JP2009148553A - Toilet seat device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toilet seat device which allows a user to be comfortable at appropriate temperature even under an environment at high room temperature, especially, in summer. <P>SOLUTION: The toilet seat device 110 includes: a toilet seat 400 having a seat surface 410U, and having a heat generation body 450 inside; control means 90 for controlling the energization of the heat generation body 450; usage detecting means 600 for detecting the usage of the toilet seat device 110; and energization selecting means 335 for selecting an energization state to the heat generation body 450. When the energization selecting means 335 selects prescribed setting and the usage detecting means 600 detects the usage of the toilet seat, the control means 90 starts the energization of the heat generation body 450, stops the energization to the heat generation body 450 at least while a user is seated on the toilet seat 400, and does not perform re-energization to the heat generation body 450 during the detection of continuous usage by the usage detecting means 600. Consequently, the user being seated does not have an unpleasant feeling such as hot or cold. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to temperature control of a toilet seat of a toilet seat device.

  In the field of sanitary washing devices for washing local parts of the human body, in order to avoid discomfort to the human body, for example, a heating device for adjusting washing water used for washing to an appropriate temperature, or a contact portion with the human body Devices having various functions have been devised, such as a toilet seat device that adjusts the temperature to an appropriate temperature. On the other hand, interest in the global environment has increased in recent years, and products that do not consume energy unnecessarily are required. In the sanitary washing device, although the usage time is very small within one day, the usage time cannot be assumed. There is an increasing number of products that stop energizing or maintain at a temperature several degrees lower than the optimum temperature and make the temperature only suitable for use. In this case, it is detected that the timer or the user uses the toilet, and the temperature is raised from the state where power is stopped or the holding state at a temperature several degrees lower to an appropriate temperature.

In particular, in the heating of the toilet seat, when the toilet seat surface temperature is instantly raised after detecting a human body, it is necessary to raise the toilet seat temperature so that the temperature becomes an appropriate temperature within a few seconds from the detection of the entry of the human body into the toilet room to the seating. For this reason, immediately after the detection of the human body, the heater is energized at a high output to instantly raise the toilet seat surface temperature. By switching to low output after seating or switching to control to stop heater energization, a rapid temperature rise during seating can be prevented and energy saving is improved (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-210230 A

  As mentioned above, it is necessary to raise the toilet seat surface temperature to an appropriate temperature in just a few seconds after the person enters the toilet and to sit down, and to make the temperature distribution on the toilet seat surface uniform, in order to improve this performance. The seating surface (toilet seat body surface) of the toilet seat needs to be made of a material having excellent thermal conductivity and a low heat capacity. In the case of such a toilet seat, when the human body is energized and raised in temperature, the heat generated by the heater is easily transferred to the thigh contact surface of the human body. Because of its rapid heating rate, it may feel hot. In the case of the above prior art, since the energization is stopped or lowered after the seating is detected, the temperature rapidly rises temporarily even after the seating due to a slight deviation in the timing of the time and physical heat conduction. Is felt. In addition, because of the characteristic toilet seat configuration described above, heat transfer occurs between the toilet seat and the skin of the human body even when heating for heat insulation. Discomfort is given to the user. In order to cope with this, if the seat heater is not energized at all, or if it is seated in the so-called `` off '' state, the heat of the human body is taken by the toilet seat because the seat section itself has good thermal conductivity. Sometimes it feels cold. As described above, there is a possibility that it is felt hot when the heater for heating the toilet seat is turned on, and cold when the heater is turned off, and there is a problem in making comfortable toilet seat heating.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a toilet seat device that can provide a comfortable feeling when seated on a heated toilet seat instantaneously only when in use.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a toilet seat device according to the present invention detects a use of a toilet seat having a seating surface and a heating element therein, a control means for controlling energization of the heating element, and the toilet seat. A use detecting unit; and an energization selecting unit that selects an energization mode for the heating element. When a predetermined energization mode is selected by the energization selecting unit, the control unit uses the toilet seat by the use detection unit. And the heating element is driven to start raising the temperature of the toilet seat, and when at least the use detecting means detects the user's seating, the energization of the heating element is stopped, and the use detecting means While the use is detected, re-energization of the heating element is not performed.

  This stops energization of the heater immediately before the seating, completes the temperature increase of the toilet seat before the seating, and does not cause the temperature increase of the toilet seat at the time of sitting.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, only at the time of use of a toilet seat, a user can heat a seating part of a suitable temperature, and can provide the comfortable and energy-saving toilet seat apparatus at the time of seating.

  A first invention includes a toilet seat having a seating surface and a heating element therein, a control means for controlling energization of the heating element, a use detecting means for detecting use of the toilet seat, and energization of the heating element An energization selection means for selecting a form, and when a predetermined energization form is selected by the energization selection means, the control means detects the use of the toilet seat by the use detection means and drives the heating element to The heating element starts to heat up, and when the seating of the user is detected by at least the use detecting means, the heating element is de-energized, and the heating element is used while the use detecting means detects the use of the toilet seat. The power is not re-energized.

  By stopping energization of the heater immediately before sitting and not re-energizing while sitting, the temperature of the toilet seat is completed before sitting, and the temperature of the toilet seat does not rise when sitting Only when the toilet seat is used, the user can heat the seat at a proper temperature. Even when the user is seated, a comfortable and energy-saving toilet seat device can be provided.

  In addition, by warming the toilet seat just before sitting down, the temperature difference from the thigh temperature of the human body is reduced, so that the heat transfer from the human thigh to the toilet seat is suppressed, and the cold at the moment when the skin contacts the toilet seat Reduce discomfort. This is particularly effective when the toilet seat is made of a material with high thermal conductivity or a low heat capacity. On the contrary, since the movement of heat between the toilet seat and the human thigh can be eliminated by stopping the heating after sitting, the user does not feel hot.

  The second invention is provided with a human body detecting means for detecting energization of the heater in the first invention, particularly when the user enters the toilet room, and is energized for a predetermined time after the human body detecting means detects the human body. Is.

  Accordingly, the heater is energized only for a few seconds from the detection of the human body until the user is seated, and the energization is surely turned off before the user is seated, thereby providing a toilet seat with a comfortable temperature that does not feel hot or cold when seated.

  The third invention is provided with temperature detecting means for detecting the toilet seat temperature especially for energization of the heater in the first invention, and the energization is stopped when the toilet seat temperature reaches a predetermined temperature.

  Accordingly, when the toilet seat temperature reaches a preset low temperature, the heater can be energized, so that a comfortable toilet seat temperature can be reliably realized.

