JP2002345688A - Heated toilet seat - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem in terms of power saving that the heated toilet seat of conventional constitution has to be continuously energized even when the heating of a toilet seat is not required such as the time when a man urinates or the time of cleaning. SOLUTION: A control means 8 turns ON a heating means 14 provided on the toilet seat 16 by the signal indicating the presence of a human body of a sensor 20 provided on the entrance 5 of a toilet and turns OFF he energizing of the heating means 14 by the signal indicating the rising of a person from the toilet seat 16 of a sitting detection means 17 provided on the toilet seat 16, and the heated toilet seat having a power saving effect is attained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toilet seat heating system for use in homes and offices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a toilet seat heating device is provided with a heating resistor installed in the toilet seat, and energized before use to warm the toilet seat and to seat the seat on the toilet seat. It is something that can be used comfortably.

[0003]

However, the heating toilet seat of the conventional configuration has to keep energizing even when the toilet seat does not need heating when urinating or cleaning the boy. It has the above problems.

In other words, since the toilet seat is heated to a predetermined temperature by energizing the heating resistor, it takes a considerable time to raise the temperature to the predetermined temperature. If you switch off, you will not be in time when you need heating.

[0005]

The present invention comprises, as constituent elements, a toilet seat, a heating means provided on the toilet seat, and a control means for controlling energization of the heating means. When a signal to enter the toilet is received, the heating means is turned on, and the energization of the heating means is performed by a signal of a person standing up from the toilet seat of the seating detection means provided on the toilet seat or a signal of leaving the human body by the sensor. It is configured to be turned off.

The control means turns on the heating means when receiving a signal indicating that the human body has entered the room by means of the sensor, so that when the user is seated on the toilet seat, the toilet seat is heated to a comfortable temperature. Since the energization of the heating means is turned off by a signal that a person rises from the toilet seat, a heating toilet seat having a power saving effect can be obtained.

[0007]

The invention as set forth in claim 1 comprises, as constituent elements, a toilet seat, a heating means provided on the toilet seat, and a control means for controlling energization of the heating means, wherein the control means is a sensor. The heating means is turned on when receiving a signal indicating that the human body has entered the toilet, and a signal indicating that a person has risen from the toilet seat of the seating detection means provided on the toilet seat, or a signal indicating that the human body has exited from the toilet by the sensor is used as the heating means. Is turned off.

The control means turns on the heating means when receiving a signal indicating that the human body has entered the room by means of the sensor, so that when the user sits on the toilet seat, the toilet seat is heated to a comfortable temperature. Since the energization of the heating means is turned off by a signal that a person rises from the toilet seat, a heating toilet seat having a power saving effect can be obtained.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a toilet seat, a heating means provided on the toilet seat, and a control means for controlling energization of the heating means are provided as constituent elements, and the control means is provided at an entrance of a toilet. When the switch is turned on, the heating means is turned on, and a signal indicating that a person has risen from the toilet seat of the seating detection means provided on the toilet seat, or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the switch was turned on, turns on the heating means. The heating toilet seat is configured to be turned off.

Since the on / off control of the heating means is controlled by using a switch provided at the entrance of the toilet, the temperature of the toilet seat can be made comfortable when used, and the switch can be reliably turned off when not in use. And a heating toilet seat having a power saving effect.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration described in the first or second aspect, the heating means is a heating toilet seat configured to be a surface heater provided on the toilet seat.

Since the surface heater can heat most of the toilet seat, the temperature of the toilet seat can be raised to a comfortable temperature in a short time.
It can be a heating toilet seat having a power saving effect.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, the heating means includes a metal plate provided in the toilet seat and an induction heating coil for induction heating the metal plate. . The metal plate is induction-heated by the high-frequency magnetic field generated by the induction heating coil interlinking with the metal plate,
The toilet seat can be heated to a comfortable temperature in a short time, and the toilet seat can be used comfortably and can be a heating toilet seat having a power saving effect.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, the heating means includes a metal plate provided in a toilet seat and an induction heating coil for induction heating the metal plate. It has a heated toilet seat.

