JP2007169875A - Urinal flushing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide urinal flushing equipment which can secure the performance of the detection of the human body and a urine flow even if adjusting operations are not performed, and can be easily and automatically set on a construction site. <P>SOLUTION: This urinal flushing equipment comprises: a microwave sensor which is provided inside or at the backside of a urinal; an amplification part which amplifies a sensor output signal from the microwave sensor; an object detection and extraction part which extracts an object detection frequency component from an alternating voltage component of the sensor output signal amplified by the amplification part; and a control part which detects the object on the basis of the output of the object detection and extraction part. The amplification factor of the amplification part is changed depending on a voltage level of a direct-current voltage component of the sensor output signal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a urinal washing apparatus for washing a urinal, and more particularly, to a urinal washing apparatus that detects an object such as a human body or urine flow using a microwave sensor.

  In recent years, urinal cleaning devices that automatically clean the inside of a bowl portion of a urinal have been widely used. As this type of urinal washing device, for example, a human body detection sensor such as an infrared sensor is installed on the upper front surface of the urinal, and when this human body detection sensor detects a user for a certain period of time, the user then There is a urinal washing apparatus that detects a separation and opens and closes a solenoid valve provided in a water supply channel to allow a certain amount of washing water to flow into the bowl portion of the urinal.

  As a human body detection sensor, an infrared sensor using infrared rays is generally used, and this sensor is widely used because it is inexpensive. However, since this type of human body detection sensor uses reflection of light, the installation position of the human body detection sensor is limited to a position that does not obstruct light. Further, when the window for the human body detection sensor becomes dirty, the detection accuracy deteriorates. In addition, in order to widen the detection range, it is necessary to increase the light output and diffuse the light, so that it is difficult to detect a wide range.

Therefore, in recent years, a urinal washing apparatus that detects a human body by a Doppler sensor using microwaves (hereinafter referred to as “microwave sensor”) has been proposed or provided. Since this microwave sensor uses microwaves that can pass through resin and earthenware, the microwave sensor can be concealed inside the urinal body, looks good, and is not easily mischievous. Moreover, it is possible to detect whether a person is approaching or moving away. Furthermore, not only human body detection but also urine flow and washing water can be detected by this microwave sensor (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-184153 A

  However, when microwaves pass through resin or ceramics, their power is attenuated somewhat. The amount of attenuation varies depending on the resin or ceramic that permeates. The attenuation of power in the type of pottery generally has a width of ± 30%. As shown in FIG. 9A, the microwave sensor reflects the microwave after passing through the urinal, which is a pottery, and then reflects the reflected microwave that has passed through the urinal again. An output signal, a Doppler signal (a signal indicating movement of the human body, urine flow, etc.) is generated. Moreover, since the relative permittivity of earthenware is about 5, the reflectivity is about 6%. Moreover, since pottery is not flat and has some unevenness, it is also reflected by the unevenness. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9 (b), the microwave of the microwave sensor is reflected by the ceramic urinal and is received by the microwave sensor, which also changes the Doppler signal. . Thus, when the microwave sensor is mounted on the back side of the inner wall surface of the urinal, the attenuation rate of the power when the microwave passes through the urinal due to the thickness of the inner wall of the urinal or the type of glaze Changes.

  As a result, the magnitude of the Doppler signal (signal indicating the movement of the human body, urine flow, etc.), which is the sensor output signal of the microwave sensor, changes depending on the thickness of the urinal in which the microwave sensor is incorporated. And sensitivity of urine flow detection changes.

  If the sensitivity of human body detection or urine flow detection changes in this way, it cannot be detected when human body detection or urine flow detection is to be performed, or human body detection or urine flow detection is performed erroneously when there is no human body or urine flow. There is a risk that.

  In the conventional urinal washing device, the performance of human body detection and urine flow detection is ensured by adjusting each microwave sensor with high accuracy so as to obtain a Doppler signal in a predetermined range under predetermined conditions. is doing.

  Such adjustment work of the microwave sensor must be performed for each microwave sensor, and the work becomes complicated. In addition, this adjustment work has to be performed with an electromagnetically shielded measuring jig in order to eliminate the influence of external noise. Also, adjustment at the construction site was difficult.

