JP2004024311A - Toilet seat device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To maintain good appearance of a human body detecting means on a toilet seat device so that a substantially black sensor window, seen from the front of a toilet bowl, is not exposed as much as possible when a toilet seat lid is closed. <P>SOLUTION: The sensor window 9 is disposed opposite to the toilet seat 7 and the toilet stool seat lid with a projection space interposed between them on the front side of a casing 8 substantially vertically so that the human body detecting sensor 1 and the sensor window 9 are of the same level with the back edge of the toilet seat lid 3 or below that. By this arrangement, seen from the front of the toilet seat device body, the most part of the sensor window 9 is hidden below the back edge of the toilet lid 3 so that the substantially black sensor window 9 is hardly seen. Accordingly, the good appearance of the toilet seat device can be maintained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a human body detecting means for detecting a human body in front of a toilet, and a toilet seat device for controlling a toilet environment (toilet seat / lid lid posture, indoor lighting, deodorizing activation, toilet seat temperature, etc.) based on a signal from the human body detecting means. Further, the present invention relates to an electric device including a human body detecting unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a toilet seat device that includes a human body detection sensor and detects a user standing in front of a toilet bowl and automatically opens a toilet lid. In the example described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-319648, this device is located at the upper end of the front surface of the casing 8 as shown in FIG. 7, and is opened forward when the toilet lid 3 and the toilet seat 7 are closed. The human body detection sensor 1 and a sensor window 9 through which the light emitted from the human body detection sensor passes are provided at the part where the human body is detected, so that the human body is detected and the toilet lid 3 is automatically opened.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described human body detecting means of the conventional toilet seat device 6, since the substantially black sensor window 9 is at the upper end of the front surface of the casing 8, when the toilet lid 3 is in the closed state, the substantially black sensor window 9 is in front of the toilet bowl. There is a problem that it is exposed when viewed from the side and the appearance is impaired.
[0004]
Therefore, the present invention solves the above-described problem in the human body detecting means of the toilet seat device, that is, when the toilet lid is in a closed state, the substantially black sensor window is not exposed as much as possible when viewed from the front of the toilet, so that it is beautiful. The purpose is to keep the appearance.
[0005]
Means, actions, and effects for solving the problem
The toilet seat device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a toilet seat device including a toilet seat, a toilet lid, and a case that supports opening and closing of the toilet seat and the toilet lid. The light projecting space of the human body detecting means is disposed on the front side of the case at a position facing the rear edge of the toilet lid, and between the rear edge of the toilet seat and the toilet lid and the front surface of the casing facing the rear edge. And a window portion through which the light of the human body detecting means passes is disposed substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the toilet. Accordingly, when the toilet seat device is viewed from the front of the toilet, the window through which the light from the human body detecting means passes is hidden behind the toilet seat and the rear edge of the toilet lid, making it difficult to see. Therefore, the beautiful appearance of the toilet device can be maintained.
[0006]
The toilet seat device according to the second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the human body detecting means has a light projecting portion that makes the light projecting direction obliquely upward. Thus, the light emitted from the human body detecting means can accurately capture the human body in front of the toilet without being disturbed by the toilet seat or the toilet lid, thereby reducing erroneous detection.
[0007]
The toilet seat device according to the third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the window and the front surface of the casing are substantially flush with each other. This makes it possible to improve the cleanability around the window.
[0008]
The toilet seat device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the human body detecting means is arranged at a height lower than or substantially equal to the upper surface of the toilet lid. As a result, the window provided on the front surface of the case can be arranged at a height lower than or equal to the height of the rear edge of the toilet lid, so that the effect of claim 1 can be further enhanced. Further, by arranging the human body detecting means as low as possible in the casing, it is most suitable for manufacturing a toilet seat device having a low silhouette and a beautiful appearance.
[0009]
The toilet seat device according to the fifth aspect of the invention is characterized in that a human body in front of the toilet can be detected in a state where the toilet seat and the toilet lid are closed. This makes it possible to recognize that the user is approaching the toilet with the toilet seat and the lid closed.
[0010]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the toilet seat device is characterized in that the human body detecting means is constituted by a reflection type photoelectric ranging sensor. Thereby, it is possible to recognize how close the user is to the toilet in a state where the toilet seat and the toilet lid are each closed, and it is possible to determine the user's intention to use the toilet.
[0011]
The toilet seat device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the human body detecting means is disposed at a position rearward of the center of rotation of the toilet seat and the toilet lid. Thereby, the human body detecting means disposed below the toilet seat and the toilet lid can emit infrared rays above the front side of the toilet distal end without being blocked by the toilet seat and the toilet lid in the closed state, A nearby human body can be detected.
[0012]
In the toilet seat device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the toilet lid is rotated to the standing posture position by the automatic rotation mechanism by detecting a human body in front of the toilet in a state where the toilet seat and the toilet lid are each closed. It is characterized by. Thus, the toilet lid can be automatically opened for a person who intends to use the toilet by an automatic rotation mechanism that moves in conjunction with a signal from the human body detection means. Therefore, for example, when a person who has dirty hands at the construction site uses the toilet, or when the toilet lid has dirt such as splashing of small water, etc. It is made and sanitary. In addition, even for a person with a physical disability, the operation of lifting the stool lid can be performed automatically, thereby eliminating the burden on the body such as the waist.
