Bathtub cleaning device

Abstract

To provide a bathtub washing device capable of improving further safety to scattering of hot water even when a bathtub lid is swiftly opened in the execution of bathtub washing operation.SOLUTION: A bathtub washing device 1 includes a control unit 3 which has a bathtub lid 12 closing a top face opening part of a bathtub 11, and executes bathtub washing operation of washing the bathtub 11 by jetting hot water from a washing nozzle 13 disposed in the bathtub 11. The bathtub washing device 1 includes previous lid opening detection means 6 for detecting a state of allowing a user to open the bathtub lid 12 on the bathtub 11. The control unit 3 reduces a jet flow amount of hot water from the washing nozzle 13 from that before the detection when a state of allowing the user to open the bathtub lid 12 on the bathtub 11 is detected by the previous lid opening detection means 6 in the execution of bathtub washing operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bathtub cleaning device that sprays hot and cold water to clean a bathtub. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a technology has been proposed for a bathtub cleaning device that prevents hot water from splashing on a user when the bathtub lid on the bathtub is opened during a bathtub cleaning operation (Patent Document 1). In this bathtub cleaning device, an optical sensor that detects the opening and closing of the bathtub lid is provided on the inner wall of the bathtub, and when the optical sensor detects that the bathtub lid has been opened during a bathtub cleaning operation, the device stops spraying hot water from the cleaning nozzle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-224860 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with conventional bathtub cleaning devices, for example, if the bathtub lid was opened forcefully, the hot water that was being sprayed forcefully from the time the optical sensor detected that the bathtub lid had been opened until the time the spraying of hot water stopped would splash out of the bathtub, and there was a risk that this splashed hot water would splash onto the user.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a bathtub cleaning device that makes it possible to further improve safety against hot and cold water splashing, even if the bathtub lid is opened forcefully while the bathtub cleaning operation is being performed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The bathtub cleaning device according to the present invention is A bathtub cleaning device having a bathtub lid for closing an upper open part of a bathtub, and a control unit for executing a bathtub cleaning operation for spraying hot and cold water from a cleaning nozzle provided on the bathtub to clean the bathtub, A pre-lid opening detection means is provided for detecting a situation in which a user can open a bathtub lid on the bathtub, When the control unit detects through the pre-lid opening detection means that a user may open the bathtub lid on the bathtub during bathtub cleaning operation, it reduces the flow rate of hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle compared to before the detection.

[0007] Here, "a situation in which a user can open the bathtub lid over the bathtub" refers to a situation in which it is assumed that a user can open the bathtub lid, such as when there is someone in the bathroom, when someone has entered the bathroom, when there is someone near the bathtub, when someone approaches the bathtub, or when a person's hand approaches or touches the bathtub lid over the bathtub. In addition, "reducing" the hot water spray flow rate does not have to be a flow rate that will not splash the hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle when the bathtub lid is open, but rather it need only be equal to or lower than the spray flow rate that was weaker than before it was detected that the user was in a situation where they could open the bathtub lid, and also includes stopping the spray of hot water (spray flow rate = 0).

[0008] According to the above configuration, during the bathtub cleaning operation, if it is detected that the user is in a situation where he or she can open the bathtub lid before the bathtub lid is opened, the flow rate of hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle is reduced compared to before the detection (before it is detected that the user is in a situation where he or she can open the bathtub lid). As a result, when the user actually opens the bathtub lid, the flow rate of hot water sprayed has already been reduced, so splashing of hot water outside the bathtub is reliably suppressed. Therefore, for example, even if the bathtub lid is opened forcefully, there is no risk of hot water splashing on the user, improving safety against splashing of hot water during the bathtub cleaning operation.

[0009] In the bathtub cleaning device, The reduced flow rate of hot water sprayed can be set to a flow rate that does not cause hot water to splash outside the bathtub.

[0010] As a result, even if the bathtub lid on the bathtub is actually opened forcefully by the user, hot water does not splash outside the bathtub, so there is no risk of the user being splashed with hot water, and safety against hot water splashing during the bathtub cleaning operation is further improved.

[0011] In the bathtub cleaning device, The pre-lid-opening detection means can have a human detection sensor that detects the presence of a person in the bathroom, and when the human detection sensor detects a person, it can detect that a situation exists in which the user may open the bathtub lid above the bathtub.

[0012] That is, if there is a person in the bathroom while the bathtub cleaning operation is in progress, there is a possibility that the person may open the bathtub lid, so the water spray flow rate is reduced when the person detection sensor detects a person in the bathroom. This reliably reduces the risk of the user being splashed with water even if the user subsequently opens the bathtub lid forcefully, further improving safety against water splashing during the bathtub cleaning operation.

