Water discharge device

The water discharge device addresses the issue of inaccurate water discharge by using a pillow section with a harder head rest section covering a support section, ensuring accurate water targeting and maintaining shape, enhancing bathing comfort.

JP2025151139APending Publication Date: 2025-10-09TOTO LTD
View PDF 1 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024052406
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-03-27
Publication Date
2025-10-09

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional water discharge devices fail to accurately discharge water onto a bather's neck or shoulders due to the pillow section sinking under the weight of the head.

Method used

A water discharge device with a pillow section featuring a support section and a head rest section, where the head rest section has a hardness greater than or equal to the support section, and is arranged to cover the support section from above, with a convex upward underside and varying hardness and thickness along the water discharge direction, preventing the head from sinking and ensuring accurate water discharge.

Benefits of technology

Prevents the bather's head from sinking, allowing the water discharge section to accurately target the neck or shoulders, maintaining the pillow's shape, and enhancing relaxation during bathing.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 2025151139000001_ABST
    Figure 2025151139000001_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To inhibit the head of a bather from sinking and to accurately discharge water to the neck or shoulder of the bather from a water discharge part.SOLUTION: A water discharge device includes: a support part 45 for supporting the load of the head of a bather; a head placing part 41 provided above the support part 45 and configured to be capable of placing the head of a bather thereon; and a water discharge part installed below the head placing part 41 and including a water discharge port for discharging water toward a bather. The head placing part 41 has a hardness that is equal to or harder than the hardness of the support part 45.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water discharge device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, water discharge devices have been known that include a pillow section and a water discharge section, in which the water discharge section discharges water (including hot water) toward a bather who places his or her head on the pillow section.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a water discharge device in which a water discharger discharges water onto the neck or shoulders of a bather who has his or her head resting on a pillow. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-45782 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the technology described in Patent Document 1, if the pillow portion sinks due to the weight of the bather's head, the water discharge portion cannot discharge water accurately onto the bather's neck or shoulders.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a water discharge device that prevents the bather's head from sinking and enables the water discharge section to accurately discharge water onto the bather's neck or shoulders. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problem, according to a first aspect of the present invention, the following water discharge device is provided: This water discharge device comprises a pillow section having a support section for supporting the weight of the bather's head and a head rest section arranged above the support section and configured to be able to rest the bather's head, and a water discharge section arranged below the head rest section and having a water discharge port for discharging water toward the bather, the hardness of the head rest section being equal to or greater than that of the support section.

[0008] With this configuration, the bather's head is prevented from sinking compared to when the hardness of the head rest is less than that of the support part, and the water discharge part can accurately discharge water onto the bather's neck or shoulders.

[0009] Moreover, in the water discharger according to the second aspect of the present invention, the hardness of the head rest portion is greater than the hardness of the support portion.

[0010] With this configuration, the bather's head is prevented from sinking compared to when the hardness of the head rest is softer than that of the support part, and the water discharge part can accurately discharge water onto the bather's neck or shoulders.

[0011] Moreover, in the water discharge device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the head rest portion is arranged so as to cover the support portion from above.

[0012] With this configuration, the support part supports the head rest part from below, which further prevents the bather's head from sinking compared to when the support part supports the head rest part from the side.

[0013] In addition, in the water discharge device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the head rest portion has a tip portion and a rear end portion along the water discharge direction in order of proximity to the water discharge outlet, and the hardness of the tip portion is greater than the hardness of the rear end portion.

[0014] This configuration can further prevent the bather's head from sinking, compared to when the hardness of the head rest is uniform throughout.

[0015] Moreover, in the water discharger according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the lower surface of the head rest portion is curved so as to be convex upward.

[0016] According to this configuration, the underside of the head rest is formed to curve upward, so that the pillow portion is more resistant to depression caused by forces from above compared to when the underside of the head rest is not formed to curve upward, further preventing the bather's head from sinking.

[0017] In addition, in the water-spouting device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the head rest portion has, along the water-spouting direction, a tip portion, a central portion, and a rear end portion in the order of proximity to the water-spout outlet, and the thickness of the central portion is thicker than the thickness of the tip portion.

