JP2007268048A - Bathroom device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bathroom device which improves the balancing ability, a feeling apparatus regarding the balancing ability, the nerve circuit, and the muscular function in such a manner that a stimulation is applied to the footpad of a bather who keeps a sitting posture in a bathtub 110, and after increasing the activity of the nerve circuit, a visual stimulation by an image is input, and an automatic body maneuver is induced. <P>SOLUTION: The bathroom device comprises a bathtub device, a projecting means and a controlling means. In this case, the bathtub device is equipped with a footpad stimulating means which applies a stimulation to the footpad of the bather. The projecting means can visually be recognized by the bather who is bathing while facing the footpad stimulating means, and projects an image simulating the track of the bather. The controlling means drives the footpad stimulating means and the projecting means by interlocking them. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a bathroom device by applying a stimulus from the sole of a bather and enhancing the activity of a neural circuit, and then inputting a video stimulus, thereby providing a balance device and a sensory device, neural circuit, And it is related with the bathroom apparatus which performs balance ability activation aiming at improving a muscle function.

Conventionally, a device for performing balance training by combining images is known. As an example of a device for performing balance training combining such videos, for example, a motor function activating device described in Patent Literature 1 is disclosed.
The motor function activating device described in Patent Document 1 is applied to prevent a trainee from struggling over a vehicle capable of reciprocating and swinging and incorporating visual information together, and using visual information together. This makes it possible to feel the change in the movement of the vehicle greatly, to train the lumbar muscles, to ensure the exercise range of the lumbar vertebrae, etc. Motivated to do it.
JP 2003-265554 A

  However, in the apparatus as described in Patent Document 1 described above, since training is performed to shake the body greatly to attach the muscles of the waist, there is a risk that the load is too large or falls or falls when used for the elderly. was there. Therefore, in recent years, it is desired that health promotion and balance training can be performed safely.

  Moreover, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1 described above, the motor function is activated mainly focusing on the training of the lumbar muscles. However, as shown in FIG. 13, the decrease in physical function with aging is more than the decrease in leg muscle strength that supports balance ability, and transmits sensory organs and detected information for controlling muscle strength. It is thought that the deterioration of the function of the neural circuit for processing is caused.

  In the sitting position, the activity of motor neurons in the spinal cord is reduced. Balance training related to the lower limb muscles is difficult in this state. Although it is a sitting posture, it includes the necessity of performing balance training by activating the nerve gyrus.

An object of the present invention is to apply a stimulus to the sole of a bather who holds a sitting posture in a bathtub 110 and enhance the activity of a neural circuit, and then input a visual stimulus by an image to induce automatic body movement. The purpose is to provide a balance device and a sensory device, a neural circuit, and a bathroom device for improving muscle function.

Bathtub apparatus provided with sole stimulation means for stimulating the sole of the bather and projection means for projecting an image simulating the course of the bather, which is visible to the bather bathed toward the sole stimulation means And a bathroom device comprising: a foot stimulating device and a control device for driving the projection device in conjunction with each other.

  Even when the bather is in the sitting position in the bathtub 110, it is possible to provide a bathroom device that can efficiently and effectively improve the balance ability and the sensory device, neural circuit, and muscle function related to the balance ability.

