Method for managing residual chlorine concentration in bathing equipment for elderly care and bathwater

Abstract

This invention provides a bathing device for elderly care and a method for managing the residual chlorine concentration of bathwater, which can prevent the bather from continuing to bathe while the concentration of the chlorine solution is low during assisted bathing. [Solution] The bathing device for elderly care includes a bathtub 2, a concentration sensor 39 installed in a circulation path (piping 36a, 36b, 36c, 36e) that collects bathwater from the bathtub 2 and returns it to the bathtub 2, and measures the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater, and a notification means that notifies information based on the residual chlorine concentration measured by the concentration sensor 39. The method for managing the residual chlorine concentration of bathwater in this bathing device for elderly care includes the steps of measuring the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater in the bathtub 2 using the concentration sensor 39 while the bather is bathing, and notifying information based on the measured residual chlorine concentration using the notification means.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a care bathing device used when performing care bathing for physically disabled persons, elderly persons, etc., and a method for managing the residual chlorine concentration of bath water.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a method for sterilizing hot water in a bathing device that places a bather on a stretcher or seating part and bathes with the stretcher or seating part. By injecting an appropriate amount of chemical solution into the reflux pipeline that returns the hot water in the bathtub to the hot water storage tank immediately after the bather finishes bathing, it is possible to ensure a long sterilization time and reliably perform the maintenance management of hygienic hot water. The injection of the chemical solution is performed at each bath.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, Patent Document 1 does not describe detecting the concentration of the chemical solution in the hot water in the bathtub or notifying the detected concentration of the chemical solution by display or the like. Therefore, for example, when a bather becomes incontinent during bathing and the concentration of the chemical solution drops extremely, the caregiver cannot know that the concentration of the chemical solution has dropped. As a result, the bathing cannot be stopped and the bather cannot be removed from the bath, and the bather will continue bathing until the set time in a state where the concentration of the chemical solution has dropped extremely, which is not hygienically preferable.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a care bathing device and a method for managing the residual chlorine concentration of bath water that enable a caregiver to check information based on the residual chlorine concentration of bath water at any time during the bathing of a bather when performing care bathing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) The bathing device for caregiving according to the present invention is characterized by comprising a bathtub, a concentration measuring means provided in a circulation path that collects bathwater from the bathtub and returns it to the bathtub, and measures the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater, and a notification means that notifies information based on the residual chlorine concentration measured by the concentration measuring means. According to this, since information based on the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater measured by the concentration measuring means is notified by the notification means, the caregiver can check this information at any time while the bather is bathing and take necessary actions based on that information. For example, if the caregiver becomes aware that the residual chlorine concentration has decreased, they can stop the bath, thereby preventing the bather from bathing while the residual chlorine concentration is low.

[0007] (2) In a preferred embodiment of the bathing device for caregiving of the present invention, the information is characterized in that it is a measured value of the residual chlorine concentration and / or guidance information indicating that the residual chlorine concentration has decreased. With this, the caregiver can quickly find out the measured value of the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater and / or that the residual chlorine concentration has decreased. If the residual chlorine concentration has decreased, the caregiver can take necessary measures, such as stopping the bath to prevent bathing in a state where the residual chlorine concentration is low.

[0008] (3) In a preferred embodiment of the bathing device for elderly care according to the present invention, the notification means is characterized in that if a predetermined time has elapsed since the calibration of the concentration measuring means and calibration has not been performed, it provides guidance information prompting calibration of the concentration measuring means. This allows the caregiver to know that the concentration measuring means needs to be calibrated, and by calibrating the concentration measuring means, an accurate measurement of the residual chlorine concentration can be obtained.

[0009] (4) In a preferred embodiment of the bathing device for elderly care of the present invention, the notification means is characterized in that after it notifies the guidance information, the guidance information is notified until an operation for calibrating the concentration measuring means is performed. This allows for repeated prompting of calibration of the concentration measuring means until an operation for calibrating the concentration measuring means is performed.

[0010] (5) In a preferred embodiment of the bathing device for elderly care of the present invention, the operation is characterized by measuring the residual chlorine concentration of the bath water using a standard concentration measuring means for obtaining a standard value to be used for calibration, and adjusting the measured value of the residual chlorine concentration by the concentration measuring means to match the measured value of the residual chlorine concentration by the standard concentration measuring means. This allows the concentration measuring means to be calibrated.

[0011] (6) In a preferred embodiment of the bathing device for caregiving of the present invention, the notification means is characterized by being at least one of a display means, a light-emitting means, and an audio output means. With this, the caregiver can quickly find out the current residual chlorine concentration by, for example, displaying the measured value of the residual chlorine concentration on the bathtub. Also, for example, by notifying the caregiver with sound or light when the residual chlorine concentration drops to a predetermined concentration, the caregiver can find out about the event of the residual chlorine concentration dropping even if they are working in a place away from the bathing device.

[0012] (7) In a preferred embodiment of the bathing device for elderly care according to the present invention, the residual chlorine concentration is characterized by being the free chlorine concentration. This makes it possible to easily measure the free chlorine concentration without incurring significant costs.

[0013] (8) In a preferred embodiment of the bathing device for caregiving of the present invention, the concentration measuring means is characterized in that it measures the free chlorine concentration when a predetermined time has elapsed since the water level of the bath water reached the first water level at the start of bathing, or when the water level of the bath water rose to the second water level at the start of bathing, and when the water level of the bath water fell to the first water level at the time of leaving the bath. This makes it possible to know the free chlorine concentration at the start of bathing and at the time of leaving the bath.

[0014] (9) In a preferred embodiment of the bathing device for caregiving of the present invention, the residual chlorine concentration is the free chlorine concentration, and the guidance information is the result of determining whether or not the bather has urinated, based on the amount of decrease in the free chlorine concentration per unit time measured by the concentration measuring means. With this, the caregiver can quickly detect that the bather has urinated and take appropriate measures such as draining the bathwater and filling it with fresh water.

[0015] (10) In a preferred embodiment of the bathing device for elderly care of the present invention, the intermediate portion of the circulation path, which is the portion between the outlet portion of the circulation path and the concentration measuring means, is provided at a position higher than the water level at which the bath water overflows from the bathtub. This prevents the bath water from entering the circulation path from the outlet portion of the circulation path and flowing back into the concentration measuring means. For example, when cleaning the bathing device, it is prevented that the bath water containing oxygen-based bleach enters the circulation path from the outlet portion and flows into the concentration measuring means, thereby preventing the concentration measuring means from malfunctioning due to the oxygen-based bleach.

[0016] (11) In a preferred embodiment of the bathing device for caregiving of the present invention, the device is characterized by being equipped with a recording means for recording the residual chlorine concentration measured by the concentration measuring means. With this, even if the caregiver misses or overlooks the notification of the residual chlorine concentration, they can confirm it by looking at the recorded residual chlorine concentration.

[0017] (12) In a preferred embodiment of the bathing device for elderly care of the present invention, the concentration measuring means is provided inside or outside the housing equipped with the bathtub. According to this, by providing the concentration measuring means inside the housing equipped with the bathtub, the bathing device for elderly care can be configured in a neat and tidy form. Even when it is not possible to provide the concentration measuring means inside the housing equipped with the bathtub due to space constraints or the like, a configuration that can measure the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater can be obtained by providing the concentration measuring means outside the housing.

[0018] (13) The present invention relates to a method for managing the residual chlorine concentration of bathwater in a bathing device for elderly care, wherein the bathing device for elderly care comprises a bathtub, a concentration measuring means provided in a circulation path that collects bathwater from the bathtub and returns it to the bathtub, and a notification means, and comprises the steps of measuring the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater in the bathtub using the concentration measuring means while the bather is bathing, and notifying the bather of information based on the measured residual chlorine concentration using the notification means. According to this, the caregiver can quickly find out information based on the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater while the bather is bathing. If the caregiver recognizes that the residual chlorine concentration is decreasing based on that information, they can, for example, stop the bathing and prevent the bather from continuing to bathe while the residual chlorine concentration is low.

