Bathing device and bathing system

Abstract

To provide a bathing device for enabling a wheelchair-cum-stretcher-type transportation vehicle to be used in a shower bathtub.SOLUTION: A bathing device includes: a shower bathtub 31 for showering in a supine position; and a transportation vehicle 1. The transportation vehicle 1 comprises: a truck part 2; and a boarding part 3 including a hip receiver, a backrest, and a leg receiver and to be placed on the truck part 2. The boarding part 3 can be separated from the truck part 2, can change a posture between a chair state where a bathing person boards in a sitting position and a stretcher state where a bathing person boards in a supine position, and can reciprocate between the shower bathtub 31 to which the truck part 2 is connected and the truck part 2 when the boarding part 2 is in the stretcher state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bathing device and a bathing system for bathing elderly people, physically disabled people, etc. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a special bathing system that allows bathers who are able to maintain a seated position to bathe in a special bathtub for lying down, using a wheelchair / stretcher that can automatically convert from a seated chair position to a supine position by reclining the back seat as the seat of the wheelchair rises. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4452082 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the prior art only describes bathing in a special bathtub for lying down, and does not describe bathing in a shower bathtub where a wheelchair / stretcher is used for showering.Furthermore, it does not describe a configuration in which a wheelchair / stretcher can be used in multiple types of bathtubs, including shower bathtubs.

[0005] The present invention was made to solve these problems, and its purpose is to provide a bathing device that allows a wheelchair / stretcher type transport vehicle to be used in a shower bathtub, and also to provide a bathing system that allows a wheelchair / stretcher type transport vehicle to be used in multiple types of bathtubs, including shower bathtubs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means.

[0007] The bathing device of the present invention comprises a shower tub for showering in a supine position, and a transport vehicle, the transport vehicle comprising a carriage, a boarding section having a buttocks support section, a backrest section, and a leg support section that is placed on the carriage, and a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the boarding section, the boarding section being separable from the carriage, and The backrest portion and the leg support portion are independently rotated and fixed to the buttock support portion, The bather can change its position between a chair state where the bather sits and a stretcher state where the bather lies on his back. The lifting mechanism can lift and lower the boarding section to any height while maintaining the posture of the boarding section whose posture has been changed to the chair state or the stretcher state, When the boarding section is in the stretcher position, it can move back and forth between the shower tub and the cart section, which is connected to the boarding section. This allows both bathers who can maintain a seated position and those who cannot to take a shower in a supine position.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the bathing apparatus of the present invention, the means for connecting the transport vehicle and the shower tub are each provided with one engaging member and one engaged member, or one engaged member and one engaging member. This allows the means for connecting the transport vehicle and the shower tub to be compact. Therefore, for example, when the cart unit is separated from the shower tub and a caregiver washes or provides care to the bather on the boarding unit, the connecting means is less likely to get in the way. Furthermore, the cart unit of the transport vehicle can also be made compact, improving operability when moving the transport vehicle.