  In the sitting posture in the bathroom environment, which is a characteristic part of the present invention, applying a video stimulus to the eye in conjunction with applying a vibration stimulus to the sole increases the neural circuit, sensory organs and muscle output, and improves balance feeling. The reason why the applicant has obtained knowledge for training will be explained. As shown in FIG. 14, the balance ability takes external information through sensory organs (baroreceptor, proper receptor), integrates information in a neural circuit including the central nerve, and finally optimizes the body posture. It means a function that collectively refers to a series of functions that drive muscles to maintain a certain state. We define the balance circuit as the function of the sensory organ that detects external information, the neural circuit that processes the information detected by the sensory organ, and the function of the muscle that outputs the processed information. Normally, when trying to maintain balance, humans constantly detect the force information generated by gravity from the sole of their feet, and maintain the balance of standing posture. Specifically, in maintaining a standing posture, a human detects force information from the sole and outputs muscle strength to resist gravity. A representative of these muscle groups is said to be anti-gravity muscle. The situation where the standing posture is maintained, the baroreceptor in the skin is activated, and the information detected from the peripheral nerve is transmitted to the neural circuit including the central nerve through the afferent nerve fiber and processed in the neural circuit. This causes a series of activities of the balance circuit in which the generated signal is finally output as muscle force through the efferent nerve fiber. As can be understood from the above, it can be understood that the load information on the sole in the standing posture contributes to the activities of the sensory organs, the neural circuit, and the muscle output. This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. He stated that humans are constantly detecting force from the soles when they are standing. At that time, by applying a vibration stimulus to the baroreceptor in the front part (rear part) of the foot, a situation is created in which a load is applied to the front part (rear part) of the foot. Then, the human modulates the posture so as to make the pressure distribution generated before and after the soles uniform. It induces muscle activity and modulates posture at a level that the person does not notice. Therefore, it can be said that information from the sole of the foot contributes to human standing and maintaining balance. From this, it can be said that the person who holds the standing position can activate the balance circuit by continuously detecting the load information from the sole. Further, the muscle output can be modulated by manipulating the load information on the sole. It can be said that the modulation of the muscular strength leads to the modulation of the posture, and as a result, the balance can be adjusted by adjusting the load information. Similarly, visually, when a standing posture is maintained and the balance circuit is active, an image as if the space is moving is shown to a person who is standing. Then, a human who has manipulated visual information modulates balance and induces muscle activity in the process of posture modulation. Furthermore, higher posture modulation can be induced by using two or more sensory organs in combination. For example, when a vibration stimulus is input to the back of the foot so that the body tilts forward, and a video image of the drawing unit moving away from you is input visually, a person who receives both stimuli greatly tilts the body forward It becomes. It is possible to actively activate the activity of sensory organs, neural circuits, and muscles by maintaining the standing posture and manipulating information to the visual and sole pressure receptors during the period when the balance circuit is activated And However, it should be noted that the above-described content is a phenomenon induced in a standing posture. Here, if the same balance circuit activity is to be induced in the sitting position, it must be supplemented that there is no load information that was continuously detected in the standing position. If there is no load information on the sole and the activity of the neural circuit is low, it is difficult to induce muscle activity that modulates posture even if an input signal is applied to other sensory organs. Therefore, by applying a vibration stimulus to the baroreceptor on the sole of the foot in order to train to improve balance sensation in the bathroom environment, the information that the load is input to the sole is transmitted to the central nerve, and the balance circuit is actively It is important to create a situation that activates the activity of the child, and in this state with the balance circuit activated, the visual stimulus by the image is input and the automatic body movement is induced to balance ability and balance ability. The Applicant has come up with the idea that the sensory organs involved, neural circuits, and muscle function improvements can be effectively achieved. For this reason, the present invention is fundamentally different from a conventional health device that aims to promote health by directly stimulating muscles by using external force due to mechanical disturbance. The present invention can provide effects that cannot be obtained with conventional health equipment. A notable effect in the present invention is that the bather sits by applying a vibration stimulus to the sole of the foot while obtaining pseudo load information, and enhances the activity of the neural circuit as in the standing position, By adding visual stimuli to the state, it is possible to actively activate sensory organs, neural circuits and muscle functions related to the balance function, and to activate the balance circuit in the sitting posture. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an overview of a bathroom apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the bathtub 110 of the bathroom apparatus shown in FIG. 1 cut along the longitudinal direction. The arrangement of the front vibrator and the rear vibrator attached to the bathtub 110 is shown in FIG. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the functions of sensory organs, neural circuits, and muscle functions related to balance ability.
4 outputs the vibration stimulus output from the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 shown in FIG. 1 and the video moved away from the bather from the video output unit 170. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship of the timing chart shown along the elapsed time from the start of use, the front vibrator | oscillators 211 and 212, the back vibrator | oscillators 213 and 214, and a bather's sole.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the bathroom apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a bathtub 110, sole positioning portions 221 and 222 on the inner wall surface at one end in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub 110, and a sole positioning portion. 221 and 222 are provided corresponding to the front and back of the soles positioned in front and back of the soles 211 and 212 and the vibrators 210 for stimulating the sole comprising the back vibrators 213 and 214, respectively. Then, the control unit 130 of the vibration stimulus applied to the sole adjusts the vibration frequency of the vibration stimulus and the output intensity of the vibration stimulus, and from the foot sole vibrators 211 and 212 and the foot sole vibrators 213 and 214. It has a function to create an output stimulus pattern. The front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 are connected to each other by a control unit front inter-vibrator wiring 121 and a control unit rear inter-vibrator wiring 122.

