JP2010185229A - Device for flushing urinal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for flushing a urinal, which can further reduce water in flushing by discriminating between the falling of waterdrop onto the bowl surface of the urinal and the approaching of a human body, so as to eliminate flushing caused by false detection. <P>SOLUTION: This device for flushing the urinal includes: a Doppler sensor which detects the human body approaching by transmitting/receiving an electric wave in the forward direction of the urinal; and a control unit which determines whether the human body approaches or not on the basis of a detection signal output from the Doppler sensor, so as to control the opening and closing of a water-supply valve supplying the flushing water to the urinal. The control unit, when the detection signal starts changing and exceeds a first threshold, and in case when the amplitude of the detection signal, before the start of the change, exceeds a predetermined range, determines that the human body approaches the urinal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  Aspects of the present invention generally relate to a urinal cleaning device, and more particularly to a urinal cleaning device that performs automatic cleaning of a urinal.

  There is a toilet cleaning system that uses a microwave sensor to detect the approach of a human body (Patent Document 1). According to the toilet flushing system described in Patent Document 1, the approaching person is detected using a signal obtained by removing the frequency band of the Doppler signal generated by the shaking of the sealed water. False detection can be prevented.

  However, in a urinal where the microwave sensor is installed on the back surface of the toilet bowl, after the toilet bowl is washed, water droplets remaining on the ball surface of the urinal fall along the ball surface within the detection range of the microwave sensor. The urinal cleaning device may erroneously detect that the human body is approaching. This is because the frequency band of the Doppler signal of the microwave sensor due to the drop of water drops is close to the frequency band of the Doppler signal due to the approach of the human body. Alternatively, because the water droplets remaining on the ball surface are close to the microwave sensor, the output level of the Doppler signal is large and corresponds to the output level due to the approach of the human body.

  Thus, the frequency band of the Doppler signal due to the approach of the human body partially overlaps with the frequency band of the Doppler signal due to the drop of water or the shaking of the sealed water. For this reason, if a Doppler signal due to a drop of a water drop or a shaking of a sealed water is excluded by identifying the frequency, a part of the Doppler signal due to the approach of the human body is also excluded. Thereby, depending on how the human body moves, there is a possibility that the approach of the human body cannot be detected.

  Further, in order to compare the output level that is the amplitude value of the output signal, a first output level that is higher than the 0 level is set, and when the output signal becomes equal to or higher than the first level, There is a human body detection device that is set so as not to determine that a human body is present when an output signal at a previous predetermined time is a noise level (Patent Document 2). According to the human body detection device described in Patent Document 2, when the human body approaches, the output signal gradually increases in response to the approach, whereas in the case of water droplets, the output signal suddenly increases, so the output signal is output. When the state is not detected, that is, when the noise level continues for a predetermined time or more and then becomes the first output level or more, it is determined that it is not detection of a human body, so that erroneous detection can be avoided.

  However, the predetermined time before the output signal becomes equal to or higher than the first level is not described. Depending on the setting of the predetermined time, there is a possibility that erroneous detection cannot be avoided. Therefore, there is room for improvement with respect to the predetermined time.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-330672 JP-A-2005-283448

  The present invention has been made on the basis of recognition of such a problem, and it is possible to identify water drop falling on the ball surface of a urinal and approach to the human body, eliminate washing due to erroneous detection, and improve the reduction of washing water. It aims at providing a toilet bowl washing device.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a Doppler sensor that transmits and receives radio waves toward the front of a urinal and detects the approach of a human body, and whether the human body is approaching based on a detection signal output from the Doppler sensor. A control unit that controls opening and closing of a water supply valve that supplies flush water to the toilet, and the control unit starts before the time when the change starts to occur when the detection signal starts to change and exceeds a first threshold value. When the amplitude of the said detection signal exceeds the predetermined range, it is determined that the human body has approached.
According to this urinal washing device, it is possible to identify the drop of water droplets and the approach of the human body, eliminate washing due to erroneous detection, and improve the reduction of washing water.

