HK1133571B - Toilet unit for use in a supine position - Google Patents

Description

Toilet unit for use in supine position

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a sanitary unit for use in a supine position whereby a bedridden patient and/or an elderly person can treat his urination and defecation in a supine position without the aid of another person.

Background

A variety of diapers and instruments have been devised in the prior art whereby bed-ridden patients and/or elderly people can urinate and defecate without any assistance from others and handle the urination and defecation in a supine position. For example, patent document 1 discloses a technique in which a urination and defecation treating body of a substantially L-shape as viewed from the side has a stool detecting sensor and respective nozzles.

Referring to this technique, when a patient urinates and defecates, he places his buttocks on the urination and defecation treating body while tightly holding the upright portion of the urination and defecation treating body at the crotch of his legs. After defecation, a stool detection sensor including a proximity sensor detects the defecation to automatically cause the washing water to be ejected through the respective nozzles, thereby washing not only the private parts but also the inside of the urination and defecation treating body. The stool is then discharged to the outside through the waste suction hose. Thus, the defecation treatment of the bedridden patient can be automatically completed.

Patent document 2 discloses an automatic processing device for defecation, which includes: a generally L-shaped diaper-shaped casing having a longitudinally long box-like structure, a plurality of sensors for detecting excrement, respective nozzles for spraying washing water to the excrement to perform a predetermined washing work, and a diaper frame in which the respective nozzles are installed. Install each nozzle on diaper shape casing in proper order and include: an anus nozzle for washing the anus area, a bidet nozzle for washing the private parts, a buttocks nozzle for washing the buttocks area, and a stool nozzle for crushing urination and defecation materials and discharging them to the outside. Each nozzle also has a function for drying buttocks and private parts.

Patent document 1: japanese unexamined patent publication No. Hei8-322868

Patent document 2: japanese patent application No.2006-209168

However, the diaper-shaped casing described above has the following problems. First, the diaper-shaped casing has an integral structure, whereby the supporting frame as a diaper-shaped appearance element is fitted on the diaper frame as a bone-like structure. Therefore, there is a concern that once the washing water leaks from the joint of each portion, it will flow into the recess of the seat cushion. Secondly, since the diaper-shaped casing does not have a cover body for openably and closably covering the private parts of the patient, there is a disadvantage in that the private parts of the patient are exposed to the eyes of others.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a toilet unit for use in a supine position that can store water in the event of a water leak and that can be easily installed in place.

To achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toilet unit for use in a supine position, comprising: a substantially oblong support housing formed in a substantially boat shape; and a processing body accommodated in the support case and formed in a substantially T-shape by the urination and defecation container as a lateral case and the washing nozzle holder as a vertical case; wherein the inside of the urination and defecation container is formed into a boat shape, and the washing nozzle holder stands on the downstream side of the urination and defecation container; wherein the head of the urination and defecation container is provided with a jet nozzle for crushing the excrement of a patient; the cleaning nozzle holder is provided with a cleaning nozzle and a bidet nozzle; also, an arched cover for covering the private parts of the patient is pivotably provided so as to be openable and closable at the upper edge of the washing nozzle holder.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the head portion of the urination and defecation container is provided with the air supply nozzle, and the washing nozzle as the vertical casing is provided with the drying nozzle through which air can be supplied after washing.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the opening edge of the rear half of the support case is detachably provided with a vertical member to cover the rear surface of the cleaning nozzle holder; the front edge of the vertical element and the opening edge of the first half of the support shell provide uninterrupted side edge portions which are substantially L-shaped as seen from the side; and, the side edge portions are covered with edge covers so as to closely contact the crotch and the buttocks of the legs of the patient in a comfortable manner.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a heating member portion is provided on a rear side of the washing nozzle holder to be communicatively connected with the drying nozzle; and the heating part is adapted to heat the supplied air to thereby spray warm air from the drying nozzle.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a check valve housing is installed between the discharge port of the urination and defecation container and the discharge pipe to prevent the backflow of urination and defecation and odor; and, the check valve housing is provided with an openable and closable backflow preventing valve in a vertical direction, which is pivotably supported on a top surface of the check valve housing.

Effects of the invention

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the processing body is housed in a substantially oblong support housing (which is formed in a substantially boat shape). The treatment main body is formed into a substantially T-shape by a urination and defecation container as a lateral housing and a washing nozzle holder as a vertical housing; wherein the inside of the urination and defecation container is formed in a boat shape, and the washing nozzle holder stands on the downstream side of the urination and defecation container. In this way, even if water in the treatment main body leaks to the joint of each part and the like, the water can be stored in the support case first. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water from leaking and diffusing to the outside of the processing main body without interruption. In addition, the head of the urination and defecation container is provided with a spray nozzle for crushing the excrement of the patient; the washing nozzle holder is provided with a washing nozzle and a bidet nozzle. Thus, the excrement can be crushed and washed away by the washing water from the spray nozzle. Since the washing nozzle and the bidet nozzle are integrated, the assembling operation becomes easier. Furthermore, an arched cover for covering the private parts of the patient is pivotably arranged so as to be openable and closable at the upper edge of the washing nozzle holder. Thus, when the treatment body is fitted on the patient, the crotch of the patient's leg in the supine position is first brought into close contact with the vertical member of the urination and defecation container, and then the cover body is closed. In this way, assembly becomes easier and the cover is also visually accessible (hidden) to the patient's private. Since the process main body is separated from the support case, maintenance such as cleaning becomes easier.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the head portion of the urination and defecation container as the lateral casing has the air supply nozzle, and air can be supplied from the drying nozzle provided on the washing nozzle holder as the vertical casing after washing. In this way, the air supply from the air supply nozzle can be used to dry the private parts and the lumbar region of the patient protruding from the urination and defecation container, and the air supply from the drying nozzle can be used to dry the private parts and the buttocks of the patient inside the urination and defecation container.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the opening edge of the rear half of the support case is detachably provided with a vertical member to cover the rear surface of the cleaning nozzle holder; the front edge of the vertical element and the opening edge of the first half of the support shell provide uninterrupted side edge portions which are substantially L-shaped as seen from the side; and, the side edge portions are covered with edge covers so as to closely contact the crotch and the buttocks of the legs of the patient in a comfortable manner. Therefore, even in a state where the crotch of the legs and the buttocks of the patient are brought into close contact with the edge cover for a long time, bedsores and skin disorders (skin diseases) are not caused.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a heating member portion is provided on a rear side of the washing nozzle holder to be communicatively connected with the drying nozzle; and the heating part is adapted to heat the supplied air to thereby spray warm air from the drying nozzle. Thus, the private parts and buttocks of the patient and the inside of the treatment main body can be dried by the warm air from the drying nozzle, and the drying time can be shortened.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a check valve housing is installed between the discharge port of the urination and defecation container and the discharge pipe to prevent the backflow of urination and defecation and odor; and, the check valve housing is provided with an openable and closable backflow preventing valve in a vertical direction, which is pivotably supported on a top surface of the check valve housing. In this way, the excrement (such as urination and defecation) can be smoothly circulated by the back-flow prevention valve which is always biased in the valve closing direction by its weight, and also prevented from flowing in from the drain pipe or the like by the valve closing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent odor from being dispersed into a room and keep the inside of the urination and defecation container clean.