[0009] The bathing system of the present invention is characterized by comprising the bathing device and at least one type of bathtub other than the shower bathtub, and is capable of bathing the bather using the bathtub and the transport vehicle. This allows one transport vehicle to be used for the shower bathtub and at least one type of bathtub other than the shower bathtub, eliminating the need to purchase and maintain a dedicated transport vehicle for each bathtub.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the bathing system of the present invention, the bathtub is a supine-position bathtub for bathing in water in a supine position and / or a seated-position shower bathtub for showering in a seated position, and when the bather is bathing in the supine-position bathtub, the boarding section is in the stretcher position, and when the bather is bathing in the seated-position shower bathtub, the boarding section is in the chair position. This allows the transport vehicle to be used for the supine-position bathtub or the seated-position shower bathtub.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the bathing system of the present invention, when the boarding section is in the stretcher state, it can move back and forth between the supine position bathtub and the cart section connected to it. This allows the bather on the boarding section to bathe in the supine position bathtub. This also eliminates the need to purchase and maintain a transport vehicle specifically for the supine position bathtub.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the bathing system of the present invention, the boarding section in the chair position is inserted into the seated shower tub together with the platform section. This allows the bather on the boarding section to bathe in the seated shower tub. This also eliminates the need to purchase and maintain a dedicated transport vehicle for seated shower tubs. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, a bathing device can be provided that can be used in a shower bathtub, using a transport vehicle whose boarding section for the bather can be changed between a chair state and a stretcher state. Also, a bathing system can be provided that can be used in multiple types of bathtubs, including shower bathtubs, using a transport vehicle whose boarding section can be changed between a chair state and a stretcher state. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a transport vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the state in which the leg support portion of the transport vehicle is folded and the left upper limb side fence and the waist side fence are laid down. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of part A in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a front view of the transport vehicle when the leg receiving portions are stored. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a front view of the transport vehicle when the boarding section in the stretcher state is at the upper limit position. [Figure 6] This is a partial cross-sectional view of the transport vehicle when the boarding section in stretcher mode is at its uppermost position, and the cross-section is taken along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction and passing through the center of the boarding section in the left-right direction. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shower tub according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a partial bottom view of the ceiling of the shower tub. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the transport vehicle and the shower tub connected together. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating the connection structure between the transport vehicle and the shower tub. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a bathing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a side view of a bathing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] (Embodiment 1) The transport vehicle used in the bathing apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Here, as shown in Figure 1, the directions of front, back, left, right, and up and down are those seen from the perspective of a bather seated on the transport vehicle 1. As shown in Figure 1, the transport vehicle 1 comprises a carriage section 2 and a boarding section 3 detachably mounted on the carriage section 2, which can be raised and lowered. The carriage section 2 has wheels 5 at four locations on the carriage frame 4, allowing it to run on the floor. Two rails 6 are provided on the carriage frame 4 for detachably mounting the boarding section 3. A carriage-side coupling section 7 is provided on the side of the carriage frame 4 for coupling the carriage section 2 to a shower tub 31 (see Figure 7 described below). The carriage-side coupling section 7 has rollers 7a for positioning the transport vehicle 1 relative to the shower tub 31 and hooks 7b for coupling and fixing the transport vehicle 1 to the shower tub 31.

[0016] The riding section 3 has a backrest 8, a buttocks support section 9, a leg support section 10, upper limb side fences 11, a lumbar side fence 12, and a riding section frame 13. The riding section frame 13 is provided with a plurality of rollers 14, which allow the riding section 3 to move on the rails 6 of the carriage section 2. A back mat 15a, a buttocks mat 15b, and a leg mat 15c are respectively installed on the backrest 8, the buttocks support section 9, and the leg support section 10. The left and right upper limb side fences 11 can be reclined backward, and in FIG. 2, the left upper limb side fence 11 is reclined backward. The left and right lumbar side fences 12 can be reclined downward, and in FIG. 2, the left lumbar side fence 12 is reclined downward. For example, when a bather transfers from the left side of the transport vehicle 1 to the boarding section 3, the transfer can be made easier by folding down the left upper limb side fence 11 and the left waist side fence 12.

[0017] The transport vehicle 1 is provided with a reclining mechanism that tilts the backrest 8 backward and also places it in a nearly horizontal position. The reclining mechanism will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. The backrest 8 is rotatably attached to the boarding frame 13. A grip 16 is provided on the rear side of the backrest 8 for the caregiver to grasp when reclining the backrest 8 or when moving the transport vehicle 1.

[0018] The reclining mechanism comprises a guide plate 17 mounted on the rear portion of the riding section frame 13, a reclining piece 18 rotatably mounted on the backrest section 8, and an operating device 19 for rotating the reclining piece 18. As shown in FIG. 3, the guide plate 17 is formed with three recesses 17b extending diagonally downward toward the front from a groove 17a whose upper edge is linear in the front-to-rear direction. A protrusion 18a is provided on the lower end of the reclining piece 18, and an attachment end 18b of the reclining piece 18 is rotatably attached to a reclining rotation shaft 18c. The operating device 19 is connected to the reclining piece 18 by a connecting member 19a rotatably attached to the attachment end 18b of the reclining piece 18. When the protrusion 18a fits into the frontmost recess 17b, the backrest 8 assumes the position shown in FIG. 1. When the protrusion 18a fits into the two rear recesses 17b, the backrest 8 is tilted at a predetermined angle. When the protrusion 18a fits into the recess 17b of the guide plate 17, pushing the backrest 8 slightly forward and then moving the operating device 19 upward rotates the reclining piece 18, causing the protrusion 18a to disengage from the recess 17b. The tilt angle of the backrest 8 can then be changed by fitting the protrusion 18a into another recess 17b. By tilting the backrest 8 without fitting the protrusion 18a into the recess 17b, the backrest 8 can be placed in a nearly horizontal position, as shown in FIG. 5. At this time, the protrusion 18a is positioned near the rear end 17aa of the groove 17a.

