JP2001095726A - Toilet seat heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heating apparatus which can keep comfortable temperature for a user sitting in any posture. SOLUTION: A toilet seat heater 2, which controls heater output according to the difference between the temperature detected by a temperature detector and the preset temperature, comprises a sit-down sensor 3 to detect a user sitting down and a timer which is started by the detection output from the sit-down sensor 3 to time how long he is seated. The heater output is controlled according to the temperature detector until a certain time kept by a timer passes. Afterwards, since period of time is provided for a heater to be turned off continually at a certain interval, the temperature of the toilet seat does not keep going up and a safe and comfortable temperature can be kept even if a user's rear end does not cover the area in which the temperature detector is installed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heating toilet seat in which the temperature of the toilet seat does not increase even when a person sits for a long time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional heating toilet seat, a heater pattern is formed on the rear surface of the toilet seat so that temperature unevenness does not occur on the surface of the toilet seat. Is controlling.

[0003]

However, when a person does not sit on the portion where the temperature detecting means is arranged, such as when the person sits on only one side or sits on the front side, the portion is outside. It is cooled by the air temperature, causing a temperature difference from the part where the person is sitting. In this case, since the temperature detecting means recognizes that the surface of the toilet seat is cold, the output of the heater is increased, which makes a person sitting at a comfortable temperature feel hot. An object of the present invention is to provide a heating device that can maintain a comfortable temperature even when a person sits in any posture in order to solve such a problem.

[0004]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heating toilet seat for controlling a heater output based on a deviation of a set temperature from a temperature detecting means for detecting that a person is seated. A sensor and a timer that starts up based on the detection output of the seating sensor and measures a seating time.Until the measuring time of the timer elapses a predetermined time, the heater output control based on the temperature detection is performed. Since the heater non-energizing time is provided intermittently at predetermined intervals, even when the part where the temperature detecting means is disposed is not covered by the human buttocks, the heater is turned off.
, The toilet seat temperature does not keep rising, and a safe and comfortable temperature can be maintained.

[0005] In the invention according to claim 2, after the measurement time of the timer elapses a second predetermined time longer than the predetermined time, the heater non-energizing time zone is changed to the heater non-energization time before the second predetermined time elapses. Since the time period is longer than the energizing time, when the user sits for a long time, the control can be continued to the extent that the user does not feel cold, and the user does not feel discomfort.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in a heating toilet seat for controlling a heater output based on a deviation between a temperature detecting means and a set temperature, a seating sensor for detecting that a person is seated, and a detection output of the seating sensor are used. A timer that starts and measures the sitting time, performs heater output control based on temperature detection until the measured time of the timer elapses a predetermined time, and intermittently turns on the heater at predetermined intervals after the elapse of the predetermined time. As a result, the temperature of the toilet seat does not keep rising, and a safe and comfortable temperature can be maintained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the heater energizing time is set longer than the heater energizing time before the elapse of the third predetermined time after the third predetermined time that is longer than the predetermined time has elapsed. Since the length is shortened, the control can be continued to the extent that the user does not feel cold when sitting and sitting for a long time, and the user does not feel discomfort.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined time until the intermittent heater energization is started is changed in accordance with the detected temperature when the detection output of the seating sensor is generated. In this case, the heater energization is interrupted early, and when the temperature is low, the normal control based on the temperature deviation is performed for a longer time, so that the comfort can be maintained more.

In the invention according to claim 6, since the heater output after the lapse of the predetermined time is a constant value ignoring the temperature deviation, an excessive output by the temperature detecting means does not occur and the temperature of the toilet seat does not become high.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a temperature changing means for changing a set temperature is provided, and when the temperature set by the temperature changing means is equal to or higher than a first predetermined temperature, the set temperature is detected by a detection output of a seating sensor. To the first predetermined temperature,
When the temperature is lower than the first predetermined temperature, the heater output control is performed as the temperature set by the temperature changing unit, so that the first predetermined time can be relatively long, and it is possible to secure an average use time or more. Thus, if the average usage time is used, the control as before can be performed.

