JP2005163324A - Toilet bowl flushing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly correct variations in sensitivity, caused by an individual difference of a microwave Doppler sensor and a control part, an individual difference based on the condition of the installation of the microwave Doppler sensor, and the like, in the state of not being affected by the human body and excrement, in terms of a toilet bowl flushing apparatus using the microwave Doppler sensor. <P>SOLUTION: This toilet bowl flushing apparatus is equipped with a valve for controlling the supply of flushing water, a toilet bowl, the microwave Doppler sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a user or the excrement, and the control part for controlling the opening/closing of the valve in accordance with an output signal of the microwave Doppler sensor: and the control part is equipped with a means for opening the valve under the condition of the absence of the user, and a correction means for correcting the sensitivity of detection by the microwave Doppler sensor, in accordance with the output of the microwave Doppler sensor when the valve is opened under the condition of the absence of the user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a sanitary instrument, and more particularly, to a toilet cleaning device suitable for controlling the supply of cleaning water based on the result of detection of excreta into a bowl portion of a toilet such as stool or urine, or a toilet user using a sensor.

  A toilet cleaning device using a conventional microwave Doppler sensor detects the movement of a user of the toilet and controls the opening and closing of the valve. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1.)

  In addition, a toilet cleaning device has been proposed that controls the cleaning water supply device by detecting movement of excrement to the toilet (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  In these toilet cleaning devices, microwaves pass through ceramics, so the microwave Doppler sensor is hidden behind the toilet or urinal that the user cannot see, improving the toilet design, The effect to prevent mischief is obtained, but there were the following problems. That is, the microwave Doppler sensor itself has a large sensitivity difference between individuals. In addition, the amplification degree of the amplifier circuit itself of the control unit also causes a difference in sensitivity between individuals due to the characteristic variation of the component parts, and on the relationship of using the microwave Doppler sensor hidden behind the toilet bowl, due to the difference in the thickness of the toilet bowl, Differences in microwave transmission cause variations in sensitivity. Or, even when a microwave Doppler sensor is installed behind a tile wall, variations in sensitivity may occur due to differences in tile thickness and variations in installation position. . And if the sensitivity is low, it will not be possible to detect the object. Conversely, if the sensitivity is high, it is unnecessary for the movement of the human body to be detected or the movement of the washing water other than the movement of excrement. Will make a detection decision.

  As a sensor sensitivity correction method, a toilet cleaning device using a sensor other than a microwave Doppler sensor, for example, a reflective photoelectric sensor, is used by a toilet user at the construction site to eliminate false detections associated with installation conditions at the construction site. Prepare a blank sheet of a predetermined area as a substitute, and manually adjust the sensitivity by turning the sensitivity adjustment volume with a tool so that the photoelectric sensor detects when the blank sheet is moved in the front-rear direction and less than a predetermined distance from the sensor. If the method or non-detection state continues for a preset time, it is determined that the sensitivity is insufficient and the sensitivity is increased. Conversely, if the detection state continues for a preset time, the sensitivity is determined to be excessive. A method of automatically correcting the sensor sensitivity by lowering is known (for example, see Patent Document 3).

  When the former method of manually correcting the sensitivity is applied to a microwave Doppler sensor that detects the movement of a toilet user and the movement of excrement such as urine, a predetermined micro object such as a metal object is used as a substitute for the detection target. A wave reflector is used, and the operator operates the volume provided on the circuit. However, because the microwave Doppler sensor detects the movement of the object, it must be moved while moving the microwave reflector. The work is hard. In addition to the microwave reflector, even the movement of the operator is detected to cause a sensitivity error, and it is virtually impossible to manually correct it in the field.

In the latter automatic sensitivity correction method, the automatic sensitivity correction is performed over time only after an abnormal detection state in which the detection state or the non-detection state continues for a long time. Some inconvenience arises.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-36581 (first page, FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-266407 (page 11, FIG. 3) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-156681 (page 13, FIG. 1)

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a microwave Doppler sensor in a toilet bowl cleaning device using a microwave Doppler sensor, without being affected by a human body or excrement. In other words, variations in sensitivity due to individual differences in the control unit, individual differences based on the installation conditions of the microwave Doppler sensor, and the like are corrected to an appropriate state.

  To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a valve for controlling the supply of washing water, a toilet, a microwave Doppler sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a user, and opening and closing of the valve based on an output signal of the microwave Doppler sensor In the toilet flushing device having a control unit for controlling the air conditioner, the control unit is configured to open the valve under a condition where the user is not present, and to output the microwave Doppler sensor when the valve is open under this condition. Based on this, a correction means for correcting the detection sensitivity of the microwave Doppler sensor is provided.