The predetermined temperature is a set temperature of about 29 ° C. to 35 ° C., which is lower than the normal toilet seat set temperature (the heating temperature of the toilet seat set by the user), and there is no heating from the toilet seat because no power is supplied when seated, In addition, since the toilet seat is warmed by the energization immediately before, it becomes possible to set the toilet seat temperature at an appropriate level that is neither hot nor cold when seated.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, particularly in the first aspect of the invention, the use detecting means is a distance detecting means for detecting the approach distance of the human body to the toilet seat device, and the control means is a distance within a predetermined range by the distance detecting means. The heating element is energized only when it is detected.

  As a result, energization of the heating element can be started when the user enters the toilet, and the energization can be turned off when the user approaches the toilet seat, so it is possible to reliably stop energization before sitting and provide a more comfortable toilet seat can do.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in particular, in the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, a room temperature detection unit that detects a room temperature is provided, and when the room temperature by the room temperature detection unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, a predetermined energization mode by the energization selection unit To choose.

  Thereby, since it is possible to control an energization form appropriately in conjunction with room temperature, it can be set as a heating toilet seat which is comfortable and energy saving without trouble.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
<1> Appearance of sanitary washing device and toilet device including the same FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a toilet seat device and a sanitary washing device including the toilet seat device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The sanitary washing device is installed in the toilet room.

  The sanitary washing device 100 is attached to the upper surface of the toilet bowl 700. The sanitary washing device 100 includes a main body 200, a remote operation device 300, a toilet seat 400 and a lid 500.

  A toilet seat 400 and a lid 500 are attached to the main body 200 so as to be openable and closable. The main body 200 is provided with a cleaning device and a cleaning water supply mechanism (not shown), and a control unit 90 described later is built in the main body 200.

  In FIG. 1, a seating sensor 610 provided above the upper surface of the toilet seat in front of the main body 200 is shown. The seating sensor 610 which is this use detection means is, for example, a reflective infrared sensor. In this case, the seating sensor 610 detects the presence of the user by detecting infrared rays reflected from the human body until the user stands up from the toilet seat 400 from the time when the user approaches to sit on the toilet seat 400.

  Further, FIG. 1 shows a state in which the toilet nozzle 40 of the cleaning device provided in the lower front portion of the main body 200 protrudes inside the toilet 700. The toilet nozzle 40 is connected to the above-described washing water supply mechanism.

  The toilet seat device 110 is configured by components other than the toilet nozzle, the nozzle unit, and the cleaning water supply mechanism from the components of the sanitary cleaning device 100.

  The washing water supply mechanism is connected to a water pipe (not shown). Thereby, the wash water supply mechanism supplies the wash water supplied from the water pipe to the toilet nozzle 40. Thereby, washing water is ejected from the toilet nozzle 40 to a wide area on the inner surface of the toilet 700 (toilet bowl pre-washing). Alternatively, washing water is ejected from the toilet nozzle 40 to the back side of the inner surface of the toilet 700 (toilet rear cleaning). Details will be described later.

  The washing water supply mechanism is connected to the bottom washing nozzle, the bidet washing nozzle, and the nozzle washing jet outlet of the washing apparatus (not shown) via a switching valve. Accordingly, the cleaning water supply mechanism converts the cleaning water supplied from the water pipe into warm water by the heating means and supplies it to each nozzle. Thereby, a user's local part is washed with the warm water spouted from the butt washing nozzle and the bidet washing nozzle. Further, the cleaning water is ejected from the nozzle cleaning outlet and the butt cleaning nozzle and the bidet cleaning nozzle are self-cleaned.

  The remote operation device 300 is provided with a plurality of switches. The remote control device 300 is attached to a place where a user sitting on the toilet seat 400 can operate, for example.

  The entrance detection sensor 600 is attached to an entrance of a toilet room or the like. The entrance detection sensor 600 is, for example, a reflective infrared sensor. In this case, the entrance detection sensor 600 detects that the user has entered the toilet room when detecting infrared rays reflected from the human body.

  The control unit 90 of the main body 200 controls the operation of each part of the sanitary washing device 100 based on signals transmitted from the remote operation device 300, the room entry detection sensor 600, and the seating sensor 610.

<2> Configuration of Remote Operation Device FIG. 2 is a front view of the remote operation device 300 of FIG. The remote operation device 300 has a structure in which a controller lid 302 is provided at the bottom of the controller main body 301 so as to be freely opened and closed.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, a drying switch 320, strength adjustment switches 322 and 323, and position adjustment switches 325 and 326 are provided on the top of the controller main body 301 with the controller lid 302 closed. The controller lid 302 is provided with a stop switch 311, a butt switch 312 and a bidet switch 313.

  The above switches are operated by the user. Thereby, a predetermined signal corresponding to each switch is wirelessly transmitted from the remote operation device 300 to the main body 200 of FIG. The control unit 90 of the main body 200 controls the operation of each component of the main body 200 and the toilet seat 400 based on the received signal.

  For example, when the user operates the buttocks switch 312 or the bidet switch 313, cleaning water is ejected from the nozzle portion to the user's local area. Further, when the user operates the stop switch 311, the ejection of cleaning water from the nozzle portion to the user's local area is stopped.

  When the user operates the drying switch 320, hot air is ejected from a drying unit 210, which will be described later, to the user's local area. Further, when the user operates the strength adjustment switches 322 and 323, the flow rate, pressure, and the like of the cleaning water sprayed to the local area of the user are adjusted.

  Further, when the user operates the position adjustment switches 325 and 326, the position of the butt nozzle for cleaning the local portion or the bidet nozzle described later is adjusted. Thereby, the ejection position of the washing water to the user's local area is adjusted.

FIG. 2B shows a front view of the remote operation device 300 in a state where the controller lid 302 is opened. As shown in FIG. 2B, in addition to the stop switch 311, the butt switch 312, and the bidet switch 313, an automatic opening / closing switch 331, a water temperature adjustment is provided below the controller body 301 covered by the controller lid 302. A switch 332, a toilet seat temperature adjustment switch 333, a sterilization switch 335, and a toilet flushing switch 336 are provided.

  Even when these switches are operated, a predetermined signal corresponding to each switch is wirelessly transmitted from the remote operation device 300 to the main body 200. Thereby, the control part 90 of the main-body part 200 controls operation | movement of each structure part of the main-body part 200 and the toilet seat part 400 based on the received signal.

