CN114794936A - Bathing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a bathing device. A bathing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a housing having an opening for receiving the wheelchair from the rear to the front; a plurality of shower nozzles disposed in the housing. The housing includes: a front cover disposed in front; a left cover connected to a left end of the front cover and extending rearward; a right cover connected to a right end of the front cover and extending rearward; and a rear cover connected to the left cover and the right cover and constituting at least a part of the opening. At least one of the front cover, the left cover, the right cover, and the rear cover includes: an outer wall portion that constitutes an outer surface of the housing; an inner wall portion that constitutes an inner surface of the housing; and a gas layer or a foam layer disposed between the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion.

Description

Bathing device

Technical Field

The invention relates to a bathing device.

Background

Conventionally, there has been known a bathing device for bathing a person sitting on a wheelchair. Such ｃA bathing device is disclosed, for example, in Japanese patent JP-A-2001-61931.

The shower and bath device disclosed in JP- ｃA-2001-61931 is constituted by ｃA closed container body having openings in ｃA back surface and ｃA lower surface, and ｃA door for closing ｃA back surface portion thereof with ｃA single door. The closed container body and the door are integrally formed of FRP resin, and a large number of spray nozzles are attached to the inner surfaces of the left and right side surfaces, the inner surface of the front surface, and the inner surface of the door, respectively.

Disclosure of Invention

In a shower bath apparatus, the bather is not immersed in the hot water stored in the bath tub. Therefore, the heat retaining property of the closed container body is important. Further, the shower apparatus is often used in a nursing facility, a hospital, or the like, and is convenient when the movement of the place is easy to perform, or when the assembly or disassembly is easy to perform.

The present invention aims to provide a technique for improving heat retaining property and transportability in a bathing device capable of bathing a person sitting on a wheelchair.

An exemplary bathing device of the present invention includes: a housing having an opening for receiving the wheelchair from the rear to the front; a plurality of shower nozzles disposed in the housing. The housing includes: a front cover disposed in front; a left cover connected to a left end of the front cover and extending rearward; a right cover connected to a right end of the front cover and extending rearward; and a rear cover connected to the left cover and the right cover and constituting at least a part of the opening. At least one of the front cover, the left cover, the right cover, and the rear cover includes: an outer wall portion that constitutes an outer surface of the housing; an inner wall portion that constitutes an inner surface of the housing; and a gas layer or a foam layer disposed between the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion.

According to the exemplary invention, the heat insulating property and the transportability of the bathing device which can let the person sitting on the wheelchair to wash the shower can be improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the bathing device.

Fig. 2 is a left side view of a housing of the bathing device.

Fig. 3 is a right side view of the housing of the bathing device.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a housing provided in the bathing device.

Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view at the V-V position of fig. 3.

Fig. 6A is a diagram showing a detailed structure of a cross-sectional portion surrounded by a dashed-dotted line DL1 in fig. 5.

Fig. 6B is a diagram showing a detailed structure of a cross-sectional portion surrounded by a dashed-dotted line DL2 in fig. 5.

Fig. 6C is a diagram showing a detailed structure of a cross-sectional portion surrounded by a dashed-dotted line DL3 in fig. 5.

Fig. 6D is a diagram showing a detailed structure of a cross-sectional portion surrounded by a dashed-dotted line DL4 in fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a housing is assembled using a front cover, a left cover, a right cover, and a rear cover.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of an upper frame member provided in the housing as viewed obliquely from below.

Fig. 9 is a schematic view of a left cover provided in the housing as viewed from the right side.

Fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view at the X-X position shown in fig. 9.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

< 1. summary of bathing devices

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a bathing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The bathing device 100 includes a housing 1, and the housing 1 has an opening 1a for receiving a wheelchair C. In the present specification, the front and rear are defined by assuming that a direction parallel to an entering direction of the wheelchair C into the housing 1 is a front and rear direction and a direction of advancing at the time of entering is a front direction. That is, the housing 1 has an opening 1a for receiving the wheelchair C from the rear to the front. The top and bottom are defined by defining a direction perpendicular to a flat floor surface F (see fig. 2 described later) on which the bathing device 100 is placed as the top-bottom direction, and defining a side on which the bathing device 100 is placed with respect to the floor surface F as the top. A direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction is defined as a left-right direction, a side from the rear to the front and to the left side is defined as a left side, and a side to the right side is defined as a right side. These directions are names used for explanation only, and are not intended to limit the actual positional relationship and directions.

A bathing space BS for receiving a wheelchair C in which a bather P sits is formed in the housing 1 (see fig. 7 and the like described later). A plurality of shower nozzles 2 (see fig. 7, 8, 9, and the like) described in detail below are provided in the housing 1. That is, the bathing device 100 includes a plurality of shower nozzles 2 disposed in the housing 1. The housing 1 has a pipe for supplying liquid to the shower nozzle 2.

The bathing device 100 sprays the liquid injected from the shower nozzle 2 to the bather P who is seated on the wheelchair C and enters the bathing space BS. That is, the bathing device 100 is a shower bathing device. In the present embodiment, the liquid ejected from the shower nozzle 2 is preferably in the form of mist. The particle size of the mist may be about 200 to 500 μm. However, a linear liquid (water flow) may be radially ejected from the shower nozzle 2.

The type of liquid ejected from the shower nozzle 2 can be switched according to the usage scenario of the bathing device 100. For example, when bathing, hot water is sprayed from the shower nozzle 2, or a cleaning liquid for cleaning the bather P is mixed with the hot water. For example, a method of using the shower apparatus P may be employed in which hot water is first injected to warm the body of the bather P, and then, from the middle, a cleaning liquid is injected to clean the body, and thereafter, hot water is injected to wash away the cleaning liquid. In hot seasons such as summer, for example, cool water or a cleaning liquid in which cool water and a cleaning agent are mixed may be sprayed from the shower nozzle 2. When cleaning the enclosure 1, cool water, hot water, or a chemical solution in which an antibacterial solution or the like is mixed with cool water, for example, is sprayed from the shower nozzle 2. In addition, hereinafter, the liquid ejected from the shower nozzle 2 is sometimes expressed as only the shower liquid without particularly making a distinction.

