JP7037104B2 - Bath equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a bathing device having a notification function for a bather to take a bath safely and securely.

As described in the Consumer Affairs Agency News Release dated January 20, 2016, "Please be careful about accidents during bathing of elderly people that occur frequently in winter!", Bathing only keeps your body clean. While it is one of the important lifestyles in Japan that can be expected to have a relaxing effect, there is a risk of serious accidents such as consciousness disorder and drowning depending on the physical condition when bathing and the bathing environment. As a guideline for bathing time, when soaking in hot water at 41 ° C or lower, it is limited to 10 minutes, and it is advised to refrain from bathing immediately after eating and to avoid suddenly rising from the bathtub. According to a survey conducted by a research group of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in 2013, the number of accidental deaths during bathing estimated from the number of patients carried by ambulance is about 19,000 per year. Accidental deaths while taking a bath are common in winter, and about 50% of all accidental deaths occur from December to February, and there is a report that there is a correlation between the number of accidental deaths while taking a bath and the temperature. In addition, most of the accidental deaths during bathing occur in the bathtub, and it is thought that the bathing style peculiar to Japan, which is to soak the shoulders in hot water, has an effect.

For example, in Patent Document 1 or 2 below, it is introduced that symptoms such as lightheadedness when leaving the bathtub may occur (see paragraph 0003 of Patent Document 1 and paragraph 0002 of Patent Document 2). Further, Patent Document 3 describes that the buzzer is sounded when the desired bathing time has elapsed, and the time value set based on the bathtub water temperature is changed as the bathing time according to the age and physical condition of the bather. (See paragraphs 0020 and 0022 of Patent Document 3).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-288559 Japanese Patent No. 3585402 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-686

By the way, in order to ensure the safe and comfortable bathing of bathers, in addition to the bathing notification function that notifies the guidance for encouraging bathing when the bathing time reaches the set time, or the bathing notification function. In addition, there are many issues to be considered in order to improve the situation before and during the bathing of the user (bathing person). In other words, in order to detect the behavior of the user before and during bathing and to give the user the necessary guidance at an appropriate timing, it is necessary to proceed with further studies and improvements.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a bathing device capable of taking a bath more safely and comfortably.

In order to achieve the above object, as the bathing device of the present invention, a bathing intention determining means for determining the existence of a bathing intention for the user to start bathing, a notification unit, and a bathing user in the bath. The bathing determination means for determining whether or not there is a bath, and the bathing support means for executing the bathing support control including the pre-bathing attention alert mode and the bathing time alert mode are provided, and the pre-bathing attention alert mode is described above. When it is determined by the bathing intention determination means that the bathing intention is present, the information for giving a warning before bathing by the notification unit is exemplary information relating to a situation in which bathing should be avoided and is caused by the user's own situation. The example information relating to the above is configured to be notified by the notification unit, and the bathing alert mode is set to the bathing status when it is determined by the bathing determination means that the user is in the bath. Based on this, the notification unit is configured to notify that the bathing operation is performed slowly so as not to suddenly rise from the bath when taking a bath as warning information when taking a bath. (Claim 1).

According to the bathing apparatus of the present invention, when it is determined by the bathing intention determination means that the user has a bathing intention, it is exemplary information relating to a situation in which bathing should be avoided as warning information before bathing, and is caused by the user's own situation. Since the example information related to the above is given to the user by the pre-bathing alert mode of the bathing support means, it is possible to give the user who is going to start bathing the alert information before bathing in a timely manner and in advance. Therefore, it can contribute to the prevention of unexpected situations caused by bathing. As a result, it is possible to ensure comfortable bathing by ensuring the user's safe and secure bathing. As example information on situations where bathing should be avoided and which is caused by the user's own situation, for example, bathing immediately after drinking should be avoided, and bathing immediately after meals should be refrained. It can be used as information such as that, or if you are not feeling well, you should refrain from bathing. In spite of this situation, it is possible to give timely and appropriate attention to users who tend to start bathing habitually, carelessly or easily, and it accompanies bathing. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of unforeseen circumstances. Furthermore, when it is determined by the bathing determination means that the user is in the bathtub, the bathing support means is used to alert the user when taking a bath. Since the information is notified from the notification unit and given to the bather, that is, the action during bathing is performed slowly so as not to suddenly rise from the bathtub at the time of bathing as warning information at the time of bathing. Is notified from the notification unit, so that it is possible to more reliably ensure the user's safe and secure bathing and to enjoy a comfortable bath. For example, to alert bathers (users) who tend to stand up suddenly and take a bath even though their blood pressure has dropped by continuing to take a bath quietly in the bathtub, in a timely and appropriate manner. Can be given.