[0019] (14) In a preferred embodiment of the method for managing the residual chlorine concentration of bath water according to the present invention, the information is characterized in that it is a measured value of the residual chlorine concentration and / or guidance information indicating that the residual chlorine concentration has decreased. According to this, caregivers can quickly find out the measured value of the residual chlorine concentration of the bath water and / or that the residual chlorine concentration has decreased. If the residual chlorine concentration has decreased, caregivers can take necessary measures, such as stopping the bath to prevent bathing while the residual chlorine concentration is low.

[0020] (15) In a preferred embodiment of the method for managing the residual chlorine concentration of bath water according to the present invention, if calibration has not been performed even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the calibration of the concentration measuring means, the notification means provides guidance information prompting calibration of the concentration measuring means. According to this, the caregiver can know that the concentration measuring means needs to be calibrated, and by calibrating the concentration measuring means, an accurate measurement of the residual chlorine concentration can be obtained.

[0021] (16) In a preferred embodiment of the method for managing the residual chlorine concentration of bath water according to the present invention, the notification means provides guidance information, and the guidance information is provided until an operation for calibrating the concentration measuring means is performed. According to this, after prompting calibration of the concentration measuring means, calibration can be repeatedly prompted until an operation for calibrating the concentration measuring means is performed.

[0022] (17) In a preferred embodiment of the method for managing the residual chlorine concentration of bath water according to the present invention, the operation is characterized by comprising the steps of: measuring the residual chlorine concentration of the bath water using the concentration measuring means; measuring the residual chlorine concentration of the bath water using a standard concentration measuring means for obtaining a standard value to be used for calibration; and adjusting the value measured by the concentration measuring means to the value measured by the standard concentration measuring means. According to this, the concentration measuring means can be calibrated.

[0023] (18) In a preferred embodiment of the method for managing the residual chlorine concentration of bath water according to the present invention, the residual chlorine concentration is the free chlorine concentration, and the method is characterized by having at least one of the following steps: when a predetermined time has elapsed since the water level of the bath water reached a first water level at the start of bathing, or when the water level of the bath water rose to a second water level at the start of bathing, or when the water level of the bath water fell to the first water level at the time of leaving the bath.

[0024] (19) In a preferred embodiment of the method for managing the residual chlorine concentration of bath water according to the present invention, the residual chlorine concentration is the free chlorine concentration, and includes steps of measuring the decrease amount of the free chlorine concentration per unit time by the concentration measuring means, determining the presence or absence of incontinence of the bather based on this measurement result, and notifying the determination result as the guidance information by the notification means. According to this, the caregiver can quickly detect that the bather has become incontinent and can take corresponding measures such as draining the bath water in the bathtub and filling it with new water.

Advantages of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a nursing bath device and a method for managing the residual chlorine concentration of bath water that enable a caregiver to check information based on the residual chlorine concentration of bath water at any time during the bath of the bather when performing a nursing bath.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a front view of a nursing bath device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of a transport cart of the nursing bath device. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view of a bathtub of the nursing bath device. [Figure 4] It is a view seen from the side of the bathtub and is an explanatory diagram for explaining a concentration measuring device. [Figure 5] It is a view seen from above the bathtub and is an explanatory diagram for explaining a concentration measuring device. [Figure 6] It is a piping system diagram of the nursing bath device. [Figure 7] It is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the bathtub. [Figure 8] It is a control flowchart regarding the measurement of the residual chlorine concentration of bath water. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing a screen for notifying a rapid decrease in the residual chlorine concentration. [Figure 10A] It is a control flowchart regarding the concentration recording function. [Figure 10B]This is a control flow chart related to the concentration recording function. [Figure 11A] This is a control flow diagram related to the calibration function of the concentration sensor. [Figure 11B] This is a control flow diagram related to the calibration function of the concentration sensor. [Figure 12A] This diagram shows a screen prompting calibration of the concentration sensor. [Figure 12B] This is a diagram showing the calibration screen for the concentration sensor. [Figure 12C] This diagram shows the input screen for calibrating a concentration sensor. [Figure 12D] This figure shows the confirmation screen during the calibration of a concentration sensor. [Figure 13] This is a plan view of a bathing device for elderly care according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 14] This is a diagram showing the piping system for the bathing device used for elderly care. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] (Embodiment 1) Figure 1 is a front view of a bathing device 1 for elderly care according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, which comprises a bathtub 2 and a transport vehicle 3. The bathtub 2 is substantially rectangular in plan view (see Figure 3 below) and has an openable and closable door 4 on one side in the longitudinal direction. In Figure 1, the door 4 is stored in the lower part of the bathtub 2. From this state, the door 4 is pulled out by grasping the grip 4a of the door 4 and then rotated upward, and the door 4 is fixed by rotating the lever 5 to a horizontal position, thereby closing one side of the bathtub 2 with the door 4. The transport vehicle 3 has a trolley 6 and a passenger seat 7. In Figure 1, the trolley 6 is stored below the bathtub 2 and the passenger seat 7 is inserted into the bathtub 2.

[0028] Next, the transport vehicle 3 will be described with reference to Figure 2. The passenger section 7 is provided on the trolley section 6 in a detachable and connectable manner. The trolley section 6 is configured to be able to travel on the floor surface by having wheels 9 at four locations on the trolley frame 8, and four supports 10 are provided on the upper surface of the trolley frame 8 to support the passenger section 7 in a detachable and connectable manner.

[0029] The passenger seat 7 includes a backrest 11, a seat 12, a footrest 13, a pillow 15, a lumbar support side fence 16, an upper limb support side fence 17, and a passenger seat frame 18. Four connecting supports 19 are pivotally supported on the passenger seat frame 18, and each connecting support 19 is held in place by a receiver 10 on the trolley 6 to prevent rotation, thereby maintaining the connection between the passenger seat 7 and the trolley 6. When the connecting support 19 is slightly raised from the receiver 10, if an external force is applied to the connecting support 19 in the direction of arrow a, the connecting support 19 rotates in the direction of arrow a, releasing the connection between the passenger seat 7 and the trolley 6 and separating them. However, even if an external force is applied to the connecting support 19 in the direction of arrow b, the connecting support 19 is prevented from rotating in the direction of arrow b by a stopper (not shown) provided near the pivot axis of the connecting support 19. The connecting support 19 is provided with a roller 19a, and the riding frame 18 is provided with a roller 20. The rollers 19a and 20 serve as means of movement when the riding section 7 is separated from the trolley section 6 and inserted into the bathtub 2.

[0030] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the bathtub 2, with the door section 4 omitted. The bathtub 2 has an opening 21 on one longitudinal side, which is opened and closed by the door section 4 (see Figure 1). At the bottom of the bathtub 2, there are two rails 22 into which the rollers 20 of the passenger section 7 fit when the passenger section 7 separates from the trolley section 6 and moves in the direction of arrow b (see Figure 2) to enter the bathtub 2. Below the bathtub 2, there is a storage space 23 that can accommodate the trolley section 6, and at both ends of the storage space 23, there is a pair of guide sections 24 that guide the sides of the trolley section 6 when the transport vehicle 3 moves in the direction of arrow b (see Figure 2) to enter the bathtub 2. When the transport vehicle 3 enters the bathtub 2, the rollers 19a of the transport vehicle 3 hit the edge of the bathtub 2, and the connecting support 19 becomes rotatable, so that the passenger section 7 separates from the trolley section 6 and the passenger section 7 is inserted into the bathtub 2 through the opening 21. The trolley section 6 is inserted into a predetermined position within the storage space 23 and locked in place by two stoppers 25.

