Bathtub unit

Abstract

To prevent a detergent for an automatic cleaning mechanism of a bathtub unit from remaining between a bathtub lid and a bathtub stile and secure a heat retaining property.SOLUTION: A bathtub unit includes a cleaning nozzle 2 of an automatic cleaning mechanism on a bottom of a bathtub 10, and a stile 30 on an upper end of the bathtub 10. A peripheral edge 22 of a bath tub lid 20 is installed so as to face the stile 30 to close the bathtub 10. An edge cover 23 is provided at an end edge 22e of the peripheral edge 22 of the bathtub lid 20. A part covering a corner on the lower side of the end edge 22e, in an edge cover 23 constitutes a protruding strip 23b butting on the stile 30. A gap 40 connected from the inside of the bathtub and cut off from the outside of the bathtub by the protruding strip 23b is formed between a lower surface 22b of the peripheral edge 22 of the bathtub lid 20 in a normal installation position, and an upper surface 31 of the stile 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bathtub unit including a bathtub and a bathtub lid, and particularly to a bathtub unit provided with an automatic cleaning mechanism at the bottom of the bathtub.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, bathtubs with an automatic cleaning function have been proposed for reducing the burden of caregiving and preparing for bathing quickly (see Patent Document 1 etc.). A cleaning nozzle is provided at the bottom of this type of bathtub. A detergent is sprayed into the bathtub from the cleaning nozzle. Subsequently, rinsing hot water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle to wash away the detergent. Thereby, the bathtub is automatically cleaned mainly around the inner surface. Usually, when performing automatic cleaning, the bathtub is covered with a bathtub lid. The peripheral edge of the bathtub lid is in contact with the rim of the upper edge of the bathtub.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In an automatic cleaning mechanism for a bathtub, it is difficult for the detergent and the rinsing water to reach the areas that become dead spots when viewed from the cleaning nozzles at the bottom of the bathtub. Examples of the dead spots include the upper surface of the bathtub rim or the peripheral edge of the bathtub lid. The detergent blown out from the cleaning nozzles at the bottom of the bathtub hits, for example, the lower surface of the bathtub lid and flows along the lower surface to the peripheral edge. Then, it enters the gap between the upper surface of the bathtub rim and the peripheral edge of the bathtub lid and accumulates in the form of foam, causing foam entanglement. (The detergent may also directly enter the gap.) Further, the detergent sprayed later also flows to the peripheral edge in the same way and adheres to the foam of the detergent that has already accumulated. In the subsequent rinsing process, the rinsing water from the cleaning nozzles hardly reaches the area between the peripheral edge of the bathtub lid and the bathtub rim, and the foam in the gap does not sufficiently fall. As a result, there is foam residue at the end of the automatic cleaning operation. Therefore, when taking a bath in the bathtub after cleaning, the above-mentioned foam floats in the hot water in the bathtub, impairing comfort and not being hygienic. On the other hand, if the gap between the bathtub rim and the bathtub lid is enlarged to make it easier for the detergent to enter and flow out even if it enters the gap, there is a risk of affecting the heat retention performance. In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub unit that can prevent the detergent of the automatic cleaning mechanism from remaining between the bathtub lid and the bathtub rim and can ensure heat retention performance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a bathtub unit including a bathtub provided with cleaning nozzles of an automatic cleaning mechanism at the bottom, a bathtub rim provided at the upper end of the bathtub, and a bathtub lid installed with its peripheral edge facing the bathtub rim to close the bathtub, An edge cover is provided at the edge of the peripheral edge of the bathtub lid, and a portion covering the lower corner of the edge of the edge cover constitutes a protrusion that abuts against the bathtub rim, A gap that is continuous with the inside of the bathtub and is blocked from the outside of the bathtub by the protrusion is formed between the lower surface of the peripheral edge of the bathtub lid and the upper surface of the bathtub rim at the normal installation position.

