Bathroom heating system with mist function

Abstract

To provide a bathroom heating system with a mist function capable of achieving improvement in usability.SOLUTION: A bathroom heating system with a mist function includes: a heating part L for heating the inside of a bathroom; a mist spray part Q for spraying mist into the bathroom; an operation control part M for controlling a heating operation of the heating part L and a mist operation of the mist spray part Q; and a communication terminal H capable of issuing a start command of the mist operation via a communication network N with respect to the operation control part M. When the start command of the mist operation is issued from the communication terminal H, if a door opening / closing detection part S which detects opening / closing of an entrance door of the bathroom detects a closed state of the entrance door, the operation control part M executes mist spray treatment for performing the mist operation, and if the door opening / closing detection part S detects an open state of the entrance door, the operation control part executes mist stopping type heating treatment for performing the heating operation in a state where the mist operation is stopped.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bathroom heating system with a mist function, which includes a heating unit that performs heating operation to heat the inside of a bathroom, a mist spray unit that performs mist operation to spray mist inside the bathroom, an operation control unit that controls the heating operation of the heating unit and the mist operation of the mist spray unit, and a communication terminal that can issue a command to start the mist operation to the operation control unit via a communication network. [Background technology]

[0002] This bathroom heating system with mist function allows the start command for mist operation to be given from outside the home using a communication terminal. For example, by giving the command to start mist operation using the communication terminal on the way home, the bathroom can already be prepared for a mist bath when you get home, allowing you to take a mist bath immediately after returning home, thereby ensuring a good mist bath.

[0003] A conventional example of such a bathroom heating system with a mist function is one that is equipped with a door opening / closing detection unit that detects whether the bathroom entrance / exit door is open or closed, and when an operation control unit receives a command to start mist operation via a communication terminal, if the door opening / closing detection unit detects that the entrance / exit door is closed, the system starts mist operation using the mist spray unit, but if the door opening / closing detection unit detects that the entrance / exit door is open, the system does not start mist operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] In other words, if the mist operation is started when the bathroom entrance door is open, the mist sprayed into the bathroom may leak out of the bathroom, which could wet the floor of the changing room adjacent to the bathroom or cause a tracking phenomenon, so the mist operation by the mist spray unit will not be started when the entrance door is open. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-8723 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] If the mist operation does not start when a command to start mist operation is given from outside the home using a communication terminal and the entrance / exit door is open, this is inconvenient to use and improvements are desired. For example, if you issue a command to start the mist operation on your communication terminal on your way home, but the mist operation does not start because the entrance door is open, when you get home you will have to close the entrance door and then issue a command to start the mist operation to start the mist operation.However, this increases the waiting time until the bathroom is ready for a mist bath, making it less convenient to use, and improvements are desired.

[0007] In other words, in order to take a mist bath, the temperature in the bathroom must be raised to a high temperature (e.g., 25°C or higher), otherwise the bather will feel cold, etc. When the mist spray unit starts misting, the temperature in the bathroom is raised by spraying high-temperature mist (e.g., 60°C), but in winter, for the mist operation to raise the temperature in the bathroom to a high temperature (e.g., 25°C or higher), it takes several tens of minutes (e.g., about 15 minutes), making it inconvenient to use.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to provide a bathroom heating system with a mist function that can improve usability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The bathroom heating system with mist function of the present invention comprises a heating unit that performs a heating operation to heat the inside of the bathroom, a mist spray unit that performs a mist operation to spray mist into the inside of the bathroom, an operation control unit that controls the heating operation of the heating unit and the mist operation of the mist spray unit, and a communications terminal that can issue a command to start the mist operation to the operation control unit via a communications network. The system is characterized by the following configuration: A door opening / closing detection unit is provided to detect the opening / closing of the bathroom entrance / exit door, When a command to start the mist operation is received from the communication terminal, the operation control unit executes a mist spray process to perform the mist operation if the door opening / closing detection unit detects that the entrance / exit door is closed, and executes a mist stop heating process to perform the heating operation with the mist operation stopped if the door opening / closing detection unit detects that the entrance / exit door is open.

