KR102338403B1 - Apparatus and method for foot washing - Google Patents

Abstract

A foot washing device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body having an open upper surface and including a case in which a user's feet is placed in an inner receiving space, and a spraying unit for spraying predetermined washing water toward the inner receiving space of the case. And, a toe washing unit having a user input unit formed on the outside of the case to display the operating state and providing buttons for various functions, and a toe injection nozzle for spraying washing water between the user's toes placed in the inner receiving space of the case do.

Description

Apparatus and method for washing feet

The present invention relates to a device and method for washing a foot.

Feet sweat three times more than other parts of the body and have almost no sebaceous glands, so they are prone to dryness or roughness. If you do not take good care of your feet, there is a risk of developing various foot diseases such as athlete's foot.

In particular, when an epidemic virus is spreading or air pollution is severe due to fine dust, you must wash your feet well after going out.

In general, when washing your feet, bend your back and wipe every corner of your feet with your hands so that your hands can reach your feet. Because it is uncomfortable, it can be very difficult to wash your feet yourself.

Accordingly, there are various products on the market that can help wash feet while they are fixed on the floor, but it is true that they are still far from effective in terms of effectiveness.

For example, a footrest made of rubber with a plurality of brushes is inexpensive, but it is inconvenient to wash the foot by manually rubbing the foot while controlling the water jet, and it is difficult for people with disabilities to do even this. .

In addition, it is difficult to thoroughly wash between the toes without the use of hands in conventional scaffolding products, and if you lift your feet and wipe them, it may cause safety accidents such as slipping on the floor.

As another example, the conventional washing product that accommodates the feet can wash the feet while standing, but the structure is complicated and the resulting cost is high, along with the problem of difficult management after washing the feet also exist

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a foot washing apparatus and method in which a person with a physical disability can wash his or her feet cleanly without using hands without bending his or her back.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a foot washing apparatus and method capable of solving the problems of conventional equipment management by having a function of automatically washing the equipment after washing the feet.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned here will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

A foot washing device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body having an open upper surface and including a case in which a user's feet is placed in an inner receiving space, and a spraying unit for spraying predetermined washing water toward the inner receiving space of the case. And, a toe washing unit having a user input unit formed on the outside of the case to display the operating state and providing buttons for various functions, and a toe injection nozzle for spraying washing water between the user's toes placed in the inner receiving space of the case do.

The toe washing unit may include a washing member attached to the outside of the toe spray nozzle to remove contaminants caught between the user's toes.

The toe washing unit is rotatably connected to the upper end of the toe spray nozzle and includes a cylindrical washing member with an open lower surface, and a rotating piece located at the upper end of the washing member that can rotate coaxially with the washing member. .

At this time, the cleaning member rotates together with the rotating piece when the rotating piece is rotated by the sprayed washing water.

As another rotational structure example of the toe washing unit, the toe spray nozzle has a washing water guide groove that is recessed at intervals along the longitudinal direction on the outer circumferential surface, and a plurality of injection holes that are formed through the washing water guide groove at intervals.

Here, the toe washing unit may further include a washing member having an open cylindrical shape and a structure capable of axial rotation while wrapping the outside of the toe spray nozzle. Here, the cleaning member has a plurality of injection ports communicating with the injection ports of the toe injection nozzle.

The spray hole has a structure that is obliquely penetrated with respect to the axis of the cleaning member, so that rotation of the cleaning member can be induced by the injection pressure of the washing water.

The foot washing apparatus may further include a control unit connected to the user input unit and receiving inputs from sensors and controlling the injection unit, the toe washing unit, and an actuator of the device. Here, the control unit may control at least one of the injection pressure, the injection method, and the injection angle of the injection unit.

The foot washing device may further include at least one of a cover for covering a portion of the open upper surface of the case and a washing plate disposed on the bottom of the case.

In the washing plate, a plurality of protrusions protruding upward are spaced apart from each other.

The jetting unit includes one or more side jet nozzles disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the case to spray water laterally, and an upward jet nozzle installed at the bottom of the case to jet washing water upward.

It is preferable that the nozzle disposed at the front end of the side injection nozzle is higher than the nozzle disposed at the rear end.