[0013] In the bathtub cleaning device, The pre-lid-opening detection means may have a proximity sensor that detects an object approaching or contacting the bathtub lid on the bathtub, and when the proximity sensor detects an object, it may detect that a situation exists in which the user may be able to open the bathtub lid on the bathtub.

[0014] That is, if a user's hand approaches or touches the bathtub lid on the bathtub during the bathtub cleaning operation, there is a high possibility that the bathtub lid will be opened, so the flow rate of hot and cold water spray is reduced when the proximity sensor detects that an object likely to be the user's hand has approached or touched the bathtub lid on the bathtub. This reliably reduces the risk of hot and cold water splashing on the user even if the user subsequently opens the bathtub lid on the bathtub with force, further improving safety against hot and cold water splashing during the bathtub cleaning operation. In addition, the flow rate of hot and cold water spray is not reduced just because someone is in the bathroom, for example just to change shampoo, so deterioration of cleaning performance due to the bathtub cleaning operation can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a bathtub cleaning device according to embodiment 1. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a cleaning unit. [Diagram 3] 11 is a flowchart for explaining the steps of a bathtub cleaning operation. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the bathtub cleaning device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the bathtub cleaning device according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) As shown in Fig. 1, bathtub cleaning device 1 of embodiment 1 mainly comprises a cleaning unit 2, a control unit (controller) 3, and a human detection sensor (preliminary lid opening detection means) 6. A water heater 4 is connected to bathtub cleaning device 1, and hot water is introduced from the water heater 4. Water heater 4 is a heat source machine that includes a burner and a heat exchanger (not shown) in the main body, and heats water supplied from water supply pipe 41 in the heat exchanger and supplies the water through hot water outlet pipe 42, but the heat source machine connected to bathtub cleaning device 1 is not limited to water heater 4 and may be a storage type hot water heater or the like.

[0017] The top open part of the bathtub 11 is closed by the user placing a bathtub lid 12 on the bathtub 11 during the bathtub cleaning operation. A cleaning nozzle 13 that sprays hot water or cleaning water, and an automatic drain plug 14 that automatically opens and closes to store or drain the bath water in the bathtub 11 are provided on the bottom wall of the bathtub 11. A circulation adapter 15 that serves as a hot water supply port, etc. is provided on the side wall of the bathtub 11. A bath supply pipe 43 and a bath return pipe 44 are connected to the circulation adapter 15 and between the water heater 4, and the bathtub 11 is filled with hot water or bath water is reheated via the bath supply pipe 43 and the bath return pipe 44. An opening and closing drive unit 16 for the automatic drain plug 14 and a detergent tank 17 are provided on the upper flange wall of the bathtub 11.

[0018] In addition, the upper flange wall of the bathtub 11 is provided with a lid opening / closing sensor (lid opening / closing detection means) 7 that detects whether the bathtub lid 12 on the bathtub 11 is open or closed. The lid opening / closing sensor 7 can be, for example, an infrared sensor or a switch such as a microswitch. The bathtub lid 12 is placed on the upper flange wall of the bathtub 11, and the open / closed state of the bathtub lid 12 on the bathtub 11 is detected by the bathtub lid 12 being placed on the upper flange wall of the bathtub 11. The bathtub cleaning device 1 of the present embodiment 1 is equipped with a control configuration that stops the spraying of hot water (including cleaning water) from the cleaning nozzle 13 when the lid opening / closing sensor 7 detects that the bathtub lid 12 has been opened during the bathtub cleaning operation. Note that the lid opening / closing detection means is not limited to the lid opening / closing sensor 7, and may be an object detection sensor (for example, a camera, an infrared sensor, a millimeter wave sensor, etc.) that is installed on the ceiling or wall of the bathroom, the bathroom remote control 9, other parts of the bathroom, or the inner wall of the bathtub 11, and detects the open / closed state of the bathtub lid 12 by the object detection sensor.

[0019] A bathroom heater / dryer 5 is installed on the ceiling of the bathroom to heat, dry or ventilate the bathroom. A human detection sensor 6 is installed on this bathroom heater / dryer 5 to detect whether or not there is a person in the bathroom, so that the operating state for heating, drying, ventilation, etc. can be controlled by detecting the presence or absence of a person in the bathroom using human detection sensor 6.

