JP2002288760A - Drowning detector under bathing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive under-bathing drowning detector capable of detecting a drowned condition of a person-at-bathing, using effectively constitution of an existing bath room device or a bath hot-water supply device. SOLUTION: This detector is provided with a water level detecting means 7 for detecting a water level in a bath tub 5, and a drowning discriminating means 100 for discriminating the drowned condition of the person-at-bathing in the bath tub 5, when at least either of a condition where a water level increase amount at bathing comes to a set value or more in an upper increase limit side, or a condition where the water level increase amount at the bathing comes to a set value or less in a lower increase limit side is continued, based on the water level increase amount from a reference water level in a non- bathing time in a water level of the bath tub 5 detected by the level detecting means 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drowning detection apparatus for detecting whether a bather is drowning in a bathtub.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The primary cause of accidental death at home is drowning in a bathtub during bathing, and the death of bathing by elderly people is a major problem. As a prior art for detecting such a drowning condition of a bather during bathing at an early stage to prevent death from bathing, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-1558
There is a drowning detection device disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 81. This device is used, for example, in a home bath. A pendant-type submergence sensor is attached to a bather's body (chest, etc.), and the bather loses consciousness during bathing and drowns in the bathtub. In such a case, a submersion sensor submerged in water detects a drowning state. When a drowning condition is detected, the bather is first warned by voice,
If there is no response from the bather, the family is notified.

[0003] As another conventional apparatus, movement of a bather during bathing is measured by an image using a video camera, an infrared sensor,
Monitoring based on detection information from ultrasonic sensors, etc., to detect the drowning state of the bather when the bather loses consciousness during bathing and the state of movement of the body continues for a long time There are those that have been configured. The camera is built in a bath remote controller or installed on the ceiling of a bathroom, the infrared sensor is installed around the bathtub, and the ultrasonic sensor is installed on the inner wall of the bathtub.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned conventional drowning detecting device, in order to detect a drowning state of a bather taking a bath, a human body-mounted submersion sensor, a video camera or an infrared sensor installed in a bathroom, or the like is used. The problem is that the device is expensive due to the need for special detection means, and as a result,
The drowning detection device was in a difficult situation to spread.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to effectively utilize the configuration of an existing bathroom device or bath water heater without requiring the above-described special detection means. Another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive bathing drowning detection device capable of detecting a drowning state of a bather.

[0006]

A first characteristic configuration of a drowning detection device during bathing according to the present invention for achieving this object is a bathtub as described in claim 1 of the claims. Water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the bath, and the water level rising amount during bathing is based on the water level rising amount from the reference water level when the bath level is not bathed detected by the water level detecting means. Side, and when at least one of the states in which the water level rise during bathing is equal to or less than the lower limit set value continues, the bather drowns in the bathtub. And a drowning judging means for judging a drowning state.

[0007] According to a second feature configuration, in addition to the first feature configuration, a bather bathes in a bathtub in a state of full body bath, as described in claim 2 of the claims. The present invention is characterized in that a setting means for an upper limit for setting the set value on the upper limit of the rise based on the amount of rise of the water level at the time is provided.

[0008] The third characteristic configuration is that, in addition to the first or second characteristic configuration, a bather takes a bath in a half-body bath in a bathtub as described in claim 3 of the claims section. The present invention is characterized in that setting means for a lower limit for setting the set value on the lower side of the rise based on the amount of rise of the water level when the water level is rising is provided.

The fourth feature of the present invention is characterized in that, in addition to any one of the first to third features, the drowning judging means includes a function for detecting whether the subject is in a bath. The present invention is configured to determine whether or not the user is in the drowning state by using information on the set value of the water level rise amount set for the individual.

[0010] The fifth feature configuration is, in addition to any one of the first to fourth feature configurations, as described in claim 5 of the claims section, in addition to the drowning state determined by the drowning determination means. An emergency information output means for outputting emergency information based on the result of the determination is provided.