  The microwave Doppler sensor reacts to the washing water supplied to the toilet and the movement of the user or excrement in the detection area, and corrects based on the signal that reacts to the detection condition of the object detection means. However, the detection sensitivity of the microwave Doppler sensor is corrected when there is no user in the detection area, and of course no waste is excreted, and only washing water is flowing. By making this change and using this as a reference, it becomes possible to correctly capture a signal change due to the fact that the user has actually approached the toilet or the excretion has been excreted.

  One of the detection sensitivity correction methods is by changing the threshold value for determining the presence or absence of a user or excrement. In a system using a microcomputer, the threshold value can be changed with a simple configuration. Another method of correcting the detection sensitivity is to change the amplification factor in a configuration in which the presence of a user or excrement is detected by comparing the output signal from the microwave Doppler sensor with a threshold value after amplification. In other words, by changing the amplification factor, the signal does not saturate at the level caused by the power supply voltage of the amplifier circuit, and conversely, the signal corresponding to the user or excrement is buried in the background noise that exists in a certain amount in the amplifier circuit. It is sufficient to set an appropriate amplification factor so that it will not be lost.

  The control unit is equipped with a power-on cleaning means that opens the valve when the power is turned on, and correction is made based on the output signal from the microwave Doppler sensor that occurs when only the cleaning water is flowing in the absence of a user when the power is turned on. It is preferable to operate the means, so that the detection sensitivity can be appropriately corrected immediately after the power is turned on after the construction, and the operation of the valve can also be checked.

  In addition, the control unit is equipped with equipment protection cleaning means that automatically opens the valve when the valve does not open for a predetermined time and ensures the sealing water of the toilet trap part, and at the time of equipment protection cleaning, there is no user present. It is preferable to operate the correction means based on the output signal from the microwave Doppler sensor that occurs when only the gas is flowing. In this way, the detection sensitivity can be corrected and the sealing water can be secured simultaneously. Furthermore, since detection sensitivity correction is performed every time equipment protection cleaning is performed, it is possible to cope with changes in system sensitivity over time.

  Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a constant flow rate maintenance mechanism that keeps the instantaneous water discharge amount of the cleaning water substantially constant in the water supply path of the valve. The output signal from the Doppler sensor can be kept substantially constant, the detection sensitivity correction can be made more appropriate, and the splashing of the washing water can be prevented or the washing can be performed with the optimum amount of water.

  According to the present invention, the detection sensitivity is automatically set to the optimum value in a short time without being affected by the human body, and is based on the individual difference of the microwave Doppler sensor and the control unit, and the installation condition of the microwave Doppler sensor. There is an effect that it is possible to avoid the influence due to variations in sensitivity caused by individual differences. Of course, when the detection sensitivity is set to the optimum value, it is possible to reliably detect the user or excrement that should be detected without erroneous detection in accordance with the movement of a person or an object other than the user. .

  BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of the toilet cleaning apparatus of the present invention and FIG. FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram illustrating an example of the microwave Doppler sensor, FIG. 4 is an external view illustrating an example of a transmission unit and a reception unit of the microwave Doppler sensor, and FIG. 5 illustrates the microwave. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the signal processing function circuit, FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the processing function of the microcomputer, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the use of the horn of the Doppler sensor. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a user detection method in the microcomputer, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an amplitude value calculation method by the microcomputer. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flying urine flow detection method in the microcomputer, FIG. 12 is a time chart of the reset processing unit of the microcomputer, and FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the threshold change processing unit of the microcomputer. FIG. 14, FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a microcomputer processing function of another embodiment, FIG. 15 is a time chart of an equipment protection cleaning processing unit by the microcomputer, and FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram showing another embodiment of a signal processing function circuit. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an amplification factor setting processing method of the amplifier.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the toilet bowl cleaning device according to the present invention is provided with a storage space 3 covered with a lid 2 at the top of the urinal 1, and in this storage space 3, a microwave Doppler sensor 4, The valve 5, the control unit 6, and the like are housed, and the maintenance can be performed by removing the lid 2.

  Washing water is supplied from a water supply source (not shown), and passes through a water supply pipe 7 and a constant flow rate maintaining mechanism 8 such as a constant flow rate valve, an electromagnetic valve, an electrically operated valve 5 such as an electric valve. After being discharged from the nozzle 9 along the ball inner wall 10 of the urinal 1, the ball inner wall 10 is washed and then drained from the drain pipe 12 through the trap portion 11.

  In this embodiment, the water flow discharged from the nozzle 9 is automatically maintained at a constant value of about 8 L / min instantaneous water discharge flow rate by a constant flow rate maintenance mechanism 8 such as a constant flow rate valve even if the feed water pressure fluctuates. The washing water is discharged from the nozzle 9 along the ball inner wall 10 in the form of a water film. Although not shown in the figure, the constant flow valve changes the water flow area due to deformation of the elastic ring due to the water pressure, and when the pressure becomes high, the water flow area is reduced to keep the instantaneous water discharge flow rate substantially constant.