[0006] The normal installation position refers to the position where the bathtub lid is installed as designed without displacement, deviation, inclination, etc. with respect to the bathtub and thus the frame. By adjusting the height of the protruding strip to set the gap to an appropriate size, even if detergent enters between the bathtub lid and the frame and foam biting occurs, it can be surely made to flow out in the subsequent rinsing step, and foam residue can be prevented. Further, by closing the outer end of the gap in the bathtub with the protruding strip, heat retention of the hot water stored in the bathtub can be ensured. By suppressing the protruding height of the protruding strip, the bathtub lid can be stably installed on the bathtub, and heat retention can be ensured. When adjusting the height of the protruding strip, only the edge cover needs to be replaced, there is no need to change the design of the bathtub lid body, and there is no need to change the mold for manufacturing the bathtub lid body. Therefore, an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

[0007] It is preferable that the upper surface portion of the frame has an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the inside of the bathtub, and the gap becomes larger toward the inside of the bathtub. Thereby, the detergent that has entered the gap can be made to flow out along the inclined surface toward the inside of the bathtub, and foam residue in the gap can be surely prevented.

[0008] It is preferable that the downward gradient toward the inside of the bathtub at the portion on the inner side of the bathtub of the upper surface portion of the frame is steeper than the downward gradient toward the inside of the bathtub at the portion on the outer side of the bathtub of the upper surface portion. Thereby, the detergent in the gap can be made to be promoted to flow out as it goes toward the inside of the bathtub, and foam residue in the gap can be more surely prevented. The downward gradient toward the inside of the bathtub may be gradually steep or continuously steep.

[0009] It is preferable that a pair of inclined surfaces that slope downward from both ends in the longitudinal direction toward one location in the longitudinal direction are formed on the upper surface portion of the frame. Thereby, the detergent that has entered the gap can be made to gather at one location in the longitudinal direction of the frame and flow down from there toward the inside of the bathtub. Preferably, the one location is the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the frame.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a bathtub unit that can prevent the detergent of the automatic cleaning mechanism from remaining between the bathtub lid and the frame, and can ensure heat retention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 3)> As shown in FIG. 1, the bathtub unit 1 includes a bathtub 10 with an automatic cleaning mechanism and a bathtub lid 20. The bathtub 10 has a tub body 11 and a frame 30. At the bottom of the tub body 11 and thus the bottom of the bathtub 10, a cleaning nozzle 2 of the automatic cleaning mechanism is provided. The frame 30 is provided around the entire circumference of the upper end of the tub body 11.

[0013] The upper surface portion 31 of the frame 30 has an inclined surface 31a. The inclined surface 31a slopes downward with a constant gradient toward the inside of the bathtub. The gradient of the inclined surface 31a is preferably about 1 / 1.5 to 1 / 20. The side portion 32 of the frame 30 facing the inside of the bathtub protrudes more toward the inside of the bathtub (the left side in FIG. 2) than the side portion of the tub body 11. The surface of the corner portion 33 between the upper surface portion 31 and the side portion 32 facing the inside of the bathtub in the frame 30 is a rounded portion 33a with an arc cross-section. The inclined surface 31a is smoothly continuous with the upper end of the rounded portion 33a. The lower end of the rounded portion 33a is smoothly continuous with the inner surface 32a of the bathtub in the side portion 32.

[0014] When the bathtub lid 20 is placed on the bathtub 10, the bathtub 10 is closed. The bathtub lid 20 includes a bathtub lid body 21 and an edge cover 23. The bathtub lid body 21 and thus the bathtub lid 20 are formed in a rectangular flat plate shape that conforms to the planar shape of the bathtub 10. The bathtub lid 20 may be divided into two or more (a plurality) in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub 10. Heat insulating layers 24 and 25 for enhancing heat retention are provided on both the upper and lower surfaces of the bathtub lid body 21. The lower heat insulating layer 25 constitutes the lower surface of the bathtub lid 20. The peripheral edge 22 of the bathtub lid body 21 and thus the bathtub lid 20 is placed on and supported by the upper surface portion 31 of the frame 30. Here, the peripheral edge 22 refers to the portion facing the frame 30 or the portion overlapping the frame 30 in a plan projection view in a state where the bathtub lid 20 is arranged at the normal installation position without deviation with respect to the bathtub 10.

