JP2005152035A - Toilet seat sterilization device and toilet seat sterilization method using high voltage discharge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toilet seat sterilization device and a toilet seat sterilization method capable of surely sterilizing a toilet seat without the need of the substantial structural change of a toilet itself including a toilet seat cover. <P>SOLUTION: The toilet seat sterilization device is provided with a high voltage generator and a discharge plasma generation part 40. The high voltage generator is provided with a high voltage generation part which is connected to a commercial power source and generates a high voltage, a toilet seat cover lowering end detection switch, and a timer. The discharge plasma generation part 40 is provided in an area facing a part to be in contact with a user on the toilet seat on the back side of the toilet seat cover and is constituted of a dielectric sheet 42, a high voltage electrodes 41 provided on the surface of a toilet seat cover side successively in a comb teeth shape, and grounding electrodes 43 provided on the surface of a toilet seat side successively in the comb teeth shape so as to be positioned at the middle part of the electrodes of the high voltage electrodes 41. Germs near the toilet seat 12 are destroyed by discharge plasma by corona discharge generated between the electrodes of the high voltage electrodes and the grounding electrodes. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a toilet seat sterilizing apparatus and a toilet seat sterilizing method, and more particularly to a toilet seat sterilizing apparatus and a toilet seat sterilizing method using high voltage discharge.

  Although toilets in public places are indispensable, especially the toilet seats of Western-style toilets have a strong unsanitary impression because they are in direct contact with the toilet seat, and there is a sense that toilets cannot be used safely after others use. The toilets on airplanes that fly for a long time are used by many people, and the space is narrow and there are many people who feel uncomfortable, and there are people who feel resistance in the toilets of trains. From the viewpoint of hygiene, it is desirable to sterilize the contact surface of the toilet seat with the human body. In particular, in a toilet used by an unspecified number of people, it is desirable to sterilize the user every time it is used to give the user a clean feeling.

In order to deal with this problem, a method has been proposed in which a sterilization lamp using ultraviolet rays or the like is provided on the back side of the toilet seat cover and the toilet seat is sterilized with the toilet seat cover closed (see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). In addition, a photocatalyst layer containing a photocatalyst activated by a short wavelength light is provided on the surface of the toilet seat surface portion as a short wavelength light transmitting material, and short wavelength light is introduced from a short wavelength light source provided at an end portion of the toilet seat to cause photocatalysis. A toilet seat sterilizer for decomposing and purifying pollutants is disclosed (see Patent Document 3). Also disclosed is a toilet seat sterilization apparatus that uses a toilet seat lid as an ultraviolet light guide material and introduces ultraviolet rays from a part of the lid and emits ultraviolet rays from the back of the lid toward the toilet seat (see Patent Document 4). Furthermore, a toilet seat cleaning device in which a cleaning tool that moves along the toilet seat is provided on the toilet seat cover is also disclosed (see Patent Document 5).
JP-A-6-197848 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-199 JP-A-9-285425 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-14633 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-200011

  However, in the devices described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, it is necessary to add a device that requires a volume such as a germicidal lamp to the toilet seat cover, and it is necessary to change the structure of the toilet bowl itself. Further, the methods described in Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 4 also require a change in the structure of the toilet bowl itself in order to change the material of the toilet seat or the toilet seat cover and provide the light source portion. In the device described in Patent Document 5, it is necessary to greatly expand the structure of the toilet seat cover itself, and the convenience of opening and closing is obstructed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a toilet seat sterilizing apparatus and a toilet seat sterilizing method that can surely sterilize a toilet seat without requiring a significant structural change of the toilet bowl itself including the toilet seat cover.

Toilet seat sterilizer using high voltage discharge of the present invention,
A high voltage generator and a discharge plasma generator are provided. The high voltage generator is connected to an external power source and generates a high voltage for generating a discharge plasma in the discharge plasma generator, and a power supply switching for controlling the connection between the high voltage generator and the external commercial power source A toilet seat cover lowering end detection switch for detecting completion of lowering of the toilet seat cover to the horizontal position, and a timer for controlling the discharge plasma generation time.

