CN114645565A

CN114645565A - Sanitary washing device

Info

Publication number: CN114645565A
Application number: CN202111508255.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 西江良太; 松田泰宏
Original assignee: Toto Ltd
Current assignee: Toto Ltd
Priority date: 2020-12-17
Filing date: 2021-12-10
Publication date: 2022-06-21
Anticipated expiration: 2041-12-10
Also published as: JP2022096259A; CN114645565B; JP7223290B2

Abstract

The invention provides a sanitary washing device which can be miniaturized. The sanitary washing device of the invention comprises: a plurality of functional units including a nozzle for discharging water to a local part of a user and an electromagnetic valve for opening and closing a water supply flow path leading water to the nozzle; and a plurality of driving units for controlling the driving of the plurality of functional units, wherein the plurality of driving units include a nozzle driving unit for controlling the nozzle to advance and retreat and an electromagnetic valve driving unit for controlling the electromagnetic valve to open and close.

Description

Sanitary washing device

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a sanitary washing apparatus.

Background

In recent years, sanitary washing apparatuses have been made multifunctional, and driving circuits for driving the respective functions have been provided. When the number of drive circuits provided for the multifunction is increased, the sanitary washing apparatus may be increased in size or cost. In contrast, there is a method of integrating circuits into an Integrated Circuit (IC) (for example, patent document 1).

Some of the drive circuits of the sanitary washing apparatus have large power loss (or heat loss). If such a driver circuit is integrated with another driver circuit in an integrated circuit, heat generation of the integrated circuit becomes large. If the heat generation of the integrated circuit becomes large, the size and cost of the entire component (the entire product) may increase. For example, if a large heat dissipation structure (a component such as a heat sink) is provided, the overall size and cost increase. Therefore, in order to achieve miniaturization and cost reduction, the circuits are integrated as Integrated Circuits (ICs), which may lead to an increase in size and cost.

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese unexamined patent publication Hei 8-047252

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary washing apparatus which can be miniaturized.

The invention 1 is a sanitary washing apparatus including: a plurality of functional units including a nozzle for discharging water to a local part of a user and an electromagnetic valve for opening and closing a water supply flow path leading water to the nozzle; and a plurality of driving units for controlling the driving of the plurality of functional units, wherein the plurality of driving units include a nozzle driving unit for controlling the nozzle to advance and retreat and an electromagnetic valve driving unit for controlling the electromagnetic valve to open and close.

According to this sanitary washing apparatus, since a part of the plurality of driving units including the nozzle driving unit with a small power loss (or heat loss) is integrated into an integrated circuit, the solenoid valve driving unit with a large power loss (or heat loss) is not included in the integrated circuit, and thus the sanitary washing apparatus can be downsized and the cost increase can be suppressed.

The 2 nd invention is the sanitary washing apparatus according to the 1 st invention, further comprising a failure detection unit for detecting a failure of at least a part of the plurality of functional units, wherein when the failure detection unit detects a failure, the control of the electromagnetic valve driving unit to close the electromagnetic valve is executed.

When the driving part is integrated in an integrated circuit, the responsiveness (response speed) of the driving part may be reduced compared to a case where the driving part is not integrated. In contrast, according to the sanitary washing apparatus, since the solenoid valve driving unit is not included in the integrated circuit, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the responsiveness of the solenoid valve driving unit. Therefore, for example, when a failure is detected, the solenoid valve can be immediately closed, and therefore, a reduction in safety of the user can be suppressed.

The 3 rd aspect of the present invention is the sanitary washing apparatus according to the 1 st or 2 nd aspect of the present invention, wherein the plurality of functional units include a flow rate adjustment unit for adjusting a flow rate of the water supplied to the nozzle, and the plurality of driving units include a flow rate adjustment driving unit for controlling driving of the flow rate adjustment unit, and the flow rate adjustment driving unit is integrated in the integrated circuit.

According to the sanitary washing apparatus, the flow rate adjustment drive unit having a small power loss is integrated in an integrated circuit. This makes it possible to further reduce the size of the sanitary washing apparatus. Further, even if the responsiveness of the flow rate adjustment drive unit is reduced by integrating the flow rate adjustment drive unit in the integrated circuit, the solenoid valve drive unit is not included in the integrated circuit, and therefore, for example, when a failure is detected, the solenoid valve can be immediately closed. Therefore, the safety of the user can be further improved.

The invention of claim 4 is the sanitary washing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of functional units include a deodorization functional unit, the plurality of driving units include a deodorization driving unit, and the deodorization driving unit controls driving of the deodorization functional unit, and is integrated in the integrated circuit.