  The automatic opening / closing switch 331 is constituted by a knob. When the user operates the knob of the automatic opening / closing switch 331, the opening / closing operation of the lid 500 (FIG. 1) is set. That is, when the knob of the automatic opening / closing switch 331 is in the on position, the lid 500 is opened / closed in response to the user entering the toilet room.

  When the user operates the water temperature adjustment switch 332, the temperature of the washing water ejected from the nozzle portion to the user's local area is adjusted. When the user operates the toilet seat temperature adjustment switch 333, the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is adjusted.

  Further, when the user presses the power saving switch, the energization to the toilet seat heater 450 is stopped for a predetermined time to improve the energy saving performance. Here, the predetermined time is about 3 to 9 hours because it is assumed to be sleeping and going out during the day.

  In addition, when the summer switch 335 as the energization selection unit is pressed, the set temperature of the toilet seat is set to a temperature lower than the temperature set by the toilet seat temperature adjustment switch 333 (for example, 32 ° C. close to the thigh), Is controlled such that the toilet seat heater 450 is not energized.

  Similar to the automatic opening / closing switch 331, the toilet flushing switch 336 is constituted by a knob. When the user operates the knob of the toilet flushing switch 336, the operation of the toilet pre-washing and the toilet rear washing by the toilet nozzle 40 is set.

  In other words, when the knob of the toilet flushing switch 336 is in the ON position, flush water is ejected from the toilet nozzle 40 to a wide area inside the toilet 700 according to the user entering the toilet room. In addition, washing water is jetted from the toilet nozzle 40 to the back side of the inner surface of the toilet 700 while the user is seated on the toilet seat 400.

<3> Toilet Seat Device (3-1) Configuration of Toilet Seat Device FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the toilet seat device 110. As described above, the toilet seat device 110 includes the main body 200, the remote control device 300, the toilet seat 400, and the entrance detection sensor 600.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 200 includes a control unit 90, a temperature measurement unit 401, a heater driving unit 402, a toilet seat temperature adjustment lamp RA <b> 1, and a seating sensor 610.

  The toilet seat 400 includes a toilet seat heater 450 and a thermistor 401a.

  The control unit 90 is formed of, for example, a microcomputer, and includes a determination unit that determines the user's entrance and the temperature of the toilet seat 400, a timer unit having a timer function, a storage unit that stores various information, and a heater driving unit 402. Including an energization rate switching circuit for controlling the operation.

  The temperature measuring unit 401 of the main body 200 is connected to the thermistor 401 a of the toilet seat 400. Thereby, the temperature measurement part 401 measures the temperature of the toilet seat part 400 based on the signal output from the thermistor 401a. Hereinafter, the temperature of the toilet seat 400 measured by the temperature measuring unit 401 through the thermistor 401a is referred to as a measured temperature value.

  Further, the heater driving unit 402 of the main body 200 is connected to the toilet seat heater 450 of the toilet seat 400. As a result, the heater driving unit 402 drives the toilet seat heater 450.

  In the present embodiment, toilet seat device 110 operates as follows. At the time of initial setting, the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is adjusted to about 18 ° C., for example, by the control unit 90 controlling the heater driving unit 402. The temperature at this time is referred to as a standby temperature.

  Here, when the user operates the toilet seat temperature adjustment switch 333 of the remote control device 300, the toilet seat set temperature is transmitted to the control unit 90. The control unit 90 stores the toilet seat set temperature received from the remote operation device 300 in the storage unit.

  When the user enters the toilet room, the entry detection sensor 600 detects the entry of the user. As a result, a user entry detection signal is transmitted to the control unit 90.

  An operation during normal use in which the energization selection means is not selected will be described. The determination unit of the control unit 90 detects the user's entry into the toilet room based on the entry detection signal from the entry detection sensor 600. Therefore, the determination unit selects a specific heater control pattern related to driving of the toilet seat heater 450 based on the measured temperature value of the toilet seat unit 400 and the toilet seat set temperature stored in the storage unit.

  The energization rate switching circuit controls the operation of the heater driving unit 402 based on the selected heater control pattern and time information obtained by the time measuring unit.

  Accordingly, the toilet seat heater 450 is driven by the heater driving unit 402, the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is instantaneously increased to the toilet seat set temperature, and energization is performed so that the set temperature is maintained during use (during seating).

  On the other hand, when the summer switch 335 that is the energization selection unit is selected, the room entry detection sensor 600 similarly detects the user's room entry. Then, the toilet seat heater 450 is driven by the heater driving unit 402, and the temperature of the toilet seat 400 immediately rises to about 32 ° C. near the thigh, and energization is stopped before the user is seated, and energization is performed during the seating. Absent.

(3-2) Configuration of Toilet Seat Part FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the toilet seat part 400. FIG. 5A is a plan view of the toilet seat heater 450 of the toilet seat 400 of the first example, and FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of a region C72 of FIG. 5A. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the toilet seat 400 of the first example. 7 is a C73-C73 cross-sectional view of the toilet seat 400 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the toilet seat 400 includes a substantially elliptical upper toilet seat casing 410 formed mainly of aluminum, a substantially horseshoe-shaped toilet seat heater 450, and a substantially elliptical lower toilet seat casing 420 formed of synthetic resin. Prepare.

  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. 5A and 6, 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 toilet seat heater 450 includes metal foils 451 and 453 made of, for example, aluminum and a linear heater 460.

  The linear heater 460 is disposed in a meandering manner in accordance with the shape of the upper toilet seat casing 410 in the region from the seat center portion SE3 to the seat one end portion SE1 and in the region from the seat center portion SE3 to the seat other end portion SE2. .

  Specifically, the linear heater 460 is formed to have U-shaped portions of about six rows on the left and right. These U-shaped parts are arranged in parallel substantially along the direction of the thigh of the seated user. The interval between the linear heaters 460 in each U-shaped portion 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.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, a plurality of bent portions CU serving as thermal stress buffering portions are provided in the path of the meandering linear heater 460.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the distance ds1 between the linear heaters 460 in the region G1 along the outer side of the upper toilet seat casing 410 and the distance ds3 between the linear heaters 460 in the region G3 along the inner side are It is set to be smaller than the distance ds2 between the linear heaters 460 in the central region G2 of the toilet seat casing 410. Thereby, in the area | region G1 along the outer side edge of the upper toilet seat casing 410, and the area | region G3 along the inner side edge, the linear heaters 460 are arranged densely compared with the area | region G2 of a center part.

