JP7531787B2 - Bathtub equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a bathtub device, and in particular to a bathtub device that can give the bather a feeling of warmth and coolness.

"Comfort" in human thermal sensation can be categorized into "passive comfort" and "active comfort." The "comfort" commonly used in daily life means passive comfort, which can be defined as a range (temperature range) in which the probability of feeling uncomfortable at that environmental temperature (air temperature/room temperature) is low. However, the comfort felt by people in relation to thermal sensation is strongly influenced not only by the environmental temperature, but also by the person's physiological temperature (skin temperature/core body temperature) at that time. For example, entering an air-conditioned room after spending time in the hot sun in summer or after exercise can provide a pleasant cooling sensation, while entering a bath or a warm kotatsu when your body is chilled to the cold can provide a pleasant warm sensation. The strong sense of comfort obtained in this way is called active comfort, and can be defined as something different from passive comfort.

Patent No. 5886228 (Patent Document 1) describes a bath system. This bath system has a reheating function that draws in hot water from the bathtub, heats it, and returns the heated water to the bathtub, and a hot water ejection function that draws in hot water from the bathtub and ejects it from a hot water ejection port into the bathtub. In this way, in a bath system with a reheating function and a hot water ejection function, if the hot water drawn in from the bathtub is ejected directly into the bathtub, the temperature of the hot water drops as it circulates through the hot water circulation circuit, causing a problem that the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub drops. In the bath system described in Patent Document 1, during hot water ejection operation, the hot water drawn in from the bathtub is heated by the heat source unit and ejected from the hot water ejection port, so the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub can be maintained even when the hot water ejection operation is performed.

JP 2019-150334 A (Patent Document 2) describes a bathtub water circulation type water discharge device. This bathtub water circulation type water discharge device is configured to discharge the hot water taken in toward the neck of the bather in the bathtub, and when the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharge device is high, the total heat amount of the hot water discharged per unit time is suppressed to a predetermined heat amount or less. This makes it possible to limit the amount of heat given to the bather, preventing the bather from getting too hot early and allowing them to bathe for a long time.

Patent No. 5886228 JP 2019-150334 A

However, the invention described in Patent Document 1 aims to prevent the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub from dropping during hot water ejection operation, causing discomfort to the bather. Therefore, the "comfort" provided by the bath system described in Patent Document 1 can be said to be "passive comfort." Meanwhile, the invention described in Patent Document 2 aims to prevent the bather from getting too hot early due to the bather setting the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharge device too high. Therefore, the "comfort" provided by the bath water circulation type water discharge device described in Patent Document 2 can also be said to be "passive comfort."

Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a bathtub device that gives the bather a sense of warmth and coolness, thereby providing positive comfort to the bather.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is a bathtub device that can give a bather a feeling of warmth and coolness, and is characterized by having a bathtub body for storing hot water, a water discharge device that is provided above the bathtub body and discharges hot water above the surface of the hot water stored in the bathtub body so that the hot water directly hits the bather in the bathtub body, a bathtub temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub body, a discharge water temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the hot water to be discharged from the water discharge device, a high-temperature hot water supply pipe that supplies hot water at a temperature higher than the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub body, a low-temperature hot water supply pipe that supplies water or hot water at a temperature lower than the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub body, and a control unit that causes hot water or water to flow in from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe or the low-temperature hot water supply pipe so that the temperature detected by the discharge water temperature sensor becomes a predetermined temperature, thereby discharging hot water at a temperature higher or lower than the temperature detected by the bathtub temperature sensor from the water discharge device.

In the present invention configured in this manner, the water discharge device provided above the bathtub body discharges hot water from above the water surface so that it directly hits the bather. The bathtub temperature sensor detects the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub body, and the discharge water temperature sensor detects the temperature of the hot water to be discharged from the water discharge device. The high-temperature water supply pipe supplies hot water at a higher temperature than the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub body, and the low-temperature water supply pipe supplies water or water at a lower temperature than the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub body. The control unit causes hot water or water to flow in from the high-temperature water supply pipe or the low-temperature water supply pipe, thereby discharging hot water at a higher or lower temperature than the temperature detected by the bathtub temperature sensor from the water discharge device.

According to the present invention configured in this way, the control unit discharges hot water from the water discharge device at a temperature higher or lower than the temperature detected by the bathtub temperature sensor, so that it is possible to provide a positive comfort that could not be obtained with conventional bathing without compromising the relaxing effect of bathing in the bathtub. Here, the neck, shoulders, and back of the bather, which are directly hit by the hot water from the water discharge device, have many thermoreceptors and have large blood vessels near the surface of the skin. By directly providing a warm or cool sensation to these parts, even a slight change in temperature can give the bather a large change in warm or cool sensation, and it is possible to provide a highly efficient rise/fall in body temperature in a short time that could not be achieved with conventional reheating of the entire bathtub water. Here, the warm sensation is a thermal stimulation that the bather feels comfortable with a warm sensation, and the cool sensation is a thermal stimulation that the bather feels comfortable with a cool sensation.

In the present invention, the control unit preferably raises or lowers the temperature of the hot and cold water discharged from the water discharge device at a predetermined gradient from the temperature of the hot and cold water stored in the bathtub body.
According to the present invention configured in this manner, the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharge device is raised or lowered at a predetermined gradient from the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body, thereby preventing the bather from feeling an unpleasant hot or cold sensation caused by a sudden change in the discharged water temperature.

In the present invention, preferably, the bathtub further includes a circulation device that draws in hot water from within the bathtub body, and the control unit is configured to generate hot water at a higher temperature than the temperature detected by the bathtub temperature sensor by mixing the hot water drawn in by the circulation device with hot water flowing in from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe, and to generate hot water at a lower temperature than the temperature detected by the bathtub temperature sensor by mixing the hot water drawn in by the circulation device with tap water flowing in from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe.

According to the present invention configured in this way, hot water drawn from inside the bathtub body is mixed with hot water flowing in from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe to generate hot water at a high temperature, and tap water flowing in from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe is mixed to generate hot water at a low temperature. Therefore, it is possible to discharge a large flow rate from the water discharge device that exceeds the flow rate that can be supplied from a water heater, etc., while reducing the amount of hot water or water supplied from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe or the low-temperature hot water supply pipe. In addition, by mixing with hot water drawn in from inside the bathtub body, changes in the discharged water temperature are mitigated, and by suppressing sudden changes in the discharged water temperature, it is possible to prevent discomfort to the bather.

In the present invention, the circulation device is preferably configured to directly discharge a portion of the hot and cold water drawn in from within the bathtub body through a bathtub water outlet provided on the inner wall surface of the bathtub body.
According to the present invention configured in this manner, a portion of the hot water drawn in from within the bathtub body is discharged from the bathtub water outlet, so that the hot water poured from the water outlet device onto the bather's neck, shoulders, and back is stirred and circulated within the bathtub body, allowing the temperature change caused by the hot water from the water outlet device to spread to the bather's entire body.

In the present invention, preferably, the device further includes a high-temperature side temperature sensor that detects the temperature of hot water flowing in from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe, and/or a low-temperature side temperature sensor that detects the temperature of water or hot water flowing in from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe, and the control unit controls the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharge device by referring to the temperature detected by the high-temperature side temperature sensor and/or the low-temperature side temperature sensor.

According to the present invention configured in this way, the temperature of the water or hot water flowing in from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe or the low-temperature hot water supply pipe is detected, and the discharge temperature from the water discharge device is controlled with reference to the detected temperature, so that the discharge temperature can be rapidly brought to the target temperature and the discharge temperature can be accurately controlled.

