Automatic Water-Filling System in Case of Disaster

Abstract

To provide an automatic water filling system during a disaster capable of filling a suitable amount of water corresponding to the magnitude of a disaster predicted before a water failure occurs in a bathtub.SOLUTION: An automatic water filling system during a disaster includes a water pouring part W for filling water in a bathtub 1, a disaster related information acquisition part J for acquiring a disaster related information related to an advance notice of a disaster, a water pouring amount discrimination part B1 for discriminating a target amount of water pouring for pouring water in the bathtub 1 according to a danger level of the disaster related information acquired by the disaster related information acquisition part J, and a control part C for executing water filling processing for a disaster for filling the target amount of water in the bathtub 1 by the water pouring part W.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic water filling system during disasters that fills a bathtub with water to ensure domestic water supply in preparation for disasters where water supply is cut off.

Background Art

[0002] When disasters such as earthquakes, meteorological disasters such as heavy rain, floods, and landslides occur, it is assumed that the water supply will be cut off. Even when the water supply is cut off, it is necessary to ensure domestic water used for toilets, washing faces, etc. An automatic water filling system during disasters that fills a bathtub with water to ensure domestic water supply when a disaster occurs has been proposed.

[0003] As a conventional example of such an automatic water filling system during disasters, a hot water heater-equipped bathtub that functions as a water injection unit for filling the bathtub is provided with a seismic sensor that detects the occurrence of an earthquake. When the occurrence of an earthquake is detected, the hot water heater-equipped bathtub fills the bathtub (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] As another conventional example of an automatic water filling system during disasters, a bath hot water supply device that functions as a water injection unit for filling the bathtub is provided with a remote control with a TV function that remotely operates the bath hot water supply device and enables viewing of TV broadcasts. When the remote control with a TV function receives an emergency warning broadcast from a broadcasting station, it operates the bath hot water supply device to fill the bathtub (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In Patent Document 1, since the water level in the bathtub is raised (water is filled) when the earthquake sensor detects the occurrence of an earthquake, there is a problem that water supply is cut off or power is interrupted during the process of raising the water level in the bathtub, making it impossible to perform the predetermined water filling.

[0007] In Patent Document 2, since the water level in the bathtub is raised based on an emergency warning broadcast transmitted from a broadcasting station by a remote control with a TV function, there is a problem that the water level in the bathtub cannot be raised (water cannot be filled) when a remote control with a TV function is not equipped.

[0008] By the way, in preparation for the occurrence of a disaster, it is conceivable to always keep the bathtub filled with water even when not taking a bath. However, in this case, for example, in a household with young children, there is a risk of accidents such as children drowning in the bathtub. Therefore, from the perspective of preventing accidents, it has been cautioned not to fill the bathtub with water without reason.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a disaster-time automatic water filling system capable of filling the bathtub with an appropriate amount of water according to the magnitude of a disaster predicted before the occurrence of water supply interruption.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The characteristic configuration of the disaster-time automatic water filling system of the present invention includes a water filling unit for filling the bathtub with water, a disaster-related information acquisition unit for acquiring disaster-related information related to a disaster warning, a water filling amount determination unit for determining a target water filling amount for filling the bathtub according to the risk level of the disaster-related information acquired by the disaster-related information acquisition unit, and a control unit for executing a disaster water filling process for filling the target water filling amount into the bathtub by the water filling unit.

[0011] That is, when the disaster-related information acquisition unit acquires disaster-related information related to a disaster warning, the water injection amount determination unit determines the target water injection amount for filling the bathtub according to the danger level of the disaster-related information, and the control unit executes a disaster water filling process of filling the bathtub with the target water injection amount at the water injection unit, and domestic water will be stored in the bathtub.

[0012] The disaster-related information related to a disaster warning is information that can be acquired in advance before a disaster occurs. Specifically, for example, evacuation information issued by a municipality based on the "Guidelines on Evacuation Information" of the Cabinet Office or emergency earthquake early warnings issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency can be used.

[0013] The danger level of the disaster-related information can be defined as a level corresponding to the magnitude of the probability of water supply interruption when a disaster occurs. For example, when an earthquake occurs, it is predicted that shaking will occur in the area where the house equipped with a bathtub exists, and the greater the magnitude of the earthquake (seismic intensity, magnitude), the higher the danger level.

[0014] By determining that the higher the danger level of the disaster-related information, the larger the target water injection amount for filling the bathtub, it is possible to appropriately secure domestic water even if the period of water supply interruption becomes longer as the danger level increases.

[0015] Moreover, since the target water injection amount is determined according to the danger level of the disaster-related information, accidents caused by filling the bathtub can be prevented as much as possible. That is, for example, if disaster-related information is acquired and the bathtub is simply filled to a full state, accidents caused by filling the bathtub are likely to occur. However, by changing the target water injection amount for filling the bathtub according to the danger level of the disaster-related information, it is possible to perform an appropriate amount of water filling that can prevent accidents caused by filling the bathtub as much as possible.

