JP7672829B2 - Bathing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a bathing device for washing a bather in a wheelchair.

Sometimes, a person requiring assistance (care recipient) is placed in the bathtub to have their body washed. However, this requires tasks such as lifting the person bathing, which is labor-intensive. In addition, the water in the bathtub must be changed for each bather. For this reason, there are devices that allow the person to sit in a wheelchair and have warm water poured over them to wash their body. This reduces the workload of the caregiver (caregiver). Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a washing device that washes by pouring warm water over them.

Patent Document 1 describes a body washing device that has a box-shaped storage tank made of wall material, a front wall of the storage tank that can be opened and closed, a window hole in the top wall through which the patient's head is exposed, a water pipe connected to a hot water supply device that is piped into the storage tank, and a nozzle that opens into the storage tank at a specified location on the water pipe. The aim is to enable quick washing (bathing) without having to add and remove hot water from the bathtub for each bather.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-308355

When washing a bather in a wheelchair, liquid (e.g., hot water) is sprayed from a nozzle onto the bather. A nozzle may be provided to spray liquid toward the buttocks and genitals. The buttocks and genitals can be washed with this nozzle. In order to spray the liquid reliably and sufficiently onto the buttocks and genitals, conventionally, a nozzle for the buttocks and genitals is provided directly below the buttocks and genitals of a bather in a wheelchair. In the body washing device described in Patent Document 1, the nozzle is also provided directly below the buttocks and genitals of the bather (see Patent Document 1: Figure 11, reference number 79). However, if the nozzle is provided directly below the buttocks and genitals, there is a problem that the washed-out dirt (e.g., feces) drips onto the nozzle. The adhesion of dirt to the nozzle is unfavorable from a hygienic standpoint. There is also a possibility that the nozzle will spray (blow away) the dirt. If the inside of the device needs to be cleaned and disinfected after each person takes a bath to remove dirt from the nozzle directly below, there will be a waiting time before the next bath.

The present invention was made to solve the above problem, and prevents dirt washed off the bather from adhering to the nozzle.

In order to achieve the above object, the bathing device of the present invention is a bathing device that has a bathing space and a wheelchair that has a seat portion that can be switched between a tilted state and a non-tilted state and can enter. The bathing device includes a dome and a lower nozzle. The dome surrounds the bathing space. The dome includes an entrance for the wheelchair to enter the bathing space. The lower nozzle is disposed within the dome. The lower nozzle sprays liquid at a predetermined spray angle toward a bather in the wheelchair who enters through the entrance. If the direction parallel to the entrance direction of the wheelchair is defined as the front-rear direction, and the direction of movement when entering is defined as the front side and the direction of movement when exiting is defined as the rear side, the lower nozzle is disposed forward of the rear end of the tilted seat portion and below the seat portion in the wheelchair in which the seat portion is tilted so that the front side of the seat portion is higher than the rear side.

In the configuration of the present invention, the lower nozzle is positioned diagonally below the bather. The lower nozzle can be positioned outside the area where dirt drips down. This can prevent dirt washed off the bather from adhering to the nozzle.

1 is a perspective view showing an example of a state in which the bathing apparatus according to the embodiment is in use; 1 is a diagram showing an example of a wheelchair entering the bathing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. A figure showing an example of the state in which the entrance curtain is removed from the bathing device of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a bathing apparatus according to an embodiment as viewed from the left side. A diagram showing an example of the arrangement of nozzles in a bathing apparatus according to an embodiment. A diagram showing an example of the arrangement of nozzles in a bathing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a nozzle according to an embodiment. 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating an example of liquid ejection from a nozzle according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a bathing apparatus according to an embodiment as seen from the front. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a seat portion of a wheelchair according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a position of a lower nozzle according to an embodiment.

Below, an example of a bathing device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 11. A shower bathing device 100 will be described as an example of a bathing device according to the present invention. The configuration, arrangement, and other elements described in the description of this embodiment do not limit the scope of the invention and are merely illustrative examples.

