Bathtub apparatus

Abstract

To provide a bathtub apparatus which makes the back of a bathing person naturally fit to a backrest part of a bathtub when the bathing person places the head on a pillow part to be in a relaxed state, and easily makes warm water after reaching shoulders spread to both sides of a front side and a back side of the bathing person.SOLUTION: A bathtub apparatus includes: a bathtub having a backrest part with which the back of a bathing person in a bathing posture can make contact and a rim part arranged in an upper part of the backrest part; a pillow part which is arranged in an upper part of the rim part and is formed separately from the bathtub, and where the bathing person in the bathing posture can place the head; and a water discharge port of a shoulder warm water discharge device which is arranged between the rim part and the pillow part for discharging water to shoulders of the bathing person in the bathing posture. In a top view, both the backrest part of the bathtub and a front end of the pillow part are curved in a recessed shape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bathtub, and more particularly to a bathtub apparatus equipped with a pillow section on which a bather can place his or her head and a water outlet that sprays water toward the bather's shoulders. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a bathtub device equipped with a pillow on the top of the bathtub for the bather's head to rest on and a water discharge device that discharges bath water onto the bather's shoulders. With this bathtub device, the bather can place his or her head on the pillow, the upper surface of which is horizontal or formed at an inclination angle close to horizontal, in a relaxed position, and have bath water poured over the shoulders that are not immersed in the water in the bathtub, to warm the upper body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-8428 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The inventors focused on the way the hot water spreads after hitting the shoulders in order to further improve the feeling of warmth of the upper body when the bather is in a relaxed position with his / her head resting on the pillow. Specifically, they discovered that it is effective to make the hot water spread to both the front (chest side) and back (dorsal side) of the bather after hitting the shoulders, thereby warming the entire upper body that is not immersed in the hot water in the bathtub.

[0005] In order for the hot water to spread to both the front and back of the bather after it hits the shoulders, the bather's posture (the angle of inclination of the upper body when viewed from the side) is important, but since bathing postures differ from person to person, the inventors focused on the shape of the backrest of the bathtub in order to regulate the bathing posture to a desired posture. Specifically, they discovered that the bather's posture can be regulated to a desired posture by fitting the bather's back to the backrest of the bathtub.

[0006] However, when a pillow member such as that in Patent Document 1 is provided, the shape of the pillow part on which the head is rested is formed horizontally or at an inclination angle close to horizontal, so the posture of the bather is determined by the pillow part. When the bather relaxes his / her muscles to relax, his / her back naturally moves away from the backrest of the bathtub, resulting in a new problem in that the bather cannot achieve the desired bathing posture.

[0007] To provide a bathtub device that, in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, enables a bather's back to naturally fit against the backrest of the bathtub even when the bather is in a relaxed position with his / her head resting on the pillow, and makes it easy for hot water to spread to both the front and back of the bather after it hits his / her shoulders. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the present invention provides a bathtub having a backrest portion against which a bather in a bathing position can rest his / her back and a rim portion arranged above the backrest portion; a pillow portion arranged above the rim portion and formed separately from the bathtub, on which a bather in a bathing position can rest his / her head; a water outlet of a shoulder bath water discharge device arranged between the rim portion and the pillow portion and discharging water toward the shoulders of the bather in a bathing position; and the front ends of the backrest portion and the pillow portion of the bathtub are both concavely curved when viewed from above. When viewed from above, the front of the water discharge direction side of the water discharge section of the shoulder bath water discharge device is covered from above by a pillow section, and when viewed from above, the front end of the pillow section covering the front of the water discharge section of the shoulder bath water discharge device is curved concavely. When viewed from above, the front end portion of the shoulder bath water discharge device, which is covered by the pillow portion, is curved concavely together with the backrest portion of the bathtub and the front end of the pillow portion. When viewed from above, the front end of the water discharge section of the shoulder bath water discharge device is curved concavely. Effect of the Invention

[0009] To provide a bathtub device according to the present invention, in which the back of a bather naturally fits the backrest of the bathtub even when the bather is in a relaxed position with his / her head resting on the pillow, and hot water easily spreads to both the front and back of the bather after it hits his / her shoulders. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a bathtub apparatus to which a bathtub water discharge device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the bathtub water discharge device according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 with the left and right sides of the page reversed. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 5. [Figure 9] 1 is a front view of a bathtub water discharge device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] 1 is a diagram showing how water that has flowed into a storage chamber of a bathtub water discharge device according to an embodiment of the present invention passes through an inclined portion and a throttle flow path and is discharged from a water discharge port portion. [Figure 11]1 is a perspective view showing a state in which water is being discharged from a water discharge port toward a user sitting in a bathtub equipped with a bathtub water discharge device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a pillow portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a bather taking a bath in a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a bather taking a bath in a bathtub apparatus that is a comparative example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Next, a bathtub apparatus to which the bathtub water discharge device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the attached drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic oblique view showing a bathtub apparatus to which a bathtub water discharge device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a top view of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 1.

