JP2004019296A - Urinal flushing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means for easily and optionally performing wash water supply operation for the case of cleaning work or the like while having an advantage of a microwave sensor. <P>SOLUTION: This urinal flushing device is provided with a valve that can supply wash water to a urinal body; a microwave Doppler sensor for generating a differential signal corresponding to the difference between transmitted microwave and the frequency of an input signal; and a control means for opening the valve in response to the output of the microwave Doppler sensor. The control means is provided with a specific operation detecting means for detecting a signal obtained by performing specific operation within the sensing range of the microwave Doppler sensor, and opening of the valve in response to the output of the microwave Doppler sensor is inhibited for a prescribed time after the detection of the specific operation by the specific operation detecting means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a urinal cleaning device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a human body detection sensor such as an infrared sensor is installed on the toilet to automate the cleaning of the urinal body after refilling, and when a user is detected for a certain period of time, it is confirmed that the user has separated after that. In some cases, a certain amount of washing water is flowed upon detection. Such a urinal cleaning device is convenient in ordinary use because a user does not need to perform an operation for urinal cleaning.
[0003]
Some urinal cleaning apparatuses include a reed switch for arbitrarily supplying cleaning water in consideration of urinal cleaning work. The reed switch is provided inside an apparatus casing formed of resin or the like, and is turned on in response to a magnetic force when a cleaning operator brings a magnet close to a portion where the reed switch is installed. For example, once the magnet is brought close to the reed switch, the cleaning mode is set for a predetermined time after that, and the operation of the human body detection sensor is stopped. This prevents unnecessary supply of cleaning water in response to the cleaning operator. Then, when cleaning water needs to be supplied in the cleaning operation, if the magnet is brought closer again during the cleaning mode, the reed switch is turned on and the cleaning water is supplied. By using the reed switch, the cleaning operator can arbitrarily supply cleaning water without causing inappropriate operation of the valve during normal use.
[0004]
On the other hand, it has been proposed to use a microwave sensor as a sensor for detecting a user in a toilet flushing device (Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 62-132484). Since microwaves penetrate ceramics and porcelain, it is possible to install the sensor inside a ceramic toilet or behind a tile, which is excellent in that it is not necessary to consider protection of the sensor itself, waterproofing, etc. I have. In addition, since the sensor can be hidden, there is no danger of mischief, and the degree of freedom in design is improved.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the urinal cleaning apparatus using the above-described microwave sensor, a means for providing a reed switch inside a pottery or a tile is not realistic because sensitivity of the reed switch is insufficient. In addition, providing an operation switch on the outside has a problem that the switch is mischievous, becomes dirty, and requires a member for protecting and waterproofing the switch itself.
[0006]
Further, the operation of supplying the cleaning water using the reed switch is troublesome since the cleaning operator needs to carry a magnet. In addition, there were times when the magnets were lost and the precious functions could not be used.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned background, and aims at solving the above-described problems, and there is no need to consider protection of the sensor itself, waterproofing, and the like, and the sensor can be concealed. To provide a means to easily and arbitrarily supply cleaning water for cleaning work, etc. while having the advantage of a microwave sensor that there is no risk of mischief and the degree of freedom of design is improved. is there.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Functions / Effects]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention according to claim 1 has a valve that enables supply of flush water to the urinal body, and a difference corresponding to a difference between a transmitted microwave and a frequency of a received signal. A urinal cleaning apparatus comprising: a microwave Doppler sensor that generates a signal; and a control unit that opens the valve according to an output of the microwave Doppler sensor, wherein the control unit detects the microwave Doppler sensor. Specific operation detecting means for detecting a signal obtained by performing a specific operation within the range, a predetermined time after the specific operation detecting means detects the specific operation, according to the output of the microwave Doppler sensor The valve is configured to prohibit the opening of the valve.
[0009]
A Doppler sensor using radio waves (particularly, micro and millimeter waves) is used for detecting an object (movement) based on the following principle using the Doppler effect.