As a means for determining the bathing intention of the bath device, an operation unit for operation control related to bath use including a bath filling operation is provided, and the operation unit is operated by performing an operation for preparing to start bathing. It can be configured to determine that there is an intention to take a bath when a signal is output . That is, an operation for preparing to start bathing for an operation unit such as a remote controller, for example, an ON operation of a bath automatic switch, a hot water filling switch, etc., or an ON operation of a reheating switch using an operation unit installed in a place other than the bathroom. If there is a signal output related to the above, it can be accurately determined that there is an intention to take a bath.

When notifying the attention information at the time of bathing, when it is determined by the bathing determination means that the user is in the bath, the measurement of the bathing time, which is the elapsed time of bathing, is started. A bathing measuring means is further provided, and the bathing support means includes a bathing notification mode as the bathing support control, and when the bathing time measured by the bathing measuring means reaches the set time, the bather is provided with the bathing notification mode. The notification unit may be used to notify the user of the guidance for urging the user to take a bath, and at the same time, the notification unit may be used to notify the attention information when taking a bath in the bathing attention mode. can. For example, from the viewpoint of measures against heat stroke, the user is notified of a warning to take a bath at a timing suitable for taking a bath, and at the same time, a warning information is given when taking a bath, so that the user can take a safe bath and take a safe bath. Can be guaranteed more reliably.

Furthermore, it is possible to give timely and appropriate alerts to bathers who tend to take a bath in a hurry based on the bathing notice. This can contribute to the prevention of unexpected situations such as lightheadedness caused by bathing.

As described above, according to the bathing apparatus of the present invention, when it is determined by the bathing intention determining means that the user has a bathing intention, it is exemplary information relating to a situation in which bathing should be avoided as warning information before bathing. In spite of such a situation, since the example information related to the one caused by the user's own situation is notified to the user by the pre-bathing alert mode of the bathing support means, habitually, inadvertently, Alternatively, it is possible to give warning information before bathing to users who tend to start bathing easily in a timely manner and in advance. This can contribute to the prevention of unexpected situations associated with bathing, and can ensure the user's safe and secure bathing more reliably and comfortably bathe. Furthermore, when it is determined by the bathing determination means that the user is in the bathtub, the bathing support means uses the bathing alert mode to alert the user when taking a bath. Since the notification unit notifies you that the bathtub will be operated slowly so that you do not suddenly get up from the bathtub when you take a bath, it is more reliable and comfortable for the user to take a safe and secure bath. It is possible to take a bath. For example, to alert bathers (users) who tend to stand up suddenly and take a bath even though their blood pressure has dropped by continuing to take a bath quietly in the bathtub, in a timely and appropriate manner. Can be given.

It is an operation principle figure of the bath apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the installation situation of the bath apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the basic control which concerns on the pre-bathing attention alert mode of the bathing support control. It is a flowchart related to the bathing intention determination of a user. It is a flowchart which shows the basic control which concerns on the bathing notification mode and the alerting mode at the time of bathing of a bathing support control. It is a flowchart when the attention alert mode at the time of taking a bath is executed independently.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a bathing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This bath device includes a hot water supply device 1 having a bath reheating function, and a kitchen remote controller 51 and a bath remote controller 52 that function as a controller and / or an operation unit for performing various operation control operations of the hot water supply device 1. There is. The kitchen remote controller 51 is installed in the kitchen K (see FIG. 2), and the bath remote controller 52 is installed in the bathroom Y where the bathtub 6 is installed. These remote controllers 51 and 52 are communicably connected to the control unit 5 of the hot water supply device 1 installed in a different location from these, and the operation signals and the like from the remote controllers 51 and 52 and conversely from the control unit 5 Display signal, operation signal, etc. can be transmitted. The kitchen remote controller 51 in this embodiment is a typical example of a remote controller installed in a place other than the bathroom Y.

