Bathtub apparatus

Abstract

To provide a bathtub device capable of easily setting the body temperature of a bathing person at the time of sleeping to a proper temperature even in the case of bathing for a relatively short time.SOLUTION: The present invention is a bathtub apparatus (1) comprising a bathtub main body (2) for storing hot water, a time information acquisition component (56) that acquires a bathing time and a scheduled sleep time of a bather, a hot water temperature acquisition component (62) that acquires the temperature of the hot water inside the bathtub main body, a warmth / coolness device that imparts a warmth sensation stimulus that is warmer than the acquired temperature of the hot water and a coolness sensation stimulus that is cooler than the temperature of the hot water to a specific part of the body of the bather, and a controller (64) that controls the warmth / coolness device on the basis of information acquired by the time information acquisition component. The control part gives a warm feeling stimulus to the bathing person when the time from the getting-in / out time to the scheduled sleeping time is longer than a first time, and gives a cool feeling stimulus to the bathing person when the time from the getting-in / out time to the scheduled sleeping time is equal to or shorter than a second time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bathtub apparatus, and more particularly to a bathtub apparatus that can provide bathers with warming and cooling sensations. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2020-106964 (Patent Document 1) describes a bathing system. In this bathing system, a control means determines the target temperature by which the bather's core body temperature will rise based on the current time or the time before bedtime between the scheduled bathing time and the scheduled bedtime. If the time before bedtime is short, the target temperature is set lower than if the time before bedtime is long. The control means also issues a warning to encourage the bather to exit the bath when the bather's core body temperature has risen by the target temperature through bathing. This encourages the bather to sleep soundly, improving and preventing sleep disorders, even if the time until the bather's scheduled bedtime is short compared to the available time for bathing.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2015-25581 (Patent Document 2) also describes a bathtub device. In this bathtub device, the temperature of the water in the bathtub is set to an initial temperature that is lower than the bather's core body temperature immediately before bathing, but higher than the body surface temperature of each part of the bather's body immediately before bathing. Furthermore, this bathtub device is configured so that after the bather bathes in water at the initial temperature for a predetermined bathing time or longer, the temperature of the water in the bathtub is raised to the final temperature while the bather remains in the bath, allowing the bather to finish bathing. This induces drowsiness in the bather, allowing the bather to sleep soundly. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-106964 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-25581 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the target temperature for body temperature elevation is adjusted based on the current time or the time between the planned bathing time and the planned bedtime. This results in a difference between the bather's desired bathing time and the bathing time suitable for falling asleep, resulting in poor usability. In particular, when the planned bedtime is short, there is a risk that the bather may be prompted to exit the bath immediately after bathing. In addition, in the invention described in Patent Document 2, the bather bathes in water at an initial temperature for a predetermined bathing time, and then the temperature of the water in the bathtub is raised to the final temperature while the bather is still bathing, ending the bath. This takes time to control the water temperature in the bathtub and raise the bather's body temperature, which may force the bather to bathe for a long time, resulting in poor usability. In particular, when the planned bedtime is short, the water temperature in the bathtub cannot be raised in time. Even if the water temperature in the bathtub can be raised, a rapid rise in water temperature from the initial temperature occurs after bathing to set the body temperature suitable for falling asleep, which may wake the bather and prevent them from falling asleep.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub device that can easily set the bather's body temperature at an appropriate temperature when they are sleeping, without directly controlling the temperature of the hot and cold water in the bathtub. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a bathtub device that can provide warm and cool stimuli to bathers, comprising a bathtub body for storing hot and cold water, a time information acquisition unit that acquires the bather's entry and exit times related to the bather's bathing start time or bathing exit time, and the bather's planned bedtime, a hot and cold water temperature acquisition unit that acquires the temperature of the hot and cold water stored in the bathtub body, a hot and cold heating device that provides a hot and cold stimulation higher than the hot and cold water temperature acquired by the hot and cold water temperature acquisition unit to specific parts of the bather's body in the bathtub body, and a control unit that controls the hot and cold heating device based on the information acquired by the time information acquisition unit, wherein the control unit controls the hot and cold heating device to provide a hot stimulation to the bather if the time from the bathing entry and exit times acquired by the time information acquisition unit to the planned bedtime is longer than a first time, and controls the hot and cold heating device to provide a cool stimulation to the bather if the time from the bathing entry and exit times acquired by the time information acquisition unit to the planned bedtime is shorter than a second time.

[0008] In the present invention configured as described above, the hot water temperature acquisition unit acquires the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub body, and the hot / cold heating device applies a warming stimulus higher than the hot water temperature and a cooling stimulus lower than the hot water temperature to specific parts of the bather's body. The time information acquisition unit also acquires the bathing entry / exit times and the bather's planned bedtime, and the control unit controls the hot / cold heating device based on this information. The control unit applies a warming stimulus to the bather if the time from the bathing entry / exit time to the planned bedtime is longer than a first time, and applies a cooling stimulus to the bather if the time from the bathing entry / exit time to the planned bedtime is equal to or shorter than a second time.

[0009] Bathers can easily fall asleep and get a good night's sleep by raising their core body temperature through bathing, exiting the bath, and going to bed when their core body temperature has dropped by a certain amount since exiting the bath. However, research by the present inventors has found that if the time between leaving the bath and going to bed is short, the bather's core body temperature may not drop sufficiently by the time they go to bed, making it difficult for them to fall asleep. On the other hand, if the time between leaving the bath and going to bed is long, the bather's core body temperature may drop too much, preventing them from achieving a sufficient sleep-inducing effect through bathing.

[0010] According to the present invention configured as described above, if the time between the bath entry / exit time and the planned bedtime is longer than the first time, the bather is given a warming stimulus, preventing the bather's core body temperature from dropping too low by bedtime and promoting sleep induction. On the other hand, if the time between the bath entry / exit time and the planned bedtime is equal to or shorter than the second time, the bather is given a cooling stimulus, allowing the bather's body temperature to drop sufficiently by bedtime, allowing the bather to fall asleep comfortably. Furthermore, according to the present invention configured as described above, the heating / cooling device applies warming and cooling stimuli to specific parts of the bather's body, thereby changing the bather's core body temperature more quickly and efficiently than changing the temperature of the water in the bathtub to impart a warming or cooling sensation to the bather's entire body. Therefore, the bather's body temperature at bedtime can be easily set to an appropriate temperature without directly controlling the temperature of the water in the bathtub.

[0011] In the present invention, the heating / cooling device is preferably positioned above the surface of the hot and cold water stored in the bathtub body, and provides warming and cooling stimuli to parts of the bather's body above the surface of the hot and cold water stored in the bathtub body.

[0012] According to the present invention, the heating and cooling device applies warming and cooling stimuli to the bather's body above the water surface, so that the bather's exposed skin is directly exposed to the water in the bathtub. This allows the bather's core body temperature to be changed more quickly than if the stimuli were applied via the water in the bathtub.

[0013] In the present invention, the control unit preferably controls the heating / cooling device to start providing a cooling or warming stimulus to the bather after a predetermined time has passed since the bather entered the bathtub body.

[0014] Immediately after a bather enters the bathtub, there may be a large discrepancy between the bather's core body temperature and the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub. Applying a cooling or warming stimulus in such a state may cause discomfort to the bather. According to the present invention configured as described above, the application of a cooling or warming stimulus to the bather begins after a predetermined time has elapsed, allowing the bather to enjoy bathing. Furthermore, after the predetermined time has elapsed, the bather's core body temperature approaches the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub, so the bather's core body temperature can be set to a temperature suitable for falling asleep without causing discomfort to the bather due to the cooling or warming stimulus.

