JP2008264198A - Toilet seat device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure the safety of a toilet seat device by detecting the dielectric breakdown of an insulating layer wrapping a heat generating part and the short-circuit of the entire device and interrupting energizing. <P>SOLUTION: The toilet seat device includes: a toilet seat 400 including a metal material; the heat generating part 460; a first insulating layer 495a covering the outer peripheral part of the heat generating part 460; a second insulating layer 414 provided between the toilet seat 400 and the first insulating layer 495a; a dielectric breakdown detection electrode 451a provided between the first insulating layer 495a and the second insulating layer 414; a dielectric breakdown detection part 403; a short-circuit detection part provided in a power supply circuit; and an interrupting means 450a. When the dielectric breakdown and the short-circuit are detected, the interrupting means 405a interrupts the power supply circuit. Thus, when insulation around the heat generating part is destroyed or when the short-circuit of the entire toilet seat device occurs, the toilet seat device is safely stopped. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a safety device against insulation breakdown of a heat generating part that heats a toilet seat of a toilet seat device.

  Conventionally, in the field of a sanitary washing device for washing a local part of a human body, in order not to give unpleasant feeling to the human body, for example, contact with a heating device or a human body for adjusting washing water used for washing to an appropriate temperature Devices having various functions have been devised, such as a toilet seat device for adjusting the temperature of the section to an appropriate temperature. Especially, according to the toilet seat apparatus shown above, even when the temperature is low such as in winter, the user can sit on the toilet seat without feeling uncomfortable (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the sanitary washing device described in Patent Document 1, a linear heater is provided inside a toilet seat casing formed of a magnesium alloy. The linear heater includes a core wire, a heating wire wound around the core wire, and a coated tube that covers the core wire and the heating wire. The linear heater is disposed so as to meander over the entire back surface of the toilet seat casing, and a power supply circuit is connected to both ends of the heating wire.

In such a configuration, the heating wire generates heat when a voltage is applied from the power supply circuit to the heating wire. And the heat is transmitted to a toilet seat casing via a covering tube. Thereby, the temperature of the toilet seat casing rises and the user can comfortably sit on the toilet seat.
JP 2003-310485 A

  However, in the conventional sanitary washing apparatus as described above, in order to insulate the heating wire from the toilet seat casing, the heating wire is surrounded by a covering tube made of silicone rubber or vinyl chloride to ensure insulation. However, when insulation deterioration of the coated tube occurs due to local heat generation or aging deterioration, etc., there is a risk of electric shock when the heat generating part that is the charging part and the toilet seat casing are connected and the user sits on the toilet seat casing. is there. In addition, when the heating wire is disconnected due to local heat generation or aging deterioration, and the clothing tube is cut and used as it is, the end surface of the heating wire serving as a charging unit may touch the toilet seat casing, and the user may get an electric shock.

  The object of the present invention is to safely stop the function of the electric toilet seat without electric shock from the user when the insulating layer surrounding the heat generating portion is deteriorated due to local heat generation or aging deterioration or when the heat generating portion is disconnected. To provide a toilet seat device.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a toilet seat device according to the present invention includes a toilet seat having a seating surface and including a metal material, a heat generating portion, and a first insulating layer provided so as to cover an outer peripheral portion of the heat generating portion. A second insulation layer provided between the toilet seat and the first insulation layer, a dielectric breakdown detection electrode provided between the first insulation layer and the second insulation layer, a dielectric breakdown detection unit, and a power source A leakage detection unit that is provided in the circuit and detects leakage of the entire toilet seat device, and a blocking means that blocks the power supply circuit unit, and at least one of detection of dielectric breakdown by the breakdown detection unit and detection of leakage by the leakage detection unit When the detection is performed, the shut-off means shuts off the power supply circuit.

  As a result, if the insulation around the heat generating part is broken due to local heat generation or aging deterioration, or if leakage occurs in the entire toilet seat device, the toilet seat device can be reliably stopped by shutting off the power circuit. it can.

  The toilet seat device of the present invention can ensure high safety by interrupting energization when insulation breakdown around the heat generating part and leakage of the entire toilet seat device occur.

  A toilet seat device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a toilet seat that includes a seating surface and includes a metal material, a heat generating unit that heats the seating surface of the toilet seat, and a first cover that covers an outer periphery of the heat generating unit. An insulation layer, a second insulation layer provided between the toilet seat and the first insulation layer, a dielectric breakdown detection electrode provided between the first insulation layer and the second insulation layer, and a dielectric breakdown A dielectric breakdown detection unit that detects a dielectric breakdown by detecting a current flowing through the detection electrode; a leakage detection unit that is provided in a power supply circuit to detect a leakage of the entire toilet seat device; and a blocking unit that blocks the power supply circuit unit When the at least one of the dielectric breakdown detection by the dielectric breakdown detection unit and the leakage detection by the leakage detection unit is detected, the shut-off means shuts off the power supply circuit.