  The discharge plasma generation unit is provided on the back side of the toilet seat cover, the dielectric sheet, the high-voltage electrode continuously provided in a comb-like shape on the surface of the dielectric sheet on the toilet seat cover side, and the dielectric sheet It is composed of a ground electrode provided continuously in a comb shape so as to be positioned in the middle of the electrode of the high voltage electrode on the toilet seat side surface. A voltage can be applied, and the fungus in the toilet seat is destroyed by discharge plasma due to silent discharge generated between the high voltage electrode and the ground electrode.

  The dielectric sheet, the high voltage electrode, and the ground electrode of the discharge plasma generating unit may be provided in a region on the back side of the toilet seat cover facing the contact portion with the user on the toilet seat cover. It may be provided on the entire area facing the toilet seat.

  Further, the toilet seat cover may be provided with an ozone adsorbing portion that surrounds the discharge plasma generating portion and adsorbs ozone generated by the discharge plasma, and the high voltage applied to the high voltage electrode is from 6 to The distance between the high voltage electrode and the ground electrode may be 3 to 5 mm.

The toilet seat sterilization method of the present invention,
Monitoring the opening of the toilet seat cover with a toilet seat cover lowering end detection switch;
If the toilet seat cover is opened, monitoring the lowering of the toilet seat cover with a toilet seat cover lowering end detection switch;
If the completion of lowering of the toilet seat cover can be confirmed, a commercial voltage is supplied to the high voltage generator to apply the high voltage to the high voltage electrode of the discharge plasma generator of the toilet seat cover, and between the ground electrode via the dielectric sheet. Generating a discharge plasma by silent discharge of, and destroying bacteria on the surface of the toilet seat;
Monitoring the opening of the toilet seat cover with the toilet seat cover lowering end detection switch, and stopping the discharge plasma if the toilet seat cover is opened;
If the toilet seat cover is at the lowering end position, the timer includes monitoring the elapsed time from the start of discharge and stopping the discharge when the set time elapses.

  The present invention has an effect that the toilet seat can be surely sterilized without requiring a significant change in the structure of the toilet itself including the toilet seat cover and without placing a burden on the user.

  This is because it is possible to detect the opening and closing of the toilet seat cover and automatically generate discharge plasma by a compact discharge plasma generator provided on the back surface of the toilet seat cover to destroy bacteria near the toilet seat surface. In addition, there is an effect that a deodorizing effect can be obtained by ozone generated derivatively by the discharge plasma.

  The best mode for carrying out the toilet seat sterilization apparatus and toilet seat sterilization method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a Western-style toilet equipped with the toilet seat sterilizer of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the first embodiment with the toilet seat cover of the Western-style toilet shown in FIG. 1 opened. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the toilet seat sterilizer, FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the discharge plasma generating section taken along the line XX of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged top view of the discharge plasma generating section. is there.

  The western toilet 1 includes a toilet main body 11, a toilet seat 12, a toilet seat cover 13, a tank 14, a high voltage generator 30, a discharge plasma generator 40, and an ozone adsorber 50 of the toilet seat sterilizer 20 of the present invention. . The toilet body 11, the toilet seat 12, and the tank 14 are the same as the normal western toilet 1.

  The toilet seat sterilizer 20 of the present invention includes a high voltage generator 30, a discharge plasma generator 40, and an ozone adsorber 50. The high voltage generator 30 is connected to an external power source and discharge plasma is generated by the discharge plasma generator 40. A high voltage for generating The generated voltage is a voltage necessary for generating a silent discharge in the discharge plasma generating unit 40, and an effective silent discharge is normally generated at 6 to 20 KV to obtain a discharge plasma, but there is no problem even if it is increased to 30 KV. In addition, even if silent discharge occurs between the human body and the human body, there is no direct influence on the human body.

