Bath system

Abstract

To provide a bath system which can control an automatic drain plug of a bathtub by properly performing data communication even when communication protocols of a power supply control device and a water heater related to the automatic drain plug are different from each other.SOLUTION: A bath system SY includes: a power supply control device 3 which is capable of performing drive power supply to an automatic drain plug 41 of a bathtub 40 and control of operation of the drain plug; and a water heater WH which can supply hot water to the bathtub 40. The bath system SY further includes an interface unit 2 which is communicatively connected to the water heater WH and the power supply control device 3, and upon receiving a signal on prescribed drain water plug-related information from the water heater WH, outputs a control signal for making the power supply control device 3 perform an opening / closing operation of the automatic drain plug 41 in response to a content of the signal. The interface unit 2 is configured to receive power supply from the water heater WH or a power supply source different from the water heater WH, and not to receive power supply from the power supply control device 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bath system of the type in which an automatic drain plug is provided in the bathtub. [Background technology]

[0002] A specific example of a bath system is described in Patent Document 1. The bath system described in the document includes a water heater capable of supplying hot water to a bathtub, and a power supply control device (drain valve control device) that supplies power to drive and controls the operation of an automatic drain valve installed in the bathtub. The water heater and power supply control device are connected to each other via communication, and when the water heater starts to supply hot water to the bathtub, the power supply control device detects this and sets the automatic drain valve to a closed state. With this configuration, when starting to supply hot water to the bathtub, the automatic drain valve can be set to a closed state by control of the power supply control device, thereby preventing hot water from being supplied to the bathtub while the automatic drain valve is in an open state.

[0003] However, the above-mentioned prior art still has room for improvement, as will be described below.

[0004] In other words, the water heater and the power supply control device are connected to each other for communication, but this communication is performed according to a predetermined communication protocol. Therefore, if the communication protocols of the water heater and the power supply control device do not match, it will be difficult to properly configure the bath system. More specifically, when renovating a bathroom, an existing hot water supply system may be used while a new automatic drain valve and power supply control device are purchased and installed. In this case, if the automatic drain valve and power supply control device are manufactured by a different manufacturer than the hot water supply system and their communication protocols differ, proper data communication between them becomes impossible, making it difficult to control the automatic drain valve. In contrast to the above, in a bath system that already includes a water heater, an automatic drain valve, and a power supply control device, there are cases where only the water heater is replaced. In this case, if the water heater is replaced with a product from a different manufacturer, the communication protocol will differ, making it difficult to control the automatic drain valve. In this way, in the conventional technology, the automatic drain valve, the power supply control device, and the hot water supply device must be manufactured by the same manufacturer and use the same communication protocol. In order to increase the versatility of the system and improve user convenience, it is desirable to appropriately resolve this problem.

[0005] Another specific example of a bath system is described in Patent Document 2. In this bath system, the remote control for the water heater and the power supply control device that controls the automatic drain valve and bathtub cleaning device are connected for communication using an HA terminal. However, even with this configuration, if the water heater and the power supply control device are, for example, products from different manufacturers and use different communication protocols, the same problems as those described in Patent Document 1 will occur, and the above-mentioned problems will not be adequately resolved. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-169906 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-116930 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention was devised under the circumstances described above, and its objective is to provide a bath system that enables proper data communication between a power supply control device capable of supplying driving power and controlling the operation of a bathtub's automatic drain valve and a water heater, even when the communication protocols differ due to the fact that the two devices are made by different manufacturers, and that can properly control the automatic drain valve. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following technical solutions.

[0009] The bath system provided by the present invention comprises a power supply control device capable of supplying driving power and controlling the operation of the bathtub's automatic drain plug, and a water heater capable of supplying hot water to the bathtub and capable of outputting a signal of drain plug-related information relating to the opening and closing of the automatic drain plug. The bath system further comprises an interface unit that is communicatively connected to both the water heater and the power supply control device, and that, when it receives a signal of the drain plug-related information from the water heater, outputs a control signal to the power supply control device to cause the power supply control device to open or close the automatic drain plug. The interface unit is configured to receive power from the water heater or a power supply source separate from the water heater, and is configured to be able to operate without receiving power from the power supply control device. The power supply control device includes, as communication circuits for performing data communication between the power supply control device and the interface unit, a first communication circuit that is wired and connected to the interface unit and receives power from the interface unit, and a second communication circuit that is capable of transmitting signals with the first communication circuit via a photocoupler and receives power from a power supply circuit provided in the power supply control device, and the first and second communication circuits are electrically insulated from each other. It is characterized by the presence of

[0010] In the present invention, preferably, communication is carried out between the water heating device and the interface unit using a first communication protocol, while communication is carried out between the interface unit and the power supply control device using a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol, and when the interface unit receives a signal containing the drain plug-related information from the water heating device using the first communication protocol, it is configured to transmit a corresponding signal to the power supply control device using the second communication protocol.