As shown in fig. 1, the bathing device 100 further includes a liquid supply unit 3 for supplying liquid to a pipe provided in the housing 1. The piping provided in the housing 1 will be described later. The liquid supply unit 3 includes a pressurizing pump (not shown). By supplying liquid from the liquid supply unit 3 to the housing 1 by the pressure pump, shower liquid is ejected from the shower nozzle 2.

Specifically, the liquid supply unit 3 is provided so as to be able to supply water from a water pipe (not shown) and is also provided so as to be able to supply hot water from a water heater (not shown). The liquid supply unit 3 includes an electric mixer that mixes and adjusts the cold water supplied from the water pipe and the hot water supplied from the water heater to a predetermined temperature. That is, the liquid supply unit 3 can supply the liquid at the temperature set by a caregiver or the like who cares the bather P into the housing 1.

The liquid supply unit 3 includes a pump for supplying and mixing a cleaning agent from the cleaning agent bottle 3b into the liquid flowing from the electric water mixer toward the housing 1. The liquid supply unit 3 includes a pump for supplying and mixing a chemical such as an antibacterial liquid from the chemical bottle 3a into the liquid flowing from the electric water mixer toward the housing 1. Thereby, the liquid supply unit 3 can supply the cleaning liquid and the chemical liquid into the housing 1.

In addition, the liquid supply unit 3 further includes a piping device, an electromagnetic valve, a temperature sensor, a control box, and the like. The liquid supply unit 3 and the housing 1 are connected by a connection pipe (not shown) through which liquid can flow. The control box of the liquid supply unit 3 is suitably electrically connected to electrical components such as operation switches provided in the housing 1. As in the present embodiment, the liquid supply unit 3 is provided separately from the housing 1, so that the housing 1 can be made lightweight. Further, the case 1 can be prevented from being complicated in structure, and the case 1 can be easily assembled and disassembled. That is, the housing 1 and the liquid supply unit 3 are configured to be separated from each other, so that the carrying property of the bathing device 100 can be improved.

Fig. 2 is a left side view of the housing 1 of the bathing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows a wheelchair C in which a bather P sits before being accommodated in the housing 1 for easy understanding.

The wheelchair C of the present embodiment includes a traveling unit C1 having wheels C10, and a seat unit C2 on which the bather P sits. The seat portion C2 is supported by the traveling portion C1 so as to be rotatable about a shaft portion C3 extending in the left-right direction. The seat C2 can be switched between a normal posture in which the seat face C20 is horizontal (parallel to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction) and a tilt posture in which the seat C2 is tilted with respect to the normal posture. In the tilted posture, the front of the seat surface C20 is located upward with respect to the rear. When bathing is performed using the bathing device 100, the wheelchair C is set in a tilted posture. The wheelchair C shown in fig. 1 and 2 is in a tilted posture.

The tilt angle in the tilt posture is, for example, about 25 to 35 °. The tilt angle is an angle of the seat surface C20 with respect to a horizontal plane. By taking a bath in a tilted posture, the posture of the bather P during bathing can be stabilized, and bathing can be performed easily.

When the bathing device 100 is used, a caregiver (not shown) who is in charge of nursing the bather P advances the wheelchair C on which the bather P sits to a preset bathing position in the housing 1. Fig. 1 shows a state in which the wheelchair C is brought into the bathing position. In a state where the wheelchair C is brought into the bathing position, bathing by the bathing device 100 is performed. The position of the wheelchair C can be moved from the bathing position to the next position depending on the size of the body of the bather P sitting in the wheelchair C.

In a state where the wheelchair C is brought into the bathing position, a part (upper part) of the backrest C21 of the seat C2 protrudes outward from the housing 1. The head of the bather P is placed on the upper portion of the backrest C21. Therefore, during use of the bathing device 100, the head of the bather P protrudes outward from the housing 1 (see fig. 1).

The bathing device 100 includes an opening curtain 4 for closing the opening 1a during bathing. The opening curtain 4 is attachable to and detachable from the housing 1. For example, when the wheelchair C is moved in and out of the casing 1, at least a part of the opening curtain 4 is detached from the casing 1. When the wheelchair C is stored in the bathing position, the opening curtain is attached to the housing 1.

By attaching the opening curtain 4, the heat insulating property in the housing 1 (i.e., the bathing space) can be improved during bathing. Further, by configuring the opening 1a to be closed by the detachable opening curtain 4, the transportability of the bath apparatus 100 can be improved without providing a door for opening and closing the opening 1 a. Since the door for opening and closing the opening 1a is not provided, the head of the bathing person P can be easily accessed by the caregiver.

A viewing port 1b is provided on the upper surface of the housing 1. The caregiver can use the nursing openings 1b to perform nursing such as body washing of the bather P. The bathing device 100 includes a nursing opening curtain 5 that can close the nursing opening 1b during bathing. Preferably, the nursing cover 5 is attachable to and detachable from the housing 1. By attaching the nursing cover 5, the heat insulating property in the housing 1 can be improved during bathing.

< 2. details of the basket body

Fig. 3 is a right side view of the housing 1 of the bathing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the housing 1 of the bathing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view at the V-V position of fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing only the components (covers) constituting the enclosure 1, and fig. 5 omits components disposed inside and outside the enclosure 1. The cross-sectional portion shown in fig. 5 is a schematic diagram in which the detailed configuration is omitted. Detailed examples of the cross-sectional portion are shown in fig. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D described later.

As shown in fig. 2 to 5, the housing 1 includes: a front cover 11, a left cover 12, a right cover 13, and a rear cover 14. The enclosure 1 further includes an upper cover 15 covering a space surrounded by the front cover 11, the left cover 12, the right cover 13, and the rear cover 14 from above. The front cover 11, the left cover 12, the right cover 13, the rear cover 14, and the upper cover 15 cover the bathing space BS. The front cover 11, the left cover 12, the right cover 13, the rear cover 14, and the upper cover 15 are different members and can be separated from each other.

