KR102636031B1 - control apparatus of toilet using contactless capacitive sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a toilet control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor. More specifically, by enabling all the various functions of the device to be used with a single capacitance sensor module, the structure of the device can be simplified and installation accordingly. This relates to a toilet control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor that can be used easily and intuitively guides the user on how to use it.
The present invention for achieving the above object includes a sensor module made of a capacitive type, a control device that processes a signal received through the sensor module, and a control target device controlled by a control signal received from the control device. The sensor module is characterized in that it detects the movement of an object spaced a predetermined distance away and transmits a corresponding signal to the control device.

Description

Toilet control apparatus using a non-contact capacitive sensor {control apparatus of toilet using contactless capacitive sensor}

The present invention relates to a toilet control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor. More specifically, by enabling all the various functions of the device to be used with a single capacitance sensor module, the structure of the device can be simplified and installation accordingly. This relates to a toilet control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor that can be used easily and intuitively guides the user on how to use it.

Generally, electrical appliances are equipped with switches to receive signals that control the operation of the electrical appliance from the user, etc., and these switches can be classified into various types depending on their physical characteristics, such as push switches, toggle switches, slide switches, etc. there is.

For example, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional toggle switch for wall installation, in which a switch 2 is provided on the front of the main body 10, and is mechanically operated by pressing the left or right side of the switch 2. It operates ON or OFF depending on the condition.

However, mechanical switches such as push switches, toggle switches, slide switches, etc. require physically spaced contacts to contact each other or contact contacts to be spaced apart in order to control the operation of the device. As these operations are repeated, it is inevitable. There was a problem that it entailed physical wear and tear.

This physical wear not only causes the lifespan of the switch to be shortened, but also causes safety accidents such as electrical short circuits.

Especially in these days of the pandemic caused by COVID-19, there is a problem of being quite reluctant to come into contact with places that are frequently used by people in public places.

So, in order to solve this problem, the technology described in Korean Patent No. 10-1255829 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 was proposed, the technical feature of which is a plate (10) that is injection molded so that the electrodes (20) are embedded. ); and a detection unit that is electrically connected to the electrode 10 to detect changes in capacitance, and controls the switch to ON or OFF by determining whether to control the switch ON/OFF according to the change in capacitance detected by the detection unit. A housing 40 made of a metallic material, which includes a control board 30 with a control unit, and is assembled with the plate 20 and installed on the wall W while accommodating the control board 30. It is characterized in that it further includes.

However, the technology described in Korean Patent No. 10-1255829 detects changes in capacitance as the human hand or any object approaches the switch, and detects changes in electrostatic capacity by the switch even when not in contact with the object. There is an advantage in being able to control the operation, but since only simple on-off control is possible, a large number of sensors must be installed for various controls, which makes the structure complicated, so there is a problem in that it is not easy to install.

In addition, there is a problem in that it is difficult to apply to various products because the structure is complicated and installation is not easy.

Korean Patent No. 10-1255829 (registered on April 11, 2013)

The present invention was created to solve the above problems. The purpose of the present invention is to enable various control by recognizing various patterns of motion detected in a non-contact manner as control signals through a single capacitive sensor module. By doing so, the aim is to provide a toilet control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor that simplifies the structure by allowing all functions of the device to be used in a non-contact manner with only one sensor module and thus facilitates installation.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide holographic guidance on how to use various functions with a single sensor module in public places used by many people, so that users can intuitively check how to use the device and use it in a non-contact manner. The aim is to provide a toilet control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor that can be easily used.

The present invention to solve these problems;

It is characterized by consisting of a sensor module made of a capacitive type, a control device that processes a signal received through the sensor module, and a control target device controlled by a control signal received from the control device.

Here, the sensor module detects the movement of an object spaced a predetermined distance away and transmits a corresponding signal to the control device.

At this time, the sensor module is characterized by consisting of a plurality of unit sensor members, a connector connected to the control device, and a connection wire connecting the unit sensor member and the connector.