[0016] In short, according to the characteristic configuration of the automatic water filling system during disasters of the present invention, an appropriate amount of water corresponding to the magnitude of the disaster can be filled into the bathtub before the water supply interruption occurs.

[0017] A further characteristic configuration of the automatic water filling system in case of disaster of the present invention is that the bathtub is provided with an automatic drain plug, and when the control unit executes the disaster water filling process, it executes a closing operation process of closing the automatic drain plug.

[0018] That is, since the control unit executes the closing operation process of closing the automatic drain plug when executing the disaster water filling process, even if the automatic drain plug is in an open state, when executing the disaster water filling process, the automatic drain plug can be set to a closed state.

[0019] In short, according to the further characteristic configuration of the automatic water filling system in case of disaster of the present invention, by executing the disaster water filling process, it is possible to appropriately store domestic water in the bathtub while avoiding the waste that the water injected into the bathtub is drained from the drain hole of the bathtub without being stored.

[0020] A further characteristic configuration of the automatic water filling system in case of disaster of the present invention is that the water injection amount determination unit changes the target water injection amount along with the change of the danger level of the disaster-related information, and when the control unit is executing the disaster water filling process, when the target water injection amount is changed by the water injection amount determination unit, the control unit fills the bathtub with the changed target water injection amount.

[0021] That is, when the control unit is executing the disaster water filling process, when the target water injection amount is changed by the water injection amount determination unit, the control unit fills the bathtub with the changed target water injection amount. That is, when executing the disaster water filling process, even if the target water injection amount decreases or increases, the changed target water injection amount can be filled into the bathtub.

[0022] Therefore, when executing the disaster water filling process, even if the target water injection amount is changed by the water injection amount determination unit, it is possible to fill (inject) the bathtub with the target water injection amount according to the danger level of the latest disaster-related information.

[0023] In short, according to a further characteristic configuration of the automatic water filling system during disasters of the present invention, the bathtub can be filled with water to a target water filling amount according to the danger level of the latest disaster-related information.

[0024] A further characteristic configuration of the automatic water filling system during disasters of the present invention is that when the control unit is executing the disaster water filling process, if the target water filling amount changed by the water filling amount determination unit is less than the already filled water amount that has already been filled, the disaster water filling process is stopped, and a correction drainage process is executed to open the automatic drain plug to drain water from the bathtub so that the already filled water amount becomes the changed target water filling amount.

[0025] That is, when the disaster water filling process is being executed, if the target water filling amount changed by the water filling amount determination unit is less than the already filled water amount that has already been filled, the control unit stops the disaster water filling process, and in addition, executes a correction drainage process to open the automatic drain plug to drain water from the bathtub so that the already filled water amount becomes the changed target water filling amount.

[0026] Therefore, even when the target water filling amount changed by the water filling amount determination unit is less than the already filled water amount that has already been filled during the execution of the disaster water filling process, the changed target water filling amount can be appropriately filled into the bathtub.

[0027] In short, according to the characteristic configuration of the automatic water filling system during disasters of the present invention, the changed target water filling amount can be appropriately filled into the bathtub.

[0028] A further characteristic configuration of the automatic water filling system during disasters of the present invention is that the water filling amount determination unit changes the target water filling amount along with the change in the danger level of the disaster-related information. When the control unit changes the target water filling amount by the water filling amount determination unit after the execution of the disaster water filling process, if the changed target water filling amount is more than the target water filling amount before the change, an additional water filling process is executed to fill the bathtub to the changed target water filling amount.

[0029] That is, after the execution of the disaster water filling process, when the changed target water filling amount changed by the water filling amount discrimination unit is larger than the target water filling amount before the change, an additional water filling process is executed to fill the bathtub with water so as to reach the changed target water filling amount.

[0030] Therefore, after the execution of the disaster water filling process, even if the changed target water filling amount changed by the water filling amount discrimination unit is larger than the target water filling amount before the change, the changed target water filling amount can be filled into the bathtub, so that the changed target water filling amount can be appropriately filled into the bathtub.

[0031] In short, according to the characteristic configuration of the automatic water filling system during disasters of the present invention, even if the target water filling amount is changed to the increasing side after the execution of the disaster water filling process, the changed target water filling amount can be appropriately filled into the bathtub.

[0032] A further characteristic configuration of the automatic water filling system during disasters of the present invention is that when the control unit changes the target water filling amount by the water filling amount discrimination unit after the execution of the disaster water filling process, if the changed target water filling amount is less than the target water filling amount before the change, a water filling amount adjustment drainage process is executed to open the automatic drain plug to drain water from the bathtub so as to reach the changed target water filling amount.

[0033] That is, after the execution of the disaster water filling process, when the changed target water filling amount changed by the water filling amount discrimination unit is less than the target water filling amount before the change, a water filling amount adjustment drainage process is executed to open the automatic drain plug to drain water from the bathtub so as to reach the changed target water filling amount.

