JPH04138118A - Shower device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a sound echo level to be lowered by constituting the main sound generation side of a sounding body such as a speaker for playing back a sound so that the aforesaid side is directed roughly downward. CONSTITUTION:The main sound generation side of a speaker 4 as a sounding body is so fitted to a shower device 26 as to be faced approximately downward. As a result, a sound wave propagates downward, passes near a user's ears and reaches a floor where the user is standing. Furthermore, when a shower mat having approximately conical roughness is laid on the floor where the user is standing, the echo of the sound can be restrained. According to the aforesaid construction, the user can take a shower while listening to preferred music from the speaker 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a shower device installed and used in a bathroom, shower room, or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, with the development of hot water supply technology, showers are now installed in most homes, and the culture surrounding bathing is increasing. Moreover, in addition to simply washing away sweat and dirt from the body, there is a growing demand for refreshment, comfort, and fun.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a so-called bath remote control 1 for operating a water heater from the bathroom has been commercialized, including a built-in radio receiver and speaker 2 as shown in FIG. This allowed people to enjoy listening to radio broadcasts, such as live broadcasts of professional baseball night games or FM music broadcasts, while taking a bath.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, with such a conventional structure, sound can be transmitted to all areas of the bathroom, such as the walls, ceiling, floor, bathtub, etc.
The problem was that the sound bounced off all surfaces and was likely to cause echoes, making it difficult to hear the sound clearly.

Therefore, even if you listen to music in the bathroom,
It was not enough to give me a sense of satisfaction.

The present invention solves such conventional problems and aims to provide a shower device that enables high performance effects.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, a shower device of the present invention is provided with a shower outlet for discharging hot water, and a sounding body such as a speaker for reproducing sounds such as music. The main sound surface of the body is oriented substantially downward.

Function: With the above-described configuration, the present invention not only allows you to listen to music etc. from a sounding device such as a speaker while taking a shower from the shower outlet that discharges hot water.
Since the main sounding surface of a sounding body such as a speaker is oriented substantially downward, the direct sound from the sounding body first reaches the user's ears, then hits the floor and then other walls. . Therefore, by simply using a mat that reduces sound reflection on the floor surface, such as a mat with roughly conical or pyramid-shaped unevenness, the user can reduce the sound reverberation. The sound of the sounding body can be heard clearly, and the shower can have a high production effect.

Embodiment Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, reference numeral 3 indicates a compact disc player, which is an example of a musical tone signal generator. When the compact disc player 3 is operated, a musical tone signal is output. This musical tone signal is input to a speaker 4 which is a sounding body and a channel switching controller 5. This flow path switching controller 5 includes a rhythm element detection section. The flow path switching controller 5 has a rhythm element detecting section that detects the strength of the frequency band of the sound of drums and basses, which are instruments in the rhythm section of music, and detects whether the rhythm element signal exceeds a certain strength level. The configuration is such that the flow path switching means 6 is energized for a certain period of time. In the flow rate switching means 6, a movable core 9 is slidably inserted into an electromagnetic coil 7 through a guide vibe 8, and a fixed core 10 for attracting the movable core 9 is inserted inside the guide vibe 8. Big electromagnetic coil 7
It is crimped and fixed to the outside yoke 11. Note that the magnetic lines of force generated by the electromagnetic coil 7 are the movable iron core 9 and the fixed iron core 10.
- A magnetic circuit that goes around the yoke 11 and the yoke plate 12 is configured. Furthermore, a valve body 13 is loosely attached to the end face of the movable iron core 9. Spring 1 attached to the valve body 13
4 urges the movable core 9 away from the fixed core 10. The flow path in the valve body 15 of the flow path switching means 6 is between an inlet 17 that communicates with the hot water supply port 16 and outlets 21 and 22 that communicate with each of the plurality of outlets 19 and 20 of the shower nozzle 18 that discharges hot water. A plurality of valve seats 28 and 24 are formed in the middle of each communication path. The valve body 13 is connected to the plurality of valve seats 23
, 24, and has a configuration close to that of a so-called spool valve. Note that 25 is a guide rib formed on the valve body 13. Further, FIG. 8 shows the appearance of the shower device 26, and 27 is a cap of a battery power supply case built into the shower device 26, and the battery is replaceable and has a waterproof structure. The plurality of discharge ports 19 and 20 are connected to the hand shower nozzle 2 separately from the shower nozzle 18.
8. Furthermore, a hot water nozzle 29 that can discharge hot water from the upper part of the shower device 26, a fog nozzle 30 that discharges hot water in the form of fine mist, etc. are installed. Selection of these shower nozzles is performed by operating a selection solenoid valve 32 (not shown) from the operating section 31.

The selection solenoid valve 32 is a self-holding solenoid valve that can be operated by one-shot energization in order to reduce battery power consumption. The compact disc player 3, the flow path switching controller 5, the flow path switching means 6, and the like are constructed to be built into the shower device 26.

