JP2005040174A

JP2005040174A - Safety device for jet bath

Info

Publication number: JP2005040174A
Application number: JP2003200270A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Yoshihiko Teranaka; 吉彦寺中
Original assignee: Yamaha Living Tech Co Ltd
Current assignee: Yamaha Living Tech Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-07-23
Filing date: 2003-07-23
Publication date: 2005-02-17

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a safety device for a jet bath, capable of securely preventing a foreign matter, etc. from being sucked into the circulation piping by mechanically reducing the suction force into the circulation piping when a circulation port cover is not mounted on a circulation port and forming the device itself inexpensively with a simple mechanism. <P>SOLUTION: The safety device is characterized by the circulation port cover detachably mounted on the circulation port of a bathtub and a channel closing means for mechanically closing a channel of the circulation piping communicating with the circulation port when the circulation cover is not mounted on the circulation port. The channel closing means has a valve element movable to the circulation port. As the valve element moves in the axial direction or in the circumferential direction according to the state of the circulation port cover, whether it is mounted on the circulation port or not, the channel of the circulation piping is opened or closed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、例えばバスタブ内の湯と空気との気泡混合噴流をバスタブ内に吐出させてジェット噴流等を発生させるジェットバス用安全装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
一般的にこの種のジェットバスにおいては、バスタブ側面の吸込口から循環ポンプの作動でバスタブ内の湯を吸込み、この湯と空気との混合噴流等をバスタブ側面の吐出口から吐出させるようにしているが、その際、吸込口への異物の吸込み等を防止するために、各種の安全装置が設けられている。従来、この安全装置としては、例えば特許文献１及び特許文献２に開示されている。
【０００３】
先ず、特許文献１に開示の安全装置は、圧力検知方式に係わるもので、循環ポンプとバスタブの吐出口間の吐出側配管に圧力検知センサを設け、この圧力検知センサの検出値と予め設定した一定値との偏差が一定範囲を超えた場合に、循環ポンプの作動を停止させるようにしたものである。また、特許文献２に開示の安全装置は、循環口カバー検知方式に係わるもので、バスタブの吸込口に吸込口カバーを装着し、この吸込口カバーに磁石を設けると共に吸込口の本体ボディにリードスイッチを埋込状に設け、吸込口カバーが装着されていない場合に、リードスイッチをオフさせて循環ポンプが作動しないようにしたものである。
【０００４】
【特許文献１】
特開平２−２４９５４７号公報
【特許文献２】
特開平９−１７３４０２号公報
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、これらの安全装置にあっては、いずれも吸込口の吸込力や吸込口カバーの有無を電気的に検知して循環ポンプの作動を制御する方式であるため、圧力検知センサあるいはリードスイッチと循環ポンプの作動を制御するコントローラとを電線によって配線する必要がある。そして、これらの配線が水廻り空間としての浴室に配設されることから、耐湿性（耐候性）に優れた比較的高価な電線や防水コネクターを使用する必要があると共に、圧力検知センサやリードスイッチ自体が高価となり易く、結果として安全装置のコストアップを招き易い上、システムが複雑となって故障の可能性が高く信頼性の面でも劣るという問題点を有している。
【０００６】
本発明はこのような事情に鑑みてなされたもので、その目的は、循環口への循環口カバーの非装着時に循環配管内の吸込力を機械的に低下させて、該循環配管内への異物等の吸い込みを確実に防止し得ると共に、簡素な機構により装置自体を安価に形成し得るジェットバスの安全装置を提供することにある。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
かかる目的を達成すべく、本発明のうち請求項１に記載の発明は、バスタブに設けられた吸込側及び吐出側の循環口と、該一対の循環口を連結する循環配管と、該循環配管中に設けられた循環ポンプとを備え、循環ポンプの作動でバスタブ内の湯を循環配管を介して循環させることによりバスタブ内に所定形態の噴流を吐出させ得るジェットバス用安全装置において、前記循環口に循環口カバーを着脱可能に装着すると共に、該循環口カバーが循環口に装着されていない時に前記循環配管の流路を機械的に閉塞する流路閉塞手段を設けたことを特徴とする。
【０００８】
このように構成することにより、バスタブ内の湯は、循環ポンプの作動で吸込側の循環口から循環配管内に吸い込まれて吐出側の循環口からバスタブ内に再び吐出される。この循環ポンプの作動時に、吸込側の循環口に作用する吸込力は例えば該吸込側の循環口に循環口カバーが装着されている場合に作用し、循環口カバーが装着されていない場合には、流路閉塞手段の機械的作動で循環配管の流路が閉塞される。この循環配管の流路閉塞により、吸込側の循環口における吸込力が低下し、該循環口からの異物等の吸い込みが確実に防止されると共に、吸込力が流路閉塞手段で機械的に低下されることから、その構成の簡略化が図れて安価な安全装置が得られる。
【０００９】
そして、前記流路閉塞手段は、請求項２に記載の発明のように、循環口に移動可能に設けられた弁体を有し、該弁体が循環口カバーの循環口への装着もしくは非装着に応じて移動することにより、前記循環配管の流路が開放もしくは閉塞されることが好ましく、この場合、前記弁体は、請求項３に記載の発明のように、移動側弁体の固定側弁体に対する循環口の軸方向への移動もしくは循環口の円周方向への移動によって、両弁体に設けた弁孔が連通して循環配管の流路に連通可能であることが好ましい。
【００１０】
このように構成することにより、流路閉塞手段を構成する弁体が循環口カバーの装着状態に応じて移動することで循環配管の流路が開閉されることから、弁体の移動機構等を簡略化して一層安価な安全装置が得られると共に、弁体の確実な移動動作が容易に得られる。また、移動側弁体を固定側弁体に対して循環口の軸方向や円周方向に移動させることで、両弁体の弁孔が連通して循環配管の流路に連通することから、弁体のスライド動作や回転動作で循環流路を開閉できて、流路閉塞手段の構成を一層簡略化できる。
【００１１】
また、前記循環口は、請求項４に記載の発明のように、バスタブの取付穴に嵌合固定されその内部に前記弁体が移動可能に嵌挿される筒状部と、前記循環配管の流路に連通する開口が形成された底壁部とからなる循環口ケースを備えることが好ましい。このように構成することにより、循環口を筒状部と開口を有する底壁部からなる循環口ケースで形成し、この循環口ケースの筒状部内に弁体を嵌挿させることで流路閉塞手段を循環口に配設でき、流路閉塞手段が配設される循環口の構成を一層簡略化できる。
【００１２】
また、前記弁体は、請求項５に記載の発明のように、循環配管の流路を閉塞する方向に付勢手段によって常時付勢されていることが好ましい。このように構成することにより、付勢手段で弁体が流路閉塞方向に常時付勢されていることから、循環口カバーの非装着時に弁体を確実に閉状態に設定できて、異物等の吸い込みを一層確実に防止できる。
【００１３】