In the present invention, preferably, the device further includes a body temperature detection unit that detects or estimates the body temperature of the bather, and the control unit causes the water discharge device to discharge hot water at a temperature lower than the temperature detected by the bathtub temperature sensor when the rise in the bather's body temperature detected or estimated by the body temperature detection unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined first temperature increment, and causes the water discharge device to discharge hot water at a temperature higher than the temperature detected by the bathtub temperature sensor when the rise in the bather's body temperature detected or estimated by the body temperature detection unit is equal to or less than a predetermined second temperature increment.

According to the present invention configured in this way, the body temperature of the bather is detected or estimated, and based on this body temperature, hot water at a temperature higher or lower than the temperature detected by the bathtub temperature sensor is discharged from the water discharge device, so that the bather can be given a feeling of warmth or coolness at the appropriate time.

The bathtub device of the present invention can provide the bather with a sense of warmth and coolness, thereby providing the bather with positive comfort.

1 is a perspective view showing an entire bathroom in which a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. A diagram showing a hot and cold water supply system to a water discharge device in a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of an electrode provided in a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the processing of signals acquired by the electrodes and respective temperature sensors of a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. A figure showing the change in discharged water temperature when water discharge from the water discharge device begins in a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for estimating a bather's body temperature and selecting a hot or cool sensation stimulus in a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an electrocardiogram waveform acquired by a negative electrode and a positive electrode in a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of normal heart rate estimation in a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. A figure showing an example of changes in a bather's heart rate and deep body temperature while bathing in a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating correction of the standard for providing a cooling sensation stimulus in a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Next, a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire bathroom in which a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a hot and cold water supply system to a water discharger in a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of electrodes provided in a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the processing of signals acquired by the electrodes and each temperature sensor of a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the bathtub apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a bathtub main body 2, a negative electrode 4a, a positive electrode 4b, and a reference electrode 4c attached to the bathtub main body 2, and a control unit 6 that processes signals acquired by the electrodes, and is installed in the bathroom R. The bathtub apparatus 1 also has a water discharge device 8 provided on the upper edge of the bathtub main body 2, and a circulation device 9 that discharges hot and cold water from the bathtub main body 2 through the water discharge device 8 and the bathtub water outlet 9a. A remote control 6a is also attached to the wall of the bathroom R, and the water discharge device 8 and circulation device 9 of the bathtub apparatus 1 can be operated using the remote control 6a. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bathtub apparatus 1 is placed on one side of the bathroom R so that it is in contact with the wall.

The bathtub apparatus 1 of this embodiment is configured so that when a bather activates the water discharge device 8, hot water that is warmer or cooler than the hot water stored in the bathtub main body 2 is discharged from the water discharge device 8, giving the bather a feeling of warmth or coolness. In this embodiment, the bathtub apparatus 1 is configured to estimate the bather's body temperature or changes in body temperature based on the electrocardiogram signal acquired by the negative electrode 4a, the positive electrode 4b, and the reference electrode 4c, and to select a feeling of warmth or coolness based on this and set the temperature of the hot water to be discharged from the water discharge device 8.

The bathtub body 2 is formed in a roughly rectangular box shape in a plan view, and is configured to store hot and cold water inside. In this embodiment, the bathtub body 2 is positioned so that one long side and the entire two short sides on either side of it are in contact with the inner wall surface of the bathroom R. The inner wall surface constituting one short side of the bathtub body 2 is configured as a backrest surface 2a, which is the first inner wall surface against which the bather can lean. An apron 2b is removably attached to the long side of the bathtub body 2 that is not in contact with the inner wall surface of the bathroom R.

The water discharge device 8 is provided on the upper part of the backrest surface 2a of the bathtub body 2 and is configured to discharge hot water toward the inside of the bathtub body 2. In this embodiment, the water discharge device 8 has a flat and wide water outlet 8a extending along the upper edge of the backrest surface 2a, and is configured to discharge hot water toward the neck, shoulders, and back of the bather leaning against the backrest surface 2a. The water discharge device 8 is also configured to discharge a portion of the hot water drawn in from the bathtub water intake port 9b by the circulation device 9 from the water outlet 8a. For this reason, the hot water in the bathtub body 2 is sucked in by the circulation device 9, discharged from the water outlet 8a, and circulated so that it flows into the bathtub body 2. Furthermore, a portion of the hot water drawn in from the bathtub water intake port 9b by the circulation device 9 is also discharged from the bathtub water outlet 9a provided on the backrest surface 2a of the bathtub body 2.

In addition, in this embodiment, the water outlet 8a of the water discharge device 8 is formed to be flat and wide, so that the hot water discharged from the water outlet 8a is discharged as a wide, ribbon-like water film, and lands on the surface of the hot water stored in the bathtub body 2 at a position away from the backrest surface 2a. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the water discharge device 8 is configured so that the pressure strength applied by the pump (not shown) can be switched between three levels: "strong," "medium," and "weak."

The negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b are a pair of electrodes attached to the bathtub body 2 in order to detect the bather's electrocardiogram signal via the hot and cold water stored in the bathtub body 2. The bather's electrocardiogram signal is obtained as a signal of the potential difference between the negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b. The pair of electrodes consisting of the negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b are both arranged on the backrest surface 2a that constitutes the short side of the bathtub body 2. The reference electrode 4c is an electrode for obtaining a reference potential of the potential detected by the negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b, and this electrode is also arranged on the backrest surface 2a of the bathtub body 2.

The negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b are arranged on the left and right of the horizontal (width) centerline of the backrest surface 2a, at positions symmetrical with respect to the centerline. That is, the negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b are arranged on the backrest surface 2a at a distance from the centerline in the left and right directions, and in this embodiment, the negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b are arranged at a horizontal distance of about 380 mm. Furthermore, the negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b are each arranged at a height of about 300 mm from the bottom surface of the bathtub body 2 so as to be located below the water surface in the bathtub body 2. The negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b can be attached at a height position below the water surface in the bathtub body 2 and above the reference electrode 4c.

On the other hand, the reference electrode 4c is located on the center line of the backrest surface 2a, below the negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b. In this embodiment, the reference electrode 4c is located at a height of about 150 mm from the bottom surface of the bathtub body 2 so that it is located below the water surface in the bathtub body 2. Also, the reference electrode 4c is not necessarily provided and can be omitted.

Next, a hot and cold water supply system to the water discharge device 8 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, as shown in Figure 2, the circulation device 9 is configured to suck in hot water from within the bathtub body 2 through a bathtub water intake 9b provided on the inner wall surface of the bathtub body 2 and discharge the hot water from the water outlet 8a of the water outlet device 8 into the bathtub body 2. In addition, a portion of the hot water sucked in from the bathtub water intake 9b is discharged from the bathtub water outlet 9a provided on the backrest surface 2a of the bathtub body 2. Specifically, the circulation device 9 is configured with a pump that sucks in hot water from the bathtub water intake 9b and discharges it from the water outlet 8a and the bathtub water outlet 9a.

On the other hand, hot water and cold water are also supplied to the water discharge device 8 from a high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a, which supplies hot water at a higher temperature than the hot water stored in the bathtub body 2, and a low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b, which supplies water at a lower temperature than the hot water stored in the bathtub body 2. That is, the hot water sucked in from the bathtub water intake 9b and pressurized by the circulation device 9, the hot water supplied from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a, and the water supplied from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b are all led to the mixing chamber 44, where they are mixed and discharged from the water discharge port 8a of the water discharge device 8.

The high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a and the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b are connected to the mixing chamber 44 via the high-temperature linear valve 42a and the low-temperature linear valve 42b, respectively, so that the amount of hot water or cold water flowing into the mixing chamber 44 from each supply pipe can be controlled. Furthermore, in this embodiment, hot water at a higher temperature than the hot water stored in the bathtub body 2 is supplied from the water heater 52 to the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a. That is, the tap water supplied from the main water supply 54 is branched at the branching section 54a, one of which is supplied to the water heater 52 and the other flows directly into the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b. The tap water supplied to the water heater 52 is heated to a temperature higher than the hot water stored in the bathtub body 2 and supplied to the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a.

