JP2785431B2 - Shower equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a plurality of shower water outlets, a water supply pipe connected to each of the shower water outlets, and an on-off valve arranged in the middle of the water supply pipe. The present invention also relates to a shower device having a controller for automatically controlling the opening / closing operation of each of these on-off valves based on each step of a program stored in advance, and an operating unit electrically connected to the controller.

<Conventional technology> Conventionally, as this type of shower device, for example,
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 19291, a controller unit stores a plurality of types of programs in which the opening / closing operation order of the respective on-off valves is different, and each of these operating units for program selection is provided. By providing a display unit for displaying the entire water discharge sequence and each shower type, and operating each operation unit based on the display unit, a program corresponding to the operation unit is executed, and each open / close valve is operated in a predetermined order for a predetermined time. There are things that open.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, in such a conventional shower device, since the water discharge content such as the water discharge order is fixed for each program set in the controller in advance, the use of the day is not fixed. There is a problem that the water discharge content cannot be appropriately changed depending on the physical condition of the person, personal preference, and the like, resulting in a very cramped automatic operation and poor usability.

Therefore, as a method of solving this, it is conceivable to store various types of programs in the controller unit.
In this case, there is a problem that the selection and operation of the program are complicated and the usability is poor.

In addition, since a display unit that shows the entire water discharge content of each program is provided near the operation unit, as the content of each water discharge becomes more complicated or the number of types of programs increases, the area occupied by the display unit correspondingly increases. However, there is a problem that the appearance becomes large and the appearance is impaired, or the display content becomes small and it becomes difficult to see.

The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional situation, as a first aspect, to make it possible to convert the spouted water content programmed during the automatic control operation.
In addition to the above, a second object is to display the entire spouted water content set by the program in a small occupied area.

<Means for Solving the Problems> The technical measures taken by the present invention to solve the above problems are as follows: from the start of each step to the start of opening of the on-off valve based on a signal input from the operation unit to the controller unit. A water discharge delay means for increasing a water discharge prohibition time of a predetermined length in between, and a step forward means for switching to the next step based on a signal input from the operation unit during the water discharge prohibition time are provided. (Claim 1).

Further, the controller is provided with a water discharge display means for sequentially displaying the water discharge contents set by the program on the display unit (claim 2).

It is preferable that the water discharge display means simultaneously displays a plurality of different water discharge contents, such as a water discharge position and a water discharge time, on a display unit (claim 3).

<Operation> According to the technical means described above, according to the above technical means, a signal is output from the operation unit to the controller unit and the program is executed. At the start of each step, the water discharge delay unit starts the water discharge prohibition time. Every time a signal is input again from the operation unit during the prohibition time, the step forward means switches to the next step and starts a new water discharge prohibition time,
Only when no signal is input from the operation unit during the water discharge prohibition time, the on-off valve set at the step in which the program is being executed is opened.

Further, the water discharge contents set in the program are sequentially displayed on the display unit, and the operation unit advances the step a plurality of times during the water discharge prohibition time so that the entire water discharge contents set in the program can be viewed without being discharged.

Further, at the start of each step, a plurality of different water discharge contents such as a water discharge position and a water discharge time are respectively displayed.

<Example> An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a vertically elongated shower tower (A) has a shower water outlet (1) having a different function, more specifically, an overhead shower water outlet (1).
a), a water outlet for micro shower (1b), a water outlet for tapping water (1c), a water outlet for body shower (1d), and a water outlet for under shower (1e) are provided. These water outlets (1a) (1b) based on each step of the program stored in the controller unit (B) in advance
(1c) (1d) (1e) Hot water or water is automatically discharged sequentially from (1e), and during this automatic control operation, the water discharge position display lamp (D) provided on the display unit (D) as shown in FIG. D ₁ ) and the shower type display lamp (D ₂ ) are sequentially turned on to display the positions of the water outlets (1a) (1b) (1c) (1d) (1e) and the type of the shower, and further program This shows a case in which the set instantaneous water discharge amount is displayed on the water discharge amount display surface (D ₃ ) and the remaining time until one program ends is displayed on the remaining time display surface (D ₄ ) by numbers.