  Therefore, the present invention secures the performance of human body detection and urine flow detection without such adjustment work, and more specifically, microwaves pass through the urinal depending on the thickness of the urinal and the type of glaze. An object of the present invention is to provide a urinal washing apparatus capable of correcting the attenuation rate of the electric power sometimes. Moreover, an object of this invention is to provide the urinal washing apparatus which can be automatically set easily at a construction site.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, a radio wave is transmitted to an object as a transmission signal, a transmission / reception unit that receives a reception signal that is a reflected wave thereof, and the transmission signal and the reception signal are mixed, and then a high frequency component is obtained. A microwave sensor having an output unit that generates a sensor output signal by smoothing, and a urinal cleaning device that transmits and receives the microwave sensor by transmitting the urinal through the back side of the inner wall surface of the urinal An amplification unit that amplifies the sensor output signal, an object detection extraction unit that extracts an object detection frequency component from an AC voltage component of the sensor output signal amplified by the amplification unit, and an object detection extraction unit A control unit that detects an object based on the output, and the control unit determines an amplification factor of the amplification unit according to a voltage level of a DC voltage component of the sensor output signal. It has a rate setting means, and sets the amplification factor of the amplification unit by the gain setting means.

  The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 1, a urinal formed of earthenware is provided as the urinal.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the urinal washing apparatus according to the first aspect, the object detection unit extracts a human body detection frequency component from an AC voltage component of a sensor output signal amplified by the amplification unit. A human body detection frequency extraction unit; and a urine flow detection frequency extraction unit that extracts a urine flow detection frequency component from an AC voltage component of the sensor output signal amplified by the amplification unit; and the control unit is configured to extract the human body detection frequency. The human body is detected based on the output of the unit, and the urine flow is detected based on the output of the urine flow detection frequency extracting unit.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the amplification factor setting means is configured such that the sensor output signal is not at a voltage level at which human body detection and urine flow detection are possible. A voltage level of a DC voltage component of the output signal is detected, and an amplification factor of the amplification unit is determined.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the amplification factor setting means detects a voltage level of a DC voltage component of the sensor output signal within a predetermined period after power-on, and the amplification The amplification factor of the part is determined.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a storage unit for storing an amplification factor table for setting an amplification factor in the amplification unit, and the amplification The rate setting means sets the amplification factor according to the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal with reference to an amplification factor table stored in the storage unit.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a water discharge control unit for discharging wash water to the ball portion of the urinal, wherein the amplification factor setting means includes: The amplification factor according to the voltage level of the AC voltage component of the sensor output signal is determined in a state in which washing water is discharged to the ball portion of the urinal by the water discharge control unit.

  According to the first or second aspect of the invention, a transmission / reception unit that transmits a radio wave as a transmission signal to an object and receives a reception signal that is a reflection wave thereof, and the transmission signal and the reception signal are mixed. After that, a microwave sensor provided with an output unit that generates a sensor output signal by smoothing high frequency components, and the microwave sensor is provided on the back side of the inner wall surface of the urinal to transmit and receive the urinal. In the urinal washing apparatus to perform, an amplification unit that amplifies the sensor output signal, an object detection extraction unit that extracts an object detection frequency component from an AC voltage component of the sensor output signal amplified by the amplification unit, A control unit that detects an object based on the output of the object detection and extraction unit, and the control unit is configured to control the amplification unit according to a voltage level of a DC voltage component of the sensor output signal. Amplification factor setting means for determining the width factor is set, and the amplification factor of the amplification unit is set by the amplification factor setting means, so that the object detection performance is ensured without adjusting the microwave sensor in advance with high accuracy. can do. Moreover, in the urinal cleaning device installed in the toilet booth, even if the installed urinal must be replaced with a urinal with a different thickness, the voltage level of the sensor output signal from the microwave sensor is In order to adjust dynamically, the performance of object detection can be ensured.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, the object detection unit is configured to extract a human body detection frequency component from an AC voltage component of a sensor output signal amplified by the amplification unit, and the amplification unit. A urine flow detection frequency extraction unit that extracts a urine flow detection frequency component from the AC voltage component of the sensor output signal amplified by the control unit, and the control unit detects a human body based on an output of the human body detection frequency extraction unit At the same time, since the urine flow is detected based on the output of the urine flow detection frequency extracting unit, the accuracy of detecting the object such as the human body and the urine flow is further improved without adjusting the microwave sensor in advance with high accuracy. Can be made.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the amplification factor setting means determines the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal when the AC voltage component of the sensor output signal is not at a voltage level that allows human body detection and urine flow detection. Since the voltage level is detected and the amplification factor of the amplification unit is determined, the amplification factor of the amplification unit can be determined while the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal is stable.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the amplification factor setting means detects the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal and determines the amplification factor of the amplification unit within a predetermined period after the power is turned on. Therefore, if the periphery of the urinal washing apparatus is left stationary for a predetermined time immediately after the power is turned on, the amplification factor of the amplifying unit can be determined while the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal is stable.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, there is provided a storage unit that stores an amplification factor table that associates the amplification factor for each voltage level of the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal, and the amplification factor setting unit includes the amplification factor table, Since the amplification factor according to the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal is set with reference to the amplification factor table stored in the storage unit, the amplification factor according to the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal Can be set by referring to the stored amplification factor table without calculating each time, and an increase in the processing load of the control unit can be suppressed.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the ball unit of the urinal is provided with a water discharge control unit that discharges the wash water, and the amplification factor setting unit is configured to wash water into the ball unit of the urinal by the water discharge control unit. In the state where water is discharged, the amplification factor is determined according to the voltage level of the AC voltage component of the sensor output signal, so that the sensor from the microwave sensor is based only on the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal. Compared to dynamically adjusting the voltage level of the output signal, it is possible to further improve the accuracy of detection performance of an object such as a human body or urine flow, and to easily and automatically set it at a construction site.

