JP6952982B2 - Bathing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a bathing device for long-term care that bathes a care recipient such as an elderly person or a physically handicapped person.

Conventionally, a stretcher carrying a person to be assisted is transported above the bathtub by an elevating stretcher, the stretcher is lowered to the bathtub, and the person being assisted is immersed in the bathtub in the bathtub to take a bath for nursing care. The device is known.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-16235

When a stretcher carrying a large person to be assisted is immersed in bath water, the bath water overflows and the amount of bath water decreases, so that the next person to be assisted cannot fully soak in the bath water to the shoulders. There is. In this case, the caregiver has to manually supply hot water, which has a problem that the hot water supply operation is very troublesome for the busy caregiver. In addition, the long-term care welfare facilities and long-term care health facilities, where bathing devices for long-term care are often installed, are becoming smaller year by year, and there is a tendency for the bathtub volume to be reduced. As the bathtub volume becomes smaller, the frequency of bathing water overflowing is expected to increase, and there is concern that the above-mentioned problems will become more serious.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the amount of bath water can be reduced by manual operation without the caregiver worrying about the amount of bath water after bathing of the person being assisted when repeatedly bathing. The purpose is to provide a bathing device that does not need to be supplied with hot water each time.

The bathing device according to claim 1 includes a bathtub and a transport device that supports the carrier on which the person being assisted can be raised and lowered, and the transport device is at least in the transport device in a state where the transport device is positioned with respect to the bathtub. by lifting the stretcher, said a bathing apparatus for performing bathing by immersing the the care to the bath water in the bath, provided with a proper water level sensor for detecting a bathing proper water level in the tub, said the care The transport device is provided with a detector for detecting that the carrier on which the person is placed has reached a predetermined position out of the bath and a transmission means for transmitting information obtained by the detector, and the transmission means transmits. in the provided receiving means for receiving the information to the bath, since the said stretcher carrying the the care has reached before Kisho place, and the water level of the bath hot water based on the output of the proper water level sensor When it is determined that the water level is below the appropriate bathing water level, hot water is automatically supplied to the appropriate bathing water level.

The bathing device according to claim 2 includes a bathtub and a transporting device that supports the carrier on which the person being assisted can be raised and lowered, and the transporting device is at least in the transporting device in a state where the transporting device is positioned with respect to the bathtub. A bathing device in which the person being assisted is immersed in the bath water in the bathtub by raising and lowering the support, and the bathing device is provided with an appropriate water level sensor for detecting the appropriate bathing water level. The detector is provided with a detector provided in the bath and a carrier on which the person being assisted is placed in a state where the transport device is positioned with respect to the bath. The action of the detector is detected when the predetermined position is reached from the bathtub , and after the support carrying the person being assisted reaches the predetermined position and based on the output of the appropriate water level sensor. When it is determined that the water level of the bathing water is lower than the appropriate bathing water level, the hot water is automatically supplied to the appropriate bathing water level .

The bathing device according to claim 3 includes a bathtub and a transport device that supports the carrier on which the person being assisted can be raised and lowered, and the transport device is at least in the transport device in a state where the transport device is positioned with respect to the bathtub. A bathing device in which the person being assisted is immersed in the bath water in the bathtub to take a bath by raising and lowering the carrier. The bathtub is provided with an appropriate water level sensor for detecting the appropriate bathing water level, and the transport device is provided. a detector provided in, and an object detector which is provided in the bath, the detector is in a state in which the transport device relative to the tub is positioned, the said stretcher carrying the subject caregiver said The transport device is provided with a transmission means for detecting the action of the detector when the predetermined position exiting the bathtub is reached, and the information obtained by the detector is transmitted to the bathtub, and the transmission means provides the transmission means. A receiving means for receiving the transmitted information is provided in the bathtub, and the water level of the bath bath is based on the output of the appropriate water level sensor after the carrier on which the person being assisted reaches the predetermined position. When it is determined that the water level is below the appropriate bathing water level, hot water is automatically supplied to the appropriate bathing water level .

According to the bathing devices according to claims 1 to 3 , in a bathing device including a bathtub and a transport device that supports the carrier on which the person being assisted can be raised and lowered, the carrier on which the person being assisted is placed in the bathtub. If the bathing water level is lower than the appropriate bathing water level after getting out of the bathing water, the hot water is automatically supplied to the appropriate bathing water level, so the caregiving manually performs the hot water supply operation one by one when preparing for the next bathing. There is no need to do this, and as a result, the number of operations required for bathing preparation can be reduced by one, and the operation burden on the caregiver can be reduced.

Moreover, since it is not necessary to always pay attention to the amount of hot water after bathing, the psychological burden on the caregiver can be reduced. In addition, since the bath water can always be maintained at the appropriate bathing water level by supplying hot water, when a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the bathing water is provided at the side wall position on the bathtub side immediately below the appropriate bathing water level, the temperature of the bathtub is measured by the temperature sensor. Can be reliably detected with. In particular, the present invention is very effective when the bathtub overflows and the amount of bathtub decreases more frequently due to the reduction of the bathtub volume.

The bathing device according to claim 4 is the bathing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the bathtub can be raised and lowered.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a bathing device that does not require the caregiver to manually perform a hot water supply operation without worrying about the amount of hot water after bathing when the caregiver repeatedly takes a bath.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bathing device according to the first embodiment, showing a state immediately before the carriage of the transport device is inserted into the lower space of the bathtub. It is a side view which shows the main part in the state which the bathtub detection part is in contact with the protrusion part of the bathtub. It is sectional drawing which shows the schematic structure of the inside of a support column and a support column guide, (a) shows a state when a support column guide is in a lower limit position, and (b) shows a state when a support column guide is in an upper limit position. It is a perspective view of the bathing apparatus in Embodiment 1, and shows the state in which the carriage of the transport equipment is inserted into the lower space of a bathtub. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bathing device according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which the carriage of the transport device is inserted into the lower space of the bathtub and the stretcher is lowered. It is a schematic diagram which shows the main part of the bathing apparatus in Embodiment 1. FIG. (A) is a control block diagram of the transport device according to the first embodiment, and (b) is a control block diagram of the bathtub according to the first embodiment. It is a control flow diagram of the transport equipment in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a control flow diagram of the bathtub in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a side view which shows the main part of the bathing apparatus in Embodiment 2. FIG. (A) is a control block diagram of the transport device according to the second embodiment, and (b) is a control block diagram of the bathtub according to the second embodiment. It is a control flow diagram of the transport equipment in Embodiment 2. It is a control flow diagram of the bathtub in Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a side view which shows the main part of the bathing apparatus in Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a control block diagram of the bathtub in Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a control flow diagram of the bathtub in Embodiment 3. It is a schematic diagram of the bathtub in Embodiment 4. (A) is a control block diagram of the transport device according to the fourth embodiment, and (b) is a control block diagram of the bathtub according to the fourth embodiment. It is a control flow diagram of the transport equipment in Embodiment 4. It is a control flow diagram of the bathtub in Embodiment 4. (A) is a control block diagram of the transport device according to the fifth embodiment, and (b) is a control block diagram of the bathtub according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 5 is a control flow chart of a transport device according to a fifth embodiment. It is a control flow diagram of the bathtub in Embodiment 5. It is a control flow diagram of the bathtub in Embodiment 5.

