JP2000210231A - Seat warmer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the radiation loss of a seat when it is not used and to prevent a user sitting on the seat for a long time from getting tired. SOLUTION: This seat warmer has heat generators 24 clasped by a heat- insulating and compression-deformable base material 23, a heat conductive sheet 26 located with a prescribed interval from the surface by way of the heat generators 24 and the base material 23, and a temperature control part 28 for controlling the current-carry in the heat generators 24 based on signals from temperature detectors 25. The seat warmer is controlled so that the quantity of heat generated from the heat generators 24 will be increased when a user sits on the seat and decreased when the user gets off the seat. Therefore, the energy-saving effect by the heat insulation and compression-deformation of the base material can be obtained, and the seat will be more comfortable to sit on.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a configuration of a seating and warming device such as a heating toilet seat.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of seating and warming device has a structure as shown in FIG. That is, 1 is a toilet seat installed on the toilet 2, 3 is a toilet lid, and a toilet seat heater 4 composed of a cord-shaped tubing heater is incorporated in the toilet seat 1. To warm up and get the warmth of sitting. Also,
Many types of heating toilet seats, which are seat heating devices of this type, are provided with a local cleaning function. Reference numeral 5 denotes a cleaning nozzle which is a cleaning water discharging device, and a pump (see FIG. The hot water is supplied to the cleaning nozzle 5 (not shown).
It is released to the human body for cleaning. The washing nozzle 5 constitutes a washing device together with a pump (not shown) provided in the case 6.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, the toilet seat heater is energized to maintain a predetermined temperature by energizing the toilet seat heater regardless of day and night when the user is not in use, so that the toilet seat is not cold when the user sits on the toilet seat. As a result, there is a loss of heat from the toilet seat, and the power consumption of toilet seat heating, which accounts for a large portion of standby power for keeping the toilet seat warm even when not in use, is large, and there is a problem that the electricity cost increases. Was.

[0004] In order to solve this problem, there is another conventional heating toilet seat as shown in FIG. 7 (for example, described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 194897/1984). As shown in FIG. 8, this heating toilet seat has a toilet seat body 7 having a cross-sectional shape that bulges upward and has a top surface that is gently inclined toward its inner peripheral edge and outer peripheral edge. Further, a synthetic resin or rubber contact piece 8 is provided at a required interval on the back surface.

[0005] On the upper surface of the toilet seat body 7, a flexible surface heating element 9 having a conductive material covered on both sides with insulating sheets is attached to the toilet seat body 7 in a state of being exposed on the surface of the toilet seat body 7. It was provided by being buried. This surface heating element 9 was formed by forming printed wiring in a predetermined pattern and attaching a synthetic resin sheet to the surface.

Reference numeral 10 denotes an insulating resin layer made of a synthetic resin such as polyamide or polyester, which is attached to the toilet seat body 7 so as to cover the surface heating element 9 provided on the upper surface of the toilet seat body 7. Since the insulating resin layer 10 is formed in a thin film shape, by energizing the surface heating element 9 provided on the upper surface of the toilet seat main body 7, the main part of the human body can be immediately heated to an appropriate temperature without heating the toilet seat main body 7. It can be warmed, there is no need to keep the toilet seat warm by keeping the heater constantly energized,
It is very energy saving.

However, in other conventional heating toilet seats, heat is also transmitted to the toilet seat body 7, and heat dissipation from the toilet seat body 7 occurs during energization of the surface heating element 9 during use. In order not to cool down to the inner and outer edges of the inclined toilet seat body 7,
In order for the heat generating portion to spread to every corner, there is a difficulty in manufacturing that the surface heat generating element 9 needs to be formed into a three-dimensional curved surface. Even if the three-dimensional curved surface of the surface heating element 9 can be formed, there is still a problem in terms of energy saving, such as loss of heat generated in a portion not touched by a human body.

In addition, the toilet time tends to be long especially in the elderly, and in both of the above-mentioned conventional seating and warming devices, the seating surface of the toilet seat does not have a compressive deformation property such as rubber elasticity, so the ischial bone. There was a problem in that local force acts on the human body at the nodules and the like, causing pain and fatigue when sitting for a long time.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a heating element sandwiched between a base material having heat insulating properties and compressive deformation, and a heating element provided between a heating element and a base material. A heat conductive sheet disposed at a distance of, a main body composed of the heat generating element, the base material and the heat conductive sheet, a temperature detecting element, and energization of the heat generating element by a signal from the temperature detecting element And a temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of the heating element. When a user sits on the upper surface of the main body, the heating value of the heating element is increased, and when the user gets off the main body, the heating value of the heating element is reduced.