[0015] In the present invention, it is preferable that the bathtub further includes a body temperature acquisition unit that acquires the amount of change in the bather's body temperature after the bather enters the bathtub body, and the specified time period changes according to the amount of change in the bather's body temperature after the bather enters the bathtub body.

[0016] For example, if the bather's body temperature is extremely low when bathing, the bather's body temperature may not be close enough to the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub even after a certain period of time has passed. According to the present invention configured as described above, the predetermined time from when the bather enters the bathtub until the application of the cooling or warming stimulus begins varies depending on the amount of change in the bather's body temperature. Therefore, by applying the cooling or warming stimulus when the bather's body temperature has risen sufficiently, the bather can be more effectively led to a body temperature change suitable for falling asleep.

[0017] In the present invention, it is preferable that the device further includes a heart rate acquisition unit that acquires the bather's heart rate, and the control unit estimates the amount of change in the bather's body temperature based on the bather's heart rate acquired by the heart rate acquisition unit.

[0018] According to the present invention configured in this manner, the amount of change in the bather's body temperature is estimated based on the bather's heart rate acquired by the heart rate acquisition unit, so that the amount of change in the bather's body temperature can be acquired without forcing the bather to assume a bathing position while bathing.

[0019] In the present invention, it is preferable that the bathtub further includes an elapsed time detection unit that detects the elapsed time after the bather enters the bathtub body, and the control unit estimates the amount of change in the bather's body temperature based on the elapsed time detected by the elapsed time detection unit and the temperature of the hot water acquired by the hot water temperature acquisition unit.

[0020] According to the present invention configured in this manner, the amount of change in the bather's body temperature is estimated based on the elapsed time and the temperature of the hot and cold water, so that the amount of change in the bather's body temperature can be obtained without placing a burden on the bather.

[0021] In the present invention, preferably, the device further comprises an alarm unit, and the control unit prompts the bather to exit the bath after providing the bather with a cooling or warming stimulus for a predetermined period of time.

[0022] According to the present invention configured in this manner, after the bather is given a cooling or warming stimulus for a predetermined period of time, the alarm unit prompts the bather to exit the bath. This allows the bather to exit the bath when their body temperature reaches a temperature suitable for falling asleep, thereby more effectively helping the bather fall asleep.

[0023] In the present invention, the time information acquisition unit is preferably configured to have the bather input a planned bathing time and estimate the bather's departure time based on the input planned bathing time and the detected bathing time, and the control unit controls the heating / cooling device to give the bather a warming stimulus if the time from the estimated bathing time to the planned bedtime is longer than a first time, and controls the heating / cooling device to give the bather a cooling stimulus if the time from the estimated bathing time to the planned bedtime is shorter than a second time.

[0024] According to the present invention configured in this manner, the bather's departure time is estimated based on the planned bathing time and bathing time input by the bather, so the departure time can be estimated relatively accurately, and the time from the departure time to the planned bedtime can be accurately determined, so that a warming or cooling stimulus can be appropriately applied.

[0025] In the present invention, the time information acquisition unit is preferably configured to acquire the bather's entry and exit times based on the time when the bathtub body is filled with water or the time when the bather enters the bathroom.

[0026] According to the present invention, the bath entry and exit times are acquired based on the time the bath was filled or the time the bath was entered, and the warming or cooling stimulation is then given. Therefore, the bather only needs to input the planned bedtime, and the warming or cooling stimulation is appropriately given with minimal operational burden. [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] According to the bathtub apparatus of the present invention, even if the bathing time is relatively short, the bather's body temperature can be easily set to an appropriate temperature when the bather is sleeping. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the entire bathroom in which a bathtub apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is installed. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing a supply system for hot and cold water to a water discharger in a bathtub apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of an electrode provided in a bathtub apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 3 is a block diagram of a control unit provided in the bathtub apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 3 is a diagram showing an example of an electrocardiogram waveform of a bather acquired by a heart rate acquisition unit in the bathtub apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the bather's heart rate and the bather's core body temperature. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the bathtub apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 5 is a time chart showing an example of the action when a thermal stimulus is given by the bathtub apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 5 is a time chart showing an example of the action when a cooling sensation stimulus is given by the bathtub apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of a bathtub apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10 is a graph showing an example of changes in core body temperature over time after a bather enters a bathtub body filled with hot water. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Next, a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire bathroom in which a bathtub apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is installed. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the hot and cold water supply system to the water discharger in a bathtub apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of electrodes provided in a bathtub apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a control unit provided in a bathtub apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the bathtub apparatus 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention includes a bathtub main body 2 and a negative electrode 4a, a positive electrode 4b, and a reference electrode 4c attached to the bathtub main body 2. The bathtub apparatus 1 is installed in a bathroom R. The bathtub apparatus 1 also includes a water discharger 8 attached to the upper edge of the bathtub main body 2, a circulation device 9 that discharges hot and cold water from the bathtub main body 2 through the water discharger 8 and a bathtub water outlet 9a, and a control unit 6 that controls the circulation device 9. A remote control 6a is attached to the wall of the bathroom R, allowing the water discharger 8 of the bathtub apparatus 1 to be operated using the remote control 6a. Information can also be sent to the control unit 6 from a mobile device 7, such as a smartphone, on which dedicated application software is installed. The remote control 6a is also equipped with a speaker 6b (FIG. 4) that serves as an alarm unit, allowing it to convey various messages to the bather. While the speaker 6b is used as the alarm unit in this embodiment, the alarm unit can also be configured as a device that visually transmits information, such as the display screen of the remote control 6a. In this embodiment, the bathtub apparatus 1 is placed on one side of the bathroom R so as to be in contact with the wall surface.

[0031] The bathtub apparatus 1 of this embodiment is configured so that when the bather activates the water discharger 8, hot water that is either warmer or cooler than the hot water stored in the bathtub main body 2 is discharged from the water discharger 8. In addition, in this embodiment, the bathtub apparatus 1 is configured to control the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharger 8 based on the time from the bathing entry / exit time to the planned bedtime, giving the bather a cooling or warming sensation.

[0032] The bathtub body 2 is formed in a roughly rectangular box shape in a plan view and is configured to store hot and cold water inside. In this embodiment, the bathtub body 2 is positioned so that one long side and the entire two short sides on either side of it are in contact with the interior wall surface of the bathroom R. The interior wall surface that forms one short side of the bathtub body 2 is configured as a backrest surface 2a, which is the first interior wall surface formed for the bather to lean against. Furthermore, a drainage section (not shown) is provided on the bottom surface of the bathtub body 2 for draining hot and cold water from the bathtub body 2. An apron 2b is removably attached to the long side of the bathtub body 2 that is not in contact with the interior wall surface of the bathroom R.

[0033] The water discharger 8 is provided on the upper part of the backrest surface 2a of the bathtub main body 2, and is configured to discharge hot water toward the inside of the bathtub main body 2. In this embodiment, the water discharger 8 has a flat, wide water outlet 8a that extends along the upper edge of the backrest surface 2a, and is configured to discharge hot water toward specific parts of the bather's body leaning against the backrest surface 2a, namely the neck, shoulders, and back. In other words, the water discharger 8 is positioned above the surface of the hot water stored in the bathtub main body 2, and the hot water discharged from the water discharger 8 is directed at parts of the bather's body above the water surface, providing the bather with a warming sensation and a cooling sensation.

[0034] The water discharge device 8 is also configured to discharge a portion of the hot water drawn in from the bathtub water intake 9b by the circulation device 9 through the water outlet 8a. As a result, the hot water in the bathtub body 2 is sucked in by the circulation device 9, discharged from the water outlet 8a, and circulated so that it flows into the bathtub body 2. Furthermore, a portion of the hot water drawn in from the bathtub water intake 9b by the circulation device 9 is also discharged from the bathtub water outlet 9a provided on the backrest surface 2a of the bathtub body 2.