  The discharge plasma generation unit 40 according to the first embodiment is provided in a region on the back side of the toilet seat cover 13 that faces a range of the toilet seat 12 that is a contact portion of the user, and a dielectric sheet 42 corresponding to the region, A high voltage electrode 41 continuously provided in a comb-like shape on the surface of the dielectric sheet 42 on the toilet seat cover 13 side, and an electrode of the high voltage electrode 41 and an electrode on the surface of the dielectric sheet 42 on the toilet seat side The high-voltage electrode 41 is connected to the high-voltage terminal of the high-voltage generator 30 and the ground electrode 43 is high. It is connected to an external grounding part via the voltage generator 30 or directly.

  The high voltage electrode 41 and the ground electrode 43 are formed of steel wire, and may be, for example, a stainless steel wire having a diameter of 0.5 mm, and the distance between both electrodes is preferably 3 to 5 mm. The dielectric sheet 42 may be made of an inorganic material such as glass or an organic material that is resistant to heat, such as polyester, and may have a thickness of about 1 mm, for example.

  When a high voltage is applied to the high voltage electrode 41, a silent discharge is generated between the high voltage electrode 41 and the ground electrode 43, and a discharge plasma 44 is generated accordingly.

  The toilet seat cover 13 is provided with a descending end detection switch 33 of the high voltage generator 30, and when the descending end of the toilet seat cover 13 is confirmed, the power switch 32 is closed and the high voltage of the high voltage generator 30 is high. A voltage is applied to the generation unit 31, and the high voltage generated by the high voltage generation unit 31 is supplied to the high voltage electrode 41 of the discharge plasma generation unit 40, and a silent discharge is generated between the ground electrode 43 and generated. The germs existing in the vicinity of the surface of the toilet seat 12 facing the discharge plasma generation unit 40 are destroyed by the discharged plasma 44.

  When a predetermined time elapses due to the timer 34 started to operate with the supply of power to the high voltage generator 30, the power switch 32 is shut off and the generation of the discharge plasma 44 is terminated. The time for generating one discharge plasma is desirably about 20 to 50 seconds. According to experiments, most bacteria are destroyed in 30 seconds. Since the toilet seat cover lowering detection switch 33 senses when the toilet seat cover 13 is lifted and the power switch 32 is shut off, the toilet seat cover 13 is lifted even before the timer 34 is shut off. And the generation of the discharge plasma 44 ends.

  Further, when the discharge plasma 44 is generated, ozone is generated from moisture and oxygen in the air, and the deodorizing process for the bad odor inside the toilet bowl is performed by the action of ozone. Since the release of ozone to the outside is not preferable, an ozone adsorption unit 50 mainly composed of activated carbon is provided around the discharge plasma generation unit 40 on the back side of the toilet seat cover 13. The ozone adsorption unit 50 is not necessarily provided.

  Next, a toilet seat sterilizer using high voltage discharge according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of the western toilet with the toilet seat cover provided with the toilet seat sterilizer using high voltage discharge according to the second embodiment of the present invention in a state where the toilet seat cover is opened.

  In the first embodiment, the discharge plasma generation unit 40 provided in the region on the back side of the toilet seat cover 13 that faces the range of the user's contact portion of the toilet seat 12 is the discharge plasma generation of the second embodiment. Since the portion 60 is the same as the first embodiment except that it is provided on the entire back surface of the toilet seat cover 13, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. The discharge plasma generator 60 is continuously provided in a comb-like shape on the surface of the dielectric sheet 62 on the side of the toilet seat cover 13 and the dielectric sheet 62 provided substantially corresponding to the entire surface except the peripheral portion of the toilet seat cover 13. A high-voltage electrode 61, and a ground electrode 63 continuously provided in a comb-like shape so as to be positioned between the electrodes of the high-voltage electrode 61 on the toilet seat side surface of the dielectric sheet 62; It is composed of Further, an ozone adsorption unit 70 is provided around the discharge plasma generation unit 60 and around the back side of the toilet seat cover 13. Since the operation of the toilet seat sterilizer of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the second embodiment, since the discharge plasma generation unit 60 is provided on the entire back surface of the toilet seat cover 13, the effect of destroying bacteria is further increased, and the amount of ozone generated is also increased, so that the deodorization effect is also increased.