[0011] According to the above-described configuration of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. That is, the water heater and the power supply control device are not directly connected for communication, but are indirectly connected for communication via the interface unit. When the water heater outputs a signal containing drain plug-related information to the interface unit, the interface unit outputs a control signal corresponding to that information to the power supply control device. Therefore, even if the water heater and the power supply control device use different communication protocols, the interface unit and the power supply control device can be used to appropriately control the operation of the automatic drain plug based on the output signal from the water heater. As a result, it is possible to build a bath system by combining water heaters and power supply control devices from different manufacturers, which is highly flexible and convenient. Furthermore, since the interface unit does not receive power from the power supply control device and is an independent power supply system from the power supply control device, if a failure occurs in either of them, it is clear whether the failure is on the interface unit side or on the power supply control device side. This also clarifies the warranty classification for such failures, making it possible to appropriately prevent problems with repairs or quality guarantees by manufacturers or distributors. Furthermore, with this configuration, the first and second communication circuits provided in the power supply control device can transmit signals via a photocoupler, but are electrically isolated from each other. Therefore, even if an electrical failure (abnormal event) occurs in either the interface unit side including the first communication circuit or the power supply control device side including the second communication circuit, the failure will not affect the other side, making it possible to appropriately prevent a major breakdown of the entire device.

[0012] In the present invention, the interface unit is preferably connected to the water heater by wiring and receives power from the water heater.

[0013] With this configuration, power can be easily supplied to the interface unit, and the configuration can be simplified compared to when power is supplied independently from a commercial power source.

[0014] In the present invention, the power supply control device is preferably configured so that when it receives the control signal from the interface unit and operates the automatic drain valve in accordance with the content of the control signal, it sends a response signal to the hot water supply device via the interface unit to notify the same.

[0015] With this configuration, the operating status of the automatic drain plug can be accurately detected by the water heater, which is more preferable for causing the automatic drain plug to operate appropriately in accordance with the hot water supply operation of the water heater.

[0018] In the present invention, preferably, the system further includes a bathtub cleaning device that operates by receiving power from the power supply control device and is capable of cleaning the bathtub using hot water supplied from the water heater, and the water heater is capable of outputting a signal of bathtub cleaning-related information related to the operation of the bathtub cleaning device, and the interface unit is configured to, when it receives the signal of the bathtub cleaning-related information from the water heater, output a control signal to the power supply control device in accordance with the content of the signal to operate the bathtub cleaning device.

[0019] With this configuration, it is possible to control the operation of not only the automatic drain plug but also the bathtub cleaning device in accordance with the bathtub cleaning-related information output from the water heater. Even if the bathtub cleaning device is manufactured by a different manufacturer than the water heater, proper operation control is possible. Furthermore, because power is supplied to the bathtub cleaning device from the power supply control device, the bathtub cleaning device can continue to operate even if the water heater malfunctions.

[0020] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a bath system according to the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the bath system shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of operation control executed in the bath system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 1. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the operation control executed in the bath system shown in FIGS. [Figure 5] 10(a) and 10(b) are explanatory diagrams showing another example of the operation control executed in the bath system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example different from the operation control of FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0023] The bath system SY shown in Figure 1 includes a water heater WH, a power supply control device 3, an interface unit 2, an automatic drain plug 41 provided in a bathtub 40, and a bathtub cleaning device A. The bathtub cleaning device A is configured by combining a cleaning nozzle 42 provided in the bathtub 40, a functional unit 5 (described later), and a detergent tank 50.

