Bathtub cleaning device

Abstract

To provide a bathtub cleaning device capable of executing bathtub cleaning operation by securing a hot water injection flow rate of a cleaning nozzle even when a water pressure from a heat source machine on the bathtub cleaning device decreases.SOLUTION: A bathtub cleaning device 1 is provided with a hot water supply valve 63 for opening and closing a hot water supply path at a hot water supply path 31 for guiding hot water heated by a heat source machine 4 to a cleaning nozzle 21 disposed in a bathtub 2, and includes a control device 5 for opening the hot water supply valve to supply hot water of the heat source machine to the hot water supply path using a water supply pressure of a water supply source, and executing bathtub cleaning operation for cleaning the bathtub by injecting hot water from the cleaning nozzle. The bathtub cleaning device includes a flow rate sensor 64 disposed at the hot water supply path for detecting an injection flow rate of the hot water injected from the cleaning nozzle, a water supply path 32 whose upstream end is connected to the water supply source, and whose downstream end is connected to the hot water supply path at an upstream position of the flow rate sensor, and a water supply valve 72 for opening and closing the water supply path. The control device opens the water supply valve 72 when a detected flow rate Q of the flow rate sensor 64 is less than a predetermined first flow rate qs while the bathtub cleaning operation is being executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bathtub cleaning device that uses the water supply pressure to inject hot and cold water from a cleaning nozzle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a bathtub cleaning device having a hot water supply passage that guides hot water heated by a heat source machine to a cleaning nozzle of a bathtub, and a hot water supply valve provided in the hot water supply passage. By opening the hot water supply valve and using the water supply pressure from a water supply source, the hot water of the heat source machine is supplied to the hot water supply passage to inject hot and cold water from the cleaning nozzle to clean the bathtub.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a bathtub cleaning device such as that of Patent Document 1, since hot and cold water is injected from a cleaning nozzle using the water supply pressure of a water supply source, in a low water pressure area, due to pressure loss by a heat source machine, the surrounding environment, etc., the water pressure required for bathtub cleaning cannot be ensured, and the injection flow rate of the hot and cold water injected into the bathtub decreases. Also, even in an area other than a low water pressure area, when other faucets are used, the water pressure applied to the bathtub cleaning device may decrease, and the injection flow rate of the hot and cold water injected into the bathtub may decrease. When the injection flow rate of the hot and cold water injected from the cleaning nozzle is small, there is a risk that the hot and cold water may not hit a part of the bathtub wall surface, or the hot and cold water applied to the bathtub wall surface may be insufficient, etc., so that the desired cleaning performance may not be obtained.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a bathtub cleaning device capable of executing a bathtub cleaning operation so as to ensure the injection flow rate of hot water from a cleaning nozzle even when the water pressure from a heat source machine to the bathtub cleaning device decreases, and prevent insufficient bathtub cleaning.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The basic configuration of the present invention is to perform bathtub cleaning by injecting hot water heated by a heat source machine from a cleaning nozzle by the water supply pressure of a water supply source. However, only when the injection flow rate of the hot water injected by the cleaning nozzle decreases due to a decrease in the water pressure from the heat source machine, the priority is given to ensuring the injection flow rate of the hot water rather than ensuring the temperature of the hot water. It is based on the technical idea of allowing water to flow into the hot water supply path from a water supply source with high water pressure and no pressure loss by the heat source machine to increase the water pressure of the hot water injected from the cleaning nozzle.

[0007] That is, the bathtub cleaning device according to the present invention is provided with a hot water supply valve for opening and closing the hot water supply path in the hot water supply path that guides the hot water heated by the heat source machine to the cleaning nozzle provided in the bathtub. The control device opens the hot water supply valve and uses the water supply pressure of the water supply source to supply the hot water of the heat source machine to the hot water supply path, and injects the hot water from the cleaning nozzle to execute a bathtub cleaning operation for cleaning the bathtub. The bathtub cleaning device is equipped with a flow sensor provided in the hot water supply path for detecting the injection flow rate of the hot water injected from the cleaning nozzle, a water supply path with its upstream end connected to the water supply source and its downstream end connected to the hot water supply path at a position upstream of the flow sensor, and a water supply valve for opening and closing the water supply path. The control device is configured to open the water supply valve when the detected flow rate of the flow sensor is less than a predetermined first flow rate during the execution of the bathtub cleaning operation.

[0008] According to this configuration, when the detected flow rate of the flow rate sensor, which is the flow rate of the hot and cold water flowing through the hot water supply path, drops below the first flow rate during the execution of the bathtub cleaning operation, the water supply valve is opened, so that the water supplied from the water supply source flows through the water supply path into the hot water supply path. Therefore, the water supply pressure of the water supply source is directly applied to the hot water supply path, and the injection flow rate of the hot and cold water from the cleaning nozzle connected to the hot water supply path can be increased. Accordingly, when the water pressure applied from the heat source machine to the bathtub cleaning device drops, a decrease in the injection flow rate of the hot and cold water injected from the cleaning nozzle is suppressed, and a decrease in the cleaning performance can be suppressed. Thus, even when the water pressure applied from the heat source machine to the bathtub cleaning device drops, an effect can be obtained in which it is possible to execute the bathtub cleaning operation while maintaining the cleaning performance so that the cleaning of the bathtub is not insufficient.