  Thereby, when the insulation of the first insulating layer is broken due to local heat generation, aging deterioration, or the like, a detection current flows between the heat generating portion and the dielectric breakdown detection electrode. By the detection current, the dielectric breakdown detection unit blocks the blocking means provided in the power supply circuit, so that the user can safely stop the function of the toilet seat device without electric shock. In addition, even when a leakage occurs outside the vicinity of the heat generating part, the leakage detection part detects the leakage and shuts off the blocking means provided in the power supply circuit, so that the toilet seat device can be stopped reliably and used. It is possible to provide a toilet seat device with high safety without causing a person to be damaged such as electric shock or burns.

  According to a second invention, in particular, in the first invention, the blocking means is configured to block both poles of the power supply circuit.

  As a result, no current flows from one pole of the power supply circuit via the ground after the shut-off means is shut off, so that the safety of the toilet seat device can be further improved.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, particularly in the first or second aspect of the invention, the leakage detector includes a test switch for test operation, so that the operation of the shut-off means can be confirmed and a safer toilet seat device can be realized.

  In a fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, the dielectric breakdown detection electrode also serves as a heat equalizing means for equalizing and transmitting the heat of the heat generating portion to the seating portion. .

  Thereby, since the number of parts can be reduced, it is possible to reduce the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of the heat generating portion, shorten the time for raising the toilet seat, and increase the production efficiency and the cost.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a toilet seat apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet seat device includes a main body 200 and a toilet seat 400. The main body unit 200 includes a control unit 90, a temperature measurement unit 401, a heater driving unit 402, and a dielectric breakdown detection unit 403.

The toilet seat 400 includes a toilet seat heater 450 and a thermistor 401a. The temperature measurement unit 401 measures the toilet seat temperature based on the temperature signal output from the thermistor 401 a and inputs the toilet seat temperature to the control unit 90.

  The control unit 90 includes, for example, a microcomputer, stores a preset toilet seat set temperature, and inputs an energization rate switching signal to the heater driving unit 402. The heater drive unit 402 controls the current supplied from the commercial power supply 404 in accordance with the energization rate switching signal to control the energization to the toilet seat heater 450.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the toilet seat 400 part.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the toilet seat 400 has a structure in which a substantially horseshoe-shaped toilet seat heater 450 is attached to the inner surface side of a substantially elliptical upper toilet seat casing 410 formed mainly of aluminum, and a thermistor 401a is further attached. And a substantially elliptical lower toilet seat casing 420 formed of synthetic resin. The upper toilet seat casing 410 and the lower toilet seat casing 420 are integrally formed by joining at the inner and outer peripheral portions.

  3 is a view of the toilet seat heater 450 attached to the toilet seat casing 410 and viewed from the inside. FIG. 4 (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of FIG. 3, and FIG. ) Of C). FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along B-B ′.

  Hereinafter, the front side viewed from the seated user is defined as the front portion of the toilet seat 400, and the rear side viewed from the seated user is defined as the rear of the toilet seat 400.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the toilet seat heater 450 is formed in a substantially horseshoe shape in which a part of the front portion is cut off. The toilet seat heater 450 may have a substantially oval shape. The basic configuration of the toilet seat heater 450 is a configuration in which a linear heater 460 is sandwiched between metal foils 451 and 453 made of, for example, aluminum.

  The linear heater 460 is disposed in a meandering shape in accordance with the shape of the upper toilet seat casing 410. The interval between the linear heaters 460 is about 5 mm.

  The heater start end portion 460 a and the heater end portion 460 b of the linear heater 460 are respectively connected to lead wires 470 drawn from one side of the rear portion of the toilet seat 400.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of bent portions serving as thermal stress buffering portions are provided in the path of the meandering linear heater 460.

  Furthermore, as shown to Fig.4 (a), the upper toilet seat casing 410 is formed with the aluminum plate 413 of thickness 1mm, for example. A surface decorative layer 411 is formed on the upper surface of the aluminum plate 413. A coating film 414 is formed on the lower surface of the aluminum plate 413. The coating film 414 forms a second insulating layer. For example, the coating film 414 is a polyester powder coating film having a film thickness of 40 μm and heat resistance of 150 ° C. Sufficient pressure resistance can be secured.

