JP2023115825A - bath device - Google Patents

Abstract

A bath apparatus capable of accurately estimating the deep body temperature of a bather during bathing and satisfactorily preventing the onset of symptoms of poor physical condition due to an increase in the deep body temperature. A hot water supply apparatus is configured so that the deep body temperature of a bather estimated by a human body heat model HM based on hot water temperature data from a temperature sensor is a predetermined temperature at which there is concern about poor physical condition from the start of bathing in a bathtub 2. a notification processing unit that causes a speaker to perform a predetermined notification when it is determined that the temperature has risen by a temperature rise threshold value or more. The human body heat model HM divides the human body into a skin layer SK, a core layer CR located closer to the center of the human body than the skin layer SK, and an intermediate layer MD between the skin layer SK and the core layer CR, It includes at least heat transfer between the hot water in the bathtub 2 and the skin layer SK, heat transfer between the skin layer SK and the intermediate layer MD, and heat transfer between the intermediate layer MD and the core layer CR. The temperature of the core layer CR is calculated as the core body temperature based on the calculation formula obtained by the human body heat model HM. [Selection drawing] Fig. 4

Description

The present invention relates to a bath apparatus that performs a predetermined bath function.

Conventionally, one of the causes of heat stroke, which is considered to be one of the causes of accidents that occur during bathing, is an excessive rise in the deep body temperature of the bather. The following patent document 1 discloses that the temperature of hot water in a bathtub is detected, and the core body temperature of a bather is estimated based on the temperature data of the hot water and the bathing time, and a predetermined warning is given in response to the rise of the core body temperature. A bathing safety system that outputs a is described.

In the bathing safety system described above, as a method of estimating core body temperature, a model for predicting body temperature during bathing, which is an extension of the human body temperature physiological model (two-node model) for estimating core body temperature in the air, is used. obtain.

In the body temperature prediction model during bathing, the human body consists of a first skin layer (head) in contact with the air in the bathroom, a second skin layer (body) in contact with the hot water in the bathtub, and a central side of the human body from these skin layers. It is divided into deep layers and and heat transfer between the air and the first skin layer, heat transfer between the hot water and the second skin layer, heat transfer between the first and second skin layers and the deep layer, and the deep layer Temporal changes in core body temperature are estimated based on the heat balance relationship with the metabolic heat generated from .

JP 2021-56791 A

The temperature distribution in the human body changes depending on the season, that is, the temperature environment. In winter, that is, in a cold environment, the range of core body temperature, where the temperature is constantly regulated, becomes narrower, and it is said that the closer to the body surface, the lower the temperature. ing. Furthermore, it is said that the temperature of the room you stayed in prior to bathing has an effect on the temperature of the body during bathing, and the temperature of the room after staying in a warm room is more pronounced than that after staying in a cold room. There is a tendency for the heat transfer to the deep part to slow down and the core body temperature to rise with a delay.

In the above body temperature prediction model during bathing, the human body is divided into only two layers, the skin layer and the deep layer, in the direction toward the center of the body, and the heat transfer between these layers is only considered. It is difficult to reproduce the difference in temperature distribution in the body just before bathing depending on the season and the gradual heat transfer from the skin near the body surface to the deep part during bathing. Therefore, it is required to more accurately estimate the deep body temperature of a bather during bathing.

In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a bath apparatus capable of accurately estimating a bather's deep body temperature during bathing. Another object of the present invention is to provide a bathing apparatus that can effectively prevent the onset of symptoms of poor physical condition due to an increase in core body temperature.

A main aspect of the present invention relates to a bath apparatus. The bath apparatus according to this aspect includes a hot water temperature data output unit for outputting hot water temperature data indicating the temperature of hot water stored in a bathtub, a notification unit installed in the bathroom, and detecting bathing in the bathtub. and a bather's deep body temperature estimated by a human body heat model based on said hot water temperature data rises by more than a predetermined temperature rise threshold at which there is concern about poor physical condition from the start of bathing in said bathtub. and a notification processing unit that causes the notification unit to perform a predetermined notification when it is determined that the temperature has reached or exceeded a predetermined temperature threshold for fear of poor physical condition. Here, the human body heat model divides the human body into a skin layer, a core layer that is closer to the center of the human body than the skin layer, and an intermediate layer between the skin layer and the core layer, It includes at least heat transfer between hot water in the bathtub and the skin layer, heat transfer between the skin layer and the intermediate layer, and heat transfer between the intermediate layer and the core layer. The temperature of the core layer is calculated as the core body temperature based on a calculation formula obtained from the human body heat model.

For example, the notification processing unit periodically calculates the core body temperature based on the formula using the hot water temperature data while bathing in the bathtub. Then, when the notification processing unit determines that the calculated deep body temperature has increased by the temperature rise threshold or more from the start of bathing in the bathtub, or determines that it has become the temperature threshold or more, The notification unit is caused to perform the predetermined notification.

Alternatively, for example, at the start of bathing in the bathtub, the notification processing unit uses the hot water temperature data to calculate the core body temperature every predetermined time after the start of bathing based on the calculation formula, and calculates the hot water temperature. A bathing time is determined at which the deep body temperature rises by the temperature rise threshold or more from the start of bathing in the bathtub when the temperature of the hot water indicated by the temperature data is equal to or exceeds the temperature threshold. Then, the notification processing unit causes the notification unit to perform the predetermined notification when it is determined that the bathing time has elapsed since the start of bathing in the bathtub.

Alternatively, for example, in association with the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub, the deep body temperature rises by the temperature rise threshold or more from the start of bathing in the bathtub when the hot water is at the temperature of the hot water, or becomes the temperature threshold or more. A storage unit for storing bathing time is provided. In this case, the notification processing unit reads the bathing time associated with the temperature of the hot water indicated by the hot water temperature data from the storage unit. Then, the notification processing unit causes the notification unit to perform the predetermined notification when it is determined that the bathing time has elapsed since the start of bathing in the bathtub.

According to the bath apparatus according to this aspect, the human body heat model can consider the heat balance among the three layers of the skin layer, the intermediate layer, and the core layer. The human body thermal model can reproduce the gradual transfer of heat from the skin near the surface of the body to the deeper parts of the body. As a result, it is possible to accurately estimate the deep body temperature of the bather during bathing. It is possible to effectively prevent the onset of symptoms of poor physical condition due to an increase.

The bath apparatus according to this aspect may further include an air temperature data output unit for outputting air temperature data indicating the air temperature in the bathroom. In this case, in the human body heat model, the skin layer is divided into a first skin layer in contact with the air in the bathroom and a second skin layer in contact with the hot water in the bathtub, and the intermediate layer is divided into the Divided into a first intermediate layer in contact with the first skin layer and a second intermediate layer in contact with the second skin layer, heat transfer between the air in the bathroom and the first skin layer, hot water in the bathtub and said second skin layer, heat transfer between said first skin layer and said first intermediate layer, and heat transfer between said second skin layer and said second intermediate layer can include Then, based on the hot water temperature data and the air temperature data, the notification processing unit causes the deep body temperature of the bather estimated by the human body heat model to rise by the temperature rise threshold or more from the start of bathing in the bathtub. or when it is determined that the temperature exceeds the threshold value, the notification unit is caused to perform the predetermined notification.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to estimate the deep body temperature of the bather while taking a bath, taking into consideration the heat transfer between the part of the bather exposed to the hot water and the air in the bathroom. Therefore, it becomes possible to estimate the deep body temperature of the bather with a higher degree of accuracy, and it is possible to prevent the onset of symptoms of poor physical condition even more satisfactorily.

In the bath apparatus according to this aspect, the human body heat model may include heat transfer between the skin layer and the core layer.

According to the above configuration, the heat transfer between the skin layer and the core layer, which are separated by the intervening intermediate layer, is taken into account, so that the deep body temperature of the bather can be estimated with even higher accuracy. . Therefore, it is possible to further effectively prevent the onset of symptoms of poor physical condition of the bather.

In the bath apparatus according to this aspect, a configuration is adopted that further includes a parameter reception unit that receives parameter values related to the bather that are input by the input unit and that affect the calculation result of the core body temperature by the calculation formula. can be

According to the above configuration, the core body temperature of the bather can be estimated more accurately using the human body heat model by using the accepted parameter values. , it is possible to perform the predetermined notification with much higher accuracy.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a bath apparatus capable of accurately estimating the deep body temperature of a bather during bathing. In addition, it is possible to provide a bath apparatus that can effectively prevent the onset of symptoms of poor physical condition due to an increase in core body temperature.