The spray unit includes a downward jet nozzle that sprays water toward the inner bottom of the case, a cleaning solution nozzle disposed inside the case to spray cleaning solution, and a downward jet nozzle and a cleaning solution nozzle connected between the downward jet nozzle and the cleaning solution nozzle. It further comprises a selectively adjustable injection valve. At this time, the downward injection nozzle may be located on the cover to increase the cleaning effect of the toe part.

On the other hand, a foot washing device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a body including a case having an open upper surface and placing a user's feet in an inner receiving space, a water tank disposed inside the case and filled with washing water; It is disposed in the jaw unit and includes a spray unit for spraying predetermined washing water and washing liquid toward the inner receiving space of the case.

The spray unit cleans the inner accommodation space of the case for a preset time by adjusting the spray angle toward the inner accommodation space of the case when the user's feet are separated from the case.

The foot washing device further includes a toe washing unit having a toe jet nozzle that sprays washing water toward between the toes of the user placed in the inner receiving space of the case.

The toe washing unit includes a cleaning member attached to the outside of the toe spray nozzle to remove contaminants caught between the user's toes.

The spray unit includes a downward jet nozzle that sprays water toward the inner bottom of the case, a cleaning solution nozzle disposed inside the case to spray cleaning solution, and a downward jet nozzle and a cleaning solution nozzle connected between the downward jet nozzle and the cleaning solution nozzle. may include a selectively adjustable injection valve.

The downward spray nozzle is sprayed with a time difference before and after the cleaning liquid nozzle is sprayed.

It is preferable that a foot detection sensor for detecting the position of the user's foot is disposed in the inner receiving space of the case, and the injection unit is electrically connected to the foot detection sensor to perform a preset operation.

The spray nozzle of the spray unit may include a spray nozzle exclusively for washing water and a spray nozzle for exclusive use of the cleaning liquid, respectively, but the washing water and the cleaning liquid may be selectively or together sprayed from one spray nozzle.

In addition, the spraying unit may be controlled to continuously spray the washing water and/or the washing liquid even in a state in which the washing water is filled in the case.

According to the present invention, the foot washing device has a structure that can wash between the soles of the feet and toes evenly without bending the back and without using hands, so that even people with limited mobility can wash their feet comfortably.

In addition, the present invention can solve the conventional management problem by mounting a function of automatically washing the device after washing the feet.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing a foot washing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a foot washing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an operation example of the foot washing device according to an embodiment of the present invention from the front.
4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an operation example of the foot washing device according to an embodiment of the present invention from the rear side.
5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a modified example of the operation of the foot washing device according to an embodiment of the present invention from the front.
6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an operation example of the foot washing device according to another embodiment of the present invention from the front.
7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an operation example of the foot washing device according to another embodiment of the present invention from the rear side.
8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a modified example of the operation of the foot washing device according to another embodiment of the present invention from the front.
9 is a view schematically showing a toe spray nozzle in a foot washing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a view schematically showing an operation example of the toe washing unit in the foot washing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
11 to 14 are views schematically showing a modified example of the operation of the toe washing unit in the foot washing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be implemented in a variety of different forms, and only these embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and common knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs It is provided to fully inform the possessor of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined by the description of the claims. On the other hand, the terms used herein are for the purpose of describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular also includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase. As used herein, “comprises” or “comprising” refers to the presence or absence of one or more other components, steps, operations and/or elements other than the stated elements, steps, acts and/or elements. addition is not excluded.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing a foot washing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a foot washing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2 , the foot washing device 100 includes a body part 110 , a spray part 120 , a user input part 130 , and a control unit (not shown).

The body 110 includes a case 111 and a cover 113 .

The case 111 basically has an accommodating space inside which the foot is seated, and has an open upper surface.

The case 111 airtightly contains an electronic component capable of driving the water washing device 100 . Here, the electronic component includes a board on which a circuit for integrating and connecting various cables or wires is installed, and various components connected thereto.

One or more drain holes (not shown) for discharging water and cleaning liquid to the outside may be formed in the inner receiving space of the case 111 . In this case, the case 111 has a closed side surface and a bottom surface except for the drain hole portion.

A washing plate 112 on which the feet are placed is provided on the bottom surface of the case 111 .