  Further, the microwave Doppler sensor 4 is installed downward in the front of the storage space 3 above the urinal 1, and its detection area 13 is a space including the front of the urinal 1 from the ball inner wall 10 of the urinal 1. A signal is output by detecting the movement of the user, the flying urine flow, and the washing water in the detection area 13.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the microwave Doppler sensor 4 includes, for example, a transmission unit 14 that transmits a microwave of 10.525 GHz, a reception unit 15 that receives a reflected wave, and the frequencies of the transmission unit 14 and the reception unit 15. And a difference detection means 16 for detecting the difference and generating a difference output signal.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the transmission means 14 and the reception means 15 are a plurality of patch antennas formed on the surface of the substrate 17, and in this embodiment, four patch antennas 18, 19, 20, and 21 are used for both transmission and reception. The directional characteristics in the detection area 13 of the microwave Doppler sensor 4 are set by setting the shapes and dimensions of the patch antennas 18, 19, 20, and 21.

  For example, in FIG. 4, when the distance d between the patch antennas 18 and 20 and the patch antennas 19 and 21 is 16 mm, the directivity of the microwave Doppler sensor 4 is such that the radiation intensity is strongest at the front of the antenna. The greater the angle from the front, the weaker the tendency. When the angle from the front is ± 25 °, the radiation intensity is halved. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, when the front of the antenna is installed downward in the front of the storage space 3 above the urinal 1, microwaves are transmitted and received from the microwave Doppler sensor 4 downward, and the user is small. The radiant intensity of the space portion that urinates toward the inner wall of the bowl of the toilet 1 is the highest, and the radiant intensity of the space where the user stands in front of the urinal and the ball space of the urinal 1 can be weakened. It is easy to detect and the influence of the urine flow that hits the ball inner wall 10 of the urinal 1 and falls along the ball inner wall 10 can be suppressed.

  The directivity characteristics in the detection area 13 of the microwave Doppler sensor 4 can also be set by providing a metal horn 23 in front of the antenna substrate 22 as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the signal processing function unit of the control unit 6, and the differential output signal from the differential detection means 16 of the microwave Doppler sensor 4 is amplified by the amplifier 24, and the bandpass filter 25 is Only the signal between 100 Hz and 200 Hz of the output signal is passed. The output signal of the amplifier 24 and the output signal of the band pass filter 25 are connected to the A / D port of the microcomputer 26, and the microcomputer 26 depends on conditions such as whether or not the urinal 1 is used based on these output signals. It is programmed to output an operation signal to the valve drive circuit 27 to control the opening and closing of the valve 5.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the microcomputer 26 has, as its processing function, a power-on reset processing unit 28 that resets the microcomputer 26 when the microcomputer 26 is powered on, and the presence / absence of a user based on the output signal of the amplifier 24. Threshold change provided in the user detection processing unit 29 for determining the presence, the flying urine flow detection processing unit 30 for determining the presence or absence of the flying urine flow based on the output signal of the bandpass filter 25, and the reset processing unit 28 A processing unit 31, a user detection processing unit 29, a flying urine flow detection processing unit 30, and a valve control processing unit 32 that generates an operation signal in the valve drive circuit 27 based on the threshold value change processing unit 31 are provided.

  In this embodiment, the flying urine flow is detected after the user is detected, and then the valve control processing unit 32 is activated when the user is not detected and when the threshold value changing processing unit 31 is activated. I'm programming.

  FIG. 8 is a graph showing the output signal of the amplifier 24 and the output signal of the bandpass filter 25 when the urinal 1 is used, and the processing status of the microcomputer 26 for these signals.

  The determination of the presence / absence of the user will be described with reference to FIG. 8. During the time T1 when the user is present in front of the urinal 1, the user's body fluctuates, the flying urine flow due to urination, etc. The amplitude Va of the output signal of the amplifier 24 changes continuously and irregularly. The user detection processing unit 29 of the microcomputer 26 determines that the user exists in front of the urinal 1 based on the output signal that is continuously and irregularly amplituded.

  The determination of the presence / absence of flying urine flow will be described. During the time T2 during which the user urinates toward the urinal 1, the amplitude Vb of the output signal of the band-pass filter 25 continuously responds to the flying urine flow. It changes a lot. The flying urine flow detection processing unit 30 of the microcomputer 26 detects the flying urine flow based on the output signal that is continuously and irregularly amplituded.

  Thus, after the user exists in front of the urinal 1 and detects the flying urine flow, the amplitude Va of the output signal of the amplifier 24 decreases, and when the presence of the user is no longer detected, the valve is displayed after a few seconds. The control processing unit 32 outputs an operation signal to the valve drive circuit 27, and the urinal 1 is washed by opening the valve 5 for a predetermined time, for example, 15 seconds.

