Bath equipment

Abstract

This invention provides a bath system that allows for proper setting of alarm operation after the scheduled hot water filling operation is completed. [Solution] The bathing device 100 includes a reservation operation unit for making bath reservations, an entry detection sensor 22 for detecting when a person enters the bathroom 20, an alert unit for issuing an entry alarm when the entry detection sensor 22 detects a person, and an entry alarm operation unit for setting or canceling the entry alarm alert issued by the alert unit. When the reservation operation unit sets a bath reservation to the operation control means, the entry alarm operation unit sets the alert to be issued by the alert unit. If the entry detection sensor detects entry before the entry alarm alert is canceled, the alert unit issues an entry alarm. The entry alarm alert is canceled when the bath filling state reaches the target filling state or when the reservation time set by the reservation operation unit arrives.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bathtub device having hot and cold water supply means and operation control means having a bathtub reservation function for performing a hot water filling operation by the hot and cold water supply means at a set reservation time.

Background Art

[0002] There is a bathtub device having a reservation function for filling the bathtub with hot water at a set date and time. In such a bathtub device, it is not easy to grasp the amount of hot and cold water supplied to the bathtub during the hot water filling operation by reservation. Therefore, there has been a risk that, for example, an infant or the like may fall into the bathtub and drown while the hot and cold water is being supplied to the bathtub.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a human body detection device for preventing a bather from drowning in the bathtub. In the human body detection device described in Patent Document 1, the presence or absence of human movement is determined by an imaging device that images a bathroom or the like, and when the human movement has stopped for a set time or more, the drain plug is opened and an alarm is notified outside the bathroom. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a water heater for a bathtub having a human detection function. In Patent Document 2, there is a human detection means for detecting a person in the bathtub, and when the human detection means detects a person during the hot water filling operation, a technique for issuing an alarm from an alarm means or interrupting the hot water filling operation is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not consider alarm operation after the scheduled hot water filling operation is completed.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a bathing device that can properly set an alarm operation after the scheduled hot water filling operation is completed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The characteristic configuration of the bathing device according to the present invention is: A bathing apparatus comprising a water heater, a water supply means for supplying hot water to a bathtub, and an operation control means for operating the water supply means to perform a bathtub filling operation so that the bathtub reaches a target state of hot water filling, The aforementioned operation control means has a bath reservation function that performs the hot water filling operation at a specified time, The system comprises: a reservation operation unit for setting a reservation time and making a bath reservation; an entry detection sensor for detecting when a person enters the bathroom; an alert unit for issuing an entry alarm via screen display and / or sound when the entry detection sensor detects a person; and an entry alarm operation unit for setting or canceling the entry alarm alert issued by the alert unit. The operation control means is configured such that when setting the bath reservation from the reservation operation unit, the entry alarm operation unit can set the notification of the entry alarm by the notification unit. When setting the bath reservation from the reservation operation unit to the operation control means, if the entry alarm operation unit sets the notification of the entry alarm by the notification unit, the notification unit will issue the entry alarm if the entry detection sensor detects entry before the notification of the entry alarm is canceled, and the notification of the entry alarm will be canceled when the bath filling state due to the bath reservation reaches the target filling state or when the reservation time set by the reservation operation unit has arrived.

[0008] According to this feature configuration, the entry alarm is deactivated when the bath filling operation, triggered by the bath reservation, is completed. This eliminates the need for users to manually deactivate the entry alarm when bathing. As a result, the convenience of the bathing system is improved. Furthermore, by configuring the system to allow setting an entry alarm notification by the notification unit when setting a bath reservation, it is possible to always confirm the setting of the entry alarm notification when making a bath reservation, thus preventing the bath reservation from continuing without setting the entry alarm notification.

[0009] A further characteristic feature of the bathing apparatus according to the present invention is that when the reservation operation unit makes a bathing reservation to the operation control means, the notification unit notifies the user, by at least one of the following means, that the bathroom has been locked, the bathtub has been closed with its lid, and the drain plug of the bathtub has been closed, by a screen display and at least one of the following means.

[0010] This feature configuration allows users to be prompted to check various things in the bathroom when making a bath reservation. This ensures that various problems that may occur in the bathroom during the bath filling process can be reliably avoided.

[0011] A further characteristic feature of the bathing apparatus according to the present invention is that the hot water supply means is configured to include at least one of a heat pump, an electric heater, and a hot water storage tank.

