Calling unit

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to realize a calling unit that can be freely installed anywhere without the need to drill holes in the wall when mounting a wireless calling unit on the wall. Further, it is to realize a calling unit that can be easily installed even when replacing it from an existing calling unit. Also, it enables battery replacement while the unit is installed on the wall. 【Means for Solving the Problem】The present invention is characterized in that a wireless calling unit composed of a first housing 1 to be installed on a wall, a circuit board 3 for transmitting a wireless calling signal, and a second housing 2 fitted to the first housing has a flat configuration without protrusions on the wall installation surface side of the first housing. Further, the second housing can be removed from the first housing by a simple operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a calling unit used for nurse call in hospitals, nursing homes, etc. It is a wireless calling unit that wirelessly transmits a nurse call signal generated when the calling unit is operated, and particularly relates to a calling unit installed on a wall.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for a calling unit applied to a nurse call system or the like, when pressing the button of the calling unit, not only a push operation by the thumb but also an operation of gripping the calling unit can transmit a nurse call signal, and there are some in which a plurality of buttons are arranged. (For example, Patent Document 1)

[0003] There is also a calling unit having a plurality of buttons, including a first conductive plate spring terminal having a shape that deforms when a first button formed on an end face of the calling unit is pressed, a second conductive plate spring terminal having a shape that deforms when a second button formed on a side surface of the calling unit is pressed, and an electric circuit board on which the first conductive plate spring terminal and the second conductive plate spring terminal are mounted. The first conductive plate spring terminal and the second conductive plate spring terminal are arranged at positions where they are non-contact with each other in a non-deformed state, and in a deformed state when either the first button or the second button is pressed, they come into contact with each other to transmit a nurse call signal. (For example, Patent Document 2)

[0004] Furthermore, in order to enable an existing calling unit to be attached to a handrail or the like installed in a toilet for a wheelchair or a disabled person, an arcuately bent gripping portion for gripping the upper handrail and hanging the calling unit attachment from the handrail is provided at the upper part of the front panel, a calling element housing portion for attaching a calling element is formed at the center of the front panel, and the back of the lower part of the front panel is brought into contact with the lower handrail. (For example, Patent Document 3)

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 4699713 [Patent Document 2] Utility Model Registration No. 3159571 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent No. 4654080 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0006] However, in both the example of Patent Document 1 and the example of Patent Document 2, the calling unit has a plurality of buttons in order to respond to a plurality of operations such as a push operation by the thumb and an operation of gripping the calling unit itself. However, it is assumed that the connection to the nurse call system is a wired connection. Therefore, even when the calling unit has a circuit board inside and requires a power source for its drive, since it can be supplied by wire, no consideration is given to the battery mounting position, replacement method, etc.

[0007] Also, in the example of Patent Document 3, since the calling unit attachment is installed, it can be easily attached to a toilet, a handrail of a bed, etc. However, as shown in FIG. 7, the shape of the calling unit itself has a structure in which the calling unit housing portion 6 protrudes from the back surface on the back side of the button portion. Further, the example of Patent Document 3 has a cable for transmitting a calling signal. Therefore, when trying to install the calling unit of Patent Document 3 on a wall instead of a toilet or a bed (in this case, the calling unit attachment is not required), in order to accommodate the accommodating portion 6 and pass the cable, a hole had to be drilled in the wall. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a wireless calling unit composed of a first housing installed on a wall, a circuit board installed on the first housing, and a second housing fitted to the first housing. The shape of the side surface of the first housing on the wall installation side has no portion protruding toward the wall side from the wall installation surface.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] A wireless calling unit driven by a battery, having no protruding part on the wall side surface of the first housing and not requiring wiring, thus eliminating the need to drill holes in the wall and enabling the provision of a calling unit that can be installed anywhere.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Examples

[0012] As a first embodiment of the present invention, the structure of a wireless type calling unit that transmits a nurse call signal will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

[0013] Figure 1 is an exploded view showing the configuration of the calling unit (10) according to the present invention. A circuit board (3) is fixed to a first housing (1) installed on a wall using screws or the like. This circuit board (3) includes a battery (not shown), a switch 1 (3A) for transmitting a nurse call, a switch 2 (3B) for performing a cancellation process, a signal transmission unit that transmits a predetermined radio signal when switch 1 (3A) or switch 2 (3B) is turned on, an LED (3C) that lights up according to the operating status, and a control unit that controls them. The second housing (2) fits with the first housing (1) in a form that encloses the circuit board (3). Also, a part of the second housing (2) has a shape that can swing so that the switches 1 (3A) and 2 (3B) can be pressed. Further, the second housing (2) has a through hole at that position so that the lighting of the LED (3C) on the circuit board (3) can be visually observed from the outside.

[0014] Figure 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the calling unit (10) according to the present invention. A seal (5) is attached to the front side of the second housing (2). The seal (5) has a call button area (5A) colored so that the swinging part for pressing switch 1 (3A) is visually distinguishable, a cancellation button area (5B) colored so that the swinging part for pressing switch 2 (3B) is visually distinguishable, and an LED visual confirmation area (5C) that is partially transparent so that the LED (3C) on the circuit board (3) can be visually confirmed when it lights up.