Here, the direction parallel to the direction of entry of the shower bath device 100 from the entrance E of the wheelchair 6 is defined as the front-to-rear direction, the direction moving when entering is defined as the front side, and the direction moving when exiting is defined as the rear side. The direction perpendicular to the flat floor surface on which the shower bath device 100 is placed is defined as the up-to-down direction, and up and down are defined as the side on which the shower bath device 100 is placed relative to the floor surface. The direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear and up-to-down directions is defined as the left-to-right direction, and when looking from the rear to the front, the right side is defined as the right, and the left side is defined as the left.

(Overview of the shower bath device 100)
An example of a shower bathing device 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. The shower bathing device 100 according to the embodiment is accessible to a wheelchair 6. The shower bathing device 100 can be used while a bather P is sitting in the wheelchair 6. The shower bathing device 100 includes a dome 1. The dome 1 is a bathing space S (see Fig. 4). In other words, the shower bathing device 100 includes a bathing space S, and the dome 1 surrounds the bathing space S. The dome 1 includes an entrance E for allowing the wheelchair 6 to enter the bathing space S. A liquid is poured toward the bather P who is sitting in the wheelchair 6 and has entered the bathing space S. The liquid is, for example, warm water or warm water containing body shampoo. For example, after pouring warm water (fresh water), it is possible to pour warm water containing body shampoo on the bather P, switch to no body shampoo, and wash away the body shampoo with warm water (fresh water).

When using the shower bathing device 100, the caregiver (caregiver) who is assisting the bather P moves the wheelchair 6 to a predetermined bathing position in the bathing space S. Then, the shower bathing device 100 is used with the wheelchair 6 in the bathing position. Figures 1 and 4 show the wheelchair 6 in the bathing position.

The wheelchair 6 has a backrest 61. The backrest 61 tilts diagonally upward and backward. A pillow 62 is provided on the upper part of the backrest 61. The head of the bather P may be placed on the pillow 62. When the wheelchair 6 has advanced to the bathing position, a part (upper part) of the backrest 61 protrudes outward from the dome 1 (bathing space S). Therefore, when the shower bathing device 100 is in use, the head of the bather P protrudes outward from the dome 1 (see Figures 1 and 4).

A stopper 5 is provided on the inside of the dome 1 (see FIG. 11, details will be described later). When using the shower bathing device 100, the caregiver moves the wheelchair 6 into the bathing space S until the front wheels 66 of the wheelchair 6 hit the stopper 5. The position of the wheelchair 6 when the front wheels 66 hit the stopper 5 is the normal bathing position. Note that the position of the wheelchair 6 may be shifted rearward from the normal bathing position depending on the height, body shape, leg length, and other factors of the bather P.

The shower bath apparatus 100 comprises a dome 1. The dome 1 includes a main body cover 11 and an upper cover 12. For example, the main body cover 11 may be a molded product of a thermoplastic resin such as polypropylene. The main body cover 11 may be manufactured using a resin molding method such as blow molding. The upper cover 12 may be made of a thermoplastic resin such as a polyvinyl chloride plate. The upper cover 12 may be manufactured using a resin molding method such as vacuum molding.

The main body cover 11 has a rear cover 111, a right cover 112, a left cover 113, and a front cover 114. The main body cover 11 may be a single member. The cover 11 may also be composed of five or more members. The rear cover 111 and the front cover 114 are connected to the right cover 112 and the left cover 113, respectively. The main body cover 11 is a combination of four covers. The upper cover 12 is attached to the upper opening of the main body cover 11. The upper opening of the main body cover 11 is closed by the upper cover 12. The upper cover 12 may also be composed of two or more members. The dome 1 is an assembly of the rear cover 111, the right cover 112, the left cover 113, the front cover 114, and the upper cover 12.

The dome 1 surrounds the bathing space S. In other words, the bathing space S is the space inside the dome 1. The dome 1 does not have a floor plate. In other words, there is no plate covering the underside of the dome 1. The dome 1 (bathing space S) has no floor and is not a bathtub for storing liquid (hot water, cold water). Liquid sprayed inside the dome 1 falls onto the floor. Therefore, the shower bath device 100 is installed in a room (e.g., a bathing room) that has a floor that is equipped with a drain pipe (drainage structure) and does not mind getting wet.