(3-3) Structure of Toilet Seat Heater FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a first structure of the toilet seat heater 450 attached to the upper toilet seat casing 410.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the upper toilet seat casing 410 is formed of, for example, an aluminum plate 413 having a thickness of 1 mm. An alumite layer 412 and a surface decorative layer 411 are formed on the upper surface of the aluminum plate 413. The upper surface of the surface decorative layer 411 becomes the seating surface 410U. A coating film 414 is formed on the lower surface of the aluminum plate 413. The coating film 414 is a polyester powder coating film having a film thickness of 40 μm and heat resistance of 150 ° C., for example.

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

  A metal foil 451 made of, for example, aluminum is attached to the lower surface of the coating film 414 via an adhesive layer 452a. The film thickness of the metal foil 451 is, for example, 50 μm.

  The linear heater 460 includes a heating wire 463a having a circular cross section, an enamel layer 463b, 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. Such an enameled wire 463 sufficiently secures an electrical withstand voltage performance of 1 minute or more at 1000 V, which is an electrical equipment technical standard, even if the enamel layer 463b has a very thin film thickness of about 0.01 to 0.02 mm. be able to. 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. In this case, even if the thickness of the insulating coating layer 462 is as thin as 0.05 to 0.1 mm, it is possible to ensure electrical withstand voltage performance that can withstand lightning surge.

  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.

  In this manner, a double insulation structure can be ensured by forming the insulating coating layer 462 on the single enamel wire 463.

  Further, sufficient insulation can be obtained even if the insulating coating layer 462 is relatively thin. Therefore, the thickness of the insulating coating layer 462 can be reduced. In the above example, the resin layers (enamel layer 463b and insulating coating layer 462) of the linear heater 460 are as thin as about 0.12 mm. In this case, heat conduction from the heating wire 463a to the metal foil 451 and the toilet seat casing 410 can be performed very agile.

  Incidentally, in the conventional toilet seat device, the thickness of the covering tube made of silicone rubber, vinyl chloride or the like of the linear heater is about 1 mm, which is about 10 times that of the above example. The heat conduction rate of such a coated tube was extremely slow, and the temperature raising rate of the toilet seat could not be increased.

  In the conventional toilet seat device, when a large electric power is supplied to the heater wire in order to forcibly increase the temperature raising rate of the toilet seat, the coated tube is melted and burnt out as in the case where the temperature of the heater wire is increased in the heat insulating state. Therefore, raising the temperature of the toilet seat by such a method has not been practical.

  On the other hand, when the enameled wire 463 having excellent heat resistance as in this example is used as a heater wire, the temperature of the toilet seat can be raised in a sufficiently short time, and electrical insulation and safety can be ensured. Therefore, the structure of this example can be effectively used for various toilet seat devices.

  In the structure of this example, the resin layer composed of the enamel layer 463b and the insulating coating layer 462 can be formed with a thin thickness of about 0.1 to 0.4 mm. Thus, the temperature of the toilet seat can be rapidly raised in a state where the absolute temperature of the heating wire 463a and the resin layer is maintained at a low temperature. As a result, a relatively inexpensive insulating material can be used instead of an expensive heat-resistant insulating material.

  In this example, in order to efficiently transfer the heat of the linear heater 460 to the toilet seat casing 410, the linear heater 460 is sandwiched between aluminum foils 451 and 452. Here, in the linear heater 460 of this example, since the enamel layer 463b and the insulating coating layer 462 can be thinned, the outer diameter of the linear heater 460 can be reduced (about φ0.2 to φ0.4). In this case, when the aluminum foil 451 and the aluminum foil 452 are bonded together, the air layer between the aluminum foil 451 and the aluminum foil 452 can be reduced, and the wrinkles of the aluminum foils 451 and 452 can be reduced. it can. Thereby, the local high heat of the enamel wire 463 is suppressed, and the disconnection of the enamel wire 463 and the damage to the electrical insulating layer (enamel layer 463b and the insulating coating layer 462) are prevented. As a result, the service life of the toilet seat device 110 can be extended.

  Further, since the enamel wire 463 can be made thin, the weight of the toilet seat heater 450 can be reduced, and the toilet seat opening / closing torque can be reduced. Thereby, the electric opening / closing unit for opening and closing the toilet seat can be downsized, and the toilet seat device 110 can be downsized.

(3-4) Operation of Toilet Seat Heater 450 Next, the operation of the toilet seat heater 450 will be described. When a constant voltage is applied between the heater start end portion 460a and the heater end portion 460b of the toilet seat heater 450, a current flows through the internal heating line 463a, and the heating line 463a generates heat. At this time, the generated heat is conducted from the heating wire 463a to the seating surface 410U of the upper toilet seat casing 410 through the enamel layer 463b and the metal foils 451 and 453.

  In the linear heater 460, since the insulating coating layer 462 is formed of PFA having a heat resistance of about 260 ° C., even if the thickness of the insulating coating layer 462 is as thin as 0.1 to 0.15 mm, for example, the heating wire 463a It is possible to prevent the enamel layer 463b from being destroyed even at a rapid temperature rise to 100 to 150 ° C. Therefore, the temperature of the seating surface 410U can be raised rapidly by rapidly advancing the heat conduction from the linear heater 460 to the seating surface 410U.

  In this case, it takes a short time of 5 to 6 seconds from the start of energization to the linear heater 460, for example, until the user enters the toilet room and sits on the seating surface 410U. It takes less than 7-8 seconds. Therefore, even if the energization detection sensor 600 detects that the user has entered the toilet room and at the same time the energization of the linear heater 460 is started, the seating surface 410U has a sufficiently optimum temperature until the user is seated. Can be reached.

  Further, the inner region G3 and the outer region G1 of the seating surface 410U in FIG. 7 have higher heat dissipation than the central region G2. In the present embodiment, the linear heaters 460 are arranged more densely in the inner region G3 and the outer region G1 than in the central region G2. Therefore, the temperature unevenness and the cold feeling are not felt at the moment when the user is seated on the seating surface 410U.

  On the other hand, the linear heater 460 is as long as about 10 m in total length, and rapidly expands as the heating wire 463a rapidly rises. As a result, the linear heater 460 expands in the length direction. In addition, when the energization is stopped, the temperature of the heating wire 463a is decreased and returns to the original length due to contraction. That is, thermal stress strain due to thermal expansion and contraction is repeatedly formed on the heating wire 463a.

  When the adhesion between the linear heater 460 and the metal foils 451 and 453 is weak, or when a gap is formed between the linear heater 460 and the seating surface 410U, the entire thermal stress strain is at the most easily moved portion of them. concentrate. As a result, a relatively strong bending / extending motion occurs in the linear heater 460, and damage to the linear heater 460 such as breakage of the heating wire 463a occurs due to accumulation of stress fatigue.

