Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a bathtub with a lifting device for lowering and raising the bathtub.

Background of the invention

Within hospitals and patient care facilities, bathtubs which can be lowered and raised are commonly used to help and facilitate patients during their hygiene cleaning and washing. Commonly is that the patient is lifted into the bathtub with help of a lift or carrier. When operating the bathtub and helping a patient in or out from the bathtub it is important there are enough space around the bathtub so that the patient as well as the bathtub will not be limited in its operations and movements. Problems can occur during raising or lowering of the bathtub if the bathtub accidently would come into contact with for example a wheelchair, furniture or other element placed in the vicinity of the bathtub. Specifically, a situation like the mention problem can occur for example if a mobile bathtub lift for lifting a patient would be placed in a position relative to the bathtub so that up and down movement of the bathtub would risk interfering with the lift. This can then result in that the bathtub during its raising movement would get caught with the lift resulting in that the lift could tilt and fell over. Similar problem could also arise during lowering of the bathtub, but more critical is when the bathtub is raised, and the lift is caught by the bathtub on its way upwards. Due to strong motorization by the bathtub of the upwards movement, if catching the lift, the lift will risk be raised from the floor and tipped over. If a patient would be sitting in the lift during such an incident and the person manoeuvring the bathtub movement does not notice the interference between the bathtub and the lift, there is a severe risk that the patient falls over together with the tipping lift. Injuries to the patient could very likely be a consequence of such an incident. Also, the operator of the bathtub could risk being injured trying to stop the lift and patient from tipping over.

EP0600837A1 discloses a bathtub which can be lowered and raised. This bathtub, when in elevated position, can be moved in sideway position to facility the bathtub is moved away from possible obstacles. However, EP0600837A1 does not solve the mention problem with the mentioned risks as described above during lowering and raising of the bathtub.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub with a lifting device which automatically can stop its ongoing elevation movement if there would be a sudden change of load against the bathtub, either from above or from beneath the bathtub. A further object is to reduce the risk for a patient to fall and get hurt during lifting and transfer of the patient in and out from the bathtub.

In relation to mention objects, a further object of the invention is to provide a bathtub which will facilitate assembly and maintenance compared to those of the prior art.

The objects are achieved with a bathtub with a lifting device according to claim 1.

The present invention describes a bathtub with a lifting device for raising and lowering the bathtub. The bathtub comprises a first and second long side arranged opposite each other, a first and second short side arranged opposite each other, a rim extending around the bathtub on an upper edge part of the sides, a bottom, a drain, and an overflow device. Further, the lifting device comprises a frame, a motor, feet elements, a lifting element, and connecting elements between the lifting element and the bathtub. The bathtub comprises a sensor, whereby upon change of load against the bathtub during elevating movement of the bathtub, the sensor is arranged to generate a signal which is communicated to a digital device. If the signal communicated to the digital device exceeds a predefined value, a notification action is generated to notify an operator of the change of load against the bathtub. This has the effect an operator of the bathtub can be notified, or alerted, about that the bathtub during its elevation movement has come into contact with an external element, and as a result of the notification stopped its elevating movements. The lifting element can be a lifting arm which by affect from the motor affects the bathtub to move either upwards or downwards.

According to one embodiment, the bathtub with its first short side represents a first part of the bathtub, which is supported by the frame and the lifting device. The bathtub with its second short side represents a second part of the bathtub which is free hanging and which sensor is arranged in the area of the bathtub, which is free hanging. According to a further embodiment, the sensor is arranged on the free hanging second part which free hanging part is defined between a support point of the lifting device on the bathtub and the second short side part of the bathtub. This has the effect that the sensor may register a change of acceleration or gyroscopic movement of the free hanging part of the bathtub. The supported part of the bathtub is supported by the lifting device whereby any acceleration or gyroscopic movement of the supported part will be much lower compared to the free hanging part.

According to one embodiment, the sensor is arranged on the rim of the bathtub. According to a further embodiment, the sensor is arranged on the rim on the long side at a distance closer to the second short side than to the first short side. That the sensor is arranged on the rim has the effect that the sensor is simple to instal since it is easy to access by an operator. Because the rim is the upward facing surface as well as the surface on the periphery around the bathtub, during elevation of the bathtub it is therefore more likely it is the rim which risk hitting or interfere against an object. Because the sensor is arranged on, or in, the rim, there will be an immediate registration by the sensor when the rim would enter into contact with the object.

According to one embodiment, a second sensor is arranged on the rim of the other long side opposite the first sensor. The two sensors arranged at different locations on the rim has the effect that because they will generate two different signals during a hit or interference it is then possible to determine where on the rim or on the bathtub the hit or touch with an object has occurred.

According to one embodiment, the sensor is arranged on the rim on the second short side. This position is the position farthest away from the supporting point for the free hanging part of the bathtub. This has the effect that at this area on the bathtub, upon a hit between the bathtub and an object, the sensor will generate a stronger signal compared to if the sensor would be placed near the supporting point.

