JP2005106621A - Toilet unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toilet unit, having a urine-sampling mechanism section with an improvement in sanitary and cosmetic design properties without deteriorating convenience as a toilet pan by executing a precise qualitative/quantitative measurement of specified constituents contained in urine. <P>SOLUTION: The toilet unit comprises accumulated water and a trap as a water-sealing means for discharging user's urine to a sewer, a bowl surface for storing the accumulated water, a water level varying means for changing the water level of the accumulated water, and a urine-sampling means for sampling the user's urine. In the toilet unit, the urine-sampling means is composed on the bowl surface, and the water level varying means of the accumulated water is controlled so that the urine-sampling means is located at the lower portion of the water level of the accumulated water in cases other than the urine-sampling operation and is located at the upper portion of the water level position of the accumulated water in urine-sampling operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a toilet unit capable of performing quantitative / qualitative measurement on a specific component contained in excreted urine.

As a conventional toilet unit relating to a specific component contained in urine, there is a toilet unit provided with a urine collection port on a dry surface in a toilet bowl surface (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In addition, there is one that drives the urine collection portion into the toilet bowl surface by using an expansion / contraction mechanism disposed in the toilet seat (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
In addition, there is a mechanism that locks the urine collection mechanism member on the toilet rim surface so that the urine collection portion does not move in accordance with the rotation of the toilet seat (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
However, in this case too, the opening of the toilet bowl and toilet seat is made small, and the male penis may touch the urine collection mechanism, which is not very hygienic.
JP-A-6-230006 Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-54666 JP-A-9-229925

  However, in the case of Patent Document 1, for example, not only the urine to be measured with respect to the urine collection port, but also the detergent used for washing the stool and the toilet bowl enters, and the measurement result accuracy and the operational reliability of the mechanism There was a problem that there is a risk of lowering.

  Also, in the case of Patent Document 2, it is possible to collect only the measurement object, but for example, if the toilet seat is raised when the boy is small, urine and washing liquid droplets fall on the seating surface of the toilet seat and may be unsanitary. In the state where the toilet seat is set up at the time of small use, there is a problem in that the user is uncomfortable because the adhesion of urine caused by urine adhering to the urine collecting means can be easily recognized.

  Furthermore, even in the case of Patent Document 3, the opening part of the toilet bowl / toilet seat is made small, the men's penis comes into contact with the urine collection mechanism and becomes unsanitary, or the pressure feeling associated with the small toilet seat opening is used There was a problem that it was difficult to clean the toilet rim surface.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable highly accurate qualitative / quantitative measurement of a specific component contained in urine and to deteriorate usability as a toilet. This shows a method for realizing a toilet unit having a urine collection mechanism unit that is hygienic and excellent in design.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the accumulated water from which the user's urine is excreted, the ball surface for storing the accumulated water, and the drained water for discharging to the sewage In a toilet unit having a trap as a water sealing means, a water level changing means for changing the water level of the stored water, and a urine collecting means for collecting urine of the user, the urine collecting means is configured on the ball surface. The urine collecting means controls the stored water level varying means so that the urine collecting means is positioned below the accumulated water level except during the urine collecting operation, and is located above the accumulated water level during the urine collecting operation. This means that the urine collection means is not conspicuous and the design is excellent, but the urine collection means is always washed by the stored water so that the excreted urine is ensured. Specific components as a post process It can be sent to the positive and quantitatively measuring means.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the piping path between the urine collection means and the collected urine analysis means is provided only when the water level of the stored water is below the urine collection means. By controlling to carry out urine collection operation based on operation and / or urine detection, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of measurement error due to the urine collection means sucking in the stored water by mistake, High-precision qualitative / quantitative measurement of specific components contained in urine can be performed.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, the water level changing means for changing the water level of the stored water is a siphon phenomenon that occurs with respect to the trap, and / or the opening and closing of the water channel between the stored water and the sewage pipe, And / or by being characterized by suction of the accumulated water, high-speed drainage using siphon phenomenon and reliable drainage by opening and closing the waterway can be arbitrarily selected according to the required product use, By using in combination, it is possible to easily implement the water level change of the stored water and the time setting required for the water level change.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, urine is collected from a zette water discharge pipe for generating the siphon phenomenon, so that urine collecting means can be used without incorporating a special mechanism into the toilet. Can be configured.