The hot water supply device 1 is a hot water supply circuit 2 that realizes a hot water supply function, a reheating circuit 3 that realizes a reheating function, and a water injection / hot water injection that supplies hot water or water from the hot water supply circuit 2 to the reheating circuit 3 for hot water filling or the like. It includes a circuit 4 and a control unit 5 that controls the operation of these circuits. Although the example shown in the figure shows a one-can, two-water type, the present invention is not limited to this, and the two-can, two-water type can also be used to carry out the present invention. In addition, the example shown in the figure is configured as a latent heat recovery type that combines a primary heat exchanger that absorbs the sensible heat of the combustion gas and a secondary heat exchanger that recovers the latent heat from the combustion exhaust gas. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be carried out even if it does not have a secondary heat exchanger, and it is not essential that it is a latent heat recovery type. In the following description, the combination of the primary heat exchanger and the secondary heat exchanger is simply referred to as a hot water supply heat exchanger 22 or a reheating heat exchanger 32.

As will be described later, although it is equipped with a hot water filling circuit, it does not have a reheating function, and a type in which hot water at a predetermined temperature is poured exclusively into the bathtub to fill or add hot water (hereinafter, "pouring hot water"). The bath device of the present invention can also be configured by using a hot water supply device (referred to as a "dedicated type"). In addition, although it has a reheating function, it does not have a hot water filling circuit, and it is a type that reheats and keeps the water poured in the bathtub warm (hereinafter referred to as "reheating only type"). The bath device of the present invention can also be configured by using a hot water supply device.

The hot water supply circuit 2 guides water such as tap water to the hot water supply heat exchanger 22 via the water supply channel 21, and heats the hot water heated by heat exchange heating with the combustion heat generated in the combustion burner 23 in the hot water supply heat exchanger 22. Hot water is discharged to the hot water supply channel 24, and this hot water is supplied to the hot water taps 25 in various places such as the kitchen and the washroom. A bypass passage 26 is provided between the water supply passage 21 and the hot water supply passage 24 to bypass the hot water supply heat exchanger 22 and allow the water supplied from the water supply passage 21 to flow into the hot water supply passage 24, and the bypass valve 26a is opened. It is designed to communicate with each other. A flow sensor 27 and a water supply temperature sensor 28 for detecting the water supply temperature are interposed in the water supply channel 21, and a can body outlet temperature for detecting the temperature of the hot water immediately after being heated by the hot water supply heat exchanger 22 in the hot water supply channel 24. A sensor 29 is interposed.

The reheating circuit 3 is a circulation circuit mainly composed of a return path 30a and an outward path 30b piped between the circulation adapter 61 of the bathtub 6 and the reheating heat exchanger 32 in order to realize the reheating function. It is possible to reheat and heat the bathtub hot water filled in the bathtub 6 to a predetermined temperature. That is, by the operation of the circulation pump 31, bathtub hot water is supplied from the bathtub 6 to the reheating heat exchanger 32 through the return path 30a, and the bathtub hot water is generated by the combustion burner 33 in the reheating heat exchanger 32. It is configured to be heated by heat exchange and reheated, and the bathtub hot water after reheating is returned to the bathtub 6 through the outward path 30b, and is reheated until the temperature of the bathtub hot water passing through the return path 30a reaches a predetermined target temperature. It has become so. The circulation pump 31 is interposed in either the return path 30a or the outward path 30b (return path 30a in the figure). The return path 30a is via a water flow switch 34 that detects the flow and outputs it to the control unit 5, which will be described later, and a return temperature sensor 35 that detects the temperature of the bathtub hot water (bathtub hot water temperature) in the bathtub 6 returned by the return path 30a. The outbound route 30b is equipped with an outbound temperature sensor 36 that detects the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub after reheating. Reference numeral 37 in FIG. 1 is a gas supply system for supplying fuel gas to the hot water supply combustion burner 23 and the reheating combustion burner 33.