As a result, when hot water at a higher temperature than the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub main body 2 is discharged, the high-temperature side linear valve 42a is opened, and the hot water sucked in from the bathtub main body 2 and the hot water supplied from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a are mixed in the mixing chamber 44 and discharged from the water discharge device 8. On the other hand, when hot water at a lower temperature than the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub main body 2 is discharged, the low-temperature side linear valve 42b is opened, and the hot water sucked in from the bathtub main body 2 and the tap water supplied from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b are mixed in the mixing chamber 44 and discharged from the water discharge device 8. It is also possible to merge and mix the hot water from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a and the water from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b in the pipeline without providing a special mixing chamber with a large volume.

Furthermore, the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub body 2 is detected by a bathtub temperature sensor 46 attached to the bathtub body 2. The temperature of the hot water to be discharged from the water discharge device 8 is detected by a discharge water temperature sensor 48 attached to the water discharge device 8. The temperature of the hot water flowing in from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a is detected by a high-temperature side temperature sensor 50a, and the temperature of the water flowing in from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe is detected by a low-temperature side temperature sensor 50b. Note that the high-temperature side temperature sensor 50a and the low-temperature side temperature sensor 50b can also be omitted. Also, although it is stated that the temperature of each hot water and cold water is detected, the temperature of each hot water and cold water may be estimated based on the data obtained from each sensor.

The temperatures detected by these temperature sensors are sent to the control unit 6, which controls the opening of the high-temperature side linear valve 42a and the low-temperature side linear valve 42b based on these detected temperatures, causing hot water at the required temperature to be discharged from the water discharge device 8. In other words, the control unit 6 controls the opening of the high-temperature side linear valve 42a and the low-temperature side linear valve 42b so that the temperature detected by the discharge water temperature sensor 48 becomes the required temperature. Details of the control by the control unit 6 will be described later.

Next, the structure of each electrode will be described with reference to FIG.
Although the structure of the negative electrode 4a will be described here, in this embodiment, the negative electrode 4a, the positive electrode 4b, and the reference electrode 4c all have the same structure.

As shown in FIG. 3, the negative electrode 4a has an electrode portion 10, a front gasket 12a, a rear gasket 12b, a flange 14, a moisture-proof tube 16, a connection terminal 18, a fixing screw 20, a conductor 22, and a sheath 24. The negative electrode 4a is attached so as to be exposed on the surface of the backrest surface 2a of the bathtub body 2, and the gasket ensures watertightness between the negative electrode 4a and the backrest surface 2a.

The electrode section 10 is a conductive metal part, and is composed of a disk section 10a formed in a disk shape and a shaft section 10b protruding vertically from the back of the disk section 10a. The disk section 10a is a thin disk-shaped part, and the front surface of the disk section 10a is exposed on the surface of the backrest surface 2a and is configured to detect the electric potential. That is, in this embodiment, the disk section 10a is formed with a diameter of about 15 mm and a thickness of about 2.5 mm, and the entire disk section 10a is disposed on the surface of the backrest surface 2a. The shaft section 10b is a round bar-shaped part extending at a right angle from the center of the back of the disk section 10a, and protrudes to the back side of the backrest surface 2a through a through hole formed in the backrest surface 2a. In addition, a male screw thread is formed in the middle part of the shaft section 10b, and a fixing section for fixing the connection terminal 18 is formed at the tip.

The front gasket 12a is a disc-shaped member made of rubber, and has a circular hole in the center for passing the shaft portion 10b of the electrode portion 10 through. The front gasket 12a has approximately the same diameter as the disc portion 10a of the electrode portion 10, and is disposed on the rear side of the disc portion 10a. When the negative electrode 4a is attached to the backrest surface 2a, the front gasket 12a is sandwiched between the rear side of the disc portion 10a and the surface of the backrest surface 2a, ensuring watertightness between the backrest surface 2a and the negative electrode 4a.

The back gasket 12b is a disc-shaped member made of rubber, and has a circular hole in the center for passing the shaft portion 10b of the electrode portion 10 through. The back gasket 12b has a diameter larger than that of the front gasket 12a and is approximately the same as the large diameter portion of the flange 14, and is placed on the back side of the backrest surface 2a. When the negative electrode 4a is attached to the backrest surface 2a, the back gasket 12b is sandwiched between the back surface of the backrest surface 2a and the end face of the flange 14, ensuring watertightness between the rear surface of the backrest surface 2a and the negative electrode 4a. The front gasket 12a and the back gasket 12b may be made of resin.

The flange 14 is a stepped cylindrical member consisting of a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion, and a female thread is formed in the center to allow the shaft portion 10b of the electrode portion 10 to pass through. The large diameter portion of the flange 14 is formed to have approximately the same diameter as the back gasket 12b, and the small diameter portion is formed on the back side of the large diameter portion. By screwing and tightening the female thread formed to pass through the flange 14 and the male thread formed on the shaft portion 10b of the electrode portion 10, the end face of the large diameter portion of the flange 14 presses the back gasket 12b against the back of the backrest surface 2a, ensuring watertightness.

The moisture-proof tube 16 is a long, thin tube made of rubber, and is arranged to cover the tip of the shaft portion 10b of the electrode portion 10, the connection terminal 18, the conductor wire 22, etc. The small diameter portion of the flange 14 is fitted into the tip of the moisture-proof tube 16 to prevent moisture from entering the moisture-proof tube 16. The moisture-proof tube 16 may be made of resin.

The connection terminal 18 is a conductive metal component, and is crimped and connected to the tip of the conductor 22. A hole is provided at the tip of the connection terminal 18 for passing a fixing screw 20 through, and the connection terminal 18 can be fixed to the electrode part 10 by threading the fixing screw 20 through this hole into a female thread provided at the tip of the shaft part 10b of the electrode part 10. This allows the electrode part 10 and the conductor 22 to be electrically connected in a detachable manner.

The conductor 22 is a conductive wire for electrically connecting the electrode unit 10 and the control unit 6 (Figure 1), and extends from the negative electrode 4a to the control unit 6. The conductor 22 is covered with a sheath 24 made of an insulating material to ensure electrical insulation of the conductor 22. In this embodiment, the conductors 22 extending from the negative electrode 4a, the positive electrode 4b, and the reference electrode 4c are connected to the control unit 6, and an electrocardiogram signal is input to the control unit 6.

Next, the configuration of the control unit 6 will be described with reference to FIG.
The control unit 6 is an electric circuit to which the electrodes and temperature sensors are connected, and is disposed on the rear side of the backrest surface 2a of the bathtub body 2. The electrocardiogram signals acquired by the negative electrode 4a, the positive electrode 4b, and the reference electrode 4c are input to the control unit 6, and the bather's body temperature is estimated based on these signals. The temperatures detected by the bathtub temperature sensor 46, the discharge water temperature sensor 48, the high-temperature side temperature sensor 50a, and the low-temperature side temperature sensor 50b are also input to the control unit 6. The control unit 6 is configured to set the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharge device 8 based on the estimated body temperature of the bather, and to control the temperature of the hot water discharged based on the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors.

Specifically, the control unit 6 sends control signals to the circulation device 9, the high-temperature side linear valve 42a, and the low-temperature side linear valve 42b to control the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharge device 8 to be the set temperature. In this way, the control unit 6 is configured to discharge hot water at a temperature higher or lower than the temperature detected by the bathtub temperature sensor 46 from the water discharge device 8 by allowing hot water or cold water to flow in from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a or the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b so that the temperature detected by the discharge water temperature sensor 48 becomes the predetermined temperature.

