JP6265317B2 - Bathing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a bathing system that allows a person who is physically handicapped or the like to enter and leave a bathtub.

  Traditionally, a stretcher carrying a caregiver, such as a bedridden elderly person or a physically handicapped person, is transported on a stretcher, laid on the bathtub, and then only the stretcher is moved above the support in the bathtub. A bathing system for nursing care is known in which a bathtub is lifted by an elevator mechanism and a person being assisted is immersed in bath water to bathe. (For example, refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  In the bathing system of Patent Document 1, if the value of the temperature sensor deviates from the value of the set range of the hot water temperature setting device, the prohibiting function is activated, and the raising / lowering mechanism of the bathtub is in a state where the operation is prohibited. There is a safety mechanism that does not raise the bathtub even if the button is pressed.

  However, since the temperature sensor is provided at a position slightly below the upper and lower middle position of the bathtub side wall, only the temperature of the relatively lower bath water can be detected. If it has been added, there is a safety problem that the safety mechanism cannot be functioned by accurately detecting the temperature of the hot water immediately after the hot water is added or when stirring is insufficient.

  On the other hand, the bathing system of Patent Document 2 has a configuration in which both the initial hot water supply and the hot water supply to the bathtub are directly performed via a hot water supply port connected to a hot water supply source by piping. Is detected by a temperature sensor provided at a position slightly below the vertical middle position of the bathtub side wall.

  In addition, this bathing system is provided with a jet generating device, connected to a hot water inlet formed on the side wall lower than the lower water level sensor, and a circulation pipe for sucking in hot water, and this circulation pipe is branched into four pipes. The jet nozzles arranged over the branch pipes and the side walls, the air inlets for sending air to the jet nozzles, and the four hot water baths inserted in the middle of the circulation pipe And a jet pump for jetting into the bathtub from the nozzle.

  In a conventional bathing system, the jet generating device was operated not only when discharging a jet to a person being bathed but also when stirring the hot water, but the hot water is first stored in the bathtub. Since the jet flow generator does not operate automatically during the initial hot water supply, after the initial hot water supply is completed, the assistant must manually press the jet switch one by one to operate the jet flow generator. For this reason, the pressing operation is troublesome, and the user may forget to operate the jet flow generator because of the busyness.

  Also, if the bathtub is raised by the elevator mechanism without operating the jet flow generating device, the bath water is not agitated and a temperature distribution is generated, which causes uncomfortable feeling to the bather immersed in the bath water. Had problems.

  On the other hand, when the hot water operation is performed to add hot water to the bathtub to the bath water, the jet flow generating device is operated in conjunction with this start operation, but when the hot water operation is stopped, the jet flow is generated. The apparatus was also stopped at the same time, the bath water was not sufficiently stirred, hot bath water stayed in the upper layer, and cold bath water stayed in the lower layer, resulting in a temperature distribution of the bath water.

  As a result, the person being assisted was immersed in the hot bath water of the upper layer, and there was a risk of causing burns, which had a safety problem.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-305077 JP 2011-62481 A

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and improves safety by reducing the risk of discomfort to the person being assisted and causing burns caused by hot bath water. It is another object of the present invention to provide a bathing system that does not require the assistance of an assistant and can reliably stir the entire hot or hot water bath.

The invention according to claim 1, a bathing system for bathing in the bath tank the care receiver, and the hot water port for hot water in the bathtub, a plurality of bathwater temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the bathwater in the bathtub And a hot water stirring means for stirring the hot water, and a control unit for controlling each means , and at least one of the hot water temperature detecting means is a temperature of hot water supplied from the hot water outlet. Is installed on the side wall of the bathtub near the hot water outlet, and at least one of the bath temperature detecting means is the bath temperature installed on the side wall of the bathtub near the hot water outlet. The control unit is installed on the side wall of the bathtub facing the detection unit, and the control unit is configured to bathe the person being assisted based on temperature information from the plurality of bath temperature detection units installed on the side wall facing the bathtub. temperature distribution before and the bathwater in the bathing Raw always detected, and determines the stirring necessity of the bath hot water based on the detection, controls the operation of the bath water stirring means based on the determination, as the bath water stirring means, advance said bath It is a bathing system characterized by diverting a jet generator and / or a bubble generator provided .

