JP2004248687A - Foam bathing bath system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bubble bath system allowing a person to take a bubble bath in a bathroom. <P>SOLUTION: This bubble bath system is provided with a moisture-proof compressor 92 disposed on the back side of the ceiling 18 of a unit bathroom from the inner space of the bathroom, a hot bubble producing device 60 storing detergent solution and, when the air pressure-fed by the compressor is jetted out to the detergent, producing the hot bubbles of the prescribed temperature, and a delivery mechanism 98 delivering the hot bubbles to the bathtub inside. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a foam bath bath system for bathing with warm foam.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there have been provided a variety of devices that enable foam bathing. Here, the bubble bathing refers to bathing performed by filling a bath tub with warm bubbles or bathing performed by attaching warm bubbles to a part of a body. In a conventional apparatus for foam bathing, heated air is supplied from a blower to a warm foam generator that generates foam, and the foam is converted into warm foam by this air pressure through a hose into an air bag type bathtub. So that the user's body located in the bathtub is completely surrounded by warm foam. Thus, the above-described heated air is specifically generated by arranging a heater inside the flow pipe from the blower to the hot-bubble generator. In addition, the above-mentioned warm bubble bathing device is provided for the handicapped and bedridden elderly people. It can be disassembled into three parts (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-83851A (Pages 1 to 8, FIGS. 1 to 5)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Although the above-mentioned warm-foam bathing device is provided for the handicapped and bedridden elderly, it is intended to be used by a healthy person to obtain sufficient bathing satisfaction. There is also a request to use it. However, bringing a warm-bubble generator equipped with an electric element into a humid bathroom could not be realized from the viewpoint of electrical leakage and other safety and reliability.
[0005]
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to enable warm foam bathing even in such a bathroom.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Means taken to solve the above-described problem are as follows: `` Compressor and other electric devices arranged moisture-proof from the interior space of the bathroom, storing the detergent solution, and air pumped from the compressor into the detergent. A bubble-type bathing bath system comprising a warm-bubble generating device that generates warm bubbles at a predetermined temperature when ejected, and a discharge mechanism that discharges the warm bubbles into a bathtub.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the foam bathing bath system according to the present invention will be specifically described based on an example applied to a unit bath.
[0008]
1 and 2, a unit bath 10 constituting a bathroom of a house includes a bathtub 12 and a washing place 14 integrally formed with the bathtub 12. The bathtub 12 and the washing place 14 are surrounded by four wall panels 16A, 16B, 16C and 16D, thereby defining a bathroom space. The upper opening of the bathroom space is hermetically closed by fitting the ceiling panel 18 to the upper ends of the wall panels 16A, 16B, 16C and 16D by a known means. Thus, the upper side of the ceiling panel 18 is isolated from the humidity in the bathroom room. An entrance 22 opened and closed by the folding door 20 is formed in the wall panel 16A, and an opening 26 opened and closed by the window 24 is formed in the wall panel 16D. Although not shown, the ceiling panel 18 is provided with a ventilation fan and an inspection port as is well known.
[0009]
A bath faucet 30 is provided on one side of the bathtub 12 in the longitudinal direction (that is, on the wall panel 16C side). Further, a panel 32 is fixed to the surface of the wall panel 16C on the washing place 14 side. A shelf 34, a mirror 36, and a hand shower 38 are mounted on the panel 32. Further, on the lower side of the panel 32, a washing basin faucet 40 is mounted. The washing faucet 40 can be used as an alternative to the hand shower 38 by the action of a switching valve 42 (FIG. 3) interlocked with a lever (not shown).
[0010]
A hot water supply operation panel 52 is provided on the side of the bathtub 12 of the wall panel 16C, and when a hot water supply button of the hot water supply operation panel 52 is pressed, a water heater 50 installed outside the room is ignited and the faucet 30 is opened. Then, hot water is supplied from the water heater 50 via the pipe 44, and the hot water is discharged from the faucet 30 into the bathtub 12. When the faucet 30 is opened, hot water is supplied from the water heater 50 to the faucet 40 (hand shower 38) via the pipe 46 and the valve 42, and is discharged.
[0011]
In the lower space 99 in the other longitudinal direction of the bathtub 12 (the part on the side of the wall surface panel 16A), a warm bubble generator 60 is provided. The warm bubble generating device 60 includes a container 62. In the container 62, a detergent solution 64 set and maintained at a predetermined temperature is stored. The generation of the detergent solution 62 will be described later.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 10, a nozzle 82 having a large number of holes 80 aligned in the axial direction is provided in the container 62 so as to be located in the detergent solution 64. The nozzle 82 is connected to a discharge port of a compressor 92 via a pipe 88. When the operation panel 54 provided on the wall panel 16B turns on the on switch, the detergent solution 64 is discharged from the hole 80 of the nozzle 82. And a large amount of hot bubbles 96 are generated and discharged into the bathtub 12 from the pipe 94 and a discharge plug 98 provided on one side of the bathtub 12 in the longitudinal direction.