The front cover 11 is disposed in front. That is, the front cover 11 constitutes a front portion of the housing 1. As shown in fig. 5, the front cover 11 is bowl-shaped having a concave portion that is recessed from the rear toward the front. In the present embodiment, a part of the piping is disposed in the recess of the front cover 11. A part of the piping includes a branch piping portion 10 (see fig. 7 described later) that distributes the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit 3 to the plurality of shower nozzles 2 disposed in the enclosure 1.

In the present embodiment, the front cover 11 has a display unit housing unit 111 that houses the display unit 8 (see fig. 4). The display unit 8 is constituted by, for example, a fluorescent display tube, a liquid crystal display, or the like. The display unit 8 displays, for example, a set temperature of the shower liquid, an actual temperature of the shower liquid, a bathing time, and the like. The display section accommodating section 111 is provided at a central portion in the left-right direction of the upper portion of the front cover 11. The display unit housing section 111 has a space formed by projecting a part of the front cover 11 outward, and the display unit 8 is housed in the space.

The left cover 12 is connected to the left end of the front cover 11 and extends rearward. That is, the left cover 12 constitutes the left portion of the housing 1. The left cover 12 has a substantially trapezoidal shape in plan view (see fig. 2). Specifically, the rear end surface of the left cover 12 has a stepped shape in which the lower rear end surface 122 protrudes rearward relative to the upper rear end surface 121. The upper rear end surface 121 and the lower rear end surface 122 are coupled together by a stepped coupling surface 123 extending in the front-rear direction. The front end and the rear end of the lower surface of the left cover 12 are provided with adjustment legs 6 that can be vertically adjusted in height. More specifically, the adjustment leg 6 is attached to the left cover 12 via an L-shaped support fitting 61 (see also fig. 7 described later) attached to a lower portion of the left cover 12.

The right cover 13 is connected to a right end of the front cover 11 and extends rearward. That is, the right cover 13 constitutes the right portion of the housing 1. The right cover 13 is disposed at a position symmetrical to the left cover 12 with respect to a bisecting plane bisecting the housing 1 in the left-right direction. The outer side surface (left surface) of the left cover 12 and the outer side surface (right surface) of the right cover 13 are line-symmetrical with respect to the aforementioned bisector. The right cover 13 also has a substantially trapezoidal shape in plan view (see fig. 3) as with the left cover 12. Specifically, the rear end surface of the right cover 13 has a stepped shape in which the lower rear end surface 132 protrudes rearward relative to the upper rear end surface 131. The upper rear end surface 131 and the lower rear end surface 132 are connected together by a stepped connecting surface 133 extending in the front-rear direction.

Further, a hand shower 7 is disposed on the rear side of the outer surface of the right cover 13. In the hand-held shower head 7, liquid is supplied from the liquid supply unit 3 through a pipe provided in the housing 1. On the other hand, on the outer surface of the left cover 12, a hand shower is not provided. Due to this difference, the left cover 12 and the right cover 13 have different pipe structures, and the shapes of the insides thereof are different from each other. However, the hand shower may be disposed on the left cover 12, and the left cover 12 and the right cover 13 may be symmetrical with respect to the bisecting plane. Further, the hand shower may be disposed on the left cover 12 and the hand shower may not be disposed on the right cover 13. Further, the hand shower may not be disposed on both the left cover 12 and the right cover 13.

Further, at the front end portion and the rear end portion of the lower surface of the right cover 13, the adjustment legs 6 capable of vertical height adjustment are provided, similarly to the left cover 12. Specifically, the adjustment leg 6 is attached to the right cover 13 via an L-shaped support metal fitting 61 attached to a lower portion of the right cover 13. The two adjustment legs 6 attached to the left cover 12 and the adjustment leg 6 attached to the right cover 13 form a set, and function as an adjuster for adjusting the tilt of the enclosure 1.

The rear cover 14 is connected to the left cover 12 and the right cover 13, and constitutes at least a part of the opening portion 1 a. In the present embodiment, the rear cover 14 constitutes a part of the opening 1 a. The rear cover 14 is arch-shaped. Specifically, the rear cover 14 has an inverted U-shape that is convex upward when viewed from the rear to the front in a plan view. The rear cover 14 has a portion opposed to the left cover 12 in the front-rear direction. The rear cover 14 has a portion opposed to the right cover 13 in the front-rear direction.

By forming the rear cover 14 into an arch shape (curved shape), a feeling of comfort and a feeling of reassurance can be given to the bather P who sits on the wheelchair C and enters the bathing space BS. Further, since the rear cover 14 has an arch shape, the height of the enclosure 1 can be set to be the highest relative to a portion where the head of the bather P sitting on the wheelchair C is positioned at the time of bathing, and a feeling of strangeness to the bather P can be reduced.

The rear cover 14 has a left end portion disposed on the stepped coupling surface 123 of the left cover 12 and a right end portion disposed on the stepped coupling surface 133 of the right cover 13. That is, the rear cover 14 forms an upper portion of the opening 1 a. The lower portion of the opening 1a is defined by a space between the lower portions of the left cover 12 and the right cover 13 in the left-right direction.

The rear surface of the rear cover 14 has an inclined portion 141 that approaches the front as going from below to above. With this configuration, the view field of the bather P can be prevented from being easily blocked during bathing. The inclination angle of the inclined portion (inclined surface) 141 is, for example, about 40 to 50 ° with respect to a horizontal plane (a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction). Preferably, the inclination angle is an angle perpendicular to the backrest surface of the wheelchair C3 (the surface of the backrest C21 facing the bather P) when the wheelchair is set in the tilted posture. The inclined portion 141 may include at least one of a flat surface and a curved surface.