[0018] With this configuration, the pillow part is less likely to bend when removed, and the shape of the pillow part is more likely to be maintained, compared to when the thickness of the head rest part is uniform throughout.

[0019] In addition, in the water discharge device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the head rest portion has a tip portion and a rear end portion in the order of proximity to the water discharge outlet along the water discharge direction, and a cavity is provided inside the tip portion of the head rest portion.

[0020] With this configuration, compared to when there is no cavity inside the tip of the head rest, the bather's head is prevented from sinking, and the increased cushioning of the head rest prevents discomfort to the bather's neck. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] The water discharge device according to the present invention prevents the bather's head from sinking, and allows the water discharge section to discharge water accurately onto the bather's neck or shoulders. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a bathtub apparatus to which a water discharge device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of the bathtub apparatus shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the bathtub apparatus taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of the bathtub apparatus shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the water discharge device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the water discharger shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the pillow part shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of a pillow portion according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of a pillow part according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same components in the drawings will be denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0024] ---First embodiment--- First, a bathtub apparatus 3 to which a water discharger 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described.

[0025] <Overall structure> Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a bathtub apparatus 3 to which a water discharger 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. Fig. 2 is a top view of the bathtub apparatus 3 shown in Fig. 1.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a bathtub apparatus 3 to which a water discharger 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied comprises a bathtub 2 and a water supply unit 10 that supplies hot and cold water into the bathtub 2. The water discharger 1 is installed in the bathtub 2. The bathtub 2 stores water (including hot water) supplied from the water supply unit 10. The water discharger 1 is formed with a water outlet 4 that discharges water into the bathtub 2.

[0027] The bathtub 2 has a bottom 2a, a vertical wall 2b on the short side that comes into contact with the back of the bather H, 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. The water discharger 1 is installed on the inner edge of the upper end 2c of the bathtub 2.

[0028] For ease of explanation, as shown in the figure, in a plan view, the direction parallel to the water spouting direction of the water spouting device 1 is referred to as the front-to-rear direction, the direction in which the water spouting device 1 is installed in the bathtub 2 is referred to as the rear, and the direction in which the water spouting device 1 is not installed is referred to as the front. Also, in a plan view, the direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction is referred to as the left-to-right direction, and when looking at the water spout 4 from the front, the right side is referred to as the right direction and the left side is referred to as the left direction. The vertical up-down direction is referred to as the height direction, and the vertically upward is referred to as the upward direction and the vertically downward is referred to as the downward direction. The front-to-rear direction, left-to-right direction, and height direction are perpendicular to each other. These directions are not limited to being strictly perpendicular, but also include cases in which they are approximately perpendicular. These directional notations do not limit the usage orientation of the water spouting device 1, and the water spouting device 1 can be used in any orientation depending on the application.

[0029] The rear side of the vertical wall 2b of the bathtub 2 is a backrest 7 against which a bather H in a bathing position can rest his or her back. A high-pressure water discharge section 18 is formed on the vertical wall 2b. The upper end 2c is set at a height relatively close to the upper body of a bather H sitting in the bathtub, such as the head, neck, or shoulders. A first water intake 6, a second water intake 22, and a water temperature sensor (detection section) 9 are formed on the side wall 2d.

[0030] A pillow section 8 is arranged above the backrest section 7, on which the bather H can place his / her head when in a bathing position. This allows the bather H to take a bath with his / her back against the backrest section 7 and his / her head resting on the pillow section 8. In this way, the provision of the pillow section 8 allows the bather H to take a bath in a more relaxed position, further enhancing the relaxation effect while bathing.

[0031] Bathtub 2 is a type of bathtub in which the upper part of the wall of bathtub 2 is formed in a horizontal arc shape. Bathtub 2 may also be a type of bathtub in which the upper part of the wall of bathtub 2 is formed in a horizontal arc shape, a circular bathtub, or a type of bathtub in which vertical wall 2b forms the long side.

[0032] Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the bathtub apparatus 3 taken along line III-III in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a side view of the bathtub apparatus 3 shown in Fig. 1.