Each of the water outlets (1a) (1b) (1c) (1d) (1e) is connected to a water supply pipe (2a) (2b) (2c) (2d) (2e) at the base end thereof. ) The base end of (2b), (2c), (2d), and (2e) is connected to a water supply source, and in the case of the present embodiment, the hot water mixer tap (3) provided in the shower tower body (A) is connected to the water supply pipe. (2a)
In the middle of (2b), (2c), (2d), and (2e), on-off valves (4a), (4b), (4c), (4d), and (4e), for example, which are solenoid valves, are provided, respectively, and these on-off valves (4a) (4b) (4c) (4d)
In the present embodiment, two flow rate adjusting valves (5) having a water amount sensor and adjusting the instantaneous flow rate are provided between (4e) and the hot and cold water mixing tap part (3).

These on-off valves (4a), (4b), (4c), (4d), (4e) and the flow control valves (5), (5) are electrically connected to a controller (B) to be described later, respectively. Thus, the opening / closing operation and the opening adjustment operation are controlled.

The controller (B) is equipped with the above on-off valves (4a) (4b) (4
c) The selection of (4d) and (4e) and the respective opening / closing operation patterns and the selection of the flow rate regulating valves (5) and (5) and the programming of the respective opening degree adjustment operation patterns are stored and retained.
A program storage circuit (B ₁ ) such as a ROM or a RAM, a program reading circuit (B ₂ ) for reading a program stored in the program storage circuit, and executing the program read by the program reading circuit (B ₂ ) A program execution circuit (B ₃ ) composed of, for example, a CPU, and a data storage circuit (B ₄₎ such as a RAM for holding data obtained temporarily during control and arithmetic processing of the program execution circuit (B ₃ ). ), A timer counter (B ₅ ) for time management of program execution, and a program execution result of the above-mentioned program execution circuit (B ₃ ), which is actually turned on / off valve (4a) (4b) (4c).
(4d) An execution signal converter comprising a D / A converter for converting the selection signal of (4e) and the respective opening / closing operation signal and the selection signal of the flow rate regulating valve (5) and (5) and the respective opening degree adjustment operation signal ( B ₆ ).

Further, the controller unit (B) has a water discharge display means (B ₇ ) for sequentially displaying the programmed water discharge contents on the display unit (D) at each step start of the program, and a signal input from the operation unit (C). On-off valve (4a) (4b) programmed for each step from the start of each step
(4c) A water discharge delay means (B ₈ ) for providing a predetermined length of water discharge prohibition time t before the start of valve opening of (4d) and (4e), and an operation during an automatic control operation including the water discharge prohibition time t A step forward means (B ₉ ) for interrupting a step during execution of a program based on a signal input from the section (C) to stop water discharge and switching to the next step to shift to the next water discharge order.

The display unit (D) is disposed at a position on the front of the shower tower body (A) that is easy for the user to see, and electrically communicates with the execution signal converter (B ₆ ) of the controller unit (B). And a water discharge position indicating lamp (D ₁ ) provided in correspondence with each of the water discharge ports (1a) (1b) (1c) (1d) (1e) in the schematic diagram of the entire shower tower body (A), Pictograms that indicate the type and function of the shower have each spout (1a) (1b) (1c) (1d) (1
e) Shower type indicator lamp (D ₂ ) provided corresponding to each of them, and water discharge amount display that can be adjusted by adjusting switches (C ₄ ) and (C ₅ ), indicating the instantaneous flow rate preset for each water discharge A screen (D ₃ ) and a remaining time display screen (D ₄ ) for displaying the remaining time until the end of one program during the automatic control operation while subtracting the remaining time with the execution of the program.