Further, with respect to the power supply unit 140 that supplies power to the control unit 130, each vibrator is vibrated via a connected external AC power supply or a DC power supply such as a battery housed in the base. Yes. The vibrator 210 is provided corresponding to each of the left and right sole positioning parts 221, 222. The left vibrator 210 includes a front vibrator 212 and a rear vibrator 214, and the right vibrator 210 is provided. Includes a front vibrator 211 and a rear vibrator 213. The vibration output from the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the vibration output from the rear vibrators 213 and 214 correspond respectively to the front and back of the bather's sole positioned by the sole positioning portions 221 and 222. Vibration stimulus is applied. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the front of the sole referred to here refers to the sole of the foot, the base of the finger, and the vicinity region thereof, and the back of the sole refers to the buttocks of the sole and the vicinity thereof. Point to. More specifically, it refers to each region constituting the pressure distribution when a healthy adult stands on the front side and the back side of the sole. In addition, the vibration stimulation site | part and the vibrator | oscillator 210 to the sole shown by FIG. 4 have arrange | positioned the vibrator number when it sees from the sole. In the case of this embodiment, the vibrator is controlled by causing the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the back vibrators 213 and 214 to vibrate simultaneously by the controller 130 every three minutes as shown in FIG. Is possible. Note that the vibration stimulation is not necessarily limited to the time shown in FIG. That is, by making the switching time of vibration discontinuous, it is possible to output a stimulus with a fluctuation component that humans feel comfortable.
In addition, there is a case where a difference is generated depending on the magnitude of the stimulus, when either the front or rear vibrator 210 is vibrated. In that case, it is also possible to adjust the frequency or intensity of the vibration so as to generate a difference between the stimulation received by the front and back of the foot from the vibration stimulation.

  A large screen 180 is arranged in front of the bather, on the bathroom wall in contact with the bathtub 110, a video output unit 170 for projecting an image on the screen 180, a video control unit 150 for sending a video signal to the video output unit 170, and a video A data reading device 160 for reading a video file from the outside is arranged. In addition, the control unit 130 of the vibrator 210, the video output unit 170 that projects onto the screen 180, and the video control unit 150 are connected by the control unit video control unit wiring 131 and are interlocked by the control unit 130. The linkage between the video control and the vibration stimulus control method will be described later.

  The video output unit 170 projects a video image with the bathroom wall as if viewed from a large screen 180. The size of the screen and the distance from the bather in the bathtub 110 are set to such an extent that the content of the screen can be recognized with a sense close to a real space when bathing. In addition, the video displayed by the video output unit 170 can display a video that moves the drawing toward the bather and a video that moves the drawing away from the bather. The size of the screen image corresponding to the image output device 170 and the distance between the screen 180 and the bather sitting in the bathtub 110 are set so that the rendered image can recognize the size of the depiction more realistically. Is done. As a result, the bather taking a bath in the bathtub 110 receives a visual stimulus by the video displayed by the video output unit 170. Note that the video displayed by the video output unit 170 may be an animation (handwriting or computer graphic) in addition to a live-action image. In addition, when the image is projected with the bathroom wall surface like the large screen 180, it is not necessary to prepare a separate screen and training can be performed easily. In addition, cleaning is easy. The screen 180 has a concave shape that is depressed in the center, and the screen 180 on which the image is output by the image output device 170 may have a shape in which the image output from the image output device 170 is projected more realistically. By using the screen 180 having such a shape, a higher immersion feeling is given to the bather. In addition to the video output device 170, a device for drawing an image for a bather may use a normal thin monitor, for example, a next-generation monitor such as a liquid crystal display or a plasma display. Since the bathroom space can create a closed space and can block unnecessary visual information, it is easy for the bather to immerse the projected image.

  The video control unit 150 is configured using a computer device. As shown in FIG. 1, the video output to the screen 180 by the video output unit 170 is read from the data reading device 160. The data reading device 160 may be a video, but may be any device that can read data from a video CD, a laser disk, a CD-ROM, a hard disk, a DVD, or a next-generation DVD.

  Next, an image projected on the screen 180 will be described. The projected image is an image that can be viewed as a landscape when the bather proceeds toward the screen, and simulates the traveling direction. The image is not limited to the landscape, and any format can be used as long as it simulates moving images away from the bather, such as moving images of dots and moving images of stars. Furthermore, after moving a drawing toward a bather, it can also be repeated periodically such as an image of moving away from the bather. In addition, when the image is output, the position of the depiction that moves relative to the bather can be changed by parameters such as speed and acceleration related to the time factor.