The effects and significance of the present invention will become clearer from the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the embodiment shown below is merely one example of the implementation of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a water heater according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing circuit blocks of each device constituting the hot water supply apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the combustion system and piping of the water heater according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a human body heat model according to the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a human body heat model according to the first embodiment; FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing processing related to the bathing timer function performed in the bathroom remote controller according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7(a) is a diagram showing the result of estimating the amount of increase in core body temperature when estimating the core body temperature using the human body heat model of Embodiment 1, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the result of estimating the amount of increase in core body temperature when estimating . FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing processing related to the bathing timer function performed in the bathroom remote controller according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a bathing time determination table according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing processing related to the bathing timer function performed in the bathroom remote controller according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11(a) is a block diagram showing a control section of a bathroom remote control according to Modification 1. FIG. FIG. 11(b) is a flowchart showing a parameter input process executed by the control unit of the bathroom remote controller according to Modification 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 11(c) is a diagram showing an example of an input screen according to Modification 1. As shown in FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of hot water supply apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG.

Hot water supply apparatus 10 performs bath functions such as an automatic bath function, a reheating function, an additional hot water function, and an additional water function as a bath device.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the water heater 10 includes a water heater 11 and remote controllers 12 and 13 . The water heater 11 is a gas water heater that supplies hot water using gas as fuel. The hot water generated by the water heater 11 is supplied to a kitchen faucet, a bathtub, a faucet, etc. through pipes connected to the hot water supply ports 11a. When the water heater 11 has a floor heating function, a bathroom heating function, and a heating function using a panel heater, hot water is supplied from the water heater 11 to devices that realize these functions.

Remote controllers 12 and 13 are connected to water heater 11 and used to perform various settings for each function of water heater 10 . The remote controller 12 has a display section 121 and an input section 122 , and the remote controller 13 has a display input section 131 made up of a touch panel and an operation button 132 . By operating the input unit 122 according to the screen displayed on the display unit 121, the operator can arbitrarily set hot water filling, hot water supply temperature adjustment, and the like. The operator can also set hot water filling and the like by operating the display input unit 131 .

The remote controller 12 is installed in a bathroom, and the remote controller 13 is installed in a kitchen or the like. The remote controllers 12 and 13 are provided with audio windows 12a and 13a for inputting and outputting audio.

Hereinafter, the remote controller 12 installed in the bathroom will be referred to as "bathroom remote controller 12", and the remote controller 13 installed in the kitchen or the like will be referred to as "kitchen remote controller 13".

The input unit 122 of the bathroom remote controller 12 includes an operation button 122a. The operation buttons 122a and 132 are buttons for switching the water heater 11 between an operation-on state and an operation-off state.

When the bathroom remote controller 12 and the kitchen remote controller 13 are in an operation-off state (a state in which the water heater 11 does not supply hot water even if a hot water tap such as a faucet is opened and water flows at a reference flow rate or more), the display unit 121 And the display input unit 131 is in the off state, and the operation of the operation buttons other than the operation buttons 122a and 132 is not accepted. When the operation buttons 122a and 132 are operated to enter an operation-on state (a state in which the water heater 11 can perform hot water supply operation when a hot water tap such as a tap is opened and water flow exceeds the reference flow rate), the display unit 121 and The display input unit 131 lights up to display the setting contents, and the operation of the operation buttons other than the operation buttons 122a and 132 can be accepted.

Further, input unit 122 and display input unit 131 include buttons for changing the temperature of hot water supply. The operator can change the set temperature of the hot water supply by operating this button. In addition, the input unit 122 and the display input unit 131 include buttons for controlling the operation of the water heater 11, such as buttons for executing automatic bath functions, reheating functions, hot water adding functions, and water adding functions. It is included.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a circuit block of each device constituting hot water supply apparatus 10. As shown in FIG.

Water heater 11 includes control unit 111 , storage unit 112 , communication unit 113 , and detection unit 114 . The control unit 111 has a microcomputer and controls each unit in the water heater 11 according to a program stored in the storage unit 112 . The storage unit 112 has a memory and stores a predetermined control program.

The communication unit 113 communicates with the bathroom remote controller 12 and the kitchen remote controller 13 under the control of the control unit 111 . The communication unit 113 is connected to the communication unit 125 of the bathroom remote controller 12 and the communication unit 135 of the kitchen remote controller 13 via two-core communication lines L1 and L2. Also, the two-core communication lines L1 and L2 are connected to each other inside the communication unit 113 . Therefore, the communication section 125 of the bathroom remote controller 12 and the communication section 135 of the kitchen remote controller 13 are connected to each other by the two-core communication lines L1 and L2. Therefore, a signal transmitted from any one of the communication units 113, 125, and 135 is simultaneously transmitted to the other communication units.

The detection unit 114 includes various sensors arranged on the water heater 11 . For example, the detection unit 114 includes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of hot water, a flow rate sensor for detecting the supply of hot water, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the combustion system and piping of water heater 11. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, water heater 11 includes hot water supply section 210, reheating section 220, and bypass section 230 in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. A water heater 11 is installed outside a bathroom 1 in which a bathtub 2 is provided.

Hot water supply unit 210 includes a water supply pipe 211 , a hot water supply heat exchanger 212 , a hot water supply pipe 213 , a hot water supply combustor 214 , and an air supply fan 215 . The water supply pipe 211 is connected to the water pipe and the hot water heat exchanger 212 , and the hot water supply pipe 213 is connected to the hot water heat exchanger 212 , the bathroom faucet 3 and the external faucet 4 . Hot water supply combustor 214 is supplied with an amount of gas (fuel gas) corresponding to the degree of opening of proportional valve 216 through hot water supply gas pipeline 217 . When a gas solenoid valve (not shown) is opened, gas is supplied to the hot water supply gas pipeline 217 . The hot water supply combustor 214 uses gas as fuel and burns at an intensity corresponding to the amount of gas supplied. Air supply fan 215 supplies combustion air to hot water supply combustor 214 .

The reheating section 220 includes a return pipeline 221 , a bath heat exchanger 222 , a forward pipeline 223 , a bath combustor 224 and a circulation pump 225 . The return line 221 is connected to the circulation adapter 2a of the bathtub 2 and the bath heat exchanger 222, and the going line 223 is connected to the bath heat exchanger 222 and the circulation adapter 2a.

The bath combustor 224 is supplied with an amount of gas (fuel gas) corresponding to the degree of opening of a proportional valve 226 through a bath gas pipeline 227 . When a gas electromagnetic valve (not shown) is opened, gas is supplied to the bath gas pipeline 227 . The bath combustor 224 uses gas as fuel and burns at an intensity corresponding to the amount of gas supplied. Air supply fan 215 is shared between hot water supply section 210 and reheating section 220 , and combustion air is supplied from air supply fan 215 to bath combustor 224 . A circulation pump 225 and a water level sensor S1 are arranged in the return line 221 . Water level sensor S1 detects the water level in bathtub 2 based on the water pressure in return pipe 221 .

Bypass portion 230 includes a bypass pipe line 231 and a hot water supply electromagnetic valve 232 . Bypass line 231 is connected to hot water supply line 213 and return line 221 . Hot water supply electromagnetic valve 232 opens and closes bypass pipe 231 .

The water heater 11 includes a water level sensor S1, a flow sensor S2 for detecting the flow rate of the water supply pipe 211, a temperature sensor S3 for detecting the temperature of the water introduced into the water supply pipe 211, and a hot water supply. A temperature sensor S4 for detecting the temperature of hot water after being heated by the heat exchanger 212 is provided. Water heater 11 also includes temperature sensor S<b>5 that detects the temperature of hot water stored in bathtub 2 by detecting the temperature of hot water in return pipe 221 . These sensors S1 to S5 are included in the detection unit 114 in FIG.

Control unit 111 controls hot water supply combustor 214, air supply fan 215 and proportional valve 216 of hot water supply unit 210, bath combustor 224, circulation pump 225 and proportional valve 226 of reheating unit 220, hot water supply electromagnetic valve 232 of bypass unit 230, and the like. to control.