The upper cover 12 has an assistant opening 12a. The assistant opening 12a is an opening through which the assistant assisting the bather P can insert his/her hand into the bathing space S. The upper cover 12 may be translucent so that the condition of the bather P can be observed. The upper cover 12 may be a colored translucent plate. Translucency allows the bather P to be assisted appropriately. A sheet that covers the assistant opening 12a from the outside is removably attached to the upper cover 12. The sheet that covers the assistant opening 12a prevents the heat retention of the bathing space S from decreasing through the assistant opening 12a.

The dome 1 has an entrance E to the bathing space S on the rear surface. Specifically, the shape of the rear cover 111 is an arch shape without a lower frame, and is an upwardly convex arc. The rear cover 111 functions as the outer frame of the entrance E. The rear cover 111 is shaped to fit the edge of the entrance E. The lower right part of the rear cover 111 is connected to the right cover 112. In other words, the lower part of the right cover 112 extends to the rear surface of the dome 1 and forms part of the outer frame of the entrance E. The lower left part of the rear cover 111 is connected to the left cover 113. In other words, the lower part of the left cover 113 extends to the rear surface of the dome 1 and forms part of the outer frame of the entrance E. Since there is no lower frame at the outer frame part of the entrance E, there is no need to lift the wheelchair 6 when the wheelchair 6 enters the bathing space S from the entrance E. When entering the bathing space S, the wheelchair 6 only needs to be pushed.

A shower nozzle 2 is provided inside the dome 1 (details will be described later). A plurality of nozzles 2 are provided. Each nozzle 2 is connected to a branch pipe section 4 provided inside the dome 1 (see FIG. 6). However, FIG. 6 shows the branch pipe section 4 covered with a protective cover 41. The branch pipe section 4 has a water inlet. The water inlet is connected to the liquid supply unit 200 (see FIG. 1) by a hose. The liquid supply unit 200 supplies (sends) liquid to the branch pipe section 4. The branch pipe section 4 has a plurality of water outlets. Each nozzle 2 is connected to one of the water outlets via a tube (water supply hose). As a result, the liquid is sent to each nozzle 2. As a result, each nozzle 2 sprays the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit 200. Each nozzle 2 sprays the liquid over the entire body of the bather P.

The shower bathing device 100 is equipped with an entrance curtain 3. The entrance curtain 3 may be made of a water-repellent fabric. The entrance curtain 3 may be made of a thermoplastic resin such as polyester. The entrance curtain 3 is attached to the dome 1. Specifically, the entrance curtain 3 is attached to the rear cover 111, the rear part of the right cover 112, and the rear part of the left cover 113. The entrance curtain 3 is detachable from the dome 1. When the wheelchair 6 is allowed to enter the bathing space S, the entrance curtain 3 is removed from the dome 1. After the wheelchair 6 is allowed to enter the bathing space S, the entrance curtain 3 is attached to the dome 1. The shower bathing device 100 is used with the passage area of the wheelchair 6 blocked by the entrance curtain 3. Since the entrance curtain 3 blocks the entrance E, it is possible to prevent liquid from splashing (leaking) out from the entrance E to the rear. Also, by blocking the entrance with the entrance curtain 3, it is possible to prevent cold air from entering the dome 1 and reduce heat escaping from the entrance E. Therefore, the temperature inside the dome 1 (bathing space S) is less likely to drop. Furthermore, there is no need to install a door in the dome 1 to open and close the entrance E. Because the door is omitted, the wheelchair 6 can be quickly taken in and out of the bathing space S. Even if an emergency such as a power outage or disaster occurs, the bather P can quickly escape from the bathing space S.

(Arrangement of Nozzle 2)
Next, an example of the arrangement of the nozzles 2 in the shower bath apparatus 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 shows an example of the shower bath apparatus 100 as viewed from the left rear. Figure 6 shows an example of the shower bath apparatus 100 as viewed from above the rear.

