Bathtub cleaning device

Abstract

To provide a bathtub cleaning device that improves ease of installation. [Solution] The bathtub cleaning device comprises a circulation path consisting of a supply pipe and a return pipe between the heat source and the bathtub, a cleaning nozzle provided on the circulation fitting, a hot and cold water supply path connected to one of the pipes of the supply or return pipe, a cleaning path connected to the cleaning nozzle, a first flow path switching valve that switches the flow path at the first connection point between the hot and cold water supply path and the other pipe, and a second flow path switching valve that switches the flow path at the second connection point between the cleaning path and the other pipe. The first flow path switching valve switches between a first circulation state and a hot and cold water supply state, and the second flow path switching valve can switch between a second circulation state and a cleaning state. A cistern and a pump are provided in the hot and cold water supply path, and a cleaning water generation unit is provided in the cleaning path. The first flow path switching valve, cistern and pump are provided in the outdoor unit, and the second flow path switching valve and cleaning water generation unit are provided in the indoor unit. The outdoor unit and the indoor unit are connected by one pipe.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bathtub cleaning device that automatically cleans a bathtub.

Background Art

[0002] In many bathtub cleaning devices, a cleaning nozzle for injecting cleaning water into the bathtub is provided on the bottom surface of the bathtub, and a cleaning unit for supplying cleaning water to the cleaning nozzle is provided in the bathroom (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a bathtub cleaning device configured as described above, generally, the cleaning unit houses all the main components such as a detergent mixing unit and an on-off valve, and is installed in the bathtub apron. The pipe for supplying hot and cold water connected to the cleaning unit is often configured to branch off a new pipe from the hot water supply pipe that connects the water heater installed outdoors to the shower or faucet in the bathroom within the bathtub apron. Since many conventional bathtub cleaning devices have such a configuration, it is difficult to install and pipe the cleaning unit in the narrow space within the bathtub apron. Also, when newly installing a bathtub cleaning device for an existing bathtub, an even more extensive construction is required because the cleaning nozzle also needs to be installed on the bottom surface of the bathtub by processing the bathtub. Therefore, an improvement in the workability of installing the bathtub cleaning device in the configuration of the bathtub cleaning device is desired.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a bathtub cleaning device that can improve workability so that it can be easily installed even for an existing bathtub. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A bathtub cleaning device according to a first aspect of the present invention is: A circulation path consisting of a supply pipe and a return pipe that circulates bath water between the heat source and the bathtub, The bathtub-side end of the circulation path is connected to a circulation fitting installed inside the bathtub, A cleaning nozzle is provided on the circulation fitting, A hot and cold water supply line, one end of which is connected to a hot and cold water supply source, and the other end of which is connected to one of the pipes in the circulation line, either the supply pipe or the return pipe, A washing passage, one end of which is connected to the bathtub side of the hot and cold water supply passage connection in the aforementioned one pipe, and the other end of which is connected to a washing nozzle, A first flow path switching valve that switches the flow path at the first connection point, which is the connection point between the hot and cold water supply path and the aforementioned one pipe, It includes a second flow path switching valve that switches the flow path at the second connection point, which is the connection point between the washing passage and the aforementioned one pipe, The first flow path switching valve has a configuration that allows switching between a first circulation state in which the flow path on the heat source side and the flow path on the bathtub side of one of the pipes are connected via the first connection part, and the hot and cold water supply path and the one of the pipes are not connected, and a hot and cold water supply state in which the flow path on the heat source side and the flow path on the bathtub side of one of the pipes are not connected via the first connection part, and the hot and cold water supply path and the flow path on the bathtub side of the one of the pipes beyond the first connection part are connected. The second flow path switching valve has a configuration that allows switching between a second circulation state, in which the flow path on the heat source side and the flow path on the bathtub side of one of the pipes are connected via the second connection, and the cleaning path and the one of the pipes are not connected; and a cleaning state, in which the flow path on the heat source side and the flow path on the bathtub side of one of the pipes are not connected via the second connection, and the cleaning path and the flow path on the heat source side of the one of the pipes are connected. The hot and cold water supply line includes a cistern that stores the hot and cold water supplied from the hot and cold water source in an open state to the atmosphere, and has an overflow passage that discharges the stored hot and cold water to a discharge point when the water level exceeds a predetermined level, and a pump installed downstream of the cistern that sends out the hot and cold water stored in the cistern. The washing passage is equipped with a washing water generation unit that mixes the detergent stored in the detergent tank with the hot water flowing through the washing passage to generate washing water. The first flow path switching valve, cistern, and pump are installed in an outdoor bathroom unit located outside the bathroom. The second flow path switching valve and the washing water generation unit are installed in a bathroom unit located inside the bathroom. The outdoor bathroom unit and the indoor bathroom unit are connected by the aforementioned one pipe.

[0007] According to the configuration of the first embodiment described above, by arranging the first flow path switching valve, cistern, and pump, which are installed in the hot and cold water supply path, as an external unit outside the bathroom, the installation work for the hot and cold water supply path can be carried out in a spacious area outside the bathroom. Therefore, the installation work for the hot and cold water supply path can be carried out more easily than in a narrow space inside the bathroom (for example, the space inside the bathtub apron), thus simplifying the installation of the bathtub cleaning device.

[0008] By connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor unit with either the supply or return pipe of the circulation path, the water flow path from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit during bathtub cleaning operation uses the aforementioned pipe. Therefore, there is no need to install new piping in that section of the flow path, simplifying the installation of the bathtub cleaning device.

[0009] Since the cleaning nozzle is located on the circulation fitting, even when installing a new bathtub cleaning device on an existing bathtub, the cleaning nozzle can be installed simply by replacing the circulation fitting, without having to drill new holes in the existing bathtub for the cleaning nozzle, thus simplifying the installation of the bathtub cleaning device.

[0010] Because the cistern, which prevents backflow of cleaning water to the water supply source, and the pump that delivers the water from within the cistern are installed outside the bathroom as an external unit, the internal unit installed inside the bathroom can be made more compact. As a result, the flexibility of the installation location of the internal unit within the bathroom is increased, and the ease of installation of the bathtub cleaning device is improved.

[0011] As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the ease of installation of the bathtub cleaning device is improved. Therefore, even when installing a new bathtub cleaning device on an existing bathtub, the installation of the bathtub cleaning device can be easily carried out without performing large-scale construction work.

[0012] In the bathtub cleaning apparatus of the first embodiment described above, During the bathtub cleaning operation, the first flow path switching valve is set to the hot water supply state, the second flow path switching valve is set to the cleaning state, and the pump is operated to cause the hot water in the cistern to flow from one of the pipes into the cleaning passage. Before performing the aforementioned bathtub cleaning operation, the configuration may be such that the first flow path switching valve is set to the hot water supply state, the second flow path switching valve is set to the second circulation state, and the pump is operated to perform a flow path cleaning operation in which the hot water in the cistern is flowed into one of the pipes and out into the bathtub without passing through the cleaning passage.