When the bathroom faucet 3 or the external faucet 4 is opened, the hot water supply function is executed. Water from the water pipe is introduced into hot water heat exchanger 212 through water supply pipe 211, and hot water heat exchanger 212 is heated by burning hot water combustor 214. FIG. The water introduced into hot water supply heat exchanger 212 is heated to become hot water, and the hot water is supplied to bathroom faucet 3 or external faucet 4 through hot water supply pipe 213 . When the bathroom faucet 3 or the external faucet 4 is closed, the water supply from the water pipe to the water supply pipe 211 stops, and the combustion of the hot water supply combustor 214 stops.

Control unit 111 also controls hot water supply unit 210 to perform a hot water filling function (automatic bath function). In this case, hot water supply electromagnetic valve 232 is opened, and water from the water supply pipe is introduced into hot water supply heat exchanger 212 through water supply pipe 211 and heated in hot water supply heat exchanger 212 . Hot water from hot water supply heat exchanger 212 is introduced into return conduit 221 through hot water supply conduit 213 and bypass conduit 231 .

Part of the hot water introduced into the return conduit 221 flows through the return conduit 221 toward the circulation adapter 2a and is poured into the bathtub 2 from the circulation adapter 2a. The rest of the hot water introduced into the return line 221 flows through the return line 221 toward the bath heat exchanger 222, flows through the bath heat exchanger 222 and the forward line 223, and enters the bathtub 2 from the circulation adapter 2a. be poured.

When hot water is supplied and hot water is accumulated in the bathtub 2, the return pipe line 221, the bath heat exchanger 222 and the going pipe line 223 are filled with hot water. Thereby, the water level in the bathtub 2 can be detected by the water level sensor S1. When the water level sensor S1 detects that the water level in the bathtub 2 has reached a preset water level, the hot water supply electromagnetic valve 232 is closed, the water supply from the water pipe to the water supply pipe 211 is stopped, and the hot water supply combustor is activated. 214 combustion ceases.

When return pipeline 221 , bath heat exchanger 222 and forward pipeline 223 are filled with hot water, the temperature of hot water in return pipeline 221 is substantially equal to that in bathtub 2 . The temperature sensor S5 can detect the temperature of the hot water in the return pipe 221 as the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 2 . The temperature data of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor S5 becomes hot water temperature data indicating the temperature of hot water in the bathtub 2 . The temperature sensor S5 outputs hot water temperature data as a hot water temperature data output section. Hot water temperature data is input to the control unit 111 .

In addition, the control unit 111 controls the reheating unit 220 to perform the reheating function. In this case, the circulation pump 225 operates and the bath combustor 224 burns. The hot water in the bathtub 2 circulates between the circulation path consisting of the return pipe 221, the bath heat exchanger 222 and the forward pipe 223 and the bathtub 2, and is heated by the bath heat exchanger 222 in the meantime. Thereby, the hot water temperature in the bathtub 2 rises.

Further, the function of adding hot water and the function of adding water are executed by supplying hot water and water to bathtub 2 from hot water supply unit 210 under the control of control unit 111 . In the supplementary water function, the hot water supply combustor 214 does not burn.

The automatic bath function includes a hot water filling function and a heat insulating function for maintaining the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 2 at a predetermined bath set temperature after hot water filling. In the heat retention function, the control unit 111 performs reheating by the reheating unit 220 based on the hot water temperature data from the temperature sensor S5 so that the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 2 reaches the bath set temperature. The temperature of hot water in the bathtub 2 becomes almost equal to the set temperature by the heat retaining function. The set bath temperature can be set by button operation on the bathroom remote controller 12 .

Returning to FIG. 2 , the bathroom remote control 12 includes a control section 123 , a storage section 124 , a communication section 125 , a speaker 126 and a temperature sensor 127 in addition to the display section 121 and the input section 122 described above. Display unit 121 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The input unit 122 has various operation buttons such as a temperature setting button. The display unit 121 may be a touch panel.

The control unit 123 has a microcomputer and performs predetermined control according to a program stored in the storage unit 124 . The storage unit 124 has a memory and stores a predetermined control program.

Communication unit 125 communicates with water heater 11 and kitchen remote control 13 under the control of control unit 123 . Speaker 126 outputs audio based on the audio signal generated by control unit 123 . The control unit 123 reads the audio information stored in the storage unit 124 at any time and generates an audio signal. The sound output from the speaker 126 is output from the sound window 12a in FIG.

Temperature sensor 127 detects the temperature in bathroom 1 . The temperature sensor 127 outputs temperature data indicating the temperature in the bathroom 1 as a temperature data output unit. Temperature data is input to the control unit 123 .

The kitchen remote controller 13 includes a control unit 133 , a storage unit 134 , a communication unit 135 and a speaker 136 in addition to the display input unit 131 and the operation button 132 described above. The control unit 133 has a microcomputer and performs predetermined control according to a program stored in the storage unit 134 . The storage unit 134 has a memory and stores a predetermined control program.

Communication unit 135 communicates with water heater 11 and bathroom remote control 12 under the control of control unit 133 . Speaker 136 outputs audio based on the audio signal generated by control unit 133 . The control unit 133 reads the audio information stored in the storage unit 134 at any time and generates an audio signal. The sound output from the speaker 136 is output from the sound window 13a in FIG.

The water heater 10 is provided with a bathing timer function. The bathing timer function estimates the deep body temperature of the bather who is bathing in the bathtub 2, and notifies the bather at the timing when the deep body temperature does not rise excessively after the start of bathing. As a result, it is possible to prevent the onset of symptoms of poor physical condition such as heatstroke caused by an excessive increase in core body temperature.

The bathing timer function will be described in detail below.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the water heater 11, the control program stored in the storage unit 112 provides the control unit 111 with the function of the bathing detection unit 111a in order to execute the bathing timer function. Further, in the bathroom remote controller 12, the control program stored in the storage unit 124 gives the control unit 123 the function of the notification processing unit 123a.

When a person enters a bathtub 2 filled with hot water, the water level in the bathtub 2 rises. The water level sensor S1 can detect water level fluctuations caused by a person entering the bathtub 2 . The bathing detection unit 111a detects a person's bathing in the bathtub 2 based on the detection result of the water level sensor S1, which is a bathing detection sensor. The bathing detection result is transmitted from the control unit 111 to the bathroom remote controller 12 at any time.

The notification processing unit 123a determines whether the deep body temperature of the bather estimated by the human body heat model, based on the water temperature data from the temperature sensor S5 and the air temperature data from the temperature sensor 127, changes from the start of bathing in the bathtub 2 to the physical condition. When it is determined that the temperature has risen above a temperature rise threshold value that causes concern about a defective symptom, the notification unit is caused to perform a predetermined notification. Specifically, in this embodiment, while bathing in the bathtub 2, the notification processing unit 123a periodically uses the hot water temperature data and the air temperature data to generate a deep part of the body based on the calculation formula obtained by the human body heat model. Calculate body temperature. When the notification processing unit 123a determines that the calculated deep body temperature has risen by the temperature rise threshold or more since the start of bathing in the bathtub 2, the notification processing unit 123a causes the notification unit to perform a predetermined notification. In the present embodiment, the speaker 126 of the bathroom remote control 12 serves as the notification unit to provide audio notification.

The bathing timer function of this embodiment is directed to elderly people, for example. In this case, the temperature rise threshold is a value lower than the rise in core body temperature that may cause the elderly to develop symptoms of poor physical condition ( For example, +1.0° C.). The temperature rise threshold can be set within a range of +0.5 to 2.0°C.

It should be noted that the bathing timer function of the present embodiment may be directed to young people rather than elderly people. In this case, young people are less likely to develop symptoms of poor physical condition due to an increase in core body temperature than elderly people, so the temperature rise threshold is made larger than the temperature rise threshold for the elderly.

The human body heat model used to estimate the deep body temperature of a bather is a physical model that divides the human body into a plurality of parts (layers) and calculates the body temperature based on the heat balance in each part.

