JP4311279B2 - Foot bath - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a footbath, and more particularly to a footbath for bathing by applying heated liquid particles such as steam.

  Conventionally, hot water baths and sauna baths have been performed for the purpose of promoting blood circulation and improving coldness, and there are those that perform whole body mist saunas (for example, see Patent Document 1). It is desirable to take a warm bath.

  By the way, a conventional so-called foot bath device that promotes blood circulation by heating hands and feet in hot water uses hot water, requires a large amount of water to immerse feet, etc. It takes time to warm the water to the target temperature, and it takes effort to carry the foot bath to throw away the water after use.

  Thus, there are some which save hot water (for example, Patent Document 2), but a certain amount of hot water is required.

Furthermore, although a steam-type foot bath (for example, Patent Documents 3 and 4) has been proposed, the generated steam is agitated in the entire interior space of the foot bath, like a general steam-type home sauna. Some of the interior spaces are heated and heated.
JP-A-10-15019 JP 11-89909 A JP 2000-51376 A JP 2000-271188 A

  By the way, as a characteristic of the temperature sensation of human skin, there is a property that it gets used to a certain temperature (referred to as adaptation) and responds sensitively to a temperature change. In other words, even if it is heated at a constant temperature, although it feels warm at the beginning of heating, it does not immediately feel (adapts), but conversely it feels warm.

  In addition, as an important factor in warming a body part, there is not only a rise in the temperature of the warmed part, but also a “feel of warmth” that makes you feel warm by heating. This warm feeling predominates the parasympathetic activity of the autonomic nervous system. If this parasympathetic nerve activity becomes dominant, the heart rate becomes slow and relaxed, and the whole body's blood vessels work to dilate, so the coldness is worse and the blood circulation in the peripheral parts such as the feet and hands Will be better.

  For the above reasons, in order to increase the heating effect when a part of the body is heated, it is important that there is a change in the temperature stimulation of the heating and that a warm feeling can be given.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and since there is a change in temperature stimulation, it is an object of the present invention to provide a foot bath device that can maintain a warm feeling without feeling a warm feeling. Is.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a foot bath is provided in which a foot is inserted into the bath space 4 in the main body 1 for a warm bath, and the tank 17 and the liquid in the liquid tank 2 supplied from the tank 17 are heated and heated. A heating means 11 comprising a heater 15 for generating liquid particles, and a means for discharging the heated liquid particles generated by the heating means 11 to the bath space 4, the heater after the bath space 4 reaches a target temperature the electric energy to 15 over time varying with the amount of generated heat liquid particles with generating an intermittently heated liquid particles by switching Rukoto time that it comprises a means to give a change in heating temperature of the sole and Features. According to such a configuration, hot water is not used as in the prior art, and usability can be improved. Moreover, since there is a change in the temperature stimulus, the warmth can be maintained without feeling warm.

Also, many occurrence of heated liquid particles when intermittently fed as compared to the case of supplying continuous manner, can increase the amount of heated liquid particles to be applied to the foot.

  Further, it is preferable to provide means for controlling the generation suspension time of the heated liquid particles based on the temperature of the bath space 4 in the main body 1. According to such a configuration, the temperature in the bath space 4 in the main body 1 is provided. Can be prevented from becoming too low.

  In addition, it is preferable to provide means for controlling the generation pause time of the heated liquid particles to be constant. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the generation pause time of the heated liquid particles from continuing for a long time.

  In addition, it is preferable to include means for controlling the generation time and the rest time of the heated liquid particles to be constant, and according to such a configuration, the heated liquid particles applied to the feet per unit time as a whole The amount can be constant.

  In addition, there is provided means for discharging mixed air, which is a mixture of heated liquid particles generated by the heating means 11 and air in the bath space 4 blown by the blower 7, into the bath space 4, and the blower 7 and the mixed air discharge port It is preferable that a temperature sensor 14 is provided in the space 9 between the temperature sensor 8 and a means for controlling the generation time and the rest time of the heated liquid particles based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 14. According to such a configuration, the heated liquid particles that have been heated to a high temperature and the air are mixed and discharged at an appropriate temperature, so that the high temperature heated liquid particles are not directly discharged to the foot. Further, it is possible to eliminate the need for a large separation of the discharge port 8 without the risk of burns, and to reduce the size of the apparatus. Further, as compared with control based on the temperature in the bath space 4 in the main body 1, stable control is possible without being influenced by temperature distribution or the like. It is possible to prevent the thermal effect from the foot on the temperature sensor 14.