[0015] An edge cover 23 made of resin is provided at the edge 22e of the peripheral portion 22. The edge cover 23 extends along the edge 22e. Further, the edge cover 23 is formed in a U-shaped cross section and covers the vertical end face and the upper and lower corners of the edge 22e. The material of the edge cover 23 is preferably an elastomer having elasticity, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and it may be a resin such as polypropylene. The manufacturing method of the edge cover 23 is extrusion molding, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0016] The lower portion of the edge cover 23 having a U-shaped cross section constitutes a protrusion 23b. The protrusion 23 covers the lower corner of the edge 22e and protrudes below the lower surface 22b of the peripheral portion 22. The protrusion 23b abuts against the upper surface portion 31 of the frame 30. The protruding amount H of the protrusion 23b from the lower surface 22b 23b is set so as to satisfy the suitable height dimension H of the communication port 43 described later in consideration of the stable installation property of the bathtub lid 20 and the gradient of the inclined surface 31a. 43 Preferably, the protruding amount of the protrusion 23b is H 23b = 1 mm or more and 18 mm or less.

[0017] A gap 40 is formed between the peripheral portion 22 of the bathtub lid 20 and the upper surface portion 31 of the frame 30. The gap 40 is continuous with the inside of the bathtub and is blocked from the outside of the bathtub. Specifically, the gap 40 is defined by the lower surface 22b of the peripheral portion 22 of the bathtub lid 20, the inclined surface 31a of the upper surface portion 31 of the frame 30, and the protrusion 23b. The protrusion 23b constitutes a blocking wall of the gap 40 from the outside of the bathtub. The cross-sectional area of the gap 40 increases by the protruding height of the protrusion 23b. While the lower surface 22b is horizontal, the inclined surface 31a slopes downward toward the inside of the bathtub, so that the gap 40 becomes larger toward the inside of the bathtub. A communication port 43 of the gap 40 with the inside of the bathtub is formed between the lower surface 22b of the bathtub lid 20 and the corner portion 33 of the frame 30 (strictly, the lower end portion of the arc 33a). The communication port 43 is disposed at a position where the gap 40 is continuous with the inside of the bathtub.

[0018] In a state where the bathtub lid 20 is disposed at a normal installation position, the height dimension H of the communication port 4343 (The size of the gap 40 at the position continuous with the inside of the bathtub) is 3 mm or more and 20 mm or less (3 mm ≤ H 43 ≤ 20 mm). Preferably, 3.5 mm ≤ H 43 ≤ 18 mm.

[0019] As a means for adjusting the size of the gap 40 (H 43 ), a method of adjusting the height H 23 of the protrusion 23 can be mentioned. By increasing the height H 23 of the protrusion 23, the size of the gap 40 (H 43 ) can be increased. In this case, only the edge cover 23 needs to be replaced. There is no need to change the design of the bathtub lid body 21, and there is no need to change the mold for manufacturing the bathtub lid body. Therefore, an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed. As another means for adjusting the size of the gap 40 (H 43 ), a method of adjusting the inclination gradient of the upper surface portion 31 can be mentioned (refer to the second to fifth embodiments (Figs. 4 to 7) described later).

[0020] The above-described bathtub unit 1 is automatically cleaned and then used for bathing as follows. As shown in Fig. 1, when automatically cleaning, the bathtub lid 20 is placed on the bathtub 10. Preferably, the bathtub lid 20 is arranged at a regular installation position without displacement, deviation, inclination, etc. Then, by the operation of the automatic cleaning function, the detergent a is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 2. When the detergent a hits the inner surface of the bathtub 10 and the lower surface of the bathtub lid 20, the inner surface of the bathtub 10 and the lower surface of the bathtub lid 20 are cleaned.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 3(a), a part of the detergent a1 that has hit the lower surface of the bathtub lid 20 flows along the lower surface to the peripheral portion 22 and enters the gap 40. As a result, a foamy detergent a2 accumulates in the gap 40. Further, the detergent sprayed later also flows to the peripheral portion 22 in the same manner and adheres to the foamy detergent a2 in the gap 40. Note that the detergent from the cleaning nozzle 2 may directly enter the gap 40. In this way, foam trapping in the gap 40 occurs.