[0031] On the side of the bathtub 2 opposite to the opening 21, there is a tank (not shown) for storing the hot water supplied to the bathtub 2. The bathtub 2 is equipped with a supply port 26 for supplying hot water from the tank to the bathtub 2, a discharge port 27 for discharging the hot water (bathwater) from the bathtub 2, an overflow port 28 for discharging water that exceeds a predetermined water level, an operation unit 29 for performing bathing and exiting operations, and a display unit (notification means) 30 for setting and displaying bathing conditions, etc. For example, a liquid crystal panel is used as the display unit 30.

[0032] Next, a concentration measuring device for measuring the residual chlorine concentration (free chlorine concentration) of the bathwater in the bathtub 2 will be described. The concentration measuring device is installed in the circulation path that collects bathwater from the drain 27 and returns it to the bathtub 2 from the discharge 32 (see Figure 3). The concentration measuring device is installed inside the casing of the bathtub 2 near the position indicated by reference numeral 2a (see Figure 3). Figures 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating the concentration measuring device. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram viewed from the side of the bathtub 2, and Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram viewed from above the bathtub 2. Figures 4 and 5 show the door section 4 with the opening 21 of the bathtub 2 closed (bathing state), and some components are omitted or simplified.

[0033] The concentration measuring device 33 is fixed to the frame 2b of the bathtub 2 via a plate 34. A first pump 35 is provided on the bottom plate 2c of the bathtub 2, and a pipe 36a is provided connecting the upstream side of the first pump 35 to the discharge port 27. A pipe 36b connected to the downstream side of the first pump 35 branches into pipes 36c and 36d, with a flow rate adjustment valve 37 provided in the middle of pipe 36c, and the end of pipe 36c is connected to the upper part of the concentration measuring device 33. A pipe 36e is provided connecting the upper part of the concentration measuring device 33 to the discharge port 32. A differential pressure adjustment valve 38 is provided in the middle of pipe 36d, and the end of pipe 36d is connected to the middle of pipe 36e.

[0034] In this configuration, the bathwater in the bathtub 2 flows through pipe 36a to the first pump 35, and is then pumped by the first pump 35 through pipes 36b, 36c, and 36e and returned to the bathtub 2 from the discharge port 32. Thus, pipes 36a, 36b, 36c, and 36e constitute a circulation path that collects bathwater and returns it to the bathtub 2 in order to measure the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater in the bathtub 2. The concentration measuring device 33 is equipped with a concentration sensor (concentration measuring means) 39, and the bathwater flowing into the concentration measuring device 33 from pipe 36c flows into the measuring tank 33b via nozzle 33a, where the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater is measured by the concentration sensor 39 attached to the measuring tank 33b, and the bathwater that has flowed into the measuring tank 33b flows upward and out into pipe 36e and is returned to the bathtub 2 from the discharge port 32. By adjusting the flow rate of the bathwater flowing into the concentration measuring device 33 with the throttle valve 37, the flow rate can be adjusted to a level suitable for concentration measurement.

[0035] Here, as shown in Figure 4, a portion 36D of pipe 36d and a portion 36E of pipe 36e are positioned higher than the overflow port 28 (see Figure 3). In Figure 4, the position of the overflow port 28 is indicated by a solid square line. As a result, even if bathwater enters the circulation path from the outlet 32, which is the outlet of the circulation path, and flows back, it cannot pass through the portion 36D of pipe 36d and the portion 36E of pipe 36e, thus preventing it from flowing into the concentration measuring device 33. For example, when cleaning the bathing device 1 for elderly care, water containing oxygen-based bleach enters from the outlet 32 ​​and is prevented from flowing into the concentration measuring device 33 and touching the concentration sensor 39, thus preventing the concentration sensor 39 from malfunctioning due to the oxygen-based bleach.

[0036] Next, the piping system of the bathing device 1 for elderly care will be described with reference to Figure 6. A pipe 41a connected to a water supply source 40a and a pipe 41b connected to a hot water supply source 40b are connected to a mixing valve 42. Downstream of the mixing valve 42, a pipe 44a is connected to send hot and cold water to a tank 43. A flow sensor 45 and a solenoid valve 46a are installed in the pipe 44a, and a thermometer 47 is provided at the location of the flow sensor 45. Partway along the pipe 44a (between the flow sensor 45 and the solenoid valve 46a), a pipe 44b for discharging hot and cold water is provided, and a solenoid valve 46b is installed in the pipe 44b.

[0037] A pipe 48a connected to the tank 43 is connected to the upstream side of the second pump 50 via a motor valve 49a. A pipe 48b connected to the bathtub 2 is connected to the upstream side of the second pump 50 via a motor valve 49b. A pipe 48c for discharging hot water from the tank 43 is provided by branching off from pipe 48a (between the motor valve 49a and the second pump 50), and a motor valve 49c is installed on pipe 48c. The downstream side of the second pump 50 is connected to the bathtub 2 by pipe 48d, and a motor valve 49d is installed on pipe 48d. A pipe 48e for sending hot water to the tank 43 is connected to the downstream side of the second pump 50, and a filter 51 and a motor valve 49e are installed on pipe 48e in that order from the downstream side of the second pump 50. A pipe 48f for discharging hot water when cleaning the filter 51 is connected to the filter 51, and a motor valve 49f is installed on pipe 48f. A pipe 48g for draining the water from bathtub 2 is connected to bathtub 2, and a manual valve 52 is attached to pipe 48g.

[0038] As described with reference to Figures 4 and 5, the bathtub 2 is equipped with a first pump 35, piping 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e, a throttle valve 37 for flow rate adjustment, a throttle valve 38 for differential pressure adjustment, and a concentration sensor 39. The bathtub 2 is also equipped with a chemical tank 53, and piping 54 connected to the chemical tank 53 is connected to the middle of piping 48e (between the downstream side of the second pump 50 and the filtration filter 51) via a third pump 55 and a check valve 56. The chemical tank 53, piping 54, and the third pump 55 constitute a chemical injection means for injecting the chemical into the hot water supplied to the bathtub 2.

[0039] The bathing device for elderly care 1 is a type of bathing device that circulates hot water between a tank 43 and a bathtub 2. Initially, fresh hot water is supplied to the tank 43. At the start of bathing, the hot water from the tank 43 is supplied to the bathtub 2 through piping 48a, a second pump 50, and piping 48d. When leaving the bath, the hot water from the bathtub 2 passes through piping 48b, a second pump 50, and piping 48e, is filtered by a filtration filter 51 along the way, and is supplied to the tank 43.

[0040] The chemical solution in the chemical solution tank 53 is supplied to the pipe 48e from the pipe 54 by the third pump 55 as needed, during the initial hot water storage when the tank 43 is first filled with hot water, and when the bath is finished and the bath water is returned from the bathtub 2 to the tank 43. Normally, the chemical solution is supplied at a high concentration, for example, 6% (60,000 ppm), so the chemical solution is supplied when the bather is not in the bath, taking into consideration the safety of the human body. The chemical solution concentration can be set by selecting "strong," "weak," or "none." For example, "strong" is 2 ppm, "weak" is 1 ppm, and "none" means no chemical solution is injected. The values ​​of 2 ppm for "strong" and 1 ppm for "weak" can be changed as appropriate.

