JP2021154137A - Bathing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a bathing apparatus having a drain plug to be opened/closed manually, where hot water supply to a bathtub is inhibited without supplying hot water to the bathtub when the drain plug is in an open state.SOLUTION: A bathing apparatus for assisting bathing comprises: a bathtub having drain plugs 8a, 8b; a hot water storage tub; a hot water transfer path through which hot water flows, the hot water transfer path being connected to the bathtub and the hot water storage tub; an operation part (pedal 70) that is connected to the drain plugs 8a, 8b and opens/closes the drain plugs 8a, 8b; a detection unit (limit switch 86) for detecting action of the operation part; and a control unit for controlling movement of hot water. The operation part is a component to be operated using a foot. When the detection unit detects the drain plugs 8a, 8b being open, the control unit inhibits supply of hot water from the hot water storage tub to the bathtub.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

The present invention relates to a bathing device including a hot water storage tank and a bathtub, and supplying hot water from the hot water storage tank to the bathtub.

A hot water detection unit is provided in the bathtub to detect the presence or absence of hot water at the bottom of the bathtub. Is known to stop the operation of the water heater and stop the hot water supply to the bathtub by recognizing that the water heater is in the opened state (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-314890

However, once the hot water supply to the bathtub is started, the hot water is detected, the drain plug is recognized as being in the open state, and the hot water supply to the bathtub is stopped. Since the hot water is discharged from the drain plug, the hot water was to be discharged wastefully.
In the case of a bathing device that has a hot water storage tank and a bathtub and supplies hot water from the hot water storage tank to the bathtub, hot water is detected after the hot water supply to the bathtub is started, and the bathtub is recognized that the drain plug is in the open state. When the hot water supply to the hot water supply is stopped, there is almost no hot water in the hot water storage tank, and a waiting time for storing the hot water in the hot water storage tank is required to take a bath again.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and in a bathing device, when the drain plug is open, the supply of hot water to the bathtub is prohibited without supplying hot water to the bathtub. With the goal.

The bathing device of the present invention according to claim 1 is a bathing device for assisting bathing, and is a bathtub having a drain plug, a hot water storage tank, and a hot water transfer connected to the bathtub and the hot water storage tank to allow hot water to flow. It includes a road, an operation unit connected to the drain plug and opens and closes the drain plug, a detection unit that detects the movement of the operation unit, and a control unit that controls the movement of hot water. It is a member to be operated, and when the detection unit detects that the drain plug is open, the control unit prohibits the supply of hot water from the hot water storage tank to the bathtub.

According to this configuration, hot water is not supplied from the hot water storage tank to the bathtub with the drain plug open when taking a bath, and it is possible to prevent the hot water from the hot water storage tank from being unnecessarily discharged. In addition, if the hot water is detected once the hot water supply to the bathtub is started, the drain plug is recognized as being open and the hot water supply to the bathtub is stopped, the hot water in the hot water storage tank will be discharged. In order to take a bath again, there is a waiting time for storing hot water in the hot water storage tank, but the bathing apparatus of the present invention can prevent such a waiting time from occurring. Since the operation unit is a member operated by the foot, the opening and closing of the drain plug can be operated by the foot even when the hand cannot be used for other work or the like.

In the bathing device according to claim 2, the operation unit is a pedal, and a rod that is connected to the pedal and can move horizontally, and another rod that rises or falls with the horizontal movement of the rod and is connected to the drain plug. The pedal and the drain plug are connected by a link mechanism including the rod.

The bathing device according to claim 3 is characterized in that the operation unit is a button, and the button and the drain plug are connected to at least one of a wire and a link mechanism. If a wire is used to connect the button, which is the operation unit, to the drain plug, the structure is simple and the connection between the button and the drain plug is easy. Further, if a link mechanism is used for connecting the button and the drain plug, the durability of the connecting portion between the button and the drain plug is good.

The bathing device according to claim 4 is characterized in that the detection unit is a switch or a sensor. With this configuration, the movement of the operation unit can be detected with a simple configuration.

The bathing device according to claim 5 provides a notification means for notifying that the supply of hot water is prohibited because the drain plug is open when the supply of hot water to the bathtub is instructed while the drain plug is open. It is characterized by being provided. According to this configuration, the bather or the caregiver can know the reason why the hot water is not supplied to the bathtub even though the hot water is instructed to be supplied to the bathtub.

According to the present invention, in a bathing device provided with a bathtub having a drain plug and a hot water storage tank, when the drain plug is open, the supply of hot water from the hot water storage tank to the bathtub can be prohibited. Therefore, hot water is not supplied from the hot water storage tank to the bathtub with the drain plug open when taking a bath, and it is possible to prevent the hot water from the hot water storage tank from being unnecessarily discharged. In addition, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a waiting time for storing hot water in the hot water storage tank at the time of bathing.