4, the control unit 6 has a differential amplifier circuit 26, a filter circuit 28, an amplifier circuit 30, and an A/D converter 32, and these circuits are built into the housing 6b. The control unit 6 also has a body temperature detection unit 34 that estimates the body temperature of the bather, a discharge water temperature setting unit 36 that sets the discharge water temperature based on the detection signals input from each temperature sensor and the estimated body temperature, and a control signal output unit 38 that outputs a control signal so that hot water at the set temperature is discharged from the water discharge device 8. Specifically, the body temperature detection unit 34, the discharge water temperature setting unit 36, and the control signal output unit 38 are composed of a microprocessor, a memory, software to operate these, an interface circuit (not shown), etc.

Here, the conductors 22 extending from each electrode and the control unit 6 to which these conductors 22 are connected are all housed in the space behind the backrest surface 2a of the bathtub body 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the space behind the backrest surface 2a can be accessed from the washing area side of the bathroom R by removing the apron 2b of the bathtub body 2. Therefore, by simply removing the apron 2b of the bathtub body 2, maintenance such as adjustment and repair of each electrode and the control unit 6 can be easily performed. In other words, by arranging the negative electrode 4a, positive electrode 4b, reference electrode 4c, and control unit 6 in a concentrated and easily accessible space, maintainability can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 4, the differential amplifier circuit 26 is an amplifier circuit to which the conductors 22 extending from the negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b are connected, and is configured to amplify the differential voltage between the negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b.
The filter circuit 28 is configured to receive the differential voltage amplified by the differential amplifier circuit 26, remove unnecessary frequency band components such as hum, and pass signal components in a required frequency band.
The amplifier circuit 30 is configured to amplify a signal from which unnecessary frequency band components such as hum have been removed by the filter circuit 28. The conductor 22 extending from the reference electrode 4c is connected to the differential amplifier circuit 26, the filter circuit 28, and the ground of the amplifier circuit 30.

The A/D converter 32 is configured to convert the analog signal amplified by the amplifier circuit 30 into a digital signal.
The body temperature detection unit 34 is configured to estimate the body temperature of the bather based on the electrocardiogram signal of the bather detected by the negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b and converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter 32. A method for estimating the body temperature of the bather based on the electrocardiogram signal will be described later. In this embodiment, the body temperature detection unit 34 estimates the deep body temperature of the bather as the body temperature of the bather. Here, the deep body temperature means the temperature inside the body of the bather, and usually, the sublingual temperature, rectal temperature, tympanic membrane temperature, etc. are measured as the deep body temperature. However, since there is a certain correlation between the deep body temperature of the bather and the skin temperature of the part not immersed in hot water, the present invention can also be configured by using the skin temperature of the bather as the body temperature.

The discharge water temperature setting unit 36 is configured to first determine whether the bather should be given a warm or cool sensation based on the bather's body temperature estimated by the body temperature detection unit 34. When giving the bather a warm sensation, the discharge water temperature setting unit 36 sets the discharge water temperature to a temperature higher than the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2 detected by the bathtub temperature sensor 46. On the other hand, when giving the bather a cool sensation, the discharge water temperature setting unit 36 sets the discharge water temperature to a temperature lower than the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2 detected by the bathtub temperature sensor 46.

The control signal output unit 38 is configured to control the circulation device 9, the high-temperature side linear valve 42a, and the low-temperature side linear valve 42b so that the discharge water temperature detected by the discharge water temperature sensor 48 becomes the set temperature set by the discharge water temperature setting unit 36. That is, when discharging hot water at a temperature higher than the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2, the low-temperature side linear valve 42b is closed and the high-temperature side linear valve 42a is opened. As a result, the hot water sucked from the bathtub water intake 9b and the hot water supplied from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a are mixed in the mixing chamber 44, and hot water at a temperature higher than the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2 is discharged from the water discharge device 8. On the other hand, when discharging hot water at a temperature lower than the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2, the high-temperature side linear valve 42a is closed and the low-temperature side linear valve 42b is opened. As a result, the hot water drawn in from the bathtub water intake 9b and the tap water supplied from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b are mixed in the mixing chamber 44, and hot water at a temperature lower than the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2 is discharged from the water discharge device 8.

When discharging hot water at a temperature higher than the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2, the flow rate of the hot water circulated by the circulation device 9 and the opening degree of the high-temperature side linear valve 42a are set by the control signal output unit 38 based on the temperatures detected by the bathtub temperature sensor 46, the discharge water temperature sensor 48, and the high-temperature side temperature sensor 50a. On the other hand, when discharging hot water at a temperature lower than the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2, the flow rate of the hot water circulated by the circulation device 9 and the opening degree of the low-temperature side linear valve 42b are set by the control signal output unit 38 based on the temperatures detected by the bathtub temperature sensor 46, the discharge water temperature sensor 48, and the low-temperature side temperature sensor 50b.

Next, the operation of the bathtub apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of the bathtub apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the change in discharged water temperature when water discharge from the water discharger 8 is started in the bathtub apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is a flow showing the control by the control unit 6, and is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals while the bathtub apparatus 1 is in operation.
First, in step S1, it is determined whether the remote control 6a has been operated by the person taking a bath. That is, it is determined whether the person taking a bath has operated the water discharge device 8. If the person has operated the remote control 6a, the process proceeds to step S2. If the person has not operated the remote control 6a, the process ends for one iteration of the flow chart shown in FIG.

Next, in step S2, the detection signals from each temperature sensor are read into the control unit 6. Specifically, the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub body 2 is read from the bathtub temperature sensor 46, the temperature of the hot water supplied to the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a is read from the high-temperature side temperature sensor 50a, and the temperature of the tap water supplied to the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b is read from the low-temperature side temperature sensor 50b. In addition, the signal of the potential difference between the negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b is read into the control unit 6 as the bather's electrocardiogram signal.

Next, in step S3, the body temperature of the bather is estimated by the body temperature detection unit 34 of the control unit 6 based on the electrocardiogram signal acquired by the negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b. The estimation of the body temperature in step S3 will be described later.

In addition, in step S4, the discharge water temperature setting unit 36 of the control unit 6 determines whether the hot water to be discharged from the water discharge device 8 is set to the warm sensation stimulation mode or the cool sensation stimulation mode. That is, if it is determined that the bather desires a warm sensation based on the bather's body temperature estimated in step S3, the discharge water temperature setting unit 36 automatically sets the warm sensation stimulation mode to give the bather a warm sensation. On the other hand, if it is determined that the bather desires a cool sensation based on the bather's body temperature estimated in step S3, the cool sensation stimulation mode is automatically set by the discharge water temperature setting unit 36 to give the bather a cool sensation. If the warm sensation stimulation mode or the cool sensation stimulation mode is set, the process proceeds to step S5, and if neither mode is set, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the control signal output unit 38 of the control unit 6 sends a control signal to the circulation device 9 to discharge the hot water in the bathtub body 2 from the water discharge port 8a of the water discharge device 8 as it is, and one processing cycle of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is completed. The setting of the hot or cool stimulation mode based on the bather's estimated body temperature will be described later.

Here, in the warm sensation stimulation mode, hot water is discharged at a temperature higher than the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2 detected by the bathtub temperature sensor 46, and in the cool sensation stimulation mode, hot water is discharged at a temperature lower than the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2. As described later, in this embodiment, when the warm sensation stimulation mode is set, the discharged water temperature is set to a temperature higher than the temperature detected by the bathtub temperature sensor 46, and when the cool sensation stimulation mode is set, the discharged water temperature is set to a temperature lower than the temperature detected by the bathtub temperature sensor 46. Preferably, in the warm sensation stimulation mode, the discharged water temperature is set to a temperature that is 2°C or more higher in relative temperature than the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2 and 45°C or less in absolute temperature, and in the cool sensation stimulation mode, the discharged water temperature is set to a temperature that is 2°C or more lower than the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2 and 2°C or more higher in absolute temperature than the temperature of tap water.