The washing plate 112 is based on a flat surface, but may be deformed to have a central portion protruding upward (a portion where the arch of the foot is located).

A plurality of protrusions 112a protruding upward may be disposed on the washing plate 112 at intervals.

The protrusion 112a effectively helps to wash the soles of the feet and serves to maintain a certain distance between the floor or a nozzle (upward injection nozzle: 124) formed on the floor and the feet. It is preferable that the protrusion 112a has a shape that can be rubbed and wiped while providing acupressure effect by making the user feel a rough touch when it touches the sole of the foot.

On the other hand, the protrusion 112a is rotated by a separate driving device (not shown) at the front end (part where the front part of the foot is positioned) and the rear end (part where the heel is positioned) of the washing plate 112 to provide washing power and massage. effect can be enhanced.

As another example, the protrusion 112a may allow the foot to be stably seated on the washing plate 112 by acting as a frame for holding the shape of the foot by elastically deforming the part where the foot is placed or by being depressed downward.

On the other hand, the cleaning plate 112 is made of a structure detachable from the case 111, it can be configured to be used for replacement. Alternatively, it may be an area where a protrusion is formed on the bottom surface of the case 111 to put a foot, ie, a region that is part or all of the bottom surface of the case 111 .

The cover 113 covers a portion (front part) of the upper surface of the case 111 to prevent water from splashing out, and provides an area in which the downward jet nozzle 122, which will be described later, is installed.

The cover 113 may have a structure detachable from the case 111 , and may have a structure in which a hinge shaft (not shown) is connected to one side of the front end of the case 111 to be rotatable.

Hereinafter, the injection unit 120 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 .

The spray unit 120 is formed on the inner surface of the body portion 110 to spray the washing water toward the inner receiving space of the case 111 . The washing water is basically water, but it may be in a state in which water and washing liquid are mixed. On the other hand, water and the cleaning liquid may be sprayed from separate spray nozzles or may be selectively sprayed using a common nozzle. When configured to selectively spray water and cleaning liquid, a valve (eg, a 3-way valve) for this and a control device for controlling the valve are included.

Hereinafter, each injection nozzle constituting the injection unit 120 will be described in detail.

The injection unit 120 includes a side injection nozzle 123 and an upward injection nozzle 124 , and may include a downward injection nozzle 122 formed on the bottom surface of the cover 113 .

One or more side spray nozzles 123 are disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the case 111 to spray water laterally. The side spray nozzle 123 sprays water downward from the horizontal at a position installed on the inner wall of the case 111 .

Since the washing water is sprayed from the left and right sides of the inner side of the case 111, you can also wipe the soles of the feet by twisting the ankles.

On the other hand, the bottom front end of the case 111 is formed higher than the rear end, it can be configured to form a higher position of the side injection nozzle 123 toward the toe. In this case, the direction of the sprayed washing water becomes closer to the vertical, and it is possible to more effectively wash the instep and toes.

The upward injection nozzle 124 is disposed on the bottom surface of the washing plate 112 at intervals to spray water upward to wash the soles of the feet.

At this time, it is preferable that the jet pressure of the upward jet nozzle 124 is configured such that the height of the jetted washing water is maintained within the height of the case in order to prevent the washing water from splashing out of the case 111 . Alternatively, when washing the soles of the feet, the injection pressure of the upward injection nozzle 124 may be increased, and the injection pressure may be weakly adjusted immediately upon sensing that the foot is removed from the washing plate.

One or more downward spray nozzles 122 are disposed inside the cover (113 in FIG. 1) to spray the washing water downward. If the downward injection nozzle 122 is additionally provided, it is effective for washing the instep and toes.

A separate washing water supply unit ( 150 in FIG. 9 ) and/or a washing solution supply unit (not shown) located outside is connected to the spray unit 120 . Although the supply of washing water is made through an external water supply pipe, a water tank (not shown) for storing washing water in the body 100 may be provided in order to control the injection pressure. For example, if the water pressure in the water supply pipe is greater than necessary, the water tank serves as a buffer to maintain an appropriate injection pressure, and when it is necessary to increase the washing water injection pressure than the water pressure in the water supply pipe, a piston (not shown) connected to the water tank operates and the injection pressure raise the

The cleaning liquid supply unit may be supplied with a cleaning liquid from an external cleaning liquid supply device (not shown), or may be of a cartridge replacement type. The cleaning liquid supply unit is connected to the cleaning liquid nozzle 125 .

