JP2010207487A - 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 to the sole of a bather bathing in the bathtub; a water discharge drive part which is connected to the water discharge part and adjusts the water amount of the jet discharged from the water discharge part; a control part for controlling the water discharge drive part; and a sound source part for generating guide sound for telling the state of the jet to the bather. The control part makes the water discharge part intermittently discharge the jet of enough strength to bend the leg part of the bather by controlling the water discharge drive part, and the sound source part generates the sound corresponding to the state of water discharge from the water discharge 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 that discharges a jet on the soles of bathers bathing in the bathtub, a water discharger that is connected to the water discharger and adjusts the amount of water jetted from the water discharger, and the water discharger drive unit. A control unit that controls, and a sound source unit that emits a guide sound for transmitting the state of the jet to the bather, and the control unit controls the water discharge drive unit to bend the leg of the bather A bathtub apparatus is provided, wherein a jet of strength is intermittently discharged from the water discharge section, and the sound source section emits a sound according to the state of water discharge from the water discharge section.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the aspect of this invention, the bathtub apparatus which can make a bather exercise leg bending and extension exercise | movement during bathing more stably more stably is provided.

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 flow volume discharged from the nozzle with respect to time, and the guidance sound emitted from a sound source part. 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 flow volume discharged from the nozzle with respect to time, and the guidance sound emitted from a sound source part. 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 flow volume discharged from the nozzle with respect to time, and the guidance sound emitted from a sound source part. It is a graph which illustrates the distance (actual measurement value) from a foot side surface when using the bathtub apparatus concerning this example. It is a graph which illustrates the distance (actual measurement value) from a foot side surface when using the bathtub apparatus concerning this example.

  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 sole of a bather bathing in the bath, a water discharger that is connected to the water discharger and adjusts the amount of water jetted from the water discharger, and a control that controls the water discharger And a sound source unit that emits a guide sound for transmitting the state of the jet to the bather, and the control unit controls the water discharge drive unit to bend the leg of the bather. The bathtub device is characterized in that a jet is intermittently discharged from the water discharge portion, and the sound source portion emits a sound according to a state of water discharge from the water discharge portion.

  According to this bathtub device, the bather has a strong jet (first jet state) that does not bend the leg discharged from the water discharge unit, and a strong jet (second jet state) that bends the leg. ) Will be received on the soles of the feet. By receiving the first jet state and the second jet state, the bather can flexibly extend and extend the legs dynamically. At this time, the sound source unit emits a guide sound in accordance with the state of the jet flow in order to more easily guide the bending and stretching movements caused by the water flow. Then, the bather unconsciously adjusts the operation to the guidance sound emitted by the sound source unit. This phenomenon is a kind of pull-in phenomenon. Since the operation is induced by the induced sound, the bending and stretching movement of the leg due to the water flow can be stably and repeatedly performed.

  In addition, according to a second aspect, in the first aspect, the sound source section emits a guiding sound at least while the water discharge section discharges a jet having a strength that bends the bather's leg. It is the bathtub apparatus characterized by this. According to this bathtub device, the sound source portion emits a guiding sound when the bather's leg is bent, that is, when the jet is strong enough to bend the leg (second jet state). Thereby, the bather can perform a more stable bending and stretching movement by listening to the guidance sound when performing a relatively difficult exercise such as bending of the leg. A control part controls so that a guidance sound may be emitted from a sound source part according to change of the 1st jet state and the 2nd jet state which are discharged from a water discharge part, and the change. That is, the bather hears the guidance sound emitted from the sound source in accordance with the bending / extending movement caused by switching between the first jet state and the second jet state. Thereby, the bather performs bending and stretching movements along the time interval of the guidance sound emitted from the sound source unit. That is, when the control unit performs the above-described control, the bather can repeatedly perform the bending and stretching exercises more stably, and an effective exercise can be provided to the bather.

  In addition, according to a third aspect based on the first aspect, the sound source unit has a strength that causes the control unit to bend the water discharged from the water discharger at the legs of the bather when intermittent water discharge is switched. This is a bathtub device that emits a guidance sound when switching to a jet of water. According to this bathtub apparatus, the jet spouted from the water spouting portion is shifted from the first jet state to the second jet state by the action of the control unit. The transition of the jet state changes the bather's leg from the extended state to the bent state. When switching from the first jet state to the second jet state, which generates this bent state, a guide sound is emitted from the sound source unit. By doing so, it is possible to convey to the user a sense of movement when entering the bent state, and to provide a more stable bending action to the user by reducing the variation in the bending period of the legs.