  In this example, since a plurality of bent portions are formed as thermal stress buffering portions in the linear heater 460, these bent portions finely disperse the entire thermal stress strain, and the bent portion exhibits thermal stress strain. Also acts to absorb. Therefore, the thermal stress at the bent portion is extremely small, and as a result, only slight bending and stretching occur. As a result, the heating wire 463a is not broken, and the life and durability of the linear heater 460 are improved.

  In addition, in the inner region G3 and the outer region G1 of the seating surface 410U with relatively large heat dissipation, the interval between the linear heaters 460 may be increased and the number of bent portions may be reduced as compared with the central region G2. .

  As described above, the overall length of the linear heater 460 is as long as approximately 10 m, and a bent portion is formed in the linear heater 460. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain and fix the arrangement of the linear heaters 460 when the linear heaters 460 are mounted on the seating surface 410U. A unitized toilet seat heater 450 is configured by closely attaching the linear heater 460 to the metal foils 451 and 453 in a state where the linear heater 460 is sandwiched between the metal foils 451 and 453. Therefore, the linear heater 460 can be bonded to the seating surface 410U in a state where the arrangement of the linear heaters 460 is firmly maintained.

  Further, since the linear heater 460 is sandwiched between the metal foils 451 and 453, the metal foils 451 and 453 perform heat distribution evenly. Thereby, it can prevent that the linear heater 460 heats up. In addition, the seating surface 410U is soaked and the toilet seat heater 450 is prevented from being damaged.

(3-5) Energization Sequence of Toilet Seat Device First, an energization sequence in a normal case where the summer switch 335 as the energization selection unit is not selected will be described.

  The driving of the toilet seat heater 450 is controlled by changing the electric power for driving the toilet seat heater 450 to three.

  For example, when the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is raised with a first temperature gradient, the heater driving unit 402 in FIG. 3 drives the toilet seat heater 450 with about 1200 W of power (1200 W drive).

  As described above, the resistance value of the toilet seat heater 450 is 0.833 Ω / m, and the total length is 10 m. Therefore, the resistance value of the toilet seat heater 450 is 8.33Ω. When AC 100 V is applied to the toilet seat heater 450 having this resistance value, power of (100 V × 100 V) ÷ 8.33Ω = 1200 W is generated. That is, 1200 W of electric power is generated by passing a current through the toilet seat heater 450 over the entire period of the AC power supply.

  When the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is raised at a second temperature gradient that is slightly gentler than the first temperature gradient, the heater driving unit 402 drives the toilet seat heater 450 with about 600 W of power (600 W drive). Further, when the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is kept constant, the heater driving unit 402 drives the toilet seat heater 450 with about 50 W of power (low power driving). Note that low power driving means driving the toilet seat heater 450 with sufficiently low power (for example, power in the range of 0 W to 50 W) compared to 1200 W driving and 600 W driving.

  Switching between 1200 W driving, 600 W driving, and low power driving is performed by the energization rate switching circuit of the control unit 90 controlling energization from the heater driving unit 402 to the toilet seat heater 450.

  An AC current is supplied to the heater driving unit 402 from a power supply circuit (not shown). Therefore, the heater drive unit 402 causes the alternating current supplied based on the energization control signal provided from the energization rate switching circuit to flow through the toilet seat heater 450.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a driving example of the toilet seat heater 450 and a change in the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400.

  FIG. 9 shows a graph showing the relationship between the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 and time, and a graph showing the relationship between the energization rate when driving the toilet seat heater 450 and time. The horizontal axis of these two graphs is a common time axis.

  In this example, it is assumed that the user turns on the heating function in advance and sets the toilet seat set temperature high (38 ° C.).

  When the room temperature such as in winter is lower than the standby temperature of 18 ° C., the control unit 90 (FIG. 3) adjusts the temperature of the toilet seat 400 to 18 ° C. As described above, the controller 90 controls the toilet seat heater 450 so that the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 is constant at 18 ° C. during the waiting period D1 until the user's entrance is detected by the entrance detection sensor 600. Low power drive is performed.

  When the entry detection sensor 600 detects entry of the user at time t1, the control unit 90 performs 600 W driving during the inrush current reduction period D2. This 600 W drive is performed in order to sufficiently reduce the inrush current. In this case, the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 is raised with a slightly gentle second temperature gradient.

  Thereafter, the control unit 90 starts 1200W driving of the toilet seat heater 450 at time t2 after the rush current reduction period D2 has elapsed, and continues 1200W driving of the toilet seat heater 450 during the first temperature rising period D3. In this case, the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 is increased with the first temperature gradient described above.

  Here, the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 is rapidly increased. The toilet seat heater 450 is driven at 1200 W until the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 reaches a predetermined temperature (for example, 30 ° C.). Of course, the predetermined temperature may be a temperature set as the heating temperature. However, the predetermined temperature is not a temperature sufficiently increased to the heating temperature, and even when the predetermined temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature, when the user is seated. It may be the lowest limit temperature (limit temperature) that does not cause an unpleasant feeling of being cold. This limit temperature has been found to be about 29 ° C. by subject experiments conducted by the inventors.

  Thus, in the first temperature increase period D3, the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 is rapidly increased to a predetermined temperature by 1200 W driving. Thus, the user can sit on the toilet seat 400 without feeling that the toilet seat 400 is cold.

  In addition, as described above, when the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 is rapidly increased, an overshoot occurs in the temperature change. However, in this example, when the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 reaches a predetermined temperature, the 1200 W drive of the toilet seat heater 450 is switched to the 600 W drive. Therefore, even when the change in the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 overshoots, the surface temperature does not exceed the toilet seat set temperature. As a result, the user is prevented from feeling the toilet seat 400 hot when seated.

Subsequently, the control unit 90 starts 600W driving of the toilet seat heater 450 at time t3 after the elapse of the first temperature rising period D3, and continues 600 W driving of the toilet seat heater 450 during the second temperature rising period D4. To do. In this case, the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 is raised with the second temperature gradient described above.

  The 600 W drive of the toilet seat heater 450 is performed until the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 reaches the toilet seat set temperature (38 ° C.).

  The second temperature gradient is gentler than the first temperature gradient. This prevents a large overshoot from occurring in the change in the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400.

  The controller 90 starts low-power driving of the toilet seat heater 450 at time t4 after the elapse of the second temperature rising period D4, and continues low-power driving of the toilet seat heater 450 during the first maintenance period D5. Thereby, the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 is constant at the toilet seat set temperature.

