustor 214 stops.

[0041] Control unit 111 also controls hot water supply unit 210 to execute a hot water filling function (automatic bath function). In this case, hot water solenoid valve 232 is opened, and water from a water pipe is introduced into hot water heat exchanger 212 through water supply pipe 211 and heated by hot water heat exchanger 212. Then, hot water from hot water heat exchanger 212 is introduced into return pipe 221 through hot water supply pipe 213 and bypass pipe 231.

[0042] A portion of the hot water introduced into the return pipe 221 flows through the return pipe 221 toward the circulation adapter 2a and is poured from the circulation adapter 2a into the bathtub 2. The remainder of the hot water introduced into the return pipe 221 flows through the return pipe 221 toward the bath heat exchanger 222, and then flows through the bath heat exchanger 222 and the outgoing pipe 223 before being poured into the bathtub 2 from the circulation adapter 2a.

[0043] When hot water is supplied and filled in bathtub 2, return pipe 221, bath heat exchanger 222, and supply pipe 223 are filled with hot water. This allows water level sensor S1 to detect the water level in bathtub 2. When water level sensor S1 detects that the water level in bathtub 2 has reached a preset level, hot water supply solenoid valve 232 is closed, stopping the water supply from the water pipe to water supply pipe 211 and stopping combustion in hot water supply combustor 214.

[0044] When the return pipe 221, the bath heat exchanger 222, and the supply pipe 223 are filled with hot water, the temperature of the hot water in the return pipe 221 is approximately equal to the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 2. The temperature sensor S5 can detect the temperature of the hot water in the return pipe 221 as the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 2. The temperature detected by the temperature sensor S5 is used as the temperature of the hot water (water temperature) in the bathtub 2. The temperature sensor S5 outputs the detected water temperature to the control unit 111.

[0045] Furthermore, control unit 111 controls hot water supply unit 210 to execute a hot water addition function and a cold water addition function. In the hot water addition function, hot water is supplied to bathtub 2 by combustion in hot water supply combustor 214, and in the cold water addition function, hot water supply combustor 214 does not combust.

[0046] In addition, control unit 111 controls reheating unit 220 to perform the reheating function. In this case, control unit 111 drives circulation pump 225 to circulate the hot water in bathtub 2 between bathtub 2 and circulation path P1, which is composed of return pipe 221, bath heat exchanger 222, and forward pipe 223. Control unit 111 then activates bath burner 224 to heat the hot water circulating between circulation path P1 and bathtub 2 in bath heat exchanger 222. At this time, control unit 111 performs reheating by reheating unit 220 so that the hot water temperature based on temperature sensor S5 (the hot water temperature in bathtub 2) becomes the target bath setting temperature. The bath setting temperature is set in advance by operating the buttons on bathroom remote control 12 or kitchen remote control 13. As a result, the hot water temperature in bathtub 2 rises to the bath setting temperature.

[0047] Here, when the temperature of the water in bathtub 2 reaches the bath setting temperature as a result of reheating, control unit 133 of kitchen remote control 13 notifies the user that reheating is complete, as shown in Fig. 4(a). In Fig. 4(a), display input unit 131 of kitchen remote control 13 displays a message indicating that reheating has been completed, and speaker 136 of kitchen remote control 13 outputs a sound indicating that reheating has been completed. Display input unit 131 also displays the water temperature in bathtub 2 at the time reheating is completed.

[0048] However, even if such a notification of the completion of reheating is made, if the user does not notice the notification because, for example, he or she is located far from kitchen remote control 13, the user will continue to wait for the completion of reheating. In this case, even though the reheating has been completed, the water temperature in bathtub 2 will drop, and reheating will be necessary again.

[0049] Therefore, in this embodiment, the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote control 13 issues an initial notification of the completion of re-heating when the re-heating is completed, as shown in Fig. 4(a), and if the user does not bathe in the bathtub 2 or enter the bathroom 3 after the notification of the completion of re-heating, issues another notification of the completion of re-heating, as shown in Fig. 4(b). In Fig. 4(b), the same notification as in Fig. 4(a) is issued, and furthermore, a message indicating how many times the re-heating completion notification has been issued is displayed on the display input unit 131.

