JP6962067B2 - Water spouting device for bathtub - Google Patents

Description

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to bathtub water spouting devices.

A bathtub water spouting device (hereinafter referred to as a “water spouting device”) used by being attached to a bathtub is known (for example, Patent Document 1). The water spouting device is attached to the upper end (rim) of the bathtub and discharges wide hot water from the spouting port provided at the front end toward the shoulder and neck of the bather. As a result, the relaxation effect at the time of bathing can be enhanced. Such a water discharge device may be called, for example, a shoulder bath device.

Further, in the water discharge device, an illumination unit is provided, and the vicinity of the water discharge port is brightly illuminated by the light emitted from the illumination unit (see Patent Document 1). The lighting unit includes a light emitting port provided at the front end portion and a light source unit that irradiates light toward the light emitting port. Thereby, for example, even when the entire bathroom is darkened to give a high-class feeling, the wide hot water discharged from the spout can be easily seen.

On the other hand, in the bathtub, in order to improve the feeling of bathing, the backrest surface (inner wall surface) of the bathtub is curved in a concave shape. In this case, since the edge of the upper end of the backrest surface is also curved in a concave shape, it is necessary to bend the front end portion of the water discharge device in a concave shape.

However, if the front end portion of the water discharge device is curved in a concave shape, the distance from the light source portion to the light emission port changes between the central portion and the left and right end portions. Therefore, at the left and right end portions where the distance from the light source portion to the light emission port is long, the illuminance may be lower than that at the central portion where the distance from the light source portion to the light emission port is short. Therefore, even if the lighting unit is provided, when the entire bathroom is darkened to give a sense of luxury, it becomes difficult to see the left and right end sides of the wide hot water discharged from the spout, which reduces usability. There was a possibility of inviting.

Therefore, in the water discharge device for bathtubs, it is desired to improve the uniformity of the illuminance of the light emitted from the illumination unit even when the front end portion is curved in a concave shape.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-8428

The present invention has been made based on the recognition of such a problem, and is a water discharge device for a bathtub in which the uniformity of the illuminance of the light emitted from the illumination unit is improved even when the front end portion is curved in a concave shape. The purpose is to provide.

The first invention is a water discharge device for a bathtub, which is provided on the upper portion of a bathtub having an inner wall surface curved in a concave shape in the front-rear direction on the inner wall surface side and has a front end portion curved in a concave shape in the front-rear direction. A water spouting portion having a spouting port provided in the portion and capable of discharging wide hot water extending in the left-right direction from the spouting port, and a light emitting port provided in the front end portion, extending in the left-right direction and described above. A light source unit that irradiates a horizontally elongated irradiation light forward toward the light emission port is provided, and the illumination unit is provided between the light source unit and the light emission port. The water discharge device for a bathtub is further provided with an optical function unit that changes the traveling direction of a part of the irradiation light emitted from the light source unit toward the left and right end portions toward the front direction.

According to this water discharge device for bathtubs, the traveling direction of a part of the irradiation light emitted from the light source unit toward the left and right ends can be changed toward the front on the left and right ends by the optical function unit. .. As a result, even when the front end portion is curved in a concave shape, it is possible to prevent the left and right end portions from becoming darker than the central portion. Therefore, even when the front end portion is curved in a concave shape, the uniformity of the illuminance of the light emitted from the illumination portion can be improved. This makes it difficult to see the hot water discharged from the left and right end sides, and the bather's intention is that hot water with a high flow velocity accidentally enters the bather's eyes at the start of water discharge. It is possible to reduce the possibility of causing discomfort to the bather by getting on the body part that is not used.

In the second invention, in the first invention, the illumination unit further has a light guide plate provided in front of the light source unit, and the light guide plate has a rear end serving as a light incident surface of the irradiation light. A water discharge device for a bathtub, which has a front end serving as a light emitting surface of the irradiation light, and the front end of the light guide plate is curved in a concave shape in the front-rear direction.

According to this water discharge device for bathtubs, not only is an optical function unit that changes the traveling direction of a part of the irradiation light emitted from the light source unit toward the left and right ends toward the front direction, but also a light guide plate is provided. By providing and bending the front end of the light guide plate, which is the light emitting surface of the irradiation light, in a concave shape, the traveling direction of a part of the irradiation light emitted from the light source portion toward the left and right end portions by the optical function unit is directed forward. It is possible to more reliably guide the light changed toward the light toward the left and right end portions of the light emitting surface, and it is possible to more reliably suppress that the left and right end portions are darker than the central portion.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second invention, the optical functional unit is a rough surface provided on the left and right end sides of the front end of the light guide plate and rougher than the central portion side of the front end of the light guide plate. It is a water spouting device for a bathtub, which is a face portion.