  When the seating sensor 610 detects that the user is seated on the toilet seat 400 at time t5, the control unit 90 reduces the energization rate of the low power drive, and the surface of the toilet seat 400 during the first seating period D6. The low-power drive of the toilet seat heater 450 is continued so that the temperature maintains the toilet seat set temperature. In this example, the first seating period D6 is set to about 10 minutes.

  In addition, the control unit 90 further reduces the energization rate of the low power drive at time t6 after the first seating period D6 has elapsed, and the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 during the second seating period D7 is the toilet seat set temperature. The low-power drive of the toilet seat heater 450 is continued so that the temperature is lowered to a slightly lower temperature (36 ° C.). In this example, the second seating period D7 is set to about 2 minutes.

  At time t7 after the elapse of the second seating period D7, the control unit 90 further decreases the energization rate of the low power drive, and the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 is lower than the toilet seat set temperature during the second maintenance period D8. The low-power drive of the toilet seat heater 450 is continued so as to be constant at a slightly low temperature (36 ° C.). In the following description, the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 that is maintained constant in the second maintenance period D8, that is, a temperature slightly lower than the toilet seat set temperature is referred to as a maintenance temperature.

  Thus, in this example, after the user is seated on the toilet seat 400, the controller 90 gradually reduces the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400. This prevents the user from getting burned at low temperatures.

  When it is detected by the seating sensor 610 that the user has left the toilet seat 400 at time t8, the controller 90 stops driving the toilet seat heater 450 during the stop period D9. Thereby, the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 decreases.

  The controller 90 starts the low-power driving of the toilet seat heater 450 again at time t9 when the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 reaches 18 ° C., and waits for the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 to be constant at 18 ° C. The low power driving of the toilet seat heater 450 is maintained during D10.

  Thus, when the temperature gradient becomes gradually gentle, the overshoot caused by the temperature change of the toilet seat 400 can be sufficiently reduced.

  In this example, after the user sits on the toilet seat 400, the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 is gradually decreased by adjusting the power used to drive the toilet seat heater 450. The user may stop when sitting on the toilet seat 400. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent the user from getting burned at a low temperature.

As described above, in this example, it has been described that the driving of the toilet seat heater 450 is stopped when it is detected that the user has left the toilet seat 400 at time t8, but the driving of the toilet seat heater 450 is stopped. May be performed after a lapse of a certain time (for example, 1 minute) from time t8 when it is detected that the user has left the toilet seat 400. In this case, the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 does not decrease even when the user once again leaves the toilet seat 400 and again feels comfortable and sits on the toilet seat 400 again. As a result, the user can comfortably sit on the toilet seat 400.

  The energization state of the toilet seat heater 450 during 1200 W drive, 600 W drive, and low power drive will be described together with the energization control signal of the energization rate switching circuit.

  In the following description, the energization rate refers to the ratio of the time during which an alternating current is passed through the toilet seat heater 450 for one cycle of the alternating current.

  FIG. 10A is a waveform diagram of a current flowing through the toilet seat heater 450 during 1200 W driving, and FIG. 10B is a waveform diagram of an energization control signal supplied from the energization rate switching circuit to the heater driving unit 402 during 1200 W driving.

  As shown in FIG. 10B, the energization control signal at the time of 1200 W driving is always logic “1”. The heater drive unit 402 causes an alternating current supplied from the power supply circuit to flow in the toilet seat heater 450 when the energization control signal is logic “1” (FIG. 10A, bold line portion). Thereby, an alternating current flows through the toilet seat heater 450 over the entire period. As a result, the toilet seat heater 450 is driven with about 1200 W of power.

  FIG. 11A is a waveform diagram of a current flowing through the toilet seat heater 450 when driven at 600 W, and FIG. 11B is a waveform diagram of an energization control signal supplied from the energization rate switching circuit to the heater drive unit 402 when driven at 600 W.

  As shown in FIG. 11 (b), the energization control signal at the time of 600 W driving is composed of pulses having the same cycle as the alternating current supplied to the heater driving unit 402. The duty ratio of the pulse is set to 50%.

  When the energization control signal is logic “1”, the heater drive unit 402 causes an alternating current supplied from the power supply circuit to flow through the toilet seat heater 450 (FIG. 11A, bold line portion). Thereby, an alternating current flows through the toilet seat heater 450 during a half cycle. As a result, the toilet seat heater 450 is driven with about 600 W of electric power.

  FIG. 12A is a waveform diagram of a current flowing through the toilet seat heater 450 during low power driving, and FIG. 12B is a waveform diagram of an energization control signal supplied from the energization rate switching circuit to the heater driving unit 402 during low power driving. .

  As shown in FIG. 12B, the energization control signal at the time of low power driving is composed of pulses having the same cycle as the AC current supplied to the heater driving unit 402. The duty ratio of the pulse is set to be smaller than 50% (for example, about several percent).

  The heater drive unit 402 causes an alternating current supplied from the power supply circuit to flow through the toilet seat heater 450 when the energization control signal is logic “1” (FIG. 12A, bold line portion). In each cycle, an alternating current flows through the toilet seat heater 450 for a period corresponding to the pulse width. As a result, the toilet seat heater 450 is driven with electric power of about 50 W, for example.

In addition to the above, when the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is lowered, or when the heating function of the toilet seat device 110 is turned off, the energization rate switching circuit does not give an energization control signal to the heater drive unit 402 (energization control). Set the signal to logic "0"). Thereby, the heater driving unit 402 does not drive the toilet seat heater 450.

  Here, generally, when the current supplied to the electronic device has a harmonic component, noise is generated. In this example, when 1200 W drive or 600 W drive of the toilet seat heater 450 is performed as described above, the current supplied to the toilet seat heater 450 changes so as to draw a sine curve. However, the generation of noise is sufficiently reduced.

  Further, when the toilet seat heater 450 is driven at low power, the current supplied to the toilet seat heater 450 has a harmonic component, but the magnitude of the current is much smaller than that at the time of 1200 W driving and 600 W driving, so Occurrence is sufficiently reduced.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, toilet seat heater 450 is driven by electric power of 1200 W, 600 W, and about 50 W, but toilet seat heater 450 may be driven by other electric power.

  For example, when an alternating current is passed through the toilet seat heater 450 for a period of half a cycle, the timing for flowing the alternating current is set at intervals of a predetermined cycle such as two cycles or three cycles. As a result, the toilet seat heater 450 can be driven with power of a magnitude different from 1200 W, 600 W, and about 50 W while sufficiently preventing the generation of noise.