  In addition, it is preferable that a means for heating the liquid in the liquid tank 2 to maintain it at a substantially constant temperature is provided. According to such a configuration, the time until the liquid heating particles are generated is reduced. Can be shortened.

  Moreover, it is preferable to provide a means for notifying that the temperature of the liquid in the liquid tank 2 has reached the target temperature, and according to such a configuration, the time for which it is used is known and easy to use.

  In addition, it is preferable to provide means for detecting the presence or absence of the liquid in the liquid tank 2 and to have means for stopping the heating means 11 based on the detection result of the absence of the liquid in the liquid tank 2. According to this, it is possible to prevent the heating means 11 from being blown.

  Since the present invention is configured as described, there is an effect of improving the usability without using hot water as in the prior art, and since there is a change in the temperature stimulus, it does not feel warm, There is an effect that can maintain a sense of warmth.

    Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

  1 to 9 includes a main body 1 into which the entire lower leg including the calf can be inserted. The main body 1 is attached to one side of the liquid tank 2 and the liquid tank 2 and the liquid tank 2. A heater 15 as a heating means 11 for heating the liquid in the inside, and a power supply unit 37 (FIG. 22) for supplying power to the heater 15, are communicated with the liquid tank 2 and the bath space 4 in the main body 1 in FIGS. The mixing unit 16 is provided.

  A water supply tank 17 is detachably provided on the main body 1, and when the water supply tank 17 is attached to the main body 1, the liquid previously stored in the water supply tank 17 flows into the liquid tank 2. A heater 15 disposed at the bottom of the liquid tank 2 heats the liquid in the liquid tank 2 and generates high-temperature heated liquid particles. The heated liquid particles are supplied to the bath space 4 in the main body 1 through a liquid particle path 18 communicating with the bath space 4 in the main body 1.

  In the bath space 4 in the main body 1, a footrest 10 on which a user can place a sole is installed. The footrest 10 may have a structure that comes into contact with the sole by an extension 19 from the bottom as shown in FIG. 4, or may be a rod-like body 20 that extends from the side of the main body 1 as shown in FIG. 6. Also, the ones shown in FIGS. 1, 10, and 11 may be used. In this example, as an example of increasing the exposed area of the sole, the space portion 21 is secured in a lattice shape. If the footrest 10 is detachable from the main body 1, it is easy to clean after use and is hygienic.

  The example of FIG. 10B is an example in which the density of the space portion 21 is changed between the fingertip side and the heel side. Since the opening area of the space portion 21 is wider on the fingertip side, the heated liquid particles and air Can be selectively applied to the fingertip side. People with coldness and poor circulation in the periphery often have cold toes and soles, and warming this area is effective because it improves symptoms and gives a feeling of comfort due to warming.

  Further, by providing the protrusion 22 that contacts the sole in a shape close to a point as shown in FIG. 11, not only can the exposed area of the sole be increased, but also a sole stimulation effect can be obtained. Since there are acupuncture points on the soles of the feet (there are acupuncture points called springs that are effective in promoting blood circulation on the soles of the feet), the protrusions 22 can also provide a stimulating effect. it can. In addition, the presence of the foot-shaped portion 23 may provide a sense of acupoint stimulation. Moreover, in this example, when the high protrusion 22 is arranged on the arch side (see FIG. 11B), a feeling of fitting to the sole can be obtained. In addition, the high protrusion 22 at the center in the front-rear direction makes it easier for the arch to fit into this portion, similar to the stepping on the bamboo. The user can stably apply the mixed air in which the heated liquid particles and the air are mixed to the same site every time because the fixed position is determined stably only by the feeling of placing the foot.

  Moreover, you may make it the structure which can adjust the height of the footrest 10. It can be used by detaching a separate part that can obtain a height relative to the bottom surface of the footrest 10 or by placing an elastic body such as a spring between the bottom of the main body 1 and the footrest 10. The height may be adjustable by the person's own weight. By changing the height, the degree of application of the heated liquid particles and air from the heating means 11 changes, so that it is possible to realize heating at a user's favorite temperature. Moreover, it becomes easy to absorb the difference in foot length for each user.