  According to the present invention, a highly accurate qualitative / quantitative measurement of a specific component contained in urine can be performed, and the urine collection mechanism is superior in hygiene and design without deteriorating usability as a toilet. There is an effect of realizing a toilet unit having a section.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a toilet unit incorporating the urine collection means of the present invention.
The toilet unit 1 is composed of a Western-style toilet 11 and a functional case 2 in which a toilet seat 21 and a toilet lid 22 are rotatably locked. When the mechanism occupation space is insufficient, a mechanism unit cabinet connected by a back portion of the toilet unit 1 or a piping member may be additionally provided. Inside the Western-style toilet 11, a ball surface 12 for storing a stored water 13 for receiving a user's excrement is configured. Above the ball surface 12, a rim surface 14 that abuts against the toilet seat 21 is formed. The stored water 13 communicates with a sewage pipe (not shown) through a trap portion 15. At the bottom of the ball surface 12, a jet water discharge nozzle 31 that directs the water discharge direction toward the trap portion 15 is configured. The water discharged from the jet water discharge nozzle 31 generates a negative pressure with respect to the trap portion 15 and sends the water 13 to the sewage pipe.

  Further, the urine collection unit 50 or 60 provided near the bottom of the ball surface 12 and the above-described zet water discharge nozzle 31 serve as sensing means for qualitative / quantitative measurement of specific components contained in urine excreted by a method described later. It is to be sent out. The sensing means may be incorporated in the toilet unit 1 as a biochemical sensor such as a biosensor, or a sample is collected and stored in a container in a predetermined amount to be measured by another large clinical test apparatus. It may be a method.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of the toilet unit of the present invention.
A ball surface 12 is formed inside the Western-style toilet 11, and a jet water discharge nozzle 31 provided at the bottom portion is directed toward the trap portion 15 in the water discharge direction. The water discharged from the jet water discharge nozzle 31 generates a negative pressure with respect to the trap portion 15, and the stored water 13 is sent to the sewage pipe by the generated siphon phenomenon. A rim water discharge nozzle 32 is formed on the upper surface of the ball surface 12 so as to replenish water. Similarly, a rim surface 14 that abuts on the toilet seat is formed above the ball surface 12. Water supply to the jet water discharge nozzle 31 and the rim water discharge nozzle 32 is supplied from the water channel switching means 3. A branch port 33 is provided in the middle of the water channel connecting the water channel switching means 3 and the jet water discharge nozzle 31, and a branch channel 34 is formed between the drain socket 16. The three-way valve A34 is connected to an electrolyzed water supply means for sterilizing the rim surface, so that hypochlorite ions derived from city water can be supplied into the ball surface 12 via the jet water discharge nozzle 31. . Prior to sample collection, the ball surface 12 is sterilized by hypochlorite ions. As a method for lowering the accumulated water level, the water level can be lowered in a short time by using the siphon phenomenon described above. As another method, drainage may be performed by communicating a water channel between the jet water discharge nozzle 31 and the drain socket 16. When this method is adopted, it takes a long time to change the water level, but the water level can be reliably lowered. Each method may be selected singly, or a combination of both methods may be adopted in order to achieve both the water level change time and the reliability of the water level change.

  The three-way valve B35 sends urine to a sensing means for qualitative / quantitative measurement of a specific component contained in urine as a post-process. One end of the three-way valve C is configured to discharge the above-mentioned water into the sewage through the drain socket 16, and in addition, the pressure through the pressure guide path 42 to measure the water level head of the urine 4 discharged to the ball surface 12. A sensor 43 is attached. Since the shape of the ball surface 12 is fixed, the measured value of the water level can be converted into a urine amount.

FIG. 3 is an operation sequence diagram showing the first embodiment of the toilet unit of the present invention.
When the user performs the measurement preparation start operation, jet water discharge is performed toward the trap portion, and the water level of the stored water decreases due to the occurrence of a siphon phenomenon. After water containing hypochlorite ions for sterilizing the ball surface is supplied from the electrolyzed water supply means, the ball surface and the drain socket pipe line are connected, and all the remaining water is directed to the drain socket. Sent out. Considering the drainage efficiency, not only the method of discharging only by the head difference as shown in the example of FIG. 2, but also the operation of the drainage means using a pump may be used. While all the water has drained, the preparation display changes to the measurement display. In addition, when the measurement preparation start operation is used as a trigger, deodorizing means (not shown) provided in the functional unit is operated to treat sewage odor, or branch water from the water channel switching means is discharged toward the sewage through the drain socket. May prevent an increase in sewage odor. When the user urinates according to the display during measurement, the water level rises due to urine in the ball surface. At the same time, urine is sent to other sensing means, or a urine collection means for storing urine in the specimen container is operated by a predetermined amount, and a urine specimen necessary for sensing is collected.

