JP4342126B2 - Water sink detection device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a submersion detection device for preventing a drowning accident of a bather in a bathtub.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As for the water subsidence detecting device, for example, a pendant type water subsidence detecting device attached to a bather's body has been filed. In the pendant type water subsidence detection device, for example, as shown in JP 2000-155881 A, a pair of electrodes are exposed on the outer surface of the pendant case, and the resistance between the pair of electrodes is changed inside the case. A submergence judgment circuit for judging whether or not it is in a submerged state, a speaker and its driving circuit for notifying the bather of the submergence judgment result, a communication circuit to the outside, a battery for supplying power to each circuit, etc. Is provided. In addition, since a circuit failure etc. will generate | occur | produce when it immerses in the inside of a case, the case has a waterproof structure.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In conventional submergence detection devices (submergence pendants, etc.), it is necessary to provide various circuits, speakers, etc. in addition to the battery in the submerged part, which increases the size of the submerged part and makes it difficult to reduce the size. there were. In addition, it is necessary to form a case that covers the submerged portion in a strict waterproof structure. As a result, for example, it takes time to replace the battery in the case.
By the way, instead of using a submergence detection device immersed in water such as a submergence pendant, methods have been proposed to detect the movement of the bather by image processing with a camera installed in the bathroom or detection processing with an optical sensor. Although the reliability of the apparatus is low, the structure of the apparatus becomes complicated and large, and the apparatus cost increases.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object thereof is to make it possible to make the submerged portion as small and simple as possible while allowing the bather to appropriately detect the submerged state. It is to provide a subsidence detection device.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, a first characteristic configuration of a submergence detection device according to the present invention includes a battery and a pair of output electrodes that output a DC voltage of the battery on the outer surface. Submergence judgment for judging whether or not the object to be detected is in a submerged state based on the provided object to be detected, a plurality of detection electrodes arranged at intervals in the bathtub, and a voltage signal appearing on the detection electrode And the detected body is formed in a structure that does not fix the arrangement direction of the pair of output electrodes at a position orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the plurality of detection electrodes in a submerged state .
[0007]
The second feature structure, as set forth in claim 2, in addition to the first Ichitoku symptoms configuration, the detected body is in that it is formed so as to be worn on the body of the bather.
[0008]
The third feature structure, as set forth in claim 3, in addition to the first Ichitoku symptoms configuration, the object to be detected is to be attached to an article to be installed is carried by bather in the vicinity of the bathtub It is in a formed point.
[0009]
In the fourth feature configuration, as described in claim 4 , in addition to any one of the first to third feature configurations, the detection electrode is an electrocardiogram electrode for electrocardiogram measurement. An electrocardiogram information calculation unit for obtaining electrocardiogram information based on the voltage signal that appears is provided.
[0010]
In the fifth feature configuration, as described in claim 5 , in addition to the fourth feature configuration, based on the electrocardiogram information obtained by the electrocardiogram information calculation unit, it is determined whether or not bathing is in progress. It is in the point provided with the bathing detection part to detect.
[0011]
The operation and effect will be described below.
According to the first characteristic configuration of the present invention, when the detected object is submerged, the DC voltage of the battery built in the detected object is output from the pair of output electrodes provided on the outer surface to the water in the bathtub. In addition to the induction potential induced by the human body, a DC induction potential induced by the DC voltage of the battery is superimposed on the plurality of detection electrodes placed at intervals, and appears on the plurality of detection electrodes. Based on the voltage signal that appears, that is, the potential difference, the submergence discrimination unit discriminates that the detected object is submerged. On the other hand, when the object to be detected is not submerged, the DC induced potential due to the DC voltage of the battery built in the object to be detected does not appear on the detection electrode installed in the bathtub, and the object to be detected is submerged by the submergence discrimination unit. It is determined that it is not in a state.
[0012]
Therefore, if the detected object is submerged in accordance with the submergence operation of the bather, it is possible to appropriately detect that the bather is submerged based on the determination of the submerged state of the detected object. it can.
In addition, the object to be submerged in the bathtub has a built-in battery and no other special circuits, so it can be made compact and has a strict waterproof structure. There is no need to make a simple waterproof structure.
Therefore, a submergence detection device is provided that makes it possible to appropriately detect the submerged state of the bather and to make the submerged portion as small and simple as possible.
[0013]
Further , according to the first characteristic configuration, in the state in which the detection target is submerged, the alignment direction of the pair of output electrodes provided on the outer surface of the detection target is a plurality of detection electrodes installed in the bathtub. It is not fixed at a position orthogonal to the arrangement direction.