The shower bath device 100 is equipped with multiple nozzles 2 so that the entire body of the bather P can be washed. For example, an upper nozzle 21 is provided as the nozzle 2 that sprays liquid from above the bather P (see FIG. 8). Multiple upper nozzles 21 may be provided. The upper nozzle 21 sprays liquid from above the bather P, who is seated in a wheelchair 6, toward the bather P's chest, abdomen, knees, etc.

As shown in FIG. 5, the shower bath device 100 is equipped with a number of side nozzles 22 as the nozzles 2. The side nozzles 22 are provided on the right cover 112 and the left cover 113. Each side nozzle 22 sprays liquid from the side of the bather P seated in the wheelchair 6 toward the bather P's shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, feet, etc.

The shower bath device 100 also includes multiple back nozzles 23 (see FIG. 5). The back nozzles 23 are provided on the right cover 112 and the left cover 113. Each back nozzle 23 sprays liquid from the back of the bather P seated in the wheelchair 6 toward the back, waist, etc. of the bather P.

As shown in FIG. 6, a lower frame 50 with its longitudinal direction extending in the front-rear direction is provided in the dome 1 (bathing space S). The front end of the lower frame 50 is connected to the front cover 114. The lower frame 50 is disposed in the center of the dome in the left-right direction. A stopper 5 is also provided in the dome 1 (bathing space S). The longitudinal direction of the stopper 5 is the left-right direction. One end of the stopper 5 is connected to the lower part of the left cover 113, and the other end is connected to the lower part of the right cover 112. The stopper 5 contacts the lower surface (lower side) of the lower frame 50 and supports the lower frame 50. The stopper 5 prevents the wheelchair 6 from entering the front side more than a certain amount. The stopper 5 can prevent the feet of the bather P from hitting the front cover 114 and structures in the dome 1.

Figure 6 shows an example in which two lower nozzles 24 are provided rearward of the center in the front-to-rear direction of the lower frame 50. The shower bath device 100 shown in Figure 6 is provided with a total of two lower nozzles 24. The number of lower nozzles 24 installed is at least one, but may be more than two. The lower nozzles 24 are lined up in the front-to-rear direction. Each lower nozzle 24 sprays liquid toward the buttocks and genitals of a bather P seated in a wheelchair 6. The lower nozzles 24 may also be lined up in the left-to-right direction.

In other words, multiple lower nozzles 24 may be arranged. The shower bath apparatus 100 may include at least a first lower nozzle 24a and a second lower nozzle 24b as the lower nozzles 24. The first lower nozzle 24a is a nozzle 2 arranged further rearward than the second lower nozzle 24b. In this way, a lower nozzle 24 (first lower nozzle 24a) for washing the buttocks and a lower nozzle 24 (second lower nozzle 24b) for washing the pubic area (crotch) may be provided separately. A shower bath apparatus 100 with high cleaning performance can be provided.

(Nozzle 2)
Next, an example of the nozzle 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 9. Each nozzle 2 of the shower bath device 100 sprays liquid. For example, a nozzle 2 that sprays mist may be used. Also, a nozzle 2 that sprays multiple linear water streams may be used. In the shower bath device 100 of this embodiment, all nozzles 2 spray mist. When using a nozzle 2 that sprays mist, for example, a nozzle 2 with an average particle diameter of the mist in the range of 200 to 500 μm is used. For example, the nozzle 2 sprays mist (liquid) in the range of a cone with its tip as the apex. The nozzle 2 may spray liquid) in a fan shape with its tip as the apex.

A bubble generator may be provided in the water supply path from the liquid supply unit 200 to each nozzle 2. For example, the bubble generator may generate bubbles having an equivalent volume sphere diameter (diameter equivalent to volume) of less than 1 μm. In this case, each nozzle 2 sprays liquid containing tiny bubbles onto the bather P. The bubble generator may generate bubbles having an equivalent volume sphere diameter of 1 μm or more and less than 100 μm. This allows the bather P to be washed using liquid containing bubbles.