  As a method for delivering a urine sample, a syringe pump method that is self-priming and hardly causes damage to cells or the like contained in urine and hardly causes a problem in visual inspection is recommended. The water level change in the toilet bowl surface is measured by a water level measuring means such as a pressure sensor, and is converted into a urine volume change by the cross-sectional area data for each water level position of the toilet bowl. The highest point of water level change is measured as the amount of excreted urine. The amount of change in urine volume converted from the change in water level with time is an index called urine flow rate or urinary flow rate, and can also be used for management of urinary system diseases typified by prostatic hypertrophy. The measured urine amount may be the actual excretion amount of the specific component excreted by the user by multiplying the specific component concentration measured by the urine specimen sensing means.

  For example, if the sodium ion concentration is a specific component, the amount of salt excretion can be calculated by multiplying the amount of urine, but humans estimate the amount of salt intake from the characteristic of excreting about 90% of the amount of salt intake. Is possible. This intake salt amount can be used to control the intake salt amount that should be controlled to 10 g or less for the general person proposed in “Health Japan 21 Exercise” and 7 g or less for hypertensive patients.

  When urinating to conduct urine sample sensing, if the stool is accidentally excreted, the amplitude and frequency of the water level measurement value will be different from those of urine alone, so sample collection will be stopped. The operation reliability of the urine collecting means can be prevented from being lowered by shifting to the cleaning process of the urine collecting means with electrolyzed water.

  The user confirms the displayed measurement value, communicates measurement data for cooperation with other services not included in the present invention, or the measurement result and other medical / health Printed out for guidance from relevant personnel. When the user performs the toilet bowl cleaning operation, the display changes again during preparation. After rim water is discharged and the accumulated water level has risen to the overflow level, siphon phenomenon occurs due to jet discharge, and urine is discharged into the sewage together with the accumulated water. Return to. At the same time, the cleaning of the specific component sensing means, which is not described in detail in the present invention, is completed, and the ready display is switched to the measurable display.

FIG. 4 is a system block diagram showing a first embodiment of the toilet unit of the present invention.
It can be largely divided into a toilet part and a functional part. A zet water discharge nozzle for generating a siphon phenomenon with respect to the stored water in the toilet is provided in the stored water, and a rim water discharge nozzle is provided for the purpose of replenishing the stored water. The city water supplied to the functional unit is supplied to the water channel switching means through a water supply unit including a strainer for removing foreign matter so as not to affect the mechanical system. The water channel switching means cleans the zet water discharge nozzle and rim water discharge nozzle for discharging the sewage discharged from the toilet unit, the drain socket for preventing the odor from rising from the sewage pipe, and the urine collection means for collecting the urine sample in the functional section. Water is sequentially supplied to the electrolyzed water supply means.

The control unit controls the water channel switching unit, the electrolyzed water supply unit, the water level measurement unit, the urine collection unit, and the sensing unit, and transmits the measurement calculation result to the operation / display unit via the communication unit. The communication means may be not only wired transmission but also wireless transmission using infrared rays or radio waves.
The sensing means may be present in the functional unit, but may also be via a sample container for cooperation with other large clinical testing devices.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the toilet unit of the present invention.
The urine collection unit 50 is fixed through a hole provided in the ball surface 12. The stored water 13 shows a state in which the water level is lowered due to the siphon phenomenon described above, and the urine collection unit 50 is exposed only when the water level of the stored water 13 is lowered. When the urine collector 51 is submerged in the accumulated water, the water is sealed by the closing valve body 56. At the tip of the urine collector 51, a urine collection lid 52 that opens when extended, and a strainer 53 are provided at a portion where urine directly enters. When the water level of the stored water 13 is lowered, the urine collector 51 is extended by the lead screw 55 that transmits the rotation of the motor 54 toward the center of the ball surface 12 in order to collect the user's urine. The user's urine enters the urine collector 51 directly. When the urine collection is completed, the urine collector 51 is accommodated on the ball surface 12 side by the lead screw 55 that transmits the rotation of the motor 54, and is sent to the sensing means as a post process through the valve body 57.