[0034] Therefore, after the execution of the disaster water filling process, even if the changed target water filling amount changed by the water filling amount discrimination unit is less than the target water filling amount before the change, the changed target water filling amount can be filled into the bathtub, so that the changed target water filling amount can be appropriately filled into the bathtub.

[0035] In short, according to the characteristic configuration of the automatic water filling system in case of disaster of the present invention, even if the target water filling amount is changed to the decreasing side after the execution of the disaster water filling process, the changed target water filling amount can be appropriately filled into the bathtub.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0036]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0037] 〔Embodiment〕 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0038] (Overall Configuration of the Automatic Water Filling System in Case of Disaster) As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic water filling system in case of disaster includes a bathtub 1 inside a bathroom Y in a house such as a general residence, a heat source machine G installed outside the house, and an operation control unit C (an example of a control unit) that controls the operation of the heat source machine G and the like. Incidentally, the heat source machine G is provided with a water injection unit W for filling water into the bathtub 1, and the details will be described later. In addition, a gas meter M that supplies fuel gas to gas-consuming equipment such as the heat source machine G is installed outside the house.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as a remote control R for issuing various control commands to the operation control unit C, a main remote control R1 and a bathroom remote control R2 are provided. That is, the operation control unit C is connected to the main control unit B1 of the main remote control R1 and the bathroom control unit B2 of the bathroom remote control R2 so that various information can be communicated. Note that the main remote control R1 is provided on a wall surface near the kitchen, etc., and the bathroom remote control R2 is provided on a wall surface near the bathtub 1 inside the bathroom Y.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, an automatic drain plug V for draining the bathtub water of the bathtub 1 is provided at the bottom of the bathtub 1. This automatic drain plug V includes a plug body 45 for opening and closing the drain hole 1a of the bathtub 1, an electric opening and closing drive unit 46 for opening and closing the plug body 45, a drain plug control unit 47 for operating the opening and closing drive unit 46 based on an opening and closing command from the operation control unit C, and an opening and closing detection sensor 48 for detecting the opening and closing position of the plug body 45 in order to detect the opening and closing state of the automatic drain plug V. Incidentally, the opening and closing detection sensor 48 is configured as, for example, a magnetic sensor that detects the vertical position of a magnetic part provided on the plug body 45, and the opening and closing drive unit 46 is configured in a form including, for example, an electric motor for raising and lowering the plug body.

[0041] And when the operation control unit C executes the disaster water filling process described later, it is configured to execute a closing operation process for closing the automatic drain plug V. That is, when the operation control unit C executes the disaster water filling process, it checks the detection state of the opening and closing detection sensor 48 with respect to the drain plug control unit 47, and when the automatic drain plug V is not detected in the closed state, it commands the drain plug control unit 47 to close the automatic drain plug V, executes a closing operation process for closing the automatic drain plug V, and further checks the detection state of the opening and closing detection sensor 48 with respect to the drain plug control unit 47. Incidentally, valve operation switches for commanding the opening and closing of the automatic drain plug V are provided on the bathroom remote control R2 and the main remote control R1, and the operation control unit C is configured to control the opening and closing of the automatic drain plug V based on an open command or a close command of the valve operation switch during normal times.

[0042] (Regarding disaster-related information) As shown in FIG. 2, the main remote controller R1 is provided with a remote controller communication unit J (an example of a disaster-related information acquisition unit) connected to a router U (WiFi router), and the router U is communicably connected to a management server F via the Internet N (an example of a network).

[0043] The management server F receives information from a disaster-related information transmission server E that transmits disaster-related information related to disaster warnings, and communicates the disaster-related information to the remote controller communication unit J (an example of a disaster-related information acquisition unit). Specifically, the management server F receives evacuation information issued from a municipality server E1 operated by a municipality and an emergency earthquake quick report transmitted from a Meteorological Agency server E2 operated by the Meteorological Agency as disaster-related information related to disaster warnings, and communicates it to the remote controller communication unit J (an example of a disaster-related information acquisition unit). That is, when evacuation information is issued from the municipality server E1, the management server F immediately transmits the evacuation information to the remote controller communication unit J, and when an emergency earthquake quick report is transmitted from the Meteorological Agency server E2, the management server F immediately transmits the emergency earthquake quick report to the remote controller communication unit J.

[0044] When the main control unit B1 (an example of a water injection amount determination unit) receives (acquires) disaster-related information (evacuation information, emergency earthquake quick report) at the remote controller communication unit J, it is configured to determine the target water injection amount for filling the bathtub 1 according to the danger level of the disaster-related information. That is, when the main control unit B1 receives (acquires) disaster-related information (evacuation information, emergency earthquake quick report) at the remote controller communication unit J, it is configured to execute a danger level determination process for determining the danger level of the disaster-related information and a target water injection amount setting process for setting the target water injection amount according to the danger level.

[0045] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the relationship between disaster-related information (evacuation information, emergency earthquake quick report) and the danger level, and the relationship between the danger level and the target water injection amount. Incidentally, in FIG. 4, as an example of the target water injection volume when filling (injecting water) a standard bathtub 1 of 200 L, 160 L is set for danger level 5, 53 L for danger level 4, 17.5 L for danger level 3, 3.5 L for danger level 2, and 0 L for danger level 1.