[0019] 1 and 4, the leg support section 10 includes a first leg support frame 10a rotatably connected to the riding section frame 13, a second leg support frame 10b rotatably connected to the first leg support frame 10a, a footrest 10c provided at the tip of the second leg support frame 10b, and a heel support 10d suspended across the second leg support frame 10b. The first leg support frame 10a can be rotated downward from the state shown in FIG. 1 to a substantially vertical position, and the second leg support frame 10b can be bent upward relative to the first leg support frame 10a, so that the leg support section 10 can be stored in a space below the buttocks support section 9 in front of the cart section 2, as shown in FIG. 4. The leg support section 10 can also be rotated upward from the state shown in FIG. 1 and fixed, and as shown in FIG. 5, the leg support section 10 is in a state in which it is gently inclined upward from a substantially horizontal position from the buttocks support section 9 side toward the tip.

[0020] As described above, the boarding section 3 of the transport vehicle 1 can be placed in a chair state as shown in Fig. 1 and a stretcher state as shown in Fig. 5, and in the stretcher state the backrest 8, buttocks support section 9 and leg support section 10 are in a nearly flat state. In other words, the boarding section 3 can be placed in a chair state where the bather sits on it, or in a stretcher state where the bather lies on their back.

[0021] The boarding section 3 of the transport vehicle 1 can be raised and lowered, and the lifting mechanism of the boarding section 3 will be described using Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 shows the transport vehicle 1 when the boarding section 3 is in its uppermost position, with the boarding section 3 in its lowermost position indicated by a phantom line. The carriage frame 4 has an upper frame 20, a lower frame 21, a first frame 22, a second frame 23, and a third frame 24. The first frame 22 and the second frame 23 are pivotally supported at their centers by an X-frame shaft 22c, forming an X shape. A first frame roller 22a is pivotally supported at the end of the first frame 22 facing the lower frame 21, and the other end is pivotally supported by the upper frame 20 via a first frame shaft 22b, allowing it to rotate. A second frame roller 23a is pivotally supported at the end of the second frame 23 facing the upper frame 20, and the other end is pivotally supported by the lower frame 21 via a second frame shaft 23b, allowing it to rotate. One end of the third frame 24 is connected to an intermediate position of the second frame 23 by a connecting pipe 25, and the intermediate position of the second frame 23 and one end of the third frame 24 move together.

[0022] The carriage unit 2 has an actuator 26, and extension and contraction of the actuator 26 causes the first frame 22 and the second frame 23 to rotate and slide, thereby enabling the upper frame 20 to rise and fall. The actuator 26 has a drive side journaled to the lower frame 21 by a first actuator shaft 26a, and the other side journaled to the third frame 24 by a second actuator shaft 26b. When the actuator 26 is driven, the second frame 23 connected to the third frame 24 rotates about the second frame shaft 23b, causing the second frame rollers 23a to slide on the surface of the upper frame 20, and the first frame 22 rotates about the first frame shaft 22b, causing the first frame rollers 22a to slide on the surface of the lower frame 21, thereby raising and lowering the upper frame 20. As a result, the riding unit 3 rises and falls between a lower limit position and an upper limit position.