  In this example, the control unit 90 supplies current to the toilet seat heater 450 when the energization control signal is logic “1”, and supplies current to the toilet seat heater 450 when the energization control signal is logic “0”. Although it is stopped, the supply of current to the toilet seat heater 450 is stopped when the energization control signal is logic “1”, and the current is supplied to the toilet seat heater 450 when the energization control signal is logic “0”. Good.

  In addition, since the on / off of the toilet seat heater 450 is controlled by time, the temperature of the toilet seat 400 does not exceed the predetermined value or does not reach the predetermined value when the time measurement is shifted. Therefore, the control unit 90 measures the time during which the toilet seat 400 is turned on using two measurement sources so that the time measurement does not deviate. As one measurement source, the on-time of the toilet seat heater 450 is measured by an oscillator that defines the effective speed of the program of the control unit 90, and the other measurement source uses the AC voltage cycle as a reference for the toilet seat heater 450. Measure the on time. When at least one of these measured values exceeds the specified time, the process proceeds to the next energization pattern.

  In particular, excessive temperature rise is reliably prevented by accurately measuring the time during which 1200 W is energized in the toilet seat. This further improves the safety of the device. Although a method for improving the measurement accuracy by providing a plurality of measurement sources has been described here, it is a method for measuring the time during which the toilet seat heater 450 is fully energized and forcibly interrupting or restricting the energization of the heater. However, the same effect can be obtained.

  Next, an energization sequence when the summer switch 335 as the energization selection means is selected will be described.

  FIG. 13 shows the relationship between energization to the toilet seat heater 450, toilet seat surface temperature, and seating according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 13, when the human body is not present in the toilet room, the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 is kept at the standby temperature or room temperature. Especially in summer, the room temperature becomes higher than the standby temperature, so the toilet seat surface temperature is room temperature and the heater is not energized. When a human body is detected in the toilet room by the entrance detection sensor 600 provided in the toilet room, energization of the toilet seat heater 450 is started. The energization pattern to the toilet seat heater 450 is basically the same as the normal energization sequence in which the summer switch 335 is not selected, but the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 is set to 32 ° C., which is the toilet seat set temperature. Energization is performed so that the energization is stopped at this point. When the room temperature is 30 ° C., the energization period of the toilet seat heater 450 is between 2 and 3 seconds after the human body detection sensor 600 detects the human body. In general, the time required for the user to enter the toilet room, take off his clothes, and sit on the toilet seat 400 is about 5 seconds, and energization of the toilet seat heater 450 is terminated before sitting.

  Further, since it is assumed that the user's clothes are small in summer and the time until sitting is shortened, the seating sensor 610 can be used even when the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 does not reach the set temperature of 32 ° C. When a human body is detected, power supply to the toilet seat heater 450 is immediately stopped.

  Once the energization of the toilet seat heater 450 is stopped as described above, the energization of the toilet seat heater 450 is not performed until the human body detection sensor 600 once cancels the detection of the human body and the human body is detected again.

  As a result, heating of the toilet seat heater 450 for heating the toilet seat is completed before sitting, and the temperature of the toilet seat does not rise after sitting, so that it does not feel hot, and a proper toilet seat temperature is set before sitting. So you don't feel cold when sitting. Immediately after sitting on the human body, the heat of the toilet seat is decreased for a moment because it is taken by the human body.

  In particular, when the upper toilet seat casing 410 is made of a metal that has a good heat conductivity such that the thermal conductivity exceeds 100 W / m · K as in the present embodiment, the heat transfer to the human body increases. When sitting on the toilet seat 400, which is familiar with the room temperature, it tends to feel uncomfortable if it is cold because the heat of the human body is instantaneously taken to the toilet seat. Therefore, when a material having a thermal conductivity exceeding 100 W / m · K is adopted, the energization method as in this embodiment is particularly beneficial. Even if the upper toilet seat casing 410 is made of resin, the same effect can be obtained if the heat capacity is small.

  The toilet seat device of the present embodiment does not keep the toilet seat part at a predetermined temperature, but energizes only before sitting, and completes the heating of the toilet seat, thereby eliminating discomfort at the moment of sitting and discomfort during sitting. It is possible. Particularly in summer, energy is further saved because the temperature is raised only to a temperature lower than the normal heating set temperature of the toilet seat (the toilet seat temperature set by the user). In this embodiment, in order to perform toilet seat heating only at the time of use, it is configured to improve the temperature rise performance of the toilet seat, and a seat portion having a small heat capacity using aluminum and having good thermal conductivity is formed. Yes. Due to the structure of this seat, the feeling when the human skin is in direct contact with the toilet seat made of ordinary resin is different.In particular, even in summer, if the toilet seat is not heated, Moves to the toilet seat, and the cold feeling is felt stronger than the resin toilet seat. Therefore, in the toilet seat of the present embodiment, the comfort feeling at the time of sitting is not impaired by heating the toilet seat portion by raising it to a predetermined temperature even in summer.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in an energization method after detecting a human body. In the first embodiment, the toilet seat heater 450 is energized by an energization sequence in which the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 is a predetermined temperature of 32 ° C., but the energization sequence in the present embodiment is a predetermined sequence. The capacity (600 W) is energized for a predetermined time (2 seconds).

The object of the present invention is to perform energization to such an extent that the user does not feel uncomfortable that it is “cold”, so that strict temperature control is not necessary. Therefore, in this embodiment, by adopting a simple energization sequence of energizing 600 W only for 2 seconds after detecting a human body, the control method becomes simple and the summer setting function is installed at low cost. Is possible.

  However, if the room temperature is too high (for example, the room temperature is 35 ° C. or higher), even if the heater energization is stopped before seating by energizing for 2 seconds, it feels hot. Conversely, if the room temperature is low (25 ° C. or lower), the toilet seat surface temperature will not rise to an appropriate temperature and will feel cold when energized for 2 seconds.

  In order to solve this problem, the surface temperature of the toilet seat part before the start of energization is detected by the thermistor 401a in advance, or the room temperature is detected by a separately provided room temperature detecting means, and a plurality of heater capacities set in advance for each detected temperature or By performing energization for the energization time, comfort can be further improved.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The difference between the present embodiment and the first and second embodiments is that the use detecting means for detecting the use of the toilet seat device is different. In the first and second embodiments, a human body detection sensor that detects a human body that has entered the toilet room and a seating sensor 610 that detects that the user has been seated on the toilet seat are provided, and the toilet seat heater 450 is detected by the detection signals of these sensors. Was controlling energization.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, distance detection means 900 is provided as use detection means, and it is detected that the user is using the toilet seat device only when the human body exists within a predetermined distance. That is, it is detected when a user is present in the shaded area in FIG.