  Next, the urinal washing device 1 according to the embodiment of the invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a urinal washing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a urinal washing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a urinal 2 and water (hereinafter referred to as water) for washing the space inside the ball portion 2 a of the urinal 2 connected to the urinal 2. , And a solenoid valve which is an on-off valve for supplying and stopping the flush water to the urinal 2 disposed in the middle of the feed pipe 3 4, a microwave sensor 5 that is attached to a storage area provided on the back side of the inner wall surface of the urinal 2 and outputs a Doppler signal as a sensor output signal, and supplies and stops washing water by controlling the electromagnetic valve 4 And a control unit 6 for controlling the microwave sensor 5 and the like. Further, urine and washing water flowing in the space of the ball portion 2 a of the urinal 2 are drained from a drainage channel 7 connected to the urinal 2. The urinal cleaning device 1 is installed in a toilet booth or the like.

  The urinal washing apparatus 1 configured as described above performs human body detection (body motion detection) and urine flow detection by the control unit 6 using the microwave sensor 5. Then, based on these detection results, the electromagnetic valve 4 is controlled to supply cleaning water and operate to clean the urinal 2. That is, the control unit 6 performs the detection operation using the human body or urine flow as an object, and operates according to the detection status.

  Note that the microwave sensor 5 is a Doppler sensor using microwaves that can pass through resin or earthenware, and can be concealed on the back side of the inner wall surface of the urinal as described above, so it looks good and is not easily mischievous.

  Here, the configuration of the microwave sensor 5 will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the microwave sensor 5 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The microwave sensor 5 outputs, for example, a signal generator 51 that generates a high-frequency signal of 10.525 GHz as the transmission signal Sig1, and the transmission signal Sig1 generated by the signal generator 51 as a microwave that is a radio wave. The transmitter / receiver 52 that receives the reflected wave of the microwave and outputs it as the received signal Sig2, and the transmission signal Sig1 and the received signal Sig2 are mixed, and then the high frequency component of the mixed signal is smoothed to generate a sensor output signal And an output unit 55.

  The transmission / reception unit 52 includes a transmission unit 53 having a transmission circuit that transmits the transmission signal Sig1 generated by the signal generator 51 as a microwave transmission signal, and a reception signal that is a reflected wave of the microwave transmitted by the transmission unit 53 Receiving means 54 having a receiving circuit for receiving and outputting as a received signal Sig2.

  The output unit 55 includes a mixer 56 that is a mixer that mixes the transmission signal Sig1 and the reception signal Sig2 and outputs the mixed signal Sig3 via a diode, and the signal Sig3 mixed by the mixer 56. And a high frequency smoothing unit 57 for generating a sensor output signal DECT by smoothing the generated high frequency component.

  The microwave sensor 5 is used to detect an object (human body or urine flow) based on the following principle using the Doppler effect by the microwave. That is, the object can be detected by using the following formula (1).