  In this example, the urine collecting unit 50 and the sensing means are configured separately, but the sensing means may be incorporated in the urine collector 51. When there are a plurality of measurement items, the urine collection unit may be configured on the plurality of ball surfaces 12. Further, as the expansion / contraction mechanism of the urine collector 51, not only a lead screw but also a configuration such as a timing belt or a rack / pinion may be adopted.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a third embodiment of the toilet unit of the present invention.
The urine collection unit 60 is fixed through a hole provided in the ball surface 12. The accumulated water 13 shows a state in which the water level is lowered due to the siphon phenomenon described above, and the urine collection unit 60 is exposed only when the accumulated water 13 is lowered. When the urine collector 51 is submerged in the accumulated water, water sealing is performed between the urine collector 61 and the cylinder 68. A thermistor 62 is provided at the tip of the urine collector 61 as a means for measuring the urine temperature in order to estimate the body temperature. A strainer 63 is provided at a portion where urine directly enters. When the water level of the accumulated water 13 falls and the thermistor 62 detects urination accompanying temperature rise, the urine collector 61 uses a lead screw 65 that transmits the rotation of the motor 54 into the ball surface 12 to collect the user's urine. Extend. The user's urine enters the urine collector 61 indirectly via the bowl surface 12 of the toilet bowl. The urine collector 61 that collects the amount to be sent to the sensing means as a post process is housed by a lead screw 65 that transmits the rotation of the motor 64. The urine collection device 61 has a syringe pump configuration, and urine that has entered the cylinder 68 of the urine collection device 61 is sent to a sensing means as a post-process by a piston 67 that moves up and down by the rotation of the motor 66. It has come to be.

  Note that in the relationship between the urine collector 61 and the piston 67, the seal is cut at the upper end portion, so that urine is easy to flow into the urine collector 61. In addition, the piston 67 is moved above the urine collector 61 when urine collection is performed, and water droplets adhering to the inside of the urine collector 61 by electrolytic water cleaning are pushed out to the toilet bowl surface 12 side.

  In this example, the urine collecting unit 50 and the sensing means are configured separately, but the sensing means may be incorporated in the urine collector 51. Flow-type sensing can also be realized by using delivery by the piston 67. When there are a plurality of measurement items, the urine collection unit may be configured on the plurality of ball surfaces 12. Further, as the expansion / contraction mechanism of the urine collector 51, not only a lead screw but also a configuration such as a timing belt or a rack / pinion may be adopted.

FIG. 7 is an operation sequence diagram showing second and third embodiments of the toilet unit of the present invention.
When the user performs the measurement preparation start operation, jet water discharge is performed toward the trap portion, and the water level of the stored water decreases due to the occurrence of a siphon phenomenon. After water containing hypochlorite ions for sterilizing the urine collection means is supplied from the electrolyzed water supply means, all remaining water is sent out toward the drain socket. When the stored water level drops and the urine collection unit is exposed, the preparation display changes to the measurement display. In addition, when the measurement preparation start operation is used as a trigger, deodorizing means (not shown) provided in the functional unit is operated to treat sewage odor, or branch water from the water channel switching means is discharged toward the sewage through the drain socket. May prevent an increase in sewage odor. When the user urinates according to the display during measurement, the water level rises due to urine in the ball surface. At the same time, urine is sent to other sensing means, or a urine collection means for storing urine in the specimen container is operated by a predetermined amount, and a urine specimen necessary for sensing is collected. The trigger for driving the urine collecting means may be triggered not only by lowering the water level but also by detecting urine by urine temperature detection or conductivity measurement.

  As a method for delivering a urine sample, a syringe pump method that is self-priming, hardly causes damage to cells contained in urine, and hardly causes problems in visual inspection is recommended. The water level change in the toilet bowl surface is measured by a water level measuring means such as a pressure sensor, and is converted into a urine volume change by the cross-sectional area data for each water level position of the toilet bowl. The highest point of water level change is measured as the amount of excreted urine. The amount of change in urine volume converted from the change in water level with time is an index called urine flow rate or urinary flow rate, and can also be used for the management of urinary diseases represented by prostatic hypertrophy. The measured urine amount may be the actual excretion amount of the specific component excreted by the user by multiplying the specific component concentration measured by the sensing means of the urine sample.