The operation and effect will be described below. According to the first characteristic configuration of the present invention, the state in which the water level rise amount from the reference water level at the time of non-bathing of the water level in the bathtub detected by the water level detection means at the time of bathing is equal to or higher than the rising upper limit set value. When at least one of the states in which the water level rise amount is equal to or less than the lower limit set value continues, it is determined that the bather is in a drowning state in which the bather is drowning in the bathtub. . In other words, when the state in which the water level rise amount is equal to or higher than the set value on the upper limit side continues, for example, a case where the whole body including the head of the bather sinks in the bathtub and the water level rises. On the other hand, when the state where the water level rise amount is equal to or less than the set value on the lower limit side continues, for example, only the head of the bather sinks in the bathtub, and the other body parts are out of the bathtub. It is conceivable that the bather has gone out, and in any case, the bather is determined to be in a drowning state, for example, losing consciousness during bathing. Therefore, since the drowning state can be detected by using the detection information of the water level detecting means, it is provided, for example, to set a predetermined amount of hot water in a bath or the like of a type in which hot water is supplied from a water heater to a bathtub. For example, by using a pressure sensor type water level detecting means, an inexpensive drowning detection during bathing can detect the drowning state of a bather without using any special detecting means and effectively utilizing the existing configuration. An apparatus is provided.

[0012] According to the second characteristic configuration, the set value on the rising upper limit side is set based on the water level rising amount when the bather is bathing in the bathtub in a whole-body bathing state. That is, in the whole-body bathing state, the water level is a state in which only the head of the bather is usually on the liquid surface, and a set value of the upper limit of the rising is set based on this water level, and the inside of the bathtub is set. It is determined whether or not the state in which the water level rise amount is equal to or higher than the rising upper limit value is continued. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine that the entire body including the bather's head is submerged in the bathtub and is in a drowning state.

[0013] According to the third characteristic configuration, the set value of the rising lower limit side is set based on the water level rising amount when the bather is bathing in the bathtub in a half-body bathing state. In other words, in the half-body bathing state, the upper body of the bather is usually above the liquid level and the lower body is the water level of the state below the water surface, and the set value of the rising lower limit is set based on this water level, It is determined whether or not the state in which the amount of rise in the water level in the bathtub is equal to or less than the lower-limit set value is continued. Therefore, for example, it is possible to accurately judge a drowning state in which only the head whose volume is smaller than the lower body of the bather sinks in the bathtub and other body parts are out of the bathtub.

[0014] According to the fourth characteristic configuration, it is determined whether or not the user is in the drowning state by using information of the set value of the water level rise set for the individual taking a bath. Therefore, when the physique (height, weight, obesity degree, etc.) of the individual taking a bath is different, the drowning state is determined using the set value set for the individual in accordance with the physique of the individual. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the drowning state of the bather can be improved.

According to the fifth characteristic configuration, when the drowning state is determined by the drowning determining means, emergency information is output by the emergency information output means. Therefore, when a bather becomes drowned in the bathtub, emergency information is notified to a third party such as a family member, and the bather can be rescued early.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an apparatus for detecting drowning during bathing according to the present invention will be described for an automatic hot water supply bath for supplying hot water from a water heater to a bathtub. As shown in FIG.
To control the hot water supply unit 1 and the operation of the hot water supply unit 1 to the hot water supply unit K that supplies hot water generated by heating water supplied from the water supply by a gas combustion type burner to the bathtub 5 through the hot water supply path 6. , And a bath remote controller 3 and a kitchen remote controller 4 communicably connected to the controller 2, respectively, to constitute an automatic hot water supply bath. The bath remote controller 3 is installed on a side wall of the bathroom so that a bather who takes a bath in the bathtub 5 can operate the bath remote controller.