That is, every time a signal is output from the operation unit (C) to the controller unit (B) and the step of the program is started, the water discharge display means (B ₇ ) firstly opens and closes the opening / closing valve (4a ) (4b) (4c) (4d) (4e) is read from the program and the spouts (1a) (1b) (1c) (1
d) Turn on some of the water discharge position display lamps (D ₁ ) and shower type display lamps (D ₂ ) corresponding to (1e), read the water discharge amount at that moment, and display it on the water discharge amount display surface (D ₃ ) At the same time, the last on-off valve (4a) (4b) of the program
(4c) (4d) to display the remaining time display surface reads the remaining time until the opening end of (4e) (D _4), so that the decrease addressed predetermined unit by the subsequent time.

Each time a signal is output from the operation unit (C) to the controller unit (B) to start a step of the program, the water discharge delay means (B ₈ ) starts a water discharge prohibition time t of, for example, about 2 seconds. On-off valves scheduled to open (4a) (4b) (4c)
(4d) When the valve opening of (4e) is stopped and this water discharge prohibition time t ends, the on-off valves (4a) (4b) (4c) (4d) (4e)
Is opened.

The step advance means (B ₉ ) interrupts the step during the execution of the program during the automatic control operation, specifically, every time a signal is output again from the operation section (C) to the controller section (B) during the above-mentioned water discharge prohibition time t. Opening and closing valve (4a) (4
b) The execution of the program is forcibly switched to the next step without opening (4c), (4d), and (4e), and the next step is started. After the water discharge prohibition time t has elapsed, the on-off valve (4a) ( 4b) If a signal is output again from the operation unit (C) to the controller unit (B) while the valve is open (4c), (4d), or (4e), the currently executing step is interrupted and the current Closes the open / close valve (4a) (4b) (4c) (4d) (4e) while the valve is open, stops water discharge, and forcibly switches the execution of the program to the next step and executes the next step Let it start.

The on-off valve in the program memory circuit of the controller portion (B) in the case of the embodiment _{(B 1) (4a) (} 4
b) A plurality of types, for example, three types of programs having different opening / closing operation sequences (4c), (4d), and (4e) and respective valve opening times, etc., are stored, and the operation unit (C) automatically responds to the stored programs. Control indicators (D ₅ ) and (D ₅ ) for the control switches (C ₁ ) (C ₂ ) (C ₃ ) and the automatic control switches (C ₁ ) (C ₂ ) (C ₃ ) respectively (D ₅ ) is provided to three, and one of the automatic control switches (C ₁ ), (C ₂ ), and (C ₃ ) is selected and touched (pressed down). program reading circuit (B ₂₎
When the automatic control switch (C ₁ ) (C ₂ ) (C ₃ ), which is the same as the above selection, is touched (pressed down) again during this automatic control operation, the step forward operation is performed. The means (B ₉ ) operates based on the input signal, and when the automatic control switch (C ₁ ) (C ₂ ) (C ₃ ) different from the above selection is touched (pressed down), It cancels the currently running program and switches to the latter program.

Further, in the case of the present embodiment, the controller unit (B)
, Which is in electrical communication with the execution signal converter (B ₆ ) of the display unit and the water discharge position display lamp (D ₁ ) and the shower type display lamp (D ₂ ) of the display unit (D). The generator (E) is disposed inside the shower tower body (A), and when each step is switched a predetermined time before the execution of the program, a water discharge position display lamp (D ₁ ) scheduled to discharge water in the next step. At the same time, one or a plurality of shower type indicator lamps (D ₂ ) are blinked, and at the same time, the beeping sound generator (E) is activated to emit a beeping sound such as a buzzer for 0.2 seconds at intervals of 1 second. It sounds so that the user can hear it.

 Incidentally, (1f) in the figure is a water outlet of the hand shower.

 Next, the operation of such a shower device will be described.