[0035] The negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b are a pair of electrodes attached to the bathtub body 2 in order to detect the bather's electrocardiogram signal via the hot and cold water stored in the bathtub body 2. The bather's electrocardiogram signal is obtained as a signal representing the potential difference between these negative electrode 4a and positive electrode 4b. The pair of electrodes consisting of the negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b are both arranged on the backrest surface 2a, which forms the short side of the bathtub body 2. The reference electrode 4c is an electrode for obtaining a reference potential for the potential detected by the negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b, and this electrode is also arranged on the backrest surface 2a of the bathtub body 2.

[0036] The negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b are arranged symmetrically with respect to the horizontal (widthwise) centerline of the backrest surface 2a. That is, the negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b are arranged on the backrest surface 2a, spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction from the centerline. Furthermore, the negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b are arranged so as to be located below the water surface in the bathtub main body 2. The negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b can be attached below the water surface in the bathtub main body 2 and at a height above the reference electrode 4c. Meanwhile, the reference electrode 4c is arranged on the centerline of the backrest surface 2a, below the negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b. The reference electrode 4c is not necessarily provided and can be omitted.

[0037] Next, a supply system for hot and cold water to the water discharger 8 will be described with reference to FIG. First, as shown in Figure 2, the circulation device 9 is configured to suck in hot water from within the bathtub body 2 through a bathtub water intake 9b provided on the inner wall surface of the bathtub body 2 and discharge the hot water into the bathtub body 2 through a water outlet 8a of the water discharge device 8. Furthermore, some of the hot water sucked in through the bathtub water intake 9b is discharged from a bathtub water outlet 9a provided on the backrest surface 2a of the bathtub body 2. Specifically, the circulation device 9 is configured with a pump that sucks in hot water from the bathtub water intake 9b and discharges it from the water outlet 8a and bathtub water outlet 9a.

[0038] Meanwhile, hot water and cold water are also supplied to the water discharger 8 from a high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a, which supplies hot water at a higher temperature than the hot water stored in the bathtub main body 2, and a low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b, which supplies water at a lower temperature than the hot water stored in the bathtub main body 2. That is, the hot water drawn in from the bathtub water intake 9b and pressurized by the circulation device 9, the hot water supplied from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a, and the water supplied from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b are all guided to a mixing chamber 44, where they are mixed and then discharged from the water discharge port 8a of the water discharger 8. It is also possible to merge and mix the hot water from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a and the water from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b within the pipeline, without providing a special mixing chamber with a large volume.

[0039] The high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a and the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b are connected to the mixing chamber 44 via a high-temperature linear valve 42a and a low-temperature linear valve 42b, respectively, allowing the amount of hot water or cold water flowing into the mixing chamber 44 to be controlled. Furthermore, in this embodiment, hot water at a higher temperature than the hot water stored in the bathtub body 2 is supplied to the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a from the water heater 52. That is, tap water supplied from the main water supply 54 is branched at a branch point 54a, with one branch being supplied to the water heater 52 and the other flowing directly into the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b. The tap water supplied to the water heater 52 is heated to a temperature higher than the hot water stored in the bathtub body 2 and supplied to the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a.

[0040] As a result, when hot water of a higher temperature than the water stored in the bathtub main body 2 is to be discharged, the high-temperature side linear valve 42a is opened, and the hot water drawn in from the bathtub main body 2 and the hot water supplied from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a are mixed in the mixing chamber 44 and discharged from the water discharge device 8. On the other hand, when hot water of a lower temperature than the water stored in the bathtub main body 2 is to be discharged, the low-temperature side linear valve 42b is opened, and the hot water drawn in from the bathtub main body 2 and the tap water supplied from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b are mixed in the mixing chamber 44 and discharged from the water discharge device 8. Therefore, in this embodiment, the high-temperature side linear valve 42a, the low-temperature side linear valve 42b, the circulation device 9, and the water discharge device 8 function as heating and cooling devices that provide warming and cooling stimuli to specific parts of the bather's body.

[0041] Furthermore, the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub main body 2 is detected by a bathtub temperature sensor 46 attached to the bathtub main body 2. The temperature of the hot water to be discharged from the water discharge device 8 is detected by a discharge water temperature sensor 48 attached to the water discharge device 8. Furthermore, the temperature of the hot water flowing in from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a is detected by a high-temperature side temperature sensor 50a, and the temperature of the water flowing in from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe is detected by a low-temperature side temperature sensor 50b. Furthermore, some of the sensors that detect the temperatures of the hot water and water can be omitted by estimating the temperatures based on data obtained from other sensors.

[0042] The temperatures detected by these temperature sensors are sent to the control unit 6, which controls the opening of the high-temperature side linear valve 42a and the low-temperature side linear valve 42b based on these detected temperatures, causing hot water of the required temperature to be discharged from the water discharge device 8. In other words, the control unit 6 controls the opening of the high-temperature side linear valve 42a and the low-temperature side linear valve 42b so that the temperature detected by the discharge water temperature sensor 48 becomes the required temperature. Details of the control by the control unit 6 will be described later.

[0043] Next, the structure of each electrode attached to the bathtub body 2 will be described with reference to FIG. Although the structure of the negative electrode 4a will be described here, in this embodiment, the negative electrode 4a, the positive electrode 4b, and the reference electrode 4c all have the same structure.

[0044] 3, the negative electrode 4a includes an electrode unit 10, a front gasket 12a, a rear gasket 12b, a flange 14, a moisture-proof tube 16, a connection terminal 18, a fixing screw 20, a conductor 22, and a sheath 24. The negative electrode 4a is attached so as to be exposed on the surface of the backrest 2a of the bathtub body 2, and the gasket ensures watertightness between the negative electrode 4a and the backrest 2a.

[0045] The electrode unit 10 is a conductive metal component, consisting of a disk-shaped disk portion 10a and a shaft portion 10b that protrudes perpendicularly from the back of the disk portion 10a. The disk portion 10a is a thin, disk-shaped portion, and its front surface is exposed on the surface of the backrest surface 2a and is configured to detect electrical potential. In this embodiment, the disk portion 10a is approximately 15 mm in diameter and 2.5 mm thick, and the entire disk portion 10a is positioned on the surface of the backrest surface 2a. The shaft portion 10b is a round bar-shaped portion that extends perpendicularly from the center of the back of the disk portion 10a and protrudes through a through-hole formed in the backrest surface 2a to the underside of the backrest surface 2a. A male thread is formed in the middle of the shaft portion 10b, and a fixing portion for fixing a connection terminal 18 is formed at the tip.

[0046] The front packing 12a is a disc-shaped member made of rubber, and has a circular hole in the center for passing the shaft portion 10b of the electrode portion 10. The front packing 12a has approximately the same diameter as the disc portion 10a of the electrode portion 10, and is positioned on the back side of the disc portion 10a. When the negative electrode 4a is attached to the backrest surface 2a, the front packing 12a is sandwiched between the back side of the disc portion 10a and the surface of the backrest surface 2a, ensuring watertightness between the backrest surface 2a and the negative electrode 4a.

[0047] The back gasket 12b is a disc-shaped member made of rubber, and has a circular hole in the center for passing the shaft portion 10b of the electrode portion 10. The back gasket 12b has a diameter larger than that of the front gasket 12a and approximately the same as the large diameter portion of the flange 14, and is arranged on the back side of the backrest surface 2a. When the negative electrode 4a is attached to the backrest surface 2a, the back gasket 12b is sandwiched between the back surface of the backrest surface 2a and the end face of the flange 14, ensuring watertightness between the rear surface of the backrest surface 2a and the negative electrode 4a. The front gasket 12a and the back gasket 12b may be made of resin.