ν = (ΔF × c) / (2 × FS) (1)
∵ΔF = FS−Fb = 2 × FS × ν / c
FS: Frequency of AC voltage component of transmission signal Sig1 (Hz)
Fd: Frequency of AC voltage component of received signal Sig2 (Hz)
ν: object moving speed (m / s)
c: speed of light (300 × 10 ⁶ m / s)

  Since the distance between the microwave sensor 5 and the detection target (human body, urine, etc.) is inversely proportional to the amplitude of ΔF, whether the person is approaching by analyzing the frequency spectrum of ΔF, It is possible to detect whether the urine is moving away or whether the urine is flowing in the urinal 2.

  In the microwave sensor 5 of the present embodiment, the output unit 55 outputs a signal having a frequency difference ΔF between the microwave frequency FS transmitted by the transmission unit 53 and the microwave frequency Fb received by the reception unit 54. That is, the transmission signal Sig1 and the reception signal Sig2 are mixed, and the sensor output signal DECT in which the frequency component of ΔF is extracted by smoothing the high frequency component included in the output of the mixed signal Sig3 is output.

  The high frequency component smoothed by the output unit 55 may be a frequency component that is larger than the motion of the detection target. That is, the frequency component may be higher than the frequency for detecting the human body (0 to 40 Hz) and the frequency for detecting the urine flow (80 to 180 Hz). Here, the high frequency component of 10 kHz or more is smoothed. The microwave frequency band (FS, Fd) or higher may be smoothed.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3A, the output signal Sig3 of the mixer 56 has a waveform in which microwave frequency signals (FS, Fd) are mixed and half-wave rectified by the diode of the mixer 56. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the sensor output signal DECT output from the high-frequency smoothing unit 57 is converted into a high-frequency voltage component (V1) generated by smoothing the high-frequency component of the output signal Sig3. It is a signal in which the AC voltage component from which the component is removed is superimposed.

  Further, it has been found through extensive research that the magnitude of the DC voltage component (V1) has a correlation with the magnitude of the sensor output signal DECT. That is, the magnitude of the sensor output signal DECT of the microwave sensor 5 changes depending on the thickness of the urinal 2 incorporating the microwave sensor 5, but the magnitude of the DC voltage component (V1) is also the same. 5 changes depending on the thickness of the urinal 2 in which 5 is incorporated.

Therefore, the magnitude of the DC voltage component (V1) is measured, the gain of the sensor output signal DECT is adjusted based on the measurement result, and the change in the sensor output signal DECT due to the thickness of the urinal 2 is suppressed. I came to think of it.

  By using such a principle, the urinal washing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment can ensure the performance of human body detection and urine flow detection without adjusting the amplification factor of the sensor output signal DECT, The control unit 6 is configured as follows so that it can be easily set automatically at the construction site. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the control unit 6 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 6 includes a microcomputer 61, an amplification unit 62 having an amplification circuit that amplifies the sensor output signal output from the microwave sensor 5, and a sensor output signal amplified by the amplification unit 62. The low-pass filter amplifier circuit 63 (hereinafter referred to as “LPF amplifier circuit 63”) for further amplifying and further amplifying the low-frequency component of the sensor output signal subjected to predetermined processing by the LPF amplifier circuit 63 A high-pass filter amplifier circuit 64 (hereinafter referred to as “HPF amplifier circuit 64”) that reduces and further amplifies components is provided.

  Here, the amplifying unit 62 is provided with a variable resistor so that the amplification factor of the sensor output signal can be changed. By changing the resistance value of the variable resistor by the microcomputer 61, the center output signal Change the amplification factor.

  The LPF amplifier circuit 63 is higher than 330 Hz in order to extract a frequency necessary for detection of an object (human body detection and urine flow detection) from the AC voltage component of the sensor output signal DECT output from the amplification unit 62. The frequency component is configured to be attenuated.

  The HPF amplifier circuit 64 is configured to attenuate a frequency component lower than 60 Hz in order to extract a frequency necessary for urine flow detection from the AC voltage component of the sensor output signal output from the LPF amplifier circuit 63. ing.

  The microcomputer 61 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage unit such as a ROM and a RAM, an input / output port, a timer, an A / D converter, and the like, and the CPU reads an operation program from the built-in storage unit. Thus, a urine flow detection function, a human body detection function, an amplification factor adjustment function, and the like are executed. That is, it functions as the urine flow detecting means 71, the human body detecting means 72, the cleaning detecting means 73, the amplification factor adjusting means 74, and the like.