It is an external perspective view of the bathing apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and is the figure which shows the state before inserting a wheelchair into a bathtub. It is an external perspective view of the bathing apparatus, and is the figure which shows the state after inserting a wheelchair into a bathtub. It is a rear view of the wheelchair of the bathing device. It is a top view which shows the bathtub, the hot water storage tank and the cover of the bathing apparatus. It is sectional drawing cut along the line AA of FIG. It is a perspective view of the bathtub and the hot water storage tank which cut out a part of the cover of the bathing apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the operation part and the detection part of the bathing apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the open / closed state of the drain plug of the bathing apparatus. It is a piping system diagram of the bathing device. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the control of the bathing apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation part by 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation part by 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation part by 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation part by 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation part by 4th Embodiment.

The configuration of the bathing device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a bathing device in a state before the wheelchair is inserted into the bathtub, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the bathing device in a state after the wheelchair is inserted into the bathtub. Is a rear view of the wheelchair, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a bathtub, a hot water storage tank and a cover, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line AA of FIG. It is a perspective view of a notched bathtub and a hot water storage tank. As shown in FIG. 1, the space axis is defined, the direction in which the wheelchair is inserted into and exits from the bathtub is the front-back direction, the height direction is the up-down direction, and the directions orthogonal to the front-back direction and the up-down direction are left and right. The direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the bathing device 1 carries a bathtub 2, a hot water storage tank 3 for storing hot water supplied to the bathtub 2, a cover 29 for covering the side surfaces of the bathtub 2 and the hot water storage tank 3, and a bather. It is composed of a wheelchair 4. An opening 5 for the wheelchair 4 to enter and exit is provided on the rear surface of the bathtub 2, and a hot water storage tank 3 is provided on the side opposite to the opening 5 (front side of the bathtub 2). The bathtub 2 is provided with an operation panel 28 provided with a button for instructing various operations during bathing and a display unit for displaying information such as temperature. Although the bathtub 2 and the hot water storage tank 3 are integrally combined and formed, they may be separately separated from each other. In FIG. 1, a part of the cover 29 (the portion indicated by the alternate long and short dash line) is cut out.

The rear surface of the bathtub 2 is a joint surface 2r that abuts on the flat surface formed on the backrest portion 6 of the wheelchair 4, and is the rear surface of the side wall 2a on the right side of the bathtub 2 and the rear surface of the side wall 2b on the left side of the bathtub 2. And the rear surface of the bottom wall 2c of the bathtub 2, and has a substantially U-shape. The joint surface 2r is inclined from the opening 5 side toward the front side of the bathtub 2 (direction of the hot water storage tank 3) from the upper side to the lower side. A seal packing 7 made of elastic rubber is provided on the joint surface 2r, and when the backrest portion 6 of the wheelchair 4 comes into contact with the joint surface 2r of the bathtub 2, the seal packing 7 is the peripheral portion of the backrest portion 6 ( A watertight seal is provided between the flat surface (left side, right side and lower side) and the joint surface 2r.

As shown in FIG. 4, two drain plugs 8a and 8b are provided side by side on the bottom wall 2c of the bathtub 2 in the left-right direction, and drainage is provided on the upper surface of the side wall (right side wall) 2a of the bathtub 2. Two knobs 9a and 9b, which are operation units for manually opening and closing the stoppers 8a and 8b, respectively, are provided. With this configuration, the caregiving person who takes a caregiving bath often stands beside the side wall of the bathtub 2 to assist, so that the caregiver operates the picking 9a and 9b while the caregiver stands beside the side wall 2a on the right side. It's easy to do. The knobs 9a and 9b may be provided on the upper surface of the side wall 2b on the left side of the bathtub 2. Further, the knobs 9a and 9b may be provided on the side surfaces of the side walls 2a and 2b instead of the upper surfaces of the side walls 2a and 2b.

Jet outlets 10 for jet jets are provided on the inner wall surfaces of the side walls 2a and 2b of the bathtub 2. On the upper surfaces of the side walls 2a and 2b of the bathtub 2, a shoulder shower 11 is provided on the opening 5 side. A hand shower 12 is provided on the side wall 2a side of the bathtub 2. On the inner wall surface of the side wall (side wall on the left side) 2b of the bathtub 2, a supply port 55 through which hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 3 to the bathtub 2 flows out is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the front side of the bathtub 2 should enter the hot water storage tank 3 so that a tall bather can take a bath with his legs extended even when he / she takes a bath in a wheelchair 4. The hot water storage tank 3 is arranged so as to straddle the front side of the bathtub 2. With this configuration, the length of the bathing device 1 in the front-rear direction can be shortened, and the bathing device 1 can be installed even in an installation place having a limited space.