[0009] In the bathtub cleaning device, the water supply valve is a flow rate adjustment valve capable of adjusting the opening degree from the fully closed state to the fully open state, the control device can be configured to perform an opening operation of the water supply valve stepwise or continuously from the fully closed state to the fully open state when the detected flow rate of the flow rate sensor is detected to be less than the first flow rate, and to stop the opening operation of the water supply valve when the detected flow rate of the flow rate sensor becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined second flow rate that is equal to or greater than the first flow rate.

[0010] Here, the cleaning performance of the bathtub cleaning device is affected not only by the injection flow rate of the cleaning nozzle but also by the temperature of the hot water to be injected. When the injection flow rate is the same, the higher the temperature of the hot water, the easier it is to loosen and remove stubborn dirt adhering to the bathtub wall surface, etc., so the cleaning performance is improved. According to this configuration, the water supply valve is opened stepwise or continuously, and when the detected flow rate of the flow sensor for detecting the injection flow rate of the cleaning nozzle reaches the second flow rate or more, the opening operation of the water supply valve is stopped. Therefore, the ratio of the water mixed into the hot water supplied from the heat source machine can be set to the minimum ratio required to achieve the desired injection flow rate for exhibiting the cleaning performance. Therefore, since the temperature drop of the hot water injected from the cleaning nozzle can be suppressed as much as possible, both the injection flow rate of the hot water injected from the cleaning nozzle and the temperature of the hot water, which are factors determining the cleaning performance, can be appropriately ensured. Thus, even when the water pressure applied to the bathtub cleaning device from the heat source machine drops, the cleaning performance can be maintained better so that the bathtub cleaning is not insufficient.

[0011] In the bathtub cleaning device, The control device can be configured to close the water supply valve when the detected flow rate of the flow sensor becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined third flow rate greater than the first flow rate after the water supply valve is opened.

[0012] Here, if the reason for the injection flow rate of the cleaning nozzle being less than the first flow rate is, for example, a decrease in water pressure due to the use of another faucet provided in the kitchen or the like, when the use of the other faucet ends, the water pressure drop applied to the bathtub cleaning device through the heat source machine is improved, and the injection flow rate of the cleaning nozzle increases. According to this configuration, when the detected flow rate of the flow sensor for detecting the injection flow rate of the cleaning nozzle becomes equal to or greater than the third flow rate, by closing the water supply valve, it is possible to prevent the water from being mixed into the hot water injected from the cleaning nozzle more than necessary and the temperature from decreasing. Therefore, when the water pressure drop applied to the bathtub cleaning device from the heat source machine is improved, the bathtub cleaning operation can be restored to the operation using the hot water supplied from the heat source machine without mixing water into the hot water injected from the cleaning nozzle, and the bathtub cleaning operation can be performed with high cleaning performance while ensuring a high temperature of the hot water.

[0013] In the bathtub cleaning device, When the control device opens the water supply valve and it is before the end of the cleaning process in which the detergent is mixed with hot and cold water and sprayed, the control device can be configured to increase the amount of detergent used in the cleaning process.

[0014] According to this configuration, when the water supply valve is opened and water flows into the hot water supplied from the heat source machine, some of the decrease in cleaning performance due to the temperature drop of the hot and cold water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle can be compensated for by increasing the amount of detergent in the cleaning process. Therefore, in order to ensure the injection flow rate of the cleaning nozzle, even if the temperature of the hot and cold water drops as a result of allowing water to flow in from the water supply path, the cleaning performance can be maintained so that the bathtub cleaning is not insufficient.

[0015] In the above bathtub cleaning device, The control device can be configured to extend the operation time of the bathtub cleaning operation when the water supply valve is opened compared to when the water supply valve is not opened.

[0016] According to this configuration, when the water supply valve is opened and water flows into the hot water supplied from the heat source machine, some of the decrease in cleaning performance due to the temperature drop of the hot and cold water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle can be compensated for by extending the operation time. Therefore, in order to ensure the injection flow rate of the cleaning nozzle, even if the temperature of the hot and cold water drops as a result of allowing water to flow in from the water supply path, the cleaning performance can be maintained so that the bathtub cleaning is not insufficient.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) As shown in FIG. 1, the bathtub cleaning device 1 of Embodiment 1 guides hot water heated by a water heater 4 serving as a heat source to a cleaning nozzle 21 provided in a bathtub 2, and uses the water supply pressure from a water supply source (not shown) to spray hot water from the cleaning nozzle 21 to clean the bathtub 2. That is, this bathtub cleaning device 1 is not configured to pump hot water stored in a tank provided in the bathtub cleaning device and spray it from the cleaning nozzle, but is configured to supply the hot water of the water heater 4 to the bathtub cleaning device 1 by the water supply pressure of the water supply source (for example, tap water pressure) and spray hot water from the cleaning nozzle 21. Note that the water supply source includes a tap water supply for city water, a water source supplied by a pump from a water storage tank in an apartment house, etc. As the main components of this bathtub cleaning device 1, a cleaning unit 3 that supplies hot water to the cleaning nozzle 21 and a control device 5 that controls the operation of the bathtub cleaning operation are provided.

