JP2010207445A - Bathtub device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bathtub device which allows a bather to continuously exercise. <P>SOLUTION: For instance, the bathtub device includes: a bathtub provided with a first bathtub wall surface and a second bathtub wall surface provided facing the first bathtub wall surface; a water discharge part which is provided on the second bathtub wall surface, and discharges jet flow to the sole of a bather bathing in the bathtub; an air mixing part which is connected to the water discharge part and can mix air in the jet flow; a water discharge drive part which is connected to the water discharge part, and adjusts the water amount of the jet flow discharged from the water discharge part; and a control part for controlling the water discharge drive part. The control part makes the water discharge part intermittently discharge the air-containing jet flow of enough power to bend the leg part of the bather by controlling the water discharge drive part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  Aspects of the present invention generally relate to a bathtub device, and specifically to a bathtub device that causes a bather to exercise.

  In recent years, the health-consciousness has increased, and there has been an increasing demand for health management through exercise such as fitness and exercise. There is also a desire to exercise easily while taking a bath.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for providing a step that can be stepped into a bathtub. A stepping load is applied to the step board by a spring, and the bather can exercise by stepping on the step board with one foot while sitting. However, a person who does not usually have exercise habits needs considerable will power to exercise. In particular, when taking a bath, it is difficult to demonstrate the power of will because it is in a relaxed mental state. For this reason, even if exercise equipment is installed in the bathtub, it is expected that the exercise will not last long. In addition, since the same operation is repeated, it is expected that the exercise will not last for a long time due to getting used to or getting tired of the operation.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 2 discloses a circulation bathtub in which a footrest portion is provided inside and a discharge port for ejecting a jet is provided in the footrest portion. Patent Document 2 describes that the bather can stimulate the bather's sole and perform massage by ejecting a jet from the discharge port in a state where the foot is placed on the footrest. Yes. However, this circulating bathtub is used by the bather with his / her feet on the footrest, and does not cause the bather to exercise a wide area of the body.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a bubble generating device that controls jetting / stopping of a jet flow from a jet nozzle by a control unit. Patent Document 3 describes that a certain overlap time in which bath water is jetted out by both jetting points occurs, and the transition of the jetting points can be performed smoothly, so that no uncomfortable feeling is given to the bather. However, this bubble generating device does not allow the bather to exercise a wide area of the body, like the circulation bathtub disclosed in Patent Document 2.

JP 2003-236014 A JP 2005-287541 A Japanese Patent No. 2710829

  An aspect of the present invention has been made based on recognition of such a problem, and provides a bathtub apparatus that can allow a bather to exercise continuously or exercise a body part in a balanced manner.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a bathtub having a first bathtub wall surface and a second bathtub wall surface provided to face the first bathtub wall surface, and the second bathtub wall surface are provided. , A water discharger for discharging a jet on the soles of bathers bathing in the bathtub, connected to the water discharger, an air mixing unit capable of mixing air into the jet, and connected to the water discharger, A water discharge drive unit that adjusts the amount of jet water discharged from the water discharge unit, and a control unit that controls the water discharge drive unit, wherein the control unit controls the water discharge drive unit to control the bather's legs. There is provided a bathtub device characterized by intermittently discharging a jet including air having a strength to bend the portion from the water discharge portion.

  According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bathtub apparatus that can allow a bather to continuously exercise or exercise a body part in a balanced manner.

It is typical sectional drawing which illustrates the bathtub apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram showing a state when a bather is receiving the jet from a nozzle on a leg. It is a plane schematic diagram showing operation of the bathtub apparatus concerning the example of the bathtub apparatus concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a graph which illustrates the specific example of the inflow amount of the air taken in from the water discharge flow volume from the nozzle with respect to time, and the air suction opening with which a nozzle is equipped. It is a graph which illustrates the other specific example of the inflow amount of the air taken in from the air flow rate from the nozzle with respect to time, and the air suction opening with which a nozzle is equipped. It is typical sectional drawing which shows the 1st specific example of the bathtub apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the frequency range which a jet has of the bathtub apparatus concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a graph which illustrates the specific example of the water discharge flow rate from the nozzle with respect to time. It is a schematic plan view which shows the 3rd specific example of the bathtub apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which illustrates the specific example of the water discharge flow rate from the nozzle with respect to time. It is a figure which illustrates the state of the bather of the bathtub apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the bather's muscle activity of the bathtub apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the place and activity of a bather's muscle of the bathtub apparatus concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the respiratory quotient at the time of use of the bathtub apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the flow volume and the leg moving amount | distance of the bathtub apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

  1st invention is provided in the 2nd bathtub wall surface which has a 1st bathtub wall surface and the 2nd bathtub wall surface provided facing the said 1st bathtub wall surface, The said 2nd bathtub wall surface, The said bathtub A water discharger that discharges a jet on the soles of bathers bathing in the water, an air mixing unit that is connected to the water discharger and is capable of mixing air into the jet, and is connected to the water discharger, the water discharger A water discharge drive unit that adjusts the amount of water jetted from the water, and a control unit that controls the water discharge drive unit, the control unit controlling the water discharge drive unit to bend the legs of the bather It is a bathtub device characterized by intermittently discharging a jet of air containing air having a strength to be discharged from the water discharge section.