The spray angle θ of each nozzle 2 is determined in advance. The spray angles θ of the upper nozzle 21, side nozzle 22, back nozzle 23, and lower nozzle 24 may be the same or different. The spray angle θ of the upper nozzle 21 may be the largest so that the mist can be sprayed over the entire body. For example, the spray angle θ of the lower nozzle 24 is any angle between 50 and 100 degrees. More preferably, the spray angle θ of the lower nozzle 24 is any angle between 60 and 70 degrees. The dashed line in FIG. 7 shows an example of the central axis of the nozzle 2. The central axis is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the nozzle 2. The central axis passes through the center of the nozzle 2, the spray angle θ of the nozzle 2, and the ideal spray range of the liquid.

As shown in FIG. 8, the shower bath apparatus 100 is provided with a branch pipe section 4 (see FIG. 6). The branch pipe section 4 is connected to the liquid supply unit 200 via a hose. The liquid supply unit 200 sends water and warm water (hot water) supplied from the outside toward the branch pipe section 4. The branch pipe section 4 is connected to each of the upper nozzle 21, the side nozzle 22, the back nozzle 23, and the lower nozzle 24 by tubes (water supply hoses). As a result, the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit 200 is sprayed from each nozzle 2.

The liquid supply unit 200 is provided with a chemical liquid inlet (not shown). A cleaning agent tank 201 can be connected to the chemical liquid inlet. The cleaning agent contains ingredients for sterilizing the inside of the dome 1 (bathing space S). When cleaning and sterilizing the shower bath device 100, the cleaning agent tank 201 is connected. This allows the cleaning agent to be mixed into the liquid. The liquid supply unit 200 is also provided with a body shampoo inlet (not shown). A body shampoo tank 202 can be connected to the body shampoo inlet. When washing the body of the bather P with body shampoo, the body shampoo tank 202 is connected. This allows the body shampoo to be mixed into the liquid.

Here, a valve 25 is provided between the liquid supply unit 200 and the lower nozzle 24. For example, the valve 25 may be provided in the pipe connecting the branch pipe section 4 and the lower nozzle 24. As shown in FIG. 9. The valve 25 may be provided on the front side of the shower bath device 100 (dome 1). FIG. 9 shows an example in which the valve 25 is provided below the front cover 114. The valve 25 has an operating lever 25a for manually adjusting the flow rate of the liquid. In other words, the shower bath device 100 has a valve 25 for adjusting the amount of liquid supplied to the lower nozzle 24. Some bathers P dislike having water (liquid) continuously sprayed on their buttocks and genitals. In addition, the buttocks and genitals are sensitive areas. Bathers P have different preferences for the force of the liquid sprayed. The amount of liquid supplied to the lower nozzle 24 can be adjusted by the valve 25. This allows the amount of liquid sprayed from the lower nozzle 24 to be adjusted to a comfortable amount for the bather P. The amount of liquid sprayed from the lower nozzle 24 can be controlled according to the needs of the bather P. The valve 25 does not have to be manual, and may be electromagnetic.

In the shower bath device 100, the orientation (angle, inclination) of each nozzle 2, including the lower nozzle 24, is fixed. This reduces manufacturing costs compared to when the nozzles are movable. It also eliminates the need for the caregiver to adjust the orientation of the nozzle 2. The orientation of each nozzle 2, including the lower nozzle 24, may be adjustable. The position of the nozzle 2 can be adjusted to suit the bather P.

(Wheelchair 6)
Next, an example of a wheelchair 6 used in the shower bathing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 10. As shown in Figure 2, when taking a bath, a person P is placed in the wheelchair 6. The front of the person P placed in the wheelchair 6 faces forward. The wheelchair 6 includes a seat portion 6a and a chassis portion 6b.

The seat section 6a comprises a pillow section 62, a backrest 61, handrails 63, a seat section 64, and a footrest section 65. The combination of the pillow section 62, the backrest 61, the handrails 63, the seat section 64, and the footrest section 65 constitutes the seat section 6a. Specifically, the pillow section 62 and the backrest 61 are connected. The head of the bather P may be placed on the pillow section 62. A mesh-like material is used for the backrest 61. The back of the bather P contacts the backrest 61. Handrails 63 are attached to the backrest 61. The bather P rests his/her elbows on the armrests 63. The lower end of the backrest 61 is connected to the seat section 64. The buttocks and thighs of the bather P are placed on the seat section 64. The footrest section 65 is connected to the front end of the seat section 64. The soles of the feet and ankles of the bather P are placed on the footrest 65.