[0013]
As schematically shown in FIG. 4, the control device 90 and the compressor 92 are provided on the ceiling panel 18. This is for the following reasons. (1) In order to isolate the microcomputer and the related electronic elements as main components of the control device 90 and the motor as the drive source of the compressor 92 from moisture.
[0014]
(2) Most of the volume of the space is occupied by the warm bubble generator 60, and it is difficult to arrange the warm bubble generator 60, the control device 90, and the compressor 92 in the space.
[0015]
(3) Even if the temporary bubble generation device 60, the control device 90, and the compressor 92 can be juxtaposed in the space, these devices will be present below the upper surface of the bathtub 12, and in the case of irrigation, These devices are flooded and unusable.
[0016]
In addition, in view of the gist (1) to (3), the control device 90 and the compressor 92 may be installed in, for example, a washroom / undressing room. In addition, access to the control device 90 and the compressor 92 mounted on the ceiling panel 18 may be performed through the above-described inspection port, or without completely closing the side of the unit bath on the side of the dressing room behind the ceiling. It may be openable.
[0017]
As described above, the foam bath is performed by filling the bathtub 12 with the warm foam 96. In order to maintain the temperature, it is desirable that the foam 96 does not touch the outside air. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, it is preferable that the bathtub 12 be covered with the lid 100 so that the bathtub 12 is exposed only from above the neck to the outside. As shown in detail in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lid 100 includes a stationary portion 102 that covers the open portion of the bathtub 12 statically. An inner space 104 is formed on one side of the stationary part 102, and a moving part 106 is mounted in the inner space 104 so as to be able to protrude and retract. The amount by which the moving unit 106 is pulled out is regulated by the stopper 108. One side of the moving part 106 is cut into a U-shape so that a bather can expose the upper part from the neck. When not used, the moving unit 106 is housed in the internal space 104 of the stationary unit 102, but a part (indicated by the phantom line in FIG. 6) is exposed and can be pulled out. As shown in FIG. 8, the lid 100 is composed of a rectangular first part 110, a rectangular second part 112, and a third part 114 having a U-shaped cutout, and adjacent parts can be folded. It is good. In any case, by covering the open portion of the bathtub 12 with the lid 100, the enormous amount of the foam 96 that has been heaped up is smoothed, the flow of the foam 96 is suppressed, and the foam 96 is circulated throughout the body. And the bubbles 96 can be prevented from disappearing. The material of the lid 100 is desirably formed of a foam material from the viewpoint of keeping heat and preventing damage to the body.
[0018]
The details of the hot-bubble generating device 60 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 again. In the bottom part of the container 62, a pipe 46 connected to the water heater 50 and a pipe 56 branched from the pipe 46 are introduced. A discharge port of a pump 124 having a suction port communicating with a tank 122 for storing a detergent 120 is connected to the pipe 56. When a sensor (not shown) installed in the container 62 detects that the level of the detergent solution 64 has dropped from the reference level, the controller 90 opens the electromagnetic valve mechanism 70 interposed in the pipe 56 and The pump 124 is driven. As a result, the detergent 120 is mixed with the hot water supplied from the water heater 50 into the container 62, and the detergent solution 64 at a predetermined temperature (for example, 40 degrees Celsius) is supplied into the container 62. Such a supply is performed until the level of the detergent solution 64 reaches the reference level. When the temperature of hot water supplied from water heater 50 is low, electromagnetic valve mechanism 70 is not opened. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the electromagnetic valve mechanism 70 interposed in the pipe 56 includes a thermistor 72 as a temperature sensor and a three-way electromagnetic valve 74. The temperature of the hot water passing through the pipe 56 is detected by the thermistor 72, and if the detected temperature is lower than a predetermined value, the control device 90 operates the three-way solenoid valve 74 to drain the hot water, and this detection is performed. If the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the three-way solenoid valve 74 is operated to enable the supply to the container 62.
[0019]
The tank 122 and the pump 124 described above are specifically disposed adjacent to the container 62, and the tank 122 can be replenished with the detergent 120 from the washing place side. The replenishment of the detergent 120 is performed when the control device 90 turns on a lamp (not shown) when the amount of the passed detergent solution 64 indicated by the flow rate sensor provided in the pipe indicates a predetermined value.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 10, two ports 62A and 62B are formed in the top plate of the container 62. The ports 62A and 62B are connected to the inlet port portions 94A and 94B of the pipe 94, and the warm bubbles 96 are discharged into the bathtub 12 through the container 62, the ports 62A and 62B, and the discharge plug 98. The reason why the warm bubbles 96 are discharged from the container 62 through the two outlets is that the contact area with the bubbles 96 on the inner surface side of the top plate of the container 62 is reduced, and the amount of the residual warm bubbles 96 due to adhesion is reduced. Is to reduce. Although not shown, the ports 62A and 62B may be connected to two discharge plugs via two pipes, and the warm foam 96 may be discharged into the bathtub 12 from different positions. The configuration in which the warm foam 96 is discharged from the container 62 through the two outlets allows the discharge plug to be easily added.