As shown in FIG. 6, left and right guide rails 13 parallel to each other are provided in the lower part of the bathtub 2. The left and right guide rails 13 project to the rear of the bathtub 2, and the tip portion 13a thereof is bent outward in a V shape. The guide rail 13 serves as a guide when the wheelchair 4 is inserted into the bathtub 2. Further, an actuator 14 and a hook member 15 are provided on the left and right side walls 2a and 2b of the bathtub 2, respectively. The actuator 14 and the hook member 15 are fixing means for fixing the wheelchair 4 to the bathtub 2. When the wheelchair 4 is inserted into the bathtub 2, the hook member 15 is caught by the left and right lock metal fittings 16 (see FIGS. 1 and 3) provided on the backrest portion 6 of the wheelchair 4, and the actuator 14 rotates the hook member 15. As a result, the hook member 15 presses the lock metal fitting 16 to bring the backrest portion 6 of the wheelchair 4 into close contact with the joint surface 2r of the bathtub 2. As a result, the opening 5 of the bathtub 2 is closed by the backrest 6 of the wheelchair 4. Further, a protective cover 17 is provided so as to surround the tip of the hook member 15 except for the lower part. The protective cover 17 prevents foreign matter from approaching between the hook member 15 and the lock fitting 16 when the hook member 15 is rotated to press the lock fitting 16. In FIG. 1, the protective cover 17 attached to the side wall 2a on the right side of the bathtub 2 is omitted, and the hook member 15 is shown.

As shown in FIG. 6, the knob 9a and the drain plug 8a (see FIG. 4) are connected by a wire 18a, and the knob 9b and the drain plug 8b (see FIG. 4) are connected by a wire 18b. Further, the bathtub 2 is provided with two drainage pipes 19 connected to the drainage facility at the place where the bathing device 1 is installed, corresponding to the drainage plugs 8a and 8b, respectively. Since the knobs 9a and 9b and the drain plugs 8a and 8b are connected by a wire, the connection structure is simple and the knobs 9a and 9b and the drain plugs 8a and 8b can be easily connected.

Next, the configuration of the operation unit for opening and closing the drain plug and the detection unit for detecting the open / closed state of the drain plug will be described. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an operation unit and a detection unit of the bathing device.
As shown in FIG. 7, knobs 9a and 9b are provided in the two holes provided on the upper surface of the pedestal 20 via the receiving seat 21. The pedestal 20 is fixed to the side wall 2a on the right side of the bathtub 2 (see FIG. 6). The knobs 9a and 9b are connected to the lower shaft member 22, respectively, and the shaft member 22 is composed of a main body portion 22a, an inclined portion 22b, and a tip portion 22c. The main body 22a and the tip 22c have a cylindrical shape, the outer diameter of the tip 22c is smaller than that of the main body 22a, and the inclined portion 22b becomes thinner from the main body 22a to the tip 22c. It is connected to the part 22c. Wires 18a and 18b are connected to the tip portion 22c of the shaft member 22. A protrusion 23 protruding in the radial direction is provided in the recess 22d in which a part of the surface of the main body 22a is cut out.

Further, a protrusion regulating member 24 fixed to the pedestal 20 with a screw is provided beside the shaft member 22. The protrusion regulating member 24 is formed with an L-shaped groove 25 into which the protrusion 23 is inserted. The groove 25 is composed of a horizontal portion 25a formed in the horizontal direction and a vertical portion 25b formed in the vertical direction. On the lower side of the horizontal portion 25a of the groove 25, a step 25c (the vertical portion 25b side is higher than the pedestal 20 side) is provided on the way from the vertical portion 25b side to the pedestal 20 side.

The knobs 9a and 9b are rotatable when the protrusion 23 is movable in the horizontal portion 25a of the groove 25. Further, when the protrusion 23 can move the vertical portion 25b of the groove 25, the knobs 9a and 9b can be pushed in and pushed back. The knobs 9a and 9b have a function that when they are pushed in, they stop at a predetermined position where they are pushed in, and when the knobs 9a and 9b in the stopped state are pushed and released, the push-in is returned. It is a function of the switch 26 connected to the knobs 9a and 9b via the member 22 and the wires 18a and 18b. In FIG. 7, the knob 9a shows a non-pushed state, and the knob 9b shows a pushed state. Since it protrudes from the surface of the side wall 2a when it is not pushed like the knob 9a, it is easy to push the knob 9a with the palm or fingers and the operability is good. It should be noted that the operation unit for operating the opening and closing of the drain plug is not configured to protrude from the surface of the side wall of the bathtub, but the surface of the operation unit when not pushed is almost the same surface as the surface of the side wall of the bathtub ( A state like the knob 9b shown in FIG. 7) may be configured to push in from that state to open the drain plug.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, when the knob 9a is pushed in, the knob 9a is rotated by a predetermined angle (rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 7) and pushed in. Since the protrusion 23 has a cylindrical shape, the step 25c of the groove 25 does not interfere with the counterclockwise rotation of the knob 9a. Further, when the knob 9b is pushed and released, the push is returned, and then the knob 9b is rotated (rotated to the right in FIG. 7) until the protrusion 23 goes down beyond the step 25c of the groove 25, so that the state is the same as that of the knob 9a. .. It should be noted that a member such as a spring on which a restoring force acts may be used so that the knob 9b rotates by itself to be in the state of the knob 9a when the push of the knob 9b is returned. According to the configuration of the knobs 9a and 9b, when pushing the knobs 9a and 9b to open the drain plugs 8a and 8b, it is necessary to rotate the knobs 9a and 9b, so that the knobs 9a and 9b are pressed by mistake. Alternatively, it is possible to prevent the caregiver's arm or the like from being unknowingly pressed against the picked 9a or 9b and opening the drain plugs 8a or 8b.

