JP2004293115A

JP2004293115A - Toilet seat device

Info

Publication number: JP2004293115A
Application number: JP2003085987A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Hiroshi Inoue; 浩井上; Kazutsugu Hayashi; 和嗣林; Takahisa Saito; 隆久齋藤
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Works Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-03-26
Filing date: 2003-03-26
Publication date: 2004-10-21

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toilet seat device capable of eliminating a trouble resulting from the passing of detergent in a pump for mixing the detergent in a main flow water channel. <P>SOLUTION: This device comprises a hot water tank, a washing nozzle 2 jetting washing water, and the main flow water channel 1 communicating the hot water tank to the washing nozzle 2. A detergent supply means and a detergent supply flow passage 3 for mixing detergent in the main flow water channel are formed and the downstream side end part of the detergent supply flow passage 3 is connected in the main flow water channel 1. The device also comprises a detergent container 4 discharging the detergent stored therein from a detergent discharge port by pressingly operating the detergent supply means by an operating part 41 and a drive part 5 comprising a drive means 51 and a power output part 53 driven by the drive means 51. The detergent discharge port 42 of the detergent container 4 is connected to the upstream side end part of the detergent supply flow passage 3 and the operating part 41 of the detergent container 4 is pressingly operated by the operation output part 53 of the drive part 5 so as to mix the detergent in the main flow water passage 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は人体局部を洗浄することができる便座装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来より、人体局部を洗浄することができる便座装置が知られている（例えば特許文献１参照）。この便座装置は、人体局部を洗浄する洗浄機構を有する装置本体６１と、局部洗浄の際に使用者が洗浄方法等を選択して入力するための入力操作部６２と、使用者が着座される便座６３と、人体局部を洗浄する洗浄水を噴出する洗浄ノズルとで主体が構成されるものである（図２参照）。
【０００３】
装置本体６１は、図１９に示すように、水源Ｓから供給される水を上記洗浄ノズル２に導く主流水路１を備えると共に、主流水路１の途中に上流側より、水を加熱するヒーター１２及び加熱されて生成した温水を貯える温水タンク（特に図示せず）、前記温水タンク内の温水を吸引して洗浄ノズル２に搬送する水ポンプ１３、主流水路１内を流れる水に洗剤を混入するための洗剤混合分岐栓１４、が順に設けてあり、主流水路１の下流側端部には水の流路を上記洗浄ノズル２又はノズル洗浄ノズル２１等のノズルに切り替える切替弁１６が設けてある。なお、図中の１１は給水弁を、１５は流量センサーを示す。
【０００４】
洗剤混合分岐栓１４には、洗剤供給手段９を備えた剤経路３’の下流側端部が接続される。洗剤供給手段９は、剤経路３’の上流側端部に配設される洗剤を貯えるための剤タンク９１’と、剤経路３’の途中に配設される剤ポンプ９２と、主流水路１から水が剤経路３’に逆流するのを防止する剤経路逆止弁３１’とで構成され、前記剤ポンプ９２によって剤タンク９１’内の洗剤を吸引して主流水路１の洗剤混合分岐栓１４に搬送することで主流水路１に洗剤を混入していた。
【０００５】
更に、剤経路３’の途中（剤ポンプ９２より上流側の部分）と主流水路１の途中とを結ぶ剤ポンプすすぎ経路９３及びこの剤ポンプすすぎ経路９３を開閉するすすぎ弁９４を設け、剤ポンプ９２内の水の流路を主流水路１を流れる水ですすぐものであった。
【０００６】
このような従来の便座装置にあっては、洗剤を主流水路１内に混入させる際、剤ポンプ９２にて剤タンク９１’内の洗剤を吸引して洗剤混合分岐栓１４に搬送するものであり、剤ポンプ９２内を通過する洗剤が剤ポンプ９２内の水流路に付着して剤ポンプ９２が故障するのを防止するため、上述した剤ポンプすすぎ経路９３を設ける必要があり、剤ポンプすすぎ経路９３を設けても剤ポンプ９２の故障は完全には避けられないものであった。また、剤タンク９１’に洗剤を充填するには、洗剤が充填された容器から剤タンク９１’内に洗剤を注ぐ必要があり、この時に洗剤を便座装置にこぼして故障の原因となったり不衛生となるという問題もあった。
【０００７】
【特許文献１】
特開２０００−６４３９５号公報
【０００８】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
本発明は上記の点に鑑みてなされたものであり、その目的とするところは、主流水路内に洗剤を混入させるポンプ内を洗剤が通過することに起因する故障を無くすと共に、洗剤を容器から別の容器へと移し替える必要がなくて洗剤を便座装置にこぼして故障したり不衛生になってしまうことのない便座装置を提供するにある。
【０００９】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記課題を解決するために本発明に係る便座装置は、温水タンクと洗浄水を噴出する洗浄ノズル２と前記温水タンクと洗浄ノズル２とを結ぶ主流水路１とを備え、前記主流水路１に洗剤を混入させるための洗剤供給手段及び洗剤供給流路３を設けて前記洗剤供給流路３の下流側端部を主流水路１の途中に接続し、洗剤供給手段を操作部４１が押操作されることで内部に収容する洗剤を洗剤吐出口４２から吐出する洗剤容器４と、駆動手段５１及び該駆動手段５１によって駆動される動作出力部５３からなる駆動部５とで構成し、洗剤容器４の洗剤吐出口４２を洗剤供給流路３の上流側端部に接続して駆動部５の動作出力部５３にて洗剤容器４の操作部４１を押操作することで洗剤を主流水路１に混入することを特徴とするものである。このような構成とすることで、洗剤供給手段に内部を洗剤が通過する剤ポンプを用いずに済み、剤ポンプ内を洗剤が通過することに起因する故障を無くすことができる。
【００１０】
また、動作出力部５３の往復動の周波数が可変となるようにデューティ制御する制御部６５を設けることが好ましい。このような構成とすることで、洗剤の吐出量を容易に安定するように制御可能となる。
【００１１】
また、動作出力部５３の往復動の移動量が可変となるようにデューティ制御する制御部６５を設けることが好ましい。このような構成とすることで、洗剤の吐出量を容易に安定するように制御可能となる。
【００１２】
また、動作出力部５３の往復動の移動速度が可変となるようにデューティ制御する制御部６５を設けることが好ましい。このような構成とすることで、洗剤の吐出量を容易に安定するように制御可能となる。
【００１３】
また、主流水路１内に流量センサー１５を設け、該流量センサー１５からの出力に基づいて動作出力部５３の往復動の周波数又は移動量が可変となるようにデューティ制御する制御部６５を設けることが好ましい。このような構成とすることで、洗剤の吐出量を容易に正確に安定するように制御可能となる。
【００１４】
また、入力操作部６２を設け、該入力操作部６２からの入力に基づいて動作出力部５３の往復動の周波数又は移動量が可変となるようにデューティ制御する制御部６５を設けることが好ましい。このような構成とすることで、洗剤の吐出量を容易に正確に安定するように制御可能となる。
【００１５】
また、動作出力部５３の位置を検知する位置検出手段８１を駆動部５に設け、該位置検出手段８１からの出力に基づいて動作出力部５３の往復動の周波数又は移動量が可変となるようにデューティ制御する制御部６５を設けることが好ましい。このような構成とすることで、洗剤の吐出量を容易に正確に安定するように制御可能となる。
【００１６】
また、洗剤容器４又は洗剤供給流路３中に洗剤の粘度を検出する粘度検出手段８２を設けることが好ましい。このような構成とすることで、洗剤の吐出量を容易に正確に安定するように制御可能となる。
【００１７】
また、駆動手段５１の負荷電流を検知して洗剤の粘度を算出すると共に該粘度に基づいて駆動手段５１を制御する制御部６５を設けることが好ましい。このような構成とすることで、洗剤の吐出量を容易に正確に安定するように制御可能となる。
【００１８】
また、洗剤容器４として押操作された操作部４１が復元力にて自動的に元の突出位置に戻る洗剤容器４を用い、操作部４１の押操作時には駆動手段５１に通電して動作出力部５３にて押操作を行うと共に、操作部４１の復元時には駆動手段５１への通電を切るように制御を行う制御部６５を設けることが好ましい。このような構成とすることで、洗剤の吐出量を容易に安定するように制御するにあたって省エネ化が図られる。
【００１９】
また、動作出力部５３の押込力を一定となるように駆動手段５１への通電量を可変制御する制御部６５を設けることが好ましい。このような構成とすることで、洗剤の吐出量を容易に安定するように制御するにあたって省エネ化が図られる。
【００２０】
また、駆動手段５１の負荷電流を検知して該負荷電流に基づいて洗剤容器４内の洗剤の有無を判断して報知する制御部６５を設けることが好ましい。このような構成とすることで、洗剤容器４内の洗剤が空であることを使用者が認識することができる。
【００２１】
また、位置検出手段８１からの出力に基づいて洗剤容器４内の洗剤の有無を判断して報知する制御部６５を設けてることが好ましい。このような構成とすることで、洗剤容器４内の洗剤が空であることを使用者が認識することができる。
【００２２】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の便座装置の一実施形態について添付図面に基づいて説明する。
【００２３】
便座装置は、図２に示すように、人体局部を洗浄する洗浄機構を有する装置本体６１と、局部洗浄の際に使用者が洗浄方法等を選択して入力するための入力操作部６２と、使用者が着座される便座６３と、人体局部を洗浄する洗浄水を噴出する洗浄ノズル２とで主体が構成される。
【００２４】
装置本体６１は、図１に示すように、水道等の水源Ｓから供給される水を上記洗浄ノズル２に導く主流水路１を備え、主流水路１の途中に上流側より給水弁１１、水を加熱するヒーター１２及び加熱されて生成した温水を貯える温水タンク（特に図示せず）、前記温水タンク内の温水を吸引して洗浄ノズル２に搬送する水ポンプ１３、主流水路１内を流れる水に洗剤を混入するための洗剤混合分岐栓１４、流量センサー１５が順に設けてあり、主流水路１の下流側端部には水の流路を上記洗浄ノズル２やその他のノズル（例えばノズル洗浄ノズル、ビデ洗浄ノズル）に切り替える切替弁１６が設けてある。
【００２５】
洗浄ノズル２は、図４に示すように、ノズル先端部２０が突没自在となって収縮（没入）方向にばね２２によって付勢されており、洗浄水Ｗを噴出しない状態では図４（ａ）に示すようにノズル先端部２０が収縮し、洗浄水Ｗを噴出する状態では図４（ｂ）に示すように洗浄水Ｗの水圧によってノズル先端部２０がばね２２の付勢力に抗して突出する。
【００２６】
また、装置本体６１には電子回路からなる制御部６５が設けてあり、図３に示すように上記給水弁１１、ヒーター１２、水ポンプ１３、切替弁１６をはじめとして後述する駆動部５等、本便座装置の全てを制御するものである。図５に制御系の説明図を示す。制御部６５は、便座６３については便座温度調節手段（便座温度可変手段、便座温度検出手段）及び着座検出手段（人感センサー６４）からなり、洗浄手段については洗浄温度可変手段（洗浄ノズル２から噴出される洗浄水の温度可変手段）及び洗浄流量可変手段からなり、剤発生手段については手動により洗剤混入量等を調節する剤発生量可変調節手段（剤発生速度可変手段、剤発生時間可変手段）からなり、操作手段については上記操作入力部としての便座操作部（便座温度調節キー）、洗浄操作部（洗浄操作キー、洗浄温度操作キー、洗浄流量操作キー）、剤洗浄操作部（剤洗浄開始操作キー、初期剤自給キー）からなるものである。
【００２７】
使用者は、用便後に上記入力操作部６２から洗浄方法を入力し、例えば洗浄操作キーを操作して「水洗浄」を選択した場合には温水タンクに貯えられた温水がそのまま洗浄ノズル２より人体局部に噴出され、剤洗浄開始操作キーを操作して「洗剤洗浄」を入力した場合には上記洗剤混合分岐栓１４から洗剤が混入されて洗剤入の温水が洗浄ノズル２より人体局部に噴出される。なお、使用者の便座６３への着座・離座は、便座６３又は装置本体６１に設けた赤外線等を用いて人体の有無を感知する人感センサー６４によって自動的に検知されて制御部６５に認識される。そして洗剤混合分岐栓１４には、洗剤供給手段を設けた洗剤供給流路３の下流側端部が接続され、これにより洗剤が供給される。
【００２８】
洗剤供給手段は、図１に示すように、内部に洗剤が貯えられる洗剤容器４と、前記洗剤容器４内の洗剤を洗剤供給流路３を介して洗剤混合分岐栓１４に搬送する駆動部５とからなる。
【００２９】
洗剤容器４は、内部にポンプ機構を有すると共に洗剤が貯えられる本体ボトル部４０と、前記本体ボトル部４０内の洗剤が吐出される洗剤吐出口４２及び押操作されることで前記洗剤の吐出が行われる操作部４１とで構成される。本実施形態においては、本体ボトル部４０に突没自在な中空棒状の押込み部４３の先端に操作部４１が設けてあると共に、前記押込み部４３の途中に洗剤吐出口４２が設けてあり、前記操作部４１を手指で押操作することでポンプ機構によって洗剤吐出口４２から洗剤が吐出される一般に広く市販されている洗剤容器４をそのまま用いるものである。
【００３０】
駆動部５は、駆動手段５１と動力伝達手段５２と動作出力部５３とで構成される。本実施形態では、駆動手段５１として通常の回転式モーター５１ａを用いると共に、動力伝達手段５２としてギア又はピニオン・ラック又はカム機構等からなる回転運動を直線運動に変更する手段を用いており、制御部６５により駆動モーター５１ａに電圧を直流又はデューティで印加して駆動モーター５１ａを回転させ、動力伝達手段５２を介して動作出力部５３を直線運動させるものである。なお、駆動手段５１及び動力伝達手段５２は、動作出力部５３を直線運動させるものであれは特に限定されず、駆動手段５１及び動力伝達手段５２としてソレノイドを用いてもよい。そして、動作出力部５３は上述した洗剤容器４の操作部４１と接続されており、駆動モーター５１ａを駆動することで動力伝達手段５２及び動作出力部５３を介して操作部４１を押操作し、手を使わずに洗剤を洗剤容器４から吐出することができる。
【００３１】
上記駆動部５と洗剤容器４は、特に図示しないが、装置本体６１に駆動部５が内蔵されると共に洗剤容器４は装置本体６１に形成される所定の取付部に取り付けられる。取付部は、洗剤容器４の収容凹所を備えたもので、洗剤容器４を所定の状態で、例えば、本体ボトル部４０の下面を取付部の収容凹所の内壁底面に当接した状態で収容凹所に洗剤容器４を収容した状態で取付けられて保持され（以下、取付状態という）、この取付状態において洗剤容器４の洗剤吐出口４２が洗剤供給流路３の上流側端部に手動又は自動で接続されると共に、洗剤容器４の操作部４１が駆動部５の動作出力部５３に接続又は対向し、動作出力部５３にて押操作可能となる。
【００３２】
次に、洗剤の水への混入量、即ち、洗剤の洗剤容器４からの単位時間当りの吐出量の調整について説明する。
【００３３】
まず、第１の方法について図６に基づいて説明する。この方法は、洗剤容器４の操作部４１を押操作する駆動部５の動作出力部５３の単位時間当りの押操作回数（周波数）を調整することによるものである。更に詳述すると、駆動モーター５１ａへの印加電圧Ｖ_１をデューティ制御するものであって、単位時間当りのパルス数（周波数）を可変とし、１パルス当りの動作出力部５３の移動量Ｌ（即ち操作部４１の押込み量）は周波数によらず一定となるように印加電圧Ｖ_１及びパルス幅を調節し、１回の押込み操作による洗剤の吐出量はほぼ同じとなる。
【００３４】
洗剤の混入量を少なくする場合には、図６（ａ）に示すようにデューティ制御における周波数を小さくして、図６（ｂ）に示すように単位時間当りの操作部４１の押込み回数を少なくすればよく、洗剤の混入量を多くする場合には、図６（ｃ）に示すようにデューティ制御における周波数を大きくして、図６（ｄ）に示すように単位時間当りの操作部４１の押込み回数を多くすればよい。また、周波数が大きい程、洗剤の吐出量は時間に対して均等になって、主流水路１を流れる水に混入した後の洗剤濃度のむらがなくなり、洗剤濃度が均等な洗浄水を供給することが可能となる。
【００３５】
まず、第２の方法について図７に基づいて説明する。この方法は、動作出力部５３の移動量Ｌ（即ち操作部４１の押込み量）を調整することによるものである。更に詳述すると、駆動モーター５１ａへの印加電圧Ｖ_１をデューティ制御するものであって、印加電圧Ｖ_１を一定にしてパルス幅（１回当りの電圧印加時間）を可変とし、１回の押込み操作による洗剤の吐出量及び単位時間当りの押込み回数を調整するものである。
【００３６】
