Electrocardiogram (ECG) measuring device

Abstract

To provide an electrocardiogram (ECG) measuring device that can achieve miniaturization while generating accurate ECG information of bathers based on ECG signals. [Solution] The electrocardiogram measuring device 1 comprises a device body 9 attached to a bathtub 3, a plurality of electrodes 10, 20 provided on the device body 9, a control board 14 provided on the device body 9, the control board 14 having a board body 14B fixed to the device body 9 and an electrocardiogram information generation unit 15A mounted on the board body 14B, and a plurality of conductive parts 61, 62 made of a conductive material, corresponding one-to-one with each electrode 10, 20, each conductive part 61, 62 extending from the corresponding electrode 10, 20 toward the board body 14B and mechanically joining with the board body 14B, and constituting conductive paths 61P, 62P that electrically connect the corresponding electrode 10, 20 and the electrocardiogram information generation unit 15A. Each conductive part 61, 62 has at least one of the shapes of a plate, a column, and a molded material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrocardiogram measurement device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional electrocardiogram measurement device. This electrocardiogram measurement device includes a control unit, a plurality of electrodes, and a plurality of conductive wires.

[0003] The control unit is provided outside the bathtub. Each electrode is provided in the bathtub. Each electrode detects an electrocardiogram signal related to the heartbeat of a bather who is bathing in the hot water in a state of being immersed in the hot water stored in the bathtub. Each conductive wire corresponds one-to-one to each electrode. Each conductive wire constitutes a conduction path that electrically connects the corresponding electrode and the control unit. The control unit generates electrocardiogram information based on the electrocardiogram signal transmitted from each electrode via each conductive wire.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, miniaturization is required for the above conventional electrocardiogram measurement device. For this reason, regarding the electrocardiogram measurement device, for example, it includes a device main body attached to a bathtub, a control board provided on the device main body, and a plurality of electrodes, and the control board has a board main body fixed to the device main body and an electrocardiogram information generation unit mounted on the board main body, and the electrocardiogram information generation unit generates electrocardiogram information based on the electrocardiogram signal transmitted from each electrode.

[0006] However, in this case, if vibrations or shocks caused by the bather's body movements act on the device, the relative positional relationship between each electrode and each conduction path, and the relative positional relationship between each conduction path and the main circuit board, are easily affected by vibrations, etc., making it difficult to suppress disturbance noise, which causes each conduction path to fluctuate due to vibrations, etc. Therefore, the electrocardiogram signals transmitted from each electrode to the electrocardiogram information generation unit are easily degraded by the influence of disturbance noise.

[0007] Furthermore, when electrodes are brought closer together to miniaturize the electrocardiogram (ECG) measurement device, the ECG signal transmitted from each electrode to the ECG information generation unit becomes weaker. As a result, the gain of the amplification circuit used by the ECG information generation unit to amplify the ECG signal must be increased, making the ECG signal more susceptible to external noise and further degrading it.

[0008] As a result, while this electrocardiogram measuring device achieves miniaturization, it is difficult to generate accurate electrocardiogram information of bathers based on their electrocardiogram signals.

[0009] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and aims to solve the problem of providing an electrocardiogram measuring device that can generate good electrocardiogram information of a bather based on electrocardiogram signals while achieving miniaturization. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The electrocardiogram measuring device of the present invention comprises a device body that is attached to a bathtub, The device body is provided with a plurality of electrodes that detect electrocardiogram signals related to the heartbeat of a bather who is immersed in the bathwater stored in the bathtub, A control board provided on the main body of the apparatus, comprising: a main board body fixed to the main body of the apparatus; and an electrocardiogram information generation unit mounted on the main board body, which generates electrocardiogram information of the bather based on the electrocardiogram signal; A plurality of conductive portions made of a conductive material, each corresponding one-to-one with each electrode, each conductive portion extending from the corresponding electrode toward the substrate body and mechanically joining with the substrate body, and constituting a conductive path that electrically connects the corresponding electrode and the electrocardiogram information generation unit, Equipped with, Each of the aforementioned conductive portions is characterized by having at least one of the following shapes: a plate shape, a column shape, and a profile shape.

[0011] In the electrocardiogram measuring device of the present invention, each conductive portion extending from the corresponding electrode toward the substrate body has at least one of the following shapes: plate shape, column shape, and molded material shape. The plate shape is a flat plate shape, a folded plate shape, etc. The column shape is a round column shape, a square column shape, etc. The molded material shape is a cylindrical shape, a rectangular tube shape, an L-shape, a C-shape, etc.

[0012] In other words, each conductive section is not a single thin wire or a flexible bundle of multiple wires, which are common as conductors. Each conductive section has significantly higher rigidity and a significantly larger cross-sectional area compared to wires that are easily bent and commonly sold in a coiled form, or bundles of multiple wires.

[0013] Each conductive part is mechanically joined to the main substrate body by means of fastening, crimping, bending, or clamping. As a result, even if vibrations or shocks caused by the bather's body movements act on the main body of the device, each conductive part can suppress variations in the relative positional relationship between each electrode and each conductive path, and between each conductive path and the main substrate body, due to vibrations, etc., thereby suppressing fluctuations in each conductive path due to vibrations, etc., i.e., suppressing disturbance noise.

[0014] As a result, each conductive part can suppress the degradation of the electrocardiogram signal transmitted from the corresponding electrode to the electrocardiogram information generation unit due to the influence of external noise. Furthermore, while bringing electrodes closer together to miniaturize the electrocardiogram measurement device reduces the strength of the electrocardiogram signal, suppressing the degradation of the electrocardiogram signal reduces the need to increase the gain when the electrocardiogram information generation unit amplifies the electrocardiogram signal using the amplification circuit.

[0015] Therefore, the electrocardiogram measuring device of the present invention can achieve miniaturization while accurately generating electrocardiogram information of a bather based on the electrocardiogram signal.

[0016] The main body of the device preferably has a first end, a second end located on the opposite side of the first end, and a housing space located between the first and second ends for housing a control board. Each electrode preferably has a first electrode provided on the main body of the device at a position closer to the first end than the second end, and a second electrode provided on the main body of the device at a position closer to the second end than the first end. Each conductive part preferably has a first conductive part corresponding to the first electrode and a second conductive part corresponding to the second electrode. The main body of the substrate preferably has a first joint that is mechanically joined to the first conductive part at a position closer to the first end than the second end, and a second joint that is mechanically joined to the second conductive part at a position closer to the second end than the first end. The first conductive part preferably constitutes a first conductive path that electrically connects the first electrode and the electrocardiogram information generation unit as a conductive path. The second conductive section preferably constitutes a second conductive path that electrically connects the second electrode and the electrocardiogram information generation unit as a conductive path.

[0017] In this case, the first electrode and the second electrode can be easily separated, thus increasing the strength of the electrocardiogram signal. Also, in this case, the first electrode and the first junction can be easily brought closer together, and the second electrode and the second junction can be easily brought closer together, thus shortening the first and second conduction paths, and reliably suppressing degradation of the electrocardiogram signal transmitted from the first and second electrodes to the electrocardiogram information generation unit due to disturbance noise. As a result, this electrocardiogram measurement device can generate electrocardiogram information of bathers with even better accuracy based on the electrocardiogram signal.

[0018] It is desirable that the first fastening mechanically connects the first conductive portion to the first joint portion and fixes the first joint portion to the main body of the device. It is also desirable that the second fastening mechanically connects the second conductive portion to the second joint portion and fixes the second joint portion to the main body of the device.

[0019] In this case, since the first conduction part and the second conduction part are also fastened to the device main body, fluctuations in the first conduction path and the second conduction path due to vibration or the like can be further suppressed. Also, in this case, the first fastening and the second fastening also serve as a configuration for fixing the substrate main body to the device main body. As a result, this electrocardiogram measuring device does not need to separately provide a configuration for fixing the substrate main body to the device main body, so that the number of components can be reduced and the device can be simplified.