[0022] Thereafter, rinsing water is jetted from the rinsing nozzle 2 (Fig. 1) by the rinsing process. The rinsing water hits the inner surface of the bathtub 10 and the lower surface of the bathtub lid 20, thereby washing off the detergent attached to the inner surface of the bathtub 10 and the lower surface of the bathtub lid 20.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 3(b), a part of the rinsing water w1 hitting the lower surface of the bathtub lid 20 flows along the lower surface to the peripheral edge portion 22 and enters the gap 40. The rinsing water w from the rinsing nozzle 2 may also directly enter the gap 40. As a result, the fluidity of the foamy detergent a2 in the gap 40 is increased, and as shown by the white arrow line w2, the detergent a2 flows out from the communication port 43 along the inclined surface 31a together with the rinsing water.

[0024] The protruding height H of the protrusion 23b 23b is adjusted to set the height dimension H of the gap 40 43 to an appropriate size, whereby the detergent a2 can be surely discharged from the gap 40. Thereby, the remaining foam in the gap 40 can be surely prevented. The protruding height H of the protrusion 23b 23b can increase the size of the gap 40 by that amount, and make it easier for the detergent a2 to flow out from the gap 40. The detergent a2 discharged from the gap 40 is discharged from the drain port (not shown) at the bottom of the bathtub 10 together with the detergent on the inner surface of the bathtub by the rinsing water.

[0025] After the rinsing process, the bathtub is filled with hot water while keeping the bathtub lid 20 closed. The protruding height H 23b and the height dimension H 43 are set so that the upper surface portion 31 of the frame 30 does not become too steep, and the grounding surface between the upper surface portion 31 and the protrusion 23b can be ensured. Therefore, the bathtub lid 20 can be stably arranged on the frame 30 without slipping off from the frame 30. As a result, the closed state of the bathtub lid 20 can be maintained well, and the heat retention of the hot water stored in the bathtub can be ensured. Further, by closing the outer end portion of the gap 40 with the protrusion 23b, the heat retention can be surely ensured. As described above, since the detergent a2 in the gap 40 can be surely washed away in the rinsing step, no foam flows down from the frame 30 into the hot water in the bathtub during bathing, and a comfortable bath can be taken.

[0026] Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiments, for the configurations that overlap with the previously described embodiments, the same reference numerals will be given in the drawings and the description thereof will be omitted. <Second Embodiment (FIG. 4)> As shown in FIG. 4, in the bathtub unit 1B of the second embodiment, the gradient of the inclined surface 31b of the upper surface portion 31 of the frame 30 is steeper than the inclined surface 31a shown in FIG. 2. As a result, the size of the gap 40 at the communication port 43 can be surely made H 43 = 3 mm to 20 mm, preferably H 43 = 3.5 mm to 18 mm, and the foam residue in the gap 40 due to automatic cleaning can be surely prevented. On the other hand, by keeping the height H 23b of the protrusion 23b low, the stable installation property of the bathtub lid 20 on the bathtub 10 can be ensured, and thus the heat retention property of the hot water in the bathtub can be ensured.

[0027] <Third Embodiment (FIG. 5)> As shown in FIG. 5, in the bathtub unit 1C of the third embodiment, the inclination of the upper surface portion 31 of the frame 30 continuously increases toward the inside of the bathtub. Specifically, the upper surface portion 31 of the frame 30 is an inclined surface 31c having an arcuate cross section as a whole. The arcuate inclined surface 31c descends from around the contact portion with the protrusion 23b of the bathtub lid 20 at the outer end portion of the frame 30 or the normal installation position toward the inside of the bathtub, and its gradient continuously increases toward the inside of the bathtub. At the communication port 43 (the position where the gap 40 is continuous with the inside of the bathtub), the arcuate inclined surface 31c is smoothly continuous with the inner surface 11a of the bathtub body 11.