The metal plate provided in the toilet seat is induction-heated by the high-frequency magnetic field generated from the induction heating coil, and the temperature of the toilet seat can be raised to a predetermined temperature in a short time, so that the toilet seat can be used comfortably and a power saving effect can be obtained. It can be a heated toilet seat.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the control means further comprises:
The heating toilet seat is configured to stop or limit the heating when the user's sitting is detected by the signal of the seating detecting means.

When the control means detects the user's seat based on a signal from the seat detection means, the heating is stopped or limited, so that the heating seat can be used comfortably without overheating of the toilet seat. You can do it.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the control means further comprises:
When the temperature of the toilet seat drops below a predetermined temperature and reaches a second predetermined temperature while the user is sitting, heating is restarted, and the heating toilet seat is configured to operate to maintain the second predetermined temperature.

When the temperature of the toilet seat drops below a predetermined temperature and reaches a second predetermined temperature while the user is sitting, heating is resumed,
Since it operates so as to maintain the second predetermined temperature, it is possible to provide a heating toilet seat that can be used comfortably without fear of low-temperature burns even if the sitting time is long, and without feeling cold feeling. Things.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, there is provided a room temperature detecting means for detecting a room temperature, and a temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of a toilet seat, The control means is a heating toilet seat configured to control the heating means based on the output of the room temperature detection means and the temperature signal of the temperature detection means.

The control means controls the heating means based on the output of the room temperature detecting means and the temperature signal of the temperature detecting means. The operation time can be set appropriately, and the temperature of the toilet seat can be set appropriately.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the control means includes a receiving means for receiving a radio signal, and a transmitting means for transmitting the radio signal to the receiving means. Is a heated toilet seat arranged outside the toilet.

Since the transmitting means is arranged outside the toilet, the heating toilet seat can be turned off without using the toilet when not in use.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a heating toilet seat according to the present embodiment.
The heating toilet seat of the present embodiment is constituted by a toilet seat 16 which is installed on the upper part of a toilet 15 so as to be freely opened and closed.

The toilet seat 16 includes an induction heating coil 12 constituting a heating means for induction heating the toilet seat 16, a heating element 14 that is induction-heated by receiving a high-frequency magnetic field generated by the induction heating coil 12, And a heat insulating material 13 for keeping heat.

The induction heating coil 12 has a donut shape and is operated by a commercial power supply 10.
Is supplied with a high frequency current.

The inverter 11 is controlled on and off by the control unit 10. The control unit 10 includes a receiving unit 6 that receives a wireless signal from the switch 1 and a control unit 8. The control means 8 is constituted by a microcomputer in the present embodiment. The temperature signal of the temperature detecting means 18 for detecting the temperature of the toilet seat at the input port, the seating signal of the seating detecting means 17, and the reception signal of the receiving means 6 are provided. And the information of the room temperature detected by the room temperature detecting means 19 and the signal of the sensor 20 for detecting the entry or exit of the human body disposed at the entrance 5 of the toilet. Control means 8
Are connected to the inverter 11.

The sensor 20 can be composed of, for example, a light emitting element and a light receiving element. That is, when a human body exists between the light emitting element and the light receiving element, the light receiving element does not receive the light signal emitted by the light emitting element. By transmitting the signal of the light receiving element to the control means 8, the control means 8 recognizes that the human body has entered the toilet or has left the toilet space. That is, when the light-receiving element first transmits a signal indicating that the light-emitting element does not receive the optical signal from the light-emitting element, the control means 8 determines that the human body has entered the room, and determines that the light-receiving element does not receive the optical signal from the light-emitting element for the second time Is sent, it is determined that the human body has left the room.

Further, a magnet switch can be used as the sensor 20. The magnet switch turns on and off according to the opening and closing of the door,
As described above, the control means can use this signal to recognize the entry or exit of the human body.

The temperature detecting means 18 and the room temperature detecting means 19
In this embodiment, it is constituted by a thermistor.