The water injection / hot water injection circuit 4 includes a hot water injection path 41 that branches from the middle of the hot water supply path 24 and is continuously connected to the return path 30a of the reheating circulation path 30. Hot water flows into the return path 30a, which is divided into both sides and is poured (or water-injected) into the bathtub 6 in both transport formats through each of the return path 30a and the outbound path 30b. In the pouring passage 41, a flow rate sensor 42, a pouring solenoid valve 43, a pair of check valves 44 for preventing backflow, and a backflow generation when a negative pressure is generated on the upstream side are generated in this order from the upstream side, which is the side of the hot water supply passage 24. A check valve 45 for preventing the check valve 45 is interposed, and in addition, a pressure type water level sensor 46 for detecting the water level in the bath water 6 is interposed in the vicinity of the confluence with the reheating circulation path 30. As the water level detecting means in the tub 6, for example, a water level sensor installed in the tub 6 or an ultrasonic reflection pulse method installed on the ceiling wall to emit an ultrasonic pulse from above to directly below the water surface in the tub 6. It can be configured by using an ultrasonic pulse transmitter / receiver that detects the position of the water surface.

Reference numeral 7 in FIG. 1 is an outside air temperature sensor, and the outside air temperature sensor 7 detects the outside air temperature by detecting the atmospheric temperature inside the case. Further, reference numeral 8 is a drain treatment device, and in this drain treatment device 8, the combustion exhaust gas is heat for recovering latent heat in the secondary heat exchanger included in the hot water supply heat exchanger 22 and the reheating heat exchanger 32. The drain generated by being cooled and condensed by exchange is collected through the collecting channel 82, neutralized in the neutralization tank 81, and then drained from the drainage channel 83.

In the above hot water supply circuit 2, reheating circuit 3, water injection / hot water injection circuit 4, etc., the hot water supply operation, reheating operation, hot water filling operation by water injection / hot water injection, or hot water filling operation is performed by the control unit 5 mainly composed of the microcomputer. Various operation controls such as automatic bathing that automatically controls tension, reheating, and heat retention, and bathing support to support safe bathing such as pre-bathing caution mode, bathing notification mode, and bathing caution mode. The control is performed based on commands from the kitchen remote controller 51, the bath remote controller 52, etc., and the detection values of the various sensors described above.

The kitchen remote controller 51 and the bathtub remote controller 52 have a conventionally known configuration, and by operating an operation button or a touch panel, in addition to on / off switching operations such as hot water filling operation, reheating operation, and automatic bathing operation, hot water filling operation is performed. The set temperature of the bathtub water temperature at the time of bathing at the time of control or automatic bath operation control can be set in 1 ° C increments within the range of, for example, 33 ° C to 48 ° C. The setting contents of either remote controller are transmitted to the other remote controller and the control unit 5 of the hot water supply device 1 and stored and stored. Further, when the bathroom dryer 63 is installed in the bathroom Y (see FIG. 2), the remote controllers 51 and 52 can be made to function as an operation unit for operation control of the bathroom dryer 63. In addition, a dedicated remote controller 54 can be installed in the dressing room D as an operation unit for controlling the operation of the bathroom dryer 63. In this case, in addition to the dedicated remote controller 54, any of the remote controllers 51 and 52 described above may function as an operation unit for operation control of the bathroom dryer 63, that is, an operation unit for operation control related to bath use. can do.

Then, in the present embodiment, the control unit 5 of the hot water supply device 1 that receives the operation signals from the kitchen remote controller 51, the bath remote controller 52, and / or the dedicated remote controller 54 and executes various operation controls functions as a bathing intention determination means. It is configured as. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when the bath automatic switch of any of the remote controllers 51 and 52 is turned on (YES in step S1-1), the bathtub 6 is started to be filled with hot water as described later. Since the operation control such as reheating is started up to the set temperature, it can be determined that the user has an intention to start bathing, that is, a bathing intention (step S1-2). Alternatively, especially when the reheating switch of the kitchen remote controller 51, that is, the remote controller installed other than the bathroom Y is turned on (YES in step S1-1), let's heat the remaining hot water or the remaining water in the bathtub 6 outside the bathroom. Therefore, it can be determined that there is an intention to take a bath (step S1-2).