According to this water discharge device for bathtubs, by providing a rough surface portion that is a rougher surface than the central portion side of the front end of the light guide plate on the left and right end sides of the front end of the light guide plate, left and right to the left and right end sides of the front end of the light guide plate. The emitted light emitted so as to spread in the direction can be diffused and reflected to the front side, and it is possible to prevent the left and right end portions from becoming darker than the central portion.

A fourth invention is a water discharge device for a bathtub, which is a rough surface portion provided on the side surface of the light guide plate on the left and right end sides, in the second invention.

According to this water discharge device for bathtubs, the rough surface portions provided on the left and right end side surfaces of the light guide plate diffuse and reflect the emitted light emitted to the left and right end side sides of the light guide plate to the front side. It is possible to prevent the left and right end sides from becoming darker than the central part.

A fifth invention is a water discharge device for a bathtub, which is a reflective member installed on the left and right end sides of the light guide plate, in the second invention.

According to this water discharge device for bathtubs, the reflective members installed on the left and right end sides of the light guide plate diffuse and reflect the emitted light emitted to the left and right end side sides of the light guide plate to the front side. It is possible to prevent the left and right end portions from becoming darker than the central portion.

A sixth invention is a water discharge device for a bathtub in which, in the second invention, the optical functional unit includes a diffusing agent on the left and right end sides of the light guide plate.

According to this water discharge device for bathtubs, by impregnating the left and right end sides of the light guide plate with a diffuser, the emitted light emitted to the left and right end side surfaces of the light guide plate is diffused and reflected to the front side. It is possible to prevent the left and right end sides from becoming darker than the center part.

A seventh invention is a water discharge device for a bathtub according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the width of the light source portion in the left-right direction is shorter than the width of the light emission port in the left-right direction. Is.

According to this water discharge device for bathtubs, the width of the light source unit is provided while providing an optical function unit that changes the traveling direction of a part of the irradiation light emitted from the light source unit toward the left and right ends toward the front direction. By making the light source portion shorter than the width of the light emitting port, the member cost of the light source portion can be suppressed, and the light source portion can be easily arranged in a relatively narrow space at the upper end of the bathtub. Therefore, by making the width of the light source unit shorter than the width of the light emitting port, the member cost of the light source unit can be suppressed, and the light source unit can be easily arranged in a relatively narrow space at the upper end of the bathtub, while the optical function unit can be provided. By providing it, it is possible to prevent the left and right end portions from becoming darker than the central portion.

According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water discharge device for a bathtub in which the uniformity of the illuminance of the light emitted from the illumination unit is improved even when the front end portion is curved in a concave shape.

It is a perspective view which shows typically the bathtub and the water discharge device for a bathtub which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view which shows typically the bathtub and the water discharge device for a bathtub which concerns on embodiment. It is an exploded perspective view which shows typically the bathtub water discharge device which concerns on embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the water discharge device for a bathtub which concerns on embodiment. It is an exploded perspective view which shows typically the light source module of the water discharge device for a bathtub which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows typically the bathtub and the water discharge device for a bathtub which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view which shows typically the bathtub water discharge device which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view which shows typically the bathtub water discharge device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view which shows typically the bathtub water discharge device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a top view which shows typically the bathtub water discharge device which concerns on 4th Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, similar components are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a bathtub and a water discharge device for a bathtub according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a bathtub and a water discharge device for a bathtub according to an embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bathtub water discharge device 10 (hereinafter referred to as the water discharge device 10) is used by being attached to the bathtub 100.

The bathtub 100 includes a bathtub body 102. The bathtub body 102 has an inner wall surface 104. The inner wall surface 104 has a backrest surface 106 that supports the back of the bather. The backrest surface 106 is curved in a concave shape in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the upper end 106a connected to the backrest surface 106 is also curved in a concave shape in the front-rear direction.

Here, in the present specification, the upper part is referred to as "upper", the lower part is referred to as "lower", the front is referred to as "front", and the rear is referred to as "rear" when viewed from the bather whose back is in contact with the backrest surface 106. , The right side is "right side" and the left side is "left side".