  According to this bathtub device, the control unit controls the water discharge drive unit to intermittently discharge a jet (second jet state) with a strength at which the leg of the bather bends, thereby bathing the bather. Can be exercised moderately. Furthermore, an aeration part is provided in the water discharge part, and when the bather receives a strong jet (second jet state) that bends the foot from the water discharge part, the second jet state is caused in the pipe of the water discharge part. The negative pressure that can be generated allows air to be taken into the jet from the aeration part, and a jet containing air is ejected from the water discharge part. In the second jet state in which the foot is bent, the flow velocity of the jet including the air ejected from the water discharger is increased by taking in air having a lower viscosity resistance than water. Therefore, from the fluid formula of F = ρvQ, when the flow velocity of the jet mixed with air increases, the force for bending the leg portion increases. That is, it is possible to improve the injection force with a small flow rate in the second jet state where the leg is bent by providing the air mixing portion and mixing air into the jet flow injected from the water discharge portion.

  Moreover, 2nd invention is a bathtub apparatus characterized by the said control part controlling the said air mixing part in 1st invention, and controlling the mixing amount of the said air to the said jet. According to this bathtub apparatus, intermittently from a jet (first jet state) that does not bend the legs by the action of the control unit to a jet (second jet state) with a strength that bends the bather's legs. In the state where water is discharged, the control unit adjusts the amount of air that can be taken in from the air mixing unit. That is, the amount of inflow flowing from the aeration part is adjusted according to the first jet state and the second jet state, so that a sudden force change is flexibly generated in the movement of the leg bending and extending by the jet. And can provide effective exercise to bathers.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the control unit intermittently controls the strength of the jet including the air by intermittently mixing the air into the jet. It is the bathtub apparatus characterized by doing. According to this bathtub device, the second jet state can be intermittently discharged by intermittently mixing air by the function of the control unit. At this time, in the second jet state, a high-velocity jet containing air is used. In other cases (first jet state), the amount of air mixed in is reduced to reduce the output of the water discharge drive unit. The flow rate of the jet including the air to be injected can be changed with little or no change in output. Thereby, the load to the water discharge drive part can be reduced rather than realizing the change of the first and second jet states only by the water discharge drive part.

  Moreover, 4th invention is 1st invention of any one of 1st-3rd. WHEREIN: The said water discharging part is a 1st water discharging part which discharges a jet on the left foot sole of the said bather, and the right foot sole of the said bather A second water discharger that discharges the jet flow, the water discharge drive unit includes a first water discharge drive unit and a second water discharge drive unit, and the first water discharge drive unit includes the first water discharge drive unit. Connected to one water discharge unit, the second water discharge drive unit is connected to the second water discharge unit, and the control unit controls the first and second water discharge drive units to control the left and right sides of the bather. It is a bathtub apparatus characterized by discharging water from the first and second water discharge sections. According to this bathtub device, the bather can be caused to perform a passive movement of bending the left and right legs while sitting in the bathtub. In addition, it has a ripple effect not only on leg movements but also on whole body movements.

  Moreover, 5th invention is 1st invention of any one of 1st-4th. WHEREIN: The said control part makes the said 1st and 2nd water discharge the jet of the strength which bends the right and left leg part of the said bather. 4. The bathtub apparatus according to claim 1, wherein water is alternately discharged from the section. According to this bathtub apparatus, a movement similar to walking in which the left and right legs of the bather are moved alternately can be performed while sitting in the bathtub. Therefore, appropriate exercise can be performed without imposing an excessive burden on the bather.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the bathtub device 1 according to this embodiment is provided in a bathroom unit 60. The bathroom unit 60 is a box-shaped watertight unit in which a floor is constituted by a waterproof pan 61, a wall is constituted by a wall panel 62, and a ceiling is constituted by a ceiling panel (not shown). The bathtub device 1 is disposed on the waterproof pan 61.

  The bathtub device 1 is provided with a bathtub 2. The shape of the bathtub 2 is, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the inner side surface of one end portion in the longitudinal direction is a back side surface (first bath wall surface) 2a with which the back m1 of the bather M comes into contact. The inner side surface of the end portion is a foot side surface (second bathtub wall surface) 2b to which the sole m2 faces when the bather M takes a bathing posture. That is, the bather M can rest on the back side surface 2a. The back side surface 2a and the foot side surface 2b are opposed to each other with the bottom surface 2c interposed therebetween.