[0024] The water heater WH is configured by combining a water heater main body 1 with remote controls 6A and 6B for the kitchen and bathroom, respectively. As shown in Fig. 2, the water heater main body 1 includes a heat exchanger 10 to which hot water supplied from the outside to a water inlet 12 is sent, and a burner 11 that heats the hot water circulating within the heat exchanger 10. The hot water heated by the burner 11 can be supplied into the bathtub 40 from the hot water outlet 13a via the hot water piping 13 and adapter 13b (shown in Fig. 1). The heated hot water can also be supplied to the functional unit 5 from another hot water outlet 14a via the hot water piping 14, which allows detergent liquid to be sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 42 shown in Fig. 1 toward the inner wall surfaces of the bathtub 40, etc. Functional unit 5 is configured such that a detergent liquid generator and an on-off valve (not shown) are incorporated into case 51, which may be made of resin or the like. The detergent liquid generator is capable of generating detergent liquid by mixing the detergent stored in detergent tank 50 with hot water supplied from water heater WH. The on-off valve is capable of switching between supplying and stopping detergent liquid to washing nozzle 42.

[0025] 2, water heating apparatus main body 1 is provided with power supply circuit 15, control unit 16, and communication circuit 17 for receiving power from commercial power source PS1 and supplying the necessary power to each part of water heating apparatus main body 1. Control unit 16 is configured using a microcomputer or the like (this is also the same for other control units 21, 31, 61, 71 described below), and performs various types of data processing and operation control of each part.

[0026] Kitchen and bathroom remote controls 6A and 6B and interface unit 2 are communicatively connected to communication circuit 17 via wiring La, Lb, and L1, such as two-core wires. Wire L2, which will be described later, is shorter than wire L1. Communication circuit 17 is capable of power line communication (power superimposed communication), such as superimposed two-core communication, and is capable of supplying power to kitchen and bathroom remote controls 6A and 6B and interface unit 2 and transmitting information signals to each other.

[0027] Kitchen and bathroom remote controls 6A and 6B are used to set and check the operating conditions of water heater WH and to issue operating commands for water heater WH, and include a communication circuit 60 with a power line communication function corresponding to communication circuit 17, a control unit 61, a display unit 62, an operation unit 63 including a plurality of operation switches, and a speaker SP. Kitchen and bathroom remote controls 6A and 6B can also be used to perform operations such as opening and closing automatic drain plug 41 and starting bathtub cleaning using bathtub cleaning device A.

[0028] The power supply control device 3 supplies drive power to the automatic drain plug 41 and the bathtub cleaning device A, and controls their operation. It is equipped with a power supply circuit 30, a control unit 31, and a communication circuit 32, which receive power from a commercial power source PS2 and supply power to desired necessary parts. As will be described later, the communication circuit 32 is divided into first and second communication circuits 32A and 32B, which will be described later.

[0029] The control unit 31 of the power supply control device 3 is directly or indirectly connected to the drain plug drive device 44, the functional units 5 that make up the bathtub cleaning device A, and the bathtub cleaning remote control 7. The bathtub cleaning remote control 7 is used to remotely control the power supply control device 3, and like the kitchen and bathroom remote controls 6A and 6B, it includes a communication circuit 70, a control unit 71, a display unit 72, an operation unit 73, a speaker SP, and the like. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the power supply control device 3 is also equipped with a communication circuit that enables power line communication (superimposed two-core communication) between the communication circuit 70 of the bathtub cleaning remote control 7 and the communication circuit 70 via wiring Ld such as a two-core wire.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, the drain plug drive device 44 has a motor (not shown) connected to the automatic drain plug 41 via a wire 45, and the automatic drain plug 41 can be opened and closed by having this motor pull and release the wire 45. As described above, the functional unit 5 of the bathtub cleaning device A is a unit that includes a predetermined detergent liquid generating section, an opening / closing valve, and the like. These drain plug drive devices 44 and functional units 5 are connected to the power supply control device 3 via composite wiring Le, Lf consisting of power supply lines and signal lines, and receive the necessary power supply from the power supply control device 3 and are controlled by the power supply control device 3.

[0031] The interface unit 2 is interposed between the water heating apparatus WH and the power supply control device 3, and when it receives either a signal of a first communication protocol used for data communication with the water heating apparatus WH or a signal of a second communication protocol used for data communication with the power supply control device 3, it converts this into the other signal and outputs it, thereby enabling data communication between the water heating apparatus WH and the power supply control device 3. More specifically, the first communication protocol is a communication protocol between water heater main body 1 and kitchen and bathroom remote controls 6A and 6B. In this embodiment, bathtub cleaning device A and power supply control device 3 are manufactured by different manufacturers than water heater WH, and the first and second communication protocols are different from each other.