4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining the human body heat model HM.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the human body heat model HM of the present embodiment, the human body consists of a skin layer SK, a core layer CR located closer to the center of the human body than the skin layer SK, and the skin layer SK and the core layer CR. The middle layer MD between and . Furthermore, the skin layer SK is divided into a first skin layer SK1 in contact with the air in the bathroom 1 and a second skin layer SK2 in contact with the hot water in the bathtub 2. The middle layer MD is a second skin layer in contact with the first skin layer SK1. It is divided into one intermediate layer MD1 and a second intermediate layer MD2 in contact with a second skin layer SK2.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the first skin layer SK1, as heat transfer between the air in the bathroom 1 and the first skin layer SK1, heat transfer due to radiation and convection and heat loss due to evaporation occur. In addition, heat transfer between tissues occurs as heat transfer between the first skin layer SK1 and the first intermediate layer MD1. Furthermore, heat transfer due to blood flow occurs as heat transfer between the first skin layer SK1 and the core layer CR.

In the second skin layer SK2, heat transfer occurs due to convection as heat transfer between the hot water in the bathtub 2 and the second skin layer SK2. In addition, heat transfer between tissues occurs as heat transfer between the second skin layer SK2 and the second intermediate layer MD2. Furthermore, heat transfer due to blood flow occurs as heat transfer between the second skin layer SK2 and the core layer CR.

In the first intermediate layer MD1, heat transfer between tissues occurs as heat transfer between the first skin layer SK1 and the first intermediate layer MD1. As heat transfer between the first intermediate layer MD1 and the core layer CR, heat transfer between tissues and heat transfer due to blood flow occur.

In the second intermediate layer MD2, heat transfer between tissues occurs as heat transfer between the second skin layer SK2 and the second intermediate layer MD2. As heat transfer between the second intermediate layer MD2 and the core layer CR, heat transfer between tissues and heat transfer due to blood flow occur.

In the core layer CR, as heat transfer between the first intermediate layer MD1 and the core layer CR, heat transfer between tissues and heat transfer due to blood flow occur. As heat transfer between the second intermediate layer MD2 and the core layer CR, heat transfer between tissues and heat transfer due to blood flow occur. Furthermore, heat transfer due to blood flow occurs as heat transfer between the first skin layer SK1 and the core layer CR. Furthermore, heat transfer due to blood flow occurs as heat transfer between the second skin layer SK2 and the core layer CR. In addition, metabolic heat production, respiratory heat loss and external work heat transfer occur.

Heat balance formula (relational expression of heat balance) in the first intermediate layer MD1, the second intermediate layer MD2, the core layer CR, the first skin layer SK1, and the second skin layer SK2 obtained by the human body heat model HM of the present embodiment are represented by the following equations 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively.

The meanings of the symbols in these formulas are as follows.
c _md : Specific heat of intermediate layer MD (first intermediate layer MD1, second intermediate layer MD2) [J/kg.°C]
c _cr : Specific heat of core layer CR [J/kg・°C]
c _sk : Specific heat of skin layer SK (first skin layer SK1, second skin layer SK2) [J/kg.°C]
c _bl : Specific heat of blood flow [[J/kg・°C]
m _{md_a} : mass [kg] of the first intermediate layer MD1
m _{md_b} : Mass [kg] of the second intermediate layer MD2
m _{sk_a} : mass [kg] of the first skin layer SK1
m _{sk_b} : Mass [kg] of the second skin layer SK2
m _cr : Mass [kg] of core layer CR
T _{md_a} : Temperature of the first intermediate layer MD1 [°C]
T _{md_b} : Temperature of the second intermediate layer MD2 [°C]
T _{sk_a} : Temperature of first skin layer SK1 [°C]
T _{sk_b} : Temperature of second skin layer SK2 [°C]
T _cr : Temperature of core layer CR [°C]
α: Body surface area ratio in contact with hot water [%]
K _cm : Thermal conductance between core layer CR and intermediate layer MD [W/(m ² ·°C)]
K _ms : thermal conductance between intermediate layer MD and skin layer SK [W/(m ² ·°C)]
M: productivity by metabolism [W/m ² ]
W: external work [W/m ² ]
E _res : Heat loss to the outside due to respiration [W/m ² ]
E _sK : Heat loss due to evaporation at the skin surface [W/m ² ]
R _a : heat transfer by radiation to air [W/m ² ]
C _a : Heat transfer by convection to air [W/m ² ]
C _hw : Heat transfer by convection to hot water [W/m ² ]
V _bl : Blood flow [m ² /(m ² S)]
A: body surface area [m ² ]

The values of _cmd , ccr, _csk , _cbl , _{mmd_a} , _{mmd_b} , _{msk_a} , _{msk_b} , _mcr , α, _Kcm , _Kms , M, W, _and A are predetermined.

That is, since the intermediate layer MD, the core layer CR, and the skin layer SK have similar specific heats, for example, _cmd , _ccr , and _csk are set to the same value, and the specific heat of the human body is used. For example, m _{md_a} , m _{md_b} , m _{sk_a} , m _{sk_b} , m _cr define the mass ratios of the first intermediate layer MD1, the second intermediate layer MD2, the core layer CR, the first skin layer SK1 and the second skin layer SK2. Based on the standard weight of Japanese people and the mass ratio of each layer. α is assumed to be in contact with hot water below the armpits of the human body, and is set to 70%, for example.

In addition, K _cm is calculated, for example, by using height, weight, density, thermal conductivity and mass ratio of each layer of the core layer CR, intermediate layer MD and skin layer SK, and calculating the thermal resistance of each layer, The reciprocals of these thermal resistances can be obtained from these thermal resistances.

Furthermore, for M, for example, the standard basal metabolic rate of Japanese people is used. W is set to 0 because the bather hardly moves during bathing. For A, for example, the standard body surface area of Japanese people is used.

_Eres and _Esk refer to a paper on a thermophysiological model of human body temperature, "Gagge, AP, Stolwijk, JAJ and Nishi, Y.: An Effective TemperatureScale Based on a Simple Model of Human Physiological Regulatory Response, ASHRAE Trans., 77, 247-262, 1971." can be calculated by the formula shown in . That is, E _res can be obtained using the saturated water vapor pressure at the temperature T _a in the bathroom 1, the relative humidity in the air, and the metabolic productivity M. _Esk is obtained by summing diffusion heat E _diff of water vapor and evaporation heat E _rsw due to perspiration. E _diff can be obtained using the heat transfer coefficient of air, the saturated water vapor pressure at the temperature _Tsk of the skin layer SK, the saturated water vapor pressure at the temperature _Ta in the bathroom 1, the relative humidity in the air, and the like. E _rsw can be obtained using the temperature T _sk of the skin layer SK, the temperature T _cr of the core layer CR, and the like.

R _a is calculated by multiplying the difference between T _{sk_a} and the temperature T _a in the bathroom 1 by the radiant heat transfer coefficient. _Ca is calculated by multiplying the difference between _{Tsk_a} and _Ta by the convective heat transfer coefficient. C _hw is calculated by multiplying the difference between T _{sk_b} and the hot water temperature T _b in the bathtub 2 by the convective heat transfer coefficient.

The value of _Vbl is calculated by Equation 6 below.

The symbols in this formula have the following meanings.
T _sk : Temperature of skin layer SK [°C]
T _{sk_sp} : Setpoint of skin layer SK [°C]
T _{cr_sp} : Setpoint of core layer CR [°C]

T _sk is the weighted average of T _{sk_a} and T _{sk_b} based on α and is the average temperature of skin layer SK. _{Tsk_sp} is determined based on the average temperature of the skin layer SK.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing processing related to the bathing timer function performed in the bathroom remote control 12. As shown in FIG. This processing is performed by the control unit 123 of the bathroom remote controller 12 using the function of the notification processing unit 123a.

Referring to FIG. 6, control unit 123 (notification processing unit 123a) monitors whether or not bathing in bathtub 2 has started (S101). When bathing is started, a bathing start notification is transmitted from the control unit 111 of the water heater 11 to the bathroom remote controller 12 based on bathing detection by the bathing detection unit 111a. When control unit 123 determines that bathing has started from the notification from water heater 11 (S101: YES), it determines whether or not a predetermined period of time has elapsed (S102). The predetermined time is a time interval (cycle) for periodically estimating the deep body temperature of the bather during bathing, and is, for example, one minute. Therefore, in step S102, first, it is determined whether a predetermined time has passed since the start of bathing, and thereafter, it is determined whether a predetermined time has passed since the last estimation of core body temperature.

After a predetermined period of time has passed (S102: YES), the control unit 123 acquires hot water temperature data from the temperature sensor S5 via the control unit 111 of the water heater 11, and acquires air temperature data from the temperature sensor 127 ( S103).