  The foot side surface 2b of the bathtub 2 is provided with a nozzle (a water discharge portion) 3 for discharging a jet to the feet of the bather M. The nozzle 3 includes an air suction port 3f and an air injection port 3g connected to the air mixing unit 9 on the side surface of the nozzle 3. Air is sucked in from the air suction port 3f provided on the side surface of the nozzle 3 from the air mixing part 9, and air is mixed in the jet from the air jet port 3g. The nozzle 3 injects a water flow (jet) toward the inside of the bathtub 2, and the direction of this jet is the direction from the foot side surface 2b to the back side surface 2a. Further, since the jet flow passing through the nozzle 3 is sufficiently fast, a negative pressure region is generated in the pipe. And air will be mixed in a jet using the action of the negative pressure.

  The length in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub 2, that is, the length between the foot side surface 2 b and the back side surface 2 a in the bathtub 2 is determined when the bather M having a standard physique takes a bathing posture, ie, 2 so as to cover the nozzle 3 with the sole m2 when the back m1 is brought into contact with the back side 2a of the bathtub 2 and the sole m2 is opposed to the foot side 2b. It is.

  Moreover, the pump apparatus 4 is provided in the bathtub apparatus 1 as a drive part which produces | generates a jet. This pump 4 is connected to the nozzle 3. In the present specification, the term “water” includes not only cold water but also heated hot water. The suction port 7 of the pump 4 communicates with the inside of the bathtub 2. Thereby, the pump 4 draws water out of the bathtub 2, produces | generates a jet, and discharges it.

  The bathtub device 1 is further provided with a control unit 5 that controls the operation of the pump 4 and the air mixing unit 9. The control unit 5 is electrically connected to the pump 4 and the air mixing unit 9, and controls the state of the jet flow from the nozzle 3 by controlling the operation of the pump 4 and the air mixing unit 9. The amount mixed can be controlled. Moreover, the control part 5 makes the state of the jet flow from the nozzle 3 into the jet flow state (1st jet flow state) which does not bend the bather's M leg | foot, and the water discharge flow volume is larger than the 1st jet flow state. It can be set to a jet state (second jet state) in which the foot is bent.

  When the jet flows through the pipe of the nozzle 3, the air drawn from the air mixing unit 9 is mixed from the air injection port 3 g provided in the nozzle 3. And it injects from the nozzle 3 as a jet containing air. The flow rate of the jet including air is smaller than that when no air is included. However, since the viscous resistance of air is smaller than that of water, the flow velocity is faster than that of a jet containing no air. As a result, although the amount of water in the jet is small, it is possible to generate a jet state having a force that causes the bath to bend the legs of the bather M. A large amount of water discharge is required to bend the bather's M feet, but the flow rate can be reduced by mixing air.

  The jet discharged from the nozzle 3 becomes the first jet state. At that time, the water discharge flow rate wQ1 is, for example, about 30 liters / minute. On the other hand, when the jet discharged from the nozzle 3 is in the second jet state, the discharged water flow rate wQ2 is, for example, about 130 liters / minute. Thus, the water discharge flow rate wQ2 in the second jet state is considerably larger than the water discharge flow rate of the jet flow ejected for massage. Therefore, the jet discharged from the nozzle 3 in the second jet state is such that when the bather M brings the back m1 into contact with the back side surface 2a and the sole m2 faces the nozzle 3, the ankle joint of the bather M It is possible to flex the knee joint and the hip joint at the same time.

  Moreover, the bathtub apparatus 1 concerning this embodiment is provided with operation parts 8, such as a remote control, for example. This operation part 8 is attached to the wall panel 62 of the bathroom unit 60, for example, and can transmit a control signal to the control part 5 by operation from the bather M. The control unit 5 can control the operation of the pump 4 based on a control signal from the operation unit 8. That is, the bather M can control the operation of the pump 4 by operating the operation unit 8 and can change the state of the jet from the nozzle 3.

  Bending and stretching motion is performed by discharging water while intermittently switching between a jet state where the leg portion is not bent (first jet state) and a jet state where the leg portion is bent (second jet state). In the present embodiment, the first jet state in which the leg portion is not bent may be, for example, 0 liter / minute, or may be a jet flow in which the leg portion is not bent, for example, 30 liter / minute. Good. If the first jet state is a jet that does not bend the legs, the rise time to the second jet state can be shortened, and the load on the pump 4 can be reduced.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state when the bather receives a jet from the nozzle on his / her foot. 2 (a) represents the flexion period of the bather's foot, FIG. 2 (b) represents the retention period of the bather's foot, and FIG. 2 (c) represents the bather's leg retention period. Represents the period of leg extension.
FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing the operation of the bathtub device according to this example.
FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating a specific example of the water discharge flow rate from the nozzle with respect to time and the inflow amount of air taken in from the air suction port provided in the nozzle.
FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating another specific example of the water discharge flow rate from the nozzle with respect to time and the air inflow amount taken in from the air suction port provided in the nozzle.