In the above configuration, when an instruction is given to discharge from the shower nozzle 18 using the operation unit 31 of the shower device 26, the selection solenoid valve 32 is opened by one-shot energization, and hot water is spouted from the discharge port 19 of the shower nozzle 18. In this case, since the flow path switching means 6 is not energized, the flow path of the flow path switching means 6 is in the state shown in FIG. 1, the valve seat 23 remains fully open, and the valve seat 24 remains fully open, so the discharge port It is discharged from 19. However, since it is equipped with a thermistor to detect the hot water temperature and has the function of dispensing hot water at an appropriate temperature, the hot water supply port 1
If the hot water supplied from 6 is at a temperature other than 37 to 42°C, it is not immediately discharged from the shower nozzle 18, but is first discharged from the discharge port 33, and when the temperature reaches an appropriate temperature, it is automatically discharged from the selected shower nozzle. . Therefore, you can use it with confidence without having to suddenly bathe in cold or hot water.

Next, when the mode switch (not shown) of the musical sound interlocking shower on the operation unit 31 is turned on, a musical sound signal is generated from the compact disc player 3, which is a musical sound signal generator, and music is heard from the speaker 4, which is a sounding body. at the same time,
The shower jet flows in conjunction with the rhythm of the music from the outlet 1.
9 and from the discharge port 20 alternately. In this musical tone-linked shower, the flow path switching controller 5
This occurs by detecting a rhythm element from a musical tone signal using the above-described configuration, switching according to the rhythm element signal, and applying an electrical output to the electromagnetic coil 7 of the flow path switching means 6. FIG. 2 shows a state in which a current is applied from the flow path switching controller 5 to the flow path switching means 6, and the shower outlet is switched from the outlet 8019 to the outlet 20. In this way, the shower outlet changes according to the rhythm element signal that changes over time, and rhythmic stimulation can be obtained. In this way, in response to the generation of sounds of rhythmic elements that change over time, the flow path switching means 6 is energized only at the moment of each signal, and the electromagnetic force generated in the electromagnetic coil 7 of the flow path switching means 6 causes the movement to occur. The iron core 9 pulls the valve body 13 overcoming the force of the spring 14 and acts to close the valve seat 23. Therefore, the shower jet changes from the discharge port 19 to the discharge port 20 only at that moment. Furthermore, between the pulses of the rhythm element signal, the input current from the flow path switching controller 5 to the flow path switching means 6 stops, and at that moment, the electromagnetic force of the electromagnetic coil 7 of the flow path switching means 6 also disappears. Therefore, the valve body 13 has a spring 14
The force immediately causes the valve seat 28 to fully open, and the valve seat 24 immediately returns to its fully closed state. Further, the flow path switching means 6 is different from a structure in which the flow rate is varied by driving the main valve through a change in the force acting on the diaphragm by driving the pilot valve, and the flow path switching means 6 is configured to change the flow rate by driving the main valve through a change in the force acting on the diaphragm. Since it has a so-called direct-acting configuration in which it is directly driven by the iron core 9, quick response can be obtained, and the shower jet can be switched and varied in conjunction with fast-changing signals such as music.

In addition, since the shower outlet is switched and changed instead of changing the shower flow rate, even if the outlet is switched at high speed, a so-called water hammer phenomenon will occur, which will adversely affect surrounding equipment and piping. Never. This is because the valve body 13 opens the valve seat 24 and then closes the valve seat 23, and in the case of reverse operation, the valve seat 23t' is opened and then the valve seat 24 is closed, while the discharge port 19, 20 spews out a shower. Since the configuration is such that the shower flow rate of each discharge port changes rapidly from maximum to zero and from zero to maximum, the overall flow rate hardly changes. In other words, not only does the water hammer phenomenon not occur, but the flow rate of the shower jet from the individual discharge ports 19, 20 dynamically changes rapidly and significantly, so that an extremely high stimulation sensation and pine surge effect can be obtained.

In addition, the main sounding surface of the speaker 4 which is the sounding body, that is, the front surface of the speaker from which the sound mainly comes out, is placed approximately downward with the shower device 26.
Because the structure is attached to the top, the sound waves propagate from top to bottom. Therefore, the sound waves first pass by the user's ears and then reach the floor beneath their feet. Therefore, the user can directly hear clear sound from the speaker 4. Furthermore, by placing a shower mat 35 with a roughly conical uneven surface 34 as shown in Figures 4 and 5 on the floor under your feet, you can suppress echoes and enjoy clearer sound. This can be easily made possible. In other words, by configuring the main sound-producing surface of the speaker 4, which is the sound-producing body, to face substantially downward, the sound from the speaker 4 can be heard directly up close, and even at low volume, the sound can be heard as a powerful and loud sound. By simply placing a mat under your feet, you can easily suppress the reverberating sound caused by the reflection of sound, which has the effect of preventing the sound from being difficult to hear due to the phenomenon of sound disturbance caused by the so-called reverberation. If the remote control 1 is installed on the side wall of the bathroom as in the past, and the main sounding surface of the speaker 2 is oriented horizontally, the sound from the speaker 2 will be reflected by hitting the inner wall of the bathroom, and the sound will echo on the surrounding walls. Since a large amount of the sound reaches the ears, it becomes difficult to hear the sound. In other words, in the conventional example shown in FIG. 6, in order to prevent and suppress this echo, it is necessary to take sound absorption measures on all surrounding walls. Furthermore, the mat having the substantially cone-shaped uneven surface 34 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 not only receives sound waves from the speaker 4 and suppresses their reflection due to the sound absorption effect of the cone surface, but also suppresses the reflection of the sound waves from the shower jet. It also has the effect of reducing the sound of collisions hitting the floor. In other words, when the shower jet shines directly onto a flat floor, the sound of the water droplets hitting the floor creates a loud noise that drowns out the sound from the speakers, making it difficult to listen to music. When water droplets from the shower hit the cone-shaped uneven surface 34 of 35, the collision is dispersed because it hits the diagonal surface of the cone, and the collision sound is also extremely reduced, making it possible to reduce noise. This is also a shower device configured with the main sounding surface of the speaker 4, which is the sounding body, facing substantially downward, so it is possible to suppress both the echo of the speaker sound and the sound of falling shower water drops with a single mat. It is possible.

