JP2006181033A - Foot bath - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a foot bath for which the safety of a user having heating massage especially is improved in the foot bath for massaging a part below the ankle by warm water bathing, the jetting of air bubbles and vibrations, etc. <P>SOLUTION: In the foot bath 1 provided with a foot bathtub 2 and a heater 4 for heating water accumulated inside the foot bathtub 2, the height of a water surface identified by an identification sensor and a preset first threshold are compared, a temperature detected by a temperature detection part and a preset second threshold are compared, and the circulation condition of the water circulated inside the foot bathtub 2 is discriminated. In the case of judging that the height of the water surface is equal to or below the first threshold, or judging that the temperature is equal to or higher than the second threshold, or discriminating that the water is not circulated, a heating operation by the heater 4 is stopped. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a footbath suitable for performing massage from the ankle by hot water bathing, jetting of bubbles, vibration or the like.

  Traditionally, stimulating the acupoints of the human body has been widely used as a means of maintaining human health and relieving pain in the affected area, with the acupuncture points being concentrated especially on the ankles and soles of the feet. Widely known from experience. In addition, in the case of low blood pressure or coldness, a health method for partially warming the foot to improve blood circulation is also widely known.

  Here, as an instrument for stimulating the acupoints of the foot, there are a healthy sandal or the like provided with a plurality of protrusions on the footrest and the foot placement surface. However, the massage with the above-mentioned device is not suitable for massage in a state where the user is relaxed because the user is accompanied by exercise of the foot. There is also room for improvement in that it is not possible to enjoy a plurality of massage effects simultaneously.

In order to eliminate such drawbacks, there has been proposed a foot bath device that can simultaneously perform massage for stimulating the pressure points on the soles and thermal massage such as warm water bathing of the ankle part (for example, Patent Documents). 1 and 2).
JP 2003-210548 A Utility Model Registration No. 3092301 JP 2003-220114 A

  However, with the disclosed technique in the above-described conventional Patent Document 2, the user has to add hot water to the foot tub. In particular, the user himself / herself has to control the temperature of the hot and cold water to an optimum temperature, and a great deal of labor is required. In addition, since there is no mechanism for feedback control of the hot water to a constant temperature at all times, there is a problem that the hot water is cooled after a few minutes and a massage cannot be performed for a long time. .

  Moreover, in patent document 3, the footbath device which incorporated the heat source for warming the hot water in a footbath is disclosed.

  However, the foot bath shown in Patent Document 3 raises the temperature by only transferring the heat from the heater to the hot water. For this reason, when the heating operation is performed from the heater when water is not filled in the foot tub, the heater is heated more than necessary, and when the user's foot comes into contact with the heater, It is traumatic and lacks safety.

  Moreover, the optimum temperature of hot water stretched in the footbath generally varies depending on the user's preference. In particular, when the temperature of the hot water rises too much, it may cause burns, and it is necessary to devise a function for efficiently avoiding this.

  Furthermore, when hot water is heated by this heater, the entire temperature cannot be made uniform unless it is constantly circulated in the footbath. If hot water does not circulate efficiently in the foot bath, a temperature difference occurs between hot water near the heater and hot water away from the heater, and the result of the thermal massage cannot be improved. Furthermore, if only the hot water in the vicinity of the heater gets too warm, it may cause burns and lack validity from the viewpoint of safety.

  Therefore, the present invention has been devised in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is, in particular, a foot bath device that performs a massage from the ankle down by a hot water bath, jet of bubbles, vibration, etc. An object of the present invention is to provide a foot bath that further improves the safety of a user who performs a thermal massage.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a footbath according to the present invention is a footbath having a footbath and a heater for heating water accumulated in the footbath, and a water surface in water accumulated in the footbath. The identification means for identifying the height of the water, the comparison means for comparing the height of the water surface identified by the identification means with a preset first threshold, and the comparison means, the height of the water surface is equal to or less than the first threshold. When it is determined that the heat source is determined, the heat source control means for stopping the heating operation by the heater is provided.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a footbath according to the present invention is a footbath having a footbath and a heater that heats water accumulated in the footbath, and the temperature of water accumulated in the footbath. It is determined that the temperature is equal to or higher than the second threshold by the temperature detection means for detecting the temperature, the comparison means for comparing the temperature detected by the temperature detection means with a preset second threshold value. In this case, a heat source control means for stopping the heating operation by the heater is provided.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a footbath according to the present invention is a footbath having a footbath and a heater that heats water stored in the footbath. A discriminating means for discriminating the circulation status of the water circulated in the footbath according to the vibrations of the means, and a heat source control means for stopping the heating operation by the heater based on the water circulation status discriminated by the discrimination means; Is provided.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a footbath according to the present invention is a footbath having a footbath and a heater for heating water accumulated in the footbath, and a water surface in water accumulated in the footbath. An identification means for identifying the height of the water, a comparison means for comparing the height of the water surface identified by the identification means with a preset first threshold, and a temperature for detecting the temperature of the water accumulated in the foot tub A detection means, a comparison means for comparing the temperature detected by the temperature detection means with a preset second threshold, a vibration means for vibrating the footbath, and a vibration in the footbath according to the vibration by the vibration means. A discriminating means for discriminating the circulation state of the circulated water, and a means for judging that the height of the water surface is not more than the first threshold by the comparing means, or that the temperature is not less than the second threshold by the comparing means Judged or by the discriminating means There when indicating that no circulation is determined, and a heat source control means for stopping the heating operation by the heater.