Furthermore, in step S5, it is determined whether the set mode is the warm sensation stimulation mode or not, and if it is the warm sensation stimulation mode, the process proceeds to step S6, and if it is not the warm sensation stimulation mode (if it is the cool sensation stimulation mode), the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S6, the control signal output unit 38 of the control unit 6 sends a control signal to the circulation device 9 and the high-temperature side linear valve 42a to discharge hot water having a higher temperature than the hot water in the bathtub body 2 from the water outlet 8a of the water discharge device 8, thereby completing one processing cycle of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5. That is, the control signal output unit 38 controls the circulation device 9 and the high-temperature side linear valve 42a so that the water discharge temperature detected by the water discharge temperature sensor 48 becomes the water discharge temperature set for the thermal sensation stimulation mode.

First, the control signal output unit 38 operates the circulation device 9 to draw in hot water from the bathtub main body 2 through the bathtub water intake 9b, discharge a portion of the drawn-in hot water from the bathtub water outlet 9a, and send the remaining hot water to the mixing chamber 44. Furthermore, the control signal output unit 38 sends a control signal to the high-temperature side linear valve 42a, which opens the valve, causing the hot water supplied from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a to flow into the mixing chamber 44. Here, the hot water supplied from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a is heated by the water heater 52 to a temperature higher than the hot water stored in the bathtub main body 2. Therefore, by mixing the hot water drawn from the bathtub main body 2 and the hot water supplied from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a in the mixing chamber 44, hot water with a higher temperature than the hot water in the bathtub main body 2 can be discharged from the water discharge device 8.

The temperature of the hot water supplied from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a is detected by the high-temperature side temperature sensor 50a, and the temperature and flow rate of the hot water flowing into the mixing chamber 44 by the circulation device 9 are also known. Therefore, the control signal output unit 38 can calculate in advance the amount of hot water flowing in from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a necessary to bring the hot water after mixing in the mixing chamber 44 to a predetermined temperature, and controls the opening of the high-temperature side linear valve 42a based on this. In this way, by detecting the temperature of the hot water supplied from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a by the high-temperature side temperature sensor 50a, the temperature of the hot water actually discharged from the water outlet 8a can be quickly matched to the target temperature.

On the other hand, if the cool sensation stimulation mode is set in step S5, the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the control signal output unit 38 of the control unit 6 sends a control signal to the circulation device 9 and the low-temperature side linear valve 42b to discharge hot water at a lower temperature than the hot water in the bathtub body 2 from the water outlet 8a of the water discharge device 8, completing one processing cycle of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5. That is, the control signal output unit 38 controls the circulation device 9 and the low-temperature side linear valve 42b so that the discharged water temperature detected by the discharged water temperature sensor 48 becomes the discharged water temperature set for the cool sensation stimulation mode.

First, the control signal output unit 38 operates the circulation device 9 to discharge a portion of the hot water drawn in from the bathtub water intake 9b through the bathtub water outlet 9a, and send the remaining hot water into the mixing chamber 44. Furthermore, the control signal output unit 38 sends a control signal to the low-temperature side linear valve 42b, which opens it, causing the water supplied from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b to flow into the mixing chamber 44. Here, since the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b is directly connected to the water supply, hot water drawn in from inside the bathtub body 2 can be mixed with tap water supplied from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b, allowing hot water with a lower temperature than the hot water in the bathtub body 2 to be discharged from the water discharge device 8.

In addition, since the temperature of the hot water supplied from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b is detected by the low-temperature side temperature sensor 50b, the control signal output unit 38 pre-calculates the amount of tap water flowing in from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b necessary to bring the hot water after mixing in the mixing chamber 44 to a predetermined temperature, and controls the opening of the low-temperature side linear valve 42b. In this way, by detecting the temperature of the hot water supplied from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b by the low-temperature side temperature sensor 50b, the temperature of the hot water actually discharged from the water outlet 8a can be quickly matched to the target temperature.

Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the control signal output unit 38 is configured to raise or lower the target temperature of the hot water discharged from the water outlet 8a of the water discharge device 8 at a predetermined gradient from the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub body 2 in steps S6 and S7. That is, in step S6, the control signal output unit 38 gradually increases the opening of the high-temperature side linear valve 42a from zero to a predetermined opening during a predetermined transition time T, and raises the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water outlet 8a to a predetermined temperature set as the thermal stimulation mode, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 6. That is, by gradually increasing the opening of the high-temperature side linear valve 42a from zero, the flow rate of high-temperature hot water flowing from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a into the mixing chamber 44 is increased, and the temperature of the discharged hot water is gradually raised from the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2.

Similarly, in step S7, the control signal output unit 38 gradually increases the opening of the low-temperature side linear valve 42b from zero to a predetermined opening during a predetermined transition time T, and as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 6, the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water outlet 8a is lowered to a predetermined temperature set as the cool sensation stimulation mode. That is, by gradually increasing the opening of the low-temperature side linear valve 42b from zero, the flow rate of tap water flowing into the mixing chamber 44 from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b is increased, and the temperature of the discharged hot water is gradually lowered from the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2. In this way, in this embodiment, the discharge temperature of the hot water from the water discharge device 8 is raised or lowered at a predetermined gradient from the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2, so that it is possible to prevent the bather from feeling an unpleasant warm or cold sensation by suddenly changing the discharged water temperature. In this embodiment, the transition time T is set to about 2 sec, which allows the bather to be given a comfortable warm or cool sensation stimulation. Preferably, the transition time T is set so that the change in discharged water temperature is about 1°C/sec to about 2°C/sec. Alternatively, the transition time T does not need to be set (transition time T = 0).

The hot water discharged from the water outlet 8a of the water discharge device 8 hits the bather's neck, shoulders, and back directly, providing a warm or cool sensation to the bather. After a certain amount of time has passed since starting to bathe, the bather's skin temperature becomes approximately equal to the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2, but the hot water discharged from the water discharge device 8 is set to a temperature higher or lower than the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2, so that the bather can be reliably provided with a warm or cool sensation.

Here, the heat flux flowing between the hot water discharged from the water outlet 8a and the bather's skin is proportional to the temperature difference between the hot water and the skin. The proportionality constant k that determines the heat flux between the hot water and the skin is several hundred times larger than the proportionality constant that determines the heat flux between the air and the skin, and the heat transfer rate between the hot water and the skin is extremely large, allowing heat to be quickly imparted to the bather or removed from the bather. In addition, by directing hot water at the bather, the entire body of the bather is enveloped in hot water, and a warming or cooling sensation can be imparted to the bather more effectively than when heat is transferred through a solid.

Furthermore, thermoreceptors and blood vessels are concentrated in the neck, shoulders, and back of the human body, and by directing hot and cold water from the water outlet 8a at these areas, the bather can effectively experience a hot/cold sensation or temperature change. When water is discharged from the bathtub water outlet 9a located on the inner wall surface of the bathtub main body 2, the discharged water becomes close to the temperature of the water in the bathtub by the time it hits the bather, whereas the hot water discharged from the water discharge device 8 above the bathtub main body 2 hits the bather at approximately the same temperature as it was discharged. For this reason, the water discharged from the water discharge device 8 can effectively provide a temperature stimulus to the bather.

In addition, in this embodiment, hot water is discharged from the bathtub water outlet 9a at the same time as it is discharged from the water discharge device 8, so that the hot water discharged from the water discharge device 8 is stirred and circulated within the bathtub body 2, and the temperature change caused by the hot water from the water discharge device 8 can be spread to the entire body of the bather. As a modified example, the present invention can be configured so that an opening and closing valve (not shown) that can be opened and closed based on a control signal from the remote control 6a is provided between the circulation device 9 and the bathtub water outlet 9a, allowing the discharge of hot water from the bathtub water outlet 9a to be switched on and off.