  FIG. 8 shows a liquid particle path 18 extending into the space 3 below the footrest 1, heated liquid particles are discharged from a plurality of liquid particle discharge ports 24, mixed with air, and a bath in the main body 1. In this structure, the space 4 is supplied from the sole space 3. By dispersing and discharging the heated liquid particles from the liquid particle discharge ports 24 at a plurality of locations, the heated liquid particles and the air in the space 3 of the sole can be applied from the sole in a well-mixed form.

  FIG. 9 is an example in which a blower 7 is provided in a space where the heated liquid particles are mixed with the air below the footrest 10. In this example, the blower 7 is constituted by a motor 25, a fan 26 that is rotationally driven by the motor 25, and a motor base 27 that fixes the motor 25. By providing the blower 7 as described above, the efficiency of mixing the heated liquid particles and air is increased, and the airflow generated by the blower 7 can be positively applied to the soles of the feet.

  1 to 7 and FIG. 16 are examples in which a mixing unit 16 for mixing heated liquid particles and air is provided between the liquid tank 2 and the space 3 under the footrest 10. FIG. 13 shows a top view of the heating means 11 including the liquid tank 2 and the heater 15, the mixing unit 16, and the like, and the heated liquid particles are supplied to the mixing unit 16 through the liquid particle path 18.

  In the space 28 of the mixing unit 16, the heated liquid particles from the liquid particle intake port at the tip of the liquid particle path 18 and the air from the air intake port 6 are mixed, and the mixed air is mixed air discharge port. 8 is supplied to the bath space 4 in the main body 1 through the sole space 3.

  If the temperature sensor 14 (FIG. 1) for detecting the temperature of the mixed air is provided, it is possible to heat at a desired temperature, and there is a risk that the bath space 4 in the main body 1 becomes excessively hot. Can also be avoided. In this example, a temperature measuring resistor (thermistor) is provided in the mixing unit 16 as the temperature sensor 14 to detect the temperature of the mixed air.

  The user places his / her feet on a footrest 10 provided in the bath space 4 in the main body 1 and is given mixed air from the mixed air discharge port 8 from the soles. In this example, the mixed air discharge port 8 is formed in a laterally wide shape at a position close to the bottom of the main body 1 (see FIG. 14A: a view seen from the inside of the main body 1), and opens to a substantially foot width. (FIG. 15: Refer to the top view of only the footrest 10 and the mixing part 16 in the main body 1).

  By the way, in the method of supplying the heated liquid particles supplied from the heating means 11 as they are into the main body 1 and applying them to the body, the distribution of the heated liquid particles in the main body 1 tends to be uneven. The non-uniformity increases as the main body 1 becomes smaller and the inner volume of the main body 1 becomes smaller. If the density of the heated liquid particles is high, the feeling of heat is unusually strong and there is a risk of burns. As a method of reducing this, the supply amount of the heated liquid particles supplied into the main body 1 may be extremely reduced. However, when the amount is decreased, the sense that the heated liquid particles are given tends to be felt unsatisfactory and used ( The feeling of warm bathing is worse.

  However, by providing the mixing unit 16 as in this example, air can be mixed in advance with the high-temperature and high-density heating liquid particles supplied from the heating means 11 without reducing the supply amount of the heating liquid particles, Since it can be supplied to the bath space 4 in the main body 1 instead of the heated liquid particles having a lower density and lower temperature, an abnormal feeling of heat can be reduced without impairing the feeling of use. Furthermore, in this example, safety is ensured because the structure is such that a part of the body cannot directly contact the liquid particle intake port where hot heated liquid particles are concentrated at high density. In the unlikely event that the main body 1 falls over during use and the high-temperature liquid in the liquid tank 2 jumps out through the liquid particle path 18, the mixing section 16 becomes a barrier and does not directly hit. Therefore, safety can be further secured.