[0041] During initial hot water storage, the amount of hot water to be stored in tank 43 is counted by the flow sensor 45, and the amount of chemical solution corresponding to the amount of hot water stored in tank 43 is supplied to piping 48e by driving the third pump 55 so that the chemical solution concentration of the hot water stored in tank 43 reaches the set chemical solution concentration. When supplying chemical solution during initial hot water storage, each time a predetermined amount (e.g., 100L) of hot water is added to tank 43, the hot water in tank 43 is circulated back to tank 43 through piping 48a, the second pump 50, and piping 48e. This ensures that the hot water in tank 43 is agitated with the chemical solution. If the caregiver determines that the chemical solution concentration has decreased and additional chemical solution is needed during or after the bather's bath, the caregiver can press the "Add Chemical Solution" button (not shown) on the display unit 30, and a predetermined amount (e.g., 6mL) of chemical solution will be injected when the bathwater is returned from the bathtub 2 to tank 43. This predetermined amount can be set within a range of, for example, 4mL to 8mL. In the bathing device for elderly care 1, the device is designed to alert caregivers if the residual chlorine concentration becomes too low or too high. Specifically, when the residual chlorine concentration value displayed on the display unit 30 (measured by the concentration sensor 39) falls below, for example, 0.2 ppm, the display of that value flashes red, which can serve as a guide for caregivers to determine if additional medication is needed. Also, when the residual chlorine concentration value (measured by the concentration sensor 39) rises above, for example, 2.4 ppm, the display unit 30 flashes red, which allows caregivers to determine if they are adding medication too frequently.

[0042] Furthermore, the supply of the chemical solution may be automated. For example, a concentration sensor (not shown) is installed in the tank 43 to measure the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater stored in the tank 43, and a flow sensor (not shown) is installed in the piping 48b to count the amount of bathwater flowing from the bathtub 2 to the tank 43. After bathing is finished, the bathwater is returned from the bathtub 2 to the tank 43, and once the return is complete, the amount of chemical solution to add to the bathwater is calculated. Then, while the bathwater in the tank 43 is returned to the tank 43 through piping 48a, the second pump 50, and piping 48e, the third pump 55 is driven to mix the calculated amount of chemical solution into the returning bathwater. This makes it possible to adjust the bathwater in the tank 43 to the set chemical solution concentration (for example, 2 ppm for "strong" and 1 ppm for "weak"). Here, the amount of chemical solution to add to the circulating bathwater is calculated based on the amount of bathwater returned from the bathtub 2 to the tank 43 (count value from a flow sensor installed in the piping 48b) and the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater in the tank 43 when the bathwater is returned from the bathtub 2 to the tank 43 (measurement value from a concentration sensor installed in the tank 43). In this case, if the set chemical solution concentration is "low," the concentration should be managed using a range of, for example, 0.7 to 1.3 ppm as a guideline, and if the set chemical solution concentration is "high," the concentration should be managed using a range of, for example, 1.7 to 2.3 ppm as a guideline. Alternatively, the chemical solution concentration can be set to any concentration within a range of, for example, 0 to 2 ppm, and the chemical solution can be automatically supplied to reach this concentration. By automating the supply of the chemical solution in this way, it becomes easy to maintain the disinfecting effect of the bathwater during bathing.

[0043] The bathtub 2 is equipped with water level sensors 59a to 59d. Water level sensor 59a detects the upper water level, and when adding hot water to increase the amount of bathwater, the addition of hot water stops when the water level reaches the upper water level. Water level sensor 59b detects the lower water level, and when returning hot water from the bathtub 2 to the tank 43, the movement of hot water from the bathtub 2 to the tank 43 stops when the water level reaches the lower water level. Water level sensor 59c detects the appropriate water level, and when supplying hot water from the tank 43 to the bathtub 2, the supply of hot water to the bathtub 2 stops when the water level reaches the appropriate level. Water level sensor 59d detects the concentration measurement level, and when the bathwater reaches or exceeds the concentration measurement level, the first pump 35 operates, causing the bathwater to flow through pipes 36b, 36c, and 36e, allowing the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater to be measured. If the bathwater has not reached the concentration measurement level, the first pump 35 does not operate, and therefore the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater cannot be measured. In the following explanation, the concentration measurement level may be referred to as "WL1".

[0044] Tank 43 is equipped with water level sensors 60a to 60c. Water level sensor 60a detects the upper water level, and when hot water is supplied to tank 43 via piping 44a, the supply of hot water to tank 43 stops when the water level reaches the upper water level. Water level sensor 60b detects the lower water level, and when hot water is supplied from tank 43 to bathtub 2, the supply of hot water from tank 43 to bathtub 2 stops when the amount of hot water in tank 43 decreases and falls below the lower water level. Water level sensor 60c detects the bathing-ready water level, and if there is enough hot water in tank 43 to reach the bathing-ready water level, the water can be supplied from tank 43 to bathtub 2, thereby filling bathtub 2 with the necessary amount of hot water for bathing. In the following explanation, the bathing-ready water level may be referred to as "WL2".

[0045] The control configuration of the bathtub 2 will be explained with reference to Figure 7, which is a block diagram. In addition to the components mentioned above, the bathtub 2 is equipped with a control unit 61 and a recording unit 62 that control the bathing operation. The control unit 61 receives signals from the display unit 30 and sets the bathing conditions, etc. The control unit 61 receives signals from the concentration sensor 39 and controls the display unit 30 to display the measured value of the residual chlorine concentration, etc., and records it in the recording unit 62. The control unit 61 receives signals from the concentration sensor 39 and the display unit 30 and calibrates the concentration sensor 39. The control unit 61 receives signals from the operation unit 29, water level sensors 59a~59d and water level sensors 60a~60c and controls the first pump 35, second pump 50, third pump 55, solenoid valves 46a~46b and motor valves 49a~49f to perform the bathing operation based on the set bathing conditions. The control unit 61 records the set bathing conditions and other data in the recording unit 62 and reads the data from the recording unit 62 as needed.

[0046] Next, an example of control related to measuring the residual chlorine concentration of bathwater during bathing will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 8. After inserting the seat 7 into the bathtub 2 and closing the door 4, the operation unit 29 is operated to instruct the start of bathing, and the supply of hot water from the tank 43 to the bathtub 2 begins. In step S1, the control unit 61 repeatedly determines whether the amount of bathwater is equal to or greater than the concentration measurement level (WL1), and when the amount of bathwater is equal to or greater than the concentration measurement level, it proceeds to step S2. In step S2, the control unit 61 turns on the power to the first pump 35 and operates it, so that the bathwater is taken into the concentration measuring device 33 via the circulation path, and in step S3, the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater is measured by the concentration sensor 39. In the next step S4, the control unit 61 displays the measured value A1 of the residual chlorine concentration measured in step S3 on the display unit 30.

[0047] In the next step S5, the control unit 61 sets time t=0 and starts counting time t. In step S6, the control unit 61 repeatedly checks whether time t is equal to or greater than the set value of 1 (seconds), and when time t is equal to or greater than the set value of 1, it proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the concentration sensor 39 measures the residual chlorine concentration of the bath water, and in the next step S8, the control unit 61 stops displaying the measured value A1 and instead displays the measured value A2 of the residual chlorine concentration measured in step S7 on the display unit 30. In step S9, the control unit 61 calculates A3 (A1-A2), and in the next step S10, it checks whether A3 exceeds the set value of 2 (mg / L). If A3 exceeds the set value of 2, the control unit 61 proceeds to step S11 and displays the guidance (information) shown in Figure 9 on the display unit 30, and then proceeds to step S12. If, as a result of the check in step S10, A3 does not exceed the set value of 2, the control unit 61 proceeds to step S12. When the "Clear" button in the lower right corner of the guidance screen shown in Figure 9 is pressed, the display on the display unit 30 returns to the measured value of residual chlorine concentration.