[0020] In bathtub cleaning device 1 of embodiment 1, human detection sensor 6 provided in bathroom heater / dryer 5 is used as a pre-lid-open detection means, and this human detection sensor 6 is configured to detect when a user is in a situation where he or she can open bathtub lid 12 over bathtub 11. That is, when human detection sensor 6 detects the presence of a person in the bathroom during bathtub cleaning operation, bathtub cleaning device 1 of embodiment 1 is configured to determine that the person, that is, the user, is in a situation where he or she can open bathtub lid 12 over bathtub 11, and to control the spray of hot water (including cleaning water) from cleaning nozzle 13. Human detection sensor 6 can be, for example, a human sensor such as a camera, an infrared sensor, or a millimeter wave sensor.

[0021] In addition, instead of using the human detection sensor 6 provided in the bathroom heater / dryer 5 as the pre-lid opening detection means, a human detection sensor 6 may be provided on the ceiling of the bathroom or the like specifically for the bathtub cleaning device 1.

[0022] Furthermore, the pre-lid-opening detection means is not limited to the human detection sensor 6, and various other sensors can be used. That is, the pre-lid-opening detection means can be various means for detecting situations in which it is assumed that the user can open the bathtub lid 12 over the bathtub 11, such as when there is a person in the bathroom, when a person has entered the bathroom, when there is a person near the bathtub 11, when a person approaches the bathtub 11, when a person's hand approaches or touches the bathtub lid 12 over the bathtub 11, etc.

[0023] For example, a door sensor that detects the opening and closing of door 51 installed at the bathroom entrance between the bathroom and the changing room may be used as a pre-lid opening detection means, and when the door sensor detects the door being open after the bathtub cleaning operation has started (presuming that a person has entered the bathroom), it may detect that a user is in a position to open bathtub lid 12 over bathtub 11.

[0024] Furthermore, the pre-lid-opening detection means may be a means for installing an imaging means such as a camera in the bathroom and performing image recognition of human actions, thereby detecting that the user is in a situation where they can open bathtub lid 12 over bathtub 11 when, for example, a motion of a human hand approaching or touching bathtub lid 12 over bathtub 11 is detected, when a person has moved from the washing area in the bathroom toward bathtub 11, or when a person has entered the bathroom, etc. In addition, when an imaging means is installed to perform image recognition, a recognition function unit may be provided that also performs image recognition of bathtub lid 12 over bathtub 11 to detect that bathtub lid 12 has been opened, thereby constituting the lid opening / closing detection means.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the washing unit 2 has a hot water supply pipe 21 and a detergent pipe 22 arranged in a main body case. A hot water supply inlet pipe 45 drawn from a hot water outlet pipe 42 of the water heater 4 is connected to the upstream end of the hot water supply pipe 21, and hot water is introduced from the water heater 4. A cleaning pipe 23 is connected to the downstream end of the hot water supply pipe 21. A cleaning nozzle 13 is connected to the downstream end of the cleaning pipe 23, and the cleaning nozzle 13 is supplied with hot water or cleaning water obtained by mixing hot water with a detergent. A detergent pipe 24 drawn from a detergent tank 17 is connected to the upstream end of the detergent pipe 22, and the downstream end is connected to the hot water supply pipe 21. A venturi 25 is provided at the junction of the detergent pipe 22 and the hot water supply pipe 21. By opening a detergent valve 36 arranged in the detergent pipe 22, the detergent concentrate in the detergent tank 17 is mixed with the hot water in the hot water supply pipe 21 to become cleaning water and is supplied to the cleaning nozzle 13. In the hot water supply pipe 21, a flow rate adjustment valve 31, a hot water supply valve 33, a check valve 34, and a relief valve 35 are provided in this order from the upstream side. A drain pipe 26 is connected to the relief valve 35. In the hot water supply pipe 21 between the flow rate adjustment valve 31 and the hot water supply valve 33, a flow rate sensor 32 is provided to detect the flow rate of hot water flowing through the hot water supply pipe 21. This flow rate sensor 32 can detect the flow rate of hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 13.

[0026] The cleaning unit 2 opens the hot water supply valve 33 to spray hot water (including cleaning water) from the cleaning nozzle 13. The flow rate of the hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 13 is set by adjusting the opening of the flow rate adjustment valve 31. For example, by fully opening the flow rate adjustment valve 31, the flow rate of the hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 13 is set to a first flow rate, which is the flow rate during normal bathtub cleaning operation, and by setting the opening of the flow rate adjustment valve 31 to, for example, 70% or 50% of the full opening, the flow rate of the hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 13 is set to a second flow rate that is lower than the first flow rate during normal operation. Here, the normal operation refers to the bathtub cleaning operation when the human detection sensor 6 detects that no one is in the bathroom.