In this embodiment, the switch 1 is disposed near the door 5 in the toilet space where the toilet seat 16 is disposed. The switch 1 has an on button 2 and an off button 3
And transmission means 4. When the user performs an operation of pressing the on button 2 or the off button 3, the transmitting unit 4 transmits a radio signal for starting heating or stopping heating.

The radio signal transmitted by the transmitting means 4 is received by the receiving means 6 constituting the control section 10.

The heating element 14 is made of a sheet metal. There is no particular limitation on the type of metal.

In this embodiment, a foamed styrene resin is used as the heat insulating material 13. However, the kind of the heat insulating material need not be particularly limited as long as it has a heat retaining effect.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below.
When an operation of pressing the ON button 2 of the switch 1 is performed, the transmitting unit 4 transmits the content of the operation by a wireless signal. Transmission means 4
Is transmitted to the control means 8 via the receiving means 6.

In this state, when the user opens the entrance 5 and enters the toilet, the sensor 20 transmits a signal indicating that a human body is present to the control means 8. Further, the control means 8 includes information on the room temperature of the toilet detected by the room temperature detecting means 19 and the temperature detecting means 1.
8 and information indicating the temperature of the top surface of the toilet seat 16 detected by
The high-frequency current or high-frequency power supplied to the induction heating coil 12 constituting the heating means is determined. Further, the inverter 11 is driven so as to have the determined high-frequency power. Accordingly, upon receiving a signal from the sensor 20, the control means 8 drives the inverter 11, and the inverter 11 supplies the determined high-frequency power to the induction heating coil 12. The induction heating coil 12 receives a supply of high-frequency power from the inverter 11 and generates a predetermined high-frequency magnetic field. This high-frequency magnetic field links with the heating element 14, and the heating element 14 is induction-heated. The heat generated by the heating element 14 is transmitted to the entire toilet seat 16 and the temperature of the toilet seat 16 rises.

The temperature rise by the induction heating is very efficient because it is caused by the heat generated by the heating element 14 itself. Therefore, the user enters the room from the entrance 5 and the toilet seat 16
The temperature of the toilet seat 16 has reached a predetermined temperature before sitting on the upper side. At this time, since the heat insulating material 13 is provided on the toilet seat 16, the heat retaining effect of the heat insulating material 13 keeps the temperature of the toilet seat 16 that has reached a predetermined temperature.

At this time, if the user operates the enter button 2 by mistake, when the user operates the cut button 3 subsequently, this information is transmitted to the control means 8 and the control means 8 stops heating.

FIG. 2 is a characteristic diagram showing the temperature of the toilet seat 16 after the start of heating. Toilet seat 1 when enter button 3 is pressed
The temperature c of 6 is heated to a predetermined temperature a in a very short time by the operation of the inverter 11, the induction heating coil 12, and the heating element 14. That is, the temperature of the toilet seat 16 has reached the predetermined temperature a before the seating detecting means 17 detects the user's seating. This is because, in the present embodiment, the heating means is constituted by induction heating using the induction heating coil 12. Induction heating is performed by a high-frequency magnetic field interlinking with the heating element 14 so that the heating element 1
4 is configured to generate heat. That is,
In the heating by the heater, first, the temperature of the heater itself rises to a predetermined temperature, and then the heat generated by the heater is transferred to the surroundings, and the toilet seat 16 is heated. In this regard, in the configuration using induction heating as described above, since the heating element 14 generates heat by eddy current due to a high-frequency magnetic field, heat can be generated with extremely high efficiency.

Therefore, the user can use the toilet without feeling cold. At this time, the control means 8 of the present embodiment
While receiving the signal of being seated from the seating detecting means 17,
The operation of the inverter 11 has been stopped. For this reason, the temperature of the toilet seat 16 is cooled down at the user's body temperature or room temperature over time and falls. At this time, in the present embodiment, in the case of short sitting within 5 minutes, the control means 8 does not restart energization to the inverter 11. In the case of a long sitting longer than 5 minutes, when the toilet seat temperature drops and becomes equal to or lower than the second predetermined temperature b, the control means 8 drives the inverter 11 again. That is, the control means 8
Adjusts the output of the inverter 11 to the second predetermined temperature b
It operates so as to hold.