The water discharge device 10 is provided on the upper portion of the bathtub body 102 on the backrest surface 106 side. Therefore, the water discharge device 10 has a front end portion 12 that is curved in a concave shape in the front-rear direction. The curvature of the front end 12 corresponds to the curvature of the upper end 106a of the backrest surface 106. The front end portion 12 is curved along, for example, the upper end 106a.

The bathtub body 102 has a pair of injection ports 108 provided on the backrest surface 106. Each injection port 108 injects hot water toward the waist of a bather whose back is in contact with the backrest surface 106. Each injection port 108 injects hot water, for example, aiming at the position of the erector spinae muscle, which is the anti-gravity muscle of the bather. As a result, the waist of the bather can be stimulated and the relaxation effect at the time of bathing can be further enhanced. In this example, the bathtub body 102 has two injection ports 108 arranged side by side. The number of injection ports 108 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the water discharge device for a bathtub according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the water discharge device for a bathtub according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 schematically represents the A1-A2 line cross section of FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the water discharge device 10 includes a water discharge unit 14 and an illumination unit 16. The water spouting portion 14 has a spouting port 14a provided at the front end portion 12. The spout 14a is a slit-shaped opening extending in the left-right direction. By being provided at the front end portion 12, the water discharge port 14a is also curved in a concave shape in the front-rear direction.

The water discharge unit 14 discharges wide (belt-shaped) hot water extending in the left-right direction from the water discharge port 14a. The water discharge unit 14 discharges hot water toward the inside of the bathtub body 102. That is, the water discharge unit 14 discharges hot water toward the front. The water discharge unit 14 discharges hot water toward, for example, the neck and shoulders of a bather whose back is in contact with the backrest surface 106. Thereby, for example, the neck and shoulders of the bather can be warmed more, the neck and shoulders of the bather can be given a massage effect, and the relaxation effect at the time of bathing can be further enhanced.

The length of the spout 14a in the left-right direction is, for example, 20 cm or more. The lateral length of the spout 14a is, for example, longer than the average width of the human neck. As a result, hot water can be appropriately applied to the neck and shoulders of the bather whose back is in contact with the backrest surface 106. Further, the length of the spout 14a in the left-right direction is shorter than, for example, the width of the space inside the bathtub body 102 in the left-right direction. As a result, hot water can be appropriately discharged into the bathtub body 102.

The illumination unit 16 has a light emission port 16a provided at the front end portion. The light emission port 16a is a slit-shaped opening extending in the left-right direction. By being provided at the front end portion 12, the light emitting port 16a is also curved in a concave shape in the front-rear direction. The illumination unit 16 irradiates horizontally long light from the light emission port 16a toward the front. Thereby, for example, even when the entire bathroom is darkened, the hot water discharged from the water discharge unit 14 can be easily seen. For example, the appearance of the bathtub 100 can be improved.

The water discharge unit 14 has, for example, a lower case 20 and an upper case 22. The lower case 20 has a plate-shaped case body 20a and a piping portion 20b extending downward from the case body 20a. The piping portion 20b has, for example, a cylindrical shape. The piping portion 20b penetrates the case body 20a up and down, and communicates the lower side and the upper side of the case body 20a with each other.

The lower case 20 is attached to the upper part of the bathtub body 102 on the backrest surface 106 side. The piping portion 20b is inserted into a through hole 106b provided in the upper part of the bathtub body 102 on the backrest surface 106 side, and communicates with the space below the upper part of the bathtub body 102 on the backrest surface 106 side. A male screw is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the piping portion 20b. A cylindrical flange 24 is inserted into the piping portion 20b from below. A female screw corresponding to a male screw of the piping portion 20b is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the flange 24. The flange 24 has a female screw provided on the inner peripheral surface screwed into a male screw of the piping portion 20b, and sandwiches a part of the bathtub body 102 together with the case body 20a of the lower case 20. As a result, the water discharge portion 14 is attached to the upper portion of the bathtub body 102 on the backrest surface 106 side.

The upper case 22 is mounted on the lower case 20 and forms a water discharge port 14a together with the lower case 20 and also forms an internal flow path 14b extending from the piping portion 20b to the water discharge port 14a. As a result, hot water is supplied from the piping portion 20b, so that hot water is discharged from the spout 14a.

The illumination unit 16 includes, for example, a light source module 30, a light guide plate 32, and a cover 34. The light source module 30 irradiates light toward the light emitting port 16a. The light guide plate 32 is provided in front of the light source module 30 and guides the light emitted from the light source module 30 to the light emission port 16a.