  In this structure, the air sucked from the air intake port 6 using the venturi effect and the heated liquid particles from the heating means 11 are mixed and supplied into the main body 1 from the mixed air discharge port 8. An air supply pump or the like may be used as means for sending air to the air intake port 6. Since the degree of heating can be adjusted by the mixing ratio, it can be heated at a temperature that suits the user's preference. By increasing the proportion of air to be mixed and heating at a low temperature, it is possible to achieve warming in a relaxed and relaxed manner, or by reducing the proportion of air to be mixed and heating at a high temperature. The warming effect to the deeper part of the body and the high temperature stimulate the autonomic nerves, leading to the promotion of metabolism.

  By the way, if the air intake port 6 is opened in the liquid in the mixing liquid container, the liquid is sucked instead of the air, and the liquid and the heated liquid particles from the heating means 11 can be mixed. it can. Since the liquid has a larger heat capacity than air, it can be mixed with a lower temperature liquid to obtain a mixed air having a lower temperature than that mixed with air.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the air intake 6 communicates with the bath space 4 in the main body 1. The air and liquid particles in the bath space 4 in the main body 1 are taken into the mixing unit 16 from the air intake port 6. New heated liquid particles from the heating means 11 are supplied to the airflow in the main body 1 and mixed in the airflow. And since the circulation flow of being supplied in the main body 1 from the mixed air discharge port 8 can be performed, the heated liquid particles can be filled in the main body 1 in a shorter time. Moreover, since new heating liquid particles are always supplied from the heating means 11 to the bath space 4 in the main body 1, the feeling of use is improved without the user feeling a feeling of slimness.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, the mixing unit 16 includes a blower 7. In this example, the blower 7 is configured by the motor 25, the fan 26 that is rotationally driven by the motor 25, and the motor base 27 that fixes the motor 25, and is located on the mixed air discharge port 8 side.

  An air flow is generated in the mixing unit 16 by the rotation of the fan 26. In this example, the fan structure and motor rotation direction generate airflow from the air intake port 6 toward the mixed air discharge port 8. The mixed air in the main body 1 from the air intake 6 and the heated liquid particles from the heating means 11 are sucked toward the fan 26. It is further mixed and efficient by the rotation of the fan 26. At this time, if a space 9 is provided between the fan 26 and the mixed air discharge port 8, the space 9 may be mixed over time. Furthermore, in this example, the space 9 is secured by making the opening area of the mixed air discharge port 8 smaller than the cross-sectional area of the space 9 of the mixing portion 16. Any other appropriate configuration can be adopted as long as it can generate an air flow and can be stirred, and for example, an air supply pump may be used.

  By providing a stirring means such as the fan 26, not only the unevenness of the heated liquid particles when supplying the bath space 4 in the main body 1 is reduced, but also the distribution of the heated liquid particles in the bath space 4 in the main body 1 is reduced. It can be made more uniform. Moreover, the bath space 4 in the main body 1 can be filled with heated liquid particles in a shorter time.

  In order for the heated liquid particles to be efficiently applied to a part of the body, it is desirable that the bath space 4 in the main body 1 is filled with more heated liquid particles. Specifically, when the feet are warmed by the heated liquid particles, a feeling of warmness is given if the heated liquid particles are not sufficiently filled in the bath space 4 in the main body 1.

  Satisfaction with the feeling of use is higher when the main body 1 starts to be operated in a shorter time, and in order to realize this, it is necessary to increase the supply amount of the heated liquid particles. However, at this time, the liquid particle density at the opening of the heated liquid particle supply unit becomes extremely high, which may be perceived as unevenness and may cause discomfort.

  By using the blower 7, the efficiency of mixing can be increased, and the unevenness can be reduced and supplied to the bath space 4 in the main body 1 to reduce discomfort. Furthermore, since the heated liquid particles can be uniformly filled in the bath space 4 in the main body 1 in a short time, the feeling of use can be improved.

  After the foot bath is used, some of the heated liquid particles adhere to the wall surface of the bath space 4 in the main body 1 as condensation in the bath space 4 in the main body 1. Depending on the ambient temperature and humidity conditions and the elapsed time until the next use, molds and germs may grow. If a blower 7 is provided and a means for generating an air current in the bath space 4 in the main body 1 is provided, drying can be accelerated and it is hygienic.