洗剤の混入量を少なくする場合には、図７（ａ）に示すようにパルス幅（即ち電圧印加時間）を小さくして、図７（ｂ）に示すように１回の押込み操作による洗剤の吐出量及び単位時間当りの押込み回数を少なくすればよく、洗剤の混入量を多くする場合には、図７（ｃ）に示すようにパルス幅を大きくして、図７（ｄ）に示すように１回の押込み操作による洗剤の吐出量及び単位時間当りの押込み回数を大きくすればよい。
【００３７】
また第３の方法として、特に図示はしないが、動作出力部５３の移動速度（即ち操作部４１の押込み速さ）を調整することによるものであってもよい。これは、特にデューティ制御するものに限らず、洗剤の混入量を少なくする場合には動作出力部５３の移動速度（即ち操作部４１の押込み速さ）を遅くし、洗剤の混入量を多くする場合には動作出力部５３の移動速度を速くするもので、これにより、洗剤が混合した後の洗浄水の濃度が安定するものである。
【００３８】
上述した第１〜第３の方法による洗剤の混入量の調整は、流量センサー１５からの出力即ち、流量センサー１５で検知した流量Ｒに基づいて自動的に行われるか、あるいは使用者の指示に基づいて行われる。図８に、第１の方法によって、流量センサー１５にて検知された流量Ｒが少ない場合に洗剤の混入量を少なく、流量センサー１５にて検知された流量Ｒが多い場合に洗剤の混入量を多くする例を示す。なおこの図８に示す例においては、洗剤の混入量の調整方法は上記第１の方法としたが、第２又は第３の方法であってもよいのは勿論である。また、使用者の指示に基づいて調整する場合は、入力操作部６２やリモコン等の操作盤（図示せず）からの使用者が所望の混入量を入力することで行われ、この場合も第１〜第３の方法のいずれでもよい。
【００３９】
次に、他の実施形態について図９及び図１０に基づいて説明する。これは、上実施形態に加えて、駆動部５に動作出力部５３の位置を検出する位置検出手段８１を設けるもので、図９（ａ）に示すように動力伝達手段５２内に位置検出手段８１を設けてある。位置検出手段８１としては、例えばポテンショメータやホールＩＣのようなものが用いられ、図９（ｂ）に示すように制御部６５が位置検出手段８１の出力電圧Ｖ_２から操作部４１の位置（動作出力部５３の移動量Ｌ）を正確に認識することができる。そして、操作部４１の位置を認識した上で、上記第１〜第３の方法によって洗剤の混入量を調整する。図１０に、位置検出手段８１によって操作部４１の位置（動作出力部５３の移動量Ｌ）を認識した上で、上記第２の方法によって洗剤の混入量を調整する例を示す。このように位置検出手段８１を設けることで、より正確に洗剤濃度を安定させることが可能となる。
【００４０】
次に、更に他の実施形態について図１１に基づいて説明する。これは、上実施形態に加えて、洗剤供給手段又は洗剤供給流路３に粘度検出手段８２を設けるもので、に示すように洗剤容器４内に粘度検出手段８２を設けてある（図１参照）。洗剤容器４内洗剤の粘度は周囲環境の温湿度によって変化し、洗剤の粘度が変化すると洗剤容器４の操作部４１を同一条件（同一の押込み量、押込み速さ、後述する押込み力等）で押込んでも洗剤の吐出量は異なる。このため、洗剤供給手段又は洗剤供給流路３に（本実施形態では洗剤容器４内に）粘度検出手段８２を設けて制御部６５によって洗剤の吐出量が安定するように（即ち洗浄水濃度が一定となるように）補正するものである。図１１において、実線が粘度検出手段８２を設けて補正を行う場合を示し、破線が補正を行わない場合を示す。
【００４１】
またこの時、洗剤の粘度が大きくなれば、操作部４１を押込む時に要する押込み力が大きくなるため、駆動モーター５１ａの駆動トルクが大きくなって負荷電流が増加する。そこで、この駆動モーター５１ａの負荷電流をモニターして粘度変化による補正を行い、洗剤の吐出量を安定させて濃度が安定した洗浄水を供給することが可能となる。
【００４２】
次に、更に他の実施形態について説明する。上実施形態においては、駆動部５の動作出力部５３は洗剤容器４の操作部４１と接続されていて、動作出力部５３の押操作によって操作部４１が押込まれると共に動作出力部５３の引操作によって操作部４１が突出して元の突出位置に戻るものであったが、本実施形態では、押込まれた操作部４１は自動的に元の突出位置に戻ることが可能となっている。
【００４３】
洗剤容器４には、スプリング（図示せず）が設けてあり、押込まれた操作部４１及び押込み部４３はスプリングの付勢力によって、押込み力から解放された時に突出して元の突出位置に戻るものである。なお、通常の市販の洗剤容器４にあってはこのように操作部４１は自動で戻るようになっている。
【００４４】
本実施形態では、操作部４１の押込みは上実施形態と同様に駆動部５の動作出力部５３の押操作によるが、操作部４１の戻る動作は上記スプリングの付勢力によって自動的に行われる。これにより、図１２に示すように、操作部４１の押込み時は駆動部５の駆動手段５１に通電（電圧印加）し、操作部４１の戻り時は駆動手段５１への通電を切ることができるので、上実施形態と比べて省エネ化を図ることができる。
【００４５】
また、図１３に示すように、操作部４１の押込み時は駆動部５の駆動手段５１に上実施形態と同様の電圧を印加し、操作部４１の戻り時は前記押込み時の印加電圧より絶対値が小さい電圧Ｖ３を駆動手段５１に印加してもよい。これは、戻り時はスプリングの付勢力が一助となって動作出力部５３による操作部４１の引戻し力は押込み力より小さくて済むため、この分の駆動手段５１のトルクを抑えるべく印加電圧を低くして合計の押込み力と引戻し力を一定にすることができる。
【００４６】
次に、更に他の実施形態について説明する。本実施形態は、上実施形態に加えて、洗剤容器４内の洗剤が空になったことを検知して報知する報知手段を備えたものである。
【００４７】
報知手段は、警告音を発する音源や警告灯を点灯するランプ等特に限定されず、制御部６５によって報知がなさる。洗剤容器４内の洗剤の空を検知するには、駆動手段５１の負荷電流か、あるいは動作出力部５３の移動速度から検知するものである。
【００４８】
駆動手段５１の負荷電流は、駆動手段５１にかかるトルクが大きくなるに従って増大するので、洗剤容器４内の洗剤が空の場合には、洗剤容器４内に洗剤が存在する場合に比べて駆動手段５１にかかるトルクが小さく負荷電流も小さい。このため、図１４に示すように、駆動手段５１の負荷電流が一定以下となると制御部６５が洗剤容器４内の洗剤が空であると判断し、上記報知を行う。
【００４９】
また、動作出力部５３の移動速度から洗剤容器４内の洗剤の空を検知する場合は、位置検出手段８１から動作出力部５３の移動速度を算出する。そして、図１５に示すように、動作出力部５３の移動速度が一定以上（即ち位置検出手段８１の出力電圧Ｖ_２の勾配が一定以上）となると制御部６５が洗剤容器４内の洗剤が空であると判断し、上記報知を行う。
【００５０】
このようにすることで、洗剤容器４内の洗剤が空であることを使用者が認識することができる。
【００５１】
以上のような構成によれば、主流水路１内に洗剤を混入させるのに剤ポンプ等を用いずに済むため、剤ポンプ内を洗剤が通過することによる剤ポンプの故障がなくなる。また、洗剤供給手段を操作部４１が押操作されることで内部に収容する洗剤を洗剤吐出口４２から吐出すると共に押操作された操作部４１が復元力にて自動的に元の突出位置に戻る市販の洗剤容器４を使用可能としたことで、洗剤容器４をそのまま装置本体６１に取付けることができて、従来のように洗剤を容器から別の容器へと移し替える必要がなくて洗剤を便座装置にこぼして故障したり不衛生になってしまうことがない。
【００５２】
ところで、上述した各実施形態においては、いずれも洗剤供給手段及び洗剤供給流路３によって主流水路１に洗剤を混入するものであるが、以下に述べる実施形態のように、洗剤供給手段及び洗剤供給流路３によって供給される洗剤を主流水路１ではなく泡発生装置７に導いて泡を噴出するようにしてもよい。
【００５３】
泡発生装置７は、図１６及び図１７に示すように、洗剤が注入されて内部で泡が生成される泡発生液タンク７０と、泡発生装置本体７１で構成される。
【００５４】
泡発生装置本体７１は装置本体６１と一体に構成され、泡発生液タンク７０からの泡を便器内に供給するための泡供給口７３と、該泡供給口７３と泡発生液タンク７０からの泡流出口７２とを結ぶ泡供給経路７４が設けられる。
【００５５】
泡発生液タンク７０は、タンク本体７８とタンク蓋７９とで構成され、これらは例えば超音波溶着等によって一体に形成される。泡発生液タンク７０には、上部に泡流出口７２が設けられると共に、洗剤供給手段の洗剤吐出口４２又は洗剤供給流路３が接続されて洗剤が注入される。泡発生液タンク７０内の下部には、多孔質からなる泡発生部７５が配置されると共に、この泡発生部７５には泡発生装置本体７１に配置して空気ポンプ７６と接続されている。また、泡流出口７２と泡供給経路７４の接続部は、Ｏリング等からなるシール材にて気密性を保持した状態で接続される。
【００５６】
このような泡発生装置７の動作について説明する。
【００５７】
泡発生液タンク７０内には、予め水をある程度充填しておく。そして、洗剤供給手段から洗剤吐出口４２又は洗剤供給流路３を介して洗剤が供給され、泡発生液タンク７０内の水と混合して例えば１０倍から１００程度の倍率に希釈された洗浄水が充填される。この状態で、使用者が入力操作部６２を操作して「泡発生モード」を入力すると、空気ポンプ７６から泡発生部７５に空気を搬送し（図１８（ａ）参照）、泡発生部７５からの細かい気泡が泡発生液タンク７０内の洗浄水内に噴出されて泡が発生し（図１８（ｂ）参照）、泡発生液タンク７０内に泡が充満すると泡流出口７２から泡供給経路７４へと押し出され、泡供給経路７４を通って泡供給口７３から便器内に放出される（図１８（ｃ）参照）。
【００５８】
これを例えば自動運転する場合、使用者が入力操作部６２より「自動泡発生モード」を入力すると、運転開始から所定時間経過して空気ポンプ７６が自動停止し、便器への泡供給が停止する。運転開始から停止するまでの時間は、入力操作部６２で使用者が設定できる。また、「手動泡発生モード」を入力した場合には、使用者が操作部４１の手動泡発生操作キーを押すことにより、空気ポンプ７６が運転開始して運転開始操作から所定時間経過後に自動的に停止する。あるいは、運転中に手動泡発生操作キーを再度押すことによりポンプが停止するようにしてもよい。
【００５９】
【発明の効果】
上記のように本発明の請求項１記載の発明にあっては、温水タンクと洗浄水を噴出する洗浄ノズルと前記温水タンクと洗浄ノズルとを結ぶ主流水路とを備え、前記主流水路に洗剤を混入させるための洗剤供給手段及び洗剤供給流路を設けて前記洗剤供給流路の下流側端部を主流水路の途中に接続し、洗剤供給手段を操作部が押操作されることで内部に収容する洗剤を洗剤吐出口から吐出する洗剤容器と、駆動手段及び該駆動手段によって駆動される動作出力部からなる駆動部とで構成し、洗剤容器の洗剤吐出口を洗剤供給流路の上流側端部に接続して駆動部の動作出力部にて洗剤容器の操作部を押操作することで洗剤を主流水路に混入するので、剤供給手段に内部を洗剤が通過する剤ポンプを用いずに済み、剤ポンプ内を洗剤が通過することに起因する故障を無くすことができる。
【００６０】
また請求項２記載の発明にあっては、上記請求項１記載の発明の効果に加えて、動作出力部の往復動の周波数が可変となるようにデューティ制御する制御部を設けたので、洗剤の吐出量を容易に安定するように制御可能となる。
【００６１】
また請求項３記載の発明にあっては、上記請求項１又は２記載の発明の効果に加えて、動作出力部の往復動の移動量が可変となるようにデューティ制御する制御部を設けたので、洗剤の吐出量を容易に安定するように制御可能となる。
【００６２】
また請求項４記載の発明にあっては、上記請求項１乃至３記載の発明の効果に加えて、動作出力部の往復動の移動速度が可変となるようにデューティ制御する制御部を設けたので、洗剤の吐出量を容易に安定するように制御可能となる。
【００６３】
また請求項５記載の発明にあっては、上記請求項１乃至３記載の発明の効果に加えて、主流水路内に流量センサーを設け、該流量センサーからの出力に基づいて動作出力部の往復動の周波数又は移動量が可変となるようにデューティ制御する制御部を設けたので、洗剤の吐出量を容易に正確に安定するように制御可能となる。
【００６４】
また請求項６記載の発明にあっては、上記請求項１乃至３記載の発明の効果に加えて、入力操作部を設け、該入力操作部からの入力に基づいて動作出力部の往復動の周波数又は移動量が可変となるようにデューティ制御する制御部を設けたので、洗剤の吐出量を容易に正確に安定するように制御可能となる。
【００６５】
また請求項７記載の発明にあっては、上記請求項１乃至３記載の発明の効果に加えて、動作出力部の位置を検知する位置検出手段を駆動部に設け、該位置検出手段からの出力に基づいて動作出力部の往復動の周波数又は移動量が可変となるようにデューティ制御する制御部を設けたので、洗剤の吐出量を容易に正確に安定するように制御可能となる。
【００６６】
また請求項８記載の発明にあっては、上記請求項１乃至７記載の発明の効果に加えて、洗剤容器又は洗剤供給経路中に洗剤の粘度を検出する粘度検出手段を設けたので、洗剤の吐出量を容易に正確に安定するように制御可能となる。
【００６７】
また請求項９記載の発明にあっては、上記請求項８記載の発明の効果に加えて、駆動手段の負荷電流を検知して洗剤の粘度を算出すると共に該粘度に基づいて駆動手段を制御する制御部を設けたので、洗剤の吐出量を容易に正確に安定するように制御可能となる。
【００６８】
また請求項１０記載の発明にあっては、上記請求項１記載の発明の効果に加えて、洗剤容器として押操作された操作部が復元力にて自動的に元の突出位置に戻る洗剤容器を用い、操作部の押操作時には駆動手段に通電して動作出力部にて押操作を行うと共に、操作部の復元時には駆動手段への通電を切るように制御を行う制御部を設けたので、洗剤の吐出量を容易に安定するように制御するにあたって省エネ化が図られる。
【００６９】
また請求項１１記載の発明にあっては、上記請求項１０記載の発明の効果に加えて、動作出力部の押込力を一定となるように駆動手段への通電量を可変制御する制御部を設けたので、洗剤の吐出量を容易に安定するように制御するにあたって省エネ化が図られる。
【００７０】
また請求項１２記載の発明にあっては、上記請求項１乃至１１記載の発明の効果に加えて、駆動手段の負荷電流を検知して該負荷電流に基づいて洗剤容器内の洗剤の有無を判断して報知する制御部を設けたので、洗剤容器内の洗剤が空であることを使用者が認識することができる。
【００７１】
また請求項１３記載の発明にあっては、上記請求項１乃至１１記載の発明の効果に加えて、位置検出手段からの出力に基づいて洗剤容器内の洗剤の有無を判断して報知する制御部を設けたので、洗剤容器内の洗剤が空であることを使用者が認識することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施形態の便座装置の概略構成図である。
【図２】同上の概略全体斜視図である。
【図３】同上における主流水路の制御系の説明図である。
【図４】同上における洗浄ノズルの断面図であり、（ａ）は洗浄水を噴出していない状態を示し、（ｂ）は洗浄水を噴出している状態を示す。
【図５】同上における制御系の説明図である。
【図６】同上において洗剤の混入量を調整する第１の方法の説明図であり、（ａ）（ｂ）はそれぞれ洗剤の混入量を少なくする場合のモーター印加電圧−時間図、動作出力部移動量−時間図であり、（ｃ）（ｄ）はそれぞれ洗剤の混入量を多くする場合のモーター印加電圧−時間図、動作出力部移動量−時間図である。
【図７】同上において洗剤の混入量を調整する第２の方法の説明図であり、（ａ）（ｂ）はそれぞれ洗剤の混入量を少なくする場合のモーター印加電圧−時間図、動作出力部移動量−時間図であり、（ｃ）（ｄ）はそれぞれ洗剤の混入量を多くする場合のモーター印加電圧−時間図、動作出力部移動量−時間図である。
【図８】他の実施形態（即ち流量センサーを用いて洗剤の混入量を調整する場合）の説明図であり、（ａ）は流量−時間図であり、（ｂ）はモーター印加電圧−時間図であり、（ｃ）は、動作出力部移動量−時間図である。
【図９】（ａ）は位置検出手段を設けた駆動部の構成図を示し、（ｂ）は位置検出手段出力電圧−操作部の押込み量の関係図である。
【図１０】（ａ）は同上の操作部移動量−時間図であり、（ｂ）は位置検出手段出力電圧−操作部の押込み量の関係図である。
【図１１】更に他の実施形態（即ち粘度検出手段を設けた場合）の説明図であり、（ａ）（ｂ）（ｃ）はそれぞれ洗剤の粘度、駆動モーターの印加電圧、洗浄水の洗剤濃度の時間図である。
【図１２】更に他の実施形態の駆動モーター印加電圧−時間図である。
【図１３】更に他の実施形態の駆動モーター印加電圧−時間図である。
【図１４】更に他の実施形態の駆動モーターの負荷電流−時間図である。
【図１５】更に他の実施形態の位置検出手段の出力電圧−時間図である。
【図１６】泡発生装置を示し、（ａ）は斜視図であり、（ｂ）は分解斜視図である。
【図１７】同上の泡発生装置の構成図である。
【図１８】（ａ）（ｂ）（ｃ）は同上の泡発生装置による泡発生過程の説明図である。
【図１９】従来の便座装置の構成図である。
【符号の説明】
１主流水路
２洗浄ノズル
３洗剤供給流路
４洗剤容器
４１操作部
４２洗剤吐出口
５駆動部
５１駆動手段
５３動作出力部[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a toilet seat device capable of cleaning a human body part.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a toilet seat device capable of cleaning a human body part has been known (for example, see Patent Document 1). This toilet seat device has a device main body 61 having a cleaning mechanism for cleaning a human body local part, an input operation part 62 for a user to select and input a cleaning method or the like at the time of local cleaning, and a user is seated. The toilet seat 63 and a washing nozzle for ejecting washing water for washing a human body part are mainly constituted (see FIG. 2).