[0048] The flange 14 is a stepped cylindrical member consisting of a large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion, and has a female screw thread formed in the center for passing the shaft portion 10b of the electrode portion 10 through it. The large-diameter portion of the flange 14 is formed to have approximately the same diameter as the back gasket 12b, and the small-diameter portion is formed on the back side of the large-diameter portion. By screwing and tightening the female screw thread formed to pass through the flange 14 and the male screw thread formed on the shaft portion 10b of the electrode portion 10, the end face of the flange 14 on the large-diameter portion side presses the back gasket 12b against the back of the backrest surface 2a, ensuring watertightness.

[0049] The moisture-proof tube 16 is a long, thin tube made of rubber, and is arranged to cover the tip of the shaft portion 10b of the electrode portion 10, the connection terminal 18, the conductor wire 22, etc. The small diameter portion of the flange 14 is fitted into the tip of the moisture-proof tube 16, preventing moisture from entering the moisture-proof tube 16. The moisture-proof tube 16 may also be made of resin.

[0050] The connection terminal 18 is a component made of conductive metal, and is crimped and connected to the tip of the conductor 22. A hole for passing a fixing screw 20 is provided at the tip of the connection terminal 18, and the fixing screw 20 passing through this hole can be threaded into a female screw provided at the tip of the shaft portion 10b of the electrode portion 10, thereby fixing the connection terminal 18 to the electrode portion 10. This allows the electrode portion 10 and the conductor 22 to be electrically connected in a detachable manner.

[0051] The conductor 22 is a conductive wire for electrically connecting the electrode section 10 and the control unit 6 (FIG. 1), and extends from the negative electrode 4a to the control unit 6. The conductor 22 is covered with a sheath 24 made of an insulating material to ensure electrical insulation of the conductor 22. In this embodiment, the conductors 22 extending from the negative electrode 4a, the positive electrode 4b, and the reference electrode 4c are connected to the control unit 6, and electrocardiographic signals are input to the control unit 6.

[0052] Next, the configuration of the control unit 6 provided in the bathtub apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4, the control unit 6 has a time information acquisition section 56 that acquires the bather's bathing entry and exit times and the bather's planned bedtime, a heart rate acquisition section 57 that acquires the bather's heart rate, a body temperature acquisition section 58 that acquires the amount of change in the bather's body temperature, an elapsed time detection section 60 that detects the time elapsed since entering the bathtub, a hot and cold water temperature acquisition section 62 that acquires the temperature of the hot and cold water in the bathtub body 2, and a control section 64 that controls the heating and cooling device. Specifically, the control unit 6 is composed of a microprocessor, memory, an interface circuit, and software that operates these (all not shown), and realizes the functions of each of the above sections.

[0053] 4, the negative electrode 4a, positive electrode 4b, and reference electrode 4c are connected to the control unit 6, and potential information acquired by these electrodes is input to the control unit 6. The control unit 6 is also connected to a bathtub temperature sensor 46, a discharge water temperature sensor 48, a high-temperature side temperature sensor 50a, and a low-temperature side temperature sensor 50b, and detection signals from these sensors are input to the control unit 6. Information about the planned bedtime entered into the mobile terminal 7 by the bather is also transmitted to the control unit 6. The control unit 6 is also connected to a circulation device 9, a high-temperature side linear valve 42a, a low-temperature side linear valve 42b, and a speaker 6b, and these are operated by control signals from the control unit 6.

[0054] The time information acquisition unit 56 is configured to acquire information such as the planned bedtime that is input by the bather into the mobile terminal 7 and transmitted to the control unit 6. In this embodiment, the bather inputs the planned bedtime using the mobile terminal 7, but the present invention can also be configured so that the planned bedtime, etc. is input using a remote control 6a installed inside the bathroom R or a remote control (not shown) installed outside the bathroom R. The time information acquisition unit 56 is also configured to acquire current time information from a clock built into the control unit 6. The present invention can also be configured so that the time information acquisition unit 56 works in conjunction with a system that manages the bather's daily sleep time and uses the planned bedtime calculated by that system. Alternatively, the time information acquisition unit 56 can acquire information about the bather's planned bedtime over multiple days as learning data and estimate the bather's future planned bedtime.

[0055] The heart rate acquisition unit 57 is configured to detect the bather's electrocardiogram signal based on the potential signals acquired by the negative electrode 4a, the positive electrode 4b, and the reference electrode 4c, and to acquire the bather's heart rate from the electrocardiogram signal. The bather's electrocardiogram signal in the bathtub body 2 can be detected as a signal of the potential difference between the electrodes via the hot water in the bathtub body 2.

[0056] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the bather's electrocardiogram waveform acquired by the heart rate acquisition unit 57. The electrocardiogram signal is acquired by the heart rate acquisition unit 57 as a signal of the potential difference between the negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b, and the electrocardiogram waveform shown in Fig. 5 is a time-series waveform representation of this signal. As shown in Fig. 5, impulse-like R waves with large amplitude appear periodically in the electrocardiogram waveform, and the bather's heart rate (bpm) can be obtained by counting the number of R waves per unit time.

[0057] Next, the body temperature acquisition unit 58 is configured to acquire the body temperature of the bather in the bathtub main body 2. In this embodiment, the body temperature acquisition unit 58 is configured to estimate the bather's deep body temperature as the body temperature based on the bather's heart rate acquired by the heart rate acquisition unit 57. Here, deep body temperature refers to the temperature inside the bather's body, and typically, sublingual temperature, rectal temperature, tympanic temperature, etc. are measured as the deep body temperature. Figure 6 is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the bather's heart rate and the bather's deep body temperature. In this embodiment, the body temperature acquisition unit 58 estimates the amount of change in the bather's deep body temperature based on the relationship between heart rate and deep body temperature as shown in Figure 6. That is, when the bather immerses in the hot water in the bathtub main body 2, the body warms up and the heart rate gradually increases. Therefore, by detecting the bather's heart rate, the amount of change in the bather's deep body temperature (body temperature) can be estimated.

[0058] In this embodiment, the body temperature acquisition unit 58 estimates changes in the bather's core body temperature based on changes in the bather's heart rate. However, the present invention can also be configured to measure the bather's body temperature directly. For example, the bather's body temperature can be detected by capturing an image of the bather using a thermograph (not shown). Furthermore, the body temperature detected by the thermograph is the bather's surface body temperature. However, since a predetermined relationship between the surface body temperature and the core body temperature is known, the core body temperature can be estimated from the detected surface body temperature. Alternatively, the present invention can be configured to measure the bather's body temperature by having the bather wear a thermometer while bathing.

[0059] Next, the elapsed time detection unit 60 is configured to detect the time that has elapsed since the bather was immersed in the hot water in the bathtub main body 2. Specifically, when the bather enters the bathtub main body 2, the heart rate acquisition unit 57 begins to acquire the bather's electrocardiogram signal. When the heart rate acquisition unit 57 begins to acquire the electrocardiogram signal, the elapsed time detection unit 60 determines that the bather has entered the bathtub main body 2, and a timer (not shown) built into the control unit 6 calculates the elapsed time from this point. Note that the present invention can also be configured so that an optional sensor that can detect the bather's entry into the bathtub main body 2 is provided, and this sensor detects the bather's entry and measures the elapsed time since detection.