[0010] That is, when a command to start mist operation is issued from the communication terminal, if the door open / close detection unit detects that the entrance door is closed, a mist spray process is executed to operate the mist spray unit. In addition, when a command to start mist operation is issued from the communication terminal, if the door opening / closing detection unit detects that the entrance / exit door is open, a mist stop heating process will be executed in which the mist operation of the mist spray unit is stopped and the heating unit operates in heating mode.

[0011] Therefore, for example, if you issue a command to start the mist operation using a communication terminal on your way home and the entrance door is closed, the mist operation will start, allowing you to take a mist bath immediately upon returning home, thereby ensuring a good mist bath.

[0012] Furthermore, for example, if the entrance door is open when a command to start mist operation is given on the communication terminal on the way home, the mist operation will not start, but the heating operation of the heating unit will start. Therefore, even if the command to start mist operation is given after closing the entrance door when returning home, the waiting time until the bathroom is ready for a mist bath can be shortened as much as possible, thereby improving usability.

[0013] In other words, in order to take a mist bath, the temperature in the bathroom must be raised to a high temperature (for example, 25°C or higher), otherwise the bather may feel cold, which can be inconvenient. However, for example, if the entrance door is open when a command to start the mist operation is issued on the way home using a communication terminal, the mist operation will not start, but the heating unit will start heating. Therefore, when you return home, close the entrance door, and then issue a command to start the mist operation to start the mist operation, the temperature in the bathroom will already be raised to a high temperature (for example, 25°C or higher). Therefore, for example, you can start a mist bath after waiting a few minutes (for example, about 5 minutes) for the mist to fill the bathroom, which shortens the waiting time before starting the mist bath and improves usability.

[0014] In short, the characteristic configuration of the bathroom heating system with mist function of the present invention can improve usability.

[0015] A further characteristic feature of the bathroom heating system with mist function of the present invention is that when a command to start the mist operation is received from the communication terminal, and the door opening / closing detection unit detects that the entrance / exit door is open, the operation control unit sends mist stop heating operation information to the communication terminal indicating that the mist stop heating process will be executed.

[0016] In other words, when a command to start mist operation is issued from the communication terminal, if the door opening / closing detection unit detects that the entrance / exit door is open, mist stop heating processing will be executed, and mist stop heating operation information indicating that mist stop heating processing will be executed will be sent to the communication terminal.

[0017] Therefore, a user holding the communication terminal can recognize that the heating operation of the heating section has started instead of the mist operation being started, thereby further improving usability. For example, if, when issuing a command to start mist operation on a communication terminal on the way home, it is possible to recognize that instead of mist operation starting, heating operation of the heating unit has started, then when returning home, the user will be able to accurately recognize that after closing the entrance / exit door, they will need to issue a command to start mist operation to start the mist operation, and will be able to properly perform the tasks they perform when returning home (closing the entrance / exit door, issuing a command to start mist operation, etc.), further improving usability.

[0018] In short, the further characteristic configuration of the bathroom heating system with mist function of the present invention can further improve usability.

[0019] A further characteristic feature of the bathroom heating system with mist function of the present invention is that the operation control unit executes the mist spray process when the door opening / closing detection unit detects that the entrance / exit door is closed while the mist stop heating process is being executed.

[0020] In other words, when a command to start mist operation is given via the communication terminal, instead of the mist operation starting, if the door opening / closing detection unit detects that the entrance / exit door is closed while the heating operation of the heating unit has started, the mist spray process will be executed, further improving usability.

[0021] For example, when a command to start mist operation is given on a communication terminal on the way home, instead of the mist operation starting, the heating operation of the heating unit is started. In this case, when the user gets home and closes the entrance door, the mist spraying process will be executed, thereby eliminating the need to give a command to start mist operation and further improving usability.

[0022] In short, this further characteristic feature of the bathroom heating system with mist function of the present invention eliminates the need to issue a command to start mist operation, further improving usability.