また、前記循環口カバーは、請求項６に記載の発明のように、吸込側の循環口にねじ込み操作もしくは押し込み操作によって着脱可能に装着されることが好ましい。このように構成することにより、循環口カバーが一対の循環口のうち、吸込側の循環口に装着されることから、吸込側の循環口からの循環配管内への異物等の吸い込みを一層確実かつ効果的に防止できると共に、その着脱を簡単に行うことができて、メンテナンス性の向上等が図れる。
【００１４】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施の形態の一例を図面に基づいて詳細に説明する。
図１〜図６は、本発明に係わるジェットバス用安全装置の一実施形態を示し、図１が該安全装置を使用したジェットバスの基本構成図、図２が吸込口カバーの装着時の断面図、図３が吸込口カバーの非装着時の断面図、図４が図３のＡ−Ａ線矢視図、図５が吸込口カバーの斜視図、図６がその正面図である。
【００１５】
図１において、ジェットバス１を構成する浴槽２には、その側壁２ａに吸込側循環口３と吐出側循環口４が設けられており、吸込側循環口３と循環ポンプ５の吸込側とは吸込側配管６ａで接続され、吐出口４と循環ポンプ５の吐出側とは吐出側配管６ｂで接続されている。この吸込側配管６ａと吐出側配管６ｂとによって循環配管６が形成され、この循環配管６の流路Ｒの途中に制御装置７により作動可能な前記循環ポンプ５が接続されている。
【００１６】
そして、前記吐出側循環口４には、内部に回転式（もしくは固定式）の図示しない噴射ノズルが配設された吐出口カバー８が着脱可能に装着されており、また、吸込側循環口３には、安全装置９が配設されている。この安全装置９は、吸込側循環口３に着脱可能に装着された循環口カバーとしての吸込口カバー１０と、吸込側循環口３内に配設された流路閉塞手段としての弁体１１等を備えている。
【００１７】
前記弁体１１は、図２〜図６に示すように、浴槽２の側壁２ａに穿設された取付孔１２にシール性を有して固着された循環口ケース１３（循環口部材）内に配設された、固定側弁体１４と移動側弁体１５を有している。循環口ケース１３は、有底筒状に形成された断面円形の筒状部１３ａが前記取付孔１２に嵌合されると共に、筒状部１３ａ先端の鍔部１３ｃ内面が浴槽２の側壁２ａ内面に密着状態でネジ３０によって取り付けられている。また、循環口ケース１３の正面視円形の底部１３ｂには、その中心位置に前記流路Ｒに連通する所定内径の開口１６を有する配管連結部１３ｄが一体形成され、この配管連結部１３ｄには前記吸込側配管６ａの端部が連結されている。
【００１８】
前記固定側弁体１４は、循環口ケース１３の筒状部１３ａ内に固定的に嵌挿配置され、筒状部１４ａと底部１４ｂ等を有し、底部１４ｂ外面が循環口ケース１３の底部１３ｂ内面に所定間隔の隙間２３を有して固定的に取り付けられている。また、固定側弁体１４の底部１４ｂには、その中心位置に吸込口カバー１０の装着軸１０ｃ先端が当接する軸当接部１４ｄが設けられると共に、中心位置から所定半径位置の円周線上に等間隔で複数個（図では３個）の円形の弁孔１４ｃが形成されている。
【００１９】
前記移動側弁体１５は、固定側弁体１４内にその軸方向にスライド移動可能に配設され、筒部１５ａと底部１５ｂ等を有し、底部１５ｂには、前記弁孔１４ｃと同一半径位置、同一間隔で同一個数（図では３個）の円形の弁孔１５ｃが形成されている。また、移動側弁体１５の底部１５ｂの中心位置には、筒部１５ａの軸方向の開口側（反底部１５ｂ側）に所定寸法突出する状態で軸芯位置にネジ孔３１を有するカバー装着部１５ｄが一体形成されている。そして、移動側弁体１５の底部１５ｂ内面と固定側弁体１４の筒部１４ａ先端に設けた鍔部１４ｅとの間に圧縮コイルバネ１７が嵌装されており、これにより、移動側弁体１５が圧縮コイルバネ１７の付勢力で常時図２の反矢印ニ方向（後述する弁体１１を閉じる方向）に付勢されている。
【００２０】
なお、固定側弁体１４の弁孔１４ｃと移動側弁体１５の弁孔１５ｃは、それぞれ同一内径、同一個数で円周方向においてずれた状態でそれぞれ同一の等間隔に形成されている。そして、浴槽２内から見た場合に、弁孔１４ｃ、１５ｃが軸方向に重ならないように設定されており、この状態で、移動側弁体１４の底部１４ｂと固定側弁体１５の底部１５ｂとが密着状態の場合に弁体１１が「閉状態」とされ、移動側弁体１４の底部１４ｂと固定側弁体１５の底部１５ｂとが隙間２２を有して対向する状態の場合に弁体１１が「開状態」とされるようになっている。
【００２１】
また、図４に示すように、固定側弁体１４の筒部１４ａの直径方向位置には軸方向に所定長さ延びた回り止め用の溝１８が形成され、移動側弁体１５の筒部１５ａの所定位置には凸部１９が一体形成されている。そして、移動側弁体１５の凸部１９が固定側弁体１４の溝１８に嵌入することにより、移動側弁体１５の固定側弁体１４に対する円周方向への回転が禁止されている。さらに、前記循環口ケース１３及び弁体１１は、例えば樹脂成形や金属加工によって各部が一体形成されているが、前述した圧縮コイルバネ１７の一端が係止される固定側弁体１４の鍔部１４ｅは、図３の二点鎖線で示すように、筒状部１４ａとは別体で形成しこれを筒状部１４ａに接着固定するようにして、各部品の加工性の向上を図ることもできる。
【００２２】
前記吸込口カバー１０は、例えば樹脂成形や金属加工によって形成され、図５及び図６に示すように、正面視円形でカバー面として機能する前壁部１０ａと、この前壁部１０ａの外周縁に内側に所定寸法突出形成された周壁部１０ｂを有すると共に、前壁部１０ａの裏面中心位置には、その先端側の外周面にネジ部２０が形成された所定長さの装着軸１０ｃが一体形成されている。また、前壁部１０ａには、中心位置から所定半径位置に円周方向に沿って等間隔の円形の吸込孔２１が多数個複数列（図では３列）で形成されている。この各列の吸込孔２１の内径は、異物等の吸い込みを防止できる所定の同一内径に設定されるが、例えばその内径を列毎に異なるように設定することも勿論可能である。
【００２３】
そして、この吸込口カバー１０は、その装着軸１０ｃのネジ部２０先端を前記移動側弁体１５のカバー装着部１５ｄのネジ孔３１に嵌入させ、その前壁部１０ａと周壁部１０ｂを手で図２の矢印ロの如く回転操作することにより、装着軸１０ｃのネジ部２０がカバー装着部１５ｄのネジ孔３１に螺合しつつ進入して、吸込口カバー１０が弁体１１に装着される。この吸込口カバー１０の弁体１１への装着により、弁体１１が開状態とされる。
【００２４】
前記制御装置７は、循環ポンプ５の電流値を検出する電流検出回路と、この電流検出回路で検出された検出電流値と予め設定した基準値とを比較して、検出電流値が基準値より低下した場合に循環ポンプ５に停止信号を出力するマイコン等のコントローラ及び所定の電源回路（いずれも図示せず）等を有している。この制御装置７によって、循環ポンプ５の作動が制御され、循環ポンプ５が空運転した際等に、その作動を停止させるようになっている。なお、制御装置７による循環ポンプ５の作動制御は、循環ポンプ５の電流値に限らず、例えば吸込側配管６ａ（もしくは吐出側配管６ｂ）の流量を検出し、この流量が基準値より低くなった場合に、循環ポンプ５を停止させるように構成しても良い。
【００２５】
次に、前記ジェットバス１における安全装置９の動作について説明する。先ず、浴槽２の吸込側循環口３に吸込口カバー１０が装着された正規の使用状態（安全装置９の非作動状態）にあっては、図２に示すように、吸込側循環口３の弁体１１の移動側弁体１５に吸込口カバー１０が装着され、弁体１１が開状態に設定される。すなわち、吸込口カバー１０が吸込側循環口３に装着されていない後述する弁体１１の閉状態において、吸込口カバー１０の装着軸１０ｃを移動側弁体１５内に挿入し、そのネジ部２０を移動側弁体１５のカバー装着部１５ｄのネジ孔３１にねじ込む。そして、この状態で吸込口カバー１０の前壁部１０ａや周壁部１０ｂをねじ込み方向に回転させると、装着軸１０ｃがカバー装着部１５ｄ内を移動して、その先端が固定側弁体１４の軸当接部１４ｄに当接する。
【００２６】
この装着軸１０ｃ先端が固定側弁体１４の軸当接部１４ｄに当接した状態で、吸込口カバー１０をさらに回転操作すると、回転する装着軸１０ｃのネジ部２０に沿って移動側弁体１５が圧縮コイルバネ１７の付勢力に抗しつつ循環口ケース１３の開口方向に移動し、該移動側弁体１５の底部１５ａ外面と固定側弁体１４の底部１４ｂの内面間に隙間２２が形成される。この隙間２２は、吸込口カバー１０の回転操作に応じて徐々に広くなり、例えば図２に示すように、吸込口カバー１０の周壁部１０ｂが固定側弁体１４の鍔部１４ｅ外側に位置した位置で所定の隙間２２が形成され、この状態で弁体１１が完全な開状態となる。
【００２７】
なお、弁体１１が開状態となる隙間２２の形成は、吸込口カバー１０の周壁部１０ｂの位置で行う方法に限らず、例えば移動側弁体１５の筒部１５ａを延設しその先端が固定側弁体１４の鍔部１４ｅ内面に当接した位置とする等、適宜に位置決め機構を採用できる。
【００２８】
そして、弁体１１が開状態に設定されると、移動側弁体１５の弁孔１５ｃと固定側弁体１４の弁孔１４ｃがその間に形成された隙間２２を介して連通状態となり、図２の矢印イの如く、吸込口カバー１０の各吸込孔２１から吸い込まれた湯が、移動側弁体１５内→弁孔１５ｃ→隙間２２→弁孔１４ｃ→隙間２３を介して開口１６方向に流れる。これにより、循環配管１６の流路Ｒ（図２参照）が開放された状態となる。この開放状態において、吸込側循環口３に吸込カバー１０が装着されて、循環口ケース１３の開口が吸込口カバー１０で覆われていることから、吸込側循環口３への異物等の吸い込みが確実に防止されることになり、この時、循環する湯は吸込口カバー１０の多数の吸込孔２１から所定量吸引されて、所望のジェット噴流を確保し得る所定の循環量が得られることになる。