  When the user approaches within 100 cm from the toilet seat device, energization is started to the toilet seat heater 450, and the energization sequence is performed so that the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 becomes a predetermined temperature of 32 ° C. as in the first embodiment. When the user approaches within 20 cm, the energization is stopped.

  In this case, the difference from the first embodiment is that energization is controlled so as to maintain 32 ° C. even if the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 reaches a predetermined temperature of 32 ° C. This is different from the first and second embodiments in that energization is stopped when approaching within.

  Thus, when the user is seated on the toilet seat 400, the surface temperature of the toilet seat is a predetermined temperature of 32 ° C., and energization of the toilet seat heater 450 is stopped at that time, so that the coldness and heat can be reduced. The toilet seat device can be used more comfortably without feeling.

  In the first to third embodiments, when the human body is not detected, the toilet seat heater is deenergized or the toilet seat is kept warm at a low temperature, and the toilet seat is instantly raised to an appropriate temperature when the human body is detected. Although the heating toilet seat has been described, this control can also be applied to a warm toilet seat that is always kept at an appropriate temperature. In other words, even if a warm toilet seat is kept warm at all times, it feels hot when energized at the time of sitting when the room temperature is high in summer. Therefore, the same effect can be obtained by stopping energization of the toilet seat heater at the same time when the human body enters the toilet room or immediately before sitting on the toilet seat.

In the first to third embodiments, the summer switch 335 is installed as the energization selection unit, and the user operates the summer switch 335 so that the control is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in addition to the summer switch 335, even when the summer switch 335 is not operated, when the room temperature is very high (for example, 32 ° C. or higher), the room temperature is detected by the room temperature detecting means, and the first to third embodiments are used. By performing the control described in the above, the comfort can be further improved.

  Also, when the detection temperature of the room temperature detection means becomes a predetermined temperature (for example, 30 ° C.) or more by automatically selecting the power supply mode by the power supply selection means according to the output of the room temperature detection means for detecting the room temperature Since the switch operation can be omitted by performing the control as described in the first to third embodiments, a toilet seat device that is more convenient to use can be provided.

  The room temperature detection means is a part of the toilet seat apparatus body, and is not affected by heating means for heating the wash water, heating water stored in the toilet seat apparatus body, such as warm water or the heating surface of the toilet seat, and the temperature of the wash water What is necessary is just to arrange | position so that the temperature in a toilet room can be measured at a place. Alternatively, it may be provided separately. For example, the remote control device 300 may be provided with a room temperature detection means so as to appropriately transmit and receive the detected temperature signal. Also, other functional units such as room temperature detection means provided for correcting the detection sensitivity of the human body detection means for detecting the user's entry, and room temperature detection means provided in the room heating device for heating the toilet room The temperature detecting means provided for driving may also be used. Furthermore, you may make it refer to the water temperature from the water supply part linked with external temperature instead of detecting room temperature.

  The present invention can comfortably control the temperature of the toilet seat that the human body is in direct contact with throughout the year, and therefore can be applied to a heating device used in a bathroom or a shower room.

1 is an external perspective view showing a toilet seat device and a sanitary washing device including the toilet seat device according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a front view of the remote control device of FIG. 1 with the controller lid closed, (b) is a front view of the controller lid opened. Schematic diagram showing the configuration of the toilet seat device Disassembled perspective view of toilet seat (A) is a plan view of the toilet seat heater of the toilet seat portion of the first example (b) is an enlarged plan view of the region (a) The top view of the toilet seat part of the 1st example C73-C73 sectional drawing of the toilet seat part of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the 1st example of the structure of the toilet seat heater attached to an upper toilet seat casing Time chart showing changes in toilet seat heater surface and toilet seat surface temperature (A) is a waveform diagram of a current flowing through the toilet seat heater during 1200 W drive, and (b) is a waveform diagram of an energization control signal supplied from the energization rate switching circuit to the heater drive unit during 1200 W drive. (A) is a waveform diagram of the current flowing through the toilet seat heater during 600 W drive, and (b) is a waveform diagram of an energization control signal supplied from the energization rate switching circuit to the heater drive unit during 600 W drive. (A) is a waveform diagram of a current flowing through the toilet seat heater during low power driving, and (b) is a waveform diagram of an energization control signal provided from the energization rate switching circuit to the heater driving unit during low power driving. The time chart which shows the electricity supply state at the time of selecting the electricity supply selection means in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and toilet seat surface temperature The schematic diagram which shows the detection range of the use detection means in Embodiment 3 of this invention

Explanation of symbols

90 Control unit (control means)
110 Toilet seat device 335 Summer switch (energization selection means)
400 Toilet seat (toilet seat)
401a thermistor (temperature detection means)
410U Seating surface 450 Toilet seat heater (heating element)
600 Human body detection sensor (use detection means)
610 Seating sensor (use detection means)
900 Distance detection means (use detection means)

Claims (5)

A toilet seat having a seating surface and a heating element inside;
Control means for controlling energization of the heating element;
Use detection means for detecting use of the toilet seat;
An energization selection means for selecting an energization mode to the heating element,
When a predetermined energization mode is selected by the energization selection means,
The control means is
Detecting the use of the toilet seat by the use detecting means, driving the heating element to start raising the temperature of the toilet seat,
When the seating of the user is detected by at least the use detecting means, energization of the heating element is stopped,
The toilet seat device is characterized in that the energization of the heating element is not performed while the use detection means detects the use of the toilet seat. The use detecting means is a human body detecting means for detecting a user entering the toilet room, and the control means energizes the heating element for a predetermined time after the human body detecting means detects the human body. Toilet seat device. When a predetermined energization mode is selected by the energization selection unit, the control unit is configured to provide a heating element when the toilet seat temperature by the temperature detection unit reaches a predetermined temperature lower than a normal set temperature. The toilet seat device according to claim 1, wherein energization of the toilet is stopped. The use detecting means is a distance detecting means for detecting the approaching distance of the human body to the toilet seat device, and the control means energizes the heating element only when the distance detecting means detects that the human body exists within a predetermined range. The toilet seat device according to claim 1 to be performed. The toilet seat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising room temperature detection means for detecting a room temperature, wherein when a room temperature by the room temperature detection means is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, a predetermined energization mode is selected by the energization selection means. apparatus.