[0023] A further characteristic feature of the bathroom heating system with mist function of the present invention is that the operation control unit executes the mist stop heating process when a command to start the heating operation is received from the communication terminal.

[0024] That is, when a command to start the heating operation is given via the communication terminal, the heating operation of the heater section is started without starting the mist operation, which further improves usability. For example, on the way home, a command to start heating operation can be given on the communication terminal, allowing the bathroom to be heated in advance before returning home, and when returning home, a command to start mist operation can be given while closing the entrance door, allowing for a mist bath to be taken in this procedure, further improving usability.

[0025] In other words, for example, if you give a command to start the mist operation on your communication terminal on your way home and the mist spray process is executed, and then delay the start of the mist bath by running some errands when you get home, there is a risk that mist will be sprayed unnecessarily before the mist bath starts.

[0026] In contrast to this, for example, if a command to start the heating operation is given on the communication terminal on the way home and the heating operation is started, even if the start of the mist bath is delayed because an errand is run when you get home, you can take a mist bath by issuing a command to start the mist operation while closing the entrance / exit door after completing the errand, thereby avoiding the inconvenience of mist being sprayed unnecessarily. Moreover, since the temperature in the bathroom has already been raised before issuing a command to start the mist operation, it is possible to take a mist bath while reducing the waiting time after issuing a command to start the mist operation.

[0027] In short, this further characteristic feature of the bathroom heating system with mist function of the present invention allows you to take a mist bath while avoiding the inconvenience of mist being sprayed unnecessarily. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a bathroom equipped with a bathroom heater / dryer. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a bathroom heating system with a mist function. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a bathroom heater / dryer. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a remote-controlled driving process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (Overall configuration of bathroom heating system with mist function) FIG. 1 illustrates a bathroom Y installed in a typical home, in which a bathtub 1 is installed inside the bathroom Y and an entrance door B is provided for opening and closing the bathroom Y. A bathroom heater / dryer A is installed on the ceiling of the bathroom Y, and a heat source G that circulates and supplies a heat medium to the bathroom heater / dryer A is installed outside the residence.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, bathroom heater / dryer A comprises a heating section L that performs heating operation to heat the inside of bathroom Y, a mist spray section Q that performs mist operation to spray mist into the inside of bathroom Y, and a bath / dry control section D that controls the heating operation of heating section L and the mist operation of mist spray section Q. The bathroom heater / dryer A is configured to perform heating operation and mist operation by circulating and supplying a heat medium from heat source unit G, the details of which will be described later.

[0031] The illustrated entrance door B is a bi-fold type that can be switched between an extended closed state and a folded open state. An opening / closing detection sensor S (an example of a door opening / closing detection unit) is provided to detect the opening and closing of the entrance door B. The opening / closing detection sensor S in this embodiment is configured as a magnetic type that detects a magnet as a detected unit provided on the entrance door B when the entrance door B is in the closed state, but the specific configuration of the opening / closing detection sensor S can be modified in various ways.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the heat source machine G includes a hot water supply unit 2, a heat medium supply unit 3, and a heat source control unit C that controls the operation of these units. As a remote controller R for issuing various control commands to the heat source control unit C, a main remote controller R1 and a bathroom remote controller R2 are provided. The main remote control R1 is provided on a wall near the kitchen, and the bathroom remote control R2 is provided on a wall near the bathtub 1 inside the bathroom Y.

[0033] Although not shown, the hot water supply unit 2 is configured to include a water heating heat exchanger to which tap water is supplied and a hot water supply combustion burner that heats the water heating heat exchanger, and to supply hot water heated by the water heating heat exchanger to the hot water tap and bathtub 1. In other words, the heat source control unit C is configured to perform a general hot water supply process that supplies hot water heated in the hot water supply unit 2 to the hot water tap, and a hot water filling process that supplies heated hot water to the bathtub 1.