[0015] When a user (a patient in a hospital or a user in a nursing facility) presses the call button area (5A), the swinging part of the second housing (2) swings and switch 1 (3A) is turned on, and a nurse call signal is transmitted from the signal transmission unit. At this time, the LED (3C) lights up in a specific pattern (for example, continuously lights up for a certain period). This lighting can be visually confirmed by the user through the LED visual confirmation area (5C) of the seal (5).

[0016] A pulling string (7) is passed through a hole at the bottom of the first housing (1) of the calling unit (10) of the present invention, and a handle (6) is installed at the lower end of the pulling string (7). The reverse side end of the pulling string (7) is connected to a swinging part that presses switch 1 (3A) inside the housing. When the user holds the handle (6) and pulls the pulling string (7), the swinging part swings and switch 1 (3A) is pressed. That is, when the user pulls the pulling string (7), a nurse call signal is transmitted in the same way as when the call button area (5A) is pressed.

[0017] When the user presses the cancel button area (5B), the swinging part of the second housing (2) swings and switch 2 (3B) turns on, and a cancel signal is transmitted. At this time, the LED (3C) lights up in a specific pattern (for example, blinking at a cycle of 0.5 seconds).

[0018] The calling unit of the present invention has the above configuration and is a wireless configuration that is battery-driven and does not require a signal line, yet can transmit a calling signal. Next, the installation method and features of the installation location of the present invention will be described.

[0019] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the calling unit (10) of the present invention as seen from the wall side. Long holes or the like through which screws (8) are passed are opened on the wall side surface of the first housing (1), but it has a shape without protruding parts. Figure 4 is a front view showing the shape of the first housing (1), and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the installation state of the first housing (1). Since there is no protruding part on the wall side surface of the first housing (1), it can also be installed on a wall without a hole.

[0020] Since the calling unit (10) of the present invention is battery-powered, it is necessary to replace the battery after using it for a certain period of time. When replacing the battery, first remove the second housing (2) from the first housing (1). The first housing and the second housing are fitted together by claw portions provided in two pairs vertically, but the second housing can be easily removed by inserting a minus driver or the like into the notch provided in the lower part and lifting the second housing (Figs. 7 and 8). When the second housing is removed, the circuit board (3) is exposed, and it is possible to replace the button battery mounted thereon (Fig. 7).

[0021] As described above, it has been explained that the calling unit (10) of the present invention does not require a hole in the wall as an attachment method. However, there may be a case where replacement from an existing calling unit is desired. In that case, the existing calling unit has a shape protruding from the wall surface as in the conventional example of Fig. 6, and further has signal lines and power lines, so there are often holes in the wall. In addition, the attachment method of the existing calling unit often has compatibility with the attachment methods of switches such as lighting. That is, after removing the existing calling unit, there are often cases where screw holes with a pitch standardized by IS are installed. Therefore, two long holes are arranged near the center of the first housing (1) of the present invention. If this mounting hole pitch is made equivalent to the JIS standard (for example, 83.5 mm), it becomes possible to easily replace the existing calling unit.

[0022] As the installation location of the wall-mounted type calling unit (10), places other than hospital rooms and living rooms such as toilets and corridors are often used. However, there may be a case where it is desired to install it in a place where waterproofness is required such as a bathroom (waterproof specification). In such a case, a packing (4) made of a flexible material such as rubber is sandwiched between the first housing (1) and the second housing (2) and fitted together to enhance waterproofness. In addition, since there is also a risk of water intrusion through the hole through which the pull cord (7) passes, when using the waterproof specification, it is possible to enhance waterproofness by removing the pull cord (7) and inserting a waterproof plug (9) into the relevant hole (Fig. 6). If there are several holes in the wall installation surface of the first housing (1), caulking or the like may be applied during installation.

[0023] Since the calling unit (10) of the present invention is battery-powered, it is necessary to replace the battery after using it for a certain period of time. When replacing the battery, it can be carried out by removing the second housing (2) from the first housing (1) to expose the circuit board (3).

Explanation of Signs

[0024] Figures 1 to 8 10 Wall-mounted calling unit 1 First housing 2 Second housing 3 Circuit board 3A Switch 1 3B Switch 2 3C LED 4 Packing 5 Seal 5A Calling button area 5B Cancel button area 5C LED visual recognition area 6 Handle 7 Pull cord 8 Screw 9 Waterproof plug

[0025] Figure 7 1 Calling unit attachment 2 Calling unit 3 Handrail 6 Calling unit accommodation part 10 Gripping part 11 Contact part 12 Rubber piece

Claims

1. A wireless calling unit comprising at least a first housing installed on a wall, a circuit board installed in the first housing and including a battery, a switch, and a wireless signal transmission unit that wirelessly transmits a signal when the switch is turned on, and a second housing fitted to the first housing, wherein a side surface of the wall of the first housing has no portion protruding toward the wall side from the wall installation surface.

2. A wireless calling unit comprising at least a first housing installed on a wall, a circuit board installed in the first housing and including a battery, a switch, and a wireless signal transmission unit that wirelessly transmits a signal when the switch is turned on, and a second housing fitted to the first housing, wherein the second housing can be removed from the first housing to replace the battery on the circuit board.

3. A wireless calling unit comprising at least a first housing installed on a wall, a circuit board installed in the first housing and including a battery, a switch, and a wireless signal transmission unit that wirelessly transmits a signal when the switch is turned on, and a second housing fitted to the first housing, wherein a side surface of the wall of the first housing has no portion protruding toward the wall side from the wall installation surface, and the second housing can be removed from the first housing to replace the battery on the circuit board.

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