[0020] It is desirable that at least a part of each conduction part is formed integrally with the corresponding electrode.

[0021] In this case, fluctuations in each conduction path due to vibration or the like can be further suppressed, and the number of components can be reduced.

[0022] It is desirable that the device main body is detachably attached to the inner surface side of the bathtub.

[0023] In this case, further miniaturization of the electrocardiogram measuring device is required, and there is a strong tendency for the electrocardiogram signals to become small as the electrodes approach each other. Also, in this case, vibrations or the like caused by the body movements of the bathers act more easily on the device main body. For this reason, this electrocardiogram measuring device can surely enjoy the operational effects of the present invention.

Effects of the Invention

[0026] Examples 1 and 2, which embody the present invention, will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0027] (Example 1) As shown in Figure 1, the electrocardiogram measuring device 1 of Embodiment 1 is an example of a specific embodiment of the electrocardiogram measuring device of the present invention. The electrocardiogram measuring device 1, together with the bathroom remote control 30 and the mobile terminal 50, constitutes the electrocardiogram measuring system 100.

[0028] The electrocardiogram measurement system 100 is installed in house H1. House H1 includes a bathroom R1, kitchen, living room, bedroom, etc. House H1 also has a hot water supply system 40 installed.

[0029] The electrocardiogram measuring device 1 is detachably attached to the inner surface 3A of the bathtub 3 installed in the bathroom R1. The inner surface 3A of the bathtub 3 consists of an inner surface 3A1 and a bottom surface 3A2. In this embodiment, the electrocardiogram measuring device 1 is detachably attached to the inner surface 3A1 of the bathtub 3.

[0030] The bathroom remote control 30 is installed on the wall of the bathroom R1 and is located away from the electrocardiogram measuring device 1. The mobile terminal 50 is carried and used by the user residing in the house H1 and is located away from the electrocardiogram measuring device 1.

[0031] <Hot water supply system> The hot water supply device 40 is capable of performing bath operations such as hot water supply operation, which supplies hot water to the kitchen sink and the mixing faucet in the bathroom R1; hot water filling operation, which stores hot water PW1 in the bathtub 3 of the bathroom R1 for bathers P1 to bathe in; reheating operation, which heats the hot water PW1 stored in the bathtub 3; adding hot water operation, which adds hot water to the hot water PW1 stored in the bathtub 3; and heat retention operation, which keeps the hot water PW1 stored in the bathtub 3 warm.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the hot water supply device 40 has a water level sensor 43A and a water temperature sensor 43B.

[0033] The water level sensor 43A includes a pressure sensor that measures the pressure in the piping connecting the hot water supply unit 40 and the bathtub 3. The water level sensor 43A detects the water level of the hot water PW1 based on the hydrostatic pressure measured by the pressure sensor when the hot water PW1 is at rest.

[0034] The water temperature sensor 43B measures at least one of the temperatures of the water sent from the hot water supply device 40 to the bathtub 3 and the temperature of the water returned from the bathtub 3 to the hot water supply device 40, and detects the temperature of the water PW1.

[0035] The hot water supply device 40 can adjust the state of the hot water PW1 by changing the water level of the hot water PW1 based on the detection result of the water level sensor 43A, or by changing the water temperature of the hot water PW1 based on the detection result of the water temperature sensor 43B.

[0036] <Bathroom remote control> The bathroom remote control 30 is a terminal device for operating the hot water supply system 40 to perform the hot water supply operation, bath filling operation, etc. described above. A kitchen remote control, which has the same configuration as the bathroom remote control 30, is installed in the kitchen, but its description is omitted in this embodiment.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2, the bathroom remote control 30 includes a remote control control unit 35, a remote control display unit 38B, a remote control input unit 38A, and a remote control communication unit 39.

[0038] The remote control unit 35 is an electronic circuit unit comprising a CPU (not shown), a storage unit 35M composed of memory elements such as ROM and RAM (not shown), and an interface circuit (not shown). The remote control unit 35 performs control processing related to the operation of the bathroom remote control 30.

[0039] The memory unit 35M stores various programs and setting information for operating the hot water heater 40. The memory unit 35M also appropriately stores various information acquired by the remote control unit 35, such as information related to the operation of the hot water heater 40.

[0040] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the remote control display unit 38B is an LCD panel or the like, which displays various information such as characters and images. The remote control input unit 38A is composed of multiple operation switches and receives input related to the operation of the hot water heater 40.

[0041] As shown in Figure 2, the remote control communication unit 39 is connected to the hot water heater 40 by a wire and communicates with the hot water heater 40. The remote control communication unit 39 also receives the detection results from the water level sensor 43A and the water temperature sensor 43B.

[0042] Furthermore, the remote control communication unit 39 incorporates an electronic circuit that performs wireless communication using Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, etc. The remote control communication unit 39 performs wireless communication with the electrocardiogram measuring device 1. The remote control communication unit 39 also performs wireless communication with the mobile terminal 50, either directly or via a wireless router (not shown) installed in the house H1.

[0043] <Mobile devices> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mobile terminal 50 is a mobile phone such as a smartphone or a portable tablet device, carried by a user who lives in the house H1 and who may be the bather P1 mentioned above on a daily basis, and used in the bathroom R1, kitchen, living room, bedroom, etc.

[0044] As shown in Figure 2, the mobile terminal 50 includes a terminal control unit 55, a touch panel 58, and a terminal communication unit 59.

[0045] The terminal control unit 55 is an electronic circuit unit comprising a CPU (not shown), a storage unit 55M composed of memory elements such as ROM and RAM (not shown), and an interface circuit (not shown). The terminal control unit 55 performs control processing related to the operation of the mobile terminal 50.

[0046] The memory unit 55M stores various programs and setting information for operating the mobile terminal 50. The memory unit 55M also appropriately stores various information acquired by the terminal control unit 55.

[0047] The touch panel 58 has a terminal display unit 58B and a terminal input unit 58A. The terminal display unit 58B is a liquid crystal panel or the like, and displays various information such as characters and images. The terminal input unit 58A covers the terminal display unit 58B in a way that allows the user to see the various information displayed on the terminal display unit 58B. The terminal input unit 58A receives various inputs through operations performed by the user with their fingertips.

[0048] The terminal communication unit 59 is capable of making calls using the mobile phone frequency band. The terminal communication unit 59 also incorporates electronic circuits for performing wireless communication using Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, etc. The terminal communication unit 59 performs wireless communication with the electrocardiogram measuring device 1 directly, or via a wireless router (not shown) installed in the house H1, and also performs wireless communication with the remote control communication unit 39 of the bathroom remote control 30.

[0049] <Electrocardiogram measuring device> As shown in Figure 3, the electrocardiogram measuring device 1 is equipped with a casing 9. The casing 9 is an example of the "device body" of the present invention. The casing 9 extends in a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The third direction is perpendicular to both the first and second directions. The casing 9 has a flattened shape in which the length in the third direction is significantly smaller than the lengths in the first and second directions.

[0050] A permanent magnet 6 is housed inside the casing 9. The bather P1 arbitrarily determines a position on the inner surface 3A1 of the existing bathtub 3 where the electrocardiogram measuring device 1 will be attached, and attaches a steel plate 3S to that position with waterproof adhesive tape or the like. Then, the bather P1 brings the casing 9 into contact with the steel plate 3S, causing the permanent magnet 6 to be attracted to the steel plate 3S, thereby detachably attaching the casing 9 to the inner surface 3A1 of the bathtub 3.