  The urine flow detection means 71 receives the sensor output signal DECT that has been subjected to the predetermined processing by the HPF amplifier circuit 64, performs high-pass filter calculation processing, and outputs a frequency signal in a band of 80 Hz to 180 or less for urine flow detection. The urine flow detection frequency extraction unit functions as an extraction unit, and the urine flow detection frequency extraction unit extracts as described above, and detects the urine flow when the output signal exceeds a predetermined threshold signal for a predetermined period or more. It has a function to detect urine flow. The urine flow detection frequency extraction unit may be configured to extract the urine flow detection frequency only by the arithmetic processing by the microcomputer 61 without providing the LPF amplification circuit 63 and the HPF amplification circuit 64 in the previous stage.

  The human body detecting means 72 receives the sensor output signal DECT that has been subjected to the predetermined processing by the LPF amplifier circuit 63, performs a low-pass filter calculation process, and extracts a frequency signal in a band of 40 Hz or less for human body detection. In addition to functioning as a detection frequency extraction unit, the human body detection frequency extraction unit extracts as described above, and has a human body detection function for detecting a human body when a time during which an output signal exceeds a predetermined threshold signal is a predetermined period or longer . Note that the human body detection frequency extraction unit may be configured to extract the human body detection frequency only by the arithmetic processing by the microcomputer 61 without providing the LPF amplifier circuit 63 in the previous stage.

  The cleaning detection means 73 receives the sensor output signal DECT amplified by the amplifying unit 62 as a detection voltage, and performs a cleaning operation when the AC voltage component of the detection voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold signal for a predetermined period or more. It has a cleaning operation detection function for detecting. This cleaning operation detection function detects a state in which the urinal 2 is being cleaned, and the operations of the human body detection means 72 and the urine flow detection means 71 are stopped while the cleaning state is being detected. .

  The amplification factor adjusting unit 74 receives the sensor output signal DECT amplified by the amplification unit 62 as a detection voltage, and the DC component extraction unit 75 for extracting the DC voltage component of the detection voltage and the DC component extraction unit 75 extract the DC voltage component. An amplification factor setting means 76 is provided for determining the amplification factor of the amplification unit 62 in accordance with the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the detection voltage.

  By the way, the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the detection voltage varies depending on the thickness of the urinal and the type of glaze. For example, when the microwave passes through the urinal and the attenuation ratio of the power is lower than a predetermined value, the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the detection voltage increases, and when the attenuation ratio is higher than the predetermined value, The voltage level of the DC voltage component decreases.

  Therefore, the amplification factor setting means outputs a control signal for increasing the amplification factor of the amplification unit 62 to the amplification unit 62 when the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the detection voltage is large, while when the voltage level of the DC voltage component is small, A control signal that lowers the amplification factor of the amplification unit 62 is output to the amplification unit 62.

  Further, the microcomputer 61 has a storage unit for storing an amplification factor table for setting the amplification factor in the amplification unit 62. This amplification factor table is a table in which the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal DECT amplified by the amplification unit 62 is divided into predetermined ranges, and the amplification factors are associated with the respective ranges. The amplification factor setting means sets the amplification factor according to the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal DECT amplified by the amplification unit 62 with reference to the amplification factor table stored in the storage unit.

  Since the amplification factor is set using the amplification table set in advance in the storage unit in this manner, it is not necessary to calculate the amplification factor according to the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal DECT every time. An increase in processing load can be suppressed.

  The amplification factor adjustment operation in the urinal washing apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the gain adjustment operation in the gain adjustment means 74 of the microcomputer 61 in the urinal washing apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the amplification factor adjusting means 74 determines whether or not human body detection is performed by the human body detecting means 72 (step S10). If it is determined in step S10 that human body detection has not been performed (step S10: Yes), then the amplification factor adjustment means 74 determines whether or not urine flow detection is being performed by the urine flow detection means 71. (Step S11).