[0023] As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, the carriage unit 2 is provided with foot-operated foot switches 27a and 27b, a coupling release pedal 28, and a brake pedal 29. The foot switches 27a and 27b are used to lower and raise the boarding unit 3. The boarding unit 3 lowers while the foot is pressed on the foot switch 27a, and the descent stops when the foot is released from the foot switch 27a. Furthermore, if the boarding unit 3 reaches its lowest position while the foot is pressed on the foot switch 27a, the descent stops. The boarding unit 3 rises while the foot is pressed on the foot switch 27b, and the ascent stops when the foot is released from the foot switch 27b. Furthermore, if the boarding unit 3 reaches its highest position while the foot is pressed on the foot switch 27b, the ascent stops. Uncoupling pedal 28 is connected to hook 7b by link piece 28a (see Figure 10), and by stepping on uncoupling pedal 28, hook 7b disengages from shower tub 31, releasing the connection between cart unit 2 and shower tub 31. By stepping on brake pedal 29 to lower it, adjuster 30 is pressed against the floor surface, preventing transport vehicle 1 from moving on the floor. By raising brake pedal 29, the adjuster 30 can be released from its pressed state against the floor surface.

[0024] Figure 7 shows a shower tub (supine-position shower tub) for bathers in a supine position. The shower tub 31 has a fixed base 31a, side sections 31b, and a ceiling 31c. Its side view resembles a "U" (a Japanese character for "U"), with both sides and the front open. The fixed base 31a has a slightly rearward-sloping top surface 31a1, surrounded by walls 31a2 of an appropriate height to prevent hot and cold water from leaking sideways. A drain outlet 31a3 is provided at the rear of the top surface 31a1. A lower frame 32 is installed on the floor below the fixed base 31a. A first support column 33a is erected on the lower frame 32. An upper frame 34 is installed, supported by the first support column 33a and a second support column 33b fixed to the top surface 31a1 of the fixed base 31a. Three rails 35a to 35c are provided on upper frame 34, and the distance between two of these rails 35a, 35b is the same as the distance between two rails 6 of transport vehicle 1. The height of two rails 35a, 35b is the same as the height of two rails 6 when boarding section 3 of transport vehicle 1 is raised to its uppermost position. Incidentally, by providing rail 35c, rails 35a, 35c can be used when connecting another transport vehicle, which has a larger rail distance than transport vehicle 1, to shower tub 31.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 8, multiple jet nozzles 36 are arranged facing each other on both the left and right sides of the ceiling portion 31c. The jet nozzles 36 are arranged on the underside of the ceiling portion 31c at approximately equal distances from the center position in the opposing direction, and are installed at an angle so that the direction in which the hot and cold water is jetted is toward the center of the upper surface 31a1 of the fixed base portion 31a. The ceiling portion 31c is formed in an upwardly curved shape with a higher center so that the hot and cold water jetted from the jet nozzles 36 scatters and causes water droplets adhering to the underside of the ceiling portion 31c to flow sideways, making it less likely to hit the person being assisted.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 7, the shower tub 31 is provided with a bathtub-side coupling 37 for coupling with the carriage-side coupling 7 of the transport vehicle 1. The bathtub-side coupling 37 has a single insertion hole 37b formed in the upper surface of the case 37a. When the transport vehicle 1 is coupled to the shower tub 31, the rollers 7a of the carriage-side coupling 7 clamp the case 37a, and the hook 7b enters the insertion hole 37b. FIG. 9 shows the transport vehicle 1 coupled to the shower tub 31, and FIG. 10 shows the carriage-side coupling 7 and bathtub-side coupling 37. In addition to the rollers 7a and hook 7b, the carriage-side coupling 7 has a shaft 7c to which the hook 7b is attached and a spring member 7d wound around the shaft 7c. The hook 7b is biased clockwise by the spring member 7d (the direction in which the hook 7b enters the insertion hole 37b). In addition to the case 37a and the engagement hole 37b, the bathtub side connecting part 37 has a connecting lever 37c and a detection switch 37d provided inside the case 37a. The detection switch 37d is, for example, a limit switch.

[0027] When the transport vehicle 1 is connected to the shower tub 31, as shown in Figure 10, the hook 7b on the transport vehicle 1 side enters the engagement hole 37b on the top surface of the case 37a on the shower tub 31 side and presses down the connecting lever 37c. As a result, the contact pressing body 37e of the detection switch 37d is pressed down, and it is detected that the transport vehicle 1 has been connected to the shower tub 31.