As described above, according to this embodiment, a user can take a shower while listening to his/her favorite music from the speaker 4,
This has the effect of allowing you to take a shower while fully enjoying the mood created by the music. What's more, the shower outlet changes according to the rhythm of the music, creating a rhythmic stimulation sensation, a pine surge effect, and a shower that changes the spout pattern in conjunction with the music, producing a visual, auditory, and tactile effect. It has the effect of creating a new life.

In the above embodiment, a musical tone synchronized shower using a compact disc player as a musical tone signal generator was explained as an example, but musical tone signals recorded in a memory IC, other tape recorders, radios, etc. can have similar effects.

In addition, since the sounding body such as the speaker 4 is mounted downward on the upper part of the case of the shower device 26, which corresponds to the user's head, the shower jet and the dripping of hot water transmitted from the shower nozzle through the case can be prevented from entering the speaker. It has the unique effect of preventing people from entering. If the speaker is installed horizontally in the case, not only will it be susceptible to shower jets, but also hot water dripping from the shower nozzle will easily enter the speaker, creating problems in terms of waterproofing. Attempts to improve waterproofing, for example by using a hard waterproof membrane for the speaker's diaphragm, tend to impair sound quality. Furthermore, as a result of the structure in which a sounding body such as a speaker is mounted downwardly on the upper part of the case of the shower device 26 corresponding to the head of the user, the speaker emits sound downward from almost above the head of the user. A unique effect is that the sound from the speakers can be heard in the same way whether you are facing forward or to the side or back when taking a shower. If the speaker is installed horizontally, the sound will be heard differently depending on whether you are facing the speaker while taking a shower or with your back turned. In other words, the degree of freedom in posture and orientation when taking a shower is impaired.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the shower device of the present invention provides the following effects.

(1) The shower device is equipped with a shower spout 80 that discharges hot water and a sounding body such as a speaker that reproduces sounds such as music, and is configured with the main sounding surface of the sounding body such as the speaker facing substantially downward. Not only can you listen to music etc. from a sounding device such as a speaker while taking a shower from the shower outlet that spews out water, but the main sounding surface of the sounding device such as a speaker is oriented substantially downward. Therefore, the direct sound from the sounding body first reaches the user's ears, then the floor,
Furthermore, by simply using a mat that acts as if it hits other walls and reduces the reflection of sound on the floor, such as a mat with roughly conical or square female-shaped unevenness, you can reduce the echoes of the sound. As a result, the user can clearly hear the sound of the sounding body such as a speaker, and the shower can have a high performance effect.

(2) Since the main sounding surface of a sounding element such as a speaker is configured to face downward, for example, by placing a mat with approximately cone-shaped unevenness only on the floor surface under the feet, water droplets from the shower can be easily removed. A unique effect can be obtained in that both the falling noise and the reverberation of sound from a sounding body such as a speaker can be simultaneously reduced with one means.

(3) Since the main sounding surface of a sounding body such as a speaker is configured to face substantially downward, it is possible to prevent shower jets and drips of hot water that travel from the shower nozzle through the case from entering the speaker. It has a unique effect.

(4) Since the main sounding surface of a sounding body such as a speaker is configured to face substantially downward, the speaker emits sound downward from almost above the user's head, so even when facing forward when taking a shower, A unique effect is that the sound from the speakers can be heard in the same way regardless of whether you are facing backwards or sideways.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 are block diagrams showing the configuration of a shower device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the same device, and FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a part of the mat of the same embodiment. figure,
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the mat, and FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of a conventional bath remote control. 4...Sounding body, 19...Discharge port, 20...Discharge port, 26...Shower device. Agent's name: Patent attorney Haruaki Koebi Idiot No. 2! Figure 1 Graduation sound body / 9 Discharge outlet Diagram Figure 4 - Shoulder sound outlet outlet 26 --- Shower remains! Figure Figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] A shower device comprising a shower outlet for discharging hot water and a sounding body such as a speaker for reproducing sounds such as music, and configured such that the main sounding surface of the sounding body such as the speaker faces substantially downward.