EP4257021A1

EP4257021A1 - Seat heating control system and control method for smart toilet with detachable toilet seat

Info

Publication number: EP4257021A1
Application number: EP23166886.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Linhu HUANG; Kaikai PAN; Shijie Zhang; Lei Wang; Zhiqiang Cao; Yize YAO
Original assignee: Ningbo Jt Intelligent Sanitary Ware Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ningbo Jt Intelligent Sanitary Ware Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-04-07
Filing date: 2023-04-05
Publication date: 2023-10-11
Also published as: CN114794949A; CN114794949B

Abstract

The present invention discloses a seat heating control system and control method for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat. The control system comprises a toilet main body, and the toilet main body is connected to a detachable toilet seat, the toilet main body is provided with a main control panel, and the main control panel is connected to a power supply; the toilet seat is provided with a heat control panel, and the heat control panel is connected to a heating wire; wherein a circuit loop is formed between the main control panel and the heat control panel through a first lead wire and a second lead wire; the first lead wire is connected to a switch control device; a heating information is sent by the main control panel and is converted into a high-frequency switch signal by the switch control device and then sent to the heat control panel; the heat control panel measures the high-frequency switch signal, analyzes the information sent by the main control panel, and controls the heating of the heating wire. The communication between the main control panel and the heat control panel is achieved through two wires to realize real-time heating control of the toilet seat, which is of low design and manufacturing costs, and high communication reliability.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the technical field of intelligent bathroom, and in particular to a seat heating control system and control method for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat.

BACKGROUND

The European standard for smart toilet requires that the toilet seat and the main body of the toilet can be disassembled, thus the toilet seat and the main body of the toilet generally adopt a quick plug connection. The main body of the toilet is provided with a main control panel, and the toilet seat is provided with a heat control panel. When the toilet seat and the main body of the toilet are connected by a quick plug connection, the main control panel only provides electric power to the heat control panel and no real-time communication is achieved between the main control panel and the heat control panel unless other modules to be installed, such as a wireless communication module. However, the additional module installation increases the manufacturing cost of the smart toilet to a certain extent, while the wireless communication is not as reliable as wired communication, which results in a relatively high failure rate and also increases the maintenance difficulty and cost. It is an urgent need to develop a new smart toilet heating control system with wired communication between the main control panel and the heat control panel, to reduce the manufacturing cost of the smart toilet while improving the reliability of the communication.

SUMMARY

The object of the present invention is to provide a seat heating control system and control method for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat. The communication between the main control panel and the heat control panel is achieved through two wires to realize real-time heating control of the toilet seat, which is of low design and manufacturing costs, and high communication reliability.
One aspect of the present invention is to provide a seat heating control system for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat, comprising a toilet main body and the toilet main body is connected to a detachable toilet seat, the toilet main body is provided with a main control panel, and the main control panel is connected to a power supply; the toilet seat is provided with a heat control panel, and the heat control panel is connected to a heating wire; a circuit loop is formed between the main control panel and the heat control panel through a first lead wire and a second lead wire; the first lead wire is connected to a switch control device; a heating information is sent by the main control panel and is converted into a high-frequency switch signal by the switch control device and then sent to the heat control panel. The heat control panel measures the high-frequency switch signal, analyzes the information sent by the main control panel, and controls the heating of the heating wire.
Compared to the prior art, the advantages of the control system of the present invention are embodied in the following: the main control panel and the heat control panel of the present invention are connected in a circuit loop through a first lead wire and a second lead wire. As a wired connection, the first lead wire is provided with a switch control device, and the main control panel converts heating information into high-frequency switch signals through the switch control device, and then send them to the heat control panel; the heat control panel then measures the high-frequency switch signal to analyze the data sent by the main control panel to control the heating of the heating wire. The heating information cannot be transmitted by the high-frequency switch signal, but in the present invention the heating information is converted by the switch control device, and stored in the high-frequency switch signal for transmission until it is collected and analyzed by the heat control panel. Real-time heating control of the toilet seat without using other communication modules is thus achieved, reducing the manufacturing cost of the detachable smart toilet seat. Wired communication also ensures high communication reliability between the main control panel and the heat control panel, and is not prone to failures.
Preferably, in the seat heating control system for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat, the switch control device is a first MOS tube.
Preferably, in the seat heating control system for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat, the main control panel transmits heating information to the heat control panel through a first MOS tube in the form of a high-frequency switch signal. The heat control panel measures the high-frequency switch signal, analyzes the information sent by the main control panel, and controls the turning on or off of the heating wire, that is, controls the heating temperature through the heating duration, which is of better controllability compared to the change of heating power; the components in the system do not need to withstand sudden changes in current or voltage, and the stability and safety of the entire system are better.
Preferably, in the seat heating control system for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat, the heating information sent by the main control panel is a set temperature information for the toilet seat.
Preferably, in the seat heating control system for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat, the heat control panel collects the set temperature information for the toilet seat sent by the main control panel, powers on/off the heating wire, and collects the real-time temperature of the toilet seat to make the heating wire reach the set heating temperature.
Preferably, in the seat heating control system for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat, a temperature sensor is provided inside the toilet seat, which is connected to a heat control panel, and a second MOS tube is connected to the second lead wire. The temperature sensor transmits the temperature of the heating wire to the heat control panel in real time, and the heat control panel transmits the real-time temperature and human body sensing signals at the heating wire to the main control panel through the second MOS tube in the form of high-frequency switch signals, achieving two-way communication between the main control panel and the heat control panel. The main control panel adjusts the turning on/off of the heating wire based on the real-time heating temperature fed back by the heat control panel, thereby making the toilet seat heating more intelligent, user-friendly, and energy-saving.
Preferably, in the seat heating control system for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat, a current sensor is further connected to the second lead wire, which is located between the main control panel and the second MOS tube. The main control panel detects the current information sent by the heat control panel in real time through the current sensor, and analyzes the data of the heat control panel through current waveforms with different duty ratios, providing timely feedback and high stability.
Preferably, in the seat heating control system for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat, the toilet seat is provided with a pair of connecting ears, and one end of the first lead wire and one end of the second lead wire are both connected to the heat control panel. The other end of the first lead wire and the other end of the second lead wire are respectively extended to the connecting ears to form an electrical connection part, which is of the shape of a cylindrical helix.
The present invention also provides a control method for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat, comprising the following control steps:

Step 1: the main control panel on the toilet main body generates high-frequency switch signals from the information of the set heating temperature through the first MOS tube;
Step 2: the heat control panel measures the high-frequency switch signals and resolves the set temperature from the heating information sent by the main control panel;
Step 3: the heat control panel controls the turning on/off of the heating wire, and collects the real-time temperature of the toilet seat to make sure the heating wire reaches the set heating temperature;
Step 4: the temperature sensor detects the real-time temperature of the heating wire and sends the real-time temperature information to the heat control panel, and the capacitor sensor and pressure sensor detect the real-time human sensing information and send them to the heat control panel;
Step 5: the heat control panel converts the real-time temperature of the heating wire and human sensing information into high/low level current information through the second MOS tube;
Step 6: the current sensor detects in real-time the current information converted in Step 5 and transmits it to the main control panel
Step 7: the main control panel resolves the data of the heat control panel through current waveforms with different duty ratio, and then adjusts the heating information of the set temperature.

Preferably, in the control method for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat, a closed loop is formed from Step 1 to Step 7 in which the heat control panel receives a new heating information instruction and the main control panel obtains the temperature and human sensing information of the toilet seat each time when Step 7 is completed.
Compared with the prior art, the present invention achieves bidirectional communication between the main control panel and the heat control panel through two lead wires and MOS tubes respectively set on the wires. The main control panel adjusts the turning on/off of the heating wire according to the real-time heating temperature feedback of the heat control panel, thereby making the heating of the toilet seat more intelligent, user-friendly and energy-efficient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the circuit for the toilet seat heating control system of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is schematic diagram of the circuit connection on the main control panel;
FIG. 3 is schematic diagram of the circuit connection on the heat control panel;
FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the control method of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a structural schematic diagram of the toilet seat;
FIG. 6 is a structural schematic diagram of internal part of the connecting ears; and
FIG. 7 is a structural schematic diagram of electrical connections.

Reference numbers: 1-toilet seat, 2-main control panel, 3-heat control panel, 4-heating wire, 5-first lead wire, 6-second lead wire, 7-first MOS tube, 8-second MOS tube, 9-connecting ear, 10-electrical connection part, 11-mounting groove, 12-limiting block, 13-key groove.

EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be further described below in combination with the specific embodiments.
Embodiment: with the circuit principle referred in the FIGS. 1-3, a seat heating control system for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat, comprising a toilet main body and the toilet main body is connected to a detachable toilet seat 1, the toilet main body is provided with a main control panel 2, and the main control panel 2 is connected to a power supply; as referred in FIGS. 5-7, the toilet seat 1 is provided with a heat control panel 3, and the heat control panel 3 is connected to a heating wire 4; a circuit loop is formed between the main control panel 2 and the heat control panel 3 through a first lead wire 5 and a second lead wire 6; the first lead wire 5 is connected to a switch control device; a heating information is sent by the main control panel 2 and is converted into a high-frequency switch signal by the switch control device and then sent to the heat control panel 3. The heat control panel 3 measures the high-frequency switch signal, analyzes the information sent by the main control panel 2, and controls the heating of the heating wire 4.
As a preferred embodiment, the switch control device is the first MOS tube 7.
As a preferred embodiment, the main control panel 2 transmits heating information to the heat control panel 3 through a first MOS tube 7 in the form of a high-frequency switch signal. The heat control panel 3 measures the high-frequency switch signal, analyzes the information sent by the main control panel 2, and controls the turning on or off of the heating wire.
As a preferred embodiment, the heating information sent by the main control panel 2 is a set temperature information for the toilet seat.
As a preferred embodiment, the heat control panel 3 collects the set temperature information for the toilet seat sent by the main control panel 2, powers on/off the heating wire 4, and collects the real-time temperature of the toilet seat 1 to make the heating wire 4 reach the set heating temperature.
As a preferred embodiment, a temperature sensor is provided inside the toilet seat 1, which is connected to a heat control panel 3, and a second MOS tube 8 is connected to the second lead wire 6. The temperature sensor transmits the temperature of the heating wire 4 to the heat control panel 3 in real time, and the heat control panel 3 transmits the real-time temperature and human body sensing signals at the heating wire 4 to the main control panel 2 through the second MOS tube 8 in the form of high-frequency switch signals.
As a preferred embodiment, a current sensor is further connected to the second lead wire 6, which is located between the main control panel 2 and the second MOS tube 8. The main control panel 2 detects the current information sent by the heat control panel 3 in real time through the current sensor, and analyzes the data of the heat control panel 3 through current waveforms with different duty ratios.
As a preferred embodiment, a second lead wire 5 is connected to a current sensor, and the current sensor is located between the main control panel 2 and the second MOS tube 8. The main control panel 2 detects the current information transmitted by the heat control panel 3 through the current sensor in real-time, and the data of the heat control panel 3 is resolved through current waveforms with different duty ratios.
As a preferred embodiment, the toilet seat 1 is provided with a pair of connecting ears 9, which are used for quick insertion and connection with the toilet main body, and one end of the first lead wire 5 and one end of the second lead wire 6 are both connected to the heat control panel 3. The other end of the first lead wire 5 and the other end of the second lead wire 6 are respectively extended to the connecting ears to form an electrical connection part 10, and the electrical connection part 10 is of the shape of a cylindrical helix.
When the toilet seat 1 is connected with the toilet main body by quick insertion, the metal latch on the toilet main body can be inserted into the electrical connection part 10 of the toilet seat 1, which creates an electrical connection structure with multi-point connection and higher stability of power supply. Especially when the toilet seat 1 is rotated, the structure of the electrical connection part 10 ensures that the toilet seat 1 and the toilet main body are not easily disconnected.
As a preferred embodiment, the internal part of the connecting ear 9 is provided with a mounting groove 11 which is open at one end, to facilitate the quick insertion and connection. The electrical connection part 10 is located at the mounting groove 11.
As a preferred embodiment, the shape of the mounting groove 11 is cylindrical, and the mounting groove 11 is coaxially disposed with the electrical connection part 10. Since the metal latch on the toilet main body is coaxially connected with the mounting groove 11, the coaxial arrangement of the mounting groove 11 and the electrical connection part 10 ensures a stable electrical connection between the electrical connection part 10 and the metal latch when the toilet seat 1 is rotated.
As a preferred embodiment, the axial direction of the mounting groove 11 is perpendicular to the length direction of the toilet seat 1, that is, the axial direction of the mounting groove 11 is parallel to the width direction of the toilet seat 1, which facilitates the quick connection between the toilet seat 1 and the toilet main body.
As a preferred embodiment, the openings of the two mounting grooves 11 face in opposite directions, and the distance between the openings of the two mounting grooves is greater than the distance between bottoms of the two mounting grooves. That is, the openings of the mounting grooves 11 for the two connecting ears 9 are set opposite to each other, facing away from each other, which facilitates a convenient disassembly and assembly.
As a preferred embodiment, the bottom of the mounting groove 11 is provided with limiting block 12, which limits the electrical connection part 10 and prevent it from being deformed or displaced.
As a preferred embodiment, the mounting groove 11 is provided with a key groove 13 on the groove wall, which facilitates the quick connection between the toilet seat 1 and the toilet main body.
As referred in FIG. 4, a control method for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat, comprising the following control steps:

Step 1: the main control panel 2 on the toilet main body generates high-frequency switch signals from the information of the set heating temperature through the first MOS tube 7;
Step 2: the current sensor between the heat control panel 3 and the first MOS tube detects the signal converted in Step 1 in real time and transmits it to the heat control panel 3, allows the heat control panel 3 to analyze the information of the set heating temperature sent by the main control panel 2.
Step 3: the heat control panel 3 controls the turning on/off of the heating wire 4, and collects the real-time temperature of the toilet seat to make sure the heating wire 4 reaches the set heating temperature;
Step 4: the temperature sensor detects the real-time temperature of the heating wire 4 and sends the real-time temperature information to the heat control panel 3, and the capacitor sensor and pressure sensor detect the real-time human sensing information and send them to the heat control panel 3;
Step 5: the heat control panel 3 converts the real-time temperature of the heating wire 4 and human sensing information into high/low level current information through the second MOS tube 8;
Step 6: the current sensor detects in real-time the current information converted in Step 5 and transmits it to the main control panel 2;
Step 7: the main control panel 2 resolves the data of the heat control panel 3 through current waveforms with different duty ratio, and then adjusts the heating information of the set temperature.

The above is only some preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. It should be pointed out that several improvements and upgrades for those ordinarily skilled in the art of this field, which do not depart from the principle of the present invention, should also be considered as within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

A seat heating control system for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat, comprising a toilet main body, and the toilet main body is connected to a detachable toilet seat, the toilet main body is provided with a main control panel, and the main control panel is connected to a power supply; the toilet seat is provided with a heat control panel, and the heat control panel is connected to a heating wire; wherein a circuit loop is formed between the main control panel and the heat control panel through a first lead wire and a second lead wire; the first lead wire is connected to a switch control device; a heating information is sent by the main control panel and is converted into a high-frequency switch signal by the switch control device and then sent to the heat control panel; the heat control panel measures the high-frequency switch signal, analyzes the information sent by the main control panel, and controls the heating of the heating wire.
The seat heating control system for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat of claim 1, wherein the switch control device is a first MOS tube.
The seat heating control system for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat of claim 2, wherein the main control panel transmits the heating information to the heat control panel through the first MOS tube in the form of a high-frequency switch signal; the heat control panel measures the high-frequency switch signal, analyzes the information sent by the main control panel, and controls the turning on or off of the heating wire.
The seat heating control system for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat of claim 3, wherein the heating information sent by the main control panel is a set temperature information for the toilet seat.
The seat heating control system for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat of claim 4, wherein the heat control panel collects the set temperature information for the toilet seat sent by the main control panel, powers on/off the heating wire, and collects the real-time temperature of the toilet seat to make the heating wire reach the set heating temperature.
The seat heating control system for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat of any one of claims 2-5, wherein a temperature sensor is provided inside the toilet seat, which is connected to a heat control panel, and a second MOS tube is connected to the second lead wire; the temperature sensor transmits the temperature of the heating wire to the heat control panel in real time, and the heat control panel transmits the real-time temperature and human body sensing signals at the heating wire to the main control panel through the second MOS tube in the form of high-frequency switch signals.
The seat heating control system for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat of claim 6, wherein a current sensor is further connected to the second lead wire; the current sensor is located between the main control panel and the second MOS tube; the main control panel detects the current information sent by the heat control panel in real time through the current sensor, and analyzes the data of the heat control panel through current waveforms with different duty ratios.
The seat heating control system for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat of claim 6, wherein the toilet seat is provided with a pair of connecting ears, and one end of the first lead wire and one end of the second lead wire are both connected to the heat control panel; the other end of the first lead wire and the other end of the second lead wire are respectively extended to the connecting ears to form an electrical connection part, which is of the shape of a cylindrical helix.
A control method for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat, wherein it comprises the following control steps:
Step 1: the main control panel on the toilet main body generates high-frequency switch signals from the information of the set heating temperature through the first MOS tube;

Step 2: the heat control panel measures the high-frequency switch signals and resolves the set temperature from the heating information sent by the main control panel;

Step 3: the heat control panel controls the turning on/off of the heating wire, and collects the real-time temperature of the toilet seat to make sure the heating wire reaches the set heating temperature;

Step 4: the temperature sensor detects the real-time temperature of the heating wire and sends the real-time temperature information to the heat control panel, and the capacitor sensor and pressure sensor detect the real-time human sensing information and send them to the heat control panel;

Step 5: the heat control panel converts the real-time temperature of the heating wire and human sensing information into high/low level current information through the second MOS tube;

Step 6: the current sensor detects in real-time the current information converted in Step 5 and transmits it to the main control panel;

Step 7: the main control panel resolves the data of the heat control panel through current waveforms with different duty ratio, and then adjusts the heating information of the set temperature.
The control method for a smart toilet with a detachable toilet seat of claim 9, wherein a closed loop is formed from Step 1 to Step 7; in the closed loop, the heat control panel receives a new heating information instruction and the main control panel obtains the temperature and human sensing information of the toilet seat each time when Step 7 is completed.