Automatic control switch (C ₁ ) (C ₂ ) of operation panel (C)
If any one of (C ₃ ) is selected and touched (pressed down), the selection display lamp (D ₅ ) of the display unit (D) approaching it will light up, and the first step of the corresponding program will be lit. Is started, and the display section (D) corresponding to the on-off valve I scheduled to be opened in the first step by the water discharge display means (B ₇ )
The water discharge position display lamp (D ₁ ) and the shower type display lamp (D ₂ ) respectively light up, the instantaneous water discharge amount is displayed on the water discharge display surface (D ₃ ), and the water discharge amount is displayed on the remaining time display surface (D ₄ ). The remaining time until the end of the program is displayed.

At the same time, the water discharge prohibition time t is started by the water discharge delay means (B ₈ ), and the on-off valve I remains in the closed state.

In this state, if the user does not touch (press down) any of the automatic control switches (C ₁ ), (C ₂ ), and (C ₃ ) during and after the water discharge prohibition time t, FIG. As shown in the time chart of FIG. 7, the opening / closing valve I of the first step is opened after the elapse of the water discharge prohibition time t, and the first water discharge port (1a) (1a) ( From 1b) (1c) (1d) (1e), water discharge is started at a small flow rate for a predetermined period of time and then at the programmed instantaneous flow rate.

When valve opening time T ₁ which is set in advance from the open-starting is prior to ending a predetermined time has elapsed, corresponding to the opening and closing valve II of opening planned for the next step of the current water discharge water discharge position indicator lamps (D ₁₎ When the shower type indicator lamp (D ₂ ) blinks and a notification sounds at the same time, the user is notified of the next water discharge, and after the valve opening time T ₁ has elapsed and the operation is switched to the next step, the on-off valve I is closed. As soon as the valve is stopped to discharge water, the blinking water discharge position display lamp (D ₁ ) and the shower type lamp (D ₂ ) are turned on, the on-off valve II is opened to start water discharge, and the water discharge amount is further displayed. The display of the plane (D ₃ ) is switched, and the display of the remaining time display plane (D ₄ ) also decreases with time.

When thereafter the valve opening time T ₂ of the as-off valve II described above has elapsed, and switched to the last step opens simultaneously closing valve III opening and closing valve II is closed, after the valve open time T ₃ has elapsed When the program ends, the display on the remaining time display surface (D ₄ ) becomes 0.

Further, the user looks at the lit water discharge position display lamp (D ₁ ) and the shower type display lamp (D ₂ ) when t _{1 has} elapsed before the end of the water discharge prohibition time t of the first step, and Automatic control switch (C ₁ ) (C ₂ ) with selection indicator lamp (D ₅ ) lit depending on physical condition and personal preference of the day
If (C ₃ ) is touched (pressed down) again, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 5B, the water is not discharged at the time before the on-off valve I is opened by the step forward means (B ₉ ). The execution is switched to the next step and the water discharge position display lamp (D ₁ ) and the shower type display lamp (D ₂ ) corresponding to the on-off valve II to be opened in the next step are turned on. At the same time as the display on the display surface (D ₃ ) and the display on the remaining time display surface (D ₄ ) are switched, the water discharge prohibition time t starts anew.

If the same automatic control switches (C ₁ ), (C ₂ ), and (C ₃ ) are operated again in the same manner when t ₂ elapses during the water discharge prohibition time t, as described above, at the time before the opening and closing valve II opens. If the display is switched to the next step and the display section (D) is switched in correspondence with the on-off valve III, the water discharge prohibition time t starts, and if the water discharge prohibition time t is not operated again until the water discharge prohibition time t elapses,
Off valve III is opened spouted started, the program is terminated after the valve open time T ₃ has elapsed.

Therefore, if the operation is repeated during the water discharge prohibition time t, the entire water discharge content of the program is displayed without water being discharged.

Further, the valve open time T ₂ in a state where the on-off valve II is open as shown in the time chart of example Figure 5 (C)
If the same operation is performed before the end of the time, the opening / closing valve II is closed at that time to stop the water discharge, and at the same time, the water discharge prohibition time t starts. if Likewise operation at the time of before the end elapses valve time T _3, the program is finished off valve III is closed.