[0034] Although not shown, heat medium supply unit 3 is configured to circulate and supply a high-temperature heat medium to bathroom heater / dryer A. This is done by including a heat exchanger for heating the heat medium through which the heat medium is circulated, a heat medium combustion burner for heating the heat exchanger, and a heat medium circulation pump for circulating the heated heat medium. In other words, heat source control unit C is configured to execute a heat medium supply process that circulates and supplies a heat medium heated to a high temperature.

[0035] The main remote control R1 is equipped with various command switches, such as an operation switch that switches the heat source unit G between operation and stop, a hot water filling switch that commands the hot water filling process, a bathroom heating switch that commands the bathroom heater / dryer A to start heating operation, a drying switch that commands the bathroom heater / dryer A to start drying operation, a ventilation switch that commands the bathroom heater / dryer A to start ventilation operation, and a mist switch that commands the bathroom heater / dryer A to start mist operation. Like the main remote control R1, the bathroom remote control R2 is equipped with various command switches, such as a water filling switch that commands the water filling process, a bathroom heating switch that commands the bathroom heater / dryer A to operate in heating mode, a drying switch that commands the bathroom heater / dryer A to operate in drying mode, a ventilation switch that commands the bathroom heater / dryer A to operate in ventilation mode, and a mist switch that commands the bathroom heater / dryer A to operate in mist mode.

[0036] In addition, the main remote control R1 is provided with a remote control switch for switching to a remote control state that allows the bathroom heater / dryer A to be operated by remote command from a smartphone H (see Figure 2) described below.When the remote control switch is switched to the remote control state, the bathroom heater / dryer A can be configured to perform mist operation and heating operation based on commands from the smartphone H, as described below.

[0037] (Control configuration) As shown in FIG. 2, a heat source control unit C of a heat source machine G is connected to a bathroom heater / dryer control unit D that controls the operation of the bathroom heater / dryer A so that various types of information can be communicated freely. A main control unit F1 provided in the main remote controller R1 and a bathroom control unit F2 provided in the bathroom remote controller R2 are connected to a heat source control unit C of the heat source unit G so as to be able to communicate various information freely.

[0038] Therefore, when the operation switch on the main remote control R1 is used to operate the heat source unit G, and a command to start the water filling process is given from the main remote control R1 or the bathroom remote control R2, the heat source control unit C will execute the water filling process to supply hot water heated by the hot water supply unit 2 to the bathtub 1. Incidentally, during the water filling process, the heat source control unit C executes the process of filling the bathtub with water at the set target hot water temperature to the target water level.

[0039] When the main remote control R1 or bathroom remote control R2 is used to command the bathroom heater / dryer A to operate in heating or drying mode, the heat source control unit C starts the process of circulating and supplying heat medium to the bathroom heater / dryer A, and issues a command to start heating or drying operation to the bath / dry control unit D. The bath / dry control unit D then executes the heating or drying operation.

[0040] When the main remote control R1 or bathroom remote control R2 is used to command the bathroom heater / dryer A to start ventilation operation, the heat source control unit C issues a ventilation operation start command to the bath / dry control unit D. Then, the bath / dry control unit D executes ventilation operation. When the mist operation command is issued using the main remote control R1 or the bathroom remote control R2, the heat source control unit C starts the process of circulating and supplying the heat medium to the bathroom heater / dryer A, and issues a command to start the mist operation to the bath / dry control unit D. The bath / dry control unit D then executes the mist operation.

[0041] In this embodiment, the heat source control unit C and the bath / dry control unit D are the main components of an operation control unit M that controls the heating operation of the heating unit L and the mist operation of the mist spray unit Q.

[0042] In addition, the main remote control R1 is provided with a remote control communication unit J connected to a router U (WiFi router), the router U is communicatively connected to a management server K via the Internet N (an example of a network), and a smartphone H (an example of a communication terminal) is communicatively connected to the management server K via the Internet N. The smartphone H includes a terminal control unit Hc that controls the operation of the smartphone H, a terminal communication unit Hj for communicating with the management server K and the like, and a touch panel display unit Hd. The terminal control unit Hc has installed therein various applications, such as a mist operation command application for issuing a command to start mist operation, a heating operation command application for issuing a command to start heating operation, and a display application for displaying the mist stop heating operation information described below.