  During the time T3 when the valve 5 is opened and the cleaning water flows through the ball inner wall 10, the cleaning water is stably discharged in the form of a water film along the ball inner wall 10, so that the output signal of the bandpass filter 25 The amplitude Vb is substantially constant and stable. In the following description, the amplitude of the output signal of the bandpass filter 25 resulting from the washing water discharge will be referred to as Vbb.

  If the output signal of the amplifier 24 is passed through the bandpass filter 25 in this way, the signal resulting from the flying urine flow during the time T2 during which the user urinates can be extracted before the urinal 1. The output signal of the microwave Doppler sensor 4 with respect to the movement of the user's body contains almost no frequency component of 100 Hz or more, and the output signal of the microwave Doppler sensor 4 with respect to the flying urine flow contains a frequency component of 100 Hz or more. Because.

  The processing procedure of the user detection processing unit 29 of the microcomputer 26 will be described. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, the start R40 is used as a start base point, an A / D input routine R41, an amplitude value calculation routine R42, and a user presence / absence determination routine. R43, and the A / D input routine R41 captures the output signal of the amplifier 24 as a digital value every 1 ms, and then the amplitude value calculation routine R42 calculates the amplitude value of the output signal of the amplifier 24 to determine whether or not the user exists. In R43, the presence or absence of the user is determined based on the amplitude value obtained in the amplitude value calculation routine R42.

An example of an amplitude value calculation method in the amplitude value calculation routine R42 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10. The current sampling data V based on the output signal of the amplifier 24 and the previous time (1 ms before) with the start step S100 as a start base point. The process proceeds to step S101 where the sampling data V _n−1 is compared. In the comparison step S101, the current sampling data V _n is determined whether or not higher than previous sampling data V _n, in the case of V _{n> V n-1} is then the last time the sampled data falling The process proceeds to step S102 for determining whether or not V _n−2 > V _{n−1, and} if it is an increase, if it is an increase, the process proceeds to an end step S107 and ends, and if it is a decrease In step S103, V _n−1 is determined as the minimum value and stored in the minimum value memory.

In the comparison step S101, if the sampling data has not increased this time, that is, if V _n > V _n−1 is not satisfied, whether or not the sampling data has increased previously, that is, V _n−2 <V _{n−. The} process proceeds to step S104 for determining whether it is _{1, and} if it is not an increase, the process proceeds to an end step S107 and ends. If it is an increase, V _n−1 is determined to be a maximum value and the maximum value memory is determined. The process proceeds to step S105 for storing the data.

  Then, the minimum value memory storing step S103 and the maximum value memory storing step S105 proceed to step S106 where the difference between the value of the maximum value memory and the value of the minimum value memory is calculated to calculate the amplitude value, and then the end step. After the process moves to S107 and returns to the start step S100.

  In the user presence / absence determination routine R43, when the amplitude Va value of the output signal of the amplifier 24 obtained by the amplitude value calculation routine R42 exceeds the threshold value V1, it is determined that the user is in front of the urinal 1 and the amplitude Va When the value falls below the threshold value V1, it is determined that the user is not in front of the urinal 1.

  As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11, the processing procedure of the flying urine flow detection processing unit 30 of the microcomputer 26 is based on the start R50, the A / D input routine R51, the amplitude value calculation routine R52, and the flying urine flow presence / absence determination routine. In the A / D input routine R51, the output signal of the bandpass filter 25 is taken in as a digital value every 1 ms, and then the amplitude Vb value of the output signal of the bandpass filter 25 is calculated in the amplitude value calculation routine R52. In the flying urine flow presence / absence determination routine R53, it is determined whether or not the flying urine flow is detected based on the amplitude Vb value obtained in the amplitude value calculation routine R52, in other words, whether or not the user has urinated.

  The amplitude value calculation method in the amplitude value calculation routine R52 is the same as the amplitude value calculation routine R42 of the user detection processing unit 29 described above, except that sampling data based on the output signal of the bandpass filter 25 is used. Do. In the flying urine flow presence / absence determination routine R53, when the amplitude Vb value of the output signal of the bandpass filter 25 obtained in the amplitude value calculation routine R52 exceeds the threshold value V2, it is determined that the flying urine flow is present.

  The threshold value V1 serving as a base for determining the presence / absence of a user and the threshold value V2 serving as a base for determining the presence / absence of a flying urine flow are standard for standard urinals 1 with an instantaneous water discharge amount defined by a constant flow rate maintenance mechanism 8 such as a constant flow valve. Based on the data obtained when the microwave Doppler sensor 4 is attached, it is preset in the microcomputer 26 at the time of factory shipment. When the microcomputer 26 is turned on, the threshold value incorporated in the reset processing unit 28 is set. The change processing unit 31 automatically changes the threshold values V1 and V2.