Therefore, the same switches for automatic control (C ₁ ) (C ₂ ) (C ₃ )
Each time is operated, the program finishes earlier and the remaining time displayed on the remaining time display surface (D ₄ ) becomes shorter.

In the embodiment described above, the shower tower body (A) is provided with a plurality of shower water outlets (1) having different functions, and the hot water or the water is automatically discharged sequentially based on the program. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the same applies to the case where shower water outlets having the same function and different locations are automatically and sequentially discharged.

Further, the water discharge content displayed on the display unit (D) is not limited to the above-described one, but is arbitrary.
Need not be provided.

<Effect of the Invention> Since the present invention has the above configuration, it has the following advantages.

Claim 1 When a signal is output from the operation unit to the controller unit and the program is executed, the water discharge delay unit starts the water discharge prohibition time at the start of each step, and a signal is again input from the operation unit during the water discharge prohibition time. Each time the step advance means switches to the next step, a new water discharge prohibition time is started, and only when no signal is input from the operation unit during the water discharge prohibition time, the opening / closing valve set to the step in which the program is being executed is turned on. Since the valve is opened, it is possible to convert the spouted water content programmed during the automatic control operation.

Therefore, as compared with the conventional one in which the content of water discharge, such as the water discharge order, is fixed for each preset program, the water discharge order, water discharge time, and the like are appropriately changed according to the physical condition of the user on the day and personal preferences. This makes it possible for the user to freely operate the apparatus, thereby improving the usability, and the program selection and operation unit are simpler and easier to use than those in which various types of programs are stored in the controller unit.

By advancing the steps by the operation unit during the water discharge prohibition time, a desired water discharge form can be selected without water discharge, so that water can be saved, the durability of the on-off valve is improved, and the usability is good.

Claim 2 Since the water discharge contents set in the program are sequentially displayed on the display unit, the user can select a desired water discharge form while checking the water discharge contents on the display unit, thereby improving the operability and the usability. .

A plurality of different contents such as a water discharge position and a water discharge time are simultaneously displayed on the display unit as a water discharge content, so that the step is advanced a plurality of times by the operation unit during the water discharge prohibition time, so that the program is set at the start of each step. The discharged water content can be viewed without being discharged, and as a result, the entire programmed water discharge content can be displayed in a small occupied area.

Therefore, as compared with the related art in which a display unit showing the entire water discharge content of each program is provided close to the operation unit, even if each water discharge content is complicated or the number of types of programs is increased, the occupied area of the display unit is small. The appearance is not impaired without being enlarged, and the display content is not reduced so that it is easy to see and oversight can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a shower device showing one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram of a control system, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the shower device, FIG. FIG. 5 (A) is a time chart when the steps are not advanced, and FIGS. 5 (B) and 5 (C) are time charts each showing an example in which the steps are advanced. is there. B: controller unit, B _7: water discharge display means B _8: water discharge delay means B _9: step forward means C: operation unit, D: display unit 1: shower water discharge port 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e …… Supply pipe 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e …… On-off valve

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yasuharu Kato 2-1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka Tochiki Kiki Co., Ltd. (56) References 2-1-19291, JP, U (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) A47K 3/22

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A plurality of shower water outlets, a water supply pipe connected to each shower water outlet, an on-off valve arranged in the middle of the water supply pipe, and an opening / closing operation of each of these on-off valves are stored in advance. In a shower device having a controller unit for automatically controlling sequentially based on each step of the program and an operation unit electrically connected to the controller unit, the on-off valve is opened from the start of each step based on a signal input from the operation unit. Water discharge delay means for providing a predetermined length of water discharge prohibition time until the valve opening start time, and step forward means for switching to the next step based on a signal input from the operation unit during the water discharge prohibition time are provided. A shower device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The shower apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller section is provided with a water discharge display means for sequentially displaying the contents of the water discharge set in the program on the display section. 3. The shower apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the water discharge display means simultaneously displays a plurality of different water discharge positions, water discharge times, and the like on the display unit as water discharge contents.