  In the present invention, when it is determined that the height of the identified water surface is equal to or lower than the first threshold value, or when it is determined that the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the second threshold value, or water is circulating. When it is determined that there is no, the heating operation by the heater is stopped, so that it is possible to further improve the safety of the user who performs the thermal massage.

  Hereinafter, as a best mode for carrying out the present invention, a foot bath for performing massage from the ankle down will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 3 are views showing a foot bath 1 to which the present invention is applied. The footbath 1 includes a bubble blowing tube 3 and a heater 4 in a foot tub 2 formed by an upper casing 6 and a lower casing 7.

  The foot tub 2 is integrally formed so as to have a depth of about 20 cm in the upper casing 6. The transverse cross-sectional shape of the foot tub 2 is formed in a wide U shape so as to surround the raised portion 8, and both feet can be placed in the foot tub 2 with the raised portion 8 interposed therebetween. . The bottom of the foot tub 2 is formed with a plurality of hemispherical large and small protrusions 2a rounded at the tip at regular intervals, and stimulates the acupoints on the sole of the foot by placing the feet on the protrusions 2a. It can be done.

  One bubble ejection pipe 3 is attached to each of the left and right bottom surfaces of the foot tub 2 across the raised portion 8. A plurality of bubble outlets 3 a are opened in a row in the bubble ejection pipe 3 toward the inside of the foot bath 2. And the bubble ejection pipe | tube 3 is arrange | positioned on the opposite side of the foot tub 2 so that a heel may be cut | disconnected longitudinally from the toe of a foot through the arch vicinity of both feet where the point of the sole concentrates.

  Each bubble ejection tube 3 is connected to the bubble generating device 22 through the blower tube 10 inside the foot bath 1. Inside the bubble generating device 22, a blower blade 4 b is attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 12, and the air taken from the blower opening of the bubble generating device 22 is rotated by the blower blade 4 b and the two blower tubes 10 and the bubbles. It feeds into the ejection pipe 3. In addition, the backflow prevention valve 13 is each arrange | positioned inside each blast pipe 10, and the inundation toward the bubble generation apparatus 22 from the bubble jet nozzle 3a is prevented.

  Moreover, the heater 4 which heats the water in the footbath 2 by energizing is provided in the side surface of the footbath 2. The heater 4 may be covered with a heater case 4a. By forming a heat radiating plate made of, for example, neoceram glass inside the heater case 4a, it is possible to suppress the heater case 4a from becoming hot.

  Further, a drain port 71 is provided on the bottom surface of the foot tub 2. The drain port 71 is provided with a drain hose 73 provided with a plug 72 at the tip. The drain hose 72 is disposed so as to be extendable and contractible from the lower casing 7, and the water stored in the foot tub 2 flows out through the drain port 71. Thereby, when throwing away used hot water, this can be realized only by opening the stopper 72, and the burden on the user's labor can be eliminated.

  Further, on the upper surface of the foot tub 2, a display operation unit 17 is provided for displaying various information to the user and allowing the user to perform a desired operation. FIG. 4 shows details of the display operation unit 17. As shown in FIG. 4, the display operation unit 17 includes a temperature display unit 31 that informs the user of the temperature of hot water in the footbath 2 at the current time, information for notifying the user of ON / OFF of the power source and various setting conditions. The display unit 32 has a timer 33 for stopping the heating operation by the heater 4 after a predetermined time has elapsed, a vibration button 34, a bubble button 35, a temperature increase button 36, a temperature decrease button 37, and power ON / OFF. It has a power button 38 for commanding. Incidentally, the bubble generating device 22 can be operated by pressing and inputting the bubble button 35. By pressing the temperature increase button 36 or the temperature decrease button 37, a thermostat (not shown) can be operated, and the temperature of the hot water in the foot tub 2 can be controlled.

