JP3633024B2 - Shower equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a shower apparatus, and more particularly to a seat posture shower apparatus having a plurality of shower functions.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a shower device, there is conventionally a normal shower facility having a hand shower at a bath washing place. In ordinary households, it is normal to use hand showers in the normal bath washing place in a standing position while holding them in hand.
[0003]
Furthermore, the sitting posture bathing equipment has a chair fixed in the bathing room, and has a hot water nozzle such as a body shower around the bather sitting in this chair, and can take a shower bathing so as to wrap up the body in a sitting posture. Has also been proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-76459).
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In general, compared to bathing in a bathtub, shower bathing does not have a hydrostatic pressure effect, and the burden on the body of the bather is small, but there is a problem that it does not warm up to the core of the body and it is difficult to obtain a relaxed feeling. The sitting posture shower bathing is a bathing means that provides a relaxed feeling with less burden on the body.
[0005]
However, the hot water normally ejected from the shower nozzle flows quickly on the surface of the bather's body, and there is a problem that it is difficult to obtain a sufficient thermal effect.
[0006]
Furthermore, when the seat for bathing in a sitting position is fixed in the bathroom, there is a problem in effective use of the space.
[0007]
If a plurality of nozzles that enclose the bather are fixed to the bathroom wall surface, the distance between the bather and the nozzle is increased, resulting in heat loss and excessive use of hot water. Moreover, when approaching a bather, the subject that the bather who needs care and the caregiving of a bather who is needing care is difficult arises.
[0008]
If the position of the nozzle is also fixed, children and small bathers may feel uncomfortable when they hit their ears with hot water.
[0009]
In addition, the hot and cold water spray pattern results in a monotonous bathing, and the bather has a problem that it is difficult to obtain a feeling of relaxation and so much pleasure.
[0010]
Further, when the bather warms a person who needs care, the caregiver gets wet when the operation means is switched on.
[0011]
The present invention solves such problems, so that the burden on the body is less than that of a normal shower bath or bathtub bath, and an effective shower bath can be performed, and the interior of the bathroom can be used widely. The purpose is to do.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a mist spraying means and a substantially U-shaped nozzle arm having a plurality of shower nozzles provided so as to wrap the body toward a bather's body. The nozzle arm is provided with mist jetting means that is movably supported in the vicinity of both sides of the nozzle arm, and the nozzle arm is characterized in that the lower side is longer than the upper side and the vertical side is inclined .
[0013]
The present invention further includes a seat provided at a predetermined position of the mist ejecting means for seating a bather so as to receive a mist-like shower at the predetermined position, and the seat is not used. Is preferably configured to be foldable and retractable along the mist ejection means, and the above is the second feature.
[0014]
The nozzle arm includes a means for moving the nozzle arm to the bathroom wall surface when the shower is not used.
[0015]
Further, the mist jetting means having a plurality of shower nozzles provided so as to wrap the body is provided with means capable of matching the physique of the bather.
[0016]
Further, the mist jetting means having a plurality of shower nozzles provided so as to wrap the body has a control means capable of selecting a mist-like jetting pattern in accordance with a bather's favorite state.
[0017]
In addition, the present invention includes a control means for automatically controlling the supplied hot water temperature and flow rate to be as set according to an operation input from the operation means, and the operation means operates and stops the mist ejection means. It has a mechanism for controlling the operation, and is configured to include two units: a permanent operation unit that is permanently installed in the bathroom and an outdoor operation unit that has a remote control function that controls the temperature rise in the room before bathing.
[0018]
[Action]
The present invention has the advantage that the distance between the bather and the hot water sprayed from the mist spraying means is as close as possible to the bather as a result of this, and as a result, the thermal effect of the bather is increased and wasteful hot water consumption is suppressed. Can do. Furthermore, a bather who needs to remove the feeling of pressure of the bather and needs care has the advantage of being easy to care from the side.
[0019]
Further, in the case of the second configuration, when the shower is not used in the bathroom in the sitting position, it has an advantage that the washing place can be widely used by folding the chair. In addition, in the case of a bather who needs a wheelchair, there is an advantage that it is possible to take a bath in a sitting position like a normal bather by installing the wheelchair in the position of the chair that has been moved in and out with the wheelchair.