Limit switches 27a and 27b fixed to the pedestal 20 with screws are provided on the opposite side of the protrusion regulating member 24 with the shaft member 22 interposed therebetween. The limit switches 27a and 27b have contacts 27ac and 27bc. The limit switches 27a and 27b are arranged so that the contacts 27ac and 27bc can contact the main body portion 22a and the inclined portion 22b of the shaft member 22 and do not contact the tip portion 22c of the shaft member 22. As shown in FIG. 7, in the state where the knob is not pushed in (the state of the knob 9a), the contact 27ac of the limit switch 27a is in a state of being separated from the tip portion 22c of the shaft member 22, and the knob is pushed in. In (the state of the knob 9b), the contactor 27bc of the limit switch 27b is in contact with the main body 22a of the shaft member 22. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether the knobs 9a and 9b are pushed or not by the limit switches 27a and 27b. That is, the limit switches 27a and 27b are detection units that detect the movements of the knobs 9a and 9b. By using the limit switches 27a and 27b as the detection unit, the movement of the knobs 9a and 9b can be detected with a simple configuration.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing an open / closed state of the drain plugs 8a and 8b. As shown by the solid line in FIG. 8, the drain plugs 8a and 8b are in the closed state when the knobs 9a and 9b are not pushed in, and when the knobs 9a and 9b are pushed in as shown by the alternate long and short dash line. The drain plugs 8a and 8b are in an open state. That is, the drain plugs 8a and 8b are opened by pushing the knobs 9a and 9b, and the drain plugs 8a and 8b are closed when the knobs 9a and 9b are pushed back. With this configuration, the drain plugs 8a and 8b can be opened and closed by pushing the knobs 9a and 9b and returning the push, so that the drain plugs 8a and 8b can be easily opened and closed.

Next, the piping system of the bathing device will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, the pipe 30a connected to the water supply source 40a for supplying water and the pipe 30b connected to the hot water supply source 40b for supplying hot water are connected to the mixing valve 45a. A pipe 31a for sending hot water to the hot water storage tank 3 is connected to the downstream side of the mixing valve 45a. A flow rate sensor 46a and a solenoid valve 48a are mounted on the pipe 31a, and a thermometer 47a is provided at the position of the flow rate sensor 46a. A pipe 31b for branching in the middle of the pipe 31a (between the flow rate sensor 46a and the solenoid valve 48a) to discharge hot water is provided, and the solenoid valve 48b is attached to the pipe 31b.

The pipe 32a is branched in the middle of the pipe 30a to be provided, the pipe 32b is provided by branching in the middle of the pipe 30b, and the pipe 32a and the pipe 32b are connected to the mixing valve 45b. A pipe 33a for sending hot water to the hot water storage tank 3 is connected to the downstream side of the mixing valve 45b. A flow rate sensor 46b and a solenoid valve 48c are mounted on the pipe 33a, and a thermometer 47b is provided at the position of the flow rate sensor 46b. A pipe 33b for branching in the middle of the pipe 33a (between the flow rate sensor 46b and the solenoid valve 48c) and sending hot water to the hand shower 12 is provided, and the solenoid valve 48d is attached to the pipe 33b. .. A pipe 33c for discharging hot water by branching in the middle of the pipe 33b (upstream side of the solenoid valve 48d) is provided, and the solenoid valve 48e is attached to the pipe 33c. The pipes 32a and 32b may be configured to supply hot water from a water supply source 40a and a water supply source different from the hot water supply source 40b.

A pipe 34a for sending hot water from the hot water storage tank 3 to the bathtub 2 is provided so as to connect between the bathtub 2 and the hot water storage tank 3. A pump 49 and a motor valve 50 are sequentially attached to the pipe 34a from the hot water storage tank 3 side. A pipe 34b for discharging hot water by branching in the middle of the pipe 34a (between the hot water storage tank 3 and the pump 49) is provided, and a manual valve 51 is attached to the pipe 34b.

A pipe 35 for supplying hot water to the jet port 10 is connected to the bathtub 2, and a pump 52 is attached to the pipe 35. A pipe 36 for supplying hot water to the shoulder shower 11 is connected to the bathtub 2, and a pump 53 is attached to the pipe 36. Further, the bathtub 2 is provided with water level sensors 39a, 39b, 39c for detecting the water level of the hot water in the bathtub 2 as the "upper limit", "appropriate", and "lower limit" levels, and the hot water storage tank 3 is provided in the hot water storage tank 3. A water level sensor (not shown) is provided to detect the water level of the hot water as the "upper limit" and "lower limit" levels. A thermometer 47c is provided in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 3, and a thermometer 47d is provided in the lower part of the bathtub 2.