  Next, the operation of the toilet seat sterilization method using the high voltage discharge of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a toilet seat sterilization method using high voltage discharge according to the present invention.

  When the process is started, the toilet seat cover lowering end detection switch 33 monitors the opening of the toilet seat cover 13 (S1N), and if the toilet seat cover 13 is opened (S1Y), the toilet seat cover lowering end detection switch 33 lowers the toilet seat cover 13. (S2N) and if the completion of lowering of the toilet seat cover 13 can be confirmed (S2Y), the power switch 32 is turned on to supply a voltage to the high voltage generator 30, and the generated high voltage is discharged into the discharge plasma of the toilet seat cover 13. The discharge plasma 44 is generated by silent discharge generated between the high voltage electrodes 41 and 61 of the generators 40 and 60 and the ground electrodes 43 and 63 via the dielectric sheets 42 and 62, The surface bacteria are destroyed (S3). The opening of the toilet seat cover 13 is monitored by the toilet seat cover lowering end detection switch 33. If the toilet seat cover 13 is opened (S4N), the process proceeds to step S6 to open the power switch to stop the discharge plasma 44 and While 13 is in the horizontal position (S4Y), the timer 34 monitors the elapsed time from turning on the power switch 32 (S5N), and when the set time elapses (S5Y), the power switch 22 is opened. Generation of the discharge plasma 44 is stopped (S6). If the process is not finished (S7N), the process returns to step S1 to repeat the process. If the process is finished (S7Y), the process is finished.

  When the toilet seat cover 13 is open, no high voltage is applied to the high voltage electrodes 41 and 61, so that no discharge plasma 44 is generated when a person is using the discharge plasma 44 to destroy bacteria near the surface of the toilet seat 12. Even during the occurrence of the discharge, if the person lifts the toilet seat cover 13 for use, the generation of the discharge plasma 44 is stopped, which is safe. There is no danger even if silent discharge occurs between the human body. When the use of the western toilet 1 is finished and the toilet seat cover 13 is returned, destruction of the bacteria on the toilet seat 12 by the discharge plasma 44 is started for the first time, and continues for the time set in the timer 34. Since ozone is generated by the discharge plasma 44 at that time, a deodorizing effect is also obtained, and the generated ozone is adsorbed by the ozone adsorbing portions 50 and 70 and does not leak outside.

  Since these processes are automatically performed by the user's normal opening / closing operation of the toilet seat cover 13, there is no increase in the burden on the user, and when an automatic opening / closing device for the toilet seat cover 13 is provided, it is fully automatic. Sterilization is performed. Further, only a commercial power source is required for sterilization, and no chemicals are used, and maintenance is easy.

  Further, if the material of the toilet seat cover 13 is a normal material, there is no problem even if the discharge plasma generator 40 is provided directly on the back of the toilet seat cover 13, but the dielectric sheets 42 and 62 are provided on the toilet seat cover 13 side of the discharge plasma generator 40. By providing a thicker dielectric sheet and providing a ground electrode between the dielectric sheet and the toilet seat cover 13, it is possible to completely prevent the influence of static electricity and discharge through the toilet seat cover 13.

  Peer lines with a diameter of 0.5 mm are arranged at 10 mm intervals to form a high-voltage electrode, an acrylic plate with a thickness of 0.5 mm is sandwiched as a dielectric, and peer lines with a diameter of 0.5 mm are similarly arranged at 10 mm intervals. The ground electrode is arranged alternately with the high voltage electrode, discharge plasma is generated at a high voltage of 20 KV to sterilize the bacteria placed on the adjacent OHP film, and the treated bacteria are cultured and evaluated. As a result, it was confirmed that general bacteria were sterilized by 3 digits or more in 30 sec, Escherichia coli was sterilized in 30 sec, and general bacteria were sterilized in 60 sec.