  The processing procedure of the threshold value change processing unit 31 will be described. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13, the user is first detected based on the start S110 in the same procedure as the user detection processing unit 29 described above. If the user is not detected through step S111 for determining whether or not there is, the process proceeds to step S112 for issuing a valve opening command to the valve control processing unit 32. If the user is detected, the user is not detected. Until the user is not detected, and the process proceeds to the valve 5 opening command generation step S112.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S113 where the cleaning water instantaneous water discharge amount becomes substantially constant, for example, 2 seconds, and then the amplitude Vbb value of the output signal of the bandpass filter 25 selected by the water discharge is predetermined. The process proceeds to step S114 for checking whether or not the threshold value V3 has been exceeded. If not, it is determined that water is not being supplied to the water supply pipe 7, or that a valve or the like is in an abnormal state. Then, the process proceeds to step S117 where a valve closing command is issued to the valve control processing unit 32, and the process ends.

  This threshold value V3 is set in advance to a value that sufficiently exceeds the amplitude Vbb if the cleaning water is passed through at a predetermined instantaneous water discharge amount defined by the constant flow rate maintenance mechanism 8. If it is determined that the washing water is flowing normally, the threshold value V1 for determining the presence / absence of the user is changed to a value obtained by multiplying the amplitude Vbb value of the output signal of the bandpass filter 25 by the predetermined coefficient A, and the memory. The process proceeds to step S115 for storing, and the threshold value V2 for determining the presence or absence of the flying urine flow is changed to a value obtained by multiplying the amplitude Vbb value of the output signal of the bandpass filter 63 by a predetermined coefficient B and stored in the memory step S116, Finally, the process is terminated via step S117 which generates a valve 5 closing command.

  The predetermined coefficient A that determines the threshold value V1 for determining the presence / absence of the user is a value determined in advance based on the signal amplitude with respect to the washing water, the signal amplitude with respect to the user, and the signal amplitude due to other noises. The predetermined coefficient B that determines the threshold value V2 for determining the presence or absence of flow is the signal amplitude for the wash water, the signal amplitude for the flying urine flow in various states, the movement of the user's body, the trap portion 11 of the urinal 1 Is a value set in advance based on the signal amplitude due to other noise such as the movement of the remaining water droplets.

  The predetermined coefficient A varies depending on the usage situation such as the amplitude Va of the output signal of the amplifier 24 depending on the individual difference of the user, the posture of the user, the position standing in front of the urinal 1, and noise in the toilet other than the user. It is set in consideration of the occurrence of movements of water drops or the like remaining in the trap portion 11 of the urinal 1 or existing persons.

  For example, with respect to the amplitude Vbb of the output signal of the bandpass filter 25 caused by the washing water, the variation of the amplitude Va of the various amplifier 24 output signals, which varies depending on the user's physique, standing position, etc., ranges from 4 × Vbb to 2 × Vbb. And the fact that the signal amplitude due to other noise such as the movement of water droplets remaining in the trap portion 11 of the urinal 1 is 1 × Vbb or less can be confirmed in advance by a large number of experimental data. The coefficient A is set to a value larger than 1 and smaller than 2, for example, the coefficient A is set to 1.5 in the middle, and the threshold value V1 is set to 1.5 × Vbb.

  The predetermined coefficient B indicates that the amplitude Vb of the output signal of the bandpass filter 25 generated by the flying urine flow varies depending on individual differences such as the flying position and thickness of the urine flow, and noise remains in the trap unit 11 of the urinal 1. Determined by taking into account the movement of water droplets.

  For example, with respect to the amplitude Vbb of the output signal of the bandpass filter 25 with respect to the washing water, the variation in the amplitude Vb of the output signal of the bandpass filter 25 caused by individual differences such as the flying position and thickness of the urine flow is 0.5 × Vbb. To 3.5 × Vbb, and the signal amplitude due to other noises such as the movement of water droplets remaining in the trap portion 11 of the urinal 1 is 0.2 × Vbb or less. In the case where the coefficient B is confirmed, the coefficient B is set to a value larger than 0.2 and smaller than 0.5, for example, 0.35 in the middle, and the threshold V2 is set to 0.35 × Vbb.

  In the above-described steps, the threshold change processing unit 31 in the power-on reset processing unit 28 does not detect a human body when power is turned on, and of course does not detect flying urine flow (excretion). The valve 5 is opened, and the threshold values V1 and V2 are corrected based on the amplitude Vbb of the output signal of the bandpass filter 25 obtained thereby. FIG. 12 shows a time chart regarding the relationship between the power-on timing, the power-on reset processing unit 28, the threshold value changing processing unit 31, and the opening / closing state of the valve 5.