According to the above invention, since the heat generating element is covered with the heat insulating material, heat loss is prevented, so that energy is saved.
In use, efficient heat collection can be realized by the action of collecting heat in the seating portion and the control for increasing the electric conduction rate. Furthermore, since it is composed of an elastic base material, it is possible to provide a seating warming device that is comfortable to sit on and that does not feel tired or feel pain even when sitting for a long time.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention has the following arrangement to solve the above-mentioned problems. That is, as a first configuration,
A heating element sandwiched between substrates having heat insulation and compressive deformation properties; a heat conductive sheet disposed at a predetermined distance from the heating element via the substrate; A body made of a material and the heat conductive sheet, a temperature detector, and a temperature controller that controls the energization of the heater according to a signal from the temperature detector. And the amount of heat generated by the heating element is reduced when the user gets off the main body.

Since the heat generating element is covered with a heat insulating material, heat loss can be prevented, thereby saving energy. In use, efficient heat collection can be realized by the action of collecting heat in the seating portion and the control for increasing the electric conduction rate. Furthermore, since it is made of an elastic base material, it is comfortable to sit on and can be prevented from feeling tired and painful even when sitting for a long time.

[0013] As a second configuration, a temperature detector is arranged close to a heating element. Then, the temperature of the main body can be controlled more quickly, and control by detecting the presence or absence of a human body is also possible.

A third configuration is a thin skin layer which is provided on the seating surface side of a substrate having heat insulation and compressive deformation properties and which does not have a relatively cool feeling even at low temperatures, and a temperature for detecting the temperature of the skin layer. And a detector. Then, since the skin layer can be heated to a temperature at which a cold sensation is not felt, it is possible to achieve both prevention of cold sensation and energy saving even in cold weather.

As a fourth configuration, a waterproof sheet is provided in the base material between the heating element and the outer surface. In addition, even when the surface is broken, it is possible to prevent water from entering the heating element, thereby preventing electric shock and electric leakage.

In a fifth configuration, a heat insulating material having a hardness higher than that of the base material is provided on the lower surface side of the heat conductive sheet. In addition, power consumption can be further reduced by strengthening the heat insulation. In particular, during use, heat flow from the base material compressed by the user's own weight causes heat flow to radiate from the heating element to the lower surface via the heat conductive sheet. Loss can be prevented. In addition, the cushion on the lower surface side is hardened, so that the sitting comfort is improved.

A sixth configuration is provided with a waterproof sheet made of a material having good heat conductivity. And
At the time of use, since the heat collecting action of the waterproof sheet is also added, the heat collecting force to the seating portion can be increased, and the heat collecting effect is improved.

According to a seventh configuration, the heat conductive sheet has a bending durability of 5 μm to 100 μm.
It is configured using an aluminum sheet of m. And while ensuring heat conduction performance, it can be comprised without impairing the durability as a constituent material and the usability.

In an eighth configuration, a carbon sheet having bending durability is used as the heat conductive sheet. In addition, by ensuring higher thermal conductivity and having a higher flexibility as a constituent material, it is possible to obtain a configuration having excellent durability and usability.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a seating and warming device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
It is principal part sectional drawing of the seating warming tool of FIG. A base material 23 made of a soft foamed resin such as polyurethane is provided between the surface material 21 and a base 22 made of synthetic resin. Inside the base material 23, a linear heating element 24 and a temperature detection element 25 are provided in a predetermined manner. They are arranged in a planar pattern. Further, the heating element 24 and the temperature detector 2
A heat conductive sheet 26 is provided between the base 5 and the base 22 at a predetermined distance via the base material 23.
7. Reference numeral 28 denotes a temperature control unit that controls the temperature of the main body 27, and controls energization of the heating element 24 based on a signal from the temperature detector 25.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part when the sitting and warming device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used.
During warming, when the user sits on the upper surface of the main body, the soft foamed resin 23 is compressed and deformed by the weight of the user. When the base material 23 is deformed by compression, the heating element 24 and the temperature detecting element 25
Is close to the heat conductive sheet 26. What the user puts on the main body and warms up means that the heat of the main body transfers to the user. According to the embodiment, not only the seating surface but also heat of a wide range of the main body extending around the seating surface is transferred to the user via the heat conductive sheet 26. The heat of the main body is lowered by transferring a large amount of heat of the main body to the user. When the temperature of the main body decreases, the temperature detector 25
Detects a decrease in temperature, and outputs the heat
4 is controlled so as to increase the duty ratio.

Therefore, when in use, efficient heat collection can be realized by the action of collecting heat in the seating portion and the control for increasing the duty ratio. Further, since the seating portion is deformed by the user's own weight due to the compressive deformability of the base material 23, the load is dispersed and received over a wide area, so that a local force acts on the ischial tuberosity and the like. It is comfortable to sit on and can prevent tiredness and pain from sitting for a long time.