[0046] In this case, when the bathtub 1 of 200 L is filled (when water is injected), the water level (water storage level) will change between 45 cm and 0 cm. That is, when approximately 3.5 L of water is filled (injected), the water level (water storage level) becomes 1 cm. Incidentally, the water injection unit W of the present embodiment can inject 4.35 cm in 10 seconds and 43.5 cm in 100 seconds, for example.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, there are evacuation information levels 1 to 5 for the evacuation information, and the main control unit B1 determines danger levels 1 to 5 according to the evacuation information levels 1 to 5.

[0048] For the emergency earthquake early warning, the seismic intensity and magnitude predicted with the occurrence of an earthquake are transmitted for each region, and when the seismic intensity and magnitude are predicted for the region where the house equipped with the bathtub 1 exists, the management server F transmits the predicted seismic intensity and magnitude to the remote control communication unit J. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the main control unit B1 determines danger levels 1 to 5 according to the predicted seismic intensity and magnitude.

[0049] (Outline of disaster-related processing) When the main control unit B1 sets the target water injection volume according to the danger level, it issues a command to start water filling and the set target water injection volume to the operation control unit C. And the operation control unit C is configured to execute a disaster water filling process of filling the bathtub 1 with the target water injection volume at the water injection unit W, and the details will be described later.

[0050] Also, when the operation control unit C executes the disaster water filling process, as described above, it checks the detection state of the opening / closing detection sensor 48 with respect to the drain plug control unit 47. When the automatic drain plug V is not in the closed state, it commands the drain plug control unit 47 to close the automatic drain plug V, executes the closing operation process to close the automatic drain plug V, and further, thereafter, it is configured to check the detection state of the opening / closing detection sensor 48 with respect to the drain plug control unit 47.

[0051] (Configuration of the heat source machine) As shown in FIG. 3, the heat source machine G includes a hot water supply heating unit A that heats water from a water supply line 4 connected to a water supply pipe for general households and supplies the heated hot water to a bathtub 1 and a hot water supply faucet 2 via a hot water supply line 5, and a bathtub water heating unit D that reheats the bathtub water in the bathtub 1. A hot water filling line 6 that supplies the hot water passing through the hot water supply line 5 to the bathtub 1 is provided in a branched state from the hot water supply line 5.

[0052] The hot water supply heating unit A includes a hot water supply heat exchanger 8 with the water supply line 4 connected to the inlet side and the hot water supply line 5 connected to the outlet side, a hot water supply burner 9 that heats the hot water supply heat exchanger 8, and a hot water supply blower fan 10 that supplies combustion air to the hot water supply burner 9. A hot water supply side gas supply line 11 that supplies fuel gas from a gas meter M is connected to the hot water supply burner 9, and the water passing through the hot water supply heat exchanger 8 is configured to be heated by the combustion gas of the hot water supply burner 9.

[0053] The bathtub water heating unit D includes a reheating heat exchanger 14 with the bathtub water return line 12 of a bathtub water circulation line K that circulates bathtub water between the bathtub 1 and the bathtub water heating unit D connected to the inlet side and the bathtub water forward line 13 of the bathtub water circulation line K connected to the outlet side, a reheating burner 15 that heats the reheating heat exchanger 14, and a reheating blower fan 16 that supplies combustion air to the reheating burner 15. A reheating side gas supply line 17 that supplies fuel gas from a gas meter M is connected to the reheating burner 15, and the bathtub water passing through the reheating heat exchanger 14 is configured to be heated by the combustion gas of the reheating burner 15.

[0054] An electromagnetic gas proportional valve 18 for adjusting the fuel gas supply amount and an intermittent valve 19 for intermittently supplying the fuel gas are provided in the hot water supply side gas supply passage 11 and the afterburning side gas supply passage 17.

[0055] (General hot water supply configuration) A water supply thermistor 20 for detecting the water supply temperature and a water amount sensor 21 for detecting the water supply amount are provided in the water supply passage 4. A location downstream of the water supply thermistor 20 and the water amount sensor 21 in the water supply passage 4 is connected to the hot water supply passage 5 by a water supply bypass passage 22 that bypasses the hot water supply heat exchanger 8.

[0056] A mixing valve 23 for adjusting the mixing ratio of the amount of hot water from the hot water supply heat exchanger 8 and the amount of water from the water supply bypass passage 22 is provided at the connection location between the hot water supply passage 5 and the water supply bypass passage 22. In the hot water supply passage 5, an outlet hot water thermistor 24 for detecting the temperature of the hot water sent out from the hot water supply heat exchanger 8 is provided upstream of the connection location of the water supply bypass passage 22, and downstream of the connection location of the water supply bypass passage 22, in order from upstream, a hot water supply thermistor 25 for detecting the temperature of the hot water after being mixed in the mixing valve 23, a water proportional valve 26 for adjusting the flow amount of the hot water, and an interrupt detection water consumption sensor 27 for detecting an interrupt of general hot water supply are provided.