[0051] Alternatively, the casing 9 can be fitted into the holder 8, and the multiple suction cups 8A of the holder 8 can be attached to the inner surface 3A1 of the existing bathtub 3. In this case, the casing 9 can be detachably attached to various mounting positions on the inner surface 3A1 of the bathtub 3.

[0052] In this embodiment, with the casing 9 attached to the inner surface 3A1, the first direction is the direction extending horizontally along the inner surface 3A1, the second direction is the direction extending vertically along the inner surface 3A1, and the third direction is the direction extending substantially perpendicular to the inner surface 3A1.

[0053] In this embodiment, with the casing 9 attached to the inner surface 3A1, one of the first directions is toward the left side of the bather P1 facing the inner surface 3A1, the other of the first directions is toward the right side of the bather P1 facing the inner surface 3A1, one of the second directions is toward the upward direction, the other of the second direction is toward the downward direction, one of the third directions is toward the center of the bathtub 3 from the inner surface 3A1 of the bathtub 3, and the other of the third directions is toward the inner surface 3A1 of the bathtub 3 from the center of the bathtub 3.

[0054] The flattened casing 9, when attached to the inner surface 3A1, protrudes only slightly from the inner surface 3A1 toward the center of the bathtub 3.

[0055] The casing 9 comprises a casing body 90 shown in Figures 4 to 6 and a casing cover 99 shown in Figure 4. The casing body 90 and the casing cover 99 are resin molded products manufactured by injection molding of thermoplastic resin or the like.

[0056] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the casing body 90 is a box-shaped body with a large rectangular casing opening 90H formed on the side facing the other direction in the third direction. The casing body 90 has a base wall 90W that forms the side facing one direction in the third direction.

[0057] As shown in Figure 4, the casing cover 99 is joined to the casing body 90 by ultrasonic welding, adhesive bonding, fastening with multiple screws (not shown), etc., in such a way that it covers the entire casing opening 90H from the other third direction and is in close contact with the casing body 90 via an annular casing gasket 90G surrounding the casing opening 90H. This ensures watertightness between the casing body 90 and the casing cover 99. The casing body 90 and the casing cover 99 partition the housing space 9A of the casing 9.

[0058] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the casing body 90 has a first end 91 and a second end 92. The first end 91 is located in one direction in the first direction of the casing body 90. The second end 92 is located in the other direction in the first direction of the casing body 90. In other words, the second end 92 is located on the opposite side from the first end 91. The housing space 9A is located between the first end 91 and the second end 92.

[0059] The first end portion 91 has a first wall 91W and three first through holes 91H1, 91H2, and 91H3.

[0060] The first wall 91W is a wall that extends substantially perpendicular to the first direction and is connected to an edge of the base wall 90W located on one side in the first direction. The first wall 91W partitions the accommodation space 9A from one side in the first direction. Each of the first through holes 91H1, 91H2, and 91H3 penetrates the first wall 91W in the first direction.

[0061] The first through-hole 91H1 is a stepped round hole located on one side of the first wall 91W in the second direction. The first through-hole 91H2 is a stepped round hole located on the other side of the first wall 91W in the second direction. The first through-hole 91H3 is a rectangular hole located in the middle of the first wall 91W in the second direction.

[0062] As shown in the shaded area in Figure 6(a), the first wall 91W has a first sealing surface 91S. The first sealing surface 91S is formed on the surface of the first wall 91W facing one of the first directions. The first sealing surface 91S is a flat surface that surrounds the entire circumference of each of the first through holes 91H1, 91H2, and 91H3.

[0063] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the second end portion 92 is located on the other side of the casing body 90 in the first direction. The second end portion 92 has a second wall 92W, three second through holes 92H1, 92H2, and 92H3, and a first power button opening 97.

[0064] The second wall 92W is a wall that extends substantially perpendicular to the first direction and connects to the other end of the base wall 90W located in the other direction of the first direction. The second wall 92W partitions the accommodation space 9A from the other direction of the first direction. Each of the second through holes 92H1, 92H2, 92H3 and the first power button opening 97 penetrates the second wall 92W in the first direction.

[0065] The second through-hole 92H1 is a stepped round hole located on one side of the second wall 92W in the second direction. The second through-hole 92H2 is a stepped round hole located on the other side of the second wall 92W in the second direction. The second through-hole 92H3 is a rectangular hole located in the middle of the second wall 92W in the second direction. The first power button opening 97 is a round hole located on one side of the second wall 92W in the second direction, relative to the second through-hole 92H1.

[0066] As shown in the shaded area in Figure 6(b), the second wall 92W has a second sealing surface 92S. The second sealing surface 92S is formed on the surface of the second wall 92W facing the other direction in the first direction. The second sealing surface 92S is a flat surface that surrounds the entire circumference of each of the second through holes 92H1, 92H2, 92H3 and the first power button opening 97.

[0067] As shown in Figures 3, 4, 7, and 8, the electrocardiogram measuring device 1 is equipped with a first electrode 10 and a second electrode 20. The first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20 are examples of the "electrodes" of the present invention. The first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20 are each made of a material that has conductivity and water resistance, and in this embodiment they are made of stainless steel.

[0068] As shown in Figure 5, the external shape of the first electrode 10 is such that, when viewed from one side in the first direction, it covers the entire first sealing surface 91S of the casing body 90. The first electrode 10 has an exposed portion 10E that is exposed to the outside of the casing 9. The exposed portion 10E is the outer surface of the first electrode 10 facing one side in the first direction.

[0069] As shown in Figure 4, the first electrode 10 has a first fastening projection 10T1, 10T2 and a conductive projection 61A integrally formed on the other side of the first direction. The conductive projection 61A constitutes a part of the first conductive portion 61, which will be described later.

[0070] The first fastening projection 10T1 is a cylinder with an internal thread formed on it, located on one side of the first electrode 10 in the second direction and projecting toward the other side in the first direction. The first fastening projection 10T2 is a cylinder with an internal thread formed on it, located on the other side of the first electrode 10 in the second direction and projecting toward the other side in the first direction.

[0071] The conductive projection 61A is a prismatic projection located in the middle of the first electrode 10 in the second direction and projecting toward the other direction in the first direction, and has an internal thread formed on it.

[0072] A first gasket 91G is placed between the first electrode 10 and the first sealing surface 91S. The first gasket 91G is a flexible sheet made of a soft material such as rubber or elastomer. The first gasket 91G has holes formed in it that match the first through holes 91H1, 91H2, and 91H3.

[0073] With the first electrode 10 in close contact with the first sealing surface 91S via the first gasket 91G, and with the first fastening projection 10T1 fitted into the first through hole 91H1, the first fastening projection 10T2 fitted into the first through hole 91H2, and the conductive projection 61A entering the first through hole 91H3, the screws 10B1 and 10B2 shown in Figure 7 are inserted from within the housing space 9A into the first through holes 91H1 and 91H2, and then screwed into the first fastening projections 10T1 and 10T2. As a result, the first electrode 10 closes each of the first through holes 91H1, 91H2, and 91H3, and the outer surface facing one of the first directions becomes the exposed portion 10E, which is held by the casing body 90. In this way, watertightness is ensured between the first sealing surface 91S and the first electrode 10.

[0074] As shown in Figure 4, the external shape of the second electrode 20 is such that, when viewed from the other side in the first direction, it covers the entire second sealing surface 92S of the casing body 90. The second electrode 20 has an exposed portion 20E that is exposed to the outside of the casing 9. The exposed portion 20E is the outer surface of the second electrode 20 facing the other side in the first direction.

[0075] The second electrode 20 has a second power button opening 27. As shown in Figure 9, the second power button opening 27 is located in a position that overlaps with the first power button opening 97 when viewed along the first direction, and is a large-diameter stepped round hole that penetrates the second electrode 20 in the first direction. The inner diameter of one side of the second power button opening 27 in the first direction is larger than the inner diameter of the other side of the second power button opening 27 in the first direction.