[0013] In the bathtub cleaning device of the first embodiment described above, when the bathtub cleaning operation is performed, the flow path from the bathroom exterior unit to the bathroom interior unit uses the one pipe in the circulation path. The circulation path is a flow path through which the bathtub water in the bathtub circulates, for example, during reheating operation, and therefore foreign matter such as hair may adhere to and remain there. When the bathtub cleaning operation is performed, the foreign matter that has adhered to the one pipe in the circulation path may flow through the cleaning path with the hot water and clog the cleaning water generation unit or cleaning nozzle. However, with the above configuration, by performing a flow path cleaning operation before performing the bathtub cleaning operation, the foreign matter that has adhered to the one pipe used when performing the bathtub cleaning operation can be discharged into the bathtub by the clean hot water in the cistern without passing through the cleaning water generation unit or cleaning nozzle. This makes it possible to suppress the problem of foreign matter clogging the cleaning water generation unit or cleaning nozzle when the bathtub cleaning operation is performed.

[0014] A bathtub cleaning device according to a second aspect of the present invention is: A circulation path consisting of a supply pipe and a return pipe that circulates bath water between the heat source and the bathtub, The bathtub-side end of the circulation path is connected to a circulation fitting installed inside the bathtub, A cleaning nozzle is provided on the circulation fitting, A hot and cold water supply line, one end of which is connected to a hot and cold water supply source, and the other end of which is connected to one of the pipes in the circulation line, either the supply pipe or the return pipe, A cleaning path, one end of which is connected to the other pipe of the supply or return pipe in the circulation path, and the other end of which is connected to a cleaning nozzle, A first flow path switching valve that switches the flow path at the first connection point, which is the connection point between the hot and cold water supply path and the aforementioned one pipe, It includes a second flow path switching valve that switches the flow path at the second connection point, which is the connection point between the washing passage and the other piping, The first flow path switching valve has a configuration that allows switching between a first circulation state in which the flow path on the heat source side and the flow path on the bathtub side of one of the pipes are connected via the first connection part, and the hot and cold water supply path and the one of the pipes are not connected, and a hot and cold water supply state in which the flow path on the heat source side and the flow path on the bathtub side of one of the pipes are not connected via the first connection part, and the hot and cold water supply path and the flow path on the heat source side of the one of the pipes beyond the first connection part are connected. The second flow path switching valve has a configuration that allows switching between a second circulation state, in which the flow path on the heat source side and the flow path on the bathtub side of the other piping are connected via the second connection, and the cleaning path and the other piping are not connected; and a cleaning state, in which the flow path on the heat source side and the flow path on the bathtub side of the other piping are not connected via the second connection, and the cleaning path and the flow path on the heat source side of the other piping are connected. The hot and cold water supply line includes a cistern that stores the hot and cold water supplied from the hot and cold water source in an open state to the atmosphere, and has an overflow passage that discharges the stored hot and cold water to a discharge point when the water level exceeds a predetermined level, and a pump installed downstream of the cistern that sends out the hot and cold water stored in the cistern. The washing passage is equipped with a washing water generation unit that mixes the detergent stored in the detergent tank with the hot water flowing through the washing passage to generate washing water. The first flow path switching valve, cistern, and pump are installed in an outdoor bathroom unit located outside the bathroom. The second flow path switching valve and the washing water generation unit are provided in a bathroom unit installed in the bathroom, The outdoor unit and the indoor unit of the bathroom are configured to be connected by a circulation path via a heat source machine.

[0015] According to the configuration of the second aspect, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit of the bathroom are connected by a circulation path via a heat source machine. When performing the bathtub cleaning operation, the flow path from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit in the flow path through which the hot water flows uses the circulation path. Therefore, there is no need to lay a new pipe for this part of the flow path, and the construction of the bathtub cleaning device can be simplified. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first aspect.

[0016] Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the workability when installing the bathtub cleaning device is improved. Therefore, even when newly installing a bathtub cleaning device for an existing bathtub, the construction of the bathtub cleaning device can be easily performed without performing major construction work.

[0017] In the bathtub cleaning device of the second aspect, When the bathtub cleaning operation is executed, the first flow path switching valve is set to the hot water supply state, the second flow path switching valve is set to the cleaning state, and the pump is operated to allow the hot water in the cistern to flow into the cleaning path from the one pipe and the other pipe. Before the execution of the bathtub cleaning operation, the first flow path switching valve may be set to the hot water supply state, the second flow path switching valve may be set to the second circulation state, and the pump may be operated to execute a flow path cleaning operation in which the hot water in the cistern flows through the one pipe and the other pipe and flows out to the bathtub without passing through the cleaning path.

[0018] In the bathtub cleaning device of the second embodiment described above, when the bathtub cleaning operation is performed, the flow path from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit uses one pipe and the other pipe in the circulation path. The circulation path is a flow path through which the bathtub water in the bathtub circulates, for example, during reheating operation, so foreign matter such as hair may adhere to and remain there. When the bathtub cleaning operation is performed, the foreign matter that has adhered to one pipe and the other pipe in the circulation path may flow through the cleaning path with the hot water and clog the cleaning water generation unit and cleaning nozzle. However, with the above configuration, by performing a flow path cleaning operation before performing the bathtub cleaning operation, the foreign matter that has adhered to one pipe and the other pipe in the circulation path used when the bathtub cleaning operation is performed can be discharged into the bathtub by the clean hot water in the cistern without passing through the cleaning water generation unit and cleaning nozzle. This makes it possible to suppress the problem of foreign matter clogging the cleaning water generation unit and cleaning nozzle when the bathtub cleaning operation is performed.

[0019] In the bathtub cleaning apparatus of the first and second embodiments described above, The detergent dispenser for refilling the detergent tank may be located in a part of the bathroom other than the bathtub.

[0020] Bathtubs are often made of materials such as FRP, artificial marble, or enamel, and it is relatively difficult to process them without damaging the components of the bathtub. However, as in the above configuration, by installing the detergent dispenser in the bathroom outside the bathtub, it is possible to avoid drilling holes in the components of the bathtub or performing waterproofing work, thus further improving the ease of installation of the bathtub cleaning device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the bathtub cleaning device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the bathtub cleaning device according to Embodiment 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. (Embodiment 1) As shown in Figure 1, the bathtub cleaning device 1A of Embodiment 1 includes a cleaning unit 3 to which a water heater 2, which is a heat source, is connected. In this Embodiment 1, the water heater 2 also serves as a hot water supply source for supplying clean hot water to the bathtub cleaning device 1A, and the hot water supplied from the water heater 2 and cleaning water mixed with detergent are sprayed by cleaning nozzles 5 installed in the bathtub 4. The hot water supply source may be a water supply pipe that supplies clean water to the bathtub cleaning device 1A or a component (for example, an inlet pipe 14) that communicates with the water supply pipe of the water heater 2. The cleaning unit 3 is provided separately as an outdoor unit 6 and an indoor unit 7. The cleaning nozzles 5 are provided on a circulation fitting 8 installed on the inner wall of the bathtub 4. A drain plug 9 is provided at the bottom of the bathtub 4, and the drain plug 9 is electrically connected to a drain plug drive unit 9a installed on the bathtub flange portion 4a of the bathtub 4.

