JPH10151449A - Apparatus for sterilization of bathtub for bathing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform sterilization even when hot water is a little while durability of a germicidal lamp is ensured. SOLUTION: A plurality of germicidal lamps 61A-61C extending slenderly approximately in the horizontal direction are arranged by an interval in the up and down direction in a water storing tank 10 wherein hot water is moved forward and backward between it and a bathtub for bathing. The hot water level in the hot water storing tank 10 is detected by water level sensors 64A-64C and only such germicldal lamps that are at a lower position than the detected hot water level are turned on and worked and those germicidal lamps that are at a higher position than the detected hot water level are turned off.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bathtub sterilizer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a bath tub that can be opened and closed so that a patient, such as a physically handicapped person who has difficulty walking, can take a bath while sitting on a wheelchair. That is, a hot water storage tank is separately arranged in the vicinity of the door opening / closing bath tub, and after placing the patient with the wheelchair in the bath tub with the door open, hot water is supplied from the hot water storage tank to the bath tub with the door closed. . After bathing, the hot water in the bath tub is discharged to a hot water storage tank, and then the door is opened to allow the patient to leave the bath tub.

In the above-mentioned door-opening bath tub,
While hot water is used repeatedly while being used by a large number of patients, it is desirable to sterilize the hot water.
For this hot water sterilization, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 8-47516 discloses that an elongated rod-shaped germicidal lamp is disposed in a hot water storage tank so as to extend in a vertical direction, and when hot water is present in the hot water storage tank, the germicidal lamp is disposed. Are disclosed.

[0004]

However, according to the above-mentioned publication, when the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank is low, a part of the germicidal lamp is exposed on the water surface, that is, in the air. When the germicidal lamp is operated, the germicidal lamp is liable to be greatly deteriorated, which causes a problem in durability. When part of the germicidal lamp is exposed to the air, that is, when the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank is small, it may be possible to prohibit the operation of the germicidal lamp. It is not preferable.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to perform sterilization using a germicidal lamp even when the amount of hot water in a hot water storage tank is small, while ensuring the durability of the germicidal lamp. It is an object of the present invention to provide a bathtub sterilizing apparatus as described above.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following means. That is, a bath tub that can be opened and closed, a hot water storage tank provided near the bath tub, and a connection circuit that connects the bath tub and the hot water storage tank and has a pump are provided. In the bath tub configured to perform hot water supply from the hot water storage tank to the bath tub and discharge hot water from the bath tub to the hot water storage tank, a plurality of the hot water storage tanks are vertically spaced in the hot water storage tank. A germicidal lamp is provided, and only the germicidal lamp at a position lower than the water level in the hot water storage tank among the plurality of germicidal lamps is configured to be operated. Preferred embodiments based on the above solution are as described in Claims 2 and 3 in the claims.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, by operating only the germicidal lamp located at a position lower than the hot water level in the hot water storage tank, deterioration of the germicidal lamp is prevented and its durability is sufficiently improved. Can be secured. In addition, even when the water level in the hot water storage tank is low, sterilization is performed by some germicidal lamps below the water level, so that more sufficient sterilization is performed than when no sterilization is performed when the water level is low. It can be carried out.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the water level in the hot water storage tank is detected using the water level sensor to control the energization of the germicidal lamp, the operation of the germicidal lamp below the hot water level and the exposure to the air are performed. This is preferable to ensure that the germicidal lamp is not operated.

According to the third aspect, the effect corresponding to the second aspect can be obtained when the water level sensor does not detect the hot water level in a continuously variable manner. According to the fourth aspect, when the water level sensor detects the hot and cold water level in a continuously variable manner, the effect corresponding to the second aspect can be obtained.

According to the fifth aspect, it is preferable in view of the installation area and the like in view of the hot water storage tank which is elongated when viewed from above, and a general elongated rod-shaped germicidal lamp is used. be able to. Furthermore, the elongated rod-shaped germicidal lamp has a strong germicidal action in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, but the germicidal effect is not so much expected in the axial direction even at a short distance from the germicidal lamp. Since the hot water storage tank extends over substantially the entire length, a sufficient sterilizing effect in the axial direction of the germicidal lamp can be obtained.

According to the sixth aspect, it is preferable to minimize the number of germicidal lamps while ensuring a sufficient amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank. According to the seventh aspect, it is preferable to set the overall length of the bathtub and the hot water storage tank short.