In addition, after the bath is filled with hot water and reheated by the automatic bathing operation, the temperature retention operation is continued for a predetermined time for the next bather, etc., especially set by the kitchen remote control 51. If the temperature is changed to a higher temperature (for example, the set heat retention temperature of 40 ° C is changed to 42 ° C) (YES in step S1-1), a slightly hot water for the next bather to take a bath from now on. It is considered that the patient is trying to warm up, and even in such a case, it can be determined that he / she intends to take a bath (step S1-2).

If the bath does not have an automatic bath operation function, for example, in the case of the above-mentioned hot water pouring type, even if the hot water filling switch of any of the remote controllers 51 and 52 is turned on (YES in step S1-1), the bath is taken. It can be determined that there is an intention (step S1-2). Similarly, when the bath does not have an automatic operation function, for example, in the case of the above-mentioned reheating-only type, the reheating switch and / or the heat retention switch of any of the remote controllers 51 and 52 may be turned on. (YES in step S1-1), it can be determined that there is an intention to take a bath (step S1-2).

Further, when the bathroom dryer 63 is installed in the bathroom Y, when the heating switch in the operation operation switch (heating switch, cool breeze switch, ventilation switch, drying switch) is turned on (). YES in step S1-1), since it is an operation to preheat the inside of the bathroom 6, it can be determined that there is an intention to take a bath (step S1-2). Alternatively, when a motion sensor 55 composed of an infrared sensor is provided on the wall surface or the ceiling wall surface of the dressing room D, the bathing intention determination means can be configured by the motion sensor 55. In this case, the control unit 5 receives a detection signal from the motion sensor 55 that a person has entered the dressing room D (YES in step S1-1), so that the bather enters the dressing room D for bathing. That is, it can be determined that there is an intention to take a bath (step S1-2). When the dedicated remote controller 54 is installed in the dressing room D, the motion sensor 55 can be attached to the dedicated remote controller 54.

As described above, the control unit 5 outputs the above-mentioned one or more operation signals of the kitchen remote controller 51, the bath remote controller 52 and / or the dedicated remote controller 54 (YES in step S1-1), and the bathing intention is It can be determined that there is (step S1-2), and if there is no output of such an operation signal, it can be determined that there is no intention of bathing or it is unknown (step S1-3).

The bath remote controller 52 is installed on the wall surface of the bathroom Y, and a motion sensor 53 composed of an infrared sensor is provided on the bath remote controller 52, and the bather is taking a bath based on the detection signal of the motion sensor 53. It is configured to function as a bathing determination means for determining whether or not it is present. The motion sensor 53 is set in an orientation and an installation position so that it can reliably detect that a person has entered the bathtub 6. Therefore, when the bathroom TV 62 (see FIG. 2) is installed in the bathroom Y, a motion sensor can be provided in the bathroom TV 62 in place of the bath remote controller 52 or in addition to the bath remote controller 52. .. If a motion sensor is provided to detect that a person has entered the bathroom Y, it is determined that the person is "in the bath" when the person enters the bathroom, but after entering the bathroom Y In order to prevent the accumulation of bathing time from being started before entering the bathtub 6, it is possible to determine that the person is "in the bath" after a predetermined time has elapsed after entering the room. Further, in this case, by using the water level detection described later in combination, it is possible to reliably determine whether or not the person is taking a bath.

When, for example, a bathing switch is provided on the bath remote control 52 so that the bathing person turns on the bathing switch when bathing in the bathing 6, that is, the bathing person controls the bathing support, which will be described later. If you wish to actively receive bathing support, you can determine that you are "in the bath" (starting bathing) based on the output of the on signal of the bathing switch.