Therefore, the user can use the toilet without being cold because the user is heated at a temperature close to the body temperature.

Thereafter, when the control means 8 receives a signal from the seat detection means 17 that the user leaves the toilet seat, the control means 8 controls the inverter 1.
1 is stopped. For this reason, the temperature of the toilet seat 16 is cooled down to room temperature over time and falls. In this embodiment, the control means 8 also controls the inverter 1 when the sensor 20 receives a signal indicating the exit of the human body.
1 is set to stop the operation.

That is, the operation of the inverter 11 can be stopped by the signal indicating the leaving of the sensor 20 even when the user enters the toilet only for cleaning the toilet.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the temperature of the toilet seat 16 is raised to the predetermined temperature a by the time the user sits on the toilet seat 16 by the control means 8 using induction heating. Things. For this reason, the user can use the toilet without feeling cold when sitting on the toilet seat 16.

According to the present embodiment, the control means 8 adjusts the output of the inverter 11 so that the temperature of the toilet seat 16 is maintained at the predetermined temperature a. The toilet can be used comfortably without feeling.

According to the present embodiment, the control means 8 heats the toilet seat using induction heating.
Even if the switch is turned off during the non-use time of the toilet, the toilet seat can be comfortably heated by turning on the switch at the time of use, even if the switch is turned off when the toilet is not used. Therefore, heating of the toilet seat can be performed only when the user needs it, and a heating toilet seat that does not require heat-retaining power can be realized.

Further, according to this embodiment, when the sitting time is long, the second predetermined temperature b is maintained so that there is no danger of low-temperature burns and a sense of coolness is felt. It is possible to realize a heating toilet seat that can provide comfortable and comfortable heating.

Further, according to this embodiment, the control means 8 controls the room temperature information detected by the room temperature detecting means 19 and the temperature detecting means 1.
The output of the inverter 11 is controlled based on the temperature information of the toilet seat 16 detected by the controller 8. The room temperature information detected by the room temperature detecting means 19 is an indication of when the season is. Therefore, the heating of the heating element 14 can be adjusted with electric power corresponding to the seasonal temperature.

Further, according to this embodiment, the switch 1 is arranged near the entrance 5 of the toilet using the toilet seat 16. Therefore, when not in use, the switch 1 can be turned off without entering the toilet, and when in use, the switch can be turned on at the entrance 5, and the temperature can be raised by using the time until seating. Toilet seat can be realized.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the switch 1 is provided with the transmitting means 4 for transmitting a radio signal, and the control unit 10 is provided with the receiving means 6 for receiving the radio signal from the switch 1. Therefore, it is possible to realize a heating toilet seat that does not require wiring and does not need to be limited to a place where the switch is installed.

When the transmitting means 4 is arranged outside the toilet, the heating can be turned off without entering the toilet when not in use.

In the above-described embodiment, the heating means is constituted by the inverter 11, the induction heating coil 12, and the heating element 14 so that induction heating can be performed by a high-frequency magnetic field. There is no problem even with the provided planar heater. The planar heater has a configuration in which a heating element having a configuration in which carbon is kneaded into a resin is provided on a plastic film. Therefore, the shape can be freely set and the heating element can be distributed over most of the toilet seat 16.

In this configuration, since the heating elements are distributed over most of the toilet seat 16, the temperature of the toilet seat 16 can be raised to a predetermined temperature in a short time.
It can be a heating toilet seat having a power saving effect.