A water level detecting means 7 for detecting a water level in the bathtub 5 is provided, and information detected by the water level detecting means 7 is inputted to the controller 2. The water level detection means 7
Specifically, the pressure sensor is provided with a pressure sensor provided at a place where the hot water supply path 6 communicates with the bathtub 5. When the water level in the bathtub 5 rises, the detected pressure increases. 5 is configured to detect the water level.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bath remote controller 3 is provided with a control unit 30 communicably connected to the controller 2, and the control unit 30 displays various kinds of information. A section 31, an alarm buzzer 32, a mode switching button 33, a personal identification button 34, an up / down type change key 35, an upper limit button 36, a lower limit button 37 are connected, and a driving switch 38, an automatic hot water switch 39, etc. Is connected. Personal identification button 34
Can specify A, B, and C as a plurality of individuals, respectively. Although not shown, the kitchen remote controller 4 is configured in the same manner as the bath remote controller 3 except that the upper and lower buttons 36 and 37 are not provided.

Using the controller 2, the water level in the bathtub 5 detected by the water level detecting means 7 is determined based on the water level rise Δs from the reference water levels k1 and k2 when the bath is not bathed.
The state where the water level rise amount Δs at the time of bathing is equal to or higher than a rising upper limit set value (hereinafter referred to as rising upper limit value js), and the water level rising amount Δs at the time of bathing is set at a lower rising limit side (hereinafter, rising). When at least one of the states that is equal to or less than the lower limit value ks is continued (for example, when the state is continued for 10 seconds or more), it is determined that the bather is in a drowning state in which the bather is drowning in the bathtub 5. The drowning determination means 100 is configured. When this drowning state is determined, for example, at the time of the first drowning determination, a warning is issued to the bather by activating the buzzer 32 of the bath remote controller 3, and after 10 seconds, the bather's If there is no movement or reaction, the buzzer 32
To alert the family members.

The controller 30 of the bath remote controller 3
, The amount of rise in the water level Δ from the reference water level k1 when the bather is not bathing when the bather is bathing in the bathtub 5 in a full-body bathing state
s, the upper limit setting means 101 as an upper limit setting means for setting the rising upper limit value js, and a reference water level k2 at the time of non-bathing when the bather is bathing in the bathtub 5 in a half-body bathing state. And a lower limit setting means 102 as a lower limit setting means for setting the rise lower limit value ks based on the water level rise amount Δs from.

The upper limit value j by the upper limit setting means 101
The case where s is set will be specifically described. In the state where the mode is switched to the setting mode by the mode switching button 33,
As shown in FIG. 3A, first, the bath remote controller 3 is operated to change the water level in the bathtub 5 to the water level k1 for the whole body bath.
Automatic hot water filling. In addition, after this hot water is filled, water is added to the bathtub 5 before bathing to adjust the hot water temperature.
When the hot water in the bath is drawn and the hot water is poured in the washing place, the water level changes from the water level at the time of filling, and the water level k1 immediately before bathing is detected and stored as the reference water level k1. Next, when the bather takes a bath in the bathtub 5, the water level rises, and when the upper limit button 36 is pressed in a state of the whole body bathing with only the head above the water surface, the water level rise amount Δs from the reference water level k1 is raised.
Is measured, and the volume of water corresponding to the rising upper limit value js is obtained from the water level rising amount Δs and the area of the bathtub 5 and set as the rising upper limit volume jv. In this case, if the side wall is inclined due to the shape of the backrest of the bathtub 5 or the like, the area of the bathtub 5 at a position where the water level is high is large (that is, the higher the water level, the smaller the rise in water level). For the area of 5, the value corrected by the water level is used.

Next, when actually taking a bath, an expected water level rise accompanying bathing is calculated based on the reference water level k1 detected as the water level immediately before bathing and the rising upper limit volume jv. In this case, from the shape of the bathtub 5 described above, the reference water level k
Since the water level rise amount becomes smaller as the value of 1 is higher, the expected water level rise amount is corrected according to the reference water level k1. And
A water level rise amount js higher than the corrected expected water level rise amount by a predetermined height (error margin) is set as a rise upper limit value js. In addition, the water level rise Δs in the state of the whole body bath is
This corresponds to the volume of the entire body excluding the head, but since the body shape (ie, volume) of the bather rarely changes in a short period of time, the same value is used for the above-mentioned rising upper limit volume jv for a relatively long period of time. It can be used, for example, resetting about once a month may be sufficient.