Hereinafter, the bathing device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the bathing device 1 includes a bathtub 2 and a transport device 3. The transport device 3 has a carriage 4, a stretcher 5, and a stretcher elevating mechanism 6. A stretcher elevating mechanism 6 is erected on the trolley 4. The carriage 4 includes four frames 7 to 10 which are framed in a rectangular shape in the front, rear, left and right directions, and wheels 11 to 14 are provided on the lower surfaces of the frames 7 to 9. The stretcher elevating mechanism 6 has a tubular support column 6a and a tubular support column guide 6b extrapolated to the support column 6a. The strut guide 6b can move up and down along the outer circumference of the strut 6a. A mounting member 15 is provided on the upper end side of the support column guide 6b.

A handrail 16 is extended from the mounting member 15 so that the person being assisted on the stretcher 5 can be grasped while moving or taking a bath. Further, the mounting member 15 is provided with an operating rod 17. The transport device 3 can move the carriage 4 in an arbitrary direction by operating the operating rod 17, and transport the stretcher 5 supported by the support frame 18. The support frame 18 is engaged with the mounting member 15, whereby the stretcher 5 is supported by the stretcher elevating mechanism 6. The stretcher 5 is lifted and lowered by the stretcher lifting mechanism 6.

The stretcher 5 includes a mounting portion 19 extending in the longitudinal direction, and first to fourth side guards 20 to 23 provided on both side portions of the mounting portion 19. The mounting portion 19 is capable of standing upright (reclining) on both sides in the longitudinal direction. In addition, safety belts 24 and 25 are provided to hold the chest and legs of the person being assisted on the stretcher 5, respectively.

The transport device 3 has an operation pedal 26 that is operated downward when braking the transport device 3, and a ground contact surface (for example, the bottom surface in the bathroom) of the transport device 3 when the operation pedal 26 is operated downward. ), The two legs 27 and 28 are provided so as to project and touch the ground. Further, flat disk-shaped front guide rollers 29 and 30 are rotatably provided at the tips of the frames 8 and 9 of the bogie 4. Rear guide rollers 31 and 32 are provided on the outer surfaces of the frames 8 and 9 behind the front guide rollers 29 and 30.

A remote controller 33 (remote controller) is detachably installed on the stretcher elevating mechanism 6. The remote controller 33 has an ascending operation unit (not shown) operated when raising the strut guide 6b in the stretcher elevating mechanism 6, and a lowering operation operated when lowering the strut guide 6b in the stretcher elevating mechanism 6. It has a part (not shown). The transport device 3 is equipped with a battery 34 that supplies power to the stretcher elevating mechanism 6 and the remote controller 33. Further, a bathtub detection unit 35 is provided at one end of the frame 7 of the transport device 3. The bathtub detection unit 35 will be described later.

The bathtub 2 is provided with a hot water supply port 36 at a position on the foot side of the person being assisted while taking a bath. One side portion 2a, which is the long side of the bathtub 2, is provided with an overflow port 37 that opens upward at a position lower than the uppermost surface of the side portion 2a. Further, the other side portion 2b facing the side portion 2a of the bathtub 2 is provided with a hot water supply operation unit for instructing the bathtub 2 to supply hot water, a temperature operation unit for setting the hot water supply temperature, a temperature display unit for displaying the hot water supply temperature, and the like. An operation display unit 38 (see FIG. 4) is provided.

Between the lower part of the bathtub 2 and the ground plane, there is a lower space 39 which is a space into which the carriage 4 of the transport device 3 can be inserted from the side portion 2b of the bathtub 2. In the bathtub 2, a protrusion 40 is provided on one side of the entrance of the lower space 39 into which the carriage 4 is inserted. When the transport device 3 moves in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 and the carriage 4 is inserted into the lower space 39 of the bathtub 2, the bathtub detection unit 35 comes into contact with the protrusion 40. The bathtub detection unit 35 is off while it is not in contact with the protrusion 40, and is turned on when it is in contact with the protrusion 40. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the trolley 4 is inserted into the lower space 39 of the bathtub 2 and the bathtub detection unit 35 is in contact with the protrusion 40 of the bathtub 2. It is in a state of being positioned with respect to 2. The front guide rollers 29 and 30 and the rear guide rollers 31 and 32 are for guiding the transport device 3 when the carriage 4 is inserted into the lower space 39 and the transport device 3 is positioned with respect to the bathtub 2. be.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the bathtub detection unit 35 is composed of a rod-shaped contactor 35a, a spring 35b, and a limit switch 35c, and is provided inside the frame 7 so that the tip portion of the contactor 35a is the frame 7. It protrudes to the outside of. In FIG. 2, the portion of the bathtub detection unit 35 hidden inside the frame 7 is shown by a broken line. The rod-shaped contactor 35a can move in the longitudinal direction of itself, and when the contactor 35a abuts on the protrusion 40 and is pushed inward of the frame 7, the spring 35b pushes the contactor 35a to the outside of the frame 7. A force is generated to try to return to. The limit switch 35c is turned on and off by moving the contactor 35a.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration inside the support column 6a and the support column guide 6b. FIG. 3A shows a state when the support column guide 6b is in the lower limit position, and at this time, the stretcher 5 is in the lower limit position. FIG. 3B shows a state when the support column guide 6b is in the upper limit position, and at this time, the stretcher 5 is in the upper limit position. A switch plate 41 is provided on the support column 6a, and a lower limit switch 42, an upper limit switch 43, and an intermediate switch 44 are fixed to the switch plate 41. The lower limit switch 42, the upper limit switch 43, and the intermediate switch 44 are limit switches having contacts 42a, contacts 43a, and contacts 44a, respectively.

A receiving portion plate 45 is provided on the support column guide 6b, and a lower limit receiving portion 46 is fixed to the receiving portion plate 45. The lower limit switch 42 and the lower limit receiving portion 46 are arranged so that the lower limit receiving portion 46 comes into contact with the contactor 42a and the lower limit switch 42 turns from off to on when the support column guide 6b descends from above to the lower limit position. .. An upper limit receiving portion 47 and an intermediate receiving portion 48 projecting inward are provided on the inner surface of the support column guide 6b. The upper limit switch 43 and the upper limit receiving portion 47 are arranged so that the upper limit receiving portion 47 contacts the contactor 43a and the upper limit switch 43 turns from off to on when the support column guide 6b rises from the lower side to the upper limit position. .. The intermediate receiving portion 48 is formed longer in the vertical direction than the upper limit receiving portion 47. When the support column guide 6b rises from below toward the upper limit position, the upper end portion 48a of the intermediate receiving portion 48 contacts the contactor 44a, the intermediate switch 44 turns from off to on, and the support column guide 6b reaches the upper limit position. The intermediate switch 44 and the intermediate receiving portion 48 are arranged so that the on state of the intermediate switch 44 is maintained until.