[0012] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a bathtub apparatus 3 to which a bathtub water discharge device (bathtub water circulation type water discharge device) 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied includes a bathtub 2 and a water supply unit 10 that supplies hot and cold water into the bathtub 2 by a user H operating an operation unit 30 (described later). The bathtub water discharge device 1 is installed in the bathtub 2. The bathtub 2 stores water (including hot water) supplied from the water supply unit 10. In this embodiment, the side on which the water discharge port unit (water discharge port) 4 of the water discharge unit 5 described later of the bathtub water discharge device 1 is provided is the front direction, the side on the opposite side on which the storage chamber 36 is provided is the rear direction, and the right side when the water discharge port unit 4 is viewed from the front is the right direction, and the left side is the left direction. The temperature of the water supplied by the water supply unit 10 to the bathtub 2 is set by a user H operating the operation unit 30 (described later).

[0013] The bathtub 2 has a bottom 2a, a vertical wall 2b on the short side where the back of the user H comes into contact, a side wall 2d on the long side of the bathtub 2, and an upper end (rim) 2c that is connected to the upper part of the vertical wall 2b and forms the upper surface of the bathtub 2. One side of the vertical wall 2b (the side where the bathtub water discharger 1 is installed) is a backrest 7 against which a bather in a bathing position can abut his / her back. The backrest 7 is inclined downward toward the inside of the bathtub 2 at a first inclination angle, for example, an inclination angle of 20 degrees, with respect to the vertical plane (see FIG. 13). This first inclination angle is the angle of an imaginary line connecting the upper end of the backrest 7 (the position where the upper end 2c and the backrest 7 intersect) and the lower end (the position where the bottom 2a and the backrest 7 intersect). The upper end 2c is set at a height relatively close to the upper body, such as the head, neck, or shoulders, of a user H sitting in the bathtub. A first water inlet 6 and a second water inlet 22 are formed in the side wall 2d. Above the backrest, the water outlet 4 is provided with a pillow 8 on which a bather in a bathing position can place his / her head. The water outlet 4 is disposed between the backrest 7 and the pillow 8, and discharges water toward the shoulders of a bather in a bathing position. The bathtub 2 is a so-called round type bathtub in which the upper part of the wall surface of the bathtub 2 is formed in a horizontal arc shape. The bathtub 2 may be a so-called cradle type bathtub in which the upper part of the wall surface of the bathtub 2 is formed in a horizontal arc shape, a circular bathtub, or a wide type bathtub in which the vertical wall 2b forms the long side.

[0014] As shown in Figure 3, the bathtub water discharger 1 discharges water supplied from a supply pipe into the bathtub 2. The bathtub water discharger 1 is disposed on the inner edge portion of the upper end portion 2c of the bathtub 2. The bathtub water discharger 1 is formed with a water discharge port portion 4 of a water discharger 5 that discharges water horizontally and in a band shape into the bathtub 2.

[0015] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the bathtub apparatus 3 further includes a first flow path 8 extending from the first water intake 6, a pump (supply unit) 10 that is provided on the first flow path 8 and that draws in water from the bathtub 2 and pumps it downstream, a three-way valve 12 that controls the flow of water at the downstream end of the first flow path 8, a second flow path 14 that extends from the three-way valve 12 to the outlet unit 4, a third flow path 16 that extends from the three-way valve 12 separately from the second flow path 14, and a pump (supply unit) 10 that pumps the water supplied from the third flow path 16 into the bathtub 2. The bathtub 2 is equipped with a blow water discharge section 18 that discharges water, a jet pump unit 20 provided in the downstream portion of the second flow path 14, a fourth flow path 24 that extends from the second water intake 22 to the jet pump unit 20, an uprising pipe 26 that extends vertically upward from the jet pump unit 20, a control section 28 that controls the pump 10 and the three-way valve 12, a water temperature sensor (detection section) 9 that detects the temperature of the water in the bathtub 2, and an operation section 30 that is operated by a user H. The detection section 9 is controlled by the control section 28. It is more preferable that the detection section 9 is formed on the inner wall of the bathtub 2 on the wall side on which the first water intake 6 or the second water intake 22 is formed, rather than on the wall side on which the water discharge device 1 is installed.