【００２９】
一方、吸込口カバー１０が吸込側循環口３に装着されていない状態（安全装置９の作動状態）においては、図３に示すように、弁体１１の移動側弁体１５が圧縮コイルバネ１７の付勢力で固定側弁体１４の底部１４ｂ方向に付勢されて、移動側弁体１５の平面状の底部１５ｂ外面が固定側弁体１４の平面状の底部１４ｂ内面に当接密着する。これにより、固定側弁体１４の弁孔１４ｃが移動側弁体１５の弁孔１５ｃ以外の部分で閉塞されて弁体１１が閉状態に設定され、循環配管１６の流路Ｒが吸込側循環口３部分で閉塞された状態となる。
【００３０】
そして、この弁体１１の閉状態、すなわち吸込口カバー１０の吸込側循環口３への装着を忘れた状態において、例えば浴槽２内に吐出側循環口４より上位まで湯Ｗ（図１参照）を入れ、制御装置７により循環ポンプ５を作動させると、循環ポンプ５の吸引力により、循環配管６の吸込側配管６ａ及び吸込側循環口３を介して浴槽２内の湯が吸い込まれようとするが、循環配管６の流路Ｒが弁体１１で閉塞されていることから、浴槽２内の湯の吸込側循環口３からの吸い込みが禁止される。これにより、循環ポンプ５が空運転状態となって例えばその電流値が低下し、この電流値が前述した制御装置７で基準値と比較され、検出電流値が基準値を下回った時点で循環ポンプ５が停止させられる。
【００３１】
この時、弁体１１の移動側弁体１５が圧縮コイルバネ１７で閉方向に常時付勢されると共に、循環ポンプ５による吸引力で移動側弁体１５が閉方向に吸引されることから、吸引口カバー１０を装着忘れした際に、弁体１１を閉状態に確実に維持することができて、吸込側循環口３を介した異物等の吸い込みが確実に防止されると共に、循環ポンプ５の空運転状態を素早く検知して停止させることができ、これにより、吸込口カバー１０の非装着時の安全性が十分に高められる。
【００３２】
つまり、前記安全装置９の場合、吸込側の循環口ケース１３内に流路閉塞手段としての機械的に開閉する弁体１１を配設し、吸込口カバー１０の非装着時に弁体１１を閉状態に設定することで、循環配管６の流路Ｒが閉塞されて循環ポンプ５が空運転状態となりその作動が停止させられて、吸込側循環口３への異物等の吸い込みが防止される。また、吸込口カバー１０を回転操作で弁体１１に正規に装着することで、常時閉方向に付勢された移動側弁体１５がスライド移動して弁体１１が開状態とされ、これにより、循環配管６内を所定量の湯が循環して浴槽２内に所定のジェット噴流が噴射されることになる。
【００３３】
このように、上記実施形態の安全装置９においては、吸込側循環口３の循環口ケース１３内に弁体１１が配設され、吸込側循環口３に吸込口カバー１０が装着されていない時に、弁体１１が閉状態に設定されるため、吸込口カバー１０の吸込側循環口３への非装着時に、弁体１１で循環配管６の流路Ｒを閉塞させて吸込側循環口３に吸込力をほとんど作用しない状態に設定することができて、異物等の吸込側循環口３への吸い込みを確実に防止することができる。
【００３４】
特に、弁体１１の移動側弁体１５が圧縮コイルバネ１７により固定側弁体１４方向に常時付勢されると共に、吸込口カバー１０の非装着時に循環ポンプ５が作動すると、その吸引力で移動側弁体１５が固定側弁体１４方向に付勢されることから、移動側弁体１４を常時閉方向に付勢した状態とすることができて、吸込口カバー１０の非装着時に循環配管６の流路Ｒを確実に閉塞して、吸込側循環口３からの異物等の吸い込みを一層確実に防止することができる。
【００３５】
また、吸込口カバー１０の非装着時に弁体１１が閉状態に維持されると共に、閉状態における循環ポンプ５の空運転を制御装置７により電流値の低下や流量の減少等で検知して循環ポンプ５の作動を停止させることができるため、安全装置９の作動と併せ、吸込口カバー１０の非装着時の吸込側循環口３への吸込力の作用を確実に防ぐことができて、吸込側循環口３への異物等の吸い込みをより一層確実に防止することができる。
【００３６】
さらに、弁体１１の移動側弁体１５が循環口ケース１３の軸方向にスライド移動することで、その底部１５ｂに形成した複数の弁孔１５ｃと固定側弁体１４の底部１４ｂに形成した複数個の弁孔１４ｃとが、軸方向の隙間２２で連通すると共に、両底部１４ｂ、１５ｂの面接触により閉状態となる構造であるため、移動側弁体１５のスライド移動動作で弁体１１を確実に開閉動作できて、吸込口カバー１０の非装着時の流路Ｒ遮断や吸込口カバー１０装着時の流路Ｒ開放を確実に行うことができる。
【００３７】
特に、移動側弁体１５と固定側弁体１４の弁孔１５ｃ、１４ｃが円周方向に重ならない状態で形成されていることから、移動側弁体１５の軸方向の移動のみで、弁体１１を開閉できると共に、移動側弁体１５と固定側弁体１４とが溝１８と凸部１９の係合で回り止めされているため、周壁部１０ｂ等の回転操作で移動側弁体１５を軸方向に簡単に移動させることができて、弁体１１を一層確実にかつスムーズに開閉することができる。
【００３８】
また、循環配管６の流路Ｒを閉塞する弁体１１が、固定側弁体１５と移動側弁体１４で形成され、移動側弁体１５の軸方向への移動によって形成される隙間２２で弁体１１が開状態に設定されることから、弁体１１を完全な機械的動作で開閉することができ、従来のような耐候性に優れた電線や電子部品等を必要とせず、湿度の高い浴室内であっても、弁体１１に長期に亘り安定した開閉動作を得ることができる。
【００３９】
また、吸込口カバー１０の装着軸１０ｃのネジ部２０を、移動側弁体１５のカバー装着部１５ｄのネジ孔３にねじ込むことで吸込口カバー１０が弁体１１に装着されるため、吸込口カバー１０の弁体１１への装着や取り外しを回転操作で簡単に行うことができて、例えば吸込口カバー１０、循環口ケース１３及び弁体１１の清掃作業等のメンテナンスを容易に行うことができる。これらのことから、信頼性やメンテナンス性を含めトータル的なコストの低減化が図れて、安価で安全性に優れた安全装置９を得ることが可能になる。
【００４０】
またさらに、吸込口カバー１０の前壁部１０ａや弁体１１に所定形状の吸込孔２１や弁孔１４ｃ、１５ｃが形成されているため、吸込側循環口３への異物等の吸い込みを防止しつつ、循環配管６内に所定量の吸込量（循環量）を容易に確保することができて、浴槽２内に安全で所望形態のジェット噴流が容易に得られ、ジェットバス１の使い勝手の向上を図ること等が可能になる。
【００４１】
なお、上記実施形態においては、弁体１１の移動側弁体１５の弁孔１５ｃと固定側弁体１４の弁孔１４ｃとが同一円周線上に位置するように形成したが、例えば図７及び図８に示すように、両弁孔１４ｃ、１５ｃを異なる半径の円周線上に形成しても良い。すなわち、固定側弁体１４の底部１４ｂに中心位置から半径ｒ１の円周線上に複数個の円形の弁孔１４ｃを形成し、移動側弁体１５の底部１５ｂに中心位置から半径ｒ２（ｒ１＜ｒ２、いずれも図示せず）の円周線上に例えば前記弁孔１４ｃと同じ内径で同一個数の円形の弁孔１５ｃを形成する。
【００４２】
これにより、吸込口カバー１０の非装着時には、図８に示すように、両弁孔１４ｃ、１５ｃが非連通状態とされて弁体１１が閉状態に設定され、吸込口カバー１０の装着時には、図７に示すように、移動側弁体１５が矢印ホの如く軸方向にスライド移動することにより、両弁体１４，１５の底部１４ｂ、１５ｂ間の隙間２２により両弁孔１４ｃ、１５ｃが連通して弁体１１が開状態に設定される。
【００４３】
また、上記実施形態における弁体１４、１５の弁孔１４ｃ、１５ｃの形状は一例であって、例えば図９に示すように、弁孔１４ｃ、１５ｃを略扇形状に形成しても良く、閉状態で非連通となり開状態で隙間２２を介して連通する適宜形状の弁孔１４ｃ、１５ｃを採用することができる。これらの各例においても、上記実施形態と同様の作用効果を得ることができる。
【００４４】
図１０と図１１及び図１２は、本発明に係わる安全装置９のそれぞれ他の実施形態を示している。以下、上記実施形態と同一部位には同一符号を付して説明する。先ず、図１０に示す実施形態の安全装置９の特徴は、弁体１１の移動側弁体１５を固定側弁体１４に対して、周方向に回転させることで両弁体１４、１５の弁孔１４ｃ、１５ｃを連通させたり非連通とさせて、弁体１１を開閉するようにした点にある。
【００４５】
すなわち、固定側弁体１４の底部１４ｂに弁孔１４ｃを形成すると共に、この固定側弁体１４の筒部１４ａの底部１４ｂ側内面に円周方向の溝２４を形成する。また、移動側弁体１５を深さの浅い略皿状に形成し、その筒部１５ａの外面に凸条２５（もしくは凸部）を円周方向に形成すると共に、筒部１５ａの所定位置に、移動側弁体１５を初期位置である底部１５ｂの弁孔１５ｃと固定側弁体１４の弁孔１４ｃが連通しない位置に常時付勢する戻りバネ２６を嵌装する。また、移動側弁体１５のカバー装着部１５ｄを有底状に形成し、そのネジ孔に吸込口カバー１０の装着軸１０ｃのネジ部２０が螺合する構成とする。
【００４６】
これにより、吸込口カバー１０の装着軸１０ｃの先端を移動側弁体１５のカバー装着部１５ｄのネジ孔に嵌入して吸込口カバー１０をねじ込み方向に回転操作すると、装着軸１０ｃがネジ孔内に進入し、その先端がネジ孔の底部に当接した時点から、移動側弁体１５が凸部２５と溝２４でガイドされつつ戻りバネ２６の付勢力に抗して円周方向に回転移動する。この移動側弁体１５の回動移動により、図１０の二点鎖線で示すように、その底部１５ｂの弁孔１５ｃが固定側弁体１４の弁孔１４ｃと軸方向で一致して、両弁孔１４ｃ、１５ｃが連通状態となり、弁体１１が開状態に設定される。なお、吸込口カバー１０を装着した弁体１１の開状態の場合において、吸込口カバー１０は、その円周方向への回転が図示しない適宜の回り止め機構により規制されて、弁体１１の開状態が維持されるようになっている。