  It is apparent from the waveform of FIG. 8 that the amplitude Vbb value of the output signal of the bandpass filter 25 when the water is normally passed with a predetermined instantaneous water discharge amount is used as a base for both the change of the threshold value V1 and the threshold value V2. This is because the output signal of the bandpass filter 25 being cleaned is most stably obtained. In addition, the constant flow rate maintenance mechanism 8 is not affected by the difference in the supply water pressure at the installation location or the fluctuation of the supply water pressure depending on the time zone, and the cleaning water flows in the form of a water film on the surface of the ball inner wall 10, so that more stable output A signal can be obtained.

  Of course, the output signal of the band pass filter 25 reflects the variation in sensitivity due to individual differences of the microwave Doppler sensor 4 and the control unit 6, individual differences based on the installation conditions of the microwave Doppler sensor 4, and the like. The detection sensitivity by the microwave Doppler sensor 4 is corrected by automatically changing to appropriate threshold values V1 and V2 corresponding to this variation at the time of power-on, and this threshold value change processing unit 31 detects by the microwave Doppler sensor 4 A correction means for correcting the sensitivity is configured.

  As described above, the threshold values V1 and V2 are changed based on the output signal of the band-pass filter 25 when the cleaning water is flowing normally with a predetermined instantaneous water discharge amount. It is not preferable to change the threshold values V1 and V2 on the basis of the output signal of the bandpass filter 25 when it is not. That is, the output signal of the bandpass filter 25 when detecting the flying urine flow varies depending on individual differences such as the flying position and thickness of the urine flow and cannot be used as a reference value. The output signal of the band-pass filter 25 when no cleaning water is flowing is also in a situation where ambient noise is detected and varies depending on the surrounding environment, and thus cannot be adopted as a reference value.

  In this embodiment, by turning on the power, it is automatically adjusted to the optimum threshold values V1 and V2 for avoiding malfunction due to noise and surely detecting the user and the flying urine flow without trouble. Thus, the detection sensitivity of the microwave Doppler sensor 4 is corrected.

  Next, another embodiment of the microcomputer 26 will be described with reference to FIG. 14. In this embodiment, as a processing function of the microcomputer 26, a power-on reset processing unit 28 that is performed when the microcomputer 26 is turned on, In addition to the user detection processing unit 29 that performs detection determination of the user, the flying urine flow detection processing unit 30 that performs detection determination of the flying urine flow, and the valve control processing unit 32 that instructs opening and closing of the valve, the equipment protection cleaning process Unit 33 is provided, and a threshold value change processing unit 31 is provided in the equipment protection cleaning processing unit 33.

  In this equipment protection cleaning processing unit 33, the urinal 1 is not used for a long time and no cleaning water is supplied, the sealing water in the urinal trap unit 11 is reduced, or bacteria in the sealing water grow and urine stones are generated. In order to avoid this, when the urinal 1 is not used for a predetermined time, the urinal 1 is cleaned by opening the valve 5, thereby providing the trap portion 11 with sealing water and replacing the sealing water. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the valve 5 is opened when, for example, 24 hours have passed since the last time the valve 5 was opened and the cleaning water was supplied.

  Note that the processing procedures in the user detection processing unit 29, the flying urine flow detection processing unit 30, and the threshold value change processing unit 31 are the same as those described above, and a description thereof is omitted here.

  Thus, when the valve 5 is opened after a predetermined time, for example, 24 hours has elapsed since the valve 5 was last opened and cleaning water was supplied, In a situation where no flying urine flow (excrement) is detected, the threshold values V1 and V2 are corrected using the amplitude Vbb value of the output signal of the microwave Doppler sensor 4 caused by the washing water. The predetermined time for performing the equipment protection cleaning can be arbitrarily set according to the use state of the urinal 1, and may be set to, for example, 8 hours or 12 hours.

  In this way, the sealing water can be secured and the thresholds V1 and V2 can be corrected each time the equipment protection cleaning is performed, in other words, the detection sensitivity can be corrected by the microwave Doppler sensor 4 and the threshold can be corrected each time. It is possible to cope with the case where the overall system sensitivity changes over time.

  Next, another embodiment of correction of detection sensitivity of the microwave Doppler sensor will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. In this embodiment, the amplification factor of the amplifier 24 is changed instead of changing the threshold value.

  Also in this embodiment, the output signal of the microwave Doppler sensor 4 is amplified by the amplifier 24 and the band pass filter 25 passes only the signal between 100 Hz and 200 Hz of the output signal of the amplifier 24 as in the above-described embodiment. In the microcomputer 26, the output signal of the amplifier 24 and the output signal of the band pass filter 25 are captured by the A / D port.