[0033] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the bathtub apparatus 3 further includes a first flow path 13, a pump 11, a three-way valve 12, a second flow path 14, a third flow path 16, a high-pressure water discharge unit 18, a jet pump unit 20, a fourth flow path 24, an uprising pipe 26, a control unit 28, a water temperature sensor (detection unit) 9, and an operation unit 30. The first flow path 13 extends from the first water intake 6. The second flow path 14 extends from the three-way valve 12 toward the water discharge port 4. The third flow path 16 extends from the three-way valve 12 separately from the second flow path 14. The high-pressure water discharge unit 18 discharges water supplied from the third flow path 16 into the bathtub 2 at high pressure. The fourth flow path 24 extends from the second water intake 22 to the jet pump unit 20. The detection unit 9 detects the temperature of the water in the bathtub 2. The detection unit 9 is controlled by the control unit 28. It is more preferable that this detection unit 9 be formed on the inner wall of the bathtub 2 on the wall side where the first water intake 6 or the second water intake 22 is formed, rather than on the wall side where the water discharge device 1 is installed.

[0034] Pump 11 is provided on first flow path 13 and sucks water from bathtub 2 and pumps it downstream. Pump 11 is electrically connected to control unit 28 and is controlled by control unit 28.

[0035] The three-way valve 12 controls the flow of water at the downstream end of the first flow path 13. The three-way valve 12 can selectively supply water supplied from the first flow path 13 to both or either 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.

[0036] The control unit 28 controls the pump 11 and the three-way valve 12. The control unit 28 is attached to the back side of the bathroom wall (not shown). The control unit 28 is electrically connected to the pump 11, the three-way valve 12, the operation unit 30, etc., and is able to operate each of the above-mentioned parts. The control unit 28 controls each device in response to an operation signal from the operation unit 30 or in accordance with a stored program, etc. The control unit 28 is equipped with a storage device such as a memory and a calculation unit that enable it to appropriately control the water discharge device 1.

[0037] The operating unit 30 is operated by the bather H. The operating unit 30 is installed on a wall in the bathroom so that the bather H can turn the water discharge device 1 on and off. Information on the bather H's operation of the operating unit 30 is sent from the operating unit 30 to the control unit 28 via an electrical signal. Specifically, for example, when the bather H operates the operating unit 30, the water supply unit 10 supplies hot water into the bathtub 2. Furthermore, when the bather H operates the operating unit 30, the temperature of the water that the water supply unit 10 supplies into the bathtub 2 is set.

[0038] The jet pump unit 20 is provided in the downstream portion of the second flow path 14. The jet pump unit 20 includes a chamber portion 32 in which water drawn in by the jet pump action is stored, and a jet nozzle 34 arranged at the downstream end of the second flow path 14. By employing the jet pump unit 20, the water discharge device 1 can discharge a large amount of shoulder-water water from the discharge port 4 using a relatively small pump 11.

[0039] Chamber 32 forms a box-shaped water storage chamber, and the downstream end of fourth flow path 24 is connected to chamber 32. Chamber 32 is connected to bathtub 2. A jet nozzle 34 is attached to the bottom of chamber 32, facing vertically upward. An opening is formed in the upper surface of chamber 32 at a position opposite jet nozzle 34, and riser pipe 26 extends upward from this opening.

[0040] The jet nozzle 34 injects water supplied from the pump 11 into the riser pipe 26 through the chamber 32. Because the jet nozzle 34 injects water so that it passes through the chamber 32, it induces a jet pump action that draws water from within the chamber 32. The jet nozzle 34 is formed so that the diameter of its 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 11 is further accelerated within 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 water from the chamber 32, increasing its flow rate and decreasing its flow velocity.

[0041] The rising pipe 26 extends vertically upward from the jet pump unit 20. Specifically, the rising pipe 26 forms a circular tubular flow path that extends vertically upward from the chamber portion 32. The water discharger 1 discharges the water supplied from the rising pipe 26 into the bathtub 2. The tip of the rising pipe 26 on the water discharger 1 side branches into multiple parts.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a perspective view that schematically shows the configuration of the water discharger 1. As shown in FIG.