Then, the control unit 123 executes a process of estimating the current (current) core body temperature of the bather (S104). To estimate the core body temperature, the human body heat model HM of FIGS. 4 and 5 described above, that is, the calculation formula (heat balance formula) obtained by the human body heat model HM is used.

First, the controller 123 calculates the temperature gradient dT _cr /dt of the core layer CR based on Equation 3 above.

At this time, the temperature T _{md_a} of the first intermediate layer MD1, the temperature T _{md_b} of the second intermediate layer MD2, the temperature T _{sk_a} of the first skin layer SK1, the temperature T _{sk_b} of the second skin layer SK2, and the temperature T _cr of the core layer CR is the initial value if this is the first time. The initial value is the temperature before bathing. The initial values of T _{md_a} and T _{md_b} before bathing, that is, T _{md_a} and T _{md_b} , are the same, and the initial values of T _{sk_a} and T _{sk_b} before bathing, that is, T _{sk_a} and T _{sk_b} are the same. For example, the average deep body temperature of Japanese people is T _cr before bathing, that is, the initial value of T _cr , and the average skin temperature of Japanese people is T _{sk_a} , T _{sk_b} , that is, T _{sk_a} , T _{sk_b} before bathing. is the initial value of Then, the initial values of T _{md_a} and T _{md_b} are determined based on these average core body temperature and average skin temperature. T _{md_a} , T _{md_b} , T _{sk_a} , T _{sk_b} , and T _cr are the values calculated during the previous core body temperature estimation unless this is the first time. This point is the same for the formulas 1, 2, 4, and 5 above.

Next, the controller 123 integrates the calculated dT _cr /dt over a predetermined period of time to find the temperature rise value over the predetermined period of time. Then, the control unit 123 adds the temperature rise value to the initial value of _Tcr (in the case of the first time) or the value of the previous _Tcr (in the case of not the first time) to obtain the current (current) _Tcr . , and let the T _cr be the estimated core body temperature of the bather.

As described above, in order to calculate _Tcr , the previous _{Tmd_a} , _{Tmd_b} , _{Tsk_a} , and _{Tsk_b} are required in Equation 3 above. Therefore, _{in the process of estimating the core body temperature, the control unit 123 further performs the current (current) T md_a ,} T _{md_b} , T _{sk_a} , T Calculate _{sk_b} .

That is, the control unit 123 calculates the temperature gradient _{dTmd_a} /dt of the first intermediate layer MD1 based on Equation 1 above, integrates the _{dTmd_a} /dt over a predetermined period of time to obtain the temperature rise value, and obtains the temperature rise value _{Tmd_a} . or the previous value of T _{md_a} is added to the current (current) T _{md_a} . Similarly, the control unit 123 calculates the temperature gradient _{dTmd_b} /dt of the second intermediate layer MD2 based on Equation 2 above, integrates the _{dTmd_b} /dt over a predetermined period of time to determine the temperature rise value, and obtains the temperature rise value. This temperature rise value is added to the initial value of _{md_b} or the previous value of T _{md_b} to obtain the current (current) T _{md_b} .

Furthermore, the control unit 123 calculates the temperature gradient dT _{sk_a} /dt of the first skin layer SK1 based on the above equation 4, integrates the dT _{sk_a} /dt over a predetermined period of time to obtain the temperature rise value, and obtains the temperature rise value T _{sk_a} or the previous value of T _{sk_a} is added to the current (current) T _{sk_a} . Similarly, the control unit 123 calculates the temperature gradient dT _{sk_b} /dt of the second skin layer SK2 based on the above equation 5, integrates the dT _{sk_b} /dt over a predetermined period of time to obtain the temperature rise value, The temperature rise value is added to the initial value of _{sk_b} or the previous value of _{Tsk_b} to obtain the current (current) _{Tsk_b} .

At this time, the temperature data obtained in step S103 is applied to the temperature T _a used for calculating the heat transfer R _a by radiation to air and the heat transfer C _a by convection to air included in Equation 4. Further, the hot water temperature data acquired in step S103 is applied to the hot water temperature _Tb used for calculating the heat transfer C _hw due to convection with respect to hot water, which is included in Equation 5. Therefore, hot water temperature data and air temperature data are used to calculate the temperature T _cr of the core layer CR, that is, the core body temperature.

In this way, when the current deep body temperature of the bather is estimated in step S104, the control unit 123 then controls the estimated deep body temperature and the predetermined deep body temperature before bathing, that is, at the start of bathing. By calculating the difference from the body temperature, the increase value of the core body temperature from the start of bathing is estimated (S105). For example, the core body temperature at the start of bathing is taken as the initial value of the temperature _Tcr of the core layer CR.

Then, the control unit 123 determines whether or not the increase value of the core body temperature is equal to or greater than the temperature increase threshold. (S106). As described above, the temperature rise threshold is a value that is lower than the rise in core body temperature that may cause the bather to develop symptoms of poor physical condition. is.

If the controller 123 determines that the core body temperature rise value is not equal to or greater than the temperature rise threshold (S106: NO), the process returns to step S102. In this way, the processing of steps S102 to S106 is repeated until the core body temperature rise value reaches or exceeds the temperature rise threshold.

As the bather's body is warmed by the hot water in the bathtub 2, the deep body temperature rises, and eventually the rise value of the deep body temperature becomes equal to or higher than the temperature rise threshold. The bathing time (the time from the start of bathing) at which the deep body temperature rise value is equal to or greater than the temperature rise threshold becomes shorter as the water temperature in the bathtub 2 is higher and shorter as the temperature in the bathroom 1 is higher.

When the control unit 123 determines that the value of the rise in the core body temperature is equal to or higher than the temperature rise threshold (S106: YES), the speaker 126 outputs a predetermined notification by voice, "XX minutes have passed. Please be careful when bathing." Alternatively, as a predetermined notification, the speaker 126 may issue a voice notification such as "XX minutes have passed. Why don't you leave the bath soon?"

The bather is alerted by the notification and leaves the bath before falling into symptoms of poor physical condition such as heat stroke. In a broad sense, the notification that calls attention to bathing leads to the bather leaving the bath.

Note that in the processing relating to the bathing timer function in FIG. 6, the current deep body temperature of the bather is estimated at predetermined time intervals during bathing. However, during bathing, the core body temperature of the bather after a predetermined time from now may be estimated at predetermined time intervals.

In this case, as in the process of FIG. 6, instead of waiting for the passage of a predetermined time after starting bathing, the first hot water temperature data and air temperature data are acquired (S103), and the core body temperature is estimated (S104) immediately after starting bathing. ) and estimation of the rise value of the core body temperature (S105) are executed, and then the processing of steps S103 to S105 is repeated at predetermined time intervals until the rise value reaches or exceeds the temperature rise threshold. In this way, when the execution timing of the processing of steps S103 to S105 is shifted forward by a predetermined time, the core body temperature estimated in step S104 becomes the core body temperature after a predetermined time from now, and the core body temperature estimated in step S105 is The increase value of is the core body temperature increase value after a predetermined time from the present. Therefore, when the controller 123 determines in step S106 that the core body temperature rise value is equal to or greater than the temperature rise threshold value, the controller 123 causes the speaker 126 to perform a predetermined notification after a predetermined period of time.

FIG. 7(a) is a diagram showing the results of estimating the amount of increase in core body temperature when estimating the core body temperature using the human body heat model HM of the first embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the result of estimating the amount of increase in deep body temperature when estimating the body temperature; The human body heat model of the comparative example is the body temperature prediction model during bathing described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-56791).

Graphs of FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) show the bathing 10 when the water temperature in the bathtub 2 is set to 40° C. and 42° C., respectively, at each room temperature assuming summer, autumn, and winter for a plurality of subjects. This is the result of estimating and actually measuring the amount of rise in core body temperature per minute. The vertical axis is the estimated value, and the horizontal axis is the measured value. RMSE is the square root of the mean squared error of core body temperature elevation values.

In the human body heat model of the comparative example, the RMSE value is 0.153° C., whereas in the human body heat model HM of the first embodiment, the RMSE value is 0.105° C., which is more estimated than the comparative example. The error with the actual measurement value is small. From this result, it can be said that the human body heat model HM of the first embodiment is more accurate in estimating (estimating) the core body temperature than the human body heat model of the comparative example.