The cover 34 is provided on the water discharge unit 14, the light source module 30, and the light guide plate 32. The cover 34 is mounted on, for example, the water discharge portion 14 and covers the upper side, both sides, and the rear side of the light source module 30 and the light guide plate 32. The cover 34 forms a light emission port 16a together with the upper case 22 of the water discharge portion 14. As a result, the cover 34 suppresses the light emitted from the light source module 30 from leaking to the outside from a portion other than the light emission port 16a. Thereby, the appearance of the bathtub 100 can be further improved.

In this example, the illumination unit 16 is provided above the water discharge unit 14. Contrary to the above, the water discharge unit 14 may be provided above the illumination unit 16. In this case, the cover 34 may be omitted. The cover 34 is provided as needed and can be omitted. Further, in this example, the lower case 20, the upper case 22, and the cover 34 form the front end portion 12 of the water discharge device 10. The configuration of the front end portion 12 is not limited to the above, and may be any configuration that forms the front end portion of the water discharge device 10.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a light source module of the water discharge device for a bathtub according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the light source module 30 includes a light source unit 40, a heat sink 44, and a storage case 46. The light source unit 40 extends in the left-right direction and irradiates a horizontally long irradiation light forward toward the light emission port 16a. The light source unit 40 includes, for example, a substrate 41 and a light emitting element 42.

The substrate 41 extends in the left-right direction. The substrate 41 has, for example, a rectangular shape. The shape of the substrate 41 may be any shape. In this example, the light source unit 40 has one substrate 41. For example, the light source unit 40 may have a plurality of substrates 41 electrically connected via wiring or the like.

The light emitting element 42 is a light source that irradiates light according to the supply of electric power. The light source unit 40 has a plurality of light emitting elements 42 provided side by side in the left-right direction. The light emitting elements 42 are provided side by side on the surface 41a of the substrate 41. As a result, the light source unit 40 forms a linear light emitting surface LS extending in the left-right direction. In this example, the light emitting surface LS is, in other words, the surface 41a of the substrate 41. In this example, the light emitting surface LS is planar. As a result, the light source unit 40 can irradiate the horizontally elongated light toward the inside of the bathtub body 102.

The plurality of light emitting elements 42 include, for example, a plurality of first light emitting elements 42a and a plurality of second light emitting elements 42b. The first light emitting elements 42a are provided side by side on the surface 41a of the substrate 41 in the left-right direction. The second light emitting elements 42b are provided side by side on the surface 41a of the substrate 41 in the left-right direction, and are lined up with the first light emitting elements 42a in the vertical direction. That is, in this example, two rows of a plurality of light emitting elements 42 arranged in the left-right direction are provided vertically.

The light emitted by each of the first light emitting elements 42a is, for example, yellow light (bulb color). The light emitted by each second light emitting element 42b is, for example, white light (neutral white). The light source unit 40 irradiates yellow light by turning on each of the first light emitting elements 42a and turning off each of the second light emitting elements 42b. The light source unit 40 irradiates white light by turning off each first light emitting element 42a and turning on each second light emitting element 42b. Then, the light source unit 40 turns on each of the first light emitting elements 42a and each of the second light emitting elements 42b, and adjusts the light emitting intensity of each of the first light emitting elements 42a and each of the second light emitting elements 42b to obtain a yellow color. Irradiate light of a color between light and white light.

For each light emitting element 42, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), an LD (Laser Diode), an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode), or the like is used. The type of each light emitting element 42 is not limited to the above, and may be any element. The configuration such as the number and rows of the light emitting elements 42 is not limited to the above, and may be any configuration capable of irradiating horizontally long light.

For example, when a surface emitting element such as an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) element is used as the light source of the light source unit 40, the number of light sources may be one. Further, the light source of the light source unit 40 may be, for example, a fluorescent lamp or an optical fiber. The light source of the light source unit 40 may be any light source capable of irradiating horizontally long light. For example, when a straight tube type fluorescent lamp is used as the light source of the light source unit 40, the outer surface of the fluorescent lamp may be a linear light emitting surface LS. In this case, the light emitting surface LS has a curved surface shape (cylindrical surface shape). As described above, the linear light emitting surface LS of the light source unit 40 is not limited to a flat surface, but may be a curved surface (cylindrical surface) extending linearly in the left-right direction. The configuration of the light source unit 40 may be any configuration capable of irradiating horizontally long light.