[0016] The pump 10 is electrically connected to a control unit 28 and is controlled by the control unit 28 .

[0017] The three-way valve 12 can selectively supply water supplied from the first flow path 8 to both or either one of the second flow path 14 and the third flow path 16. The three-way valve 12 can freely change the flow rate distribution ratio. The three-way valve 12 is electrically connected to a control unit 28, and is electrically controlled to open and close by the control unit 28. The second flow path 14 forms a flow path extending from the three-way valve 12 to the jet pump unit 20.

[0018] Control unit 28 is attached to the back side of the bathroom wall (not shown). Control unit 28 is electrically connected to pump 10, three-way valve 12, operation unit 30, etc., and is capable of operating each of the above-mentioned parts. Control unit 28 controls each device in response to an operation signal from operation unit 30 or according to a stored program, etc. Control unit 28 is equipped with a storage device such as a memory (not shown) and a calculation device (not shown) that can appropriately control bathtub water discharge device 1.

[0019] The operating unit 30 is attached to a wall in the bathroom so that the user H can turn on and off the bathtub water discharger 1. Information on the operation of the operating unit 30 by the user H is sent from the operating unit 30 to the control unit 28 by an electrical signal.

[0020] The jet pump unit 20 includes a chamber 32 that stores water drawn in by the jet pump action, and a jet nozzle 34 that is disposed at the downstream end of the second flow path 14. By employing the jet pump unit 20, the bathtub water discharge device 1 can discharge a large flow rate of shoulder bath water from the water discharge port 4 using a relatively small pump 10.

[0021] The chamber portion 32 forms a box-shaped water storage chamber, and the downstream end of the fourth flow path 24 is connected to the chamber portion 32. The chamber portion 32 is connected to the bathtub 2. A jet nozzle 34 is attached to the bottom of the chamber portion 32 facing vertically upward. An opening is formed in the upper surface of the chamber portion 32 at a position opposite the jet nozzle 34, and the riser pipe 26 extends upward from this opening.

[0022] The jet nozzle 34 injects water supplied from the pump 10 through the chamber 32 into the uprising pipe 26. The jet nozzle 34 injects water through the chamber 32, which induces a jet pump action that draws water from the chamber 32. The jet nozzle 34 is formed so that the diameter of the internal flow path is narrower than the diameter of the second flow path 14 upstream of the jet nozzle 34. Therefore, the water pumped by the pump 10 is further accelerated inside the jet nozzle 34 and is ejected from the jet nozzle 34 as a high-speed water stream. The high-speed jet ejected from the jet nozzle 34 draws in the water in the chamber 32, increasing its flow rate and decreasing its flow velocity. The riser pipe 26 forms a circular tubular flow passage that extends vertically upward from the chamber portion 32 .

[0023] Next, the bathtub water discharge device 1 will be described with reference to Figs. Figure 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the bathtub water discharger according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 3, with the left and right sides of the paper inverted, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Figure 3, Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Figure 6, Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Figure 5, and Figure 9 is a front view of the bathtub water discharger according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front.

[0024] The bathtub water discharge device 1 has a storage chamber 36 that temporarily stores water flowing in from the rising pipe 26 and spreads it within itself, an inclined portion 42 provided between the storage chamber 36 and a throttling flow path 38, a water discharge port portion 4 of the water discharge portion 5 formed in a wide shape extending in the left-right direction, and a throttling flow path 38 that forms a flow path that is narrower than the storage chamber 36 and extends to the water discharge port portion 4.

[0025] The storage chamber 36 is connected to the downstream end of the uprising pipe 26. The interior of the storage chamber 36 extends in the left-right direction. When viewed from above, the storage chamber 36 is formed such that the front side of the side wall 36e widens in the left-right direction. The side wall 36e of the storage chamber 36 is formed so as to gradually curve forward from the rear side toward the front side. The storage chamber 36 forms a flow path that widens in the left-right direction, and the water is decelerated and temporarily stored in the storage chamber 36, and the water is spread in the left-right direction.

[0026] The storage chamber 36 is provided with a rib 44 between the connection portion of the uprising pipe 26 and the inclined portion 42. The rib 44 is disposed near the connection portion of the uprising pipe 26. The rib 44 is formed to form a convex portion protruding downward from the ceiling surface 36d and to reduce the flow path cross-sectional area between the ceiling surface 36d and the opposing bottom surface 36b. The rib 44 is formed to cross the storage chamber 36 in the left-right direction from the right side wall 36e to the left side wall of the storage chamber 36. The rib 44 may be formed only in the area near the side wall 36e.