[0032] The interface unit 2 includes communication circuits 20A and 20B, a control unit 21, and a power supply circuit 22. As described above, communication circuit 20A is connected to communication circuit 17 of water heating apparatus WH via the aforementioned wiring L1, and is capable of power line communication such as superimposed two-core communication. Interface unit 2 receives power from water heating apparatus WH via wiring L1. Communication circuit 20B is connected to communication circuit 32 of power supply control device 3 via wiring L2 as a signal line. When control unit 21 receives a signal in the first communication protocol from water heating apparatus WH via communication circuit 20A, it outputs the signal from communication circuit 20B to power supply control device 3 using the second communication protocol. Conversely, when control unit 21 receives a signal in the second communication protocol from power supply control device 3 via communication circuit 20B, it outputs the signal from communication circuit 20A to water heating apparatus WH using the first communication protocol.

[0033] As mentioned above, the communication circuit 32 of the power supply control device 3 is divided into the first and second communication circuits 32A, 32B, and these first and second communication circuits 32A, 32B are capable of transmitting signals via photocouplers 33a, 33b and are electrically insulated from each other. First communication circuit 32A is connected to interface unit 2 via power supply line Lc in addition to wiring L2, and receives power from interface unit 2. The power supply source for power supply line Lc is power supply circuit 22, which receives power from water heating apparatus WH via communication circuit 20A. Second communication circuit 32B is connected to power supply circuit 22. It is powered by power supply from the power supply circuit 30, and information received by the second communication circuit 32B from the first communication circuit 32A is input to the control unit 31, and information received from the control unit 31 is transmitted to the first communication circuit 32A.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, the interface unit 2 and power supply control device 3 are installed in the ceiling (above the ceiling panel 49) of the bathroom where the bathtub 40 is installed. The wiring L2 is shorter than the wiring L1, which makes it easier to route the wiring L2 in the ceiling. It is also less susceptible to electromagnetic noise. In Fig. 1, reference numerals 48a and 48b denote connectors for wiring, but these are omitted in Fig. 2.

[0035] Next, specific examples of operational control of each part in the bath system SY will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0036] 3, when either kitchen or bathroom remote control 6A, 6B of water heater WH is used to open or close automatic drain valve 41 of bathtub 40 (S1), a control signal Sa instructing this is transmitted from water heater WH to interface unit 2 using a first communication protocol. Control signal Sa corresponds to a specific example of the "drain plug-related information signal" of the present invention.

[0037] When the interface unit 2 receives the control signal Sa, it transmits it as a control signal Sa' conforming to the second communication protocol to the power supply control device 3. As a result, the power supply control device 3 is able to properly determine the content (information) of the control signal Sa', and performs operational control to open or close the automatic drain plug 41 (S2).

[0038] Power supply control device 3 then returns a response signal Sb' to interface unit 2 using the second communication protocol, indicating that automatic drain plug 41 has been set to an open or closed state. This response signal Sb' is then returned from interface unit 2 to water heating apparatus WH as a response signal Sb conforming to the first communication protocol. As a result, water heating apparatus WH can confirm that automatic drain plug 41 has been appropriately controlled to an open or closed state in response to the previous control signal Sa, and can accurately grasp the current state of automatic drain plug 41.

[0039] 4, when either kitchen or bathroom remote control 6A, 6B of water heating apparatus WH is used to perform an operation related to the operation of bathtub cleaning apparatus A, such as an operation to start bathtub cleaning or an operation to interrupt bathtub cleaning that has already started (S11), a control signal Sc instructing that operation is transmitted from water heating apparatus WH to interface unit 2 using the first communication protocol. The control signal Sc corresponds to a specific example of a "signal of bathtub cleaning-related information" as defined in this invention.

[0040] When the interface unit 2 receives the control signal Sc, it transmits it as a control signal Sc' conforming to the second communication protocol to the power supply control device 3. As a result, the power supply control device 3 is able to properly determine the content (information) of the control signal Sc', and executes control such as starting or stopping the operation of the bathtub cleaning device A (S12).