  Further, in the footbath 1 to which the present invention is applied, a vibrator 46 configured by mounting a bell 45 on an axis of rotation of the motor 44 in an eccentric state and a drive motor 48 of the massage component 9a are provided in the footbath. 2 is housed so as to be located inside the two raised portions 8. The vibrator 46 operates when the vibration button 34 is pressed. Further, a red lamp 51 is provided on the raised portion 8 of the foot tub 2 to alert the user.

  An eaves-like upper lid (not shown) that protrudes toward the foot tub 2 may be attached to the upper casing 6 on the toe side of the foot tub 2.

  FIG. 5 shows a block configuration of a foot bath 1 to which the present invention is applied. In the footbath 1, the heater 4, the identification sensor 61, the temperature detection unit 63, the bubble generation device 22, and the display operation unit 17 are connected to the circuit unit 5 as a so-called central processing unit that controls each component. Yes.

  The circuit unit 5 is mounted with a CPU, a memory, and the like. The identification sensor 61 is a so-called water level sensor for identifying the height (water level) of water accumulated in the foot tub 2. Although the temperature detection part 63 is comprised by the thermocouple etc. for measuring the temperature of the water stored in the foot tub 2, it is not limited to this, You may be comprised by what kind of temperature sensor.

  The display operation unit 17 is connected to the circuit unit 5. The content input by the display operation unit 17 is notified to the circuit unit 5. Further, when various display commands are notified from the circuit unit 5, these are displayed via the display operation unit 17.

  The operation of the foot bath 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S <b> 10, the user fills water (hot water) in the foot tub 2. Next, the process proceeds to step S <b> 11, and the user performs pressing input of the power button 38.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S <b> 12, and the power button 38 is pressed by the user, and the circuit unit 5 heats the water stored in the foot bath 2 through the heater 4. At this time, when the vibration button 34 or the bubble button 35 is pressed by the user, the vibrator 46 vibrates, or bubbles are generated from the bubble ejection tube 3.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S <b> 13, and the identification sensor 61 identifies the height of the water surface in the water accumulated in the foot tub 2. Next, the circuit unit 5 compares the height of the water surface identified by the identification sensor 61 with a preset first threshold value. The first threshold is stored in advance in a memory (not shown) in the circuit unit 5, for example, but is a value that can be arbitrarily rewritten according to the user's intention.

  As a result of the comparison in step S13, when it is determined that the identified water surface height is equal to or lower than the first threshold value, water is accumulated in the foot tub 2 until reaching a predetermined water surface height. It is shown that it is not. In such a case, when the heating operation is continued through the heater 4, the heater 4 is warmed more than necessary, and when the user's feet come into contact with the heater 4, an injury such as a burn is caused. For this reason, when it is determined that the identified water surface height is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the circuit unit 5 stops the heating operation by the heater 4. As a result, safety can be further improved. Incidentally, the first threshold value means a minimum water surface height for continuing a safer heating operation of the heater 4.

  If the identified water surface height is equal to or higher than the first threshold value, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S <b> 14, the temperature detection unit 63 detects the temperature of hot water stored in the foot tub 2. At this time, the circuit unit 5 may display the detected temperature in units of 1 ° C. via the temperature display unit 31. Thereby, the user can identify the temperature of hot water at the present time. Next, the circuit unit 5 compares the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 63 with a preset second threshold value. The second threshold value is stored in advance in a memory (not shown) in the circuit unit 5, for example, but is a value that can be arbitrarily rewritten according to the user's intention.

  As a result of the comparison in step S14, when it is determined that the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the second threshold value, it means that the hot water in the footbath 2 is higher than the optimum temperature. Yes. In such a case, if the heating operation is continued, the thermal massage at the optimum temperature cannot be performed, and if the temperature of the hot water rises excessively, it may cause burns. For this reason, when it is determined that the identified temperature is equal to or higher than the second threshold value, the circuit unit 5 stops the heating operation by the heater 4. As a result, safety can be further improved. Incidentally, the second threshold value can be said to be the upper limit of the temperature when the safe heating operation by the heater 4 is continued.