According to the eighth aspect, the elongated germicidal lamp can be attached to and detached from the hot water storage tank by a simple method of inserting and removing the lamp in a longitudinal direction.

According to the ninth aspect, the inner surface of the hot water storage tank is used as a reflecting surface for germicidal rays emitted from a germicidal lamp.
This is preferable for further enhancing the bactericidal effect. Further, by using a metal for the inner surface of the hot water storage tank, it is preferable to prevent deterioration of the hot water storage tank due to the sterilization line.

According to the tenth aspect, it is preferable to sufficiently secure the strength of the hot water storage tank for storing a large amount of hot water. According to the eleventh aspect, the hot water storage tank is covered with the outer box made of synthetic resin, which is preferable in that the appearance is good.

According to the twelfth aspect, when the lid member is opened, it is preferable to surely prevent a situation where an unsightly sterilization line is seen. According to the thirteenth aspect, it is preferable to easily confirm the operation state of the germicidal lamp from the outside.

According to the fourteenth aspect, the hot water is discharged to the hot water storage tank after the hot water dirt generated in the bathtub is captured by the filter in advance, so that the transparency of the hot water is ensured and the sterilization efficiency is improved. It will be preferable.
In addition, when hot water is supplied from the hot water storage tank to the bathtub, the hot water does not pass through the filter, so that it is possible to prevent dirt captured by the filter from being returned to the bathtub.

[0017]

1 to 4, reference numeral 1 denotes a bathtub, and a front wall of a bathtub portion (bathing portion) 2 is formed by a door 3. FIG. The rear wall of the bathtub 2 is indicated by reference numeral 4, and the left and right side walls of the bathtub 2 are indicated by reference numeral 5. By opening the door 3, the patient can enter the bathtub 2 together with the wheelchair K, and by closing the door 3, the front wall of the bathtub 2 is formed so that hot water can be stored up to a predetermined water level. The wheelchair K advanced into the bathtub section 2 may include all of the wheelchairs, that is, the running wheels. However, as is known, for example, a bogie section having running wheels and a chair section can be separated in a substantially horizontal direction. It is preferable that only the chair portion is advanced to the bathtub portion 2.

Immediately after the bathtub 1, a hot water storage tank 10
Are arranged. The hot water storage tank 10 includes a bathtub 1
Of the bathtub 2 can be stored (about 600 liters). When viewed from above, the hot water storage tank 10 has a narrow width in the front-rear direction, a length in the left-right direction, and a length in the vertical direction. That is, when the same amount of hot and cold water is stored, the shape is set so that the overall length including the bathtub 1 and the hot water storage tank 10 becomes shorter as a whole. Such a hot water storage tank 10 has a bottom wall, left and right and front and rear side walls, and an upper wall each formed of a stainless steel plate, and a lid member 10 whose upper wall portion can be entirely opened and closed.
a (see FIG. 5).

The hot water storage tank 10 is covered by an exterior box 11 made of a synthetic resin, more specifically, a fiber reinforced plastic so as not to be seen from the outside. The outer box 10 is formed to be longer than the hot water storage tank 10, and forms an arrangement space 13 on a side of the hot water storage tank 10. A filter F, which will be described later, is provided in the installation space 13, and the filter F is also covered by the exterior box 11 so as not to be visible from the outside.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a connection circuit S for connecting the bathtub portion 2 of the bathtub 1 and the hot water storage tank 10. In FIG. 4, the connection circuit S includes an electric pump 21 in addition to the filter F described above. This pump 21
Is connected to the first three-way switching valve 23 through the pipe 22.
The discharge side of the pump 21 is connected to a second three-way switching valve 25 via a pipe 24.

The first three-way switching valve 23 is connected to the bottom wall of the bathtub 2 via a pipe 26 and to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 10 via a pipe 27. The second three-way switching valve 25 is connected to the bathtub section 2 through a pipe 28 and is connected to the inlet port 3 of the filter F through a pipe 29.
Connected to 0. The outlet port 31 of the filter F
It is connected to an upper part of the hot water storage tank 10 via a pipe 32. A drain pipe 33 is branched from a lower part of the pipe 32, and a drain valve 34 is connected to the drain pipe 33.