As described above, the cleaning liquid supply unit may be connected to each nozzle of the spray unit 120 so that each nozzle of the spray unit 120 may alternately spray the cleaning liquid with the washing water or mix it with the washing water to be sprayed.

That is, the downward injection nozzle 122, the side injection nozzle 123, the upward injection nozzle 124 and the cleaning liquid nozzle 125 are connected through a single pipe, and a valve (not shown) is provided for each branch, and optionally The washing water and/or the washing liquid may be sprayed.

Alternatively, for convenience of structure, only the downward spray nozzle 122 and the cleaning liquid nozzle 125 are connected with one pipe, and a valve is disposed therebetween to selectively spray the cleaning water and/or the cleaning liquid.

The operation of the injection unit 120 is controlled by the controller according to a user input through the user input unit 130 or according to a predetermined control logic. Here, the control unit is supplied with power by a power supply unit (not shown).

At this time, in order to prevent water from splashing out of the case 111 , it is preferable that the spray unit 120 is sprayed in a state in which a predetermined amount of water disposed inside the case 111 is filled. Here, a predetermined amount may be measured to a height at which the washing water inside the case 111 set in advance by the user is filled, and the setting can be changed according to the environment.

The injection pressure, the injection pattern, and the injection angle of the washing water and/or the cleaning liquid injected by the injection unit 120 may be variously combined or controlled.

The injection pressure and injection operation control will be described in detail.

The operation of all electrical/electronic devices of the foot washing device 100 according to the present invention including the spray unit 120 , the washing liquid nozzle 125 , the user input unit 130 , and the display unit 131 is performed by the control unit (not shown). controlled by

The foot washing apparatus 100 according to the present invention may be controlled such that each injection nozzle is sequentially injected in order to maintain the injection pressure of each injection nozzle at a predetermined level or more. For example, by operating in the order of the upward injection nozzle 124 - the side injection nozzle 123 - the toe injection nozzle 141, it is controlled to maintain the injection pressure above a certain level. Of course, a pressurization pump (not shown) that increases the injection pressure may be used as necessary, and if it is possible to maintain an appropriate injection pressure, it may be controlled to be simultaneously injected from two or more injection nozzles.

On the other hand, in order to increase the washing and massage effect, each nozzle can be controlled to spray with a spraying pressure that varies according to time.

Various combinations are possible for the spraying method of washing water and washing liquid. For example, when the washing water is sprayed by the spraying unit 120, water and the cleaning liquid may be sprayed alternately from the same nozzle or according to a predetermined spray pattern, and the washing water mixed with water and the cleaning liquid may be sprayed, You can also make it spray only water. Alternatively, the cleaning liquid may be controlled to be sprayed only from a dedicated nozzle (cleaning liquid nozzle) 125 .

In order to increase the cleaning effect and the massage effect, each nozzle of the spray unit 120 may have a left/right or up/down spray angle adjusted, and the side spray nozzle 123 and the upward spray nozzle 124 have the body 110 ) It is desirable that the spray angle be limited within a predetermined range so that water does not splash to the outside.

The control of the injection pressure, the injection method, and the injection angle is performed by the controller according to a user operation through the user input unit 130 or a preset control logic.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 5 , a toe spray nozzle 141 may be further disposed at the front end of the washing plate 112 .

The toe spray nozzles 141 are disposed at intervals in the width direction of the washing plate 112 so as to be positioned between the toes of the feet seated on the washing plate 112 in the longitudinal direction, and spray water toward between the toes.

The toe injection nozzle 141 is formed in a tapered shape in which the upper part of the upper part becomes wider from the upper part to the lower part, and has a structure in which the toe insertion is easy.

The toe spray nozzle 141 may be adjusted up and down, and may be configured to spray water while rotating.

Since the shape and size of the toes are different for each person who uses the foot washing device 100 according to the present invention, the toe spray nozzle 141 is the width of the washing plate 112 according to the user's toe shape so that it can be applied to an unspecified number of people. Positional movement in the (and/or longitudinal) direction is possible.

