JP2007007017A - Toilet seat device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly convenient toilet seat device with excellent energy saving properties. <P>SOLUTION: The toilet seat device comprises a heat source 11 for heating a toilet seat 10, a human body detecting means 12, a seating detecting means 13, and a control means 14 for controlling the heat source 11, the human body detecting means 12 and the seating detecting means 13. The control means 14 controls the heat source, the human body detecting means and the seating detecting means so that the temperature of the toilet seat reaches the seating possible temperature in a prescribed period of time at a second energization rate higher than a first energization rate after the power is fed to the heat source 11 for heating the toilet seat 10 at the first energization rate for a certain period of time when a human body is detected by the human body detecting means 12, and feeds the power at a third energization rate lower than the second energization rate when the seating is detected. In this way, the convenient toilet seat device capable of preventing a large rush current, with excellent energy saving properties, can be provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a toilet seat device for heating a toilet seat surface in a short time.

Conventionally, in this type of heated toilet seat, as shown in FIG. 7, the seat portion 103 of the toilet seat 102 having a hollow portion 101 is made of a transparent polypropylene resin, and a radiant heat absorption layer 104 is installed on the surface of the seat portion 103. A lamp heater 105 was installed in the cavity 101. The radiant heat from the lamp heater 105 is transmitted through the seating portion 103 made of transparent polypropylene resin, converted into heat by the radiant heat absorption layer 104 on the surface, and the temperature of the seating portion 103 is increased. Since heat is generated in the radiant heat absorption layer 104 in contact with the buttocks, heating of the buttocks can be performed in a short time compared to a method in which heat is conducted from the inside of the toilet seat 102 using a cord heater or the like. Further, the temperature control is performed by a thermostat 106 placed in the vicinity of the lamp heater 105, and the risk of abnormal heating is prevented by the temperature fuse 107 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-14598 A

  However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, the lamp heater has good power conversion efficiency, so it has a quick warming performance that warms up quickly and can raise the temperature in a short time, but the resistance value of the lamp heater is cooled by the filament ( When the temperature is equivalent to the temperature in the toilet room), a large inrush current flows at the beginning of energization because it is as small as 1/10 or less of the rated power consumption. Of course, the resistance value of the filament reaches the rated resistance in a short time, and the inrush current is immediately suppressed. However, for use in the toilet seat device, other products (especially heaters) installed in the toilet room When energized at the same time, a larger current flows.

  In general, the indoor power wiring into the toilet room is not a large current wiring and is a single power wiring, and therefore there are often no earth leakage circuit breakers and overcurrent circuit breakers that assume a large current. In addition, many lighting fixtures in the toilet room are taken from the same power wiring, and lamp heaters and other products installed in the toilet room (for example, hot water heaters that heat wash water for washing human body parts) When both heaters are energized at the same time, the circuit breaker will drop due to overcurrent, or a voltage drop will occur due to the resistance component of the indoor power wiring, and the toilet seat device and other equipment installed in the toilet room The supply voltage to the product and the toilet interior lighting is lowered, and there is a problem that the product performance of the toilet seat device and other products installed in the toilet room is degraded and the brightness of the interior lighting is lowered.

  In view of the above-described conventional problems, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a toilet seat device that is rich in energy saving and easy to use.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the toilet seat device according to the present invention, when the human body is detected by the human body detection means in the control means, supplies power to the heat source that warms the toilet seat at a first energization rate for a certain period of time. The toilet seat temperature is controlled so as to reach a seatable temperature within a predetermined time at a second energization rate higher than the first energization rate, and when the seating detecting means detects the seating of a human body, the heat source is more than the second energization rate. Control is performed at a low third energization rate.

With this configuration, it is possible to provide a toilet seat device that is rich in energy saving and easy to use.

  The toilet seat device according to the present invention can provide a toilet seat device that has quick and warm performance and is easy to use and rich in energy saving.

  The first invention includes a heat source for warming the toilet seat, a seating detection unit, a human body detection unit, and a control unit for controlling the heat source, the seating detection unit, and the human body detection unit, and the control unit performs human body detection. And after the power is supplied to the heat source at a first energization rate for a certain time, the toilet seat temperature is controlled to reach a seatable temperature within a predetermined time at a second energization rate higher than the first energization rate. When seating is detected, power is supplied at a third energization rate lower than the second energization rate, so that a large inrush current immediately after the start of power supply is suppressed, and the circuit breaker falls due to overcurrent, The voltage drop occurs due to the resistance component of the indoor power wiring, and the supply voltage to the toilet seat device, other products installed in the toilet room, and the lighting in the toilet room decreases, and the toilet seat device and toilet room are equipped. The performance of other products that are The brightness of the internal lighting does not decrease, and when the human body is seated on the toilet seat, the toilet seat is covered with the human body, so the heat retention is increased and the body temperature is affected. Therefore, it is possible to provide a toilet seat device that can suppress wasteful power, is energy-saving, and is easy to use.