Drawings

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view showing the construction of an automatic processing device for urination and defecation according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of an automatic processing device for urination and defecation;

figure 3 is a perspective view of a seat cushion;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a diaper has been fitted over the seat cushion;

FIG. 5A is a front view and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the U-shaped housing;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a state in which the urination and defecation treating unit has been housed in the U-shaped housing;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a urination and defecation treating unit;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the urination and defecation treating unit;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the urination and defecation treating unit;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the processing body;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a check valve housing;

FIG. 12 is a front view of each nozzle; and

fig. 13A is a perspective view, fig. 13B is a front view, and fig. 13C is a rear view of the front nozzle holder.

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, reference character A denotes a sanitary unit used in a supine position. The patient in the supine position performs urination and defecation in a state that he holds the sanitary unit a used in the supine position according to the present invention at the crotch of his legs. Urine and feces are then automatically sent from the sanitary unit a used in the supine position into the storage tank, and the buttocks, private parts, etc. of the patient are washed and then dried by air supply.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sanitary unit A for use in the supine position is provided in such a manner that a concave portion 12 is formed in the middle of a seat cushion 11, which seat cushion 11 is made of urethane and has an area in which a patient can lie on his back. One side of the concave portion 12 communicates with a duct 13 formed on the seat cushion 11.

As shown in fig. 2 and 4, the concave portion 12 is formed substantially in a rectangular shape. The diaper 21 has an opening 22 at the center corresponding to the concave portion 12, and is placed on the concave portion 12. The diaper 21 is arranged in such a manner that the crotch covering portion 23 extending on the downstream side of the diaper 21 and the fold-back portion 24 extending on the upstream side thereof protrude from the outer periphery of the concave portion 12 while making the opening 22 correspond to the concave portion 12.

A substantially rectangular U-shaped housing 31 described later is housed in the concave portion 12. A generally U-shaped cushion 41 made of urethane is mounted on the U-shaped housing 31. The substantially L-shaped lateral housing 52 of the urination and defecation treating unit 51 is loosely fitted in the U-shaped central groove portion 42 of the back pad 41 so that the substantially L-shaped vertical housing 53 of the urination and defecation treating unit 51 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the back pad 41.

The patient lies supine on the seat cushion 11 with his buttocks resting on the back cushion 41. As shown in fig. 9, the patient urinates and defecates on the boat-shaped interior of the substantially L-shaped lateral housing 52 while holding the substantially L-shaped vertical housing 53 of the urination and defecation treating unit 51 at the crotch of the legs thereof. Subsequently, urine and feces are discharged from the urination and defecation treating unit 51 by the water discharged from the spray nozzle 105 provided on the head portion 52a of the lateral housing 52. Subsequently, the buttocks and private parts of the patient are washed by the washing water emitted from the washing nozzle 203 and the bidet nozzle 202 provided on the vertical casing 53 of the urination and defecation treating unit 51. The buttocks are also washed by the washing water discharged from the buttocks nozzle 104 provided on the lateral casing 52 of the urination and defecation treating unit 51. Thereafter, the buttocks and private parts of the patient are dried by blowing air from the drying nozzles 204 and the air supply nozzles 205.

(i) The diaper 21 developed at the periphery of the concave portion 12 will now be described.

As shown in fig. 2 and 4, the diaper 21 is centrally provided with an opening 22 corresponding to the concave portion 12. A crotch covering portion 23 for covering a crotch of a leg of a patient is extended on a downstream side of the opening 22, while a laterally protruding fold-back portion 24 is extended on an upstream side of the opening 22.

The diaper 21 is placed on the seat cushion 11 in an unfolded manner so as to surround the periphery of the concave portion 12 of the seat cushion 11. The center of the crotch covering portion 23 of the diaper 21 is provided with a cut plane line 25 which is joined or separated by a zipper. The other end of the zipper terminates at the middle of the covering portion 23 at the crotch. In this way, the crotch covering portion 23 can be laterally extended from the cutting plane line 25. As described later, after installation, the urination and defecation treating unit 51 is apt to pass through the U-shaped groove portion 42 of the below-described substantially U-shaped back pad 41 without causing interference with the diapers 21, wherein the back pad 41 is fitted into the concave portion 12 of the seat cushion 11.

The procedure for placing the diaper 21 on the patient will now be described.

As shown in fig. 2 to 4, the diaper 21 is provided with an opening 22 at the center corresponding to the concave portion 12 and is placed on the concave portion 12 of the seat cushion 11 such that the opening 22 corresponds to the concave portion 12, wherein a crotch covering portion 23 extending at the downstream side of the diaper 21 and a fold-back portion 24 extending at the upstream side thereof are projected to the outer periphery of the concave portion 12.

At this time, the U-shaped shell 31 is fitted into the opening 22 of the diaper 21, and the back pad 41 is mounted on the U-shaped shell 31, with the caregiver having the patient's buttocks placed on the back pad 41. The supine patient is thus in a supine position on the seat cushion 11.

Next, the diaper 21 is caused to expand laterally from the cut plane line 25 to form an opening. The toilet unit a for use in the supine position, which is connected to the discharge pipe 103 in turn, is inserted into the laterally expanded opening so as to be fitted into the U-shaped groove portion 42 of the back cushion 41. The sanitary unit a used in the supine position is thus held at the crotch of the patient's leg and visually covers the private parts of the patient by the cover 59. In this case, the bifurcations of the legs come into close contact with the electrode terminals 120, 120 of the fitting sensor I with constant pressure.

Subsequently, the right and left flap portions 24 of the diaper 21 are folded by being wrapped around the abdominal region of the patient, and each tape body of the flap portion 24 is fastened. After covering the cover body 59 with the crotch covering portion 23 of the diaper 21, each tape provided at the closed end portion of the crotch covering portion 23 is fastened to the fold-back portion 24 of the abdominal region to complete the fitting operation of the sanitary unit a for use in the supine position.

(ii) The U-shaped housing 31 will now be described.

As shown in fig. 2 and 5, the U-shaped housing 31 is formed in a box shape whose upper portion is opened, which corresponds to the substantially rectangular outer shape of the concave portion 12. In other words, the U-shaped housing 31 has an outer shape that can be loosely fitted into the inside of the concave portion 13. The peripheral wall 33 stands upright at the outer periphery of the bottom plate 32 at least in a state lower than the thickness of the cushion 41 described later. Further, a belt-shaped guide passage 34 is provided at the center of the bottom plate 32 in the longitudinal direction. Guide walls 35 are provided on both sides of the guide passage 34.

The guide passage 34 projects from the outer peripheral wall 33 on the downstream side to project from the closed end of the bottom plate 32 on the downstream side, thereby leaving the closed end of the projecting portion 36 open. Therefore, when the U-shaped housing 31 is fitted into the concave portion 12 of the seat cushion 11, the protruding portion 36 of the guide passage 34 is urged to be inserted into the pipe 13 communicating with the concave portion 12.

In such a U-shaped housing 31 configured as above, a U-shaped space 37 is provided between the outer peripheral wall 33 and the band-shaped guide passage 34. A cushion 41 of a substantially U-shape described later is fitted and held in the U-shaped space 37.

(iii) The back pad 41 will now be described.

As shown in fig. 2 and 6, the back pad 41 is also formed in a substantially U-shape to be fitted into the substantially U-shaped space 37 formed on the U-shaped housing 31; also, the back pad 41 is provided such that the guide wall 35 of the guide passage 34 of the U-shaped housing 31 is fitted into the central U-shaped groove portion 42.