Basic _{formula: ΔF = F S -F b =} 2 × F S × ν / c
[Delta] F: Doppler frequency _{F S:} transmission frequency _{F b:} reflection frequency [nu: moving speed of the object c: speed of light ^{(300 × 10 6 m / s} )
The F _S transmitted from the antenna is reflected by the object, and is subjected to a Doppler frequency shift due to the relative motion ν to become F _b . At this time, the frequency difference ΔF between the transmitted wave and the reflected wave can be extracted as a detection signal.
[0010]
Since this microwave Doppler sensor reacts to the human body or urine flow, based on these detection results, it is possible to clean the urinal by opening the valve, assuming that the urinal has been used.
[0011]
In the case of a cleaning operation or the like, when an operator performs a specific operation within the sensing range, the microwave Doppler sensor outputs a characteristic signal corresponding to the specific operation. For a predetermined time after detecting this by the specific operation detecting means, since the human body or the urine flow is detected and the valve is not opened, the cleaning water is supplied at the time of cleaning work, thereby wasting water. Or obstructing the cleaning operation.
Here, the signal obtained by the specific operation is a signal different from the signal from the Doppler sensor obtained by the operation such as the approach of the human body or the urine flow in normal urinal use, and specifically, the amplitude, or Based on the amplitude and frequency, it is to detect that the signal is different from that when using a normal urinal, and the specific operation detecting means determines that the specific operation is performed when the signal is continuously detected for a predetermined time. is there. As an example, by reciprocating the hand in the direction of approaching and in the direction away from the vicinity of the Doppler sensor, the signal from the Doppler sensor changes the frequency (urine flow Lower frequency), but whose amplitude cannot be obtained by approaching the human body or the like, and detecting a specific operation when the signal continues for a predetermined time. If the Doppler sensor detects only an operation such as approaching a human body without detecting a urine flow, it is also possible to detect a specific operation only from the amplitude thereof.
[0012]
As described above, the structure can be simplified because the detection of the normal urinal use and the detection for the special operation such as the cleaning operation can be performed by the single sensor. Also, since the sensor cannot be seen from the outside, the appearance is good and it is hard to be mischievous. Further, since the structure is simple, assembly of the product is easy. Further, it is not necessary to carry a magnet for a special operation such as a cleaning operation, which is convenient.
[0013]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the toilet cleaning apparatus according to the first aspect, the control unit is configured to set the specific operation detection unit to a predetermined time after the specific operation detection unit detects the specific operation. When the specific operation is detected again, the valve is opened.
[0014]
In the cleaning work or the like, there is a case where it is desired to arbitrarily flush the cleaning water, but according to the above configuration, the predetermined time after the specific operation detecting unit detects the specific operation within the sensing range of the worker is: The cleaning water can be arbitrarily supplied by the operator again performing a specific operation within the sensing range.
[0015]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the toilet bowl washing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, when the specific operation detection unit detects a specific operation, the notification unit notifies the user of the detection. It is structured with the features.
[0016]
The user may be anxious about whether the specific operation has been detected. However, the provision of the notification means allows the user to recognize that the specific operation has been detected, so that the user can be relieved.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a urinal to which a toilet flushing device according to the present invention is applied. Inside the urinal 10, a Doppler sensor 11 and a functional unit 12 are housed. A lid 15 is provided at the upper end of the urinal 10 so that maintenance work of a space in which the Doppler sensor 11 and the functional unit 12 are stored can be easily performed. A water supply unit 13 for supplying water for cleaning the space in the ball portion of the urinal 10 is provided on the upper rear surface of the urinal 10. A cleaning water discharge port 14 is provided in an upper portion of the inner space of the ball portion. A trap portion 17 for forming a water seal and a drain port 18 are provided in a lower portion of the inner space of the ball portion.
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the Doppler sensor 11. The Doppler sensor 11 includes a transmitting unit 20 that transmits a microwave of 10.525 GHz, a receiving unit 21 that receives a reflected wave, and a difference detecting unit 22 that outputs a difference between the frequencies of the transmitting unit 20 and the receiving unit 21. It is configured.