Next, the procedure for estimating the body temperature of the bather and selecting the hot sensation stimulation mode or the cool sensation stimulation mode will be described with reference to Figs.
Fig. 7 is a flow chart showing the procedure for estimating the bather's body temperature and selecting the warm or cool stimulation mode. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an electrocardiogram waveform acquired by the negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an estimation of normal heart rate. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of changes in the bather's heart rate and deep body temperature during bathing. Fig. 11 is a diagram explaining the correction of the standard for providing a cool stimulation.

The process according to the flowchart shown in Fig. 7 is repeatedly executed by the control unit 6 at a predetermined time interval while the bathtub equipment 1 is in operation. In this embodiment, the warm sensation stimulation mode and the cool sensation stimulation mode can also be set manually by operating a mode setting operation unit (not shown) provided on the remote control 6a. The flowchart in Fig. 7 shows the process for automatically setting the warm sensation stimulation mode or the cool sensation stimulation mode.
First, in step S11 in Fig. 7, it is determined whether or not someone is about to enter the bathroom R. If someone is about to enter the bathroom R, the process proceeds to step S12, and if no person is about to enter the bathroom R, one round of processing in the flowchart shown in Fig. 7 is ended.

Next, in step S12, the bather is identified. For example, in the case of a bathtub apparatus 1 installed in a house, family members are registered in advance in the remote control 6a, and when a bather enters a bath, the bathtub apparatus 1 can identify the bather by selecting who the bather is on the remote control 6a. In this case, the remote control 6a functions as a bather identification device. Alternatively, the present invention can be configured to automatically identify the bather using various sensors, such as an image sensor (not shown) installed in the bathroom R, as a bather identification device. The present invention can also be configured to identify who has entered a changing room adjacent to the bathroom R by communicating with a smartphone carried by the bather.

Furthermore, in step S13, the body temperature detection unit 34 built into the control unit 6 acquires the electrocardiogram signal of the bather who has entered the bathtub body 2 of the bathtub equipment 1. That is, the bather's electrocardiogram signal is acquired as a potential difference signal via the hot and cold water stored in the bathtub body 2 by the negative electrode 4a and positive electrode 4b arranged on the backrest surface 2a of the bathtub body 2. Figure 8 shows an example of an electrocardiogram signal acquired in this way.

Next, in step S14, the bather's normal heart rate is obtained from the electrocardiogram signal obtained in step S13. That is, the bather's heart rate is detected as a large-amplitude impulse-like R wave in the electrocardiogram waveform, and the bather's heart rate can be obtained by counting the number of R waves per unit time. In this embodiment, the body temperature detection unit 34 obtains and stores the minimum heart rate value for 1 to 3 minutes immediately after the bather enters the bathtub body 2 as the bather's normal heart rate.

Figure 10 shows an example of the change in the bather's heart rate relative to the deep body temperature. First, although the vital indicators such as the heart rate may temporarily rise due to the bathing action, they do not fall significantly below normal, so the minimum value in a predetermined period immediately after bathing can be used as the normal heart rate. In this embodiment, the heart rate after a predetermined time has elapsed after the bather enters the bathtub body 2 is used as the bather's normal heart rate. Alternatively, the average heart rate in a predetermined period immediately after bathing can be used as the normal heart rate. As a modified example, as shown in Figure 9, the average heart rate obtained over the past few days for a specific bather identified in step S12 can be used as the normal heart rate of that bather. Also, the heart rate obtained from an external device such as a wearable terminal can be used as the normal heart rate.

Furthermore, in step S15 of FIG. 7, the temperature of the hot and cold water in the bathtub body 2 detected by the bathtub temperature sensor 46 is acquired.
Next, in step S16, the change in the bather's heart rate is obtained. That is, the change in the bather's heart rate from the normal heart rate obtained in step S14 immediately after bathing is obtained. Generally, when a bather immerses in the water in the bathtub body 2, the body temperature rises and the heart rate also rises. In step S16, this change in heart rate is obtained by the body temperature detection unit 34.

Normally, the bather's deep body temperature rises little by little after starting bathing. This change in the bather's deep body temperature after starting bathing is known to be strongly correlated with the change in the bather's heart rate, as shown in an example in Figure 10, and the change in the bather's deep body temperature can be estimated based on the change in the bather's heart rate. In this embodiment, the body temperature detection unit 34 estimates the change in the bather's deep body temperature based on the change in the bather's heart rate. As an example, if a bather with a normal heart rate of 70 beats per minute increases their heart rate to 80 beats per minute after starting bathing, it can be estimated that the bather's deep body temperature has risen by about 0.4°C.

In the modified example shown in FIG. 9, the average normal heart rate detected for a certain bather over the past five days is 62 beats per minute, and the heart rate detected on the current day is 70 beats per minute. In such a case, the body temperature detection unit 34 determines that the bather's heart rate has increased by 8 beats per minute from the normal heart rate, and can estimate an increase in the bather's deep body temperature based on this increase in heart rate.

As another modification, the present invention can be configured to estimate the bather's body temperature based on the time elapsed since the bather entered the bathtub body 2 and the temperature of the water detected by the bathtub temperature sensor 46. Specifically, a timer (not shown) that detects the time elapsed since the bather entered the bathtub body 2 is provided inside the remote control 6a. Furthermore, the body temperature detection unit 34 estimates the bather's deep body temperature based on the elapsed time detected by the timer and the temperature of the water detected by the bathtub temperature sensor 46. That is, since there is a strong correlation between the temperature of the water in the bathtub body 2, the elapsed time the bather is immersed in the water, and the rise in the bather's deep body temperature, the rise in the bather's deep body temperature can be estimated from the temperature of the water and the elapsed time. According to this modification, the rise in the bather's body temperature can be easily estimated by providing a timer (not shown).

In this embodiment, the body temperature detection unit 34 estimates the change in the bather's deep body temperature based on the change in the bather's heart rate, but the present invention can also be configured to measure the bather's body temperature directly. For example, the bather can be imaged using a thermograph (not shown), and the bather's body temperature immediately after bathing and after bathing can be measured based on the detection signal of the thermograph to detect the change in the bather's body temperature. In addition, the body temperature detected by the thermograph is the bather's body surface temperature, but since a certain relationship is known between the body surface temperature and the deep body temperature, the deep body temperature can be estimated from the detected body surface temperature. Alternatively, the present invention can be configured to measure the bather's body temperature by having the bather wear a thermometer while bathing.

Next, in step S17 of FIG. 7, it is determined whether the bather has operated the remote control 6a to start the water discharge device 8. If the start operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S18, and if not, the process returns to step S15. Thereafter, the process of steps S15 → S16 → S17 → S15 is repeated until the bather starts the water discharge device 8, and the temperature of the hot and cold water in the bathtub body 2 and the changes in the bather's heart rate (changes in body temperature) are monitored.

When the bather starts the water discharge device 8, step S18 is executed. In step S18, it is determined whether a predetermined warm sensation stimulation condition or cool sensation stimulation condition is met based on the hot water temperature in the bathtub acquired in step S15 and the estimated change in the bather's body temperature. If neither the hot sensation stimulation condition nor the cool sensation stimulation condition is met, the process in the flowchart returns to step S15, and monitoring of the hot water temperature in the bathtub body 2 and the change in the bather's heart rate (change in body temperature) continues, and the hot sensation stimulation mode and cool sensation stimulation mode are not set.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S18 that a predetermined warm sensation stimulation condition or a cool sensation stimulation condition is met, the process proceeds to step S19, where it is determined whether the met condition is a cool sensation stimulation. If the met condition is a cool sensation stimulation, the process proceeds to step S20, and if it is not a cool sensation stimulation (if it is a warm sensation stimulation), the process proceeds to step S20.