[0013]
The toilet seat device according to the ninth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the toilet environment is controlled by detecting a human body in front of the toilet in a state where the toilet seat and the toilet lid are closed. This allows convenient and comfortable functions such as ventilation, deodorization, power saving cancellation, lighting lighting, heating, cooling, and sound, for example, to be activated simply by approaching the toilet when entering the toilet.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. FIG.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the operation until the toilet lid is automatically opened. FIGS. 2A and 2B are external views of the toilet seat device of the present embodiment showing a state in which the toilet seat and the toilet lid are closed, wherein FIG. 2A is a front view, FIG. 2B is a side view, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the state of the human body detecting means, the casing, the toilet seat, and the toilet lid when the toilet seat and the toilet lid are closed in the toilet seat device of the present embodiment.
[0015]
First, a series of flows from when a user enters a toilet to when a toilet lid is automatically opened will be described with reference to FIG. Infrared rays 2 emitted from the human body detection sensor 1 pass through the upper part of the closed toilet lid 3 and are directed toward the upper front side of the tip of the Western toilet 4. When the user enters the toilet and approaches the Western-style toilet 4 over a certain distance and enters the detection area of the human body detection sensor 1, the human body detection sensor 1 detects the user. At this time, the detection signal of the human body detection sensor 1 is transmitted to the automatic rotation mechanism 5, and the toilet lid 3 is opened.
[0016]
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are cross-sectional views of the toilet seat device 6 of the present embodiment in a state where the toilet seat 7 and the toilet lid 3 are closed, and in the vicinity of the human body detection sensor 1 at that time. A sensor window 9 is disposed on the front surface of the casing 8 which is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the toilet, and at a position facing the rear edge of the toilet seat 7 and the toilet lid 3. A gap is provided between the rear edge of the toilet seat 7 and the lid 3 and the front surface of the casing 8 at a position facing the rear edge, thereby forming a light projecting space for the human body detecting means. The human body detection sensor 1 is arranged behind the sensor window 9, that is, inside the casing 8. The human body detection sensor 1 is tilted in a forward rising direction, and the infrared ray 2 emitted from the light emitting portion of the human body detection sensor 1 passes through the light emitting space from the sensor window 9 and is closed so that the toilet seat 7 and the toilet lid 3 are closed. It has a diagonally upward light-projecting direction that passes above the rear end edge of the toilet, and forms a detection area above the front side of the tip of the Western style toilet 4.
[0017]
In this way, for the person who intends to use the toilet, the toilet lid 3 is automatically opened to the standing posture position by the automatic rotation mechanism 5 that moves in synchronization with the detection signal of the human body detection sensor 1, For example, when a person whose hands are soiled at the construction site uses the toilet, or when the toilet lid 3 has dirt such as splashing of small water, it can be used without soiling the hands. And sanitary. Further, even for a person with a physical disability, the operation of lifting the stool lid 3 is automatically performed, so that the burden on the body such as the waist can be eliminated.
[0018]
Here, since the sensor window 9 of the present invention is disposed substantially vertically on the front side of the casing 8 at a position facing the rear end edges of the toilet seat 7 and the lid 3, as shown in FIG. When viewed from the front of the main body, most of the sensor window 9 is hidden below the rear edge of the toilet lid 3, making the substantially black sensor window 9 difficult to see. Therefore, the beautiful appearance of the toilet seat device 6 can be maintained. Further, by making the sensor window 9 and the front surface of the casing 8 substantially flush with each other, it is possible to improve the cleanability of the vicinity of the sensor window 9.
At this time, the heights of the human body detection sensor 1 and the sensor window 9 should be substantially the same as or lower than the rear edge of the toilet lid 3, and it is desirable to arrange them as low as possible. As schematically shown in FIG. 4, rather than increasing the clearance between the rear edge of the toilet lid 3 and the infrared rays 2 as shown in FIG. 4A, the rear end of the toilet lid 3 as shown in FIG. By lowering the position of the human body detection sensor 1 until the clearance between the edge and the infrared ray 2 is made as small as possible, the height of the sensor window 9 can also be reduced. Therefore, FIG. 4B is viewed from the front of the toilet seat device 6 body. The nearly black sensor window 9 becomes less visible, which is effective in maintaining the beautiful appearance of the toilet seat device 6. For this reason, the human body detection sensor 1 may be arranged at a level lower than or approximately the same as the upper surface of the toilet lid 3. In this way, it is possible to achieve the object of the present invention, which is to maintain a beautiful appearance so that the substantially black sensor window 9 is not exposed as much as possible when viewed from the front of the toilet bowl when the toilet lid 3 is in the closed state. .
This arrangement is most suitable for the design of a clean toilet seat device 6 of, for example, a low silhouette design.