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 19, the apparatus main body 61 includes a main flow channel 1 that guides water supplied from a water source S to the washing nozzle 2, and a heater 12 that heats water from an upstream side in the main flow channel 1, A hot water tank (not particularly shown) for storing hot water generated by heating, a water pump 13 for sucking hot water in the hot water tank and transporting the hot water to the washing nozzle 2, and for mixing a detergent into water flowing in the main flow channel 1. And a switching valve 16 for switching the flow path of water to a nozzle such as the washing nozzle 2 or the nozzle washing nozzle 21 at the downstream end of the main flow channel 1. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a water supply valve, and reference numeral 15 denotes a flow sensor.
[0004]
The downstream end of the agent path 3 ′ including the detergent supply means 9 is connected to the detergent mixing branch tap 14. The detergent supply means 9 includes an agent tank 91 ′ for storing a detergent disposed at an upstream end of the agent path 3 ′, an agent pump 92 disposed in the middle of the agent path 3 ′, and a main flow channel 1. A check valve 31 ′ for preventing water from flowing back to the agent path 3 ′. The agent pump 92 sucks the detergent in the agent tank 91 ′ and the detergent mixing branch tap of the main channel 1. The detergent was mixed into the mainstream water channel 1 by being transported to the main channel 14.
[0005]
Further, an agent pump rinsing path 93 that connects the middle of the agent path 3 ′ (upstream from the agent pump 92) and the middle of the main flow water channel 1 and a rinse valve 94 that opens and closes the agent pump rinsing path 93 are provided. The flow path of the water in 92 was rinsed with the water flowing through the main flow channel 1.
[0006]
In such a conventional toilet seat device, when the detergent is mixed into the mainstream water channel 1, the detergent in the agent tank 91 'is sucked by the agent pump 92 and transported to the detergent mixing branch tap 14. In order to prevent the detergent passing through the agent pump 92 from adhering to the water flow path in the agent pump 92 and causing the agent pump 92 to malfunction, the agent pump rinsing path 93 needs to be provided. Even with the provision of 93, the failure of the agent pump 92 cannot be completely avoided. In addition, in order to fill the detergent tank 91 'with the detergent, it is necessary to pour the detergent from the container filled with the detergent into the detergent tank 91'. There was also the problem of hygiene.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2000-64395
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and aims at eliminating a failure caused by detergent passing through a pump that mixes detergent into a mainstream waterway, and removing detergent from a container. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toilet seat device that does not need to be transferred to another container and does not spill detergent onto the toilet seat device to cause failure or unsanitary condition.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a toilet seat device according to the present invention includes a hot water tank, a washing nozzle 2 for ejecting washing water, and a main flow channel 1 connecting the hot water tank and the cleaning nozzle 2, and a detergent is provided in the main flow channel 1. The detergent supply means for mixing the water and the detergent supply flow path 3 are provided, the downstream end of the detergent supply flow path 3 is connected to the middle of the main flow channel 1, and the operation part 41 pushes the detergent supply means. Thus, the detergent container 4 includes a detergent container 4 that discharges the detergent contained therein from the detergent discharge port 42, and a driving unit 5 including a driving unit 51 and an operation output unit 53 driven by the driving unit 51. The detergent outlet 42 is connected to the upstream end of the detergent supply channel 3, and the operation output unit 53 of the drive unit 5 pushes the operation unit 41 of the detergent container 4 to mix the detergent into the main flow channel 1. It is characterized by the following. With such a configuration, the detergent supply means does not need to use the agent pump through which the detergent passes, and it is possible to eliminate the trouble caused by the detergent passing through the inside of the agent pump.
[0010]
In addition, it is preferable to provide a control unit 65 that performs duty control so that the frequency of the reciprocating motion of the operation output unit 53 is variable. With such a configuration, it is possible to control the discharge amount of the detergent so as to be easily stabilized.
[0011]
Further, it is preferable to provide a control unit 65 that performs duty control so that the amount of reciprocating movement of the operation output unit 53 is variable. With such a configuration, it is possible to control the discharge amount of the detergent so as to be easily stabilized.
[0012]
In addition, it is preferable to provide a control unit 65 that performs duty control so that the reciprocating movement speed of the operation output unit 53 is variable. With such a configuration, it is possible to control the discharge amount of the detergent so as to be easily stabilized.
[0013]
In addition, a flow sensor 15 is provided in the main flow channel 1, and a control unit 65 that performs duty control based on an output from the flow sensor 15 so that the frequency or the amount of reciprocation of the operation output unit 53 is variable. Is preferred. With such a configuration, it is possible to easily and accurately control the discharge amount of the detergent.
[0014]
Further, it is preferable that an input operation unit 62 is provided, and a control unit 65 that performs duty control based on an input from the input operation unit 62 so that the frequency or the amount of reciprocation of the operation output unit 53 is variable. With such a configuration, it is possible to easily and accurately control the discharge amount of the detergent.
[0015]
Further, a position detecting means 81 for detecting the position of the operation output section 53 is provided in the drive section 5 so that the frequency or the amount of reciprocation of the operation output section 53 can be changed based on the output from the position detection section 81. It is preferable to provide a controller 65 for performing duty control. With such a configuration, it is possible to easily and accurately control the discharge amount of the detergent.
[0016]
Further, it is preferable to provide a viscosity detecting means 82 for detecting the viscosity of the detergent in the detergent container 4 or the detergent supply flow path 3. With such a configuration, it is possible to easily and accurately control the discharge amount of the detergent.
[0017]
Further, it is preferable to provide a control unit 65 that detects the load current of the driving unit 51 to calculate the viscosity of the detergent and controls the driving unit 51 based on the viscosity. With such a configuration, it is possible to easily and accurately control the discharge amount of the detergent.
[0018]
In addition, when the operation portion 41 pressed as the detergent container 4 automatically returns to the original protruding position by the restoring force, the detergent container 4 is used. It is preferable to provide a control unit 65 that performs a pressing operation at 53 and controls the drive unit 51 to cut off the current when the operation unit 41 is restored. With such a configuration, energy saving can be achieved in controlling the discharge amount of the detergent to be easily stabilized.
[0019]
Further, it is preferable to provide a control unit 65 that variably controls the amount of current supplied to the driving unit 51 so that the pushing force of the operation output unit 53 is constant. With such a configuration, energy saving can be achieved in controlling the discharge amount of the detergent to be easily stabilized.
[0020]
In addition, it is preferable to provide a control unit 65 that detects a load current of the driving unit 51, determines whether or not there is a detergent in the detergent container 4 based on the load current, and notifies the controller. With such a configuration, the user can recognize that the detergent in the detergent container 4 is empty.
[0021]