  The mixed air circulating in the bath space 4 in the main body 1 can be positively applied to a part of the body by the blower 7, and the body and the gas in the bath space 4 in the main body 1 are mixed efficiently. Can be given to a part of In general, people with cold symptoms strongly complain of cold fingertips due to poor peripheral blood circulation. When heating the foot, the heated liquid particles can be applied intensively from the fingertip by positioning the mixed air outlet 8 on the toe side.

  FIG. 17 shows an example in which the mixed air discharge port 8 is tilted upward. This is more effective because the mixed air from the mixed air discharge port 8 can be positively applied to the sole.

  When the heater 15 is driven in a state where there is no liquid in the liquid tank 2 (for example, a state where the liquid in the liquid tank 2 is used up after using the foot bath), the air in the liquid tank 2 can be warmed. At this time, when the blower 7 is driven to generate an air flow, the air warmed by the heater 15 is sucked into the mixing unit 16 and is sent from the mixed air discharge port 8 to the bath space 4 in the main body 1. be able to. By doing in this way, since drying of the bath space 4 in the main body 1 can be accelerated further, it is more hygienic with respect to a dew condensation problem.

  By the way, in order to prevent the heater temperature from rising excessively, the temperature of the heater 15 may be detected to control the electric power from the power supply unit 37 supplied to the heater 15, or a PTC heater may be used. A PTC heater is known to have a property of preventing abnormal heat generation in a self-controlling manner because the resistance of the heater suddenly increases when the temperature rises above a certain temperature and current hardly flows.

  Next, the temperature sensation of human skin will be described. A characteristic of temperature sensation is that it gets used to a certain temperature (called adaptation), but reacts sensitively to temperature changes. In other words, even if it is heated at a constant temperature, it feels warm at the beginning of heating, but not only does it immediately disappear (adapts), but it also leads to a sense of warmth.

  In addition, as an important factor in warming a body part, there is not only an increase in the temperature of the warmed part, but also a “warmth” that feels warm by heating. This warm feeling predominates the parasympathetic activity of the autonomic nervous system. If this parasympathetic activity becomes dominant, the heart rate slows down and relaxes, and the whole body's blood vessels work to expand, so the coldness is worse and the blood circulation in the peripheral parts such as the feet and hands Will be better.

  For the above reasons, in order to increase the heating effect when a part of the body is heated, it is important that there is a change in the temperature stimulation of the heating and that a warm feeling can be given.

  In general, a liquid such as hot water has a large heat capacity, so that it is difficult to warm and cool. On the other hand, as in this example, the mixed air in which heated liquid particles generated by heating a liquid and air are mixed has a smaller heat capacity than hot water, and therefore changes immediately when the temperature is changed. (Responsive) This is a significant difference that cannot be achieved with a hot water foot bath using hot water.

Further, as a method of applying the change in the heating temperature to be effective, that have intermittently method for imparting liquid particles to the foot is taken in this embodiment. Specifically, the heating temperature is changed as shown in FIG.

  For example, it is assumed that the main body 1 has a temperature characteristic that requires electric power of 250 W in order to keep a constant temperature of 42 ° C. as a temperature of a hot water bath. Further, it is assumed that the amount of heated liquid particles generated by a 250 W heater is 5 cc / min. Here, assuming that heated liquid particles are generated intermittently by means such as a timer, the time during which power is supplied to the heater (heater on time) and the time during which the heater is not supplied (heater off time) are the same. If this method is used, 500 W is required when the heater is turned on, which corresponds to a heating liquid particle generation amount of 10 cc / min. In other words, since the amount of heated liquid particles when supplied to the bath space 4 in the main body 1 can be greatly increased by intermittently providing the bath space 4 in the main body 1, the feeling of warmth when applied to the foot is increased. It can be further enhanced and is effective.

  In addition, by heating intermittently, the heated liquid particles are applied to the feet or not, and the fluctuations are warmed. This is felt as a temperature change, and the warmth feeling when applied is applied. It is more effective in promoting blood circulation in the foot.

To generate intermittently heated liquid particles, and over time the switch so that the power of Hitahe. Specifically, Table 1 shows three examples of switching methods.