An operation switch unit 9 (see fig. 4) is provided on the rear surface of the rear cover 14. In the present embodiment, the operation switch unit 9 includes a left operation switch unit 91 disposed on the left side of the rear cover 14 and a right operation switch unit 92 disposed on the right side of the rear cover 14. However, the operation switch unit 9 may be disposed only on one of the right and left sides of the rear cover 14. The operation switch unit 9 may be provided in a portion of the enclosure 1 other than the rear cover 14. The operation switch unit 9 includes, for example, a power button, a temperature setting button for shower liquid, buttons for starting and stopping bathing, a button for performing a bathing process in a random mode, a button for starting cleaning of the enclosure 1, and the like. Instead of the operation buttons, a touch panel, an operation dial, an operation lever, or the like may be used.

Further, on the rear surface of the rear cover 14, a shower operation portion 71 for holding the shower head 7 is provided. The shower operation unit 71 includes, for example, a knob for adjusting the amount of hot water to be sprayed from the hand shower 7 and a knob for adjusting the temperature. Preferably, the shower operation portion 71 is disposed in the vicinity of a position where the hand shower 7 is provided. In the present embodiment, since the handy shower 7 is disposed on the right cover 13, the shower operation portion 71 is disposed on the right side of the rear cover 14.

The upper cover 15 is a transparent member. Since the upper cover 15 is transparent, the state of the bather P in the bathing space BS can be observed from above the enclosure 1. In the present embodiment, the upper cover 15 is provided with two nursing openings 1b extending in the front-rear direction, which are bilaterally symmetrical. Since the upper cover 15 is transparent, even in a state where the nursing opening 1b is covered with the nursing opening curtain 5, the caregiver can take care of the bather P in the enclosure 1 while observing the bather P from above the enclosure 1. The cover 15 is made of a resin member such as a vinyl chloride sheet, and can be manufactured by a resin molding method such as a vacuum molding method. The term "transparent" is intended to include not only colorless and transparent but also colored and transparent and translucent.

Fig. 6A is a diagram showing a detailed structure of a cross-sectional portion surrounded by a dashed-dotted line DL1 in fig. 5. As shown in fig. 6A, the front cover 11 includes an outer wall portion 11a, an inner wall portion 11b, and a gas layer 11 c. The outer wall 11a constitutes an outer surface of the enclosure 1. Specifically, the outer wall portion 11a constitutes a front wall of the front cover 11. The inner wall 11b constitutes the inner surface of the housing 1. Specifically, the inner wall portion 11b constitutes a rear wall of the front cover 11. The gas layer 11c is disposed between the outer wall 11a and the inner wall 11 b. Specifically, the gas layer 11c is an air layer. The outer wall portion 11a and the inner wall portion 11b may be connected by a connecting wall portion (for example, left and right side wall portions) connecting end portions of both, but may be directly connected. Such a front cover 11 is formed by blow molding, for example. The front cover 11 is a blow-molded body made of a resin such as polypropylene, for example.

Fig. 6B is a diagram showing a detailed structure of a cross-sectional portion surrounded by a dashed-dotted line DL2 in fig. 5. As shown in fig. 6B, the left cover 12 includes an outer wall portion 12a, an inner wall portion 12B, and a gas layer 12 c. The outer wall 12a constitutes the outer surface of the enclosure 1. In detail, the outer wall portion 12a constitutes a left wall of the left cover 12. The inner wall portion 12b constitutes the inner surface of the housing 1. Specifically, the inner wall portion 12b constitutes a right wall of the left cover 12. The gas layer 12c is disposed between the outer wall 12a and the inner wall 12 b. Specifically, the gas layer 11c is an air layer. The outer wall portion 12a and the inner wall portion 12b may be connected by a connecting wall portion (for example, front and rear side wall portions) connecting end portions of the two, but may be directly connected. Such a left cover 12 is formed by blow molding, for example. The left cover 12 is a blow-molded body made of a resin such as polypropylene, for example.

Fig. 6C is a diagram showing a detailed structure of a cross-sectional portion surrounded by a dashed-dotted line DL3 in fig. 5. As shown in fig. 6C, the right cover 13 includes an outer wall portion 13a, an inner wall portion 13b, and a gas layer 13C. The outer wall 13a constitutes an outer surface of the enclosure 1. In detail, the outer wall portion 13a constitutes a right wall of the right cover 13. The inner wall portion 13b constitutes the inner surface of the housing 1. Specifically, the inner wall portion 13b constitutes a left wall of the right cover 13. The gas layer 13c is disposed between the outer wall portion 13a and the inner wall portion 13 b. Specifically, the gas layer 13c is an air layer. The outer wall portion 13a and the inner wall portion 13b may be connected by a connecting wall portion (for example, front and rear side wall portions) connecting end portions of the two, but may be directly connected. Such a right cover 13 is formed by blow molding, for example. The right cover 13 is a blow molded body made of a resin such as polypropylene, for example.

Fig. 6D is a diagram showing a detailed structure of a cross-sectional portion surrounded by a dashed-dotted line DL4 in fig. 5. As shown in fig. 6D, the rear cover 14 includes an outer wall portion 14a, an inner wall portion 14b, and a gas layer 14 c. The outer wall 14a constitutes an outer surface of the enclosure 1. In detail, the outer wall portion 14a constitutes a rear wall of the rear cover 14. The inner wall portion 14b constitutes the inner surface of the enclosure 1. Specifically, the inner wall portion 14b constitutes a front wall of the rear cover 14. The gas layer 14c is disposed between the outer wall portion 14a and the inner wall portion 14 b. Specifically, the gas layer 14c is an air layer. The outer wall portion 14a and the inner wall portion 14b may be connected by a connecting wall portion (for example, left and right side wall portions) connecting end portions of the two, but may be directly connected. The rear cover 14 is formed by blow molding, for example. The rear cover 14 is a blow-molded body made of a resin such as polypropylene, for example.

In the present embodiment, the front cover 11, the left cover 12, the right cover 13, and the rear cover 14 are all blow molded bodies as a preferable embodiment, but only a part thereof may be a blow molded body. The gas layers 11c, 12c, 13c, and 14c described above may be foamed layers. The foaming layer is a layer formed by foaming a foaming agent in the hollow portion simultaneously with blow molding, and is integrated with the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion. That is, at least one of the front cover 11, the left cover 12, the right cover 13, and the rear cover 14 may be a so-called super blow molded body. In addition, the super blow molded article can be also regarded as one of blow molded articles.