  According to claim 1, since it is possible to notify the occurrence of the temperature distribution based on the temperature information from the plurality of bath water temperature detecting means, for example, hot water is added due to an erroneous operation of the temperature setting when the hot water is increased. In such a case, the safety mechanism for bathing the bath can be activated immediately after the hot water is added or when the stirring is insufficient, and the accuracy of the safety mechanism is increased and the safety is improved. In addition, at least one of the hot water temperature detecting means is installed on the side wall of the bathtub near the hot water inlet so that the temperature of the hot water supplied from the hot water outlet can be detected quickly, so that the occurrence of temperature distribution can be detected quickly. .

Moreover , generation | occurrence | production of the temperature distribution between the side wall of the bathtub near a hot water inlet, and the side wall of the bathtub facing the side wall of the bathtub near a hot water inlet can be detected rapidly.

Further, for example, there is no need to direct the operation of the bath water stirring means caregiver during the initial hot water supply each time manually, can reduce the labor of the caregiver, is possible to reduce the bathing assistance effort. Further, there is no fear that the person being assisted is immersed in the bath water in which the temperature distribution is generated without operating the bath agitating means, and the person being assisted is uncomfortable. Moreover, generation | occurrence | production of the temperature distribution of the bath water by progress of bathing time can be suppressed.

  In addition, during hot water operation, hot water is not sufficiently stirred and hot bath water stays in the upper layer, cold bath water stays in the lower layer, and there is no concern that the temperature distribution of the hot water will occur, The caregiver remains immersed in the hot bath water of the upper layer, the risk of burns can be eliminated, and the safety is excellent.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the hot water supply port supplies hot water from above the bathtub, and the plurality of bath water temperature detecting means detect at least the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub or in the vicinity of the upper layer in the bathtub. An upper temperature sensor and a lower temperature sensor in the bathtub for detecting the temperature of the hot water in the intermediate layer or in the vicinity of the intermediate layer or in the lower layer or in the vicinity of the lower layer.

According to claim 2 , since the temperature of the bath water can be detected by at least two sensors, the upper temperature sensor in the bathtub and the lower temperature sensor in the bathtub, as compared with the case where only one conventional temperature sensor is provided, The temperature and temperature distribution of the bath water can be detected more accurately.

  In addition, even if hot water is added due to an incorrect operation of the temperature setting at the time of increasing hot water, etc., the temperature of the upper bath water is immediately detected by the upper temperature sensor in the bathtub so that the safety mechanism can be quickly and appropriately Can function.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the plurality of bath temperature detecting means is a temperature sensor that detects a bath temperature in the bathtub, and the control unit is configured to detect a difference in detected temperatures between the plurality of temperature sensors. If it deviates from the set threshold value, the bath hot water stirring means is automatically operated to start the stirring operation.

According to the third aspect , since it is not necessary for the assistant to insert his / her hand into the bath water and stir the bath water, the burden of bathing assistance work for the assistant can be reduced. In addition, the risk of burns due to forgetting to check the temperature distribution can be avoided.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the control unit performs control so as not to accept an instruction to stop the bath water stirring means while the bath water stirring means is operating.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention , the bath water stirring means is not stopped when the bath water is not sufficiently stirred due to an operator's operation error or the like. Can be prevented.

The invention according to claim 5, characterized in that Ru provided with informing means for informing the state is being agitated in the bath water by the bath water stirring means.

According to the fifth aspect , the notifying operation by the notifying means allows the assistant to easily recognize that the bath water has a temperature distribution and the bath water is being stirred.