[0020]
Furthermore, in the case of the third configuration, by moving a nozzle arm with a plurality of shower nozzles that wraps the bather on the bathroom wall surface, there is an advantage that the washing place can be widely used like the folding chair.
[0021]
Moreover, in the case of the 4th structure, the several nozzle of a mist-like shower can be moved suitably, and can envelop the whole body all over. In addition, the configuration in which hot water is sprayed in the form of a mist only around the bather's body has the advantage of saving water and saving energy.
[0022]
In the case of the fifth configuration, a combination of a mist-like ejection pattern works to give the bather's body an alternate stimulus of low and high temperatures and a strong and weak flow rate to promote blood circulation of the body and the function of the internal organs. Can be better.
[0023]
Furthermore, in the case of the sixth configuration, since the operation means installed in the foggy shower bath and the operation means installed outside the bathroom are provided, the bather himself can freely control the shower in the bathroom. Of course, when the bather is a person who needs care, it can be controlled from outside the bathroom after the caregiver provides care. This has the effect of preventing the caregiver's clothes from getting wet and raising the bath temperature in advance before taking a bath so that the bather can avoid a heat shock due to a temperature difference during bathing.
[0024]
【Example】
The embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0025]
1 to 6 show a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the shower device of the present embodiment is installed in the bathroom 1, and sprays hot water 2 from various places around the body toward the bather's body to form a mist-like body. The mist ejection means 3 provided so as to be wrapped by the hot water 2 is basically structured.
[0026]
In the shower bath using this mist spraying means 3, hot water 2 is sprayed from various places around this body to form a mist shower, and the body is wrapped in the mist-like hot water 2, so it is suspended around the body. New hot water 2 particles that are spouted sequentially as the fine particles of hot water 2 that wraps around the body while being immediately in contact with the whole body at once, wrapping in a state filled with fine particles of good hot water 2 And constantly changing the heat of the whole body quickly and sufficiently. Thereby, the thermal effect equivalent to the case of entering the hot water for bathing in a bathtub can be obtained in a short time. Moreover, there is no burden on the bather due to the hydrostatic pressure as in the case of entering the pool, and since the spouted hot water 2 is fine particles, the burden on the bather due to rapid temperature changes, stimulation, etc. is further reduced. Become. In addition, it is only necessary to spray hot water around the bather's body in the form of a mist, saving water and saving energy.
[0027]
In this embodiment, in order to obtain a mist-like shower of hot water 2 that wraps around the body, a plurality of individual mist jet nozzles that squirt hot water in a mist-like manner are used, for example, a body shoulder portion, for example, a body shoulder The mist ejection nozzles 7 and 8 corresponding to the back, the mist ejection nozzle 11 corresponding to the back, the mist ejection nozzle 9 corresponding to the waist, the mist ejection nozzle 10 corresponding to the thigh, etc. are provided, and the hot water 2 is directed to each part of the body. It is made to spray in the shape of a mist so that a necessary part of the body can be wrapped in the mist-like hot water 2.
[0028]
Thereby, if necessary, each mist ejection nozzle 7-11 etc. is provided near each part of the body, and hot water 2 can be efficiently and properly ejected in a mist form and wrapped around the necessary parts of the body. It is possible to avoid the hot water 2 from being ejected to a predetermined part such as the face. In order to avoid the spray of hot water 2 to a specific part such as the face, in this embodiment, in particular, the nozzles 7 and 8 corresponding to the shoulders are ejected in a fan shape A as shown in FIG. Yes. As shown in FIG. 7, the other ejection nozzles 9 to 11 have a wide ejection area for ejecting the hot water 2 in the conical shape B, so that each part of the body is easily wrapped with mist-like hot water.
[0029]
Further, the mist ejecting means 3 has a seat portion 13 that keeps a position and a posture in which the mist-like hot water 2 ejected from the mist ejecting means 3 can be properly received by being seated at a predetermined position. In this embodiment, the seat 13 is foldable so that it can be folded into the mist ejection means 3 when not used or standing, or when a bather who needs care takes a bath in a wheelchair. .