[0028] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-37534 describes a method for connecting a transport vehicle equipped with a stretcher to a shower tub and sliding the stretcher into the shower tub. The transport vehicle described in this publication is equipped with a pair of hook-shaped connectors spaced a predetermined distance along the length of the transport vehicle as a means for connecting to the shower tub, and the shower tub is provided with a pair of engagement holes into which the connectors engage. In contrast, in Embodiment 1, as a means for connecting the transport vehicle 1 to the shower tub 31, the transport vehicle 1 is equipped with one engagement member (hook 7b), and the shower tub 31 is equipped with one engaged member (engagement hole 37b). This configuration allows for a more compact bathtub-side connector 37 than the bathing device described in the publication. Therefore, for example, when the cart unit 2 is separated from the shower tub 31 and a caregiver washes or cares for the bather on the boarding unit 3, the cart-side connector 37 is less likely to get in the way. Furthermore, the cart unit 2 of the transport vehicle 1 can also be made compact, improving operability when moving the transport vehicle 1. Alternatively, the engaging member may be provided on the shower tub 31 and the engaged member may be provided on the transport vehicle 1.

[0029] Next, a case where a bather who can maintain a sitting position is allowed to take a bath (shower) using the transport vehicle 1 will be described. [Transfer, transport] First, the boarding section 3 of the transport vehicle 1 is set in a chair position, the leg support section 10 is stored in the space below the buttocks support section 9, and then the bather is transferred onto the transport vehicle 1. Here, when transferring the bather onto the transport vehicle 1 from the left side of the transport vehicle 1, for example, the left upper limb side fence 11 and waist side fence 12 are folded down as shown by the imaginary lines in Figure 2 or Figure 4. Once the bather is on the transport vehicle 1, the leg support section 10, upper limb side fence 11, and waist side fence 12 are set in the positions shown in Figure 1, and then the bather is transported near the shower tub 31.

[0030] [Body washing, connection] Next, the position of the boarding section 3 is changed to the stretcher state, and the boarding section 3 is raised to the upper limit position (the state shown in Figure 5). In this state, the bather's body is washed. Note that the boarding section 3 may be raised or lowered to any height that the boarding section 3 can assume to perform the body washing operation. After the body washing operation, the transport vehicle 1 is coupled to the side of the shower tub 31 as shown in Figure 9.

[0031] [bathing] Next, the boarding section 3 is slid from the transport vehicle 1 toward the shower tub 31 and moved onto rails 35a, 35b inside the shower tub 31, and then hot and cold water is sprayed from the spray nozzle 36 on the ceiling section 31c, allowing the bather on the boarding section 3 to take a shower.

[0032] [Exit bath, transportation] When the bathing is finished, the boarding section 3 is moved from the shower tub 31 onto the cart section 2 of the transport vehicle 1, and then the connection between the transport vehicle 1 and the shower tub 31 is released. After that, the bather's body is dried, and the boarding section 3 is placed in a chair position and the bather is transported to the original location. Then, the leg support section 10 is stored in the space below the buttocks support section 9, and the upper limb side fences 11 and the waist side fences 12 are folded down as needed, and the bather is transferred from the transport vehicle 1 to another wheelchair or the like, completing the bathing procedure.

[0033] Next, a case where a bather who cannot maintain a sitting position is allowed to take a bath (shower) using the transport vehicle 1 will be described. [Transfer, transport] First, the boarding section 3 of the transport vehicle 1 is set in the stretcher state, and then the bather is transferred onto the transport vehicle 1. For example, when transferring the bather onto the transport vehicle 1 from the left side of the transport vehicle 1, the left upper limb side fence 11 and the left waist side fence 12 are folded down. Then, once the bather is placed on the transport vehicle 1, they are transported close to the shower tub 31. The transfer operation can be performed by raising and lowering the boarding section 3 to any height that the boarding section 3 can assume.

[0034] [Washing, connecting], [Bathing] For the bather's washing, connecting the transport vehicle 1 to the shower tub 31, and bathing, the same operations as those for the [washing, connecting] and [bathing] processes described for a bather who can assume a seated position can be performed.

[0035] [Exit bath, transportation] When the bathing is finished, the boarding section 3 is moved from the shower tub 31 onto the carriage section 2 of the transport vehicle 1, and then the connection between the transport vehicle 1 and the shower tub 31 is released. The bather's body is then dried, and the bather is transported to the original location. Then, after the upper limb side fences 11 and the waist side fences 12 are folded down, the bather is transferred from the transport vehicle 1 to another transport vehicle, etc., and the bathing procedure is completed.