  In the present invention, since the temperature distribution of the bath water is detected by a plurality of temperature sensors arranged in the bathtub and the bath water is stirred based on the detection, the temperature difference of the bath water can be reduced. It is possible to reduce the risk that the person being assisted will be uncomfortable due to the difference in the temperature of the hot water, or the increased hot bath water will stay in the upper layer and cause the burner to be burned.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a bathing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bathing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the operation panel. FIG. 4 is an electrical configuration diagram of the bathing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control unit.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The bathing system 1 lays a stretcher 3 on which a stretcher 3 on which a caretaker lies in a supine posture is laid on the bathtub 4, connects the stretcher 3 and the bathtub 4, and then connects the stretcher 2 to the bathtub 4. The slide 4 is moved using guide rails 6a and 6b in the direction of the support 5 provided in the bathing section 4d of the bath. After this movement, the bathtub 4 in which hot water is supplied into the bathing section 4d is moved by the lifting mechanism 8. By raising 4, the bather is immersed in hot water to perform bathing. One end of the column 9 is fixed on the base 10, and extends substantially vertically through the center of the bottom wall 4 a of the bathtub 4.

  11 is a jet generating device, a jet pump 11a connected to the hot water inlet 4c of the side wall 4b of the bathtub 4 via a circulation pipe, and a plurality of jet pumps 11a connected to the jet pump 11a via a branch pipe in the embodiment. Four jet nozzles 11b and an air inlet 11c for sending air to each jet nozzle 11b are provided. Hot water from a hot water source 12 is supplied to the bathtub 4 from a hot water outlet 13. In addition, 14 is a drain plug and 15a, 15b is an operation panel. In FIG. 1, the jet nozzle 11b and the air inlet 11c are illustrated as being outside the tank of the bathtub 4, but this illustration clearly shows the jet nozzle 11b and the air inlet 11c. Needless to say, the jet nozzle 11 b and the air inlet 11 c are in the tank of the bathtub 4.

  The operation panels 15a and 15b are shown in FIG. 3 as an example of the configuration. Operation panels 15a and 15b shown in FIG. 3 include a power on / off unit 18 for turning on / off the power, a bathing time display unit 19 for displaying bathing time, and a hot water / hot water for operating hot water / hot water. Operation unit 20, hot water supply / replenishment hot water temperature display unit 21 for displaying the temperature of hot water supply / replenishment hot water, operation when driving the elevating mechanism 8 of the bathtub 4 to raise, lower or stop the bathtub 4 Ascending / descending / stopping operation unit 22, the bath upper layer temperature display unit 23 for displaying the temperature of the upper bath and its vicinity, the bath lower layer temperature display unit 24 for displaying the bath water lower layer and its vicinity A jet switch unit 25 that is operated when a jet is generated in the bathtub 4 and an in-stirring notification unit 26 that notifies that the bath water in the bathtub 4 is being stirred by voice or display. These are controlled by the control unit 27 built in the operation panels 15a and 15b.

  By providing the control unit 27 with a communication function, a remote controller capable of wireless communication with the control unit 27 can be provided so that the control by the control unit 27 described below can be performed by the remote controller. Good.

  In the above-described configuration, in the bathing system 1, the bath interior temperature sensor 16 detects the bath water temperature in the upper layer of the bath 4 or in the vicinity of the upper layer (hereinafter collectively referred to as the upper layer) on the side wall 4 b of the bath 4. And a bath interior temperature sensor 17 that detects the temperature of the bath water in the lower layer of the bath water in the bathtub 4 or in the vicinity of the lower layer (hereinafter collectively referred to as the lower layer). The bathtub upper temperature sensor 16 and the bathtub lower temperature sensor 17 can be constituted by, for example, a thermistor that detects the temperature of the bath water and converts the detected temperature into an electrical signal. The bathtub upper temperature sensor 16 and the bathtub lower temperature 17 are not limited to the thermistor, and may be any sensors that can detect the temperature of the bath water and convert it into an electrical signal corresponding to the detected temperature. .