As described above, at least one of the front cover 11, the left cover 12, the right cover 13, and the rear cover 14 preferably has a structure in which the outer wall portions 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a, the inner wall portions 11b, 12b, 13b, 14b, and the gas layers 11c, 12c, 13c, 14c or the foam layers are provided. By configuring in this way, the bathing space BS can be surrounded by a member having high heat retaining properties, and the heat retaining properties of the bathing device 100 can be improved. Further, since the housing 1 can be formed by a lightweight member, the transportability can be improved. Further, since the housing 1 is formed with a small number of parts and is lightweight, it is easy to assemble and disassemble, and the transportability can be improved. Further, since the housing 1 is formed of a blow molded body, it has a cushioning property, and is easily bent when a load is applied thereto, and safety to personnel can be improved.

Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the housing 1 is assembled using the front cover 11, the left cover 12, the right cover 13, and the rear cover 14. In fig. 7, the upper cover 15 is not included in the assembly object. In fig. 7, components (including the hand shower 7) related to the pipe attached to the housing 1 are not included.

As shown in fig. 5 and 7, the front cover 11 and the left cover 12 are connected by an L-shaped connecting metal fitting 16 such that the rear surface of the left end portion of the front cover 11 is in contact with the front surface of the left cover 12. The connecting metal fitting 16 is fixed to the front cover 11 and the left cover 12 with bolts 161 in a posture in which one piece constituting an L-shape is disposed on the front surface of the front cover 11 and the other piece is disposed on the right surface of the left cover 12. Nuts (not shown) used in combination with the bolts 161 are disposed on the covers 11 and 12 by insert molding. Although the front cover 11 and the left cover 12 are coupled together using three coupling metal fittings 16 that are aligned in the vertical direction in the present embodiment, the number of coupling metal fittings 16 may be appropriately changed.

The front cover 11 and the right cover 13 are connected by an L-shaped connecting metal fitting 16 by bringing a rear surface of a right end portion of the front cover 11 into contact with a front surface of the right cover 13. The connection fitting 16 is fixed to the front cover 11 and the left cover 12 with bolts 161 in a posture in which one piece constituting an L-shape is disposed on the front surface of the front cover 11 and the other piece is disposed on the left surface of the right cover 13. Nuts used in combination with the bolts 161 are disposed on the covers 11 and 13 by insert molding. Although the front cover 11 and the right cover 13 are coupled together using three coupling metal fittings 16 that are arranged side by side in the vertical direction in the present embodiment as in the case of the front cover 11 and the left cover 12, the number of the coupling metal fittings 16 may be appropriately changed.

The left cover 12 and the rear cover 14 are connected by an L-shaped connecting metal fitting 16 such that the rear surface of the left cover 12 and the front surface of the left side of the rear cover 14 are in contact with each other. The connecting metal fitting 16 is fixed to the left cover 12 and the rear cover 14 with bolts 161 in a posture in which one piece constituting an L-shape is disposed on the right surface of the left cover 12 and the other piece is disposed on the front surface of the rear cover 14. Nuts used in combination with the bolts 161 are disposed on the covers 12 and 14 by insert molding. Although the left cover 12 and the rear cover 14 are coupled together using one coupling metal fitting 16 in the present embodiment, the number of coupling metal fittings 16 may be appropriately changed. In the present embodiment, as described above, the rear end portion of the left cover 12 has a stepped shape. The lower surface on the left side of the rear cover 14 is in face-to-face contact with the stepped coupling surface 123 (see fig. 2) of the left cover 12 in the vertical direction.

The right cover 13 and the rear cover 14 are connected by an L-shaped connecting metal fitting 16, with the rear surface of the right cover 13 being in contact with the front surface of the right side of the rear cover 14. The connecting fitting 16 is fixed to the right cover 13 and the rear cover 14 with bolts 161 in a posture in which one piece constituting an L-shape is disposed on the left surface of the right cover 13 and the other piece is disposed on the front surface of the rear cover 14. Nuts used in combination with the bolts 161 are disposed on the covers 13 and 14 by insert molding. Although the right cover 13 and the rear cover 14 are coupled together using one coupling metal fitting 16 in the present embodiment, the number of coupling metal fittings 16 may be appropriately changed. In the present embodiment, as described above, the rear end portion of the right cover 13 has a stepped shape. The lower surface on the right side of the rear cover 14 is in face-to-face contact with a stepped coupling surface 133 (see fig. 3) of the right cover 13 in the vertical direction.

In the present embodiment, the covers 11 to 14 are connected to each other by using the connecting metal fittings 16 and the bolts 161, but the connection method may be other methods. For example, the covers may be coupled to each other by fitting of the projections and the recesses.

Here, the connection between the covers will be described in more detail with reference to fig. 5. In the present embodiment, the engaging convex portion provided on one cover and the engaging concave portion or the engaging stepped portion provided on the other cover are engaged with each other in at least one of the front-rear direction between the front cover 11 and the left cover 12, the front-rear direction between the front cover 11 and the right cover 13, the front-rear direction between the rear cover 14 and the left cover 12, and the front-rear direction between the rear cover 14 and the right cover 13. With this configuration, the distance between the covers from the inside to the outside of the enclosure 1 can be increased, and the shower liquid can be prevented from leaking from the inside of the enclosure 1 to the outside. Since the shower liquid is less likely to leak to the outside, the heat retaining property in the bathing space BS can be improved.