The position of the toe injection nozzle 141 for each user is stored in a memory device (not shown), and it can be configured to be moved to a position stored for each user by a simple operation of the user input unit (130 in FIG. 1) later. For example, when two people A and B having different toe sizes and shapes use the foot washing device 100, A operates the user input unit (eg, presses button 1) to automatically activate the toe spray nozzle 141 This may correspond to an example in which the toe spray nozzle 141 can automatically move to a position that fits B's toe by moving to a position that fits A's toe, and B manipulates the user input unit (eg, presses button 2). .

On the other hand, instead of, or together with the toe spray nozzle 126, a toe washing rod (not shown) may be additionally provided.

One or more toe washing rods extend vertically upward and are placed between each toes, and rotate to wash and massage between the toes. It is better to increase the washing power and massage effect by placing one or more projections on the toe washing rod, and it is better that the projections are soft. The toe washing rod may be configured to move in the longitudinal direction of the foot washing device 100 between the toes, or two or more washing rods may be placed between the toes to rotate in place. The toe washing rod has a simpler configuration than the toe spray nozzle 126, and can exhibit the effect of washing and massaging between the toes.

6 to 8 are cross-sectional views schematically showing an operation example of a foot washing device according to another embodiment of the present invention from the front and the back.

The foot washing apparatus 100 in FIGS. 6 to 8 may have a structure in which the first and second housings 111a and 111b in which the right foot and the left foot are respectively placed inside the case 111 are installed. In this case, the first and second housings 111a and 111b may have a detachable structure that can be assembled and detached from the case 111 . Here, the first and second housings 111a and 111b have a structure in which parts in contact with each other are snap-fit fastened, and thus may have a structure that can be easily detached without a separate bolting assembly.

Since the other structures are the same as those described above, they will be omitted.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14 , the toe washing unit 140 including the toe spray nozzle will be described in more detail. The toe washing unit 140 may be commonly applied to the foot washing device shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 and the foot washing device shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 .

As shown in FIG. 9 , the toe spray nozzle 141 of the toe washing unit 140 is positioned between the toes, and the width may be adjusted left and right based on the toes or the length may be adjusted up and down.

Toe injection nozzle 141 is made of a cylindrical shape, has one or more injection holes (141a) on the outer surface. The toe spray nozzle 141 is connected to the washing water supply unit 150 and has a function of spraying washing water to the outside, and the washing water supplied from the washing water supply unit 150 is external (between the user's toes) through the plurality of injection ports 141a. is sprayed with

The toe washing unit 140 according to the present invention is rotatable, and FIG. 10 is a view showing an embodiment of the toe washing unit of the present invention. As shown, the toe washing unit 140 includes a toe injection nozzle 141 , a washing member 142 and a rotating piece 143 .

The cleaning member 142 is rotatably disposed on the upper portion of the toe spray nozzle 141 . The cleaning member 142 has a cylindrical shape with an open lower surface. The rotating piece 143 is fixedly disposed on the upper end of the washing member 142 to supply rotational power to the washing member 142 . That is, as the rotating piece 143 rotates by the pressure of the washing water sprayed from the injection unit 120, the washing member 142 coupled with the rotating piece 143 rotates on the fixed toe injection nozzle 141 while rotating on the toe. Clean between. In order to increase rotational efficiency, the spraying unit 120 is preferably configured so that the washing water is always sprayed on one side of the rotating piece 143 .

Since the cleaning member 142 is a part in direct contact with the skin to remove foreign substances including various dead skin cells between the toes, it may be made of a laver type made by foaming an undiluted solution of natural rubber or a sponge made of a urethane type made of synthetic resin. The outer peripheral surface of the cleaning member 142 may be formed with a plurality of protrusions spaced apart from each other.

Here, between the inner circumferential surface of the cleaning member 142 and the outer circumferential surface of the toe spray nozzle 141, a bearing (not shown) to assist the rotation of the cleaning member 142 may be provided.

11 to 14 are views showing another embodiment of the toe washing unit of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in that the washing member 142' itself is rotated by the washing water jet pressure discharged.