  Instead of the aluminum plate 413, one or more of a copper plate, a stainless plate, an aluminum plated steel plate, a zinc aluminum plated steel plate, and the like may be used.

As shown in FIG. 4B, a toilet seat heater 450 is adhered to the lower surface of the coating film 414 via an adhesive layer 452a. In the toilet seat heater 450, a substantially horseshoe-shaped metal foil 451 made of aluminum is disposed on the upper toilet seat casing 410. The total film thickness of the metal foil 451 is 50 μm. The metal foil 451 is a PET layer 495a2 made of a film-like polyethylene terephthalate resin.
It is composed of 5 μm and an aluminum foil layer 451a 25 μm as a soaking means, and the PET layer 451a increases the strength.

  The linear heater 460 includes a heating wire 463a having a circular cross section, an enamel layer 463b that is a first insulating layer, and an insulating coating layer 462. The outer peripheral surface of the heating wire 463a having a circular cross section is sequentially covered with the enamel layer 463b and the insulating coating layer 462. The enamel wire 463 is constituted by the heating wire 463a and the enamel layer 463b.

  The heating wire 463a has a diameter of 0.16 to 0.25 mm, for example, and is made of copper or a copper alloy. In this example, a high tensile strength heater wire made of 4% Ag—Cu alloy having a diameter of 0.176 mm is used as the heating wire 463a. The resistance value is 0.833 Ω / m.

  The enamel layer 463b is made of, for example, polyesterimide (PEI) having heat resistance of 180 to 300 ° C. The film thickness of the enamel layer 463b is 20 μm or less, and is 12 to 13 μm in this example. Alternatively, polyimide (PI) or polyamideimide (PAI) may be used as the material for the enamel layer 463b.

  The insulating coating layer 462 is made of a fluororesin such as a perfluoroalkoxy mixture (hereinafter referred to as PFA) having heat resistance of 260 ° C., for example. The thickness of the insulating coating layer 462 is, for example, 0.1 to 0.15 mm. The insulating coating layer 462 made of PFA can be formed by extrusion. Note that polyimide (PI) or polyamideimide (PAI) may be used as the material of the insulating coating layer 462.

The outer diameter of the linear heater 460 is, for example, 0.46 to 0.50 mm. The power density of the linear heater 460 is, for example, 0.95 W / cm ² .

  The linear heater 460 is attached to the metal foil 451 so as to be covered with an adhesive layer 452b and a metal foil 453 made of, for example, aluminum. The film thickness of the metal foil 453 is, for example, 50 μm. The metal foil 453 includes a PET layer 495b of 25 μm and a 453a aluminum foil layer of 25 μm, and has a structure in which strength is increased by the PET layer 495b.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, by coating the entire circumference of the end surface to which the metal foil 453 and the metal foil 451 are attached with the coating material 490, the charging part in the toilet seat where the toilet seat heater 450 is installed becomes the PET layer 495b. The coating material 490 can be covered, and even when water enters the toilet seat, no leakage or the like occurs.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a connection terminal 477 to which a dielectric breakdown detection lead wire 476 is connected is installed in a part of the toilet seat heater 450 so as to be sandwiched between metal foils 451 and 453. The connection terminal 477 is in contact with the metal aluminum layer 451a and is conductive. Thus, the aluminum layer 451a also functions as a dielectric breakdown detection electrode.

  Note that the connection terminal 477 is placed in contact with the other aluminum layer 453a or both aluminum layers 451a and 453a, so that the aluminum layer 453a or both aluminum layers can have a function of a breakdown electrode. is there.

Next, the structure of dielectric breakdown detection will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the dielectric breakdown detection unit 403 detects dielectric breakdown from both poles of the AC power supply 404 via the rectifying diode 492 and the LED side of the photocoupler 494 connected with the current limiting resistor 493. The lead wire 476 is connected. By including two rectifying diodes, a current can be supplied to the dielectric breakdown detection unit 403 from either side of the AC power supply 404. This is to ensure that the detection current always flows from one of the AC poles regardless of the portion of the heater wire 460 where the insulation is broken.

  Further, the current limiting resistor 493 has a very small resistance value of the heater wire 460, so that the current flowing through the heater wire 460 at the time of dielectric breakdown flows directly to the LED of the photocoupler 494 to prevent the photocoupler 464 from being broken. Is. The same effect can be obtained by connecting a protective resistor in parallel with the LED of the photocoupler 464. In addition, since the limiting resistor 493 is provided between the two diodes 492, even when one of the diodes is short-circuited, a large current does not flow in the dielectric breakdown detection unit 403.