Further, a sliding contact member 49 made of resin or the like is attached to the outer surface of the support column 6a so as not to interfere with the upper limit receiving portion 47 and the intermediate receiving portion 48 when the support column guide 6b is raised and lowered. The sliding contact member 49 is in contact with the inner surface of the support column guide 6b in a sliding state so that the support column guide 6b can move up and down with little resistance to the support column 6a.

Next, a method of bathing the person being assisted on the stretcher 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5. The illustration of the person being assisted is omitted. As shown in FIG. 1, the transport device 3 is placed sideways on one side portion 2b of the bathtub 2. In this sideways state, the carriage 4 of the transport device 3 faces the lower space 39 of the bathtub 2, and the stretcher 5 is in the upper limit position. Then, the caregiver operates the operation rod 17 to move the transport device 3 in the direction of the arrow A, and inserts the carriage 4 into the lower space 39 of the bathtub 2 from the state of FIG. 1 to the state of FIG. When the transport device 3 is placed next to the bathtub 2, the bathtub 2 is already filled with hot water.

In the state shown in FIG. 4, the bathtub detection unit 35 of the transport device 3 is pushed by the protrusion 40 of the bathtub 2 as shown in FIG. 2, and changes from an off state to an on state. That is, the transport device 3 is positioned with respect to the bathtub 2. With the bathtub detection unit 35 turned on, the lowering operation unit of the remote controller 33 is operated to lower the stretcher 5 by the stretcher elevating mechanism 6, and when the lowering operation unit is operated again at the position to be stopped, the stretcher 5 The descent is stopped, and the state is as shown in FIG. At this time, the person being assisted on the stretcher 5 is immersed in the bath water in the bathtub 2 and is used for bathing. When the stretcher 5 is lowered to reach the lower limit position and the lower limit switch 42 is turned from off to on, the lowering of the stretcher 5 is stopped without operating the lowering operation unit again. Then, when the person being assisted has finished bathing, the ascending operation unit of the remote controller 33 is operated to raise the stretcher 5, and when the stretcher 5 reaches the upper limit position and the upper limit switch 43 is turned on from off, the stretcher 5 The climb stops. Next, the transport device 3 is moved in the direction opposite to the arrow A, and the carriage 4 is pulled out from the lower space 39 of the bathtub 2. As described above, the bathing work is performed in which the person being assisted is bathed by the bathing device 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a main part of the bathing device 1. An appropriate water level sensor 50 is provided on the side portion 2c of the bathtub 2. The appropriate water level sensor 50 operates when the bath water in the bathtub 2 reaches the bathing appropriate water level 51 indicated by the alternate long and short dash line, and whether or not the bath water level is equal to or higher than the bathing appropriate water level 51 by the appropriate water level sensor 50. Can be detected. The overflow water level 52 indicated by the alternate long and short dash line indicates the height position (position in the vertical direction) where the overflow port 37 is formed, and the bath water having a water level exceeding the overflow water level 52 is discharged from the overflow port 37. Further, when the stretcher 5 is in the upper limit position, the height position of the lowermost portion of the stretcher 5 (the lowermost part of the stretcher 5) in the vertical direction is indicated by the stretcher upper limit height 53 indicated by the alternate long and short dash line. For example, when the amount of bathing water that the person being assisted can properly bathe in, the water level of the bathing water after the person being assisted on the stretcher 5 comes out of the bathing water together with the stretcher 5 is set as the appropriate bathing water level 51.

Here, the intermediate switch 44 is turned from off to on when the stretcher 5 carrying the person being assisted rises and reaches the height position (hereinafter referred to as “predetermined position”) from the bathtub. The 44 and the intermediate receiving portion 48 are arranged. As a result, it can be detected by the intermediate switch 44 that the stretcher 5 on which the person being assisted has risen and reached a predetermined position out of the bathtub. For example, when the stretcher 5 rises and the height position of the lowermost part of the stretcher 5 becomes the overflow water level 52 or a predetermined water level lower than the overflow water level 52 (predetermined water level 521 shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 6). The intermediate switch 44 and the intermediate receiving portion 48 are arranged so that the intermediate switch 44 turns from off to on. With this configuration, the intermediate switch 44 can be turned from off to on after the stretcher 5 on which the person being assisted has reached a predetermined position out of the bathtub. The predetermined water level 521 means that when the water level of the bath water when the stretcher 5 on which the person being assisted is not riding is lowered to the lower limit position and immersed in the bath water is the overflow water level 52, the stretcher 5 is taken from the bath water. It is the water level of the bath water after it comes out.

Next, the control operation of the bathing device with the decrease of the bath water will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG. 7A is a control block diagram of the transport device 3, and FIG. 7B is a control block diagram of the bathtub 2, showing a configuration related to a control operation accompanying a decrease in bath water. The transport device control unit 54 provided in the transport device 3 and the bathtub control unit 55 provided in the bathtub 2 are mainly composed of a microcomputer, and the transport device control unit 54 controls the transport device 3 according to the control flow described below. Controlled, the bathtub control unit 55 controls the bathtub 2. The transport device 3 includes a transmission unit (transmission means) 56 for transmitting information, and the bathtub 2 includes a reception unit (reception means) 57 for receiving information, and wireless communication (radio communication) between the transport device 3 and the bathtub 2 ( For example, information is transmitted and received by short-range wireless communication). The transport equipment control unit 54 controls the stretcher elevating mechanism 6 and the transmission unit 56 in response to the output of the upper limit switch 43, the output of the intermediate switch 44, the operation input of the remote controller 33, and the output of the bathtub detection unit 35. The bathtub control unit 55 controls the hot water supply solenoid valve 58 for supplying hot water to the bathtub 2 in response to the information received by the reception unit 57 and the output of the appropriate water level sensor 50. FIG. 8 is a control flow diagram of the transport device 3, and FIG. 9 is a control flow diagram of the bathtub 2. The control flow charts of FIGS. 8 and 9 show control for automatically supplying hot water to the appropriate bathing water level 51 when the bathing water decreases due to the bathing of the person being assisted and the bathing water level falls below the appropriate bathing water level 51. Shows the flow.

The control operation of the transport device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S1, the transport device control unit 54 determines whether or not the transport device 3 is in the positioning state (the state in which the transport device 3 is positioned with respect to the bathtub 2) based on the output of the bathtub detection unit 35, and also determines whether or not the transport device 3 is in the positioning state. The determination is repeated until it is detected that the transport device 3 is in the positioning state. When it is determined that the transport device 3 is in the positioning state, in step S2, the transport device control unit 54 determines whether or not the stretcher 5 is instructed to be lifted by detecting the lift operation input of the remote controller 33. , The determination is repeated until the stretcher 5 is instructed to rise. When it is determined that the stretcher 5 has been instructed to be raised, in step S3, the transport device control unit 54 controls the stretcher elevating mechanism 6 to raise the strut guide 6b to raise the stretcher 5. The stretcher 5 continues to rise until the stretcher 5 is stopped in step S7.