  If it is determined in step S11 that the urine flow is not detected (step S11: Yes), the amplification factor adjusting means 74 determines whether or not it is within 300 seconds after the solenoid valve 4 is controlled to open. (Step S12). The reason for detecting the state of the electromagnetic valve 4 in this way is that the detection voltage changes when moisture is present in the ball portion 2a of the urinal 2, so that the moisture in the ball portion 2a of the urinal 2 can be taken to some extent. Until the detection voltage for adjusting the amplification factor is accurately detected. In this embodiment, the time during which the water adhering to the ball portion 2a of the urinal 2 can be taken to some extent is set to 300 seconds after the solenoid valve 4 is controlled to open. Not limited to.

  If it is determined in step S10 that the human body is detected, if it is determined in step S11 that the urine flow is detected, or if it is within 300 seconds after the electromagnetic valve 4 is controlled to open in step S12. In the case, the process returns to step S10.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S12 that it is 300 seconds or longer after the solenoid valve 4 is controlled to open, the amplification factor adjusting means 74 takes in the sensor output signal DECT amplified in the amplification unit 62 as a detection voltage ( Step S13).

  Thereafter, the amplification factor setting unit 76 in the amplification factor adjusting unit 74 determines the amplification factor of the amplification unit 62 in accordance with the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the detection voltage (step S14). Then, the amplification factor setting means 76 adjusts the amplification unit 62 by outputting a control signal to the amplification unit 62 so that the amplification factor determined in this way is obtained (step S15). That is, when the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the detection voltage is large, a control signal for increasing the amplification factor of the amplification unit 62 is output to the amplification unit 62, while when the voltage level of the DC voltage component is small, the amplification factor of the amplification unit 62 is output. Is output to the amplifying unit 62.

  As described above, since the amplification factor of the amplification unit 62 can be adjusted by the amplification factor setting means 76, the object detection performance can be ensured without adjusting the microwave sensor 5 with high accuracy in advance. Moreover, in the urinal cleaning device 1 installed in the toilet, the sensor output signal DECT from the microwave sensor 5 even when the urinal 2 installed must be replaced with a urinal 2 having a different thickness or the like. Therefore, the object detection performance can be ensured.

  In the above description, the amplification factor determination time is 300 seconds or more after the object detection is not performed and the solenoid valve 4 is controlled to open, but it may be within a predetermined period after the power is turned on. For example, the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal DECT that is the detection voltage amplified by the amplifying unit 62 is detected at the initial operation in the microcomputer 61 immediately after the urinal washing apparatus 1 is turned on. Determine the amplification factor. Thus, when the urinal washing apparatus 1 and its surroundings are kept stationary for a predetermined time when the power is turned on, the amplification factor of the amplifying unit can be determined while the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal is stable.

  In the first embodiment, the output of the amplifying unit 62 is captured as a detection voltage. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the sensor output signal DECT output from the microwave sensor 5 is captured as the detection voltage. May be. That is, any part may be used as long as the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal DECT can be detected directly or indirectly.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the urinal washing device 1 ′ in the second embodiment will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
In the urinal cleaning device 1 in the first embodiment, the amplification factor of the amplifying unit 62 is adjusted based on the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal, but the urinal cleaning device 1 in the second embodiment. In ', in addition to the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal DECT, in consideration of the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal DECT in the state where the wash water is discharged to the ball portion 2a of the urinal 2 The amplification factor of the amplification unit is adjusted. In addition, the same code | symbol shall be attached | subjected about the component same as 1st Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the microcomputer 61 ′ includes a CPU (central processing unit), a storage unit such as a ROM and a RAM, an input / output port, a timer, an A / D converter, and the like. By reading the operation program from the storage unit, a urine flow detection function, a human body detection function, a cleaning detection function, a specific operation detection function, an amplification factor adjustment function, and the like are executed. That is, it functions as the urine flow detecting means 71, the human body detecting means 72, the cleaning detecting means 73 (not shown), the amplification factor adjusting means 74 ', the specific action detecting means 77, and the like.

  The specific action detection unit 77 functions as a water discharge control unit that discharges the wash water to the ball portion 2a of the urinal 2, and is further amplified by the amplification unit 62 while the wash water is discharged to the ball portion 2a. The voltage level of the AC voltage component of the sensor output signal DECT is detected.

  The amplification factor adjusting unit 74 ′ receives a detection voltage that is a sensor output signal output from the amplification unit 62, and extracts a DC voltage component of the detection voltage, and a DC component extraction unit 75 that extracts a DC voltage component of the detection voltage. Amplifying factor setting means 76 ′ for determining the amplifying factor of the amplifying unit 62 according to the voltage level and the voltage level of the AC voltage component is included.