[0023] The water heater 2 includes gas burners 10a and 10b that generate combustion exhaust gas, and a hot water heat exchanger 11 and a bath heat exchanger 12 that absorb heat from the combustion exhaust gas to heat water. Gas supply pipes 13 that supply fuel gas are connected to the gas burners 10a and 10b. An inlet pipe 14 and an outlet pipe 15 are connected to the hot water heat exchanger 11. A circulation path 16 consisting of a supply pipe 17 and a return pipe 18 is connected to the bath heat exchanger 12. The bathtub-side ends of the supply pipe 17 and the return pipe 18, which extend outside the water heater 2, are connected to a circulation fitting 8 installed inside the bathtub 4. A hot water filling pipe 19 branched from the outlet pipe 15 is connected to the return pipe 18. The water heater 2 also includes a control unit (not shown) that controls the overall operation of the water heater 2, and a kitchen remote control 22 and a bathroom remote control 23 that are communicatively connected to this control unit for remote operation of the water heater 2. The kitchen remote control 22 is installed in the kitchen or other areas outside the bathroom, while the bathroom remote control 23 is installed inside the bathroom.

[0024] The operation of each function of the water heater 2 is as follows: In hot water supply operation, the gas burner 10a on the hot water supply side is ignited, and the water supplied to the water inlet pipe 14 is heated in the hot water heat exchanger 11 to produce hot water, which is then supplied to the hot water outlet pipe 15, such as to faucets and showers. In bath filling operation, the gas burner 10a on the hot water supply side is ignited, and the bath filling valve 20 installed in the bath filling pipe 19 is opened, supplying the hot water produced in the hot water heat exchanger 11 from the bath filling pipe 19 through the hot water outlet pipe 15 to the return pipe 18 of the circulation path 16, and this hot water is supplied to the bathtub 4 from the circulation fitting 8 through the return pipe 18 and the supply pipe 17 of the circulation path 16. During reheating or heat retention operation, the gas burner 10b on the bath side is ignited, activating the circulation pump 21 installed in the return pipe 18. This pump draws the bath water in the bathtub 4 through the circulation fitting 8, heats it in the bath heat exchanger 12 via the return pipe 18, and returns the heated bath water to the bathtub 4 through the supply pipe 17 and the circulation fitting 8.

[0025] To improve ease of installation, the cleaning unit 3 is configured as an external unit 6 installed outside the bathroom and an internal unit 7 installed inside the bathroom. The external unit 6 and the internal unit 7 are connected by a portion of the circulation path 16 (a portion of the supply pipe 17 (17b)). In the piping configuration, outside the bathroom, a hot water supply path 24 is installed connecting the outlet pipe 15 of the water heater 2 to the supply pipe 17 of the circulation path 16. Inside the bathroom, a cleaning path 25 is installed connecting the supply pipe 17 of the circulation path 16 to the cleaning nozzle 5 inside the bathtub 4. The external unit 6 is located in the hot water supply path 24, and the internal unit 7 is located in the cleaning path 25. In this embodiment 1, in the supply pipe 17 of the circulation path 16, the piping portion from the outlet of the water heater 2 to the connection portion 26 (first connection portion) of the hot and cold water supply path 24 is referred to as the "outdoor piping portion 17a", the piping portion from the connection portion 26 of the hot and cold water supply path 24 to the connection portion 27 (second connection portion) of the cleaning path 25 is referred to as the "connecting piping portion 17b", and the piping portion from the connection portion 27 of the cleaning path 25 to the connection portion with the circulation fitting 8 is referred to as the "indoor piping portion 17c".

[0026] The outdoor bathroom unit 6 is installed, for example, near the outdoor water heater 2. The hot and cold water supply path 24 through which the outdoor bathroom unit 6 is installed has one end connected to the outlet pipe 15 of the water heater 2 and the other end connected to the supply pipe 17 of the circulation path 16. The connection point of the hot and cold water supply path 24 in the supply pipe 17 is referred to as the "first connection point 26". The outdoor bathroom unit 6 is equipped with a first flow path switching valve 28, a cistern 30, and a pump 31. One end of the hot and cold water supply path 24 may be connected to the inlet pipe 14 or a water supply pipe.

[0027] The first flow path switching valve 28 is a three-way valve and is installed at the first connection point 26, which is the connection point between the hot and cold water supply passage 24 and the supply pipe 17 of the circulation passage 16. The first flow path switching valve 28 is configured to switch between a first circulation state in which the outdoor piping section 17a (the flow path on the water heater 2 side) and the connecting piping section 17b (the flow path on the bathtub 4 side) of the supply pipe 17 are connected via the first connection point 26, and the hot and cold water supply state in which the outdoor piping section 17a and the connecting piping section 17b of the supply pipe 17 are disconnected via the first connection point 26, and the hot and cold water supply passage 24 and the connecting piping section 17b are connected. The first flow path switching valve 28 may also be configured by on-off valves provided in the hot and cold water supply path 24 and the outdoor piping section 17a of the supply pipe 17, respectively, at a location near the first connection section 26 on the upstream side (water heater 2 side) of the first connection section 26.

[0028] The cistern 30 is a tank that stores hot water generated by the water heater 2 and supplied from the upstream side of the hot water supply passage 24 in an open state. The cistern 30 is interposed in the middle of the hot water supply passage 24, separating the upstream piping section 24a (piping section on the water heater 2 side) and the downstream piping section 24b (piping section on the bathtub 4 side) of the hot water supply passage 24. The top of the cistern 30 is provided with a water supply port 32 to which the upstream piping section 24a of the hot water supply passage 24 is connected, and the bottom of the cistern 30 is provided with an outlet 33 to which the downstream piping section 24b of the hot water supply passage 24 is connected. Below the water supply port 32, the cistern 30 is provided with a connection port 34 to which an overflow passage 35 is connected, which discharges the hot water to an external discharge point when the water level of the stored hot water exceeds a predetermined level. Furthermore, the cistern 30 is equipped with a high-level electrode 30a and a low-level electrode 30b for detecting the water level of the stored hot water. Hot water can be stored in the cistern 30 until the liquid level of the hot water is detected by the high-level electrode 30a, and when the hot water is no longer detected by the low-level electrode 30b (i.e., the liquid level of the hot water falls below the lower end height of the low-level electrode 30b), it is possible to request the supply of hot water to the cistern 30. When the liquid level of the hot water rises above the lower end height of the high-level electrode 30a and exceeds the connection port 34 of the overflow passage 35, the hot water is drained to the outside from the overflow passage 35, so the liquid level of the hot water does not rise up to the water supply port 32. In this way, the hot and cold water supply passage 24 is separated into an upstream side (water heater 2 side) and a downstream side (bathtub 4 side) by the cistern 30, so that even if hot and cold water from the bathtub 4 side flows back into the hot and cold water supply passage 24 from the supply pipe 17, it is prevented from flowing into the outlet pipe 15 of the water heater 2.