【００４７】
一方、吸込口カバー１０を取り外し方向に回転させて移動側弁体１５から取り外すと、移動側弁体１５が戻りバネ２６の付勢力で元位置に復帰して弁体１１が閉状態に設定され、この閉状態の弁体１１により吸込側循環口３への異物等の吸い込み等が防止される。この実施形態においても、弁体１１の開閉動作で循環配管６の流路Ｒを機械的に閉塞したり開放することができて、上記実施形態と同様の作用効果が得られる他に、移動側弁体１５が円周方向に回転移動するだけで軸方向に移動しないことから、弁体１１の軸方向の寸法を小さくできて、その小型化が図れるという作用効果が得られる。
【００４８】
また、図１１及び図１２に示す実施形態の安全装置９の特徴は、固定側弁体１４を循環口ケース１３の開口側に固定配置し、この固定側弁体１４の内側に移動側弁体１５を圧縮コイルバネ１７で常時固定側弁体１４方向に付勢した状態で軸方向に移動可能に配設した点にある。すなわち、固定側弁体１４には、その中心位置に軸挿通孔２７が形成されると共に、該軸挿通孔２７の外側の円周線上に複数で所定形状の弁孔１４ｃを形成する。また、移動側弁体１５は、その底部１５ｂに前記固定側弁体１４の弁孔１４ｃに隙間２２を有して連通し得る弁孔１５ｃを形成し、この移動側弁体１５と循環口ケース１３の底壁部１３ｂ間に圧縮コイルバネ１７を嵌装する。
【００４９】
これにより、移動側弁体１５は、圧縮コイルバネ１７で常時固定側弁体１４方向に付勢され、図１２に示すように隙間２２が形成されない状態となって、両弁孔１４ｃ、１５ｃが非連通状態となり弁体１１が閉状態に設定される。また、固定側弁体１４の軸挿通孔２７に吸込口カバー１０の装着軸１０ｃを挿通し、装着軸１０ｃの先端で移動側弁体１５を図１１の矢印ハの如く後方側に押し込み、吸込口カバー１０を若干回転操作することで、その周壁部１０ｂに設けた係止突起２８を循環口ケース１３の鍔部１３ｃに設けた係止凹部２９に係止させる。
【００５０】
この係止突起２８と係止凹部２９の係止により、吸込口カパー１０が循環口ケース１３に固定的に装着され、この時、吸込口カバー１０の装着軸１０ｃの先端で移動側弁体１５が後方側に所定距離移動して、図１１に示すように移動側弁体１５と固定側弁体１４との間に隙間２２が形成された状態となり、この隙間２２により、両弁体１４、１５の弁孔１４ｃ、１５ｃが連通して弁体１１が開状態に設定される。
【００５１】
この実施形態の安全装置９においても、移動側弁体１５の軸方向へのスライド移動によって弁体１１が開閉して、循環配管６の流路Ｒが開放もしくは閉塞されることから、上記実施形態と同様の作用効果が得られる他に、吸込口カバー１０を回転操作することなく、押し込んで係止させるだけで装着できて、吸込口カバー１０の装着や取り外しが略ワンタッチ操作で行え、操作性が向上するという作用効果が得られる。
【００５２】
なお、本発明は上記した各実施形態のそれぞれに限定されるものではなく、例えば図１１に示す実施形態の安全装置の吸込口カバーに、図２に示す回転操作機構を採用したり、図２に示す安全装置の吸込口カバーに、図１１に示す係止突起を備えた略ワンタッチ機構を採用する等、各実施形態の全部もしくは一部を適宜に組み合わせることもできる。また、上記実施形態における、弁体の構成、循環口ケースや吸込口カバーの形態等も一例であって、本発明に係わる各発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲において適宜に変更することができる。
【００５３】
【発明の効果】
以上詳述したように、請求項１に記載の発明によれば、循環口に循環口カバーが着脱可能に装着され、循環口カバーが循環口に装着されていない時に循環配管の流路が流路閉塞手段で機械的に閉塞されるため、循環口カバーの非装着時に吸込側の循環口における吸込力を低下させることができて、循環口からの異物等の吸い込みが確実に防止されると共に、流路閉塞手段の構成の簡略化が図れて安価な安全装置を得ることができる。
【００５４】
また、請求項２に記載の発明によれば、請求項１に記載の発明の効果に加え、流路閉塞手段を構成する弁体が循環口カバーの装着状態に応じて移動することで循環配管の流路が開閉されるため、弁体の移動機構等を簡略化して一層安価な安全装置を得ることができると共に、弁体の確実な移動動作を容易に得ることができる。
【００５５】
また、請求項３に記載の発明によれば、請求項２に記載の発明の効果に加え、移動側弁体を固定側弁体に対して循環口の軸方向や円周方向に移動させることで、両弁体の弁孔が連通して循環配管の流路に連通するため、弁体のスライド動作や回転動作で循環流路を開閉できて、流路閉塞手段の構成を一層簡略化することができる。
【００５６】
また、請求項４に記載の発明によれば、請求項１ないし３に記載の発明の効果に加え、循環口を筒状部と開口を有する底壁部からなる循環口ケースで形成し、この循環口ケースの筒状部内に弁体を嵌挿させることで流路閉塞手段を循環口に配設できるため、流路閉塞手段が配設される循環口の構成を一層簡略化することができる。
【００５７】
また、請求項５に記載の発明によれば、請求項２ないし４に記載の発明の効果に加え、付勢手段によって弁体が流路閉塞方向に常時付勢されているため、循環口カバーの非装着時に弁体を確実に閉状態に設定できて、異物等の吸い込みを一層確実に防止することができる。
【００５８】
また、請求項６に記載の発明によれば、請求項１ないし５に記載の発明の効果に加え、循環口カバーが一対の循環口のうち吸込側の循環口に装着されると共に、ねじ込み操作もしくは押し込み操作によって着脱可能に装着されるため、吸込側の循環口からの循環配管内への異物等の吸い込みが一層確実かつ効果的に防止されると共に、メンテナンス性の向上等を図ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係わるジェットバス用安全装置の一実施形態の基本的構成図
【図２】同その吸込口カバー装着時の断面図
【図３】同吸込口カバー非装着時の断面図
【図４】同図３のＡ−Ａ線矢視図
【図５】同その吸込口カバーの斜視図
【図６】同その正面図
【図７】同その変形例を示す図２と同様の断面図
【図８】同さらに他の変形例を示す図３と同様の断面図
【図９】同さらに他の変形例を示す図４と同様の矢視図
【図１０】本発明に係わる安全装置の他の実施形態を示す図２と同様の断面図
【図１１】本発明に係わる安全装置のさらに他の実施形態を示す図２と同様の断面図
【図１２】同その吸込口カバー非装着時の断面図
【符号の説明】
１・・・・・・・・・ジェットバス
２・・・・・・・・・浴槽
３・・・・・・・・・吸込側循環口
４・・・・・・・・・吐出側循環口
５・・・・・・・・・循環ポンプ
６・・・・・・・・・循環配管
６ａ・・・・・・・・吸込側配管
６ｂ・・・・・・・・吐出側配管
７・・・・・・・・・制御装置
９・・・・・・・・・安全装置
１０・・・・・・・・吸込口カバー
１０ｃ・・・・・・・装着軸
１１・・・・・・・・弁体
１３・・・・・・・・循環口ケース
１４・・・・・・・・固定側弁体
１４ｃ・・・・・・・弁孔
１５・・・・・・・・移動側弁体
１５ｃ・・・・・・・弁孔
１５ｄ・・・・・・・カバー装着部
１６・・・・・・・・開口
１７・・・・・・・・圧縮コイルバネ
２１・・・・・・・・吸込孔
２２、２３・・・・・隙間
Ｒ・・・・・・・・・流路[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a safety device for a jet bath that generates a jet jet or the like by discharging a bubble mixed jet of hot water and air in a bathtub into the bathtub, for example.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, in this kind of jet bath, hot water in the bathtub is sucked from the suction port on the side of the bathtub by operating the circulation pump, and a mixed jet of this hot water and air is discharged from the discharge port on the side of the bathtub. However, at that time, various safety devices are provided in order to prevent foreign matter from being sucked into the suction port. Conventionally, as this safety device, it is indicated by patent documents 1 and patent documents 2, for example.