[0076] As shown in Figure 8, the second electrode 20 has a second fastening projection 20T1, 20T2 and a conductive projection 62A integrally formed on one side facing the first direction. The conductive projection 62A constitutes a part of the second conductive projection 62, which will be described later.

[0077] The second fastening projection 20T1 is a cylinder with an internal thread formed on it, located on one side of the second direction of the second electrode 20 and projecting toward one side of the first direction. The second fastening projection 20T2 is a cylinder with an internal thread formed on it, located on the other side of the second direction of the second electrode 20 and projecting toward one side of the first direction.

[0078] The conductive projection 62A is a prismatic projection located in the middle of the second direction of the second electrode 20 and projecting toward one side in the first direction, and has an internal thread formed on it.

[0079] As shown in Figure 4, a second gasket 92G is placed between the second electrode 20 and the second sealing surface 92S. The second gasket 92G is a flexible sheet made of a soft material such as rubber or elastomer. The second gasket 92G has holes formed in it that match the second through holes 92H1, 92H2, and 92H3.

[0080] With the second electrode 20 in close contact with the second sealing surface 92S via the second gasket 92G, and with the second fastening projection 20T1 fitted into the second through hole 92H1, the second fastening projection 20T2 fitted into the second through hole 92H2, and the conductive projection 62A entering the second through hole 92H3, the screw 20B1 shown in Figures 7 and 9 is inserted from within the housing space 9A into the second through hole 92H1 and then screwed into the second fastening projection 20T1, and the screw 20B2 shown in Figure 7 is inserted from within the housing space 9A into the second through hole 92H2 and then screwed into the second fastening projection 20T2. As a result, the second electrode 20 closes each of the second through holes 92H1, 92H2, and 92H3, and the outer surface facing the other direction in the first direction becomes the exposed portion 20E, which is then held by the casing body 90. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the first power button opening 97 is sealed by the second gasket 92G. In this way, watertightness is ensured between the second sealing surface 92S and the second electrode 20.

[0081] As shown in Figure 3, the first electrode 10 is provided in the casing 9 at a position closer to the first end 91 than to the second end 92. The second electrode 20 is provided in the casing 9 at a position closer to the second end 92 than to the first end 91. More specifically, the first electrode 10 is provided at the first end 91 of the casing 9, and the second electrode 20 is provided at the second end 92 of the casing 9.

[0082] As shown in Figure 9, the electrocardiogram measuring device 1 is further equipped with a power button 7 and a power switch 17A.

[0083] The power button 7 has a stepped disc shape. The outer diameter of one side of the power button 7 in the first direction is larger than the outer diameter of the other side of the power button 7 in the first direction. A projection is formed in the center of the face of the power button 7 facing one direction in the first direction, projecting toward that direction.

[0084] The power button 7 is housed in the second power button opening 27 so as to be pressable in one direction in the first direction. A projection of the power button 7 is in contact with the second gasket 92G. When the power button 7 is pressed, the projection of the power button 7 causes the second gasket 92G to flex so as to be recessed toward the center of the first power button opening 97.

[0085] The power switch 17A is held in the second wall 92W in a state where it is fitted into the first power button opening 97 from one side in the first direction. The power switch 17A faces the projection of the power button 7 with the second gasket 92G in between.

[0086] As shown in Figure 2, the electrocardiogram measuring device 1 is equipped with a power supply unit 17. The power supply unit 17 is housed in a storage space 9A and connected to a power switch 17A. Although not shown in the figure, the power supply unit 17 includes a rechargeable battery and a power receiving unit for a wireless charger. The rechargeable battery of the power supply unit 17 is charged by taking the electrocardiogram measuring device 1 out of the bathroom R1 and placing it on the power transmitting unit of the wireless charger, and then transmitting power from the power transmitting unit to the power receiving unit of the power supply unit 17.

[0087] As shown in Figure 9, when the power button 7 is pressed in one of the first directions, it disconnects the power switch 17A, switching the operation of the power supply unit 17 on and off.

[0088] As shown in Figure 7, the electrocardiogram measuring device 1 includes a control board 14. The control board 14 is housed in a housing space 9A. The control board 14 has a board body 14B, a control unit 15, and a wireless communication unit 19.

[0089] The substrate body 14B is a flat plate made of a well-known insulating substrate material, with a circuit pattern formed on its surface. The substrate body 14B is fixed to the casing body 90 within the housing space 9A. The specific configuration of how the substrate body 14B is fixed to the casing body 90 will be described later.

[0090] The control unit 15 and the wireless communication unit 19 are mounted on the main board 14B. The control unit 15 and the wireless communication unit 19 are each composed of electronic circuits arranged on the surface of the main board 14B facing the other third direction. The power supply unit 17 supplies power to the control unit 15 and the wireless communication unit 19 when it is activated.

[0091] As shown in Figures 2 and 7, the control unit 15 is an electronic circuit unit comprising a CPU (not shown), a storage unit 15M composed of memory elements such as ROM and RAM (not shown), and interface circuits (not shown). The control unit 15 performs control processing related to the operation of the electrocardiogram measuring device 1.

[0092] The memory unit 15M stores various programs and setting information for operating the electrocardiogram measuring device 1. The memory unit 15M also appropriately stores various information acquired by the control unit 15.

[0093] Furthermore, the control unit 15 has an electrocardiogram information generation unit 15A. The electrocardiogram information generation unit 15A includes an operating amplifier circuit, a filter circuit, an A / D converter, a calculation unit, etc. The electrocardiogram information generation unit 15A is connected to the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20. The specific configuration of how the electrocardiogram information generation unit 15A is connected to the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20 will be described later.

[0094] The first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20 detect the electrocardiogram signal related to the heartbeat of the bather P1 who is bathing in the bathtub 3, with their respective exposed portions 10E and 20E immersed in the bathwater PW1. At this time, the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20 detect the differential voltage generated between the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20 as the electrocardiogram signal.

[0095] The electrocardiogram information generation unit 15A generates electrocardiogram information for the bather P1 based on the electrocardiogram signals detected by the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20. The electrocardiogram information generated by the electrocardiogram information generation unit 15A includes electrocardiogram waveforms, etc.

[0096] As is well known, an electrocardiogram (ECG) waveform is a recording of the weak electrical signals generated by the heart muscle. The ECG waveform contains various information, including heart rate, ECG signal strength, irregularities in the heart's contraction rhythm, and information about the autonomic nervous system.

[0097] The wireless communication unit 19 incorporates an electronic circuit that performs wireless communication using Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, etc. As shown in Figure 2, the wireless communication unit 19 performs wireless communication with the remote control communication unit 39 of the bathroom remote control 30. The wireless communication unit 19 also performs wireless communication with the terminal communication unit 59 of the mobile terminal 50, either directly or via a wireless router (not shown) installed in the house H1. At this time, the wireless communication unit 19 transmits the electrocardiogram information generated by the electrocardiogram information generation unit 15A to the bathroom remote control 30 and the mobile terminal 50.

[0098] Then, when the bather P1 gives an input to the remote control input section 38A of the bathroom remote control 30 instructing it to display electrocardiogram information, the remote control control unit 35 controls the remote control display section 38B of the bathroom remote control 30 to display the electrocardiogram information. At this time, the remote control control unit 35 determines the bather P1's physical information based on the electrocardiogram information and the water level and temperature of the bathwater PW1, and can provide advice to help the bather P1 have a comfortable bath, such as recommending a change in the water level or temperature.

[0099] When bather P1 brings the mobile terminal 50 into the bathroom R1, the terminal control unit 55 can perform the same operations as the remote control unit 35. Furthermore, when bather P1, after finishing their bath, moves to the living room or bedroom and uses the mobile terminal 50, the terminal control unit 55 can display electrocardiogram information on the terminal display unit 58B, or provide advice to help bather P1 have a more comfortable bath next time.