  In particular, the second invention has the room temperature detecting means in the first invention, and the temperature of the toilet seat reaches the seatable temperature in the minimum necessary time by determining the predetermined time according to the room temperature. Therefore, an easy-to-use toilet seat device can be provided. Further, since the heat source is not unnecessarily energized, the toilet seat device is rich in energy saving.

  In particular, the third invention has a toilet seat temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the toilet seat in the first invention, and the predetermined time is determined according to the toilet seat temperature, so that the temperature of the toilet seat can be obtained in a minimum necessary time. Can reach a seatable temperature, and an easy-to-use toilet seat device can be provided. Further, since the heat source is not unnecessarily energized, the toilet seat device is rich in energy saving.

  In the fourth invention, in particular, the toilet seat temperature detecting means of the third invention can cause the temperature of the toilet seat to reach the seatable temperature in the minimum necessary time by detecting the temperature inside the toilet seat. It is possible to provide a toilet seat device with good quality. Further, since the heat source is not unnecessarily energized, the toilet seat device is rich in energy saving.

  In a fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the power source is unnecessarily energized by supplying power at a current rate that maintains the toilet seat temperature at a set temperature after a predetermined time has elapsed. Therefore, the toilet seat device is rich in energy saving.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a toilet seat apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, it comprises a heat source 11 for warming the toilet seat 10, a human body detecting means 12 for detecting a human body, and a control means 14 for controlling a seating detecting means 13 for detecting the seating.

  About the toilet seat apparatus comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  The heat source 11 is disposed inside the toilet seat 10, and the toilet seat 10 is warmed by the heat generated by the heat source 11. The human body detection means 12 detects whether or not a user is present in the toilet room, and outputs the presence / absence of the user to the control means 14 as a signal. The seating detection means 13 detects whether or not a person is seated on the toilet seat device, and outputs a seating / non-sitting state as a signal to the control means 14. The control unit 14 includes a microcomputer and peripheral circuits, and controls power supply to the heat source 11 based on the output signal of the human body detection unit 12 and the output signal of the seating detection unit 13.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control means 14 supplies power to the heat source 11 that warms the toilet seat 10 at a first energization rate for a certain period of time when the human body detection means 12 detects the human body. After a certain period of time, the control means 14 supplies power so that the temperature of the toilet seat 10 reaches the seatable temperature within a predetermined time at a second energization rate higher than the first energization rate. When the seating detection means 13 detects the seating of the human body on the toilet seat 10, the control means 14 controls the power supply rate to the heat source 11 at a third power supply rate lower than the second power supply rate. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of energization of the heat source 11, electric power is supplied at an energization rate that maintains the temperature of the toilet seat 10 at a predetermined temperature. The seatable temperature is the lowest temperature at which a user does not feel uncomfortable when seated on the toilet seat 10.

  Normally, it is conceivable to energize the heat source 11 at the second energization rate from the beginning of energization so that the temperature of the toilet seat 10 reaches the seatable temperature as soon as possible. However, as described in the above-mentioned problem, the resistance value of the heat source 11 is very small, about 1/10 or less of the rated power consumption when the heat source 11 is cold (temperature corresponding to the temperature in the toilet room). A large inrush current flows at the beginning of energization. Further, when other products (particularly products equipped with a heater) are used at the same time in the toilet room, it is assumed that a larger current flows. In this case, generally, the indoor power wiring into the toilet room is not a large current wiring, and since it is a single power wiring, the earth leakage circuit breaker and the overcurrent circuit breaker that assume a large current are not arranged. There are many cases. In addition, many lighting appliances in the toilet room are taken from the same power wiring, and the heat source 1 and other products installed in the toilet room (for example, a hot water heater that heats wash water for washing the human body) When both heaters are energized at the same time, the circuit breaker will drop due to overcurrent, or a voltage drop will occur due to the resistance component of the indoor power wiring, and the toilet seat device and other equipment installed in the toilet room The supply voltage to the product and the toilet interior lighting decreases, the performance of the toilet seat device and other products installed in the toilet interior decreases, and the brightness of the interior lighting decreases.

  Generally, since the resistance value of the heat source 11 reaches the rated resistance in a short time and the inrush current is immediately suppressed, power is supplied to the heat source 11 at the first energization rate at the start of energization, and then the first energization is performed. By controlling at a second energization rate higher than the rate, a large inrush current is suppressed, the circuit breaker falls due to overcurrent, a voltage drop occurs due to the resistance component of the indoor power wiring, the toilet seat device, The supply voltage to other products installed in the toilet room and the lighting in the toilet room decreases, the performance of the toilet seat device and other products installed in the toilet room decreases, and the brightness of the room lighting decreases. Therefore, it is possible to provide a toilet seat device that is excellent in energy saving and easy to use.

  Further, since the surface state of the toilet seat 10 is different between when the human body is seated on the toilet seat 10 and when the human body is not seated, a difference occurs in the temperature of the toilet seat 10. When the human body is seated on the toilet seat 10, the surface temperature of the toilet seat 10 is not when the human body is seated. Warm compared to.