Hereinafter, the toe spray nozzle 141 ′ and the cleaning member 142 ′ have been separately described and illustrated for the purpose of enhancing understanding and convenience of explanation, but the toe cleaning unit 140 ′ includes the toe spray nozzle 141 ′ and It can be understood that the washing member 142' is composed of one integral component and serves as a washing water spray and washing member while rotating by itself.

Hereinafter, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 to 14 will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 11 , the cleaning member 142 ′ has a cylindrical shape with an open lower surface, and can be rotated in the axial direction while wrapping the outside of the toe spray nozzle 141 ′. The rotational force is obtained by the washing water injection pressure of one or more injection holes 142a' formed in the cleaning member 142'.

For this purpose, the injection hole 142a ′ has a structure as shown in FIG. 12 .

Figure 12 (a) is a view showing a cross section A-A' of Figure 11, (b) is an example of adding the cleaning member cover 144 in (a). Referring to (a) and (b) of Figure 13, the injection hole (142a') is made of a structure that is obliquely penetrated with respect to the axis of the cleaning member (142).

The injection port 142a' of the washing member 142' is in contact with the washing water guide groove 141b' of the toe injection nozzle 141' shown in FIG.

Here, the washing water guide groove 141b' is a space in which water flows by being recessed at intervals along the longitudinal direction on the outer circumferential surface of the toe spray nozzle 141', and the washing member passes through the toe spray nozzle 141'. It has a function of continuously spraying the washing water flowing into the 142' to the outside without interruption.

The toe injection nozzle 141 ′ includes a washing water guide groove 141b ′ as well as an injection hole 141a ′ and a rotation shaft 141c ′. The injection hole (141a') is formed through the washing water guide groove (141b') at an interval. The rotating shaft 141c' is connected to the rotating shaft connecting groove 142b' formed on the inner surface of the cleaning member 142'.

The cleaning member 142' has a plurality of injection holes 142a' communicating with the injection holes 141a' of the toe injection nozzle 141'.

14, when the washing water supplied from the washing water supply unit 150 is injected to the injection port 142a' through the injection port 141a' of the toe injection nozzle 141', the injection port 142a' is the injection pressure rotation of the cleaning member 142' is induced.

It is preferable to place one or more protrusions (not shown) on the outer circumferential surface of the washing member 142' to increase the washing power and massage effect, and the body itself of the washing member 142' is hard, but the protrusions are preferably soft.

As a modified embodiment, the cleaning member cover 144 may be configured to further include a replaceable cleaning member cover 144 fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the cleaning member 142 ′ to form a plurality of projections on the cleaning member cover 144 . The replaceable cleaning member cover 144 helps to maintain cleanliness of the cleaning device and increase cleaning convenience. The cover hole 144a of the cleaning member cover 144 communicates with the injection hole 142a'.

In the toe washing unit 140' described above, one or more toe washing nozzles 141' extend vertically upward and are disposed between each user's toes, and wash and massage between the toes through rotation.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the automatic washing method performed by the foot washing device 100 according to the present invention will be described.

The automatic washing function may be comprised of a step of step detection, a washing liquid spraying step, and a foot washing step. The step of detecting the step of placing the foot is a step of detecting that the foot is placed on the washing plate 112 . The cleaning liquid spraying step is a step of spraying the cleaning liquid by driving the cleaning liquid nozzle 125 of the spraying unit 120 toward the foot. The foot washing step is a step of washing the feet by spraying washing water from the washing water spray nozzle unit when the first waiting time has elapsed after the washing liquid is sprayed.

Optionally, the washing water in the spray unit 120 to wash the inner space of the case 111 after a foot departure detection step in which the foot detection sensor detects that the foot has fallen from the washing plate 112 and the second waiting time elapses It can also be configured by adding an internal washing step that sprays. In addition, a preliminary washing step of spraying water before the washing solution jetting step may be added.

Here, the first and second standby times mean a preset time in the corresponding process, and the corresponding time can be changed by the user.

The user may make various presets using the user input unit 130 . Basic values such as the injection pressure of the injection unit 120, the first standby time of the automatic cleaning function, the second standby time, and the cleaning liquid injection amount may be set.

The step of sensing step is carried out by a foot detection sensor.