[0012] According to this feature configuration, at least one of the following can be used as a means of supplying hot and cold water: a heat pump, an electric heater, and a hot water storage tank, all of which have a smaller heating capacity compared to combustion equipment such as gas water heaters. This may result in a longer time required to fill the bathtub, but since an entry alarm can be issued during the filling process, people entering the bathroom can be reliably monitored, preventing potential accidents in the bathroom. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is an example of a circuit diagram for the bathing device of Embodiment 1. [Figure 2]It is a diagram showing a bathroom in which a bath device is installed and an operation terminal. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram of a control device of a bath device. [Figure 4] It is a work flow diagram from bath reservation to completion of filling with hot water. [Figure 5] It is an example of a screen transition diagram of a bathroom remote control. [Figure 6] It is an example of a screen transition diagram of a bathroom remote control. [Figure 7] It is an example of a screen transition diagram of a bathroom remote control. [Figure 8] It is an example of a screen transition diagram of a bathroom remote control. [Figure 9] It is an example of a screen transition diagram of a bathroom remote control. [Figure 10] It is an example of a circuit diagram of the bath device according to Embodiment 2.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, a bath device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Although preferred embodiments are described below, these embodiments are each described to more specifically exemplify the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following description.

[0015] <Embodiment 1> As shown in FIG. 1, the bath device 100 according to the embodiment includes a heat pump type water heater HP, a combustion device 12 (a part of an instantaneous water heater) using gas or oil as fuel, hot water supply means for supplying hot water to the bathtub 21, reheating means for heating the hot water in the bathtub 21, and a control device 50 (an example of operation control means) that executes a filling operation for filling the bathtub 21 so that the filling state of the bathtub 21 becomes a target filling state by operating at least one of the hot water supply means and the reheating means.

[0016] The combustion device 12 (a part of the instantaneous water heater) is configured in a two-tank two-waterway system. It is configured to burn gas fuel (e.g., city gas 13A) with the first burner 11a provided inside, and to heat the hot water flowing through the first heat exchange part 12a inside. At the same time, it is configured to burn gas fuel with the second burner 11b provided inside, and to heat the hot water flowing through the second heat exchange part 12b inside. To add an explanation, a post-combustion circulation path C2 connected to the second heat exchange part 12b of the combustion device 12 is provided. In the post-combustion circulation path C2, there are provided, in the order described, a second circulation pump P2 that circulates hot water in the post-combustion circulation path C2, a first heat exchanger EX1 that heat-exchanges the hot water in the second heat exchange part 12b of the combustion device 12 and the hot water stored in the bathtub 21 during post-combustion operation in a countercurrent flow with respect to the pressure-feeding direction of the hot water by the second circulation pump P2, a third on-off valve K3 that opens and closes the post-combustion circulation path C2, and a buffer tank BT.

[0017] The water supply flow path R1 for supplying water is connected to the heating flow path R4 that allows hot water to flow through the first heat exchange part 12a of the combustion device 12. In the heating flow path R4, a fourth temperature sensor T4 for detecting the temperature after heating at the outlet of the combustion device 12 is provided. Incidentally, in this specification, hot water is a concept that includes both the heated hot water and the water supply before heating. The connection part between the water supply flow path R1 and the heating flow path R4 is connected to the upstream end of the heated mixed flow path R5, and a second three-way valve S2 capable of adjusting the flow rate ratio of the hot water to the heating flow path R4 and the heated mixed flow path R5 is provided. The downstream end of the heated mixed flow path R5 is connected to the second confluence part G2 on the downstream side of the fourth temperature sensor T4 of the heating flow path R4. A hot water supply flow path R7 connected to the hot water supply utilization location 1 is provided in the second confluence part G2. Near the connection part of the hot water supply flow path R7 to the second confluence part G2, a third temperature sensor T3 for measuring the temperature after heating and mixing is provided. Near the hot water supply utilization location 1 of the hot water supply flow path R7, a second flow rate sensor F2 capable of detecting whether hot water is flowing through the hot water supply flow path R7 is provided. Downstream from the location where the third temperature sensor T3 is installed in the hot water supply channel R7, a hot water filling channel R8 is connected to guide hot water to the bathtub 21. The hot water filling channel R8 is equipped with a first flow sensor F1 capable of detecting whether or not hot water is flowing through it, and a second flow control valve V2 capable of adjusting the flow rate of hot water flowing through the hot water filling channel R8. Incidentally, the second flow control valve V2 is built into the housing (not shown) of the instantaneous water heater. Incidentally, the hot water filling channel R8 is connected to a first pressure pump P1 installed in the reheating channel R9, which will be described later, and the hot water from the hot water filling channel R8 is guided to the bathtub 21 via the reheating channel R9.