  The video output from the video output unit 170 and projected onto the screen 180 is stationary in the initial state. However, the image is not limited to being stationary, and the image may move at a minute speed. Next, in conjunction with the output of the moving image away from the bather, the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 of the vibrator 210 attached to the wall surface of the bathtub 110 are placed on the soles of the feet. Vibration stimulus is given. In the present embodiment, vibration stimulation to the sole is performed in conjunction with an image displayed on the screen 200 by the image output device 170. In the case of the present embodiment, every three minutes, the image displayed on the screen 200 by the image output device 170 is switched to an image that moves toward the bather after moving away from the bather. In synchronization with the change of the image stimulus, the vibration stimulus from the vibrator 210 is also output. However, the video and vibration synchronization time is not necessarily limited to the time described in FIG. A visual image that moves away is applied to a bather whose neural circuit activity is enhanced by stimulation of the baroreceptors on the soles. These visions and baroreceptor stimuli combine to improve the sense of balance.

  Subsequently, a method of using the bathroom device 1 having such a configuration and an operation thereof will be described below. First, the bather immerses in the hot water in the bathtub 110 installed in the bathroom and places his feet along the heel positioning portions 221 and 222 installed on the wall surface of the bathtub 110, The rear vibrators 213 and 214 are grounded so as to fit the front and back of the sole. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the bather takes a posture such that the image displayed on the screen 180 located on the upper side of the vibrator 180 of the bathtub 110 can be recognized while lying down. Next, the bather turns on the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 arranged on the soles by pressing a switch provided on the upper end of the bathtub 110 (not shown). At the same time, a vibration stimulus is applied before and after the sole of the bather. In synchronization with the control unit 130 that controls the vibrator 210, the video control unit 150 selects the video read from the data reading device 160 by the video control unit 150, and the video selected by the video control unit 150 outputs the video. The image is projected onto the screen 180 by the instrument 170. As shown in FIG. 4, the parts stimulated by using the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the back vibrators 213 and 214 indicate the sole of the foot, the base of the finger, and the vicinity thereof, as shown in FIG. "" Refers to the buttocks of the sole and the vicinity thereof. More specifically, it refers to each region constituting the pressure distribution when a healthy adult stands on the front side and the back side of the sole.

  Further, since the sole positioning portions 221 and 222 are located relatively far from the bottom surface of the bathtub 110, the posture that the bather takes in the bathtub 110 is that the knee joint of the bather is placed when the sole is applied to the heel positioning portion. While maintaining the bent state, the front vibrator and the rear vibrator are brought into contact with the back and front of the sole to be in a posture. Vibration stimuli are received from the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 that are grounded to the soles while the lower limbs of the bather are bent. Thus, the bather receives pseudo load information from the sole while sitting in the bathtub 110. The image projected from the image output unit 170 is displayed on the screen 180 and applied to the bather's vision. The above-described image and vibration stimulus are linked in the time chart shown in FIG. Further, the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 are stopped by the control unit 130. After 3 minutes, the video controller 150 selects and outputs the video to be moved away from the bather from the data reading device 160. In addition, in synchronization with the video stimulus, vibration stimuli are output from the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 attached to the wall surface of the bathtub 110. However, according to a predetermined time, an image projected on the screen 200 by the image output unit 170 and vibration stimulation from the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 occur in conjunction with each other. It is not limited to the time described in. As a result, in the sitting position in the bathtub 110, the bather stimulates the baroreceptor on the sole, so that pseudo load information is transmitted to the neural circuit in the same manner as holding the standing position, so that the sensory organ and the neural circuit are also transmitted. Activities have been activated. Under this situation, the sensory organs used to tilt the posture forward by applying an image that moves away from the bather synchronized with the vibration stimulus to the sight, and the associated neural circuit and muscle function, Furthermore, the balance function can be improved.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 5 shows the vibration stimuli output from the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. The timing chart shown along the elapsed time from the start of use and the image that is displayed, and the explanation showing the positional relationship between the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 of the bathtub device and the sole of the bather FIG.

  Then, the bathroom apparatus concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. The basic configuration of the bathroom apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of FIG. 1 except for the visual and vibrator control patterns. Therefore, the description about a common structure is abbreviate | omitted. In addition, FIG. 5 shows the area | region of the sole which receives a stimulus by the bathtub apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment, and the image | video which moves toward a bather by the image | video output device 170, The 1st shown in FIG. It turns out that it is the same as that of the case of embodiment. In the bathroom apparatus according to the second embodiment, the video output from the video output unit 170 is stationary in the initial state. However, the image is not limited to being stationary, and the image may move at a minute speed. Next, the vibration stimulus output from the vibrator 210 attached to the wall surface of the bathtub 110 in conjunction with the image moving from the bather is output from the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214. Is done. In the case of the present embodiment, the vibration stimulus and the image stimulus displayed on the screen 200 by the image output unit 170 are performed in synchronization. However, the synchronization time described in FIG. 5 does not necessarily limit switching between the video stimulus and the vibration stimulus.