Further, according to a second aspect, in the first aspect, the time when the change starts to occur assumes a water droplet flowing along the ball surface of the urinal, and the flowing water droplet falls within a detection range of the Doppler sensor. The urinal cleaning device is characterized in that it is a time when the detection signal starts to change.
According to this urinal washing device, it is possible to clearly determine the water droplet itself and the human body detection since the time when the change starts is determined assuming a water droplet flowing along the ball surface of the urinal. Therefore, it is possible to discriminate between water drop falling and approaching the human body and eliminate cleaning due to erroneous detection.

According to a third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the control unit determines that the amplitude of the detection signal before the time when the change starts to occur does not exceed the predetermined range. Is a urinal washing device characterized in that the determination of the presence or absence of the approach of the human body is not executed for a predetermined time.
According to this urinal washing apparatus, even after it is determined that the water droplet detection means is a water droplet, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of a water droplet falling and a human body approach.

In a fourth aspect based on any one of the first to third aspects, the control unit extracts a signal having a predetermined frequency from the detection signal, and the variance value of the extracted signal is used as the first value. It is a urinal washing apparatus characterized by determining whether the change exceeding the threshold value occurred.
According to this urinal washing device, the dispersion value of the Doppler signal appears more conspicuously than the amplitude value of the Doppler signal and changes more stably, so the determination as to whether or not the detected object has approached the Doppler sensor can be made. Become easier.

In a fifth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the control unit determines the amplitude of the detection signal before the time when the change starts when the variance value exceeds the first threshold value. The urinal washing apparatus is characterized in that, when the referenced amplitude is equal to or greater than a second threshold value, it is determined that the human body has approached.
According to this urinal washing device, the dispersion value of the Doppler signal is not less than the first threshold value, it is not determined that the human body has approached the urinal, the amplitude value of the previous Doppler signal is read, When the read amplitude value is equal to or greater than the second threshold, it is determined that the human body has approached the urinal. For this reason, it is possible to discriminate between the drop of water droplets and the approach of the human body to eliminate cleaning due to erroneous detection, and to improve the reduction of cleaning water.

In a sixth aspect based on the fifth aspect, the control unit includes an amplitude value storage unit that stores the amplitude of the detection signal, and a variance value of the detection signal exceeds the first threshold value. Amplitude control means for reading the amplitude of the detection signal prior to the time when the change starts to occur from the amplitude value storage means, and performing an integration process of the amplitude read from the amplitude value storage means, and the control The unit is a urinal washing device characterized in that it determines that the human body has approached when the integrated value output from the amplitude value integrating means is equal to or greater than the second threshold value.
According to this urinal washing apparatus, the integrated value of the amplitude value of the Doppler signal due to the approach of the human body and the integrated value of the amplitude value of the Doppler signal due to the drop of water can be more clearly identified. For this reason, it is possible to discriminate between the drop of water droplets and the approach of the human body to eliminate cleaning due to erroneous detection, and to improve the reduction of cleaning water.

In addition, according to a seventh invention, in any one of the first to sixth inventions, the control unit has an amplitude exceeding a third threshold among the detection signals before the time when the change starts to occur. The urinal washing apparatus is characterized in that the determination is performed by excluding the detection signal having the signal.
According to this urinal cleaning device, the variance value of the Doppler signal does not exceed the first threshold value, but noise that causes the integrated value to become equal to or greater than the second threshold value when the amplitude value of the Doppler signal is accumulated. Can be excluded. For this reason, it is possible to discriminate between the drop of water droplets and the approach of the human body to eliminate cleaning due to erroneous detection, and to improve the reduction of cleaning water.

  According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a urinal washing apparatus that can identify the drop of water droplets on the ball surface of the urinal and the approach of the human body, eliminate washing due to erroneous detection, and improve washing water reduction.