[0018] Furthermore, a reheating channel R9 is provided, consisting of a bath supply channel R9a and a bath return channel R9b, which connect the first heat exchanger EX1 of the instantaneous water heater to the bathtub 21, determined by the water flow direction of the first pressure pump P1 built inside the housing of the instantaneous water heater. The reheating channel R9 is equipped with a first flow control valve V1 that opens and closes the bath supply channel R9a, a seventh temperature sensor T7 (an example of a bath return thermometer) that measures the temperature of the hot water flowing from the bathtub 21 into the reheating channel R9, a first pressure pump P1 that pumps hot water through the reheating channel R9, a third flow sensor F3 that detects whether or not hot water is flowing through the reheating channel R9, the first heat exchanger EX1 of the instantaneous water heater, a sixth temperature sensor T6 that measures the temperature of the hot water flowing from the reheating channel R9 to the bathtub 21, and a third three-way valve S3 that can supply hot water from the branch channel R11 to the reheating channel R9.

[0019] In the bathing system 100 according to this embodiment, the bathtub 21 is configured to be heated not only by an instantaneous water heater but also by a heat pump water heater HP during reheating operation and high-efficiency hot water filling operation described later. The heat pump water heater HP comprises a refrigerant circulation path C3 for circulating refrigerant, a compressor HPP for compressing the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circulation path C3, a condenser HEX1 (an example of a water heating section in a heat pump water heater) for heat exchange between the refrigerant compressed by the compressor HPP and the water, an expansion valve HV for expanding the refrigerant condensed in the condenser HEX1, and an evaporator HEX2 for evaporating the refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve HV.

[0020] In the configuration described above, the first flow sensor F1, second flow control valve V2, first flow control valve V1, second three-way valve S2, third three-way valve S3, water supply channel R1, heating channel R4, post-heating mixing channel R5, hot water filling channel R8, first temperature sensor T1, third temperature sensor T3, fourth temperature sensor T4, sixth temperature sensor T6, and an instantaneous water heater or heat pump water heater HP will function as means of supplying hot and cold water. Furthermore, the third flow sensor F3, the first flow control valve V1, the third three-way valve S3, the second circulation pump P2, the first pressure pump P1, the first heat exchanger EX1, the buffer tank BT, the reheating circulation path C2, the reheating path R9, the sixth temperature sensor T6, the seventh temperature sensor T7, and either or both of the instantaneous water heater and the heat pump water heater HP will function as reheating means.

[0021] A control device 50 (an example of an operation control means) equipped with a computer that controls the operation of the bathing system 100 is configured to communicate various information with a manually operated remote control 40 (see Figure 2, hereinafter abbreviated as "remote control 40") that commands the operation. The remote control 40 is installed, for example, in the kitchen or bathroom, and is configured to allow setting of the target hot water temperature, the target hot water temperature in the target hot water filling state, the target reheating temperature in the reheating operation, and to allow requesting operation of various operations by turning on various switches. Furthermore, the control device 50 is configured to communicate various information with the remote control 40 that commands the hot water filling operation of the bathtub 21, etc. Incidentally, in addition to the normal hot water filling operation (hot water filling operation using only the instantaneous water heater described later), the remote control 40 is configured to allow setting of a high-efficiency hot water filling operation, which is an energy-efficient operation using a heat pump water heater HP.

[0022] When the operation switch on the remote control 40 is turned ON, the control device 50 becomes controllable and, when the hot water supply point 1 is opened, it performs a hot water supply operation to supply hot water to the hot water supply point 1. In addition, when the hot water filling switch on the remote control 40 is turned ON and hot water filling is requested, the control device 50 performs a normal hot water filling operation, and when the reheating switch on the remote control 40 is turned ON and reheating is requested, it performs a reheating operation to reheat the water stored in the bathtub 21. The above-described high-efficiency hot water filling operation takes longer from start to finish than a normal hot water filling operation, and when a scheduled heating time is set, the control device 50 performs the high-efficiency hot water filling operation so that the hot water filling is completed by the scheduled heating time. The following describes each operation.

[0023] (Water filling operation) When performing a bath filling operation (bath filling operation using only an instantaneous water heater), the control device 50 stops the heat pump water heater HP and activates the combustion of the instantaneous water heater. In this bath filling operation using only the instantaneous water heater, the hot water is guided to the bathtub 21 via the first pressure pump P1, passing through both the bath supply channel R9a and the bath return channel R9b, which serve as the reheating channel R9. To further explain, in the bath filling operation using only the instantaneous water heater, the control device 50 controls the opening and closing of the second three-way valve S2, the third three-way valve S3, and the first flow control valve V1, and also controls the opening of the second flow control valve V2 to a predetermined degree, so that the post-heating mixed temperature measured by the third temperature sensor T3 becomes the target bath filling temperature set for the bath filling operation. The bath filling operation is performed at a predetermined time set in advance by the remote control 40, or when a bath filling request is made from the remote control 40.