Specifically, between the front cover 11 and the left cover 12 in the front-rear direction, an engaging convex portion provided on one cover is engaged with an engaging step portion provided on the other cover. More specifically, the engaging projection 112a provided on the front cover 11 engages with the engaging step 124 provided on the left cover 12. The engaging protrusion 112a is located on the left side of the rear surface of the front cover 11 and protrudes rearward. The engaging protrusion 112a extends in the vertical direction. The engaging step portion 124 is configured such that the front surface of the right end portion (inner end portion) of the left cover 12 is located behind the front surface on the left side with respect to the right end portion. The engaging step 124 is provided so as to correspond to the range in which the engaging protrusion 112a is provided. In a state where the engaging convex portion 112a is engaged with the engaging step portion 124, the rear surface of the engaging convex portion 112a of the front cover 11 and the front surface of the right end portion of the left cover 12 come into contact with each other or come close to each other in a state where they face each other.

Instead of the engaging step 124 provided in the left cover 12, an engaging recess (groove) recessed rearward in the front surface of the left cover 12 may be used. Further, the front cover 11 may be provided with an engaging recess or an engaging step, and the left cover 12 may be provided with an engaging protrusion. The number of the combination of the engaging convex portions, the engaging concave portions, or the engaging stepped portions provided between the front cover 11 and the left cover 12 in the front-rear direction may be more than one.

In more detail, between the front cover 11 and the right cover 13 in the front-rear direction, an engaging convex portion provided on one cover is engaged with an engaging stepped portion provided on the other cover. More specifically, the engaging convex portion 112b provided on the front cover 11 engages with the engaging step portion 134 provided on the right cover 13. The engaging convex portion 112b is located on the right side of the rear surface of the front cover 11 and protrudes rearward. The engaging protrusion 112b extends in the vertical direction. The engaging step portion 134 is configured such that the front surface of the left end portion (inner end portion) of the right cover 13 is located behind the front surface on the right side of the left end portion. The engaging step 134 is provided so as to correspond to the range in which the engaging protrusion 112b is provided. In a state where the engaging convex portion 112b and the engaging step portion 134 are engaged, the rear surface of the engaging convex portion 112b of the front cover 11 and the front surface of the left end portion of the right cover 13 come into contact with each other or approach each other in a state where they face each other.

Instead of the engaging step portion 134 provided in the right cover 13, an engaging recess (groove portion) recessed rearward in the front surface of the right cover 13 may be used. Further, the front cover 11 may be provided with an engaging recess or an engaging step portion, and the right cover 13 may be provided with an engaging projection. The number of the combination of the engaging convex portion, the engaging concave portion, or the engaging stepped portion provided between the front cover 11 and the right cover 13 in the front-rear direction may be more than one.

In the present embodiment, the above-described combination of the engaging convex portion and the engaging concave portion or the engaging step portion is not provided between the left cover 12 and the rear cover 14 in the front-rear direction and between the right cover 13 and the rear cover 14 in the front-rear direction, but a combination of the engaging convex portion and the engaging concave portion or the engaging step portion may be provided at these positions.

As is apparent from the above, the housing 1 having the bathing space BS can be configured by assembling the front cover 11, the left cover 12, the right cover 13, and the rear cover 14 and disposing the upper cover 15 above. That is, the frameless housing 1 can be configured. The lower part of the housing 1 is open without a cover surrounding the bathing space BS. Therefore, when the wheelchair C is brought into the bathing space BS, the wheelchair C can be smoothly brought in without being lifted up.

However, in the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 7, the housing 1 further includes a lower frame member 17 that connects the lower portion of the left cover 12 and the lower portion of the right cover 13. This can reinforce the strength of the enclosure 1. The lower frame member 17 is, for example, a columnar or cylindrical member extending in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, the lower frame member 17 has a square tubular shape, and the number thereof is one. This can improve the strength of the enclosure 1 and suppress an increase in weight of the enclosure 1. In addition, the lower frame member 17 is not essential. In addition, the number of the lower frame members may be plural as the case may be.

In the present embodiment, the lower frame member 17 also functions as a member for determining the bathing position. That is, the front wheel C10 of the wheelchair C abuts against the rear surface of the lower frame member 17, and the wheelchair C reaches the bathing position. In the present embodiment, as a preferable aspect, a stopper member 171 made of an elastic member such as rubber for the purpose of alleviating impact or the like when the wheelchair C is in contact with is attached to the rear surface of the lower frame member 17. Therefore, in detail, the wheel C10 on the front side of the wheelchair C abuts against the stopper member 171, and the wheelchair C reaches the bathing position.

Further, on the upper surface of the lower frame member 17, a nozzle frame 18 extending in the front-rear direction is mounted. The nozzle frame 18 has an inverted U-shaped vertical cross section. The nozzle frame 18 is disposed in the center of the housing 1 in the lateral direction. The nozzle frame 18 has a front end attached to the front cover 11 and a rear end projecting rearward from the lower frame member 17. That is, the lower frame member 17 and the nozzle frame 18 cross each other in a cross shape. The rear end of the nozzle frame 18 is located forward of the rear end of the rear cover 14. That is, the nozzle frame 18 is positioned inside the housing 1 in the front-rear direction.

Two shower nozzles 2 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction on the rear side of the nozzle frame 18 with respect to the lower frame member 17. Of the two shower nozzles 2, the front side is a nozzle for washing the private part (crotch) of the bather P sitting on the wheelchair C, and the rear side is a nozzle for washing the hip part of the bather P sitting on the wheelchair C. In each shower nozzle 2, liquid is supplied from the branch pipe portion 10 disposed in the recess of the front cover 11 and covered by the pipe cover 19 attached to the rear surface of the front cover 11.