[0028] According to the bathtub unit 1C, as the detergent in the gap 40 approaches the communication port 43, it becomes easier to flow down, and the detergent can be smoothly discharged into the bathtub. Also, the height H 23bBy keeping it low and placing the protrusion 23b on the outer end portion with a gentle slope of the arc-shaped inclined surface 31c, the stable installation of the bathtub lid 20 can be ensured, and the heat retention can be ensured.

[0029] <Fourth Embodiment (Fig. 6)> As shown in Fig. 6, in the bathtub unit 1D of the fourth embodiment, the inclination of the upper surface portion 31 of the frame 30 gradually increases toward the inside of the bathtub. Specifically, the upper surface portion 31 of the frame 30 has a gently sloping inclined surface 31d and a steeply sloping inclined surface 31e. The gently sloping inclined surface 31d is arranged in the outer portion of the bathtub (the right portion in Fig. 6) from the middle portion in the inner-outer direction (left and right in Fig. 6) of the frame 30. At the middle portion of the frame 30, the two inclined surfaces 31d and 31e intersect to form a ridge line 31f. The ridge line 31f may be chamfered. The steeply sloping inclined surface 31e has a steeper slope than the gently sloping inclined surface 31d and is arranged in the inner portion of the bathtub (the left portion in Fig. 6) from the middle portion of the frame 30. The steeply sloping inclined surface 31e is continuous with the inner surface 11a of the bathtub main body 11 via the rounded portion 33a of the corner portion 33.

[0030] According to the bathtub unit 1D, the detergent on the steeply sloping inclined surface 31e of the gap 40 can be smoothly discharged into the bathtub. When the detergent on the gently sloping inclined surface 31d flows down to the steeply sloping inclined surface 31e, it can be smoothly discharged. On the other hand, the height H of the protrusion 23b 23b By keeping it low and placing the protrusion 23b on the gently sloping inclined surface 31d, the stable installation of the bathtub lid 20 can be ensured, and the heat retention can be ensured.

[0031] <Fifth Embodiment (Fig. 7)> As shown in FIG. 7, in the bathtub unit 1E of the fifth embodiment, the upper surface portion 31 of the longitudinal-side frame 30L of the bathtub 10 not only descends toward the inside of the bathtub (the front side of the paper in FIG. 7), but also has a pair of inclined surfaces 31g that descend from both ends in the longitudinal direction (left and right in FIG. 7) toward the central portion 30c (one location in the longitudinal direction). Therefore, the closer to the central portion 30c, the steeper the downward gradient of the inclined surface 31g toward the inside of the bathtub. The gap 40 becomes larger as it goes toward the central portion 30c.

[0032] According to the bathtub unit 1E, the detergent that has entered the gap 40 can flow along the inclined surface 31g toward the central portion 30c and flow down into the bathtub from around the central portion 30c. Note that the location where the pair of inclined surfaces 31g meet may be displaced from the central portion 30c in the longitudinal direction of the frame 30L to one end side. Regarding the upper surface portion of the short-side frame 30S of the bathtub 10 as well, a downward gradient may be provided from both ends toward the central portion 30c in the same manner as the longitudinal-side frame 30L. The inclined surface 31g may be only gradiented toward the central portion 30c (one location in the longitudinal direction) and not gradiented in the direction connecting the inside and outside of the bathtub.

[0033] <Sixth Embodiment (FIG. 8)> As shown in FIG. 8, in the bathtub unit 1F of the sixth embodiment, a weir plate 26 is provided on the bathtub lid 20. The weir plate 26 hangs down from a portion near the peripheral edge of the bathtub lid 20 and extends along the peripheral edge 22 of the bathtub lid 20. In a state where the bathtub lid 30 is arranged at the normal installation position and the bathtub 10 is closed, the weir plate 26 faces the inner surface 32a of the bathtub of the frame 30 in proximity. The weir plate 26 may be in contact with the inner surface 32a of the bathtub. Thereby, the communication port 43 of the gap 40 is blocked by the weir plate 26. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the detergent for automatic cleaning from entering the gap 40. Note that the cross-sectional shape of the frame 30 in FIG. 8 is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 2), but is not limited thereto, and frames of other embodiments may be applied.