[0024] (High-efficiency hot water filling operation) When performing high-efficiency bath filling operation using a heat pump water heater HP, the control device 50 activates the heat pump water heater HP, stops the combustion of the instantaneous water heater, and switches the third three-way valve S3 to a state in which the branch passage R11 and the side of the bath supply passage R9a connected to the bathtub 21 are in communication. Incidentally, in this high-efficiency bath filling operation using the heat pump water heater HP, the hot water is guided to the bathtub 21 by flowing through the branch passage R11 and a part of the bath supply passage R9a (the flow path portion between the third three-way valve S3 and the bathtub 21).

[0025] Furthermore, the amount of heat obtained by the heat pump water heater HP is considerably less than the amount of heat obtained by the combustion device 12. Therefore, a longer predetermined time is required for the high-efficiency hot water filling operation using the heat obtained from the heat pump water heater HP than for the hot water filling operation using the combustion device 12.

[0026] <Overall Structure> As shown in Figure 2, the bathing system 100 includes a hot and cold water supply unit 30 that supplies hot and cold water from a hot and cold water supply means to the bathtub 21, and a control device 50 (see Figure 1) configured to communicate control information with the remote control 40. The bathroom 20 is equipped with a bathtub 21 and an entry detection sensor 22. The entry detection sensor 22 is used to detect when a person enters the bathroom 20. The control device 50 is incorporated inside, for example, the remote control 40.

[0027] The remote control 40 is installed inside the bathroom 20, or in the living room or kitchen. One or more remote controls 40 are installed. It is also possible to configure the system so that various operations, such as bath reservations, can be performed on the remote control 40 from a mobile terminal 60 via a communication line such as the internet.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the remote control 40 (control device 50) includes a reservation operation unit 41, a notification unit 43, an entry alarm operation unit 45, and an operation control unit 47 (an example of an operation control means). The reservation operation unit 41 is used to set a reservation time and make a bath reservation. The notification unit 43 notifies an entry alarm by at least one of a screen display and sound when the entry detection sensor 22 detects a person. The entry alarm operation unit 45 is used to set the notification and cancellation of the entry alarm by the notification unit 43. By operating the remote control 40, the user can set a reservation for the time when the bathtub 21 will be filled with hot water (heating time) using the reservation operation unit 41.

[0029] The operation control unit 47 operates the hot water supply means to fill the bathtub 21 with hot water so that the bathtub 21 reaches the target hot water level, and also operates the reheating means to reheat the water in the bathtub 21. Furthermore, the operation control unit 47 has a bath reservation function in which, when the bathtub 21 filling completion time is set from the reservation operation unit 41 of the remote control 40, it operates the bathtub filling operation so that the bathtub 21 reaches the target hot water level at the specified time. In addition, the bath reservation function may include not only the execution of the bathtub filling operation but also the execution of the reheating operation. Furthermore, the hot and cold water supply means may consist of supplying hot and cold water to the bathtub 21 by heating water with only an instantaneous water heater, supplying hot and cold water to the bathtub 21 by heating water with both an instantaneous water heater and a heat pump water heater, or supplying hot and cold water to the bathtub 21 by heating water with only a heat pump water heater.

[0030] <Each function below> When making a bath reservation, the user operates the remote control 40 to set whether or not the notification unit 43 should sound an entry alarm when the entry detection sensor 22 detects a person entering the bathroom 20 while the bathtub 21 is being filled with hot water based on the bath reservation. After setting the entry alarm to be sent from the notification unit 43, the entry detection sensor 22 detects a person in the bathroom 20 and sends a detection signal to the notification unit 43. Upon receiving the detection signal, the notification unit 43 issues an entry alarm. The notification unit 43 displays the entry alarm on the screen of the remote control 40 and also notifies the user of the entry alarm with an alarm sound emitted from the notification unit 43.

[0031] A user who is notified of an entry alarm by the screen display on the remote control 40 and the alarm sound emitted from the notification unit 43 can cancel the entry alarm notification from the notification unit 43 by operating the entry alarm operation unit 45 on the remote control 40.

[0032] Furthermore, when the operation control unit 47 detects the completion of the bath reservation (hot water filling operation, reheating operation), it cancels the entry alarm notification by the notification unit 43. The completion of the bath reservation (hot water filling operation, reheating operation) is determined by obtaining information from sensors (not shown) that the hot water filling state due to the bath reservation has reached the target hot water state (target water volume and target water temperature), or that the reservation time (scheduled heating time) set by the reservation operation unit 41 has arrived.