<Effect of Embodiment 1>
According to Embodiment 1, the following effects can be achieved.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the human body heat model HM for estimating the core body temperature of a bather during bathing divides the human body into a skin layer SK, an intermediate layer MD, and a core layer CR. , including at least heat transfer between the hot water in the bathtub 2 and the skin layer SK, heat transfer between the skin layer SK and the intermediate layer MD, and heat transfer between the intermediate layer MD and the core layer CR . This makes it possible to consider the heat balance among the three layers of the skin layer SK, the middle layer MD and the core layer CR. It is possible to reproduce the gradual transfer of heat toward the bather, and it is possible to accurately estimate the deep body temperature of the bather during bathing. Therefore, when it is determined that the deep body temperature of the bather estimated by the human body heat model HM has risen by a temperature rise threshold or more from the start of bathing in the bathtub 2, by causing the notification unit to perform a predetermined notification, It is possible to notify bathers at appropriate timing, and to effectively prevent the onset of symptoms of poor physical condition due to an increase in core body temperature.

Furthermore, in the human body heat model HM, the skin layer SK is divided into a first skin layer SK1 in contact with the air in the bathroom 1 and a second skin layer SK2 in contact with the hot water in the bathtub 2, and the intermediate layer MD is Divided into a first intermediate layer MD1 in contact with the first skin layer SK1 and a second intermediate layer MD2 in contact with the second skin layer SK2, heat transfer between the air in the bathroom 1 and the first skin layer SK1, bathtub 2 heat transfer between the inner water and the second skin layer SK2, heat transfer between the first skin layer SK1 and the first intermediate layer MD1, and between the second skin layer SK2 and the second intermediate layer MD2. including the heat transfer of This makes it possible to estimate the deep body temperature of the bather while taking a bath, taking into consideration the heat transfer between the part of the bather exposed to the hot water and the air in the bathroom 1 . Therefore, it is possible to estimate the deep body temperature of the bather with a higher degree of accuracy, and it is possible to prevent the onset of symptoms of poor physical condition of the bather even more satisfactorily.

Furthermore, the human body heat model HM includes heat transfer between the skin layers SK (the first skin layer SK1, the second skin layer SK2) and the core layer CR. In this way, considering the heat transfer between the skin layer SK and the core layer CR separated by the intermediate layer MD, it becomes possible to estimate the deep body temperature of the bather with even higher accuracy. , it is possible to prevent the onset of symptoms of poor physical condition even better.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment described above, in the bathing timer function, the notification processing unit 123a of the bathroom remote controller 12 periodically obtains data from the human body heat model HM using hot water temperature data and air temperature data while bathing in the bathtub 2. The core body temperature is calculated based on the calculated formula, and when it is determined that the calculated core body temperature has increased by a temperature rise threshold or more from the start of bathing in the bathtub 2, the notification unit is made to perform a predetermined notification. was configured.

In contrast, in the second embodiment, in the bathing timer function, the notification processing unit 123a uses hot water temperature data and air temperature data at the start of bathing in the bathtub 2 to calculate Based on the formula, the core body temperature is calculated every predetermined time after the start of bathing, and the core body temperature rises by the temperature rise threshold or more from the start of bathing in the bathtub 2 when the water temperature indicated by the hot water temperature data and the air temperature indicated by the air temperature data. Decide when to bathe. When the notification processing unit 123a determines that the bathing time has elapsed since the start of bathing in the bathtub 2, the notification processing unit 123a causes the speaker 126, which is the notification unit, to perform a predetermined notification.

That is, in the second embodiment, by determining that the bathing time has passed, the notification processing unit 123a determines that the core body temperature estimated by the human body heat model HM has risen by the temperature rise threshold or more since the start of bathing. .

Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the temperature data of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor S5 is the hot water temperature data indicating the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 2, and the controller 123 controls the hot water temperature data output from the temperature sensor S5. obtained.

On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the temperature data of the set bath temperature is the hot water temperature data indicating the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 2 . Since the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 2 becomes almost equal to the set temperature of the bath by the automatic bath function (warming function), the set bath temperature can be regarded as the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 2. - 特許庁

The temperature data of the bath set temperature is stored in the storage unit 124 of the bathroom remote controller 12 . Therefore, storage unit 124 outputs hot water temperature data indicating the temperature of hot water in bathtub 2 as a temperature data output unit.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing processing related to the bathing timer function performed in the bathroom remote control 12. As shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 8, when control unit 123 (notification processing unit 123a) determines that bathing in bathtub 2 has started (S201: YES), control unit 123 acquires hot water temperature data from storage unit 124. Temperature data is acquired from the sensor 127 (S202). Then, the control unit 123 estimates the deep body temperature of the bather every predetermined time after the start of bathing and determines the bathing time (S203). As in the above embodiment, the human body heat model HM of FIGS. 4 and 5 described above, that is, the calculation formula (heat balance formula) obtained by the human body heat model HM, is used for estimating the core body temperature. Hot water temperature data and air temperature data are used to calculate the core body temperature by the calculation formula.

That is, in step S203, the control unit 123 sequentially calculates the core body temperature for each predetermined time after the start of bathing, and sequentially obtains the increase in core body temperature after the start of bathing for each predetermined time. Then, the control unit 123 determines the elapsed time when the increase value becomes equal to or greater than the temperature increase threshold as the bathing time. For example, when the predetermined time is set to 1 minute, the bathing time is determined to be 15 minutes when the obtained core body temperature rise value after 15 minutes has passed is equal to or greater than the temperature rise threshold. The bathing time becomes shorter as the hot water temperature in the bathtub 2 is higher and the temperature in the bathroom 1 is higher.

The control unit 123 monitors whether or not the bathing time has elapsed since the start of bathing (S204). Measurement of the bathing time is started at the timing when bathing in the bathtub 2 is started. When determining that the bathing time has passed (S204: YES), the control unit 123 causes the speaker 126 to perform a predetermined notification, such as a warning to take a bath or a warning to leave the bath (S205). .

Also in this embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

<Embodiment 3>
In the second embodiment described above, at the start of bathing, the core body temperature is estimated every predetermined time after the start of bathing, and the bathing time at which the increase value of the core body temperature is equal to or greater than the temperature increase threshold is determined.

On the other hand, in Embodiment 3, a bathing time determination table 124a for determining bathing time is stored in the storage unit 124 of the bathroom remote controller 12. FIG. Then, the control unit 123 refers to the bathing time determination table 124a to determine the bathing time.

In the third embodiment, the notification processing unit 123a determines that the bathing time determined by the bathing time determination table 124a has elapsed, so that the core body temperature estimated by the human body heat model HM has increased by the temperature rise threshold or more from the start of bathing. will be judged.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the bathing time determination table 124a.

The bathing time determination table 124a is associated with the hot water temperature in the bathtub 2 and the air temperature in the bathroom 1, and at these hot water temperatures and air temperatures, the deep body temperature rises by more than the temperature rise threshold from the start of bathing in the bathtub 2. Bath time is registered.

Bathing time determination table 124a is created, for example, as follows. That is, the core body temperature is estimated (calculated by a formula) at predetermined time intervals from the start of bathing, and the data (graph) showing the relationship between the elapsed time from the start of bathing and the core body temperature is calculated as the hot water temperature in the bathtub 2 and the bathroom. Change the temperature in 1 and create multiple. The bathing time determination table 124a is created by extracting, as the bathing time, the time during which the rise value of the deep body temperature is equal to or greater than the temperature rise threshold from each created data (graph). In the bathing time determination table 124a, the bathing time becomes shorter as the hot water temperature in the bathtub 2 becomes higher, and becomes shorter as the temperature in the bathroom 1 becomes higher.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing processing related to the bathing timer function performed in the bathroom remote control 12. As shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 10, when control unit 123 (notification processing unit 123a) determines that bathing in bathtub 2 has started (S301: YES), control unit 123 acquires hot water temperature data from storage unit 124. Temperature data is acquired from the sensor 127 (S302). Then, the control unit 123 refers to the bathing time determination table 124a and determines the bathing time based on the obtained hot water temperature data and air temperature data (S303). That is, the control unit 123 extracts from the bathing time determination table 124a the bathing time when the hot water temperature is indicated by the obtained hot water temperature data and the temperature is indicated by the obtained air temperature data.

