JP2007072547A - Controller, and electric equipment and toilet seat device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a controller for controlling the function of equipment by rotating a roller, in which a user can recognize a rotating angle of the roller without visually confirming the roller to perform a control operation. <P>SOLUTION: In the controller 9 comprising the roller 7 for controlling the function of the equipment according to the rotating angle, the roller 7 has a rotating shaft 11 deviated from the central axis, so that the operating position of the operating surface of the roller 7 is changed according to rotation of the roller 7. According to this, the operating position of the operating surface is changed according to the rotating angle of the roller 7, and the rotating angle can be recognized by tactile sense without visual confirmation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a controller having a roller for controlling a function, such as a toilet seat apparatus for cleaning a human body part.

  As an operation means instead of a switch button or a dial knob, a controller in which a user rotates a roller and controls the function of the device according to the angular position (rotation angle) is widely used.

For example, in the toilet seat device, conventionally, the amount of washing water for washing the human body part, that is, the strength of the washing water is instructed by a switch button indicating each of “strong” and “weak” or by a dial knob. In order to alleviate the burden on the body posture and wrist in the operation of the switch button and the dial knob, an invention has been disclosed in which an instruction means using a roller that is easy to operate is mounted on the remote control (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-239354 A

  However, in the above conventional configuration, since the roller has a circular cross-sectional shape, in order to recognize the current rotation angle of the roller, for example, a mark such as a number or a scale is attached to the operation surface that is the peripheral surface of the roller in advance. In addition, there is a problem that it is necessary to visually check the numbers and scales on the current operation surface (in the above-described conventional configuration, the surface of the operation surface that comes to the front of the user in the rotation operation of the roller).

  In particular, in the toilet room, there is a case where the lighting is dark or there is a case where the lighting is not used when used in the middle of the night.

  If it is a dial knob here, the rotation angle can be recognized by tactile sensation without visual observation by providing a projection as a tactile sensation on a part of the dial knob or by configuring the dial knob itself to be elliptical or polygonal. can do.

  However, in a controller in which the roller is circular and only a part of the roller is exposed from the opening of the housing, if a protrusion is provided on the circular roller, the protrusion abuts on the opening end of the housing. The above also had the subject that it stopped rotating.

  On the other hand, devices other than the toilet seat device have the same problem that the rotation angle cannot be determined unless they are visually observed when operating the rollers, and it may be difficult to visually observe the rollers.

  Furthermore, since the roller can be operated by a natural operation, there is a possibility that the roller is erroneously rotated too much. Depending on the device, it is necessary to prevent erroneous operation by visual and tactile double check. However, as described above, there is a problem that it is impossible to take measures such as providing a protrusion as a tactile sensation on a part of the roller.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to recognize a rotation angle without visual observation even with a roller controller.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is such that the rotational axis of the roller is eccentric with respect to the central axis of the roller.

  According to the controller of the present invention, since the rotation axis of the roller is eccentric, the operation position of the operation surface of the roller changes according to the rotation angle of the roller, and the rotation angle can be recognized by tactile sensation without visual observation. .

  1st invention is a controller provided with the roller which controls the function of an apparatus according to a rotation angle, a roller has a rotating shaft eccentric from a central axis, and the operation position of the operation surface of a roller is accompanied with rotation of a roller. It is intended to change. Thereby, the operation position of the operation surface changes according to the rotation angle of the roller, and the rotation angle can be recognized by tactile sensation without visual observation.

  In the second invention, the rotation shaft is provided on one side of the roller, and the roller is pivotally supported by the cantilever shaft. Thereby, a roller can be rotated by simple composition.

  In the third aspect of the invention, the rotation shaft is provided on both side surfaces of the roller, and the roller is supported by both shafts. Thereby, rotation of a roller can be stabilized.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, guards are provided in the vicinity of both sides of the roller, and the roller is positioned within the space surrounded by both guards even when the operation position of the operation surface of the roller is the maximum displacement. is there. As a result, it is possible to prevent the roller from being damaged due to the fall of the controller or contact with other objects.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the rotation angle at which the operation position of the operation surface of the roller is the minimum displacement, the function controlled by the roller is in the state of the minimum capability, and at the rotation angle at which the operation position of the roller operation surface is the maximum displacement. The function controlled by the roller is the maximum capacity state. As a result, the change in the operation position on the operation surface is synchronized with the change in the function state, and control according to the operation feeling can be performed.

  In a sixth aspect of the invention, the function controlled by the roller is set to a predetermined normal state at a rotation angle at which the operation position of the operation surface of the roller is the maximum displacement. Thereby, the user can make the state of using the function of the apparatus most frequently by rotating the roller so that the operation position of the operation surface is set to the maximum displacement.