In the invention according to claim 8, when the seating detection output is lost, the temperature is returned to the temperature set by the temperature changing means and the heater output is controlled. The toilet seat surface temperature can be maintained, and no discomfort is felt at the beginning of sitting.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in a heating toilet seat for controlling a heater output based on a deviation between a temperature detecting means and a set temperature, a seating sensor for detecting that a person is seated, and a detection output of the seating sensor are used. Since the heater non-energization time zone is provided intermittently at predetermined intervals, the heater OFF time zone is provided even when the part where the temperature detecting means is arranged is not covered by the buttocks of a person. So
It is possible to maintain a safe and comfortable temperature without increasing the temperature of the toilet seat.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in a heating toilet seat for controlling a heater output based on a difference between a temperature detecting means and a set temperature, a seating sensor for detecting that a person is seated, and a detection output of the seating sensor. Since the heater is energized intermittently at predetermined intervals, even when the part where the temperature detecting means is arranged is not covered by the buttocks of the person, the time period for turning off the heater is provided. It is possible to maintain a safe and comfortable temperature without continuing to rise.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the heating toilet seat that controls the heater output based on the deviation between the temperature detection means and the set temperature, a seating sensor for detecting that a person is seated, and a detection output of the seating sensor. A timer that starts and measures the sitting time is provided, and the energizing operation of the heater is controlled based on the sitting time measured by the timer, so that the toilet seat temperature can be controlled based on the toilet seat sitting time of the user. Thus, the temperature of the toilet seat does not keep rising, and a safe and comfortable temperature can be maintained.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration in a state where a heating toilet seat according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed on a toilet. In the figure, 1 is a toilet, 2 is a heated toilet seat, and 3 is a seating sensor. The seating sensor 3 is configured by a photoelectric distance measuring sensor or the like having a detection area on the toilet seat, and detects whether or not a person is sitting on the toilet seat 2. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the heating toilet seat 2. The heater 4 is spread and attached to the toilet seat back surface 2a, and a toilet seat thermistor 5, which is a temperature detecting means, is attached to one point to be seated. Further, a thermal fuse 6 is provided as a safety device. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. The sectional shape is such that an aluminum foil 4a is attached to the toilet seat back surface 2a, and the heater 4 is welded onto the aluminum foil 4a.

FIG. 4 shows the temporal change of the toilet seat thermistor temperature (Ave.P) and the toilet seat maximum temperature (Max.P) shown in FIG. (A) is experimental data measured by the conventional control method, and (b) is experimental data measured by the control method of the present invention. In this embodiment, after the seat is seated, the normal heating section performs the heater energizing operation, after the first predetermined time, the heater intermittent control 1 is shifted, and after the second predetermined time, the heater intermittent control 2 is shifted, so that the toilet seat surface temperature after the seating is increased. I try not to. Hereinafter, the details of the intermittent control will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the control method of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a time chart. When seating is detected by the seating sensor 3, the temperature of the toilet seat is detected by the thermistor 5. The first predetermined time is adjusted based on the detected value.
During this first predetermined time, the initial toilet seat surface temperature before sitting is 15 ° C.
If it is less than 11 minutes, 15 minutes or more and less than 30 degrees C, 9 minutes,
When the temperature is 30 ° C. or more, the setting is made shorter as the temperature becomes higher, such as 5 minutes. Next, the temperature set by a temperature setting volume (not shown) is checked. If the set temperature is 37.5 ° C. or higher, the control target value is changed to 37.5 ° C. If the set temperature is lower than 37.5 ° C., the setting is performed. Set the temperature as the control target temperature. Further, the timer is started. Next, until the first predetermined time elapses, the heater energization control by the temperature detecting means is performed (feedback control).
The control is returned to the feedback control in which the temperature set by the temperature setting volume (not shown) is set as the target temperature. When the seating is continued and the first predetermined time has elapsed, the heater intermittent control 1 (see FIG.
See). If a separation is detected during that time, the control is returned to the feedback control using the temperature set by the temperature setting volume (not shown) as the target temperature. Further, when the seating is continued and a second predetermined time (fixed for 20 minutes in this embodiment) elapses, the process proceeds to the heater intermittent control 2 (see FIG. 6 for details). If a separation is detected during that time, the control is returned to the feedback control in which the temperature set by the temperature setting volume (not shown) is set as the target temperature. When the seating is further continued and the third predetermined time has elapsed, the energization of the heater is stopped.