[0027] The rib 44 reduces the flow path cross-sectional area, reaccelerating the water flow that has decelerated after flowing into the storage chamber 36, and suppresses the formation of a vortex when the water flowing along the side wall 36e of the storage chamber 36 separates from the curved surface of the side wall 36e. Since the flow path cross-sectional area between the rib 44 and the bottom surface 36b of the storage chamber 36 is narrowed almost uniformly in the left-right direction, the water is accelerated forward almost uniformly in the left-right direction. The rib 44 forms a left-right flow rate equalization means that makes the flow rate of water flowing into the downstream throttle flow path 38 almost uniform in the left-right direction.

[0028] The inclined portion 42 forms an inclined surface that rises from the storage chamber 36 toward the throttle flow path 38 on the bottom surface between the storage chamber 36 and the throttle flow path 38. The inclined portion 42 is formed in the same shape in the left-right direction, and the length in the front-rear direction and the inclination angle are constant in any position. The inclined portion 42 is formed so that the flow path cross-sectional area in the up-down direction gradually decreases toward the front side. Therefore, the inclined portion 42 can gradually accelerate the water flow while suppressing turbulence.

[0029] The upstream end 42a of the inclined portion 42, which is the connecting portion with the storage chamber 36, is formed so as to extend parallel to the imaginary line A connecting the left and right end portions 4b of the water outlet 4. The downstream end 42b of the inclined portion 42, which is the connecting portion with the throttle flow path 38 (and the inlet 38b of the throttle flow path 38), is also formed so as to extend parallel to the imaginary line A connecting the left and right end portions 4b of the water outlet 4. The length L2 in the front-to-rear direction from the upstream end 42a of the inclined portion 42 through the central portion 38c of the throttle flow path 38 to the water outlet 4 is shorter than the length L1 in the front-to-rear direction from the upstream end 42a to the water outlet 4 through the left and right end portions 38d of the throttle flow path 38.

[0030] The water outlet 4 forms an opening on the inside and horizontally on the upper end 2c of the bathtub 2, and is designed to discharge water in a shoulder bath by discharging a wide water flow in the left-right direction toward the neck and shoulders of a user sitting in the bathtub. The water outlet 4 is curved so that the left-right central portion 4a of the water outlet 4 is located behind the left-right end portions 4b when viewed from above. The water outlet 4 is formed in an arc shape so as to follow the arc-shaped vertical wall 2b when viewed from above. The water outlet 4 also forms a rectangular opening when viewed from the front. The width of the opening of the water outlet 4 is formed to be about the shoulder width of the user, and the height of the opening is formed to be about several millimeters, so that water is discharged in a film shape from the water outlet 4.

[0031] Next, the throttle flow passage 38 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The throttle flow passage 38 is formed between the inclined portion 42 and the water outlet portion 4. The throttle flow passage 38 is formed so that the height of the flow passage is lower than the height of the flow passage in the storage chamber 36 and the inclined portion 42. Furthermore, the throttle flow passage 38 has a flow passage cross-sectional area smaller than the flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the storage chamber 36 and the flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the inclined portion 42 so as to accelerate the flowing water. The bottom surface 38a of the throttle flow passage 38 is formed substantially flat. A water draining groove portion 40 is formed in the bottom surface of the throttle flow passage 38, the inclined portion 42, and the storage chamber 36 to prevent water from remaining.