Further, it is preferable to provide a control unit 65 that determines the presence or absence of the detergent in the detergent container 4 based on the output from the position detection unit 81 and notifies the determination. With such a configuration, the user can recognize that the detergent in the detergent container 4 is empty.
[0022]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a toilet seat device of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 2, the toilet seat device has an apparatus main body 61 having a cleaning mechanism for cleaning a human body part, an input operation part 62 for a user to select and input a cleaning method or the like at the time of local cleaning, The toilet seat 63 on which the user is seated and the washing nozzle 2 for ejecting washing water for washing the human body part are mainly constituted.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus main body 61 includes a main flow channel 1 that guides water supplied from a water source S such as tap water to the washing nozzle 2. A heater 12 for heating, a hot water tank (not shown in particular) for storing hot water generated by heating, a water pump 13 for sucking hot water in the hot water tank and conveying it to the washing nozzle 2, and a water flowing in the main flow channel 1. A detergent mixing branch tap 14 for mixing a detergent and a flow sensor 15 are provided in this order. At the downstream end of the main flow channel 1, a water flow path is formed by the cleaning nozzle 2 and other nozzles (for example, a nozzle cleaning nozzle, A switching valve 16 for switching to a bidet cleaning nozzle) is provided.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 4, the cleaning nozzle 2 is biased by a spring 22 in a contracting (retracting) direction with the nozzle tip 20 being able to protrude and retract, and in a state where the cleaning water W is not ejected, the cleaning nozzle 2 shown in FIG. 4), when the nozzle tip 20 contracts and the cleaning water W is ejected, the nozzle tip 20 resists the urging force of the spring 22 due to the water pressure of the cleaning water W as shown in FIG. Protrude.
[0026]
In addition, a control unit 65 composed of an electronic circuit is provided in the apparatus main body 61. As shown in FIG. 3, the water supply valve 11, the heater 12, the water pump 13, the switching valve 16, the driving unit 5, which will be described later, and the like. It controls all of the toilet seat device. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the control system. The control unit 65 includes a toilet seat temperature adjusting unit (toilet seat temperature varying unit, toilet seat temperature detecting unit) and a seating detecting unit (human sensor 64) for the toilet seat 63, and a washing temperature variable unit (from the washing nozzle 2) for the washing unit. Means for varying the temperature of the jetted cleaning water) and means for varying the washing flow rate. The agent generating means is a means for manually adjusting the amount of detergent mixed, etc. (an agent generating speed varying means, an agent generating time varying means). ), And the operating means includes a toilet seat operating section (toilet seat temperature control key), a washing operating section (washing operation key, a washing temperature operating key, a washing flow rate operating key) as an operation input section, and an agent washing operating section (agent washing). (Start operation key, initial agent self-supply key).
[0027]
The user inputs a washing method from the input operation unit 62 after the stool, and, for example, when “water washing” is selected by operating the washing operation key, the hot water stored in the hot water tank is directly sent from the washing nozzle 2. When the detergent is sprayed into the human body and "detergent cleaning" is input by operating the detergent cleaning operation key, the detergent is mixed from the detergent mixing branch plug 14 and hot water containing the detergent is ejected from the cleaning nozzle 2 to the human body. Is done. In addition, the user's seating on / off from the toilet seat 63 is automatically detected by a human sensor 64 for detecting the presence or absence of a human body using infrared light or the like provided on the toilet seat 63 or the apparatus main body 61, and the control unit 65. Be recognized. The downstream end of the detergent supply flow path 3 provided with detergent supply means is connected to the detergent mixing branch tap 14, whereby the detergent is supplied.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 1, the detergent supply means includes a detergent container 4 in which a detergent is stored, and a driving unit 5 for transporting the detergent in the detergent container 4 to the detergent mixing branch plug 14 via the detergent supply flow path 3. Consists of
[0029]
The detergent container 4 has a pump mechanism inside and a main body bottle portion 40 in which the detergent is stored, a detergent discharge port 42 through which the detergent in the main body bottle portion 40 is discharged, and discharge of the detergent by being pushed. And an operation unit 41 to be performed. In the present embodiment, an operating section 41 is provided at the tip of a hollow rod-shaped pushing section 43 that can be protruded and retracted into the main body bottle section 40, and a detergent discharge port 42 is provided in the middle of the pushing section 43. The detergent container 4 which is generally widely marketed, and in which the detergent is discharged from the detergent discharge port 42 by a pump mechanism by pushing the operation portion 41 with a finger, is used as it is.
[0030]
The drive unit 5 includes a drive unit 51, a power transmission unit 52, and an operation output unit 53. In the present embodiment, a normal rotary motor 51a is used as the driving means 51, and a means for changing the rotary motion including a gear or a pinion rack or a cam mechanism into a linear motion is used as the power transmission means 52. A voltage is applied to the drive motor 51 a by DC or duty by the unit 65 to rotate the drive motor 51 a, and the operation output unit 53 is linearly moved via the power transmission means 52. The drive unit 51 and the power transmission unit 52 are not particularly limited as long as they cause the operation output unit 53 to move linearly, and a solenoid may be used as the drive unit 51 and the power transmission unit 52. The operation output unit 53 is connected to the operation unit 41 of the detergent container 4 described above, and drives the drive motor 51a to push the operation unit 41 via the power transmission unit 52 and the operation output unit 53. The detergent can be discharged from the detergent container 4 without using hands.
[0031]
The drive unit 5 and the detergent container 4 are not particularly shown, but the drive unit 5 is built in the apparatus main body 61 and the detergent container 4 is attached to a predetermined attachment portion formed in the apparatus main body 61. The mounting portion is provided with a recess for accommodating the detergent container 4, and the detergent container 4 is kept in a predetermined state, for example, in a state where the lower surface of the main body bottle portion 40 is in contact with the bottom surface of the inner wall of the recess for accommodating the mounting portion. The detergent container 4 is attached and held in a state where the detergent container 4 is accommodated in the accommodating recess (hereinafter, referred to as an attached state). In this attached state, the detergent discharge port 42 of the detergent container 4 is manually attached to the upstream end of the detergent supply channel 3. Alternatively, the operation unit 41 of the detergent container 4 is connected to or opposed to the operation output unit 53 of the drive unit 5 while being automatically connected, and can be pressed by the operation output unit 53.
[0032]
Next, adjustment of the amount of detergent mixed into water, that is, adjustment of the amount of detergent discharged from the detergent container 4 per unit time will be described.
[0033]