  Here, in FIG. 6, the polarity of the LEDs of the two diodes 492 and the photocoupler 494 is the anode on the AC power supply side, but the AC power supply side may be connected to the cathode side so that a current flows to the AC power supply side. The output signal of the photocoupler 494 is input to the triac control circuit 402a of the heater driving unit 402, and the triac 402b is turned off.

  In the present embodiment, the toilet seat device operates as follows.

  During a normal toilet seat driving operation, the temperature measurement unit 401 measures the toilet seat temperature based on the temperature signal output from the thermistor 401 a and inputs it to the control unit 90. When the toilet seat temperature is lower than the toilet seat set temperature from the toilet seat temperature and a preset toilet seat set temperature, the control unit 90 determines the energization rate of the heater according to the temperature difference and sends the energization rate switching signal to the heater drive unit. In the heater driving unit, the triac 402b is controlled according to the energization switching signal of the triac control circuit 402a to control the current from the AC power supply 404 to the toilet seat heater 460. When the toilet seat temperature is the same as or higher than the toilet seat set temperature, the control unit stops the energization switching signal, and the triac drive circuit 402b of the heater drive unit 402 turns off the triac.

  Here, the insulation of the enamel layer 463b and the insulating coating layer 462 of the first insulating layer, which is the insulating layer of the heater wire 460 of the toilet seat heater 450, is destroyed somewhere in the toilet seat heater 450 due to secular change, local heat generation, or the like. In this case, as indicated by a dotted line D in FIG. 7, a dielectric breakdown detection current flows from the dielectric breakdown detection unit 403 through a path of the dielectric breakdown detection lead 476, the aluminum foil layer, and the heater wire 460, and is output from the phototocoupler 494. There is a signal.

  This output signal is input to the triac drive circuit 402a of the heater drive unit 402, and the triac drive circuit 402a turns off the triac 402b even when an energization switching signal for energizing the heater is input from the control unit 90. do. As a result, energization of the heater wire 460 is stopped, and abnormal heating of the heater wire 460 is stopped. Since the control unit 90 cannot control to the set temperature, it can notify the user of an abnormality and notify the failure.

  If it is used with dielectric breakdown, the insulating layer of the toilet seat powder coating or the insulating layer on the toilet seat surface may be destroyed, and the user may be electrocuted. This can be prevented by the present invention.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a circuit configuration of the toilet seat apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, as shown in FIG. 8, as a circuit that cuts off the power to the heater wire 460, a relay that cuts both ends to the AC power supply side separately from the heater driving unit 402. A circuit 405 is provided. Thus, the relay circuit performs an operation of turning off the two-contact relay 405a in accordance with the output of the photocoupler 494 of the dielectric breakdown detection unit 403. The relay 405a can be used as both a return type and a non-reset type. However, when the non-reset type is used, the relay seat 405a operates once due to dielectric breakdown, unless the user consciously resets the toilet seat. Since energization to the apparatus is not resumed, higher safety can be ensured.

  In the toilet seat device according to the present embodiment, the insulation of the enamel layer 463b and the insulating coating layer 462, which are the insulating layers of the heater wire 460 of the toilet seat heater 450, is destroyed somewhere in the toilet seat heater due to secular change, local heat generation, or the like. In this case, as indicated by a dotted line E in FIG. 9, a dielectric breakdown detection current flows from the dielectric breakdown detection circuit 403 through the path of the dielectric breakdown detection lead, the aluminum foil layer, and the heater wire, and an output signal is output from the phototransistor. This output signal is input to the relay drive unit 405b of the relay circuit 405, the two-contact relay 405a is turned off, and the energization of the heater is stopped.

  In this way, by disconnecting both sides of the alternating current, both sides of the heater wire 460 are disconnected from the alternating current power supply 404, so that even if the powder coating film or the like inside the toilet seat is subsequently broken, the user will not be electrocuted. .

  Furthermore, when the insulation of the paint film 414 inside the toilet seat, not the insulating layer of the heater wire 460, is broken due to aging or external force, the dielectric breakdown detection current is transmitted from the AC power supply 404 to the diode as indicated by the dotted line F in FIG. 492, limiting resistor 493, photocoupler 494 LED, dielectric breakdown detection lead 476, metal foil 451, and toilet seat 410, and when the toilet seat is grounded, it flows to ground through the ground wire and is grounded If not, it will flow to the ground via a person in contact with the toilet seat surface or through a waterway. Also in this case, the relay circuit works by the output of the photocoupler 494, and it can be safely stopped without continuing the current flow. Even when a person in contact with the toilet seat surface gets an electric shock, by setting the limiting resistor 493 to 200 kΩ or more, the electric current value to be electric shock can be limited to a non-hazardous range of 0.5 mA or less. In the figure, the limiting resistor is between the diode 492 and the photocoupler 494, but may be in the middle of the dielectric breakdown detection lead 476.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a circuit configuration of a toilet seat apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the present embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that a power supply circuit 406 is provided with a leakage detecting unit using a ZCT 405c and a blocking means by a relay 405a, and a test line 407 of the ZCT 405c. The configuration is such that the output signal of the photocoupler 494 is sent to the terminal, and the test switch 405e of the leakage detection unit is provided.