In the case where the shower nozzle 2 is not disposed in the lower portion of the housing 1, the nozzle frame 18 may not be provided. Further, the piping cover 19 is not essential. However, the arrangement of the pipe fitting cover 19 can improve the safety and design of the bathing device 100. Preferably, the pipe fitting cover 19 is made of heat-resistant resin. By providing the resin cover, it is possible to suppress a reduction in transportability as compared with the case of providing the metal cover.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 7, the enclosure 1 further includes an upper frame member 20 that connects the upper portion of the front cover 11 and the upper portion of the rear cover 14. This can reinforce the strength of the enclosure 1. The upper frame member 20 is, for example, a columnar or tubular member extending in the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the upper frame member 20 has a square tubular shape, and the number thereof is one. This can improve the strength of the enclosure 1 and suppress an increase in weight of the enclosure 1. In the present embodiment, the upper frame member 20 is formed of two members, i.e., an upper member and a lower member, which are disposed to be overlapped with each other in the vertical direction. Further, the upper frame member 20 is not essential. The number of the upper frame members may be plural depending on the case.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the upper frame member 20 provided in the housing 1 as viewed obliquely from below. As shown in fig. 8, the shower nozzle 2 is disposed on the upper frame member 20. The shower nozzle 2 is disposed inside the upper frame member 20, and a portion for ejecting liquid is exposed through a shower hole 201 provided on the lower surface of the upper frame member 20. The shower nozzle 2 is supplied with liquid through an upper nozzle pipe 101 connected to the branch pipe portion 10. The upper nozzle pipe 101 constitutes a part of the pipe provided in the housing 1.

In the present embodiment, six shower nozzles 2 are arranged on the upper frame member 20. The six shower nozzles 2 are arranged such that three shower nozzles 2 are arranged in the front-rear direction, and two nozzle rows are arranged in the left-right direction. By the plurality of shower nozzles 2 provided on the upper frame member 20, it is possible to spray liquid toward the chest, abdomen, knees, and the like of the bather P who is seated on the wheelchair C and enters the bathing space BS. The number and arrangement of the shower nozzles 2 arranged on the upper frame member 20 may be changed as appropriate.

In the present embodiment, the shower nozzle 2 is also provided at a portion other than the lower portion and the upper portion of the bathing space BS. That is, the shower nozzle 2 may be provided on the left and right of the bath space BS. Specifically, the shower nozzle 2 is provided on the left cover 12 and the right cover 13. The left cover 12 and the right cover 13 are also provided with pipes for supplying liquid to the shower nozzle 2.

In the present embodiment, the shower nozzle 2 provided on the left cover 12 and the shower nozzle 2 provided on the right cover 13 are disposed symmetrically with respect to a bisecting plane that bisects the housing 1 in the left-right direction. The left cover 12 and the right cover 13 have substantially the same structure of the pipe for supplying the liquid to the shower nozzle 2. Therefore, hereinafter, the case of the left cover 12 will be described as a representative example, and the description of the structure of the shower nozzle 2 in the right cover 13 will be omitted.

Fig. 9 is a schematic view of the left cover 12 of the housing 1 as viewed from the right side (inside). Fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken at the X-X position shown in fig. 9. In fig. 10, the detailed structure of the cross-sectional portion is also omitted as in fig. 5. As shown in fig. 9, the shower nozzle 2 is disposed in three areas AR1, AR2, and AR3 on the right surface (inner surface) of the left cover 12. The number and arrangement of the shower nozzles 2 disposed on the left cover 12 described below may be changed as appropriate.

The first area AR1 is located in front of the left cover 12. In the first area AR1, two shower nozzles 2 are arranged. When the left cover 12 is viewed in plan from the right to the left (from the inner to the outer), the two shower nozzles 2 are arranged in an oblique direction rearward from above to below. The two shower nozzles 2 can spray liquid toward the knees and feet of the bather P who is seated on the wheelchair C and enters the bathing space BS.

Each shower nozzle 2 disposed in the first area AR1 is held by a nozzle fitting 21 fixed to the left cover 12. The two shower nozzles 2 of the first area AR1 are connected using the pipe 102. In the present embodiment, the pipe 102 is made of resin and constitutes a part of the piping provided in the housing 1. The tube is not limited to resin, and may be made of rubber, metal, or the like. In each of the two shower nozzles 2, liquid is supplied from the branch pipe portion 10 through the pipe 102.

The second area AR2 is located at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the left cover 12. In the second area AR2, three shower nozzles 2 are arranged. When the left cover 12 is viewed in plan from the right to the left (from the inside to the outside), the three shower nozzles 2 are aligned in a line in an oblique direction in which the upper part is rearward relative to the lower part. By these three shower nozzles 2, it is possible to spray liquid toward the shoulders, elbows, waist, and the like of the bather P who is seated on the wheelchair C and enters the bathing space BS.

Each shower nozzle 2 disposed in the second area AR2 is held by the nozzle fitting 21 fixed to the left cover 12, as in the case of the first area AR 1. Of the three shower nozzles 2 in the second region AR2, the upper shower nozzle 2 and the middle shower nozzle 2 sandwiched between the upper and lower shower nozzles 2 are connected to each other by a pipe 102, and the middle shower nozzle 2 and the lower shower nozzle 2 are connected to each other by a pipe 102. The three shower nozzles 2 are supplied with liquid from the branch pipe portion 10 through the pipes 102, respectively.

The third area AR3 is located rearward of the left cover 12. In the third area AR3, two shower nozzles 2 are arranged. When the left cover 12 is viewed in plan from the right to the left (from the inner to the outer), the two shower nozzles 2 are arranged in an oblique direction rearward from above to below. The two shower nozzles 2 can spray liquid toward the back, waist, and the like of the bather P who is seated on the wheelchair C and enters the bathing space BS. Each shower nozzle 2 disposed in the third region AR3 is held by a nozzle fitting 21 fixed to the left cover 12. The two shower nozzles 2 disposed in the third region AR3 are supplied with liquid from the branch pipe portion 10 through the pipe 102.

In the present embodiment, each shower nozzle 2, each nozzle fitting 21, and each pipe 102 disposed on the left cover 12 are located outside (to the left) of the innermost surface (the surface located on the rightmost side) of the left cover 12. Therefore, the body of the bather P is less likely to come into contact with the shower nozzle 2 and the like, and the possibility of injury to the bather P can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, a convex surface protruding inward is provided on the inner surface of the enclosure 1, and a groove portion recessed outward is formed on the convex surface. In the tank portion, a part of the piping and the shower nozzle 2 are disposed. With such a configuration, the shower nozzle 2 can be brought close to the bather P in a safe state while suppressing the wide range of the inner surface of the enclosure 1 from coming close to the bather P. Specifically, the left cover 12 and the right cover 13 are provided with such a structure. Hereinafter, the structure will be described mainly with reference to fig. 9 and 10, taking the case of the left cover 12 as an example.