  First, in a state where water (hot water) W is put in the bathtub 2, the bather M enters the bathtub 2 and takes a bathing posture (see FIG. 1). That is, the bather M brings the buttocks into contact with the bottom surface 2c of the bathtub 2, makes the back m1 contact the back side surface 2a of the bathtub 2, and makes the sole m2 face the foot side surface 2b. The bather M then covers the left nozzle 3L, which is the first water discharger, with the left sole m2, and the right nozzle 3R, which covers the right nozzle 3R, which is the second water discharger, with the left sole m2. The foot is placed in an initial posture in which the jet stream ejected from the nozzle 3 is captured by the sole of the foot. At this time, the bather M is in a relaxed state, and the ankle joint, knee joint and hip joint are weakened.

  From this state, the pump 4 is operated. Accordingly, the pump 4 draws water in the bathtub 2 from the suction port 7 to generate a jet and supplies it to the nozzle 3. At this time, with the jets discharged from the nozzles 3L and 3R, air flows in from the air suction port 3f formed on the side surface of the nozzle 3, passes through the air passage 3h, and jets and air from the air injection port 3g. Will discharge the mixed jet. The jet state (meter / second) with respect to the time of the nozzle 3 and the air suction port 3f is as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG.

  When jetting is performed including a jet flow having a flow rate wQ2 discharged from the nozzle 3 and a flow rate aQ2 of air entrained by the jet, this jet presses the sole m2 of the bather M. Accordingly, as in the flexion period shown in FIG. 2A, the ankle joint, knee joint and hip joint of the bather M are bent at the same time, and the foot moves toward the back side surface 2a. At this time, since the jet flow from the nozzle 3 generates a flow field so as to wrap the foot portion of the bather M, a force that prevents the foot portion from coming off from the jet flow is applied to the sole m2. This is the same phenomenon that when a ping-pong ball is placed on the fountain, the ping-pong ball does not fall and stays at the approximate center of the fountain.

  On the other hand, when the flow rate aQ1 of the air to be entrained is jetted by the jet flow of the flow rate wQ1 rinsed from the nozzle 3 and the jet flow, the pressure for pressing the sole m2 decreases. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2C, the ankle joint, knee joint, and hip joint of the bather M naturally extend, and the foot moves toward the foot side surface 2b. At this time, when the bather M consciously adjusts the position of the foot so as to cover the nozzle 3 with the sole m2, the foot returns to the vicinity of the nozzle 3. Therefore, the nozzle 3 reciprocates along the longitudinal direction of the bathtub 2 by alternately ejecting jets of the water discharge flow rate wQ1 (air inflow amount aQ1) and wQ2 (air inflow amount aQ2).

  At this time, as shown in the graph shown in FIG. 4, the air inflow amount changes the flow rate of the air sucked from the air suction port 3 f in accordance with the change in the jet flow rate of water discharged from the nozzle 3. Furthermore, the jet flow (wQ2, aQ2) including air and having a high flow velocity can bend the leg of the user. In that case, a leg part will leave | separate L2mm from the bathtub wall surface. This flexion and extension movement of the foot increases the flow velocity v2 of the jet by including air, and also increases the apparent flow rate by mixing air, so that the ankle, knee joint and hip joint of the bather M can be bent at the same time even with a small amount of water. (FIG. 2B).

  On the other hand, in the jet flow v1 (wQ1, aQ1), the leg portion extends. In that case, a foot | leg part will leave | separate L1mm from the bathtub wall surface according to the change of a jet flow rate. That is, FIG. 2A is a state where the ankle joint, knee joint, and hip joint of the bather M are simultaneously extended.

  A jet state in which air is included in the jet will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a state diagram (b) in which the ankle joint, knee joint, and hip joint of the bather M are bent at the same time by the jet stream v2 containing air. At this time, the water discharge amount wQ2 of the jet becomes the flow velocity of the jet v2 by taking in air having a viscosity resistance lower than that of water. On the other hand, the jet v3 shown in FIG. 5 that does not take in air has the same spout water discharge amount wQ2 shown in FIG. 4, but the jet v3 is slower than the jet v2. That is, in order to generate a jet state in which the bather's M legs are bent and stretched by the jet, the air taken in from the air suction port 3f is ejected from the air jet port 3h, and the jet state in which air is mixed into the jet flow is expressed as the bather M. I think that spitting water can provide effective bending and stretching exercises.