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 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. It is the bathtub apparatus characterized by discharging water alternately from a part. 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.

  In addition, in a sixth aspect based on any one of the first to fifth aspects, the control unit controls the sound source unit, and after a predetermined time from the start of water discharge, It is a bathtub apparatus characterized by stopping generation. According to this bathtub device, a bathing person is made to emit a guide sound that induces bending of a leg part from a sound source for a certain period of time or a certain number of times in a transition section in which the first jet state transitions to the second jet state. It induces the bending and stretching movements of the legs due to water flow until it gets used to it, and provides stable bending and stretching movements. And by repeating a certain time, or by repeating the number of times, when the user learns the movement of the leg movement due to the water flow and can realize the flexing and stretching movement of the leg repeatedly without being conscious, The guidance sound transmitted from the sound source unit is stopped and the user can exercise comfortably while enjoying the sound of the water flow or listening to the user's favorite music using the sound source unit.

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 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. The sound source unit 9 is provided on the headrest h provided on the upper part of the back-side bathtub wall surface 2a. The sound source unit 9 transmits a guide sound for inducing movement to the bather M leaning on the back bathtub wall surface 2a.

  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 apparatus 1 is further provided with a control unit 5 that controls operations of the pump 4 and the sound source unit 9. The control unit 5 is electrically connected to the pump 4 and the sound source unit 9 and controls the operation of the pump 4 and the sound source unit 9 to control the state of the jet flow from the nozzle 3 and is emitted from the sound source unit 9. Can control the guidance sound. 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 leg part of the bather M, and the bather M having a larger spout flow rate than the 1st jet flow state. Can be set to a jet state (second jet state) that bends the leg portion. The sound source unit 9 is in a second jet state, and can be set to emit a guidance sound when the bather's leg is bent by the water flow.

  The sound source unit 9 emits a guide sound toward the bather. In this embodiment, the guide sound is emitted in accordance with the change in the jet state (first jet state and second jet state) discharged from the water discharge unit 3. Thereby, the reproducibility of the passive movement is enhanced by making the bather recognize the bending period from the auditory sense among the bending and stretching movements of the legs. That is, it becomes possible to stabilize the leg movement caused by the water flow and provide a more comfortable passive movement to the bather M.

  So far, it has been described that the control unit 4 controls the jet state discharged from the water discharge unit 3 and also controls the induced sound output from the sound source unit 9. However, as described above, the jet state and the induction sound may be controlled independently.

  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.

  In the first jet state, the flow rate Q1 discharged from the nozzle 3 is, for example, about 30 liters / minute. On the other hand, in the second jet state, the flow rate Q2 discharged from the nozzle 3 is, for example, about 130 liters / minute. Thus, in the second jet state, the flow rate Q2 discharged is considerably larger than the flow rate of the jet jetted for massage. Therefore, when the flow rate discharged from the nozzle 3 is in the second jet state, the bather M brings the back m1 into contact with the back side surface 2a, and when the sole m2 faces the nozzle 3, the bather M's legs. The parts (ankle joint, knee joint and hip joint) can be bent 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. The operation unit 8 is attached to, for example, a wall panel 62 of the bathroom unit 60 and can transmit a control signal to the control unit 5 and the sound source unit 9 by an operation from the bather M. The control unit 5 and the sound source unit 9 can control the operation of the pump 4 and the speaker 9 based on the control signal from the operation unit 8. That is, the bather M controls the operation of the pump 4 and the speaker 9 by operating the operation unit 8 to change the state of the jet from the nozzle 3 and to transmit the state of the jet to the bather as a sound. I can do it.

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 flow rate of water discharged from the nozzle with respect to time, the expression of the induced sound emitted from the sound source unit, and the distance from the foot-side bathtub wall surface to the sole separated by the jet flow.

  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. And the bather M arrange | positions a leg so that a nozzle may be covered with the sole m2, and takes the initial posture which catches the jet stream ejected from the nozzle 3 with a sole. 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. The nozzle 3 discharges the water flow supplied from the pump 4. The jet state (meter / second) with respect to time of the nozzle 3 is as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG.

  The flow rate Q2 discharged from the nozzle 3 presses the sole m2 of the bather M. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2B from the state of 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, the pressure that presses the sole m2 of the jet of the flow rate Q1 discharged from the nozzle 3 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. Accordingly, the nozzle 3 alternately jets the jet flow of the water discharge flow rate Q <b> 1, so that the bather's M foot reciprocates along the longitudinal direction of the bathtub 2.