  When the urinal 1 is used, the output signals of the amplifier 24 and the band-pass filter 25 have the same waveforms as in FIG. 8, and the microcomputer 26 uses the internal program to output the output signal amplitude Va value of the amplifier 24. Is compared with the threshold value V1, and when the threshold value V1 is exceeded, it is determined that there is a user in front of the urinal 1, and the output signal amplitude Vb value of the bandpass filter 25 is compared with the threshold value V2, and when the threshold value V2 is exceeded, flight When it is determined that there is urine flow, and then the output signal amplitude Va of the amplifier 24 falls below the threshold value V1, it is determined that the user has left, and an instruction signal for opening the valve 5 is output to the valve drive circuit 27 to open the valve 5. .

  As shown in FIG. 16, the amplification factor of the amplifier 24 is determined by the calculation formula of (Ro + Ri) / Ri from the resistance value Ro of the fixed resistor 34 and the resistance value Ri of the digital potentiometer 35. In this embodiment, In response to an instruction from the microcomputer 26, the resistance value Ri of the digital potentiometer 35 is changed within a predetermined range, and the amplification factor of the amplifier 24 is changed.

  Then, in the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 17, the microcomputer 26 performs the step S121 for determining the presence / absence of the user before the urinal 1 from the start step S120 and the step S122 for determining the presence / absence of the flying urine flow. At the same time, the process proceeds to a flow for changing the amplification factor of the amplifier 24. That is, after determining that there is a user in front of the urinal 1 and determining that there is a flying urine flow, the process proceeds to step S123 where the amplitude Va value of the output signal of the amplifier 24 is compared with the threshold value V1, and the user is detected. When the amplitude Va value is smaller than the threshold value V1, that is, only when it is determined that there is no user, the process proceeds to the next valve opening command step S124.

  Next, the valve 5 is opened based on the valve opening command step S124, and after passing through step S125 for waiting about 2 seconds until the instantaneous water discharge amount of the cleaning water becomes substantially constant, the cleaning water flows stably thereafter. Shifts to the output signal amplitude Vbb value measurement step S126 of the band-pass filter 25 at the time.

  When it is determined that the output signal amplitude Vbb value of the bandpass filter 25 is smaller than the predetermined value C (y in step S127), the process proceeds to step S128 where the resistance value Ri of the digital potentiometer 35 is decreased by a predetermined amount, and the amplifier 24 When the amplification factor is increased and it is determined that the amplitude Vbb value is larger than the predetermined value C (y in step S129), the process proceeds to step S130 where the resistance value Ri of the digital potentiometer 34 is increased by a predetermined amount, and the amplifier 24 amplifies. When the rate is decreased and finally the output signal amplitude Vbb value of the bandpass filter 25 becomes equal to the predetermined value C (n in step S129), the flow shifts to the valve close command step S131, and the flow shifts to the end step S132. .

  The valve 5 is set to open for a preset time, for example, 15 seconds. When the valve close command is generated in less than 15 seconds from the valve close command step S131 after the valve 5 is opened, In order to prevent urinal washing failure by closing the valve 5 15 seconds after the valve is opened, when the valve closing command is generated in, for example, less than 20 seconds from the valve closing command step S131, the valve 5 is closed at that time, and the valve closing command For example, when a valve closing command is not generated even after 20 seconds have elapsed from step S130, the valve is forcibly closed at the time of 20 seconds to prevent unnecessary washing water discharge.

  The predetermined value C is set so as to have as large an amplitude as possible so that the output signal of the microwave Doppler sensor 4 for the user and the flying urine flow is amplified by the amplifier 24 and the output signal waveform is saturated and not deformed. Then, the dynamic range width of the output signal due to the user or the flying urine flow and the output signal due to the noise increases, and it becomes easy to distinguish the output signal due to the user or the flying urine flow from the output signal due to the noise.

  The threshold value V2 for detecting the flying urine flow is the signal amplitude value for the flying urine flow in various states and the water droplets remaining in the ball portion when the signal amplitude Vbb value for the washing water reaches a predetermined value C. This value is fixed and registered in the microcomputer 26 in advance so that it can be discriminated from the signal amplitude value due to other noise such as the movement of the.

  That is, in this embodiment, after the stool, the user cleans the urinal 1 after leaving the urinal 1, that is, the human body is not detected, and the flying urine flow (excrement) is not detected. Under the conditions, the amplification factor of the amplifier 24 is changed by the microcomputer 26 or the digital potentiometer using the output signal of the microwave Doppler sensor 4 caused by the washing water, and the detection sensitivity of the microwave Doppler sensor 4 is corrected. The microcomputer 26 and the digital potentiometer constitute the detection sensitivity correction means of the Doppler sensor 4 so that it does not take time and automatically detects the flying urine flow at the time of cleaning after stool, avoiding malfunction due to noise. Is adjusted to the optimum amplification factor.