When an abnormality occurs in a bather who takes a bath in the state of the whole body bath and the head sinks below the water surface, FIG.
As shown in (b), the water level rise Δs is equal to the rise upper limit js.
Therefore, the drowning state is determined. In addition, in the determination of the drowning state when the water level rise amount Δs exceeds the rise upper limit value js, the water level rise amount Δs increases even when the callan is opened in the whole body bath state and water is supplied into the bathtub 5. Although the case where the upper limit value js is exceeded occurs, the speed of the water level rise in this case is slower than the speed of the water level rise due to the drowning state, and therefore, it can be distinguished by this speed difference. Alternatively, although not shown, a water level sensor may be provided in the callan, and based on the detection information of the water level sensor, a rise in water level due to water supply from the callan may be corrected, and the drowning state may be determined.

The lower limit value k by the lower limit setting means 102
The case where s is set will be specifically described. FIG.
As shown in (a), first, the bath remote controller 3 is operated to automatically fill the water level in the bathtub 5 to a water level k2 for a half-body bath. In this case, as in the case of setting the rising upper limit, the water level k2 immediately before bathing is detected and stored as the reference water level k2. Next, the bather takes a bathtub 5
By pressing the lower limit button 37 in a state of a half-body bath in which the upper body has risen above the water surface by taking a bath, the water level rise Δs from the reference water level k2 is measured, and the water level rise Δs and The volume of water corresponding to the lower limit value ks is obtained from the area of the bathtub 5 and is set as the lower limit volume kv. Also in this case, similarly to the case of setting the rising upper limit, the area of the bathtub 5 uses a value corrected by the water level.

Next, based on the reference water level k2 detected as the water level immediately before bathing and the above-mentioned rise lower limit volume kv when actually taking a bath, an expected water level rise due to bathing is calculated. Also in this case, similarly to the case of setting the rising upper limit, the expected water level rising amount is corrected according to the reference water level k2. Then, a water level rise amount ks lower by a predetermined height (error margin) with respect to the corrected expected water level rise amount is set as a rise lower limit value ks. The water level rise Δs in the half-body bathing state is equivalent to the volume of the body submerged under the water in the half-body bathing state. However, when the water level (water filling level) is changed, the water level rise amount Δs depends on the sinking condition of the lower body. Since the rise / lower limit volume kv may change, it is necessary to reset the rise / lower limit volume kv every time the filling water level is changed. Then, when the water level rise amount Δs decreases and falls below the rise lower limit value ks, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), an abnormality occurs in the bather, and only the head enters the water surface. It is determined that the user is in a drowning state.

The upper limit setting means 101 and the lower limit setting means 102 set values (the upper limit value js and the lower limit value ks) for the water level rise Δs for each of a plurality of individuals (for example, family members A, B, C each). More specifically, a plurality of members A, B,
One of C, for example, A is selected. When the upper limit value js and the lower limit value ks are set as described above in a state where A is specified, the upper limit value js and the lower limit value ks for A are set. The other members B and C can be set in the same manner. In addition, the rising upper limit value js, the rising lower limit value ks, and the current water level rising amount Δs of each individual set in this way are displayed on the display units 31 of the bath remote controller 3 and the kitchen remote controller 4 by numerical values or figures. be able to.

The drowning discriminating means 100 is set for the individual who is taking a bath by the upper limit setting means 101 and the lower limit setting means 102 when any of the plurality of individuals is bathing in the bathtub 5. The water level rise Δs
Set values (upper limit js and lower limit k)
It is configured to determine whether or not the user is in the drowning state using the information of s). Specifically, as described above, when one of a plurality of individuals, for example, A is identified by the individual identification button 34 in a bathing state, the monitoring for monitoring the drowning state is performed. Mode,
It is checked whether or not the water level rise amount Δs is in a range from a rise upper limit value js set to A to a rise lower limit value ks. It is determined that there is.

Further, utilizing the controller 2,
Emergency information output means 103 for outputting emergency information based on the result of the drowning state discrimination by the drowning discrimination means 100
Is configured. Specifically, when the occurrence of the drowning state is determined, the emergency information output unit 103 activates the alarm buzzer 32 provided in the bath remote controller 3 and the kitchen remote controller 4 as an emergency information output operation, and issues an alarm. Generates a sound to warn the person and inform other people, such as family members, of the occurrence of the abnormality.