[0021]
The hot water is supplied to the container 62 alone (without mixing the detergent 120), the hot water supply is stopped when the container is full, and then the compressor 92 is operated to supply air to the hot water in the container 62 (intermittently). Supply is desirable), and the container 62 can be cleaned. By cleaning the inside of the container 62, the generation of mold and the clogging of the nozzle hole can be prevented, and the generation of warm bubbles can be performed smoothly and cleanly. Alternatively, hot water (preferably intermittently) may be supplied directly into the container 62 via a nozzle.
[0022]
Further, as schematically shown in FIG. 11, an appropriate number of holes 200 are formed in the bottom of the bathtub 12, and the holes 200 are formed through a pipe 210 and a switching valve 230 buried in the bottom of the bathtub 12. It may be connected to the compressor 92. By adopting such a configuration, the switching valve 230 is switched (specifically, a predetermined button on the operation panel is pressed) during bathing in the bubble bath (that is, after the air supply from the compressor 92 to the warm bubble generator 60 is completed). When the button is pressed, the switching valve 230 is switched based on a signal from the control device 90), air is blown out from the hole 200, and the bubble bath can be enjoyed together. Of course, it can also be enjoyed with a bubble bath alone.
[0023]
In addition, if the bathtub 12 is formed of a material having a small heat capacity, for example, a styrene resin, the bathtub 12 is heated by the heat of the warm foam, and when the bather touches the bathtub 12, the bathtub 12 does not feel cold. You can enjoy a comfortable warm bath.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 12, it is desirable to provide a textured portion 300 as a non-slip means on the bottom surface 12B of the bathtub 12 to completely prevent the user from slipping. Instead of the graining process 300, a metal mesh mat 400 as shown in FIG.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, since the compressor and other electric devices are disposed from the interior space of the bathroom in a moisture-proof manner, a bubble bath bath system can be provided in the bathroom simply by arranging other elements in the bathroom. In addition, it has a great effect.
[0026]
According to the present invention, since the detergent solution is generated by mixing the detergent and the hot water from the water heater, there is no need to separately prepare a heater for generating hot bubbles as in the related art, and the structure is simplified. .
[0027]
According to the present invention, the mixing of the detergent and the hot water is performed when the temperature of the hot water reaches the set value, so that the generation of the cleaning solution having a low temperature and, consequently, the generation of warm bubbles can be prevented.
[0028]
According to the present invention, since the bathtub is formed of a material having a small heat capacity, the bathtub is heated by the heat of the warm foam, and when a bather touches the bathtub, the bathtub does not feel cold and enjoys a comfortable warm bath. it can.
[0029]
According to the present invention, since a non-slip means (for example, a textured portion or a metal mesh mat) is provided on the bottom surface of the bathtub, the user can be prevented from slipping.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a unit bath to which a foam bathing bath system according to the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the unit bus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a bubble bath bath system according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a compressor and a control device are arranged behind a ceiling of a unit bath.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a preferred bathing example of the foam bathing bath system according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bath lid used in the preferred bathing example shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a partial view of the internal structure of the bath lid shown in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modification of the bath lid shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an outline of a connection relationship between the warm bubble generating device and the discharge tap.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an internal structure and a piping structure of a container of the warm bubble generating device.
FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram when a bubble bath system is added to a bubble bath bath system.
FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of a bathtub provided with a textured portion on the bottom surface.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a metal mesh mat to be placed on the bottom of the bathtub.
[Explanation of symbols]
60 hot bubble generator 90 controller 92 compressor 98 discharge tap (discharge mechanism)

Claims (7)

Compressors and other electrical equipment disposed moisture-proof from the interior space of the bathroom, and a hot bubble that stores a detergent solution and generates hot bubbles of a predetermined temperature when air pumped from the compressor blows into the detergent. A bubble bath bath system comprising a generator and a discharge mechanism for discharging the warm foam into a bathtub. The foam bath bath system according to claim 1, wherein the detergent solution is generated by mixing a detergent and hot water from a water heater. 3. The foam bath bath system according to claim 2, wherein the mixing is performed when the temperature of the hot water reaches a set value. The foam bathtub system according to claim 1, wherein the bathtub is formed of a material having a small heat capacity. The foam bathtub system according to claim 1, wherein a non-slip means is provided on a bottom surface of the bathtub. The foam-type bathing bath system according to claim 5, wherein the non-slip means is a grained portion provided on the bottom surface of the bathtub. The foam-type bathing bath system according to claim 5, wherein the non-slip means is a metal mesh mat placed on the bottom surface of the bathtub.

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