[0060] The hot water temperature acquisition unit 62 is configured to acquire the temperature of each part based on the detection signals input from the bathtub temperature sensor 46, the discharge water temperature sensor 48, the high-temperature side temperature sensor 50a, and the low-temperature side temperature sensor 50b. That is, the hot water temperature acquisition unit 62 acquires the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub main body 2 based on the detection signal input from the bathtub temperature sensor 46. In this embodiment, the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub main body 2 acquired by the hot water temperature acquisition unit 62 is used as a reference temperature, and hot water with a temperature higher than the reference temperature is discharged from the water discharger 8 as a warming stimulus, and hot water with a temperature lower than the reference temperature is discharged from the water discharger 8 as a cooling stimulus.

[0061] Furthermore, the hot water temperature acquisition unit 62 acquires the temperature of the hot water supplied from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a based on the detection signal input from the high-temperature side temperature sensor 50a, and acquires the temperature of the water supplied from the low-temperature side temperature sensor 50b based on the detection signal input from the low-temperature side temperature sensor 50b. The hot water temperature acquisition unit 62 also acquires the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharger 8 based on the detection signal input from the discharge water temperature sensor 48. The present invention can also be configured so that the hot water temperature acquisition unit 62 acquires this hot water temperature as the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub main body 2. While this embodiment provides temperature sensors to acquire the temperatures of each component, the present invention can also be configured so that at least some of these temperature sensors are omitted and the hot water temperature acquisition unit 62 acquires estimated temperatures as the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub main body 2. For example, if the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub main body 2 is maintained at a certain set temperature by a temperature control device (not shown), the present invention can also be configured so that the hot water temperature acquisition unit 62 acquires this set temperature as the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub main body 2.

[0062] The control unit 64 is configured to provide a warming or cooling sensation to the bather based on the information acquired by the time information acquisition unit 56. When providing a warming sensation to the bather, the control unit 64 operates the circulation device 9 to discharge the hot water in the bathtub main body 2 taken in through the bathtub water intake 9b from the water outlet 8a of the water discharger 8. At the same time, the high-temperature side linear valve 42a is opened to mix high-temperature water with the hot water discharged from the water outlet 8a. As a result, hot water with a temperature higher than the reference temperature of the hot water in the bathtub main body 2 is discharged from the water outlet 8a of the water discharger 8, providing a warming sensation to the bather. On the other hand, when providing a cooling sensation to the bather, the hot water in the bathtub main body 2 is discharged from the water outlet 8a of the water discharger 8, and the low-temperature side linear valve 42b is opened to mix low-temperature water with the hot water discharged from the water outlet 8a. As a result, hot water at a temperature lower than the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub main body 2, which is the reference temperature, is discharged from the water discharge port 8a of the water discharge device 8, providing a cooling sensation to the bather.

[0063] Therefore, in this embodiment, the water discharger 8, the circulation device 9, the high-temperature side linear valve 42a, and the low-temperature side linear valve 42b function as a heating / cooling device that provides the bather with a warming stimulus higher than a predetermined reference temperature and a cooling stimulus lower than a predetermined reference temperature. The control unit 64 also controls the heating / cooling device based on information acquired by the time information acquisition unit 56. Details of the control by the control unit 64 will be described later.

[0064] Next, the operation of the bathtub apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the bathtub apparatus 1 of this embodiment. Fig. 8 is a time chart showing an example of the operation when a warming stimulus is applied by the bathtub apparatus 1 of this embodiment. Fig. 9 is a time chart showing an example of the operation when a cooling stimulus is applied by the bathtub apparatus 1 of this embodiment. The flowchart shown in Fig. 7 begins to be executed when the bather enters the bathtub main body 2, that is, when the bather's electrocardiogram signal begins to be detected by the heart rate acquisition unit 57 built into the control unit 6.

[0065] First, in step S1 of FIG. 7, the bather inputs the planned bedtime t b is acquired by the time information acquisition unit 56. In step S1, the bathing start time (current time t p ) is acquired by the time information acquisition unit 56 as the bath entry and exit times. Furthermore, in step S1, the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub body 2, detected by the bathtub temperature sensor 46, is acquired by the hot water temperature acquisition unit 62 of the control unit 6.

[0066] In this embodiment, the bathing start time (current time t p ) is acquired when the bather enters the bathtub body 2, but as a variant, the time when the bather enters the bathroom R is the bathing start time (current time t p) The present invention can also be configured so that the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2 is acquired as the bath time. The temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2 can also be acquired when the bather enters the bathroom R. In these cases, an entry sensor (not shown) is installed in the bathroom R to detect the bather's entry into the bathroom R. Alternatively, the present invention can be configured so that the bather's bathing start time is estimated based on the time the bather fills the bath using the remote control 6a or the like, and this bathing start time is acquired by the time information acquisition unit 56 as the bathing entry and exit time. In other words, since it is possible to predict the time it will take for the hot water in the bathtub body 2 to reach the appropriate temperature after the bathing operation, the bathing start time can be estimated based on the time the bathing operation was performed.

[0067] Next, in step S2, the bather's deep body temperature is acquired as body temperature by the body temperature acquisition unit 58 based on the bather's heart rate acquired by the heart rate acquisition unit 57. That is, the bather's electrocardiogram signal is detected by the negative electrode 4a and the positive electrode 4b, and the bather's heart rate is acquired based on this by the heart rate acquisition unit 57. Furthermore, the body temperature acquisition unit 58 acquires the amount of change in the body temperature (deep body temperature) after the bather enters the bathtub main body 2 based on the bather's heart rate. Generally, the bather's body temperature (deep body temperature) rises after entering the bathtub main body 2, and the heart rate also increases.

[0068] Furthermore, in step S3, it is determined whether the change in the bather's body temperature after entering the bathtub body 2 has reached a predetermined value T1 or more. If the change in body temperature is equal to or greater than T1, the process proceeds to step S4; if the change in body temperature is less than T1, the process returns to step S2. Therefore, in the flowchart shown in Figure 7, steps S3, S2, and S3 are repeatedly executed until the change in the bather's body temperature reaches or exceeds T1. In this embodiment, the predetermined value T1 is set to 0.5°C.

[0069] FIG. 8 is a time chart showing an example of the operation of the bathtub apparatus 1, showing an example of the case where a thermal sensation stimulus is given to the bather. In the example shown in Figure 8, at time t0, the bather begins to immerse himself in the hot water in the bathtub main body 2. At this point, the water discharger 8 is not discharging hot water. Then, when the bather operates the remote control 6a or when a predetermined waiting time t w After the predetermined waiting time t has elapsed, the water discharger 8 starts discharging hot and cold water. w After the predetermined waiting time t w is set to about 5 minutes.

[0070] At time t1, the control section 64 of the control unit 6 sends a control signal to the circulation device 9 to activate it and cause hot and cold water to be discharged from the water discharge device 8. In this state, the high-temperature side linear valve 42a and the low-temperature side linear valve 42b remain closed. Therefore, the hot and cold water in the bathtub body 2 that is sucked in from the bathtub water intake 9b (Fig. 2) is discharged directly from the water discharge port 8a of the water discharge device 8 and applied to the neck and shoulders of the bather. In this way, in this embodiment, after the bather starts bathing, the water is discharged for a predetermined waiting time t W After this time has elapsed, the water discharge device 8 starts to discharge hot water at the same temperature as the water in the bathtub body 2. Alternatively, as a variant, the present invention can be configured so that the discharge of hot water starts immediately after the bather begins bathing.