[0043] As shown in Figure 5, the water discharger 1 includes a pillow section 8 and a water discharge section 50. The water discharge section 50 has, as the water discharge outlet 4, a first water discharge outlet 805 in the form of a horizontally elongated slit extending in the left-right direction, and two second water discharge outlets 905 that are narrower in width than the first water discharge outlet 805 and have, for example, a round shape.

[0044] The pillow section 8 is detachably attached to the water discharger section 50 so as to cover the water discharger section 50 from above. Specifically, the pillow section 8 is attached, for example, by fitting or engaging with the water discharger section 50 from above. The pillow section 8 may be attached directly to the bathtub 2 described above. The pillow section 8 may also be attached to the water discharger section 50 with a suction cup. When attached to the water discharger 1, the pillow section 8 covers at least a portion of the water discharger section 50. The pillow section 8 allows the bather H to rest their head on it and prevents the water discharger section 50 from being exposed to the outside. This prevents the appearance of the bathtub 2 from being impaired even when the water discharger 1 is installed in the bathtub 2. By providing the pillow section 8 and the water discharger section 50 in the bathtub 2, it is possible to improve the relaxation effect and the appearance.

[0045] Furthermore, when the pillow part 8 is to be removed from the water discharger 1, for example, the pillow part 8 is grasped and an upward force is applied, and the fitting or engagement of the pillow part 8 is released.

[0046] The water discharger 50 is a water discharge unit that discharges hot water toward the inside of the bathtub 2. The water discharger 50 is disposed between the backrest 7 and the pillow 8. The water discharger 50 discharges hot water toward, for example, the neck and shoulders of the bather H whose back is resting against the backrest 7. This can provide a massaging effect to the neck and shoulders of the bather H, for example, and can further enhance the relaxation effect while bathing.

[0047] The first water outlet 805 spouts a band-shaped stream of water that extends in the left-right direction. The left-right length of the first water outlet 805 is longer than, for example, the average width of a human neck. This allows hot water to be appropriately sprayed onto the neck and shoulders of the bather H whose back is resting against the backrest 7. Furthermore, the left-right length of the first water outlet 805 is shorter than, for example, the left-right width of the space inside the bathtub 2. This allows hot water to be appropriately sprayed into the bathtub 2.

[0048] The second water outlet 905 sprays a rod-shaped jet W2, about the thickness of a thumb. The jet W2 may be a jet whose flow rate and / or direction change over time. This provides an intensive massage effect to the neck and shoulders of the bather H, whose back is resting against the backrest 7.

[0049] The water discharger 50 may have, for example, a water discharge function for discharging hot and cold water and an illumination function for illuminating the discharged hot and cold water.

[0050] <Detailed configuration of the water discharge section 50> FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the water discharger 50 shown in FIG.

[0051] As shown in Figure 6, the water discharge section 50 has a wall section 51. Furthermore, the wall section 51 forms a first water discharge passage 80, an introduction pipe 81, a second water discharge passage 90, and a water intake port 91. Furthermore, as the water discharge port 4 described above, the first water discharge passage 80 has a first water discharge port 805, and the second water discharge passage 90 has a second water discharge port 905.

[0052] Wall 51 comprises first wall 511, second wall 513, and third wall 515. Wall 51 is a molded resin product, and is formed by assembling first wall 511, second wall 513, and third wall 515 with fasteners such as screws. A water conduit 53 protruding downward is formed at the bottom of third wall 515. Water conduit 53 is inserted through bathtub 2, and the aforementioned riser pipe 26 is connected to its tip. A water intake 91 is formed inside water conduit 53, and bathwater is pressure-fed from pump 11 through riser pipe 26. An inlet pipe 81 is provided in second wall 513, penetrating second wall 513. Inlet pipe 81 is a pipe that supplies bathwater from the branched tip of riser pipe 26 to first water discharge passage 80.