[0050] When the reheating completion notification is given again in this way, even if the user did not notice the first reheating completion notification, the user can be sure that the reheating completion has been completed by the second notification. This allows the user to continue bathing before the reheated water cools down too much.

[0051] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the reheating process executed by the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote controller 13.

[0052] 5, steps S101 to S103 are executed by the function of reheating execution unit 133b of control unit 133, steps S104 to S110 are executed by the function of notification processing unit 133c of control unit 133, and step S111 is executed by the function of bathing transition detection unit 133a of control unit 133. The following description will be given assuming that control unit 133 performs the processing of FIG. 5 using these functions.

[0053] The process of FIG. 5 is executed when operation button 132 of kitchen remote control 13 is operated and kitchen remote control 13 is turned on.

[0054] When a reheating command is input via display input unit 131 (S101: YES), control unit 133 executes reheating (S102). Specifically, control unit 133 controls circulation pump 225 to circulate the hot water in bathtub 2 between circulation path P1 and bathtub 2, and controls bath burner 224 to heat the hot water circulating between circulation path P1 and bathtub 2. Control unit 133 continues executing reheating until the hot water temperature detected by temperature sensor S5 (the hot water temperature in bathtub 2) reaches the target bath setting temperature.

[0055] When the control unit 133 determines that the water temperature in the bathtub 2 has reached the target bath setting temperature and that reheating has been completed (S103: YES), it ends the reheating operation and controls the display / input unit 131 and speaker 136 to notify the user that the initial reheating has been completed, as shown in Figure 4(a) (S104). At this time, the water temperature in the bathtub 2 at the time reheating is completed, based on the temperature sensor S5, is displayed on the display / input unit 131. Alternatively, the bath setting temperature may be displayed as the water temperature.

[0056] Next, the control unit 133 initializes the number of re-notifications n stored in the storage unit 134 by setting it to 0 (S105).

[0057] Next, control unit 133 measures the temperature of the hot water in bathtub 2 (S106). Specifically, control unit 133 performs the process of step S106 at predetermined time intervals (for example, 30 seconds). At this time, control unit 133 drives circulation pump 225 to circulate the hot water in bathtub 2 between circulation path P1 and bathtub 2. Then, control unit 133 measures the hot water temperature in bathtub 2 based on temperature sensor S5 while the hot water is circulating through return pipe 221 in which temperature sensor S5 is installed.

[0058] Next, control unit 133 performs a determination in step S107 in synchronization with the measurement of the hot water temperature in step S106. That is, control unit 133 determines whether the difference (decrease in temperature) between the hot water temperature measured this time and the hot water temperature at the timing when re-heating is completed (the hot water temperature displayed on display input unit 131 in FIG. 4(a)) is equal to or greater than threshold value An according to the number of re-alerts n (S107). Threshold value An (threshold values ​​A1, A2, A3, etc.) increases as the number of re-alerts n increases. The value of threshold value A1, the difference between threshold value A1 and threshold value A2, and the difference between threshold value A2 and threshold value A3 are all set to, for example, several degrees Celsius (approximately 1 to 2 degrees Celsius).

[0059] Control unit 133 executes steps S106 and S107 at the aforementioned water temperature measurement intervals until it detects that the user has transitioned to bathing (S111: NO). If the temperature drop during this time equals or exceeds threshold value An (S107: YES), control unit 133 increments re-alarm count n by 1 (S108) and issues another notification of re-heating completion, as shown in FIG. 4(b) (S109). At this time, the water temperature in bathtub 2 measured in the immediately preceding step S106 and the number of re-alarm count n are displayed on display input unit 131. When the water temperature in bathtub 2 is notified in this way in the second notification of re-heating completion, the user can grasp the actual water temperature when bathing and can appropriately perform re-heating while bathing.

[0060] In the determination of step S111, the control unit 133 determines whether or not the user has entered the bathroom 3 based on the detection result of the pyroelectric sensor 127. Then, the control unit 133 determines that the user has entered the bathroom 3, and thereby determines that the user has performed an action to transition to bathing.