[0071] Furthermore, at time t2 in Fig. 8, when the change in the bather's body temperature exceeds a predetermined value T1, the process proceeds to step S4 in the flowchart shown in Fig. 7. In step S4, the estimated bather's departure time t e From the planned bedtime t obtained in step S1 b If the time until the bather leaves the bath is determined to be longer than the first time tα, the process proceeds to step S5. If the time until the bather leaves the bath is determined to be longer than the first time tα, the process proceeds to step S6. e is the bathing start time (current time t p ) at the expected bathing time t dThat is, the time information acquisition unit 56 estimates the bathing start time by adding the expected bathing time t d The estimated bath time t e In this embodiment, the first time tα is set to 120 minutes, and the expected bathing time t d is set to 10 minutes (fixed value). Therefore, for example, the current time t p is 8 p.m., and the planned bedtime is t b If it is 23:00, the bath time t e (=t p +t d ) is estimated to be 20:10, and the estimated bath time t e From scheduled bedtime t b The estimated time is 170 minutes.

[0072] Next, in step S5, the application of the thermal stimulus is started. In the example shown in FIG. 8, at time t2, the change in the bather's body temperature becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value T1, and the estimated time to leave the bath t e From scheduled bedtime t b Since the time until the first time tα is longer than the first time tα, the application of a thermal stimulus begins at time t2. That is, the control unit 64 of the control unit 6 sends a control signal to the high-temperature side linear valve 42a, opening it by a predetermined amount. As a result, the hot water in the bathtub body 2, which is drawn in from the bathtub water intake 9b (FIG. 2) and discharged from the water outlet 8a of the water discharger 8, is mixed with the high-temperature hot water supplied from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a, raising the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water outlet 8a. As a result, the high-temperature hot water is applied to the bather's neck and shoulders, providing a thermal stimulus to the bather. In this embodiment, the control unit 64 controls the opening of the high-temperature side linear valve 42a so that hot water approximately 4°C higher in temperature than the hot water in the bathtub body 2 is discharged from the water outlet 8a of the water discharger 8.

[0073] In this embodiment, the thermal stimulation is not started immediately after the bather enters the bath, but after a predetermined time has passed. Specifically, the thermal stimulation is started after the change in the bather's body temperature reaches a predetermined value T1 or more. In contrast, as a modified example, the thermal stimulation is started after the bather enters the bath and waits a predetermined warming time t h The present invention can also be configured so that the application of a warming stimulus or the like is initiated after the predetermined warming time t h The warm-up time t can be set to, for example, about 5 minutes. h is approximately the same as the time required for the deep body temperature of a bather entering the bathtub body 2 to rise by a predetermined value T1 (0.5°C). In addition, it is preferable to start providing thermal stimulation etc. after the latter half of the period during which a normal bather is inside the bathtub body 2.

[0074] Furthermore, after the application of the warming stimulus is started in step S5, step S8 is executed. In step S8, after the start of the warming stimulus or the cool stimulus, a predetermined stimulus time t S It is determined whether the stimulation time t has elapsed. S If the stimulation time t has elapsed, proceed to step S9. S If the predetermined stimulation time t has not elapsed, the process of step S8 is repeated. S is set to about 2 minutes.

[0075] In the example shown in FIG. 8, after the start of the thermal stimulation at time t2, the stimulation time t S Stimulation time t S After this time has elapsed, the control unit 64 of the control unit 6 sends a control signal to the high-temperature side linear valve 42a to close it, and also sends a control signal to the circulation device 9 to stop it. This stops the discharge of hot water from the water discharge port 8a of the water discharge device 8.

[0076] Next, step S9 is executed in the flowchart shown in Fig. 7. In step S9, the control section 64 of the control unit 6 sends a signal to the speaker 6b (Fig. 4) to output a voice message encouraging the bather to get out of the bath, and one processing iteration of the flowchart shown in Fig. 7 is completed. That is, the thermal stimulation is applied for a predetermined stimulation time t S By applying this, the bather's deep body temperature rises sufficiently, and even if there is a long time between getting out of the bath and going to bed, the body temperature can be prevented from dropping excessively when going to bed, allowing the bather to fall asleep comfortably after getting out of the bath.

[0077] In this embodiment, the predetermined stimulation time t S After the thermal stimulus is applied, a message prompting the bather to exit the bath is immediately displayed. Alternatively, as a variation, the present invention can be configured so that the message prompting the bather to exit the bath is displayed a predetermined time after the water discharge device 8 has stopped discharging hot and cold water and the application of the thermal stimulus has ended. For example, the present invention can be configured so that the message prompting the bather to exit the bath is displayed one minute after the application of the thermal stimulus has ended. Since the bather's body temperature is at an optimal level for falling asleep after exiting the bath at the end of the application of the thermal stimulus, it is desirable for the bather to exit the bath as soon as possible while maintaining this state.

[0078] On the other hand, in step S4 of FIG. 7, the estimated bather's departure time t e From scheduled bedtime t b If it is determined that the time until the current time t is equal to or shorter than the first time tα, the process proceeds to step S6. p Estimated bath time t d The estimated bath time t e In step S6, the estimated bathing time t e From the planned bedtime t obtained in step S1 bIf the time until the time tα is equal to or less than the second time tβ, the process proceeds to step S7, and if the time until the time tα is equal to or less than the second time tβ, the process proceeds to step S8. In this embodiment, the second time tβ is set to 60 minutes, which is shorter than the first time tα.

[0079] 9 shows a case where a cooling sensation is given by the bathtub apparatus 1. In the example of the time chart shown in FIG. 10 The bather starts bathing at time t 11 At time t 12 At this time, the change in the bather's body temperature exceeds the predetermined value T1, and the process from step S4 onward in the flowchart shown in Figure 7 is executed. e From scheduled bedtime t b Since the time until the bather leaves the bath is equal to or shorter than the second time tβ, the process in the flowchart proceeds from step S6 to S7. In this way, in this embodiment, the cooling sensation stimulation is not started immediately after the bather leaves the bath, but is started after a predetermined time has elapsed. Specifically, after the change in the bather's body temperature reaches a predetermined value T1 or more, the cooling sensation stimulation is started after the estimated bathing time t e From scheduled bedtime t b If the time until the estimated bathing time t is longer than the first time tα, a thermal stimulus is applied. e From scheduled bedtime t b If the time until the estimated bathing time t is shorter than the second time tβ, the cooling sensation stimulus is applied. e From scheduled bedtime t b If the time until is between the second time tβ and the first time tα, the circulation of hot water in the bathtub body 2 continues after the water discharge device 8 starts to discharge hot water without providing any warming or cooling stimulation. If the time from the estimated bathing departure time te to the planned bedtime tb is between the second time tβ and the first time tα, the discharge from the water discharger 8 may be stopped.

[0080] Next, in step S7, the application of the cooling sensation stimulus is started. 12 The application of a cooling sensation begins from this point. That is, the control unit 64 of the control unit 6 sends a control signal to the low-temperature side linear valve 42b, opening it by a predetermined amount. As a result, the hot water in the bathtub body 2, which is drawn in from the bathtub water intake 9b (Figure 2) and discharged from the water outlet 8a of the water discharger 8, is mixed with the low-temperature water supplied from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b, lowering the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water outlet 8a. This causes the low-temperature hot water to hit the bather's neck and shoulders, providing a cooling sensation to the bather. In this embodiment, the control unit 64 controls the opening of the low-temperature side linear valve 42b so that hot water approximately 4°C lower in temperature than the hot water in the bathtub body 2 is discharged from the water outlet 8a of the water discharger 8.

[0081] Furthermore, after the application of the cooling sensation stimulation is started in step S7, step S8 is repeatedly executed, and the cooling sensation stimulation time t S In the example shown in FIG. 12 After the start of the cooling sensation stimulation at time t 13 At stimulation time t S Stimulation time t S When the predetermined stimulation time t has elapsed, the discharge of hot water from the water discharger 8 is stopped and step S9 is executed. In step S9, a voice message urging the bather to get out of the bath is output, and one processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 7 is completed. That is, after the start of the cooling sensation stimulation, the predetermined stimulation time t S As time passes, the bather's body surface cools down, and the bather's core body temperature tends to drop after leaving the bath. Therefore, even if there is only a short time between leaving the bath and going to bed, the bather's body temperature can be prevented from remaining excessively elevated at bedtime, allowing the bather to fall asleep comfortably.