[0029] The pump 31 is installed in the downstream piping section 24b of the hot and cold water supply passage 24 (the hot and cold water supply passage 24 downstream from the cistern 30), and the operation of this pump 31 sends the hot and cold water stored in the cistern 30 to the downstream piping section 24b of the hot and cold water supply passage 24.

[0030] In the hot and cold water supply passage 24 installed in the outdoor bathroom unit 6, the upstream piping section 24a, upstream of the cistern 30, is equipped with a water governor 36, a hot water volume sensor 37, and a water supply valve 38, in that order from the water heater 2 side. The downstream piping section 24b, downstream of the cistern 30, is equipped with a pump 31, a washing temperature sensor 39, a spray volume sensor 40, check valves 41a and 41b, and a first flow path switching valve 28, in that order from the cistern 30 side.

[0031] The bathroom unit 7 is installed, for example, inside the bathtub apron. Inside the bathtub apron, a cleaning passage 25 is installed, which is piped in by branching off from the supply pipe 17 of the circulation passage 16. One end of the cleaning passage 25 is connected to the bathtub 4 side of the first connection part 26 of the supply pipe 17, and the other end is connected to a cleaning nozzle 5 provided on the circulation fitting 8. The connection part of the cleaning passage 25 in the supply pipe 17 is referred to as the "second connection part 27". Inside the bathtub apron, a detergent tank 42 is located below the bathtub flange part 4a.

[0032] The bathroom unit 7 consists of a flow path switching unit 7a and a detergent valve unit 7b. The flow path switching unit 7a is equipped with a second flow path switching valve 29. The second flow path switching valve 29 is a three-way valve and is installed at the second connection part 27, which is the connection between the washing passage 25 and the supply pipe 17 of the circulation passage 16. The second flow path switching valve 29 is configured to switch between a second circulation state, in which the connecting piping section 17b (the flow path on the water heater 2 side) and the indoor piping section 17c (the flow path on the bathtub 4 side) of the supply pipe 17 are connected via the second connection part 27, and the washing passage 25 and the supply pipe 17 are not connected; and a washing state, in which the connecting piping section 17b and the indoor piping section 17c of the supply pipe 17 are not connected via the second connection part 27, and the washing passage 25 and the connecting piping section 17b of the supply pipe 17 are connected. The second flow path switching valve 29 may also be configured by on-off valves provided in the vicinity of the second connection 27 on the downstream side (bathtub 4 side) of the second connection 27, for both the washing passage 25 and the indoor piping section 17c of the supply pipe 17.

[0033] The detergent valve unit 7b comprises a detergent valve 46 and a detergent mixing unit 47. The detergent mixing unit 47 constitutes a washing water generation unit that mixes the detergent stored in the detergent tank 42 with the hot water flowing through the washing passage 25 to generate washing water. A detergent pipe 48 is connected between the bottom of the detergent tank 42 and the washing passage 25 to supply the detergent from the detergent tank 42 to the washing passage 25. The detergent pipe 48 is equipped with a detergent valve 46, which is an on / off valve. A detergent mixing unit 47, which is a venturi, is provided at the connection point between the detergent pipe 48 and the washing passage 25.

[0034] A detergent dispenser box 43 is provided on the inner wall of the bathroom above the bathtub flange section 4a where the detergent tank 42 is installed. The detergent dispenser box 43 is provided with a detergent dispenser opening 43a for refilling the detergent tank 42. A detergent replenishment passage 44 and an air vent passage 45, which are located outside the bathroom, are connected to the detergent dispenser box 43 and the detergent tank 42.

[0035] The bathtub cleaning device 1A can perform both bathtub cleaning and flow path cleaning operations. The valve states of the first flow path switching valve 28 and the second flow path switching valve 29 are configured as follows. When performing a bathtub cleaning operation, the first flow path switching valve 28, at the first connection part 26, deconnects the outdoor piping part 17a and the connecting piping part 17b of the supply pipe 17, and connects the hot and cold water supply path 24 and the connecting piping part 17b of the supply pipe 17, thereby setting a hot and cold water supply state. The second flow path switching valve 29, at the second connection part 27, deconnects the connecting piping part 17b and the indoor piping part 17c of the supply pipe 17, and connects the cleaning path 25 and the connecting piping part 17b of the supply pipe 17, thereby setting a cleaning state.

[0036] When performing a flow path cleaning operation, the first flow path switching valve 28, at the first connection part 26, deconnects the outdoor piping section 17a and the connecting piping section 17b of the supply pipe 17, and connects the hot and cold water supply path 24 and the connecting piping section 17b of the supply pipe 17, creating a hot and cold water supply state. The second flow path switching valve 29, at the second connection part 27, connects the connecting piping section 17b and the indoor piping section 17c of the supply pipe 17, and deconnects the cleaning path 25 and the supply pipe 17, creating a second circulation state.

[0037] Except when performing bathtub cleaning operation or flow path cleaning operation, the first flow path switching valve 28 connects the outdoor piping section 17a and the connecting piping section 17b of the supply pipe 17 at the first connection section 26, and sets the hot and cold water supply path 24 and the supply pipe 17 to a first circulation state, while the second flow path switching valve 29 connects the connecting piping section 17b and the indoor piping section 17c of the supply pipe 17 at the second connection section 27, and sets the cleaning path 25 and the supply pipe 17 to a second circulation state.

[0038] Furthermore, the bathtub cleaning device 1A is equipped with a control unit 49 that controls the operation of the bathtub cleaning device 1A. The control unit 49 is installed in the ceiling space of the bathroom and is communicatively connected to a cleaning remote control 50 installed outside the bathroom, for example in the dressing room, for remote operation of the bathtub cleaning device 1A. The control unit 49 is also communicatively connected to the outside bathroom unit 6, the inside bathroom unit 7, and the drain plug drive unit 9a, and is further communicatively connected to the kitchen remote control 22 and bathroom remote control 23 of the water heater 2, as well as the control unit of the water heater 2.

[0039] Next, we will explain the operation of the bathtub cleaning device 1A. The bathtub cleaning device 1A is controlled by the control unit 49. When a user initiates the bathtub cleaning operation from the cleaning remote control 50 (it may also be possible to operate it from the kitchen remote control 22 and the bathroom remote control 23), the device performs a flow channel cleaning operation before executing the bathtub cleaning operation. Once the flow channel cleaning operation is complete, the bathtub cleaning operation is started. If it is assumed that there is still bathtub water remaining in the bathtub 4 (for example, when the drain plug 9 is closed or when a manual drain plug is used), the drain plug 9 is opened and a drainage process is performed to drain the bathtub water from the bathtub 4 until a predetermined drainage time has elapsed before the bathtub cleaning operation is executed. This drainage process may be performed before the flow channel cleaning operation, after the flow channel cleaning operation, or together with the flow channel cleaning operation. When a configuration is adopted in which the drainage process and the flow channel cleaning operation are performed simultaneously, the time required to complete the bathtub cleaning operation can be shortened.