According to this sanitary washing apparatus, the deodorization drive unit with a small power loss is integrated into an integrated circuit. This makes it possible to further reduce the size of the sanitary washing apparatus.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a sanitary washing apparatus that can be miniaturized is provided.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a toilet bowl apparatus including a sanitary washing apparatus according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part configuration of the sanitary washing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a main part configuration of the sanitary washing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the main part of the sanitary washing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Description of the reference numerals

10-a water supply source; 20-a water conducting part; 20 a-line; 30-a circuit section; 32-an integrated circuit; 40-a functional part; 50-a drive section; 51-a deodorization driving part; 52-sterile water driving part; 53-nozzle drive; 54-a flow rate adjustment drive section; 55-solenoid valve drive; 56-heating drive; 70-a conversion circuit; 72-a processing section; 74-a comparator section; 80-a fault detection section; 81-toilet seat heater fault detection circuit; 82-warm water heater fault detection circuit; 92-warm water temperature information circuit part; 93-toilet seat temperature information circuit part; 100-sanitary washing device; 200-a toilet seat; 300-a toilet cover; 310-a transmission window; 400-shell; 401 — a power supply circuit; 403-human body detection sensor; 404-seating detection sensor; 405-a control section; 407-exhaust port; 408-an exhaust port; 409-a recessed portion; 420-an opening and closing mechanism; 431-solenoid valve; 440-a warm water unit; 450-sterilized water unit; 471-flow rate adjusting part; 473-nozzle; 474 a-lower body cleaning water spitting opening; 474 b-washing buttocks and spitting water port; 475-a nozzle unit; 476-nozzle motor; 480-a deodorization unit; 482-a toilet seat heating unit; 485-heating function; 491 to 493-1 st to 3 rd temperature sensors; 561-toilet seat heater heating drive part; 562-a warm water heater heating driving part; 800-toilet bowl; 801-basin.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

As shown in fig. 1, the toilet apparatus includes a seat type toilet (hereinafter, simply referred to as "toilet" for convenience of explanation) 800 and a sanitary washing apparatus 100 provided thereon. The sanitary washing apparatus 100 includes a housing 400, a toilet seat 200, and a toilet lid 300. The toilet seat 200 and the toilet cover 300 are pivotally supported by the case 400 so as to be openable and closable, respectively.

The case 400 has a private parts washing function part for washing private parts such as the "buttocks" of the user seated on the toilet seat 200, and the like, built therein. Further, for example, a seating detection sensor 404 that detects that the user sits on the toilet seat 200 is provided in the housing 400.

When the seating detection sensor 404 detects a user sitting on the toilet seat 200, the user may operate an operation unit 500 (see fig. 2) such as a remote controller, for example, to cause a private parts washing nozzle (hereinafter simply referred to as "nozzle" for convenience of description) 473 to enter the bowl 801 of the toilet 800 or to retreat from the bowl 801. In the sanitary washing apparatus 100 shown in fig. 1, a state in which the nozzle 473 has entered the bowl 801 is shown.

The nozzle 473 discharges the water (wash water) supplied from the water supply source to the private parts of the human body, and washes the private parts of the human body. A lower body wash water spouting port 474a and a hip wash water spouting port 474b are provided at the tip of the nozzle 473. The nozzle 473 can spray water from the lower body wash spit port 474a provided at the front end thereof to wash the female private parts of the woman seated on the toilet seat 200. Alternatively, the nozzle 473 may spray water from the hip washing water jet 474b provided at the front end thereof to wash the "hips" of the user sitting on the toilet seat 200. The term "water" may include not only cold water but also heated hot water.

Fig. 2 shows the main components of both the water path system and the electric system.

As shown in fig. 2, the sanitary washing apparatus 100 includes a power supply circuit 401, a circuit unit 30, and a plurality of functional units 40. These are provided inside the case 400.

The power supply circuit 401 is connected to an alternating current power supply (for example, a commercial power supply of AC100V (effective value)) via a receptacle plug. The power supply circuit 401 converts ac power supplied from an ac power supply into dc power and supplies the dc power to each unit of the circuit unit 30 and each functional unit 40. The power supply circuit 401 is, for example, an AC/DC converter.

The circuit section 30 is a circuit that drives and controls the plurality of function sections 40. For convenience, the plurality of driving units 50 (see fig. 3), the control unit 405, and the like, which will be described later, are collectively shown as the circuit unit 30. As will be described later, the driving unit and the like included in the circuit unit 30 may be integrated at least partially or may be provided as a plurality of separate circuits, some of which are physically separated. An example of the circuit section 30 will be described later with reference to fig. 3 and the like.

The functional unit 40 includes, for example, a solenoid valve 431, a heating functional unit 485, a sterilizing water unit 450, a flow rate adjusting unit 471, a nozzle unit 475, an opening/closing mechanism 420, a deodorizing unit 480 (deodorizing functional unit), and the like. The heating function section 485 has a heating function and includes, for example, a hot water unit 440 and a toilet seat heating unit 482.

The sanitary washing apparatus 100 includes a water guide 20. The water conduit 20 has a pipe line 20a (water supply flow path) from a water supply source 10 such as a water pipe or a water storage tank to the nozzle 473. The water guide 20 guides water supplied from the water supply source 10 to the nozzle 473 through the pipe line 20 a. The pipeline 20a is formed of various parts such as the solenoid valve 431, the hot water unit 440, and the flow rate adjusting part 471, and a plurality of pipes connecting these parts.

A solenoid valve 431 is provided downstream of the water supply source 10. The solenoid valve 431 is an openable and closable solenoid valve, and controls the supply of water based on a command from the electric circuit unit 30 (control unit 405) provided inside the case 400. In other words, the solenoid valve 431 opens and closes the line 20 a. By opening the solenoid valve 431, water supplied from the water supply source 10 flows into the pipe 20 a.

The solenoid valve 431 is, for example, a solenoid valve called a solenoid valve. When the solenoid valve 431 is switched from the closed state to the open state (at the time of driving), the solenoid coil is energized to move the plunger to switch to the open state of the flow path. When the energization of the solenoid coil is stopped, the solenoid coil is switched from the on state to the off state (at the time of stopping).