[0082] According to the bathtub apparatus 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, the bathing exit time t e From scheduled bedtime t bIf the time until the bathing start time is longer than the first time tα, the bather is given a thermal stimulus (steps S4 to S5 in FIG. 7), which prevents the core body temperature from dropping too much before bedtime and allows the bather to fall asleep comfortably. e From scheduled bedtime t b If the time until the bather exits the bath is equal to or shorter than the second time tβ, a cooling stimulus is applied to the bather (steps S6 to S7 in FIG. 7). This allows the bather's core body temperature to drop even after leaving the bath, allowing the body temperature to drop sufficiently by the time the bather goes to bed, allowing the bather to fall asleep comfortably. Furthermore, with the bathtub apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the discharge of hot and cold water from the water discharger 8 delivers warming and cooling stimuli to specific parts of the bather's body, such as the shoulders and neck. This allows the bather's core body temperature to be changed more quickly and efficiently than when the temperature of the hot and cold water in the bathtub body 2 is changed to deliver a warming or cooling stimulus to the bather's entire body. Therefore, even with a relatively short bath, the bather's body temperature at bedtime can be easily adjusted to an appropriate temperature.

[0083] Furthermore, according to the bathtub apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the discharge of hot and cold water from the water discharge device 8 provides warming and cooling stimuli to parts of the bather's body (shoulders, neck, etc.) above the surface of the hot and cold water stored in the bathtub main body 2, so that the warming and cooling stimuli can be provided directly to the bather's skin exposed to the hot and cold water in the bathtub main body 2. Therefore, the warming and cooling stimuli can be provided more quickly than when the stimuli are provided via the hot and cold water in the bathtub main body 2, and the bather's core body temperature can be changed.

[0084] Furthermore, according to the bathtub apparatus 1 of this embodiment, after a predetermined time has elapsed (time t2 in FIG. 8, time t 12 ), the bather begins to receive a cooling or warming stimulus, allowing the bather to enjoy bathing. After a predetermined time has passed, the bather's core body temperature will be close to the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub, so the bather's core body temperature can be set to a temperature suitable for falling asleep without causing discomfort to the bather due to the cooling or warming stimulus.

[0085] Furthermore, according to the bathtub apparatus 1 of this embodiment, after the bather enters the bathtub body, the bathtub is heated for a predetermined time (times t0 to t2 in FIG. 8 and time t 10 ~t 12 ) changes depending on the amount of change in the bather's body temperature (depending on the time it takes to repeat steps S2 → S3 → S2 in Figure 7), so by applying cooling or warming stimuli when the bather's body temperature has risen sufficiently, it is possible to more effectively induce body temperature changes that are suitable for falling asleep.

[0086] Furthermore, according to the bathtub device 1 of this embodiment, the change in the bather's body temperature is estimated based on the bather's heart rate acquired by the heart rate acquisition unit 57, so that the change in the bather's body temperature can be acquired without forcing the bather to assume a bathing position while bathing.

[0087] Furthermore, according to the bathtub device 1 of this embodiment, after the bather is given a cooling or warming stimulus for a predetermined period of time, the speaker 6b, which serves as the alarm unit, prompts the bather to get out of the bath. This allows the bather to get out of the bath when their body temperature reaches a temperature suitable for falling asleep, thereby helping the bather fall asleep more effectively.

[0088] Next, a bathtub apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The bathtub apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in the control by the control unit. Therefore, the following will only describe the differences between the second embodiment of the present invention and the first embodiment, and will omit a description of the same configurations, actions, and effects.

[0089] Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the bathtub apparatus of this embodiment. The flowchart shown in Fig. 10 begins to be executed when the bather enters the bathtub main body 2, that is, when the bather's electrocardiogram signal begins to be detected by the heart rate acquisition unit 57 built into the control unit 6.

[0090] First, in step S11 of FIG. 10, the planned bedtime t that the bather has input in advance using the mobile terminal 7 is b and planned bath time t f is acquired by the time information acquisition unit 56. In step S11, the time when the bather entered the bathtub body 2 and started bathing (current time t p ) is acquired by the time information acquisition unit 56 as the bath entry and exit times. Furthermore, in step S11, the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub body 2, detected by the bathtub temperature sensor 46, is acquired by the hot water temperature acquisition unit 62 of the control unit 6. The temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2 can also be acquired when the bather enters the bathroom R. In this case, an entry sensor (not shown) is installed in the bathroom R to detect that the bather has entered the bathroom R.

[0091] In this embodiment, the planned bathing time t f is input by the bather. Alternatively, as a variant, the bather's past bathing records may be stored, and the average planned bathing time t may be calculated based on the records. f Calculate the calculated planned bath time t f The present invention can also be configured so that the time information acquisition unit 56 acquires the time information.

[0092] Next, steps S12 and S13 in Fig. 10 are repeated until the bather's body temperature has increased by a predetermined amount, at which point the process proceeds to step S 14. The processes in steps S12 and S13 are the same as those in steps S2 and S3 in Fig. 7, and therefore will not be described here.

[0093] Furthermore, in step S14, the estimated bather's departure time t e , the planned bedtime t obtained in step S11 b If it is longer than the first time tα, the process proceeds to step S15, and if it is equal to or shorter than the first time tα, the process proceeds to step S16. eis the current time t acquired in step S11. p , the planned bath time t f That is, the time information acquisition unit 56 estimates the current time t p Scheduled bath time t f The estimated bath time t e is acquired as the bath entry / exit time. In this embodiment, the first time tα is set to 120 minutes. For example, the current time t p is 8 p.m., and the planned bathing time t f 15 minutes, bedtime t b If it is 23:00, the bath time t e (=t p +t f ) is estimated to be 20:15, and the bathing time t e From scheduled bedtime t b The time until the bathing time is estimated to be 165 minutes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S15, where the control unit 64 starts to provide a thermal sensation to the bather, and the process proceeds to step S18. The process of step S15 is the same as the process of step S5 in Figure 7, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0094] On the other hand, in step S14, the estimated bathing time t e From scheduled bedtime t b If the time until the bath time is equal to or shorter than the first time tα, the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the estimated bath time t e From scheduled bedtime t b In step S16, it is determined whether the time until the estimated bathing time t is equal to or shorter than the second time tβ. e From scheduled bedtime t b If the time until the bather leaves the bath is equal to or shorter than the second time tβ, the process proceeds to step S17, and if the time until the bather leaves the bath is longer than the second time tβ, the process proceeds to step S18. e is the current time t obtained in step S11, as in step S14. p , the planned bath time t fThat is, the time information acquisition unit 56 estimates the current time t p Scheduled bath time t f The estimated bath time t e is obtained as the bath entry and exit times.

[0095] In this embodiment, the second time tβ is set to 60 minutes. For example, p is 10 p.m., and the planned bathing time t f 10 minutes, bedtime t b If it is 23:00, the bath time t e (=t p +t f ) is estimated to be 10:10 p.m., and the bathing time t e From scheduled bedtime t b The time until the flu season is calculated to be 50 minutes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S17, where the control unit 64 starts to give the bather a flu-like stimulus, and the process proceeds to step S18. The process of step S17 is the same as the process of step S7 in Figure 7, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0096] In this way, in this embodiment, the estimated bathing time t e From scheduled bedtime t b If the time until the estimated bathing time t is longer than the first time tα, a thermal stimulus is applied. e From scheduled bedtime t b If the time until the estimated bathing time t is equal to or shorter than the second time tβ, which is shorter than the first time tα, the cooling sensation stimulus is applied. e From scheduled bedtime t b If the time until is equal to or shorter than the first time tα and longer than the second time tβ, the hot and cold water in the bathtub body 2 is discharged from the water discharger 8 as is, and the process proceeds to step S18. The processing in steps S18 and S19 in Figure 10 is the same as the processing in steps S8 and S9 in Figure 7, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0097] According to the second embodiment of the bathtub apparatus of the present invention, the planned bathing time tf and bath time (current time t p ) based on the bather's departure time t e is estimated, so the bath time t e can be estimated relatively accurately, and the expected bedtime t b Since the time until the temperature is reached is accurately grasped, the warming stimulus or the cooling stimulus can be appropriately applied.