The hot water from the water supply source 40a and the hot water supply source 40b are mixed by the mixing valve 45a, the temperature of the mixed hot water is measured by the thermometer 47a, and the solenoid valve 48b is opened and discharged until the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature. When the temperature reaches the above temperature, the solenoid valve 48b is closed, the solenoid valve 48a is opened, and hot water is supplied to the hot water storage tank 3. When mixed by the mixing valve 45b, hot water is supplied to the hot water storage tank 3 and the hand shower 12 in the same manner. Further, the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 3 is measured by a thermometer 47c, and if the temperature is a predetermined temperature suitable for bathing, the hot water is supplied from the hot water storage tank 3 to the bathtub 2. The temperature supplied to the bathtub 2 is measured by a thermometer 47d provided in the bathtub 2, and if the temperature is not suitable for bathing, the supply of hot water from the hot water storage tank 3 is stopped. When the thermometer 47c of the hot water storage tank 3 is out of order, stopping the supply of hot water based on the measurement result of the thermometer 47d is an effective means.

As described above, the pipes 30a, 30b, 31a and the pipes 30a, 30b, 32a, 32b, 33a form a hot water transfer path through which hot water supplied from the water supply source 40a and the hot water supply source 40b to the hot water storage tank 3 flows. The pipe 34a constitutes a hot water transfer path through which hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 3 to the bathtub 2 flows. The pipes 30a, 30b, 32a, 32b, 33a, 33b form a hot water transfer path through which hot water supplied from the water supply source 40a and the hot water supply source 40b to the hand shower 12 flows. The pipe 35 is a hot water transfer path through which hot water supplied from the bathtub 2 to the jet port 10 flows, and the pipe 36 is a hot water transfer path through which hot water supplied from the bathtub 2 to the shoulder shower 11 flows.

Next, a bathing method using the bathing device 1 will be described. First, hot water for bathing is supplied from the water supply source 40a and the hot water supply source 40b to the hot water storage tank 3 and stored. After that, the caregiver inserts the wheelchair 4 on which the bather is placed into the bathtub 2 through the opening 5 along the pair of guide rails 13, and the wheelchair 4 is hooked at a predetermined position (the hook member 15 is hooked on the lock metal fitting 16). When the state of insertion (temporary lock state) is reached, the predetermined light emitting diode (LED) of the operation panel 28 lights up, and the caregiver recognizes that the temporary lock state has been reached. After that, when the caregiver operates the operation panel 28 to instruct to take a bath, the wheelchair 4 is pulled into the bathtub 2 by the actuator 14 provided in the bathtub 2, and the opening 5 is closed by the backrest 6 of the wheelchair 4. , The wheelchair 4 is fixed to the bathtub 2. Subsequently, hot water is supplied from the hot water storage tank 3 to the bathtub 2, and the bather is provided for bathing. When the bathing is finished, the caregiver operates the picks 9a and 9b to open the drain plugs 8a and 8b and drains the hot water in the bathtub 2. When the water level sensor 39c provided in the bathtub 2 detects that the hot water in the bathtub 2 has reached the "lower limit" level, the actuator 14 fixes the wheelchair 4 to the bathtub 2 after a predetermined time has elapsed. It will be released. After that, the caregiver removes the wheelchair 4 from the bathtub 2.

During the predetermined time here, the hot water in the bathtub 2 is exhausted after the hot water in the bathtub 2 reaches the "lower limit" level by the water level sensor 39c (the hot water is exhausted to the extent that there is no problem even if the wheelchair 4 is released from the fixed state). ) Is set in advance assuming the time required. Here, the predetermined time is changed according to the number of drain plugs in the open state, and the predetermined time is shortened when the number of drain plugs in the open state is two as compared with the case of one.

In the bathing device 1, when the limit switches 27a and 27b detect that the drain plugs 8a and 8b are open, the supply of hot water from the hot water storage tank 3 to the bathtub 2 is prohibited. A block diagram for explaining the control of the bathing device 1 is shown in FIG. The control unit 54 provided in the bathing device 1 controls the movement of hot water and the like, and controls the pump 49 and the motor valve 50 by receiving signals from the limit switches 27a and 27b. That is, it is detected whether the drain plugs 8a and 8b are open or closed by the signals from the limit switches 27a and 27b. Then, if at least one of the two drain plugs 8a and 8b is open, the supply of hot water from the hot water storage tank 3 to the bathtub 2 is prohibited. Specifically, the control unit 54 prohibits the operation of the pump 49 and closes the motor valve 50 (hot water supply prohibited state). Then, even when the operation panel 28 is operated by a caregiver or the like to instruct the supply of hot water from the hot water storage tank 3 to the bathtub 2, if at least one of the two drain plugs 8a and 8b is open, the control unit Since the hot water supply prohibition state of 54 is maintained, hot water is not supplied from the hot water storage tank 3 to the bathtub 2.

Further, even if at least one of the two drain plugs 8a and 8b is opened due to an erroneous operation after starting the supply of hot water from the hot water storage tank 3 to the bathtub 2, the control unit 54 will send the hot water storage tank 3 to the bathtub 2. In order to prohibit the supply of hot water, the supply of hot water from the hot water storage tank 3 to the bathtub 2 is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent wasteful supply of hot water from the hot water storage tank 3 to the bathtub 2.