In addition, the control device includes a control unit that detects the motion of the object through the changing capacitance of each unit sensor member received from the sensor module and generates a corresponding control signal, and the control signal generated by the control unit is It is characterized by consisting of a communication module that transmits to the control target device.

Here, the control target device consists of a speaker installed in a public restroom, and when the control device receives a signal from the sensor module, it transmits music corresponding to the received signal from among the music files stored in the internal storage unit to the communication unit. It is characterized in that it is transmitted to the speaker through a module and output.

Meanwhile, a toilet device is further connected to the control device as the control target device, and the control device controls functions of the toilet device according to signals received from the sensor module.

At this time, when the toilet device receives a control signal instructing sterilization from the control device, it operates a cover motor provided in the toilet device to cover the seat and the toilet cover, and then uses an ultraviolet sterilizer installed on the lower surface of the toilet cover. It is characterized by sterilizing the sheet for a set period of time.

In addition, a hologram device that projects a hologram image onto the sensor module is further provided, and the hologram device outputs motions for using each function of the control device under control of the control device. .

Here, the control device is characterized in that it performs corresponding control when a change in capacitance is detected at a position of the sensor module corresponding to a specific position of the holographic image output to the top of the sensor module.

According to the present invention of the above configuration, various patterns of motion detected in a non-contact manner through a single capacitive sensor module are recognized as control signals to enable various controls, enabling a non-contact method with only one sensor module. By allowing all of the device's functions to be used, the structure can be simplified, which has the effect of making installation easier.

In addition, the present invention provides holographic guidance on how to use various functions with a single sensor module in public places used by many people, so that users can intuitively check how to use the device, making it easy to use the device in a non-contact manner. It has the effect of making it usable.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the installation state of a conventional non-contact proximity switch.
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional non-contact proximity switch.
Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram of a toilet control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor according to the present invention.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a unit sensor member of a toilet control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor according to the present invention.
Figure 5 is a block diagram of a toilet control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor according to the present invention.
Figure 6 is an example of a specific motion taken at the top of the sensor module of the toilet control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor according to the present invention.
Figure 7 is a conceptual diagram of a toilet device, which is a control target device of a toilet control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor according to the present invention.
Figure 8 is a conceptual diagram of a state in which a hologram device of a toilet control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention is installed.
Figure 9 is an exemplary diagram showing an example of a motion for using a toilet control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings. The same reference numerals are used for the same components in the drawings, and duplicate descriptions for the same components are omitted. Additionally, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the described embodiments.

Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram of a toilet control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor according to the present invention, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a unit sensor member of a toilet control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor according to the present invention, and Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a toilet control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of a restroom control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor according to the present invention, Figure 6 is an example of a specific motion taken at the upper part of the sensor module of the restroom control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor according to the present invention, and Figure 7 is a block diagram of the restroom control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor according to the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram of a toilet device, which is a control target device of a toilet control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor, and FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of a hologram device of a toilet control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention in an installed state. , Figure 9 is an exemplary diagram showing an example of a motion for using a toilet control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor according to the present invention.

The present invention relates to a toilet control device using a non-contact capacitive sensor. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the present invention includes a sensor module 100 made of a capacitive method and a signal received through the sensor module 100. It consists of a control device 200 that processes and a control target device 300 that is controlled by a control signal received from the control device 200.

Here, the sensor module 100 is formed in a capacitive manner as described above, so that even if an object such as a human hand or a touch pen is not completely contacted, the capacitance changes when located within a predetermined distance (about 20 mm), By detecting this, it is possible to control the control target device 300 in a non-contact manner.

Therefore, when using a public restroom in the era of the pandemic caused by COVID-19, it is possible to minimize direct contact with objects, including the toilet device 320, which is installed on the inner side of the door of the restroom and provided in the restroom. can prevent contamination.

In addition, the sensor module 100 includes a connector 140 connected to a plurality of unit sensor members 110 and the control device 200, and a connection wire connecting the unit sensor members 110 and the connector 140. It can be done as (130).

Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the unit sensor member 110 includes a base film 111 constituting the lower part, an upper film 113 constituting the upper part, and the base film 111 and the upper film 113. It consists of a trace (112, trace) located in between.

At this time, the upper film 113 and the base film 111 are made of PET material, and the traces 112 are formed on the lower surface of the upper film 113 in various ways, including silk screen printing, and the traces ( The material of 112) may be made of ITO, copper, silver, etc., and may be formed in a thin plate shape or mesh shape depending on the intended use.

Therefore, various movements can be detected through the plurality of unit sensor members 110 constituting the sensor module 100, enabling various control with one sensor module 100.

That is, in the conventional technology shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, only the function of turning the switch ON/OFF according to the change in capacitance detected through the electrode 10 was possible, but in the present invention, a plurality of unit sensor members 110 ) by detecting changes in capacitance of each unit sensor member 110, various movements of an object such as a hand or a touch pen can be detected while adjacent to the sensor module 100.

Here, as described above, the trace 112 constituting the unit sensor member 110 may be formed as a single thin plate, but by forming it in a mesh shape, it is possible to check the location where changes in capacitance occur, allowing for more diverse movements. can be detected.

Therefore, in the present invention, various movements can be detected using one sensor module 100, so there is no need to have multiple sensor modules 100, so the structure of the device can be simplified and installation can also be facilitated. there is.

In addition, as described above, the trace 112 is attached to the lower surface of the upper film 113 using a method such as silk screen printing, and an adhesive 115 is applied between the trace 112 and the base film 111. It adheres firmly.

At this time, an OCA film (114, optically clean adhesive) is further provided on the upper surface of the upper film 113 to prevent distortion of light while firmly attaching to the cover 122 attached to the top.

Of course, the upper film 113 and the base film 111 may also be formed of transparent PET to make the sensor module 100 transparent, or may be formed in a separate color depending on the situation, and the sensor module ( 100) has a thickness of approximately 0.3mm and can be attached and installed in various places.

Meanwhile, the control device 200 includes a control unit 210 that detects the motion of an object through the changing capacitance of each unit sensor member 110 received from the sensor module 100 and generates a control signal corresponding thereto. It consists of a communication module 230 that transmits the control signal generated by the control unit 210 to the control target device 300, and a battery 240 that supplies power.

Here, as an example of the control target device 300, a speaker 310 as shown in FIG. 3 can be used. Since women are embarrassed to make noise when urinating or defecating in a public restroom, It is possible to relieve embarrassment by outputting music at an appropriate size through the speaker.

At this time, the control device 200 is provided with a storage unit 220 inside which various sound files including natural sounds, classical music, popular music, etc. are stored. The control device 200 includes the storage unit ( Among the sound files stored in 220), the sound file corresponding to the specific signal received from the sensor module 100 is transmitted to the speaker through the communication module 230 and output.

Accordingly, the user can select and output various sounds with a simple motion by placing his or her hand adjacent to the sensor module 100, allowing the user to use the restroom comfortably.

That is, to give an example of a motion, as shown in FIG. 6, you can spread it with four fingers attached and move it from left to right, or as shown in (a) of FIG. 9, move it from the left with one finger spread. Move the finger to the right in a sine wave shape, move it from right to left, or change the direction of the finger to move it in a sine wave shape from left to right or right to left, and store it in the storage unit 220 corresponding to this motion. Saved sounds can now be output selectively.

And, in these days of Corona, it is a risky action to have to manually operate the lever when flushing the toilet after using it in a public restroom. As shown in FIG. 7, the present invention uses a toilet device. Various functions of the toilet device 320 can be controlled in a non-contact manner through the toilet control device using the non-contact capacitance sensor of the present invention.

Here, the toilet device 320 includes a toilet body 321, a seat 322 on which the user sits, a toilet cover 323 that covers the top of the seat 322, and the seat 322 and the toilet cover 323. ) and a cover motor (not shown) that opens and closes the toilet cover 323 and an ultraviolet sterilizer 324 installed on the lower surface of the toilet cover 323.