It is a typical perspective view of a western style toilet provided with the toilet seat sterilizer of the present invention. It is a typical top view of 1st Embodiment of the state which open | released the toilet seat cover of the western style toilet bowl of FIG. It is a typical block block diagram of a toilet seat sterilizer. It is a schematic diagram of the XX cross section of FIG. 2 of a discharge plasma generation part. It is a partial expansion top view of a discharge plasma generation part. It is a schematic top view of the state which opened the toilet seat cover of the western style toilet provided with the toilet seat sterilizer using the high voltage discharge of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the toilet seat sterilization method using the high voltage discharge of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Western style toilet 11 Toilet body 12 Toilet seat 13 Toilet seat cover 14 Tank 20 Toilet seat sterilizer 30 High voltage generator 31 High voltage generator 32 Power switch 33 Toilet cover lowering end detection switch 34 Timer 40, 60 Discharge plasma generator 41, 61 High voltage electrode 42, 62 Dielectric sheet 43, 63 Ground electrode 50, 70 Ozone adsorption part S1-S7 Step

Claims (7)

A toilet-type sterilizer for Western-style toilets using high-voltage discharge,
A high voltage generator and a discharge plasma generator,
The high voltage generator is connected to an external power source to generate a high voltage for generating discharge plasma in the discharge plasma generator, and controls connection between the high voltage generator and the external power source. A power switch, a toilet seat cover lowering end detection switch for detecting completion of lowering of the toilet seat cover to the horizontal position, and a timer for controlling the discharge plasma generation time,
The discharge plasma generation unit is provided on the back side of the toilet seat cover, and includes a dielectric sheet, a high voltage electrode continuously provided in a comb-like shape on a surface of the dielectric sheet on the toilet seat cover side, and the dielectric A ground electrode that is continuously provided in a comb-teeth shape so as to be positioned in the middle of the electrode of the high-voltage electrode on the toilet seat side surface of the body sheet, the high-voltage electrode A high voltage can be applied from a high voltage generator, and the fungus in the toilet seat is destroyed by a discharge plasma caused by a silent discharge generated between the high voltage electrode and the ground electrode. Toilet seat sterilizer.   The dielectric sheet, the high-voltage electrode, and the ground electrode of the discharge plasma generation unit are provided in a region facing a contact portion with a user in the toilet seat on the back side of the toilet seat cover. A toilet seat sterilizer using the high-voltage discharge according to Item 1.   2. The high electrode according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric sheet, the high-voltage electrode, and the ground electrode of the discharge plasma generation unit are provided on the entire surface of the back surface of the toilet seat cover facing the toilet seat. Toilet seat sterilizer using voltage discharge.   Furthermore, the said toilet seat cover is provided with the ozone adsorption part for adsorb | sucking the ozone which generate | occur | produced by the discharge plasma surrounding the said discharge plasma generation part. Toilet seat sterilizer using high voltage discharge.   The toilet seat sterilizer using the high voltage discharge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a high voltage applied to the high voltage electrode is 6 to 20 KV.   The toilet seat sterilizer using high-voltage discharge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an interval between the high-voltage electrode and the ground electrode is 3 to 5 mm. A toilet seat sterilization method using high voltage discharge,
Monitoring the opening of the toilet seat cover with a toilet seat cover lowering end detection switch;
If the toilet seat cover is opened, monitoring the lowering of the toilet seat cover with the toilet seat cover lowering end detection switch;
If the completion of the lowering of the toilet seat cover can be confirmed, a power source is connected to the high voltage generator to apply a high voltage to the high voltage electrode of the discharge plasma generator of the toilet seat cover, and the ground electrode through the dielectric sheet. A step of generating discharge plasma by silent discharge in between and destroying bacteria on the surface of the toilet seat;
Monitoring the opening of the toilet seat cover by the toilet seat cover lowering end detection switch, and stopping the discharge plasma if the toilet seat cover is opened;
The toilet seat sterilization method includes a step of monitoring an elapsed time from the start of discharge with a timer if the toilet seat cover is in the lowering completion position, and stopping the discharge when the set time has elapsed.

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