  In this way, even if the individual difference of the microwave Doppler sensor 4 or the installation environment of the urinal 1 is different and the signal from the microwave Doppler sensor 4 varies, the amplification factor of the amplifier 24 is adjusted and cleaned. Since the amplitude Vbb value of the output signal of the bandpass filter 25 caused by water is adjusted to a predetermined value C, these variations can be absorbed and a toilet cleaning device with high accuracy can be configured.

  This amplification factor correction process may be performed immediately after power-on or during equipment protection cleaning.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. The present invention can also be applied to a toilet, and as a means for opening a valve in the absence of a user and excrement, a toilet non-use time zone For example, a 24-hour timer for periodically flowing cleaning water at midnight, or a cleaning remote control switch that can flow cleaning water from the place away from the toilet with a remote controller when cleaning the toilet can be used.

  Further, as a place where the microwave Doppler sensor is installed, the microwave Doppler sensor may be installed behind the toilet or the back of the urinal that is not visible to the user, for example, behind the ball wall of the urinal.

  Further, the constant flow rate maintaining mechanism may use a pressure reducing valve or the like that keeps the pressure on the secondary side constant regardless of fluctuations in the pressure on the primary side, and as a result, the water discharge amount from the secondary side is automatically kept constant. Yes, the instantaneous water discharge amount and the valve opening time may be changed according to the cleaning performance of the urinal, and the constant flow rate maintenance mechanism is not always necessary when the toilet is installed in a place where the water pressure fluctuation is small. For example, instead of the constant flow rate maintenance mechanism, the instantaneous water discharge amount of the cleaning water may be adjusted with a stop valve or the like.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows one Example of this invention toilet bowl washing | cleaning apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a washing water path | route similarly. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a microwave Doppler sensor similarly. It is an external view showing an example of the microwave Doppler sensor. It is an external view which shows an example of the horn of a microwave Doppler sensor. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a signal processing function circuit equally. It is a schematic diagram which shows the processing function of a microcomputer. It is a graph which shows the output signal of an amplifier and a band pass filter at the time of using for a urinal, and the determination result of a microcomputer. It is a flowchart figure which shows the user detection method in a microcomputer similarly. It is a flowchart figure which shows the calculation method of the amplitude value by a microcomputer similarly. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flying urine flow detection method with a microcomputer similarly. It is a time chart figure of the reset process part of a microcomputer similarly. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process sequence of the threshold value change process part of a microcomputer similarly. It is a schematic diagram which shows the microcomputer processing function of another Example similarly. It is a time chart figure of the equipment protection cleaning processing part by the microcomputer. It is a block diagram which shows the other Example of a signal processing function circuit equally. It is a flowchart figure which shows the setting process method of the gain of an amplifier similarly.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Urinal 2 ... Cover 3 ... Functional part storage space 4 ... Microwave Doppler sensor 5 ... Valve 6 ... Control part 7 ... Water supply pipe 8 ... Constant flow maintenance mechanism 9 ... Nozzle 10 ... Ball inner wall 11 ... Trap part 12 ... Drainage Tube 13 ... Detection area 14 ... Transmission means 15 ... Reception means 16 ... Difference detection means 17 ... Substrate 18 ... Patch antenna 19 ... Patch antenna 20 ... Patch antenna 21 ... Patch antenna 22 ... Antenna substrate 23 ... Horn 24 ... Amplifier 25 ... Band Pass filter 26 ... Microcomputer 27 ... Valve drive circuit 28 ... Power-on reset processing unit 29 ... User detection processing unit 30 ... Flying urine flow detection processing unit 31 ... Threshold change processing unit (correction means)
32 ... Valve control processing unit 33 ... Equipment protection cleaning processing unit 34 ... Fixed resistance 35 ... Digital potentiometer (correction means)

Claims (4)

A valve that controls the supply of cleaning water, a toilet, a microwave Doppler sensor that detects the presence or absence of a user, and a controller that controls opening and closing of the valve based on an output signal of the microwave Doppler sensor In the toilet bowl cleaning device,
The control unit is configured to open the valve under a condition where the user does not exist, and to detect the sensitivity of the microwave Doppler sensor based on the output of the microwave Doppler sensor when the valve is open under the condition. A toilet cleaning device comprising correction means for correcting. 2. The toilet cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the means for opening the valve is a power-on cleaning means for opening the valve when the control unit is powered on. 2. The toilet cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the means for opening the valve is a facility protection cleaning means for automatically opening the valve when the valve has not been opened for a predetermined time to ensure sealing of the toilet trap portion. The toilet flushing device according to claim 1, further comprising a constant flow rate maintaining mechanism for maintaining a constant water discharge amount of the flush water in the water supply path from the valve to the toilet.

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