[0027] The control unit 3 includes a power supply circuit section that supplies power to the bathtub cleaning device 1, a control function section that controls the operation of the bathtub cleaning device 1, a timer section that measures time, a memory section that stores data and programs, and a communication section that communicates with each section. As shown in Fig. 1, the control unit 3 is connected to the cleaning unit 2, the opening / closing drive section 16 of the automatic drain plug 14, the lid opening / closing sensor 7, the control section (not shown) of the water heater 4, the control section (not shown) of the bathroom heater / dryer 5, etc. via communication lines so that they can communicate with each other, but they may also be connected so that they can communicate wirelessly. The control unit 3 controls the operation of the automatic drain plug 14 and the cleaning unit 2, etc. while receiving detection signals from the human detection sensor 6, the lid opening / closing sensor 7, etc.

[0028] A kitchen remote control 8 and a bathroom remote control 9 for remotely controlling the water heater 4 are connected to the control unit of the water heater 4 via communication lines. The bathroom remote control 9 in the bathroom also has a cleaning function unit for remotely controlling the bathtub cleaning device 1. Therefore, the control unit 3 of the bathtub cleaning device 1 receives an operation signal when a user operates the cleaning switch on the bathroom remote control 9 from the control unit of the water heater 4 via the communication line. Note that the bathtub cleaning device 1 may also be equipped with its own cleaning remote control for remote control, and the control unit 3 may be connected to this cleaning remote control via a communication line to communicate directly with the cleaning remote control.

[0029] Furthermore, the control unit 3 receives a detection signal from the human detection sensor 6 provided in the bathroom heater / dryer 5 from the control unit of the bathroom heater / dryer 5 via a communication line. The control unit 3 of the bathtub cleaning device 1 and the control unit of the bathroom heater / dryer 5 may be configured to be communicatively connected to an external server via an Internet line or the like, and the control unit 3 may receive a detection signal from the human detection sensor 6 provided in the bathroom heater / dryer 5 via the external server. The bathtub cleaning device 1, the water heater 4, and the bathroom heater / dryer 5 may be configured to be communicatively connected to an external server via an Internet line or the like, and the control unit 3 of the bathtub cleaning device 1 may be configured to communicate with the control unit of the water heater 4 and the control unit of the bathroom heater / dryer 5 via the external server. Furthermore, instead of using the human detection sensor 6 provided in the bathroom heater / dryer 5, a pre-lid-open detection means such as the human detection sensor 6 may be provided independently for the bathtub cleaning device 1, and the control unit 3 may be configured to be connected to this pre-lid-open detection means via a communication line and receive the detection signal directly.

[0030] Next, the steps of the bathtub cleaning operation by the bathtub cleaning device 1 will be described. As shown in Fig. 3, the bathtub cleaning operation is performed in the following order: draining process, pre-cleaning process, cleaning process, and rinsing process. When performing the bathtub cleaning operation, the user places bathtub lid 12 on the open top portion of bathtub 11 and closes it.

[0031] When the user operates the cleaning switch on the bathroom remote control 9 and the control unit 3 instructs the start of bathtub cleaning operation, it first opens the automatic drain plug 14 in the bathtub 11, and then performs a drainage process (step SI) to drain the bathtub water in the bathtub 11 after waiting for a specified drainage waiting time to elapse.

[0032] After the drainage process is completed, a preliminary cleaning process (step S-II) is performed in which hot water is introduced from water heater 4 by opening hot water supply valve 33 and sprayed from cleaning nozzle 13 onto the inner wall of bathtub 11 through cleaning pipe 23. After spraying hot water from cleaning nozzle 13 for a predetermined preliminary cleaning time, hot water supply valve 33 is closed to stop spraying hot water from cleaning nozzle 13, and the preliminary cleaning process is completed.

[0033] After the preliminary washing step is completed, a washing step (step S-III) is performed in which hot water supply valve 33 and detergent valve 36 are opened to spray washing water, which is obtained by mixing hot water in hot water supply pipe 21 with undiluted detergent in detergent tank 17, from washing nozzle 13 through washing pipe 23 onto the inner wall of bathtub 11. After washing water is sprayed from washing nozzle 13 for a predetermined washing time, hot water supply valve 33 and detergent valve 36 are closed to stop spraying of washing water and end the washing step. Note that the washing step may be performed multiple times, with one cycle consisting of a spraying operation of spraying washing water and a standby operation of waiting for a predetermined time to elapse after spraying has stopped.