[0003]
First, the safety device disclosed in Patent Document 1 relates to a pressure detection method. A pressure detection sensor is provided in a discharge side pipe between a circulation pump and a discharge port of a bathtub, and a detection value of the pressure detection sensor is set in advance. When the deviation from the constant value exceeds a certain range, the operation of the circulation pump is stopped. The safety device disclosed in Patent Document 2 is related to the circulation port cover detection method. A suction port cover is attached to the suction port of the bathtub, a magnet is provided on the suction port cover, and a lead is provided to the main body of the suction port. When the switch is embedded and the suction port cover is not attached, the reed switch is turned off so that the circulation pump does not operate.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2-249547
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-9-173402
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, these safety devices are systems that electrically detect the suction force of the suction port and the presence or absence of the suction port cover to control the operation of the circulation pump. It is necessary to wire the controller for controlling the operation of the circulation pump with electric wires. And since these wirings are installed in the bathroom as a water surrounding space, it is necessary to use relatively expensive electric wires and waterproof connectors excellent in moisture resistance (weather resistance), as well as pressure detection sensors and leads. The switch itself is likely to be expensive, and as a result, the cost of the safety device is likely to increase, and the system is complicated, so that the possibility of failure is high and the reliability is poor.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to mechanically reduce the suction force in the circulation pipe when the circulation port cover is not attached to the circulation port, It is an object of the present invention to provide a jet bath safety device that can reliably prevent the suction of foreign matters and the like, and that can form the device itself at a low cost by a simple mechanism.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve such an object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a suction port and a discharge side circulation port provided in a bathtub, a circulation pipe connecting the pair of circulation ports, and the circulation pipe. A safety device for a jet bath, comprising a circulation pump provided therein, wherein the hot water in the bathtub is circulated through a circulation pipe by the operation of the circulation pump, whereby a jet of a predetermined form can be discharged into the bathtub. A circulation port cover is detachably attached to the mouth, and a flow passage closing means is provided for mechanically closing the flow passage of the circulation pipe when the circulation port cover is not attached to the circulation port. .
[0008]
With such a configuration, the hot water in the bathtub is sucked into the circulation pipe from the circulation port on the suction side by the operation of the circulation pump and is discharged again into the bathtub from the circulation port on the discharge side. The suction force that acts on the circulation port on the suction side when this circulation pump is operated acts, for example, when the circulation port cover is attached to the circulation port on the suction side, and when the circulation port cover is not attached The flow path of the circulation pipe is closed by the mechanical operation of the flow path closing means. Due to the blockage of the circulation pipe, the suction force at the circulation port on the suction side is reduced, and suction of foreign matter and the like from the circulation port is surely prevented, and the suction force is mechanically reduced by the passage blockage means. Therefore, the structure can be simplified and an inexpensive safety device can be obtained.
[0009]
The flow path closing means has a valve body movably provided in the circulation port as in the invention described in claim 2, and the valve body is attached to or not attached to the circulation port of the circulation port cover. It is preferable that the flow path of the circulation pipe is opened or closed by moving according to the mounting. In this case, the valve body is fixed to the moving valve body as in the invention described in claim 3. It is preferable that the valve holes provided in both valve bodies are communicated with the flow path of the circulation pipe by movement of the circulation port in the axial direction with respect to the side valve body or movement of the circulation port in the circumferential direction.
[0010]
By configuring in this way, the valve body constituting the flow path closing means moves according to the mounting state of the circulation port cover, so that the flow path of the circulation pipe is opened and closed. A simplified and cheaper safety device can be obtained, and a reliable moving operation of the valve body can be easily obtained. In addition, by moving the moving side valve element in the axial direction or circumferential direction of the circulation port relative to the fixed side valve element, the valve holes of both valve elements communicate with the flow path of the circulation pipe. The circulation channel can be opened and closed by the slide operation and rotation operation of the valve body, and the configuration of the channel blocker can be further simplified.
[0011]
Further, as in the invention according to claim 4, the circulation port is fitted and fixed in a mounting hole of a bathtub, and the valve body is movably fitted therein, and a flow of the circulation pipe It is preferable to provide a circulation port case including a bottom wall portion in which an opening communicating with the path is formed. By configuring in this way, the circulation port is formed by a circulation port case including a cylindrical part and a bottom wall part having an opening, and the flow path is blocked by inserting a valve body into the cylindrical part of the circulation port case. The means can be disposed in the circulation port, and the configuration of the circulation port in which the channel closing means is disposed can be further simplified.
[0012]
Moreover, it is preferable that the said valve body is always urged | biased by the urging | biasing means in the direction which obstruct | occludes the flow path of circulation piping like invention of Claim 5. By configuring in this way, the valve body is always urged in the flow path closing direction by the urging means, so that the valve body can be reliably set to the closed state when the circulation port cover is not attached, and foreign matter etc. Can be more reliably prevented.
[0013]
Moreover, it is preferable that the circulation port cover is detachably attached to the circulation port on the suction side by a screwing operation or a pushing operation, as in the invention described in claim 6. With this configuration, the circulation port cover is attached to the suction-side circulation port of the pair of circulation ports, so that foreign matter and the like can be more reliably sucked into the circulation pipe from the suction-side circulation port. In addition, it can be effectively prevented, and the attachment and detachment can be easily performed, so that the maintainability can be improved.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 to 6 show an embodiment of a jet bath safety device according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is a basic configuration diagram of a jet bath using the safety device, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view when a suction port cover is mounted. 3 is a cross-sectional view when the suction port cover is not attached, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the suction port cover, and FIG.
[0015]
In FIG. 1, the bathtub 2 which comprises the jet bath 1 is provided with the suction side circulation port 3 and the discharge side circulation port 4 in the side wall 2a, and the suction side circulation port 3 and the suction side of the circulation pump 5 are defined as follows. The suction side pipe 6a is connected, and the discharge port 4 and the discharge side of the circulation pump 5 are connected by a discharge side pipe 6b. A circulation pipe 6 is formed by the suction side pipe 6 a and the discharge side pipe 6 b, and the circulation pump 5 that can be operated by the control device 7 is connected in the middle of the flow path R of the circulation pipe 6.
[0016]
The discharge side circulation port 4 is detachably mounted with a discharge port cover 8 in which a rotary (or fixed) injection nozzle (not shown) is disposed, and the suction side circulation port 3. A safety device 9 is provided. The safety device 9 includes a suction port cover 10 as a circulation port cover that is detachably attached to the suction side circulation port 3, a valve body 11 as a channel closing means disposed in the suction side circulation port 3, and the like. It has.
[0017]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the valve body 11 is placed in a circulation port case 13 (circulation port member) fixed to the mounting hole 12 formed in the side wall 2 a of the bathtub 2 with a sealing property. It has the fixed side valve body 14 and the movement side valve body 15 which were arrange | positioned. In the circulation port case 13, a cylindrical portion 13a having a circular cross section formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape is fitted into the mounting hole 12, and the inner surface of the flange portion 13c at the tip of the cylindrical portion 13a is the inner surface of the side wall 2a of the bathtub 2. It is attached with screws 30 in a close contact state. In addition, a pipe connecting part 13d having an opening 16 with a predetermined inner diameter communicating with the flow path R is integrally formed at the center of the bottom part 13b having a circular shape when viewed from the front of the circulation port case 13, and the pipe connecting part 13d includes The end of the suction side pipe 6a is connected.
[0018]
The fixed-side valve body 14 is fixedly inserted and arranged in the cylindrical portion 13a of the circulation port case 13, and has a cylindrical portion 14a, a bottom portion 14b, and the like, and an outer surface of the bottom portion 14b is a bottom portion 13b of the circulation port case 13. The inner surface is fixedly attached with a gap 23 at a predetermined interval. Further, the bottom portion 14b of the fixed-side valve body 14 is provided with a shaft abutting portion 14d with which the tip of the mounting shaft 10c of the suction port cover 10 abuts at the center position, and on a circumferential line at a predetermined radial position from the center position. A plurality (three in the figure) of circular valve holes 14c are formed at equal intervals.