[0043] Therefore, when the remote operation switch of the main remote control R1 is switched to the remote operation state and a command to start mist operation is issued on the smartphone H, the command information is communicated to and stored in the management server K, and when the main remote control R1 reads the command to start mist operation stored in the management server K, the command to start mist operation issued on the smartphone H is communicated to the heat source control unit C via the main remote control R1. Then, heat source control unit C starts the process of circulating and supplying the heat medium to bathroom heater / dryer A, and issues a command to start mist operation to bath / dry control unit D. Then, bath / dry control unit D executes the mist operation.

[0044] However, in this embodiment, the open / close detection sensor S is connected to the bath / dry control unit D. When a mist operation start command is issued from the heat source control unit C, the bath / dry control unit D is configured to execute a mist spray process that performs mist operation if the open / close detection sensor S detects a closed state, and to execute a mist stop heating process that performs heating operation with the mist operation stopped if the open / close detection sensor S detects an open state.

[0045] In addition, when the bath / dry control unit D executes the mist-stopping heating process, it communicates to the heat source control unit C that it will execute the mist-stopping heating process, and the heat source control unit C communicates mist-stopping heating operation information indicating that it will execute the mist-stopping heating process to the management server K via the main remote control R1 and the Internet N, and the management server K communicates the mist-stopping heating operation information to the smartphone H via the Internet N, and the smartphone H displays the mist-stopping heating operation information on the display unit Hd.

[0046] In addition, when the remote operation switch of the main remote control R1 is switched to the remote operation state and a command to start heating operation is issued on the smartphone H, the command information is communicated to and stored in the management server K, and when the main remote control R1 reads the command to start heating operation stored in the management server K, the command to start heating operation issued on the smartphone H is communicated to the heat source control unit C via the main remote control R1. Then, the heat source control unit C starts the process of circulating and supplying the heat medium to the bathroom heater / dryer A, and issues a command to start heating operation to the bath / dry control unit D. The bath / dry control unit D is then configured to execute a mist stop heating process that performs heating operation.

[0047] (Details of bathroom heater / dryer) As shown in FIG. 3, bathroom heater / dryer A includes a main body casing 7 installed on the back side of the ceiling Ya of bathroom Y, and a grill plate 8 installed on the front side of the ceiling Ya of bathroom Y. Inside the main casing 7, there is provided a circulation fan 9 as a circulation blower section that draws in air from inside the bathroom Y through a circulation suction port 26 formed in the grill plate 8 and blows the drawn-in air out through an outlet 27 toward the bathroom Y, and an air heating heat exchanger 10 as an air heating section that heats the air ventilated by the circulation fan 9. In this embodiment, the heating section L is constituted by the circulation fan 9 and the air heating heat exchanger 10 as its main parts.

[0048] Furthermore, inside the main casing 7, there are provided a ventilation fan 11 as a ventilation blower section that sucks in air from inside the bathroom Y through the ventilation suction port 28 and expels it to the outside, a plurality of mist nozzles 13 that constitute a mist spray section Q that sprays hot water supplied through the water supply passage 12 into the bathroom Y in the form of mist, a mist heat exchanger 14 that heats the hot water sprayed from these mist nozzles 13, and a movable louver 15 that changes the blowing direction of the air blown out from the air outlet 27.

[0049] The air heating heat exchanger 10 has a vertical heat exchange section 10A in a vertical position and a horizontal heat exchange section 10B in a horizontal position, and is configured so that the heat medium is supplied through a heat medium supply pipe 16 connected to the heat medium forward pipe 5 of the heat source machine G, and the heat medium after heat exchange is returned to the heat medium return pipe 6 connected to the heat source machine G through a heat medium discharge pipe 17. The heat transfer medium supply pipe 16 is provided with a thermal valve 18 for turning on and off the supply of the heat transfer medium, and this thermal valve 18 is opened when heating operation is performed.