[0098] In the second embodiment, the bather is informed of the planned bathing time t f and based on this, the bath time t e However, as a modification, the present invention can be configured so that the bather can directly input the planned bathing time. That is, the time information acquisition unit 56 acquires the input planned bathing time as the bathing entry and exit times, and the control unit 64 calculates the estimated bedtime t from the planned bathing time. b Based on the time until the temperature reaches the target, a warming stimulus or a cooling stimulus is applied.

[0099] Although the bathtub apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment. In particular, in the above-described embodiment, the estimated bath exit time t e is acquired by the time information acquisition unit 56 as the bath entry / exit time, and this bath exit time t e From scheduled bedtime t b In contrast to this, as a modification, the time information acquisition unit 56 acquires the bathing start time as the bathing entry / exit time, and calculates the time from this bathing start time to the planned bedtime t b The present invention can also be configured to provide a warming or cooling stimulus by comparing the time until the start of the treatment with the first time tα and the second time tβ. In this case, it is preferable to set the first time tα and the second time tβ longer than in the above-described embodiment.

[0100] In the above-described embodiment, the bather's electrocardiogram signal is detected by electrodes provided on the bathtub body, and the amount of change in the bather's body temperature is estimated based on this. However, as a modification, the present invention can be configured so that the control unit 64 of the control unit 6 estimates the amount of change in the bather's body temperature based on the elapsed time detected by the elapsed time detection unit 60 and the water temperature acquired by the water temperature acquisition unit 62.

[0101] Figure 11 is a graph showing an example of the change in deep body temperature over time after a bather enters the bathtub body 2 filled with hot water. As shown in Figure 11, the bather's deep body temperature begins to rise after a certain amount of time has passed since immersion in hot water, and continues to rise over time. Based on this relationship between the elapsed time and deep body temperature, the amount of change in the bather's body temperature can be estimated.

[0102] According to this modification, the amount of change in the bather's body temperature is estimated based on the elapsed time and the temperature of the water, so that the amount of change in the bather's body temperature can be obtained without placing a burden on the bather.

[0103] In the above-described embodiment, the water discharge device 8 and the like are provided as heating and cooling devices that provide warm and cool sensations to the bather. Alternatively, a heating and cooling device can be installed on the ceiling of the bathroom, serving as a heating and cooling device that delivers hot air higher than the temperature of the hot and cold water in the bathtub body 2 to the bather in the bathtub body 2. The present invention can also be configured to provide a mist generator as a heating and cooling device, generating mist in the bathroom or bathtub body 2 that is higher than the temperature of the hot and cold water in the bathtub body, and providing the bather with a warm and cool sensation. Furthermore, the present invention can also be configured to provide a heating / cooling device that can heat and cool the wall surface, such as the backrest surface 2a of the bathtub body 2, and provide the bather with a warm and cool sensation by installing a heating / cooling device that can heat and cool the wall surface, such as the backrest surface 2a of the bathtub body 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1 Bathtub equipment 2 Bathtub body 2a Backrest 2b Apron 4a negative electrode 4b Positive electrode 4c reference electrode 6. Control Unit 6a Remote control 6b Speaker (notification unit) 7. Mobile devices 8. Water discharge device 8a Outlet 9 Circulation device 9a Bathtub outlet 9b Bathtub water intake 10 Electrode section 10a Disc part 10b Shaft 12a Front gasket 12b Rear gasket 14 flange 16 Moisture-proof tube 18 Connection terminal 20 fixing screws 22 Conductor 24 Sheath 40a High temperature hot water supply pipe 40b Low temperature hot water supply pipe 42a High temperature side linear valve 42b Low temperature side linear valve 44 Mixing chamber 46 Bathtub temperature sensor 48 Water outlet temperature sensor 50a High temperature side temperature sensor 50b Low temperature sensor 52 Water heater 54 Water Supply 54a Branch 56 Time information acquisition unit 57 Heart rate acquisition unit 58 Body temperature acquisition section 60 Elapsed time detection unit 62 Hot water temperature acquisition section 64 Control Unit

Claims

1. A bathtub device that can give a bather a warming stimulus and a cooling stimulus, A bathtub body for storing hot water; a time information acquisition unit that acquires bathing start and exit times related to the bather's bathing start time or bathing exit time, and the bather's planned bedtime; a water temperature acquisition unit that acquires the temperature of the water stored in the bathtub body; a heating / cooling device that applies a warming stimulus higher than the temperature of the hot water acquired by the hot water temperature acquisition unit and a cooling stimulus lower than the temperature of the hot water to specific parts of the body of the bather in the bathtub body; a control unit that controls the heating / cooling device based on the information acquired by the time information acquisition unit, The control unit controls the heating and cooling device to give the bather a warming stimulus when the time from the bathing entry / exit time acquired by the time information acquisition unit to the planned bedtime is longer than a first time, and controls the heating and cooling device to give the bather a cooling stimulus when the time from the bathing entry / exit time acquired by the time information acquisition unit to the planned bedtime is equal to or shorter than a second time.

2. The bathtub apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heating / cooling device is positioned above the surface of the hot and cold water stored in the bathtub body, and provides warming and cooling stimuli to parts of the bather's body above the surface of the hot and cold water stored in the bathtub body.

3. The bathtub apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit controls the heating / cooling device to start providing a cooling or warming stimulus to the bather after a predetermined time has elapsed since the bather entered the bathtub body.

4. The bathtub device of claim 3 further comprises a body temperature acquisition unit that acquires the amount of change in the bather's body temperature after the bather enters the bathtub body, and the specified time period changes depending on the amount of change in the bather's body temperature after the bather enters the bathtub body.

5. The bathtub device of claim 4 further comprises a heart rate acquisition unit that acquires the bather's heart rate, and the control unit estimates the amount of change in the bather's body temperature based on the bather's heart rate acquired by the heart rate acquisition unit.

6. The bathtub device of claim 4 further comprises an elapsed time detection unit that detects the elapsed time since the bather entered the bathtub body, and the control unit estimates the amount of change in the bather's body temperature based on the elapsed time detected by the elapsed time detection unit and the temperature of the hot water acquired by the hot water temperature acquisition unit.

7. 4. The bathtub apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an alarm unit, wherein the control unit urges the bather to exit the bath after providing the bather with a cooling or warming stimulus for a predetermined period of time.

8. The bathtub apparatus of claim 3, wherein the time information acquisition unit is configured to require the bather to input a planned bathing time and to estimate the bather's departure time based on the input planned bathing time and the detected bathing start time, and the control unit controls the heating / cooling device to give the bather a warming stimulus if the time from the estimated bathing time to the planned bedtime is longer than a first time, and controls the heating / cooling device to give the bather a cooling stimulus if the time from the estimated bathing time to the planned bedtime is shorter than a second time.

9. The bathtub device described in claim 3, wherein the time information acquisition unit is configured to acquire the bather's entry and exit times based on the time when the bathtub body is filled with water or the time when the bather enters the bathroom.

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