[0053] The first wall portion 511 has a first water outlet 805 formed in the front portion. A first water outlet passage 80 is formed inside the first wall portion 511, connecting the inlet pipe 81 and the first water outlet 805. The first wall portion 511 forms the upper surface of the first water outlet passage 80, and the second wall portion 513 forms the lower surface of the first water outlet passage 80. The first water outlet passage 80 has a throttle flow path 801, a first storage portion 803, and a first water outlet 805. The first water outlet passage 80 is formed horizontally so that its cross section is wider than its height. The first storage portion 803 temporarily stores water flowing in from the inlet pipe 81 as stored water. The throttle flow path 801 is formed so that the height of the first water outlet passage 80 is smaller than that of the first storage portion 803. The stored water in the first storage section 803 is sent out to the first water outlet 805 through the throttle flow path 801. Specifically, the stored water is throttled as it passes through the throttle flow path 801, increasing the flow rate, and the water is forcefully discharged from the first water outlet 805 as a water flow W1.

[0054] A second water outlet 905 is formed in the front of the second wall portion 513. A second water outlet passage 90 that connects the water conduit 53 and the second water outlet 905 is formed inside the second wall portion 513. The second wall portion 513 forms the upper surface of the second water outlet passage 90, and the third wall portion 515 forms the lower surface of the second water outlet passage 90. The second water outlet passage 90 has a jet passage 901 and a second water outlet 905. Water is sent from the water intake 91 through the jet passage 901 to the second water outlet 905 and is sprayed as a jet W2.

[0055] <Detailed configuration of pillow section 8> FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the pillow portion 8 shown in FIG.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 7, pillow section 8 has support section 45 and head rest section 41. Support section 45 and head rest section 41 form storage area 71. The water discharge section 50 described above is stored in storage area 71. Here, the surface where support section 45 and head rest section 41 connect is called connection surface 40, and the boundary between support section 45 and head rest section 41 and storage area 71 is called boundary surface 73.

[0057] The support portion 45 is a portion of the pillow portion 8 for supporting the weight of the bather's head.

[0058] Head rest portion 41 has, in the direction of water spouting, a tip portion 411, a central portion 415, and a rear end portion 413 in the order of proximity to the aforementioned water discharge port 4. That is, from front to rear, head rest portion 41 has tip portion 411, central portion 415, and rear end portion 413. Head rest portion 41 also has an upper surface 417, which is the upward surface, and a lower surface 419, which is the downward surface. Head rest portion 41 is provided above support portion 45 and is configured so that the head of bather H can be placed on it. Head rest portion 41 covers the upper part of the space between head rest portion 41 and support portion 45, thereby forming, together with support portion 45, a storage area 71 for storing water discharge portion 50. When pillow portion 8 is attached above water discharge device 1, it stores water discharge portion 50 within storage area 71. Head rest portion 41 is also formed so as to cover support portion 45 from above. That is, the support portion 45 supports the head rest portion 41 from below. This configuration prevents the bather H's head from sinking, compared to when the support portion 45 supports the head rest portion 41 from the side. Furthermore, because the head is prevented from sinking, the water discharge flow W1 or jet flow W2 discharged from the first water discharge port 805 or the second water discharge port 905 can be directed more accurately onto the bather H's shoulders or neck.

[0059] The tip portion 411 is the area at the front tip of the head rest portion 41. The tip portion 411 supports the area around the neck when the bather H places his / her head on the head rest portion 41. A cavity 70 is formed inside the tip portion 411. The formation of the cavity 70 in the tip portion 411 prevents the bather H's head from sinking excessively, preventing discomfort to the bather H's neck. The rear end portion 413 is the area at the rear end of the head rest portion 41 on the rear side. The central portion 415 is the central area in the front-to-rear direction of the head rest portion 41. The bather H's head is placed on the upper surface 417.

[0060] The support part 45 and the head rest part 41 are made of a resin material such as polyurethane, polyethylene, etc. Furthermore, the support part 45 and the head rest part 41 have elasticity.