That is, as illustrated in FIG. 6B for a pair of detection electrodes 6, the arrangement direction of the pair of output electrodes 12 on the detected object 10 side and the arrangement direction of the pair of detection electrodes 6 in the bathtub are orthogonal to each other. In this case, the same DC potential is induced in each of the pair of detection electrodes 6 by the DC voltage of the battery output from the pair of output electrodes 12 into the water when the detection target 10 is submerged. Although it cannot be determined that the detected object 10 is submerged based on the voltage signal (potential difference) appearing on the detection electrode 6, as described above, the arrangement direction of the output electrodes on the detected object side and the detection in the bathtub Since the electrodes are not fixed at orthogonal positions, the same DC potential is always induced in each of the detection electrodes by the DC voltage of the battery that is detected and the battery is output from the pair of output electrodes. To be done Not, can be detected member based on the voltage signal (potential difference) appearing in the plurality of detection electrodes is determined to be a submerged state.
Accordingly, when the detected object is in a submerged state, it is possible to reliably determine the submerged state of the detected object and accurately detect the submerged state of the bather.
[0014]
According to the second characteristic configuration, when the body to be detected is mounted on the bather's body and the bather sinks, the body to be detected mounted on the body of the bather is also submerged.
Therefore, the submerged state of the bather can be reliably detected by the detected body that is attached to the body of the bather and becomes submerged in accordance with the submergence operation of the bather's body.
[0015]
According to the third characteristic configuration, the object to be detected is carried in the bathroom by the bather and attached to the article installed in the vicinity of the bathtub. That is, when there is a possibility that the bather is submerged, the bather himself / herself puts the article into the bathtub so that the submerged state of the body to be detected can be determined and the submerged state of the bather can be detected. .
Therefore, even if there is a sense of resistance to wearing a body to detect a submergence, attach the body to be carried in the bathroom (for example, a plastic bottle for water supply or a waterproof radio). It becomes possible to detect a submerged state.
[0016]
According to the fourth characteristic configuration, the electrocardiogram information calculation unit obtains the electrocardiogram information of the bather based on the voltage signal appearing on the detection electrode in the bathtub that is also used as the electrocardiogram electrode for electrocardiogram measurement.
Therefore, when the bather's submergence state is not detected, the electrodes installed in the bathtub are effectively used to detect the submergence, and the bather's health is obtained by obtaining electrocardiogram information while the bather is bathing. It can be used as information.
[0017]
According to the fifth characteristic configuration, the bathing detection unit detects whether or not the user is bathing based on the electrocardiogram information of the bather obtained as described above.
That is, since the electrocardiogram information is obtained if the bather is taking a bath, from this, it is detected that the bather is taking a bath, and the electrocardiogram information cannot be obtained unless the bather is taking a bath. It is detected that it is not bathing.
Therefore, when the submergence discrimination unit discriminates the submerged state while detecting that the user is taking a bath based on the electrocardiogram information, it is possible to detect with high probability that the bather has become submerged. it can.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[First Embodiment]
1st Embodiment at the time of comprising the submergence detection apparatus based on this invention using the bathtub electrocardiograph installed in the automatic hot water bath is described based on drawing.
As shown in FIG. 1, a hot water supply unit 1 for supplying hot water heated by a gas combustion type burner to a bathtub in the bathroom, and a controller 2 for controlling the operation of the hot water supply unit 1 are provided. The controller 2 is provided with a bathroom remote controller 3 and a kitchen remote controller 4 that are communicably connected to each other, so that an automatic hot water bath is configured. The bathroom remote controller 3 is installed in the bathroom.
Although not shown, the bathroom remote controller 3 is provided with various operation switches such as a display unit for displaying various information, a speaker, an operation switch, and a temperature setting key. The kitchen remote controller 4 is also configured in the same manner as the bathroom remote controller 3.
A bathtub electrocardiograph 20 for measuring the bather's electrocardiogram is provided, and an output signal of the bathtub electrocardiograph 20 is input to the controller 2.
[0019]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a pair of electrocardiogram electrodes 6 for electrocardiogram measurement arranged at intervals in the bathtub 5 are installed, and each electrode 6 is formed via hot water in the bathtub. A surface potential of each corresponding part of the bather is induced by the conductive path. The bathtub electrocardiograph 20 amplifies an electric signal (potential difference) appearing on the pair of electrocardiogram electrodes 6 and an electrocardiogram signal that processes an output signal of the differential amplifier 21 to generate an electrocardiogram signal. A detection circuit 22 and an electrocardiogram information calculation circuit 23 that calculates the electrocardiogram information of the bather from the waveform of the electrocardiogram signal generated by the electrocardiogram signal detection circuit 22 are provided.
[0020]
The electrocardiogram signal detection circuit 22 performs a noise removal process and then removes a low-frequency baseline fluctuation component generated due to the movement of hot water or the body of the bather in the bathtub 5. To generate an electrocardiogram signal, and identify the characteristic signal components such as P wave, Q wave, R wave, S wave, T wave, QRS group from the electrocardiogram information calculation circuit 23 and the electrocardiogram signal after baseline fluctuation removal Are extracted, and electrocardiogram information included in the specific signal wave is extracted and output. FIG. 4 shows an example of (a) an electrocardiogram signal to be processed before removing baseline fluctuations, (b) an electrocardiogram signal after removing baseline fluctuations, and (c) an example of baseline fluctuation component signals.