[0033] Furthermore, if communication is possible between the mobile terminal 60 and the remote control 40 installed inside the bathroom 20, or in the living room or kitchen, etc., via a communication line such as the internet, the remote control 40 may transmit information to the mobile terminal 60 that the entry detection sensor 22 has detected a person entering the bathroom 20. In that case, the mobile terminal 60 may be configured to notify the entry alarm by voice or screen display, for example, via a dedicated app. In addition, the user may be able to cancel the entry alarm notification from the mobile terminal 60, for example, via a dedicated app.

[0034] Figure 4 shows a flowchart for reserving a bath using the bathing device 100. Step #1 instructs the user to set the reservation time for the bath reservation and to start the bath reservation. Step #2 asks whether or not to set the entry alarm notification. If the entry alarm notification is set (Step #2, Yes), Step #3 displays a confirmation screen before the bath reservation starts, and after the entry alarm notification is set in Step #4, Step #5 starts the bath reservation. In addition, in Steps #1 to #5 (corresponding to when making a bath reservation from the reservation operation unit 41), the notification unit 43 may notify the user, by at least one of the following means, by screen display and sound, that at least one of the following has been performed: locking the bathroom 20, closing the lid of the bathtub 21, and closing the drain plug of the bathtub 21.

[0035] Subsequently, if the entry detection sensor 22 detects a person in the bathroom in step #6 (step #6, Yes), the notification unit 43 will issue an entry alarm in step #7. If the entry detection sensor 22 does not detect a person in the bathroom 20 in step #6 (step #6, No), the completion of the bath reservation (hot water filling operation, reheating operation) will be confirmed in step #8. If the bath reservation (hot water filling operation, reheating operation) is not completed in step #8 (step #8, No), the process returns to before step #6. If the completion of the bath reservation (hot water filling operation, reheating operation) is confirmed in step #8 (step #8, Yes), the entry alarm will be canceled in step #9, and the bath reservation will also be canceled.

[0036] If no entry alarm is set in step #2 (step #2, No), a confirmation screen will be displayed in step #10 before the bath reservation starts, and the bath reservation will start in step #11. If the bath reservation (hot water filling operation, reheating operation) is not completed in step #12 (step #12, No), the process will return to the step before step #12. If the completion of the bath reservation (hot water filling operation, reheating operation) is confirmed in step #12 (step #12, Yes), the bath reservation will be canceled in step #13.

[0037] The remote control 40 allows users to set bath reservations and perform other operations via its screen. Figures 5-9 show the screen transitions when making a bath reservation using the remote control 40. In the following explanation of the screen transitions, bath reservations are referred to as "furo yoku" (bath reservation). Instead of the remote control 40, a dedicated application may be installed on the mobile terminal 60, and the screen transition diagrams shown in Figures 5 to 9 may be displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal 60.

[0038] <Screen transition diagram for bath reservation> Figure 5 is a diagram showing the transitions of the operation screens displayed on the remote control 40 or mobile terminal 60 when starting a bath reservation. Screen #1001 is the start screen for bath reservations, and pressing "Bath Reservation" on this screen will take you to the bath reservation settings screen #1002.

[0039] On screen #1002, set the water heating time and select "Make bath reservation" to proceed to screen #1003. Note that on screen #1002, selecting "Back" in the upper left corner will return you to screen #1001, the start screen for bath reservations.

[0040] If you select "OK" on screen #1003, you will proceed to screen #1004. Screen #1004 is a screen where you can select whether or not to set an entry alarm (entry notification by the notification unit 43). If you select "Enable" entry alarm on screen #1004, you will proceed to screen #1005 and the bath reservation will be completed. On screen #1005, "Entry alarm has been set." will be displayed, and the bath reservation will be completed with the entry alarm notification set (set state). On the other hand, if you select "Do not enable" entry alarm on screen #1004, you will proceed to screen #1006 and the bath reservation will be completed. On screen #1006, the message "Entry alarm has been set." will not be displayed. In addition, on screens #1005 and #1006, common precautions regarding the bathtub area when executing a bath reservation will be displayed. Precautions include, for example, locking the bathroom 20, closing the lid of the bathtub 21, and closing the drain plug of the bathtub 21. Confirmation of the completion of at least one of these actions is notified by the notification unit 43 through at least one of a screen display and / or sound.

[0041] Figure 6 shows the screen transitions when canceling a bath reservation while the room entry alarm notification is enabled. Selecting "Bath Reservation" on the start screen, screen #1001, moves to screen #1007. Selecting "Do not reserve bath" on screen #1007 moves to screen #1008, where both the bath reservation and the room entry alarm notification are canceled. Note that you can also return to screen #1001 by selecting "Back" in the upper left corner of screen #1007.