A hot water unit 440 (heating unit) is provided downstream of the solenoid valve 431. The hot water unit 440 includes a hot water heater, and heats water supplied from the water supply source 10 by supplying electricity to the hot water heater, for example, to a predetermined temperature. That is, the warm water unit 440 generates warm water.

The hot water unit 440 is an instantaneous heat exchanger (instantaneous heat exchanger) using, for example, a ceramic heater. The instantaneous heating type heat exchanger can raise the temperature of water to a predetermined temperature in a shorter time than a water storage heating type heat exchanger using a water storage tank. The hot water unit 440 is not limited to an instantaneous heating type heat exchanger, and may be a water storage heating type heat exchanger. The heating unit is not limited to the heat exchanger, and for example, an appliance of another heating method such as microwave heating may be used.

The hot water unit 440 is connected to the circuit unit 30. For example, the controller 405 controls the hot water unit 440 in response to the user's operation of the operation unit 500 to raise the temperature of the water to the temperature set by the operation unit 500.

A sterilizing water unit 450 is provided downstream of the warm water unit 440. The sterilizing water unit 450 is, for example, an electrolytic cell unit having electrodes. The sterilized water unit 450 electrolyzes tap water flowing between the pair of electrodes by applying a voltage between the electrodes, thereby generating a hypochlorous acid-containing liquid (sterilized water) from the tap water. The sterilizing water unit 450 is connected to the circuit portion 30. The sterilizing water unit 450 generates sterilizing water (functional water) based on the control of the control unit 405.

The sterilized water generated in the sterilized water unit 450 may be a solution containing metal ions such as silver ions or copper ions. Alternatively, the sterilized water generated in the sterilized water unit 450 may be a solution containing electrolytic chlorine, ozone, or the like. The functional water generated in the sterilizing water unit 450 may also be acidic water or alkaline water.

A flow rate adjusting unit 471 is provided downstream of the sterilizing water unit 450. The flow rate adjustment unit 471 adjusts the flow rate (water force) of the water supplied to the nozzle 473. The flow rate adjustment unit 471 is connected to the circuit unit 30. The operation of the flow rate adjuster 471 is controlled by the controller 405. For example, the flow rate adjustment unit 471 includes an adjustment valve and a flow rate adjustment motor. The flow rate adjusting unit 471 adjusts the flow rate by operating the regulating valve by the flow rate regulating motor based on the command from the controller 405 to change the width of the water channel. The flow rate adjustment motor is, for example, a stepping motor.

A nozzle unit 475 is provided downstream of the flow rate adjustment unit 471. The nozzle unit 475 has a nozzle motor 476 and a nozzle 473. The nozzle motor 476 is connected to the circuit unit 30. The nozzle 473 receives the driving force from the nozzle motor 476 and enters the bowl 801 of the toilet 800 or retreats from the bowl 801. That is, the nozzle motor 476 moves the nozzle 473 in and out in accordance with a command from the control unit 405. The nozzle motor 476 uses, for example, a stepping motor. The nozzle unit 475 may also have a nozzle washing unit (not shown) that washes the outer peripheral surface (trunk) of the nozzle 473.

The sanitary washing apparatus 100 may be provided with a pressure regulating valve, a check valve, a vacuum circuit breaker, a pressure regulating unit, a flow path switching unit, a spray nozzle, and the like, which are not shown. The pressure regulating valve and the check valve are provided between the solenoid valve 431 and the warm water unit 440, for example. The vacuum breaker and the pressure adjuster are provided between the sterilizing water unit 450 and the flow rate adjuster 471, for example. The pressure modulator varies the pressure of the water in the pipe line 20 a. The flow path switching unit is provided between the flow rate adjusting unit 471 and the nozzle unit 475, for example. The flow path switching unit performs opening and closing or switching of water supply to the nozzle 473. The flow path switching unit may be provided as a unit together with the flow rate adjustment unit. The flow path switching unit switches between a state in which the conduit 20a is communicated and a state in which the conduit 20a is not communicated, for example, for each water discharge port of the nozzle 473. The spray nozzle is provided downstream of the flow path switching section, for example. The spray nozzle atomizes the washing water and the functional water and sprays the atomized water toward the basin 801.

The sanitary washing apparatus 100 includes a 1 st temperature sensor 491 and a 2 nd temperature sensor 492. The 1 st temperature sensor 491 has, for example, a thermistor (hot water thermistor) and detects the temperature of the water supplied to the nozzle 473. Specifically, the 1 st temperature sensor 491 is disposed in the warm water unit 440 or on the downstream side of the warm water unit 440, and detects the temperature of the water heated by the warm water unit 440 and supplied to the downstream side. The control unit 405 controls the driving of the hot water unit 440, for example, the on/off of the heater, based on the measurement result of the 1 st temperature sensor 491. The measurement result of the temperature sensor is, for example, a current value or a voltage value corresponding to the resistance value of the thermistor.

The 2 nd temperature sensor 492 has, for example, a thermistor (limit thermistor). The 2 nd temperature sensor 492 is provided, for example, on the downstream side of the 1 st temperature sensor 491, and detects the temperature of the water supplied to the nozzle 473. For example, based on the measurement result of the 2 nd temperature sensor 492, the controller 405 drives the solenoid valve 431 to stop the supply of water to the downstream side when the temperature of the water supplied to the downstream side is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. This can further improve the safety of the user.