First, the first method will be described with reference to FIG. This method is based on adjusting the number of times (frequency) of the pressing operation per unit time of the operation output unit 53 of the driving unit 5 that presses the operating unit 41 of the detergent container 4. More specifically, the voltage V applied to the drive motor 51a is ₁ The number of pulses (frequency) per unit time is variable, and the movement amount L of the operation output unit 53 per pulse (that is, the pushing amount of the operation unit 41) is constant regardless of the frequency. Applied voltage V ₁ And the pulse width are adjusted, and the amount of detergent discharged by one pushing operation is substantially the same.
[0034]
In order to reduce the amount of detergent mixed, the frequency in the duty control is reduced as shown in FIG. 6A, and the number of times the operation unit 41 is pressed per unit time is reduced as shown in FIG. 6B. If the amount of detergent mixed is increased, the frequency in the duty control is increased as shown in FIG. 6C, and the operation unit 41 per unit time is increased as shown in FIG. 6D. What is necessary is just to increase the number of times of pushing. In addition, as the frequency is higher, the amount of the discharged detergent becomes more uniform with respect to time, the unevenness of the detergent concentration after being mixed into the water flowing through the main flow channel 1 is eliminated, and the washing water having the uniform detergent concentration can be supplied. It becomes possible.
[0035]
First, the second method will be described with reference to FIG. This method is based on adjusting the moving amount L of the operation output unit 53 (that is, the pressing amount of the operation unit 41). More specifically, the voltage V applied to the drive motor 51a is ₁ Is duty-controlled, and the applied voltage V ₁ Is constant, the pulse width (voltage application time per operation) is variable, and the amount of detergent discharged by one press operation and the number of presses per unit time are adjusted.
[0036]
In order to reduce the amount of the detergent mixed, the pulse width (that is, the voltage application time) is reduced as shown in FIG. 7A, and as shown in FIG. It is sufficient to reduce the ejection amount and the number of presses per unit time. To increase the mixing amount of the detergent, the pulse width is increased as shown in FIG. 7C, and as shown in FIG. In this case, the amount of detergent discharged by one pushing operation and the number of pushing operations per unit time may be increased.
[0037]
As a third method, although not particularly shown, a method by adjusting the moving speed of the operation output unit 53 (that is, the pressing speed of the operation unit 41) may be used. This is not limited to the duty control in particular, and when the amount of the detergent mixed is reduced, the moving speed of the operation output unit 53 (that is, the pressing speed of the operation unit 41) is reduced, and the amount of the detergent mixed is increased. In this case, the moving speed of the operation output unit 53 is increased, whereby the concentration of the washing water after the detergent is mixed is stabilized.
[0038]
The adjustment of the mixing amount of the detergent by the above-described first to third methods is automatically performed based on the output from the flow rate sensor 15, that is, the flow rate R detected by the flow rate sensor 15, or in response to a user's instruction. It is done based on. In FIG. 8, according to the first method, when the flow rate R detected by the flow sensor 15 is small, the mixing amount of the detergent is small, and when the flow rate R detected by the flow sensor 15 is large, the mixing amount of the detergent is determined. Here are some examples. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the method of adjusting the amount of the detergent mixed is the first method, but it is needless to say that the second method or the third method may be used. In addition, when the adjustment is performed based on the user's instruction, the adjustment is performed by the user inputting a desired mixing amount from an operation panel (not shown) such as the input operation unit 62 or a remote controller. Any of the first to third methods may be used.
[0039]
Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, in addition to the above embodiment, the drive unit 5 is provided with a position detection unit 81 for detecting the position of the operation output unit 53. As shown in FIG. 81 are provided. As the position detecting means 81, for example, a potentiometer or a Hall IC is used, and as shown in FIG. ₂ , The position of the operation unit 41 (the movement amount L of the operation output unit 53) can be accurately recognized. Then, after recognizing the position of the operation unit 41, the mixing amount of the detergent is adjusted by the first to third methods. FIG. 10 shows an example in which the position of the operation unit 41 (the movement amount L of the operation output unit 53) is recognized by the position detection unit 81, and then the amount of detergent mixed is adjusted by the second method. By providing the position detecting means 81 in this way, it is possible to more accurately stabilize the detergent concentration.
[0040]
Next, still another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, in addition to the above embodiment, a viscosity detecting means 82 is provided in the detergent supply means or the detergent supply flow path 3, and the viscosity detecting means 82 is provided in the detergent container 4 as shown in FIG. ). The viscosity of the detergent in the detergent container 4 changes depending on the temperature and humidity of the surrounding environment, and when the viscosity of the detergent changes, the operation unit 41 of the detergent container 4 is operated under the same conditions (the same pushing amount, pushing speed, pushing force described later, etc.). Even if it is pushed in, the discharge amount of the detergent is different. For this reason, the viscosity detecting means 82 is provided in the detergent supply means or the detergent supply flow path 3 (in the detergent container 4 in the present embodiment), and the controller 65 controls the discharge amount of the detergent to be stable (that is, the cleaning water concentration is reduced). (To be constant). In FIG. 11, the solid line shows the case where the viscosity detecting means 82 is provided to perform the correction, and the broken line shows the case where the correction is not performed.
[0041]
At this time, if the viscosity of the detergent increases, the pressing force required to press the operation unit 41 increases, so that the driving torque of the driving motor 51a increases and the load current increases. Therefore, it is possible to monitor the load current of the drive motor 51a and make correction based on the change in viscosity, stabilize the amount of detergent discharged, and supply cleaning water having a stable concentration.
[0042]
Next, still another embodiment will be described. In the above embodiment, the operation output unit 53 of the drive unit 5 is connected to the operation unit 41 of the detergent container 4, and the operation unit 41 is pushed by the operation of the operation output unit 53 and the operation output unit 53 is pulled. Although the operation unit 41 is protruded by the operation and returns to the original projecting position, in the present embodiment, the pushed operation unit 41 can automatically return to the original projecting position.
[0043]
The detergent container 4 is provided with a spring (not shown), and the pushed-in operation part 41 and the pushed-in part 43 project by the biasing force of the spring when they are released from the pushing force and return to the original projecting position. It is. In the case of a normal commercially available detergent container 4, the operation unit 41 is automatically returned in this way.
[0044]
In the present embodiment, the operation unit 41 is pressed by the operation output unit 53 of the drive unit 5 as in the above embodiment, but the operation of returning the operation unit 41 is automatically performed by the urging force of the spring. Thus, as shown in FIG. 12, when the operation unit 41 is pressed, the drive unit 51 of the drive unit 5 is energized (voltage applied), and when the operation unit 41 returns, the energization of the drive unit 51 can be cut off. Therefore, energy saving can be achieved as compared with the above embodiment.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 13, when the operation unit 41 is pressed, the same voltage as that in the above embodiment is applied to the driving means 51 of the driving unit 5, and when the operation unit 41 returns, the applied voltage is absolutely larger than the applied voltage at the time of pressing. The voltage V3 having a small value may be applied to the driving unit 51. This is because the return force of the operation unit 41 by the operation output unit 53 is smaller than the pushing force when returning, and the applied voltage is reduced to suppress the torque of the drive unit 51 by this amount. As a result, the total pushing force and pulling-back force can be made constant.