[0019]
The moving-side valve body 15 is disposed in the fixed-side valve body 14 so as to be slidable in the axial direction thereof, and has a cylindrical portion 15a, a bottom portion 15b, etc., and the bottom portion 15b has the same radius as the valve hole 14c. The same number (three in the figure) of circular valve holes 15c are formed at the same positions and intervals. Further, at the center position of the bottom portion 15b of the moving side valve body 15, a cover mounting portion having a screw hole 31 at the axial center position in a state of projecting a predetermined dimension on the axial opening side (on the opposite bottom portion 15b side) of the cylindrical portion 15a. 15d is integrally formed. A compression coil spring 17 is fitted between the inner surface of the bottom portion 15b of the moving side valve body 15 and the flange portion 14e provided at the tip of the cylindrical portion 14a of the fixed side valve body 14, whereby the moving side valve body 15 However, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 17 is always biased in the direction opposite to the arrow D in FIG.
[0020]
In addition, the valve hole 14c of the fixed side valve body 14 and the valve hole 15c of the moving side valve body 15 are formed at the same equal interval in the state where they are shifted in the circumferential direction with the same inner diameter and the same number. And when it sees from the bathtub 2, the valve holes 14c and 15c are set so that it may not overlap in an axial direction, In this state, the bottom part 14b of the movement side valve body 14 and the bottom part 15b of the fixed side valve body 15 When the valve body 11 is in the “closed state”, the bottom portion 14b of the moving side valve body 14 and the bottom portion 15b of the fixed side valve body 15 are opposed to each other with a gap 22 therebetween. The body 11 is set to the “open state”.
[0021]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a rotation-preventing groove 18 extending a predetermined length in the axial direction is formed at a diametrical position of the cylindrical portion 14 a of the fixed-side valve body 14, and the cylindrical portion of the moving-side valve body 15. A convex portion 19 is integrally formed at a predetermined position 15a. And the convex part 19 of the movement side valve body 15 fits into the groove | channel 18 of the stationary side valve body 14, and the rotation to the circumferential direction with respect to the stationary side valve body 14 of the movement side valve body 15 is prohibited. Further, the circulation port case 13 and the valve body 11 are integrally formed by resin molding or metal processing, for example, but the flange portion 14e of the fixed-side valve body 14 to which one end of the compression coil spring 17 is locked. As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, it is possible to improve the workability of each part by forming it separately from the cylindrical portion 14a and bonding and fixing it to the cylindrical portion 14a. .
[0022]
The suction port cover 10 is formed by, for example, resin molding or metal processing, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a front wall portion 10a that functions as a cover surface in a circular shape when viewed from the front, and an outer peripheral edge of the front wall portion 10a A mounting wall 10c having a predetermined length in which a threaded portion 20 is formed on the outer peripheral surface on the front end side is integrally formed at the center of the rear surface of the front wall 10a. Is formed. The front wall portion 10a is formed with a plurality of circular suction holes 21 at equal intervals along the circumferential direction from the center position to a predetermined radial position in a plurality of rows (three rows in the figure). The inner diameters of the suction holes 21 in the respective rows are set to the same predetermined inner diameter that can prevent the suction of foreign matters or the like, but it is of course possible to set the inner diameters to be different for each row, for example.
[0023]
The suction port cover 10 has the tip of the screw portion 20 of the mounting shaft 10c inserted into the screw hole 31 of the cover mounting portion 15d of the moving valve body 15, and the front wall portion 10a and the peripheral wall portion 10b are manually inserted. 2, the screw portion 20 of the mounting shaft 10c enters while screwing into the screw hole 31 of the cover mounting portion 15d, and the suction port cover 10 is mounted to the valve body 11. . The valve body 11 is opened by mounting the suction port cover 10 to the valve body 11.
[0024]
The control device 7 compares a current detection circuit that detects a current value of the circulation pump 5 with a detected current value detected by the current detection circuit and a preset reference value, and the detected current value is greater than the reference value. A controller such as a microcomputer that outputs a stop signal to the circulation pump 5 when the voltage drops, a predetermined power supply circuit (none of which are shown), and the like are provided. The control device 7 controls the operation of the circulation pump 5 and stops the operation when the circulation pump 5 is idling. The operation control of the circulation pump 5 by the control device 7 is not limited to the current value of the circulation pump 5, but for example, the flow rate of the suction side pipe 6a (or the discharge side pipe 6b) is detected, and this flow rate becomes lower than the reference value. In such a case, the circulation pump 5 may be stopped.
[0025]
Next, the operation of the safety device 9 in the jet bath 1 will be described. First, in the normal use state (the non-operating state of the safety device 9) in which the suction port cover 10 is attached to the suction side circulation port 3 of the bathtub 2, as shown in FIG. The suction port cover 10 is attached to the moving valve body 15 of the valve body 11, and the valve body 11 is set in the open state. That is, in a closed state of a later-described valve body 11 in which the suction port cover 10 is not attached to the suction-side circulation port 3, the mounting shaft 10c of the suction port cover 10 is inserted into the moving-side valve body 15, and the screw portion 20 Is screwed into the screw hole 31 of the cover mounting portion 15d of the moving side valve body 15. In this state, when the front wall portion 10a and the peripheral wall portion 10b of the suction port cover 10 are rotated in the screwing direction, the mounting shaft 10c moves in the cover mounting portion 15d, and the tip thereof is the shaft of the fixed valve body 14 It abuts against the abutting portion 14d.
[0026]
When the suction port cover 10 is further rotated in a state where the tip of the mounting shaft 10c is in contact with the shaft contact portion 14d of the fixed side valve body 14, the moving side valve body is moved along the screw portion 20 of the rotating mounting shaft 10c. 15 moves in the opening direction of the circulation port case 13 while resisting the urging force of the compression coil spring 17, and a gap 22 is formed between the outer surface of the bottom portion 15 a of the moving side valve body 15 and the inner surface of the bottom portion 14 b of the fixed side valve body 14. Is done. The gap 22 gradually increases in accordance with the rotation operation of the suction port cover 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the peripheral wall portion 10 b of the suction port cover 10 is located outside the flange portion 14 e of the fixed side valve body 14. A predetermined gap 22 is formed at the position, and the valve body 11 is completely opened in this state.
[0027]
The formation of the gap 22 in which the valve body 11 is opened is not limited to the method performed at the position of the peripheral wall portion 10b of the suction port cover 10, but, for example, the cylindrical portion 15a of the moving side valve body 15 is extended and the tip thereof is formed. A positioning mechanism can be employed as appropriate, such as a position where it contacts the inner surface of the flange 14e of the fixed-side valve element 14.
[0028]
When the valve body 11 is set in the open state, the valve hole 15c of the moving side valve body 15 and the valve hole 14c of the fixed side valve body 14 are in communication with each other through a gap 22 formed therebetween, and FIG. The hot water sucked from the suction holes 21 of the suction port cover 10 flows in the direction of the opening 16 through the moving valve body 15 → the valve hole 15 c → the gap 22 → the valve hole 14 c → the gap 23. . Thereby, the flow path R (refer FIG. 2) of the circulation piping 16 will be in the open state. In this open state, the suction cover 10 is attached to the suction side circulation port 3, and the opening of the circulation port case 13 is covered with the suction port cover 10, so that foreign matter or the like is sucked into the suction side circulation port 3. At this time, a predetermined amount of circulating hot water is sucked from the numerous suction holes 21 of the suction port cover 10 to obtain a predetermined circulation amount that can secure a desired jet flow. Become.
[0029]
On the other hand, in a state where the suction port cover 10 is not attached to the suction side circulation port 3 (an operating state of the safety device 9), the moving side valve body 15 of the valve body 11 is connected to the compression coil spring 17 as shown in FIG. The urging force urges the fixed side valve body 14 in the direction of the bottom 14 b, so that the outer surface of the flat bottom portion 15 b of the moving side valve body 15 comes into close contact with the inner surface of the flat bottom portion 14 b of the fixed side valve body 14. As a result, the valve hole 14c of the fixed-side valve element 14 is closed at a portion other than the valve hole 15c of the moving-side valve element 15, so that the valve element 11 is set in a closed state, and the flow path R of the circulation pipe 16 is circulated on the suction side. It will be in the state obstruct | occluded by the mouth 3 part.
[0030]
In the closed state of the valve body 11, that is, in the state where the suction port cover 10 is forgotten to be mounted on the suction side circulation port 3, for example, the hot water W in the bathtub 2 is located above the discharge side circulation port 4 (see FIG. 1). When the circulation pump 5 is operated by the control device 7, the hot water in the bathtub 2 is sucked in by the suction force of the circulation pump 5 through the suction side pipe 6a and the suction side circulation port 3 of the circulation pipe 6. However, since the flow path R of the circulation pipe 6 is closed by the valve body 11, the suction of hot water in the bathtub 2 from the suction side circulation port 3 is prohibited. As a result, the circulation pump 5 is in an idling state, for example, the current value thereof is reduced, this current value is compared with the reference value by the control device 7 described above, and when the detected current value falls below the reference value, the circulation pump 5 is stopped.