[0054]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toilet seat, a heating means provided on the toilet seat, and a control means for controlling the energization of the heating means. A structure in which the heating means is turned on when a signal of entering the room is received, and the energization of the heating means is turned off by a signal that a person has risen from the toilet seat of the seating detection means provided on the toilet seat or a signal of leaving the human body by the sensor. Thus, a heating toilet seat having a power saving effect is realized.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toilet seat, a heating means provided on the toilet seat, and a control means for controlling the energization of the heating means, wherein the control means turns on a switch provided at the entrance of the toilet. In a configuration in which the heating means is turned on, and the energization of the heating means is turned off at the time when a predetermined time has elapsed since the switch was turned on, or with a signal that a person stood up from the toilet seat of the seating detection means provided on the toilet seat. Because
It is an object of the present invention to provide a heating toilet seat having a power saving effect, in which the temperature of the toilet seat can be made comfortable when in use, and can be reliably turned off when not in use.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the heating means comprises:
As a configuration of a surface heater provided on a toilet seat, a heating toilet seat that can raise the temperature of a toilet seat to a comfortable temperature in a short time and has a power saving effect is realized.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the heating means comprises:
As a configuration in which a metal plate provided in the toilet seat and an induction heating coil for induction heating the metal plate, the temperature of the toilet seat can be raised to a predetermined temperature in a short time, and the toilet seat can be used comfortably and has a power saving effect. This realizes a heated toilet seat.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the control means includes:
When the user's seat is detected by the signal of the seat detection means, heating is stopped or limited, thereby realizing a heating toilet seat that can comfortably use the toilet seat without overheating the toilet seat.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the control means comprises:
When the temperature of the toilet seat falls below the predetermined temperature and reaches the second predetermined temperature while the user is sitting, heating is restarted, and the operation is performed to maintain the second predetermined temperature. Accordingly, a heating toilet seat that can be used comfortably without fear of low-temperature burns and without feeling cold is realized.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a room temperature detecting means for detecting a room temperature, and a temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of a toilet seat, wherein the control means outputs an output of the room temperature detecting means and a temperature signal of the temperature detecting means. As a configuration for controlling the heating means based on the temperature, taking into account the difference in the temperature at which comfort is felt due to seasonal differences, it is possible to appropriately set the operation time of the heating means and realize a heating toilet seat that can appropriately set the temperature of the toilet seat. Things.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the control means includes a receiving means for receiving a radio signal, and the transmitting means for transmitting to the receiving means is arranged outside the toilet. It is intended to realize a heating toilet seat that can switch off the heating without the need to use the heater.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a heating toilet seat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a change in the temperature of the toilet seat during operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Switch 4 Transmission means 5 Inlet 6 Receiving means 8 Control means 11 Inverter 12 Induction heating coil 13 Insulation material 14 Heating element 16 Toilet seat 17 Seating detection means 18 Temperature detection means 19 Room temperature detection means 20 Sensor

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A toilet seat, and heating means provided on the toilet seat,
Control means for controlling the energization of the heating means, the control means turns on the heating means when a signal from the sensor that the human body enters the toilet, the person from the toilet of the seating detection means provided on the toilet seat A heating toilet seat that turns off the power supply to the heating unit when a signal that has risen, a signal indicating that the human body has left the room using the sensor, or a predetermined time after the sensor detects that the human body has entered the room. 2. A toilet seat, and heating means provided on the toilet seat,
Control means for controlling the energization of the heating means, the control means turns on the heating means by turning on a switch provided at the entrance of the toilet, a signal that a person has risen from the toilet seat of the seating detection means provided on the toilet seat, Alternatively, a heating toilet seat that turns off the power supply to the heating unit when a predetermined time has elapsed since the switch was turned on. 3. The heating toilet seat according to claim 1, wherein the heating means is a surface heater provided on the toilet seat. 4. The heating means includes: a metal plate provided in a toilet seat;
The heating toilet seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the metal plate is an induction heating coil for induction heating. 5. The heating toilet seat according to claim 1, wherein the control means stops or restricts the heating when detecting the user's seating based on a signal from the seating detecting means. 6. The control means is operable to resume heating when the temperature of the toilet seat falls below a predetermined temperature and reaches a second predetermined temperature while the user is seated, and to maintain the second predetermined temperature. The heating toilet seat according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. A room temperature detecting means for detecting a room temperature, and a temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of a toilet seat, wherein the control means controls the heating means based on an output of the room temperature detecting means and a temperature signal of the temperature detecting means. The heating toilet seat according to any one of claims 1 to 6. 8. The heating toilet seat according to claim 1, wherein the control means includes a receiving means for receiving a radio signal, and the transmitting means for transmitting to the receiving means is arranged outside the toilet.