The controller 405 controls the operations of the solenoid valve 431, the hot water unit 440, the sterilized water unit 450, the flow rate adjuster 471, the nozzle motor 476, and the like based on signals from the human body detection sensor 403, the seating detection sensor 404, the operation unit 500, and the like.

As shown in fig. 1, the human body detection sensor 403 is provided to be fitted into a recessed portion 409 formed in the upper surface of the case 400, and detects a user (human body) located at a position away from the toilet seat 200. In other words, the human body detection sensor 403 detects a user in the vicinity of the sanitary washing apparatus 100. In addition, a penetration window 310 is provided at the rear of the toilet cover 300. Therefore, in a state where the toilet lid 300 is closed, the human body sensor 403 can detect the presence of the user through the transmission window 310. As the human body detection sensor 403, for example, a distance measurement sensor using infrared rays, a pyroelectric sensor, a microwave sensor, or the like is used. However, the human body detection sensor 403 is not limited to this, and may be any sensor capable of detecting a user located at a position away from the toilet seat 200.

The seating detection sensor 404 detects a human body existing above the toilet seat 200 or a user seated on the toilet seat 200 immediately before the user sits on the toilet seat 200. As such a seating detection sensor 404, for example, an infrared projection type distance measurement sensor can be used. As the seating detection sensor 404, for example, a microwave sensor, a pyroelectric sensor, or the like may be used. The seating detection sensor 404 may be, for example, a mechanical switch, an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, or the like that detects movement and stoppage of the toilet seat 200, a capacitance sensor or the like that detects a change in capacitance accompanying seating, or a piezoelectric sensor or the like that detects a change in pressure accompanying seating.

The opening/closing mechanism 420 opens and closes the toilet seat 200 and/or the toilet lid 300. The opening/closing mechanism 420 is constituted by a motor or the like, for example, and is connected to the circuit unit 30. The control unit 405 controls the opening/closing mechanism 420 based on signals from the human body detection sensor 403, the seating detection sensor 404, the operation unit 500, and the like, and moves the toilet seat 200 and/or the toilet lid 300 to the closed position or the open position.

The deodorizing unit 480 has a deodorizing fan, and operates the deodorizing fan to suck air in the basin 801 and reduce odor components such as stool odor contained in the sucked air. The side of the case 400 is provided with an exhaust port 407 (fig. 1) of the deodorization unit 480. The deodorizing unit 480 has a deodorizing member for deodorizing with a catalyst of activated carbon, for example. When the air comes into contact with the deodorizing member, odor components such as ammonia contained in the air are adsorbed on the deodorizing member. This can reduce the odor component contained in the air. However, the deodorization unit 480 is not limited to the above, and may be configured to deodorize the sucked air. The deodorization unit 480 is connected to the circuit unit 30. The control unit 405 controls the driving of the deodorizing fan (motor) based on a signal from the seating detection sensor 404 or the operation unit 500, for example.

The toilet seat heating unit 482 has a toilet seat heater that heats the seating surface of the toilet seat 200. The toilet seat heater is, for example, an electric heating wire that generates heat by flowing current. The toilet seat heater is provided in, for example, an internal space of the toilet seat 200, and heats the toilet seat from a back surface of a seating surface (an inner side of the toilet seat 200). The toilet seat heating unit 482 is connected to the circuit unit 30.

The sanitary washing apparatus 100 has a 3 rd temperature sensor 493. The 3 rd temperature sensor 493 has, for example, a thermistor (toilet seat thermistor) and detects the temperature of the toilet seat 200. The control unit 405 controls the driving of the toilet seat heating unit 482, i.e., the turning on or off of the energization to the toilet seat heater, based on the signals from the operation unit 500 and the seating detection sensor 404 or the measurement result of the 3 rd temperature sensor 493.

The housing 400 may be provided with various functional units such as a "warm air drying unit" and an "indoor heating unit" for drying warm air by blowing the warm air toward the "buttocks" of the user sitting on the toilet seat 200. At this time, the side surface of the case 400 is provided with an outlet 408 (fig. 1) of the indoor heating unit as appropriate.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the sanitary washing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a part of the configuration of an electrical system of the sanitary washing apparatus 100 including the circuit unit 30 and the functional unit 40. As shown in fig. 3, the circuit unit 30 includes a plurality of driving units 50, a conversion circuit 70, a processing unit 72, a comparator unit 74, and a control unit 405.

The conversion circuit 70 converts the power supplied from the power supply circuit 401 into dc power corresponding to the control unit 405 and the processing unit 72. The conversion circuit 70 is a so-called step-down DC-DC converter. The converter circuit 70 steps down the voltage of 24V input from the power supply circuit 401 to 5V, for example, and outputs the voltage to the control unit 405 and the processing unit 72. The control unit 405 and the processing unit 72 operate using power from the converter circuit 70.