[0031]
At this time, the moving side valve body 15 of the valve body 11 is always urged in the closing direction by the compression coil spring 17 and the moving side valve body 15 is sucked in the closing direction by the suction force of the circulation pump 5. When the port cover 10 is forgotten to be mounted, the valve body 11 can be reliably maintained in the closed state, and suction of foreign matter or the like through the suction side circulation port 3 is reliably prevented, and the circulation pump 5 It is possible to quickly detect and stop the idling state, thereby sufficiently improving the safety when the suction port cover 10 is not attached.
[0032]
That is, in the case of the safety device 9, a valve body 11 that mechanically opens and closes as a flow path closing means is disposed in the suction side circulation port case 13, and the valve body 11 is closed when the suction port cover 10 is not attached. By setting to the state, the flow path R of the circulation pipe 6 is closed, the circulation pump 5 is in an idle operation state, the operation is stopped, and the suction of foreign matter or the like to the suction side circulation port 3 is prevented. In addition, when the suction port cover 10 is properly attached to the valve body 11 by a rotation operation, the moving side valve body 15 urged in the normally closing direction slides and the valve body 11 is opened. A predetermined amount of hot water circulates in the circulation pipe 6 and a predetermined jet jet is injected into the bathtub 2.
[0033]
Thus, in the safety device 9 of the above embodiment, when the valve body 11 is disposed in the circulation port case 13 of the suction side circulation port 3 and the suction port cover 10 is not attached to the suction side circulation port 3. Since the valve body 11 is set in the closed state, when the suction port cover 10 is not attached to the suction side circulation port 3, the valve body 11 closes the flow path R of the circulation pipe 6 to the suction side circulation port 3. The suction force can be set so as to hardly act, and foreign matter or the like can be reliably prevented from being sucked into the suction side circulation port 3.
[0034]
In particular, the moving side valve body 15 of the valve body 11 is always urged in the direction of the fixed side valve body 14 by the compression coil spring 17, and when the circulation pump 5 is activated when the suction port cover 10 is not attached, the moving side valve body 15 is moved by the suction force. Since the side valve body 15 is urged in the direction of the fixed side valve body 14, the moving side valve body 14 can be normally urged in the closing direction, and the circulation piping is provided when the suction port cover 10 is not attached. It is possible to reliably block the flow path R of 6 and prevent the suction of foreign matter or the like from the suction side circulation port 3 more reliably.
[0035]
Further, the valve body 11 is maintained in the closed state when the suction port cover 10 is not attached, and the idle operation of the circulation pump 5 in the closed state is detected by the control device 7 by a decrease in current value, a decrease in flow rate, or the like. Since the operation of the pump 5 can be stopped, the action of the suction force to the suction side circulation port 3 when the suction port cover 10 is not attached can be surely prevented together with the operation of the safety device 9, Inhalation of foreign matter or the like into the side circulation port 3 can be further reliably prevented.
[0036]
Furthermore, the moving side valve body 15 of the valve body 11 slides in the axial direction of the circulation port case 13, so that a plurality of valve holes 15 c formed in the bottom part 15 b and a plurality of parts formed in the bottom part 14 b of the fixed side valve body 14 are formed. Since each valve hole 14c communicates with the axial gap 22 and is closed by the surface contact of both bottom portions 14b and 15b, the valve element 11 is moved by the sliding movement of the movable valve element 15. The opening / closing operation can be performed reliably, and the flow path R can be blocked when the suction port cover 10 is not mounted and the flow path R can be opened when the suction port cover 10 is mounted.
[0037]
In particular, since the valve holes 15c and 14c of the moving side valve body 15 and the fixed side valve body 14 are formed so as not to overlap with each other in the circumferential direction, only the movement of the moving side valve body 15 in the axial direction can be performed. 11 and the movable side valve element 15 and the fixed side valve element 14 are prevented from rotating by the engagement of the groove 18 and the convex part 19, so that the movable side valve element 15 is rotated by rotating the peripheral wall part 10b or the like. It can be easily moved in the axial direction, and the valve body 11 can be opened and closed more reliably and smoothly.
[0038]
Further, the valve body 11 that closes the flow path R of the circulation pipe 6 is formed by the fixed side valve body 15 and the moving side valve body 14, and a gap 22 formed by the movement of the moving side valve body 15 in the axial direction. Since the valve body 11 is set in the open state, the valve body 11 can be opened and closed by a complete mechanical operation, and there is no need for electric wires or electronic parts having excellent weather resistance as in the prior art. Even in a high bathroom, the valve body 11 can be stably opened and closed over a long period of time.
[0039]
Further, since the suction port cover 10 is mounted on the valve body 11 by screwing the screw portion 20 of the mounting shaft 10c of the suction port cover 10 into the screw hole 3 of the cover mounting portion 15d of the moving side valve body 15, the suction port The cover 10 can be easily attached to and detached from the valve body 11 by a rotation operation, and maintenance such as cleaning of the suction port cover 10, the circulation port case 13, and the valve body 11 can be easily performed. . For these reasons, it is possible to reduce the total cost including reliability and maintainability, and to obtain a safety device 9 that is inexpensive and excellent in safety.
[0040]
Furthermore, since the suction hole 21 and the valve holes 14c and 15c having a predetermined shape are formed in the front wall portion 10a of the suction port cover 10 and the valve body 11, the suction of foreign matter and the like to the suction side circulation port 3 is prevented. On the other hand, a predetermined amount of suction (circulation amount) can be easily secured in the circulation pipe 6, and a safe and desired jet jet can be easily obtained in the bathtub 2, thereby improving the usability of the jet bath 1. Can be achieved.
[0041]
In the above embodiment, the valve hole 15c of the moving valve body 15 of the valve body 11 and the valve hole 14c of the fixed valve body 14 are formed on the same circumferential line. As shown in FIG. 8, both valve holes 14c and 15c may be formed on circumferential lines having different radii. That is, a plurality of circular valve holes 14c are formed on the circumference 14r of the radius r1 from the center position on the bottom 14b of the fixed side valve body 14, and the radius r2 (r1 < For example, the same number of circular valve holes 15c having the same inner diameter as that of the valve hole 14c are formed on a circumferential line r2 (both not shown).
[0042]
Thereby, when the suction port cover 10 is not mounted, as shown in FIG. 8, both the valve holes 14 c and 15 c are brought into a non-communication state and the valve body 11 is set to a closed state, and when the suction port cover 10 is mounted, As shown in FIG. 7, when the movable valve body 15 is slid in the axial direction as indicated by the arrow E, the valve holes 14c and 15c are communicated with each other through the gap 22 between the bottom portions 14b and 15b of the valve bodies 14 and 15. Thus, the valve body 11 is set to the open state.
[0043]
Further, the shape of the valve holes 14c and 15c of the valve bodies 14 and 15 in the above embodiment is an example. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the valve holes 14c and 15c may be formed in a substantially fan shape and closed. Appropriately shaped valve holes 14c and 15c that are not communicated in the state and communicated through the gap 22 in the open state can be employed. In each of these examples, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.
[0044]
10, 11 and 12 show other embodiments of the safety device 9 according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the same parts as those in the above embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals. First, the safety device 9 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is characterized in that the valve body 14 and the valve body 15 are rotated by rotating the moving side valve body 15 of the valve body 11 with respect to the stationary side valve body 14 in the circumferential direction. The valve body 11 is opened and closed by connecting or disconnecting the holes 14c and 15c.
[0045]
That is, a valve hole 14c is formed in the bottom portion 14b of the fixed side valve body 14, and a circumferential groove 24 is formed on the inner surface of the cylinder portion 14a of the fixed side valve body 14 on the bottom portion 14b side. Further, the moving side valve body 15 is formed in a substantially dish-like shape with a shallow depth, and the ridges 25 (or convex portions) are formed in the circumferential direction on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 15a, and at a predetermined position of the cylindrical portion 15a. A return spring 26 that constantly urges the movable valve body 15 to a position where the valve hole 15c of the bottom portion 15b and the valve hole 14c of the fixed side valve body 14 are not in communication with each other is fitted. Further, the cover mounting portion 15d of the moving valve body 15 is formed in a bottomed shape, and the screw portion 20 of the mounting shaft 10c of the suction port cover 10 is screwed into the screw hole.