  7th invention is an electric equipment which has a controller in any one of 1st-6th invention. Thereby, the operativity of an electric equipment can be improved.

  In an eighth aspect of the invention, the toilet seat device is provided with the controller according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the invention, and the physical quantity of the washing water is controlled. Thereby, the operativity of control of the washing function in a toilet seat device can be improved.

(Embodiment 1)
The example used for the toilet seat apparatus about Embodiment 1 of this invention is shown.

In FIG. 1, a toilet seat device 1 mainly includes a main body 2 placed and fixed on the rear end of a toilet, a toilet seat 3 pivotally supported on the main body 2, and a pivotal support so as to cover the toilet seat 3 when closed. Toilet cover 4 and toilet seat device 1
The operation unit 5 provides control and instructions for the functional operations. Necessary control circuits and functional parts are mounted on the main body 2 including a cleaning nozzle 6 that jets cleaning water to a local part of the human body. The operation unit 5 includes a roller 7 that is operated and controlled by a user to control a physical quantity of a desired cleaning water, and a switch 8 for other control as necessary, and constitutes a controller 9.

  In addition, a remote controller 10 is installed in the vicinity of the toilet seat device 1 as a second controller for controlling the toilet seat device 1, and the toilet seat device 1 performs most of the functions of the controller 9 of the operation unit 5 and the remote controller 10. As shown in FIG. 2, a roller 7 is mounted on the remote controller 10 as with the operation unit 5.

  In any case, a part of the roller 7 protrudes from the operation unit 5 or the main body of the remote controller 10 as a casing.

  In this configuration, the toilet seat apparatus 1 ejects water heated by the heating means as washing water from the washing nozzle 6 to wash a local part of the human body. The user rotates the roller 7 to control and change the physical quantity of the washing water.

  As a physical quantity of washing water, for example, when controlling the quantity of washing water, that is, the strength of washing water, the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve and the output of the pump are changed according to the rotation angle of the roller 7. The adjustment of the strength of the washing water has the greatest preference difference for the user. However, if this adjustment instruction is given by the roller 7, the control becomes very simple.

  Another physical quantity is, for example, the temperature of the washing water. If the heating means for the cleaning water is an instantaneous heating means, the temperature of the water can be raised and lowered even while the washing water is being jetted. However, according to the present embodiment, the water temperature can be controlled by operating the roller 7. become. In particular, the local area of the human body can perceive minute changes in water temperature, and the range of temperature that is considered appropriate is small, so that it is possible to finely adjust the water temperature by operating the roller 7, which has a great effect on improving usability. Play.

  In addition, control of the amount and ratio of air mixed into the cleaning water, control of the spraying mode of cleaning water from wide cleaning to spot cleaning, and cleaning water such as the temperature and volume of the buttocks dry air after local cleaning It can also be used for control other than physical quantities.

  Here, the roller 7 has the rotating shaft 11 eccentric from the center. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, when the user rotates and operates the roller 7, the roller 7 itself rotates while drawing a locus of the eccentric rotational motion.

  That is, the roller 7 is displaced with respect to the casing surface of the remote controller 10. In this case, the distance between the rotary shaft 11 and the current operation surface 7a gradually changes with rotation. For example, as shown in the front view of (a) and the side view of (b), the rotary shaft 11 and the current operation surface 7a. From the state where the distance to 7a is maximum, that is, the operation position of the operation surface of the roller 7 is the maximum displacement H1, through the state of the intermediate displacement H2 shown in the front view of (c) and the side view of (d), As shown in the front view of (e) and the side view of (f), the distance between the rotating shaft 11 and the current operation surface 7a is minimized, that is, the operation position of the operation surface of the roller 7 is the minimum displacement H3. To change.

  Therefore, the user can recognize the rotation angle of the roller 7 from the tactile sensation of the operation position (the amount of displacement of the roller) on the operation surface without looking at the controller.

Here, the current operation surface refers to a surface that is currently operated and touched by the user among the operation surfaces that are peripheral surfaces of the roller 7, and this surface serves as a reference for control instruction of the device. For example, when the roller 7 is exposed upward as shown in FIG. 2, the surface comes to the upper surface, and when the roller 7 is exposed to the front, the surface comes to the front (front to the user). Say that.

  1 to 3 show a case of a so-called double-shaft type in which the rotating shaft 11 is provided on both side surfaces of the roller 7, the front view of FIG. 4A and the side view of FIG. Even a so-called cantilever shaft type as shown can be similarly implemented.