[0020]
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram specifically showing the functional unit 12. The output of the Doppler sensor 11 is amplified by an amplifier 31 and passes through a low-pass filter 32 that passes a signal of about 10 to about 40 Hz and a high-pass filter 33 that passes a signal of about 130 to about 180 Hz. Are input to the A / D port of the microcomputer 34. The microcomputer 34 operates the buzzer 35 and the cleaning water supply valve 36 based on this.
[0021]
In the urinal cleaning device having the above configuration, when the user approaches the urinal 10 or moves the body near the urinal 10, a signal is mainly output from the low-frequency bandpass filter 32. On the other hand, since the moving speed of the urine flow is higher than that of the human body, a signal is mainly output from the high frequency bandpass filter 33, so that the microcomputer 34 can discriminate between the movement of the human and the urine flow.
[0022]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a main flow of a detection function periodically processed by the urinal cleaning device. First, whether the mode is the cleaning mode is determined by the cleaning mode flag (S41). If the mode is the cleaning mode (Y in S41), the flow proceeds to the cleaning mode specifying operation detection flow (S42). On the other hand, when the mode is not the cleaning mode (N in S41), the normal mode specifying operation detection flow (S43), the user detection flow (S44), and the urine flow detection flow (S45) are processed. That is, in the case of the cleaning mode, the user detection and the urine flow detection are not performed.
[0023]
FIG. 5 is an example of a signal obtained from the low-frequency band-pass filter 32 when the user approaches the urinal 10 to urinate. The period of T1 is approaching. FIG. 6 is an example of a signal obtained from the high-frequency bandpass filter 33 when the user starts urination.
[0024]
When the cleaning operator cleans the urinal 10, if the hand is reciprocated for several seconds in the ball portion as shown in FIG. 7, a signal as shown in FIG.
[0025]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a normal mode specifying operation detection flow. If the output level VL of the low-frequency bandpass filter 32 is V5 <VL <V6 (Y in S91), the microcomputer 34 ends. If the output level VL of the low-frequency band-pass filter 32 is equal to or lower than V5 or equal to or higher than V6 (N in S91), the timer is started (S92). When two seconds have elapsed after the timer starts (Y in S93), it is determined that a reciprocating motion of the hand has been detected, the buzzer 35 sounds (S94), the cleaning mode flag is set (S95), and the cleaning mode timer is set (S96). ). When the cleaning mode timer is set to, for example, 10 minutes, the cleaning mode is set to the cleaning mode for 10 minutes. During this time, the user detection and the urine flow detection are not performed. Until two seconds elapse after the timer starts (N in S93), when the output level VL of the low frequency band-pass filter 32 elapses 0.5 seconds with V5 <VL <V6 (Y in S96), the hand reciprocates. Is determined not to have been performed, and the processing ends. When the microcomputer 34 recognizes that a specific operation has been performed, it buzzes the buzzer 35, so that the cleaning worker can recognize this and stop the reciprocating operation of the hand. With respect to the output of the low-frequency band-pass filter 32 at the time of the reciprocating operation of the hand shown in FIG. 8, VL becomes V5 or less, or V6 or more (ts), and V5 <for 2 seconds or more. Since VL <V6 and 0.5 seconds do not elapse, the reciprocating motion of the hand can be detected. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, when the user approaches the urinal 10, the signal obtained from the low-frequency band-pass filter 32 does not become VL below V5 or above V6. Is not recognized as a reciprocating motion of.
[0026]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a user detection flow. If the cleaning mode flag has been set (Y in S101), the process ends. If the cleaning mode flag has not been set (N in S101), the continuous cleaning prohibition timer has not elapsed for one minute (N in S102), and if one minute has elapsed (Y in S102). From the value of the output VL of the low-frequency band-pass filter 32, the presence or absence of the approach of the user is determined. That is, when the output VL of the low-frequency band-pass filter 32 exceeds the range from V1 to V2 (Y in S103), it is determined that the user has approached, and the continuous cleaning prohibition timer is started (S104). This is to prevent supply of washing water many times for the same user's body movement. Next, the cleaning water supply valve 36 is opened for a predetermined time (S105). On the other hand, when the output VL of the low-frequency band-pass filter 32 is in the range from V1 to V2 (N in S103), the process ends as there is no approach of the user. According to the above, since the pre-cleaning is immediately performed upon detecting the approach of the user, a water film is formed on the inner wall surface of the ball portion, so that dirt is easily removed.