[0061] The hardness of the head rest 41 is equal to or greater than the hardness of the support 45. That is, the hardness of the head rest 41 is equal to or greater than the hardness of the support 45. With this configuration, the head rest 41 prevents the bather H's head from sinking, compared to when the entire pillow 8 is made of a soft material. By preventing the bather H's head from sinking, the head rest 41 allows the water discharger 50 to accurately direct the water discharge flow W1 or the jet W2 onto the bather H's neck and shoulders. This configuration also prevents deformation of the storage area 71 when supporting the bather H's head. Furthermore, when the pillow 8 is removed from the water discharger 1, removing it from the hard head rest 41 prevents wrinkles from forming in the soft support 45. The hardness of the support 45 may be any hardness that can adequately support the weight of the bather H's head. The hardness of the head rest portion 41 may be any hardness equal to or greater than the hardness of the support portion 45 .

[0062] Here, the method for measuring hardness will be described. Hardness is measured as "durometer hardness." When measuring durometer hardness, four types of durometers are selected depending on the hardness of the object to be measured. Durometers are standardized in JIS K 6253-3 and include Type A, Type D, Type E, and Type AM. The durometer type is defined as follows: When a Type D durometer indicates a hardness value of less than 20, Type A is used. When a Type A durometer indicates a hardness value of less than 20, Type E is used. When a Type A durometer indicates a hardness value of more than 90, Type D is used. Hardness in this specification is measured using the durometer type selected above. In other words, when the head rest portion 41 or the support portion 45 is made of a resin with a "hardness of 5 to 25," a Type E durometer is selected for resins with a hardness of less than 20, and a Type A durometer is selected for resins with a hardness of 20 or more. When the head rest portion 41 or the support portion 45 is made of a resin with a hardness of 40 to 70, a durometer of Type A is selected.

[0063] The hardness of the head rest portion 41 may be 1.1 times, 1.2 times, 1.3 times, 1.4 times, 1.5 times, 1.6 times, 1.7 times, 1.8 times, 1.9 times, 2 times, 2.5 times or 3 times the hardness of the support portion 45, and is preferably 1.25 to 2 times.

[0064] The hardness of the tip portion 411 is greater than the hardness of the rear end portion 413. The hardness of the tip portion 411, which comes into contact with the neck of the bather H in the bathing position, further prevents the bather H's head from sinking, compared to when the hardness of the head rest portion 41 is uniform throughout.

[0065] Head resting portion 41 and support portion 45 may be formed using different materials. Also, for example, head resting portion 41 and support portion 45 may be formed using the same resin, and the hardness of head resting portion 41 or support portion 45 may be adjusted by varying the foaming degree of the resin.

[0066] The storage area 71 has an opening 711 formed in the front thereof. The opening 711 exposes at least a portion of the storage area 71 to the front.

[0067] The center of the storage area 71 in the left-right direction is substantially the same as the center of the pillow part 8 in the left-right direction. The center of the storage area 71 in the left-right direction may be shifted to the right or left relative to the center of the pillow part 8 in the left-right direction.

[0068] The underside 419 of the head rest 41 is curved so as to convex upward. That is, the underside 419 of the head rest 41 is formed so as to be curved upward. Because the underside 419 is formed so as to be curved upward, the load from above the head rest 41 is more dispersed. For example, if the underside 419 has a rectangular shape with an open bottom, when a load is applied to the head rest 41, stress may concentrate at the corners of the rectangle, deforming the pillow part 8. Therefore, compared to a case in which the underside 419 of the head rest 41 is not curved upward, the pillow part 8 of this embodiment is more resistant to depression caused by force from above, further preventing the bather H's head from sinking.

[0069] <Action and effect> As described above, the water discharge device 1 of this embodiment comprises a pillow section 8 having a support section 45 for supporting the weight of the bather H's head, a head rest section 41 arranged above the support section 45 and configured so that the bather H's head can be placed on it, and a water discharge section 50 arranged below the head rest section 41 and having a water outlet 4 that discharges water toward the bather H, and the hardness of the head rest section 41 is greater than or equal to the hardness of the support section 45.