[0019] The water heater 4 is connected to a water inlet pipe 41 connected to a water supply source, a hot water outlet pipe 42 that discharges hot water heated by the water heater 4, and a bath pipe 43 connected to a circulation adapter 23 of the bathtub 2. Further, inside the main body of the water heater 4, a gas burner and a heat exchanger (not shown) are provided. The hot water outlet pipe 42 is connected to a faucet 44 in a kitchen, a washroom, etc. by a pipe, and a hot water introduction pipe 45 that supplies hot water to the cleaning unit 3 is connected. The water heater 4 heats the water of the water supply source supplied from the water inlet pipe 41 in a heat exchanger to generate hot water, and performs a hot water supply operation of discharging this hot water through the hot water outlet pipe 42 by the water supply pressure of the water supply source, a hot water discharge operation of supplying the hot water heated in the heat exchanger to the bathtub 2 through the bath pipe 43, a reheating operation of heating the bath water in the bathtub 2 while circulating it through the bath pipe 43 in the heat exchanger, etc. In addition, a remote controller 47 for remotely operating the water heater 4 is connected to the water heater 4, and by operating the switch of this remote controller 47, the control unit (not shown) provided in the water heater 4 can execute hot water supply operation, hot water discharge operation, reheating operation, etc. Note that the heat source machine in the present invention is not limited to the above-described gas type water heater 4, and may be an electric water heater, a heat pump type water heater, etc.

[0020] On the bottom wall of the bathtub 2, a cleaning nozzle 21 for jetting hot and cold water and an automatic opening and closing drain plug 22 are installed. On the side wall of the bathtub 2, a circulation adapter 23 serving as a hot water supply port etc. is installed. On the flange wall on the upper surface of the bathtub 2, a detergent tank 24 and a drive unit 25 of the drain plug 22 are installed. Also, during the bathtub cleaning operation, a bathtub lid 26 is placed on the upper surface opening of the bathtub 2 to cover it.

[0021] The cleaning unit 3 is provided with a hot water supply pipe 31, a water supply pipe 32, and a detergent pipe 33. The hot water supply pipe 31 constitutes a hot water supply path for guiding the hot water heated by the water heater 4 to the cleaning nozzle 21 provided in the bathtub 2. The upstream end of the hot water supply pipe 31 is connected to a hot water introduction pipe 45 drawn from the hot water outlet pipe 42 of the water heater 4, and the downstream end of the hot water supply pipe 31 is connected to a cleaning pipe 28 connected to the cleaning nozzle 21 of the bathtub 2. In this hot water supply pipe 31, a check valve 61, a water governor 62, a hot water supply valve 63, a flow sensor 64, a check valve 65, and a venturi type detergent mixing section 66 are provided from the upstream side. The water supply pipe 32 constitutes a water supply path for allowing the water from a water supply source such as a water supply to flow into the hot water supply pipe 31. The upstream end of the water supply pipe 32 is connected to a water supply introduction pipe 46 drawn from the water inlet pipe 41 connected to the water supply source, and the downstream end of the water supply pipe 32 is connected to the hot water supply pipe 31 at a position upstream of the flow sensor 64. In the example of FIG. 1, the downstream end of the water supply pipe 32 is connected to the hot water supply pipe 31 at a position downstream of the hot water supply valve 63, but the downstream end of the water supply pipe 32 may be connected to the hot water supply pipe 31 at a position upstream of the hot water supply valve 63, or may be connected to the hot water introduction pipe 45 outside the cleaning unit 3. In this water supply pipe 32, a check valve 71 and a water supply valve 72 are provided from the upstream side. The upstream end of the detergent pipe 33 is connected to a detergent introduction pipe 27 drawn from the detergent tank 24, and the downstream end of the detergent pipe 33 is connected to the detergent mixing section 66 of the hot water supply pipe 31. A detergent valve 67 is provided in the detergent pipe 33.

[0022] Each check valve 61, 65 of the hot water supply pipe 31 and the check valve 71 of the water supply pipe 32 prevent hot water or detergent liquid from flowing backward upstream from their installation positions. The water governor 62 adjusts the flow rate so that the flow rate of the hot water introduced from the hot water supply introduction pipe 45 into the hot water supply pipe 31 does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value (for example, 10 L / min). The hot water supply valve 63 is composed of an on-off valve that opens and closes the hot water supply pipe 31. By opening this hot water supply valve 63, hot water heated by the water heater 4 by the water supply pressure from the water supply source is supplied from the hot water supply introduction pipe 45 to the hot water supply pipe 31, and hot water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 21 into the bathtub 2 through the cleaning pipe 28 from the hot water supply pipe 31. The flow rate sensor 64 detects the flow rate of the hot water flowing in the hot water supply pipe 31, and the detected flow rate Q of this flow rate sensor 64 becomes the injection flow rate of the hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 21. The detergent valve 67 of the detergent pipe 33 is composed of an on-off valve that opens and closes the detergent pipe 33. By opening this detergent valve 67, the detergent liquid from the detergent tank 24 is drawn into the hot water supply pipe 31 in the detergent mixing unit 66 and mixed with the hot water flowing in the hot water supply pipe 31. Also, the water supply valve 72 of the water supply pipe 32 is composed of an on-off valve that opens and closes the water supply pipe 32. By opening this water supply valve 72, the water from the water supply source of the city water flows into the hot water supply pipe 31 through the water supply introduction pipe 46 and the water supply pipe 32. Thereby, the water supply pressure from the water supply source is directly applied to the hot water supply pipe 31 without passing through the water heater 4, and the injection flow rate of the hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 21 can be increased.