[0034] After the cleaning process is completed, the rinsing process (step S-IV) is performed in which hot water is introduced from the water heater 4 by opening the hot water supply valve 33 and sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 13 onto the inner wall of the bathtub 11 through the cleaning pipe 23. After spraying hot water from the cleaning nozzle 13 for a specified rinsing time, the hot water supply valve 33 is closed to stop spraying hot water from the cleaning nozzle 13 and end the rinsing process. The end of the rinsing process marks the end of the bathtub cleaning operation.

[0035] Next, an operation for controlling the spraying of hot and cold water when the user tries to open bathtub lid 12 while the bathtub cleaning operation is in progress will be described. Note that the operation example described below is an example of the preliminary cleaning process, but the same control process is also performed in other processes (e.g., the cleaning process and rinsing process) that include the operation of spraying hot and cold water from cleaning nozzle 13.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, when the bathtub cleaning operation is started and the preliminary cleaning process is started, in step S1, the control unit 3 checks whether or not the bathtub lid 12 is closed on the bathtub 11 based on the detection result of the lid opening / closing sensor 7. If it is detected that the bathtub lid 12 is closed, in step S2, the control unit 3 controls the hot water pouring valve 33 to open. When the hot water pouring valve 33 is opened, hot water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 13.

[0037] In the first embodiment, during the preliminary cleaning process, the human detection sensor 6 constantly monitors whether or not there is a person in the bathroom. Therefore, in step S3, the control unit 3 checks whether or not there is a person in the bathroom based on the detection result of the human detection sensor 6 following the opening operation of the hot water supply valve 33. If the human detection sensor 6 detects that there is no person in the bathroom, it determines that the user is not in a situation to open the bathtub lid 12 over the bathtub 11. In this case, in step S4, the control unit 3 controls the opening of the flow rate adjustment valve 31 to be fully open, and sets the spray flow rate of hot and cold water from the cleaning nozzle 13 to the first flow rate during normal operation.

[0038] On the other hand, if the human detection sensor 6 detects that a person is in the bathroom, it determines that the user is in a situation where he or she can open the bathtub lid 12 over the bathtub 11. In this case, in step S5, the control unit 3 controls the flow rate adjustment valve 31 to narrow the opening, and sets the hot water spray flow rate from the cleaning nozzle 13 to a second flow rate that is lower than the first flow rate during normal operation. As a result, when the bathtub lid 12 over the bathtub 11 is actually opened by a user in the bathroom thereafter, the hot water spray flow rate has already been reduced to the second flow rate. Therefore, for example, even if the bathtub lid 12 is opened forcefully, there is no risk of hot water being splashed on the user, and safety against hot water splashing during the bathtub cleaning operation is further improved.

[0039] Here, the second flow rate is a flow rate that is lower than the first flow rate, and may be a flow rate at which hot and cold water sprayed from cleaning nozzle 13 does not splash outside bathtub 11 when bathtub lid 12 is opened, or a flow rate at which hot and cold water sprayed from cleaning nozzle 13 splashes a little outside bathtub 11 when bathtub lid 12 is opened. For example, if hot and cold water does not splash outside bathtub 11 at a flow rate that is 50% of the first flow rate, the second flow rate may be a flow rate that is 50% or less of the first flow rate, or may be a flow rate that is about 70% or less of the first flow rate. The reason why the second flow rate may be a flow rate at which hot and cold water sprayed from cleaning nozzle 13 splashes a little outside bathtub 11 when bathtub lid 12 is opened, as long as it is a flow rate that is lower than the first flow rate, is as follows. That is, at the stage when the user is in the bathroom and is ready to open bathtub lid 12 over bathtub 11, bathtub lid 12 is closed, so there is no need to worry about the user getting splashed with hot water even if the second flow rate of hot water sprayed from cleaning nozzle 13 splashes a little outside bathtub 11, and if the second flow rate is reduced to a weaker spray to avoid a strong spray like the first flow rate at the above stage, the spray of hot water can be stopped when bathtub lid 12 is actually opened, quickly preventing hot water from splashing outside bathtub 11, and as a result, the user will not get splashed with hot water even if they open bathtub lid 12 forcefully. Furthermore, by reducing the second flow rate by a relatively small percentage from the first flow rate during normal operation, the deterioration of cleaning performance due to bathtub cleaning operation can be suppressed.