[0100] <First circuit board base and first circuit board base of the casing body> As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 10, the casing body 90 has a first substrate base 91D. The first substrate base 91D is located near the connection between the base wall 90W and the first wall 91W, and near the first through hole 91H3 in the housing space 9A. The first substrate base 91D is a boss that protrudes from the base wall 90W in the other third direction.

[0101] As shown in Figure 10, the first substrate base 91D has a nut holding portion formed therein that holds the insert nut 61N while preventing it from rotating, by press-fitting the insert nut 61N shown in Figures 7, 8, and 10. The insert nut 61N has a well-known structure in which irregularities, grooves, protrusions, etc. are formed on its outer surface by knurling or cutting. When press-fitting the insert nut 61N, the insert nut 61N may be heated or ultrasonic vibration may be applied to the insert nut 61N. Alternatively, the insert nut 61N may be integrated with the casing body 90 when injection molding the casing body 90.

[0102] As shown in Figure 5, the casing body 90 has a second substrate base 92D. The second substrate base 92D is located near the connection between the base wall 90W and the second wall 92W, and near the second through hole 92H3 in the housing space 9A. The second substrate base 92D is a boss that protrudes from the base wall 90W in the other third direction.

[0103] The second substrate base 92D has the same configuration as the first substrate base 91D. The second substrate base 92D also has a nut holding portion, similar to the first substrate base 91D. In the second substrate base 92D, the nut holding portion holds the insert nut 62N, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, by press-fitting it, thereby preventing rotation of the insert nut 62N. The insert nut 62N is the same component as the insert nut 61N.

[0104] <First and second joints of the main circuit board> As shown in Figure 8, the substrate body 14B has a first joint portion 71 and a second joint portion 72.

[0105] The first joint portion 71 is located on the edge side of the substrate body 14B, on one side in the first direction. The first joint portion 71 has a bolt insertion hole 71A, a through hole 71B, and two locking holes 71C formed so as to penetrate in the third direction.

[0106] The second joint portion 72 is located on the other edge side of the substrate body 14B in the first direction. The second joint portion 72 has a bolt insertion hole 72A, a through hole 72B, and two locking holes 72C formed so as to penetrate in the third direction.

[0107] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, on the surface of the substrate body 14B facing the other third direction, a connection pattern 14P1 connecting the through-hole 71B and the electrocardiogram information generation unit 15A, and a connection pattern 14P2 connecting the through-hole 72B and the electrocardiogram information generation unit 15A are formed.

[0108] <First conductive section and second conductive section> As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the electrocardiogram measuring device 1 is equipped with a first conductive part 61 and a second conductive part 62. The first conductive part 61 and the second conductive part 62 are examples of the "conductive part" of the present invention.

[0109] The first conductive portion 61 corresponds to the first electrode 10. The second conductive portion 62 corresponds to the second electrode 20. In other words, the first conductive portion 61 and the second conductive portion 62 correspond one-to-one with the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20.

[0110] The first conductive portion 61 has the conductive projection 61A described above and conductive steel plates 61B and 61C. The conductive projection 61A constitutes a part of the first electrode 10 made of stainless steel. The conductive steel plates 61B and 61C are made by pressing and bending steel plates with a thickness of about 1 mm. In other words, the first conductive portion 61 is made of a conductive material. The first conductive portion 61 has a flat plate shape, a bent plate shape, and a rectangular prism shape.

[0111] The conductive steel plate 61B has fastening portions 61B1 and 61B2. Fastening portion 61B1 is a flat plate shape extending in a second and third direction, and is formed with a circular hole that penetrates in the first direction. Fastening portion 61B2 is a flat plate shape connected to fastening portion 61B1 and extending in the first and second directions, and is formed with a circular hole that penetrates in the third direction.

[0112] The conductive steel plate 61B is fastened to the conductive projection 61A by inserting a bolt 61K into the round hole of the fastening portion 61B1 and screwing the bolt 61K into the female thread of the conductive projection 61A.

[0113] The conductive projection 61A and conductive steel plate 61B of the first conductive portion 61 extend toward the other direction in the first direction, that is, toward the substrate body 14B.

[0114] The conductive steel plate 61C has a flat plate shape with a circular portion and a rectangular portion. A circular hole is formed in the circular portion of the conductive steel plate 61C so as to penetrate in a third direction. A conductive projection piece 61C1 is formed in the center of the rectangular portion of the conductive steel plate 61C so as to project toward the other in the third direction. Locking projection pieces 61C2 are formed at the two corners of the rectangular portion of the conductive steel plate 61C so as to project toward the other in the third direction.

[0115] As shown in Figure 7, each locking projection 61C2 is inserted into each locking hole 71C of the first joint 71. Although not shown in the figure, the conductive steel plate 61C is locked to the first joint 71 by bending the tip of each locking projection 61C2.

[0116] The conductive projection 61C1 is inserted into the through-hole 71B of the first joint 71. Although not shown in the diagram, the tip of the conductive projection 61C1 is soldered to the connection pattern 14P1, thereby electrically connecting the conductive projection 61C1 to the connection pattern 14P1.

[0117] As shown in Figure 10, with the insert nut 61N held in place by the nut holding portion of the first substrate base 91D of the casing body 90, the fastening portion 61B2 of the conductive steel plate 61B, which is fastened to the conductive projection 61A, is brought into contact with the first substrate base 91D. Next, the first joint portion 71 of the substrate body 14B, to which the conductive steel plate 61C is locked, is brought into contact with the fastening portion 61B2. Then, the bolt 61M is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 71A of the first joint portion 71, the round hole of the conductive steel plate 61C, and the round hole of the fastening portion 61B2, and then screwed into the insert nut 61N.

[0118] Thus, by fastening with bolts 61M and insert nuts 61N, the first conductive portion 61 is mechanically joined to the first joint portion 71 of the substrate body 14B, and the first joint portion 71 of the substrate body 14B is fixed to the first substrate base 91D of the casing body 90. The first joint portion 71 is mechanically joined to the first conductive portion 61 at a position closer to the first end portion 91 than to the second end portion 92. Fastening with bolts 61M and insert nuts 61N is an example of the "first fastening" of the present invention.

[0119] As shown in Figure 7, the first conductive portion 61 constitutes the first conductive path 61P with conductive protrusions 61A and conductive steel plates 61B and 61C. The first conductive path 61P is an example of the "conductive path" of the present invention. The first conductive path 61P electrically connects the first electrode 10 and the electrocardiogram information generation unit 15A.

[0120] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the second conductive portion 62 has the conductive projection 62A and conductive steel plates 62B and 62C described above. The conductive projection 62A constitutes a part of the second electrode 20 made of stainless steel. The conductive steel plates 62B and 62C are made by pressing and bending steel plates with a thickness of about 1 mm. In other words, the second conductive portion 62 is made of a conductive material. The second conductive portion 62 has a flat plate shape, a bent plate shape, and a rectangular prism shape.

[0121] In this embodiment, the conductive steel plates 62B and 62C are the same components as the conductive steel plates 61B and 61C of the first conductive portion 61, so their explanation will be omitted as appropriate.

[0122] The conductive steel plate 62B has fastening portions 62B1 and 62B2. The fastening portions 62B1 and 62B2 have the same configuration as the fastening portions 61B1 and 61B2 of the conductive steel plate 61B of the first conductive portion 61.

[0123] The conductive steel plate 62B is fastened to the conductive projection 62A by inserting a bolt 62K into the round hole of the fastening portion 62B1 and screwing the bolt 62K into the female thread of the conductive projection 62A.

[0124] The conductive projection 62A and conductive steel plate 62B of the second conductive portion 62 extend toward one direction in the first direction, that is, toward the substrate body 14B.