[0036] As described above, the bathing apparatus equipped with the transport vehicle 1 and shower tub 31 can provide showering in a supine position for both bathers who can maintain a seated position and those who cannot. Therefore, a bathing apparatus for showering that suits the bather's physical condition can be provided by using the shower tub 31 and the position-adjustable transport vehicle 1. While the shower tub 31 is open on both the left and right sides and the front, it may also be a shower tub that is open on either the left or right side and the front.

[0037] (Embodiment 2) FIG. 11 shows a bathing device according to the second embodiment, with a transport vehicle 1 coupled to a bathtub 38. The bathtub 38 is a bathtub for bathers to bathe in a supine position by immersing themselves in hot water within the bathtub. A support pillar 39 is erected through the bottom wall of the bathtub 38. A support frame 40 is attached to the upper end of the support pillar 39, and three rails 41a-41c are attached to the support frame 40. The distance between the two rails 41a and 41b is the same as the distance between the two rails 6 of the transport vehicle 1. The height of the two rails 41a and 41b is the same as the height of the two rails 6 when the boarding section 3 of the transport vehicle 1 is raised to its uppermost position. The provision of the rail 41c allows the rails 41a and 41c to be used when coupling another transport vehicle with a greater rail distance than the transport vehicle 1 to the bathtub 38. The bathtub 38 is also configured to be raised and lowered.

[0038] A bathtub-side coupling part 42 for coupling the transport vehicle 1 to the bathtub 38 is provided on the long side of the bathtub 38, and its structure is similar to that of the bathtub-side coupling part 37 provided on the shower bathtub 31. The mechanism by which the transport vehicle 1 is coupled to the bathtub 38 is similar to that by which the transport vehicle 1 is coupled to the shower bathtub 31, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0039] Next, we will explain how to use the transport vehicle 1 to provide a bather who can maintain a seated position with a bath (in-water bath). In the processes of [transferring, transporting] and [washing, connecting] described for a bather who can maintain a seated position in the first embodiment, the work content is almost the same except that the shower tub 31 is replaced by the bathtub 38, so we will not repeat the explanation. Below, we will explain the process after bathing.

[0040] [bathing] Once the connection process is complete, the boarding section 3 is slid from the transport vehicle 1 toward the bathtub 38 and moved onto rails 41a, 41b inside the bathtub 38, and then the bathtub 38 is raised. Hot water is stored in the bathtub 38, and once the bathtub 38 has risen to a predetermined height, the person on the boarding section 3 can take a bath.

[0041] [Exit bath, transportation] When the bathing is finished, the bathtub 38 is lowered, the boarding section 3 is moved from the bathtub 38 onto the cart section 2 of the transport vehicle 1, and then the connection between the transport vehicle 1 and the bathtub 38 is released. After that, the bather's body is dried, and the boarding section 3 is placed in a chair position and the bather is transported to the original location. Then, the leg support section 10 is stored in the space below the buttocks support section 9, and the upper limb side fences 11 and the waist side fences 12 are folded down as needed, and the bather is transferred from the transport vehicle 1 to another wheelchair or the like, completing the bathing procedure.

[0042] Next, we will explain how to use the transport vehicle 1 to provide bathing (in-water bathing) to a bather who cannot maintain a seated position. In the processes of [Transferring, Transporting] and [Washing, Connecting] described for a bather who cannot maintain a seated position in the first embodiment, the work content is almost the same except that the shower tub 31 is replaced by the bathtub 38, so explanations will be omitted. Also, the [Bathing] process is the same as the [Bathing] process described for a bather who can maintain a seated position in the second embodiment, so explanations will be omitted. Below, we will explain the process after leaving the bath.

[0043] [Exit bath, transportation] When the bathing is finished, the bathtub 38 is lowered, the boarding section 3 is moved from the bathtub 38 onto the carriage section 2 of the transport vehicle 1, and then the connection between the transport vehicle 1 and the bathtub 38 is released. The bather's body is then dried, and the bather is transported to the original location. Then, after the upper limb side fences 11 and the waist side fences 12 are lowered, the bather is transferred from the transport vehicle 1 to another transport vehicle, etc., and the bathing procedure is completed.