[0040] When the flow path cleaning operation is performed, the first flow path switching valve 28 in the outdoor bathroom unit 6 is switched to the hot and cold water supply state, and the second flow path switching valve 29 in the indoor bathroom unit 7 (flow path switching unit 7a) is maintained in the second circulation state. Specifically, at the first connection part 26, the outdoor piping part 17a and the connecting piping part 17b of the supply pipe 17 are not connected, and the hot and cold water supply path 24 is connected to the connecting piping part 17b of the supply pipe 17 (hot and cold water supply state). At the second connection part 27, the connecting piping part 17b and the indoor piping part 17c of the supply pipe 17 are connected, and the cleaning path 25 is not connected to the supply pipe 17 (second circulation state).

[0041] In the flow path cleaning operation, first, the water supply valve 38 is opened in the outdoor bathroom unit 6, and hot water supplied from the hot water supply passage 24 is stored in the cistern 30. With the water supply valve 38 open, the hot water supply operation is performed in the water heater 2, and hot water flowing through the outlet pipe 15 is supplied from the hot water supply passage 24 into the cistern 30. When the liquid level of the hot water stored in the cistern 30 is detected by the high water level electrode 30a, the water supply valve 38 is closed. Subsequently, the pump 31 is activated to send the hot water in the cistern 30 to the downstream piping section 24b of the hot water supply passage 24. The hot water sent to the downstream piping section 24b of the hot water supply passage 24 flows out into the supply pipe 17 of the circulation passage 16 at the first connection section 26, flows through the connecting piping section 17b of the supply pipe 17, passes through the indoor piping section 17c, and flows out into the bathtub 4 from the circulation fitting 8. As a result, residual water accumulated in the connecting pipe section 17b of the supply pipe 17 is pushed out and discharged by the clean hot water in the cistern 30, and a flow path cleaning operation is performed. This flow path cleaning operation is performed for a predetermined flow path cleaning time. Once the predetermined flow path cleaning time has elapsed, the operation of the pump 31 is stopped, and the flow path cleaning operation is terminated.

[0042] The following effects are achieved by the aforementioned flow path cleaning operation. In the bathtub cleaning device 1A of Embodiment 1, when the bathtub cleaning operation is performed, the flow path from the outdoor unit 6 to the indoor unit 7 uses the connecting piping section 17b of the supply pipe 17 of the circulation path 16. Therefore, if foreign matter such as hair from inside the bathtub 4 adheres to and remains in the connecting piping section 17b of the supply pipe 17 due to reheating operation or heat retention operation, when the bathtub cleaning operation is performed, the foreign matter that has adhered to the connecting piping section 17b of the supply pipe 17 flows through the cleaning path 25 together with the hot water, and there is a risk that foreign matter clogging will occur in the detergent mixing section 47 and the cleaning nozzle 5. However, by the aforementioned flow path cleaning operation, the foreign matter that has adhered to the connecting piping section 17b of the supply pipe 17 can be discharged into the bathtub 4 from the indoor piping section 17c of the supply pipe 17 by the clean hot water in the cistern 30 without passing through the cleaning path 25 equipped with the detergent mixing section 47 and the cleaning nozzle 5. Therefore, it is possible to suppress problems such as foreign matter clogging in the detergent mixing unit 47 or the cleaning nozzle 5 when the bathtub cleaning operation is performed.

[0043] During the aforementioned flow path cleaning operation, if the water level of the hot water stored in the cistern 30 falls below the lower end height of the low water level electrode 30b, the water supply valve 38 is opened to supply hot water to the cistern 30. When it is detected that the water level of the hot water in the cistern 30 has risen to the lower end height of the high water level electrode 30a, the water supply valve 38 is closed. The flow rate of hot water supplied to the cistern 30 by opening the water supply valve 38 is set to be greater than the flow rate of hot water discharged from the cistern 30 by the pump 31. The opening and closing control of the water supply valve 38 in the outdoor bathroom unit 6 is performed in the same manner even during the bathtub cleaning operation.

[0044] When the aforementioned flow path cleaning operation is completed, the bathtub cleaning operation is started. When the bathtub cleaning operation is performed, the drainage of the bathtub water in the bathtub 4 is completed, and the top surface of the bathtub 4 is closed with the bathtub lid (not shown). When the bathtub cleaning operation is performed, the first flow path switching valve 28 in the outdoor bathroom unit 6 is maintained in the hot water supply state, and the second flow path switching valve 29 in the indoor bathroom unit 7 (flow path switching unit 7a) is switched to the cleaning state. That is, at the first connection part 26, the outdoor piping part 17a and the connecting piping part 17b of the supply pipe 17 are not connected, and the hot water supply path 24 and the connecting piping part 17b of the supply pipe 17 are connected (hot water supply state), and at the second connection part 27, the connecting piping part 17b of the supply pipe 17 and the indoor piping part 17c are not connected, and the cleaning path 25 and the connecting piping part 17b of the supply pipe 17 are connected (cleaning state).

[0045] The bathtub cleaning process is executed in the following order: pre-cleaning, detergent washing, and rinsing. In the pre-cleaning process, the pump 31 is activated to send hot water from the cistern 30 to the downstream piping section 24b of the hot water supply passage 24. The hot water sent to the downstream piping section 24b of the hot water supply passage 24 flows through the connecting piping section 17b of the supply pipe 17 of the circulation passage 16 at the first connection section 26, flows into the cleaning passage 25 at the second connection section 27, and is sprayed into the bathtub 4 from the cleaning nozzle 5 provided on the circulation fitting 8. This performs a pre-cleaning process to wash away dirt adhering to the inner wall of the bathtub 4 with hot water, and this pre-cleaning process is performed for a predetermined pre-cleaning time. After the predetermined pre-cleaning time has elapsed, the operation of the pump 31 is stopped, the spraying of hot water from the cleaning nozzle 5 is stopped, and the pre-cleaning process ends. After the pre-cleaning process is completed and a predetermined waiting time has elapsed, the detergent cleaning process is performed.

[0046] In the detergent cleaning process, the pump 31 is activated to open the detergent valve 46 of the bathroom unit 7 (detergent valve unit 7b). With the detergent valve 46 open, the detergent stored in the detergent tank 42 is sent through the detergent pipe 48 to the detergent mixing unit 47. The hot water sent from the cistern 30 to the downstream piping section 24b of the hot water supply passage 24 by the operation of the pump 31 flows through the connecting piping section 17b of the supply pipe 17 of the circulation passage 16 at the first connection section 26, and flows into the cleaning passage 25 at the second connection section 27. The hot water flowing through the cleaning passage 25 is mixed with the detergent sent from the detergent pipe 48 in the detergent mixing unit 47 to become cleaning water, and this cleaning water is sprayed into the bathtub 4 from the cleaning nozzle 5 provided on the circulation fitting 8. At this time, the operation and stopping of the pump 31 are controlled to perform multiple cycles of spraying cleaning water for a certain period of time and stopping the spraying of cleaning water for a certain period of time. This initiates a detergent cleaning process in which dirt adhering to the inner wall of the bathtub 4 is washed away with cleaning water, and this detergent cleaning process is performed for a predetermined detergent cleaning time. Once the predetermined detergent cleaning time has elapsed, the operation of the pump 31 is stopped, the detergent valve 46 is closed, the spraying of cleaning water from the cleaning nozzle 5 is stopped, and the detergent cleaning process ends. After the detergent cleaning process is completed and a predetermined waiting time has elapsed, the rinsing process is performed.