The first area AR1 and the second area AR2 are provided on the convex surface 125 that protrudes to the right (inside). The convex surface 125 is mountain-shaped. The convex surface 125 is formed by, for example, bending the inner wall 12B (see fig. 6B) of the left cover 12. The convex surface 125 is formed with a groove 126 recessed toward the left (outer) side. The groove portion 126 can be formed by bending a part of the inner wall portion 12b forming the convex surface 125 to protrude outward. In both of the first region AR1 and the second region AR2, the groove portion 126 extends in an oblique direction in which the upper side is rearward with respect to the lower side when viewed from the right side (inner side) toward the left side (outer side). The shower nozzle 2, the nozzle fitting 21, and the pipe 102 are housed in the groove portion 126. That is, the shower nozzle 2 and the like do not protrude rightward (inward) from the convex surface 125. Therefore, the shower nozzle 2 and the like can be prevented from coming into contact with the body of the bather P.

In addition, most of the tube 102 disposed inside the left cover 12 is disposed in the recessed portion (groove), and can be disposed in a state where the position of the tube 102 is positioned to some extent. The portion of the tube 102 having a longer length is configured to position the tube 102 using the clamp 104 fixed to the left cover 12. Instead of the clip 104, the tube 102 may be positioned by pressing the tube 102 with a protrusion provided integrally with the cover. With this configuration, the number of parts to be used for assembling and disassembling the tool can be reduced, and the work efficiency can be improved.

< 3. bubble generating apparatus >

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 1, the liquid supply unit 3 incorporates an air bubble generation device 31. Preferably, the bubble generation device 31 generates fine bubbles having a diameter of less than 1 μm. The diameter is less than 1 μm, and in detail, the equivalent sphere diameter (diameter of equivalent volume) is less than 1 μm. The fine bubbles having a diameter of less than 1 μm may be so-called ultrafine bubbles (registered trademark).

The location where the bubble generator 31 is provided is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment. For example, the liquid supply unit may be provided outside the liquid supply unit 3, or may be provided inside the housing 1. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a part of the components of the bubble generation device 31 is provided in the liquid supply unit 3, and the remaining part of the components is provided in the housing 1. In short, the liquid supply unit 3 may be configured to generate fine bubbles in the middle of a liquid supply path from a supply portion (water pipe, water heater, or the like) for supplying liquid to each shower nozzle 2.

Since the bubble generator 31 is provided, the bathing device 100 of the present embodiment is provided so as to be able to eject the liquid containing the fine bubbles having a diameter of less than 1 μm from the shower nozzle 2. With such a configuration, the liquid (for example, hot water) containing fine bubbles smaller than 1 μm can be sprayed to the bather P, and the washing effect for the bather P can be improved.

Further, the inside of the housing 1 can be cleaned by the cleaning force of the liquid containing fine bubbles, for example, during the cleaning stage of the housing 1 during and after use in a shower. The cleaning effect of the liquid containing fine bubbles includes an effect of suppressing adhesion of stains and an effect of suppressing generation of mold. In particular, during cleaning work during and after bathing, since liquid containing fine bubbles can be made to flow into the coupling gaps between the covers 11 to 15, it is possible to clean a place that is not normally disassembled and cleaned. That is, according to the present embodiment, the clean environment inside the housing 1 can be easily maintained, and the cleaning work of the housing 1 can be reduced.

< 4. Note, et al >)

Various technical features disclosed in the present specification can be variously modified within a range not departing from the gist of technical creation thereof. Further, the embodiments and the modifications shown in the present specification can be combined and implemented within a possible range.

Claims (9)

1. A bathing device is provided with:

a housing having an opening for receiving the wheelchair from the rear to the front;

a plurality of shower nozzles disposed in the housing,

in the bathing device, the housing includes:

a front cover disposed in front;

a left cover connected to a left end of the front cover and extending rearward;

a right cover connected to a right end of the front cover and extending rearward;

and a rear cover connected to the left cover and the right cover and constituting at least a part of the opening, wherein at least one of the front cover, the left cover, the right cover, and the rear cover includes:

an outer wall portion that constitutes an outer surface of the housing;

an inner wall portion that constitutes an inner surface of the housing;

and a gas layer or a foam layer disposed between the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion.

2. The bathing device of claim 1 wherein,

the housing further includes an upper cover that covers a space surrounded by the front cover, the left cover, the right cover, and the rear cover from above,

the upper cover is a transparent component.

3. The bathing device of claim 1 or 2 wherein,

the housing further includes a lower frame member that connects a lower portion of the left cover and a lower portion of the right cover.

4. The bathing device of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein,

the housing further includes an upper frame member that connects an upper portion of the front cover and an upper portion of the rear cover.

5. The bathing device of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein,

the rear cover is in an arch shape,

the rear surface of the rear cover has an inclined portion that approaches forward as it goes upward from below.

6. The bathing device of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein,

in at least one of the front cover and the left cover in the front-rear direction, the front cover and the right cover in the front-rear direction, the rear cover and the left cover in the front-rear direction, and the rear cover and the right cover in the front-rear direction, the engaging convex portion provided on one cover and the engaging concave portion or the engaging stepped portion provided on the other cover are engaged with each other.

7. The bathing device of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein,

the housing has a pipe for supplying liquid to the shower nozzle,

a convex surface protruding towards the inner side is arranged on the inner surface of the basket body,

the convex surface is formed with a groove portion recessed outward and in which a part of the pipe and the shower nozzle are arranged.

8. The bathing device of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein,

the liquid supply unit supplies liquid to a pipe provided in the housing.

9. The bathing device of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein,

the bathing device is configured to be capable of ejecting liquid containing fine bubbles having a diameter of less than 1 μm from the shower nozzle.

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