[0125] The conductive steel plate 62C has the same configuration as the conductive steel plate 61C of the conductive steel plate 61B. The conductive steel plate 62C has a conductive projection 62C1 and two locking projections 62C2 formed on it. The conductive projection 62C1 and each locking projection 62C2 have the same configuration as the conductive projection 61C1 and each locking projection 61C2 of the conductive steel plate 61C.

[0126] As shown in Figure 7, each locking projection 62C2 is inserted into each locking hole 72C of the second joint 72. Although not shown in the figure, the conductive steel plate 62C is locked to the second joint 72 by bending the tip of each locking projection 62C2.

[0127] The conductive projection 62C2 is inserted into the through-hole 72B of the second joint 72. Although not shown in the diagram, the tip of the conductive projection 62C1 is soldered to the connection pattern 14P2, thereby electrically connecting the conductive projection 62C1 to the connection pattern 14P2.

[0128] Although not shown in the diagram, with the insert nut 62N held in place by the nut holding portion of the second substrate base 92D of the casing body 90, the fastening portion 62B2 of the conductive steel plate 62B, which is fastened to the conductive projection 62A, is brought into contact with the second substrate base 92D. Next, the second joint portion 72 of the substrate body 14B, to which the conductive steel plate 62C is locked, is brought into contact with the fastening portion 62B2. Then, the bolt 62M is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 72A of the second joint portion 72, the round hole of the conductive steel plate 62C, and the round hole of the fastening portion 62B2, and then screwed into the insert nut 62N.

[0129] Thus, by fastening with bolts 62M and insert nuts 62N, the second conductive portion 62 is mechanically joined to the second joint portion 72 of the substrate body 14B, and the second joint portion 72 of the substrate body 14B is fixed to the second substrate base 92D of the casing body 90. The second joint portion 72 is mechanically joined to the second conductive portion 62 at a position closer to the second end portion 92 than to the first end portion 91. Fastening with bolts 62M and insert nuts 62N is an example of the "second fastening" of the present invention.

[0130] As shown in Figure 7, the second conductive portion 62 constitutes a second conductive path 62P with conductive protrusions 62A and conductive steel plates 62B and 62C. The second conductive path 62P is an example of a "conductive path" of the present invention. The second conductive path 62P electrically connects the second electrode 20 and the electrocardiogram information generation unit 15A.

[0131] <Effects and Effects> In the electrocardiogram measuring device 1 of Example 1, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the first conductive portion 61 extending from the first electrode 10 toward the substrate body 14B has at least one of the following shapes: a plate shape, a columnar shape, and a molded shape. The second conductive portion 62 extending from the second electrode 20 toward the substrate body 14B also has at least one of the following shapes: a plate shape, a columnar shape, and a molded shape. Specifically, the first conductive portion 61 and the second conductive portion 62 each have a flat plate shape, a folded plate shape, and a rectangular prism shape.

[0132] In other words, the first conductive section 61 and the second conductive section 62 are not a single thin wire or a flexible bundle of multiple wires, which are common as conductors. Compared to wires that are easily bent and are generally sold in a wound form, or bundles of multiple wires, the first conductive section 61 and the second conductive section 62 have significantly higher rigidity and a significantly larger cross-sectional area.

[0133] The first conductive portion 61 is mechanically joined to the first joint portion 71 of the substrate body 14B by fastening with a bolt 61M and an insert nut 61N. The second conductive portion 62 is mechanically joined to the second joint portion 72 of the substrate body 14B by fastening with a bolt 62M and an insert nut 62N.

[0134] As a result, even if vibrations or shocks caused by the body movements of the bather P1 act on the casing 9, the first conductive portion 61 can suppress variations in the relative positional relationship between the first electrode 10 and the first conductive path 61P, and the relative positional relationship between the first conductive path 61P and the substrate body 14B due to vibrations, etc., thereby suppressing fluctuations in the first conductive path 61P due to vibrations, etc., i.e., suppressing disturbance noise.

[0135] Furthermore, even if vibrations caused by the body movements of the bather P1 act on the casing 9, the second conductive portion 62 can suppress variations in the relative positional relationship between the second electrode 20 and the second conductive path 62P, and the relative positional relationship between the second conductive path 62P and the substrate body 14B due to vibrations, thereby suppressing fluctuations in the second conductive path 62P due to vibrations, i.e., suppressing disturbance noise.

[0136] As a result, the first conductive portion 61 can suppress the degradation of the electrocardiogram signal transmitted from the first electrode 10 to the electrocardiogram information generation unit 15A due to the influence of disturbance noise. Similarly, the second conductive portion 62 can suppress the degradation of the electrocardiogram signal transmitted from the second electrode 20 to the electrocardiogram information generation unit 15A due to the influence of disturbance noise. Furthermore, while bringing the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20 closer together to miniaturize the electrocardiogram measurement device 1 reduces the strength of the electrocardiogram signal, the suppression of electrocardiogram signal degradation reduces the need to increase the gain when the electrocardiogram information generation unit 15A amplifies the electrocardiogram signal using the amplification circuit.

[0137] Therefore, the electrocardiogram measuring device 1 of Example 1 can achieve miniaturization while generating good electrocardiogram information of the bather P1 based on the electrocardiogram signal.

[0138] Furthermore, in this electrocardiogram measuring device 1, as shown in Figure 4, the casing body 90 of the casing 9 has a first end 91, a second end 92, and a housing space 9A. The first electrode 10 is provided on the casing body 90 at a position closer to the first end 91 than to the second end 92. The second electrode 20 is provided on the casing body 90 at a position closer to the second end 92 than to the first end 91. As shown in Figure 7, the first conductive portion 61 corresponds to the first electrode 10, and the second conductive portion 62 corresponds to the second electrode 20. The substrate body 14B has a first joint portion 71 that is mechanically joined to the first conductive portion 61 at a position closer to the first end 91 than to the second end 92, and a second joint portion 72 that is mechanically joined to the second conductive portion 62 at a position closer to the second end 92 than to the first end 91. The first conductive portion 61 constitutes the first conductive path 61P. The second conductive portion 62 constitutes the second conductive path 62P. This configuration makes it easier to separate the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20, thereby increasing the strength of the electrocardiogram signal. Furthermore, this configuration makes it easier to bring the first electrode 10 and the first junction 71 closer together, and also easier to bring the second electrode 20 and the second junction 72 closer together, thus shortening the first conductive path 61P and the second conductive path 62P. This allows for highly reliable suppression of degradation of the electrocardiogram signal transmitted from the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20 to the electrocardiogram information generation unit 15A due to disturbance noise. As a result, this electrocardiogram measuring device 1 can generate electrocardiogram information of the bather P1 based on the electrocardiogram signal with even better performance.

[0139] Furthermore, in this electrocardiogram measuring device 1, as shown in Figure 10, the first conductive portion 61 is mechanically joined to the first joint portion 71 of the substrate body 14B by fastening with bolts 61M and insert nuts 61N, and the first joint portion 71 of the substrate body 14B is fixed to the first substrate base 91D of the casing body 90. As shown in Figure 7, the second conductive portion 62 is mechanically joined to the second joint portion 72 of the substrate body 14B by fastening with bolts 62M and insert nuts 62N, and although not shown, the second joint portion 72 of the substrate body 14B is fixed to the second substrate base 92D of the casing body 90. With this configuration, the first conductive portion 61 and the second conductive portion 62 are also fastened to the casing body 90, so that fluctuations in the first conductive path 61P and the second conductive path 62P due to vibration, etc., can be further suppressed. Furthermore, with this configuration, the fastening using bolt 61M and insert nut 61N, and the fastening using bolt 62M and insert nut 62N, also serve as the fastening method for fixing the substrate body 14B to the casing body 90. As a result, this electrocardiogram measuring device 1 does not require a separate fastening method for fixing the substrate body 14B to the casing body 90, thus achieving a reduction in the number of parts and simplification.