[0061] At this time, the control unit 133 may determine that a transition to bathing has not been made if the entry detection state is less than a certain period of time (for example, several tens of seconds), so as not to mistakenly detect a temporary (sudden) entry into the bathroom 3 as a transition to bathing.

[0062] Next, the control unit 133 determines whether the number of re-alerts n has reached a predetermined threshold N (S110). The threshold N is, for example, three times. If the number of re-alerts n has not reached the threshold N (S110: NO), the process returns to step S106, and the processes from step S106 onwards are performed again. On the other hand, if the number of re-alerts n has reached the threshold N (S110: YES), the control unit 133 ends the process of FIG. 5. Therefore, if the threshold N is three times, the re-alert of the completion of reheating will be performed a maximum of three times at predetermined intervals.

[0063] By setting an upper limit on the number of times the reheating completion notification is issued, it is possible to prevent unnecessary repetition of notifications, for example, if the user's circumstances change after the reheating operation. Note that if the threshold value An is determined in advance as described above, the water temperature in the bathtub 2 drops more quickly in winter than in summer, so the interval between re-notifications will be shorter in winter than in summer.

[0064] If the user's action of transitioning to bathing is detected (S111: YES) while the process for re-notification is being repeated (S110: NO), the control unit 133 ends the process of Fig. 5. If the user quickly transitions to bathing after the notification in step S104, the determination in step S111 becomes YES without re-notification, and the process of Fig. 5 ends.

[0065] <Effects of the First Embodiment> According to the first embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0066] Water heater 1 (bath device) includes bathing transition detection unit 133a for detecting a transition to bathing, reheating execution unit 133b for reheating the water in bathtub 2 in response to a reheating command input via kitchen remote control 13 (operating device) located outside bathroom 3, and notification processing unit 133c for notifying the completion of reheating. Notification processing unit 133c notifies the completion of reheating in response to the completion of reheating, as shown in Figure 4(a) (S104), and after this notification, if bathing transition detection unit 133a does not detect a transition to bathing (S111: NO), it again notifies the completion of reheating (S109), as shown in Figure 4(b).

[0067] According to this configuration, if the user does not notice the reheating completion notification given upon completion of the reheating and does not subsequently bathe in bathtub 2 or enter bathroom 3, the reheating completion notification will be given again. This allows the user to more reliably know that the reheating has completed and to continue bathing before the reheated water cools down too much.

[0068] Bathing transition detector 133a detects the transition to bathing based on the output from pyroelectric sensor 127, which is capable of detecting entry into bathroom 3.

[0069] With this configuration, the transition to bathing can be detected smoothly and accurately.

[0070] The notification processing unit 133c issues another notification of the completion of reheating (S109) if no detection of the transition to bathing is obtained until the detection value of the temperature sensor S5, which detects the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 2, drops by a predetermined temperature compared to the time of completion of reheating (S111: NO, S107: YES).

[0071] With this configuration, there is an interval between the first reheating completion notification and the next. Therefore, even if the user is in a position where they cannot see the first reheating completion notification, if they move to a position where they can see the reheating completion notification during this interval, they can smoothly see the second reheating completion notification. Furthermore, because the second reheating completion notification is issued when the temperature of the water in the bathtub 2 has dropped by a predetermined temperature since the reheating, the second reheating completion notification can be output to the user before the temperature of the water in the bathtub 2 has dropped significantly. Therefore, the user can take a bath before the temperature of the water after the reheating has dropped significantly.

[0072] <Embodiment 2> In the first embodiment, the second notification of completion of reheating is made in response to a drop in the temperature of the water in the bathtub 2, but in the second embodiment, the second notification of completion of reheating is made in response to the passage of a predetermined time.

[0073] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process related to reheating executed by the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote controller 13 according to the second embodiment.

[0074] Compared to the process of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the process of FIG. 6 adds steps S201 and S202 instead of steps S106 and S107. Steps S201 and S202 are also executed by the function of the notification processing unit 133c of the control unit 133. Furthermore, the notification processing unit 133c of the second embodiment counts the elapsed time from the timing of completion of reheating. Below, we will explain the process that differs from the process of FIG. 5.