  The set temperature selected by the user is secured by the temperature sensor 14 disposed in the mixing unit 16. As shown in Table 1, the temperature of the bath space 4 in the main body 1 is increased so as not to exceed the set temperature (when turned on), and the temperature of the bath space 4 in the main body 1 is decreased ( The amount of power to the heater 15 is set so that the heater 15 is off. The amount of power at the time of turning off does not have to be zero at all, and any amount of power may be used as long as the temperature of the bath space 4 in the main body 1 cannot be maintained and is reduced. In this example, the set temperature is the reference for switching from on to off. Thereby, since the temperature of the bath space 4 in the main body 1 does not become a dangerous temperature for the human body above the set temperature, it is easy to ensure safety.

  As one of the switching methods from the off time to the on time, the temperature change width is used as a parameter. What is necessary is just to detect with the temperature sensor 14 provided in the mixing part 16 the lower limit temperature to which the certain temperature range fell with respect to setting temperature. Thereby, it can prevent that the temperature of the bath space 4 in the main body 1 becomes too low and makes the user feel slim.

  The second is to decide the off time. This off time may be set in advance by providing a memory element in the control circuit. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the off-time from continuing for a long time and preventing the heated liquid particles from being applied to the foot.

  The last is a method of changing the ratio of the on time to the off time (Duty ratio). The duty ratio is controlled by the control circuit in the same manner as controlling the off time. In the case of this method, since the amount of heated liquid particles applied to the feet per unit time can be made constant, the time until the liquid runs out can be made constant if the amount of liquid in the liquid tank 2 is the same. Further, it is possible to prevent the heating liquid particles from being excessively applied or insufficiently applied.

  In the case of a method of controlling the on time and the off time according to the temperature, the temperature of the bath space 4 in the main body 1 is generally used as a reference. However, since the bath space 4 in the main body 1 is relatively wide, it takes time until the vicinity of the temperature sensor 14 in the main body 1 is warmed after the mixed air is discharged from the mixed air discharge port 8. Furthermore, since the temperature distribution and use conditions of the bath space 4 of the main body 1 are not constant, when the temperature sensor 14 reaches the set temperature, it is possible to analogize the temperature of the mixed air and other temperatures in the main body 1. It is difficult and the control becomes unstable. For this reason, the temperature sensor 14 was installed in the production place (between the blower 7 and the mixed air discharge port 8) of the mixed air, and the method of controlling on the basis of the temperature of the freshly produced mixed air was used. According to this method, control can be performed only by the factor of the mixed air discharged into the bath space 4 of the main body 1 regardless of the temperature distribution in the main body 1. In addition, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the temperature sensor 14 in the main body 1 cannot be originally detected due to the influence of the human body.

  The user can adjust the desired temperature. FIG. 22 is an example of the operation unit 29 attached to the main body 1 and is an enlarged view showing a cross section of the operation unit 29 portion. The operation unit 29 includes an operation button 30, a temperature switching button 31, a temperature display unit 32, and the like. The operation of the operation unit 29 is interlocked with an operation circuit 33 including a control circuit below. The operation button 30 can switch the operation / stop of the main body 1. Further, the temperature switching button 31 switches between high / low of the set temperature. In this example, the range of the set temperature can be switched in five steps (for example, five steps in increments of 1 ° C. of 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 ° C.). According to each set temperature, five temperature display parts (LED lamp etc.) 32 can be made to light, and a user can be identified. The set temperature selected here is compared with the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 14 provided in the mixing unit 16 in the control circuit on the operation circuit 33, and the power supply amount to the heater 15 is controlled. If the amount of power supplied to the heater 15 or the supply time is increased, the amount of heated liquid particles generated increases, so that the heating temperature can be increased.

  An advantage of warming at an appropriate temperature is that the user can feel relaxed. When relaxed, it means that parasympathetic nerve activity is dominant as described above, so that peripheral blood circulation is improved, and not only warming feet but also warming of the whole body is obtained.

  As a method of giving a temperature change, it is sufficient to apply cold air to the sole, and the main body 1 may be provided with the same thing as the blower 7. An air supply pump may be used as long as air can be blown. If the mixed air in the main body 1 is applied, a circulation effect is obtained.