In this way, when it is detected by the limit switches 27a and 27b that at least one of the drain plugs 8a and 8b is open, the supply of hot water from the hot water storage tank 3 to the bathtub 2 is prohibited. With the stoppers 8a and 8b open, hot water is not supplied from the hot water storage tank 3 to the bathtub 2, and it is possible to prevent the hot water from the hot water storage tank 3 from being wasted (prevention of wasteful discharge of hot water). ). Further, if the hot water is detected once the hot water supply to the bathtub 2 is started, the drain plugs 8a and 8b are recognized to be open, and the hot water supply to the bathtub 2 is stopped. There is almost no hot water in the hot water storage tank 3, and in order to take a bath again, there is a waiting time for storing hot water in the hot water storage tank 3. However, in the bathing device 1, since the open / closed state of the drain plug is detected by the detection unit that detects the movement of the operation unit, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of such a waiting time (prevention of the occurrence of the waiting time). The above effects (prevention of wasteful discharge of hot water and prevention of waiting time) can be obtained regardless of the number of drain plugs, and the number of drain plugs may be one or two or more.

In the bathing device 1, since the knobs 9a and 9b and the limit switches 27a and 27b are provided for the respective drain plugs 8a and 8b, the open / closed state is selected for each of the two drain plugs 8a and 8b. The amount of hot water discharged from the bathtub 2 can be adjusted. Therefore, hot water can be discharged according to the wastewater treatment capacity of the place where the bathing device 1 is installed (for example, a nursing care facility or a hospital), and the convenience is improved.

Further, when the bathing device 1 is instructed to supply hot water to the bathtub 2 while at least one of the two drain plugs 8a and 8b is open, the drain plug is opened and the hot water is supplied. A notification means for notifying that the prohibition is prohibited is provided, for example, a display (blinking) and a sound are used for notification. When notifying by display, for example, an operation panel 28 is used as the notifying means. When notifying by sound, for example, a speaker (not shown) is used as the notifying means. FIG. 10 shows that the control unit 54 provided in the bathing device 1 controls the operation panel 28 as the notification means based on the signals from the limit switches 27a and 27b. As the notification means, a means for notifying at least one of the display and the sound may be used. By the notification means, the bather or the caregiver can know the reason why the hot water supply instruction to the bathtub 2 is not executed even though the instruction is given.

In the first embodiment, the operation units (picks 9a and 9b) are provided corresponding to the two drain plugs 8a and 8b, respectively, and the corresponding operation units (picks 9a and 9b) are used to provide the drain plugs 8a and 8b. I was trying to open and close it. In the second embodiment, while retaining such a function, one of the operating units (for example, the knob 9b) can simultaneously open and close the two drain plugs 8a and 8b. This improves convenience. The configuration for realizing this will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13. The same reference numerals are used for the same configurations as in FIG. 7, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate for the parts where the explanations overlap.

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, a protrusion regulating member 56 fixed to the pedestal 20 with a screw is provided beside the shaft member 22. The protrusion regulating member 56 is bent from the fixed portion 56a fixed to the pedestal 20, the vertical portion 56b bent from the fixed portion 56a in the direction perpendicular to the pedestal 20, and from the vertical portion 56b in the direction parallel to the pedestal 20. It is composed of a parallel portion 56c. A groove 57 into which the protrusion 23 is inserted is formed in the vertical portion 56b and the parallel portion 56c of the protrusion regulating member 56. The groove 57 is composed of a first vertical portion 57a formed in the vertical direction and a second vertical portion 57b formed in the vertical direction, and communicates with each other at the upper portion. The first vertical portion 57a of the groove 57 is formed in the vertical portion 56b of the protrusion regulating member 56, and the second vertical portion 57b of the groove 57 is formed in the parallel portion 56c of the protrusion regulating member 56.

The shaft member 22 connected to the knob 9b is provided with an interlocking protrusion 58 above the protrusion 23. The interlocking protrusion 58 has a cylindrical shape, and the central axis of the protrusion 23 and the central axis of the interlocking protrusion 58 are arranged so as to be substantially orthogonal to each other when viewed from above. An interlocking member 59 for contacting the interlocking protrusion 58 and transmitting the operation of the knob 9b to the knob 9a is provided so as to fit into the shaft member 22 connected to the knob 9a and move in the vertical direction. The shaft member 22 connected to the knob 9a is provided with a receiving member 60 for receiving the interlocking member 59, and the receiving member 60 is composed of, for example, a pin inserted into the shaft member 22. A guide fixing portion 61 fixed to the pedestal 20 with a screw is provided between the knob 9a and the knob 9b, and the guide fixing portion 61 is provided with a cylindrical moving guide 62 extending downward. The movement guide 62 is inserted into a hole 59a provided in the central portion of the interlocking member 59. The interlocking member 59, which is placed on the receiving member 60 by its own weight, is kept substantially horizontal by the moving guide 62. The movement guide 62 serves as a guide when the interlocking member 59 moves in the vertical direction.