  By stimulating the baroreceptors on the sole, pseudo load information is transmitted to the neural circuit as in the case of standing, and the activity up to the sensory organ and the neural circuit is activated. Under this circumstance, the sensory organs used to tilt the posture backward by applying an image that is moved toward the bather synchronized with the vibration stimulus to the sight, and the associated neural circuit and muscle function, Furthermore, the balance function can be improved.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 6 shows the vibration stimulus output from the back vibrators 213 and 214 of the bathtub apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and the image moved away from the bather from the image output device 170 and the elapsed time from the start of use. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship with the timing chart shown along, the vibrator | oscillator for the front of a bathtub apparatus, the vibrator | oscillator for back, and a bather's sole.

  Then, the bathtub apparatus concerning 3rd Embodiment is demonstrated. The bathroom device according to the third embodiment of the present invention is related to the bathroom device according to the second embodiment, and outputs only the rear vibrators 211 and 212 by the control unit 130 and is synchronized with the vibration stimulus. The video control unit 150 projects the video selected from the video output unit 170. Therefore, the basic configuration common to the first embodiment and the second embodiment is the same as that in FIG. 1, and thus the description of the common configuration is omitted. The vibration stimulus applied from the rear vibrators 211 and 212 of the bathroom device according to the third embodiment and the image stimulus output from the image output unit 170 are, as shown in FIG. Keeps the video output from the video output unit 170 still. In addition, the synchronized rear vibrators 211 and 212 are also stopped by the control unit 130. After 3 minutes, the video controller 150 selects and outputs the video to be moved away from the bather from the data reading device 160. In addition, in synchronization with the video stimulus, the vibration stimulus is output from the front vibrators 211 and 212 attached to the wall surface of the bathtub 110. However, although the video image projected on the screen 200 by the video output unit 170 and the vibration stimulus from the vibrator 210 occur in conjunction with each other according to a predetermined time, the time is not necessarily limited to the time shown in FIG. As a result, when the bather stimulates the baroreceptor in the front part of the foot, pseudo load information equivalent to the standing posture inclined forward is transmitted from the front part of the foot to the neural circuit. By transmitting that pseudo load information is applied in front of the sole, the activity up to sensory organs and neural circuits is activated. Under this circumstance, the image of moving away from the bather synchronized with the vibration stimulus is applied to the visual to activate the activity of the neural circuit and shift to the activated state. Therefore, the sensory organ and the neural circuit accompanying it can be facilitated, and the balance function can be improved efficiently. More specifically, by applying a stimulus to the rear part of the sole of the bather who holds the sitting posture in the bathtub 110, it is possible to create a muscle for active activity in the lower limb muscle group, a leading muscle. As a result, effective balance training can be performed. Explaining the principle, when a stimulus is applied to the back of the foot, a person will feel as if the pressure is increasing on the back of the foot by tilting back, and the pressure distribution on the foot will be uniform. Tilt forward to convert. Therefore, taking advantage of this principle, a bathroom apparatus is provided which aims to improve the sense of balance by training the sense of balance used for forward tilting.

[Fourth Embodiment]
7 outputs and uses the vibration stimulus output from the front vibrators 211 and 212 of the bathtub apparatus according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and the image moved from the bather from the image output unit 170. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship with the timing chart shown along the elapsed time from the start, the vibrator | oscillator for front of a bathtub apparatus, the vibrator | oscillator for back, and a bather's sole.