  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.

A first specific example according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the jet state discharged from the nozzle is the second jet state, a guide sound is emitted from the sound source unit. FIG. 4 is a time chart showing how the flow rate of the water jetted from the nozzle illustrated in FIG. 3 and the induced sound emitted from the sound source unit act on the distance between the foot side wall surface and the sole.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the flow rate of water discharged from the nozzle 3 at t1 and t3 is switched from the first jet state Q1 to the second jet state Q2, and the amount of water increases. When the flow rate discharged from the nozzle 3 becomes the second jet state Q2, a guide sound is emitted from the sound source unit 9 toward the bather M. On the other hand, at t2 and t3 when the flow rate discharged from the second jet state Q2 to the first jet state Q1 decreases, no guidance sound is emitted from the sound source unit 9 toward the bather M, or the second A sound smaller than the sound emitted in the jet state Q2 is emitted.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, at time t1, the flow rate discharged from the water discharge unit 3 from the first jet state Q1 to the second jet state Q2 is changed, and the guidance sound emitted from the sound source unit 9 is V2. It is shown to be output. Furthermore, the distance from the foot side wall surface of the bathtub to the sole changes from L1 to L2 when the bather M receives the second jet state Q2 and the induction sound V2 in the process from time t1 to t2. It becomes. That is, it is explained that the leg of the bather M changes from a state where the leg is extended as shown in FIG. 2 (a) to a state where the leg is bent as shown in FIG. 2 (b). Yes.

  Next, at time t2, the amount of water discharged from the water discharge unit 3 from the second jet state Q2 to the first jet state Q1 decreases, and no sound is output from the sound source unit 9, or the second jet It is shown that the sound is smaller than that in the state Q2. Further, in the process of moving from time t2 to t3, the bather M changes the distance from the foot side wall surface to the sole of the bathtub from L2 to L1. That is, it is explained that the leg part of the bather M changes from the state where the leg part is bent as shown in FIG. 2 (b) to the state where the leg part is extended as shown in FIG. 2 (c). Yes.

  As described above, the nozzle 3 discharges a jet that bends the foot toward the sole of the bather M. And the bather's M leg part performs bending and stretching exercise | movement in the longitudinal direction of a bathtub. FIG. 9 shows the range of change when the distance from the foot side surface 2b to the sole of the foot of the bather M is measured when the bending and stretching movement is repeated 15 times. In FIG. 9, it was observed that the variation range a1 in the phase X1 in the flexion period during the flexion and extension movements is wider than the variation range a2 indicated by the phase X1 in the extension period. That is, the bather M means that the trajectory varies from trial to trial in the flexion period in which the sole receives a jet that causes the foot to bend from the nozzle 3.

  Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the bather's M leg is bent by the jet, the sound source unit 9 emits a guiding sound that transmits the bending action to the bather M and induces the action. I did it. The bending motion is made to be recognized by the user by the induced sound emitted from the sound source unit 9. Then, it is shown that the variation range a3 indicated by the flexion phase X1 during the flexion / extension motion can be suppressed to the same level as the variation range a4 indicated by the extension phase X2 by pulling in the operation (see FIG. 10). That is, it becomes possible to stabilize the leg movement caused by the water flow and provide a more comfortable passive movement to the bather M.

A modification of the first specific example according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the water jet from the nozzle is in the second jet state, a guide sound is emitted from the sound source unit. FIG. 5 is a time chart showing how the flow rate of the water jetted from the nozzle illustrated in FIG. 6 and the induced sound emitted from the sound source unit act on the distance between the foot side wall surface and the sole.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the flow rate of water discharged from the nozzle 3 at t1 and t3 is intermittently switched from the first jet state Q1 to the second jet state Q2, and the amount of water increases. When the flow rate of water discharged from the nozzle 3 becomes the second jet state Q2, that is, the water jet part that is intermittently controlled by the control part 4 has a strength jet (second jet) that bends the leg part. When switching to (state), a guide sound is emitted from the sound source unit 9 toward the bather M. In the present embodiment, specifically, a guidance sound is emitted from the sound source unit 9 toward the bather M in accordance with the transition from the first jet state Q1 to the second jet state Q2. On the other hand, at t2 and t3 when the flow rate discharged from the second jet state Q2 to the first jet state Q1 decreases, no guidance sound is emitted from the sound source unit 9 toward the bather M, or the second The sound is smaller than in the jet state Q2.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, at time t1, the flow rate discharged from the water discharge unit 3 from the first jet state Q1 to the second jet state Q2 is changed, and the induced sound emitted from the sound source unit 9 According to the jet flow injected from the part 3, it is output at V2. Further, in the process of shifting from time t1 to t2, the bather M receives the induced sound V2 output according to the second jet state Q2 and the change of the jet, so that the distance from the foot side wall surface of the bathtub to the sole of the foot Will change from L1 to L2. That is, it is explained that the leg of the bather M changes from a state where the leg is extended as shown in FIG. 2 (a) to a state where the leg is bent as shown in FIG. 2 (b). Yes.