[0057] (Afterburning configuration) A circulation adapter H is equipped on the side wall portion near the bottom surface of the bathtub 1, and a bathtub water return passage 12 of the bathtub water circulation passage K and a bathtub water forward passage 13 of the bathtub water circulation passage K are connected to the circulation adapter H. Note that the bathtub water return passage 12 and the bathtub water forward passage 13 are composed of a pipeline portion located inside the heat source machine G and a pipeline portion located outside the heat source machine G.

[0058] In the bathtub water return path 12, in order from the upstream side, a bathtub water temperature detection sensor 38 for detecting the temperature of the bathtub water passing through the bathtub water return path 12, a water flow switch 40, and a bathtub water circulation pump 37 are provided. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, a water level sensor 39 (an example of a bathtub water detection unit) for detecting the water level of the bathtub 1 by detecting the pressure of the bathtub water inside the bathtub water return path 12 is located in a pipe portion outside the heat source machine G in the bathtub water return path 12 and is attached to a portion extending horizontally from the circulation adapter H. In the bathtub water supply path 13, a bathtub water supply temperature detection sensor 41 for detecting the temperature of the bathtub water heated by the supplementary heating heat exchanger 14 is provided.

[0059] By operating the bathtub water circulation pump 37 by the operation control unit C, the bathtub water stored inside the bathtub 1 is supplied to the supplementary heating heat exchanger 14 through the bathtub water return path 12, and the bathtub water heated by the supplementary heating heat exchanger 14 is supplied to the bathtub 1 through the bathtub water supply path 13. In this way, the supplementary heating of the bathtub water in the bathtub 1 is performed.

[0060] (Configuration for filling the bathtub and configuration for water filling) A hot water filling path 6 branched from the hot water supply path 5 is connected to the downstream side of the bathtub water circulation pump 37 in the bathtub water return path 12. In this hot water filling path 6, in order from the upstream side, a hot water filling solenoid valve 42 for opening and closing the hot water filling path 6 and a hot water filling check valve 43 are provided. Incidentally, although not shown in the figure, a well-known hopper for forming an air layer may be disposed between the hot water filling solenoid valve 42 and the hot water filling check valve 43.

[0061] When the hot water filling solenoid valve 42 is opened, the hot water heated in the hot water supply heating unit A is supplied to the bathtub water return path 12 through the hot water filling path 6, and the hot water supplied to the bathtub water return path 12 flows on the upstream side and the downstream side of the bathtub water circulation pump 37 and is supplied to the bathtub 1 through the bathtub water supply path 13 and the bathtub water return path 12.

[0062] Also, when the hot water supply heating unit A is stopped from operating, that is, when the combustion of the hot water supply burner 9 is stopped, if the water filling electromagnetic valve 42 is opened, the hot water (cold water) from the water supply path 4 is supplied to the bathtub water return path 12 via the water filling path 6 in a state where it is not heated in the hot water supply heating unit A as the water filling of the bathtub 1. The hot water (cold water) supplied to the bathtub water return path 12 flows to the upstream side and the downstream side of the bathtub water circulation pump 37 and is supplied to the bathtub 1 through the bathtub water supply path 13 and the bathtub water return path 12. That is, in the present embodiment, the water filling unit W for filling the bathtub 1 is mainly composed of the hot water supply heating unit A, the water filling path 6, and the water filling electromagnetic valve 42.

[0063] (Operation control of the heat source machine) The operation control unit C controls the operation of the heat source machine G based on the commands of the main remote controller R1 or the bathroom remote controller R2, and executes a hot water supply operation (general hot water supply operation, water filling operation) for supplying hot water to the bathtub 1 or the hot water supply faucet 2, and a supplementary heating operation for supplementary heating of the bathtub water in the bathtub 1. Also, as described above, when the remote control communication unit J receives (acquires) disaster-related information, the operation control unit C is configured to execute a disaster water filling process of filling the bathtub 1 with water at the water filling unit W. Since the hot water supply operation (general hot water supply operation, water filling operation) and the supplementary heating operation are well-known, in the present embodiment, the detailed description of the general hot water supply operation and the supplementary heating operation is omitted, and the water filling operation will be briefly described.

[0064] The operation control unit C will execute a water filling operation (water filling process) to fill the bathtub 1 so that the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub 1 reaches the target water filling temperature and the water level of the bathtub water in the bathtub 1 reaches the target water level. Specifically, when the operation control unit C is instructed to fill the bathtub by the bathtub automatic switch of the main remote controller R1 or the bathroom remote controller R2, it executes a process of closing the automatic drain plug V, and then executes the water filling operation (water filling process).