[0042] Figure 7 shows the screen transitions when canceling a bath reservation when the bath reservation is active and the entry alarm is not set. Selecting "Reserve Bath" on the start screen, screen #1001, will take you to screen #1009. Selecting "Do not reserve bath" on screen #1009 will take you to screen #1010, where the bath reservation will be canceled. Note that you can also return to screen #1001 by selecting "Back" in the upper left corner of screen #1009.

[0043] Figure 8 is a screen transition diagram showing what happens when a person enters the bathroom 20 while the bathroom is reserved and the entry alarm is set. When the entry detection sensor 22 detects that a person has entered the bathroom 20, it notifies the user that entry into the bathroom 20 has been detected, as shown in screen #1011. If "OK" is selected in the center of screen #1011, the user moves to screen #1012 to confirm whether or not to cancel the (entry) alarm. If "Yes" is selected in screen #1012, the entry alarm set in the entry alarm operation unit 45 is canceled, and the user moves to screen #1013 to notify the user that the (entry) alarm has been canceled. If "No" is selected in screen #1012, the entry alarm is not canceled and the user returns to screen #1011.

[0044] Figure 9 shows the screen displayed on the remote control 40 when the bathtub 21 filling or reheating operation is completed. As shown in screen #1014, it displays that the filling or reheating operation is complete and that the bath reservation and room entry alarm notifications have been canceled. Pressing "OK" displayed in the center of screen #1014 returns you to the start screen, screen #1001.

[0045] <Embodiment 2> In Embodiment 1, the bathing system 100 was configured to include a heat pump water heater HP and a combustion device 12 (part of an instantaneous water heater) that uses gas or oil as fuel. In Embodiment 2, as shown in Figure 10, the bathing system 100 is configured to include a hot water storage tank 2 for storing hot water (an example of thermal storage water) and a combustion device 12 (part of an instantaneous water heater) that uses gas or oil as fuel.

[0046] As shown in Figure 10, the hot water supply unit 30 according to this embodiment includes a hot water storage tank 2 (an example of a heat storage tank) for storing hot water (an example of heat storage water), and is configured to perform a hot water supply operation that supplies the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 2 to the bathtub 21. That is, in the hot water supply unit 30 according to Embodiment 2, heat storage water is a concept included in hot water, and heat storage water is supplied as hot water to the bathtub 21 and to the hot water tap as the hot water usage point 1.

[0047] The hot water storage tank 2 is, for example, a tank that can store hot water inside and has insulating properties, and the hot water inside is configured to form a temperature stratification from high temperature to low temperature from top to bottom.

[0048] Furthermore, the hot water supply unit 30 includes a fuel cell 9 as a heat source that heats the hot water using waste heat, and a circulation path C1 that circulates the hot water between the fuel cell 9 and the hot water storage tank 2. The circulation path C1 has its upstream end connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 2 and its downstream end connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 2. A third circulation pump P3 for pressurizing the hot water in the circulation path C1 is provided upstream of the fuel cell 9, and a radiator M1 capable of dissipating heat from the hot water is provided between the third circulation pump P3 and the fuel cell 9.

[0049] The hot water storage tank 2 is connected to a water supply channel R1 at its lower part, which supplies water into the tank by water supply pressure, and to a discharge channel R2 at its upper part, which discharges the hot water stored in the upper part of the tank by water supply pressure. The discharge channel R2 is equipped with a first on-off valve K1 that opens and closes the discharge channel R2. The water supply channel R1 is equipped with a first temperature sensor T1 that measures the water supply temperature. A pre-heating mixing channel R3 is provided, connecting the water supply channel R1 and the discharge channel R2, and a proportional valve H1 is provided to adjust the flow rate of the water supply flowing through the pre-heating mixing channel R3. A second temperature sensor T2 is provided in the pre-heating mixing channel R3, which is located after the confluence of the discharge channel R2 and the pre-heating mixing channel R3 at the first confluence G1, before heating by the combustion device 12.