  A method for generating the second jet state will be described below. For example, the jet state (second jet state) in which the leg portion is bent can be generated by controlling the water discharge flow rate by the water discharge drive unit 4. In addition, the air is mixed from the air mixing unit 9 into the jet state (first jet state) where the legs are not bent, and the second jet state is created without changing the flow rate from the water discharge drive unit 4. It is also possible to do. According to this method, the amount of discharged water can be smaller than that in the second jet state created by controlling the flow rate of discharged water. Thereby, by providing the aeration unit 9, the size of the water discharge drive unit 4 can be reduced, and even the water discharge drive unit that cannot change the water discharge flow rate can provide the exercise shown in this embodiment. .

  This exercise is a passive exercise that is given from the outside and is not an automatic exercise performed according to the will of the bather. Therefore, there are few parts depending on the will of the bather M, and it tends to last for a long time. Further, since this exercise can be performed while taking a bathing posture, the bather can exercise in a relaxed state. As a result, it is easy to continue exercise. The “passive motion” refers to a motion performed by a person using an external force instead of his / her own muscular strength. In the present specification, a compensation operation when the posture is lost as described above is also included.

  In addition, it is possible to vary the frequency band of jet stimulation given to the sole with the flow rate of air mixed into the jet. As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, an air injection port 3g that mixes the air taken in from the air mixing unit 9 into the jet is set, and vibrations caused by the jet are adjusted by adjusting the air bubbles mixed in the jet. Change the frequency range of the stimulus. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the air bubbles that can be mixed into the jet flow become larger by making the air injection port 3g wide and small as shown in FIG. Therefore, the jet stimulus transmitted as a jet to the sole of the bather M is a stimulus in a low frequency band (a).

  On the other hand, by arranging the air injection port 3g for mixing air into the jet as shown in FIG. 6B, the air mixed into the jet becomes fine small bubbles. for that reason. A jet stimulus transmitted as a jet to the sole of the bather M is a stimulus in a high frequency band (FIG. 7B).

  As described above, the size of the bubbles mixed in the jet can be adjusted by the opening area of the air injection port 3g. Thereby, it becomes possible to provide the bather M with a jet stimulus including a frequency band in which a sensory device provided on the sole is likely to be active. That is, the balance function can be promoted by the jet stimulation stimulating the sensory organ. In addition, it is possible to train with respect to exercise effects. Examples of frequencies that stimulate the sensory organs are described below. It is generally known that a Pacini body is most active near 30 Hz, and a Mysnel body is activated by a stimulus near 200 Hz. Therefore, the air mixed in the jet is set by the air injection port 3g so that the vibration frequency range of the jet is set to 30 Hz to 200 Hz. Moreover, it is possible to set to a desired vibration frequency not only by mixing air but also by changing the amount of discharged water and the flow velocity.

  The thermal effect by bathing and the exercise effect are further improved by the jet. Moreover, since the temperature boundary layer around the bather M is always destroyed by the jet, the bather M is easily warmed and the exercise effect is further improved. In this way, by performing the above-described exercise in the bathtub, a higher exercise effect can be obtained as compared with the case of performing the exercise outside the bathtub.

  A modification of the first specific example according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 (a), (b), and (c). As illustrated in FIG. 8A, when the amount of air mixed is switched from the first jet state to the second jet state, air is mixed into the jet for b1 seconds. FIG. 9 is a time chart showing how the jet state (jet, mixed air amount, flow velocity) illustrated in FIG. 8A acts on the movement amount of the leg.

  The bather M is switched from the first jet state to the second jet state to increase the amount of water discharged (FIG. 9a), and by taking in air, the flow velocity of the jet mixed with air increases. . That is, the jet pressure F (N) of the jet can be increased (FIGS. 9b and 9c). This makes it possible to obtain a high stretch effect during the operation at the beginning of bending (FIG. 9d). Alternatively, exercise can be effectively obtained by stimulating specific receptors provided in muscle groups. In addition, by adjusting the intensity of the jet stimulation that induces bending and stretching movements by aeration, acclimatization can be prevented, and it is possible to continuously provide exercise to bathers.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8B, when the amount of mixed air is switched from the first jet state to the second jet state, it is sent for r1 seconds, and the second jet state is the first jet state. Air is mixed into the jet at an interval of b1 seconds earlier than when switching to.

  The bather M is switched from the first jet state to the second jet state, and after r1 seconds, the air velocity is increased by mixing air, that is, the pressing force can be increased (see FIG. 10a, b). As a result, a high stretch effect can be obtained in the middle stage of bending (FIGS. 10c and d). In particular, while the sole is separated from the side wall of the bathtub and is held without an unstable hot water space, a strong jet is received, so that it is possible to train normally hard muscle groups such as inner muscles. .