After the user uses the toilet, if a specific motion is made with the hand to flush the toilet, the water in the toilet device 320 goes down. If the user makes an opening motion with the hand to open the toilet door, the toilet cover is opened at the same time as the toilet door is opened. (323) operates the cover motor under the control of the control device 200 to cover the seat 322 and the toilet cover 323, and then radiates ultraviolet rays for sterilization from the ultraviolet sterilizer 324 for a set time. to sterilize the sheet 322.

At this time, when another user enters and makes a specific motion with his hand adjacent to the sensor module 100 to open the toilet cover 323 of the toilet device 320, the control device 200 By operating the cover motor under control, the toilet cover 323 is switched from the seat 322 to an open state, allowing the toilet device 320 to be used.

Additionally, although not shown in the drawing, public restrooms are equipped with not only a faucet for hand washing but also a detergent supply device that supplies liquid type detergent for clean washing. The operation of the detergent supply device that supplies detergent is checked through a sensor. The toilet device 320 is controlled together through the sensor module 100 and the control device 200.

Therefore, depending on the situation, there are cases where the detergent is not used. In this case, the detergent supply device is disabled so that the detergent can be used only when necessary.

Meanwhile, in another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8, a hologram device 400 for projecting a hologram image onto the upper part of the sensor module 100 may be further provided. The hologram device 400 is installed on one side of the sensor module 100 and outputs a motion for using the function of the control target device 300 in a hologram format to guide the user on how to use it.

In other words, since the motions that can be detected by the sensor module 100 are quite diverse, there is a problem that a first-time user cannot know what kind of motion to use in order to use the function desired by the user. In the present invention, the hologram device In order for the user to intuitively know how to use it through (400), if the hologram shows a specific motion for a specific control, the user simply follows the specific motion displayed by the hologram for the specific control in the holographic screen space. You can have the control you want.

In addition, the hologram device 400 divides the 1-wavelength laser light into a direct wave and an object wave through a laser irradiation unit (not shown) provided inside and emits them with different phases, thereby outputting an image due to mutual interference. As shown in FIG. 8, a holographic image unit 404 is formed in which an image is formed in space by interference of an irradiation unit 402, where the direct wave and an object wave are irradiated through the hologram device 400, and a laser beam. do.

Since this hologram device 400 is already known, a separate description will be omitted.

Here, the hologram device 400 is connected to the control device 200 through communication and controls the output hologram image through a control signal received from the control device 200.

At this time, the hologram device 400 may be installed to protrude from the side of the sensor module 100 installed on the door of the bathroom, as shown in FIG. 8, or may be installed to be embedded inside the door.

In addition, when the trace 112 constituting the sensor module 100 is formed in a mesh shape, when an object such as a hand or a touch pen is adjacent to the sensor module 100, the adjacent location can be confirmed, so that the hologram device It can also function as a touch screen by synchronizing with (400).

That is, the image output through the hologram device 400 is stored in the storage unit 220 provided inside the control device 200 and transmitted to the hologram device 400 through the communication module 230. Since it is output, the currently output image can be specified, and the location of an object such as a hand adjacent to the sensor device 100 can be confirmed.

So, when an object is adjacent to a specific position of the holographic image, a change in capacitance is detected at that part, the detected position is confirmed by the control device 200, and functions such as buttons output at the corresponding coordinates of the holographic image are responded to. Each of the control target device 300 or the hologram device 400 can be controlled to perform an action, thereby functioning as a touch screen made of a hologram.

Meanwhile, looking at the process of using a public restroom using the restroom control device using the non-contact capacitance sensor of the present invention, the door of the unused compartment among the plurality of compartments is maintained in an open state, so the user can keep the door open. Enter the compartment.

Here, in the absence of the user, all functions are maintained in a stopped state to prevent waste of power. A guide board is installed on one side of the inner side of the compartment to begin use of the toilet control device using the non-contact capacitance sensor of the present invention. To do this, a specific motion is made with the hand adjacent to the sensor device 100.