  Moreover, when a low temperature liquid is applied, it is more effective as a temperature stimulus with changes. As a means for applying the liquid spray mechanism, the liquid spray mechanism has a container for storing a low-temperature liquid, a pressurizing means that can apply a negative pressure to the liquid in the container, and a fine hole that opens toward the foot. If you do. If liquid is ejected by applying a high pressure from this hole, liquid particles generated in the form of mist can be applied to the foot. Further, a mechanism for atomizing the liquid using ultrasonic vibration may be used. In this case, the liquid is constituted by a container for storing the liquid and an ultrasonic vibrator.

  In this example, the hot water 36 may be put in the main body 1. As shown in FIG. 23, the gap generated in the main body inner wall 34 is a joint between the main body inner wall 34 and the mixing portion 16, and a seal member (independent foam or the like) 35 is disposed between the joints in this portion. Therefore, not only the liquid particles but also the liquid is injected so that it does not leak.

  In this way, the user can select heating using hot water 36 when he wants to warm only his toes according to his / her mood, and when he wants to warm from the toes to his knees, Heating with air mixture mixed with air can be selected, which is convenient for the user. At this time, if the footrest 10 is detachable from the main body 1, the water depth when the hot water 36 is used can be increased, and the heating area can be increased.

  When the rotation of the fan 26 is reversed, mixed air in which liquid particles and air are mixed is discharged from the air intake port 6 into the main body 1. In this way, the toe portion is heated with hot water 36, and the upper portion is heated with a mixed air of heated liquid particles and air. The effect of warming the foot can be given.

  In order to avoid waiting for the user to remain in the main body 1 until the heated liquid particles are generated and the mixed air is generated after the liquid is put in the liquid tank 2, Means (preheating means: not shown) for sufficiently heating the liquid was provided in advance. After putting the liquid into the liquid tank 2, the user activates the preheating means and leaves it for a while. When the liquid in the liquid tank 2 is sufficiently heated by the preheating means, the user is notified that the preheating is completed. At this stage, the user puts his / her foot into the main body 1 and operates the device (FIGS. 24 and 25).

  If the preheating temperature is too low, a further waiting time is required until heated liquid particles are generated even if the device is operated. If the temperature is too high, a large amount of heated liquid particles are generated during preheating, and the liquid in the liquid tank 2 is reduced. For this reason, it is necessary to keep the preheating temperature at a substantially constant appropriate temperature.

  When left in a preheated state, heated liquid particles are generated, albeit little by little, and it is necessary to prompt the user to operate the equipment as soon as the liquid does not decrease. A function of notifying completion of preheating is provided using an LED lamp or buzzer. It is also possible that the reminder is left unattended, so it is also effective to provide a function for stopping the preheating when the preheating state continues for a certain time.

  If the preheating means is operated or the device is operated without forgetting to put the liquid in the liquid tank 2, the heating means 11 becomes empty and becomes abnormally hot, and the heating means 11 is destroyed or the main body 1 is melted. May occur. In order to prevent this, a temperature sensor is attached to the heating means 11, and heating is automatically stopped when the temperature becomes abnormally high. Means for detecting and notifying that no liquid is contained in the liquid tank 2 using an LED lamp or a buzzer are also provided so that the user can understand the cause of the stop.

  Similarly, when all the liquid in the liquid tank 2 is exhausted during the operation of the device, the above-described problem may occur. Also in this case, it may be stopped by the above means. However, since all the liquid put in by the user has been used up, it is desirable to end the operation of the device in a normal state.

  In order to further secure safety, if a temperature fuse or the like is attached to the heating means 11 and the temperature sensor 14 does not operate, a structure that can be safely broken can be further increased.

  Even if an abnormality occurs or breaks in the control circuit, it is necessary to keep the state in which the inside of the main body 1 is at a dangerous temperature for the human body from persisting. There are three possible situations:

  1. When the on-time control does not operate and the temperature inside the main unit 1 rises above the set temperature.

  2. The temperature sensor 14 (temperature detection means) does not operate and the temperature inside the main body 1 rises above the set temperature.

  3. When the control circuit of the heating means 11 is short-circuited and the heating state continues.

  In the case of 1 above, when the temperature sensor 14 detects a dangerous temperature, the heating means 11 is immediately stopped, and safety can be ensured by notifying the user that an abnormality has occurred.