According to one embodiment, the sensor, being arranged on the rim, is arranged together with a control panel. Preferably, the sensor and the control panel are arranged on the rim along the long side over the free hanging part of the bathtub. This has the effect that an operator can be able to both operate the bathtub and be turned towards the patient in the bathtub. A further effect is that when the operator can be turned towards the patient, the operator can observe the patient in case something would happen during raising or lowering of the bathtub. Especially if the patient for example might have a dementia problem, then the contact between the operator and the patient is very important to assure the patient feels comfortable and well taken care of.

According to one embodiment, the sensor is arranged in a sensor holder. A further embodiment, the sensor holder is arranged in an opening in the rim of the bathtub. The sensor holder is a compartment comprising a space which is arranged to hold and contain a circuit board. The sensor is arranged with the circuit board. The space of the sensor holder is sealed whereby no dust or water can enter into the space where the circuit board and the sensor are arranged. The effect that the sensor is arranged in the rim is that it becomes an integrated part of the rim and does not stick out whereby the risk for a patient or operator to accidently scratch or get caught on the sensor is minimised.

According to one embodiment, the sensor holder is releasably arranged in the opening in the rim. This has the effect that the sensor together with sensor holder can be changed and replaced if the sensor would stop to function or would be damaged.

According to one embodiment, the sensor is arranged to register a change of load against the bathtub during raising of the bathtub. This has the effect that the register, or indication, by the sensor will generate a signal which is communicated to the digital device. According to a further embodiment, upon the sensor generates a signal which activates the notification action, the digital device is arranged to send a communication signal to the lifting device which blocks continued raising of the bathtub until the digital device registers a new signal that the bathtub have been lowered to a pre-set elevator position. At the digital device, the signal will be processed and if a pre-set value at the digital device is exceeded, a signal from the digital device to a control unit communicating with the lifting device will be provided whereby the lifting device will block its further activity in raising of the bathtub. Simultaneously, a signal will be generated to a main control display arranged with the bathtub where an operator can read status and cause of the signal.

According to one embodiment, the sensor is a gyroscope sensor. This has the effect that any angular orientation change of the bathtub is registered and communicated to the digital device.

According to one embodiment, the sensor is an accelerometer sensor. This has the effect that any axis orientation change of the bathtub is registered and communicated to the digital device.

According to one embodiment, the sensor is a combined gyroscope and accelerometer sensor. This has the effect that both a change of angular orientation as well as a change of axis orientation of the bathtub is registered and communicated to the digital device.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Fig 1 is a perspective view of a bathtub with a lifting device in a lowered position.

Fig 2 is a perspective view of the bathtub with the lifting device in a raised position.

Fig 3 is a side view of the bathtub with the lifting device in a raised position.

Fig 4 is a cross section view of a sensor holder arranged in part of a rim of the bathtub.

Detailed description of preferred embodiment of the invention

Fig 1 and 2 illustrates a bathtub 1 which is arranged with a lifting device 2. The bathtub 1 comprises a first long side 3 and a second long side 4, which sides 3, 4 are arranged opposite each other. Further, the bathtub 1 comprises a first short side 5 and second short side 6, which sides 5, 6 are arranged opposite each other. The bathtub comprises a bottom 8, which bottom 8 is connected with lower parts of all the sides 3-6 forming an inner part of the bathtub 1. The inner part of the bathtub 1 is arranged to be filled with water and have a patient positioned therein for bathing or other treatment. On an upper part of the sides 3-6 is a rim 7 arranged extending around the bathtub 1. On the first short side 5 is an overflow device 9 arranged to prevent the bathtub 1 to overflow. The bathtub 1 is further arranged with a drain, not shown in figure. Opening and closing of the drain can be operated via the overflow device 9 which is in communication with the drain.

In the upper area of the first short side 5 is a faucet 20 arranged. To the faucet 20 is a shower hose 21 with a shower nozzle 22 arranged. Drain, overflow device 9, faucet 20 and shower hose 21 with the shower nozzle 22 are arranged on the bathtub 1 at the area of the first short side 5. When a patient is positioned in the bathtub 1, the patient is seated with his or her feet directed towards the first short side 5, and with his or her back or head positioned towards the second short side 6. On the upper part of the bathtub 1 on the rim 7 towards the area of the first short side 5 is a console 23 arranged. The console 23 is arranged with a display 24 and control elements. The control elements are there to set desired values. The values may for example relate to water temperature, water pressure, or other operation values for the bathtub 1.

Underneath the bathtub 1 is the lifting device 2 arranged. In Fig 1, the bathtub 1 with the lifting device 2 is shown in a lowered position. The lifting device 2 comprises a frame 10. Attached on the frame are feet elements lla-c arranged. In Fig 1 are two of four feet elements 11a, lib shown.

Fig 2 illustrates the bathtub 1 with the lifting device 2 in a raised position. In Fig 2, three of the four feet elements 11a, lib, 11c are visible. On the underside of bathtub 1, in the area above the two feet elements lib, 11c which are arranged towards the second short side 6, is at least one support point 15 arranged, shown in Fig 3.