When supplying hot water from the hot water storage tank 10 to the bathtub section 2, the first three-way switching valve 23 connects the pipe 22 to the hot water tank 27.
To the pipe 24 by the second three-way switching valve 25.
Connect to By operating the pump 21 in this state, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 10
After passing through 4 and 28, it is supplied to the bathtub 2. At this time, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 10 does not pass through the filter F.

When the hot and cold water in the bathtub section 2 is discharged to the hot water storage tank 10, the first three-way switching valve 23 connects the pipe 22 to the hot water storage tank 10.
6 and the pipe 24 is connected to the second
9 By operating the pump 21 in this state, the hot and cold water in the bathtub 2 is supplied to the pipes 26, 22, 24, 2.
9, the water is discharged to the hot water storage tank 10 through the filter F and the pipe 32.

When the hot water is discharged to the hot water storage tank 10, the hot water passes through the filter F, so that the dirt such as the hair of the patient generated in the bathtub 2 is captured by the filter F. The filter F is a porous discharge pipe 35.
And hot and cold water introduced from the inlet port 30 are discharged from the outlet port 31 formed in the lower portion of the filter F through the filter element 36 and the discharge pipe 35. You. The drain valve 34 is opened when the bathing time of one day is over in order to prevent the propagation of various bacteria on the filter F. Further, the filter element 36 is periodically cleaned or replaced.

A germicidal lamp 61 is provided in the hot water storage tank 10. The germicidal lamps 61 irradiate ultraviolet rays as germicidal rays. As is clear from FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a plurality (three) of the germicidal lamps are provided at intervals in the vertical direction, and To 61A, 61B and 61C. Each of the germicidal lamps 61 has an elongated rod shape, extends substantially in the horizontal direction, extends in the longitudinal direction of the elongated hot water storage tank 10 when viewed from above, and is substantially intermediate in the width direction of the narrow width hot water storage tank 10. It is arranged so that it may be located in a part. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of germicidal lamps 61 are arranged so as to be substantially on a straight line in the vertical direction and at substantially equal intervals in the vertical direction. The connection circuit S, excluding the filter F, is disposed in a space H (see FIG. 2) between the rear wall 4 of the bathtub portion 2 of the bathtub 1 and the hot water storage tank 10 (exterior box 11).

The germicidal lamp 61 extends over substantially the entire length of the hot water storage tank 10 in the longitudinal direction. More specifically, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the germicidal lamp 61 liquid-tightly penetrates the side wall 10 b on the filter F side, which is one side wall of the longitudinal side end of the side wall of the hot water storage tank 10.
It is fitted and held in a holder 62 fixed to the inner surface of the side wall 10c on the opposite side so that it can be freely inserted and removed. The base end of the germicidal lamp 61 is fixed to the side wall 10b by a fixing tool 63 such as a bolt. The energization section 61a of the germicidal lamp 61 is located in the above-described arrangement space 13.

The germicidal lamp 61 is operated on the premise that the germicidal lamp 61 is below the hot water level of the hot water storage tank 10. Therefore, corresponding to each of the germicidal lamps 61A to 61C, water level sensors (switches) 64A to 64C that are turned on by the presence of hot water.
Is provided. That is, a water level sensor 64A is provided at a position slightly higher than this corresponding to the germicidal lamp 61A, and a water level sensor 64B is provided at a position slightly higher than this corresponding to the germicidal lamp 61B. A water level sensor 64C is provided at a position slightly higher than this.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the power supply control means (power supply control circuit) using the water level sensors 64A to 64C.
That is, the germicidal lamps 61A to 61C are connected in parallel to the power supply 41, and are individually energized only when a relay switch provided corresponding to each of the germicidal lamps 61A to 61C is turned on. It has become. That is, assuming that the manually operated main switch 42 is ON, when the water level sensor 64A is turned ON,
The corresponding relay coil 43A is energized, the relay switch 44A is turned on, and the germicidal lamp 61A is energized to be activated. When the water level sensor 64B is turned on, the corresponding relay coil 43B is excited and the relay switch 44B is turned on.
B is turned on, and the germicidal lamp 61B is energized to be activated. When the water level sensor 64C is turned ON, the corresponding relay coil 43C is excited and the relay switch 44C is turned ON.
N, the germicidal lamp 61C is energized to be activated.