  The vibration stimulus applied from the front vibrators 211 and 212 of the bathroom device according to the fourth embodiment and the image stimulus output from the image output unit 170 are, as shown in FIG. Keeps the video output from the video output unit 170 still. The synchronized front vibrators 211 and 212 are also stopped by the control unit. Three minutes later, the video controller 150 selects and outputs the video to be moved toward the bather from the data reading device 160. In addition, in synchronization with the video stimulus, the vibration stimulus is output from the front vibrators 211 and 212 attached to the wall surface of the bathtub 110. However, although the image projected on the screen 200 by the image output device 170 and the vibration stimulus from the front vibrator 210 occur in conjunction with each other according to a predetermined time, it is not necessarily limited to the time shown in FIG. Absent. As a result, when the bather stimulates the baroreceptor in the front of the foot, pseudo load information equivalent to the standing posture tilted forward is transmitted from the front of the foot to the neural circuit. . The pseudo load information transmitted from the front part of the sole activates the activity to the sensory organs and neural circuits. Under this circumstance, the image of moving toward the bather synchronized with the vibration stimulus is applied to the visual to activate the activity of the neural circuit and shift to the activated state. Therefore, the sensory organ and the neural circuit accompanying it can be facilitated, and the balance function can be improved efficiently. More specifically, by applying a stimulus to the front part of the sole of the bather who holds the sitting posture in the bathtub 110, it is possible to create a muscle for active activity in the lower limb muscle group, a leading muscle. As a result, effective balance training can be performed. Explaining the principle, when a person applies a stimulus to the front part of the foot, the person feels as if the pressure is increasing on the front part of the foot by tilting forward, and the pressure distribution on the foot Tilt backwards to equalize. Therefore, taking advantage of this principle, there is provided a bathroom apparatus aiming at obtaining an effect of improving the sense of balance by training the sense of balance used for backward tilting.

[Fifth Embodiment]
FIG. 9 shows the vibration vibrator 213 output from the front vibrators 211 and 212 of the bathtub apparatus shown in FIG. The positional relationship between the vibration stimulus output from 214 and the timing chart for switching from the video output device 170 to the image moved away from the bather, the front vibrator of the bathtub device, the back vibrator, and the sole of the bather It is explanatory drawing shown.

  Then, the bathtub apparatus concerning 5th Embodiment is demonstrated. The bathroom apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is related to the bathroom apparatus according to the first embodiment, and outputs the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 by the control unit 130. The video output unit 170 projects the video selected by the video control unit 150 synchronized with the vibration stimulus. Therefore, since the basic configuration common to the first embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1, the description of the common configuration is omitted. The vibration stimulus applied from the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 of the bathroom apparatus according to the fifth embodiment and the video stimulus output from the video output unit 170 are as shown in FIG. In the initial state, the video control unit 150 stops the video output from the video output unit 170. The synchronized front vibrators 211 and 212 and rear vibrators 213 and 214 are also stopped by the control unit. Three minutes later, in conjunction with the output from the video output device 170 of the image moved from the bather, vibration stimuli are output from the front vibrators 211 and 212 attached to the wall surface of the bathtub 110. In the next phase, the video controller 150 stops the video that is moved from the video output unit 170 toward the bather in conjunction with the fluctuation of the vibration stimulus. Meanwhile, the output of the front vibrators 211 and 212 is stopped by the control unit 130 of the vibrator 210. In the next phase, the vibration stimulus is output from the vibrators 213 and 214 for the rear mounted on the wall surface of the bathtub 110 in conjunction with the output from the video output unit 170 moving the image moving away from the bather. It is also conceivable that continuous stimulation is continued by combining and continuing between the phases. In the case of the present embodiment, the image from the image output device 170 and the vibration stimulation from the post vibrators 213 and 214 occur in synchronization with each other according to a predetermined time. There may be a section that does not stretch. There is no stimulation. By including the state of complete rest in the pattern of image stimulus and vibration stimulus, the purifying of the stimulus is suppressed. It is ideal for balance training because it can continuously induce the activation of the balance circuit as described above by switching the video stimulus that moves from the front and back of the foot or away from the bather. It is. It should be noted that the vibration stimulus from the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the stimulus of the image moved toward the bather, or vice versa, the vibration stimulus from the sole vibrators 213 and 214 and the bathing. It is necessary to activate the balance circuit by alternately repeating both stimulation patterns instead of applying a single image stimulus that moves away from the person. Further, the human lower limb muscle group is arranged as a main muscle and an antagonist muscle as shown in FIG. In these two muscle groups, the leading muscle and the antagonistic muscle are alternately induced by tilting forward or backward. Therefore, considering the structure of the main and antagonistic muscles and the activity characteristics of the muscles, the vibration stimulation to the foot and the video stimulus to the visual are alternately linked in an interlocking manner to tilt forward and backward so that it tilts forward and backward. Aim to switch to.