[0048] In step S12, the control unit 61 sets the value of the measured value A2 as A1 and proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the control unit 61 determines whether the amount of bath water is below the concentration measurement level. If the amount of bath water is below the concentration measurement level, it proceeds to step S14; otherwise, it returns to step S5. In step S14, the control unit 61 turns off the power to the first pump 35, stopping the intake of bath water into the circulation path, and making it impossible to measure the residual chlorine concentration of the bath water. In step S15, the control unit 61 changes the display of residual chlorine on the display unit 30 from the measured concentration to "--" and terminates control.

[0049] According to the control shown in the flowchart of Figure 8, while a person is bathing, the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater is measured when the amount of bathwater is above the concentration measurement level, and the measured value is displayed on the display unit 30. The measured value displayed on the display unit 30 is updated every time a set value of 1 has elapsed. Therefore, caregivers can check the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater at any time while the person is bathing. For example, if a caregiver notices that the residual chlorine concentration has decreased, they can stop the bath, preventing the person from bathing in a state with a low residual chlorine concentration. In addition, the disinfecting effect of the bathwater during bathing can be maintained by replenishing the disinfectant solution.

[0050] In steps S9, S10, and S11, if the decrease in residual chlorine concentration A3 per unit time (set value 1) becomes large, the display unit 30 displays a message indicating a rapid decrease in residual chlorine concentration, as shown in Figure 9, to inform the caregiver. For example, when set value 1 is 10 seconds and set value 2 is 0.5 mg / L, if the conditions in step S10 are met, it is determined that the residual chlorine concentration in the bathwater has rapidly decreased due to incontinence by the bather. This is because when a bather urinates, the ammonia in the urine combines with the free chlorine in the bathwater, reducing the amount of free chlorine, and as a result, the measured residual chlorine concentration drops rapidly. In such cases, the guidance shown in Figure 9 is displayed on the display unit 30, allowing the caregiver to know that the residual chlorine concentration in the bathwater has rapidly decreased, that adding more chemical solution to the bathwater will not result in an accurate reading of the chlorine concentration, and that the bather may have urinated. Therefore, the caregiver can take necessary actions, such as stopping the bath and changing the bathwater.

[0051] In the above description, the display unit 30, which is a display means, was shown as a notification means for notifying information based on residual chlorine concentration (measured value of residual chlorine concentration by the concentration sensor 39, guidance indicating a rapid decrease in residual chlorine concentration, etc.). However, an audio output means such as a speaker that notifies information by voice, or a light-emitting means such as a light-emitting diode that notifies information by light, may also be used. In other words, at least one of the display means, audio output means, and light-emitting means can be used as a notification means. For example, by using an audio output means or a light-emitting means as a notification means to notify that the residual chlorine concentration has decreased to a predetermined concentration, caregivers can be aware of the decrease in residual chlorine concentration even if they are working in a location away from the bathing device 1 for caregiving.

[0052] Next, we will explain the concentration recording function, which records the residual chlorine concentration measurement at the start and end of bathing. At the start of bathing, when the control unit 29 is operated to give a bathing command at the beginning of the morning (0:00 to 11:59) and the beginning of the afternoon (12:00 to 23:59) of the day, bath water begins to fill the bathtub 2, and the residual chlorine concentration measurement is recorded when the amount of bath water exceeds the concentration measurement level and a predetermined time has elapsed. When the control unit 29 is operated to give a bathing command, bath water begins to be discharged from the bathtub 2, and the residual chlorine concentration measurement is recorded when the amount of bath water falls below the concentration measurement level. For each of the morning and afternoon sessions of the day, the residual chlorine concentration measurement at the second and subsequent bathing exits overwrites the previous measurement record, and the residual chlorine concentration measurement at the end of the morning and the end of the afternoon bathing exits is recorded.

[0053] An example of control related to the concentration recording function will be explained with reference to the flowcharts shown in Figures 10A and 10B. As shown in Figure 10A, the control unit 61 sets "N=1" in step S21, and in the next step S22 determines whether the current time is in the morning or not. If it is in the morning, it proceeds to step S23 and executes process A, then proceeds to step S24. If it is in the afternoon, it proceeds to step S28 and executes process A, then proceeds to step S29. Here, N represents the number of baths in the morning and afternoon, and the unit is "times". Process A is a process that records the residual chlorine concentration for each bath, and will be described later.

[0054] In step S24, the control unit 61 determines whether the power supply (device power) of the bathing device 1 for elderly care has been turned off. If the device power supply has been turned off, the control unit terminates. If the device power supply has not been turned off, the unit proceeds to step S25. In step S25, the control unit 61 determines whether the current time is AM. If it is AM, the unit returns to step S22 in step S26 with "N=N+1". If the current time is PM, the control unit 61 sets "N=1" in step S27, then executes process A in step S28 and proceeds to step S29. In step S29, the control unit 61 determines whether the device power supply has been turned off. If the device power supply has been turned off, the control unit terminates. If the device power supply has not been turned off, the unit returns to step S28 in step S30 with "N=N+1".

[0055] Process A will be explained with reference to Figure 10B. In step S31, the control unit 61 repeatedly determines whether or not a bathing instruction has been given by the operation unit 29, and if a bathing instruction has been given, it proceeds to step S32. In step S32, the control unit 61 repeatedly determines whether or not the amount of bath water in the bathtub 2 is equal to or greater than the concentration measurement water level (WL1), and if the amount of bath water is equal to or greater than the concentration measurement water level, it proceeds to step S33. In step S33, the control unit 61 sets time t to 0 and starts counting time t. In step S34, the control unit 61 repeatedly determines whether or not time t is equal to or greater than the set value of 3, and if time t is equal to or greater than the set value of 3 (for example, 100 seconds), it proceeds to step S35. In step S35, the control unit 61 determines whether or not "N=1", and if "N=1", it proceeds to step S36, and if "N=1", it proceeds to step S37. In step S36, the concentration sensor 39 measures the residual chlorine concentration, and the control unit 61 records the measured value of the residual chlorine concentration in the recording unit 62. In step S37, the control unit 61 repeatedly determines whether or not an instruction to leave the bath has been given by the operation unit 29, and if an instruction to leave the bath has been given, it proceeds to step S38. In step S38, the control unit 61 repeatedly determines whether or not the amount of bath water is below the concentration measurement level (WL1), and if the amount of bath water falls below the concentration measurement level, it proceeds to step S39. In step S39, the concentration sensor 39 measures the residual chlorine concentration, and the control unit 61 records the measured value of the residual chlorine concentration in the recording unit 62. The measurement value recorded in step S39 is recorded in the recording unit 62 in a manner that overwrites the measurement value recorded in step S39 of the previous bath (when the previous bather bathed).

[0056] According to the control of the concentration recording function explained with reference to Figures 10A and 10B, the measured residual chlorine concentration at the start of the first bath and the measured residual chlorine concentration at the end of the bath are recorded for both the morning and afternoon. With such a concentration recording function, the residual chlorine concentration at the start and end of the bath for both the morning and afternoon can be known. Furthermore, even if the caregiver misses or overlooks the notification of the residual chlorine concentration (e.g., display by the display unit 30), they can confirm it by looking at the residual chlorine concentration recorded in the recording unit 62. The system is not limited to this configuration; for example, the measured residual chlorine concentration at the start and end of each bath when multiple bathers are bathing can also be recorded in the recording unit 62. The explanation described the case where the switching time between the morning and afternoon time slots is 12:00, but this switching time can be changed as appropriate. Also, the timing of recording the measured residual chlorine concentration in the recording unit 62 can be changed as appropriate. For example, in the control shown in the flow charts of Figures 10A and 10B, the residual chlorine concentration is recorded after a set value of 3 has elapsed since the amount of bath water in bathtub 2 reached the concentration measurement level at the start of bathing. However, the set value of 3 may be changed, and the residual chlorine concentration may be recorded when the amount of bath water rises to, for example, the appropriate level. Note that the concentration measurement level is an example of the first water level, and the appropriate water level is an example of the second water level.