The plurality of driving units 50 are connected to the plurality of function units 40, respectively, and control driving of the function units 40. Specifically, each of the driving units 50 is a driving circuit having a transistor or the like and functioning as a switch. For example, the driving unit 50 is connected to the functional unit 40 and a power supply thereof. The drive unit 50 controls (for example, turns on or off) the supply of electric power to the connected function unit 40 based on an instruction from the control unit 405. For example, the driving unit 50 switches between a state (on state) in which the functional unit 40 is driven, i.e., the supply of electric power to the functional unit 40, and a state (off state) in which the functional unit 40 is not driven, i.e., the supply of electric power to the functional unit 40 is stopped. In the on state, the functional unit 40 and its power source are energized by the drive unit 50, for example, and the functional unit 40 operates based on the electric power from the power source. In the off state, the driving unit 50 cuts off the conduction between the functional unit 40 and the power supply, for example, and the functional unit 40 stops operating. The driving section 50 may include a plurality of switching elements (transistors, etc.) and resistors, and may include a bridge circuit (e.g., an H-bridge circuit).

The plurality of driving units 50 include, for example, a deodorization driving unit 51, a sterilized water driving unit 52, a nozzle driving unit 53, a flow rate adjustment driving unit 54, and an electromagnetic valve driving unit 55.

The deodorization drive unit 51 is connected to the deodorization unit 480, and controls the driving of the deodorization fan (motor) of the deodorization unit 480 based on a signal from the control unit 405.

The sterile water driving unit 52 is connected to the sterile water unit 450, and controls the driving of the sterile water unit 450, that is, the energization of the electrodes, based on a signal from the control unit 405.

The nozzle driving unit 53 is connected to the nozzle unit 475, and controls the driving of the nozzle motor 476 of the nozzle unit 475, that is, the forward and backward movement of the nozzle 473, based on a signal from the control unit 405.

The flow rate adjustment driver 54 is connected to the flow rate adjustment unit 471, and controls the driving of the flow rate adjustment motor of the flow rate adjustment unit 471 based on a signal from the controller 405.

The solenoid valve drive unit 55 is connected to the solenoid valve 431, and controls the driving of the solenoid valve 431, that is, the energization of the solenoid coil, based on a signal from the control unit 405 or the comparator unit 74.

The 2 nd temperature sensor 492 (limit thermistor) is connected to the comparator section 74 and the control section 405. The measurement result of the 2 nd temperature sensor 492 is output to the comparator section 74 and the control section 405. The controller 405 controls the solenoid valve driver 55 to close the solenoid valve 431 when the detected water temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature based on the output from the 2 nd temperature sensor 492. The comparator unit 74 has a comparator, and compares the output from the 2 nd temperature sensor 492 with a predetermined threshold value. Thereby, it is determined whether or not the detected temperature of the water is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. When the detected temperature of the water is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, the comparator unit 74 controls the solenoid valve driving unit 55 to close the solenoid valve 431 and keeps the closed state. Even if one of the comparator unit 74 and the control unit 405 fails, the solenoid valve 431 can be closed based on a signal from the other. This can further improve safety.

The control Unit 405 is an arithmetic device including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a memory, and uses an integrated circuit such as a microcomputer. The processing unit 72 has, for example, a logic circuit. The processing unit 72 is connected to the control unit 405, the deodorization driving unit 51, the sterilized water driving unit 52, the nozzle driving unit 53, and the flow rate adjustment driving unit 54. The processing unit 72 allows the control unit 405 to communicate with the driving unit 50 connected to the processing unit 72.

The communication between the control unit 405 and the processing unit 72 is, for example, synchronous serial communication. The control unit 405 transmits, for example, a clock signal and a data signal to the processing unit 72.

The processing unit 72 has a register. The register stores a command instructing the operation of the driving unit 50 (the operation of the function unit 40) connected to the processing unit 72. For example, commands such as on/off of a deodorizing fan, entry/retreat of a nozzle, increase/decrease of a flow rate, and the like are stored in a register.

The control unit 405 transmits and receives a signal including command information to and from the processing unit 72. The processing unit 72 performs a logical operation on the signal from the control unit 405, and transmits a signal corresponding to the command to the driving unit 50 corresponding to the command. In this way, the control unit 405 controls the driving unit 50 via the processing unit 72, thereby controlling the driving of the functional unit 40.

In addition, the register stores a command corresponding to a state (for example, a failure such as open, short, overheat, or overcurrent) of the functional unit 40 or the driving unit 50. Thereby, the processing unit 72 can notify the control unit 405 of a failure of the functional unit 40 or the driving unit 50.

For example, the current for driving the solenoid valve 431 is greater than the current for driving the deodorizing fan, the current for driving the sterilizing water unit 450, the current for driving the nozzle motor, and the current for driving the flow rate adjusting motor, respectively.

For example, the power loss (W) of the solenoid valve driving unit 55 when the solenoid valve 431 is driven is larger than the power loss of the deodorization driving unit 51 when the deodorization fan is driven, the power loss of the sterilized water driving unit 52 when the sterilized water unit is driven, the power loss of the nozzle driving unit 53 when the nozzle motor is driven, and the power loss of the flow rate adjustment driving unit 54 when the flow rate adjustment motor is driven, respectively.

For example, the amount of heat (heat loss) generated by the solenoid valve driving unit 55 when the solenoid valve 431 is driven is larger than the amount of heat generated by the deodorization driving unit 51 when the deodorization fan is driven, the amount of heat generated by the sterilized water driving unit 52 when the sterilized water unit is driven, the amount of heat generated by the nozzle driving unit 53 when the nozzle motor is driven, and the amount of heat generated by the flow rate adjustment driving unit 54 when the flow rate adjustment motor is driven.