[0023] The control device 5 supplies power to the bathtub cleaning device 1 and controls the operation of the bathtub cleaning device 1. The control device 5 is communicably connected to the cleaning unit 3, the drive unit 25 of the drain plug 22, the remote controller 47 of the water heater 4, etc., and outputs a control signal to cause these respective parts to perform a predetermined operation. A cleaning remote controller 51 for remotely operating the bathtub cleaning device 1 is connected to the control device 5. By operating the switch of the cleaning remote controller 51, the control device 5 can be made to execute the bathtub cleaning operation.

[0024] The steps of the bathtub cleaning operation by the bathtub cleaning device 1 are a drainage step, a preliminary cleaning step, a cleaning step, and a rinsing step, which are performed in this order. When the control device 5 is instructed to start the execution of the bathtub cleaning operation by the switch operation of the cleaning remote control 51, first, the drain plug 22 of the bathtub 2 is opened, and a drainage step of draining the bathtub water in the bathtub 2 is performed after waiting for a predetermined drainage standby time to elapse. When the drain plug 22 of the bathtub 2 is manually opened, this drainage step may only wait for the elapse of a predetermined drainage standby time, or the drainage step may be omitted.

[0025] After the drainage step is completed, the hot water supply valve 63 is opened, and the hot water heated by the water heater 4 is introduced into the hot water supply pipe 31, and a preliminary cleaning step is performed in which the hot water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 21 into the bathtub 2 through the cleaning pipe 28. After the hot water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 21 for a predetermined preliminary cleaning time, the hot water supply valve 63 is closed, the spraying of the hot water from the cleaning nozzle 21 is stopped, and the preliminary cleaning step is completed.

[0026] After the preliminary cleaning step is completed, the hot water supply valve 63 and the detergent valve 67 are opened, the detergent liquid in the detergent tank 24 is mixed with the hot water in the hot water supply pipe 31 by the detergent mixing unit 66, and a cleaning step is performed in which the hot water mixed with this detergent liquid (cleaning water) is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 21 into the bathtub 2 through the cleaning pipe 28. After the hot water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 21 for a predetermined cleaning time, the hot water supply valve 63 and the detergent valve 67 are closed, the spraying of the hot water is stopped, and the cleaning step is completed. Note that the cleaning step may be such that one cycle consists of a spraying operation of spraying the hot water mixed with the detergent and a standby operation of waiting for a predetermined time to elapse after the spraying is stopped, and this cycle is performed a plurality of times.

[0027] After the cleaning step is completed, the hot water supply valve 63 is opened, and the hot water heated by the water heater 4 is introduced into the hot water supply pipe 31, and a rinsing step is performed in which the hot water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 21 into the bathtub 2 through the cleaning pipe 28. After the hot water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 21 for a predetermined rinsing time, the hot water supply valve 63 is closed, the spraying of the hot water from the cleaning nozzle 21 is stopped, and the rinsing step is completed. The end of this rinsing step indicates the end of the bathtub cleaning operation.

[0028] The bathtub cleaning device 1 of the first embodiment uses the water supply pressure of the water supply source to supply the hot water of the water heater 4 to the hot water supply pipe 31 and injects the hot water from the cleaning nozzle 21. However, the water pressure of the hot water injected from the cleaning nozzle 21 depends on the water pressure of the hot water supplied from the water heater 4 to the bathtub cleaning device 1. Therefore, when there is a pressure loss in the water heater 4 or the hot water of the water heater 4 is used at another faucet 44, etc., the water pressure of the hot water supplied from the water heater 4 to the bathtub cleaning device 1 may drop extremely, and the injection flow rate of the hot water injected from the cleaning nozzle 21 may decrease. Note that as described above, the water pressure of the hot water supplied from the water supply source to the bathtub cleaning device 1 via the water heater 4 is lower than the water supply pressure of the original water supply source. Therefore, in the first embodiment, during the execution of the bathtub cleaning operation, a control operation is performed to ensure that the injection flow rate of the hot water injected from the cleaning nozzle 21 is equal to or higher than a certain level even if the water pressure applied to the hot water supply pipe 31 via the water heater 4 decreases. The operation of this process for ensuring the injection flow rate will be described below.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, when the execution of the bathtub cleaning operation is started, the control device 5 monitors whether the flow rate Q of the hot water flowing through the hot water supply pipe 31 has decreased below a predetermined small flow rate qS (for example, 4.5 L / min) by the flow rate sensor 64 (step S1). This monitoring of the flow rate is performed from the start time of the preliminary cleaning step. The flow rate value of the small flow rate qS is a flow rate value at which the hot water injected from the cleaning nozzle 21 no longer hits a part of the wall surface of the bathtub 2 or the amount of hot water applied to the wall surface of the bathtub 2, etc., becomes insufficient, and the desired cleaning performance cannot be ensured, and can be determined by experiments or the like.