[0057] Next, the calibration function of the concentration sensor 39 will be explained. In order to obtain accurate residual chlorine concentration measurements from the concentration sensor 39, it is necessary to periodically calibrate the concentration sensor 39. For this reason, the bathing device for elderly care 1 is equipped with a function that prompts and performs calibration of the concentration sensor 39 if it has not been calibrated within a predetermined period. The control of this function will be explained with reference to the flowcharts in Figures 11A and 11B. In step S41, the control unit 61 repeatedly determines whether the amount of hot water in the tank 43 has reached or exceeded the bathing water level (WL2), and proceeds to step S42 when it has reached or exceeded the bathing water level. In step S42, the control unit 61 determines whether more than 7 days have passed since the last calibration of the concentration sensor 39, and if more than 7 days have passed, proceeds to step S43 and displays guidance (guidance information) prompting calibration of the concentration sensor 39 on the display unit 30. An example of the guidance is shown in Figure 12A, and this guidance will continue to be displayed on the display unit 30 until the "Clear" button displayed in the lower right corner of the guidance screen is pressed. In step S44, the control unit 61 repeatedly checks whether the "Erase" button displayed on the display unit 30 has been pressed. If the "Erase" button is pressed, the control unit proceeds to the flowchart shown in Figure 11B. If the control unit 61 determines in step S42 that it has not been more than 7 days since the last calibration, it proceeds to step S45 and proceeds to bath control, where the bathing operation is performed.

[0058] As shown in Figure 11B, in step S46, the control unit 61 displays the calibration screen for the concentration sensor 39 on the display unit 30. An example of the calibration screen for the concentration sensor 39 is shown in Figure 12B. Pressing the "Input" button in Figure 12B changes the screen and allows sensor calibration, and pressing the "Back" button allows the user to perform the bathing action. As shown in Figure 11B, in the next step S47, the control unit 61 determines whether the "Input" button in Figure 12B has been pressed. If the "Input" button has not been pressed, the control unit 61 proceeds to step S48 to determine whether the "Back" button in Figure 12B has been pressed. If the "Back" button has not been pressed, the control unit 61 proceeds to step S47. In this way, the control unit 61 repeats the determinations in steps S47 and S48 until either the "Input" button or the "Back" button in Figure 12B has been pressed. If the control unit 61 determines in step S47 that the "Input" button has been pressed, it displays the input screen shown in Figure 12C on the display unit 30 in step S49 and proceeds to step S50. Figure 12C is a screen for inputting the calibration value of the concentration sensor, and the screen will be explained later. If the control unit 61 determines in step S48 that the "Back" button shown in Figure 12B has been pressed, it proceeds to step S56 and proceeds to bath control, and the bathing operation is performed.

[0059] In step S50, the control unit 61 determines whether the "Register" button in Figure 12C has been pressed. If the "Register" button has not been pressed, the process moves to step S51 to determine whether the "Back" button in Figure 12C has been pressed. If the "Back" button has not been pressed, the process moves back to step S50. The control unit 61 repeats the determinations in steps S50 and S51 until either the "Register" button or the "Back" button in Figure 12C has been pressed. If the control unit 61 determines in step S50 that the "Register" button has been pressed, the process moves to step S52 to display the confirmation screen shown in Figure 12D on the display unit 30, and then moves to the next step, S53. If the control unit 61 determines in step S51 that the "Back" button has been pressed, the process moves to step S46 to display the calibration screen shown in Figure 12B on the display unit 30.

[0060] In step S53, the control unit 61 determines whether the "Modify" button in Figure 12D has been pressed. If the "Modify" button has not been pressed, the control unit 61 proceeds to step S54 to determine whether the "Register" button in Figure 12D has been pressed. If the "Register" button has not been pressed, the control unit 61 proceeds to step S53. The control unit 61 repeats the determinations in steps S53 and S54 until either the "Modify" button or the "Register" button in Figure 12D has been pressed. If the control unit 61 determines in step S53 that the "Modify" button in Figure 12D has been pressed, the control unit 61 proceeds to step S49. If the control unit 61 determines in step S54 that the "Register" button in Figure 12D has been pressed, the control unit 61 proceeds to step S55. In step S55, the control unit 61 calibrates the concentration sensor 39 and updates the date of calibration recorded in the recording unit 62. After that, the control unit 61 proceeds to step S56 to control the bathing process and the bathing operation is performed.

[0061] Next, the input screen in Figure 12C and the confirmation screen in Figure 12D will be explained. As shown in Figure 12C, a numerical input section 63 is displayed in the center of the screen. Pressing the upward-pointing triangle mark 64a displayed above the number indicated by the black circle increases the number by 1, and pressing the downward-pointing triangle mark 64b displayed below the number decreases the number by 1. When the screen in Figure 12C is displayed, the caregiver can perform the calibration work. That is, in order to obtain a standard value of residual chlorine concentration to be used for calibration of the concentration sensor 39, the residual chlorine concentration of the bath water is measured using the standard concentration measuring means, and the measured value is entered into the numerical input section 63 in Figure 12C. After that, when the caregiver presses the "Register" button in Figure 12C, the confirmation screen shown in Figure 12D is displayed on the display unit 30, and the number that was just entered is displayed. If there is no mistake in the displayed number, press the "Register" button in Figure 12D. If the number needs to be corrected, pressing the "Correct" button in Figure 12D will display the screen in Figure 12C again, and the number can be corrected. By pressing the "Register" button in Figure 12D, the residual chlorine concentration measured by the concentration sensor 39 is adjusted to match the residual chlorine concentration measured by the standard concentration measuring means, thereby calibrating the concentration sensor 39.

[0062] As a standard concentration measurement method, for example, a pocket residual chlorine meter DR300 (manufactured by HACH) can be used. When measuring the residual chlorine concentration of bath water using the pocket residual chlorine meter DR300, first, an appropriate amount of bath water to be used as a sample is placed in a sample container. The bath water to be used as a sample can be collected by loosening the drain plug 33c (see Figure 4) of the concentration measuring device 33 and taking a sample of bath water from the measuring tank 33b, or by taking a sample of bath water from the bathtub 2. After setting the sample container in the pocket residual chlorine meter and performing zero calibration, the free chlorine reagent is added to the sample container and dissolved, and the residual chlorine concentration can be measured by setting the sample container back into the pocket residual chlorine meter.

[0063] With this control system that prompts and performs calibration of the concentration sensor 39, if the "Register" button in Figure 12D is not pressed after the guidance in Figure 12A is displayed, the guidance in Figure 12A will be displayed again when the amount of hot water in the tank 43 reaches the bathing level. In other words, if the concentration sensor 39 is not calibrated, the guidance in Figure 12A will be displayed on the display unit 30 each time the bathwater is returned from the bathtub 2 to the tank 43 when a bather leaves the bath and the amount of water in the tank 43 reaches the bathing level. Therefore, after prompting calibration of the concentration sensor 39, the system can repeatedly prompt calibration of the concentration sensor 39 until an operation to calibrate the concentration sensor 39 is performed.

[0064] Furthermore, if the electrode portion of the concentration sensor 39, which detects the concentration, becomes dirty due to the use of the concentration sensor 39, it becomes difficult to obtain an accurate measurement of the residual chlorine concentration. Therefore, it is preferable to remove the concentration sensor 39 from the measuring tank 33b of the concentration measuring device 33 and periodically clean the electrode portion of the concentration sensor 39 using a commercially available cleaning agent.