The heat sink 44 supports the substrate 41. The heat radiating plate 44 thermally combines with the substrate 41 and each light emitting element 42, and dissipates heat generated by lighting each light emitting element 42. For the heat radiating plate 44, for example, a metal material having high thermal conductivity such as aluminum or copper is used. For example, when a fluorescent lamp or the like is used as the light source, the heat radiating plate 44 can be omitted. As described above, the heat radiating plate 44 is provided as needed and can be omitted.

The storage case 46 has a hollow shape, and stores the substrate 41, each light emitting element 42, and the heat radiating plate 44 in the internal space. The storage case 46 suppresses water exposure to the substrate 41 and each light emitting element 42 by, for example, sealing the internal space.

The storage case 46 has a light transmitting window 46a that transmits light emitted from each light emitting element 42. The light transmitting window 46a is provided at the front end portion of the storage case 46 so as to face at least a part of the light emitting surface LS. The light transmitting window 46a is, for example, a plate-shaped member having light transmission to the light emitted from each light emitting element 42. For the light transmitting window 46a, for example, a transparent resin material or the like is used. As a result, the light emitted from each light emitting element 42 provided inside the storage case 46 can be emitted to the outside of the storage case 46 while sealing the space inside the storage case 46. The portion of the storage case 46 other than the light transmitting window 46a may be light-reflecting or light-transmitting to the light emitted from each light emitting element 42.

The heat radiating plate 44 has a first plate portion 44a attached to the inner bottom surface of the storage case 46, and a second plate portion 44b extending upward from the rear end of the first plate portion 44a to support the substrate 41. .. The upper end of the second plate portion 44b is inclined forward. The second plate portion 44b supports the substrate 41 with the upper end of the substrate 41 tilted forward. Thereby, for example, even when a plurality of light emitting elements 42 are provided side by side in two rows, the thickness (length in the vertical direction) of the light source module 30 can be suppressed. For example, the thickness of the light source module 30 can be suppressed while increasing the intensity (brightness) of the light emitted from the light source unit 40.

The first plate portion 44a faces the surface 41a of the substrate 41 in a direction orthogonal to the surface 41a of the substrate 41. In other words, the first plate portion 44a faces the light emitting surface LS. As described above, a metal material is used for the heat sink 44. The heat radiating plate 44 is light-reflecting to the light emitted from each light emitting element 42. The first plate portion 44a reflects the light emitted obliquely downward from each light emitting element 42 and directs it forward. As a result, even when the substrate 41 is arranged in an inclined manner, the light emitted from each light emitting element 42 can be appropriately directed forward.

The heat radiating plate 44 and the storage case 46 are provided in the light source module 30 as needed and can be omitted. The light source module 30 may have at least a light source unit 40. The light source unit 40 may have at least a light source capable of irradiating horizontally long light.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing a bathtub and a water discharge device for a bathtub according to an embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6, the bathtub 100 further includes, for example, an electric pump 110, a switching valve 112, a jet pump unit 114, a control unit 116, and an operation unit 118. Further, the bathtub body 102 has a suction port 120 for sucking hot water stored in the bathtub body 102.

The electric pump 110 is connected to the suction port 120 via a pipe 122. The electric pump 110 sucks hot water in the bathtub body 102 from the suction port 120 and supplies it to the downstream side. The electric pump 110 has, for example, a function of applying pressure to the sucked hot water to pump it. The electric pump 110 sucks hot water in the bathtub body 102 by rotation of an impeller (not shown) directly connected to an electrically driven electric motor (not shown), and sucks the sucked hot water on the downstream side. Pump to.

The switching valve 112 is connected to the electric pump 110 via the pipe 124. The switching valve 112 switches between a path for sending the hot water supplied from the electric pump 110 to the water discharge unit 14 side of the water discharge device 10 and a path for sending the hot water to each injection port 108 side.

Each injection port 108 is connected to the switching valve 112 via a pipe 126. For example, the pipe 126 is bifurcated in the middle and is connected to each of the injection ports 108. As a result, in the bathtub 100, hot water is injected from each injection port 108 by driving the electric pump 110 and switching the switching valve 112 to each injection port 108 side.

The jet pump unit 114 is provided on the path between the water discharge unit 14 of the water discharge device 10 and the switching valve 112. The jet pump unit 114 is provided, for example, directly below the water discharge unit 14.