[0140] Furthermore, in this electrocardiogram measuring device 1, the conductive protrusion 61A, which constitutes a part of the first conductive section 61, is formed integrally with the first electrode 10. The conductive protrusion 62A, which constitutes a part of the second conductive section 62, is also formed integrally with the second electrode 20. This configuration further suppresses fluctuations in the first conductive path 61P and the second conductive path 62P due to vibration, etc., and reduces the number of parts.

[0141] Furthermore, in this electrocardiogram measuring device 1, as shown in Figure 3, the casing 9 is detachably attached to the inner surface 3A1 of the bathtub 3. This configuration further necessitates miniaturization of the electrocardiogram measuring device 1, and the tendency for the electrocardiogram signal to become weaker due to the proximity of the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20 is strengthened. In addition, this configuration makes it easier for vibrations caused by the body movements of the bather P1 to act on the casing 9. For this reason, this electrocardiogram measuring device 1 can reliably enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0142] (Example 2) As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the electrocardiogram measuring device 2 of Example 2 is an example of a specific embodiment of the electrocardiogram measuring device of the present invention and also serves as a circulatory connector. In Example 2, the electrocardiogram measuring system 100 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is modified to include the electrocardiogram measuring device 2 instead of the electrocardiogram measuring device 1 of Example 1.

[0143] The electrocardiogram measuring device 2 includes a device body 209 that is attached to the bathtub 3. As shown in Figure 12, a mounting hole 3H is provided through the side wall 3W that constitutes the inner surface 3A1 of the bathtub 3. For the sake of brevity in illustration and explanation, the device body 209 has an inner portion that abuts the side wall 3W from the inner surface 3A1 side of the bathtub 3 and closes the mounting hole 3H, a portion that passes through the mounting hole 3H, and an outer portion that abuts the side wall 3W from the opposite side of the inner surface 3A1 of the bathtub 3 and closes the mounting hole 3H.

[0144] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the main body of the device 209 has a first connecting portion 209J1 and a second connecting portion 209J2 on its outer portion. The first connecting portion 209J1 is connected to a supply pipe for supplying hot water from the hot water supply device 40 to the bathtub 3. The second connecting portion 209J2 is connected to a return pipe for returning the hot water PW1 stored in the bathtub 3 back to the hot water supply device 40.

[0145] As shown in Figure 12, the main body of the device 209 has, in its inner portion, a substantially disc-shaped base 208 and a cover body 207 that covers the base 208. The space formed between the base 208 and the cover body 207 is divided by a partition wall formed in the cover body 207 into an electrode housing space 209C located above and an intake space 209B located below.

[0146] The base 208 has an inner intake port 208B that communicates with the intake space 209B. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the cover body 207 has an outer intake port 207B that has a plurality of small holes and communicates with the intake space 209B, and an outlet port 207C that opens at the lower end of the outer peripheral wall of the cover body 207.

[0147] As shown in Figure 12, the hot water supplied from the hot water supply device 40 to the first connecting section 209J1 flows through the supply channel P1 provided inside the device body 209 and is discharged into the bathtub 3 from the discharge port 207C.

[0148] When the hot water supply device 40 performs reheating or heat retention operation, the hot water PW1 stored in the bathtub 3 passes through the outer intake port 207B, intake space 209B and inner intake port 208B, flows through the return channel P2 provided in the main body of the device 209, and is returned to the return pipe from the second connecting section 209J2.

[0149] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the cover body 207 has a grid and a measuring opening 207A that communicates with the electrode housing space 209C.

[0150] The electrocardiogram measuring device 2 has two electrodes 210 and 220 provided on the device body 209. Electrodes 210 and 220 are housed in an electrode housing space 209C and are spaced apart from each other in a direction extending horizontally along the inner surface 3A1. Electrodes 210 and 220 are each rectangular flat plates and, like the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 20, are made of stainless steel.

[0151] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the electrode 210 is in contact with the surface that defines the electrode housing space 209C in the base 208, with the rubber sheet 210S in between. As shown in Figure 13, the electrode 220 is in contact with the surface that defines the electrode housing space 209C in the base 208, with the rubber sheet 220S in between.

[0152] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the electrical device body 209 has a housing space 209A. The housing space 209A is formed on the opposite side of the base 208 of the device body 209 from the electrode housing space 209C, and above the supply channel P1 and the return channel P2. The housing space 209A extends from the inner portion to the outer portion of the device body 209.

[0153] The electrocardiogram measuring device 2 includes a control board 214 located on the device body 209. The control board 214 is housed in a housing space 209A. The control board 214 has a board body 214B and an electrocardiogram information generation unit 215A.

[0154] As shown in Figure 12, the main board 214B is fixed to a base 209D formed at the bottom of the housing space 209A, and most of it is located outside the bathtub 3. As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the electrocardiogram information generation unit 215A is mounted on the main board 214B.

[0155] One end of the wire harness W1 is connected to the electrocardiogram information generation unit 215A. Although not shown in the diagram, the other end of the wire harness W1 is connected to the bathroom remote control 30. The electrocardiogram information generation unit 215A is powered by the bathroom remote control 30 via the wire harness W1. The electrocardiogram information generation unit 215A also communicates with the bathroom remote control 30 via wire harness W1. Alternatively, the other end of the wire harness W1 may be connected to the hot water supply device 40 for power supply and wired communication.

[0156] The electrocardiogram measuring device 2 is equipped with two conductive parts 261 and 262. Each conductive part 261 and 262 corresponds one-to-one with each electrode 210 and 220.

[0157] The conductive portion 261 is made of a conductive material such as iron or aluminum, and has a first portion 261A, a second portion 261B, and a third portion 261C.

[0158] The first part 261A is cylindrical in shape and fits into a fitting hole 208H1 formed through the base 208, and is also inserted into a round hole formed through the rubber sheet 210S. A female thread is formed on the end face of the first part 261A on the side of the electrode housing space 209C.

[0159] The second part 261B is a larger diameter cylindrical shape than the first part 261A and is formed integrally with the first part 261A. The second part 261B abuts the periphery of the fitting hole 208H1 in the base 208 from the side opposite to the electrode housing space 209C.

[0160] The third portion 261C has an L-shaped cross-section and extends in a straight line, with its end on the second portion 261B side welded to the second portion 261B. Alternatively, the first portion 261A, the second portion 261B, and the third portion 261C may be formed integrally by machining or other processes.

[0161] The conductive portion 261 has a cylindrical shape and an L-shaped shape.

[0162] The electrode 210 and the conductive portion 261 are fixed to the base 208 by inserting the bolt 210B into the round hole drilled through the electrode 210 and screwing it into the female thread of the first portion 261A. The conductive portion 261 extends from the electrode 210 toward the substrate body 214B. The conductive portion 261 is mechanically joined to the substrate body 214B by crimping a rivet 261M that is inserted through the third portion 261C and the substrate body 214B.

[0163] As shown in Figure 13, the conductive portion 261 is composed of a first portion 261A, a second portion 261B, and a third portion 261C, which constitute a conductive path 261P. The conductive path 261P electrically connects the electrode 210 and the electrocardiogram information generation unit 215A.

[0164] In this embodiment, the conductive portion 262 is the same component as the conductive portion 261, so its description will be omitted as appropriate. The conductive portion 262 is also made of a conductive material and has a first portion 262A, a second portion 262B, and a third portion 262C, which have the same configuration as the first portion 261A, the second portion 261B, and the third portion 261C.

[0165] The conductive portion 262, like the conductive portion 261, has a cylindrical shape and an L-shaped shape.