[0065] In the above description, an example was given in which the concentration measuring device 33 is installed inside the housing of the bathtub 2. However, the concentration measuring device 33 may also be installed outside the housing of the bathtub 2. For example, even if it is not possible to install the concentration measuring device inside the housing containing the bathtub due to space constraints, a configuration that allows for the measurement of the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater can be obtained by installing the concentration measuring device outside the housing.

[0066] (Embodiment 2) The bathing device for elderly care according to Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figure 13, a plan view, and Figure 14, a piping diagram. As shown in Figure 13, the bathing device for elderly care 65 according to Embodiment 2 connects a transport vehicle 67 carrying a stretcher 66 on which the bather lies supine, by positioning it alongside the long side of the bathtub 68, sliding the stretcher 66 toward a support base 69 provided inside the bathtub 68, and then raising the bathtub 68 filled with water, thereby immersing the supine bather in the water for bathing. An operation display unit 70 is provided on the upper part of the side wall of the bathtub 68. In addition, a guide rail 75 is provided on the upper surface of the support base 69 to guide the stretcher 66 to a predetermined position on the support base 69.

[0067] As shown in Figure 14, the bathtub 68 is positioned on a base 71, and the bathtub 68 is configured to move up and down between a predetermined lower limit position (non-bathing position) and a predetermined upper limit position by a bathtub lifting mechanism consisting of an X-shaped pantograph 72 provided between the upper surface of the base 71 and the lower surface of the bathtub 68, and a hydraulic cylinder 73.

[0068] A support column 74 is provided on the base 71, with one end fixed to the base 71 and extending vertically through approximately the center of the bottom wall 68a of the bathtub 68. A support base 69 for supporting the stretcher 66 is provided at the other end of this support column 74. The aforementioned guide rail 75 is provided on the upper surface of the support base 69. Note that the stretcher 66 is not shown in Figure 14.

[0069] An upper limit position sensor 77a, a bathtub entry position sensor 77b, and a bathtub exit position sensor 77c are provided at the upper and lower positions of the upright portion 76, which is mounted on the base 71, and these are configured, for example, by limit switches. A projection 78 is attached to the outer surface of the bathtub 68 to turn the upper limit position sensor 77a, the bathtub entry position sensor 77b, and the bathtub exit position sensor 77c ON / OFF.

[0070] The bathtub 68 begins to rise from a predetermined lower limit position where the bathtub exit position sensor 77c is ON. When the bathtub 68 rises to the position where the bathtub entry position sensor 77b is ON, the rising motion is temporarily paused. From this point onward, the bathtub 68 does not rise automatically, and the caregiver manually operates the operation display unit 70 to raise the bathtub 68. The bathtub 68 can be raised to a predetermined upper limit position where the upper limit position sensor 77a is ON. On the other hand, regarding the descent of the bathtub 68, unless the caregiver intentionally stops the descent motion, the bathtub 68 is configured to descend automatically from a predetermined upper limit position to a predetermined lower limit position. Figure 14 shows the state when the bathtub 68 has risen to a predetermined upper limit position.

[0071] The bathtub 68 is provided with a nearly horizontal wall 68b, and an overflow port (not shown) is formed in the horizontal wall 68b as a means of draining the bathwater that reaches this horizontal wall 68b, i.e., the bathwater that overflows from the bathtub 68, to the outside of the care bathing device 65.

[0072] The electric mixing valve 79 mixes the water supplied from the hot water source with the supplied hot water to adjust the temperature to a preset level and supplies it to the piping 80, through which the hot water is supplied to the bathtub 68. The piping 80 is equipped with a solenoid valve 80a for supplying hot water, a temperature sensor 81 for detecting the temperature of the hot water in the piping 80, and a flow sensor 82 for measuring the flow rate of the hot water flowing through the piping 80. The flow sensor 82 calculates the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub 68 by measuring the flow rate of the hot water that has flowed through the piping 80. Inside the bathtub 68, there is an appropriate water level sensor 83a for detecting the appropriate water level for bathing, which is the water level suitable for a bather placed on a stretcher 66 to properly bathe in the bathtub 68, and an upper limit water level sensor 83b for detecting the upper limit water level in the bathtub 68.

[0073] The jet generator 84 installed in the bathing device 65 for elderly care consists of a pipe 85, four jet nozzles 86 that branch off from the pipe 85 and are installed in each branch pipe, an air intake port 87 that supplies air to each jet nozzle 86, a jet pump 88 interposed in the middle of the pipe 85 that ejects the sucked-in bath water from each of the four jet nozzles 86 into the bathtub 68, and a filtration filter 89.

[0074] The bathing device for elderly care 65 is equipped with a chemical solution tank 90, and a pipe 91 connected to the chemical solution tank 90 is connected to a pipe 85 via a chemical solution pump 92 and a check valve 93, with the connection point being between the downstream side of the jet pump 88 and the filtration filter 89. The chemical solution in the chemical solution tank 90 is supplied to the pipe 85 by the chemical solution pump 92 and injected into the hot water flowing through the pipe 85, and ejected as a jet into the bathtub 68 from the jet nozzle 86. In the bathing device for elderly care 65, when new hot water is filled into the bathtub 68 at a predetermined lower limit position, for example, at the start of the first bath in the morning and the first bath in the afternoon of the day, an amount of chemical solution according to the set value of the chemical solution concentration is injected into the hot water. Here, the set value of the chemical solution concentration is, for example, 2 ppm for "strong" and 1 ppm for "weak". Furthermore, when the bathtub 68 is at a predetermined upper limit position (when the bather is in the bath), if the caregiver presses the "Add Medication" button (not shown) on the operation display unit 70, a predetermined amount (e.g., 5 mL) of medication will be injected into the water in the bathtub 68 after the bath has finished and the bathtub 68 has lowered to a predetermined lower limit position. As described above, the medication is supplied when the bathtub 68 is at a predetermined lower limit position and the bather is not in the bath.

[0075] The bathing device 65 for elderly care is equipped with a concentration measuring device 94 having a configuration similar to the concentration measuring device 33 described in Embodiment 1, and the concentration measuring device 94 has a concentration sensor 95. The concentration sensor 95 is installed in the middle of a pipe 96 that constitutes a circulation path that collects bath water from the bottom of the bathtub 68 and returns it to the bathtub 68, and measures the residual chlorine concentration of the bath water flowing through the pipe 96. The pipe 96 is equipped with a sampling pump 97 that flows the bath water collected from the bathtub 68 into the pipe 96, and a flow rate adjustment throttle valve 98 that adjusts the flow rate of the bath water flowing through the pipe 96 and into the concentration sensor 95. The throttle valve 98 can adjust the flow rate to a level suitable for concentration measurement. In the pipe 96, a pipe 99 is provided that connects the position between the sampling pump 97 and the throttle valve 98 to the downstream position of the concentration sensor 95, and the pipe 99 is equipped with a differential pressure adjustment throttle valve 100. This configuration allows the concentration of residual chlorine in the bathwater flowing through the pipe 96 to be measured by the concentration sensor 95, and information based on the measurement results (residual chlorine concentration value) to be displayed on the operation display unit 70, so that caregivers can check the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater at any time while the bather is bathing. The information based on the measurement results can include guidance (see Figure 9) that notifies the caregiver when the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater drops sharply, as described in Embodiment 1. For example, if a caregiver becomes aware of a drop in residual chlorine concentration, they can stop the bath, preventing the bather from bathing while the residual chlorine concentration is low. In addition, the disinfecting effect of the bathwater during bathing can be maintained by replenishing the disinfectant solution.