[0065] In the water filling operation (water filling process), the water filling hot water supply process and the determination process are repeatedly executed. In the hot water filling supply process, the hot water filling solenoid valve 42 is opened, and the burner 9 for hot water supply is ignited. Based on the target hot water filling temperature set by the bathtub temperature setting switch of the main remote control R1 or the bathroom remote control R2, the detected water volume by the water volume sensor 21, the detected water temperature by the water supply thermistor 20, the detected temperature by the hot water outlet thermistor 24, and the detected temperature by the hot water supply thermistor 25, the opening degrees of the gas proportional valve 18 and the mixing valve 23 are adjusted so that the detected temperature of the hot water supply thermistor 25 reaches the target hot water filling temperature. When stopping the hot water filling supply operation process, the hot water filling solenoid valve 42 is closed, and the combustion of the burner 9 for hot water supply is stopped.

[0066] In the determination process, after stopping the bathtub water circulation pump 37, when the standby set time has elapsed, the detection information of the water level sensor 39 is read to detect the water level in the bathtub.

[0067] That is, in the hot water filling operation (hot water filling process), the hot water filling supply process of supplying hot water to the bathtub 1 for the hot water filling set time and the above-described determination process are alternately executed until the detected water level of the water level sensor 39 becomes equal to or higher than the target water level. Incidentally, in this embodiment, when the detected water level of the water level sensor 39 becomes equal to or higher than the target water level, after raising the temperature of the water in the bathtub to be equal to or higher than the target hot water filling temperature by the afterburning operation, the hot water filling operation (hot water filling process) is terminated.

[0068] (Regarding the water filling process) As described above, when the remote control communication unit J receives disaster-related information, the operation control unit C executes the disaster water filling process of filling the bathtub 1 with water at the water filling unit W. After starting the water filling, when the water filling volume reaches the target water filling volume, the operation control unit C is configured to stop the disaster water filling process. As forms of filling the target water filling volume, there are an integration formula in which water filling is stopped when the integrated value of the detected water volume by the water volume sensor 21 reaches the target water filling volume, and a water level measurement formula in which water filling is stopped when the water level in the bathtub detected by the water level sensor 39 reaches the water storage level corresponding to the target water filling volume.

[0069] In this embodiment, it will be described as a case of an integration formula in which water injection is stopped when the integrated value of the detected water volume of the water volume sensor 21 reaches the target water injection volume. Incidentally, in the case of the water level measurement type, the water injection process and the determination process are repeatedly executed in the same manner as in the hot water filling operation (hot water filling process).

[0070] (Details of disaster-related processing) The main control unit B1 (an example of a water injection volume determination unit) is configured to change the target water injection volume in accordance with a change in the danger level of the disaster-related information received (acquired) thereafter, after first receiving (acquiring) the disaster-related information. And when the operation control unit C is executing the disaster water filling process, when the target water injection volume is changed by the main control unit B1, it is configured to fill the bathtub 1 with the changed target water injection volume.

[0071] Also, when the operation control unit C is in the middle of the disaster water filling process and the target water injection volume changed by the main control unit B1 is less than the already filled water volume that has already been filled, the disaster water filling process is stopped, and the automatic drain valve V is opened to drain water from the bathtub 1 so that the already filled water volume becomes the changed target water injection volume. A correction drainage process is executed. In the correction drainage process, when the already filled water volume becomes the changed target water injection volume, the automatic drain valve V is closed.

[0072] When the operation control unit C changes the target water injection volume by the main control unit B1 after executing the disaster water filling process, when the changed target water injection volume is greater than the target water injection volume before the change, it is configured to execute an additional water filling process to fill the bathtub 1 with the changed target water injection volume.

[0073] In this embodiment, this additional water filling process is configured to be executed by an integration formula in which water injection is stopped when the integrated value of the detected water volume of the water volume sensor 21 reaches the water injection volume corresponding to the difference between the changed target water injection volume and the target water injection volume before the change. It is also possible to perform the additional water filling process in a water level measurement method in which water injection is stopped when the water level in the bathtub detected by the water level sensor 39 reaches the water storage level corresponding to the target water injection volume.

[0074] When the target water injection volume is changed by the main control unit B1 after the execution of the disaster water filling process, if the changed target water injection volume is less than the target water injection volume before the change, the operation control unit C is configured to execute a water injection volume adjustment drainage process of opening the automatic drain valve V to drain water from the bathtub 1 so as to obtain the changed target water injection volume.

[0075] In this water injection volume adjustment drainage process, in the present embodiment, the drainage volume per unit time discharged from the bathtub 1 when the automatic drain valve V is opened is set in advance, and the automatic drain valve V is opened for the drainage time required to discharge the drainage volume corresponding to the difference between the target water injection volume before the change and the target water injection volume after the change, and the process of draining water from the bathtub 1 is executed. Incidentally, since the drainage volume per unit time drained from the bathtub 1 when the automatic drain valve V is opened varies with the water level in the bathtub, the drainage time will be set in consideration of the water level in the bathtub. It is also possible to perform the water injection volume adjustment drainage process in a water level measurement method in which water injection is stopped when the water level in the bathtub detected by the water level sensor 39 reaches the water storage level corresponding to the target water injection volume.