[0075] The control unit 133 acquires the elapsed time from the completion timing of reheating (S201), and determines whether the acquired elapsed time is equal to or greater than a threshold Bn corresponding to the number of re-alarms n (S202). The threshold Bn (thresholds B1, B2, B3, etc.) increases as the number of re-alarms n increases. The value of threshold B1, the difference between threshold B1 and threshold B2, and the difference between threshold B2 and threshold B3 are all set to, for example, 10 to 20 minutes.

[0076] If the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the threshold value Bn (S202: YES), the control unit 133 increments the re-alert count n by 1 (S108) and issues another re-alert notification that re-heating is complete (S109), as shown in Fig. 7. At this time, the display input unit 131 displays the elapsed time since re-heating was completed and the re-alert count n.

[0077] In the process shown in Figure 7, if threshold N is three times, the re-notification of reheating completion will be made up to three times at a specified interval. Note that if threshold Bn is determined in advance as described above, the water temperature in bathtub 2 will drop faster in winter than in summer, so the water temperature in bathtub 2 at the time of the re-notification will be lower in winter than in summer. Therefore, to ensure that the water temperature at the time of the re-notification is about the same regardless of the season, the increase in threshold Bn in winter may be shorter than in summer, or threshold Bn may be changed depending on the season or month. In this case, kitchen remote control 13 has a day measurement function and changes threshold Bn according to the day measurement result.

[0078] <Effects of the Second Embodiment> According to the second embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0079] If the transition to bathing is not detected within the predetermined time for re-notification after the completion of re-heating (S111: NO, S202: YES), the notification processing unit 133c issues another notification of the completion of re-heating (S109).

[0080] With this configuration, there is a predetermined interval between the first reheating completion notification and the next reheating completion notification. Therefore, even if the user is in a position where they cannot see the first reheating completion notification, if they move to a position where they can see the reheating completion notification during this interval, they can smoothly see the second reheating completion notification. Furthermore, because the second reheating completion notification is issued when a predetermined time has passed since the completion of reheating, the second reheating completion notification can be output to the user before the temperature of the water in the bathtub 2 has dropped significantly. Therefore, the user can take a bath before the temperature of the water after reheating has dropped significantly.

[0081] <Example of change> In the above embodiment, bathing transition detection unit 133a detects the transition to bathing by detecting entry into bathroom 3 based on the output of pyroelectric sensor 127, but the method of detecting entry into bathroom 3 is not limited to this. For example, if an illuminance sensor for detecting the turning on of the bathroom light is disposed in bathroom 3 or bathroom remote control 12, bathing transition detection unit 133a may detect entry into bathroom 3 by detecting that the bathroom light has been turned on based on the output of the illuminance sensor.

[0082] Furthermore, the method for detecting the transition to bathing is not limited to detecting entry into the bathroom 3, and other methods may be used. For example, the bathing transition detection unit 133a may detect whether or not someone has entered the bathtub 2 based on the output of the water level sensor S1, and detect the transition to bathing by detecting that someone has entered the bathtub 2. Entry into the bathtub 2 can be detected by the output of the water level sensor S1 when the water level in the bathtub 2 rises by a predetermined amount within a predetermined time. The method for detecting bathing is not limited to methods based on the output of the water level sensor S1, and may also be based, for example, on the output of a pyroelectric sensor that can detect only the area of ​​the bathtub 2. These methods also allow for smooth and accurate detection of the transition to bathing.

[0083] In the above embodiment, both the acceptance of the input operation of the reheating command and the output of the reheating completion notification are performed by kitchen remote control 13, but these may be performed by a device other than kitchen remote control 13. For example, if water heating apparatus 1 does not have kitchen remote control 13 and an input / output interface is located on the front surface of water heater 11, this input / output interface may accept the input operation of the reheating command and output the reheating completion notification. In this case, the functions of bathing transition detection unit 133a, reheating execution unit 133b, and notification processing unit 133c may be imparted to control unit 111 of water heater 11 by a program stored in memory unit 112 of water heater 11.

[0084] Furthermore, the functions of bathing transition detection unit 133a, reheating execution unit 133b, and notification processing unit 133c may be shared among bathroom remote control 12, kitchen remote control 13, and water heater 11. Furthermore, if water heating apparatus 1 includes another control device in addition to the configuration of Fig. 1, the other control device may execute the functions of bathing transition detection unit 133a, reheating execution unit 133b, and notification processing unit 133c.