  And the bathing system 1 of this embodiment is the temperature between a bath water upper layer and a bath water lower layer from the detection output (bath water temperature information) from each in the bathtub upper temperature sensor 16 and the bathtub lower temperature sensor 17, respectively. If the difference is equal to or greater than the set threshold value, the jet flow generator 11 is automatically driven as a bath hot water stirring means, and jet water is discharged from the jet nozzle 11b into the bath water of the bathtub 4, thereby stirring the bath water and the temperature. When the difference is reduced to less than the set threshold and the temperature difference between the bath water upper layer and the bath water lower layer is less than the set threshold, the jet flow into the bath water of the bathtub 4 by the jet nozzle 11b is stopped. The bath water agitation can be stopped. In addition, when the temperature difference between the upper and lower bath water is greater than or equal to the set threshold value, or when the temperature difference is less than the set threshold value, each event is displayed to the person being assisted and voice notification It is desirable to notify the person being assisted by the means described above.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the bathing system 1 includes a control unit 27. The control unit 27 includes an upper temperature sensor 16 in the bathtub, a lower temperature sensor 17 in the bathtub, the jet flow generator 11, and a stirring notification unit. 26 are connected. Although not shown in the figure, the control unit 27 is also connected to each part of the operation panels 15a and 15b. The control unit 27 performs input processing of operation signals of the operation panels 15a and 15b and displays them on the operation panels 15a and 15b. Signal output processing can be performed.

  The control unit 27 is composed of a microcomputer that executes the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, and the control unit 27 performs a response process to an operation signal input from the operation panels 15a and 15b, or operates the operation panels 15a and 15b. In addition to a program for outputting a display signal to each display unit, a program capable of executing steps n1 to n4 is incorporated.

The control operation according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 of the control unit 27 will be described. The control unit 27 stops the jet pump 11a of the jet generating device 11 at step n1. In step n2, the control unit 27 monitors the detection outputs of both the sensors 16 and 17, and when this detection output is input, based on this detection output, the value of the upper temperature in the bathtub-the lower temperature in the bathtub. If the (temperature difference) exceeds the set threshold value , it is determined as YES, the jet pump 11a is operated in step n4, a jet flow is generated from the jet nozzle 11b, and stirring of the bath water is started to make the temperature difference equal to or less than the set threshold value. To reduce.

If the value of the bath interior upper temperature-the bath lower temperature is equal to or less than the set threshold value in step n2, the control unit 27 determines NO and proceeds to step n3. In step n2, when the upper temperature in the bathtub is higher than the lower temperature in the bathtub by exceeding the set threshold value, the hot water is stirred. On the contrary, the lower temperature in the bathtub exceeds the set threshold value from the upper temperature in the bathtub. Can be expensive.

Therefore, in step n3, it is determined whether or not the value of the lower temperature in the bathtub−the upper temperature in the bathtub exceeds the set threshold value. If the lower temperature in the bathtub is higher than the upper temperature in the bathtub by exceeding the set threshold, YES is determined in step n3, and the jet pump 11a is operated in step n4 to start the stirring operation in the same manner as described above. Reduce the temperature difference between the upper and lower bath water. If the control unit 27 determines NO in step n3, the control unit 27 returns to step n1 and repeatedly executes the above steps.

Thus, by performing control according to the above flowchart by the control unit 27, for example, it is not necessary for the assistant to manually operate the jet switch 25 to stir the hot water at the time of initial hot water supply. , The number of caregivers is reduced, and bathing assistance can be reduced.

  Note that the setting threshold value in step n2 and the setting threshold value in step n3 may be the same or different. This set threshold value may be determined according to the state of the hot water such as hot water supply or additional hot water.

In addition, since the control according to the flowchart is automatically executed, a temperature distribution is generated in which the temperature difference between the upper and lower layers of the bath water exceeds the set threshold without operating the jet nozzle 11b. There is no worry that the bather will be immersed in the bathing water and the caregiver will feel uncomfortable.