For example, if the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2 measured by the bathtub temperature sensor 46 is 38°C or higher, and the bather's body temperature rises by a predetermined time after the start of bathing is equal to or higher than the first temperature increment, it is considered that the bather's body has been sufficiently warmed by being immersed in the relatively hot water for a long time. In this embodiment, 0.6°C is set as the first temperature increment, and if the bather's body temperature rises by 0.6°C or more, it is determined in step S18 that the cool sensation stimulation condition is met. If the cool sensation stimulation condition is met, in step S20, a cool sensation stimulation mode is set in which hot water at a temperature lower than the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2 is discharged from the water discharge port 8a of the water discharge device 8. In this embodiment, the first temperature increment is set to 0.6°C as an example, but it is not limited to this and can be set as appropriate. Specifically, the first temperature increment can be set based on a database that has acquired the relationship between the comfortable warm/cold sensation felt by the bather and the body temperature at that time. The "predetermined time" here refers to the time from the start of bathing until the heart rate settles down or until the sloshing of the water in the bathtub settles down, and may be set to, for example, one to three minutes immediately after the bather enters the bathtub body.

When the cool sensation stimulation mode is set, the process in step S7 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is executed. That is, the control unit 6 sends a signal to the low-temperature side linear valve 42b to mix the hot water circulated by the circulation device 9 with tap water supplied from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b, and lowers the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water outlet 8a of the water discharge device 8 to about 34°C. In this case, the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2 is higher than the bather's deep body temperature, and the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water outlet 8a is lower than the deep body temperature. This allows the bather to feel a comfortable coolness. Preferably, when a cool sensation stimulation is given to the bather, hot water at a temperature 2°C or more lower than the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2 is discharged from the water outlet 8a. In this way, by providing a cool sensation stimulation when the bather's body temperature is rising, the bather is given active comfort.

As explained in FIG. 9, the bather's normal heart rate is stored, and if the bather's heart rate continues to be higher than the normal heart rate immediately after starting to bathe, it is assumed that the bather started bathing while feeling hot due to exercise or high temperature. In such a case, it is also determined in step S18 that the predetermined cooling sensation stimulation condition is met, and the cooling sensation stimulation mode is set in step S20.

On the other hand, if the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2 measured by the bathtub temperature sensor 46 is 37°C or lower, and the bather's body temperature has hardly increased even after a predetermined time has passed since the start of bathing, it is assumed that the bather is bathing while feeling cold in the relatively low temperature hot water. In this embodiment, if the rise in the bather's body temperature is 0.3°C or less, which is the second temperature increment, it is determined that the thermal stimulation condition is met in step S18. If the thermal stimulation condition is met, a thermal stimulation mode is set in step S21 in which hot water at a temperature higher than the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2 is discharged from the water discharge port 8a of the water discharge device 8. In this embodiment, the second temperature increment is set to 0.3°C as an example, but it is not limited to this and can be set as appropriate. Specifically, the second temperature increment can be set based on a database that acquires the relationship between the comfortable thermal sensation felt by the bather and the body temperature at that time.

When the thermal stimulation mode is set, the process in step S6 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is executed. That is, the control unit 6 sends a signal to the high-temperature linear valve 42a to mix the hot water circulated by the circulation device 9 with the hot water supplied from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a, and raises the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water outlet 8a of the water discharge device 8 to about 39°C. In this case, the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2 is lower or slightly higher than the bather's deep body temperature, and the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water outlet 8a is higher than the deep body temperature and the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2. This allows the bather to feel a comfortable warmth. Preferably, when a thermal stimulation is given to the bather, hot water at a temperature 2°C or higher than the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2 is discharged from the water outlet 8a. In this way, the bather's body temperature does not rise after bathing, and by providing a thermal stimulation in a situation where the bather feels cold, the bather is given active comfort.

As a modified example, as shown in FIG. 11, the cool sensation stimulation condition or the warm sensation stimulation condition can be corrected based on the past operation history of a certain bather. As described above, the bathtub device 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the bather can select the cool sensation stimulation mode and the warm sensation stimulation mode by the water discharge device 8 by operating the mode setting operation unit (not shown). The setting conditions of the cool sensation stimulation mode or the warm sensation stimulation mode are corrected by the control unit 6 based on this manual operation by the bather. That is, the body temperature detection unit 34 estimates the body temperature of the bather at the time when the bather operates the mode setting operation unit (not shown). The control unit 6 is configured to determine the corrected setting conditions by correcting the setting conditions of the cool sensation stimulation mode or the warm sensation stimulation mode based on the estimated body temperature, and to select the cool sensation stimulation mode or the warm sensation stimulation mode based on this corrected setting condition. This corrected setting condition is stored in a storage device (not shown) built into the control unit 6. The control unit 6 is configured to select the cool sensation stimulation mode or the warm sensation stimulation mode based on the correction setting conditions stored for the bather identified by the bather identification device (not shown).

In the example shown in FIG. 11, the normal heart rate of a certain bather is stored as 62 beats/min based on the average of the past five days at the start of bathing. Here, as shown in FIG. 11, in the default specifications of the bathtub device 1 of this embodiment, when the bather's heart rate reaches a body temperature that is 10 beats/min higher than the heart rate at the start of bathing, the cool sensation stimulation mode is automatically set. On the other hand, when the bather reaches a body temperature that is an average of 15 beats/min higher than the heart rate at the start of bathing in the past five days, the operation to start the cool sensation stimulation manually is performed. The setting conditions of the cool sensation stimulation mode are corrected based on this body temperature. For example, suppose that a bather starts bathing after exercising, and the heart rate at the start of bathing is 70 beats/min, which is higher than normal. In this case, in the default settings, the cool sensation stimulation mode is automatically set when the bather's heart rate at the start of bathing increases by 10 beats/min and reaches 80 beats/min. In contrast, in the corrected setting conditions, the setting conditions of the cool sensation stimulation mode are corrected so that the cool sensation stimulation mode is set when the bather's heart rate rises to 77 beats/min, which is 15 beats/min higher than the normal heart rate. In this way, the setting conditions of the cool sensation stimulation mode and/or the warm sensation stimulation mode can be corrected based on the bather's past manual operation, and a cool sensation stimulation or warm sensation stimulation can be provided that suits the individual bather's physical condition on that day and their preferences.

According to the bathtub device 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 6 causes hot and cold water at a temperature higher or lower than the temperature detected by the bathtub temperature sensor 46 to be discharged from the water discharge device 8, so that it is possible to provide active comfort that could not be obtained with conventional bathing without compromising the relaxing effect of bathing in the bathtub.

In addition, according to the bathtub apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharge device 8 is raised or lowered at a predetermined gradient from the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2 (Figure 6), so that the bather can be prevented from feeling an unpleasant hot or cold sensation caused by a sudden change in the discharged water temperature.

Furthermore, according to the bathtub device 1 of this embodiment, hot water drawn from inside the bathtub body 2 is mixed with hot water flowing in from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a to generate hot water at a higher temperature than the bath water, and tap water flowing in from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b is mixed to generate hot water at a lower temperature (Figure 2). Therefore, while reducing the amount of hot water or cold water supplied from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a or low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b, a large flow rate exceeding the flow rate that can be supplied from a water heater or the like can be discharged from the water discharge device 8. In addition, by mixing with the hot water drawn in from inside the bathtub body 2, changes in the discharged water temperature are mitigated, and by suppressing sudden changes in the discharged water temperature, discomfort to the bather can be prevented.