[0070] With this configuration, compared to when the hardness of the head rest portion 41 is equal to or less than the hardness of the support portion 45, the bather's H head is prevented from sinking, and the water discharge portion 50 can accurately discharge water onto the bather's H neck or shoulders.

[0071] Moreover, in the water discharger 1, the hardness of the head rest portion 41 is greater than the hardness of the support portion 45.

[0072] With this configuration, compared to when the hardness of the head rest portion 41 is softer than the hardness of the support portion 45, the bather's H head is prevented from sinking, and the water discharge portion 50 can accurately discharge water onto the bather's H neck or shoulders.

[0073] In addition, in the water discharger 1, the head rest portion 41 is arranged so as to cover the support portion 45 from above.

[0074] With this configuration, the support portion 45 supports the head rest portion 41 from below, which further prevents the bather H's head from sinking compared to when the support portion 45 supports the head rest portion 41 from the side.

[0075] In addition, in the water discharge device 1, the head rest portion 41 has a front end portion 411 and a rear end portion 413 in the order of proximity to the water discharge outlet 4 along the water discharge direction, and the front end portion 411 is harder than the rear end portion 413.

[0076] This configuration can further prevent the head of the bather H from sinking, compared to when the hardness of the head rest portion 41 is uniform throughout.

[0077] In addition, in the water discharger 1, the lower surface 419 of the head rest portion 41 is curved so as to be convex upward.

[0078] According to this configuration, the underside 419 of the head rest 41 is formed to curve upward, so that the pillow portion 8 is more resistant to depression caused by forces from above than when the underside 419 of the head rest 41 is not formed to curve upward, and further prevents the head of the bather H from sinking.

[0079] In addition, in the water discharge device 1, the head rest portion 41 has a tip portion 411 and a rear end portion 413 in the order of proximity to the water discharge outlet 4 along the water discharge direction, and a cavity 70 is provided inside the tip portion 411 of the head rest portion 41.

[0080] With this configuration, compared to when there is no cavity 70 inside the tip 411 of the head rest 41, the bather's H head is prevented from sinking, and the increased cushioning of the head rest 41 prevents the bather's H neck from feeling uncomfortable.

[0081] ---Second embodiment--- Next, a water discharger 1 according to a second embodiment will be described.

[0082] In the second embodiment, the configuration of the pillow portion 8 is different from that of the first embodiment. Note that a description of the same points as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0083] FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the pillow portion 8 according to the second embodiment.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 8 , the thickness of the center portion 415 of the head rest portion 41 of the pillow portion 8 is thicker in the height direction than the thickness of the tip portion 411. For example, the thickness of the center portion 415 may be 1.1 times, 1.2 times, 1.3 times, 1.4 times, 1.5 times, 1.6 times, 1.7 times, 1.8 times, 1.9 times, 2 times, 2.5 times, or 3 times the thickness of the tip portion 411, and preferably 1.25 times to 2 times. The magnification of the thickness of the center portion 415 compared to the thickness of the tip portion 411 may include any number within the range of any combination of numerical values ​​described above. The thicker the center portion 415 is compared to the tip portion 411, the more likely it is that the pillow portion 8 will bend when, for example, grasping the pillow portion 8 and applying an upward force to engage or disengage the pillow portion 8, and the shape of the pillow portion 8 can be maintained. This configuration also prevents the pillow portion 8 from wrinkling when removing the pillow portion 8 from the water discharger 50.

[0085] <Action and effect> As described above, in the water discharge device 1 of this embodiment, the head rest portion 41 has, along the water discharge direction, a tip portion 411, a central portion 415, and a rear end portion 413 in that order of proximity to the water discharge outlet 4, and the thickness of the central portion 415 is thicker than the thickness of the tip portion 411.

[0086] According to this configuration, the pillow part 8 is less likely to bend when the pillow part 8 is removed, and the shape of the pillow part 8 is more likely to be maintained, compared to when the thickness of the head rest part 41 is uniform throughout.

[0087] ---Variations--- The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. In other words, designs that are produced by those skilled in the art with appropriate design modifications to the above-described specific examples are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention. Furthermore, the elements of the above-described embodiments and the following modifications 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.