In the next step S4, the transport device control unit 54 determines whether or not the stretcher 5 has reached the predetermined position based on the output of the intermediate switch 44, and repeats the determination until the stretcher 5 reaches the predetermined position. When it is detected that the stretcher 5 has reached the predetermined position, in step S5, the transport device control unit 54 transmits information that the stretcher 5 has reached the predetermined position (the stretcher predetermined position information) from the transmission unit 56 to the bathtub 2. Is transmitted to the receiving unit 57 of. In the next step S6, the transport device control unit 54 determines whether or not the stretcher 5 has reached the upper limit position based on the output of the upper limit switch 43, and determines until it is detected that the stretcher 5 has reached the upper limit position. repeat. When it is determined that the stretcher 5 has reached the upper limit position, in the next step S7, the transport device control unit 54 stops the rise of the stretcher 5 by stopping the rise of the support column guide 6b, and the transport device 3 End the control operation.

Next, the control operation of the bathtub 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S11, the bathtub control unit 55 determines whether or not the stretcher predetermined position information has been received by the receiving unit 57, and repeats the determination until the stretcher predetermined position information is received by the receiving unit 57. The stretcher predetermined position information is information transmitted from the transmission unit 56 of the transport device 3 in step S5. When the receiving unit 57 receives the stretcher predetermined position information, in step S12, the bathtub control unit 55 determines whether or not the water level of the bathtub in the bathtub 2 has reached the appropriate bathing water level 51 by the output of the appropriate water level sensor 50. do. When it is detected that the water level of the bath water in the bathtub 2 has reached the appropriate bathing water level 51, the bathtub control unit 55 ends the control operation of the bathtub 2. If it is not detected that the water level of the bath water in the bathtub 2 has reached the appropriate bathing water level 51, in step S13, the bathtub control unit 55 opens the hot water supply solenoid valve 58 to supply hot water to the bathtub 2. In the next step S14, the bathtub control unit 55 determines whether or not the water level of the bathtub in the bathtub 2 has reached the appropriate bathing water level 51 by the output of the appropriate water level sensor 50 while supplying hot water to the bathtub 2. repeat. When it is detected that the water level of the bath water has reached the appropriate bathing water level 51, in step S15, the bathtub control unit 55 closes the hot water supply solenoid valve 58 to stop the hot water supply, and ends the control operation of the bathtub 2. do.

In this way, it is determined that the water level of the bath water is lower than the appropriate bathing water level 51 after the stretcher 5 carrying the person being assisted reaches a predetermined position out of the bath water and based on the output of the appropriate water level sensor 50. In that case, hot water is automatically supplied up to the appropriate bathing water level 51. Even if the amount of hot water in the bathtub 2 decreases due to the overflow and falls below the appropriate bathing water level 51, hot water is automatically supplied to the appropriate bathing water level 51, so the caregiving manually operates the hot water supply when preparing for the next bathing. As a result, the number of operations required for bathing preparation can be reduced by one, and the operation burden on the caregiver can be reduced. Moreover, since it is not necessary to always pay attention to the amount of hot water after bathing, the psychological burden on the caregiver can be reduced.

The upper limit switch 43 may detect that the stretcher 5 has reached a predetermined position without providing the intermediate switch 44. That is, when it is detected that the carrier 5 has reached the upper limit position by the output of the upper limit switch 43, the water level of the bath water in the bathtub 2 is determined by the output of the appropriate water level sensor 50, and the water level of the bath water is the appropriate bathing water level. When the water level is below 51, hot water may be supplied to the appropriate bathing water level 51. In this case, the control operation of the transport device 3 is such that, in FIG. 8, steps S4 and S5 are omitted, step S6 is executed after step S3, and after step S7, the stretcher 5 is placed at a predetermined position (here, the upper limit position). The information that it has arrived may be transmitted from the transmitting unit 56 to the receiving unit 57 of the bathtub 2 to end the control operation. The control operation of the bathtub 2 may be the same as that shown in FIG.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, the intermediate switch 44 detects that the stretcher 5 has reached a predetermined position out of the bathtub, but in the second embodiment, the stretcher 5 has reached the predetermined position using a light emitting element and a light receiving element. Is detected. As shown in FIG. 10, the light emitting element 59 is located below the support column guide 6b of the transport device 3 at a position facing the side portion 2b of the bathtub 2 in a state where the transport device 3 is positioned with respect to the bathtub 2. It is provided. A light receiving element 60 is provided above the side portion 2b of the bathtub 2, and the support column guide 6b rises and the light receiving element 60 receives the light emitted from the light emitting element 59 to detect that the stretcher 5 has reached a predetermined position. ..

Next, the control operation of the bathing device with the decrease of the bath water will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13. FIG. 11A is a control block diagram of the transport device 3, and FIG. 11B is a control block diagram of the bathtub 2, showing a configuration related to a control operation with a decrease in bath water. The transport device control unit 54 controls the stretcher elevating mechanism 6 and the light emitting element 59 in response to the output of the upper limit switch 43, the operation input of the remote controller 33, and the output of the bathtub detection unit 35. The bathtub control unit 55 controls the hot water supply solenoid valve 58 for supplying hot water to the bathtub 2 in response to the output of the light receiving element 60 and the output of the appropriate water level sensor 50. FIG. 12 is a control flow diagram of the transport device 3, and FIG. 13 is a control flow diagram of the bathtub 2. The control flow charts of FIGS. 12 and 13 show a control flow for automatically supplying hot water to the appropriate bathing water level when the bathing water decreases and the bathing water level falls below the appropriate bathing water level.

The control operation of the transport device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S21, the transport device control unit 54 determines whether or not the transport device 3 is in the positioning state based on the output of the bathtub detection unit 35, and determines until the transport device 3 is detected to be in the positioning state. repeat. When it is determined that the transport device 3 is in the positioning state, in step S22, the transport device control unit 54 determines whether or not the stretcher 5 is instructed to be lifted by detecting the lift operation input of the remote controller 33, and at the same time, The determination is repeated until the stretcher 5 is instructed to rise. When it is determined that the stretcher 5 has been instructed to rise, in step S23, the transport device control unit 54 causes the light emitting element 59 to emit light. The light emission of the light emitting element 59 is continued until the light emission is stopped in step S27.

In the next step S24, the transport device control unit 54 controls the stretcher elevating mechanism 6 to raise the stretcher guide 6b, thereby raising the stretcher 5. In the next step S25, the transport device control unit 54 repeats the determination of whether or not the stretcher 5 has reached the upper limit position by the output of the upper limit switch 43 while the stretcher 5 is raised. When it is detected that the stretcher 5 has reached the upper limit position, in step S26, the transport device control unit 54 stops the rise of the stretcher 5 by stopping the rise of the support column guide 6b. In the next step S27, the transport device control unit 54 stops the light emission of the light emitting element 59 and ends the control operation of the transport device 3.