When the user gets off the top of the main body,
By restoring the base member 23 to its initial shape, the heating element 24 and the temperature detection element 25 can maintain a certain distance from the heat conductive sheet 26. By forming the heating element 24 and the temperature detecting element 25 at a certain distance from the heat conductive sheet 26, the heat conductive sheet 26 can be prevented from functioning as a radiator plate when not in use, and unnecessary energy consumption can be prevented. . Also,
The heat obtained by increasing the electrical conductivity during use is supplied to the user and is also stored in the main body at the same time. When the user gets off the main body, the heat stored in the main body suppresses the electric conduction rate of the heating element 24 to be lower than the electric conduction rate before use, and an energy saving effect can be expected. In addition, since the heating element 24 is covered with the heat insulating base material 23, the heat dissipation loss is significantly reduced, so that power consumption can be reduced. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a change in the duty ratio when the sitting and warming device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used and not used.

The means for controlling the amount of heat generated by the heating element 24 is not limited to the control of the duty ratio, but may be other means. Further, in the present embodiment, the heat conductive sheet 26 is located at a lower position in the present embodiment, but the heat conductive sheet 26 may be located at an upper position. What you get is obvious.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of a seating and warming device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. One-wire heater wire 2 that has both heat generation function and temperature detection function
9 is used. Also, the heat conductive sheet 26
Is formed using an aluminum sheet 30. The thickness of the aluminum sheet 30 is from 5 μm to 100 μm. A reinforcing sheet 31 made of polyethylene, polyester, or polypropylene is laminated on both sides or one side of the aluminum sheet 30. Reference numeral 32 denotes a waterproof sheet, which is formed by laminating and reinforcing a sheet of polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, or the like on both sides or one side of an aluminum sheet, similarly to the heat conductive sheet 26. 33 in the base material 23.

Next, the operation will be described. By integrating the heat generation function and the temperature detection function, the body temperature can be controlled more quickly by directly detecting the temperature of the heating element where the temperature of the body tends to decrease significantly. And, as the detection capability increases, it goes beyond simply controlling the duty ratio corresponding to the temperature change by the temperature detection function. It is possible to control, or to energize or de-energize. When the present invention is used for a heated toilet seat device with a washing function,
It is also possible to control the operation of the cleaning device by utilizing the action of detecting the presence or absence of a human body.

Also, by using the aluminum sheet 30 as the heat conductive sheet 26, high heat conductivity can be realized at low cost. However, in order to ensure performance, it is necessary to secure a thickness of at least 5 μm or more. On the other hand, in order to secure flexibility as a constituent material, on the contrary, the thickness is 100 μm.
It is desirable to be within. In addition, in order to ensure bending durability, by forming a reinforcing sheet on both sides or one side of the aluminum sheet 30, it is possible to prevent the aluminum sheet 30 from being divided by a repeated load.

Further, by providing the waterproof sheet 32 in the substrate 23, even if the outer surface 33 has been waterproofed, the surface is mechanically or scientifically destroyed for some reason and moisture or the like is contained in the substrate 23. Even if the water penetrates, the infiltration of moisture into the heating element 24 is prevented, accidents such as electric shock and electric leakage are prevented, and deterioration of the base material 23 due to moisture is prevented, so that a safe and highly reliable configuration can be obtained. By using an aluminum sheet as the waterproof sheet 32, high thermal conductivity is realized at a low cost, and the heat collecting action of the waterproof sheet is added at the time of use. The heating effect is also improved.

In this embodiment, the one-wire heater wire 29 having the two functions of the heat generation function and the temperature detection function has been described. However, the heating element and the temperature detection body may be arranged adjacent to each other. Good.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part of a seating and warming device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. As shown in FIG.
On the seating surface side of No. 3, a thin skin layer 34 made of a resin sheet of polyethylene, polyester, polyurethane or the like having a thickness of 20 μm to 200 μm is provided so as to have good heat insulation properties and relatively no cold feeling even at low temperatures. A thermistor 35 serving as a temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the skin layer 34 is provided in contact with the skin layer 34.
A carbon sheet 36 is used for the heat conductive sheet 26,
On the lower surface side of the heat conductive sheet 26, a heat insulating material 37 having a hardness higher than that of the base material 23 is disposed between the heat conductive sheet 26 and the base 22 to form a main body 27.

Next, the operation will be described. 20 μm thick
Is provided as the skin layer 34, so that abrasion resistance and antifouling properties are improved,
Thin resin sheets do not feel cold even at relatively low temperatures, so they are usually not always heated and can be cooled even in cold conditions, for example, by slightly heating them to about 10 ° C to prevent cold sensation. It can also prevent cold sensation and save energy. Further, the heat insulation of the heating element 24 is strengthened by the base material 23 on the upper surface of the main body and the heat insulating material 37 on the lower surface, and when the user is not on the sitting and heating device, a high heat retaining effect prevents unnecessary energy consumption. it can.