  Further, when operating the hot water supply / replenishment hot water operation unit 20 of the operation panels 15a, 15b to increase the hot water temperature, the control unit 27 automatically controls the jet flow generator 11 to keep the hot water temperature in the bathtub 4 constant. Stir bath water by operating. And the control part 27 judges the stirring condition of bath water with the bathtub upper temperature sensor 16 and the bathtub lower temperature sensor 17, and the temperature difference of the upper and lower layers of the bath water detected by the sensors 16 and 17 is set. If it converges within a threshold, for example, 1 ° C., the jet flow generator 11 is automatically stopped. On the other hand, if the temperature difference between the upper layer and the lower layer of the bath water due to the increased hot water does not converge within the set threshold, the control unit 27 stops the jet flow generating device 11 even if the assistant tries to turn off the jet flow switch 25. Do not accept instructions.

  As a result, when the hot water is added, the hot water is not sufficiently stirred and hot bath water stays in the upper layer, and cold bath water stays in the lower layer. There is no worry that a temperature difference (temperature distribution) will occur, and the caregiver will remain immersed in the hot bath water of the upper layer, eliminating the risk of burns and being excellent in terms of safety. Become.

  In addition, since the temperature of the bath water can be detected by the two sensors, the upper temperature sensor 16 in the bathtub and the lower temperature sensor 27 in the bathtub, the temperature of the bath water is higher than the case where only one conventional temperature sensor is provided. And temperature distribution can be detected more accurately.

  Further, even when hot water is added due to an erroneous operation of the temperature setting at the time of increasing hot water or the like, the temperature of the upper bath water is immediately detected by the upper temperature sensor 16 in the bathtub and a safety mechanism (for example, The hot water is stopped or the bathtub 4 is lowered) can be quickly and appropriately functioned.

  In addition, since it is not necessary for the assistant to insert his / her hand into the bath water and to agitate the bath water, it is possible to reduce the burden of bathing assistance work for the assistant. In addition, the risk of burns due to forgetting to check the temperature distribution can be avoided.

  While the jet nozzle 11b is operating, the control unit 27 may not accept the stop command even if the assistant tries to stop the stirring by operating the jet switch 25. By doing so, stirring by the jet of the jet nozzle 11b is not stopped when the bath water is not sufficiently stirred due to an operator's operation error or the like. Preventing bathing.

  In particular, as described above, when the temperature difference between the upper layer and the lower layer of the bath water converges within the set threshold value when the hot water is increased, the jet operation of the jet nozzle 11b is automatically stopped. As long as the threshold does not converge within 1 ° C., even if the assistant turns off the jet switch 25, the operation of stopping the jet flow generating device 11 is not accepted. When the temperature difference between the upper layer and the lower layer of the bath water detected by the temperature sensor 17 deviates from, for example, 3 ° C. as the second set threshold value that is larger than the first set threshold value, the stirring operation of the bath water by the jet flow generator 11 is performed. It is better to do it automatically.

  If the temperature difference in the bathtub 4 deviates from the first set threshold value or deviates from the second set threshold value and the bath water in the bathtub 4 has a temperature distribution, the control unit 27 uses the jet nozzle 11b. When the bath water is being stirred, the notifying unit 26 is operated to notify the assistant that the bath water is being stirred by the jet nozzle 11b. By this notification, an assistant can easily recognize that the bath water is being stirred.

  The bath hot water agitating means is not limited to the jet nozzle 11b, and for example, a bubble provided with a jet nozzle that discharges a jet flow containing fine bubbles in the bath water in order to give a bather a massage effect. If the generating device (not shown) is equipped, the bath water may be stirred by operating the bubble generating device and generating bubbles in the bath water.