[0034] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, a gap 40 is formed between the peripheral portion 22 of the bathtub lid 20 and the upper surface portion 31 of the frame 30, and if the size at the communication position 43 of the gap 40 on the inner side of the bathtub is 3 mm ≤ H 43 ≤ 20 mm, the upper surface portion 31 may be substantially flat.

Example

[0035] An example will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples. In Example 1, a bathtub unit 1 including a bathtub 10 and a bathtub lid 20 having a frame 30 with the same cross-sectional shape as in FIG. 2 was produced. The edge cover 23 was produced by extrusion molding of an elastomer resin. The bathtub 10 was produced by extrusion molding of an ABS resin. The gradient of the inclined surface 31a was about 1 / 20. The bathtub lid 20 was placed at the normal installation position on the bathtub 10. The size of the gap 40 was H 43 = 3 mm. Detergent injection and rinsing were performed by the automatic cleaning function, and then water filling was further performed. The water outlet temperature was 41°C.

[0036] <Evaluation> After the water filling was completed, the presence or absence of bubbles remaining in the gap 40 or bubbles that had slipped from there into the bathtub and floated on the hot water was visually confirmed. Further, the hot water temperature 95 minutes after the water filling was completed was measured, and the heat retention performance was evaluated based on whether the temperature drop relative to the water outlet temperature was less than 1°C. As shown in Table 1, there was no bubble residue and the heat retention performance was also good. In the column of "Bubble residue" in Table 1, no bubble residue is indicated by "○", and the presence of bubble residue is indicated by "×". Also, in the column of "Heat retention performance", a temperature drop of less than 1°C in the hot water temperature is indicated by "○", and 1°C or more is indicated by "×".

Example

[0037] In Example 2, the protruding height of the protrusion 23b was increased by 0.5 mm compared to Example 1, and the size of the gap 40 was set to H 43 = 3.5 mm. The configurations of the other bathtub units, the test methods, and the evaluation methods were the same as those in Example 1. As shown in Table 1, the results showed no foam residue and good heat retention.

Example

[0038] In Example 3, the protruding height of the protrusion 23b was increased by 1 mm compared to Example 1, and the size of the gap 40 was set to H 43 = 4 mm. The configurations of the other bathtub units, the test methods, and the evaluation methods were the same as those in Example 1. As shown in Table 1, the results showed no foam residue and good heat retention.

Example

[0039] In Example 4, the protruding height of the protrusion 23b was increased by 1.5 mm compared to Example 1, and the size of the gap 40 was set to H 43 = 4.5 mm. The configurations of the other bathtub units, the test methods, and the evaluation methods were the same as those in Example 1. As shown in Table 1, the results showed no foam residue and good heat retention.

Example

[0040] In Example 5, the protruding height of the protrusion 23b was increased by 2 mm compared to Example 1, and the size of the gap 40 was set to H 43 = 5 mm. The configurations of the other bathtub units, the test methods, and the evaluation methods were the same as those in Example 1. As shown in Table 1, the results showed no foam residue and good heat retention.

[0041]

Table 1

Example

[0042] In Example 6, the protrusion height of the protrusion 23b was increased by 2.5 mm compared to Example 1, and the size of the gap 40 was set to H 43 = 5.5 mm. The configurations of the other bathtub units, the test methods, and the evaluation methods were the same as those in Example 1. As shown in Table 2, the results showed no foam residue and good heat retention.

Example

[0043] In Example 7, the protrusion height of the protrusion 23b was increased by 5 mm compared to Example 1, and the size of the gap 40 was set to H 43 = 8 mm. The configurations of the other bathtub units, the test methods, and the evaluation methods were the same as those in Example 1. As shown in Table 2, the results showed no foam residue and good heat retention.

Example

[0044] In Example 8, the protrusion height of the protrusion 23b was increased by 12 mm compared to Example 1, and the size of the gap 40 was set to H 43 = 15 mm. The configurations of the other bathtub units, the test methods, and the evaluation methods were the same as those in Example 1. As shown in Table 2, the results showed no foam residue and good heat retention.