Further, instead of making the bath remote controller 52 (or the bathroom TV 62) function as a bathing determination means as described above, the control unit 5 of the hot water supply device 1 that monitors the detected water level of the water level sensor 46 functions as a bathing determination means. You can also. That is, when the detected water level of the water level sensor 46 suddenly increases by a predetermined amount, it is determined that the user is "in the bath" until the detected water level suddenly decreases by a predetermined amount, and the detected water level suddenly decreases by a predetermined amount. The control unit 5 can be configured to determine that the patient has not taken a bath during the period from the time when the bath is suddenly increased to the time when the predetermined amount is suddenly increased. Further, it is configured to determine "entering the room" by the above-mentioned motion sensor 53, and if the detected water level of the water level sensor 46 suddenly increases when it is determined to be in the room, it is determined to be "in the bath". You can also do it. The criteria and method for determining whether or not a person is taking a bath may be any, and can be changed as appropriate.

Explaining in detail the bath automatic operation control by the control unit 5, the bath automatic operation control is started by the user turning on the bath automatic switch of the remote controllers 51 and 52. First, the bath automatic operation start command and the hot water are used. Information on the amount of beam (or the hot water level) and the target temperature (a set temperature stored in advance or a set temperature input and set by the user) is transmitted from the remote controllers 51 and 52 to the control unit 5. As a result, the control unit 5 injects hot water from the hot water supply circuit 2 into the bathtub 6 through the water injection / hot water injection circuit 4 and the reheating circulation path 30. The amount of hot water poured at this time is grasped and specified by the integration of the water level sensor 46 or the hot water flow rate sensor 42, and the bathtub 6 is filled with hot water up to a predetermined water level. Next, the operation of the reheating combustion system and the circulation pump 31 including the reheating combustion burner 33 and the gas supply system 37 of the reheating circuit 3 is controlled, and the combustion heat of the reheating combustion burner 33 is received to receive the reheating heat. The hot water in the bathtub 6 passing through the exchanger 32 is heat-exchanged and heated, and is reheated to the target temperature instructed by the remote controls 51 and 52. After the reheating heating is completed, the heat insulation operation for intermittently executing the reheating control in order to maintain the hot water temperature in the bathtub 6 at the target temperature is set for a set time (for example, 4 hours after the bath automatic switch is turned on). Until the elapse of time, or until the automatic bathtub switch is turned off by the user.

Then, in the present embodiment, as the bathing support control, the pre-bathing caution mode, the bathing notification mode, and the bathing caution mode are executed. All of the various modes constituting these bathing support controls can be configured to be executed by the control unit 5, or can be configured to be executed by the remote controllers 51 and 52 in place of the control unit 5. Alternatively, the remote controllers 51 and 52 can be configured to execute one or more selected modes among the various modes. Therefore, the control unit 5 and / or the remote controllers 51 and 52 function as bathing support means for executing bathing support control including the pre-bathing attention alert mode, the bathing notification mode, and the bathing time alerting mode. In addition, the remote controllers 51 and 52 are provided with a safe bathing switch that can select whether to turn on or off any or all of the pre-bathing warning mode, bathing notification mode, and bathing warning mode. If so, the safe bathing switch can be turned on or off to switch the execution or stop of the corresponding mode.

As shown in FIG. 4, the pre-bathing attention alert mode is started when it is determined by the bathing intention determination means that there is a bathing intention (YES in step S1), and the kitchen remote controller 51 and / or the bath remote controller 52, which are notification units, are started. To notify the information for giving a warning before bathing (step S2). The information for giving a warning before bathing is exemplary information relating to situations in which bathing should be avoided. Specifically, we will inform you that you should refrain from taking a bath after drinking alcohol or immediately after eating. For example, "After drinking alcohol, refrain from bathing until the alcohol is drained", "Avoid bathing immediately after eating", "Avoid bathing when you are not feeling well or after taking sleeping pills", etc. Notify the arousal information. The notification can be performed by an announcement by voice guidance and / or display by text characters or the like on the display unit, and for example, animation or illustration can be combined and displayed. In addition, an electronic sound, a warning sound by a chime, or the like can be sounded in addition to the notification to call attention.

The above-mentioned notification related to the warning before bathing may be executed once immediately after the determination of the intention to take a bath, may be repeated a predetermined number of times, or may be repeated again at a predetermined time interval. You can also do it.