[0047] In the rinsing process, the pump 31 is activated, and the hot water in the cistern 30 flows sequentially through the downstream piping section 24b of the hot water supply passage 24, the connecting piping section 17b of the supply pipe 17, and the washing passage 25, similar to the pre-washing process, and this hot water is sprayed into the bathtub 4 from the washing nozzle 5. This performs a rinsing process that washes away detergent and dirt adhering to the inner wall of the bathtub 4 with hot water, and this rinsing process is performed for a predetermined rinsing time. After the predetermined rinsing time has elapsed, the pump 31 is activated until the liquid level of the hot water stored in the cistern 30 falls below the lower end height of the low water level electrode 30b, or until a predetermined time has elapsed after the liquid level falls below the lower end height of the low water level electrode 30b, and the hot water stored in the cistern 30 is drained into the bathtub 4. After the hot water in the cistern 30 has been drained, the pump 31 is stopped, the first flow path switching valve 28 is set to the first circulation state, and the second flow path switching valve 29 is set to the second circulation state, and the bathtub cleaning operation is terminated.

[0048] According to the bathtub cleaning device 1A of Embodiment 1 described above, by arranging the first flow path switching valve 28, cistern 30, and pump 31, which are installed in the hot and cold water supply passage 24, as an external bathroom unit 6 located outside the bathroom, the installation work for the hot and cold water supply passage 24 can be carried out in a large space outside the bathroom. Therefore, the installation work for the hot and cold water supply passage 24 can be carried out more easily than in a narrow space inside the bathroom (for example, the space inside the bathtub apron), thus simplifying the construction of the bathtub cleaning device 1A.

[0049] When performing the bathtub cleaning operation, the water flow path from the outdoor unit 6 to the indoor unit 7 uses the connecting pipe section 17b of the supply pipe 17 of the circulation path 16. Therefore, there is no need to install new piping to connect the outdoor unit 6 and the indoor unit 7, which simplifies the installation of the bathtub cleaning device 1A.

[0050] Since the cleaning nozzle 5 is provided on the circulation fitting 8, even when installing a new bathtub cleaning device 1A on an existing bathtub 4, the cleaning nozzle 5 can be installed simply by replacing the circulation fitting 8 without having to drill a new hole in the existing bathtub 4 for mounting the cleaning nozzle 5, thus simplifying the installation of the bathtub cleaning device 1A.

[0051] Since the cistern 30, which prevents backflow of cleaning water into the water heater 2, and the pump 31, which sends out the hot and cold water from the cistern 30, are installed outside the bathroom as an outside-bathroom unit 6, the inside-bathroom unit 7 installed inside the bathroom can be made compact. As a result, the flexibility of the installation location of the inside-bathroom unit 7 inside the bathroom is increased, and the ease of installation of the bathtub cleaning device 1A is improved.

[0052] Based on the above, the bathtub cleaning device 1A of Embodiment 1 improves the ease of installation when installing the bathtub cleaning device 1A. Even when installing the bathtub cleaning device 1A on an existing bathtub 4, the installation of the bathtub cleaning device 1A can be easily carried out without performing large-scale construction work.

[0053] Furthermore, in the bathtub cleaning device 1A of Embodiment 1, the detergent inlet 43a for replenishing detergent in the detergent tank 42 is provided in a detergent inlet box 43 installed on the interior wall of the bathroom. Bathtubs 4 are often made of materials such as FRP, artificial marble, or enamel, and it is relatively difficult to process them without damaging the components of the bathtub 4. However, as in Embodiment 1, by providing the detergent inlet 43a in the detergent inlet box 43 installed on the interior wall of the bathroom, rather than in the components of the bathtub 4 such as the bathtub flange 4a, it is possible to avoid drilling holes or waterproofing work on the components of the bathtub 4 to provide the detergent inlet 43a, thus improving the ease of installation of the bathtub cleaning device 1A.

[0054] Furthermore, although the bathtub cleaning device 1A of Embodiment 1 is configured to enable communication with the water heater 2, the components that are operated during the flow path cleaning operation are the first flow path switching valve 28, the second flow path switching valve 29, the pump 31, and the water supply valve 38. The control unit 49 controls the operation of these components to perform a flow path cleaning operation that cleans the circulation path 16 without communication with the water heater 2. For example, when installing the bathtub cleaning device 1A in an existing bathtub 4, the flow path cleaning operation can be performed even if the bathtub cleaning device 1A and the existing water heater 2 are from different manufacturers and cannot communicate with each other. During the bathtub cleaning operation, the detergent valve 46 is also operated, but the detergent valve 46 can also be controlled by the control unit 49 without communication with the water heater 2. Therefore, by opening the drain plug 9, the bathtub cleaning operation can be performed even if the bathtub cleaning device 1A and the existing water heater 2 are from different manufacturers and cannot communicate with each other. Therefore, the bathtub cleaning device 1A of Embodiment 1 can be installed in an existing bathtub 4 using the existing water heater 2 which cannot communicate, thus improving its versatility.

[0055] Furthermore, in the flow path cleaning operation, the act of flowing hot water through the circulation path 16 used in the bathtub cleaning operation does not necessarily require using the hot water in the cistern 30. For example, the water heater 2 can perform a bathtub filling operation, allowing a certain amount of hot water to flow through the bathtub filling pipe 19 into the circulation path 16. In this case, communication between the water heater 2 and the bathtub cleaning device 1A is necessary in order to have the water heater 2 perform the bathtub filling operation, which is the flow path cleaning operation before the bathtub cleaning operation is performed, when the bathtub cleaning operation is started. Also, the bathtub filling operation replaces the bathtub water remaining in the entire supply pipe 17 and return pipe 18 of the circulation path 16, not just in a portion of the flow path 16 (the connecting pipe section 17b of the supply pipe 17 of the circulation path 16), with the bathtub filling water, thus using more hot water than necessary. However, according to the bathtub cleaning device 1A of Embodiment 1, the flow path cleaning operation can be performed even if communication with the water heater 2 is not possible, and since the bathtub water remaining in the piping section of the circulation path 16 (connecting piping section 17b of the supply pipe 17) that requires flow path cleaning is replaced by using the hot water in the cistern 30, the amount of hot water used can be kept to the minimum necessary, thus saving water.