[0045] [Reference Example 1] In Reference Example 1, the protrusion height of the protrusion 23b was decreased by 1 mm compared to Example 1, and the size of the gap 40 was set to H 43 = 2 mm. The configurations of the other bathtub units, the test methods, and the evaluation methods were the same as those in Example 1. As shown in Table 2, foam was confirmed in the hot water stored in the bathtub. It is considered that it was difficult to wash away the foam in the rinsing process because the gap 40 was narrow. The heat retention was good.

[0046] [Reference Example 2] In Reference Example 2, the protrusion height of the protrusion 23b was increased by 18 mm compared to Example 1, and the size of the gap 40 was set to H 43It was set to 21 mm. The configurations of the other bathtub units, the test methods, and the evaluation methods were the same as those in Example 1. As shown in Table 2, there was no foam residue. However, the bathtub lid was not stable, and during automatic cleaning, the water pressure of the cleaning water caused the bathtub lid to shift from the normal installation position, and a part of the bathtub opened, resulting in the inability to ensure heat retention.

[0047]

Table 2

Example

[0048] In Example 9, a bathtub unit 1B including a bathtub 10 and a bathtub lid 20 having a frame 30 with a cross-sectional shape in which the gradient of the inclined surface 31b was made gentle in FIG. 4 was manufactured. The bathtub lid 20 was placed at the normal installation position on the bathtub 10. The size of the gap 40 was H 43 = 3.5 mm. The test methods and evaluation methods were the same as those in Example 1. As shown in Table 3, there was no foam residue and the heat retention was also good.

Example

[0049] In Example 10, the gradient of the inclined surface 31b was made gentle in FIG. 4 and was made slightly steeper than in Example 9, and the size of the gap 40 was set to H 43 = 5 mm. The configurations of the other bathtub units, the test methods, and the evaluation methods were the same as those in Example 9. As shown in Table 3, there was no foam residue and the heat retention was also good.

Example

[0050] In Example 11, a bathtub unit 1B including a bathtub 10 and a bathtub lid 20 having a frame 30 with the same cross-sectional shape as in FIG. 4 was manufactured. The gradient of the inclined surface 31b was about 1 / 5. The size of the gap 40 was H 43 = 10 mm. The configurations, test methods, and evaluation methods of the other bathtub units were the same as those in Example 9. As shown in Table 3, there was no foam residue and the heat retention property was also good.

Example

[0051] In Example 12, the gradient of the inclined surface 31b was made steeper than that in Example 11, and the size of the gap 40 was set to H 43 = 15 mm. The configurations, test methods, and evaluation methods of the other bathtub units were the same as those in Example 9. As shown in Table 3, there was no foam residue and the heat retention property was also good.

[0052]

Table 3

Example

[0053] In Example 13, the gradient of the inclined surface 31b was made steeper than that in Example 12, and set to approximately 1 / 1.5. The size of the gap 40 was H 43 = 20 mm. The configurations, test methods, and evaluation methods of the other bathtub units were the same as those in Example 9. As shown in Table 4, there was no foam residue and the heat retention property was also good.

[0054] [Reference Example 3] In Reference Example 3, the gradient of the inclined surface 31b was made gentler than that in Example 9, and the size of the gap 40 was set to H 43 = 2 mm. The configurations, test methods, and evaluation methods of the other bathtub units were the same as those in Example 9. As shown in Table 4, foam was confirmed in the hot water stored in the bathtub. It is considered that it was difficult to wash away the foam in the rinsing process because the gap 40 was narrow. The heat retention property was good.

[0055] [Reference Example 4] In Reference Example 4, the gradient of the inclined surface 31b was made steeper than that in Example 13, and the size of the gap 40 was set to H 43 = 21 mm. The configurations of the other bathtub units, the test methods, and the evaluation methods were the same as those in Example 9. As shown in Table 4, there was no foam residue. However, because the inclined surface 31b had a steep gradient, the bathtub lid fell into the bathtub due to the water pressure of the washing water during automatic cleaning, and the temperature of the bathtub after filling with hot water could not be kept good.