  Further, as illustrated in FIG. 8C, the amount of air to be mixed is sucked with a delay of r2 seconds when switching from the first jet state to the second jet state, and further, the second jet state Air is mixed into the jet at intervals of b1 seconds until is switched to the first jet state. That is, the bather M receives the earliest jet due to air mixing from r2 seconds after the first jet state is switched to the second jet state until the second jet state ends. FIG. 11 (a, b).

  Thus, a high stretch effect can be obtained in the later stage of bending (FIGS. 11C and 11D). In the later stage of flexion due to the jet, the muscle groups provided around the hip joint such as the thigh are stimulated. As described above, by adjusting the strength of the jet during the period of flexion and extension of the leg, it becomes possible to stimulate the muscle group of a different part, and the bather M chooses a trained part and concentrates. Effective exercise. However, the time interval between mixing of the jet and air is not limited by the above. Further, by combining the timings of air mixing, the intensity of the jet stimulation that induces bending and stretching movements can be adjusted for each period and for each phase, thereby preventing acclimatization. That is, it becomes possible to provide exercise to the bather continuously.

  It has been confirmed by experiments examining muscle activity that the state in which the leg continues to move has a ripple effect on not only leg movement but also whole body movement. FIG. 12 is a view showing muscle activity of the muscle group of the bather in the water discharge state. The vertical axis in FIG. 12 represents a state in which each muscle group is active, and the horizontal axis represents time. As shown in FIG. 12, not only the movement of muscles of the lower limbs such as the gastrocnemius, the anterior tibialis, and the hamstrings (quadriceps), but also the back muscles such as the spine standing muscles and the forearm muscles (arms) It can be seen that arm muscles such as (radial muscles) are also active. Thus, the exercise bathtub apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention activates not only the legs but also the whole body muscle group, and is effective not only for the legs but also for whole body exercise and strength training. It is also known from subjective evaluation that it induces a feeling of movement like a walking motion to bathers.

  The muscle activity caused by the passive bending / extending movement will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b). FIG. 13A is a diagram exemplifying muscle groups that are activated by the passive movement caused by the jet, and shows the positions of the muscle groups shown in FIG. FIG. 13 (b) shows the amount of muscle activity on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis, indicating that different muscles in the leg are active depending on the water discharge state. M4 represents hamstrings (biceps femoris and others), and M5 represents an anterior tibial muscle. The anterior tibial muscle M5 starts to actively activate due to the flexion of the leg accompanying the S1 time of water discharge. This means that muscle activity is occurring with the foot moving away from the second bathtub wall surface and moving to the first bathtub wall surface.

  And it will be in the state which does not discharge water in S2 time next, a bather's foot part moves to the 2nd bathtub wall surface 2b, and contact | abuts the water discharge part 3 and the 2nd bathtub wall surface 2b. FIG. 13B shows that the hamstring M4 is activated when the bather's foot comes into contact with the second bathtub wall surface 2b. Thus, the bending and stretching movements of the legs that occur as the jet flow increases and decreases enhances the exercise effect by using different muscle groups.

  The anterior tibial muscle M5 illustrated in FIG. 13 is a muscle provided in the lower leg in a human body segment. The function of the anterior tibial muscle M5 is known as a muscle that works for clearance between the ground and the foot during walking. Therefore, the exercise that activates the anterior tibial muscle M5 means an exercise that contributes to prevention of falls.

  Similarly, the hamstring M4 illustrated in FIG. 13 is a muscle group provided in a thigh in a human body segment. The hamstring M4 is a muscle group composed of the biceps femoris, the semimembranous muscle, the half tendon-like muscle, and the greater adductor muscle. The function of the biceps femoris is known mainly as a muscle that generates kicking force and propulsive force during walking. Therefore, the exercise | movement which stimulates the hamstring M4 means the exercise | movement which can contribute to the maintenance of a walking speed and the improvement of a walking function.

  In the jet state (second jet state) in which the legs discharging water from the water discharger 3 are bent, the bather M brings the back m1 into contact with the first bathtub wall surface 2b and the sole m2 faces the water discharger 3. Is an amount that can flex the ankle joint, knee joint and hip joint of the bather M at the same time, for example, 80 to 300 liters / minute. In addition, when the magnitude | size of a jet is less than 80 liters / minute, a bather's sole m2 may not leave | separate from the water discharge part 3, and when it exceeds 300 liters / minute, water may overflow from the bathtub 2. is there.

  When the amount of water discharged exceeds 110 liters / minute, the leg movement distance becomes 140 mm or more due to the pressure of the discharged water jet, and it is confirmed that the user feels a sense of movement by the bending and stretching movement by the jet flow. Has been. In addition, it has been confirmed that, when the number of monitor people exceeds 35 and 110 liters / minute is exceeded, the feet move 140 mm or more due to water discharge and feel a sense of movement.