[0046]
Next, still another embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, in addition to the above embodiment, a notifying unit that detects and notifies that the detergent in the detergent container 4 is empty is provided.
[0047]
The notification unit is not particularly limited, such as a sound source that emits a warning sound and a lamp that turns on a warning lamp, and the notification is performed by the control unit 65. The emptying of the detergent in the detergent container 4 is detected from the load current of the driving means 51 or the moving speed of the operation output unit 53.
[0048]
Since the load current of the driving means 51 increases as the torque applied to the driving means 51 increases, when the detergent in the detergent container 4 is empty, the driving current is higher than when the detergent is present in the detergent container 4. The torque applied to 51 is small and the load current is small. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, when the load current of the driving unit 51 becomes equal to or less than a certain value, the control unit 65 determines that the detergent in the detergent container 4 is empty, and performs the above-described notification.
[0049]
When the empty of the detergent in the detergent container 4 is detected from the moving speed of the operation output unit 53, the moving speed of the operation output unit 53 is calculated from the position detection unit 81. Then, as shown in FIG. 15, the moving speed of the operation output unit 53 is equal to or higher than a certain value (that is, the output voltage ₂ When the gradient becomes equal to or more than a certain value), the control unit 65 determines that the detergent in the detergent container 4 is empty, and makes the above notification.
[0050]
By doing so, the user can recognize that the detergent in the detergent container 4 is empty.
[0051]
According to the above-described configuration, it is not necessary to use an agent pump or the like to mix the detergent into the mainstream water channel 1, so that the agent pump does not fail due to the detergent passing through the agent pump. Further, when the operation unit 41 pushes the detergent supply means, the detergent contained therein is discharged from the detergent discharge port 42, and the pushed operation unit 41 is automatically returned to the original projecting position by the restoring force. Back Since the commercially available detergent container 4 can be used, the detergent container 4 can be directly attached to the apparatus main body 61, and it is not necessary to transfer the detergent from the container to another container as in the related art, and the detergent can be used. No spills on the toilet seat device will result in malfunction or unsanitary conditions.
[0052]
By the way, in each of the above-described embodiments, the detergent is mixed into the main flow channel 1 by the detergent supply means and the detergent supply flow path 3, but as in the embodiments described below, the detergent supply means and the detergent supply The detergent supplied by the flow path 3 may be guided to the foam generator 7 instead of the main flow channel 1 to eject the foam.
[0053]
As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the foam generating device 7 includes a foam generating liquid tank 70 into which a detergent is injected to generate foam inside, and a foam generating device main body 71.
[0054]
The foam generating device main body 71 is formed integrally with the device main body 61, and has a foam supply port 73 for supplying foam from the foam generating liquid tank 70 into the toilet, and a A foam supply path 74 connecting the foam outlet 72 is provided.
[0055]
The foam generating liquid tank 70 includes a tank body 78 and a tank lid 79, which are integrally formed by, for example, ultrasonic welding. The foam generating liquid tank 70 is provided with a foam outlet 72 at an upper portion thereof, and is connected to the detergent discharge port 42 of the detergent supply means or the detergent supply channel 3 to inject the detergent. A foam generating section 75 made of a porous material is arranged at a lower portion in the foam generating liquid tank 70, and the foam generating section 75 is arranged in the foam generating device main body 71 and connected to an air pump 76. The connection between the foam outlet 72 and the foam supply path 74 is connected while maintaining airtightness by a sealing material such as an O-ring.
[0056]
The operation of such a foam generator 7 will be described.
[0057]
The foam generating liquid tank 70 is filled with water to some extent in advance. Then, the detergent is supplied from the detergent supply means via the detergent discharge port 42 or the detergent supply flow path 3, and mixed with the water in the foam generating liquid tank 70 to dilute the washing water, for example, to a magnification of about 10 to 100. Is filled. In this state, when the user operates the input operation unit 62 to enter the “bubble generation mode”, air is conveyed from the air pump 76 to the bubble generation unit 75 (see FIG. 18A), and the bubble generation unit 75 When the bubbles are ejected into the washing water in the bubble generating liquid tank 70 to generate bubbles (see FIG. 18B), and the bubbles are filled in the bubble generating liquid tank 70, the bubbles are supplied from the bubble outlet 72. It is extruded to the path 74 and is discharged into the toilet through the foam supply port 73 through the foam supply path 74 (see FIG. 18C).
[0058]
For example, in the case of automatic operation, when the user inputs “automatic foam generation mode” from the input operation unit 62, the air pump 76 automatically stops after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of operation, and the supply of foam to the toilet stops. . The time from the start of operation to the stop can be set by the user using the input operation unit 62. When the “manual bubble generation mode” is input, the user presses the manual bubble generation operation key of the operation unit 41 to start the operation of the air pump 76 and automatically after a predetermined time has elapsed from the operation start operation. To stop. Alternatively, the pump may be stopped by pressing the manual bubble generation operation key again during operation.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a hot water tank, a washing nozzle for jetting washing water, and a main flow channel connecting the hot water tank and the cleaning nozzle, and a detergent is supplied to the main flow channel. A detergent supply means for mixing and a detergent supply flow path are provided, the downstream end of the detergent supply flow path is connected to the middle of the main flow channel, and the detergent supply means is housed inside by the operation unit being pushed. A detergent container that discharges the detergent to be discharged from the detergent discharge port, and a drive unit that includes a drive unit and an operation output unit that is driven by the drive unit, and the detergent discharge port of the detergent container is an upstream end of the detergent supply flow path. The detergent is mixed into the main flow channel by pressing the operation part of the detergent container at the operation output part of the drive part by connecting to the part, so the agent supply means does not need to use the agent pump through which the detergent passes inside , That the detergent passes through the agent pump It is possible to eliminate the failure due to.
[0060]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, a control unit for performing duty control such that the reciprocating frequency of the operation output unit is variable is provided. Can be easily controlled to stabilize the discharge amount.