  Next, at time t2, the amount of water discharged from the water discharger 3 from the second jet state Q2 to the first jet state Q1 decreases, and no sound is output from the sound source unit 9, or the second It is shown that the sound is smaller than that in the jet state Q2. Further, in the process of moving from time t2 to t3, the bather M changes the distance from the foot side wall surface to the sole of the bathtub from L2 to L1. That is, it is explained that the leg part of the bather M changes from the state where the leg part is bent as shown in FIG. 2 (b) to the state where the leg part is extended as shown in FIG. 2 (c). Yes.

  As described above, a guide sound is emitted from the sound source unit 9 in accordance with a change in the jet state discharged from the nozzle 3. As a result, the bather M accurately recognizes when the leg is bent due to the water flow. Further, at that time, the guidance sound emitted from the sound source unit 9 is output by the input of the pulse signal, so that the bather M can clearly hear the sound quality. That is, the bather M can realize a comfortable leg bending and stretching motion by the water flow by the guidance sound from the sound source unit 9.

A modification of the first specific example according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, a guide sound is emitted from the sound source unit when the jet state where water is discharged from the left and right nozzles is the second jet state. FIG. 7 is a time chart illustrating how the flow rate of the water jetted from the left and right nozzles illustrated in FIG. 8 and the guidance sound emitted from the sound source unit act on the distance between the foot side wall surface and the left and right soles. Is.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the flow rate of water discharged from the nozzle 3L provided on the left sole is switched from the first jet state Q1 to the second jet state Q2 at times t1 and t3, and the amount of water increases. On the other hand, the flow rate of water discharged from the nozzle 3R provided on the right sole is switched from the second jet state Q2 to the first jet state Q1, and the amount of water decreases. Further, at times t2 and t4, the jet discharged from the nozzle 3L provided on the left sole is switched from the second jet state Q2 to the first jet state Q1, and the amount of water is reduced. On the other hand, the flow rate of water discharged from the nozzle 3R provided on the right foot sole is switched from the first jet state Q1 to the second jet state Q2, and the amount of water increases.

  And according to the change of the jet state discharged from the nozzles 3L and 3R, a guide sound is emitted from the sound source unit 9. The output of the guide sound from the sound source unit 9 is such that the state of the jet discharged from the nozzles 3L, 3R arranged on the left and right soles is switched from the first jet state Q1 to the second jet state Q2, and the amount of discharged water is Output in response to an increase. On the other hand, when the jet state discharged from the nozzles 3L and 3R is switched from the second jet state Q2 to the first jet state Q1, and the amount of discharged water is reduced, no guidance sound is output from the sound source unit 9.

  As described above, the right and left leg portions of the bather M repeatedly perform bending and stretching motions according to the jet state discharged from the nozzles 3L and 3R. At that time, the flow rate of the discharged water increases to the second jet state, and a guidance sound for inducing the bending of the leg is output from the sound source unit 9 as the leg of the bather M is bent. This guidance sound is emitted toward the bather M in order to more clearly inform the flexion period of the left and right legs.

  At that time, in order to inform the user M of the bent state at the left and right legs, the sound source unit 9 is provided in the vicinity of the left and right ears of the bather M so that the bather M can recognize the guidance sound more clearly. It becomes possible. Furthermore, it is possible to convey the bent state of the left and right leg parts more clearly to the bather M by changing the sound quality of the guidance sound output from the sound source part 9, for example, the frequency range, db range, volume, etc. It is possible to realize other dynamic bending and stretching movements by a smooth water flow.

  The nozzles 3 </ b> L and 3 </ b> R intermittently discharge a jet that alternately bends both feet toward the sole of the bather M. Then, both legs of bather M will bend and stretch alternately in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub. And the stable bending and stretching movement can be repeatedly provided to the bather M by outputting the guidance sound which induces the bending and stretching movement from the sound source unit 9. The alternate bending and stretching exercises at both legs are repeatedly and stably performed, and the bather M can continuously exercise and obtain a movement sensation such as walking by the induced sound.