[0044] (Embodiment 3) Figure 12 shows a bathing device according to a third embodiment, which serves as a shower tub (sitting shower tub) 43 for taking a shower while sitting. The rear side wall of the shower tub 43 has an openable door 43a, and opening the door 43a allows the transport vehicle 1 to enter and exit the shower tub 43. Multiple spray nozzles 44 are provided on the inside side of the shower tub 43. The transport vehicle 1 is configured so that the entire transport vehicle 1, together with the cart 2, can be inserted into the shower tub 43 with the boarding section 3 of the transport vehicle 1 in a chair position.

[0045] The shower tub 43 can be used for showering bathers who can maintain a seated position. After the bather transfers to the transport vehicle 1 with the boarding section 3 in chair position, the bather is transported close to the shower tub 43, where they are washed if necessary, and then the transport vehicle 1 is inserted into the shower tub 43 and the door 43a is closed. Hot water is then sprayed from the spray nozzle 44 to allow the bather to shower. After the shower is finished, the transport vehicle 1 is removed from the shower tub 43, and the bather's body is dried, after which the bather is transported back to the original location and the bather is transferred from the transport vehicle 1 to another wheelchair or the like to complete the bathing procedure.

[0046] A bathing system can be configured that includes a shower tub (supine position shower tub) 31, a bathtub (supine position bathing tub) 38, and / or a shower tub (sitting position shower tub) 43, and that uses these bathtubs and transport vehicle 1 to allow the bather to take a bath. In other words, a bathing system can be configured that includes shower tub 31 and at least one other type of bathtub different from shower tub 31. With this configuration, one transport vehicle can be used for multiple types of bathtubs, including shower tubs, eliminating the need to purchase and stock a dedicated transport vehicle for each type of bathtub.

[0047] In addition, a different type of bathtub from those described in embodiments 1 to 3 can be used, which is a bathtub equipped with a lifting door, in which the lifting door is lowered, a seat-like boarding section is slid into the bathtub, and then the door is lifted to enter the bathtub. [Industrial Applicability]

[0048] The present invention can be applied to bathing devices and bathing systems used for bathing assistance. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1 transport vehicle 2 Bogie section 3 Boarding Section 7 Bogie side coupling 7a Laura 7b hook 8 Backrest 9 Buttocks support 10 Leg support 31 (supine position) shower bathtub 37 Bathtub side connection 37a Case 37b Engagement hole 38 Bathtub 42 Bathtub side connection 43 (sitting) shower tub

Claims

1. The shower bathtub is provided for showering in a supine position, and a transport vehicle is provided. The transport vehicle comprises a cart section, a boarding section having a buttocks support section, a backrest section, and a leg support section that is placed on the cart section, and a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the boarding section, the boarding section being separable from the cart section, and being capable of changing its position between a chair state in which the bather sits and a stretcher state in which the bather lies on their back by independently rotating and fixing the backrest section and the leg support section relative to the buttocks support section, The lifting mechanism can lift and lower the boarding section to any height while maintaining the posture of the boarding section whose posture has been changed to the chair state or the stretcher state, When the boarding section is in the stretcher state, it can move back and forth between the shower tub to which the cart section is connected and the cart section. A bathing device characterized by:

2. As a connecting means between the transport vehicle and the shower bathtub, the transport vehicle and the shower bathtub each have one engaging member and one engaged member, or one engaged member and one engaging member.

2. The bathing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. A bathing device comprising: the bathing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2; and at least one type of bathtub different from the shower bathtub; The bather can take a bath using the bathtub and the transport vehicle. A bathing system characterized by:

4. The bathtub is provided with a supine position bathtub for bathing in hot water in a supine position and / or a seated position shower bathtub for showering in a seated position, When the bather is bathing in the supine position bathtub, the boarding section is in the stretcher state, and when the bather is bathing in the sitting position shower bathtub, the boarding section is in the chair state.

4. The bathing system according to claim 3.

5. When the boarding section is in the stretcher state, it can move back and forth between the supine position bathtub to which the cart section is connected and the cart section.

5. The bathing system according to claim 4.

6. The boarding section in the chair state is inserted into the seated shower bathtub together with the cart section.

5. The bathing system according to claim 4.

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