[0056] (Embodiment 2) In the bathtub cleaning device 1B of Embodiment 2 shown in Figure 2, the difference from the bathtub cleaning device 1A of Embodiment 1 is that the bathroom unit 7 is connected to the return pipe 18 of the circulation path 16. One end of the cleaning path 25 is connected to the return pipe 18, and the other end is connected to the cleaning nozzle 5 provided on the circulation fitting 8. The second flow path switching valve 29 of the flow path switching unit 7a is provided at the connection point (27X) between the cleaning path 25 and the return pipe 18 of the circulation path 16. The supply pipe 17 of the circulation path 16 is not connected to the bathroom unit 7, but its bathtub side end is connected to the circulation fitting 8.

[0057] In Embodiment 2, the connection point of the cleaning passage 25 in the return pipe 18 is referred to as the "second connection point 27X". In the return pipe 18, the piping portion from the outlet of the water heater 2 to the second connection point 27X is referred to as the "heat source side return pipe piping portion 18a", and the piping portion from the second connection point 27X to the connection point with the circulation fitting 8 is referred to as the "bathtub side return pipe piping portion 18b". In the supply pipe 17, the piping portion from the outlet of the water heater 2 to the first connection point 26 is referred to as the "heat source side supply pipe piping portion 17u", and the piping portion from the first connection point 26 to the connection point with the circulation fitting 8 is referred to as the "bathtub side supply pipe piping portion 17d".

[0058] The first flow path switching valve 28 connects the hot and cold water supply path 24 with the heat source side supply pipe section 17u when hot and cold water is being supplied. In other words, the first flow path switching valve 28 is configured to switch between a first circulation state in which the heat source side supply pipe section 17u of the supply pipe 17 and the bathtub side supply pipe section 17d are connected via the first connection section 26, and the hot and cold water supply path 24 and the supply pipe 17 are not connected, and a hot and cold water supply state in which the heat source side supply pipe section 17u of the supply pipe 17 and the bathtub side supply pipe section 17d are not connected via the first connection section 26, and the hot and cold water supply path 24 and the heat source side supply pipe section 17u are connected.

[0059] The second flow path switching valve 29 is configured to switch between a second circulation state, in which the heat source side return pipe piping section 18a and the bathtub side return pipe piping section 18b of the return pipe 18 are connected via the second connection section 27X, and the cleaning passage 25 and the return pipe 18 are not connected, and a cleaning state, in which the heat source side return pipe piping section 18a and the bathtub side return pipe piping section 18b of the return pipe 18 are not connected via the second connection section 27X, and the cleaning passage 25 and the heat source side return pipe piping section 18a of the return pipe 18 are connected.

[0060] In the bathtub cleaning device 1B of Embodiment 2, the valve states of the first flow path switching valve 28 and the second flow path switching valve 29 are set as follows. When performing a bathtub cleaning operation, the first flow path switching valve 28, at the first connection part 26, deconnects the heat source side supply pipe section 17u of the supply pipe 17 and the bathtub side supply pipe section 17d, and connects the hot and cold water supply passage 24 with the heat source side supply pipe section 17u of the supply pipe 17 to set a hot and cold water supply state. The second flow path switching valve 29, at the second connection part 27X, deconnects the heat source side return pipe section 18a of the return pipe 18 with the bathtub side return pipe section 18b, and connects the cleaning passage 25 with the heat source side return pipe section 18a of the return pipe 18 to set a cleaning state.

[0061] When performing a flow path cleaning operation, the first flow path switching valve 28, at the first connection part 26, deconnects the heat source side supply pipe section 17u of the supply pipe 17 and the bathtub side supply pipe section 17d, and connects the hot water supply passage 24 with the heat source side supply pipe section 17u of the supply pipe 17 to create a hot water supply state. The second flow path switching valve 29, at the second connection part 27X, connects the heat source side return pipe section 18a of the return pipe 18 with the bathtub side return pipe section 18b, and deconnects the cleaning passage 25 with the return pipe 18 to create a second circulation state.

[0062] Except when performing bathtub cleaning operation or flow path cleaning operation, the first flow path switching valve 28 connects the heat source side supply pipe section 17u and the bathtub side supply pipe section 17d of the supply pipe 17 at the first connection section 26, and sets the hot water supply passage 24 and the supply pipe 17 to a first circulation state, and the second flow path switching valve 29 connects the heat source side return pipe section 18a and the bathtub side return pipe section 18b of the return pipe 18 at the second connection section 27X, and sets the cleaning passage 25 and the return pipe 18 to a second circulation state.

[0063] In the bathtub cleaning device 1B of Embodiment 2, the outdoor unit 6 and the indoor unit 7 are connected via the water heater 2 by the heat source side supply pipe section 17u of the supply pipe 17 and the heat source side return pipe section 18a of the return pipe 18 in the circulation path 16. Therefore, when the bathtub cleaning operation is performed, the flow path from the outdoor unit 6 to the indoor unit 7 uses the heat source side supply pipe section 17u and the heat source side return pipe section 18a of the circulation path 16. As a result, there is no need to install new piping to connect the outdoor unit 6 and the indoor unit 7, and the construction of the bathtub cleaning device 1B can be simplified. Furthermore, during the flow path cleaning operation, foreign matter adhering to the heat source side supply pipe section 17u of the supply pipe 17 and the heat source side return pipe section 18a of the return pipe 18 can be discharged into the bathtub 4 from the bathtub side return pipe section 18b of the return pipe 18 by the clean hot water in the cistern 30 without passing through the detergent mixing section 47 or the cleaning passage 25 equipped with cleaning nozzles 5. This suppresses the problem of foreign matter clogging the detergent mixing section 47 or cleaning nozzles 5 when the bathtub cleaning operation is performed. In the bathtub cleaning device 1B of Embodiment 2, the configurations and effects other than those described above are the same as or equivalent to those of the bathtub cleaning device 1A of Embodiment 1.

[0064] Although the embodiments described above have been explained, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the technical concept of the present invention. For example, in the bathtub cleaning device 1A shown in Figure 1, the bathroom exterior unit 6 and the bathroom interior unit 7 may be connected to the return pipe 18 of the circulation path 16, and the bathtub cleaning operation and the flow path cleaning operation may be performed using the return pipe 18. Furthermore, in the bathtub cleaning device 1B shown in Figure 2, the bathroom unit 6 may be connected to the return pipe 18 of the circulation path 16, and the bathroom unit 7 may be connected to the supply pipe 17 of the circulation path 16, and the bathtub cleaning operation and the flow path cleaning operation may be performed using the supply pipe 17 and the return pipe 18. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1A, 1B Bathtub Cleaning Device 2. Water heater 3. Washing Unit 4 Bathtub 4a Bathtub flange section 5. Cleaning nozzle 6. Bathroom exterior unit 7 Bathroom Unit 7a Flow path switching unit 7b Detergent valve unit 8 Circulation fittings 9. Drain plug 9a Drain plug drive unit 16 Circulation route 17 Outbound pipe 17a Outdoor piping section 17b Connecting Piping Section 17c Indoor Piping Section 18. Return tube 22 Kitchen remote control 23 Bathroom remote control 24 Hot water supply channel 24a Upstream piping section 24b Downstream piping section 25 Washing channel 26. First connection section 27 Second connection section 28. First flow path switching valve 29. Second flow path switching valve 30 Cistern 30a high water level electrode 30b low water level electrode 31 pumps 32 Water supply port 33 Outlet 34 connection ports 35 Overflow path 36 Water Cabana 37. Water volume sensor 38. Water supply valve 39 Washing temperature sensor 40. Injection volume sensor 41a, 41b Check valve 42 detergent tanks 43 Detergent dispenser box 43a Detergent dispenser 44 Detergent refill channel 45 Air vent channel 46 Detergent valve 47 Detergent mixing section 48 Detergent pipe 49 Control Unit 50 Washing remote control