11 and 12 show a case where the drain plugs 8a and 8b are opened and closed by operating the knobs 9a and 9b, respectively. FIG. 11 shows a case where the knobs 9a and 9b are pushed in to open the drain plugs 8a and 8b, and FIG. 12 shows a case where the knobs 9a and 9b are pushed back to close the drain plugs 8a and 8b. be. Here, by operating the knob 9b (pushing in or returning the push-in) while aligning the mark 64 provided on the knob 9b with the first mark 65a provided on the seat 21, the knob 9a and the knob 9b Can be operated individually.

FIG. 13 shows a case where both the two drain plugs 8a and 8b are opened and closed by the knob 9b. The knob 9b in the state shown in FIG. 12 is rotated counterclockwise to align with the mark 64 provided on the knob 9b and the second mark 65b provided on the seat 21. In this case, the interlocking protrusion 58 moves to a position where it can come into contact with the interlocking member 59, and when the knob 9b is pushed in, the knob 9a is also pushed in together. FIG. 13 shows a state in which the knob 9a is pushed together with the knob 9b. When the knob 9b is pushed and released from this state, the push of the knobs 9a and 9b is returned by the action of the switch 26.

According to the configuration described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13, when it is not necessary to adjust the amount of drainage from the bathtub, all the drainage plugs can be opened and closed by operating one operation unit, so that the drainage plugs can be operated. It will be easy. Further, by simply changing the rotation position of the knob 9b, the two drain plugs 8a and 8b can be operated with the corresponding knobs 9a and 9b, or the two drain plugs 8a and 8b can be picked by one. It is convenient because it is possible to select whether to operate with 9b.

In the first and second embodiments, the example of the knob operated by hand as the operation unit for operating the opening and closing of the drain plug has been described, but the operation unit may be a member operated by the foot. As a member operated by the foot, for example, a button or a pedal can be used. FIG. 14 shows an example of a third embodiment in which two buttons 63a and 63b protruding from the surface of the cover 29 are provided at the lower part of the side surface of the bathtub 2. The buttons 63a and 63b and the drain plugs 8a and 8b are connected by wires (not shown), respectively. By pushing the buttons 63a and 63b with their feet, the drain plugs 8a and 8b are opened, and the pushed buttons 63a and 63b are opened. It is configured so that the push-in is returned by pushing and releasing with a foot, and the drain plugs 8a and 8b are closed. Further, as a detection unit for detecting the movement of the buttons 63a and 63b, a limit switch may be provided in the vicinity of the buttons 63a and 63b.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a fourth embodiment in which the operation unit is a foot pedal. The pedal 70 includes a pedal piece 70a and a tread plate 70b. The pedal piece 70a has a V-shaped shape that is bent in the middle, and the bent portion of the pedal piece 70a is attached to the mounting shaft 71 fixed to the bathtub 2. That is, the pedal 70 is attached to the bathtub 2 in a state of being rotatable around the attachment shaft 71. One end of the pedal piece 70a (the end opposite to the tread plate 70b) is the first connecting portion 72, and the spring 74 is bridged between the first connecting portion 72 and the spring end fixing portion 73. The first connecting piece 75 is rotatably connected to the first connecting piece 72, and one end of a rod-shaped first rod 76 is connected to the first connecting piece 75. A second connecting piece 77 is connected to the other end of the first rod 76, and the second connecting piece 77 is rotatably connected to the second connecting portion 78. Further, a third connecting piece 79 is connected to the second connecting portion 78, one end of a rod-shaped second rod 80 is connected to the third connecting piece 79, and the third connecting piece 79 and the second rod 80 are connected to each other. Move horizontally. A first slide block 81 is provided at the other end of the second rod 80, and a second slide block 82 that is in contact with the first slide block 81 with its hypotenuses is provided. A rod-shaped third rod 83 connected to the drain plugs 8a and 8b is provided on the upper surface of the second slide block 82. A compression spring 84 is inserted into the third rod 83, and the upper end portion of the compression spring 84 is position-controlled by a spring regulating portion 85 fixed to the drain pipe 19 so as not to move upward. In FIG. 15, when the second rod 80 moves to the right, the second slide block 82 and the third rod 83 rise due to the sliding of the first slide block 81 and the second slide block 82, and the drain plugs 8a and 8b Is in the open state. When the second rod 80 moves to the left, the second slide block 82 and the third rod 83 are lowered by the action of the compression spring 84, and the drain plugs 8a and 8b are closed.

As a detection unit for detecting the movement of the pedal 70, for example, a limit switch may be provided in the vicinity of the pedal 70, the third connecting piece 79, the second rod 80, or the like. FIG. 15 shows an example in which the limit switch 86 is provided in the vicinity of the pedal 70. Further, the pedal 70 may be arranged near the lower portion of the side wall of the bathtub 2, and when a plurality of pedals 70 are provided, the plurality of drain plugs may be arranged side by side on the bottom wall 2c of the bathtub 2 in the front-rear direction.