  Furthermore, in order to obtain a high exercise effect that is effective in bending and stretching exercises, it is better to exercise with a jet of about 150 liters / minute. More preferably, movement by a jet of about 180 liters / minute is effective. In addition, the magnitude | size of this jet flow is considerably larger than the magnitude | size of the jet flow spouted for massage in the circulation type bathtub intended for general household bathtubs. In a general massage blow, the amount of water discharged from one water outlet is about 20 liters / minute. Even in the strong strength of the massage blow, the amount of water is at most about 40 liters / minute.

  As described above, by increasing the flow rate of the jet, the force for pressing the sole is increased and the movable range of the bending / extending motion is widened. Along with this increase in jet flow, it is possible to effectively promote the function that works in walking by stimulating more effectively the sensory organs provided on the soles and the tendon organs provided on the legs.

  Moreover, although the water temperature of the water (hot water) of the bathtub to utilize can be used also at normal temperature, it is preferable to use water temperature in a 36-41 degreeC zone | band. For example, at 36 to 38 ° C. when the temperature is close to body temperature and the heat load is low, the amount of water bending is increased by increasing the amount of water discharged and increasing the amount of rotation of bending and stretching, or by increasing the period of water discharge. By increasing the exercise intensity, it becomes possible to provide an effective exercise to the bather.

  On the other hand, when seeking sufficient exercise in a relatively short time, set the hot water temperature higher (for example, 39-41 ° C.), and the synergistic effect of the heat and the exercise effect, compared to when the hot water temperature is set lower, Energy is consumed in a short time, and effective exercise can be performed in a short time.

The effects of heat and exercise will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 14 shows the respiratory quotient indicating the fat combustion efficiency on the vertical axis, the elapsed time on the horizontal axis, and a value comparing the respiratory quotient when performing rapid walking and passive movement by a jet. . The conditions are walking on the land at a speed of about 4.3 km / h and bathing walking using the exercise tub apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention in which the water temperature is 39 degrees and the water discharge is about 160 liters / minute. The case of was compared from the respiratory quotient. As a result, it has shown that the bathing walk using the exercise bathtub apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention rushed into the area | region where a high fat burning effect was acquired at the time zone earlier than the walk on land. The said result shows that the exercise bathtub apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention produces | generates the very high exercise effect in a short time by the synergistic effect of a heat and exercise | movement.

  35 people experienced exercise using one embodiment of the present invention. As a result, it was found that underwater (bathing) walking during bathing was performed without difficulty by a jet from the bathing posture. In addition, we found that if you continue walking underwater, you will feel a sense of movement and a feeling of muscle use. In addition, after taking a bath, it has been confirmed that the experience is experiencing the effects of exercise such as warm feet and feeling of exercise rather than jogging. In addition, we have learned from the experience that sweating action is promoted in less than 5 minutes, and we also get the impression that it is suitable for the diet effect and is a metabolic countermeasure.

  Moreover, the sensory organ with which a sole is equipped can be stimulated by receiving a jet with a sole. The sensitivity of the sensory organs (baroreceptors) on the sole of the foot decreases with age. Therefore, it is generally known that elderly people cannot detect the position of the center of gravity of the body with their soles and are likely to roll over. However, the sensitivity of the sensory organs, etc., has recently been able to maintain the sensitivity of the sensory organs and the processing function of the nervous system that conveys the information detected from the sensory organs by constantly stimulating the sensory organs. It has been reported in research.

  As a movement effect, the bather M can induce bending and stretching movements in the ankle joint, knee joint, and hip joint of the bather M by the jet including air. It has been described in FIGS. 14 to 15 that this repeated bending and stretching exercise in the leg has a high exercise effect as the training of the leg. In addition, the bather M loses the balance of posture by this exercise and becomes unstable. Therefore, the bather M performs a compensation operation to unconsciously work the muscles of the whole body to stabilize the posture. It has also been mentioned above that bathers can also exercise.

  The bathtub device according to one embodiment of the present invention applies a strong jet to the sole so that the legs are bent. Therefore, by first bending and stretching the leg portion, the proper sensory organs such as the tendon spindle and muscle spindle of the tendon and muscle are stimulated. Secondly, the sensory organ (baroreceptor) provided on the sole is stimulated by receiving the jet directly on the sole. As a result, it becomes possible to promote the pathway of the nervous system that conveys information detected from the sensory organs and the sensory organs, and the balance ability and the like can be improved.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the bather has a different sensation of movement from bending and stretching exercises depending on the amount of water discharged from the first water discharger 3L and the second water discharger 3R. The solid line L shown in FIG. 15 shows the relationship between the distance that the legs move away from the second bathtub wall surface by the jet and the flow rate of the discharged water when the bather is bent and stretched by the jet from the spout 3. Represents.