[0076] Here, the supply of the chemical solution may be automated using the residual chlorine concentration measured by the concentration sensor 95. That is, the amount of additional chemical solution to be supplied is calculated, for example, based on the residual chlorine concentration measured at the time of leaving the bath (measured by the concentration sensor 95) and the amount of bath water, so that it reaches a set chemical solution concentration. The amount of bath water measured by the flow sensor 82 (the amount of bath water supplied into the bathtub 68) can be used as the amount of bath water. Then, when the bathtub 68 is at a predetermined lower limit position after leaving the bath, the chemical solution pump 92 is driven to automatically supply the calculated amount of chemical solution, and the jet pump 88 is driven to supply the bath water with the added chemical solution as a jet into the bathtub 68, agitating the chemical solution.

[0077] The bathing device 65 for caregiving may also be equipped with the concentration recording function and concentration sensor calibration function described in Embodiment 1. When recording the measured value of the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater at the start of bathing and at the end of bathing, for example, the measured value at the time when the bathtub 68 rises from a predetermined lower limit position and the bathtub bathing position sensor 77b turns ON, and the measured value at the time when the bathtub 68 lowers and the bathtub bathing exit position sensor 77c turns ON can be recorded. With this configuration, the residual chlorine concentration at the start of bathing and at the end of bathing can be known. Even if the caregiver misses or mishears the notification of the residual chlorine concentration, they can confirm it by looking at the residual chlorine concentration recorded in the recording unit. Furthermore, by providing a function that prompts the calibration of the concentration sensor 95 if it has not been calibrated within a predetermined period, the caregiver can know that the concentration sensor 95 needs to be calibrated, and by calibrating the concentration sensor 95, an accurate measured value of the residual chlorine concentration can be obtained. For example, when bathing is finished, the bathtub 68 is lowered and the bathtub exit position sensor 77c is turned ON, guidance prompting calibration of the concentration sensor 95 (see Figure 12A) can be displayed on a display unit (not shown) of a size that allows the guidance to be seen. This display unit can be, for example, erected on the edge of the bathtub on the bather's foot side.

[0078] Furthermore, the concentration measuring devices 33 and 93 can also be applied to caregiving bathing devices in which the support platform of the stretcher moves up and down, rather than the bathtub 68 that moves up and down, as shown in Figures 13 and 14. In addition, the concentration measuring devices 33 and 93 can also be applied to caregiving bathing devices in which the transport vehicle moves forward or backward to insert the passenger seat into the bathtub, rather than the transport vehicle 3 that moves laterally (in the direction of arrow b) to insert the passenger seat 7 into the bathtub 2, as shown in Figure 2. [Industrial applicability]

[0079] The present invention can be applied to a bathing device for caregiving that allows for bathing in a seated or supine position. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0080] 1. Bathing device for elderly care 2 Bathtub 3. Transport vehicle 28 Overflow port 29 Control section 30 Display section 32 Discharge port 33 Concentration measuring device 35. Pump No. 1 36a~36e Piping 39. Concentration Sensor 59a~59d, 60a~60c Water level sensors 61 Control Unit 62 Records Section 65. Bathing equipment for elderly care 66 Stretcher 67 Transport vehicle 68 Bathtub 70 Operation display section 90 chemical tanks 92 Chemical solution pump 94 Concentration measuring device 95 Concentration Sensor 96 Piping 97 Pump for collecting samples

Claims

1. Bathtub and A concentration measuring means is provided in the circulation path that collects bathwater from the bathtub and returns it to the bathtub, and measures the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater. A bathing device for elderly care, characterized by comprising: a notification means for notifying information based on the residual chlorine concentration measured by the concentration measuring means;

2. The bathing device for elderly care according to claim 1, characterized in that the information is a measured value of the residual chlorine concentration and / or guidance information indicating that the residual chlorine concentration has decreased.

3. The bathing device for elderly care according to claim 1, characterized in that the notification means notifies guidance information prompting calibration of the concentration measuring means if calibration has not been performed even after a predetermined time has elapsed since calibration of the concentration measuring means.

4. The bathing device for elderly care according to claim 3, characterized in that the guidance information is provided by the notification means until an operation for calibrating the concentration measuring means is performed.

5. The bathing device for elderly care according to claim 4, characterized in that the operation involves measuring the residual chlorine concentration of the bath water using a standard concentration measuring means for obtaining a standard value to be used for calibration, and adjusting the measured value of the residual chlorine concentration by the concentration measuring means to match the measured value of the residual chlorine concentration by the standard concentration measuring means.

6. The bathing device for elderly care according to claim 1, characterized in that the notification means is at least one of a display means, a light-emitting means, and a sound output means.

7. The bathing device for elderly care according to claim 1, characterized in that the residual chlorine concentration is the free chlorine concentration.

8. The bathing device for elderly care according to claim 7, characterized in that the concentration measuring means measures the free chlorine concentration when a predetermined time has elapsed since the water level of the bath reached the first water level at the start of bathing, or when the water level of the bath rose to the second water level at the start of bathing, or when the water level of the bath fell back down to the first water level at the time of leaving the bath.

9. The bathing device for caregiving according to claim 2, characterized in that the residual chlorine concentration is the free chlorine concentration, and the guidance information is the result of determining whether or not the bather is experiencing incontinence, which is determined based on the amount of decrease in the free chlorine concentration per unit time measured by the concentration measuring means.

10. The intermediate portion of the circulation path, which is the part between the outlet portion of the circulation path and the concentration measuring means, is located at a position higher than the water level at which the bathwater overflows from the bathtub. The bathing device for elderly care according to feature 1.

11. The system includes a recording means for recording the residual chlorine concentration measured by the concentration measuring means. The bathing device for elderly care according to feature 1.

12. The concentration measuring means is provided inside or outside the housing equipped with the bathtub. The bathing device for elderly care according to feature 1.

13. A method for managing the residual chlorine concentration of bathwater in a bathing device for elderly care, wherein the bathing device for elderly care comprises a bathtub, a concentration measuring means provided in a circulation path that collects bathwater from the bathtub and returns it to the bathtub, and a notification means, and the method is characterized by comprising the steps of measuring the residual chlorine concentration of the bathwater in the bathtub using the concentration measuring means while the bather is bathing, and notifying information based on the measured residual chlorine concentration using the notification means.

14. The method for managing the residual chlorine concentration of bath water according to claim 13, characterized in that the information is a measured value of the residual chlorine concentration and / or guidance information indicating that the residual chlorine concentration has decreased.

15. The method for managing the residual chlorine concentration of bath water according to claim 13, further comprising the step of the notification means notifying guidance information prompting calibration of the concentration measuring means if calibration has not been performed even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the calibration of the concentration measuring means.

16. The method for managing the residual chlorine concentration of bath water according to claim 15, further comprising a step in which the guidance information is provided by the notification means until an operation for calibrating the concentration measuring means is performed.

17. The method for managing the residual chlorine concentration of bath water according to claim 16, characterized in that the operation comprises the steps of: measuring the residual chlorine concentration of the bath water using the concentration measuring means; measuring the residual chlorine concentration of the bath water using a standard concentration measuring means for obtaining a standard value to be used for calibration; and adjusting the value measured by the concentration measuring means to the value measured by the standard concentration measuring means.

18. The aforementioned residual chlorine concentration is the free chlorine concentration. The method for managing the residual chlorine concentration of bath water according to claim 13, characterized in that the method includes at least one of the following steps: when a predetermined time has elapsed since the water level of the bath water reached a first water level at the start of bathing, or when the water level of the bath water rose to a second water level at the start of bathing, or when the water level of the bath water fell back to the first water level at the time of leaving the bath, the concentration measuring means measures the free chlorine concentration, or the concentration measuring means records the measured free chlorine concentration.

19. The method for managing the residual chlorine concentration of bath water according to claim 14, comprising the steps of: measuring the amount of decrease in the free chlorine concentration per unit time using the concentration measuring means; determining whether or not a bather experiences incontinence based on the measurement result; and notifying the determination result as guidance information using the notification means.

Images