[0030]
Of course, the seat is made of a material that is not slippery and repels hot and cold water. The outside of the portion 13 is supported with a simple configuration. That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the seat portion 13 can be fixed to the mist ejecting means 3 with a slotted metal fitting 14 and can be attached up and down as appropriate. It is designed to be variable so that hot water is not blown out.
[0031]
Further, the mist ejection means 3 has a nozzle arm 4 holding a plurality of mist ejection nozzles 7 to 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the nozzle arm 4 has a variable configuration and can appropriately cope with fluctuations in the bather's physique. Further, when the mist spraying means 3 is not used even when installed in the corner of the bathroom 1, it can be fixed close to the wall of the bathroom 1 so that it does not get in the way when the shower is not used.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 6, the nozzle arm 4 has a structure in which pipes 12 respectively connecting the mist ejection nozzles 7 to 10 are inserted, and also includes a heat insulating effect that does not impair the heat loss of the temperature of the mist shower. ing. The nozzle arm 4 has a high strength structure having a diameter equivalent to that of a bathroom handrail. The handrail has a high anti-slip effect not only for weak bathers but also for healthy bathers. In addition, bathers who need nursing care have a structure that does not interfere with nursing care by using handrails when they are in use and moving when not in use. The bather who is forced to take a bath in a wheelchair can also move the appropriate position of the fog ejecting means 3 of the wheelchair without being easily disturbed by the above movement.
[0033]
The mist ejection nozzles 7 to 11 have a structure as shown in FIG. 8 and have a variable structure that can cope with a height difference or the like, so that each part of the body is easily wrapped with mist-like hot water.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 9, the operation panel includes an ON operation key 15, an OFF operation key 16, a body key 17 for operating the mist spraying means 3, a hot water key 18 for operating the hot water, the mist spraying means 3 and the hot water for the hot water. A cycle key 20, a beat key 21, and a cool down key 22 for setting a mode are provided, and further, a flow rate setting key 23 for setting the flow rate of hot water 2 in four stages, a temperature down key 24, a temperature up key 25, operation guidance and various types A display unit 26 for displaying the setting conditions and various modes is provided. The amount of hot water required for one bathing is about 270 l in the bathtub bath, but 90 in the shower bath using the mist jetting means 3 is sufficient. Therefore, the current flow rate is set to four types of 8 l / min, 9 l / min, 10 l / min, and 11 l / min. However, this is not a limitation.
[0035]
When the cycle key 20 is operated on the body shower using the mist ejection means 3, the cycle mode is set. In this cycle mode, a temperature change as shown in FIG. This is done by alternately setting higher and lower temperatures for a predetermined time on the basis of the set temperature, giving a cyclic stimulus to the body, and improving the blood circulation and internal organs.
[0036]
When the beat key 21 is operated in the body shower using the mist ejection means 3, the beat mode is set. In this beat mode, a flow rate change as shown in FIG. This is based on the set flow rate as a reference, by alternately setting a strong flow and a weak flow for a predetermined time, giving the body a massage-like stimulus and improving the blood circulation and internal functions.
[0037]
When the cool down key 22 is operated in the body shower using the mist ejection means 3, the cool down mode is set. In this cool-down mode, the set temperature is gradually lowered from the set temperature, and is automatically achieved without a sudden temperature change so as not to close the pores opened by bathing and cool the hot water.
[0038]
As described above, the mixing ratio of the mixing plug is automatically controlled so that the temperature of the hot water 3 supplied from the mixing plug (not shown) becomes a predetermined set temperature in response to a setting operation input from the operation panel which is an operation means. Thus, various temperature settings can be made and the temperature settings can be properly obtained without error, and it is possible to avoid surprises due to an error in the mixing operation.
[0039]
In addition, if this operation means is composed of an operation panel installed in the bathroom and an operation panel installed outside the bathroom, the caregiver will be able to operate in the bathroom and in the case of a bather who needs care. It can be appropriately operated from the outside.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention uses a mist-like shower that does not impose a burden on the bather due to hydrostatic pressure, such as bathing in a bathtub, and wraps around the body with mist-like hot water that is well-spaced. It is possible to perform heat exchange without being filled, and the same thermal effect can be obtained in a shorter time than a normal shower.
[0041]
In addition, the fine particles of new hot water that are squirted one after another can be used at the same time, so that the thermal effect is the same as that of bathing hot water in a bathtub. Can reduce the burden on
[0042]
In addition, by maintaining the sitting posture, the burden on the body is less than that of the normal standing posture of the shower, and even a fairly weak bather can take a bath if the sitting position is maintained. On the other hand, in bathing in a bathtub, not only the influence of the hydrostatic pressure, but also the burden caused by the entrapping movement of entering and exiting the tub is heavy for the frail, and is a matter requiring high assistance. On the other hand, the shower bath in the sitting posture has the advantage of high thermal effect and less burden on the body.
[0043]
In addition, when the shower is not used in the bathroom in a sitting position, the washing area can be widely used by folding the chair. In addition, in the case of a bather who needs a wheelchair, it is possible to take a bath in a sitting position like a normal bather by installing the wheelchair at the position of the chair that has been moved in and out with the wheelchair. Further, by moving a nozzle arm with a plurality of shower nozzles enclosing a bather on the wall surface of the bathroom, the washing place can be used widely as with the folding chair.
[0044]
In the case of the second configuration, the distance between the bather and the shower nozzle of the mist jetting means is made as short as possible, so that the heat loss of hot water is suppressed and wasteful water consumption is suppressed. The thermal effect of the person can be raised.
[0045]
In addition, since the shower nozzle is provided with an arm shape, there is an advantage that it is easy to care from the side in the case of a bather who removes the feeling of pressure of the bather and cares.
[0046]
Moreover, in what was set as the 3rd structure, there exists an advantage which can use a washing place widely like the said folding chair by moving the nozzle arm with the several shower nozzle which wraps a bather to a bathroom wall surface.
[0047]
Furthermore, in the fourth configuration, it is possible to move a plurality of shower nozzles as appropriate, and it is advantageous to wrap the entire body uniformly. In addition, the configuration in which hot water is sprayed in the form of a mist only around the bather's body has the advantage of saving water and saving energy.
[0048]
In the case of the fifth configuration, a combination of mist-like patterns is used to provide alternate stimulation of low and high temperatures and mutual stimulation of flow intensity to the bather's body to promote blood circulation of the body. And can improve the function of internal organs.
[0049]
Further, the sixth configuration has two operating means that can be operated during a foggy shower bath and an operating means that is installed outside the bathroom, so that the bather himself can freely perform the shower. When the bather is a person who needs care, it can be controlled from outside the bathroom after the caregiver cares. This means that the caregiver's clothes can be prevented from getting wet and the bath temperature can be raised in advance before taking a bath so that the bather can avoid a heat shock due to a temperature difference during bathing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shower apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the shower apparatus. FIG. 3 is a front view of the shower apparatus. FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the mist ejection means of the shower device. FIG. 6 is a side view showing the nozzle arm of the shower device. FIG. 7 is a cross section showing various specific examples of the mist ejection nozzle of the shower device. Fig. 8 is a half sectional view showing the installation state of the mist ejection nozzle of the mist ejection means. Fig. 9 is a front view showing the operation means of the shower device. Graph showing control example of shower condition [Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bathroom 2 Hot water 3 Fog ejection apparatus 4 Nozzle arm 5 Tapping hot water nozzle 6 Bathtub 7 Nozzle 8 Nozzle 9 Nozzle 10 Nozzle 11 Nozzle 12 Piping 13 Seat part 14 Seat mounting bracket

Claims (6)

A mist jetting means arranged along the bathroom wall surface, and a substantially U-shaped nozzle arm with a plurality of shower nozzles wrapping a bather movably supported in the vicinity of both side ends of the mist jetting means , The nozzle arm has a shape in which a lower side is longer than an upper side and a vertical side is inclined . The shower apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a chair supported by the mist ejection means and seated when taking a shower; and a means for folding the chair along the mist ejection means. The shower device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle arm is configured to be movable on the bathroom wall surface when the shower is not used. The shower apparatus of any one of Claims 1-3 provided with the shower nozzle which has a means provided in the predetermined position of the said nozzle arm, and can match a bather's physique. The shower device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shower nozzle has a combination of different spray patterns. The shower apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which has a function of controlling operation and stop of the mist ejection means, and has operation means provided inside and outside the bathroom where the shower is installed.

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