[0050] A mist supply pipe 16A branches off from the heat medium supply pipe 16 at a location upstream of the location where the thermal valve 18 is installed. This mist supply pipe 16A passes through the mist heat exchanger 14 described above and is then connected to the heat medium discharge pipe 17. In addition, the above-mentioned water supply passage 12 is piped so as to be connected to the mist nozzle 13 via the mist heat exchanger 14, and the hot water supplied to the mist nozzle 13 is heated by the mist heat exchanger 14.

[0051] The water supply passage 12 passes through a mist heat exchanger 14 and then branches into two branch pipes 12A and 12B, and mist nozzles 13 are connected to the branch pipes 12A and 12B, respectively. Each branch pipe 12A, 12B is provided with a mist electromagnetic valve 19A, 19B, and the mist ejection state (spray state) from the two mist nozzles 13 can be adjusted by selectively opening and closing these mist electromagnetic valves 19A, 19B. A water supply electromagnetic valve 20 for turning on and off the water supply is provided in the water supply passage 12, and this water supply electromagnetic valve 20 is opened when mist operation for spraying mist from the mist nozzle 13 is performed.

[0052] Incidentally, a drainage channel 21 is connected to the part of the water supply channel 12 located between the mist heat exchanger 14 and the branching point of the two branch pipes 12A and 12B, and a drainage solenoid valve 22 is provided in the drainage channel 21. For example, by opening the drainage solenoid valve 22 for a set time before starting the mist operation, it is possible to prevent cold hot water from being supplied to the mist nozzle 13 when the mist operation is started.

[0053] In addition, mist supply pipe 16A is provided with an electromagnetic proportional valve 24 that adjusts the amount of heat medium supplied. This proportional valve 24 is opened to allow the heat medium to flow when performing mist operation, which sprays mist from mist nozzle 13, and is configured so that its opening is changed and adjusted so that the temperature of the hot water supplied to mist nozzle 13 becomes the target temperature.

[0054] The ventilation fan 11 is configured to suck air from the bathroom Y through the ventilation suction port 28 of the grill plate 8, and then exhaust the sucked air to the outside through an exhaust duct 25 extending to the outdoors.

[0055] (Drying operation details) During drying operation, the heat medium from the heat source unit G is circulated through the air heating heat exchanger 10, and the circulation fan 9 and ventilation fan 11 are operated to suck in air from the bathroom and expel it to the outside, and also to suck in air from the bathroom, heat it, and blow it out as drying air into the area to be dried inside the bathroom Y.

[0056] (Heating operation details) During heating operation, the ventilation fan 11 is stopped and the heat medium from the heat source machine G is circulated through the air heating heat exchanger 10. The circulation fan 9 is then operated to draw in air from the bathroom, heat it, and blow it out into the bathroom as heating air.

[0057] (Ventilation operation details) In ventilation operation, the circulation fan 9 is stopped and the flow of heat medium to the air heating heat exchanger 10 is stopped, and the ventilation fan 11 is operated to suck in air from the bathroom and exhaust it to the outside.

[0058] (Details of mist operation) In mist operation, the heat medium from the heat source machine G is allowed to flow through the mist heat exchanger 14, and the water supply solenoid valve 20 is opened, thereby heating hot water from the water supply passage 12 and spraying (spraying) it from the mist nozzle 13.

[0059] (Details of remote operation processing) Next, based on the flowchart of Figure 4, we will explain the process in which the operation control unit M operates the bathroom heater / dryer A in response to commands from the smartphone H when the remote operation switch on the main remote control R1 is switched to the remote operation state, i.e., the remote operation process. First, it is determined whether or not there is a command to start mist operation (#1). If there is no command to start mist operation, it is then determined whether or not there is a command to start heating operation (#2). If there is no command to start heating operation, the process proceeds to #1.