By executing the above-mentioned pre-bathing alert mode, it is possible to give a timely notification regarding the pre-bathing alert based on the judgment result by the bathing intention determination means, and the user's safe bathing and safe bathing can be more reliably guaranteed. You can take a comfortable bath. In other words, for users who tend to act casually or easily, such as trying to take a bath immediately after drinking alcohol or immediately after eating, or trying to take a bath habitually despite being in poor physical condition, in a timely and advance manner. It can give attention and contribute to the prevention of unexpected situations associated with bathing.

On the other hand, when the bath automatic switch is turned on, or when hot water filling or reheating is completed, the bath notification mode and the bath warning mode are started. That is, as described later, the bathing determination means starts determining whether or not the patient is taking a bath, and when it is determined that the bathing is in progress, the control unit 5 starts accumulating the bathing time by the bathing timer as the bathing measuring means. Bathing support control related to the bath notification mode and the bathing alert mode is started.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the basic control contents of the bathing notification mode and the bathing alert mode. First, when it is determined by the bathing determination means that the bathing is in progress (YES in step S11), the measurement of the bathing time, which is the elapsed time of bathing, that is, the integration of the bathing time by the bathing timer is started (step S12). Then, when the measured bathing time reaches the set time (YES in step S13), the bathing notification is executed (step S14), and at the same time , the information related to the warning at the time of bathing is notified (step S15).

The bathing notification is a notification to encourage the bather to take a bath, for example, "Let's get out of the bath soon" or "Let's get out of the bath to prevent heat stroke". This encourages bathers to take a bath. Such notification is performed by using the bath remote controller 52, displaying guidance by text characters or the like on the display unit, announcing to that effect by voice guidance, or by any or combination selected from melody or alarm sounding. It can be carried out.

In addition, the information related to the alert when taking a bath is information for instructing to refrain from sudden movements when taking a bath. For example , by notifying the guidance such as "Let's not get up suddenly from the bathtub" or "Be careful of lightheadedness and do not get up suddenly from the bathtub", the risk of sudden blood pressure drop can be increased. Try to reduce it. The means and method of notification can be performed in the same manner as the above-mentioned bath notification. In addition, it is effective to display this alert when taking a bath in combination with animation or illustration, or to make a warning sound by an electronic sound or a chime, as in the case of the alert before bathing. Is. Such a warning at the time of bathing can be issued for each bathing notification at the same time as the timing of the bathing notification.

If bathing is not confirmed even after the above-mentioned bathing notification and warning at the time of bathing are executed, the bathing notification and warning at the time of bathing are repeatedly issued at predetermined time intervals until the bathing is confirmed. To execute. At that time, bathing status support such as notification (display, voice or alarm) of information related to the bathing status that bathing is not confirmed or that bathing is continuing even if the bathing notification is given by the kitchen remote controller 51. Modes can be added. The confirmation of bathing can be confirmed by the fact that the determination by the bathing determination means has disappeared from the time of bathing to the time of bathing, and also by the sudden drop in the water level detected by the water level sensor 46. Further, when the safe bathing switch is provided, the signal output based on the off operation of the safe bathing switch can be used to confirm the bathing.

The setting of the time value of the set time for executing the above-mentioned bathing notification and the warning at the time of bathing can be set based on the bathtub hot water temperature (set temperature), or is set based on the bathtub hot water temperature. The value of the set time can be corrected depending on the bathtub water level. As for the relationship between the bathtub water temperature and the time value of the set time, for example, when the bathtub water temperature (set temperature) is 41 ° C. and the bathtub water level is, for example, 40 cm, it is defined as a standard case, and the standard recommended time value for this ( For example, set 10 minutes as the set time value), and if the bathtub water temperature is higher than that, change the recommended time value shorter from the viewpoint of preventing heat stroke, while the bathtub water temperature is lower than that. For example, it is possible to determine that the user intends to take a cool-down bath and change the recommended time value to a longer value (tolerate a long bath). The time value of the set time may be a fixed value stored and set in advance, or the user may be able to input and set a desired time value for the remote controllers 51 and 52.