  A part of the roller 7 protrudes from the main body of the remote controller 10 as a housing as shown by the operation position on the operation surface. 7 rotation angles can be recognized.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which guards 12 are provided in the vicinity of both sides of the roller 7. The guard 12 has a shape in which the roller 7 does not protrude from the space surrounded by the two guards 12 even when the operation position of the operation surface of the roller 7 is the maximum displacement.

  FIG. 6 shows a state of change accompanying the rotation of the roller 7. From the state in which the operation position of the operation surface of the roller 7 shown in the front view of FIG. ) And the intermediate displacement state shown in the side view of (d), the operation position of the operation surface of the roller 7 shown in the front view of (e) and the side view of (f) is in the state of minimum displacement. Change.

  As apparent from FIGS. 5 and 6, the relationship between the change in the operation height of the operation surface and the operability is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the guard 7 is guarded regardless of the rotation angle position. 12 can prevent other objects from coming into contact with the side of the roller 7.

  For example, in the toilet seat device, the protruding part from the controller is different from other things due to the fact that it is used by many people, such as the current situation where it is installed in a small toilet room and the fact that it is used by many people, from infants to the elderly or people with disabilities The chance of damage due to contact increases. In particular, a roller having an eccentric rotating shaft has a large amount of protrusion and further increases the chance of contact with other objects.

  In this embodiment, the guards 12 provided in the vicinity of both sides of the roller 7 can prevent contact of objects with the roller 7 and can prevent rotation inhibition due to breakage of the rotating shaft or deformation of the end surface of the roller 7. it can.

  Here, when the roller is mounted on the remote controller as compared with the case where the roller is mounted on the toilet seat device, it is particularly effective because it increases not only the contact of other objects but also the chance of contact and impact due to falling. Although the guard 12 is illustrated as being formed integrally with the housing of the controller, the same can be implemented even if a separate guard is formed by joining the housing.

(Embodiment 3)
As Embodiment 3 of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view showing a state where a roller 7 having a rotating shaft 11 that is eccentrically supported is disposed at a corner between the front surface and the upper surface of the remote controller 10. is there.

  As can be seen from FIG. 7, when the roller 7 is disposed at the corner, the roller 7 can be operated from either the front or the upper surface, and thus has the effects described in the first and second embodiments. Furthermore, operability can be improved.

In particular, in the toilet seat device, the operation unit is often provided on the remote control from the viewpoint of improving the flexibility of the operation position, but the height when the remote control is installed on the wall is a problem. This is because the toilet is used by people of various heights, from infants to adults, and if the installation position is high, the infant will not be able to reach the hand. On the other hand, if the installation position is lowered according to the infant, the adult will have an unnatural posture. This is because the remote control must be operated.

  Here, with the remote control according to the present embodiment, even if the infant is installed at a height that allows the infant to reach out and operate the roller from the front, adults can lower the hand and operate from the top of the roller. It can be operated with a simple posture.

  Further, in view of the fact that the roller 7 is arranged at the corner and can be operated from either the front or the upper surface, as shown in FIG. When the housing of the remote controller 10 that is embedded in a nearby housing and is opposed to the roller 7 is opened, either the front surface or the upper surface is displayed even if the roller 7 does not protrude from the remote controller 10 as shown in the sectional view of FIG. Can be operated from the same time, and can be carried out similarly.

  Here, at the rotation angle at which the operation position of the operation surface is the minimum displacement, the controlled function is in the state of the minimum capability, for example, the cleaning water flow is the weakest, and the control is performed at the rotation angle at which the operation position of the operation surface is the maximum displacement. If the function to be performed is in the state of the maximum capacity, for example, the washing water flow is the strongest, the change in the operation position on the operation surface and the change in the function state are synchronized, and the control according to the human operation feeling can be performed. . Thereby, even a person who is not familiar with the operation method can easily use it.

  Further, when the roller 7 is rotated and the operation position of the operation surface is set to the minimum displacement, the ejection of the washing water is stopped, and the washing water strength adjustment and the stop instruction can be performed as a series of operations. Can be improved. In addition, the washing stop switch can be omitted, and the controller can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  When the roller 7 is rotated in the opposite direction after stopping, that is, when the displacement of the operation position of the operation surface is rotated again, the washing water starts to be ejected and the washing water force becomes stronger. Also, a cleaning start switch is not necessary.

  Furthermore, since the ejection of washing water always starts from “weak” in this case, strong washing water is not suddenly ejected at the start of washing, and a comfortable toilet seat device is obtained.