[0030] When the detected flow rate Q of the flow sensor 64 drops below the small flow rate qS (”YES” in step S1), the control device 5 opens the water supply valve 72 of the water supply pipe 32 (step S2). As a result, the water supplied from the water supply source flows through the water supply introduction pipe 46 and the water supply pipe 32 into the hot water supply pipe 31, so that the water supply pressure from the water supply source is directly applied to increase the injection flow rate of the hot and cold water from the cleaning nozzle 21. Therefore, when the water pressure of the hot water supplied from the water heater 4 to the bathtub cleaning device 1 drops, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the injection flow rate of the hot and cold water injected from the cleaning nozzle 21, suppress a decrease in the cleaning performance, and maintain the cleaning performance so that the bathtub cleaning is not insufficient. Therefore, even when the water pressure of the hot water supplied from the water heater 4 to the bathtub cleaning device 1 drops, it is possible to execute the bathtub cleaning operation while maintaining the necessary cleaning performance.

[0031] Further, after the control device 5 opens the water supply valve 72, when the detected flow rate Q of the flow sensor 64 is equal to or greater than the small flow rate qS and less than a predetermined large flow rate qL (for example, 6.0 L / min) greater than the small flow rate qS (”NO” in step S1 and ”NO” in step S3), the control device 5 maintains the open state of the water supply valve 72. On the other hand, when the detected flow rate Q of the flow sensor 64 becomes equal to or greater than the large flow rate qL (”YES” in step S3), the control device 5 closes the water supply valve 72 of the water supply pipe 32 (step S4). The flow rate value of the large flow rate qL is set to a flow rate value at which the injection flow rate of the hot and cold water injected from the cleaning nozzle 21 does not drop below the small flow rate qS even when the water supply valve 72 is closed, and can be determined by experiments or the like. For example, the large flow rate qL can be set to a value that is 1 L / min or more greater than the small flow rate qS.

[0032] Here, when the cause of the injection flow rate of the cleaning nozzle 21 being less than the small flow rate qS ( "YES" in step S1) is, for example, a decrease in water pressure due to the use of another faucet 44 provided in the kitchen or the like, when the use of the other faucet 44 ends, the water pressure drop applied to the bathtub cleaning device 1 through the water heater 4 is improved, and the injection flow rate of the cleaning nozzle 21 will increase. Therefore, when the detected flow rate Q of the flow sensor 64 that detects the injection flow rate of the cleaning nozzle 21 becomes equal to or greater than the large flow rate qL ( "YES" in step S3) after the water supply valve 72 is opened, by closing the water supply valve 72 (step S4), it is possible to prevent water from the water supply pipe 32 from mixing into the hot water ejected from the cleaning nozzle 21 and the temperature from decreasing. Thus, when the water pressure drop of the hot water supplied from the water heater 4 is improved, the bathtub cleaning operation is restored to the hot water supplied from the water heater 4 without mixing water into the hot water ejected from the cleaning nozzle 21, and the bathtub cleaning operation can be executed with high cleaning performance using hot water with a sufficient injection flow rate and a high temperature.

[0033] The process of ensuring the injection flow rate shall be continuously performed during the execution of the bathtub cleaning operation. As described above, the bathtub cleaning device 1 of the first embodiment basically performs bathtub cleaning by ejecting hot water at a high temperature heated by the water heater 4 from the cleaning nozzle 21 using the water supply pressure of the water supply source. However, only when the injection flow rate of the hot water ejected from the cleaning nozzle 21 decreases due to a decrease in the water pressure of the hot water supplied from the water heater 4, the priority is given to ensuring the injection flow rate of the hot water rather than ensuring the temperature of the hot water. Water is made to flow into the hot water supply pipe 31 through the water supply pipe 32 from a water supply source with no pressure loss by the water heater 4 and high water pressure to increase the water pressure of the hot water ejected from the cleaning nozzle 21 and increase the injection flow rate of the hot water from the cleaning nozzle 21. Therefore, according to the bathtub cleaning device 1 of the first embodiment, when the water pressure applied to the bathtub cleaning device 1 from the water heater 4 decreases, it is possible to ensure that the injection flow rate of the hot water from the cleaning nozzle 21 is above a certain level, maintain the cleaning performance so that the cleaning of the bathtub 2 is not insufficient, and execute the bathtub cleaning operation.