[0041] Furthermore, when such control is executed, a response signal Sd' is returned in the second communication protocol from power supply control device 3 to interface unit 2. This response signal Sd' is then returned from interface unit 2 to water heater WH as a response signal Sd conforming to the first communication protocol. This allows water heater WH to confirm that bathtub cleaning device A has been appropriately controlled in response to the control signal Sc.

[0042] 3 and 4, although the communication protocols of the water heater WH and the power supply control device 3 are different, by converting the communication protocol using interface unit 2, it is possible to properly communicate data between them and control automatic drain plug 41 and bathtub cleaning device A. Since it is possible to use products from different manufacturers that use different communication protocols as the water heater WH and the power supply control device 3, this system is highly flexible and convenient.

[0043] If an abnormality occurs in a sensor or other device during bathtub cleaning, power supply control device 3 will cause bathtub cleaning remote control 7 to notify the user of an error. However, if automatic drain plug 41 is not malfunctioning, its opening and closing operation can still be controlled. Therefore, even if the error notification process described above has been performed, as shown in Figure 3, if an operation to operate automatic drain plug 41 is performed in hot water supply device WH, a signal corresponding to this operation will be transmitted to power supply control device 3, and automatic drain plug 41 will be controlled appropriately.

[0044] In the bath system SY of this embodiment, a process of determining whether communication is normal or abnormal is also executed. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5(a), the power supply control device 3 executes a process for determining whether communication is normal or abnormal at predetermined short intervals (S21). To start this process, the power supply control device 3 transmits a predetermined signal Se' for determining whether communication is normal or abnormal to the interface unit 2. As a result of this transmission, in the communication between the interface unit 2 and the hot water supply device WH, the signal Se' is converted into a signal Se conforming to the first communication protocol and its response signal Sf, and if this signal is then returned to the power supply control device 3 within a predetermined time as a predetermined response signal Sf' conforming to the second communication protocol, the power supply control device 3 determines that communication in the bath system SY is normal.

[0045] 5(b), there are cases where, even though the power supply control device 3 sends a signal Se' to the interface unit 2, the response signal Sf' is not returned within a predetermined time. In this case, the power supply control device 3 determines that there is a communication abnormality (S23), and reports this fact using the bathtub cleaning remote control 7 (S24). This allows the user to accurately detect that there is an abnormality in the communication system of the bath system SY and to quickly resolve the abnormality.

[0046] While the process for determining whether communication is normal or abnormal is performed by power supply control device 3 in Fig. 5, it can alternatively be performed by water heater WH, as shown in Fig. 6, for example. To begin the process for determining whether communication is normal or abnormal (S25), water heater WH transmits a predetermined signal Se to interface unit 2. If no predetermined appropriate response signal is received within a predetermined time, water heater WH determines that communication in bath system SY is abnormal (S26) and reports this using at least one of kitchen and bathroom remote controls 6A, 6B (S27). In contrast, if a predetermined appropriate response signal is received within a predetermined time, water heater WH determines that communication in bath system SY is normal.

[0047] The interface unit 2 receives power from the water heater WH and is on an independent power supply system from the power supply control device 3. Therefore, if a failure occurs in either the interface unit 2 or the power supply control device 3, it will be clear whether the failure is on the interface unit 2 side or the power supply control device 3 side. The warranty classification for such a failure will also be clear, making it possible to appropriately prevent problems with repairs or quality guarantees by the manufacturer or distributor.

[0048] The first and second communication circuits 32A, 32B provided in the power supply control device 3 enable signal transmission via photocouplers 33a, 33b and are electrically insulated from each other. Therefore, even if an electrical failure (abnormal situation) occurs on either the interface unit 2 side including the first communication circuit 32A or the power supply control device 3 side including the second communication circuit 32B, it is expected that this failure will not affect the other side, and the scope of the electrical failure can be prevented from expanding significantly.

[0049] Additionally, according to this embodiment, the interface unit 2 and the power supply control device 3 are installed in an efficient manner using the ceiling space above the bathroom, and the installation workability is also good. The hot water supply device WH, interface unit 2, and power supply control device 3 are connected by wire using wires L1 and L2, which allows for more stable communication than when wireless communication is used. In addition, because wire L2 is short, it is less susceptible to picking up noise, making communication more stable and improving the ease of handling and routing of wire L2.