[0021]
Therefore, an electrocardiogram information calculation unit 200 for obtaining electrocardiogram information based on the electric signal appearing on the electrocardiogram electrode 6 is constituted by the differential amplifier 21, the electrocardiogram signal detection circuit 22 and the electrocardiogram information calculation circuit 23.
Furthermore, using the signal processing unit in the controller 2, a bathing detection unit 300 is configured to detect whether or not the user is bathing based on the electrocardiogram information obtained by the electrocardiogram information calculation unit 200. Yes. That is, it is detected that bathing is being performed when the electrocardiogram signal shown in FIG.
[0022]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, there is provided a detected body 10 that can be attached to the body of a bather. Specifically, the detected object 10 is formed in a pendant shape so as to be attached to the neck by the chain 15. A battery (battery) 11 is built in the case 16, and a pair of output electrodes 12 for outputting the DC voltage of the battery 11 are provided at lateral positions on the left and right sides of the outer surface of the case. Although not described in detail, the case 16 has a simple waterproof structure.
[0023]
When the detected object 10 is submerged in the bathtub 5, the DC voltage of the battery 11 is output from the output electrode 12 into the water, and a potential is induced to the detection electrode 6 installed in the bathtub 5 by the DC voltage of the battery 11. The Actually, as shown in FIG. 6, a current flows out of the pair of output electrodes 12 from the plus electrode 12a into the water, and a current flows into the minus electrode 12b from the water. Induced by the detection electrode 6, the DC voltage of the battery 11 is detected.
In this case, in the state shown in FIG. 6A, the arrangement direction of the pair of output electrodes 12 on the detected object 10 side (the horizontal direction in the drawing) is parallel to the arrangement direction of the pair of detection electrodes 6 on the bathtub side. In addition, since the distances between the output electrodes 12 and the left and right detection electrodes 6 are different, a positive potential is induced in the left detection electrode 6 near the plus electrode 12a, and the right side of the position near the minus electrode 12b. A negative potential is induced in the detection electrode 6, and the DC voltage of the battery 11 can be detected by a voltage signal (voltage difference) between the pair of detection electrodes 6. On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 6B, the arrangement direction of the pair of output electrodes 12 on the detected object 10 side (the horizontal direction in the figure) is orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the pair of detection electrodes 6 on the bathtub side. In addition, since the pair of output electrodes 12a and 12b on the detected object 10 side are symmetrical with respect to the left and right detection electrodes 6, the same potential is induced in the pair of detection electrodes 6, and the pair The DC voltage of the battery 11 cannot be detected by the voltage signal between the detection electrodes 6.
[0024]
Therefore, the to-be-detected body 10 is formed in a structure that does not fix the arrangement direction of the pair of output electrodes 12 at a position orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the pair of detection electrodes 6 in a submerged state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, a weight 13 is installed at the bottom of the case 16, and a cavity 14 is formed in an upper portion inside the case 16. Therefore, since the center of gravity of the detected object 10 is located on the bottom side, when the object 10 is submerged, the detected object 10 is maintained in the vertical posture in the water, and the pair of output electrodes 12 are located in the horizontal plane. In this case, although the submerged detection object 10 swings and rotates around the vertical axis, it is unlikely to remain at a constant rotational phase. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6B, the situation in which the arrangement direction of the pair of output electrodes 12 and the arrangement direction of the pair of detection electrodes 6 are always fixed to each other does not occur. The DC voltage of the battery 11 can be detected by voltage signals (potential difference) appearing on the pair of detection electrodes 6.
[0025]
Further, in the bathtub electrocardiograph 20, a submergence determination unit 100 is provided for determining whether or not the detected object 10 is in a submerged state based on a voltage signal appearing on the detection electrode 6. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the bathtub electrocardiograph 20 processes a baseline fluctuation component signal (FIG. 4C) appearing in the electrocardiogram signal detection circuit 22 to extract a submergence signal. A signal detection circuit 24 and a submergence determination circuit 25 for processing the output signal of the submergence signal detection circuit 24 to determine whether the detected object 10 is in a submerged state are provided. The submergence discrimination circuit 25 constitutes a submergence discrimination unit 100. The submergence signal detection circuit 24 is configured by an integration circuit or the like for extracting a DC component, and outputs a submergence signal voltage as shown in FIG. 7, and the submergence determination circuit 25 is configured by a comparator or the like. When the level of the submergence voltage signal exceeds the set value Vs, the submergence state of the detected object 10 is determined.