  The amplification factor setting means 76 'increases the amplification factor of the amplifying unit 62 when the voltage level of the DC voltage component is large or when the AC voltage component is small, and when the voltage level of the DC voltage component is small or the AC voltage component When is large, control is performed to lower the amplification factor of the amplification unit 62.

  Further, the microcomputer 61 'has a storage unit for storing an amplification factor table for setting the amplification factor in the amplification unit 62. The amplification factor table includes a first amplification factor table in which the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal DECT amplified by the amplification unit 62 is divided into predetermined ranges, and the amplification factors are associated with the ranges, It comprises a second amplification factor table in which the voltage level of the AC voltage component of the sensor output signal DECT amplified by the unit 62 is divided into predetermined ranges and the amplification factors are associated with the respective ranges. After the amplification factor setting means 76 ′ sets the amplification factor according to the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal DECT amplified by the amplification unit 62 with reference to the first amplification factor table stored in the storage unit, The amplification factor corresponding to the voltage level of the AC voltage component of the sensor output signal DECT amplified by the amplification unit 62 is set with reference to the second amplification factor table stored in the storage unit.

  The amplification factor adjustment operation in the urinal washing apparatus 1 ′ configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the amplification factor adjusting operation in the amplification factor adjusting means 74 'of the microcomputer 61' in the urinal washing apparatus 1 '.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the amplification factor adjusting means 74 'determines whether or not human body detection is performed by the human body detecting means 72 (step S20). If it is determined in step S20 that human body detection has not been performed (step S20: Yes), the amplification factor adjustment unit 74 ′ then determines whether urine flow detection is being performed by the urine flow detection unit 71. (Step S21).

  If it is determined in step S20 that the human body is detected, or if it is determined in step S21 that the urine flow is detected, the process returns to step S20.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that the urine flow is not detected (step S21: Yes), the amplification factor adjusting unit 74 ′ takes in the sensor output signal DECT amplified in the amplification unit 62 as a detection voltage (step S21). S22).

  The amplification factor setting unit 76 'in the amplification factor adjusting unit 74' determines the amplification factor of the amplification unit 62 in accordance with the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the detection voltage (step S23). Then, the amplification factor setting means 76 'outputs a control signal to the amplification unit 62 so as to obtain the amplification factor determined as described above, and adjusts the amplification unit 62 (step S24). That is, when the voltage level of the DC voltage component is large, a control signal for increasing the amplification factor of the amplification unit 62 is output to the amplification unit 62, while when the voltage level of the DC voltage component is small, the amplification factor of the amplification unit 62 is lowered. The control signal is output to the amplifying unit 62.

  Thereafter, the specific operation detecting means 77 discharges the cleaning water to the ball portion 2a of the urinal 2 for a certain period (step S25), and in this state, the amplifying unit 62 discharges the cleaning water to the ball portion 2a. The voltage level of the AC voltage component of the amplified sensor output signal is detected (step S26).

  The amplification factor setting unit 76 'in the amplification factor adjustment unit 74' determines the amplification factor of the amplification unit 62 according to the voltage level of the AC voltage component of the detection voltage (step S27). Then, the amplification factor setting means 76 'outputs a control signal to the amplification unit 62 so as to obtain the amplification factor determined as described above, and adjusts the amplification unit 62 (step S28). That is, when the voltage level of the AC voltage component is small, a control signal for increasing the amplification factor of the amplification unit 62 is output to the amplification unit 62, while when the voltage level of the AC voltage component is large, the amplification factor of the amplification unit 62 is decreased. The control signal is output to the amplifying unit 62.

  As described above, the urinal cleaning device 1 ′ in the second embodiment adjusts the amplification factor of the amplifying unit 62 according to the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the detection voltage, and then the voltage level of the AC voltage component of the detection voltage. Accordingly, the gain of the amplifier 62 is finely adjusted, so that the voltage level of the sensor output signal from the microwave sensor is dynamically changed based only on the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal. Compared with the adjustment, the accuracy of the detection performance of an object such as a human body or urine flow can be further improved, and it can be easily set automatically at the construction site.