[0032] The throttle flow passage 38 has an inlet 38b formed in a straight line in a top view, and a central portion 38c in the left-right direction of the outlet (the water outlet 4) curved so as to be located rearward of the left-right end portions 38d. The throttle flow passage 38 is provided with a flow rate adjustment means for making the decrease in the flow rate of water passing through the central portion 38c smaller than the decrease in the flow rate of water passing through the left-right end portions 38d on the left-right end side of the central portion 38c. The flow rate adjustment means of the throttle flow passage 38 is formed by making the length X2 of the central portion 38c of the throttle flow passage 38 shorter than the length X1 of the left-right end portions 38d. The length X2 is the length from the inlet 38b of the central portion 38c to the water outlet 4. The length X1 is the length from the inlet 38b of the left-right end portions 38d to the water outlet 4. The throttle flow passage 38 is formed so that the height H1 of the flow passage from the inlet 38b to the water outlet 4 is constant. Furthermore, in the flow rate adjusting means of the throttle flow path 38, the height H1 of the flow path from the central portion 38c to the left and right end portions 38d of the throttle flow path 38 is constant. This makes it possible to make the pressure loss of water passing through the central portion 38c smaller than the pressure loss of water passing through the left and right end portions 38d without changing the height of the flow path. Therefore, by making the height of the water discharge port 4 constant from the central portion 38c to the left and right end portions 38d, it is possible to make the flow rate of water discharged from the central portion 38c of the water discharge port 4 higher than the flow rate of water discharged from the left and right end portions 38d of the water discharge port 4, while suppressing the film thickness of the water discharged in a wide film from being disturbed and the discharged film-like water being divided into left and right. Note that the constant height H1 also includes the case where the difference between the height of the central portion 38c and the height of the left and right end portions 38d is approximately constant within a predetermined range, for example, the case where the height of the central portion 38c is 90% to 110% of the height of the left and right end portions 38d.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 8, the inlet 38b of the throttle flow passage 38 is formed in a rectangular shape, and the height H1 of the flow passage is constant from the central portion 38c to the left and right end portions 38d. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, the water outlet portion 4, which is the outlet of the throttle flow passage 38, is formed in a rectangular shape in a front view, and the height H2 of the flow passage is constant from the central portion 38c (central portion 4a) to the left and right end portions 38d (left and right end portions 4b). The height H2 of the flow passage of the water outlet portion 4 is narrowed down to be slightly lower than the height H1 of the flow passage of the throttle flow passage 38. The height H2 of the flow passage of the water outlet portion 4 may be the same as the height H1 of the flow passage of the throttle flow passage 38. The constant height H2 includes the case where the difference between the height of the central portion 4a and the height of the left and right end portions 4b is approximately constant within a predetermined range, for example, the case where the height of the central portion 4a is 90% to 110% of the height of the left and right end portions 4b.

[0034] Next, the operation (action) of the water spouting device for bathtub 1 from the water spouting port 4 will be described with reference to Figs. When the user H operates the operating unit 30, the control unit 28 drives the pump 10. The pump 10 sucks water from the bathtub 2 through the first flow path 8 and pumps it downstream to the second flow path 14. The water is supplied from the second flow path 14 to the jet nozzle 34, and the hot and cold water sprayed from the jet nozzle 34 moves up the riser pipe 26 while drawing in the water from the chamber 32 due to the jet pump action, and flows into the storage chamber 36.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 10, the water flowing from the uprising pipe 26 into the storage chamber 36 is decelerated in the storage chamber 36 and flows so as to spread in the left-right direction, as shown by the arrow F1. This water flows between the rib 44 and the bottom surface 36b before forming a vortex by separating from the curved surface of the side wall 36e. At this time, the flow path cross-sectional area between the rib 44 and the bottom surface 36b is narrowed, so the water is accelerated as shown by the arrow F2. F2 is shown by a dotted line because it flows under the rib 44. At this time, the flow path cross-sectional area between the rib 44 and the bottom surface 36b is narrowed almost uniformly in the left-right direction, so the water is accelerated almost uniformly at any position in the left-right direction. At this time, the rib 44 accelerates the water while maintaining the vector of each water flow. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the formation of a vortex by accelerating the water, and to form a flow that is almost uniformly rectified in the left-right direction.

[0036] The water that has passed through the rib 44 is decelerated again in the storage chamber 36 and flows further in a lateral direction as indicated by the arrow F3. At this time, the water is prevented from becoming turbulent to the extent that it would form a vortex, and a substantially uniform flow can be maintained at any position in the lateral direction.