[Another Embodiment] Another embodiment will be described below. In the above embodiment, the water level detecting means 7 is configured by a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of water in the bathtub, but may be configured by a water level sensor that directly measures the water level in the bathtub.

In the above embodiment, in consideration of the fact that the side wall of the bathtub 5 is inclined and the amount of rise in the water level changes depending on the water level, the setting means 101 for the upper limit and the setting means 102 for the lower limit are provided with the reference water level. It is configured such that the expected water level rise accompanying bathing is corrected according to k1 and k2, and the rise upper limit value js and the rise lower limit value ks are set. However, when the side wall of the bathtub 5 has a vertical shape, Without performing correction in accordance with the water level, based on the water level rise actually rising with bathing from the reference water levels k1 and k2, the rise upper limit js
And the lower limit value ks can also be set.

In the above embodiment, the setting means 10 for the upper limit
1 sets a rising upper limit set value js for the water level rising amount Δs in the whole body bath state when a manual setting command is issued by the upper limit button 36, and the lower limit setting separate means 102
Is configured such that when a manual setting command is issued by the lower limit button 37, the rising lower limit side set value ks of the water level rising amount Δs in the half-body bathing state is set. Alternatively, it is also possible to automatically determine and determine whether the water level is rising in the whole-body bath state or in the semi-whole body bath state.

In the above embodiment, the drowning state determining means 10
0 is configured so as to determine the drowning state of the bather using the information of the set values (upper limit js and lower limit ks) of the water level rise Δs set for each of the plurality of individuals. When another person whose value is not set takes a bath, for example, the maximum value of the rising upper limit value js and the minimum value of the rising lower limit value ks set by the plurality of individuals are obtained, and the other person takes a bath. It is also possible to determine the drowning state of the bather when the water level rise Δs during the running is out of the range from the minimum value to the maximum value.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an automatic hot water supply bath provided with a drowning detection device during bathing according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a bath remote controller.

FIG. 3 is a side view for explaining an upper limit value setting operation and a drowning state.

FIG. 4 is a side view for explaining a lower limit value setting operation and a drowning state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 5 bathtub 7 water level detecting means 100 drowning discriminating means 101 setting means 102 setting means 103 emergency information output means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page F term (reference) 2D005 FA00 4C094 AA01 BB01 BC30 DD14 EE20 FF09 FF15 FF17 FF18 GG03 GG12 5C086 AA22 BA04 CA17 CB20 DA07 EA11 EA45 FA02 5C087 AA02 AA03 AA32 FF03 DD BB25 DD FF20 GG08 GG19 GG23 GG31 GG46 GG66

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A water level detecting means for detecting a water level in a bathtub, and the water level in the bathtub detected by the water level detecting means is determined based on an amount of rise in water level from a reference water level at the time of non-bathing. When the state in which the water level rise amount is equal to or more than the set value on the upper limit side and when at least one of the states in which the amount of water level increase during bathing is equal to or less than the set value on the lower limit side continues, the bather A drowning detection device during bathing, comprising: a drowning discriminating means for discriminating that a person is in a drowning state in a bathtub. 2. An upper limit setting means for setting the rising upper limit value based on the water level rising amount when a bather is bathing in a bathtub in a whole-body bathing state. Item 1. The drowning detection device during bathing according to Item 1. 3. A lower limit setting means for setting the set value on the lower limit side based on the water level rise amount when the bather is bathing in the bathtub in a half-body bath state. Item 3. The drowning detection device during bathing according to Item 1 or 2. 4. The drowning determination means is configured to determine whether or not the user is in the drowning state by using information on a set value of the water level rising amount set for an individual taking a bath. The drowning detection device during bathing according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. An apparatus for detecting drowning during bathing according to claim 1, further comprising an emergency information output means for outputting emergency information based on the result of the drowning state discrimination by said drowning discrimination means. .