  In the case of 2 above, since the temperature cannot be detected, the above method cannot be used. The fact that the temperature cannot be detected means that the detection signal from the temperature sensor 14 remains constant and does not change. Therefore, if this detection signal does not change for a certain period of time, the temperature detection means is regarded as abnormal. (If the temperature detection means is steady, there should be some change). Thereby, abnormality can be discovered and safety can be ensured.

  In the case of the above 3, since the heating means 11 cannot be turned off, it cannot be stopped even if the temperature detecting means sends an off signal. Therefore, safety cannot be ensured unless a safety device is prepared separately from the series of control devices. For example, it is necessary to provide a relay that can forcibly turn off the heating unit 11 and to provide a device that can control the relay with a signal from the temperature detection unit.

It is a whole sectional view showing one embodiment of a foot bath device of the present invention. It is A arrow directional view of FIG. It is a whole perspective view same as the above. It is whole sectional drawing which shows other embodiment of the footrest stand same as the above. It is a B arrow view of FIG. It is whole sectional drawing which shows other embodiment of the footrest stand same as the above. It is C arrow line view of FIG. 1 is an overall schematic cross-sectional view of a footbath, showing an example of a liquid particle discharge port in the present invention. It is a partial schematic sectional drawing which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of an air blower same as the above. (A) (b) is a partial top view which shows further another embodiment of a footrest, respectively. (A) is a partial top view which shows other embodiment of the footrest stand same as the above, (b) is a partial front view. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of a footrest stand same as the above, and mixed air. It is a top view which shows the relationship between a heating means same as the above, a mixing part, an air intake port, and a mixed air discharge port. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows a mixed air discharge port same as the above, (b) is explanatory drawing of other embodiment of a mixed air discharge port. It is a top view shown by the relationship with a mixed air discharge port same as the above, a footrest stand, and a mixing part. It is a partial schematic sectional drawing which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the air blower to a mixing part same as the above. It is a partial schematic sectional drawing which shows other embodiment of the mixed air discharge outlet same as the above. It is a perspective view which shows the mixing part, air intake port, mixed air discharge port, etc. of this invention. It is the DD sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the EE sectional view taken on the line of FIG. (A) is a graph which shows the temperature control characteristic of a heater, (b) is an enlarged view of the F section of (a). It is explanatory drawing which fractured | ruptured partially seeing the front (toe side) from the bath space of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the usage example of further another embodiment same as the above. It is a graph which shows the control of a heater same as the above, and the relationship between the temperature of a bath space. It is a graph which shows the control of a heater same as the above, and the relationship between heater temperature.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Liquid tank 3 Space 4 Bath space 6 Air intake port 7 Blower 8 Mixed air discharge port 10 Footrest

Claims (8)

A foot bath for warm bathing by inserting a foot into a bath space in the main body, heating means comprising a tank and a heater for heating the liquid in the liquid tank supplied from the tank to generate heated liquid particles; and means for discharging the heated liquid particles generated by means bath space, after reaching a temperature of the bath space to a target, intermittent heating liquid particles with time to toggle Rukoto the electric energy to the heater the generation amount of heated liquid particles varied with time along with generating the footbath unit for comprising the means to give a change in heating temperature of the sole.   The footbath according to claim 1, further comprising means for controlling the generation suspension time of the heated liquid particles based on the temperature of the bath space in the main body.   The footbath according to claim 1, further comprising means for controlling the generation pause time of the heated liquid particles to be constant.   The footbath according to claim 1, further comprising means for controlling the generation time and the rest time of the heated liquid particles to be constant.   It has means for discharging mixed air, which is a mixture of heated liquid particles generated by the heating means and air in the bath space blown by the blower, into the bath space, and has a temperature in the space between the blower and the discharge port of the mixed air. The footbath according to claim 1, further comprising means for controlling a generation time and a rest time of the heated liquid particles based on a detection result of the temperature sensor.   The footbath according to claim 1, further comprising means for heating the liquid in the liquid tank to maintain the liquid at a substantially constant temperature.   The footbath according to claim 6, further comprising means for notifying that the temperature of the liquid in the liquid tank has reached the target temperature.   The footbath according to claim 1, further comprising means for detecting the presence or absence of liquid in the liquid tank, and means for stopping the heating means based on the detection result of the absence of liquid in the liquid tank.

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