[0076] (Description of disaster-related processing) Hereinafter, based on FIG. 5, the disaster-related processing executed by the main control unit B1 and the operation control unit C when the remote control communication unit J receives disaster-related information will be described. First, it is determined whether the remote control communication unit J has received disaster-related information (#1). If the disaster-related information has not been received, it waits until the disaster-related information is received.

[0077] In the process of #1, when it is determined that disaster-related information has been received, subsequently, a risk level determination process for determining the risk level of the received disaster-related information is executed (#2), and then, a target water injection amount setting process for setting a target water injection amount according to the determined risk level is executed (#3).

[0078] After that, it is determined whether the disaster water filling process has started and the water injection has been completed (#4). If the water injection has not been completed, based on the detection information of the opening / closing detection sensor 48 of the automatic drain plug V, it is determined whether the automatic drain plug V is closed (#5). In the process of #5, when it is determined that the automatic drain plug V is closed, a disaster water filling process for filling the bathtub 1 with water is executed in the water injection section W (#8). The details of the disaster water filling process will be described later.

[0079] In the process of #5, when it is determined that the automatic drain plug V is not closed, a closing operation process for closing the automatic drain plug V is executed by issuing a closing command for the automatic drain plug V to the drain plug control unit 47 (#6). After that, subsequently, based on the detection information of the opening / closing detection sensor 48 of the automatic drain plug V, it is determined whether the automatic drain plug V is closed (#7). When it is determined that the automatic drain plug V is closed, a disaster water filling process is executed (#8).

[0080] In the process of #7, when it is determined that the automatic drain plug V is not closed, the process of #6 will be repeated. Incidentally, although not shown in the figure, even if the process of #6 is repeated several times (for example, 3 times), if it cannot be detected in the process of #7 that the automatic drain plug V is closed, the process is configured to end.

[0081] Also, in the process of #4, when it is determined that the water injection has been completed, subsequently, it is determined whether it is after the end of the disaster water filling process (#12). If it is not after the end, the disaster water filling process is executed (#8).

[0082] After executing the disaster water filling process of #8, it is determined whether the disaster-related information has been released (#9). If the disaster-related information has been released, the process of stopping water injection is executed (#10), and then the disaster-related process ends. In the process of #9, if it is determined that the disaster-related information has not been released, then it is subsequently determined whether the disaster-related information has changed (#11). If the disaster-related information has not changed, the process proceeds to #4. If the disaster-related information has changed, the process proceeds to #2. That is, if the disaster-related information has changed, a new danger level is determined, and the target water injection volume is changed to the target water injection volume corresponding to the new danger level.

[0083] In the process of #12, if it is determined that it is after the completion of the disaster water filling process, it is determined whether the target water injection volume has been changed to the increasing side (#13). If it has been changed to the increasing side, the additional water filling process of injecting water so that the water storage volume of bathtub 1 becomes the changed target water injection volume is executed (#14), and then the process proceeds to #9.

[0084] In the process of #13, if it is determined that the target water injection volume has not been changed to the increasing side, it is determined whether the target water injection volume has been changed to the decreasing side (#15). If it has been changed to the decreasing side, the water injection volume adjustment drainage process of draining water so that the water storage volume of bathtub 1 becomes the changed target water injection volume is executed (#16) In the process of #15, if it is determined that the target water injection volume has not been changed to the decreasing side, and after executing the water injection volume adjustment drainage process of #16, the process proceeds to #9.

[0085] (Details of the disaster water filling process) Next, based on the flowchart of Figure 6, the disaster water filling process will be described. First, it is determined whether water injection has already started (#21). If water injection has not yet started, the process of starting water injection is executed (#22).

[0086] In the process of #21, when it is determined that the water injection has already started, or after the process of #22 is executed, it is determined whether the already injected water volume in the bathtub 1 is greater than the target water injection volume (#23). In the process of #23, when it is determined that the already injected water volume is not greater than the target water injection volume, next, it is determined whether the water injection volume has reached the target water injection volume (#24). When it is determined that the target water injection volume has been reached, the water injection stop process of stopping the water injection is executed (#25).

[0087] In the process of #24, when it is determined that the water injection volume has not reached the target water injection volume, and after the water injection stop process of #25 is executed, the process will shift to the main flow shown in FIG. 5. In addition, when the water injection stop process of #25 is executed, it will be determined that the disaster water filling process has ended.

[0088] In the process of #23, when it is determined that the already injected water volume is greater than the target water injection volume, the water injection stop process of stopping the water injection is executed (#26). Subsequently, the correction drainage process of draining water so that the water storage volume of the bathtub 1 becomes the target water injection volume is executed (#27). And after the correction drainage process of #27 is executed, the process will shift to the main flow shown in FIG. 5. In addition, when the correction drainage process of #27 is executed, it will be determined that the disaster water filling process has ended.