[0060] If it is determined in processing #1 that there is a command to start mist operation, it is then determined whether entrance / exit door B is closed (#3), and if it is closed, the mist spray process is executed (#4). Next, it is determined whether the set operating time (e.g., 30 minutes) has elapsed (#5). If the set elapsed time has not elapsed, the system waits until the set elapsed time has elapsed. If the set elapsed time has elapsed, an operation stop process (#6) is executed to stop operation of bathroom heater / dryer A, and the process ends.

[0061] If it is determined in the process of #2 that there is a command to start the heating operation, the mist stop heating process is executed (#13). Next, it is determined whether the set operating time (e.g., 30 minutes) has elapsed (#14). If the set elapsed time has not elapsed, the system waits until the set elapsed time has elapsed. If the set elapsed time has elapsed, an operation stop process (#6) is executed to stop operation of bathroom heater / dryer A, and the process ends.

[0062] If it is determined in the process of #3 that the entrance door B is not closed, that is, that the entrance door B is open, a process is executed to send mist stop heating operation information (#7), and then the mist stop heating process is started (#8). Next, it is determined whether the set operation time (e.g., 30 minutes) has elapsed (#9). If the set elapsed time has elapsed, the operation stop process (#6) is executed to stop operation of bathroom heater / dryer A.

[0063] If it is determined in step #9 that the set operating time (for example, 30 minutes) has not elapsed, then it is determined whether or not the mist stop heating process is in progress (#10). If the mist stop heating process is in progress, it is then determined whether or not the entrance / exit door B is closed (#11). If it is closed, the mist spray process is carried out (#12). If it is determined in process #10 that the mist stop heating process is not in progress, if it is determined in process #11 that the entrance / exit door B is not closed, or after process #12 has been executed, the process proceeds to process #9.

[0064] (Summary of the embodiment) According to this embodiment, when a command to start mist operation is issued from the smartphone H, if the opening / closing detection sensor S detects that the entrance / exit door B is closed, a mist spraying process is executed to perform mist operation in which mist is sprayed from the mist nozzle 13. In addition, when a command to start mist operation is issued from the smartphone H, if the opening / closing detection sensor S detects that the entrance / exit door B is open, a mist stop heating process will be executed in which the mist operation of the mist nozzle 13 is stopped and heating operation of the heating section L is performed.

[0065] Therefore, for example, if you issue a command to start the mist operation on your smartphone H on your way home and the entrance / exit door B is closed, the mist operation will start, allowing you to take a mist bath immediately upon returning home, allowing you to enjoy a good mist bath. Furthermore, for example, if the entrance door B is open when a command to start the mist operation is issued on the smartphone H on the way home, the mist operation will not start, but the heating section L will start heating operation. Therefore, even if the user issues a command to start the mist operation after closing the entrance door B when returning home, the waiting time until the bathroom is ready for a mist bath can be minimized, thereby improving usability.

[0066] In addition, when a command to start mist operation is issued from smartphone H, if the opening / closing detection sensor S detects that the entrance / exit door B is open, mist stop heating processing will be executed, and mist stop heating operation information indicating that mist stop heating processing will be executed will be sent to smartphone H. Therefore, the user holding the smartphone H can recognize that the heating operation of the heating unit L has started, instead of the mist operation having started.

[0067] Furthermore, when a command to start mist operation is given on the smartphone H, instead of the mist operation starting, if the heating operation of the heating section L is started, for example, when you return home and close the entrance / exit door B, the opening / closing detection sensor S will detect the closed state of the entrance / exit door B and the mist spray process will be executed, thereby further improving usability.

[0068] Furthermore, when a command to start heating operation is given on the smartphone H, the heating operation of the heating section L will start without starting the mist operation. In other words, a command to start heating operation can be given on the smartphone H to start the heating operation of the heating section L, thereby further improving usability.