As described above, the water level of the hot water storage tank 10 is
When the temperature is lower than the lowest water level sensor 64C, none of the germicidal lamps 61 is operated. The hot water level of hot water storage tank 10 is higher than water level sensor 64C and 64
B, the germicidal lamp 6 at the lowest position
Only 4C is activated (the germicidal lamps 61A and 61B are not activated).

The hot water level in the hot water storage tank 10 is
When it is higher than 4B and lower than 64A, the germicidal lamp 61C at the lowest position and the germicidal lamp 61B at the intermediate height position are activated (the germicidal lamp 61A is not activated). When the hot water level of the hot water storage tank 10 is higher than the water level sensor 64A, all the germicidal lamps 61A to 61C are operated.

FIG. 9 shows an example of an energization control circuit in a case where the water level sensor detects the water level in the hot water storage tank 10 in a continuously variable manner. That is, the water level sensor is set, for example, to generate a larger output voltage as the hot water level is higher.
51C, a predetermined reference voltage (REFA to REFC)
Is compared with REFA>REFB> REFC). When the output voltage of the water level sensor is higher than the reference voltage, the comparators 51A to 51C output the corresponding relay coils 43A to 43C.
43C (relay coil corresponding to FIG. 7) is excited, and the corresponding germicidal lamp is energized. Note that REFA corresponds to the water level detected by the water level sensor 64A, and similarly, REFB is 64B.
And REFC supports 64C.

As described above, the comparator 51 constitutes means for determining a germicidal lamp located at a position lower than the hot water level detected by the water level sensor. When controlling the energization of the germicidal lamp using a microcomputer,
The step of comparing the output voltage from the water level sensor with the reference voltage constitutes means for determining a germicidal lamp located at a position lower than the hot water level detected by the water level sensor.

Referring again to FIG. 1 to FIG.
The upper wall 1 is constituted by a lid member 15, and when the lid member 15 is opened, a large opening is formed above the hot water storage tank 10 and the arrangement space 13. In addition, germicidal lamp 6
The side wall of the hot water storage tank 10 facing the first conducting portion 61a
It is constituted by a lid member 16. The cleaning and replacement of the filter F and the approach of the germicidal lamp 61 to the power supply unit 61a are performed by opening one or both of the lid members 15 and 16. The germicidal lamp 61 is replaced by the side wall 10b.
This exchange is performed by
It can be performed only by opening the lid member 16 or can be performed with the exterior box 11 removed entirely.

In order to check the operation state of the germicidal lamp 61, a monitoring window 17 is formed in the cover member 15 of the outer box 11, and the upper wall of the hot water storage tank 10 is made to correspond to the position of the monitoring window 17. The monitoring opening 10 is also provided on the lid member 10a to be
d is formed (see also FIG. 5). A light-shielding plate is fitted into at least one of the monitoring window 17 and the opening 10d so that even if the germicidal lamp 61 is visually observed, it does not adversely affect the eyes. The light-shielding plate is provided in the exterior box 11.
The monitoring window 17 is preferable from the viewpoint of preventing dust and the like from entering the inside of the monitoring window 17.

A switch which is operated in response to opening and closing of the lid member 15 is provided.
It is preferable to set so as to forcibly cut off the energization to. A switch that is opened and closed according to the opening and closing of the lid member 15 is indicated by reference numeral 45 in FIG.

Each of the germicidal lamps 61A to 61C has a power of 65 W (20 W in the output of the germicidal line).
In a direction orthogonal to the axis of the germicidal lamp 61,
430 (the inner surface of hot water storage tank 10) farthest from
mm, and 99.9% of Escherichia coli is killed by the operation (power supply) for 30 seconds.

Although the embodiment has been described above, the number of germicidal lamps may be two or four or more. In addition, the germicidal lamp 61 may be fixed to the hot water storage tank 10 by screwing-in (a male screw portion is formed at the base end of the germicidal lamp 61, and a germicidal lamp through hole formed on the side wall of the hot water storage tank 10). A female screw portion with which the male screw portion is screwed is formed on the inner periphery of the female screw portion). Of course, a portion of the germicidal lamp 61 that penetrates the hot water storage tank 10 is sealed by packing or the like.

The names of the members used in the embodiments can be expressed by adding the names of the means to the expressions of the functional contents, which are superordinate concepts. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is not limited to what is explicitly specified, but also implicitly includes providing what is described as substantially preferred or advantageous.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall plan view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a connection circuit.

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of mounting a distal end portion of a germicidal lamp.