In the heater intermittent control 1, an energizing (ON) time of 30 seconds and a non-energizing (OFF) time of 40 seconds are provided intermittently. In the heater intermittent control 2, an energizing (ON) time of 30 seconds and a non-energizing (OFF) time of 60 seconds are provided intermittently. That is, when the user sits for a long time, the heater non-energizing time is lengthened during the heater intermittent operation. The heater power supply amount at this time is a fixed power supply amount.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment. In this embodiment, in the intermittent heater control 1, an energizing (ON) time of 30 seconds and a non-energizing (OFF) time of 40 seconds are provided intermittently. In the heater intermittent control 2, the energization (O
N) time, and a non-energization (OFF) time of 40 seconds is provided. That is, in this embodiment, when the user sits for a long time, the heater power-on time is shortened during the heater intermittent operation. Also in this case, the heater energization amount is a fixed energization amount.

Incidentally, in this heater energization control, feedback control by the thermistor 5 may be added. Further, a plurality of intermittent control stages may be added.

The present invention is characterized in that the average energization amount is reduced in a predetermined time, but rather, it is characterized by providing a non-energization time for the heater. When the human body is sitting, the toilet seat surface temperature is hard to cool down due to the body temperature. Therefore, if there is a human body above the temperature detecting means, the toilet seat surface does not cool down during the heater non-energizing time. Conversely, when there is no human body above the temperature detecting means, by providing a heater non-energizing time,
It cools the toilet seat surface at ambient temperature and prevents it from becoming too hot.

In the above-described embodiment, the control is such that the energization of the heater is continued for a while after seating. However, the control for intermittent operation of energization of the heater immediately after seating may be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet provided with a heated toilet seat of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a heating toilet seat of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line AA in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a time series change of the temperature of the toilet seat thermistor part (Ave.P) and the maximum temperature of the toilet seat (Max.P).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a time chart of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a time chart of another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... toilet 2 ... heating toilet seat 3 ... seating sensor

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A heating toilet seat for controlling a heater output based on a difference between a temperature detecting means and a set temperature, a seating sensor for detecting that a person is seated, and a seating time activated by a detection output of the seating sensor and timed. And a timer to perform the measurement until the measurement time of the timer elapses a predetermined time.
A heating toilet seat which performs heater output control based on temperature detection, and intermittently provides a non-energizing time zone at predetermined intervals after a predetermined time has elapsed. 2. After the measurement time of the timer elapses a second predetermined time longer than the predetermined time, the heater non-energization time zone is set longer than the heater non-energization time zone before the second predetermined time elapses. The heating toilet seat according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A seating sensor for detecting that a person is seated in a heating toilet seat that controls a heater output based on a deviation between a temperature detecting means and a set temperature, and a seating time activated by the detection output of the seating sensor and timed. And a timer to perform the measurement until the measurement time of the timer elapses a predetermined time.
A heating toilet seat characterized by performing heater output control based on temperature detection and intermittently energizing a heater at predetermined intervals after a predetermined time has elapsed. 4. The heater energizing time is set shorter than the heater energizing time before the third predetermined time elapses after a third predetermined time that is longer than the predetermined time is measured by the timer. The heating toilet seat according to claim 3. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time until the intermittent heater energization is started is changed according to a temperature detected when the detection output of the seating sensor is generated. Heating toilet seat. 6. The heating toilet seat according to claim 1, wherein the heater output after the lapse of the predetermined time has a constant value ignoring the temperature deviation. 7. A temperature changing means for changing a set temperature, wherein when the temperature set by the temperature changing means is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the set temperature is changed to the predetermined temperature by a detection output of a seating sensor, and the predetermined temperature is changed. The heating toilet seat according to claim 1, wherein when the temperature is lower than the temperature, the heater output control is performed with the temperature set by the temperature changing unit. 8. The heating toilet seat according to claim 7, wherein when the seating detection output disappears, the temperature is returned to the temperature set by the temperature changing means to perform heater output control. 9. A heating toilet seat for controlling a heater output based on a deviation between a temperature detecting means and a set temperature, a seating sensor for detecting that a person is seated, and intermittently at predetermined intervals by a detection output of the seating sensor. A heating toilet seat, wherein a heater is provided with a non-energized time zone. 10. A heating toilet seat for controlling a heater output based on a difference between a temperature detecting means and a set temperature, a seating sensor for detecting that a person is seated, and intermittently at predetermined intervals by a detection output of the seating sensor. A heating toilet seat characterized in that a heater is energized. 11. A seating sensor for detecting that a person is seated in a heating toilet seat that controls a heater output based on a difference between a temperature detecting means and a set temperature, and a seating time activated by the detection output of the seating sensor and timed. And a heater for controlling the energization operation of the heater based on the sitting time measured by the timer.