The jet pump unit 114 has a water storage unit 130 and a nozzle unit 132. The water storage unit 130 has a container shape and can store hot water in the internal space. The water storage unit 130 is connected to the suction port 120 via a pipe 134. As a result, hot water is supplied to the water storage unit 130 from the bathtub main body 102 via the suction port 120. That is, by storing hot water in the bathtub main body 102, hot water is also stored in the water storage unit 130. The water storage unit 130 stores the hot water supplied from the bathtub main body 102 through the suction port 120 and the pipe 134 inside. The hot water may be supplied to the water storage unit 130 from a suction port different from the suction port 120 of the electric pump 110. Further, the hot water supplied to the water storage unit 130 is not limited to the hot water stored in the bathtub main body 102, and may be hot water supplied from another water supply source.

Further, the water storage unit 130 is connected to the switching valve 112 via the pipe 136 and is connected to the water discharge unit 14 via the pipe 138. The pipe 136 is connected to, for example, the lower part of the water storage unit 130. The pipe 138 is connected to the upper part of the water storage unit 130 so as to face the pipe 136, for example. The pipe 136 extends upward from the water storage portion 130 and is connected to the pipe portion 20b of the water discharge portion 14.

The nozzle portion 132 is provided at the connection portion between the water storage portion 130 and the pipe 136. The nozzle portion 132 injects hot water supplied from the electric pump 110 into the pipe 138 via the switching valve 112 and the pipe 136. As a result, the hot water supplied from the electric pump 110 is supplied to the water discharge unit 14, and the hot water stored in the water storage unit 130 is drawn into the pipe 138 by the action of the jet pump and stored in the water storage unit 130. Hot water is also supplied to the spouting unit 14. As a result, even when the electric pump 110 is made relatively small, a large flow rate of hot water can be supplied to the water discharge unit 14. For example, hot water having a flow rate equal to or higher than the maximum flow rate of the electric pump 110 can be supplied to the water discharge unit 14.

In this way, in the bathtub 100, hot water is discharged from the water discharge unit 14 by driving the electric pump 110 and switching the switching valve 112 to the path on the water discharge unit 14 side. Further, in the bathtub 100, by communicating both the water discharge unit 14 side and each injection port 108 side with the electric pump 110 by the switching valve 112, hot water is discharged from the water discharge unit 14 and hot water is injected from each injection port 108. Can be done at the same time.

The control unit 116 is connected to the electric pump 110, the switching valve 112, and the operation unit 118. The operation unit 118 is used by being attached to, for example, a bathtub body 102 or a wall surface of a bathroom. The operation unit 118 has a switch, a sensor, and the like, and can input various operation instructions to the control unit 116 in response to an operation by a bather or the like. The operation unit 118 is a so-called remote controller. The electrical communication between the control unit 116 and the operation unit 118 may be wired or wireless.

The control unit 116 controls the operation of the electric pump 110 and the switching valve 112 in response to the operation instruction input from the operation unit 118. When the operation unit 118 instructs the control unit 116 to inject hot water from each injection port 108, the control unit 116 starts driving the electric pump 110 and switches the switching valve 112 to each injection port 108 side to each injection port. Hot water is sprayed from 108.

When the operation unit 118 instructs the control unit 116 to discharge hot water from the water discharge unit 14, the control unit 116 starts driving the electric pump 110 and switches the switching valve 112 to the water discharge unit 14 side, so that the hot water is discharged from the water discharge unit 14. To spit water.

Further, when the control unit 116 is instructed by the operation unit 118 to simultaneously discharge water from the water discharge unit 14 and each injection port 108, the control unit 116 starts driving the electric pump 110, and both the water discharge unit 14 side and each injection port 108 side. By switching the switching valve 112 so as to communicate with the electric pump 110, hot water is discharged from the water discharge unit 14 and hot water is injected from each injection port 108.

Then, the control unit 116 stops the driving of the electric pump 110 when instructed to stop the discharge of hot water from the water discharge unit 14 or stop the injection of hot water from each injection port 108.

Further, the control unit 116 is connected to the lighting unit 16 (light source unit 40) of the water discharge device 10. The control unit 116 switches the lighting unit 16 on and off according to the operation instruction input from the operation unit 118.

FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing the water discharge device for a bathtub according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 schematically shows a state in which the cover 34 is removed in the water discharge device 10. The arrow shown in FIG. 7 and its size represent the direction in which the light is directed and the magnitude of its intensity (light intensity) in a pseudo manner.
As shown in FIG. 7, the light guide plate 32 has a rear end 32a which is a light incident surface of the irradiation light emitted from the light source unit 40 and a front end 32b which is a light emitting surface of the irradiation light. The rear end 32a of the light guide plate 32 extends linearly in the left-right direction, for example. On the other hand, the front end 32b of the light guide plate 32 is curved in a concave shape in the front-rear direction. The front end 32b is curved, for example, corresponding to the front end 12. In other words, the front end 32b is curved corresponding to the light emitting port 16a. The front end 32b is curved along the light emitting port 16a. The outer shape of the front end 32b is substantially the same as the outer shape of the light emission port 16a. The light emission port 16a exposes only the front end 32b of the light guide plate 32. The front end 32b closes, for example, the light emitting port 16a and suppresses the intrusion of hot water from the light emitting port 16a into the inside.

The rear end 32a has, for example, fine irregularities. The rear end 32a is provided with, for example, a prism cut. As a result, the reflection of the irradiation light at the rear end 32a can be suppressed, and the irradiation light can be efficiently incident on the light guide plate 32. The front end 32b has, for example, fine irregularities. The front end 32b is, for example, textured. As a result, the reflection of the irradiation light at the front end 32b can be suppressed, and the irradiation light can be efficiently emitted from the light guide plate 32.

The illumination unit 16 is provided between the light source unit 40 and the light emission port 16a, and changes the traveling direction of a part of the irradiation light emitted from the light source unit 40 toward the left and right end portions toward the front direction. It further has a reflective member 50. The reflective member 50 is closely installed on the left and right end sides of the light guide plate 32. The reflective member 50 is, for example, a reflective film capable of reflecting light or a mirror. The reflectance of the reflective member 50 does not have to be 100%, but it is more preferable if it is 70% or more. The reflection member 50 is an optical function unit having a function of changing the traveling direction of a part of the irradiation light emitted from the light source unit 40 toward the left and right end portions toward the front direction.

The installation angle of the reflecting member 50, that is, the opening angle of the reflecting member 50 with respect to the left-right direction is smaller than the radiation angle of the irradiation light emitted from the light emitting element 42, that is, the spreading angle of the irradiation light emitted from the light emitting element 42. Is preferable. As a result, the light that has spread in the left-right direction among the irradiation light emitted from the light emitting element 42 can be firmly reflected by the reflecting member 50.

As shown in FIG. 7, the width W1 in the left-right direction of the light source unit 40 is shorter than the width W2 in the left-right direction of the light emission port 16a. Therefore, the width of the light guide plate 32 in the left-right direction is widened toward the front. The width W3 in the left-right direction of the rear end 32a is shorter than the width W4 in the left-right direction of the front end 32b. The width W3 of the rear end 32a in the left-right direction is longer than, for example, the width W1 of the light source unit 40 in the left-right direction. Further, the width W4 in the left-right direction of the front end 32b is substantially the same as the width W2 in the left-right direction of the light emitting port 16a, for example.

As described above, the reflective member 40, which is an optical functional unit, can prevent the left and right end portions from becoming darker than the central portion even when the front end portion 12 is curved in a concave shape. Therefore, even when the front end portion 12 is curved in a concave shape, the uniformity of the illuminance of the light emitted from the illumination portion 16 can be improved. This makes it difficult to see the hot water discharged from the left and right end sides, and on the left and right end sides, hot water with a high flow velocity is mistakenly applied to the eyes of the bather at the start of water discharge, which is an unintended body part of the bather. It is possible to reduce the possibility of causing discomfort to the bather by getting sick.

Further, in the water discharge device 10, not only the optical function unit is provided, but also the light guide plate 32 is provided, and the front end 32b of the light guide plate 32, which is the light emitting surface of the irradiation light, is curved in a concave shape to provide light on the left and right end sides. Can be more reliably guided to the left and right end portions of the light emitting surface, and it is possible to more reliably suppress that the left and right end portions are darker than the central portion.

FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically showing the water discharge device for a bathtub according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically showing the water discharge device for a bathtub according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing the water discharge device for a bathtub according to the fourth embodiment.
The same reference numerals are given to those having substantially the same functions and configurations as those of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 8, the water discharge device 10a has a first diffusion unit 60 and a second diffusion unit 62, which are diffusion units containing a diffuser, on the left and right end sides of the light guide plate 32. .. The diffusing agent is, for example, acrylic beads. The first diffusion unit 60 and the second diffusion unit 62 are optical function units having a function of changing the traveling direction of a part of the irradiation light emitted from the light source unit 40 toward the left and right end portions toward the front direction. Is.