[0069] [Another embodiment] Next, other embodiments will be listed. (1) In the above embodiment, an example was given of heating water from the water supply passage 12 with a heat medium supplied from the heat source machine G and spraying (ejecting) it from the mist nozzle 13, but it may also be implemented in a form in which warm water supplied from the heat source machine G is sprayed (ejected) from the mist nozzle 13.

[0070] (2) In the above embodiment, the smartphone H is exemplified as a communication terminal, but various devices such as a tablet can be used as a communication terminal.

[0071] (3) In the above embodiment, the heating operation is stopped when the mist spray process is performed. However, the embodiment may be implemented in a form in which the heating operation is performed when the mist spray process is performed.

[0072] (4) In the above embodiment, an example was given of a configuration in which the bath drying control unit D is configured to execute a mist spraying process that performs mist operation if the open / close detection sensor S detects a closed state when a mist operation start command is received from the heat source control unit C, and to execute a mist stop heating process that performs heating operation with the mist operation stopped if the open / close detection sensor S detects an open state.However, instead of this, based on the detection result of the open / close detection sensor S, the heat source control unit C may instruct the bath drying control unit D to execute a mist spraying process that performs mist operation if the open / close detection sensor S detects a closed state when a mist operation start command is received from the smartphone H, and to instruct the bath drying control unit D to execute a mist stop heating process that performs heating operation with the mist operation stopped if the open / close detection sensor S detects an open state. Furthermore, when transmitting the detection information of the open / close detection sensor S to the heat source control unit C, for example, the open / close detection sensor S may be connected to the bathroom control unit F2 of the bathroom remote control R2, and the detection information of the open / close detection sensor S may be transmitted to the heat source control unit C via the bathroom control unit F2.

[0073] (5) In the above embodiment, the case where the smartphone H as the communication terminal is located outside the home has been described. However, the present invention can also be implemented in the same way when the smartphone H as the communication terminal is located inside the home.

[0074] (6) In the above embodiment, an example was given of a case where the mist stop type heating process is unconditionally executed if the entrance door B is open when a command to start mist operation is given on the smartphone H as a communication terminal. However, for example, if the entrance door B is open when a command to start mist operation is given on the smartphone H as a communication terminal, a screen for selecting between the mist stop type heating process and the mist spray process may be displayed on the display unit Hd of the smartphone H, and if the mist stop type heating process is selected, the mist stop type heating process is executed, and if the mist spray process is executed, the mist spray process may be executed.

[0075] The configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies below) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradiction arises. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are examples, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope that does not deviate from the purpose of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] B Access door H Communication terminal L Heating section M Operation control unit Q Mist spray part Y Bathroom S Door open / close detector

Claims

1. A bathroom heating system with a mist function includes a heating unit that performs a heating operation to heat the inside of a bathroom, a mist spray unit that performs a mist operation to spray mist into the inside of the bathroom, an operation control unit that controls the heating operation of the heating unit and the mist operation of the mist spray unit, and a communication terminal that can issue a command to start the mist operation to the operation control unit via a communication network, A door opening / closing detection unit is provided to detect the opening / closing of the bathroom entrance / exit door, A bathroom heating system with a mist function in which, when a command to start the mist operation is received from the communication terminal, the operation control unit executes a mist spray process to perform the mist operation if the door opening / closing detection unit detects that the entrance / exit door is closed, and also executes a mist stop heating process to perform the heating operation with the mist operation stopped if the door opening / closing detection unit detects that the entrance / exit door is open.

2. The bathroom heating system with mist function described in claim 1, wherein when the communication terminal issues a command to start the mist operation and the door opening / closing detection unit detects that the entrance / exit door is open, the operation control unit sends operation information to the communication terminal indicating that the mist stop heating process will be executed.

3. A bathroom heating system with a mist function as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation control unit executes the mist spray process when the door opening / closing detection unit detects that the entrance / exit door is closed while the mist stop heating process is being performed.

4. 3. The bathroom heating system with mist function according to claim 1, wherein the operation control unit executes the mist stop heating process when a command to start the heating operation is received from the communication terminal.

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