[0088] For example, in the first embodiment, the support portion 45 forms most of the rear side surface of the pillow portion 8 as an example, but the shapes of the head rest portion 41 and the support portion 45 are not limited to the above-described embodiment. Fig. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the pillow portion 8 according to a modified example. As shown in Fig. 9, for example, the support portion 45 may be provided below the rear side surface of the pillow portion 8. In this way, the shapes of the head rest portion 41 and the support portion 45 may be changed as desired depending on the shape of the bathtub 2 to which it is applied, the shape of the water discharge portion 50 to be stored in the storage area 71, etc.

[0089] Furthermore, the water discharger 1 may be provided with only one second water discharge passage 90, or with two or more. For example, the second water discharge passage 90 may be provided separately on the left and right sides of the water discharger 1, one on each side, or may be provided in the center of the water discharger 1 in the left and right direction. Furthermore, the water discharger 1 may be provided with only one second water discharge outlet 905, or with two or more second water discharge outlets 905. For example, the jet flow W2 may be discharged from two second water discharge outlets 905 branching off from one second water discharge passage 90, or each of the two second water discharge passages 90 may have one second water discharge outlet 905, and the jet flow W2 may be discharged from each second water discharge outlet 905.

[0090] Furthermore, although one example has been given in which the uprising pipe 26 branches, and water flows from the water conduit 53 into the second water discharge passage 90, and from the introduction pipe 81 into the first water discharge passage 80, for example, water may also flow into the first water discharge passage 80 through the second water discharge passage 90. Furthermore, a three-way pipe may be connected to the tip of the unbranched uprising pipe 26 to branch the flow path, and water may flow into the first water discharge passage 80 and the second water discharge passage 90.

[0091] The support portion 45 may also be arranged to support the head rest portion 41 from the side.

[0092] Furthermore, the tip portion 411 does not necessarily have to have the cavity 70 formed therein.

[0093] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, a configuration in which the hardness of tip portion 411 is greater than that of rear end portion 413 is shown as an example, but the hardness of each component of head rest portion 41 may be the same or different. That is, the hardness of head rest portion 41 may be uniform, or the hardness of tip portion 411, rear end portion 413, and center portion 415 may be different. Furthermore, the hardness of upper surface 417 and lower surface 419 may be different.

[0094] In addition, in the first embodiment, the lower surface 419 of the head rest portion 41 is curved so as to be convex upward as an example, but it may also be configured in a linear shape, for example, and the storage area 71 may be rectangular when viewed from the side.

[0095] In the second embodiment, the thickness of central portion 415 is greater than the thickness of tip portion 411, but, for example, central portion 415 may be thinner than tip portion 411. The thickness of rear end portion 413 may also be greater or thinner than central portion 415 or tip portion 411, or may be the same. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1: Water discharge device 4: Water outlet 41: Head rest 45: Support part 50: Water outlet H: Bather

Claims

1. a pillow section having a support section for supporting the weight of the bather's head and a head rest section provided above the support section and configured to be able to rest the bather's head; a water discharge unit disposed below the head rest and having a water discharge port for discharging water toward the bather; A water discharge device, wherein the hardness of the head rest portion is equal to or greater than the hardness of the support portion.

2. The hardness of the head rest portion is greater than the hardness of the support portion. The water discharge device according to claim 1.

3. The head rest is disposed so as to cover the support from above. The water discharge device according to claim 1.

4. The head rest portion has a front end portion and a rear end portion in the order of proximity to the water outlet along the water spouting direction, The hardness of the tip portion is greater than the hardness of the rear end portion. The water discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The lower surface of the head rest is curved so as to be convex upward. The water discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The head rest portion has a front end portion, a central portion, and a rear end portion in the order of proximity to the water outlet along the water spouting direction, The thickness of the central portion is greater than the thickness of the tip portion. The water discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The head rest portion has a front end portion and a rear end portion in the order of proximity to the water outlet along the water spouting direction, A cavity is provided inside the tip portion of the head rest portion. The water discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Discharge device

    JP2022045782A