The first diffusion unit 60 is provided on the left and right end sides of the second diffusion unit 62. The first diffusing portion 60 has a higher content of the diffusing agent per unit volume than the second diffusing portion 62.

As shown in FIG. 9, the water discharge device 10a has a first rough surface portion 64 provided on the left and right end sides of the front end of the light guide plate 32, which is a rougher surface than the central portion side of the front end of the light guide plate 32. doing. The surface of the first rough surface portion 64 is, for example, roughened to provide fine irregularities as compared with the central portion side of the front end of the light guide plate 32. The first rough surface portion 64 is an optical functional portion having a function of changing the traveling direction of a part of the irradiation light emitted from the light source portion 40 toward the left and right end portions toward the front direction.

As shown in FIG. 10, the water discharge device 10a has a second rough surface portion 66 provided on the side surface on the left and right end side of the light guide plate 32. The surface of the second rough surface portion 66 is, for example, roughened to provide fine irregularities as compared with the central portion side of the front end of the light guide plate 32. The second rough surface portion 66 is an optical functional portion having a function of changing the traveling direction of a part of the irradiation light emitted from the light source portion 40 toward the left and right end portions toward the front direction.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. With respect to the above-described embodiment, those skilled in the art with appropriate design changes are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, dimensions, material, arrangement, etc. of each element included in the water discharge devices 10, 10a and the like are not limited to those exemplified, and can be appropriately changed.
In addition, the elements included in each of the above-described embodiments can be combined as much as technically possible, and the combination thereof is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as the features of the present invention are included.

10, 10a Water spouting device, 12 Front end, 14 Water spouting part, 16 Lighting part, 20 Lower case, 22 Upper case, 30 Light source module, 32 Light guide plate, 34 Cover, 40 Light source part, 41 Board, 42 Light emitting element, 44 Heat dissipation plate, 46 storage case, 50 reflective member, 60 1st diffuser, 62 2nd diffuser, 64 1st rough surface, 66 2nd rough surface, 100 bathtub, 102 bathtub body, 104 inner wall surface, 106 backrest surface, 108 injection port, 110 electric pump, 112 switching valve, 114 jet pump unit, 116 control unit, 118 operation unit, 120 suction port, 122, 124, 126, 134, 136, 138 piping, 130 water storage unit, 132 nozzle unit

Claims (7)

A water discharge device for a bathtub, which is provided on the upper part of a bathtub having an inner wall surface curved in a concave shape in the front-rear direction and has a front end portion curved in a concave shape in the front-rear direction.
A spouting portion having a spouting port provided at the front end portion and capable of discharging wide hot water extending from the spouting port in the left-right direction.
An illumination unit having a light emitting port provided at the front end portion, and a light source unit extending in the left-right direction and irradiating a horizontally long irradiation light forward toward the light emitting port.
With
The illumination unit is provided between the light source unit and the light emission port, and changes the traveling direction of a part of the irradiation light emitted from the light source unit toward the left and right end portions toward the front direction. A water discharge device for a bathtub, which further has an optical function unit. The lighting unit further includes a light guide plate provided in front of the light source unit.
The light guide plate has a rear end that serves as a light incident surface of the irradiation light and a front end that serves as a light emitting surface of the irradiation light.
The water discharge device for a bathtub according to claim 1, wherein the front end of the light guide plate is curved in a concave shape in the front-rear direction. The water discharge device for a bathtub according to claim 2, wherein the optical functional unit is a rough surface portion provided on the left and right end sides of the front end of the light guide plate and has a rougher surface than the central portion side of the front end of the light guide plate. .. The water discharge device for a bathtub according to claim 2, wherein the optical functional unit is a rough surface portion provided on the left and right end side surfaces of the light guide plate. The water discharge device for a bathtub according to claim 2, wherein the optical function unit is a reflective member installed on the left and right end sides of the light guide plate. The water discharge device for a bathtub according to claim 2, wherein the optical function unit contains a diffusing agent on the left and right end sides of the light guide plate. The water discharge device for a bathtub according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the width of the light source portion in the left-right direction is shorter than the width of the light emission port in the left-right direction.

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