The wheelchair 6 also includes a chassis 6b. The chassis 6b has two front wheels 66 and two rear wheels 67. A connection portion 68 is provided on the upper part of the chassis 6b and on the lower side of the seat portion 64 (see FIG. 2). The connection portion 68 is a portion that connects the seat portion 6a and the chassis 6b. The connection portion 68 supports the seat portion 6a so that it can rotate. In other words, the seat portion 64 (seat portion 6a) can be tilted. In this way, the wheelchair 6 has a seat portion 64 (seat portion 6a) that can be switched between a tilted state and a non-tilted state. The rotation axis of the seat portion 6a is parallel to the left-right direction. The seat portion 64 (seat portion 6a) can be tilted up to a predetermined tilt angle in a direction in which the bather P's ankles rise and the head falls. The predetermined tilt angle is any value within the range of 25 degrees to 35 degrees. Figure 2 shows an example of the seat portion 64 in a tilted state. When the seat portion 64 is tilted to a predetermined inclination angle, the front side (front end) of the seat portion 64 is positioned higher than the rear side (rear end) of the seat portion 64 (see Figure 11).

When the seat 64 (chair seat 6a) is not tilted (zero degrees), the surface (upper surface) and lower surface of the seat 64 that come into contact with the buttocks are horizontal. The wheelchair 6 may be provided with a first maintaining member that keeps the upper and lower surfaces of the seat 64 horizontal, and a second maintaining member that prevents the seat 64 (chair seat 6a) from tilting beyond a predetermined tilt angle and maintains the tilted state at the predetermined tilt angle.

Figure 10 shows an example of the seat portion 64. The seat portion 64 is provided with a cutout portion 64a. The cutout portion 64a is a cut-out area (space) of the seat portion 64. The upper and lower surfaces of the seat portion 64 are flat except for the cutout portion 64a. When the seat portion 64 is not tilted, the upper and lower surfaces of the seat portion 64 are horizontal. The cutout portion 64a is provided so that the liquid sprayed from the lower nozzle 24 hits the buttocks and genitals. A certain area is made into the cutout portion 64a from the front end of the seat portion 64 to the rear side. The cutout portion 64a includes the center of the front edge of the seat portion 64 in the left-right direction. The seat portion 64 is U-shaped when viewed from above. The cutout portion 64a may be a hole. In other words, the cutout portion 64a may be closed. Additionally, the front end of the seat 64 is curved so that the front side faces downward (curved portion 69). Curved portion 69 is shaped to curve downward to accommodate the backs of the knees of the bather P. In this description, the range from the part where the surface is not horizontal when not tilted to the front end of the seat 64 is referred to as curved portion 69.

In this way, the shower bathing apparatus 100 (bathing apparatus) may be equipped with a wheelchair 6 whose seat 64 can tilt. When tilting, the front side of the seat 64 of the wheelchair 6 is raised from a horizontal position. This allows the bather P to lie face up and tilt his/her back, tilting backwards while maintaining a seated posture. This allows the bather P to be in a comfortable position. Moreover, the bather P can be maintained in a position that makes it easy to wash.