  When the detected temperature is lower than the second threshold value, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S <b> 15, the circuit unit 5 determines the circulation state of the water circulated in the foot bath 2 by the vibration by the vibrator 46. The determination of the water circulation state by the circuit unit 5 may be executed based on whether or not a pressing input is made on the vibration button 38, for example.

  By the way, when the circulation of water in the foot tub 2 is insufficient, it means that the temperature of the water in the foot tub 2 is not uniform as a whole. In such a case, a temperature difference occurs between the hot water in the vicinity of the heater 4 and the hot water at a location away from the heater 4, and the result of the thermal massage cannot be improved. Furthermore, if only the hot water in the vicinity of the heater 4 gets too warm, it may cause burns.

  For this reason, when it is determined that the circulation of water in the footbath 2 is insufficient as a result of the comparison in step S15, the circuit unit 5 stops the heating operation by the heater 4. This makes it possible to ensure safety.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S16, and the circuit unit 5 identifies whether or not the power button 38 is switched to OFF. As a result, when the power button 38 is switched off, the heating operation by the heater 4 is terminated. On the other hand, when the power button 38 is kept in the ON state, the process proceeds to step S12 again and the above process is repeated.

  Thus, in the footbath 1 to which the present invention is applied, it is possible to effectively perform the thermal massage simultaneously with the massage that stimulates the acupoints on the sole while improving the safety of the user.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6 described above, the case of sequentially executing step S13, step S14, and step S15 has been described. However, the order is not limited, and the order is reversed at random. In this case, the same effect can be obtained. In addition, in the foot bath 1 to which the present invention is applied, it is needless to say that any one of the steps S13, S14, and S15 is included.

It is a perspective view of a foot bath device to which the present invention is applied. It is a 1st side view of a foot bath device to which the present invention is applied. It is a 2nd side view of the foot bath device to which the present invention is applied. It is a figure for demonstrating about the detail of a display operation part. It is a block block diagram of the foot bath device to which this invention is applied. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the foot bath device to which this invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Foot bath 2 Foot bath 3 Bubble blower 4 Heater 6 Upper casing 7 Lower casing 8 Raised part 10 Air blower 17 Display operation part 22 Bubble generator 61 Identification sensor 63 Temperature detection part

Claims (8)

In a footbath having a foot tub and a heater for heating water stored in the foot tub,
Identification means for identifying the height of the water surface in the water stored in the foot tub;
A comparison means for comparing the height of the water surface identified by the identification means with a preset first threshold value;
And a heat source control means for stopping the heating operation by the heater when the comparison means determines that the height of the water surface is equal to or less than the first threshold value. In a footbath having a foot tub and a heater for heating water stored in the foot tub,
Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the water stored in the footbath,
A comparing means for comparing the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means with a preset second threshold;
A footbath comprising: heat source control means for stopping the heating operation by the heater when the comparison means determines that the temperature is equal to or higher than the second threshold value. The footbath according to claim 2, further comprising display means for displaying to the user the temperature detected by the temperature detection means. In a footbath having a foot tub and a heater for heating water stored in the foot tub,
Vibration means for vibrating the foot tub;
Discriminating means for discriminating the circulation state of the water circulated in the footbath according to the vibration by the vibration means;
A footbath comprising: heat source control means for stopping the heating operation by the heater based on the water circulation state determined by the determination means. The footbath according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising bubble generating means for generating bubbles in water stored in the foot tub. A drain outlet provided on the bottom surface of the footbath,
A drainage hose, which is disposed so as to be extendable and contractible from the outside of the housing, and drains the water stored in the footbath through the drainage port. The footbath according to any one of 5. The footbath according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a plurality of protrusions are formed on an inner bottom surface of the foot tub. In a footbath having a foot tub and a heater for heating water stored in the foot tub,
Identification means for identifying the height of the water surface in the water stored in the foot tub;
A comparison means for comparing the height of the water surface identified by the identification means with a preset first threshold value;
Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the water stored in the footbath,
A comparing means for comparing the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means with a preset second threshold;
Vibration means for vibrating the foot tub;
Discriminating means for discriminating the circulation state of the water circulated in the footbath according to the vibration by the vibration means;
The comparing means determines that the height of the water surface is equal to or lower than the first threshold value, or the comparing means determines that the temperature is equal to or higher than the second threshold value, or the determining means determines water level. And a heat source control means for stopping the heating operation by the heater when it is determined that the water is not circulating.

Images