[0166] The first part 262A is fitted into a fitting hole 208H2 formed in the base 208 and inserted into a round hole formed in the rubber sheet 220S, while the second part 262B is in contact with the periphery of the fitting hole 208H2 in the base 208 from the side opposite to the electrode housing space 209C. Then, the electrode 220 and the conductive part 262 are fixed to the base 208 by inserting the bolt 220B into a round hole formed in the electrode 220 and screwing it into the female thread of the first part 262A. The conductive part 262 extends from the electrode 220 toward the substrate body 214B. The conductive part 262 is mechanically joined to the substrate body 214B by crimping a rivet 262M inserted through the third part 262C and the substrate body 214B.

[0167] The conductive portion 262 is composed of a first portion 262A, a second portion 262B, and a third portion 262C, which constitute a conductive path 262P. The conductive path 262P electrically connects the electrode 220 and the electrocardiogram information generation unit 215A.

[0168] Each electrode 210 and 220 is immersed in the bathwater PW1 stored in the bathtub 3 and detects the electrocardiogram signal related to the heartbeat of the bather P1 who is bathing in the bathwater PW1.

[0169] The electrocardiogram information generation unit 215A generates electrocardiogram information for the bather P1 based on the electrocardiogram signals detected by each electrode 210 and 220, and transmits it to the bathroom remote control 30 via the wire harness W1.

[0170] Then, when the bather P1 gives an input to the remote control input section 38A of the bathroom remote control 30 instructing it to display electrocardiogram information, the remote control control unit 35 controls the remote control display section 38B of the bathroom remote control 30 to display the electrocardiogram information.

[0171] <Effects and Effects> In the electrocardiogram measuring device 2 of Example 2, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the conductive parts 261 and 262 have a cylindrical shape and an L-shaped shape, respectively, and have significantly higher rigidity and a significantly larger cross-sectional area compared to typical wires or bundles of multiple wires used as conductors.

[0172] The conductive portions 261 and 262 are mechanically joined to the substrate body 214B by crimping with rivets 261M and 262M.

[0173] As a result, even if vibrations or shocks caused by the body movements of the bather P1 act on the main body 209 of the device, including the cover body 207, the conductive portion 261 can suppress variations in the relative positional relationship between the electrode 210 and the conductive path 261P, and the relative positional relationship between the conductive path 261P and the substrate body 214B due to vibrations, etc., thereby suppressing fluctuations in the conductive path 261P due to vibrations, etc., i.e., suppressing disturbance noise.

[0174] Furthermore, even if vibrations caused by the body movements of the bather P1 act on the main body 209 of the device, the conductive portion 262 can suppress variations in the relative positional relationship between the electrode 220 and the conductive path 262P, and the relative positional relationship between the conductive path 262P and the main substrate body 214B due to vibrations, etc., thereby suppressing fluctuations in the conductive path 262P due to vibrations, etc., i.e., suppressing disturbance noise.

[0175] As a result, the conductive parts 261 and 262 can suppress the degradation of the electrocardiogram signal transmitted from each electrode 210 and 220 to the electrocardiogram information generation unit 15A due to the influence of external noise. Furthermore, although the electrocardiogram signal becomes weaker when electrodes 210 and 220 are brought closer together to miniaturize the electrocardiogram measurement device 2, the suppression of electrocardiogram signal degradation reduces the need to increase the gain when the electrocardiogram information generation unit 15A amplifies the electrocardiogram signal using the amplification circuit.

[0176] Therefore, the electrocardiogram measuring device 2 of Example 2, like the electrocardiogram measuring device 1 of Example 1, can achieve miniaturization while being able to generate good electrocardiogram information of the bather P1 based on the electrocardiogram signal.

[0177] Although the present invention has been described above in reference to Examples 1 and 2, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to Examples 1 and 2, and can be applied with appropriate modifications without departing from its spirit.

[0178] For example, the present invention also includes a configuration in which the position of the first electrode 10 according to Example 1 is changed so that it is exposed near the first end 91 of the base wall 90W of the casing body 90, and the position of the second electrode 20 according to Example 1 is changed so that it is exposed near the second end 92 of the base wall 90W of the casing body 90.

[0179] The present invention also includes configurations in which the first conductive portion 61 and the second conductive portion 62 in Example 1, and the conductive portions 261 and 262 in Example 2, are modified to have cylindrical, rectangular, C-shaped, or other shapes depending on the shape of the molded material.

[0180] In Example 1, the electrocardiogram measuring device 1 is equipped with two electrodes, namely a first electrode 10 and a second electrode 20. In Example 2, the electrocardiogram measuring device 2 is equipped with two electrodes 210 and 220. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and there may be three or more electrodes.

[0181] The present invention also includes a configuration in which the control board 214 according to Example 2 is provided on the device body 209 at a position different from the housing space 209A, for example, a configuration in which the control board 214 is fixed to the upper wall or side wall of the part of the device body 209 located outside the bathtub 3. [Industrial applicability]

[0182] This invention can be used, for example, in houses and facilities that have bathrooms installed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0183] 1, 2...Electrocardiogram measuring device 3…Bathtub 9, 209...Device body (9...Casing) PW1... Water stored in the bathtub P1... Bathers 10, 20, 210, 220...electrode (10...first electrode, 20...second electrode) 14, 214… Control board 14B, 214B…Main board 15A, 215A...Electrocardiographic information generation section 61, 62, 261, 262...conducting parts (61...first conductive part, 62...second conductive part) 61P, 62P, 261P, 262P...conducting paths (61P...first conducting path, 62P...second conducting path) 91...First end 92…Second end 9A, 209A…accommodation space 71...1st joint 72…Second joint part 3A...Interior surface of the bathtub

Claims

1. The main body of the device that is attached to the bathtub, The device body is provided with a plurality of electrodes that detect electrocardiogram signals related to the heartbeat of a bather who is immersed in the bathwater stored in the bathtub, A control board provided on the main body of the apparatus, comprising: a main board body fixed to the main body of the apparatus; and an electrocardiogram information generation unit mounted on the main board body, which generates electrocardiogram information of the bather based on the electrocardiogram signal; A plurality of conductive portions made of a conductive material, each corresponding one-to-one with each electrode, each conductive portion extending from the corresponding electrode toward the substrate body and mechanically joining with the substrate body, and constituting a conductive path that electrically connects the corresponding electrode and the electrocardiogram information generation unit, Equipped with, An electrocardiogram measuring device characterized in that each of the conductive parts has at least one of the following shapes: plate shape, column shape, and profile shape.

2. The device body has a first end, a second end located on the opposite side of the first end, and a housing space located between the first end and the second end for housing the control board. Each electrode has a first electrode provided on the device body at a position closer to the first end than the second end, and a second electrode provided on the device body at a position closer to the second end than the first end. Each of the aforementioned conductive portions has a first conductive portion corresponding to the first electrode and a second conductive portion corresponding to the second electrode. The substrate body has a first joint that is mechanically joined to the first conductive portion at a position closer to the first end than the second end, and a second joint that is mechanically joined to the second conductive portion at a position closer to the second end than the first end, The first conductive portion constitutes a first conductive path that electrically connects the first electrode and the electrocardiogram information generation unit as the conductive path. The electrocardiogram measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the second conductive portion constitutes a second conductive path that electrically connects the second electrode and the electrocardiogram information generation unit as the conductive path.

3. Upon the first fastening, the first conductive portion is mechanically joined to the first joint portion, and the first joint portion is fixed to the main body of the device. The electrocardiogram measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the second fastening mechanically connects the second conductive portion to the second joint portion, and the second joint portion is fixed to the device body.

4. The electrocardiogram measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least a portion of each conductive portion is formed integrally with the corresponding electrode.

5. The electrocardiogram measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the main body of the device is detachably attached to the inner surface of the bathtub.

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