(Position of the lower nozzle 24)
Next, an example of the position of the lower nozzle 24 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11. First, the shower bathing device 100 (bathing device) has a bathing space S, and a wheelchair 6 having a seating surface 64 that can be switched between a tilted state and a non-tilted state can enter. Specifically, the shower bathing device 100 has a dome 1 and a lower nozzle 24. The dome 1 surrounds the bathing space S and has an entrance E as an entrance for the wheelchair 6 to enter the bathing space S. The lower nozzle 24 is disposed in the dome 1 and sprays liquid at a predetermined spray angle θ toward the bather P on the wheelchair 6 that has entered through the entrance E. The lower nozzle 24 is disposed in front of the rear end of the seating surface 64 of the tilted wheelchair 6 and below the seating surface 64 in the wheelchair 6 in which the seating surface 64 is tilted by a predetermined inclination angle so that the front side (front end) of the seating surface 64 is higher than the rear side (rear end). The liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit 200 is delivered to the lower nozzle 24 by the lower nozzle tube 24c (lower nozzle water supply hose) (see FIG. 5). This allows the liquid to be sprayed diagonally from below onto the buttocks and pubic area. Since the seat 64 is tilted, the liquid sprayed onto the bather P flows toward the rear end of the seat 64, gathers, and falls onto the floor. The same is true for dirt that falls off the bather P along with the liquid. The liquid and dirt are likely to fall off the rear end of the seat 64. The position of the lower nozzle can be removed from the place where the liquid and dirt fall. Therefore, the lower nozzle 24 can be placed in a position where dirt such as feces is unlikely to drip off. Dirt washed off from the bather P does not adhere to the nozzle 2. Since dirt does not adhere to the lower nozzle 24, it is hygienic. In addition, the lower nozzle 24 does not spray dirt. In addition, the bather P can be washed while still in the wheelchair 6. This reduces the effort required for a person receiving care (a person receiving care) to take a bath. In addition, since the bather P is surrounded by the dome 1, or the dome 1 and the entrance curtain 3, heat is less likely to escape from the dome 1, and the bather P can be efficiently warmed by spraying warm liquid on him/her.

An example of the arrangement conditions of the lower nozzle 24 will be described using Figure 11. Note that in Figure 11, part of the chassis 6b of the wheelchair 6 is intentionally omitted from the illustration.

As described above, the stopper 5 is provided inside the dome 1. The stopper 5 is connected to the lower frame 50. The stopper 5 contacts the wheels (front wheels 66) of the wheelchair 6. The stopper 5 prevents the wheelchair 6 from moving forward more than a certain amount. The lower nozzle 24 may be positioned behind the stopper 5. This allows the lower nozzle 24 to be provided in a position that is not too far from the seat 64, buttocks, and genitals. The lower nozzle 24 can be positioned in a position that provides high cleaning capability for the buttocks and genitals.

As shown in FIG. 11, the lower nozzle 24 may be tilted at an angle such that the central axis of the lower nozzle 24 is perpendicular to the tilted seat portion 64. This allows liquid to be sprayed from diagonally below the seat portion 64 toward the buttocks and genitals exposed by the cutout portion 64a. Since the central axis of the lower nozzle 24 is perpendicular to the seat portion 64, a sufficient amount of liquid can be sprayed onto the seat portion 64, buttocks, and genitals. Specifically, if the predetermined inclination angle of the seat portion 64 is X degrees, the central axis of the lower nozzle 24 is tilted (90-X) degrees from the vertical direction (up-down direction). In FIG. 11, the central axis of the first lower nozzle 24a is labeled C1, and the central axis of the second lower nozzle 24b is labeled C2.

The first lower nozzle 24a (rear nozzle 2) of the lower nozzles 24 may be positioned so that when the wheels (front wheels 66) of the wheelchair 6 are in contact with the stopper 5, the rear end of the tilted seat portion 64 falls within the first spray range R1 based on the spray angle θ of the first lower nozzle 24a, and the predetermined assumed position of the anus also falls within the first spray range R1. This allows the first lower nozzle 24a to be positioned so that dirt does not drip and the bather P's buttocks and anus are within the spray range of the first lower nozzle 24a. The bather P's buttocks and anus can be thoroughly washed.

The first spray range R1 is based on the spray angle θ of the first lower nozzle 24a. The first spray range R1 is the ideal spray range of liquid when liquid is sprayed from the first lower nozzle 24a at a predetermined spray angle θ. For example, the first spray range R1 is centered on the central axis of the first lower nozzle 24a. In FIG. 11, the first spray range R1 is in the vertical and front-to-back planes, with the spray start point of the first lower nozzle 24a as the apex, the central axis as the center, and the angle within the spray angle θ.

The assumed anus position is also determined in advance. For example, the seat 64 is tilted by a predetermined angle (maximum angle), and the anus positions of multiple people are measured when the wheelchair 6 is advanced until the wheels (front wheels 66) come into contact with the stopper 5. The average of the measured anus positions can then be determined as the assumed anus position.