[0037] The inclined portion 42 is formed so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path is gradually reduced toward the front side. Therefore, the water that spreads in the left-right direction is gradually accelerated again in the inclined portion 42, as shown by the arrow F4. In addition, the upstream end 42a of the inclined portion 42, which is the connecting portion between the storage chamber 36 and the inclined portion 42, is formed so as to extend parallel to the imaginary line A connecting the left-right end portion 4b of the spout portion 4. Therefore, the water flows into the inclined portion 42 from the upstream end 42a while suppressing turbulence and maintaining the vector of the water flow. Therefore, the water can flow so as to spread relatively evenly with respect to the imaginary line A. In addition, the downstream end 42b of the inclined portion 42, which is the connecting portion between the throttle flow path 38 and the inclined portion 42 (and the inlet 38b of the throttle flow path 38), is formed so as to extend parallel to the imaginary line A. Therefore, the water flows into the throttle flow path 38 from the downstream end 42b while suppressing turbulence and maintaining the vector of the water flow. Therefore, the water can flow so as to spread relatively evenly with respect to the imaginary line A. Therefore, the water flow is gradually accelerated in the inclined portion 42 while being prevented from being disturbed, and flows into the throttle flow passage 38 while maintaining a flow that is approximately uniformly rectified in the left-right direction. According to the structure of the inclined portion 42 as in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the water flow vector from bending along the curved inclined portion 42, which would result in uniform water discharge to the left and right, as occurs when the upstream end 42a and downstream end 42b of the inclined portion 42 are curved to correspond to the shape of the water outlet portion 4, as in the comparative example described below. Note that "parallel" also includes the case where the connection portion between the throttle flow path 38 and the inclined portion 42 is substantially parallel and inclined within a relatively small angle range with respect to the imaginary line A, for example, the case where the connection portion between the throttle flow path 38 and the inclined portion 42 is inclined at an angle of -5 degrees to 5 degrees with respect to the imaginary line A. Similarly, "parallel" also includes the case where the connection portion between the storage chamber 36 and the inclined portion 42 is substantially parallel and inclined within a relatively small angle range with respect to the imaginary line A, for example, the case where the connection portion between the storage chamber 36 and the inclined portion 42 is inclined at an angle of -5 degrees to 5 degrees with respect to the imaginary line A.

[0038] The water flowing in from the inclined portion 42 is further accelerated in the throttle channel 38. As shown by the arrow F5, the water flows from the inlet 38b of the throttle channel 38 to the water outlet 4 while maintaining the flow direction, which is almost uniformly rectified when the water flowed in. Thus, the throttle channel 38 basically has the function of accelerating water, but the flow speed of the water passing through the throttle channel 38 is reduced by a certain amount due to pressure loss caused by the resistance of the wall surface of the flow channel, such as the bottom surface 38a (see FIG. 5) and the ceiling surface. As shown in FIG. 6, the flow speed adjustment means of the throttle channel 38 can make the pressure loss of the water passing through the central portion 38c of the throttle channel 38 smaller than the pressure loss of the water passing through the left and right end portions 38d. Therefore, the decrease in the flow speed of the water passing through the central portion 38c is made smaller than the decrease in the flow speed of the water passing through the left and right end portions 38d. Therefore, the flow speed of the water discharged from the central portion 4a of the water outlet 4 can be made larger than the flow speed of the water discharged from the left and right end portions 4b.

[0039] As shown by arrow F6 in FIG. 10 and also as shown in FIG. 11, the water discharged from the water discharge port 4 flows downward in a parabola in the air as a stable belt-like (water film-like) flow of water with a substantially constant width and thickness. The flight distance of the water discharged from the central portion 4a of the water discharge port 4 is made greater than the flight distance of the water discharged from the left and right end portions 4b of the water discharge port 4. Therefore, the water landing range B on the upper body such as the shoulders and back of the user H sitting in the bathtub 2 is a range formed in a straight line in the left and right direction. The water landing range B is at substantially the same height in the left and right direction and is relatively uniform in the left and right direction. Since the water is discharged linearly toward the user H, the discharged water can be efficiently landed on the user H, and the user H can be given a relatively uniform bathing experience, improving the bathing experience of the user H.

[0040] According to the bathtub water discharge device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the throttle flow path 38 is provided with a flow rate adjustment means that makes the decrease in the flow rate of water passing through the center portion 38c of the throttle flow path 38 smaller than the decrease in the flow rate of water passing through the left and right end portions 38d, so that the flow rate of water discharged from the center portion 4a of the water discharge port 4 can be made larger than the flow rate of water discharged from the left and right end portions 4b of the water discharge port 4. Therefore, the water discharged from the center portion 4a of the water discharge port 4 can be discharged to a position forward of the water discharged from the left and right end portions 4b. Therefore, according to the present invention, even if the water discharge port 4 is curved so that the center portion 4a of the opening of the water discharge port 4 is located behind the left and right end portions 4b, the shape of the water flow discharged toward the user's shoulders can be made linear and not curved, improving the user's bathing comfort. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the water that flows into the storage chamber 36 is spread in the left-right direction in the storage chamber 36, and then passes through the throttle flow path 38 equipped with a flow rate adjustment means. This makes it easier to form a water flow that is wide in the left-right direction, and the shape of the water flow is less likely to be curved and can be made linear, improving the bathing comfort of the user.