[0034] Note that the control device 5 checks the detected flow rate Q of the flow rate sensor 64 at an arbitrary time point after the water supply valve 72 is opened (step S2). If, for example, a plurality of other faucets 44 are being used simultaneously during the bathtub cleaning operation, and thus the detected flow rate Q of the flow rate sensor 64 does not reach the small flow rate qS or more even when the water supply valve 72 is opened, the hot water supply valve 63 and the water supply valve 72 may be closed to error-stop the bathtub cleaning operation, or the bathtub cleaning operation may be temporarily paused. When temporarily pausing the bathtub cleaning operation, the open states of the hot water supply valve 63 and the water supply valve 72 are maintained, the counting of the operation time is stopped, and it waits for the detected flow rate Q of the flow rate sensor 64 to reach the small flow rate qS or more within a predetermined pause time from the time when the water supply valve 72 is opened. Then, from the time when the detected flow rate Q of the flow rate sensor 64 reaches the small flow rate qS or more, the remaining operation time is counted, and the bathtub cleaning operation may be resumed. If the detected flow rate Q of the flow rate sensor 64 does not reach the small flow rate qS or more within the pause time, the hot water supply valve 63 and the water supply valve 72 may be closed to error-stop the bathtub cleaning operation.

[0035] (Embodiment 2) In Embodiment 2, the configuration and the operation and effects other than those described below are the same as those in Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the water supply valve 72A provided in the water supply pipe 32 of the bathtub cleaning device 1A in Embodiment 2 is constituted by a flow rate adjustment valve capable of adjusting the opening degree from the fully closed state to the fully open state. As such a flow rate adjustment valve, for example, a servo valve, a motor valve, or the like, or other flow rate adjustment valves capable of arbitrarily adjusting the opening degree can be used. And in Embodiment 2, the control device 5A performs the process of ensuring the injection flow rate of hot and cold water as follows. In the following description, the "first flow rate q1" corresponds to the "small flow rate qS" in Embodiment 1, and the "third flow rate q3" corresponds to the "large flow rate qL" in Embodiment 1.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 4, when the execution of the bathtub cleaning operation is started, the control device 5A monitors whether the flow rate Q of the hot water flowing through the hot water supply pipe 31 has decreased below a predetermined first flow rate q1 (for example, 4.5 L / min) by the flow rate sensor 64 in the same manner as in the case of the first embodiment (step S1 in Fig. 2) (step S21). When the detected flow rate Q of the flow rate sensor 64 has decreased below the first flow rate q1 (''YES'' in step S21), the control device 5A causes the opening operation to be performed so as to gradually increase the opening degree of the water supply valve 72A of the water supply pipe 32 (step S22). At this time, the opening operation of the water supply valve 72A may increase the opening degree step by step by a certain opening degree, or may increase the opening degree continuously. After starting the opening operation of the water supply valve 72A, the opening operation of the water supply valve 72A is continued until the detected flow rate Q of the flow rate sensor 64 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined second flow rate q2 (for example, 5.0 L / min) that is greater than the first flow rate q1 (''NO'' in step S23). When the detected flow rate Q of the flow rate sensor 64 becomes equal to or greater than the second flow rate q2 (''YES'' in step S23), the control device 5A stops the opening operation of the water supply valve 72A (step S24) and holds the opening degree at this time.

[0037] Here, the cleaning performance of the bathtub cleaning device 1A is affected not only by the injection flow rate of the cleaning nozzle 21 but also by the temperature of the hot water to be injected. When the injection flow rate is the same, the higher the temperature of the hot water, the easier it is to loosen and remove stubborn dirt adhering to the wall surface of the bathtub 2, etc., so the cleaning performance is improved. By the above processing (steps S22, S23, S24), the opening operation of the water supply valve 72A is performed so as to gradually increase the opening degree, and when the detected flow rate Q of the flow rate sensor 64 for detecting the injection flow rate of the cleaning nozzle 21 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined second flow rate q2, the opening operation of the water supply valve 72A is stopped. Therefore, the ratio of the water mixed into the hot water supplied from the water heater 4 can be set to the minimum ratio for obtaining the injection flow rate required to exhibit the desired cleaning performance. Accordingly, since the temperature drop of the hot water injected from the cleaning nozzle 21 can be suppressed as much as possible, both the injection flow rate of the hot water injected from the cleaning nozzle 21 and the temperature of the hot water, which are factors determining the cleaning performance, can be appropriately ensured. Thus, even when the water pressure applied from the water heater 4 to the bathtub cleaning device 1A decreases, the necessary cleaning performance can be better maintained so that the bathtub cleaning does not become insufficient.

[0038] Also, by setting the second flow rate q2 to be larger than the first flow rate q1 (second flow rate q2 > first flow rate q1), when a slight water pressure drop occurs after the opening operation of the water supply valve 72A stops, frequent opening operations of the water supply valve 72A can be suppressed. For example, when the second flow rate q2 is set to be the same as the first flow rate q1 (second flow rate q2 = first flow rate q1), after the opening operation of the water supply valve 72A stops, the flow rate flowing through the hot water supply pipe 31 becomes less than the first flow rate q1 due to a slight water pressure drop (YES in step S21), and there is a possibility that a frequent opening operation of reopening the water supply valve 72A that has once stopped the opening operation (step S22) may occur. Therefore, by setting the second flow rate q2 in step S23 to be larger than the first flow rate q1 (second flow rate q2 > first flow rate q1), frequent opening operations of the water supply valve 72A due to the slight water pressure drop as described above can be suppressed, so the durability of the water supply valve 72A can be improved.