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of mounting a base end of a germicidal lamp together with a water level sensor.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an energizing circuit of a germicidal lamp.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of a current supply circuit of a germicidal lamp.

[Description of sign]

 1: bathtub 3: door 10: hot water storage tank 11: exterior box 15: lid member (exterior box) 17: monitoring window 41: power supply 43A to 43C: relay coil 44A to 44C: relay switch 45: switch (lid member interlocking) 51A to 51C: comparator 61 (61A to 61C): germicidal lamp 64A to 64C: water level sensor K: wheelchair F: filter S: connection circuit

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A bath tub having an openable / closable door, a hot water storage tank provided in the vicinity of the bath tub, and a connection circuit for connecting the bath tub and the hot water storage tank and having a pump. In a bath tub configured to perform hot water supply from the hot water storage tank to the bath tub and discharge hot water from the bath tub to the hot water storage tank through a circuit, the hot water storage tank may be vertically spaced. A plurality of germicidal lamps are disposed, and only a germicidal lamp at a position lower than the hot water level in the hot water storage tank among the plurality of germicidal lamps is configured to be operated. Bathtub sterilizer. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a water level sensor for detecting a water level in the hot water storage tank, and controlling an energization of the germicidal lamp in accordance with an output of the water level sensor. A bath tub sterilizer characterized by the above-mentioned. 3. The water level sensor according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the water level sensors are provided corresponding to the plurality of germicidal lamps, and are set as switches that are turned ON by the presence of hot water. The germicidal lamp is disposed at a position slightly higher than the corresponding germicidal lamp among the plurality of germicidal lamps, and the energization control for the plurality of germicidal lamps is performed such that the germicidal lamp corresponding to the water level sensor that is turned on is energized. A sterilizing device for a bath tub. 4. The germicidal lamp according to claim 2, wherein the water level sensor is set so as to continuously and variably detect a hot water level in the hot water storage tank. The specific germicidal lamp located at a position lower than the hot water level detected by the water level sensor is determined, and the determination is performed by a control unit that energizes only the determined specific germicidal lamp. Bath tub sterilizer. 5. The hot water storage tank according to claim 1, wherein the hot water storage tank is formed to be elongated when viewed from above, and the germicidal lamp is formed into an elongated rod shape so as to extend substantially in a horizontal direction, and A bathtub disinfection device, characterized in that it is disposed so as to extend in the direction in which the tank is elongated, and to extend over substantially the entire length of the hot water storage tank. 6. The hot water storage tank according to claim 5, wherein the hot water storage tank is formed so as to be long in the vertical direction, and the plurality of germicidal lamps are positioned substantially in a straight line in the vertical direction, and substantially in the narrow width direction of the hot water storage tank. A bathtub sterilizer, which is disposed so as to be located at an intermediate position. 7. The bathtub according to claim 6, wherein a door of the bathtub is configured to constitute a front wall of the bathtub when the bathtub is closed, and the hot water storage tank is provided with the door sandwiching the bathtub. And the hot water storage tank is disposed so that a longitudinal direction of the hot water storage tank elongated when viewed from above is substantially orthogonal to left and right side walls of the bathtub. Bath tub sterilizer. 8. The germicidal lamp according to claim 5, wherein the germicidal lamp is set so as to be attached to and detached from the hot water storage tank by a plug-in / out type by displacing the germicidal lamp in a longitudinal direction of the germicidal lamp. Disinfection device for bathtub. 9. The bathtub tub sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein an inner wall surface of the hot water storage tank has a glossy metal surface. 10. The bathtub sterilizer according to claim 9, wherein the hot water storage tank is formed entirely of a stainless steel plate. 11. The sterilization apparatus for a bathtub according to claim 10, wherein the hot water storage tank is covered with a synthetic resin outer box so as to be invisible from the outside. 12. The outer box according to claim 11, wherein the outer box has a lid member, and when the lid member is opened, all the germicidal lamps are forcibly deactivated. Bath tub sterilizer. 13. The bathtub according to claim 11, wherein a monitoring window is formed in the outer box and the hot water storage tank so that an operation state of the germicidal lamp can be visually observed from the outside. Sterilizer. 14. The connection circuit according to claim 1, wherein the connection circuit includes a filter for filtering hot water and hot water is passed only when the hot water is discharged from the bathtub to the hot water storage tank. A sterilizing device for a bathtub.