In addition, according to the bathtub device 1 of this embodiment, a portion of the hot water drawn from the bathtub body 2 is discharged from the bathtub water outlet 9a, so that the hot water poured from the water outlet device 8 onto the bather's neck, shoulders, and back is stirred and circulated within the bathtub body 2, and the temperature change caused by the hot water from the water outlet device 8 can be spread to the entire body of the bather. In this embodiment, the water outlet device has a flat and wide water outlet extending along the upper edge of the backrest surface, and is configured to discharge hot water toward the neck, shoulders, and back of the bather leaning against the backrest surface, but this is not limited to this example, and the water outlet may be provided on the inner wall of the bathtub body. Specifically, a portion of the water outlet device may be exposed on the backrest surface, which makes it easier to attach and detach the water outlet device to the bathtub body, making maintenance work easier. In addition, the water outlet of the water discharge device is not limited to being provided only on the upper edge of the backrest surface, but may be a flat, wide water outlet that is roughly U-shaped in plan view and extends horizontally from the backrest surface to the side wall surface, allowing a ribbon-like film of water to be poured over a wide area of the bather's neck, shoulders, and back, providing active comfort to the bather.

Furthermore, according to the bathtub device 1 of this embodiment, the temperature of the water or hot water flowing in from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a or the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b is detected (Figure 2), and the discharge temperature from the water discharge device 8 is controlled by referring to the detected temperature, so that the discharge temperature can be rapidly brought to the target temperature and the discharge temperature can be accurately controlled.

In addition, according to the bathtub device 1 of this embodiment, the body temperature of the bather is detected or estimated, and based on this body temperature, hot water at a temperature higher or lower than the temperature detected by the bathtub temperature sensor 46 is discharged from the water discharge device 8, so that the bather can be given a feeling of warmth or coolness at the appropriate time.

The above describes an embodiment of the present invention, but various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment.

LIST OF SYMBOLS 1 Bathtub device 2 Bathtub body 2a Backrest surface 2b Apron 2c Side wall surface 2d Side wall surface 4a Negative electrode 4b Positive electrode 4c Reference electrode 6 Control unit 6a Remote control 6b Housing 8 Water discharge device 8a Water outlet 9 Circulation device 9a Bathtub water outlet 9b Bathtub water intake port 10 Electrode unit 10a Disc unit 10b Shaft unit 12a Front gasket 12b Rear gasket 14 Flange 16 Moisture-proof tube 18 Connection terminal 20 Fixing screw 22 Conductor 24 Sheath 26 Differential amplifier circuit 28 Filter circuit 30 Amplification circuit 32 A/D converter 34 Body temperature detection unit 36 Water outlet temperature setting unit 38 Control signal output unit 40a High-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b Low-temperature hot water supply pipe 42a High-temperature side linear valve 42b Low-temperature side linear valve 44 Mixing chamber 46 Bathtub temperature sensor 48 Discharge water temperature sensor 50a High temperature side temperature sensor 50b Low temperature side temperature sensor 52 Water heater 54 Water supply 54a Branching section

Claims (6)

A bathtub device that can give a bather a feeling of warmth and coolness,
A bathtub body for storing hot and cold water;
A water discharge device is provided above the bathtub body and discharges hot water above the water level stored in the bathtub body so that the water directly hits the bather in the bathtub body.
A bathtub temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of hot and cold water stored in the bathtub body;
a water discharge temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of hot water to be discharged from the water discharge device;
A high-temperature water supply pipe that supplies hot water at a temperature higher than the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub body;
A low-temperature hot water supply pipe that supplies water or hot water at a temperature lower than the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub body;
a control unit that discharges water or hot water from the water discharge device at a temperature higher or lower than the temperature detected by the bathtub temperature sensor by flowing water or hot water from the high-temperature water supply pipe or the low-temperature water supply pipe so that the temperature detected by the water discharge temperature sensor becomes a predetermined temperature;
having
The bathtub apparatus is characterized in that the control unit raises or lowers the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharge device at a predetermined gradient from the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub body . A bathtub device that can give a bather a feeling of warmth and coolness,
A bathtub body for storing hot and cold water;
A water discharge device is provided above the bathtub body and discharges hot water above the water level stored in the bathtub body so that the water directly hits the bather in the bathtub body.
A bathtub temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of hot and cold water stored in the bathtub body;
a water discharge temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of hot water to be discharged from the water discharge device;
A high-temperature water supply pipe that supplies hot water at a temperature higher than the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub body;
A low-temperature hot water supply pipe that supplies water or hot water at a temperature lower than the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub body;
a control unit that discharges water or hot water from the water discharge device at a temperature higher or lower than the temperature detected by the bathtub temperature sensor by flowing water or hot water from the high-temperature water supply pipe or the low-temperature water supply pipe so that the temperature detected by the water discharge temperature sensor becomes a predetermined temperature;
A circulation device that draws hot and cold water from inside the bathtub body;
having
The control unit is configured to generate hot water at a higher temperature than the temperature detected by the bathtub temperature sensor by mixing the hot water drawn in by the circulation device with the hot water flowing in from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe, and to generate hot water at a lower temperature than the temperature detected by the bathtub temperature sensor by mixing the hot water drawn in by the circulation device with the tap water flowing in from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe. 3. The bathtub apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the circulation device is configured to directly discharge a portion of the hot and cold water drawn in from within the bathtub body through a bathtub water outlet provided on the inner wall surface of the bathtub body. The bathtub apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 3 further has a high-temperature side temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the hot water flowing in from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe, and/or a low-temperature side temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the water or hot water flowing in from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe, and the control unit controls the temperature of the hot water to be discharged from the water discharge device by referring to the temperatures detected by the high-temperature side temperature sensor and /or the low-temperature side temperature sensor. A bathtub device that can give a bather a feeling of warmth and coolness,
A bathtub body for storing hot and cold water;
A water discharge device is provided above the bathtub body and discharges hot water above the water level stored in the bathtub body so that the water directly hits the bather in the bathtub body.
A bathtub temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of hot and cold water stored in the bathtub body;
a water discharge temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of hot water to be discharged from the water discharge device;
A high-temperature water supply pipe that supplies hot water at a temperature higher than the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub body;
A low-temperature hot water supply pipe that supplies water or hot water at a temperature lower than the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub body;
a control unit that discharges water or hot water from the water discharge device at a temperature higher or lower than the temperature detected by the bathtub temperature sensor by flowing water or hot water from the high-temperature water supply pipe or the low-temperature water supply pipe so that the temperature detected by the water discharge temperature sensor becomes a predetermined temperature;
A body temperature detection unit that detects or estimates the body temperature of a person taking a bath;
having
The bathtub apparatus is characterized in that the control unit causes hot water at a temperature lower than the temperature detected by the bathtub temperature sensor to be discharged from the water discharge device when the increase in the bather's body temperature detected or estimated by the body temperature detection unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined first temperature increment. A bathtub device that can give a bather a feeling of warmth and coolness,
A bathtub body for storing hot and cold water;
A water discharge device is provided above the bathtub body and discharges hot water above the water level stored in the bathtub body so that the water directly hits the bather in the bathtub body.
A bathtub temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of hot and cold water stored in the bathtub body;
a water discharge temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of hot water to be discharged from the water discharge device;
A high-temperature water supply pipe that supplies hot water at a temperature higher than the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub body;
A low-temperature hot water supply pipe that supplies water or hot water at a temperature lower than the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub body;
a control unit that discharges water or hot water from the water discharge device at a temperature higher or lower than the temperature detected by the bathtub temperature sensor by flowing water or hot water from the high-temperature water supply pipe or the low-temperature water supply pipe so that the temperature detected by the water discharge temperature sensor becomes a predetermined temperature;
A body temperature detection unit that detects or estimates the body temperature of a person taking a bath;
having
The bathtub apparatus is characterized in that the control unit causes hot water at a temperature higher than the temperature detected by the bathtub temperature sensor to be discharged from the water discharge device when the increase in the bather's body temperature detected or estimated by the body temperature detection unit is less than a predetermined second temperature increment.

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