[0050] The pre-heating mixing channel R3 is connected to a heating channel R4 that passes hot water to the first heat exchange section 12a of the combustion device 12. The heating channel R4 is equipped with a fourth temperature sensor T4 that detects the temperature after auxiliary heating at the outlet of the combustion device 12. The connection point between the pre-heating mixing channel R3 and the heating channel R4 is connected to the upstream end of the post-heating mixing channel R5, and a second three-way valve S2 is provided that can adjust the flow rate ratio of hot and cold water to the heating channel R4 and the post-heating mixing channel R5. The downstream end of the post-heating mixing channel R5 is connected to the second confluence G2 downstream of the fourth temperature sensor T4 of the heating channel R4. The second junction G2 is provided with a hot water supply channel R7 that is connected to a hot water usage point 1 (an example of a hot water tap). Near the connection point of the hot water supply channel R7 to the second junction G2, a third temperature sensor T3 is provided to measure the mixed temperature after heating. Near the hot water usage point 1 of the hot water supply channel R7, a second flow sensor F2 is provided that can detect whether or not hot water is flowing through the hot water supply channel R7. Downstream from the location where the third temperature sensor T3 is installed in the hot water supply channel R7, a hot water supply channel R8 is connected to guide hot water to the bathtub 21. The hot water supply channel R8 is equipped with a first flow sensor F1 capable of detecting whether or not hot water is flowing through the hot water supply channel R8, and a second on-off valve K2 is provided to open and close the hot water supply channel R8.

[0051] Furthermore, a reheating channel R9 is provided, the upstream end of which is connected to the lower part of the bathtub 21 and the downstream end of which is connected to the upper part of the bathtub 21. The reheating channel R9 is equipped with, in order from the upstream side, a seventh temperature sensor T7 for measuring the temperature of the hot water flowing into the reheating channel R9, a first pressure pump P1 for pressurizing the hot water from the upstream side to the downstream side of the reheating channel R9, a third flow sensor F3 for detecting whether or not hot water is flowing through the reheating channel R9, and a sixth temperature sensor T6 for measuring the temperature of the hot water flowing from the reheating channel R9 into the bathtub 21. Furthermore, a reheating circulation path C2 is provided, which is connected to the second heat exchange section 12b of the combustion device 12. The reheating circulation path C2 is provided with a second circulation pump P2 for circulating hot water through the reheating circulation path C2, and in the direction of hot water pumping by the second circulation pump P2, with the second heat exchange section 12b of the combustion device 12, a third on-off valve K3 for opening and closing the reheating circulation path C2, and a buffer tank BT in the order described above. In addition, a first heat exchanger EX1 is provided that exchanges heat in a counterflow manner between the hot and cold water flowing between the third flow sensor F3 and the sixth temperature sensor T6 in the direction of hot and cold water flow in the reheating passage R9, and between the hot and cold water flowing between the second heat exchange section 12b and the third on-off valve K3 in the direction of hot and cold water flow in the reheating circulation passage C2. In the configuration described above, the first flow sensor F1, proportional valve H1, first on-off valves K1 to second on-off valves K2, second three-way valve S2, water supply channel R1, discharge channel R2, pre-heating mixing channel R3, heating channel R4, post-heating mixing channel R5, hot water filling channel R8, first temperature sensors T1 to fifth temperature sensors T5, and either or both of the combustion device 12 and hot water storage tank 2 will function as means for supplying hot and cold water. Furthermore, the third flow sensor F3, the third on-off valve K3, the second circulation pump P2, the first pressure pump P1, the first heat exchanger EX1, the buffer tank BT, the reheating circulation path C2, the reheating flow path R9, the sixth temperature sensor T6, the seventh temperature sensor T7, and the instantaneous water heater will function as means of reheating.

[0052] When the operation switch on the remote control 40 is turned ON, the control device 50 becomes controllable, and when the hot water tap for hot water usage location 1 is opened, it performs a hot water supply operation to supply hot water to hot water usage location 1. Furthermore, the control device 50 performs a heat storage operation to store heat in the hot water storage tank 2, for example, while the fuel cell 9, which acts as a combined heat and power supply system, is in operation. In addition, when the control device 50 receives a hot water supply start instruction or a bath reservation from the remote control 40, it performs a bath filling operation and a reheating operation to reheat the hot water stored in the bathtub 21. Each operation will be explained below.

[0053] (Heat storage operation) In this heat storage operation, the control device 50 causes the hot water at the bottom of the hot water storage tank 2 to flow through the circulation path C1, heats the hot water using the waste heat from the fuel cell 9, and returns the heated hot water to the top of the hot water storage tank 2. In this heat storage operation, the third circulation pump P3 is driven at a predetermined rotational speed.

[0054] (Water filling operation) In this hot water filling operation, the control device 50 controls the opening and closing of the first on-off valve K1, the proportional valve H1, and the second three-way valve S2, and also opens the second on-off valve K2, so that at least one of the pre-heating mixed temperature measured by the second temperature sensor T2 or the post-heating mixed temperature measured by the third temperature sensor T3 becomes the target hot water filling temperature set for the hot water filling operation, based on the hot water storage temperature detected by the fifth temperature sensor T5.