  With the above configuration, if a leakage occurs anywhere in the toilet seat apparatus 110, a difference occurs in the reciprocating current of the power supply circuit 406, so that an output voltage is generated in the ZCT 405, and the relay 405a is activated and both poles of the power supply circuit 406 are activated. Shut off.

  On the other hand, the insulation of the enamel layer 463b and the insulating coating layer 462 of the first insulating layer, which is the insulating layer of the heater wire 460 of the toilet seat heater 450, was destroyed somewhere in the toilet seat heater 450 due to secular change, local heat generation, or the like. In this case, a dielectric breakdown detection current flows from the dielectric breakdown detection unit 403 through a path of the dielectric breakdown detection lead wire 476, the aluminum foil layer, and the heater wire 460, and an output signal is output from the phototocoupler 494. An output signal of the photocoupler 494 is sent to the test line 407 of the ZCT 405c, an output voltage is generated in the ZCT 405, and the relay 405a is activated to cut off both poles of the power supply circuit 406.

  Further, even when the test switch 405d is connected, it is sent to the test line 407 of the ZCT 405c, and an output voltage is generated in the ZCT 405. It can be performed.

  As described above, the toilet seat device according to the present embodiment can further improve the safety of the toilet seat device by detecting the insulation breakdown of the toilet seat heater and the leakage of the entire toilet seat device and shutting off the power supply circuit.

  FIG. 12 shows an example in which the test switch 405e is installed at another position. In this example, by pressing the test switch 405e, it is possible to test the insulation detection circuit unit in addition to the test of the leakage breaker.

  The toilet seat device according to the present invention can detect insulation breakdown and leakage and cut off the power supply. Therefore, the toilet seat device can be used for an electric appliance or the like in which an outer shell made of metal is used in direct contact.

The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the toilet seat apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The exploded perspective view of the toilet seat part in Embodiment 1 of this invention The top view seen from the inner side of the toilet seat part in Embodiment 1 of this invention (A) A-A 'sectional view (b) of FIG. 3 of the toilet seat device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention is a sectional view of the main part of (a). B-B 'sectional view of the toilet seat device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention in FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the circuit of the toilet seat apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the path | route of the signal in the circuit of the toilet seat apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the circuit of the toilet seat apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the path | route of the signal in the circuit of the toilet seat apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention The schematic diagram which shows another path | route of the signal in the circuit of the toilet seat apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the circuit of the toilet seat apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of another circuit of the toilet seat apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

90 Control part 110 Toilet seat device 400 Toilet seat part (toilet seat)
403 Insulation breakdown detection unit 405a Relay (blocking means)
405c ZCT (leakage detector)
405e Test switch 413 Aluminum plate (metal material)
414 Paint film (second insulating layer)
451a Aluminum foil layer (dielectric breakdown detection electrode, soaking means)
462 Insulation coating layer (first insulation layer)
463a Heating wire (heat generating part)
463b Enamel layer (first insulating layer)

Claims (4)

A toilet seat having a seating surface and containing a metal material, a heat generating portion for heating the seating surface of the toilet seat, a first insulating layer provided so as to cover an outer peripheral portion of the heat generating portion, the toilet seat and the first A second insulating layer provided between the first insulating layer, a dielectric breakdown detecting electrode provided between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer, and detecting and detecting an electric current flowing through the dielectric detecting electrode. A dielectric breakdown detection unit that detects breakdown, a leakage detection unit that is provided in a power supply circuit to detect a leakage of the entire toilet seat device, and a blocking means that blocks the power supply circuit unit; The toilet seat device is characterized in that the shut-off means shuts off the power supply circuit when at least one of detection and leakage detection by the leakage detection unit is detected. 2. The toilet seat device according to claim 1, wherein the blocking means blocks both poles of the power supply circuit. The toilet seat device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the leakage detection unit includes a test switch for trial operation. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dielectric breakdown detection electrode also serves as a heat equalizing means for equalizing and transmitting the heat of the heat generating portion to the seating portion.