As shown by the solid line in FIG. 15, when the pedal 70 is located below, the drain plugs 8a and 8b are closed by the first rod 76 and the second rod 80. In this state, the spring 74 applies a force to rotate the pedal piece 70a counterclockwise around the mounting shaft 71, but the first stopper 87 further rotates the pedal piece 70 counterclockwise from the state of the pedal 70 shown by the solid line. Since it is stopped, the state of the pedal 70 shown by the solid line is maintained.

Further, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 15, when the pedal 70 is located above, the drain plugs 8a and 8b are opened by the first rod 76 and the second rod 80. In this state, the spring 74 applies a force to rotate the pedal piece 70a clockwise around the mounting shaft 71, but the second stopper 88 further rotates the pedal 70 clockwise from the state of the pedal 70 indicated by the alternate long and short dash line. Since this is stopped, the state of the pedal 70 indicated by the alternate long and short dash line is maintained.

As described with reference to FIG. 14 or 15, if the operation unit is composed of a member that is operated by a foot, the opening and closing of the drain plug can be operated by the foot even when the hand cannot be used for other work or the like. Can be done. Further, FIG. 15 shows an example in which the operation unit (pedal 70) and the drain plugs 8a and 8b are connected by using a link mechanism. 8b may be connected using a link mechanism. By using a link mechanism for connecting the operation unit and the drain plug, the durability of the connection portion between the operation unit and the drain plug is good. The operation unit and the drain plug may be connected by combining a wire and a link mechanism. That is, at least one of the wire and the link mechanism may be connected to the operation unit and the drain plug.

In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the limit switch is used as the detection unit, but a sensor (proximity sensor or photoelectric sensor) may be used. Further, although the detection unit is installed near the operation unit (picking 9a, 9b), the detection unit may be installed anywhere as long as the movement of the operation unit can be detected. For example, it may be in the vicinity of the drain plug or at a position where the movement of the connecting member (wire or link piece) connecting the operation unit and the drain plug can be detected.

In the first to fourth embodiments described above, a configuration in which two drain plugs and two operation units for opening and closing each drain plug are provided, or one drain plug and one operation unit are provided. Two pairs of the drain plug and the operation unit are provided as a pair, and each drain plug is operated by the corresponding operation unit, or two drain plugs are operated by the two operation units. An example of a configuration in which one of them can be used for operation has been described. However, a configuration may be provided in which a plurality of drain plugs and one operation unit for opening and closing each drain plug are provided. For example, one operation unit and a plurality of drain plugs may be connected by wires. According to this configuration, all the drain plugs can be opened and closed by operating one operation unit, so that the operation of the drain plugs becomes easy.

In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the bathtub device has a configuration in which the opening of the bathtub is closed by the backrest of the wheelchair, but the wheelchair is inserted into the bathtub and the opening / closing door of the bathtub opens the bathtub. It can be widely applied to bathing devices equipped with a hot water storage tank and a bathtub, such as a bathing device that closes the part and a bathing device that moves from a wheelchair to the bathtub and closes the opening of the bathtub with the opening / closing door of the bathtub. ..

It is provided in a hot water storage tank and a bathtub, and can be applied to a bathing device that supplies hot water from the hot water storage tank to the bathtub.

1 Bathing device 2 Bathtub 2a Right side wall 2b Left side wall 3 Hot water storage tank 4 Wheelchair 8a, 8b Drain plug 9a, 9b Picking (operation part)
18a, 18b Wire 27a, 27b Limit switch (detector)
27ac, 27bc contactor 28 operation panel (notification means)
30a, 30b, 31a, 31b, 32a, 32b Piping 33a, 33b, 33c, 34a, 34b, 35, 36 Piping 49 Pump 50 Motor valve 54 Control unit 63a, 63b Button 70 Pedal

Claims (5)

A bathing device for assisting bathing, which is a bathtub having a drain plug, a hot water storage tank, a hot water transfer path connected to the bathtub and the hot water storage tank to flow hot water, and a drainage plug connected to the drain plug. It is provided with an operation unit that opens and closes a stopper, a detection unit that detects the movement of the operation unit, and a control unit that controls the movement of hot water.
The operation unit is a member that is operated by a foot.
When the detection unit detects that the drain plug is open, the control unit prohibits the supply of hot water from the hot water storage tank to the bathtub. The operating unit is a pedal, by a link mechanism including a rod connected to the pedal and horizontally movable, and another rod that rises or falls with the horizontal movement of the rod and is connected to the drain plug. The pedal and the drain plug were connected,
The bathing device according to claim 1. The bathing device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is a button, and the button and the drain plug are connected to at least one of a wire and a link mechanism. The bathing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detection unit is a switch or a sensor. The claim is characterized in that when the supply of hot water to the bathtub is instructed while the drain plug is open, a notification means for notifying that the supply of hot water is prohibited due to the opening of the drain plug is provided. The bathing device according to any one of 1 to 4.

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