As shown in fig. 3, the circuit section 30 includes an integrated circuit 32. In the embodiment, at least a part of the plurality of driving portions 50 including the nozzle driving portion 53 is integrated in the integrated circuit 32. In this example, the conversion circuit 70, the processing unit 72, the deodorization driving unit 51, the sterilized water driving unit 52, the nozzle driving unit 53, the flow rate adjustment driving unit 54, and the comparator unit 74 are integrated into the integrated circuit 32. The integrated circuit 32 is an IC that aggregates a plurality of circuits into one package. The Integrated Circuit 32 is, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and is an IC chip (semiconductor chip). By making the plurality of driving units 50 and the like intensive, the circuit area can be reduced.

On the other hand, the solenoid valve driving section 55 is not included in the integrated circuit 32. For example, the solenoid valve driving section 55 is not integrated into an IC including the other driving section 50. The solenoid valve driving section 55 is provided separately from the integrated circuit 32.

As described above, according to the embodiment, a part of the plurality of driving units 50 including the nozzle driving unit 53 having a small power loss (heat loss) is integrated into the integrated circuit 32, and the solenoid valve driving unit 55 having a large power loss (heat loss) is not included in the integrated circuit 32, so that the sanitary washing apparatus can be downsized, and the increase in cost can be suppressed. For example, a relatively large heat dissipation structure may not be provided for the integrated circuit 32.

In this example, the deodorization driving unit 51, the sterilized water driving unit 52, and the flow rate adjustment driving unit 54, which have small power loss (heat loss), are integrated in the integrated circuit 32. This makes it possible to further reduce the size of the sanitary washing apparatus 100.

As shown in fig. 4, the circuit unit 30 includes a plurality of driving units 50, a conversion circuit 70, a processing unit 72, a comparator unit 74, and a control unit 405, as described with reference to fig. 3.

In this example, a heating drive unit 56 is further provided as the plurality of drive units 50, and controls the drive of the heating function unit 485. The heating drive unit 56 includes a toilet seat heater heating drive unit 561 and a hot water heater heating drive unit 562. The toilet seat heater heating/driving unit 561 and the hot water heater heating/driving unit 562 may be circuits provided as separate bodies and operating independently of each other.

The toilet seat heater heating driver 561 is connected to the toilet seat heating unit 482, and controls the driving of the toilet seat heating unit 482, i.e., the energization of the toilet seat heater, based on a signal from the controller 405.

The hot water heater heating drive unit 562 is connected to the hot water unit 440, and controls the drive of the hot water unit 440, that is, the energization of the hot water heater, based on a signal from the control unit 405.

The circuit unit 30 is also provided with a temperature information circuit (hot water temperature information circuit unit 92, toilet seat temperature information circuit unit 93). The hot water temperature information circuit unit 92 is a circuit for reading information from the 1 st temperature sensor 491. The toilet seat temperature information circuit unit 93 is a circuit for reading information from the 3 rd temperature sensor 493. The temperature information circuit unit receives an output signal including temperature information detected by the temperature sensor, appropriately converts the output signal, and outputs a signal including the temperature information to the control unit 405. For example, the temperature information circuit section may convert an analog signal output from the thermistor into a digital signal. The temperature information circuit section may convert the output signal from the thermistor into a signal indicating the temperature based on a conversion table stored in advance.

The circuit unit 30 is also provided with a failure detection unit 80. The failure detection unit 80 detects a failure of at least a part of the plurality of functional units 40. The failure detection unit 80 may include a plurality of failure detection circuits. In this example, a toilet seat heater failure detection circuit 81 and a hot water heater failure detection circuit 82 are provided as failure detection circuits. Each failure detection circuit is connected to any one of the plurality of driving units 50.

The toilet seat heater trouble detection circuit 81 is connected to, for example, the toilet seat heater heating drive unit 561, and detects trouble in the toilet seat heating unit 482. The hot water heater failure detection circuit 82 is connected to the hot water heater heating drive unit 562, for example, and detects a failure of the hot water unit 440.

When the functional unit 40 to which the driving unit 50 is connected fails, the current flowing through the driving unit 50 changes. For example, when a short circuit occurs in the functional unit 40, an overcurrent flows to the functional unit 40 and the drive unit 50. Each failure detection circuit can detect a failure of the functional unit 40 to which the driving unit 50 is connected, for example, by detecting a current of the connected driving unit 50. The failure detection circuit may detect a failure by detecting a voltage (potential) or a temperature in the driving unit 50 or the functional unit 40. The failure detected by the failure detection circuit is not limited to the short-circuit failure, and may be an open failure or other failures.

Any configuration capable of detecting the current flowing through the driving unit 50 may be suitably used to detect the current flowing through the driving unit 50. For example, a detection element such as a transistor or a resistor connected to the driving unit 50 is provided to detect a current. The current flowing through the detection element or the voltage across the detection element changes according to the current flowing through the drive unit 50. By detecting the current or voltage (potential of the element), the current of the driving unit 50 can be detected. The fault detection circuit can also appropriately utilize the structure of a known current detection circuit. The configuration of the failure detection circuit is not limited to the above, and may be any configuration capable of detecting a failure of the functional unit 40.