Fig 3, seen from the side, illustrates the bathtub 1 with the lifting device 2 in a raised position. In Fig 3, the bathtub 1 has a first part 13 and a second part 14. For illustration and to facilitate understanding, the first and the second part 13, 14 are in Fig 3 illustrated as two dotted squares to illustrate and define the first and the second part 13, 14 of the bathtub 1.

The bathtub 1 with the lifting device 2 is raised and lowered by a motor. The motor is not shown in the figures. The motor is arranged in collaboration with the frame 10. When raising the bathtub 1, the motor affects lifting elements being in collaborative arrangement with the support point 15 as well as with a support element 25 on an underside of the bathtub. The support element 25 is arranged on the underside of the bathtub 1 towards the area of the first short side 5. The support element 25 may be a support point. The motor being a part of the lifting device 2 to raise and lower the bathtub may constitutes of a linear actuator.

The sensor 12 is arranged on the rim 7 on the bathtub 1. The sensor 12 may be an accelerometer sensor or a gyroscope sensor. The sensor 12 is arranged within the area of the bathtub as defined as the second part 14 and which part is free hanging with respect to the first part 13 which is supported by the lifting device 2 via the support point 15 and the support element 25. The free hanging second part 14 extends from the support point 15 towards the outer and most far away positioned point on the bathtub 1 in the area of the second short side 6. This extension, in horizontal direction, of the second part 14 may be seen as a leverage. Because the second part 14 is free hanging, and when part of the bathtub 1 as defined within the second part 14 would hit or interfere with an object or element resulting in change of load against the bathtub 1, this has the result that the free hanging second part 14 of the bathtub 1 will move more than the first part 13 which is supported. When raising the bathtub 1, and if the bathtub 1 hits an element or object during the raising, the sensor will sense a load or pressure change from above against the bathtub 1 and generate a signal which signal will be sent to a digital device. At the digital device the signal is processed and if the signal exceeds a pre-defined value, the digital device will communicate with the lifting device 2 to stop further raising of the bathtub 1. Upon the lifting device 2 is stopped from further raising, the digital device generates a signal which creates a notification activity which will be shown and displayed on the display 24 whereby the operator will be notified and instructed about the situation. Similarly, when lowering the bathtub 1, and if the bathtub 1 hits an element or object while lowering the bathtub, the sensor 12 will sense a load or pressure change from below against the bathtub 1 and generate a signal which signal will be sent to a digital device. At the digital device the signal is processed and if the signal exceeds a pre-defined value, the digital device will communicate with the lifting device 2 to stop further lowering of the bathtub 1. Upon the lifting device is stopped from further lowering, the digital device 2 generates a signal which creates a notification activity which will be shown and displayed on the display 24 whereby the operator will be notified and instructed about the situation to take appropriate action.

In a further embodiment, the bathtub 1 may be arranged with a second sensor 16 being arranged on the rim 7, opposite the first sensor 12. This has the effect that having two sensors 12, 16, when the bathtub 1 hits an element or an object and depending on where along the rim 7, or on the bathtub 1, the hit happens, the respective sensor 12, 16 will generate two different signals. These different signals will be sent to the digital device for processing. Because there are two different signals, it is then possible to process the signals to identify where on the rim 7 or on the bathtub 1 the hit has happened. This information of where the hit has happened can then be displayed on the display 24.

Fig 4 illustrates a cross view of the sensor 12. The sensor 12 is arranged with a sensor holder 18. The sensor holder 18 is arranged with a control panel 17. The control panel 17 is arranged to either raise or lower the bathtub 1. The sensor holder 18 is arranged with a space 26. In the space 26 is a circuit board with the accelerometer or gyroscope sensor arranged. The space 26 is sealed with help of a sealing plate 27 which is held in position by connection elements 28. The connecting elements 28 may for example be screws. On the rim 7, which rim 7 is partly shown in Fig 4, is an opening 19 arranged. In the opening 19 is the sensor holder 18 arranged. The sensor holder 18 is held in position against the rim 7 by help of the connecting elements 28. Upon damage or malfunction of the sensor 12, the sensor holder 18 can be dismantled and removed from the rim 7 to be replaced with a new sensor 12.

Hereinbefore it has been described that the bathtub with the lifting device may be related to primarily a bathtub with a sensor to prevent accidents to happen if an external lift or other object would come into contact with the bathtub. It will be appreciated that the principles described above with bathtub with lifting device comprising a sensor may be applied to other types of bathtubs. Reference signs:

1 bathtub

2 lifting device

3 first long side

4 second long side

5 first short side

6 second short side

7 rim

8 bottom

9 overflow device

10 frame lla-c feet elements

12 sensor

13 first part

14 second part

15 support point

16 second sensor

17 control panel

18 sensor holder

19 opening

20 faucet

21 shower hose

22 shower nozzle

23 console

24 display

25 support element

26 space

27 sealing plate

28 connecting element