[0041] In addition, according to the bathtub water discharge device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the flow rate adjustment means of the throttle flow path 38 is formed by making the length X2 of the central portion 38c of the throttle flow path 38 shorter than the length X1 of the left and right end portions 38d. This makes it possible to make the pressure loss of water passing through the central portion 38c of the throttle flow path 38 smaller than the pressure loss of water passing through the left and right end portions 38d. Therefore, the flow rate of water discharged from the central portion 4a of the water discharge port 4 can be made larger than the flow rate of water discharged from the left and right end portions 4b of the water discharge port 4. Therefore, according to the present invention, even if the water discharge port 4 is curved so that the central portion 4a of the opening of the water discharge port 4 is located behind the left and right end portions 4b, the discharge shape of the water flow discharged toward the shoulders of the user can be made less likely to be curved with a relatively simple configuration.

[0042] Furthermore, according to the bathtub water discharge device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the water discharge outlet 4 is formed by making the height of the flow path from the central portion 4a to the left and right end portions 4b constant. This makes it possible to make the pressure loss of water passing through the central portion 4a of the water discharge outlet 4 smaller than the pressure loss of water passing through the left and right end portions 4b. Therefore, according to the present invention, by making the height of the water discharge outlet 4 constant from the central portion 4a to the left and right end portions 4b, it is possible to make the flow rate of water discharged from the central portion 4a of the water discharge outlet 4 faster than the flow rate of water discharged from the left and right end portions 4b of the water discharge outlet 4, while suppressing the film thickness of the water discharged in a wide film from being disturbed and the discharged film-like water being divided into left and right.

[0043] Furthermore, according to the bathtub water discharge device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the inclined portion 42 suppresses the water flowing toward the throttle channel 38 from accelerating and generating turbulence. Furthermore, the connection portion between the inclined portion 42 and the throttle channel 38 is formed so as to extend parallel to the imaginary line A connecting the left and right end portions 4b of the water discharge port 4. Therefore, even if the throttle channel 38 is formed with a flow rate adjustment means that makes the decrease in the flow rate of water passing through the center portion 38c smaller than the decrease in the flow rate of water passing through the left and right end portions 38d, the water flowing from the inclined portion 42 into the throttle channel 38 can flow so as to spread relatively evenly with respect to the imaginary line A. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the water flowing from the inclined portion 42 into the throttle channel 38 being attracted to the flow of the center portion 38c, where the decrease in the flow rate of water is small, causing a contraction. This suppresses the water flow shape of the water discharged toward the shoulders of the user H from being disturbed.

[0044] Furthermore, according to the bathtub water discharge device 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, the inclined portion 42 accelerates the water toward the throttle flow passage 38 and suppresses the generation of turbulence. Furthermore, the connection portion between the storage chamber 36 and the inclined portion 42 is formed to extend parallel to the imaginary line A connecting the left and right end portions 4b of the water discharge port portion 4. Therefore, even if the throttle flow passage 38 is formed with a flow rate adjustment means that makes the decrease in the flow rate of water passing through the center portion 38c smaller than the decrease in the flow rate of water passing through the left and right end portions 38d, the water flowing from the storage chamber 36 to the inclined portion 42 can flow so as to spread relatively evenly with respect to the imaginary line A. Therefore, according to the present invention, the water flowing from the inclined portion 42 into the throttle flow passage 38 flows so as to spread relatively evenly, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of contraction due to being attracted to the flow of the center portion 38c where the decrease in the flow rate of water is small. This makes it possible to suppress the disturbance of the shape of the water flow discharged toward the shoulders of the user H.

[0045] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a pillow according to an embodiment of the present invention. 12, the upper surface of the pillow section 8 has a downwardly inclined surface P that is inclined downward toward the inside of the bathtub 2 at a second inclination angle, for example, 45 degrees, that is greater than the first inclination angle (20 degrees) with respect to the vertical plane. This second inclination angle is the angle of a tangent to the part of the upper surface of the pillow section 8 that is located furthest inside the bathtub 2. An imaginary extension surface L1 that is an imaginary extension of the downwardly inclined surface P is formed to present a convex curved surface so as to be connected to the backrest section 7 without any steps. In addition, in the present invention, the definition of "the imaginary extension plane L1 has no step with respect to the backrest portion 7" also includes, for example, a case in which the size of the step between the imaginary extension plane L1 and the backrest portion 7 is within 10 mm, and the angle difference between the inclination angle of the imaginary extension plane L1 and the inclination angle of the upper part of the backrest portion 7 is within 10 degrees.