[0089] Incidentally, although not shown in FIG. 5, in the process of #1, when disaster-related information is received, based on the detection information of the water level sensor 39, it is determined whether there is bathtub water inside the bathtub 1. If there is bathtub water inside the bathtub 1, it may be implemented in a form where it is considered that the disaster water filling process has ended and the processes after #2 are continued. In this case, the target water injection volume will be stored in the bathtub 1 by the additional water filling process of #14 and the water injection volume adjustment and discharge process of #16.

[0090] Also, although not shown in FIG. 5, after determining that the disaster-related information has been released in the process of #9 and executing the process of stopping the water injection in #10, if no change in the water level is detected by the water level sensor 39 over a set period (for example, several days), the automatic drain valve V may be opened to drain the water stored in the bathtub 1.

[0091] [Another Embodiment] (1) In the above embodiment, the remote control communication unit J provided in the main remote control R1 is exemplified as the disaster-related information acquisition unit, and the case where the remote control communication unit J acquires the disaster-related information from the management server F is illustrated. However, it may be implemented in a form in which a receiving unit for acquiring the disaster-related information from the management server F is provided in the heat source machine G. In this case, the operation control unit C can be implemented in a form that functions as a water injection amount determination unit.

[0092] (2) In the above embodiment, the management server F that receives the evacuation information issued from the municipal server E1 and the emergency earthquake quick report transmitted from the Meteorological Agency server E2 is provided, and the case where the remote control communication unit J acquires the disaster-related information (evacuation information, emergency earthquake quick report) transmitted from the management server F is illustrated. However, it may be implemented in a form in which the remote control communication unit J directly accesses the municipal server E1 or the Meteorological Agency server E2 to acquire the disaster-related information (evacuation information, emergency earthquake quick report).

[0093] (3) In the above embodiment, the evacuation information and the emergency earthquake quick report are exemplified as the disaster-related information. However, it may be implemented in a form in which either one of the evacuation information and the emergency earthquake quick report is used as the disaster-related information. Also, as the disaster-related information, various information can be used as long as it is related to the disaster forecast.

[0094] (4) In the above embodiment, the case where the drain valve control unit 47 is provided in the automatic drain valve V is illustrated. However, it may be implemented in a form in which the operation control unit C constitutes the drain valve control unit 47. That is, it may be implemented in a form in which the operation control unit C controls the operation of the opening / closing drive unit 46 and also controls the detection operation of the opening / closing detection sensor 48.

[0095] In the above-described embodiment, the automatic drain valve V in which the opening / closing drive unit 46 directly opens and closes the valve body 45 has been exemplified. However, for example, the opening / closing drive unit 46 provided at a location different from the installation location of the valve body 45 is connected to the valve body 45 by a linkage mechanism such as an operating wire, and the valve body 45 is configured to be opened and closed. The specific configuration of the automatic drain valve V can be variously changed.

[0096] In addition, the configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as there is no contradiction. Further, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are examples, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and can be appropriately modified within the scope not departing from the object of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0097] 1 Bathtub B1 Water injection amount determination unit C Control unit J Disaster-related information acquisition unit V Automatic drain valve W Water injection unit

Claims

1. A disaster-time automatic water filling system comprising a water filling unit for filling a bathtub with water, a disaster-related information acquisition unit for acquiring disaster-related information related to a disaster warning, a water filling amount determination unit for determining a target water filling amount for filling the bathtub according to the danger level of the disaster-related information acquired by the disaster-related information acquisition unit, and a control unit for executing a disaster water filling process of filling the target water filling amount into the bathtub by the water filling unit.

2. The bathtub is provided with an automatic drain plug, The disaster-time automatic water filling system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes a closing operation process of closing the automatic drain plug when executing the disaster water filling process.

3. The water filling amount determination unit changes the target water filling amount along with the change of the danger level of the disaster-related information, The disaster-time automatic water filling system according to claim 2, wherein when the target water filling amount is changed by the water filling amount determination unit while the control unit is executing the disaster water filling process, the control unit fills the changed target water filling amount into the bathtub.

4. When the control unit is executing the disaster water filling process and the changed target water filling amount by the water filling amount determination unit is less than the already filled water amount that has been filled, the disaster water filling process is stopped, and a correction drainage process of opening the automatic drain plug to drain water from the bathtub so that the already filled water amount becomes the changed target water filling amount is executed. The disaster-time automatic water filling system according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The water filling amount determination unit changes the target water filling amount along with the change of the danger level of the disaster-related information, When the target water filling amount is changed by the water filling amount determination unit after the execution of the disaster water filling process by the control unit, and the changed target water filling amount is more than the target water filling amount before the change, an additional water filling process of filling the bathtub to the changed target water filling amount is executed. The disaster-time automatic water filling system according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. When the target water filling amount is changed by the water filling amount determination unit after the execution of the disaster water filling process by the control unit, and the changed target water filling amount is less than the target water filling amount before the change, a water filling amount adjustment drainage process of opening the automatic drain plug to drain water from the bathtub so that the bathtub becomes the changed target water filling amount is executed. The disaster-time automatic water filling system according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

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