On the other hand, when the user is on the sitting and warming device, the base material 23 having excellent compressive deformation properties is compressed and deformed by the weight of the user, so that the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, particularly during use, it is possible to prevent loss of heat flow from the heating element 24 to the lower surface via the heat conductive sheet 26 due to heat transfer from the base material 23 compressed by the user's own weight. In addition, the cushion on the lower surface side is hardened, so that the sitting comfort is improved. Then, by using the carbon sheet 36 as the heat conductive sheet 26, it is possible to improve the feeling of use by having high thermal conductivity, high durability against repeated loads, and flexibility.
Further, the weight can be reduced.

Here, a resin sheet is used as the thin skin layer 34 which does not have a relatively cool feeling even at a low temperature.
When the specific heat is represented by c, a material having a small λ or c or ρ
A material having a small thermal permeability b represented by the square root of the product of λ and c, that is, a material having good heat insulating properties may be used. However

[0035]

(Equation 1)

Although the present embodiment has been described using the thermistor 35 provided in contact with the skin layer as a temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the skin layer 34, the infrared detection type seating surface detection is provided outside the main body 27. A body (not shown) may be provided.

[0037]

As described above, the seating and warming device of the present invention has the following effects.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
Since the heating element is covered with a heat insulating material, heat loss is prevented, thereby saving energy. In use, efficient heat collection can be realized by the action of collecting heat in the seating portion and the control for increasing the electric conduction rate. Furthermore, since it is made of an elastic base material, it is comfortable to sit on and can be prevented from feeling tired and painful even when sitting for a long time.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the temperature of the main body can be more quickly controlled, and the control by detecting the presence or absence of a human body can be performed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the skin layer can be heated to a temperature at which a cold sensation is not felt, it is possible to achieve both prevention of cold sensation and energy saving even in cold weather. .

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent water from entering the heating element even when the surface is broken, thereby preventing electric shock and electric leakage.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to further reduce the power consumption by strengthening the heat insulation. In particular, at the time of use, the heat transfer from the base material compressed by the user's own weight causes It is possible to prevent a loss in which a heat flow is radiated from the heating element to the lower surface via the heat conductive sheet. In addition, the cushion on the lower surface side is hardened, so that the sitting comfort is improved.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the heat collecting effect of the waterproof sheet is added at the time of use, so that the heat collecting force to the seating portion can be increased, and the heat collecting effect is improved.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a structure without deteriorating the durability as a constituent material and the usability while ensuring the heat conduction performance.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a configuration having excellent durability and usability by ensuring higher thermal conductivity and having a higher flexibility as a constituent material. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a seating warming device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part of the heating device.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the use of the warming device.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing a change in the duty ratio when the heating device is used or not used.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of a seating and warming device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part of a seating and warming device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a conventional seat warming device.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of another conventional seat warming device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 23 Base Material 24 Heating Element 25 Temperature Detector 26 Thermal Conductive Sheet 27 Main Body 28 Temperature Control Unit 30 Aluminum Sheet 32 Waterproof Sheet 33 Outer Surface 34 Skin Layer 35 Thermistor (Temperature Detector) 36 Carbon Sheet 37 Insulation Material

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroaki Yonebo 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2D037 AD08 AD09 3K058 AA61 AA81 BA01 CA23 CA52 CA61 CB14 CE12

Claims (8)

[Claims] A heating element sandwiched between substrates having heat insulation and compression deformation properties; a heat conductive sheet disposed at a predetermined distance from the heating element and the substrate; And a main body composed of the base material and the heat conductive sheet, and a temperature detector,
A temperature control unit for controlling energization of the heating element based on a signal from the temperature detecting element; increasing a heating value of the heating element when a user sits on the upper surface of the main body; A seating heater that reduces the volume. 2. The sitting and warming device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature detector is arranged close to the heating element. 3. The seating and warming device according to claim 1, further comprising a thin skin layer provided on the seating surface side of the base material and having a relatively uncool feeling even at a low temperature, and a temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the skin layer. 4. The seating and warming tool according to claim 1, wherein a waterproof sheet is provided in the base material between the heating element and the outer surface. 5. The sitting and warming device according to claim 1, further comprising a heat insulating material having a hardness higher than that of the base material on a lower surface side of the heat conductive sheet. 6. The seating and warming device according to claim 4, further comprising a waterproof sheet made of a material having good heat conductivity. 7. A heat conductive sheet having a thickness of 5 μm to 100 μm.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein an aluminum sheet of μm is used.
The seating heater described in the item. 8. The seating and warming device according to claim 1, wherein a carbon sheet is used as the heat conductive sheet.