The toilet seat heater fault detection circuit 81 may also detect an abnormality (overcurrent and/or overheat) of the toilet seat heater heating drive unit 561. The hot water heater failure detection circuit 82 may also detect an abnormality (overcurrent and/or overheat) of the hot water heater heating drive unit 562.

To detect a failure (overcurrent, overheat, or the like), a comparator relatively small from the reference value may be used. By comparing the voltage at the detection element with a predetermined reference voltage by a comparator, a failure can be detected. For example, the failure detection circuit determines that a failure has occurred when the voltage of the detection element exceeds the reference voltage. In order to detect a failure, the reference voltage may be set appropriately for each functional unit 40 (each driving unit 50). In addition, the criterion for determining whether the overcurrent (or overheat) is present may be appropriately determined in consideration of whether the function unit 40 can stably and safely operate.

When the failure detection unit 80 detects a failure, the control unit 405 can perform control to control the solenoid valve drive unit 55 to close the solenoid valve 431. For example, when a failure of the warm water unit 440 is detected, the control portion 405 causes the solenoid valve 431 to be in a closed state. That is, when the hot water heater failure detection circuit 82 detects a failure, the control unit 405 receives a signal indicating that a failure has occurred from the hot water heater failure detection circuit 82. Then, the control section 405 controls the solenoid valve driving section 55 to drive the solenoid valve 431 in the closed state. This can prevent, for example, high-temperature water from being ejected from the nozzle 473, and can further improve the safety of the user.

The control unit 405 may close the solenoid valve 431 when a failure of the toilet seat heating unit 482 is detected. That is, when the toilet seat heater malfunction detection circuit 81 detects a malfunction, the control portion 405 receives a signal indicating that a malfunction has occurred from the toilet seat heater malfunction detection circuit 81. Then, the control unit 405 controls the solenoid valve driving unit 55 to close the solenoid valve 431.

Further, the control portion 405 may perform control of controlling the heating driving portion 56 to stop the driving of the heating function portion 485 when the failure detection portion 80 detects a failure of the heating function portion 485.

For example, when the toilet seat heater failure detection circuit 81 detects a failure of the toilet seat heating unit 482, the control unit 405 receives a signal indicating that a failure has occurred from the toilet seat heater failure detection circuit 81. Then, the control unit 405 controls the toilet seat heater heating drive unit 561 to stop the drive of the toilet seat heating unit 482, i.e., stop the power supply to the toilet seat heater.

For example, when the hot water heater failure detection circuit 82 detects a failure of the hot water unit 440, the control portion 405 receives a signal indicating that a failure has occurred from the hot water heater failure detection circuit 82. Then, the control portion 405 controls the hot water heater heating drive portion 562 to stop the drive of the hot water unit 440, that is, to stop the energization to the hot water heater.

As shown in fig. 4, the heating drive unit 56 (the toilet seat heater heating drive unit 561, the hot water heater heating drive unit 562), the toilet seat heater failure detection circuit 81, the hot water heater failure detection circuit 82, the hot water temperature information circuit unit 92, and the toilet seat temperature information circuit unit 93 are not included in the integrated circuit 32. For example, the heating drive unit 56, the toilet heater trouble detection circuit 81, the hot water heater trouble detection circuit 82, the hot water temperature information circuit 92, and the toilet temperature information circuit 93 are provided separately from the integrated circuit 32 without being integrated with ICs. The heating drive unit 56, the toilet heater trouble detection circuit 81, the hot water heater trouble detection circuit 82, the hot water temperature information circuit 92, and the toilet temperature information circuit 93 may be disposed separately from each other as independent bodies.

The solenoid valve driving unit 55, the heating driving unit 56, the toilet seat heater failure detection circuit 81, the hot water heater failure detection circuit 82, the hot water temperature information circuit unit 92, and the toilet seat temperature information circuit unit 93 may each communicate with the control unit 405 without using an arithmetic device such as the processing unit 72. This can improve the communication speed (response speed).

Although not shown, the same failure detection circuits may be provided in the deodorization driving unit 51, the sterilized water driving unit 52, the nozzle driving unit 53, and the flow rate adjustment driving unit 54, respectively. When a failure is detected, each of these failure detection circuits transmits a signal indicating that a failure has occurred to the control unit 405 via the processing unit 72. Upon receiving the signal, the control section 405 may control the solenoid valve driving section 55 to put the solenoid valve 431 in a closed state, or control the heating driving section 56 to stop the driving of the heating function section 485.

When a failure is detected by at least one of the failure detection circuits of the failure detection unit 80, the driving of one of the functional units 40 other than the solenoid valve 431 and the heating functional unit 485 may be stopped or driven. For example, when a failure is detected, the nozzle motor 476 may be driven to move the nozzle 473 backward. When a failure is detected, the driving may be stopped or driven not only by one but also by a plurality of functional units 40.

When the driving unit 50 is integrated in an integrated circuit, the responsiveness (response speed) of the driving unit 50 may be reduced as compared with a case where the driving unit 50 is not integrated. When a component failure is detected and the stop or drive of the functional unit 40 is to be executed, if the response of the drive unit 50 that controls the drive of the functional unit 40 is reduced, a time difference occurs, and it takes time to stop or drive the drive of the functional unit 40. More specifically, when a failure of either the driving portion 50 or the functional portion 40 is detected, if the responsiveness of the heating driving portion 56 is lowered, it takes time for the driving of the heating functional portion 485 to stop. Alternatively, when a failure of either the driving portion 50 or the functional portion 40 is detected to put the solenoid valve 431 in the closed state, if the responsiveness of the solenoid valve driving portion 55 is lowered, it takes time to close the solenoid valve 431.