Next, the control operation of the bathtub 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S31, the bathtub control unit 55 determines whether or not the light receiving element 60 has received the light emitted from the light emitting element 59 based on the output of the light receiving element 60, and repeats the determination until the light receiving element 60 receives the light. When the light receiving element 60 receives the light emitted from the light emitting element 59, in step S32, the bathtub control unit 55 determines whether or not the water level of the bath water in the bathtub 2 has reached the bathing appropriate water level 51 by the output of the appropriate water level sensor 50. judge. When it is detected that the water level of the bath water in the bathtub 2 has reached the appropriate bathing water level 51, the bathtub control unit 55 ends the control operation of the bathtub 2. If it is not detected that the water level of the bath water in the bathtub 2 has reached the appropriate bathing water level 51, in step S33, the bathtub control unit 55 opens the hot water supply solenoid valve 58 to supply hot water to the bathtub 2. In the next step S34, the bathtub control unit 55 determines whether or not the water level of the bathtub in the bathtub 2 has reached the appropriate bathing water level 51 by the output of the appropriate water level sensor 50 while supplying hot water to the bathtub 2. repeat. When it is detected that the water level of the bath water has reached the appropriate bathing water level 51, in step S35, the bathtub control unit 55 closes the hot water supply solenoid valve 58 to stop the hot water supply, and ends the control operation of the bathtub 2. do.

In the present embodiment, the light emitting element 59 (detector) and the light receiving element 60 (detector) are used as means for detecting that the stretcher 5 has reached a predetermined position while the transport device 3 is positioned with respect to the bathtub 2. ) Is used. Here, the detector (light receiving element 60) acts (lights) of the detector (light emitting element 59) when the stretcher 5 reaches a predetermined position while the transport device 3 is positioned with respect to the bathtub 2. Is to be detected. Further, for example, a proximity sensor may be used as the detector and a magnet may be used as the detector. In this case, with the transport device 3 positioned with respect to the bathtub 2, the proximity sensor detects the operation input from detecting the operation input for raising the stretcher 5 until the raising of the stretcher 5 stops. Just do it. Further, the detector may be provided in the transport device 3, and the detector may be provided in the bathtub 2. In this case, as shown in the first embodiment, the transport device 3 is provided with the transmission unit 56, the bathtub 2 is provided with the reception unit 57, and the detector provided in the transport device 3 detects that the stretcher 5 has reached a predetermined position. Then, the detected information may be transmitted from the transmitting unit 56 to the receiving unit 57 of the bathtub 2, and the information received in the bathtub 2 may be used to automatically supply hot water to the appropriate bathing water level 51.

In this way, it is determined that the water level of the bath water is lower than the appropriate bathing water level 51 after the stretcher 5 carrying the person being assisted reaches a predetermined position out of the bath water and based on the output of the appropriate water level sensor 50. In that case, hot water is automatically supplied up to the appropriate bathing water level 51. Thereby, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Embodiment 3)
In the third embodiment, the water level of the bath water is lower than the appropriate bath water level after the stretcher 5 carrying the person being assisted comes out of the bath water and the position of the transport device 3 with respect to the bathtub 2 is released. A bathing device that automatically supplies hot water to the appropriate bathing level when it is determined to be the case will be described.

In the first embodiment, a bathtub detection unit 35 is provided at one end of the frame 7 of the transport device 3 so that the transport device 3 can detect that the transport device 3 is in the positioned state. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, a transport device detection unit 61 is provided at the protrusion 40 of the bathtub 2 instead of the bathtub detection unit 35, and the bathtub 2 indicates that the transport device 3 is in the positioning state. It is possible to detect it on the side. Except for such a configuration, the bathing device of the third embodiment may have the same configuration as the bathing device 1 of the first embodiment.

Like the bathtub detection unit 35, the transport device detection unit 61 is composed of a rod-shaped contactor 61a, a spring 61b, and a limit switch 61c, and is provided inside the protrusion 40 so that the tip portion of the contactor 61a protrudes. It protrudes to the outside of the portion 40. In FIG. 14, the portion of the transport device detection unit 61 hidden inside the protrusion 40 is shown by a broken line. When the transport device 3 is in the positioning state, the transport device detection unit 61 comes into contact with one end of the frame 7 of the transport device 3 and turns from off to on. FIG. 14 shows a state in which the transport device 3 is in the positioned state and the transport device detection unit 61 is in contact with one end of the frame 7 of the transport device 3. When the transport device 3 in the positioned state moves away from the bathtub 2, the transport device detection unit 61 is turned from on to off, and the position state of the transport device 3 is released.

Next, the control operation of the bathing device with the decrease of the bath water will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 16. FIG. 15 is a control block diagram of the bathtub 2, showing a configuration related to a control operation as the amount of bathtub decreases. The bathtub control unit 55 controls the hot water supply solenoid valve 58 for supplying hot water to the bathtub 2 in response to the output of the transport device detection unit 61 and the output of the appropriate water level sensor 50. FIG. 16 is a control flow diagram of the bathtub 2, and shows a control flow for automatically supplying hot water to the bathing appropriate water level when the bathing water decreases and the bathing water level falls below the bathing appropriate water level. Since the control operation of the transfer device 3 is not related to the control operation of the bathing device due to the decrease in the amount of bath water, the control block diagram and the control flow diagram of the transfer device 3 are not described.

The control operation of the bathtub 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S41, the bathtub control unit 55 determines whether or not the transport device 3 is in the positioning state based on the output of the transport device detection unit 61, and determines until it is detected that the transport device 3 is in the positioning state. repeat. When it is determined that the transfer device 3 is in the positioning state, in step S42, the bathtub control unit 55 determines whether or not the positioning state of the transfer device 3 has been released by the output of the transfer device detection unit 61, and also determines whether or not the position state of the transfer device 3 has been released. The determination is repeated until it is detected that the positioning state of the transport device 3 has been released. When it is determined that the positioning state of the transport device 3 has been released, in step S43, the bathtub control unit 55 determines whether or not the water level of the bathtub in the bathtub 2 has reached the appropriate bathing water level by the output of the appropriate water level sensor 50. To judge. When it is detected that the water level of the bath water in the bathtub 2 has reached the appropriate bathing water level, the bathtub control unit 55 ends the control operation of the bathtub 2. If it is not detected that the water level of the bath water in the bathtub 2 has reached the appropriate bathing water level, in step S44, the bathtub control unit 55 opens the hot water supply solenoid valve 58 to supply hot water to the bathtub 2. In the next step S45, the bathtub control unit 55 repeatedly determines whether or not the water level of the bathtub in the bathtub 2 has reached the appropriate bathing water level by the output of the appropriate water level sensor 50 while supplying hot water to the bathtub 2. .. When it is detected that the water level of the bath water in the bathtub 2 has reached the appropriate bathing water level, in step S46, the bathtub control unit 55 closes the hot water supply solenoid valve 58 to stop the hot water supply to control the bathtub 2. End the operation.