[0039] Note that the second flow rate q2 in step S23 may be the same as the first flow rate q1 (second flow rate q2 = first flow rate q1). In this case, since the proportion of water mixed in the hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 21 can be minimized, the temperature drop of the hot water can be further suppressed, and the required cleaning performance can be better maintained.

[0040] Then, in the same manner as in the case of the first embodiment (step S3 in FIG. 2), after the water supply valve 72A is opened, when the control device 5A detects that the detected flow rate Q of the flow rate sensor 64 is equal to or greater than the first flow rate q1 and less than a third flow rate q3 (for example, 6.0 L / min) that is greater than the first flow rate q1 (''NO'' in step S21 and ''NO'' in step S25), the control device 5A maintains the open state of the water supply valve 72A. On the other hand, when the detected flow rate Q of the flow rate sensor 64 becomes equal to or greater than the third flow rate q3 (''YES'' in step S25), the control device 5A closes the water supply valve 72A of the water supply pipe 32 (step S26).

[0041] Here, when the second flow rate q2 is set to the same flow rate value as the first flow rate q1 (second flow rate q2 = first flow rate q1), the third flow rate q3 that is larger than the first flow rate q1 will have a flow rate value larger than the second flow rate q2. However, even when the second flow rate q2 is set to a flow rate value larger than the first flow rate q1 (second flow rate q2 > first flow rate q1), the third flow rate q3 that is larger than the first flow rate q1 is set to a flow rate value larger than the second flow rate q2. That is, the relationship is third flow rate q3 > second flow rate q2 ≥ first flow rate q1. When the second flow rate q2 is set to a flow rate value larger than the first flow rate q1, if a flow rate value equal to or less than the second flow rate q2 that is larger than the first flow rate q1 is set as the third flow rate q3, when the opening operation of the water supply valve 72A is stopped in step S24, since the detected flow rate Q of the flow rate sensor 64 is equal to or greater than the second flow rate q2 (step S23), it becomes "YES" (detected flow rate Q ≥ third flow rate q3) in step S25, and the water supply valve 72 is immediately closed in step S26. If the water supply valve 72A is closed at this point, the detected flow rate Q of the flow rate sensor 64 becomes less than the first flow rate q1 ( "YES" in step S21), and the opening operation of the water supply valve 72A is started again (step S22), and the water supply valve 72A will perform frequent opening and closing operations (chattering of the opening and closing of the water supply valve 72). Therefore, by setting the third flow rate q3 in step S25 to a flow rate value larger than the second flow rate q2 (third flow rate q3 > second flow rate q2), it is possible to suppress the frequent opening and closing operations of the water supply valve 72A as described above, and thus improve the durability of the water supply valve 72A.

[0042] As described above, according to the bathtub cleaning device 1 of the second embodiment, when the water pressure applied from the water heater 4 to the bathtub cleaning device 1 decreases, while suppressing the temperature drop of the hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 21 as much as possible, the spraying flow rate of the hot water from the cleaning nozzle 21 is ensured to be a certain amount or more, and the cleaning performance is maintained so that the cleaning of the bathtub 2 is not insufficient, and it becomes possible to execute the bathtub cleaning operation.

[0043] Note that, during the execution of the bathtub cleaning operation, if a plurality of other faucets 44 are being used simultaneously, etc., in the processes of steps S22 and S23, even if the water supply valve 72A is fully open, if the detected flow rate Q of the flow rate sensor 64 does not reach the second flow rate q2 or more, the hot water supply valve 63 and the water supply valve 72A may be closed to error-stop the bathtub cleaning operation, or the bathtub cleaning operation may be temporarily paused. When temporarily pausing the bathtub cleaning operation, the open state of the hot water supply valve 63 and the fully open state of the water supply valve 72A are maintained, the counting of the operation time is stopped, and it is waited for the detected flow rate Q of the flow rate sensor 64 to reach the second flow rate q2 or more within a predetermined pause time from the time when the water supply valve 72A is fully open. When the detected flow rate Q of the flow rate sensor 64 reaches the second flow rate q2 or more, the remaining operation time may be counted and the bathtub cleaning operation may be resumed. If the detected flow rate Q of the flow rate sensor 64 does not reach the second flow rate q2 or more within the pause time, the hot water supply valve 63 and the water supply valve 72A may be closed to error-stop the bathtub cleaning operation.

[0044] (Other Embodiments) (1) The control device 5 (5A) may be configured to increase the amount of detergent used in the cleaning process when the water supply valve 72 (72A) is opened and it is before the end of the cleaning process in which the detergent is mixed with the hot water and sprayed. For example, in the cleaning process executed when the water supply valve 72 (72A) is opened, the opening time for opening the detergent valve 67 may be made longer than when the cleaning process is executed without opening the water supply valve 72 (72A), or the number of cycles of repeating the injection operation of injecting the cleaning water and the standby operation after the injection stop may be increased. Thereby, when the water supply valve 72 (72A) is opened and water flows into the hot water supplied from the water heater 4, some of the decrease in the cleaning performance due to the temperature drop of the hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 21 can be compensated for by increasing the amount of detergent. Therefore, in order to ensure the injection flow rate of the cleaning nozzle 21, even when the temperature of the hot water decreases as a result of water flowing in from the water supply pipe 32, the cleaning performance can be maintained so that the bathtub cleaning is not insufficient.