[0055] The hot water filling operation can be switched between two states: a heating-off state in which the control device 50 opens the first on-off valve K1, sets the proportional valve H1 to a predetermined opening, and opens the second three-way valve S2 to allow hot water to flow only through the heating passage R4, thereby supplying the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 2 to the bathtub 21 without auxiliary heating by the combustion device 12; and a heating-operated state in which the first on-off valve K1 is opened, sets the proportional valve H1 to a predetermined opening, and opens the second three-way valve S2 to allow hot water to flow in both the heating passage R4 and the post-heated mixing passage R5 at a predetermined ratio, thereby supplying the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 2 to the bathtub 21 after auxiliary heating by the combustion device 12. If the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 2 is less than the amount of hot water required for the bathtub 21, the hot water filling operation using the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 2 in the heating-off state will require a longer predetermined time than the hot water filling operation in the heating-operated state.

[0056] [Reheating operation] The reheating operation is performed when a reheating operation is requested via the remote control 40. The control device 50 operates the first pressure pump P1 at a predetermined rotational speed, and when the third flow sensor F3 detects a water flow exceeding a predetermined level in the reheating passage R9, it opens the third on-off valve K3 and operates the second circulation pump P2 at a predetermined rotational speed, while operating the second burner 11b of the combustion device 12 at a predetermined output. This state is maintained until the water temperature measured by the seventh temperature sensor T7 reaches the target reheating temperature (or target reheating temperature + α). Incidentally, the temperature measured by the sixth temperature sensor T6 is set to a temperature that will not cause burns to the user in the bathtub 21 (for example, 48°C) or lower. When the water temperature measured by the seventh temperature sensor T7 reaches the target reheating temperature (or target reheating temperature + α), the control device 50 stops the second burner 11b of the combustion device 12 and closes the third on-off valve K3 to stop the first pressure pump P1 and the second circulation pump P2.

[0057] In an alternative embodiment, the bath system 100 may be configured by removing the heat pump water heater HP (compressor HPP, refrigerant circulation path C3, condenser HEX1, expansion valve HV, evaporator HEX2) from the configuration of Figure 1, and performing the bath filling operation and reheating operation using hot water heated by the combustion device 12. In an alternative embodiment, the bath system 100 may be configured in the same way as Figure 1, but with an electric heater instead of the heat pump water heater HP as a hot water supply means or reheating means. In another embodiment, the bath system 100 may have the configuration of Figure 10 with the fuel cell 9 removed and replaced with a heat pump type water heater HP (compressor HPP, refrigerant circulation path C3, condenser HEX1, expansion valve HV, evaporator HEX2), and the bath filling operation may be performed using hot water heated by the combustion device 12 or the heat pump type water heater HP.

[0058] Furthermore, the configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, provided that no inconsistencies arise. Moreover, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the object of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 22: Entry detection sensor 30: Hot water supply section (hot water supply means) 41: Reservation Operation Section 43: Hochi Department 45:Entry alarm operation section 47: Operation Control Unit 50: Control device (operation control means) 100: Bathing equipment

Claims

1. A bathing apparatus comprising a water heater, a water supply means for supplying hot water to a bathtub, and an operation control means for operating the water supply means to perform a bathtub filling operation so that the bathtub reaches a target state of hot water filling, The aforementioned operation control means has a bath reservation function that performs the hot water filling operation at a specified time, The system comprises: a reservation operation unit for setting a reservation time and making a bath reservation; an entry detection sensor for detecting when a person enters the bathroom; an alert unit for issuing an entry alarm via screen display and / or sound when the entry detection sensor detects a person; and an entry alarm operation unit for setting or canceling the entry alarm alert issued by the alert unit. The operation control means is configured such that when setting the bath reservation from the reservation operation unit, the entry alarm operation unit can set the notification of the entry alarm by the notification unit. A bathing device in which, when setting the bath reservation from the reservation operation unit to the operation control means, the entry alarm operation unit sets the notification of the entry alarm by the notification unit, and if the entry detection sensor detects entry before the notification of the entry alarm is canceled, the notification unit issues the entry alarm, and the notification of the entry alarm is canceled when the bath filling state due to the bath reservation reaches the target bath filling state or when the reservation time set by the reservation operation unit has arrived.

2. The bathing device according to claim 1, wherein when the reservation operation unit makes a bathing reservation to the operation control means, the notification unit notifies the user, by at least one of the following means, that the bathroom has been locked, the bathtub has been closed with the lid, and the drain plug of the bathtub has been closed, by a screen display and / or by sound.

3. The bath apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hot water supply means comprises at least one of a heat pump, an electric heater, and a hot water storage tank.

Images