In this way, it is determined that the water level of the bathtub is lower than the appropriate bathing water level after the stretcher 5 carrying the person being assisted comes out of the bathtub and the position of the transport device 3 with respect to the bathtub 2 is released. In that case, hot water is automatically supplied to the appropriate bathing level. Thereby, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

In the third embodiment, the transport device detection unit 61 provided on the bathtub 2 side is used as a means for detecting whether or not the transport device 3 is in the positioning state. However, as described in the first embodiment, the transport device 3 is transported. The bathtub detection unit 35 provided on the device 3 side may be used. In this case, as shown in the first embodiment, the transport device 3 is provided with the transmitting unit 56 and the bathtub 2 is provided with the receiving unit 57, so that the transport device 3 is in the positioning state and the positioning state of the transport device 3 is released. This is detected by the bathtub detection unit 35, the detected information is transmitted from the transmission unit 56 to the reception unit 57 of the bathtub 2, and the information received by the bathtub 2 is used to automatically supply hot water to the appropriate bathing water level 51. Just do it.

(Embodiment 4)
In the first to third embodiments, the bathing device in which the bathtub 2 does not move up and down has been described, but in the fourth embodiment, the bathing device in which the bathtub 2 and the transport device 3 move up and down will be described. The bathing device of the fourth embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, and the distance that the bathtub 2 moves up and down and the distance that the supporter 5 moves up and down during the bathing work of the person being assisted is the embodiment because the bathtub 2 moves up and down. The bathing device of the fourth embodiment may have the same configuration as the bathing device 1 of the first embodiment, except that it is shorter than the transport device 3 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of the bathtub 2 of the fourth embodiment. An appropriate water level sensor 50 is provided on the side portion 2c of the bathtub 2. The bathtub 2 is configured to be able to move up and down between the bathtub lower limit position and the bathtub upper limit position by the bathtub raising and lowering mechanism 63 provided on the base 62. The bathtub elevating mechanism 63 includes an X-shaped pantograph 63a provided between the upper surface of the base 62 and the lower surface of the bottom 2e of the bathtub 2, and a hydraulic cylinder 63d provided with a rod 63b and a piston portion 63c. .. The tip of the rod 63b is connected to the pantograph 63a, and the piston 63c is pivotally attached to the base 62. When the rod portion 63b is extended with respect to the piston portion 63c, the pantograph 63a is driven in the leg closing direction, thereby raising the bathtub 2, and conversely, when the rod 63b is contracted, the pantograph 63a is driven in the leg opening direction. As a result, the bathtub 2 is lowered.

A bathtub upper limit switch 65 and a bathtub lower limit switch 66 are provided at each position above and below the upright portion 64 provided on the base 62, and the bathtub upper limit switch 65 and the bathtub lower limit switch 66 are configured by, for example, limit switches. On the outer surface of the side portion 2d of the bathtub 2, a projecting piece 67 for turning on / off the bathtub upper limit switch 65 and the bathtub lower limit switch 66 is provided.

When the bathtub 2 starts to rise from the bathtub lower limit position where the bathtub lower limit switch 66 is turned on and the bathtub 2 rises to the bathtub upper limit position where the bathtub upper limit switch 65 is turned on, the raising operation is stopped. Further, the bathtub 2 starts descending from the bathtub upper limit position where the bathtub upper limit switch 65 is turned on, and the bathtub 2 automatically descends and stops at the bathtub lower limit position where the bathtub lower limit switch 66 is turned on.

Here, when the bathtub 2 is in the lower limit position of the bathtub, when the stretcher 5 carrying the person being assisted rises and reaches a predetermined position out of the bathtub, the intermediate switch 44 is turned from off to on. The switch 44 and the intermediate receiving portion 48 are arranged. As a result, in the bathing device in which the bathtub 2 and the transport device 3 move up and down, it can be detected by the intermediate switch 44 that the stretcher 5 on which the person being assisted has risen and reached a predetermined position out of the bathtub. For example, when the bathtub 2 is in the lower limit position of the bathtub, when the stretcher 5 rises and the height position of the lowermost part of the stretcher 5 becomes the overflow water level 52 or a predetermined water level 521 lower than the overflow water level 52, it is intermediate. The intermediate switch 44 and the intermediate receiving portion 48 are arranged so that the switch 44 turns from off to on. With this configuration, the intermediate switch 44 can be turned from off to on after the stretcher 5 on which the person being assisted has reached a predetermined position out of the bathtub.

Next, the control operation of the bathing device with the decrease of the bath water will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 20. FIG. 18A is a control block diagram of the transport device 3, and FIG. 18B is a control block diagram of the bathtub 2, showing a configuration related to a control operation with a decrease in bath water. The transport device 3 includes a transmission unit 56 for transmitting information, and the bathtub 2 includes a reception unit 57 for receiving information, and information is transmitted and received by wireless communication between the transport device 3 and the bathtub 2. The transport equipment control unit 54 controls the stretcher elevating mechanism 6 and the transmission unit 56 in response to the output of the upper limit switch 43, the output of the intermediate switch 44, the operation input of the remote controller 33, and the output of the bathtub detection unit 35. The bathtub control unit 55 responds to the information received by the reception unit 57, the output of the appropriate water level sensor 50, and the output of the bathtub lower limit switch 66, and sets the hot water supply solenoid valve 58 and the bathtub elevating mechanism 63 for supplying hot water to the bathtub 2. Control. FIG. 19 is a control flow diagram of the transport device 3, and FIG. 20 is a control flow diagram of the bathtub 2. The control flow charts of FIGS. 19 and 20 show a control flow for automatically supplying hot water to the appropriate bathing water level when the bathing water decreases and the bathing water level falls below the appropriate bathing water level.

The control operation of the transport device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S51, the transport device control unit 54 determines whether or not the transport device 3 is in the positioning state based on the output of the bathtub detection unit 35, and determines until the transport device 3 is detected to be in the positioning state. repeat. When it is determined that the transport device 3 is in the positioning state, in step S52, the transport device control unit 54 determines whether or not the stretcher 5 is instructed to be lifted by detecting the lift operation input of the remote controller 33. , The determination is repeated until the stretcher 5 is instructed to rise. When it is determined that the stretcher 5 has been instructed to rise, in step S53, the transport device control unit 54 transmits information (bathtub lowering instruction) instructing the lowering of the bathtub 2 from the transmitting unit 56 to the receiving unit 57 of the bathtub 2. Send. In the next step S54, the transport device control unit 54 controls the stretcher elevating mechanism 6 to raise the stretcher guide 6b, thereby raising the stretcher 5. The stretcher 5 continues to rise until the stretcher 5 is stopped in step S58.