The back pad 41 is made of a raw material containing a soft material (e.g., urethane). It is also required that the material should have good properties in terms of the stability of the seating of the buttocks of the patient and have a comfortable feeling on the surfaces of the buttocks of the patient. In particular, the material is required to have not only good water-repellent, hydrophobic and water-absorbing properties, but also good ventilation properties without moisture retention. It is also desirable that the back cushion 41 have a material and feel that prevents the patient from developing pressure sores.

The thickness of the back cushion 41 should be at least equal to the thickness of the concave portion 12 of the seat cushion 11, and may be set higher than the outer peripheral wall 33 of the U-shaped housing 31.

In a state where the cushion 41 is inserted into the U-shaped space 37 of the U-shaped housing 31, the central groove portion 42 of the cushion 41 is integrated with the guide passage 34.

Furthermore, as described below, the U-shaped space 37 of the U-shaped housing 31 has an effective role in: even if washing water leaking from the inside of the urination and defecation treating unit 51 penetrates from the peripheral surface of the back pad 41, it can store the leaking water and prevent the leaking water from wetting the back surface of the seat cushion 11.

(iv) The urination and defecation treating unit 51 will be described below.

As shown in fig. 2 and 8, the urination and defecation treating unit 51 includes: a generally oblong support housing 55 fitted into the guide passage 34 of the U-shaped housing 31 (i.e., the U-shaped central recessed portion 42 of the back pad 41); and a substantially L-shaped processing body 56 housed and accommodated in the support case 55. The treating body 56 is designed to have a predetermined rigidity to prevent the urination and defecation treating unit 51 from being deformed by the weight of the patient.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, the support case 55 has a peripheral wall at the periphery and is formed in a boat shape to accommodate therein a processing body 56 (described later). The right and left side walls of the support case 55 are raised in a V-shape at the center. These raised portions 55a and the opening edges of the rear half of the support case 55 are provided so that the vertical members 57 can be fitted therein. The vertical member 57 is formed in a semicircular arc shape in cross section and is substantially L-shaped as viewed from the side to cover a rear side portion of a vertical member 80 of the process body 56 of a substantially L-shape described below and a part of the upper surface of the process body 56. In the drawing, reference numeral 55b is an opening edge of the rear half of the support case 55, reference numeral 55c is an opening edge of the first half of the support case 55, and reference numeral 57a is a front edge of the vertical member 57.

A cylindrical housing 58 into which a urine and feces discharge passage 81 provided at a downstream end portion of the treatment body 56 described later and a discharge pipe 103 (refer to fig. 1) communicating with the discharge passage 81 are inserted is connected to an end opening on a downstream side formed by assembling the support housing 55 and the vertical member 57.

Furthermore, a cover body 59 adapted to visually cover the private parts of the patient is pivotally attached to the upper edge of a vertical member 57, said vertical member 57 covering the rear side of the vertical housing 80 of the treatment body 56.

The cover 59 is formed in an arch shape, and the rear fixing is pivotally connected to the upper end of the vertical member 57 formed in a semicircular arc shape in cross section by a pin 59 a. The cover 59 is provided to visually openably and closably cover (cover) the upper part of the private parts of the patient in a state where the patient holds the treatment main body 56 at the crotch of the legs thereof.

In this way, the treating body 56 can be completely covered by the support housing 55, the vertical member 57, the cylindrical housing 58 and the covering body 59, except for the protruding nozzle portion adapted to perform the required treating function for treating urination and defecation.

The treatment main body 56 is formed into a substantially L-shape by the urination and defecation container 82 as a lateral housing whose inside is formed into a boat shape, and by the washing nozzle holder 61 as a vertical housing which stands on the downstream side of the urination and defecation container 82.

As shown in fig. 8 and 13, a front nozzle holder 60 is provided at the front end of the urination and defecation container 82. The front end nozzle holder 60 has a jet nozzle 105 for emitting a jet water flow in a downstream direction to wash away urine and feces remaining in the urination and defecation container 82. The air supply nozzles 205 for drying the lower surfaces of the buttocks and the waist of the patient are adjacently disposed in the vicinity of the spray nozzle 105.

As shown in fig. 9, the closed end of the urination and defecation container 82 on the downstream side is provided with a discharge port 102a adapted to discharge urine and stools remaining in the urination and defecation container 82 into an external storage tank 300 through a discharge pipe 103.

As shown in fig. 9 and 12, the cleansing nozzle holder 61 is provided with a cleansing nozzle 203, a bidet nozzle 202, and a drying nozzle 204 designed to send water or air to the private parts and anus of the patient.

As shown in fig. 8 to 10, a pipe rear fixing member leading to each nozzle is protruded from the opposite side of the washing nozzle holder 61 and communicates with a desired branch pipe 62a of the distributing member 62 connected on the rear side of the washing nozzle holder 61. On the rear side of the distributing member 62, a heating member portion 63 is mounted on the upper surface of the washing nozzle holder 61 (which serves as a vertical casing of the processing body 56), wherein an air pipe communicating with the distributing member 62 is heated by the heating member portion 63.

The heating member portion 63 has a suction port 63a and an air ejection port 63b (refer to fig. 8). The air sent out from the air inlet 63a is heated by the air pipe and sent out as hot air through the air outlet 63 b. The suction port 63a of the heating part 63 is connected in communication with a drying nozzle pipe 608 adapted to ventilate the air sent from the suction pump 400, while the air ejection port 63b of the heating part 63 is connected in communication with the air supply opening 62a on the front surface side of the distributing member 62. Thus, the air sent from the suction pump 400 is heated and supplied as a comfortable hot air flow for drying from the drying nozzle 204 to the private parts of the human body.

As shown in fig. 8 to 10, the treatment body 56 is formed into a substantially L-shape as a whole by the urination and defecation container 82 formed into a boat shape and by the washing nozzle holder 61 provided upright on the downstream side of the urination and defecation container 82. Since the opening portion 83 of the process body 56 and the nozzle projecting side of the cleaning nozzle holder 61 are formed to face each other, the opening edge 84 of the process body 56 and the side edge of the cleaning nozzle holder 61 provide an uninterrupted side edge portion 85 that is substantially L-shaped as viewed from the side.

The right and left side edge portions 85, 85 are made integrally continuous to contain the front edge portion 86 of the urination and defecation container 82 so as to have a combined L-shape and U-shape as a body contact edge portion. In a state where the patient holds the urination and defecation treating unit 51 at the crotch of the legs thereof, the crotch of the legs and the buttocks is brought into close contact with the body contact edge portion to maintain the urination and defecation container 82 and the interior of the washing nozzle holder 61 in a highly airtight state. To this end, the body contacting edge portion is covered at its edge portion by an edge cover 64 (which combines an L-shape and a U-shape).

In other words, the edge cover 64 is provided to form a continuous lower end surface of the edge portion in a concave shape, and is made of synthetic resin to be enclosed in the body contact edge portion. The surface of the edge cover 64 is covered with urethane coated with a body-compatible resin. Reference numeral 210 denotes a tongue piece extending from the front end of the edge cover 64. When the edge cover 64 is fitted into the body contacting edge portion, the tongue 210 is positioned to overlap the pads 41 disposed on its periphery. With this arrangement, it is considered that the patient does not cause undue irritation and uncomfortable feeling to his buttocks.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, a hollow check valve housing 66 having an octagonal cross section is installed between the discharge port 102a of the urination and defecation container 82 and the rear fixing piece side of the discharge pipe 103 to prevent the backflow of excrement and odor. The check valve housing 66 has a backflow preventing valve 66a (refer to fig. 11) in a vertical direction, in which an upper end thereof is pivotably supported on a top surface of the check valve housing 66 so as to be openable and closable. The back-flow prevention valve 66a is always urged in the valve-closing direction by its own weight. The excreta (e.g., urine and stool) overcomes the valve-pushing force generated by the weight of the valve itself with the circulating force, thereby performing the circulation more smoothly, while preventing the inflow of the odor from the storage tank 300 and the discharge pipe 103 by the valve closing.

Further, as shown in fig. 9, a substantially central portion of the lower surface of the support case 55 is protrusively provided with an engagement hook 67 having a chevron shape in cross section. The downstream portion of the lower surface in the guide passage 34 of the U-shaped housing 55, in which the support housing 55 is fitted, is provided with a multistage engaging groove 68 (see fig. 5) having a herringbone shape in cross section. In the case where the support case 55 is fitted into the guide passage 34 in such a manner as to slide from the rear toward the forward direction, by the engagement of the engagement hook 67 with the engagement groove 68, it is possible to prevent the treatment body 56 in the support case 55 from being inserted too deeply into the crotch of the patient's leg, and it is possible to ensure that the fitting position of the urination and defecation treating unit 51 and the femoral region of the patient in the longitudinal direction is at the optimum close contact position, and to always improve the degree of contact between the urination and defecation treating unit 51 and the femoral region of the patient. In the case where the patient has a sense of pressure when holding the urination and defecation treating unit 51 at the crotch thereof, if the urination and defecation treating unit 51 is lifted upward, the engagement hook 67 is disengaged from the engagement groove 68. By sliding the treatment body 56 along the guide passage 34 to finely adjust the engagement position of the engagement hook 67 at the backward position of the guide passage 34, the engagement hook 67 can be urged to engage with the engagement groove 68 to be brought to the optimum engagement position, and therefore the feeling of pressure of the patient can be reduced. In the case of removing the urination and defecation treating unit 56 from the patient, the engaging hook 67 of the urination and defecation treating unit 51 is disengaged from the engaging groove 68 by lifting the urination and defecation treating unit 51 upward. Thus, the urination and defecation treating unit 51 can be easily removed from the patient.

A substantially Z-shaped leaf spring 71 for pushing up the lower surface of the urination and defecation treating unit 51 on the upstream side and a substantially semicircular push-up shim plate 72 mounted on the upper surface of the leaf spring 71 are mounted between the upstream side in the guide passage 34 of the U-shaped housing 31 and the lower surface of the support housing 55 on the upstream side. In other words, the push-up shim plate 72 is provided on a straight portion of the upper surface of the leaf spring 71, and the downstream edge portion of the push-up shim plate 72 is pivotally connected to the guide passage 34. With this arrangement, the push-up pad 72 is pushed upward by the leaf spring 71 with the central focus on the pivotally connected portion. By the urging force of the leaf spring 71, the urination and defecation treating unit 51 is lifted from the guide passage 31 through the support housing 55 and is urged against the femoral region of the patient to be in close contact. Further, the upstream side of the urination and defecation treating unit 51 is always inclined from the upstream side to the downstream side by the push-up pad 72. This has the effect of collecting excrement and wash water in the urination and defecation container 82 into the discharge port 102 a.

(v) The respective nozzles and sensors of the urination and defecation treating unit 51 will now be described.

As shown in fig. 1 and 9, the urination and defecation treating unit 51 has: a buttocks nozzle 104, a spray nozzle 105, a bidet nozzle 202 and a wash nozzle 203 adapted to emit a washing water stream to wash each area of the human body, and a drying nozzle 204 and an air supply nozzle 205 adapted to inject air to dry private and outer buttocks of the human body after washing. The urination and defecation treating unit 51 also has a fitting sensor I, a stool sensor G, a urine sensor H and a water level sensor J at various positions for detecting that the femoral region of the human body has contacted the urination and defecation treating unit 51, for detecting waste (e.g., stool) discharged in the discharge path 81 to detect that defecation has been completed, and for initiating various control operations such as an operation of emitting washing water from the respective nozzles (e.g., the hip nozzle 104, the jet nozzle 105, the bidet nozzle 202 and the washing nozzle 203) and discharging the waste by a subsequent electronic control.

In this way, the urination and defecation treating unit 51 has a treating body 56, and the treating body 56 includes: respective nozzles such as a hip nozzle 104, a spray nozzle 105, a bidet nozzle 202, and a wash nozzle 203; and a plurality of sensors such as a fitting sensor I, a stool sensor G, a urine sensor H, and a water level sensor J. The respective nozzles (e.g., the hip nozzle 104, the spray nozzle 105, the bidet nozzle 202, and the washing nozzle 203) and a plurality of sensors (e.g., the fitting sensor I, the stool sensor G, the urine sensor H, and the water level sensor J) are designed to be exposed inside the urination and defecation treating unit 51. A plurality of sensors such as the fitting sensor I, the stool sensor G, the urine sensor H, and the water level sensor J will be described below.

(v-1) Each nozzle will now be described in detail.

As shown in fig. 9 and 12, the urination and defecation treating unit 51 has: a cleaning nozzle 203 disposed on a lower end portion of a lower surface of the front surface concave portion 113; and a bidet nozzle 202 disposed on a lower surface of the front surface concave portion 113 at a position higher than the washing nozzle 203. The urination and defecation treating unit 51 further includes: a spray nozzle 105 disposed on an end portion of the discharge passage 81 on the opposite side to the discharge portion 102; and a hip nozzle 104 disposed at a higher position than the spray nozzle 105 on an end portion of the discharge passage 81 on the opposite side to the discharge portion 102. As shown in fig. 1, the hip nozzle 104, the spray nozzle 105, the bidet nozzle 202, and the cleaning nozzle 203 are connected to a hip nozzle pipe 602c, a spray nozzle pipe 605, a bidet nozzle pipe 602b, and a cleaning nozzle pipe 603, respectively. Thus, the washing water is supplied from the treatment operating section C to the respective nozzles, such as the buttocks nozzle 104, the spray nozzle 105, the bidet nozzle 202, and the washing nozzle 203, respectively, through each of the buttocks nozzle pipe 602C, the spray nozzle pipe 605, the bidet nozzle pipe 602b, and the washing nozzle pipe 603.

The various tubes are bundled for insertion into an outer hose 73 (see fig. 8). One end of the external hose 73 is communicatively connected to an end of the discharge portion 102 of the urination and defecation treating unit 51, while the other end thereof is communicatively connected to the storage tank 300. Such an outer tube 73 is provided to protect the plurality of tubes inserted therein from impact and pressure applied from the outside, thereby maintaining the shape and function of each tube.

As shown in fig. 9 and 13, the buttocks nozzle 104 is a nozzle for washing excrement attached to the buttocks of the patient using washing water. The buttocks nozzle 104 has a plurality of ejection ports 104a, the ejection direction of which is directed to the buttocks of the patient. The ejection ports 104a are arranged in such a manner that each port has a predetermined curvature to correspond to the curved surface of the buttocks. The hip nozzle 104 is connected in communication with the bidet nozzle 202 by the three-way valve 74. The two nozzles 104 and 202 are designed to be able to spray washing water from the three-way valve 74 at the same time.

The injection nozzle 105 is a nozzle for performing washing away of the stool from the discharge passage 81 to the discharge port 102a while performing a process of crushing the stool into pieces by the injection water pressure of the washing water (hereinafter referred to as "stool crushing process"). The spray nozzle 105 is arranged on a projecting portion 60a which projects from the inner surface of the front end nozzle holder 60 while being slightly curved substantially upward as viewed from the front. The protruding portions 60a are successively installed on the lower surface side of the front end of the discharge passage 81 lower than the hip nozzle 104. The injection nozzle 105 has a plurality of stool-breaking injection ports 105a whose injection direction is directed toward the lower surface of the discharge passage 81 and toward an area just below the anus of the human body where stool tends to accumulate most. The stool-breaking injection port 105a is provided such that the injection angle is, for example, in the range of 2 to 10 degrees and the washing water is injected toward the center of the discharge passage 81 which is liable to accumulate the stools most. With this arrangement, the stool accumulated in the center of the discharge passage 81 is first crushed to ensure a flow passage for the washing water to flow toward the discharge portion 102. Thus, at the initial stage when the washing water starts to be injected from the injection nozzle 105, it is possible to prevent the washing water clogged with the stool from overflowing the discharge passage 81. Further, the injection nozzle 105 communicates with the pressure pump 600, and is designed to inject warm water from the hot water tank 501 through the injection nozzle 105 as wash water having a high water pressure.

The bidet nozzle 202 shown in fig. 9 and 12 is a nozzle for washing excreta attached to the private parts of the human body and for washing urine attached to the inner circumference of the vertical member of the treating body. The bidet nozzle 202 is formed in a narrow and long protruding shape so that the private parts are washed regardless of sex and body shape differences. The bidet nozzle 202 has a plurality of lower body wash spray ports 202a that are aligned and drilled at even intervals, with the spray direction directed toward the private parts of the patient. The bidet nozzle 202 also has a plurality of urine ejection ports 202b drilled at even intervals on the periphery of the protruding shape so that the ejection direction is directed to the inner peripheral surface of the vertical member of the treatment body. For example, as shown in fig. 12, the lower body wash spray ports 202a are drilled in a grid shape of 9 rows and 3 columns. As described above, the bidet nozzle 202 is communicatively connected to the hip nozzle 104 by the three-way valve 74, and the two nozzles 104 and 202 are designed to be able to simultaneously spray washing water from the three-way valve 74. With this configuration, by injecting washing water from each mesh-shaped port 202a in a surface state, a wide range can be washed, the injection pressure of the washing water can be controlled to a suitable degree, and gentle washing to the weakest private parts of the human body can be achieved. The urine ejection port 202b of the bidet nozzle 202 is also provided to simultaneously wash the urine scattered inside the urination and defecation treating unit 51.

As shown in fig. 9 and 12, the washing nozzle 203 is a nozzle for washing excrement attached to the anus and the area around the anus of the patient, and is formed in a long and narrow shape so as to be able to wash the anus and the area around the anus regardless of differences in body shape caused by sex. The cleansing nozzle 203 is disposed at a lower position than the bidet nozzle 202, and has a plurality of anal ejection ports 203a drilled at uniform intervals and directed to the anus and the perianal area of the patient. For example, as shown in fig. 12, each anal jet port 203a is drilled in approximately 4 rows and 3 columns, wherein the upper ports of the central column are formed higher than the upper ports of the lateral columns. The distance between the cleaning nozzles 203 in the same row is formed narrower than the distance between the bidet nozzles 202 in the same row. With this arrangement, it is possible to wash the anus and the perianal area of the human body regardless of differences in body shape caused by sex. The water pressure of the washing water emitted through each anal injection port 203a is designed to be greater than the water pressure of the washing water emitted through the lower body washing injection port 202 a.

In order to achieve more effective washing, the stool-crushing injection port 105a and the anus injection port 203a may be formed to have a hole structure. By adopting the orifice structure, the injection range of the washing water can be expanded, whereby a wide range of the human body can be washed while controlling the volume of the washing water injected through each of the injection ports 105a and 203 a.

The washing water is supplied from the treatment operating section C to the bidet nozzle 202, the washing nozzle 203, the spray nozzle 105, and the hip nozzle 104 through respective nozzle pipes such as a hip nozzle pipe 602C, a spray nozzle pipe 605, a bidet nozzle pipe 602b, and a washing nozzle pipe 603. After each area of the patient is washed by the washing water, warm air and air blow are supplied to each area through a drying nozzle 204 and an air supply nozzle 205 (described below) for drying.

As shown in fig. 9 and 12, the drying nozzles 204 are nozzles for drying the private parts, the anus, and the perianal area of the patient, and are disposed in approximately four corners of the long and narrow-shaped bidet nozzle 202, so that the private parts, the anus, and the perianal area of the patient can be dried by warming, regardless of differences in body shape caused by sex. The drying nozzles 204 are located farther to the outside than the bidet nozzles 202, and are formed integrally with the bidet nozzles 202. The drying nozzle 204 also has four drying spray ports 204a drilled at even intervals and with their spray directions directed toward the patient's private, anal and perianal areas. The drying nozzles 204 are arranged to: in order to be able to spray warm air, the air supplied from the suction pump and supplied from the drying nozzle pipe 608 through the solenoid valve 97 (refer to fig. 1) is heated by the heater of the heater portion 63 to be discharged through the dry injection port 204 a. With this arrangement, it is possible to dry the private parts, the anus and the area around the anus of the human body efficiently with comfortable warm air in a short time regardless of the difference in body shape caused by sex. For example, the two dry jet ports 204a, 204a drilled on the upstream side are provided to jet warm air to the private parts, anus and perianal area of the human body, while the two dry jet ports 204a, 204a drilled on the downstream side are adapted to jet warm air to the anus, perianal area and buttocks on the upstream side. Therefore, warm air drying can be effectively achieved.

As shown in fig. 9 and 13C, the air supply nozzle 205 is a nozzle for drying the area around the buttocks of the patient. The air supply nozzle 205 is disposed outside the head of the front nozzle holder 60 and has an upward port capable of drying the area around the buttocks and the lumbar area of the patient regardless of the difference in body shape caused by gender. The air supply nozzle 205 is arranged to cause the air supply ejection port 205a to be directed upward so that the ejection direction is directed to the area around the buttocks of the patient. The air supply nozzle 205 is provided to eject air, which is supplied from the suction pump so as to be capable of ejecting air, from an air supply ejection port 205a, and is supplied from an air supply nozzle tube 609 through the electromagnetic valve 98 (refer to fig. 1). With this arrangement, the area around the buttocks of the human body can be dried efficiently in a short time regardless of the difference in body shape caused by the sex. For example, the air supplied from the air supply ejection port 205a is ejected to the area around the buttocks through the opening 211 formed on the tongue piece 210 (refer to fig. 8) so as to dry the buttocks and the area around the lumbar area protruding outside the urination and defecation container 82, in particular.

(v-2) the structure of the plurality of sensors will now be described in detail.

As shown in fig. 1 and 9, reference character I is a fitting sensor provided on the inner surface of the edge cover 64. Reference numeral G is a stool sensor for detecting stool in the discharge passage 81, and is composed of a light emitting portion 106 and a light receiving portion 107. H is a urine sensor for detecting urine and provided at the lower surface on the downstream side of the urination and defecation container 82. J is a water level sensor for detecting the water level in the urination and defecation container 82 (see fig. 8 and 9). Reference numeral 120 in the figure is an electrode terminal for mounting the sensor I. The fitting position of the electrode terminals 120, 120 is set to be higher than the edge rear holder of the vertical portion 64a of the edge cover 64 by several centimeters and located near the inner edge portion. Reference numeral 109 is an electrode pin for the urine sensor H. The urine sensor H is designed to: the current value is detected in the case where a small current is applied between the electrode pins 109, 109 with wash water or urine as an electrical conductor.

With this arrangement, when the patient defecates and/or urinates, the urination and defecation treating unit 51 detects the stools and urine by the stool sensor G and the urine sensor H, and sends the detected signals to the processing operation section C (refer to fig. 1). The processing operation section C having received such a detection signal supplies wash water to the bidet nozzle pipe 602b, the wash nozzle pipe 603, the jet nozzle pipe 605, and the hip nozzle pipe 602C. Subsequently, washing water is injected into the urination and defecation treating unit 51 from each of the bidet nozzle 202, the washing nozzle 203, the injection nozzle 105, and the hip nozzle 104. With this, the buttocks, private parts and anus of the patient are washed, and urine and stool are washed away toward the discharge portion 102. After the washing process for washing each area of the patient and washing the inside of the urination and defecation treating unit 51 is completed, air is sent into the drying nozzle pipe 608 and the supply nozzle pipe 609, and then warm air and blow air are injected from the drying nozzle 204 and the air supply nozzle 205 into the urination and defecation treating unit 51. In this way, a drying process for drying the buttocks, private parts, and anus of the patient is performed.

The above-mentioned water level sensor J is designed to detect that washing water has accumulated in the urination and defecation container 82 to exceed a predetermined level.

(vi) The processing operation section C as an external processing structure is described below.

The processing operation section C is provided outside the urination and defecation treating unit 51 to realize various functions for treating urination and defecation. As shown in fig. 1, the processing operation section C includes: a excreta-containing part D for containing human waste discharged from the urination and defecation treating unit 51; a nozzle operating section F for receiving, from the urination and defecation treating unit 51, a fitting signal indicating that the patient has a leg crotch in close contact with the urination and defecation treating unit 51 under a constant pressure, a detection signal of defecation and/or urination, and a water level signal indicating that the water level in the urination and defecation container is raised, and for performing a plurality of subsequent operations (e.g., washing operations); and a washing water supply section E for supplying washing water to the urination and defecation treating unit 51.

(vi-1) the excrement receiving part D has a storage tank 300. The storage tank 300 is connected to the discharge port 102a of the urination and defecation treating unit 51 through a discharge pipe 103.

As shown in fig. 1, the suction pipe 401a is connected to the hose connection portion 303 near the discharge pipe 103. As shown in fig. 1, the storage tank 300 is connected to the nozzle operating section F through a suction pipe 401 a.

(vi-2)

As shown in fig. 1, the washing water supply section E includes: a raw water tank 500 for supplying raw water as washing water, a hot water tank 501 for heating the washing water supplied into the urination and defecation treating unit 51 to a predetermined temperature, and an electromagnetic valve 503 for controlling the supply of water from the raw water tank 500 to the hot water tank 501. Reference numeral 502 denotes a pipe type heating member for heating raw water supplied from the raw water tank 500 through the electromagnetic valve 503, reference numeral 505 denotes a water level sensor for detecting a water level, and reference numeral 506 denotes a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of raw water in the hot water tank 501.

In the washing water supply section E, in the case of performing a washing process of supplying hot water as washing water in the hot water tank 501 to the urination and defecation treating unit 51, since washing water of a desired temperature is always supplied to a patient, the patient can obtain comfortable use conditions. An outlet provided on the lower side surface of the hot water tank 501 is connected to the nozzle operating part F through a water supply pipe 504 a. The washing water heated in the hot water tank 501 is supplied to the nozzle operating part F through a water supply pipe 504 a.

(vi-3)

As described above, the nozzle operating part F is connected to the excrement receiving part D through the suction pipe 401a, and is connected to the washing water supply part E through the water supply pipe 504 a. As shown in fig. 1, reference numeral 401a is a suction pipe, reference numeral 409 is a suction valve, 408 is a vacuum tank as a pressure reduction part, 401b is a suction pipe, 407a is a deodorizing filter, 413 is a pressure switch, 401c is a suction pipe, an NO port of the solenoid valve 96 and a COM port of the solenoid valve 96, 401d is a suction pipe, 400 is a suction pump, and 402 is a suction port. Further, 405 is a discharge port for the suction pump 400, the COM port of the solenoid valve 95, and the NO port of the solenoid valve 95. 414 is an exhaust pipe, 407b is a silencer, 601b is an air supply pipe, 606 and 609 are respective nozzle pipes, 204 and 205 are a drying nozzle and an air supply nozzle in the urination and defecation treating unit 51, 404 is a silencer, and 415 is an external air supply pipe. The solenoid valve 96 has an NC port and a COM port. 91. 92 and 93 are solenoid valves for supplying water, 97 and 98 are solenoid valves for supplying air, 606 is a solenoid valve unit forming a pipe by one inlet and three outlets, 413 is a pressure switch, and 607 is a filter assembly. The muffler becomes an air supply port and an air exhaust port.

The water supply pipe 504a is connected to the hip nozzle 104, the spray nozzle 105, the bidet nozzle 202, and the washing nozzle 203 in the urination and defecation treating unit 51 through the filter 507, the water supply pipe 504b, the pressure pump 600, the nozzle pipe 601a, a plurality of solenoid valves (e.g., solenoid valves 91, 92, 93), the three-way valve 74, and the respective nozzle pipes (e.g., nozzle pipes 602a, 602b, 602c, 603, and 605).

A vacuum pump 408 for increasing the suction force of the suction pump 400 is disposed between the suction pump 400 and the storage tank 300.

(vii) The process steps and functions in the case of using the sanitary unit a of the present embodiment in the supine position will be described below.

The urination and defecation process will be described below. The use of the urination and defecation treating unit 51 will also be described below.

First, the diaper 21 is placed on the concave portion 12 of the seat cushion 11. The crotch and the private parts of the legs of the patient are covered in the state where the sanitary unit a used in the supine position is incorporated into the seat cushion 11 according to the diaper 21 fitting procedure described in (i). In this case, the patient is in a state where he holds the washing nozzle holder 61 of the vertical housing 53 as the sanitary unit a used in the supine position at the crotch of his legs with his buttocks placed on the back pad 41 and his private parts facing the urination and defecation container 82 as the lateral housing 52. In this state, the patient urinates and defecates in the urination and defecation container 82, and then performs the following urination and defecation processes.

As a processing mode of the automatic processing device K for urination and defecation, there is an automatic defecation processing mode for automatically performing each washing process by distinguishing stool from urine according to the detection results of the stool sensor G and the urine sensor H. In the automatic defecation treating mode, there are a stool washing treatment, a urine washing treatment and a drying treatment, and each of the treatments will be described in turn below. The automatic processing device K for urination and defecation has a control section for controlling the respective nozzles, each sensor, the respective valves, each pump, and the like. The control section transmits signals to the respective nozzles, the respective valves, each pump, and the like, in accordance with the signals of each sensor, to perform various functions.

(vii-1) the process of the automatic processing device K for urination and defecation in the automatic defecation mode will now be described.

When power is applied to the main body by operating a power switch (not shown), a judgment is made as to whether or not the crotch of the patient's leg has come into close contact with the two electrode terminals 120, 120 at a constant pressure, based on the detection signal of the fitting sensor I. Based on the result of this determination, in the case where the crotch of the patient's leg has been brought into close contact with the electrode terminals 120, 120 at a constant pressure, it is determined from the detection value of the urine sensor H whether or not urine is present in the discharge passage 81. In the case where the crotch of the patient's leg is not in close contact with the electrode terminals 120, 120 at a constant pressure, it is repeatedly judged whether or not the crotch has been in close contact with the electrode terminals 120, 120.

Based on the result of this determination, if there is no urine, it is determined whether there is stool in the discharge passage 81 according to the detection value of the stool sensor G. Based on the result of this determination, if there is no stool, the processing returns to determine again whether there is urine. On the other hand, if there is stool (in other words, if there is only stool in the discharge passage 81), a stool washing process is performed.

If urine is present, it is judged whether stool is present in the discharge passage 81. For this judgment, if stool is present (in other words, if urine and stool are present in the discharge passage 81), a stool washing process for treating the stool is performed.

On the other hand, if there is no stool (in other words, if only urine is present in the discharge passage 81), a urine washing process for treating urine is performed.

After the stool washing process or the urine washing process is completed, the automatic processing device K for urination and defecation performs a drying process for drying the human body and the inside of the urination and defecation treating unit 51.

(vii-2) the treatment process of the stool washing treatment will be described below.

In the initial state, the plurality of solenoid valves 91 to 93, the NC ports of the solenoid valves 95, 96, the suction valve 409, and the check valve 411 are closed. Meanwhile, in the initial state, the NO ports of the solenoid valves 95, 96 are opened. First, the suction valve 409 is opened to actuate the suction pump 400. With this operation, odor and a part of stool caused by the stool in the urination and defecation treating unit 51 are sucked into the storage tank 300. Meanwhile, the air containing the odor in the urination and defecation treating unit 51 flows toward the one-way valve housing 66, the discharge pipe 103, the storage tank 300 and the suction pump 400, wherein the odor is eliminated before being discharged to the outside by the deodorizing filter 407a before the suction port 402 and by the silencer 407b after the discharge port 405. In the case where the air is discharged to the outside, the sound may be muffled by the provision of the muffler 407. Since the two units of the deodorizing filters 407a, 407a are provided, the deodorizing effect can be maintained for a long time.

Then, after the solenoid valve 93 is opened, the pressure pump 600 is actuated for a certain time. With this, the hot water in the hot water tank 501 is fed to the injection nozzle pipe 605 and injected as wash water from the injection nozzle 105 to perform the stool crushing operation. The stool crushed by the stool crushing operation is pushed away in the direction of the discharge passage 81 and well mixed with the washing water in the waste storage space S by the turbulent flow phenomenon (hereinafter referred to as "mixing operation due to the turbulent flow phenomenon"). When the washing water is injected from the injection nozzle 105, the water level sensor J detects whether the water level in the urination and defecation container 82 is above a certain level. If the water level is above a certain level, the water level sensor J forcibly stops the injection from the injection nozzle 105, wherein the wastes in the urination and defecation container 82 are sucked through the discharge pipe 103 and stored in the storage tank 300.

Thereafter, in order to discharge the air from the vacuum tank 408, the suction valve 409 is closed to start forming a vacuum. After waiting until the maximum vacuum pressure (for example, 600mmHg) is reached according to the internal pressure detection value of the pressure switch 413, the pressure pump 600 is actuated by the control device (not shown) according to the detection signal from the pressure switch 413 to open the suction valve 409. At this time, with the maximum vacuum pressure formed in the vacuum tank 408, the flow of the wash water containing stool is interrupted in the urination and defecation container 82 to induce a turbulent phenomenon, whereby the wash water containing stool circulates a vortex vertically to generate a vortex. In this way, the stool after the mixing operation is broken into pieces to be well mixed with the washing water. At the same time, especially the region in the urination and defecation treating unit 51, near the discharge portion 102, to which human waste is liable to adhere, is sufficiently cleaned to be sucked and stored in the storage tank 300 without interruption through the discharge portion 102, the check valve housing 66 and the discharge pipe 103 (hereinafter referred to as "vacuum suction operation").

Subsequently, the pressure pump 600 is stopped, and it is determined again whether or not residual stool is present in the discharge passage 81 based on the detection value of the stool sensor G. Based on this judgment, if there is residual stool, the processing procedure returns to repeat the mixing operation due to the turbulent phenomenon and the vacuum suction operation. The mixing operation and the vacuum suction operation due to the turbulent phenomenon are repeatedly performed until the stool sensor G no longer detects the stools.

When residual stool is no longer detected in the discharge passage 81, the solenoid valve 93 is closed. Then, the solenoid valve 91 is opened to activate the pressure pump 600 for a certain time. With this, warm water from the hot water tank 501 is sent into the pipe 602a, where it is then sent to the bidet nozzle pipe 602b and the hip nozzle pipe 602c through the three-way valve 74. On the one hand, warm water fed into the bidet nozzle pipe 602b is sprayed as wash water from the bidet nozzle 202 to wash stool adhering to the vicinity of the private parts of the patient (hereinafter referred to as "bidet washing operation"). On the other hand, the warm water sent into the buttocks nozzle pipe 602c is sprayed as wash water from the buttocks nozzle 104 to wash away stools adhering to the area near the buttocks of the patient (hereinafter referred to as "buttocks washing operation"). In this case, the washing time can be reduced because the bidet washing and the hip washing can be simultaneously performed.

Subsequently, the solenoid valve 91 is closed. The solenoid valve 92 is then opened to activate the pressure pump 600 for a certain time. Thus, warm water from the hot water tank 501 is fed into the washing nozzle pipe 603, where the warm water is sprayed as washing water from the washing nozzle 203 to wash away stools adhering to the area near the anus of the patient (hereinafter referred to as "anus washing operation"). The solenoid valve 92 is closed and the hip washing operation and the anus washing operation are repeatedly performed until the number of washing times reaches two. With this, washing of the buttocks and the area near the anus of the patient can be performed efficiently.

Thereafter, when the number of times of washing reaches two, the operation of the suction pump 400 is stopped to close the suction valve 409, thereby completing the stool washing process. In the stool washing process, the water level sensor J always detects whether the water level in the urination and defecation container 82 is above a certain water level when washing water is injected from each nozzle. If the water level is above a certain level, the water level sensor J forcibly stops the injection of the washing water from the respective nozzles, so that the wastes in the urination and defecation container 82 are forcibly sucked and stored in the storage tank 300 through the discharge pipe 103.

(vii-3) the treatment process for the urine washing treatment will be described.

First, the suction valve 409 is opened to actuate the suction pump 400. Then, after the solenoid valve 91 is opened, the pressure pump 600 is actuated for a certain time. With this, urine is sucked into the storage tank 300 while the hip washing operation and the bidet washing operation are performed.

After that, the solenoid valve 91 is closed to open the solenoid valve 93. After the suction valve 409 is closed, the suction pump 400 is actuated. With this, vacuum starts to be formed in the vacuum tank 408.

After a predetermined time, the pressure pump 600 is activated, and the warm water carried from the hot water tank 501 of the raw water tank 500 is injected as wash water from the injection nozzle 105 through the injection nozzle pipe 605 to push urine toward the discharge passage 81. At about the same time, the suction valve 409 is opened. At this time, urine is continuously sucked through the discharge port 102a, the check valve housing 66 and the discharge pipe 103 and stored in the storage tank 300 by the maximum vacuum pressure formed in the vacuum tank 408.

Subsequently, the pressure pump 600 is stopped to stop the suction pump 400. Next, after the electromagnetic valve 93 is closed, the suction valve 409 is closed to complete the urine washing process.

In the above-described stool washing process and urine washing process, the odor released from the waste sucked and accommodated in the storage tank 300 through the check valve housing 66, the deodorizing filter 407a and the muffler 407b is discharged to the outside of the suction pump 400 as little as possible.

(vii-4) the treatment process of the drying treatment will be described.

The suction valve 409 is closed. The suction pump 400 is actuated for a certain time after the NC ports of the solenoid valve 97 and the solenoid valves 95, 96 are opened. The air introduced from the muffler 404 is heated in the heating part 63 through the air supply pipe 601b, the electromagnetic valve 97 and the drying nozzle pipe 608, and is delivered as dry warm air through the drying nozzle 204, thereby drying the private parts and buttocks of the human body and the inside of the urination and defecation treating unit 51 with the dry air. After the suction pump 400 is actuated for a certain time, the solenoid valve 97 and the NC ports of the solenoid valves 95, 96 are closed.

After opening the NC ports of the solenoid valve 98 and the solenoid valves 95, 96, the suction pump 400 is actuated for a certain time. The air introduced from the silencer 404 is sent as dry blow air from the air supply nozzle 205 through the air supply pipe 601b, the electromagnetic valve 98, and the air supply nozzle pipe 609, thereby drying the buttocks and the waist of the human body with the dry air. After the suction pump 400 is actuated for a certain time, the NC ports of the solenoid valve 98 and the solenoid valves 95, 96 are closed to complete the drying process.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the processing body is housed in a substantially oblong support housing (which is formed in a substantially boat shape). The treatment main body is formed into a substantially T-shape by a urination and defecation container as a lateral housing and a washing nozzle holder as a vertical housing; wherein the inside of the urination and defecation container is formed in a boat shape, and the washing nozzle holder stands on the downstream side of the urination and defecation container. In this way, even if water in the treatment main body leaks to the joint of each part and the like, the water can be stored in the support case first. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water from leaking and diffusing to the outside of the processing main body without interruption. Further, the head of the urination and defecation container is provided with a spray nozzle for crushing the stools of the patient, and the washing nozzle holder is provided with a washing nozzle and a bidet nozzle. Thus, the excrement can be crushed and washed away by the washing water from the spray nozzle. Since the washing nozzle and the bidet nozzle are integrated, the assembling operation becomes easier. Furthermore, an arched cover for covering the private parts of the patient is pivotably arranged so as to be openable and closable at the upper edge of the washing nozzle holder. Thus, when the treatment body is fitted on the patient, the crotch of the patient's leg in the supine position is first brought into close contact with the vertical member of the urination and defecation container, and then the cover body is closed. In this way, assembly becomes easier and the cover is also visually accessible (hidden) to the patient's private. Since the process main body is separated from the support case, maintenance such as cleaning becomes easier.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the head portion of the urination and defecation container as the lateral casing has the air supply nozzle, and air can be supplied from the drying nozzle provided on the washing nozzle holder as the vertical casing after washing. In this way, the air supply from the air supply nozzle can be used to dry the private parts and the lumbar region of the patient protruding from the urination and defecation container, and the air supply from the drying nozzle can be used to dry the private parts and the buttocks of the patient inside the urination and defecation container.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the opening edge of the rear half of the support case is detachably provided with a vertical member to cover the rear surface of the cleaning nozzle holder; the front edge of the vertical element and the opening edge of the first half of the support shell provide uninterrupted side edge portions which are substantially L-shaped as seen from the side; and, the side edge portions are covered with edge covers so as to closely contact the crotch and the buttocks of the legs of the patient in a comfortable manner. Therefore, even in a state where the crotch of the legs and the buttocks of the patient are brought into close contact with the edge cover for a long time, bedsores and skin disorders (skin diseases) are not caused.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a heating member portion is provided on a rear side of the washing nozzle holder to be communicatively connected with the drying nozzle; and the heating part is adapted to heat the supplied air to thereby spray warm air from the drying nozzle. Thus, the private parts and buttocks of the patient and the inside of the treatment main body can be dried by the warm air from the drying nozzle, and the drying time can be shortened.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a check valve housing is installed between the discharge port of the urination and defecation container and the discharge pipe to prevent the backflow of urination and defecation and odor; and, the check valve housing is provided with an openable and closable backflow preventing valve in a vertical direction, which is pivotably supported on a top surface of the check valve housing. In this way, the excrement (such as urination and defecation) can be smoothly circulated by the back-flow prevention valve which is always biased in the valve closing direction by its weight, and also prevented from flowing in from the drain pipe or the like by the valve closing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent odor from being dispersed into a room and keep the inside of the urination and defecation container clean.

It is to be noted that, although some preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

Claims (3)

1. A sanitary unit for use in a supine position, comprising:

a substantially oblong support housing formed in a substantially boat shape; and

a processing body accommodated in the support case and formed in a substantially L-shape by the urination and defecation container serving as a lateral case and the washing nozzle holder serving as a vertical case; wherein the inside of the urination and defecation container is formed into a boat shape, and the washing nozzle holder stands on the downstream side of the urination and defecation container;

wherein the head of the urination and defecation container is provided with a jet nozzle for crushing the excrement of a patient; and the washing nozzle holder is provided with a washing nozzle and a bidet nozzle;

wherein the second vertical member covering the rear side portion of the first vertical member of the process main body is fitted into the opening edge of the rear half portion of the support case;

and an arched cover for covering the private parts of the patient is pivotably provided so as to be openable and closable at an upper edge of the washing nozzle holder, and the treatment body is completely covered by the support case, the second vertical member, the cylindrical case, and the cover, the cylindrical case being connected to the end opening on the downstream side formed by assembling the support case and the second vertical member;

a head of the urination and defecation container is provided with an air supply nozzle, and a washing nozzle holder as a vertical housing is provided with a drying nozzle from which air can be supplied after washing;

the opening edge of the rear half of the support case is removably provided with the second vertical member so as to cover the rear surface of the cleaning nozzle holder; the front edge of the second vertical element and the opening edge of the first half of the support housing provide uninterrupted side edge portions that are substantially L-shaped when viewed from the side; and, the side edge portions are covered by an edge cover so as to closely contact the crotch and the buttocks of the legs of the patient in a comfortable manner;

the sanitary unit is further provided with an electrode terminal for mounting a sensor provided on the edge cover, the mounting position of the electrode terminal being set to be higher than the edge rear fixing piece of the vertical portion of the edge cover by several centimeters and located in the vicinity of the inner edge portion.

2. A toilet unit for use in a supine position according to claim 1, wherein a heating part is provided on a rear side of the cleaning nozzle holder to be connected in communication with the drying nozzle; and the heating part is adapted to heat the supplied air to thereby spray warm air from the drying nozzle.

3. A toilet unit for use in a supine position according to claim 1 wherein a one-way valve housing is installed between the discharge port of the urination and defecation container and the discharge pipe to prevent the backflow of urination and defecation and odor; and, the check valve housing is provided with an openable and closable backflow preventing valve in a vertical direction, which is pivotably supported on a top surface of the check valve housing.