In contrast, according to the embodiment, since the heating driver 56 is not included in the integrated circuit 32, a decrease in the responsiveness of the heating driver 56 can be suppressed. Therefore, for example, when a failure or the like is detected, the driving of the heating function section 485 can be promptly stopped. Therefore, the safety of the user can be further improved.

Further, since the solenoid valve driving unit 55 is not included in the integrated circuit 32, a decrease in the responsiveness of the solenoid valve driving unit 55 can be suppressed. Therefore, for example, when a malfunction is detected, since the solenoid valve 431 can be immediately brought into a closed state, the safety of the user can be further improved.

In addition, by integrating the flow rate adjustment driving section 54 in the integrated circuit 32, even if the responsiveness of the flow rate adjustment driving section 54 is lowered, since the solenoid valve driving section 55 is not included in the integrated circuit 32, the solenoid valve 431 can be immediately in the closed state when, for example, a failure is detected. This can improve the safety of the user.

Further, since the temperature information circuit (the hot water temperature information circuit unit 92, the toilet seat temperature information circuit unit 93) is not included in the integrated circuit 32, a decrease in the responsiveness of the temperature information circuit can be suppressed as compared with a case where the temperature information circuit is included in the integrated circuit 32. Thus, the controller 405 can quickly detect a situation where the water supplied to the nozzle 473 is at a high temperature due to, for example, a failure of the heating function section 485. For example, high-temperature water (hot water) can be prevented from splashing on the user, and the safety of the user can be further improved.

For example, heating of the toilet seat heater is initiated by a user sitting on the toilet seat. Further, the frequency with which the user sits on the toilet seat is higher than the frequency with which the user uses the private parts washing function. Therefore, for example, a trouble in the toilet seat heater is likely to affect the user. In contrast, according to the embodiment, since the toilet seat heater heating drive unit 561 is not included in the integrated circuit 32, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the responsiveness of the toilet seat heater heating drive unit 561. Therefore, for example, when a failure or the like of the toilet seat heater is detected, the toilet seat heater heating drive unit 561 can be quickly stopped. Therefore, the safety of the user can be further improved. For example, the temperature of the toilet seat can be prevented from becoming high.

In addition, the failure detection section 80 may detect a failure for each functional section 40 by a failure detection circuit provided on each functional section 40 (each drive section 50). In the embodiment, a failure detection unit 80 that detects a failure of the heating function unit 485 is provided. Thus, when the heating function section 485 fails, only the driving of the heating function section 485 can be stopped. Therefore, the functional part 40 that does not affect the safety of the user can be continuously used, and thus the user can be prevented from being inconvenienced while the safety of the user is ensured.

For example, a method may be employed in which a protection function circuit connected to a plurality of drive circuits is provided in a power supply IC or the like, a threshold value is set for the circuit, and the entire function of the sanitary washing apparatus is stopped when an overcurrent or overheat is detected. However, in this case, the set threshold may be too high or too low for the individual drive unit 50 or the functional unit 40. Setting the threshold value low can improve safety, while if the threshold value is too low, the function that is not actually abnormal may be stopped, and usability may be deteriorated. In contrast, in the embodiment, as described above, when detecting overcurrent or overheat, a threshold value may be set for each driving unit 50 (for each functional unit 40). This can further improve safety and improve usability.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above description. In the above-described embodiments, a person skilled in the art should add an appropriately designed and modified invention as long as the characteristics of the invention are provided. For example, the shape, size, material, arrangement, installation form, and the like of each element provided in the sanitary washing apparatus are not limited to those illustrated, and can be appropriately changed.

Further, each element included in each of the above embodiments may be combined as long as the technique is technically feasible, and the technique in which these are combined is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as the feature of the present invention is included.

Claims

1. A sanitary washing device is provided with:

a plurality of functional units including a nozzle for discharging water to a local part of a user and an electromagnetic valve for opening and closing a water supply flow path leading water to the nozzle;

and a plurality of driving parts for controlling the driving of the plurality of function parts, and comprising a nozzle driving part for controlling the nozzle to advance and retreat and an electromagnetic valve driving part for controlling the electromagnetic valve to open and close,

at least a part of the plurality of drivers including the nozzle driver is integrated in an integrated circuit, and the solenoid valve driver is not included in the integrated circuit.

2. Sanitary washing apparatus according to claim 1,

further comprises a failure detection unit for detecting a failure of at least a part of the plurality of functional units,

when the failure detection section detects a failure, control is performed in which the solenoid valve drive section causes the solenoid valve to be in a closed state.

3. Sanitary washing appliance according to claim 1 or 2,

the plurality of functional sections include a flow rate adjustment section that adjusts a flow rate of the water supplied to the nozzle,

the plurality of driving sections include a flow rate adjustment driving section for controlling driving of the flow rate adjustment section,

the flow adjustment driving part is integrated in the integrated circuit.

4. A sanitary washing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the plurality of functional sections include a deodorization functional section,

the plurality of driving parts include a deodorization driving part controlling driving of the deodorization function part,

the deodorization driving part is integrated in the integrated circuit.