[0040] In the first embodiment, during the preliminary cleaning process, the lid opening / closing sensor 7 constantly detects whether the bathtub lid 12 is closed. Therefore, if the lid opening / closing sensor 7 detects that the bathtub lid 12 is open in step S6, the control unit 3 controls the hot water supply valve 33 to close in step S7 to stop the spraying of hot water from the cleaning nozzle 13. This prevents the hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 13 from splashing outside the bathtub 11 when the bathtub lid 12 is opened. That is, since the hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 13 has already been reduced to the second flow rate, for example, even if the bathtub lid 12 is opened forcefully by a user, the hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 13 is suppressed or prevented from splashing outside the bathtub 11. Therefore, the user who opened the bathtub lid 12 is prevented from being splashed with hot water forcefully, and safety against the splashing of hot water during the bathtub cleaning operation is further improved.

[0041] After this, the process proceeds to step S1, and when the lid opening / closing sensor 7 detects that the bathtub lid 12 has been closed, in step S2, the control unit 3 controls the hot water inlet valve 33 to open, resuming the spraying of hot water from the cleaning nozzle 13, and continuing the preliminary cleaning process.

[0042] On the other hand, if the cover opening / closing sensor 7 detects that the bathtub cover 12 is closed in step S6, the control unit 3 counts only the spray time at the first flow rate in step S8 and judges whether the total spray time at the first flow rate has reached the pre-wash time. If the total spray time at the first flow rate has not reached the pre-wash time, the process returns to step S3 to continue the pre-wash process. If the total spray time at the first flow rate has reached the pre-wash time, the control unit 3 controls the hot water supply valve 33 to close in step S9 to stop spraying hot water. This ends the pre-wash process. By counting only the spray time at the first flow rate in judging the elapse of the pre-wash time by the process of step S8, it is possible to reliably prevent a decrease in the cleaning ability. Note that the pre-wash time can be set arbitrarily, so in step S8, the elapse of the pre-wash time may be judged by the total total spray time at the first and second flow rates, including the spray time at the second flow rate.

[0043] As described above, according to the bathtub cleaning device 1 of the first embodiment, when the bathtub cleaning operation is being performed, if it is detected that the bathtub lid 12 on the bathtub 11 is in a state in which the user can open the bathtub lid 12 on the bathtub 11 before the bathtub lid 12 is opened, the flow rate of hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 13 is set to a second flow rate that is lower than the first flow rate before the detection. Therefore, when the bathtub lid 12 on the bathtub 11 is actually opened by the user thereafter, the flow rate of hot water sprayed has already been reduced from the first flow rate to the second flow rate, so that splashing of hot water outside the bathtub 11 is reliably suppressed. Therefore, for example, even if the bathtub lid 12 is opened forcefully, there is no risk of hot water splashing on the user, so safety against splashing of hot water during the bathtub cleaning operation is further improved. In addition, when it is detected that there is a person in the bathroom, the spraying of hot water from the cleaning nozzle 13 is not stopped, so that the deterioration of cleaning performance due to the bathtub cleaning operation can be suppressed.

[0044] (Embodiment 2) Bathtub cleaning device 1 of embodiment 2 does not have a lid opening / closing sensor (lid opening / closing detection means) 7, and other configurations are similar to those of embodiment 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2. Bathtub cleaning device 1 of embodiment 2 also takes safety measures against splashing of hot water when bathtub lid 12 is opened by the user while the bathtub cleaning operation is being performed.

[0045] Next, in embodiment 2, an operation for controlling the spraying of hot and cold water when the bathtub lid 12 is about to be opened by the user while the bathtub cleaning operation is being performed will be described. The operation example described below is an operation example in the preliminary cleaning process, as in the explanation of embodiment 1, but the same control processing is also performed in other processes (e.g., the cleaning process, the rinsing process) that include the operation of spraying hot and cold water from the cleaning nozzle 13.

[0046] 5, when the bathtub cleaning operation is started and the preliminary cleaning process is started, in step S11, the control unit 3 controls the hot water supply valve 33 to open. When the hot water supply valve 33 is opened, hot water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 13.

[0047] Next, in step S12, if the detection result of the human detection sensor 6 indicates that no one is in the bathroom, in step S13, the control unit 3 controls the flow control valve 31 to be fully open, and sets the spray flow rate of hot and cold water from the cleaning nozzle 13 to the first flow rate during normal operation.