  Furthermore, the frequency range of vibration stimulation output from the vibrator 210 is designed to stimulate the soles of bathers as a predetermined range of about 20 Hz to 100 Hz. Here, the stimulation frequency by the vibrator controls the frequency band and the vibration output by the control unit of the vibrator. Then, the frequency of the vibration stimulus output from the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the frequency of the vibration stimulus output from the back vibrators 213 and 214 are always different from each other, and the feet of the bather are taken from the front vibrators 211 and 212. The strength of the vibration stimulus received by the back and front and the strength of the stimulus received by the back side of the bather's foot from the back vibrators 213 and 214 are alternately changed. This also exhibits an effect equivalent to the effect described above. In other words, in the bathtub 110, the stimulus to the sole can be given by a vibration stimulus in which the stimulus to the front and back of the bather alternately changes, combined with the sensitivity of the nerve by the thermal effect during bathing. Thus, the sensory receptors related to the sense of balance and the functional recovery of the nervous system leading to this can be achieved. As is clear from the various embodiments described above, the strength of the stimulus received by the bather by the vibration stimulus output from the vibrator 210 on the sole is defined by the frequency and output intensity of the vibrator 210, Any of these can be used to exert the effects of the present invention.

[Sixth Embodiment]
FIG. 10 shows an image stimulus that is moved from the image output device 170 toward the bather after the vibration stimulus output from the front vibrators 211 and 212 of the bathtub apparatus according to the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is turned ON. After that, the vibration stimulus output from the back vibrators 213 and 214 is turned ON, and then the video pattern and the vibration pattern are switched to turn ON the image moved away from the bather from the video output device 170. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship of the timing chart which a stimulation pattern precedes, the vibrator | oscillator for front of a bathtub apparatus, the vibrator | oscillator for back, and a bather's foot.

  Then, the bathtub apparatus concerning 6th Embodiment is demonstrated. The bathroom apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention is related to the bathroom apparatus according to the first embodiment, and outputs the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 by the control unit 130. The video output unit 170 projects the video selected by the video control unit 150 synchronized with the vibration stimulus. Therefore, since the basic configuration common to the first embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1, the description of the common configuration is omitted. As shown in FIG. 10, the vibration stimulus applied from the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 of the bathroom apparatus according to the sixth embodiment and the video stimulus output from the video output unit 170 are as shown in FIG. The vibration stimulus is applied to the bather prior to the image stimulus in the synchronization time of the stimulus. In the first place, it has already been mentioned above that the activity of the neural circuit is kept low in the sitting position. Therefore, the neural circuit cannot be activated even if an image stimulus is input to the vision under the circumstances. Therefore, after applying a vibration stimulus to the baroreceptor on the sole of the foot to enhance the activity of the neural circuit, an image stimulus is input to the vision to improve balance ability. Therefore, the stimulus to the baroreceptor on the sole needs to be input prior to the visual stimulus. However, if image stimuli and vibration stimuli are input at the same time, the stimulus information obtained from the vision reaches the neural circuit ahead of the information obtained by the vibration stimulus to the baroreceptor. Therefore, the vibration stimulation to the sole is preceded so that the information transmitted from the baroreceptor on the sole to the neural circuit is not delayed from the information on vision.

[Seventh Embodiment]
FIG. 11 shows vibration stimuli output from the vibrators 211 and 212 for the front of the bathtub apparatus after turning on the video stimulus to be moved from the bather from the video output unit 170 according to the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. Is turned on, and then the image that is moved away from the bather from the image output device 170 is turned on, and then the vibration stimulus output from the back vibrators 213 and 214 is turned on. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship with the timing chart which a video pattern precedes, the vibrator | oscillator for the front of a bathtub apparatus, the vibrator | oscillator for back, and a bather's sole.
Then, the bathtub apparatus concerning 7th Embodiment is demonstrated. The bathroom device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention is related to the bathroom device according to the first embodiment, and outputs the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 by the control unit 130. The video output unit 170 projects the video selected by the video control unit 150 synchronized with the vibration stimulus. Therefore, the basic configuration common to that of the first embodiment is the same as that in FIG. 1, and the description of this common configuration is omitted.