[0061]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first or second aspect of the present invention, a control unit for performing duty control such that the reciprocating movement amount of the operation output unit is variable is provided. Therefore, it is possible to control the discharge amount of the detergent so as to be easily stabilized.
[0062]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first to third aspects of the present invention, a control unit for duty control is provided so that the reciprocating movement speed of the operation output unit is variable. Therefore, it is possible to control the discharge amount of the detergent so as to be easily stabilized.
[0063]
According to the fifth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effects of the first to third aspects, a flow rate sensor is provided in the main flow channel, and the operation output section reciprocates based on the output from the flow rate sensor. Since the control unit that performs duty control so that the frequency of movement or the movement amount is variable is provided, it is possible to control the discharge amount of the detergent easily and accurately.
[0064]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first to third aspects of the present invention, an input operation unit is provided, and a reciprocating movement of the operation output unit is performed based on an input from the input operation unit. Since the control unit for performing the duty control so that the frequency or the movement amount is variable is provided, it is possible to control the discharge amount of the detergent easily and accurately so as to be stable.
[0065]
In the invention according to claim 7, in addition to the effects of the inventions according to claims 1 to 3, a position detecting means for detecting the position of the operation output unit is provided in the driving unit, and Since the control unit that performs duty control so that the reciprocating frequency or the amount of movement of the operation output unit is variable based on the output is provided, it is possible to control the discharge amount of the detergent easily and accurately.
[0066]
According to the invention of claim 8, in addition to the effects of the invention of claims 1 to 7, a viscosity detecting means for detecting the viscosity of the detergent is provided in the detergent container or the detergent supply path. Can be easily and accurately controlled to be stable.
[0067]
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the eighth aspect of the present invention, the viscosity of the detergent is calculated by detecting the load current of the driving means, and the driving means is controlled based on the viscosity. Since the control unit performs the control, the discharge amount of the detergent can be easily controlled accurately and stably.
[0068]
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, the operating portion pushed as the detergent container automatically returns to the original projecting position by a restoring force. With the use of a control unit for controlling the power supply to turn off the drive unit when the operation unit is restored, while energizing the drive unit and performing the push operation at the operation output unit when the operation unit is pressed, Energy saving is achieved in controlling the discharge amount of the detergent to be easily stabilized.
[0069]
In the invention according to claim 11, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 10, a control unit that variably controls the amount of current supplied to the driving means so that the pushing force of the operation output unit is constant. With the provision, energy saving can be achieved in controlling the discharge amount of the detergent to be easily stabilized.
[0070]
According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first to eleventh aspects, a load current of the driving means is detected, and the presence or absence of the detergent in the detergent container is determined based on the load current. Since the control unit for judging and informing is provided, the user can recognize that the detergent in the detergent container is empty.
[0071]
According to the invention of claim 13, in addition to the effects of the invention of claims 1 to 11, control for judging the presence or absence of the detergent in the detergent container based on the output from the position detecting means and reporting the same. Since the portion is provided, the user can recognize that the detergent in the detergent container is empty.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a toilet seat device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic overall perspective view of the same.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a control system of a main flow channel in the above.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of the cleaning nozzle in the same embodiment, where FIG. 4A shows a state in which cleaning water is not jetted, and FIG. 4B shows a state in which cleaning water is jetted.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a control system in Embodiment 1;
FIGS. 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams of a first method for adjusting the amount of detergent mixed therein, in which FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are diagrams respectively showing a motor applied voltage-time diagram and an operation output unit when the amount of detergent mixed is reduced; FIGS. 4C and 4D are a motor application voltage-time diagram and an operation output unit movement amount-time diagram when the amount of detergent mixed is increased, respectively.
FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams of a second method for adjusting the amount of detergent mixed therein, in which FIGS. 7A and 7B show a motor applied voltage-time diagram and an operation output unit when the amount of detergent mixed is reduced, respectively. FIGS. 4C and 4D are a motor application voltage-time diagram and an operation output unit movement amount-time diagram when the amount of detergent mixed is increased, respectively.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams of another embodiment (that is, a case where the mixing amount of detergent is adjusted using a flow rate sensor). FIG. 8A is a flow rate-time diagram, and FIG. It is a figure and (c) is an operation | movement output part movement amount-time diagram.
9A is a configuration diagram of a drive unit provided with a position detection unit, and FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the output voltage of the position detection unit and the amount of depression of the operation unit.
FIG. 10A is a diagram showing the movement amount of the operation unit as a function of time, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing the relationship between the output voltage of the position detection means and the pushing amount of the operation unit.
FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory views of still another embodiment (that is, a case where a viscosity detecting means is provided), wherein (a), (b) and (c) are the viscosity of the detergent, the applied voltage of the driving motor, and the detergent of the washing water, respectively. It is a time diagram of a density.
FIG. 12 is a drive motor applied voltage-time diagram of still another embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a drive motor applied voltage-time diagram of still another embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a load current-time diagram of a drive motor according to still another embodiment.
FIG. 15 is an output voltage-time diagram of a position detecting unit according to still another embodiment.
FIGS. 16A and 16B show a foam generator, wherein FIG. 16A is a perspective view and FIG. 16B is an exploded perspective view.
FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of the above-described foam generator.
FIGS. 18 (a), (b) and (c) are explanatory views of a bubble generation process by the bubble generation device of the above.
FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram of a conventional toilet seat device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Main waterway
2 Cleaning nozzle
3 Detergent supply channel
4 Detergent containers
41 Operation unit
42 Detergent outlet
5 Driver
51 Driving means
53 Operation output section