[0046]
Thus, when the tip of the mounting shaft 10c of the suction port cover 10 is fitted into the screw hole of the cover mounting portion 15d of the moving valve body 15 and the suction port cover 10 is rotated in the screwing direction, the mounting shaft 10c is moved into the screw hole. The moving-side valve element 15 rotates and moves in the circumferential direction against the urging force of the return spring 26 while being guided by the convex part 25 and the groove 24 from the time when the tip thereof contacts the bottom part of the screw hole. To do. Due to the rotational movement of the moving side valve element 15, the valve hole 15c of the bottom part 15b coincides with the valve hole 14c of the fixed side valve element 14 in the axial direction as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The holes 14c and 15c are in a communication state, and the valve body 11 is set in an open state. When the valve body 11 fitted with the suction port cover 10 is in an open state, the rotation of the suction port cover 10 in the circumferential direction is restricted by an appropriate anti-rotation mechanism (not shown) to open the valve body 11. The state is maintained.
[0047]
On the other hand, when the suction port cover 10 is rotated in the removing direction and removed from the moving valve body 15, the moving valve body 15 returns to the original position by the urging force of the return spring 26, and the valve body 11 is set in the closed state. The closed valve element 11 prevents foreign matter from being sucked into the suction side circulation port 3. Also in this embodiment, the flow path R of the circulation pipe 6 can be mechanically closed or opened by the opening / closing operation of the valve body 11, and the same effect as the above embodiment can be obtained. Since the valve body 15 only rotates in the circumferential direction and does not move in the axial direction, the axial dimension of the valve body 11 can be reduced, and the effect of miniaturization can be obtained.
[0048]
Further, the safety device 9 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is characterized in that the fixed-side valve body 14 is fixedly arranged on the opening side of the circulation port case 13, and the moving-side valve body is placed inside the fixed-side valve body 14. 15 is arranged so as to be movable in the axial direction in a state in which 15 is constantly urged in the direction of the fixed valve body 14 by the compression coil spring 17. That is, the fixed side valve body 14 is formed with a shaft insertion hole 27 at the center position thereof, and a plurality of valve holes 14 c having a predetermined shape are formed on the outer circumferential line of the shaft insertion hole 27. Further, the moving side valve body 15 is formed with a valve hole 15c that can communicate with the valve hole 14c of the fixed side valve body 14 with a gap 22 at the bottom 15b. A compression coil spring 17 is fitted between the 13 bottom wall portions 13b.
[0049]
As a result, the moving side valve body 15 is always urged in the direction of the fixed side valve body 14 by the compression coil spring 17, and the gap 22 is not formed as shown in FIG. The communication state is established, and the valve body 11 is set to the closed state. Further, the mounting shaft 10c of the suction port cover 10 is inserted into the shaft insertion hole 27 of the fixed side valve body 14, and the moving side valve body 15 is pushed backward as shown by the arrow C in FIG. By slightly rotating the mouth cover 10, the locking projection 28 provided on the peripheral wall portion 10 b is locked to the locking recess 29 provided on the flange portion 13 c of the circulation port case 13.
[0050]
The suction port cover 10 is fixedly attached to the circulation port case 13 by the locking of the locking projection 28 and the locking recess 29, and at this time, the moving side valve element 15 is formed at the tip of the mounting shaft 10 c of the suction port cover 10. Is moved a predetermined distance to the rear side, and a gap 22 is formed between the moving side valve body 15 and the fixed side valve body 14 as shown in FIG. Fifteen valve holes 14c, 15c communicate with each other, and the valve body 11 is set in an open state.
[0051]
Also in the safety device 9 of this embodiment, the valve body 11 is opened and closed by the sliding movement of the moving valve body 15 in the axial direction, and the flow path R of the circulation pipe 6 is opened or closed. In addition to obtaining the same operational effects as described above, the suction port cover 10 can be installed by simply pushing and locking it without rotating it, and the suction port cover 10 can be attached and removed with a substantially one-touch operation. The effect of improving is obtained.
[0052]
The present invention is not limited to each of the above-described embodiments. For example, the rotary operation mechanism shown in FIG. 2 is adopted for the suction port cover of the safety device of the embodiment shown in FIG. All or a part of the embodiments can be appropriately combined, such as adopting a substantially one-touch mechanism provided with a locking projection shown in FIG. 11 for the suction port cover of the safety device shown in FIG. In addition, the configuration of the valve body, the form of the circulation port case, the suction port cover, and the like in the above embodiment are examples, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of each invention according to the present invention.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the circulation port cover is detachably attached to the circulation port, and the flow path of the circulation pipe flows when the circulation port cover is not attached to the circulation port. Since it is mechanically blocked by the path closing means, the suction force at the suction port on the suction side can be reduced when the circulation port cover is not attached, and suction of foreign matter etc. from the circulation port is reliably prevented. The construction of the channel closing means can be simplified and an inexpensive safety device can be obtained.
[0054]
According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, the valve body constituting the flow path closing means moves in accordance with the mounting state of the circulation port cover so that the circulation pipe Therefore, the valve body moving mechanism and the like can be simplified to obtain a cheaper safety device, and a reliable movement operation of the valve body can be easily obtained.
[0055]
According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 2, the moving side valve element is moved relative to the fixed side valve element in the axial direction or circumferential direction of the circulation port. Thus, the valve holes of both valve bodies communicate with the flow path of the circulation pipe, so that the circulation flow path can be opened and closed by the slide operation and rotation operation of the valve body, and the configuration of the flow path closing means is further simplified. be able to.
[0056]
According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effects of the invention described in claims 1 to 3, the circulation port is formed by a circulation port case including a cylindrical portion and a bottom wall portion having an opening. Since the flow path closing means can be disposed in the circulation port by fitting the valve body into the cylindrical portion of the circulation port case, the configuration of the circulation port in which the flow path closing means is disposed can be further simplified. .
[0057]
According to the invention described in claim 5, in addition to the effects of the invention described in claims 2 to 4, the valve body is always urged in the flow path closing direction by the urging means. It is possible to reliably set the valve body to the closed state when it is not attached, and to more reliably prevent foreign matter from being sucked.
[0058]
According to the invention described in claim 6, in addition to the effects of the invention described in claims 1 to 5, the circulation port cover is attached to the circulation port on the suction side of the pair of circulation ports, and the screwing operation is performed. Or, since it is detachably attached by a pushing operation, it is possible to more reliably and effectively prevent foreign matters from being sucked into the circulation piping from the circulation port on the suction side, and to improve maintenance. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a basic configuration diagram of an embodiment of a jet bath safety apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view when the suction port cover is mounted.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view when the suction port cover is not installed.
4 is a view taken along the line AA in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the suction port cover.
FIG. 6 is a front view thereof.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG.
8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showing still another modification.
9 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing still another modification example.
10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing another embodiment of the safety device according to the present invention.
11 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing still another embodiment of the safety device according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view when the suction port cover is not installed.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Jet Bath
2 ... Ttub
3 ......... Suction side circulation port
4 .... Discharge side circulation port
5 .... circulation pump
6 .... Circulation piping
6a ... Suction side piping
6b ... Discharge side piping
7 .... Control device
9 .... Safety device
10 ... Suction port cover
10c ・・・・・・・ Mounting shaft
11 ... Valve
13 ... Circulation port case
14 ......... Fixed valve body
14c ... Valve hole
15 ・・・・・・・・ Moving valve body
15c ・・・・・・・ Valve hole
15d .... Cover mounting part
16 ... Open
17 ・・・・・・・・ Compression coil spring
21 ・・・・・・・・ Suction hole
22, 23 ... gap
R ... Flow path

Claims

A suction port and a discharge side circulation port provided in the bathtub; a circulation pipe connecting the pair of circulation ports; and a circulation pump provided in the circulation pipe. In a safety device for a jet bath that can discharge a jet of a predetermined form into a bathtub by circulating the gas through a circulation pipe,
A circulation port cover is detachably attached to the circulation port, and a flow passage closing means is provided for mechanically closing the flow passage of the circulation pipe when the circulation port cover is not attached to the circulation port. Safety equipment for jet baths.

The flow path closing means has a valve body that is movably provided at the circulation port, and the valve body moves according to whether or not the circulation port cover is attached to or attached to the circulation port. 2. The jet bath safety device according to claim 1, wherein the flow path is opened or closed.

When the valve body is moved in the axial direction of the circulation port relative to the fixed valve body of the moving side valve body or the movement of the circulation port in the circumferential direction, the valve holes provided in both valve bodies communicate with each other to connect the circulation piping. The safety device for a jet bath according to claim 2, wherein the safety device can communicate with a flow path.

The circulation port is fitted and fixed to a mounting hole of a bathtub, and a cylindrical part into which the valve body is movably fitted and inserted therein, and a bottom wall part in which an opening communicating with the flow path of the circulation pipe is formed The safety device for a jet bath according to claim 2, further comprising a circulation port case made of

The jet valve safety device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the valve body is constantly urged by an urging means in a direction of closing a flow path of the circulation pipe.

6. The jet bath safety device according to claim 1, wherein the circulation port cover is detachably attached to the circulation port on the suction side by a screwing operation or a pushing operation.