  When urinating to conduct urine sample sensing, if the stool is accidentally excreted, the sample level is stopped because the amplitude and frequency of the water level measurement values are different from those of urine alone. Then, the operation reliability of the urine collecting means can be prevented from being lowered by shifting to the cleaning process of the urine collecting means with electrolyzed water. The user confirms the displayed measurement value, communicates measurement data for cooperation with other services not included in the present invention, or the measurement result and other medical / health Printed out for guidance from relevant personnel. When the user performs the toilet bowl cleaning operation, the display changes again during preparation. After rim water is discharged and the accumulated water level has risen to the overflow level, siphon phenomenon occurs due to jet discharge, and urine is discharged into the sewage together with the accumulated water. Return to. At the same time, the cleaning of the specific component sensing means, which is not described in detail in the present invention, is completed, and the ready display is switched to the measurable display.

FIG. 8 is a system block diagram showing second and third embodiments of the toilet unit of the present invention.
It can be largely divided into a toilet part and a functional part. A zet water discharge nozzle for generating a siphon phenomenon with respect to the stored water in the toilet is provided in the stored water, and a rim water discharge nozzle is provided for the purpose of replenishing the stored water. The city water supplied to the functional unit is supplied to the water channel switching means through a water supply unit including a strainer for removing foreign matter so as not to affect the mechanical system. The water channel switching means cleans the zet water discharge nozzle and rim water discharge nozzle for discharging the sewage discharged from the toilet unit, the drain socket for preventing the odor from rising from the sewage pipe, and the urine collection means for collecting the urine sample in the functional section. Water is sequentially supplied to the electrolyzed water supply means. The control unit controls the water channel switching unit, the electrolyzed water supply unit, the water level measurement unit, the urine collection unit, and the sensing unit, and transmits the measurement calculation result to the operation / display unit via the communication unit. The communication means may be not only wired transmission but also wireless transmission using infrared rays or radio waves.
The sensing means may be present in the functional unit, but may also be via a sample container for cooperation with other large clinical testing devices.

It is a perspective view which shows the toilet unit incorporating the collection means of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the 1st Example of the toilet unit of this invention. It is an operation | movement sequence diagram which shows the 1st Example of the toilet bowl unit of this invention. It is a system block diagram which shows the 1st Example of the toilet bowl unit of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the 2nd Example of the toilet unit of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the 3rd Example of the toilet unit of this invention. It is an operation | movement sequence diagram which shows the 2nd and 3rd Example of the toilet unit of this invention. It is a system block diagram which shows the 2nd and 3rd Example of the toilet unit of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Toilet unit 2 ... Function case 3 ... Water channel switching means 4 ... Urine 11 ... Western style toilet bowl 12 ... Ball surface 13 ... Reservoir 14 ... Rim surface 15 ... Trap part 16 ... Drain socket 21 ... Toilet seat 22 ... Toilet lid 31 ... Zet water discharge nozzle 32 ... Rim water discharge nozzle 33 ... Branch port 34 ... Branch path 35 ... Three-way valve A
36 ... Three-way valve B
37 ... Three-way valve C
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 41 ... Overflow water level 42 ... Pressure guiding path 43 ... Pressure sensor 50 ... Urine collection unit 51 ... Urine collection device 52 ... Urine collection lid 53 ... Strainer 54 ... Motor 55 ... Lead screw 56 ... Closure valve body 60 ... Urine collection unit 61 ... Urine collection device 62 ... Thermistor 63 ... Strainer 64 ... Motor 65 ... Lead screw 66 ... Motor 67 ... Piston

Claims (4)

A ball that receives the urine excreted by the user and stores the stored water, a drain trap that discharges the stored water into the sewage, a water level changing means that changes the water level of the stored water, and a urine collecting means that collects the user's urine In a toilet unit having
The urine collecting means is provided so as to face the surface of the ball, and the urine collecting means is located below the water level of the accumulated water except during the urine collecting operation, and is above the water level of the accumulated water during the urine collecting operation. The toilet unit is characterized by controlling the water level varying means. The piping path between the urine collection means and the urine analysis means performs the urine collection operation based on the user's operation and / or urine detection only when the water level of the stored water is below the urine collection means. The toilet unit according to claim 1, wherein the toilet unit is controlled as follows. The water level changing means for changing the water level of the stored water is due to a siphon phenomenon that occurs with respect to the trap and / or by opening and closing a water channel between the stored water and the sewage pipe and / or by sucking the stored water. The toilet unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. The toilet unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein urine is collected from a jet water discharge pipe for generating the siphon phenomenon.

Images