In the next step S55, the transport device control unit 54 determines whether or not the stretcher 5 has reached the predetermined position based on the output of the intermediate switch 44, and repeats the determination until the stretcher 5 reaches the predetermined position. When it is detected that the stretcher 5 has reached the predetermined position, in step S56, the transport device control unit 54 transmits information that the stretcher 5 has reached the predetermined position (the stretcher predetermined position information) from the transmission unit 56 to the bathtub 2. Is transmitted to the receiving unit 57 of. Subsequently, in step S57, the transport device control unit 54 determines whether or not the stretcher 5 has reached the upper limit position based on the output of the upper limit switch 43, and determines until it is detected that the stretcher 5 has reached the upper limit position. repeat. When it is determined that the stretcher 5 has reached the upper limit position, in step S58, the transport device control unit 54 stops the rise of the stretcher 5 by stopping the rise of the support column guide 6b, and controls the transport device 3. To finish.

Next, the control operation of the bathtub 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S61, the bathtub control unit 55 determines whether or not the bathtub lowering instruction has been received by the receiving unit 57, and repeats the determination until the receiving unit 57 receives the bathtub lowering instruction. The bathtub lowering instruction is information transmitted from the transmission unit 56 of the transport device 3 in step S53. When the receiving unit 57 receives the bathtub lowering instruction, in step S62, the bathtub control unit 55 controls the bathtub raising / lowering mechanism 63 to lower the bathtub 2. In the next step S63, the bathtub control unit 55 repeats the determination of whether or not the bathtub 2 has been lowered to the bathtub lower limit position by the output of the bathtub lower limit switch 66 while the bathtub 2 is lowered. When it is determined that the bathtub 2 has descended to the lower limit position of the bathtub, the bathtub control unit 55 stops the descending of the bathtub 2 in step S64.

In step S65, the bathtub control unit 55 determines whether or not the stretcher predetermined position information has been received by the receiving unit 57, and repeats the determination until the stretcher predetermined position information is received by the receiving unit 57. The stretcher predetermined position information is information transmitted from the transmission unit 56 of the transport device 3 in step S56. When the receiving unit 57 receives the stretcher predetermined position information, in step S66, the bathtub control unit 55 determines whether or not the water level of the bathtub in the bathtub 2 has reached the appropriate bathing water level by the output of the appropriate water level sensor 50. .. When it is detected that the water level of the bath water in the bathtub 2 has reached the appropriate bathing water level, the bathtub control unit 55 ends the control operation of the bathtub 2. If it is not detected that the water level of the bath water in the bathtub 2 has reached the appropriate bathing water level, in step S67, the bathtub control unit 55 opens the hot water supply solenoid valve 58 to supply hot water to the bathtub 2. In the next step S68, the bathtub control unit 55 repeatedly determines whether or not the water level of the bathtub in the bathtub 2 has reached the appropriate bathing water level by the output of the appropriate water level sensor 50 while supplying hot water to the bathtub 2. .. When it is detected that the water level of the bath water in the bathtub 2 has reached the appropriate bathing water level, in step S69, the bathtub control unit 55 closes the hot water supply solenoid valve 58 to stop the hot water supply to control the bathtub 2. End the operation.

In this way, in the bathing device in which the bathtub 2 and the transport device 3 move up and down, the bathtub 5 on which the person being assisted has reached a predetermined position out of the bathtub and based on the output of the appropriate water level sensor 50. When it is determined that the water level of No. 51 is lower than the appropriate bathing water level 51, hot water is automatically supplied to the appropriate bathing water level 51. Thereby, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Embodiment 5)
The bathing device of the fifth embodiment is a modification of the second embodiment, in which the bathtub 2 and the transport device 3 move up and down. Embodiment 5 except that the bathtub 2 moves up and down and the distance that the stretcher 5 moves up and down during the bathing work of the person being assisted is shorter than that of the transport device 3 of the second embodiment. The bathing device of the above may have the same configuration as the bathing device of the second embodiment. Further, the configuration of the bathtub 2 that goes up and down may be the same as the configuration of the bathtub 2 described in the fourth embodiment.

The control operation of the bathing device as the amount of bath water decreases will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 24. 21 (a) is a control block diagram of the transport device 3, and FIG. 21 (b) is a control block diagram of the bathtub 2, showing a configuration related to a control operation with a decrease in bath water. The bathtub 2 is provided with a transmission unit 68 and a reception unit 57, and the transfer device 3 is provided with a transmission unit 56 and a reception unit 69 to transmit and receive information between the bathtub 2 and the transfer device 3. The transport device control unit 54 responds to the output of the upper limit switch 43, the operation input of the remote controller 33, the output of the bathtub detection unit 35, and the information received by the reception unit 69, and responds to the stretcher elevating mechanism 6, the light emitting element 59, and the transmission. The unit 56 is controlled. The bathtub control unit 55 responds to the output of the light receiving element 60, the output of the appropriate water level sensor 50, the output of the bathtub lower limit switch 66, and the information received by the receiving unit 57, and the hot water supply solenoid valve 58 for supplying hot water to the bathtub 2. , Controls the bathtub elevating mechanism 63 and the transmission unit 68. FIG. 22 is a control flow diagram of the transport device 3, and FIGS. 23 to 24 are control flow diagrams of the bathtub 2. The control flow charts of FIGS. 22 to 24 show a control flow for automatically supplying hot water to the appropriate bathing water level when the bathing water decreases and the bathing water level falls below the appropriate bathing water level.

The control operation of the transport device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S71, the transport device control unit 54 determines whether or not the transport device 3 is in the positioning state based on the output of the bathtub detection unit 35, and determines until the transport device 3 is detected to be in the positioning state. repeat. When it is determined that the transport device 3 is in the positioning state, in step S72, the transport device control unit 54 determines whether or not the stretcher 5 is instructed to be lifted by detecting the lift operation input of the remote controller 33, and at the same time, The determination is repeated until the stretcher 5 is instructed to rise. When it is determined that the stretcher 5 has been instructed to rise, in step S73, the transport device control unit 54 causes the light emitting element 59 to emit light. The light emission of the light emitting element 59 is continued until the light emission is stopped in step S79.

In the next step S74, the transport device control unit 54 transmits information instructing the lowering of the bathtub 2 (bathtub lowering instruction) from the transmitting unit 56 to the receiving unit 57 of the bathtub 2. In the next step S75, the transport device control unit 54 controls the stretcher elevating mechanism 6 to raise the stretcher guide 6b, thereby raising the stretcher 5. In the next step S76, the transport device control unit 54 repeats the determination of whether or not the stretcher 5 has reached the upper limit position by the output of the upper limit switch 43 while the stretcher 5 is raised. When it is detected that the stretcher 5 has reached the upper limit position, in step S77, the transport device control unit 54 stops the rise of the stretcher 5 by stopping the rise of the support column guide 6b. In the next step S78, it is determined whether or not the light receiving information (described later) transmitted from the transmitting unit 68 of the bathtub 2 has been received by the receiving unit 69, and the determination is repeated until the light receiving information is received. When it is determined that the light receiving information has been received, in step S79, the transport device control unit 54 stops the light emission of the light emitting element 59 and ends the control operation of the transport device 3.