[0056]

Table 4

Industrial Applicability

[0057] The present invention can be applied to, for example, a bathtub unit including a bathtub and a bathtub lid.

Explanation of Signs

[0058] a2 Foam detergent in the gap 1 Bathtub unit 2 Cleaning nozzle 10 Bathtub 11 Bathtub body 20 Bathtub lid 21 Bathtub lid body 22 Peripheral part 22e Edge 22b Lower surface 23 Edge cover 23b Protrusion (barrier wall) 25 Heat insulation layer 30 Frame 30c Central part in the longitudinal direction 31 Upper surface part 31a Inclined surface 31b Steep gradient inclined surface 31c Arc-shaped inclined surface 31d Gentle gradient inclined surface 31e Steep gradient inclined surface 31g Inclined surface 32 Side part facing the inside of the bathtub 33 Corner part 40 Gap 43 Connection port (position connected to the inside of the bathtub)

Claims

1. A bathtub unit comprising a bathtub provided with a cleaning nozzle of an automatic cleaning mechanism at the bottom, a frame provided at the upper end of the bathtub, and a flat bathtub lid horizontally installed so that the peripheral edge faces the frame to close the bathtub, wherein an edge cover is provided at the edge of the peripheral edge of the bathtub lid, and a portion covering the lower corner of the edge in the edge cover constitutes a protrusion that abuts against the frame, a gap that is continuous with the inside of the bathtub and blocked from the outside of the bathtub by the protrusion is formed between the horizontal lower surface of the peripheral edge of the bathtub lid and the upper surface of the frame at the normal installation position, the upper surface of the frame has an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the inside of the bathtub, and the gap becomes larger toward the inside of the bathtub, the protruding amount of the protrusion is 1 mm or more and 18 mm or less, the gradient of the inclined surface is 1 / 1.5 to 1 / 20, a bathtub unit characterized in that, in a state where the bathtub lid is disposed at the normal installation position, the height dimension of the communication port of the gap to the inside of the bathtub is 3 mm or more and 20 mm or less.

2. A bathtub unit comprising a bathtub provided with a cleaning nozzle of an automatic cleaning mechanism at the bottom, a frame provided at the upper end of the bathtub, and a flat bathtub lid horizontally installed so that the peripheral edge faces the frame to close the bathtub, wherein an edge cover is provided at the edge of the peripheral edge of the bathtub lid, and a portion covering the lower corner of the edge in the edge cover constitutes a protrusion that abuts against the frame, a gap that is continuous with the inside of the bathtub and blocked from the outside of the bathtub by the protrusion is formed between the horizontal lower surface of the peripheral edge of the bathtub lid and the upper surface of the frame at the normal installation position, the upper surface of the frame has an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the inside of the bathtub, and the gap becomes larger toward the inside of the bathtub, the downward gradient toward the inside of the bathtub at the portion on the inside of the bathtub side of the upper surface of the frame is steeper than the downward gradient toward the inside of the bathtub at the portion on the outside of the bathtub side of the upper surface, a bathtub unit characterized in that the protrusion at the normal installation position is disposed on the portion of the upper surface where the downward gradient on the outside of the bathtub side is gentle.

3. A gentle slope inclined surface is formed on the outer side portion of the bathtub from the intermediate portion in the inner and outer direction of the upper surface portion of the frame, and a steep slope inclined surface with a steeper slope than the gentle slope inclined surface is formed on the inner side portion of the bathtub from the intermediate portion of the upper surface portion. The gentle slope inclined surface and the steep slope inclined surface intersect at the intermediate portion. The bathtub unit according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion at the normal installation position is disposed on the gentle slope inclined surface.

4. The bathtub unit according to claim 3, wherein the frame, and thus the gentle slope inclined surface and the steep slope inclined surface, are provided on the entire circumference of the upper end portion of the bathtub.

5. The bathtub unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a pair of inclined surfaces that descend from both ends in the longitudinal direction toward one location in the longitudinal direction are formed on the upper surface portion of the frame.

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