  In addition, although the example which controls a washing | cleaning water flow with the roller 7 was demonstrated, it can implement similarly in control of another function.

  On the other hand, when the operation position on the operation surface is set to the maximum displacement by rotating the roller 7, the function to be controlled may be in a state in which the user normally uses (a predetermined normal state). Depending on the function of the device, even if it can be controlled from the minimum capacity to the maximum capacity, the actual use state may be generally determined.

  For example, the wash water temperature of the toilet seat device can be controlled in the range of 35 to 40 ° C., but in practice, it is often used at around 38 ° C., and the volume of TV and audio equipment is used at the maximum volume. It is extremely rare, and in most cases, it is used in a limited range of medium volume or less.

  Even in this case, the user can control to the most frequently used state by adjusting the operation position of the operation surface to the maximum displacement, and the usability can be improved.

Especially when adjusting the volume of a TV or audio equipment, the operating position on the operating surface is set to the maximum displacement, and after normal operation, the operating position on the operating surface will be reduced again if the volume is further increased. This change becomes a consciousness for the user during the operation, and it is possible to prevent the volume from being increased carelessly.

  In addition, although the user's normal use state has been described as the predetermined normal state, the recommended state when using the device may be set as the predetermined normal state.

  For example, it may not be desirable to use equipment functions to the maximum extent, such as temperature, brightness, operation output, water volume, etc. from the viewpoint of energy saving and water saving, and is recommended when the operation position on the operation surface is at maximum displacement In this case, the operation position on the operation surface is reduced again if it is used in a state beyond that, so that the user is conscious and a suppressing effect is produced.

  As an example, in the temperature control (temperature setting) of the cooling device, the operation position on the operation surface is set to the maximum displacement with 28 ° C. as a recommended state.

  As described above, in the first to third embodiments, the toilet seat apparatus has been mainly described. However, the improvement in the same operability is demanded even in other devices, and the same effect is obtained. Moreover, although the case where the roller was provided in the remote control has been described, the same can be implemented by providing the roller in the device main body or the operation unit of the device.

  Since the controller of the present invention can recognize the rotation angle of the roller without visual observation, it is useful as a controller for equipment that controls the function by the roller.

The perspective view of the toilet seat apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention The perspective view of the remote control in Embodiment 1 of this invention (A) Front view showing state of maximum displacement of roller in Embodiment 1 of the present invention (b) Side view showing state of maximum displacement of the roller (c) Front view showing state of intermediate displacement of the roller (d) Side view showing state of intermediate displacement of the roller (e) Front view showing state of minimum displacement of the roller (f) Side view showing state of minimum displacement of the roller (A) Front view of remote controller of another shape according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention (b) Side view A perspective view of a remote control according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention (A) Front view showing state of maximum displacement of roller in Embodiment 2 of the present invention (b) Side view showing state of maximum displacement of the roller (c) Front view showing state of intermediate displacement of the roller (d) Side view showing state of intermediate displacement of the roller (e) Front view showing state of minimum displacement of the roller (f) Side view showing state of minimum displacement of the roller Sectional drawing of the remote control in Embodiment 3 of this invention (A) Perspective view of another shape of remote control according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention (b) Same sectional view

Explanation of symbols

1 Toilet seat device 7 Roller 9 Controller 10 Remote control 11 Rotating shaft 12 Guard

Claims (8)

A controller having a roller that controls the function of the device according to a rotation angle, wherein the roller has a rotation axis that is eccentric from a central axis, and the operation position of the operation surface of the roller changes as the roller rotates. . The controller according to claim 1, wherein the rotation shaft is provided on one side surface of the roller, and the roller is pivotally supported by a cantilever shaft. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the rotation shaft is provided on both side surfaces of the roller, and the roller is pivotally supported by both shafts. The controller according to claim 3, wherein guards are provided in the vicinity of both sides of the roller, and the roller is located within a space surrounded by the both guards even when the operation position of the operation surface of the roller is the maximum displacement. . At the rotation angle at which the operation position of the operation surface of the roller is the minimum displacement, the function controlled by the roller is in the state of the minimum capability, and at the rotation angle at which the operation position of the operation surface of the roller is the maximum displacement, the roller The controller according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the function controlled by the controller is in a state of maximum capacity. The controller according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a function controlled by the roller is set to a predetermined normal state at a rotation angle at which the operation position of the operation surface of the roller is a maximum displacement. The electric equipment which has a controller of any one of Claims 1-6. The toilet seat apparatus which comprises the controller of any one of Claims 1-6, and controls the physical quantity of washing water with the said roller.

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