Next, the control operation of the bathtub 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 to 24. In step S81, the bathtub control unit 55 determines whether or not the bathtub lowering instruction has been received by the receiving unit 57, and repeats the determination until the receiving unit 57 receives the bathtub lowering instruction. The bathtub lowering instruction is information transmitted from the transmission unit 56 of the transport device 3 in step S74. When the receiving unit 57 receives the bathtub lowering instruction, in step S82, the bathtub control unit 55 controls the bathtub raising / lowering mechanism 63 to lower the bathtub 2. In the next step S83, the bathtub control unit 55 repeats the determination of whether or not the bathtub 2 has been lowered to the bathtub lower limit position by the output of the bathtub lower limit switch 66 while the bathtub 2 is being lowered. When it is determined that the bathtub 2 has descended to the lower limit position of the bathtub, the bathtub control unit 55 stops the descending of the bathtub 2 in step S84.

In the next step S85, the bathtub control unit 55 determines whether or not the light receiving element 60 has received the light emitted from the light emitting element 59 based on the output of the light receiving element 60, and repeats the determination until the light receiving element 60 receives the light. When it is determined that the light receiving element 60 has received the light emitted from the light emitting element 59, in step S86, the bathtub control unit 55 conveys information (light receiving information) that the light receiving element 60 has received the light emitted from the light emitting element 59 from the transmitting unit 68. It transmits to the receiving unit 69 of the device 3.

In the next step S87, the bathtub control unit 55 determines whether or not the water level of the bath water in the bathtub 2 has reached the appropriate bathing water level 51 based on the output of the appropriate water level sensor 50. When it is detected that the water level of the bath water in the bathtub 2 has reached the appropriate bathing water level 51, the bathtub control unit 55 ends the control operation of the bathtub 2. If it is not detected that the water level of the bath water in the bathtub 2 has reached the appropriate bathing water level 51, in step S88, the bathtub control unit 55 opens the hot water supply solenoid valve 58 to supply hot water to the bathtub 2. In the next step S89, the bathtub control unit 55 determines whether or not the water level of the bathtub in the bathtub 2 has reached the appropriate bathing water level 51 by the output of the appropriate water level sensor 50 while supplying hot water to the bathtub 2. repeat. When it is detected that the water level of the bath water has reached the appropriate bathing water level 51, in step S90, the bathtub control unit 55 closes the hot water supply solenoid valve 58 to stop the hot water supply, and ends the control operation of the bathtub 2. do.

In this way, in the bathing device in which the bathtub 2 and the transport device 3 move up and down, the bathtub 5 on which the person being assisted has reached a predetermined position out of the bathtub and based on the output of the appropriate water level sensor 50. When it is determined that the water level of No. 51 is lower than the appropriate bathing water level 51, hot water is automatically supplied to the appropriate bathing water level 51. Thereby, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Further, when applied to a bathing device in which the bathtub 2 and the transport device 3 move up and down as a modification of the third embodiment, the control operation of the bathtub 2 may be the same as the control operation described with reference to FIG. As in the third embodiment, the control operation of the bathing device 3 is not related to the control operation of the bathing device due to the decrease of the bath water. In this case as well, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

As described above, according to the first to fifth embodiments, even if the bath water in the bathtub 2 decreases due to the overflow and falls below the appropriate bathing water level, the hot water is automatically supplied to the appropriate bathing water level. It is not necessary for the caregiver to manually perform the hot water supply operation one by one when preparing for bathing, and as a result, the number of operations required for bathing preparation can be reduced by one, and the operation burden on the caregiver can be reduced. Moreover, since it is not necessary to always pay attention to the amount of hot water after bathing, the psychological burden on the caregiver can be reduced. In addition, since the bath water can always be maintained at the appropriate bathing water level by supplying hot water, when a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the bathing water is provided at the side wall position on the bathtub side immediately below the appropriate bathing water level, the temperature of the bathtub is measured by the temperature sensor. Can be reliably detected with. In particular, it is very effective when the bathtub overflows and the amount of bathtub decreases more frequently by reducing the bathtub volume.

It is a bathing device for long-term care that bathes a person being assisted such as an elderly person or a physically handicapped person, and can be applied to a bathing device that uses a transport device that supports the stretcher so as to be able to move up and down.

1 Bathing device 2 Bathtub 3 Transport equipment 5 Stretcher 6 Stretcher lifting mechanism 50 Appropriate water level sensor 51 Appropriate bathing water level 56 Transmitter (transmitting means)
57 Receiver (Receiving means)
59 Light emitting element (detector)
60 Light receiving element (detector)
63 Bathtub lifting mechanism

Claims (4)

The bathtub is provided with a bathtub and a transport device that supports the stretcher on which the person to be assisted is placed so as to be able to move up and down. It is a bathing device that bathes the person being assisted by immersing it in the bath water inside.
An appropriate water level sensor for detecting the appropriate bathing water level is provided in the bathtub.
The transport device is provided with a detector for detecting that the stretcher on which the person being assisted is placed has reached a predetermined position out of the bathtub, and a transmission means for transmitting information obtained by the detector, and the transmission is performed. A receiving means for receiving the information transmitted by the means is provided in the bathtub.
Later the stretcher carrying the the care has reached before Kisho position, and, when the water level of the bath hot water based on the output of the proper water level sensor is determined to be lower than the bath proper water level , A bathing device characterized by automatically supplying hot water to the bathing appropriate water level. The bathtub is provided with a bathtub and a transport device that supports the stretcher on which the person to be assisted is placed so as to be able to move up and down. It is a bathing device that bathes the person being assisted by immersing it in the bath water inside.
An appropriate water level sensor for detecting the appropriate bathing water level is provided in the bathtub.
The detector is provided with a detector provided in the transport device and a detector provided in the bathtub, and the detector carries the person to be assisted in a state where the transport device is positioned with respect to the bathtub. When the stretcher reaches a predetermined position out of the bathtub, the action of the detector is detected.
When it is determined that the water level of the bath water is lower than the appropriate bathing water level based on the output of the appropriate water level sensor after the carrier on which the person being assisted has reached the predetermined position. A bathing device that automatically supplies hot water to the appropriate bathing level. The bathtub is provided with a bathtub and a transport device that supports the stretcher on which the person to be assisted is placed so as to be able to move up and down. It is a bathing device that bathes the person being assisted by immersing it in the bath water inside.
An appropriate water level sensor for detecting the appropriate bathing water level is provided in the bathtub.
A detector provided in the conveying device, and a target detector provided in the bath, the detector is in a state in which the transport device relative to the tub is positioned, carrying the the care The action of the detector is detected when the stretcher reaches a predetermined position out of the bathtub .
The transport device is provided with a transmitting means for transmitting the information obtained by the detector to the bathtub, and the receiving means for receiving the information transmitted from the transmitting means is provided in the bathtub.
When it is determined that the water level of the bath water is lower than the appropriate bathing water level based on the output of the appropriate water level sensor after the carrier on which the person being assisted has reached the predetermined position. A bathing device that automatically supplies hot water to the appropriate bathing level. The bathing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bathtub can be raised and lowered.

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