[0027]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a urine flow detection flow. If the cleaning mode flag is set (Y in S111), the process ends. If the cleaning mode flag is not set (N in S111), if the output level VH of the high-frequency bandpass filter 33 is equal to or lower than V3 or equal to or higher than V4 (N in S112), the timer is started (S113). . If 10 seconds elapse after V becomes in the range of V3 to V4 (Y in S114), it means that 10 seconds have elapsed since the urine flow was interrupted. If the timer is 3 seconds or more (Y in S115), 3 This means that a urine flow of more than one second has been detected, and the cleaning water supply valve 36 is opened (S116). In the output example of the high-frequency bandpass filter 33 shown in FIG. 6, the period of T2 is recognized as a urine flow, and if T2 is 3 seconds or more, washing is started 10 seconds after te. .
[0028]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the cleaning mode specifying operation detection flow. When the cleaning mode timer counts up (Y in S121), the microcomputer 34 clears the cleaning mode flag (S122) and ends the cleaning mode. When the cleaning mode timer does not count up (N in S121), when the output level VL of the low frequency band-pass filter 32 becomes equal to or lower than V5 or equal to or higher than V6 (N in S123), the timer is started (S124). When two seconds elapse after the timer starts (Y in S125), it is determined that the hand is reciprocating, and the cleaning water supply valve 36 is opened (S126). When the output level VL of the low-frequency band-pass filter 32 has reached V5 <VL <V6 for 0.2 seconds (Y in S127) by the time 2 seconds after the timer starts (N in S126), the hand reciprocates. Is determined not to have been performed, and the processing ends. By the above processing, the cleaning operator can arbitrarily supply the cleaning water by reciprocating the hand.
[0029]
Since the signal due to the hand reciprocating motion has a clear difference in amplitude and duration from the signal when approaching during normal use, the reciprocating motion of the hand can be accurately recognized by the above procedure.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a urinal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the Doppler sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of the urinal according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a main flow of a detection function periodically processed by the urinal cleaning apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an output signal waveform of a low-frequency bandpass filter when a user is approaching the urinal.
FIG. 6 is an output signal waveform of a high-frequency bandpass filter during urination.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation for operating the urinal cleaning device when the cleaning operator cleans the urinal.
FIG. 8 is an example of an output signal waveform of a low-frequency band-pass filter when a cleaning operator reciprocates his / her hand in a ball portion.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a normal mode specific operation detection flow.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a user detection flow.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a urine flow detection flow.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a cleaning mode specifying operation detection flow.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 urinal, 11 Doppler sensor, 12 functional part,
13 ... water supply section, 14 ... washing water discharge port, 15 ... lid,
17: trap section, 18: drain port,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Transmission means, 21 ... Receiving means, 22 ... Difference detection means 30 ... Control part, 31 ... Amplifier, 32 ... Low frequency band-pass filter 33 ... High frequency band-pass filter, 34 ... Microcomputer, 35 ... Buzzer 36 ... Cleaning water supply valve

Claims (3)

A valve for supplying flush water to the urinal body,
A microwave Doppler sensor that generates a difference signal according to the difference between the transmitted microwave and the frequency of the received signal,
A urinal cleaning apparatus comprising: a control unit that opens the valve according to an output of the microwave Doppler sensor.
The control unit includes a specific operation detecting unit that detects a signal obtained by performing a specific operation within a sensing range of the microwave Doppler sensor, and a predetermined operation after the specific operation detecting unit detects the specific operation. A urinal cleaning apparatus characterized in that opening of a valve according to an output of the microwave Doppler sensor is prohibited during a time period. 2. The urinal cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to control the valve when the specific operation detecting unit detects the specific operation again for a predetermined time after the specific operation detecting unit detects the specific operation. Urinal cleaning device characterized by opening a valve. 3. The urinal cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a notifying unit that notifies a user of the detection of the specific operation when the specific operation detecting unit detects the specific operation. Toilet washing device.

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