In this way, it is not necessary to separately provide bath hot water stirring means by diverting the hot water stirring operation by diverting the jet flow generating device or the bubble generating device provided in advance in the bathing system, and the bathing system. Can be reduced in size and cost. Of course, the bath hot water agitation means is not limited to the jet flow generator 11 or the bubble generator, and may be anything as long as it has a function capable of stirring the hot water.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  The lower temperature sensor 17 in the bathtub of the present embodiment detects the lower temperature of the bath water, but not only the temperature of the lower layer of the bath water, but also the intermediate layer of the upper and lower bath water or the vicinity of the intermediate layer The bath temperature may be detected.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, although it was two temperature sensors, the bathtub upper temperature sensor 16 and the bathtub lower temperature sensor 17, it is set as three, four ..., and these are the upper layers in the bathtub 4. You may arrange | position with a space | interval suitably to a lower layer. Moreover, the attachment position, direction, etc. of the temperature sensor with respect to the bathtub 4 are not limited to this embodiment, for example, two temperature sensors are provided in the lower part of the side wall of the bathtub facing the person being assisted, You may arrange | position one piece to the upper part of the side wall of the bathtub facing a leg side. In this case, the temperature sensor provided in the upper part of the side wall of the bathtub is the side wall where the hot water supply port 13 is provided or the side wall of the bathtub near the hot water supply port 13 to quickly detect the temperature of hot water supplied from the hot water supply port 13. It is possible to operate the hot water stirring means and the like.

  Furthermore, four temperature sensors are arranged on the upper and lower sides of the bathtub side wall facing the person being assisted and one on each of the upper and lower sides of the bathtub side wall facing the foot side. You may set up. When three or more temperature sensors are used, if the difference between the maximum and minimum bath water values detected by each temperature sensor exceeds the set threshold, a jet is generated from the jet nozzle and stirring of the bath water is started. Can be configured to.

  Moreover, although the bathtub 4 in this embodiment was a raising / lowering bathtub, it is set as a non-elevating fixed bathtub, and the mounting part which placed the person to be assisted in this fixed bathtub and the fixed bathtub is lowered and bathed. The present invention can also be applied to a bathing system that is combined with a liftable stretcher capable of moving. In addition to a bathing system that consists of a hot water tank and a bathtub and can transfer hot water from the hot water tank to one direction of the bathtub, it can also be applied to a bathing system that allows hot water to circulate between the hot water tank and the bathtub. it can. In short, any configuration may be used as long as it is a bathing system capable of bathing the person being assisted in the bathtub.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bathing system 2 Stretcher 3 Stretcher 4 Bathtub 8 Elevating mechanism 11 Jet generator 11a Jet pump 11b Jet nozzle 16 Bath top temperature sensor 17 Bath bottom temperature sensor

Claims (5)

A bathing system for taking caregivers in the bathtub,
A hot water outlet for supplying hot water to the bathtub;
A plurality of bath temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub;
Bath hot water stirring means for stirring the bath water,
A control unit for controlling each means ,
Among the bath water temperature detecting means, at least one is installed on the side wall of the bathtub near the hot water inlet so that the temperature of hot water supplied from the hot water outlet can be quickly detected,
Among the bath temperature detecting means, at least one is installed on the side wall of the bathtub facing the bath temperature detecting means installed on the side wall of the bathtub near the hot water outlet,
The control unit generates the temperature distribution of the bath water before and during bathing of the person being assisted based on temperature information from the plurality of bath temperature detecting means installed on the opposite side walls of the bathtub. Is always detected, and whether or not the bath water is required to be stirred based on the detection, and the operation of the bath water stirring means is controlled based on the determination,
As the hot water agitating means, diverting a jet generating device and / or a bubble generating device provided in advance in the bathtub,
Bathing system characterized by that. The hot water supply port supplies hot water from above the bathtub,
The plurality of bath temperature detecting means includes at least an upper temperature sensor in the bathtub for detecting the bath temperature in the upper layer or in the vicinity of the upper layer, and a bath temperature in the vicinity of the intermediate layer or the intermediate layer, or in the vicinity of the lower layer or the lower layer. A temperature sensor for detecting a lower temperature in the bathtub,
The bathing system according to claim 1, The plurality of bath temperature detecting means are temperature sensors for detecting bath temperature in the bathtub,
The control unit automatically operates the hot water agitation means when a difference in temperature detected by each of the plurality of temperature sensors deviates from a set threshold, and starts an agitation operation.
The bathing system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein The control unit performs control so as not to accept an instruction to stop the bath hot water stirring means while the bath hot water stirring means is operating.
The bathing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein Informing means for informing the state in which the bath water is being stirred by the bath water stirring means,
The bathing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein

Images