[0046] Fig. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a bather taking a bath in a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a bather taking a bath in a bathtub apparatus that is a comparative example of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 14, in the comparative example, the virtual extension surface L2, which is a virtual extension of the downward inclined surface P of the pillow part 8, is not connected to the backrest part 7 without any step, so the upper body of the bather in the bathing position is not located at the position intended by the designer. In other words, when the bather in the bathing position relaxes to relax, the back (body axis) is located in a position along the virtual extension surface L2, so the upper body ends up in a posture in which the bather falls backward. As a result, the back is separated from the backrest part 7, and the position where the hot water discharged from the water discharge part 4 hits varies depending on the position of the bather's head and body. The arrows shown in FIG. 14 represent the hot water discharged from the water discharge part 4. In the comparative example of FIG. 14, most of the hot water discharged from the water discharge part 4 flows to the back side (rear side) of the bather in the bathing position, and not much hot water flows to the chest side (front side) of the bather in the bathing position. For this reason, in the comparative example, it is difficult to warm the entire upper body that is not immersed in the hot water in the bathtub 2.

[0047] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 13, in the bathtub apparatus 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the virtual extension surface L1, which is a virtual extension of the descending inclined surface P of the pillow section 8, is connected to the backrest section 7 without any step. Therefore, even when the bather in the bathing position relaxes his / her body, the back naturally fits to the backrest section 7. As a result, the hot water discharged from the water discharge port section 4 tends to spread to both the front and back of the bather. The arrows shown in Fig. 13 indicate the hot water discharged from the water discharge port section 4.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 3, the backrest 7 is formed to have a concave curved surface S in a vertical cross section perpendicular to the backrest 7. That is, the backrest 7 has a concave curved surface S that is partially curved backward in the height direction. This makes it easier for the curved spine of the bather to come into contact with the backrest 7 in a planar manner rather than in a point-like manner, making it less likely for the bather to feel pain when placing his / her back against the backrest 7. This prevents the bather from intentionally moving his / her back away from the backrest 7 and straying from the desired bathing position.

[0049] 2, the backrest 7 is formed to present a concave curved surface M such that the central portion in the width direction is located outside the bathtub 2 and both end portions in the width direction are located inside the bathtub 2 in a horizontal cross section. In other words, the backrest 7 has a concave curved surface M that curves so that the central portion in the width direction is located further rearward than the left and right end portions. This allows the back of the bather to fit the backrest 7 better. This allows the bather to set a more desired bathing posture.

[0050] The above describes the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. Any design changes made by a person skilled in the art to the above-mentioned embodiments are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they have the characteristics of the present invention. For example, the shape, dimensions, materials, and arrangement of each element of the bathtub device 3 and bathtub water discharge device 1 are not limited to those exemplified, and can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the elements of each of the above-described embodiments can be combined to the extent technically possible, and such combinations are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1. Bathtub water discharge device (bathtub water circulation type water discharge device) 2 Bathtub 3 Bathtub equipment 4. Water outlet (water outlet) 5. Water outlet 7 Backrest 8 Pillow part 9. Detection Unit 10 Water supply section 36 Storage chamber 38 Restricted Channel 38c central part 38d Left and right end parts 42 Slope 42a Upstream end 42b Downstream end

Claims

1. A bathtub having a backrest against which a bather in a bathing position can rest his / her back and a rim disposed above the backrest; A pillow section that is arranged above the rim section and formed separately from the bathtub, on which a bather in a bathing position can place his or her head; A wide-shaped water outlet of the shoulder bath water outlet device is arranged between the rim portion and the pillow portion and discharges a wide water flow toward the shoulders of the bather in a bathing position; Equipped with When viewed from above, the backrest of the bathtub is concavely curved, When viewed from above, the front of the water discharge port in the water discharge direction is covered by the pillow portion from above, When viewed from above, the front end of the pillow portion covering the upper front side of the water discharge direction side of the water discharge port is curved in a concave shape, When viewed from above, the front end of the pillow portion, which is curved concavely to cover the water outlet and the upper front area of ​​the water outlet, is located rearward of the front end of the rim portion, In the height direction, the length from the spout to the front end of the pillow portion, which covers the upper part in front of the spout and curves concavely, is shorter than the length from the spout to the rim portion, The shape of the pillow portion is a convex shape in which the center of the pillow portion is the highest and both ends of the pillow portion are lower when viewed from the front from inside the bathtub. Bathtub equipment.

2. The bathtub apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when viewed from above, the front end portion of the shoulder bath water discharge device covered by the pillow portion is curved concavely together with the backrest portion of the bathtub and the front end of the pillow portion.

3. The bathtub apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, when viewed from above, the front end of the water outlet of the shoulder bath water outlet device is curved concavely.

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