Then, the toilet cover 323 constituting the toilet device 320 is opened so that the user can sit on the seat 322, and the user can view the hologram image output through the hologram device 400 while toileting. Through this, the user learns how to use each function, and when the user makes a specific motion with the hand adjacent to the sensor device 100 after toileting, the bidet function can be used when the bidet is installed, and the toilet device 320 water is poured down.

At this time, as shown in (b) of FIG. 9, the hand is shaped into a specific shape and moved to the left or right at the top of the sensor module 100 to switch the screen output as a hologram to the next or previous screen. You can check how to use it while doing so, and you can lock or unlock the door by moving it in an arch-shaped direction to the left or right.

The sensor module 100 performs different sensing functions depending on the direction of the fingers (up and down, left and right), the number of spread fingers (1, 3, 5, etc.), and the direction of hand movement (up and down, left and right movements, number of movement repetitions, etc.) Receives a value as input.

In addition, when the user once again makes a specific motion with the hand adjacent to the sensor device 100, the toilet cover 323 is automatically closed by the cover motor, and the ultraviolet sterilizer installed inside the toilet cover 323 324 is operated for a set time to sterilize the sheet 322 so that future users can relieve themselves in a comfortable condition.

In addition, as another example, when flushing water, as shown in (c) of FIG. 9 according to urine or feces, the hand is shaped into a specific shape and repeatedly moved left and right at the top of the sensor module 100 to dispense water. By flushing a large amount and moving it up and down repeatedly, a small amount of water can be flushed to reduce water waste, and the opening and closing of the toilet cover 323 can also be adjusted.

Therefore, as described above, various functions of the toilet device 320 and the door can be controlled using one sensor module 100.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the rights of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the scope of the rights of the present invention extends to the scope substantially equivalent to the embodiments of the present invention. Various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the above.

The present invention relates to a toilet control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor. More specifically, by enabling all the various functions of the device to be used with a single capacitance sensor module, the structure of the device can be simplified and installation accordingly. This relates to a toilet control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor that can be easily used and intuitively guides the user on how to use it.

100: sensor module 110: unit sensor member
130: connection wire 140: connector
200: control device 210: control unit
220: storage unit 230: communication module
240: Battery 300: Control target device
310: Speaker 320: Toilet device
400: Holographic device

Claims (9)

A sensor module made of a capacitive method,
A control device that processes signals received through the sensor module,
Consisting of a control target device controlled by a control signal received from the control device,
The sensor module detects the movement of an object spaced a predetermined distance away and transmits a corresponding signal to the control device,
The sensor module consists of a plurality of unit sensor members, a connector connected to the control device, and a connection wire connecting the unit sensor member and the connector,
The control device includes a control unit that detects the motion of an object through the changing capacitance of each unit sensor member received from the sensor module and generates a corresponding control signal, and sends the control signal generated by the control unit to the control object. It consists of a communication module that transmits to the device,
The control target device consists of a speaker installed in a public restroom,
When a signal is received from the sensor module, the control device transmits and outputs music corresponding to the received signal from among the music files stored in the internal storage unit to the speaker through the communication module,
A toilet device is connected to the control device as the control target device,
The control device controls the functions of the toilet device according to the signal received from the sensor module,
When the toilet device receives a control signal instructing sterilization from the control device, it operates a cover motor provided in the toilet device to cover the seat and the toilet cover, and then uses an ultraviolet sterilizer installed on the lower surface of the toilet cover for a set time. A toilet control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor, characterized in that it sterilizes sheets while in use.
delete delete delete delete delete delete According to paragraph 1,
A holographic device is further provided to project a holographic image onto the upper part of the sensor module,
The hologram device is a bathroom control device using a non-contact capacitance sensor, characterized in that the hologram device outputs motions for using each function of the control target device under the control of the control device.
According to clause 8,
The control device uses a non-contact capacitance sensor, characterized in that when a change in capacitance is detected at a position of the sensor module corresponding to a specific position of the holographic image output to the top of the sensor module, the control device performs corresponding control. Toilet control unit.

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