By executing the above-mentioned warning mode at the time of bathing, it is possible to appropriately and timely guide the bather to the warning that the movement at the time of bathing is to be performed slowly, and the user can take a safe and secure bath more reliably. It is possible to ensure a comfortable bathing. That is, the behavior of trying to take a bath in a hurry based on the bathing notification, or trying to take a bath with normal movement even though the blood pressure is lowered by continuing to take a bath quietly in the bathtub 6. It is possible to give timely and appropriate alerts to users who tend to have blood pressure, and it is possible to contribute to the prevention of unexpected situations such as dizziness when taking a bath.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the design can be changed as appropriate. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, when the bathing time reaches the set time, a warning at the time of bathing is issued together with the notification of bathing. The alert mode can be executed independently. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, if the totalization of bathing time is started (step S12) based on the determination result of being in the bath (YES in step S11) and the bathing time reaches a predetermined set time. (YES in step S13), the same alert at the time of bathing as in the above-described embodiment is executed (step S15). In this case, it is possible to notify the user of the same information related to the alert at the time of bathing as described above at the timing expected to be the time of bathing, thereby obtaining the same effect as that of the embodiment. can. In addition, regardless of the passage of the bathing time, if the judgment result that the bather is in the bath is obtained, the situation of the bather (for example, the bather is continuously imaged) is repeatedly and continuously, or every predetermined time elapses, or. By doing so, the information related to the alert at the time of bathing may be notified according to the situation of the bather by the bather situation determination means for monitoring the situation of the bather).

In the above embodiment, the hot water supply device 1 configured as a gas combustion heating type is exemplified, but instead, the present invention may be applied to an oil combustion heating type or an electric heater heating type. can. In addition, a hot water supply device or heat pump configured to recover exhaust heat from a gas engine or fuel cell or recover solar heat and store it in a hot water storage tank with functions such as hot water supply, hot water pouring, or reheating using this as a heat source. The present invention can be applied by using a hot water supply device configured by heating.

5 Control unit (bathing support means, bathing intention determination means, bathing determination means),
51 Kitchen remote controller (bathing support means, bathing intention determination means, notification unit, operation unit),
52 Bath remote controller (bathing support means, bathing intention determination means, bathing determination means, notification unit, operation unit),
53 Motion sensor (bathing determination means),
54 Dedicated remote controller (operation unit),
55 Motion sensor (means for determining bathing intention).

Claims (3)

A bathing intention determination means for determining the existence of a bathing intention for the user to start bathing, a notification unit, a bathing determination means for determining whether or not the user is in the bathtub, and precautions before bathing. It is equipped with bathing support means for executing bathing support control including arousal mode and alert mode at the time of bathing.
The pre-bathing caution mode is exemplary information relating to a situation in which bathing should be avoided as information for giving a pre-bathing caution by the notification unit when the bathing intention determining means determines that the bathing intention is present. It is configured to provide example information about what is caused by the user's own situation .
In the bathing alert mode, when it is determined by the bathing determination means that the user has entered the bathtub while taking a bath, the notification unit provides alerting information when taking a bath based on the bathing situation. It is configured to notify you that you will slowly perform the action when you take a bath so that you do not suddenly get up from the bathtub when you take a bath.
A bath device that features that. The bath device according to claim 1.
The bathing intention determining means includes an operation unit for operation control related to bath use including bathing operation to fill the bathtub, and an operation signal is output when an operation for preparing to start bathing is performed on this operation unit. A bathing device that is configured to determine that there is an intention to take a bath when it is done. The bath device according to claim 1 or 2.
The bathing measuring means is provided with a bathing measuring means for starting the measurement of the bathing time, which is the elapsed time of bathing, when it is determined by the bathing determining means that the user is in the bath, and the bathing support means is the bathing support control. When the bathing time measured by the bathing measuring means reaches the set time, the notification unit provides guidance for urging the user who is a bather to take a bath by the bathing notification mode. A bathing device configured to notify by the notification unit, and also to notify the attention information when taking a bath in the bathing attention mode.

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