[0019]
Here, it is preferable that the human body detection sensor 1 is disposed at a rear portion of the toilet seat 7 and the center of rotation 10 of the toilet lid 3. As schematically shown in FIG. 5, when the human body detection sensor 1 is disposed behind the rotation center 10 of the toilet seat 7 and the toilet lid 3 as shown in FIG. The lid 3 can be passed above the rear edge. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the human body detection sensor 1 is disposed in front of the rotation center 10 of the toilet seat 7 and the lid 3, the front upper part of the tip of the Western style toilet 4 will be irradiated. In this case, the rear end of the toilet lid 3 cannot be avoided, and it is necessary to devise a notch 11 in the rear end of the toilet lid 3 in order to allow the infrared rays 2 to pass therethrough. In this case, the appearance becomes awkward. For this reason, the human body detection sensor 1 may be disposed behind the center of rotation 10 of the toilet seat 7 and the toilet lid 3.
[0020]
Here, the human body detection sensor 1 is preferably a reflection type photoelectric ranging sensor capable of detecting the distance of a human body. For example, in the case of a photoelectric light sensor or a pyroelectric sensor, the distance between the body of the toilet seat device 6 and the human body is unstable, such as when cleaning the toilet or replacing the towel or toilet paper, and when entering the toilet for a purpose other than adding. It is conceivable that the toilet lid 3 is automatically opened. On the other hand, by using a photoelectric ranging sensor as the human body detection sensor 1, the distance between the body of the toilet seat device 6 and the human body is grasped by the sensor, and the distance between the Western-style toilet 4 set to be necessary and the human body is within the range. Only when, the toilet lid 3 can be automatically opened by judging that the resident has an intention to use the toilet.
As shown in FIG. 6, the human body detection sensor 1 includes a light emitting element 12, a PSD element 13, a circuit board 14, and an outer case 15 that covers the light emitting element 12, the PSD element 13, and a lens 16 in front of the light emitting element 12 and the PSD element 13. Are located. Further, the human body detection sensor 1 is disposed deeper than the sensor window 9, and a light shielding plate 17 is provided in the space so that light from the light emitting element 12 does not directly enter the PSD element 13.
[0021]
In this embodiment, the toilet lid 3 is automatically opened in response to the detection by the human body detection sensor 1. However, in addition, each of the toilet seat 7 and the toilet lid 3 is closed. The toilet environment may be controlled by detecting the human body in front of the Western style toilet 4 in the state where the toilet is in the state. Accordingly, when entering the toilet, simply approaching the Western-style toilet 4 can activate convenient and comfortable functions such as ventilation, deodorization, power saving cancellation, lighting lighting, heating, cooling, and sound.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an operation of automatically opening and closing a toilet lid.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a toilet seat device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a view showing a cross section near a sensor window of the toilet seat device of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a sensor position related to the height of the toilet seat device of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a sensor arrangement in front and rear of the toilet seat device of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a photoelectric ranging human body detection sensor.
FIG. 7 is a view showing a conventional toilet seat device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Human body detection sensor 2: Infrared ray 3: Stool lid 4: Western-style toilet 5: Automatic rotating mechanism 6: Toilet seat device 7: Toilet seat 8: Casing 9: Sensor window 10: Rotating center 11: Notch 12: Light emitting element 13 : PSD element 14: Circuit board 15: Outer case 16: Lens 17: Light shielding plate

Claims (9)

In a toilet seat device including a toilet seat, a toilet lid, and a casing that supports opening and closing of the toilet seat and the toilet lid, a human body detecting unit capable of detecting an upper front side from the tip of the toilet is provided with the rear edge of the toilet seat and the toilet lid. A light projecting space of the human body detecting means is provided between a rear edge of the toilet seat and the toilet lid and a front surface of the casing at a position facing the rear edge; A toilet seat device, wherein a window portion through which light from the detecting means passes is disposed substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the toilet. 2. The toilet seat device according to claim 1, wherein said human body detecting means has a light projecting portion for obliquely projecting a light projecting direction. 3. The toilet seat device according to claim 1, wherein the window and the front surface of the casing are substantially flush with each other. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the human body detecting means is disposed below or substantially at the same height as the upper surface of the toilet lid. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the human body detecting means is capable of detecting a human body in front of the toilet when the toilet seat and the toilet lid are closed. A toilet seat device characterized by the above-mentioned. 6. The toilet seat device according to claim 5, wherein said human body detecting means is constituted by a reflection type photoelectric ranging sensor. 7. The toilet seat device according to claim 5, wherein the human body detecting means is disposed at a position rearward of the center of rotation of the toilet seat and the toilet lid. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein when the toilet seat and the toilet lid are closed, a human body in front of the toilet is detected, and the automatic rotation mechanism is used. A toilet seat device wherein a toilet lid rotates to a standing posture position. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the toilet environment is controlled by detecting a human body in front of the toilet with the toilet seat and the toilet lid closed. A toilet seat device characterized by the above-mentioned.

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