  The vibration stimulus applied from the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 of the bathroom apparatus according to the seventh embodiment and the video stimulus output from the video output unit 170 are as shown in FIG. In the synchronous period of the stimulus, the vibration stimulus is applied later to the bather after the image stimulus. In order to put the vibration stimulus into the somatosensory lag behind the sight, the illusion obtained by the stimulus to the vision is faded by acclimatization after a certain period of time. Therefore, in order to induce the illusion as long as possible, the aim is to apply the stimulus with a delay to the somatic sensation in order to prevent acclimatization of the visual stimulus.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the bathtub apparatus concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention with a bather. It is sectional drawing which cuts and shows the part of the bathtub 110 of the bathtub apparatus shown in FIG. 1 along the longitudinal direction. It is a figure which shows the function of the sensory organ, neural circuit, and muscular function in connection with balance ability. Elapsed time from the start of use of the apparatus according to the vibration stimulus output from the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 of the bathtub apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and the traveling direction of the video output from the video output unit 170 It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship with the timing chart shown along and the vibrators 211 and 212 for the front of the bathtub apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the vibrator | oscillators 213 and 214 for back, and a bather's foot. The apparatus starts using the vibration stimulus output from the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and the traveling direction of the video output from the video output unit 170. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship with the timing chart shown along the elapsed time from the front, the vibrators 211 and 212 for the bathtub apparatus, the vibrators 213 and 214 for the back, and a bather's sole. Elapsed time from the start of use of the apparatus according to the vibration stimulus output from the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 of the bathtub apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and the traveling direction of the video output from the video output unit 170 FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the timing chart shown along the front and the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 of the bathtub device and the sole of the bather. The vibration stimulus output from the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 of the bathtub apparatus according to the modification of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and the video output from the video output unit 170 are displayed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship with the timing chart which shows advancing direction along the elapsed time from apparatus use start, and the vibrators 211 and 212 for back of a bathtub apparatus, vibrators 213 and 214 for back, and a bather's foot. is there. It is a figure which shows the function of the sensory organ, neural circuit, and muscular function in connection with balance ability. Elapsed time from the start of use of the apparatus according to the vibration stimulus output from the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 of the bathtub apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and the traveling direction of the video output from the video output unit 170 FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the timing chart shown along the front and the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 of the bathtub device and the sole of the bather. The vibration stimuli output from the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 of the bathtub apparatus according to the modification of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9 and the video output from the video output unit 170 are displayed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship with the timing chart which shows advancing direction along the elapsed time from apparatus use start, and the vibrators 211 and 212 for back of a bathtub apparatus, vibrators 213 and 214 for back, and a bather's foot. is there. The vibration stimuli output from the front vibrators 211 and 212 and the rear vibrators 213 and 214 of the bathtub apparatus according to the modification of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9 and the video output from the video output unit 170 are displayed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship with the timing chart which shows advancing direction along the elapsed time from apparatus use start, and the vibrators 211 and 212 for back of a bathtub apparatus, vibrators 213 and 214 for back, and a bather's foot. is there. It is a figure explaining inducing posture modulation according to the stimulus to vision and baroreceptor. It is a figure which shows the change accompanying aging of a muscular strength and balance power. It is a figure explaining the factor of a balance feeling.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bathroom apparatus 110 Bath 120 wiring 121 Inter-vibrator wiring for control part 122 Inter-vibration wiring for control part 123 Control part video inter-control part wiring 130 Control part 140 Power supply 150 Video control part 160 Data reading apparatus 170 Video output device 180 Screen 210 Vibrator 211, 212 Front vibrator 213, 214 Rear vibrator 220 Foot sole positioning part 221, 222 Projection part

Claims (5)

Bathtub apparatus provided with sole stimulation means for stimulating the sole of the bather and projection means for projecting an image simulating the course of the bather, which is visible to the bather bathed toward the sole stimulation means And a bathroom that is driven in conjunction with the sole stimulation means and the projection means. The foot sole stimulating means includes a front sole stimulating means for giving a stimulus to the front side of the sole and a rear sole stimulating means for giving the stimulus to the back side of the sole. The bathroom apparatus according to 1.   When the image projected from the projection means is an image for moving a depiction toward a bather, the control means uses the stimulation for the front foot stimulation means as the stimulation for the rear foot stimulation means. The bathroom apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a first control mode that makes the control stronger.   When the image projected from the projection means is an image for moving the depiction away from the bather, the control means uses the stimulation for the rear foot stimulation means for stimulation of the rear foot stimulation means. The bathroom apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a second control mode that is stronger than the second control mode. When the image projected from the projection means is an image that moves the depiction toward the bather, the control means causes the front foot stimulation means to stimulate the rear foot stimulation means. And when the image projected from the projection means is an image that moves the depiction away from the bather, the stimulation of the rear foot stimulation means is performed on the front foot sole. The bathtub apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a second control mode that is stronger than the stimulation of the stimulation means, wherein the first control mode and the second control mode are alternately and repeatedly driven.

Images