[0045] (2) The control device 5 (5A) may be configured to extend the operation time of the bathtub cleaning operation when the water supply valve 72 (72A) is opened compared to when it is not opened. For example, as this extended time, it is possible to set about half of the operation time for executing the bathtub cleaning operation when the water supply valve 72 (72A) is not opened. Thereby, when the water supply valve 72 (72A) is opened and water flows into the hot water supplied from the water heater 4, it is possible to compensate for some reduction in cleaning performance due to the temperature drop of the hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 21 by extending the operation time. Therefore, in order to ensure the injection flow rate of the cleaning nozzle 21, even when the temperature of the hot water drops as a result of water flowing in from the water supply pipe 32, it is possible to maintain the cleaning performance so that the bathtub cleaning is not insufficient.

[0046] Note that the present invention does not have a configuration in which a pump is mounted on the bathtub cleaning device and hot water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle by the pumping of the pump. However, the bathtub cleaning device according to the present invention does not exclude, for example, the case of installing it in a building such as an apartment house where water is pumped from a water storage tank to supply water to a water heater or the like, or the case of connecting it to a heat source machine such as a water heater that discharges hot water by providing a booster pump in the appliance. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes can be made within the scope of the claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0047] 1, 1A Bathtub cleaning device 2 Bathtub 3 Cleaning unit 4 Water heater (heat source machine) 5, 5A Control device 21 Cleaning nozzle 22 Drain plug 23 Circulation adapter 24 Detergent tank 25 Driving unit 26 Bathtub lid 27 Detergent introduction pipe 28 Cleaning pipe 31 Hot water supply pipe (hot water supply path) 32 Water supply pipe (water supply path) 33 Detergent pipe 41 Water inlet pipe 42 Hot water outlet pipe 43 Bathtub pipe 44 Faucet 45 Hot water supply inlet pipe 46 Water supply inlet pipe 47 Remote control 51 Cleaning remote control 61 Check valve 62 Water governor 63 Hot water supply valve 64 Flow sensor 65 Check valve 66 Detergent mixing section 67 Detergent valve 71 Check valve 72 Water supply valve 72A Water supply valve (flow control valve)

Claims

1. In a hot water supply path that guides hot water heated by a heat source machine to a cleaning nozzle provided in a bathtub, a hot water supply valve for opening and closing the hot water supply path is provided. The hot water supply valve is opened, and the hot water of the heat source machine is supplied to the hot water supply path using the water supply pressure of a water supply source, causing hot water to be ejected from the cleaning nozzle to clean the bathtub. A bathtub cleaning device comprising a control device for executing a bathtub cleaning operation, a flow rate sensor provided in the hot water supply path for detecting the ejection flow rate of the hot water ejected from the cleaning nozzle; a water supply path having an upstream end connected to a water supply source and a downstream end connected to the hot water supply path at a position upstream of the flow rate sensor; and a water supply valve for opening and closing the water supply path. The control device, during the execution of the bathtub cleaning operation, when the detected flow rate of the flow rate sensor, which becomes the ejection flow rate of the hot water ejected from the cleaning nozzle with the hot water supply valve open, is less than a first flow rate set as a flow rate value at which the flow rate of the hot water ejected from the cleaning nozzle is insufficient and the desired cleaning performance cannot be ensured, is configured to open the water supply valve. A bathtub cleaning device characterized by this.

2. In the bathtub cleaning device according to Claim 1, the water supply valve is a flow rate adjustment valve capable of adjusting the opening degree from a fully closed state to a fully open state, and the control device, when detecting that the detected flow rate of the flow rate sensor is less than the first flow rate, is configured to open the water supply valve stepwise or continuously from the fully closed state to the fully open state, and when the detected flow rate of the flow rate sensor becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined second flow rate that is equal to or greater than the first flow rate, stop the opening operation of the water supply valve. A bathtub cleaning device.

3. In the bathtub cleaning device according to Claim 1 or 2, the control device, after opening the water supply valve, when the detected flow rate of the flow rate sensor becomes equal to or greater than a third flow rate set as a flow rate value at which the flow rate of the hot water ejected from the cleaning nozzle does not decrease below the first flow rate even when the water supply valve is closed, is configured to close the water supply valve. A bathtub cleaning device.

4. In the bathtub cleaning device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, the control device is configured to increase the amount of detergent used in the cleaning process when the opening of the water supply valve occurs before the end of a cleaning process in which detergent is mixed with the hot water and ejected. A bathtub cleaning device.

5. In the bathtub cleaning device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, the control device is configured to extend the operation time of the bathtub cleaning operation when the water supply valve is open compared to when the water supply valve is not open. A bathtub cleaning device.

Images