The control unit 123 monitors whether or not the bathing time has elapsed since the start of bathing (S304), and when it is determined that the bathing time has elapsed (S304: YES), the speaker 126 outputs a predetermined notification by voice. , a notification to warn about bathing and a notification to prompt leaving the bath (S305).

Also in this embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

<Modification 1>
FIG. 11(a) is a block diagram showing the control section 123 of the bathroom remote control 12 according to Modification 1. As shown in FIG.

In Modification 1, in the bathroom remote controller 12, the control program stored in the storage unit 124 gives the control unit 123 the function of the parameter reception unit 123b. The parameter accepting unit 123b accepts parameter values related to the bather input by the input unit 122 of the bathroom remote controller 12 . The parameter related to the bather is a physical quantity that affects the value of the core body temperature calculated by the formula obtained by the human body heat model HM. In this modified example, the body temperature of the bather before bathing, that is, the normal body temperature, height and weight can be input as parameters related to the bather. Normal body temperature is body temperature measured at the axilla.

Based on the normal body temperature of the bather, the temperature T _{md_a} of the first intermediate layer MD1, the temperature T _{md_b} of the second intermediate layer MD2, the temperature T _{sk_a} of the first skin layer SK1, the temperature T _{sk_b} of the second skin layer SK2, the core An initial value for the temperature _Tcr of the layer CR can be determined. For example, the normal temperature can be determined as the initial values of T _{md_a} and T _{md_b} , and the temperature lower than the normal temperature by a predetermined temperature can be determined as the initial value of T _{sk_a} and T _{sk_b} , and the temperature higher than the normal temperature by the predetermined temperature can be determined. , can be determined to be the initial value of the temperature _Tcr .

Also, the mass m _{md_a} of the first intermediate layer MD1, the mass m _{md_b} of the second intermediate layer MD2, the mass m _{sk_a} of the first skin layer SK1, the mass m _{sk_b} of the second skin layer SK2, and the mass m _cr of the core layer CR are , can be determined based on the mass ratio of each layer using the bather's weight.

Furthermore, the height and weight of the bather can be used to calculate the basal metabolic rate using an existing formula, and the calculated basal metabolic rate can be used as the metabolic productivity M. Furthermore, the body surface area A can be calculated by an existing formula using the bather's height and weight.

By adding the actual body temperature, height and weight of the bather, that is, the parameter values, to the estimation of the bather's core body temperature by the human body heat model HM, the estimated core body temperature becomes the actual core body temperature of the bather. brought closer.

FIG. 11(b) is a flowchart showing a parameter input process executed by the control unit 123 of the bathroom remote controller 12 according to Modification 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 11C is a diagram showing an example of an input screen 300 according to Modification 1. As shown in FIG. The processing in FIG. 11B is performed by the control unit 123 using the function of the parameter reception unit 123b.

When a button operation is performed on the input unit 122 of the bathroom remote controller 12 to set parameters related to the bather, processing related to parameter input is started.

Referring to FIG. 11B, control unit 123 (parameter receiving unit 123b) causes display unit 121 to display input screen 300 (S401). As shown in FIG. 11(c), the input screen 300 includes three input boxes 301, 302, 303 for inputting the body temperature, height and weight of the bather. For example, a default value is entered in each of the input boxes 301, 302, and 303 in advance. , 302, 303 can be raised or lowered.

After the body temperature, height, and weight are input, when a predetermined operation button of the input unit 122 is operated for confirmation, the control unit 123 determines that the input of these parameter values has been completed (S402: YES), The values of these parameters, that is, the input body temperature, height and weight are accepted and stored in the storage unit 124 (S403).

When this modification is applied to the configuration of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2, in the process of step S104 of the process relating to the bathing timer function in FIG. 6 or step S203 of the process relating to the bathing timer function in FIG. The temperature T _cr of the CR, i.e. the core body temperature, the temperature T _{md_a} of the first intermediate layer MD1, the temperature T _{md_b} of the second intermediate layer MD2, the temperature T _{sk_a} of the first skin layer SK1 and the temperature T _{sk_b} of the second skin layer SK2. , the controller 123 calculates at least the temperature T _{md_a} of the first intermediate layer MD1 and the temperature T _{md_b} of the second intermediate layer MD2 using the input actual body temperature, height, and weight of the bather. , the initial values of the temperature T _{sk_a} of the first skin layer SK1, the temperature T _{sk_b} of the second skin layer SK2 and the temperature T _cr of the core layer CR, the mass m _{md_a} of the first intermediate layer MD1, the mass m of the second intermediate layer MD2 _{md_b} , the mass _{msk_a} of the first skin layer SK1, the mass msk_a of the second skin layer _SK2 , the mass _mcr of the core layer CR, the metabolic productivity M, and the body surface area A are determined.

When this modified example is applied to the configuration of Embodiment 3, each of the three parameters of body temperature, height and weight is divided into multiple ranges. A plurality of bathing time determination tables 124a corresponding to combinations of three parameter ranges are created. For example, if each parameter is divided into three ranges, 27 bathing time determination tables 124a are created. When the bathing time of each bathing time determination table 124a is determined, for example, the central value within each range is used as the value of each parameter, and the core body temperature is calculated by the calculation formula of the human body heat model HM. done.

In the process of step S303 of the process relating to the bathing timer function in FIG. The bathing time is determined by referring to the bathing time determination table 124a corresponding to the value of .

In addition, the age and sex of the bather may be accepted as parameters related to the bather. Age and sex can be used at least for calculating the basal metabolic rate, and the metabolic productivity M that is more suitable for actual bathers can be determined. Also, the combination of parameters that can be input can be changed as appropriate. In addition, other bather-related parameters may be accepted.

Further, the parameter values related to the bather may be input by the display input unit 131 of the kitchen remote controller 13 instead of or in addition to the bathroom remote controller 12, and the portable terminal device communicably connected to the water heater 10 may be input. It may be input by an input unit (for example, a touch panel).

According to the configuration of this modified example, estimation of the bather's core body temperature using the human body heat model HM can be performed with higher accuracy, and as a result, predetermined notification can be performed with greater accuracy based on the increase in core body temperature. be able to.

<Other modification examples>
In the first embodiment described above, when the notification processing unit 123a determines that the deep body temperature calculated based on the formula obtained by the human body heat model HM has increased by the temperature rise threshold or more since the start of bathing in the bathtub 2, Then, the notification unit is caused to perform a predetermined notification. However, the notification processing unit 123a may cause the notification unit to perform a predetermined notification when it determines that the calculated deep body temperature has reached or exceeded the temperature threshold that may cause symptoms of poor physical condition. In this case, the temperature threshold is set to a value lower than the core body temperature at which bathers in the target age group, such as the elderly, may develop symptoms of poor physical condition. If the bath timer function is directed towards the elderly, for example, the temperature threshold may be 38°C. The temperature threshold can be set within the range of 37.5-39.0°C. In the process relating to the bathing timer function shown in FIG. 6, the process of step S105 is omitted, and in the process of step S106, it is determined whether or not the core body temperature is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold.

Similarly, in the second embodiment, the notification processing unit 123a determines the bathing time when the deep body temperature is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold when the hot water temperature indicated by the hot water temperature data and the air temperature indicated by the air temperature data is reached, and the bathing time is determined. When it is determined that the bathing time has elapsed since the start of bathing, the speaker 126, which is the notification unit, may be made to give a predetermined notification.

Similarly, in Embodiment 3 above, the bathing time determination table 124a may be created with the time from the start of bathing at which the core body temperature is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold as the bathing time.

Furthermore, in Embodiment 3, the bathing time determination table 124a is stored in the storage unit 124, and the bathing time is determined by referring to the bathing time determination table 124a. However, using the bathing time determination table 124a, a regression equation is created in which the objective variable is the bathing time, and the explanatory variables are the hot water temperature in the bathtub 2 and the temperature in the bathroom 1, and the regression equation is stored in the storage unit 124. You may do so. In this case, the bathing time is determined by calculation by the regression equation using the hot water temperature data and the air temperature data. That is, the control unit 123 executes the same bathing timer function processing as the processing of FIG.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, in step S103 of the process relating to the bathing timer function shown in FIG. to get However, the control unit 123 may acquire the temperature data of the set bath temperature stored in the storage unit 124 as the hot water temperature data.

Similarly, in Embodiments 2 and 3, the control unit 123 acquires temperature data of the bath set temperature stored in the storage unit 124 as hot water temperature data indicating the temperature of hot water in the bathtub 2. Temperature data of the temperature detected by S5 may be acquired.