Therefore, the water subsidence detection device of the present invention includes the pendant-type detection object 10, the plurality of detection electrodes 6, and the water subsidence determination unit 100.
When the submergence determination unit 100 continuously determines the submergence state for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds), the speaker of the bathroom remote controller 3 is operated to perform an alarm operation for the bather, and then the submergence state further increases. When it is determined for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) continuously, the speaker of the kitchen remote controller 4 is operated to notify the householder.
[0026]
In addition, the consumption state of the battery 11 built in the to-be-detected body 10 can be judged with the detection tool 30 as shown in FIG. The detection tool 30 includes a pair of spring-type electrodes 31 that are in contact with the output electrodes 12 of the detection target 10 and an LED lamp 32 that is lit by a current flowing between the pair of electrodes 31. Accordingly, when each of the pair of electrodes 31 is brought into contact with each output electrode 12, a current corresponding to the voltage of the battery 11 flows, and the battery 11 is depleted when the brightness of the lamp 32 is dark. Easy to know.
[0027]
[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the subsidence detection device according to the present invention will be described.
In the second embodiment, the detected object 10A is formed so as to be attachable to an article B carried by a bather and installed in the vicinity of the bathtub 5, similar to the first embodiment. It is configured.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the article B is a plastic bottle containing water for water supply installed on the side of the bathtub 5, and the detected object 10A is hung from the plastic bottle by a string. Alternatively, it is attached so as to be attached to the outer surface of the bottle with a rubber string or the like. Then, when the bather is likely to become submerged, the object B (pet bottle) is grasped by hand and dropped into the bathtub 5 so that the submerged state of the detected object 10A is the same as in the first embodiment. It will be determined.
[0028]
In addition, the article B to which the detected body 10A is attached may be, for example, a waterproof radio for listening to music, a waterproof speaker, or the like in a bathroom when taking a bath. Various items to carry are targeted.
[0029]
[Another embodiment]
Another embodiment will be described below.
In the above embodiment, the plurality of detection electrodes 6 are configured by a pair (two) of detection electrodes 6. However, three or more detection electrodes 6 may be provided. For example, in the case of using bathtub electrodes in which four electrocardiogram electrodes for electrocardiogram measurement are provided on each of the right and left sides of the bathtub 5, a total of four electrocardiogram electrodes, these four electrocardiogram electrodes are used for the detection of submergence according to the present invention. It can be used as an electrode.
In addition, in the said embodiment, although the subsidence detection apparatus is comprised using the bathtub electrocardiograph, you may comprise a subsidence detection apparatus by a single apparatus, without using a bathtub electrocardiograph.
[0030]
In the first embodiment, in order to realize a structure in which the detection target 10 does not fix the arrangement direction of the pair of output electrodes 12 in a submerged state at a position orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the plurality of detection electrodes 6, A weight is built in the detection body 10 to maintain the detection body 10 in an upright posture, and a pair of output electrodes 12 provided on the side surface of the detection body 10 are positioned in a horizontal plane so as to swing and rotate. However, it is not limited to this structure.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a hot water bath provided with a submersion detection device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the submersion detection device. FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of a bathtub. Graph showing electrocardiogram signal by electrometer [FIG. 5] Front sectional view showing structure of submerged pendant [FIG. 6] Plan view showing detection of battery voltage in submerged state [FIG. 7] Time chart showing submergence detection signal [FIG. 8] Front view showing detection of battery consumption state [FIG. 9] Front sectional view of a bathtub showing the main part of a submergence detection device according to the second embodiment [Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Bath 6 Detection electrode 6 Electrocardiogram electrode 10 Detected object 10A Detected object 11 Battery 12 Output electrode 100 Submergence judgment part 200 Electrocardiogram information calculation part 300 Bathing detection part B Article

Claims (5)

A body to be detected, and a detected body provided with a pair of output electrodes for outputting a DC voltage of the battery on the outer surface;
A plurality of detection electrodes arranged at intervals in the bathtub;
A submergence determination unit for determining whether or not the detected object is submerged based on a voltage signal appearing on the detection electrode ;
A submergence detection device in which the detection object is formed in a structure in which the arrangement direction of the pair of output electrodes is not fixed at a position orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the plurality of detection electrodes in a submerged state . The submergence detection device according to claim 1, wherein the object to be detected is configured to be attachable to a body of a bather . The submergence detection device according to claim 1 , wherein the detected object is formed so as to be attachable to an article carried by a bather and installed near a bathtub . The detection electrode is an electrocardiogram electrode for electrocardiogram measurement;
The water sink detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an electrocardiogram information calculation unit for obtaining electrocardiogram information based on a voltage signal appearing on the electrocardiogram electrode . The submergence detection device according to claim 4, further comprising a bathing detection unit that detects whether bathing is being performed based on the electrocardiogram information obtained by the electrocardiogram information calculation unit .

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