The foot detection sensor may be implemented by installing a light receiving unit (not shown) and a light emitting unit (not shown) on the left and right inner walls of the case 111 , or by placing a pressure sensor on the bottom of the washing plate 112 . The foot detection sensor transmits an information value that detects a position in which the foot approaches the washing plate 112 or a seated pressure value to the controller. The control unit is electrically connected to the foot detection sensor, compares the information value transmitted from the foot detection sensor with a preset reference value, and when the result matches the reference value, the control unit drives and controls the injection unit 120 .

The washing liquid spraying step is a step in which the control unit receives the position information value of the foot sensed by the foot detection sensor (not shown), and preferably sprays the washing liquid toward the foot.

In the foot washing step, the controller controls the injection unit 120 so that the inner receiving space of the case 111 is automatically washed for a preset time and washing the user's feet. Here, the preset time is a time calculated from the accumulated data and may vary according to each function or may be determined by the user. In order to enhance the effect of washing the feet, the injection method, injection pressure, and injection angle of the washing water and cleaning liquid may be automatically changed according to a user input or preset logic. It is desirable to set the injection direction so that the washing effect is high according to the position of the feet. In addition, while the foot washing step is in progress, water or a mixture of water and washing liquid may be sprayed as washing water based on a user's selection operation or according to a preset logic for each detailed washing step (eg, soaking, washing, massage, etc.) The washing water and washing liquid may be sprayed together or alternately. In addition, a drying step of drying the feet by spraying or heating compressed air may be additionally included.

The internal washing step proceeds when the user removes his/her feet after washing the feet. When the washing plate 112 detects that a foot falls off, the injection unit 120 is stopped by the control unit, and the control unit controls the injection unit 120 to wash the inside of the case 111 using an automatic cleaning function. .

For cleaning the inside of the foot sensing device 100, the control unit sprays the washing water toward the washing plate 112 for a preset time by adjusting the spray angle. The set time can be changed arbitrarily by the user. Alternatively, the cleaning time of the washing plate may be changed by detecting the degree of washing of the washing plate using a contamination sensor (not shown) until an appropriate level of washing is achieved.

The washing water sprayed in the internal washing step may be a mixture of a washing liquid having a stronger washing power than the washing water at the time of washing the feet. To this end, the washing solution storage unit may be configured to store the washing solution for washing the washing plate separately from the washing solution for foot washing.

Above, the configuration of the present invention has been described in detail through several preferred embodiments. The present invention has a structure that can wash between the soles of the feet and toes evenly without bending the back and without the use of hands, so that even people with limited mobility can wash their feet comfortably.

In addition, the foot washing device is equipped with a function of automatically washing the device after washing the feet, so that the conventional management problem can be solved.

In this case, the foot washing device in which the feet are washed may eradicate bacteria or remove moisture by configuring an ultraviolet lamp (not shown) or a drying device (not shown) inside the cover of the body portion.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be practiced with various modifications within the scope allowed by the technical idea of the present invention.

100: foot washing device 110: body portion
111: case 111a: first housing
111b: second housing 112: cleaning plate
112a: projection 113: cover
120: injection unit 122: downward injection nozzle
123: side injection nozzle 124: upward injection nozzle
125: cleaning liquid nozzle 130: user input unit
131: LED 140, 140': toe washing unit
141, 141': toe injection nozzle 141a, 141a': nozzle
141b': washing water guide groove 141c': rotating shaft
142, 142': cleaning member 142a, 142a': nozzle
142b': rotation shaft connection groove 143: rotation piece
144': cleaning member cover 144a': cover hole

Claims (16)