[0048] On the other hand, if the human detection sensor 6 detects the presence of a person in the bathroom in step S12, it is determined that the user, who is a person, is in a situation where he or she can open the bathtub lid 12 on the bathtub 11, and in step S14, the control unit 3 controls the flow rate adjustment valve 31 to narrow the opening degree, and sets the hot and cold water spray flow rate from the cleaning nozzle 13 to a second flow rate that is lower than the first flow rate during normal operation. Here, the second flow rate in the second embodiment is set to a flow rate that is lower than the flow rate at which the hot and cold water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 13 does not splash outside the bathtub 11 when the bathtub lid 12 is opened. For example, if the hot and cold water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 13 does not splash outside the bathtub 11 when the bathtub lid 12 is opened at a flow rate that is 50% of the first flow rate, the second flow rate is set to a flow rate that is 50% or less of the first flow rate. As a result, even if the bathtub lid 12 is actually opened by the user after that, the hot and cold water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 13 will not splash outside the bathtub 11 because the spray flow rate of the hot and cold water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 13 has already been reduced to the second flow rate that is lower than the flow rate at which the hot and cold water does not splash outside the bathtub 11. Therefore, a user who opens the bathtub lid 12 is prevented from getting wet, and safety against splashing of hot water during the bathtub cleaning operation is further improved.

[0049] Then, in step S15, the spray time at the first flow rate and the spray time at the second flow rate are counted, and if the total spray time at the first flow rate and the second flow rate has not reached the preliminary cleaning time, the process returns to step S12 to continue the preliminary cleaning process. In this case, if the human detection sensor 6 detects that there is no person in the bathroom in step S12, it is assumed that the person in the bathroom has left the bathroom, and in step S13, the control unit 3 returns the flow rate adjustment valve 31 to full open and sets the spray flow rate of hot and cold water from the cleaning nozzle 13 to the first flow rate. Here, when the bathtub cleaning operation is performed, it is assumed that the bathtub 11 is closed with the bathtub lid 12. Therefore, even if a person who entered the bathroom opens the bathtub lid 12 from above the bathtub 11 during the bathtub cleaning operation, it is considered that the person leaves the bathroom with the bathtub lid 12 closed on the bathtub 11. Therefore, if the human detection sensor 6 detects that there is a person in the bathroom and then detects that there is no one left in the bathroom, it is assumed that the bathtub 11 is closed by the bathtub lid 12, so even if the flow rate of hot and cold water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 13 is returned to the first flow rate, the hot and cold water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 13 will not splash outside the bathtub 11 as long as the bathtub lid 12 is closed.

[0050] If the total spray time at the first flow rate and the second flow rate reaches the pre-wash time in step S15, the hot water supply valve 33 is controlled to close in step S16 to stop spraying of hot and cold water and end the pre-wash process. Note that the determination of the elapsed pre-wash time in step S15 may be made by a control configuration in which only the spray time at the first flow rate is counted.

[0051] As described above, according to the bathtub cleaning device 1 of the second embodiment, when the bathtub cleaning operation is being performed, if it is detected that the bathtub lid 12 on the bathtub 11 is in a state where the user can open the bathtub lid 12 on the bathtub 11 before the bathtub lid 12 is opened, the flow rate of hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 13 is reduced from the first flow rate to the second flow rate, which is equal to or lower than the flow rate at which hot water does not splash outside the bathtub 11. Therefore, when the bathtub lid 12 on the bathtub 11 is actually opened by the user thereafter, the spray of hot water has already been reduced to the second flow rate, which is the spray rate at which hot water does not splash outside the bathtub 11, so splashing of hot water outside the bathtub 11 is reliably suppressed. Therefore, for example, even if the bathtub lid 12 is opened forcefully, there is no risk of hot water splashing on the user, and safety against splashing of hot water during the bathtub cleaning operation is further improved. In addition, when it is detected that there is a person in the bathroom, the spray of hot water from the cleaning nozzle 13 is not stopped (the second flow rate ≠ 0), so the deterioration of cleaning performance due to the bathtub cleaning operation can be suppressed.

[0052] In the second embodiment, if it is detected that a person is in the bathroom and that the user is in a situation where he or she can open the bathtub lid 12 on the bathtub 11, the hot water spray flow rate may be set to 0 (zero) as the second flow rate. That is, the control unit 3 closes the hot water supply valve 33 to stop the spray of hot water from the cleaning nozzle 13. As a result, even if the user actually opens the bathtub lid 12 on the bathtub 11 forcefully after that, the spray of hot water has already been stopped, so that the user who opened the bathtub lid 12 is prevented from being splashed with hot water, and safety during the bathtub cleaning operation is further improved. In the case of this control configuration, the cleaning unit 2 may be configured not to have a flow rate adjustment valve 31 for adjusting the spray flow rate sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 13. In addition, the determination of the lapse of the preliminary cleaning time in step 15 is configured to count only the spray time at the first flow rate.