Claims

1. A circulation path consisting of a supply pipe and a return pipe that circulates bath water between the heat source and the bathtub, The bathtub-side end of the circulation path is connected to a circulation fitting installed inside the bathtub, A cleaning nozzle is provided on the circulation fitting, A hot and cold water supply line, one end of which is connected to a hot and cold water supply source, and the other end of which is connected to one of the pipes in the circulation line, either the supply pipe or the return pipe, A washing passage, one end of which is connected to the bathtub side of the hot and cold water supply passage connection in the aforementioned one pipe, and the other end of which is connected to a washing nozzle, A first flow path switching valve that switches the flow path at the first connection point, which is the connection point between the hot and cold water supply path and the aforementioned one pipe, The system includes a second flow path switching valve that switches the flow path at a second connection point, which is the connection point between the cleaning passage and the aforementioned one pipe, The first flow path switching valve has a configuration that allows switching between a first circulation state in which the flow path on the heat source side and the flow path on the bathtub side of one of the pipes are connected via the first connection part, and the hot and cold water supply path and the one of the pipes are not connected, and a hot and cold water supply state in which the flow path on the heat source side and the flow path on the bathtub side of one of the pipes are not connected via the first connection part, and the hot and cold water supply path and the flow path on the bathtub side of the one of the pipes beyond the first connection part are connected. The second flow path switching valve has a configuration that allows switching between a second circulation state, in which the flow path on the heat source side and the flow path on the bathtub side of one of the pipes are connected via the second connection, and the cleaning path and the one of the pipes are not connected; and a cleaning state, in which the flow path on the heat source side and the flow path on the bathtub side of one of the pipes are not connected via the second connection, and the cleaning path and the flow path on the heat source side of the one of the pipes beyond the second connection are connected. The hot and cold water supply line includes a cistern that stores the hot and cold water supplied from the hot and cold water source in an open state to the atmosphere, and has an overflow passage that discharges the stored hot and cold water to a discharge point when the water level exceeds a predetermined level, and a pump installed downstream of the cistern that sends out the hot and cold water stored in the cistern. The washing passage is equipped with a washing water generation unit that mixes the detergent stored in the detergent tank with the hot water flowing through the washing passage to generate washing water. The first flow path switching valve, cistern, and pump are installed in an outdoor bathroom unit located outside the bathroom. The second flow path switching valve and the washing water generation unit are installed in a bathroom unit located inside the bathroom. A bathtub cleaning device in which an outdoor unit and an indoor unit are connected by the aforementioned one pipe.

2. In the bathtub cleaning device according to claim 1, During the bathtub cleaning operation, the first flow path switching valve is set to the hot water supply state, the second flow path switching valve is set to the cleaning state, and the pump is operated to cause the hot water in the cistern to flow from one of the pipes into the cleaning passage. A bathtub cleaning device that, before performing the bathtub cleaning operation, sets the first flow path switching valve to a hot water supply state, sets the second flow path switching valve to a second circulation state, and operates the pump to perform a flow path cleaning operation in which the hot water in the cistern flows into one of the pipes and out into the bathtub without passing through the cleaning path.

3. A circulation path consisting of a supply pipe and a return pipe that circulates bath water between the heat source and the bathtub, The bathtub-side end of the circulation path is connected to a circulation fitting installed inside the bathtub, A cleaning nozzle is provided on the circulation fitting, A hot and cold water supply line, one end of which is connected to a hot and cold water supply source, and the other end of which is connected to one of the pipes in the circulation line, either the supply pipe or the return pipe, A cleaning path, one end of which is connected to the other pipe of the supply or return pipe in the circulation path, and the other end of which is connected to a cleaning nozzle, A first flow path switching valve that switches the flow path at the first connection point, which is the connection point between the hot and cold water supply path and the aforementioned one pipe, It includes a second flow path switching valve that switches the flow path at the second connection point, which is the connection point between the washing passage and the other piping, The first flow path switching valve has a configuration that allows switching between a first circulation state in which the flow path on the heat source side and the flow path on the bathtub side of one of the pipes are connected via the first connection part, and the hot and cold water supply path and the one of the pipes are not connected, and a hot and cold water supply state in which the flow path on the heat source side and the flow path on the bathtub side of one of the pipes are not connected via the first connection part, and the hot and cold water supply path and the flow path on the heat source side of the one of the pipes beyond the first connection part are connected. The second flow path switching valve has a configuration that allows switching between a second circulation state, in which the flow path on the heat source side and the flow path on the bathtub side of the other piping are connected via the second connection, and the cleaning path and the other piping are not connected; and a cleaning state, in which the flow path on the heat source side and the flow path on the bathtub side of the other piping are not connected via the second connection, and the cleaning path and the flow path on the heat source side of the other piping are connected. The hot and cold water supply line includes a cistern that stores the hot and cold water supplied from the hot and cold water source in an open state to the atmosphere, and has an overflow passage that discharges the stored hot and cold water to a discharge point when the water level exceeds a predetermined level, and a pump installed downstream of the cistern that sends out the hot and cold water stored in the cistern. The washing passage is equipped with a washing water generation unit that mixes the detergent stored in the detergent tank with the hot water flowing through the washing passage to generate washing water. The first flow path switching valve, cistern, and pump are installed in an outdoor bathroom unit located outside the bathroom. The second flow path switching valve and the washing water generation unit are installed in a bathroom unit located inside the bathroom. A bathtub cleaning system in which the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are connected by a circulation path via a heat source.

4. In the bathtub cleaning device according to claim 3, During the bathtub cleaning operation, the first flow path switching valve is set to the hot water supply state, the second flow path switching valve is set to the cleaning state, and the pump is operated to cause the hot water in the cistern to flow into the cleaning passage from the one pipe and the other pipe. A bathtub cleaning device that, before performing the bathtub cleaning operation, sets the first flow path switching valve to a hot water supply state, sets the second flow path switching valve to a second circulation state, and operates the pump to perform a flow path cleaning operation in which the hot water in the cistern flows into the one pipe and the other pipe and flows into the bathtub without passing through the cleaning passage.

5. In the bathtub cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A bathtub cleaning device in which a detergent dispenser for refilling the detergent tank is provided in the bathroom other than the bathtub.

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