  As shown by the solid line L, there is a correlation between the movement distance of the foot and the flow rate of the water discharge, and the leg movement amount increases as the water discharge amount increases. The movement distance of the foot part is away from the wall surface of the second bathtub from about 80 liters / minute, and when the water discharge amount is about 80 liters / minute or more, the movement of the foot parts is started and the bending and stretching movement can be performed. In order for the bather to perform more effective exercise, the amount of water discharged should be 110 liters / minute.

  In this embodiment, the moving distance of the foot is about 140 mm. In order to obtain even more effective exercise, the bather selects a water discharge rate of 180 liters / minute, and in order to obtain even more effective exercise, the bather adjusts the amount of water to 200 liters / minute. May be. Experiments have shown that the distance of movement of the leg at that time is about 250 mm to 300 mm.

  In addition, in bathing walking with a water discharge amount of about 140 mm, for example, 110 liters / min water discharge, 7 out of 8 monitor performers will exercise around the legs after bathing walking is completed. He commented that he felt a feeling. The feeling of movement here is extracted mainly from the feeling of light fatigue in the legs and the feeling of a part of the muscles used warm.

  In this specific example, in a state where water (hot water) W is stored in the bathtub 2, the bather M enters the bathtub 2 and takes a bathing posture. And by operating the operation button of the control part 5, the execution time of the exercise | movement by the bathtub apparatus 1 and the period of bending / extending exercise | movement are set arbitrarily. Note that a plurality of types of exercise modes may be set in the control unit 5 in advance, and the bather may select a favorite exercise mode.

For example, when the bather selects a mode with a high exercise load, the control unit 5 outputs a control for switching the amount of water to a state in which water is discharged at a relatively short cycle or a state in which water is not discharged from the control unit 5 to the water discharge driving unit 4. . Alternatively, the exercise time and the exercise cycle may be automatically set by a timer. For example, when the set temperature of hot water is 39 ° C., the timer sets one set of exercise time to 10 minutes.
Thus, according to this example, the exercise load can be arbitrarily set according to the preference of the bather. Configurations, operations, and effects other than those described above in this specific example are the same as those in the above-described embodiment.

  The water discharge drive unit 4 uses a rotary pump or the like that draws hot water by rotating an impeller by a motor and generates a jet discharged from the water discharge unit 3. Moreover, the control of the water discharge drive unit 4 controls the drive state of the pump using a sequencer, timer, AD / DA converter and computer. In addition, although demonstrated supposing the rotary pump, a present Example is not restricted to the said content. For example, a jet flow may be created from the water discharger 3 using a positive displacement electromagnetic reciprocating pump such as a plunger or a piston.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bathtub apparatus, 2 Bathtub, 2a Foot side surface, 2b Back side surface, 2c Bottom surface, 3 Nozzle, 3f Air suction port, 3g Air injection port, 3h Air passage, 4 Pump, 5 Control part, 7 Suction port, 8 Operation part, 9 Aeration unit 60 Bathroom unit, 61 waterproof pan, 62 wall panel, M bather, m1 back, m2 sole, m7 foot, W water Y water discharge direction

Claims (5)

A bathtub having a first bathtub wall and a second bathtub wall provided to face the first bathtub wall;
A water discharge part that is provided on the wall surface of the second bathtub and discharges a jet on the soles of bathers taking a bath in the bathtub;
An aeration unit connected to the water discharge unit and capable of mixing air into the jet;
A water discharge drive unit that is connected to the water discharge unit and adjusts the amount of water jetted from the water discharge unit;
A control unit for controlling the water discharge drive unit;
With
The said control part controls the said water discharge drive part, and makes the bather's leg part bend, The bathtub apparatus characterized by intermittently discharging the jet stream containing air from the said water discharge part. The controller is
The bathtub apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the aeration unit is controlled to control an amount of the air mixed into the jet. The controller is
By intermittently mixing the air into the jet,
The bathtub apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the strength of the jet including air is intermittently controlled. The water discharger has a first water discharger that discharges a jet on the left foot sole of the bather, and a second water discharger that discharges a jet on the right foot sole of the bather,
The water discharge drive unit has a first water discharge drive unit and a second water discharge drive unit,
The first water discharge drive unit is connected to the first water discharge unit,
The second water discharge drive unit is connected to the second water discharge unit,
The controller is
2. A jet having a strength that bends the left and right legs of the bather by controlling the first and second water discharge driving units to discharge water from the first and second water discharge units. Thru | or 3 bathtub apparatus.   5. The bathtub apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit alternately discharges a jet of strength that bends the left and right legs of the bather from the first and second water discharge units. .

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