Furthermore, in Embodiments 2 and 3 above, the control unit 123 periodically acquires hot water temperature data and air temperature data during bathing, and the hot water temperature data and air temperature data change more than the allowable range from the start of bathing. In this case, the determined bathing time may be corrected in accordance with changes in these data. In this case, if the hot water temperature or air temperature is low, the bathing time is lengthened, and if the hot water temperature or air temperature is high, the bathing time is shortened.

Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments described above, the predetermined notification is made by voice from the speaker 126 . However, instead of or in addition to the sound from the speaker 126, the screen display on the display unit 121 may give a predetermined notification. Further, in the bathroom 1, a speaker serving as a notification unit may be installed in addition to the bathroom remote control 12, and a predetermined notification may be performed by the speaker.

Furthermore, in the above-described Embodiments 1 to 3, the predetermined notification may be given not only by the bathroom remote controller 12 but also by the kitchen remote controller 13 by voice through the speaker 136 or display by the display input unit 131 . Alternatively, when a mobile terminal device is communicably connectable to hot water supply apparatus 10, a predetermined notification may be given by voice or screen display on the mobile terminal device.

Furthermore, in Embodiments 1 to 3, the bathing detector 111a detects a person's bathing in the bathtub 2 based on the water level fluctuation in the bathtub 2 detected by the water level sensor S1. However, for example, a human detection sensor that detects the presence of a person in the bathtub 2 is provided as a bathing detection sensor, and when the human detection sensor detects a person, the bathing detection unit 111a detects a person entering the bathtub 2. You may make it detect that there was bathing.

Furthermore, in Embodiments 1 to 3 above, the intermediate layer MD, that is, the first intermediate layer MD1 and the second intermediate layer MD2 may be divided into a plurality of intermediate layers in the direction toward the center of the human body heat model HM. . In this case, heat transfer takes place between the innermost intermediate layer and the core layer CR, and a corresponding heat balance equation is constructed. Also, heat transfer takes place between the outermost intermediate layer and the skin layer SK, and a corresponding heat balance equation is constructed. Also, heat transfer can take place between two adjacent intermediate layers and a corresponding heat balance equation can be constructed.

Furthermore, in Embodiments 1 to 3, the bathing detection unit 111a is provided in the water heater 11 and the notification processing unit 123a is provided in the bathroom remote controller 12, but the arrangement of these units is not limited to this. For example, both the bathing detection unit 111 a and the notification processing unit 123 a may be provided in the bathroom remote controller 12 or may be provided in the water heater 11 . When bathing detector 111 a is provided in bathroom remote controller 12 , detection results of water level sensor S<b>1 are sequentially transmitted to bathroom remote controller 12 . When notification processing unit 123 a is provided in water heater 11 , a command is transmitted to bathroom remote controller 12 through control unit 123 to cause speaker 126 or the like to perform a predetermined notification.

Similarly, in Modification 1, parameter reception unit 123b may be provided in water heater 11 other than bathroom remote control 12, for example.

Furthermore, in Embodiments 1 to 3 and Modification 1, the bathing detection unit 111a, the notification processing unit 123a, and the parameter reception unit 123b do not necessarily have to be realized as functions based on programs, and hardware based on logic circuits. It may be realized by wear.

Furthermore, the configuration of water heater 11 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, and may be another configuration. For example, the water heater 11 may have only a configuration corresponding to the hot water supply unit 210, and can fill and add hot water by supplying hot water into the bathtub 2, but cannot perform reheating. It may have only a corresponding structure, and circulate the water stored in the bathtub 2 to a heat exchanger to heat it when filling the hot water.

Furthermore, the water heater 10 is not limited to one that uses gas fuel, and may be a water heater that uses oil as fuel. Hot water supply apparatus 10 may be of a storage type using a storage tank, or may be configured to further include a power generation unit such as a fuel cell.

Furthermore, hot water supply apparatus 10 may be configured to be communicatively connected to a server via an external communication network such as the Internet, and remotely managed from a terminal device such as a mobile terminal device communicably connected to the server.

In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately modified in various ways within the scope of the claims.

1 bathroom 2 bathtub 10 hot water supply device (bath device)
111a bathing detection unit 122 input unit 123a notification processing unit 123b parameter reception unit 124 storage unit (hot water temperature data output unit)
126 speaker (notification unit)
127 temperature sensor (temperature data output unit)
S5 temperature sensor (hot water temperature data output unit)
HM Human body heat model SK Skin layer SK1 First skin layer SK2 Second skin layer MD Intermediate layer MD1 First intermediate layer MD2 Second intermediate layer CR Core layer

Claims (7)

a hot water temperature data output unit for outputting hot water temperature data indicating the temperature of hot water stored in the bathtub;
a notification unit installed in the bathroom;
a bathing detection unit that detects bathing in the bathtub;
When it is determined that the deep body temperature of the bather estimated by the human body heat model based on the hot water temperature data has risen by a predetermined temperature rise threshold or more, which is a concern for symptoms of poor physical condition, from the start of bathing in the bathtub. Alternatively, a notification processing unit that causes the notification unit to perform a predetermined notification when it is determined that the temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature threshold that may cause poor physical condition,
The human body heat model includes:
dividing the human body into a skin layer, a core layer closer to the center of the human body than the skin layer, and an intermediate layer between the skin layer and the core layer;
including at least heat transfer between hot water in the bathtub and the skin layer, heat transfer between the skin layer and the intermediate layer, and heat transfer between the intermediate layer and the core layer,
The temperature of the core layer is calculated as the core body temperature based on a formula obtained by the human body heat model.
A bath device characterized by: In the bath apparatus according to claim 1,
The notification processing unit
During bathing in the bathtub, periodically using the hot water temperature data, calculate the core body temperature based on the calculation formula,
When it is determined that the calculated deep body temperature has risen by the temperature rise threshold or more since the start of bathing in the bathtub, or when it is determined that the calculated deep body temperature has risen to the temperature threshold or more, the notification unit outputs the predetermined notification. let the
A bath device characterized by: In the bath apparatus according to claim 1,
The notification processing unit
At the start of bathing in the bathtub, the hot water temperature data is used to calculate the core body temperature every predetermined time after the start of bathing based on the calculation formula, and when the hot water temperature is indicated by the hot water temperature data. determining a bathing time at which the deep body temperature rises by the temperature rise threshold or more from the start of bathing in the bathtub or becomes the temperature threshold or more;
When it is determined that the bathing time has elapsed since the start of bathing in the bathtub, causing the notification unit to perform the predetermined notification.
A bath device characterized by: In the bath apparatus according to claim 1,
In association with the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub, the bathing time at which the deep body temperature rises by the temperature rise threshold or more from the start of bathing in the bathtub or becomes the temperature threshold or more is stored at the temperature of the hot water. further comprising a storage unit for
The notification processing unit
reading the bathing time associated with the temperature of the hot water indicated by the hot water temperature data from the storage unit;
When it is determined that the bathing time has elapsed since the start of bathing in the bathtub, causing the notification unit to perform the predetermined notification;
A bath device characterized by: In the bath apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
further comprising a temperature data output unit that outputs temperature data indicating the temperature in the bathroom,
The human body heat model includes:
The skin layer is divided into a first skin layer in contact with the air in the bathroom and a second skin layer in contact with the water in the bathtub, and the intermediate layer is a first intermediate layer in contact with the first skin layer. divided into a layer and a second intermediate layer in contact with said second skin layer;
heat transfer between the air in the bathroom and the first skin layer, heat transfer between hot water in the bathtub and the second skin layer, and between the first skin layer and the first intermediate layer and heat transfer between said second skin layer and said second intermediate layer;
The notification processing unit detects that the deep body temperature of the bather estimated by the human body heat model has risen by the temperature rise threshold or more since the start of bathing in the bathtub, based on the hot water temperature data and the air temperature data. When it is determined, or when it is determined that the temperature is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold, causing the notification unit to perform the predetermined notification;
A bath device characterized by: In the bath apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
the human body thermal model includes heat transfer between the skin layer and the core layer;
A bath device characterized by: In the bath apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
further comprising a parameter reception unit that receives parameter values related to the bather that are input by the input unit and that affect the calculation result of the core body temperature by the calculation formula;
A bath device characterized by: