Abstract
A bathing aid (100), comprising a bathing enclosure (101), a telescopic element (110) arranged at least partially within the bathing enclosure, and a seat (120) for supporting a person, said seat being arranged on the telescopic element. The bathing aid further comprises an actuation system (140) coupled to the telescopic element and the seat. The actuation system is configured to move the seat on the telescopic element along a horizontal axis (x) between a retracted position of the seat within the bathing enclosure and an extended position of the seat outside the bathing enclosure. The actuation system, in the extended position of the seat, is further configured to rotate (A) the seat in a horizontal plane (x-y) and configured to tilt (C) the seat with respect to a vertical axis (z).
Claims
1. A bathing aid, comprising: a bathing enclosure; a telescopic element arranged at least partially within the bathing enclosure, wherein the telescopic element is configured to be extendable and retractable along a horizontal axis; a seat configured to support a person, wherein the seat is arranged on the telescopic element; and an actuation system the telescopic element and the seat, wherein the actuation system is configured to move the seat on the telescopic element along the horizontal axis between a retracted position of the seat that is within the bathing enclosure and an extended position of the seat that is outside the bathing enclosure, and wherein the actuation system, when the seat is in the extended position, is configured to the seat in a horizontal plane and is configured to tilt the seat with respect to a vertical axis.
2. The bathing aid of claim 1, wherein the actuation system is configured to move the seat in the extended position along the vertical axis.
3. The bathing aid of claim 1, further comprising at least one control unit communicatively coupled to the actuation system, wherein the control unit is configured to control the movement of the seat.
4. The bathing aid of claim 3, wherein the control unit, that is in the extended position of the seat, is configured to position the seat according to a predetermined positioning of the seat.
5. The bathing aid of claim 3, wherein the control unit is configured to manually operate the movement of the seat.
6. The bathing aid of claim 5, wherein the control unit is arranged on the seat, and the control unit is configured to be manually operable by a person sitting on the seat.
7. The bathing aid of claim 3, further comprising a detection unit communicatively coupled to the control unit, wherein the detection unit is configured to detect the position of a person in relation to the seat, and the control unit is configured to position the seat according to the detected position of the person.
8. The bathing aid of claim 1, wherein the seat comprises at least one armrest arranged in a first direction alongside the seat, and the actuation system is configured to move the armrest between the first direction and a second direction different from the first direction.
9. The bathing aid of claim 1, wherein the seat comprises at least one weight sensor configured to sense a weight of a person sitting on the seat.
10. The bathing aid of claim 9, wherein the weight sensor is communicatively coupled to the actuation system, and the actuation system is configured to move the seat based on the weight of the person sitting on the seat.
11. The bathing aid of claim 1, wherein the bathing enclosure comprises a side wall that is configured to open and close, and the actuation system is configured to open the side wall before the seat is moved from the retracted position of the seat that is within the bathing enclosure to the extended position of the seat that is outside the bathing enclosure, and the actuation system is configured to close the side wall when the seat has been moved from the extended position of the seat that is outside the bathing enclosure to the retracted position of the seat that is within the bathing enclosure.
12. A bathing arrangement, comprising: a bathing aid comprising: a bathing enclosure; a telescopic element arranged at least partially within the bathing enclosure, wherein the telescopic element is configured to be extendable and retractable along a horizontal axis; a seat configured to support a person, wherein the seat is arranged on the telescopic element; an actuation system coupled to the telescopic element and the seat, wherein the actuation system is configured to move the seat on the telescopic element along the horizontal axis between a retracted position of the seat that is within the bathing enclosure and an extended position of the seat that is outside the bathing enclosure, and wherein the actuation system, that is in the extended position of the seat, is configured to rotate the seat in a horizontal plane and is configured to tilt the seat with respect to a vertical axis; and a water supply system configured to provide a supply of water to the bathing enclosure.
13. The bathing arrangement of claim 12, further comprising a product supply system configured to provide a supply of at least one body cleaning product to the bathing enclosure.
14. The bathing arrangement of claim 12, wherein the bathing arrangement comprises at least one nozzle arranged within the bathing enclosure that is configured to clean a person sitting on the seat of the bathing aid.
15. A bathing system, comprising: a bathing arrangement comprising: a bathing enclosure; a telescopic element arranged at least partially within the bathing enclosure, wherein the telescopic element is configured to be extendable and retractable along a horizontal axis; a seat configured to support a person, wherein the seat is arranged on the telescopic element; an actuation system coupled to the telescopic element and the seat, wherein the actuation system is configured to move the seat on the telescopic element along the horizontal axis between a retracted position of the seat that is within the bathing enclosure and an extended position of the seat that is outside the bathing enclosure, and wherein the actuation system, that is in the extended position of the seat, is configured to rotate the seat in a horizontal plane and is configured to tilt the seat with respect to a vertical axis; a water supply system configured to provide a supply of water to the bathing enclosure; and a product supply system configured to provide a supply of at least one body cleaning product to a bathing enclosure; and a control system communicatively coupled to the water supply system and to the product supply system, wherein the control system is configured to control the supply of the water and the body cleaning product to the bathing enclosure.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with references to the appended drawings showing embodiments of the invention.
[0033] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a bathing aid according to the present invention,
[0034] FIGS. 2a-2b show schematic illustrations of side walls of the bathing aid according to embodiments of the present invention,
[0035] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a seat of the bathing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention,
[0036] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention,
[0037] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a movement of the seat of the bathing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention,
[0038] FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a bathing aid comprising a detection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention,
[0039] FIGS. 7-8 show schematic illustrations of a seat of a bathing aid according to embodiments of the present invention,
[0040] FIG. 9 shows a schematic illustration of a bathing arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention,
[0041] FIG. 10 shows a schematic illustration of a bathing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and
[0042] FIG. 11 shows a schematic illustration of a bathing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, wherein other parts may be omitted or merely suggested.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0044] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a bathing aid 100 according to the present invention. The bathing aid 100 comprises a bathing enclosure 101. The bathing enclosure 101 in FIG. 1 is exemplified as a (shower) cabin having the shape of a cylinder with an open top. Alternatively, the bathing enclosure 101 may be a cabinet, cubicle, booth, (bath) tub, or the like. The bathing enclosure 101 may comprise an at least partially transparent material, e.g. plexiglass, glass, plastics, or the like. In case of a substantially round bathing enclosure 101, as shown in FIG. 1, the diameter of the bathing enclosure 101 may be approximately 1000-1400 mm, preferably about 1200 mm.
[0045] The bathing enclosure 101 comprises a side wall 102 being openable and closable. FIGS. 2a-b show schematic illustrations of examples of the side wall 102 of the bathing enclosure 101 from above. In FIG. 2a, the side wall 102a comprises a first portion 103a and a second portion 104a which may be opened outwards from the side wall 102a as doors. Alternatively, and as shown in FIG. 2b, the side wall 102b may comprise a first portion 103b and a second portion 104b which may be slidingly engaged with, or in relation to, the side wall 102b. However, the skilled person realizes that other arrangements of the side wall 102 than those shown in FIGS. 2a-b are feasible. It will be appreciated that the side wall 102 may be manually or automatically openable and closable. The side wall 102 may furthermore comprise one or more sensors for sensing if the side wall 102 is correctly closed.
[0046] According to FIG. 1, the bathing aid 100 further comprises a telescopic element 110, wherein a base portion 111 of the telescopic element 110 is fastened to the floor of the bathing aid 100. The telescopic element 110 is extendable and retractable along a horizontal axis x, indicated in the disclosed Cartesian coordinate system. The telescopic element 110 in FIG. 1 is able to become longer (extended) or shorter (retracted) by sections which slide inside one another. However, it should be noted that other realizations of the telescopic element 110 may be feasible. In FIG. 1, the telescopic element 100 is positioned in its extended position for a convenient access to the seat for a person before the showering and/or bathing or for a release of the person after the showering and/or bathing. It will be appreciated that the telescopic element 110 in its extended position is constructed to support a load of approximately 250 kg. The telescopic element 110 may furthermore be provided with a water tight cover.
[0047] The bathing aid 100 further comprises a seat 120 for supporting a person, wherein the seat 120 is arranged on (fastened to) the telescopic element 110. The seat 120 comprises a seat portion 121 to support a person in the seated position, a back rest 122 arranged substantially perpendicular to the seat portion 121 and two armrests 123a,b arranged alongside the seat portion 121.
[0048] In FIG. 1, the seat portion 121 comprises two separated parts 121a,b arranged in parallel, thereby defining a space between them. The back rest 122 also comprises two parts 122a, b arranged in parallel such that a space is defined between them. The seat 120 further comprises a footrest 130 arranged below the seat portion 121, wherein the surface of the footrest 130 is substantially parallel with the surface of the seat portion 121. The footrest 130 may furthermore comprise one or more legs (not shown) protruding from the footrest 130 downwards, such that they are arranged to come into contact with the floor inside or outside the bathing enclosure 101. The footrest 130 may be configured to retract automatically to a position under the seat 120 when the seat 120 is in its retracted position. Analogously, the footrest 130 may be configured to extend automatically from the position under the seat 120 when the seat 120 is in its extended position.
[0049] The bathing aid 100 further comprises a schematically indicated actuation system 140 coupled to the telescopic element 110 and the seat 120. The actuation system 140, which is configured to move the telescopic element 110 and, consequently, also the seat 120 arranged on the telescopic element 110, comprises a power system 150 and a drive system 160. The power system 150, which may comprise one or more electronic cards (printed circuit cards), software, etc., is provided in a housing arranged on the side wall 102 of the bathing aid 100 on the outside of the bathing enclosure 101. The drive system 160, which may comprise one or more motor arrangements, couplings, gears, etc., is arranged at least partly within the telescopic element 110. The power system 150 and the drive system 160, as well as the connections between them, are hereby sealed from water. It will be appreciated that further details of the power system 150 and drive system 160 of the bathing aid 100, as well as the coupling between the two, is omitted, since such details are well known to the skilled person.
[0050] The actuation system 140 of the bathing aid 100 is configured to move the seat 120, which is arranged on the telescopic element 110, along the horizontal axis x between a retracted position of the seat 120 within the bathing enclosure 101 and an extended position of the seat 120 outside the bathing enclosure 101. Analogously, the actuation system 140 of the bathing aid 100 is configured to move the seat 120 arranged on the telescopic element 110 along the horizontal axis x between the extended position of the seat 120 outside the bathing enclosure 101 to the retracted position of the seat 120 inside the bathing enclosure 101. The time for extending the telescopic element 110 from the retracted position to the extended position (or vice versa) is approximately 30-40 seconds. Hence, the actuation system 140 is configured to extend (retract) the telescopic element relatively slowly, which is beneficial for safety reasons for a person sitting on the seat 120.
[0051] The actuation system 140 of the bathing aid 100, in the extended position of the seat 120, is configured to rotate the seat 120 in a direction A in a horizontal plane, i.e. the x-y plane. For example, the actuation system 140 may be configured to rotate the seat approximately +90° to −90°, such as +45° to −45° in the direction A in the horizontal plane x-y. Furthermore, the actuation system 140 of the bathing aid 100, in the extended position of the seat 120, is configured to tilt the seat 120 in the direction C with respect to a vertical axis z in the Cartesian coordinate system. For example, the actuation system 140 may be configured to tilt the seat forwards approximately 0-45°, such as 0-30°, in the direction C. Furthermore, the actuation system 140 may be configured to tilt the seat backwards approximately 0-25°, such as 0-15°, in the direction C. It will be appreciated that the seat in its initial positioning may be inclined (tilted) backwards, e.g. 0-15°, to ensure a safe positioning of the person on the seat.
[0052] In FIG. 1, the actuation system 140 of the bathing aid 100 is configured to move the seat 120, in its extended position, along the vertical axis z in the Cartesian coordinate system. In other words, the bathing aid 100 is configured to adjust the height of the seat 120. For example, the bathing aid 100 may be configured to adjust the height of the seat portion 121 of the seat 120 to approximately 35-60 cm, such as 42-52 cm, above the floor level.
[0053] The bathing aid 100 as exemplified in FIG. 1 further comprises a schematically indicated control unit 200 which is communicatively coupled (by wire or wirelessly) to the actuation system 140. The control unit 200 is configured to control the movement of the seat 120. It will be appreciated that the control unit 200 may be automatically or manually operable. The control unit 200 may be arranged on the outside of the bathing enclosure 101. In case of a manual operation, a person outside the bathing enclosure 101 (e.g. the bathing person or an assistant) may control the movement of the seat 120 by means of the control unit 200. Alternatively, the control unit 200 may be arranged on the inside of the bathing enclosure 101, such that the person 130 sitting on the seat 120 (i.e. the bathing person) may control the movement of the seat 120. For example the control unit 200 may be arranged on an arm rest 123a,b of the seat 120 for a convenient control of the seat 120 by the person 130 sitting on the seat 120.
[0054] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a seat 320 of the bathing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the seat 320 in FIG. 3 comprises the features and components of the seat 120 in FIG. 1. The seat portion 321 comprises two cup-shaped, separated parts 321a,b arranged in parallel, thereby defining a space between them. The back rest 322 also comprises two parts 322a,b arranged in parallel such that a space is defined between them. The back seat 322 may have an arched, convex shape which bulges towards the back of a person sitting on the seat 320. The seat 320 preferably comprises a water resistant material, e.g. polyurethane, plastics or glass fiber. The seat 320 is preferably resistant to body cleaning products such as soap, shampoo, (hair) conditioner, etc., as well as surfactants, mold, cleaning agents, etc. The seat 320 is hereby configured for exposure to a warm, humid and/or wet environment and is configured to withstand fluids and/or liquid products. Furthermore, the seat 320 is preferably resistant to body excrements such as faeces, urine, sweat, etc., and the seat 320 is also easily and conveniently cleanable from such body excrements. It will be appreciated that the seat 320 as exemplified may be comprised in the bathing aid according to any embodiment of the present invention.
[0055] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a control unit 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 200 is exemplified as comprising a touch screen 201 indicating a plurality of touchable control areas. The touch screen 201 as exemplified comprises the touchable control areas “seat forwards” 210, “seat backwards” 211, “rotate seat clockwise” 212, “rotate seat counter-clockwise” 213, “tilt seat forwards” 214, “tilt seat backwards” 215, “raise seat” 216 and “lower seat” 217. However, it will be appreciated that the control unit 200 may comprise more or fewer touchable control areas than those indicated above for controlling the movement (i.e. translational and/or rotational movement) of the seat 120. Furthermore, the control unit 200 may comprises one or more knobs, or the like, for controlling the movement of the seat 120. A control of the movement of the seat 120 may be exemplified as follows: by pressing the control area “seat forwards” 210, the actuation system 140 is commanded to move the seat 120 on the telescopic element 110 along the horizontal axis x between a retracted position of the seat 120 within the bathing enclosure 101 and an extended position of the seat 120 outside the bathing enclosure 101. Analogously, by pressing the control area “seat backwards” 211, the actuation system 140 is commanded to move the seat 120 on the telescopic element 110 along the horizontal axis x between an extended position of the seat 120 outside the bathing enclosure 101 and a retracted position of the seat 120 inside the bathing enclosure 101. Furthermore, by pressing the control area(s) “rotate seat clockwise” 212 and/or “rotate seat counter-clockwise” 213, the actuation system 140 is commanded to rotate the seat 120 (counter) clockwise in the direction A in the horizontal x-y plane in the Cartesian coordinate system. Furthermore, by pressing the control area(s) “tilt seat forwards” 214 and/or “tilt seat backwards” 215, the actuation system 140 is commanded to tilt the seat 120 in the direction C relative to the vertical axis z in the Cartesian coordinate system. Furthermore, by pressing the control area(s) “raise seat” 216 or “lower seat” 217, the actuation system 140 is commanded to raise or lower the seat 120, in its extended position, along the vertical axis z.
[0056] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a movement of the seat 120 of the bathing aid 100 by means of the control unit 200. The coupling between the control unit 200 and the actuation system for moving the seat may be comprise a wired or wireless coupling. The control unit 200 is only schematically indicated, as it may be arranged at substantially any position inside our outside the bathing aid. FIG. 5 shows the seat 120 in its extended position, in which the control unit 200 according to an embodiment is configured to position the seat 120 according to a predetermined positioning of the seat 120. Here, the predetermined positioning of the seat 120 is exemplified as comprising a rotation of the seat 120 to an angle α in the direction A in the horizontal x-y plane in the Cartesian coordinate system, a tilt of the seat 120 to an angle β in the direction C with respect to the vertical axis z and a raising (lowering) of the seat 120 to a height γ. It will be appreciated that the predetermined positioning of the seat 120 may comprise one or more of the parameters α, β and γ.
[0057] FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a detection unit 401 communicatively coupled to the control unit 200. The detection unit 401 is configured to detect the position P of a person 410 in relation to the seat 120, whereby the control unit 200 is configured to position the seat 120 according to the detected position P of the person 410. For example, the control unit 200 may be configured to position the seat 120 at a specific length along the horizontal axis x, at a specific degree of rotation α, degree of tilt β and/or height γ according to FIG. 5 for an even more convenient access of a person 410 standing in position P. Furthermore, the control unit 200 may be configured to stop the seat 120 as a function of the detected position P of the person 410, e.g. during the movement of the seat 120 from its retracted to its extended position, such that a collision between the seat 120 and the person 140 may be avoided. It will be appreciated that the detection unit 401 may comprise any device(s) and/or arrangement(s) for the detection of (a) person(s) and/or (an) object(s), e.g. one or more sensors, transmitters, receivers, etc. The detection unit 401 may be arranged separately from the bathing aid 100, or alternatively, be arranged substantially anywhere on the bathing aid 100. For example, the detection unit 401 may be arranged on the seat 120. It should be noted that the operation of one or more of the devices such as sensors, transmitters and/or receivers is known to the skilled person, and a more detailed description thereof is hereby omitted.
[0058] FIGS. 7-8 show schematic illustrations of a seat 120 according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0059] In FIG. 7, the seat 120 comprises two armrests 123a,b arranged along the horizontal axis x in the Cartesian coordinate system alongside the seat 120, and the actuation system is configured to move and/or turn one or both armrest(s) 123a,b between the horizontal axis x and a second direction which is different from the horizontal axis x. For example, the actuation system 140 may be configured to move one or both armrest(s) 123a,b in the direction A in the horizontal x-y plane, i.e. to lift and/or turn one or both armrest(s) 123a,b outwards from the seat 120. It will be appreciated that the actuation system may be configured to move and/or turn one or both armrest(s) 123a,b as a function of a detected position of a person according to FIG. 6. For example, if a person stands on the left (right) hand side of the seat 120, the actuation system may be configured to lift and/or turn the left (right) armrest for a convenient access of the person to the seat 120. Furthermore, the actuation system 140 may be configured to move one or both armrest(s) 123a,b in the direction C with respect to the vertical axis z in the Cartesian coordinate system, i.e. to lift or lower one or both armrest(s) 123a,b upwards or downwards from the seat 120. The seat 120 in FIG. 7 may furthermore comprise at least one collision sensor (not shown) configured to sense the presence and/or position of an object (e.g. a person) and configured to avoid a collision between at least a portion of the seat 120 and the object. For example, the seat 120 may comprise (a) collision sensor(s) configured to avoid a collision between at least a portion of the seat 120 and a person intending to take a bath and/or shower. As yet another example, the seat 120 may comprise one or more collision sensors configured to avoid a collision between one or both armrest(s) 123a,b and a person. More specifically, in the case the actuation system is configured to move the armrest(s) 123a,b of the seat 120, the collision sensor(s) may be configured to avoid a collision between the armrest(s) 123a,b and the person. Consequently, the collision sensor(s) hereby mitigate an impact between the armrest(s) 123a,b and the person and/or a squeezing, pinching and/or clamping of the person by the armrest(s) 123a,b.
[0060] In FIG. 8, the seat 120 comprises a plurality of weight sensors 601 for sensing the weight of a person sitting on the seat 120. Here, the weight sensors 601 are distributed in the seat 120 such that the weight sensors 601 may determine the distribution of the weight of the person sitting on the seat 120. It will be appreciated that the number, size and/or placement of the weight sensors 601 may vary. Furthermore, and according to an embodiment of the present invention, the weight sensors 601 may be communicatively coupled to the actuation system, and the actuation system may hereby be configured to move the seat 120 as a function of (or based on) the weight sensed by the weight sensors 601 of a person sitting on the seat 120. For example, the bathing aid may be configured to determine if a person sits correctly or incorrectly on the seat 120. In case the bathing aid determines that a person sits correctly on the seat 120 it may be configured to move the seat 120 accordingly. However, in case the bathing aid determines that a person sits incorrectly on the seat 120 it may be configured to stop the movement of the seat 120 due to safety reasons.
[0061] FIG. 9 shows a schematic illustration of a bathing arrangement 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The bathing arrangement 700 comprises a bathing aid 100 according to any one of the aforementioned embodiments. Furthermore, the bathing aid 100 comprises a schematically indicated water supply system 710 for a supply of water to the bathing enclosure 101. It will be appreciated that the bathing arrangement 700 may be constructed or designed as a shower, wherein the supplied water may flow out through a floor drain arranged in the bathing enclosure 101. Alternatively, the bathing arrangement 700 may be constructed or designed as a bath, wherein the supplied water may fill up the bathing enclosure 101 to a desired and/or predetermined water level. It will be appreciated that the water supply system 710 may comprise a water source such as a tap of a bathtub, shower, wash basin, or the like, which may be provided in the (bath) room where the bathing aid 100 is arranged. The water supply system 710 may further comprise one or more conduit(s), pump(s), etc., for a supply of water to the bathing enclosure 101. It should be noted that a more detailed description of the arrangement of the water supply system 710 is omitted.
[0062] The bathing arrangement 700 in FIG. 9 further comprises a plurality of water nozzles 720 which are arranged within the bathing enclosure 101. The water nozzles 720 are arranged to spray water on a person sitting on the seat 120 of the bathing aid 100 for the purpose of cleaning said person. In the bathing arrangement 700 as exemplified, there are ten water nozzles 720a-i arranged within the bathing enclosure 101. Water nozzles 720a and 720b are arranged on the front left and right hand side, respectively, of the bathing enclosure 101 and at relatively high positions with respect to the bathing enclosure 101 such that they are arranged to spray water obliquely downwards towards on a person sitting on the seat 120. For example, the water nozzles 720a and 720b may be arranged to spray water on the chest and/or torso of a person sitting on the seat 120. Accordingly, water nozzles 720c and 720d are arranged on the front left and right hand side, respectively, of the bathing enclosure 101 and at relatively low positions with respect to the bathing enclosure 101 such that they are arranged to spray water obliquely upwards towards on a person sitting on the seat 120. Water nozzles 720e and 720f are arranged in a vertical sequence on the front side of the bathing enclosure 101 such that they are arranged to spray water on the torso, thighs, legs and/or feet of a person sitting on the seat 120. Water nozzles 720g and 720h are arranged on the footrest 130 of the seat 120 such that they are arranged to spray water on the foot soles of a person sitting on the seat 120. Water nozzle 720i is arranged in (or in a vicinity of) the space defined by the two separated parts 121a,b of the seat 120. Water nozzle 720i is hereby arranged to spray water obliquely upwards towards a genital, perianal and/or intergluteal area of a person sitting on the seat 120. It will be appreciated that water nozzle 720i may be of special importance for washing/cleaning the lower abdomen of women, as water from the water nozzle 720i may spray in a direction from the vaginal area towards the perianal or intergluteal area. Water nozzle 720j is arranged on the back side of the bathing enclosure 101 such that it is arranged to spray water on the back of a person sitting on the seat 120. The bathing arrangement 700 may further comprise a manually operable shower head (not shown) arranged within the bathing enclosure 101 for a convenient shower operation, if desired and/or needed, by a person sitting on the seat 120.
[0063] In FIG. 9, the bathing arrangement 700 further comprises product supply system 730 for a supply of a body cleaning product (e.g. soap, shampoo, etc.) to the bathing enclosure 101. The product supply system 730, which is arranged separately from the water supply system 710, comprises a container in which the body cleaning product is stored. The product supply system 730 may further comprise one or more conduit(s), coupling(s), pump(s), etc., for a supply of body cleaning product to the bathing enclosure 101. The product supply system 730 further comprises a plurality of body cleaning product nozzles 740 which are arranged within the bathing enclosure 101. The body cleaning product nozzles 740 (hereafter denoted soap nozzles 740) are arranged to spray a body cleaning product (e.g. soap, shampoo, etc.) from the container on a person sitting on the seat 120 of the bathing aid 100 for the purpose of cleaning said person. In the bathing arrangement 700 as exemplified in FIG. 9, there are two soap nozzles 740a and 740b arranged within the bathing enclosure 101. Soap nozzle 740a is arranged on the front side of the bathing enclosure 101 and at a relatively high position with respect to the bathing enclosure 101 such that the soap nozzle 740a is arranged to spray a body cleaning product obliquely downwards towards on a person sitting on the seat 120. For example, the soap nozzle 740a may be arranged to spray a body cleaning product on the chest and/or torso of a person sitting on the seat 120. Soap nozzle 740b is arranged in (or in a vicinity of) the space defined by the two separated parts 121a,b of the seat 120. Soap nozzle 740b is hereby arranged to spray a body cleaning product obliquely upwards towards a genital, perianal and/or intergluteal area of a person sitting on the seat 120.
[0064] It will be appreciated that one or more of the water nozzles 720a-j and the soap nozzles 740a-b may be adjustable with respect to its angle of inclination. Furthermore, the water nozzles 720a-j and the soap nozzles 740a-b may comprise a bayonet coupling. The pressure in the water nozzles 720a-j and the soap nozzles 740a-b is approximately 4-6 bar.
[0065] FIG. 10 shows a schematic illustration of a bathing system 800 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The bathing system 800 comprises a bathing arrangement 700 according to any previously described embodiment. In FIG. 10, the bathing arrangement 700 comprises both a water supply system 710 and a product supply system 730. The bathing system 800 further comprises a control system 810 which is communicatively coupled (by wire or wirelessly) to the water supply system 710 and/or to the product supply system 730. The control system 810 is hereby configured to control the supply of water and/or body cleaning product to the bathing enclosure of the bathing arrangement 700. The control system 810 may be automatic and may furthermore be configured to control the supply of water and/or body cleaning product according to a predetermined cleaning program. For example, the predetermined cleaning program may include a supply of water and/or body cleaning product wherein the amount, flow and/or temperature of the water and/or body cleaning product is set in advance. For example, the predetermined cleaning program may be formed such that a person sitting on the seat of the bathing aid of the bathing arrangement may in a first stage of the cleaning program be showered (washed, sprayed) with water by one or more of the water nozzles of the bathing arrangement. Then, in a second stage of the cleaning program, the person may accordingly be showered (washed, sprayed) with a body cleaning product (e.g. soap) by one or more of the soap nozzles of the bathing arrangement. Then, in a third stage of the cleaning program, the person may again be showered with water.
[0066] The control system 810 may alternatively be manually operable by the person using and/or intending to use the bathing aid, or be operable by any other person, such as an assistant, on the outside of the bathing enclosure. The control system 810 may for example be communicatively coupled to and/or integrated with the control unit 200 according to any previous embodiment. For example, the control system 810 may be integrated with the control unit 200 arranged on the seat 120 (e.g. on an arm rest 123a,b) for a convenient control by the person sitting on the seat 120. Hence, the control unit 200 may furthermore comprise functions of the control system 810 related to the supply of water and/or body cleaning product. For example, the touch screen 201 as previously exemplified may further comprise one or more touchable control areas (or knobs) to control the supply of the amount of, the temperature of and/or time periods of water or body cleaning product. For example, the touch screen 201 may comprise touchable control areas such as “water”, “time”, “soap”, “temperature”, etc. Alternatively, instead of touchable control areas, functions of the control system 810 related to the supply of water and/or body cleaning product may be controllable by buttons, switches, or the like.
[0067] FIG. 11 shows another schematic illustration of a bathing aid 100 according to the present invention. It will be appreciated that several references of the bathing aid in FIG. 1 have been omitted in FIG. 11 for clarity reasons, and it is hereby referred to FIG. 1. The seat 122 of the bathing aid 100 in FIG. 11 is in its extended position outside the bathing enclosure. In this extended position of the seat 122, the actuation system has rotated (A) the seat 122 in a horizontal plane (x-y). Furthermore, the actuation system has tilted (C) the seat 122 with respect to a vertical axis (z). In FIG. 11, the actuation system has furthermore moved the right armrest 123a downwards in the direction C with respect to the vertical axis z, i.e. lowered the right armrest 123a from the seat 120. It should be noted that the possibility of the bathing aid 100 of the present invention to rotate and/or tilt the seat, as well as raising and/or lowering one or both armrests, is beneficial for elderly and/or handicapped persons who need a convenient and safe access to the bathing aid 100. This is especially the case for persons who suffer from a stroke, as the left or the right side of the body may be affected.
[0068] Even though the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplifying embodiments thereof, many different alterations, modifications and the like will become apparent to those skilled in the art after studying this description. The described embodiments are therefore not intended to limit the scope of this invention. For example, the size and/or shape of one or more of the part, portions and/or elements of the bathing aid 100 such as the bathing enclosure 101, the seat 120, the telescopic element 110, etc. may be different that that shown or indicated. Furthermore, the number, positioning of one or more of the part, portions and/or elements of the bathing aid 100 such as the water nozzles 710 and/or the soap nozzles 720 may be different than that shown.