Claims

A hot water tank, a washing nozzle for ejecting washing water, and a main flow channel connecting the hot water tank and the cleaning nozzle; and A detergent container that connects the downstream end of the flow path to the middle of the main flow channel and discharges the detergent contained therein from the detergent discharge port by pushing the detergent supply means through the operation unit; And a drive unit comprising an operation output unit driven by the means, the detergent discharge port of the detergent container is connected to the upstream end of the detergent supply flow path, and the operation unit of the detergent container is operated at the operation output unit of the drive unit. A toilet seat device characterized in that the detergent is mixed into the mainstream waterway by pressing the button.

2. The toilet seat device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that performs duty control so that the frequency of the reciprocating motion of the operation output unit is variable.

3. The toilet seat device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that performs duty control so that a reciprocating movement amount of the operation output unit is variable.

The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a control unit that performs duty control such that a reciprocating movement speed of the operation output unit is variable.

A flow sensor is provided in the main flow channel, and a control unit is provided that performs duty control based on an output from the flow sensor so that a frequency or a movement amount of a reciprocating motion of the operation output unit is variable. Item 4. The toilet seat device according to any one of Items 1 to 3.

2. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising an input operation unit, and a control unit that performs duty control based on an input from the input operation unit such that a frequency or a moving amount of the reciprocating motion of the operation output unit is variable. A toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

A position detection unit for detecting the position of the operation output unit is provided in the drive unit, and a control unit that performs duty control so that the frequency or the amount of reciprocation of the operation output unit is variable based on the output from the position detection unit. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the toilet seat device is provided.

The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a viscosity detecting means for detecting the viscosity of the detergent in the detergent container or the detergent supply path.

9. The toilet seat device according to claim 8, further comprising a control unit for detecting the load current of the driving means, calculating the viscosity of the detergent, and controlling the driving means based on the viscosity.

The operation unit pushed as a detergent container uses a detergent container that automatically returns to the original protruding position with a restoring force. At the time of pushing operation of the operation unit, the drive means is energized and the pushing operation is performed at the operation output unit. 2. The toilet seat device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the drive unit to turn off the power when the operation unit is restored.

The toilet seat device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that variably controls the amount of current supplied to the driving unit so that the pushing force of the operation output unit is constant.

The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a control unit that detects a load current of the driving unit, determines whether or not there is a detergent in the detergent container based on the load current, and notifies the controller. Toilet seat device.

The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a control unit configured to determine the presence or absence of a detergent in the detergent container based on an output from the position detection unit and notify the determination.