  In the above description, the amplification factor is determined when the target is not detected, but may be within a predetermined period after the power is turned on. For example, during the initial operation of the microcomputer 61 ′ after turning on the urinal cleaning device 1 ′, the DC voltage component and the voltage level of the AC voltage component of the sensor output signal DECT, which is the detection voltage amplified by the amplification unit 62, are detected. The amplification factor of the amplification unit 62 may be determined. In this way, when the urinal washing apparatus 1 ′ and its surroundings are kept stationary for a predetermined time when the power is turned on, the amplification factor of the amplifying unit can be determined while the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal is stable. .

  In the second embodiment, the output of the amplifying unit 62 is captured as the detection voltage. However, the sensor output signal DECT output from the microwave sensor 5 may be captured as the detection voltage. That is, it is only necessary that the DC voltage component and the AC component of the sensor output signal DECT can be detected directly or indirectly.

It is the figure which showed the whole structure of the urinal washing | cleaning apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing a schematic structure of a microwave sensor concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the signal waveform in the microwave sensor of FIG. It is a figure which shows the control unit of the urinal washing apparatus in 1st Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart of gain adjustment in the control unit of FIG. It is a figure which shows another control unit of the urinal washing apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the control unit of the urinal washing apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of gain adjustment in the control unit of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the influence in the earthenware of the microwave output from a microwave sensor.

Explanation of symbols

1,1 'urinal cleaning device 2 urinal 2a urinal 4 solenoid valve 5 microwave sensor,
6 control unit 7 drainage channel 8 inner wall 51 signal generator 52 transmission / reception unit 53 transmission unit 54 reception unit 55 output unit 56 mixer 57 high frequency smoothing unit 71 urine flow detection unit 72 human body detection unit 73 cleaning detection unit 74, 74 ′ amplification factor adjustment Means 75 DC component extraction means 76, 76 'Amplification factor setting means 77 Specific operation detecting means

Claims (7)

A transmitter / receiver that transmits a radio wave as a transmission signal to an object and receives a reception signal that is a reflection wave thereof, and after mixing the transmission signal and the reception signal, generates a sensor output signal by smoothing a high-frequency component In a urinal washing apparatus that performs transmission and reception by transmitting the urinal through a microwave sensor provided with an output unit, and providing the microwave sensor on the back side of the inner wall surface of the urinal,
An amplifier for amplifying the sensor output signal;
An object detection extraction unit for extracting an object detection frequency component from an AC voltage component of the sensor output signal amplified by the amplification unit;
A control unit that performs target detection based on the output of the target detection extraction unit,
The control unit includes amplification factor setting means for determining an amplification factor of the amplification unit according to a voltage level of a DC voltage component of the sensor output signal, and the amplification factor of the amplification unit is determined by the amplification factor setting unit. Urinal cleaning device to set. In the urinal washing device according to claim 1,
A urinal washing device comprising a urinal formed of earthenware as the urinal. In the urinal washing device according to claim 1 or 2,
The object detection unit includes:
A human body detection frequency extraction unit for extracting a human body detection frequency component from an AC voltage component of the sensor output signal amplified by the amplification unit;
A urine flow detection frequency extraction unit that extracts a urine flow detection frequency component from an AC voltage component of the sensor output signal amplified by the amplification unit;
The said control part is a urinal washing apparatus which performs a urine flow detection based on the output of the said urine flow detection frequency extraction part while performing a human body detection based on the output of the said human body detection frequency extraction part. In the urinal washing device according to claim 3,
The amplification factor setting means detects the voltage level of the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal when the AC voltage component of the sensor output signal is not at a voltage level that allows human detection and urine flow detection, and amplifies the amplification unit. Urinal cleaning device to determine the rate. In the urinal washing device according to claim 3,
The urinal cleaning device, wherein the amplification factor setting means detects a voltage level of a DC voltage component of the sensor output signal and determines an amplification factor of the amplification unit within a predetermined period after power-on. In the urinal washing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A storage unit that stores an amplification factor table that associates the amplification factor for each voltage level of the DC voltage component of the sensor output signal;
The urinal washing device, wherein the amplification factor setting means sets the amplification factor according to a voltage level of a DC voltage component of the sensor output signal with reference to an amplification factor table stored in the storage unit . In the urinal washing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Comprising a water discharge control unit for discharging cleaning water to the ball part of the urinal,
The amplification factor setting means determines the amplification factor according to the voltage level of the AC voltage component of the sensor output signal in a state where the flush water is discharged to the bowl portion of the urinal by the water discharge control unit. Toilet bowl cleaning device.

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