Therefore, in the control unit 14, when seating is detected by the seating detection unit 13, by supplying power to the heat source 11 at a third energization rate lower than the second energization rate, wasteful power can be suppressed,
It is possible to provide an easy-to-use toilet seat device that is rich in energy savings.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the toilet seat apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a change in toilet seat temperature according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, it has room temperature detection means 15 for detecting the room temperature, and the control means 14 determines a predetermined time for energizing the heat source 11 according to the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection means 15.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the room temperature is low and when the room temperature is high, the temperature of the toilet seat 10 immediately before starting to energize the heat source 11 by detecting a human body is different. The time required for reaching the seatable temperature is also different. For example, when the room temperature is low, the temperature of the toilet seat 10 is low, and the rate at which the temperature of the toilet seat 10 increases is slow. Therefore, when the toilet seat 10 is to reach the seatable temperature, it is necessary to energize the heat source 11 for a long time. However, when the heat source 11 is energized in the same time even when the room temperature is high, the temperature of the toilet seat 10 exceeds the seatable temperature. On the contrary, when the room temperature is high, the temperature of the toilet seat 10 is also high, and the speed at which the temperature of the toilet seat 10 rises is fast. Therefore, when the toilet seat 10 is made to reach the seatable temperature, it is only necessary to energize the heat source 11 for a short time. When the heat source 11 is energized for the same time even when the temperature is low, the temperature of the toilet seat 10 does not reach the seatable temperature.

  Therefore, the control means 14 determines the predetermined time during which the heat source 11 is energized according to the room temperature, so that the temperature of the toilet seat 10 can reach the seatable temperature in the minimum necessary time. Can be provided. Further, since the heat source 11 is not unnecessarily energized, the toilet seat device is rich in energy saving.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the toilet seat apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the toilet seat temperature detecting means 16 for detecting the temperature of the toilet seat 10 is provided, and the control means 14 determines a predetermined time for energizing the heat source 11 according to the temperature of the toilet seat detected by the toilet seat temperature detecting means 16. To do.

  Normally, once the toilet seat 10 is warmed by the heat source 11, when the user stops supplying power to the heat source 11 after use, it takes a certain time until the temperature of the toilet seat 10 decreases. The interval at which the toilet seat device is used in actual use varies in the installation environment, use environment, time zone, and the like. For example, in the morning time zone of a family of four, the toilet seat device is continuously used in the same time zone for commuting and attending school. In addition, the toilet seat device is continuously used even when the toilet seat device is installed in a public facility where people frequently come and go. In these cases, since the interval at which the toilet seat device is used is very short, energization of the heat source 11 is started in a state where the temperature of the toilet seat 10 is sufficiently high. Even in this case, if the predetermined time for energizing the heat source 1 is the same time, energization is performed more than necessary, and power is wasted.

  Therefore, by determining the predetermined time for energizing the heat source 11 according to the temperature of the toilet seat 10 in the control means 4, the temperature of the toilet seat 10 can reach the seatable temperature in the minimum necessary time, which is easy to use. A good toilet seat device can be provided. Further, since the heat source 11 is not unnecessarily energized, the toilet seat device is rich in energy saving.

  In the present embodiment, the toilet seat temperature detecting means 16 is installed inside the toilet seat, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the same effect can be obtained as long as the position is highly correlated with the surface temperature of the toilet seat such as the surface of the toilet seat. Obtainable.

  As described above, since the toilet seat device according to the present invention can control a heat source with a high energy saving property, it can be applied to other uses such as a heating appliance.

The block diagram of the toilet seat apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention The graph showing the electricity supply rate to the heat source in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The block diagram of the toilet seat apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention The graph showing the change of the toilet seat temperature in Embodiment 2 of this invention The block diagram of the toilet seat apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention Cross section of the main part of a conventional toilet seat device

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Toilet seat 11 Heat source 12 Human body detection means 13 Seating detection means 14 Control means 15 Room temperature detection means 16 Toilet seat temperature detection means

Claims (5)

A heat source for warming the toilet seat; a seating detection unit; a human body detection unit; and a control unit for controlling the heat source, the seating detection unit, and the human body detection unit. After supplying power for a certain period of time at a current energization rate, control is performed so that the toilet seat temperature reaches a seatable temperature within a predetermined time at a second energization rate that is higher than the first energization rate, and seating is detected. And a toilet seat device for supplying electric power at a third energization rate lower than the second energization rate. The toilet seat device according to claim 1, further comprising a room temperature detecting unit, wherein the predetermined time is determined according to the room temperature. The toilet seat device according to claim 1, further comprising toilet seat temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the toilet seat, wherein the predetermined time is determined according to the toilet seat temperature. The toilet seat device according to claim 3, wherein the toilet seat temperature detecting means detects a temperature inside the toilet seat. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein electric power is supplied at an energization rate that maintains the toilet seat temperature at a set temperature after a predetermined time has elapsed.