[0053] (Modification) In the first and second embodiments, the human detection sensor 6 is used as the pre-lid opening detection means, but a proximity sensor that detects the approach or contact of an object may be used instead of the human detection sensor 6. In this case, for example, a proximity sensor (pre-lid opening detection means) is provided on the upper flange wall of the bathtub 11 or the bathtub lid 12, etc., and when this proximity sensor detects that an object that is likely to be a human hand or the like approaches or touches the bathtub lid 12 on the bathtub 11, it detects that the user is in a situation where he or she can open the bathtub lid 12 on the bathtub 11. That is, if the user's hand approaches or touches the bathtub lid 12 on the bathtub 11 during the bathtub cleaning operation, there is a high possibility that the bathtub lid 12 will be opened, so the spray flow rate of hot water is reduced from the first flow rate to the second flow rate at the point when the proximity sensor detects that the object that is likely to be the user's hand approaches or touches the bathtub lid 12 on the bathtub 11. This reliably reduces the risk of hot water splashing on the user even if the user then opens the bathtub lid 12 on the bathtub 11 forcefully, and further improves safety against the splashing of hot water during the bathtub cleaning operation. In addition, such a proximity sensor, i.e., a pre-lid opening detection means that detects that a user is in a position to open the bathtub lid 12 on the bathtub 11 when it detects approach to or contact with the bathtub lid 12, prevents the hot and cold water spray flow rate from being reduced to the second flow rate just because someone is in the bathroom, for example just to change shampoo, thereby suppressing a decrease in cleaning performance due to the bathtub cleaning operation.

[0054] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, a plurality of sensors such as the cover opening / closing means and the cover pre-opening detection means may be provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1 Bathtub cleaning device 2 Cleaning unit 3. Control Unit 4. Water heater (heat source unit) 5 Bathroom heater / dryer 6. Person detection sensor (pre-lid opening detection means) 7 Lid opening / closing sensor (lid opening / closing detection means) 8 Kitchen remote control 9 Bathroom remote control 11 Bathtub 12 Bathtub cover 13 Cleaning nozzle 14 Automatic drain valve 15 Circulation Adapter 16 Opening and closing drive unit 17 Detergent tank 21 Hot water piping 22 Detergent piping 23 Cleaning pipe 24 Detergent Tube 25 Venturi 26 Drain pipe 31 Flow control valve 32 Flow Sensor 33 Hot water valve 34 Check valve 35 Relief valve 36 Detergent valve 41 Water supply pipe 42 Outlet pipe 43 Bathtub pipe 44 Bath return pipe 45 Hot water supply pipe 51 Door

Claims

1. A bathtub cleaning device having a bathtub lid that closes an upper open part of a bathtub, and a control unit that executes a bathtub cleaning operation in which hot and cold water is sprayed from a cleaning nozzle provided on the bathtub to clean the bathtub, The bathtub lid is provided with a pre-opening detection means for detecting whether a user is in a position to open the bathtub lid on the bathtub, and a lid opening / closing detection means for detecting whether the bathtub lid on the bathtub is open or closed, the control unit is configured to, when detecting by the pre-lid-open detection means that a user is in a position to open the bathtub lid on the bathtub during a bathtub cleaning operation, spray hot and cold water at a lower flow rate from the cleaning nozzle than before the detection, and to stop spraying hot and cold water from the cleaning nozzle when detecting by the lid opening / closing detection means that the bathtub lid has been opened; In this bathtub cleaning device, the jet flow rate of hot water after the reduction is set to be greater than a flow rate at which hot water does not splash outside the bathtub.

2. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 1, The pre-lid opening detection means has a human detection sensor that detects the presence of a person in the bathroom, and when the human detection sensor detects a person, it detects that the user is in a situation where they can open the bathtub lid on the bathtub.

3. A bathtub cleaning device having a bathtub lid for closing an upper open portion of a bathtub, and a control unit for executing a bathtub cleaning operation in which hot and cold water is sprayed from a cleaning nozzle provided on the bathtub to clean the bathtub, A pre-lid opening detection means is provided for detecting a situation in which a user can open a bathtub lid on the bathtub, the control unit is configured to, when detecting by the pre-lid-open detection means that a user may open the bathtub lid on the bathtub during a bathtub cleaning operation, reduce the amount of hot and cold water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle compared to before the detection; The pre-lid opening detection means has a proximity sensor that detects an object approaching or contacting the bathtub lid on the bathtub, and when the proximity sensor detects an object, it detects that a situation exists in which the user may open the bathtub lid on the bathtub.

4. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 3, The bathtub cleaning device has a water jetting flow rate after the reduction that is equal to or lower than a flow rate at which water does not splash outside the bathtub.

Images