  A specific example of using the guidance sound will be described below. The nozzle 3 discharges a jet that intermittently bends the foot to the sole of the bather M, and causes a bending and stretching movement in the leg. At this time, it has been described with reference to FIG. 10 that when the bather M performs the bending / extending exercise while listening to the guidance sound, the variation in the bending / extending exercise decreases.

  The bather M learns when the bending and stretching exercises are performed for a certain length of time and number of times, and the exercise behavior is continued. In such a case, an appropriate movement can be performed even without a guiding sound. Therefore, the guide sound may be muted after a certain time after the start of intermittent water discharge or after a specified number of times. The muffling may be determined by the user's own will and the guidance sound output from the sound source unit 9 may be stopped, and the control unit 3 operates the sound source unit 9 according to a program for a predetermined time or a specified number of times. It may be automatically silenced after water discharge. By muting after learning, the bather M enjoys the sound of water flow while listening to the user's favorite music using the sound source unit 9 while performing stable bending and stretching exercises on the legs by intermittent water discharge. be able to. As a result, the bather M can exercise more comfortably.

  Humans are said to have a rhythm generator called a pattern generator. And it is thought that biped walking etc. are adjusted by the function of the rhythm generator. For example, in an experiment using a brain-removed cat, it is known that tapping the receptor on the sole with a constant rhythm moves the limbs and behaves as if walking. That is, it is suggested that the movement can be adjusted by applying a constant rhythmic stimulus to the sensory organ (proprietary receptor). Also in the present invention, by generating a guide sound in accordance with the rhythm of water discharge, the aim is to improve stability and ease of exercise such as bending and stretching movements of both feet including the effects described above.

  In addition, there is a correlation between the back-side bathtub wall surface 2b, the distance between the soles of the bather M, and the flow rate of water discharge, and the amount of leg movement increases as the amount of water discharge 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.

  Further, the flow rate of the jet is adjusted so that the distance between the sole and the foot-side bathtub wall surface 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 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 controls the water discharge drive unit 4 and the sound source unit 9 to switch the amount of water to a state in which the timer discharges water in a relatively short cycle or not to discharge water. Output. 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 5 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. The sound source unit 9 is a speaker that emits sound. In addition to speakers, a technology that outputs sound from a bathtub, bathroom wall, etc. using a transducer may be used.

  Further, even if a transducer is not used, a vibrator that vibrates by a jet that passes to the water discharger 3 may be provided, and a mechanism for sounding by transmitting the vibration to the outside of the bathtub may be provided. With such a configuration, it is possible to provide the sound source unit 9 that does not require electrical control. That is, even if there is no electrical control, a guidance sound can be output from the sound source unit 9 according to the state of the jet discharged from the water discharging unit 3.

  Moreover, when a jet is sent to the water discharge part 3 by the water discharge drive part 4, it is possible to draw air from the right and left water discharge parts 3 on the principle of blow. And it becomes possible to provide the sound source part 9 which does not need electrical control by attaching the whistle which shakes a housing | casing when air is drawn in to an air inlet and emits a sound. That is, even if there is no electrical control, a guidance sound can be output from the sound source unit 9 according to the state of the jet discharged from the water discharging unit 3.

  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 3L 3R nozzle, 4 Pump, 5 Control part, 7 Inlet, 9 Sound source part, 60 Bathroom unit, 61 Waterproof pan, 62 Wall panel, M bather, m1 back, m2 sole, m7 foot, W water Y direction of water discharge, a1 a2 degree of variation,

Claims (6)

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;
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;
A sound source unit that emits a guiding sound to convey the state of the jet to the bather;
With
The control unit intermittently discharges a jet of strength that controls the water discharge drive unit and bends the bather's leg from the water discharge unit,
The said sound source part emits a sound according to the state of the water discharge from the said water discharge part, The bathtub apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The bathtub apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sound source unit emits a guide sound while at least the water discharging unit discharges a jet having a strength that bends the leg of the bather. The sound source unit emits a guide sound when the control unit switches the water discharge from the water discharge unit to a jet of strength that bends the legs of the bather during intermittent water discharge switching. The bathtub apparatus of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. 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. . The control unit controls the sound source unit,
The bathtub apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein generation of a guide sound from the sound source unit is stopped after a predetermined time from the start of water discharge.

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