The second lower nozzle 24b (front nozzle 2) of the lower nozzles 24 may be provided at a position where, when the wheels (front wheels 66) of the wheelchair 6 are in contact with the stopper 5, the assumed anus position is within the second spray range R2 based on the spray angle θ of the second lower nozzle 24b, and the front end of the tilted seating portion 64 is not within the second spray range R2. The second lower nozzle 24b may be provided at a position where at least a part of the curved portion 69 of the seating portion 64, on which the backs of the knees are placed, is within the second spray range R2. This allows the second lower nozzle 24b to be positioned so that dirt does not drip off and the genitals of the bather P are within the spray range of the second lower nozzle 24b. The genitals of the bather P can also be thoroughly washed.

The second spray range R2 is based on the spray angle θ of the second lower nozzle 24b. The second spray range R2 is the ideal spray range of liquid when liquid is sprayed from the second lower nozzle 24b at a predetermined spray angle θ. For example, the second spray range R2 is centered on the central axis of the second lower nozzle 24b. In FIG. 11, the second spray range R2 is in the vertical and front-to-back planes, with the spray start point of the second lower nozzle 24b as its apex, the central axis as its center, and an angle within the range of the spray angle θ.

The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the description of the above embodiments, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

100 Shower bathing device (bathing device)
1 Dome 24 Lower nozzle 24a First lower nozzle 24b Second lower nozzle 25 Valve 5 Stopper 6 Wheelchair 64 Seat 66 Front wheel (wheel)
69 Curved portion 200 Liquid supply unit C1 Central axis (first lower nozzle)
C2 central axis (second lower nozzle)
E Entrance R1 First spray range R2 Second spray range S Bathing space

Claims (8)

A bathing device that has a bathing space and a seat portion that can be switched between a tilted state and a non-tilted state and that can accommodate a wheelchair,
A dome surrounding the bathing space and providing an access for the wheelchair to the bathing space;
A lower nozzle is disposed within the dome and sprays liquid at a predetermined spray angle toward the wheelchair-bound bather who enters through the entrance;
Equipped with
If the direction parallel to the wheelchair's entry direction is defined as the front-rear direction, the direction in which the wheelchair moves when entering is defined as the front side, and the direction in which the wheelchair moves when exiting is defined as the rear side,
Further, a stopper is provided that contacts the wheels of the wheelchair and prevents the wheelchair from moving forward beyond a certain limit,
When the wheels of the wheelchair are in contact with the stoppers and the seating surface is tilted so that the front side of the seating surface is higher than the rear side,
the lower nozzle is disposed on the rear end of the tilted seating surface portion, and in front of a predetermined assumed anus position on the front side of the rear end, and below the seating surface portion;
a spray range based on the spray angle of the lower nozzle includes the rear end of the tilted seat portion and the assumed position of the anus,
The lower nozzle has a central axis facing the assumed anus position, and sprays liquid diagonally backward toward the assumed anus position . The bathing device of claim 1, which is provided with a valve for adjusting the amount of liquid supplied to the lower nozzle. The bathing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower nozzle is disposed rearward of the stopper. A bathing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the wheels of the wheelchair are in contact with the stopper and the seating portion is tilted so that the front side of the seating portion is higher than the rear side , the lower nozzle is inclined at an angle such that the central axis of the lower nozzle is perpendicular to the tilted seating portion. The bathing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a second lower nozzle arranged forward of the first lower nozzle when the lower nozzle is a first lower nozzle. The bathing device according to claim 5, wherein the second lower nozzle is positioned such that, when the wheels of the wheelchair are in contact with the stopper and the seat is tilted, the assumed anus position is within the second lower nozzle spray range based on the spray angle of the second lower nozzle, and the front end of the tilted seat is not within the second lower nozzle spray range. The bathing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the orientation of the lower nozzle is adjustable or fixed. The wheelchair has a tiltable seat portion,
8. The bathing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when tilting, the front side of the seat of the wheelchair is raised from a horizontal position.