a body portion having an open upper surface and including a case in which the user's feet are placed in an inner receiving space;
a spraying unit for spraying a predetermined amount of washing water toward the inner receiving space of the case;
a user input unit formed on the outside of the case to display an operating state and provide buttons for various functions;
a washing water supply unit for supplying washing water to the spray unit; and
A foot washing device including a toe washing unit disposed to be positioned between the user's toes placed in the inner receiving space of the case and having a toe jet nozzle for spraying washing water directly between the user's toes.
According to claim 1,
The toe washing unit
The foot washing device comprising a washing member attached to the outside of the toe spray nozzle to remove contaminants caught between the user's toes.
According to claim 1,
The toe washing unit
A cleaning member of a cylindrical shape that is rotatably connected to the upper end of the toe spray nozzle and has an open lower surface;
It is located on the upper end of the cleaning member and includes a rotating piece capable of coaxial rotation with the cleaning member,
The cleaning member is
When the rotating piece is rotated by the washing water sprayed from the injection unit, the foot washing device rotates in conjunction with the rotating piece.
According to claim 1,
The toe spray nozzle is
It has a washing water guide groove which is recessed at intervals along the longitudinal direction on the outer circumferential surface, and a plurality of injection holes that are formed through the washing water guide groove at intervals,
The toe washing unit
The lower surface is made of an open cylindrical shape and is configured to be rotatable in the axial direction while surrounding the outside of the toe injection nozzle, and further comprising a cleaning member having a plurality of injection ports communicating with the injection openings of the toe injection nozzles,
The nozzle of the cleaning member is
A foot washing device that has a structure obliquely penetrating based on the axial center of the washing member, and induces rotation of the washing member by the injection pressure of washing water.
2. The method of claim 1
Further comprising a control unit connected to the user input unit and controlling the injection unit and the toe washing unit,
The control unit is a foot washing device for controlling at least one of the injection pressure, the injection method, and the injection angle of the injection unit.
According to claim 1,
The foot washing device further comprising at least one of a cover covering a portion of the open upper surface of the case and a washing plate disposed on the bottom of the case.
7. The method of claim 6,
The washing plate
A foot washing device in which a plurality of upwardly protruding projections are arranged at intervals.
According to claim 1,
the spraying part
One or more side injection nozzles disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the case to spray water laterally;
It includes an upward injection nozzle installed on the bottom of the case to spray the washing water upward,
The side spray nozzle is a foot washing device in which the nozzle disposed at the front end is disposed higher than the nozzle disposed at the rear end.
9. The method of claim 8,
the spraying part
a downward jet nozzle for jetting water toward the inner bottom of the case;
a cleaning liquid nozzle disposed inside the case to spray the cleaning liquid; and
The foot washing device further comprising an injection valve connected between the downward injection nozzle and the cleaning liquid nozzle to selectively control whether the downward injection nozzle and the cleaning liquid nozzle are sprayed.
a body portion having an open upper surface and having a user's feet placed in an inner accommodation space and including a case capable of containing washing water;
a spraying unit disposed inside the case to spray washing water toward the inner accommodation space of the case;
a user input unit formed outside the case to display an operation state and receive a user's operation command;
a washing water supply unit for supplying washing water to the spray unit;
a control unit connected to the user input unit and controlling the injection unit;
a power supply unit for supplying power to the control unit; and
It is disposed to be located between the toes of the user and includes a toe washing unit having a toe injection nozzle that directly sprays washing water between the toes,
The control unit is a foot washing device that controls the injection unit to spray the washing water only when the washing water is filled in the case.
11. The method of claim 10,
The toe washing unit
The foot washing device comprising a washing member attached to the outside of the toe spray nozzle to remove contaminants caught between the user's toes.
11. The method of any one of claims 1 and 10,
A foot detection sensor for detecting the position of the user's foot is disposed in the inner receiving space of the case,
The injection unit is a foot washing device that performs the injection operation according to the position of the foot detected by the foot sensor.
11. The method of any one of claims 1 and 10,
The spray nozzle of the spraying part is a foot washing device that selectively sprays the washing water and the washing liquid.
11. The method of any one of claims 1 and 10,
The spray nozzle of the spray unit is a foot washing device that sprays the washing water and the washing liquid together.
As a foot washing method using a foot washing device that automatically washes feet,
Foot placement detection step in which the foot detection sensor detects that the foot is placed on the washing plate;
a cleaning liquid spraying step of automatically spraying the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid spraying unit;
a foot washing step of washing the feet by spraying washing water from the washing water spraying unit when the first waiting time has elapsed after the washing liquid is sprayed; and
The foot washing method comprising a foot departure detection step of the foot detection sensor detecting that the user's foot has fallen off the washing plate.
16. The method of claim 15,
The method further comprising an internal washing step of spraying washing water from the washing water spraying unit to wash the inner space of the case after a second preset waiting time has elapsed.

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