[0085] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4(a), (b), and 7, the notification of reheating completion is performed by audio output and message display. However, the method of notifying the user of reheating completion is not limited to this. For example, the message display may be omitted and the notification of reheating completion may be performed by audio output only. Furthermore, the above audio output or message display may be performed along with an attention-calling sound such as a chime. Furthermore, when the notification of reheating completion is performed again, the volume of the output may be increased compared to the notification when reheating is completed, and the message may be displayed larger. This allows the user to more reliably understand that reheating has been completed.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the notification of completion of reheating is made by kitchen remote control 13, but the notification of completion of reheating may also be made by bathroom remote control 12.

[0087] In the first embodiment, the drop in temperature used in the determination of step S107 may be the difference between the hot water temperature measured immediately before and the hot water temperature measured this time. For example, when the number of re-alerts n is 2, the drop in temperature may be the difference between the hot water temperature measured when the number of re-alerts n was 1 and the hot water temperature measured this time. In this case, the threshold value An may be a constant value regardless of the number of re-alerts n, or may be decreased as the number of re-alerts n increases.

[0088] In the second embodiment, the elapsed time used in the determination in step S201 may be the difference between the elapsed time immediately before and the elapsed time this time. For example, when the number of re-alerts n is 2, the elapsed time used in the determination in step S201 may be the difference between the elapsed time when the number of re-alerts n was 1 and the elapsed time this time. In this case, the threshold value Bn may be a constant value regardless of the number of re-alerts n, or may be decreased as the number of re-alerts n increases.

[0089] In the above embodiments 1 and 2, the determination of whether the reheating is complete in step S103 is made based on whether the water temperature in the bathtub 2 has reached the target bath setting temperature, but this is not limited to this and the determination may also be made based on whether the elapsed time since the reheating was started in step S102 has reached a predetermined time.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the automatic bath function may include a heat retention function that maintains the water temperature in the bathtub 2 at a predetermined bath setting temperature after reheating is complete. If the heat retention function is installed, a second notification of the completion of reheating may be sent based on whether or not the action of transitioning to bathing is detected by the time reheating by the heat retention function is completed.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the configuration of water heater 11 is not limited to the configuration shown in Figures 2 and 3, and may be other configurations. Furthermore, water heater 1 (bath device) is not limited to one that uses gas fuel, and may be a water heater that uses oil as fuel. Water heater 1 may be a storage type that uses a storage tank, and may be configured to further include a power generation unit such as a fuel cell.

[0092] In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be modified in various ways as appropriate within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1. Hot water supply equipment (bath equipment) 2 bathtubs 3 Bathroom 12 Kitchen remote control (operating device) 127 Pyroelectric sensor (sensor) 133a Bath transition detection unit 133b Reheating Executive Department 133c Notification processing unit S1 Water Level Sensor (Sensor) S5 Temperature Sensor

Claims

1. a bathing transition detection unit for detecting a transition action to bathing; a reheating execution unit that reheats the water in the bathtub in response to a reheating command input via an operating device located outside the bathroom; A notification processing unit that notifies completion of reheating, The notification processing unit notifies the user of the completion of reheating in response to the completion of reheating, and then notifies the user of the completion of reheating again based on the fact that the bathing transition detection unit has not detected the user's transition to bathing after the completion of reheating. A bath device characterized by the above.

2. The bath device according to claim 1, The bathing transition detection unit detects a transition to bathing based on an output from a sensor capable of detecting entry into the bathroom or a sensor capable of detecting bathing in the bathtub. A bath device characterized by the above.

3. The bath device according to claim 1 or 2, The notification processing unit issues the second notification of completion of reheating in response to the fact that the transition to bathing has not been detected until the detection value of the temperature sensor detecting the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub drops by a predetermined temperature from the completion of the reheating. A bath device characterized by the above.

4. The bath device according to claim 1 or 2, The notification processing unit performs the re-notification of completion of re-heating in response to the fact that the transition action to bathing is not detected within a predetermined time for re-notification from the completion of the re-heating. A bath device characterized by the above.

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