[0050] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the specific configuration of each part of the bath system according to the present invention can be freely modified in various ways within the intended scope of the present invention.

[0051] In the above-described embodiment, in addition to the automatic drain plug, a bathtub cleaning device is also provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to provide a bath system that is equipped with only the automatic drain plug and the bathtub cleaning device, without the bathtub cleaning device. An automatic drain valve is a valve that can switch on and off the drainage of hot and cold water from a bathtub, but its specific structure and opening / closing mechanism are not limited. The "drain plug-related information signal" in this invention is not limited to a control signal for opening or closing the automatic drain plug, but can also be a control signal with other content. Furthermore, the "bathtub cleaning-related information signal" in this invention is not limited to a control signal for starting or stopping bathtub cleaning, but can also be a control signal with other operational commands related to bathtub cleaning.

[0052] The interface unit only needs to have a function of outputting a control signal to the power supply control device to cause the power supply control device to open or close the automatic drain plug in accordance with the content of the signal when it receives a signal containing predetermined drain plug-related information from the water heating apparatus. An example of such a function is a function of converting the communication protocol of the water heating apparatus (first communication protocol) into the communication protocol of the power supply control device (second communication protocol), and when it receives a predetermined control signal output from the water heating apparatus using the first communication protocol, outputting the control signal to the power supply control device using the second communication protocol. The specific content of the first and second communication protocols is not limited. In the present invention, the interface unit is configured not to receive power from the power supply control device, but as a means for achieving this, instead of receiving power from the water heater, it can be configured to receive power from a power supply source other than the water heater (such as a commercial power source).

[0053] The power supply control device may be any device that can supply drive power to the automatic drain plug and control its operation. The water heater may be, for example, a storage type water heater instead of an instantaneous water heater equipped with a burner and a heat exchanger. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] A Bathtub cleaning device SY Bath System WH water heater 2 Interface Unit 3 Power supply control device 32A, 32B First and second communication circuits 33a, 33b Photocoupler 40 Bathtub 41 Automatic drain valve

Claims

1. a power supply control device capable of supplying driving power and controlling the operation of the automatic drain plug of the bathtub; a water heater capable of supplying hot water to the bathtub and outputting a signal of drain plug-related information relating to opening and closing of the automatic drain plug; A bath system comprising: an interface unit that is communicatively connected to each of the hot water supply device and the power supply control device, and that, upon receiving a signal of the drain plug-related information from the hot water supply device, outputs a control signal to the power supply control device to cause the power supply control device to perform an opening and closing operation of the automatic drain plug in accordance with the content of the signal; the interface unit is configured to receive power from the water heater or a power supply source separate from the water heater, and is configured to be operable without receiving power from the power supply control device; the power supply control device comprises, as communication circuits for performing data communication with the interface unit, a first communication circuit that is wired and connected to the interface unit and receives power from the interface unit, and a second communication circuit that is capable of transmitting signals with the first communication circuit via a photocoupler and receives power from a power supply circuit included in the power supply control device; A bath system characterized in that the first and second communication circuits are electrically insulated from each other.

2. The bath system according to claim 1, communication between the water heating device and the interface unit using a first communication protocol, while communication between the interface unit and the power supply control device using a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol; A bath system wherein the interface unit is configured such that when it receives a signal of the drain plug-related information from the water heater device using the first communication protocol, it transmits a corresponding signal to the power supply control device using the second communication protocol.

3. The bath system according to claim 1 or 2, The interface unit is connected to the water heater by wiring and receives power from the water heater.

4. The bath system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A bath system in which the power supply control device is configured to receive the control signal from the interface unit, and when it operates the automatic drain valve in accordance with the content of the control signal, send a response signal to the hot water supply device via the interface unit to notify the same.

5. The bath system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The system further includes a bathtub cleaning device that operates by receiving power from the power supply control device and that can clean the bathtub using hot water supplied from the hot water supply device, The hot water supply device is capable of outputting a signal of bathtub cleaning-related information relating to the operation of the bathtub cleaning device, A bath system in which the interface unit is configured to, when receiving a signal of the bathtub cleaning-related information from the water heating device, output a control signal to the power supply control device in accordance with the content of the signal to operate the bathtub cleaning device.

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