It is a side surface schematic diagram showing the urinal washing device concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a side surface schematic diagram showing the urinal of this embodiment. It is a side surface schematic diagram for demonstrating the detection direction of a Doppler sensor. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the Doppler signal by water drop falling and a human body approach, and the timing of determination. It is a side surface schematic diagram showing the state where a water drop falls along a ball surface. It is a side surface schematic diagram showing the state where a human body approaches a urinal. It is a block diagram which illustrates the composition of the urinal washing device concerning this embodiment. It is a flowchart which illustrates operation | movement of the determination means of this embodiment. It is a block diagram which illustrates the example of a structure of the urinal washing apparatus concerning this embodiment. It is a block diagram which illustrates the composition of the water droplet detection means of this example. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the Doppler signal by a water drop fall and a human body approach, and the timing of determination of a dispersion value. It is a graph showing an example of the Doppler signal by a human body approach, and the dispersion value of the Doppler signal. It is a graph showing an example of a Doppler signal due to a drop of water and a dispersion value of the Doppler signal. It is a flowchart showing the specific example of determination operation | movement at the time of using a variance value and an integrated value. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating determination operation | movement when noise arises in a Doppler signal. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the process after determining with it being a water drop fall. It is a schematic diagram showing the specific example of the predetermined time slot | zone which a water droplet detection means detects. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the specific example of the integration method of the amplitude of a Doppler signal.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a urinal washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The urinal washing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is attached to a male urinal 100 and controls a microwave Doppler sensor (hereinafter simply referred to as “Doppler sensor”) 200 for detecting a human body and urine flow, and controls urinal washing. And a control unit 300.

  The urinal 100 has a ball portion 110. A water supply unit 120 for discharging cleaning water to the ball unit 110 is provided at the upper part of the ball unit 110, and a trap unit 130 for temporarily storing the cleaning water is provided at the lower part of the ball unit 110. The water (sealed water) stored in the trap part 130 prevents bad odors and pests from entering the ball part 110 side from the drainage channel side. And the water stored in the trap part 130 is suitably discharged | emitted from the drain outlet 140 to a drainage channel according to the amount of washing water discharged from the water supply part 120.

  The Doppler sensor 200 is installed on the back surface (rear) side of the urinal 100, that is, on the side opposite to the ball portion 110. The Doppler sensor 200 radiates (transmits) high-frequency radio waves such as microwaves or millimeter waves, receives reflected waves from the detected object of the emitted radio waves, detects the presence or absence of the detected object, and detects the detection signal. Is a high radio wave sensor. The Doppler sensor 200 detects a user (human body) 510 standing in front of the urinal 100, a urine flow of urination from the user 510, and the like, as in a detection range 201 illustrated in FIG. The Doppler sensor 200 will be described in detail later.

  Based on the detection signal (Doppler signal) output from the Doppler sensor 200, the controller 300 drives the water supply valve 400 provided in the middle of the water supply path. The water supply unit 120 and the water supply valve 400 are connected by a water supply channel. When the water supply valve 400 is opened, water passes through the inside of the water supply channel and is discharged from the water supply unit 120. On the other hand, when the water supply valve 400 is closed, water is not discharged from the water supply unit 120. In the present specification, “water” includes “hot water”.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the urinal of this embodiment. 2A is a schematic side view showing the entire urinal, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged schematic view of the vicinity of the Doppler sensor.
FIG. 3 is a schematic side view for explaining the detection direction of the Doppler sensor. 3A is a schematic side view illustrating the case where the Doppler sensor is installed inclined with respect to the ball surface, and FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating the Doppler sensor installed in parallel with the ball surface. It is a side surface schematic diagram which illustrates the case where it was done.

  2 and 3, the Doppler sensor 200 is installed on the back surface side of the urinal 100, and is inclined with respect to the ball surface 111 so that the detection range 201 faces forward and downward. ing. Further, when there is a water droplet 520 remaining on the ball surface 111 of the urinal 100, the water droplet 520 is disposed on the ball surface 111 in the vicinity of the Doppler sensor 200 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. Fall through.

  Here, the radio wave radiation direction (maximum directivity direction) of the Doppler sensor 200 is inclined with respect to the falling direction of the water droplet 520, as shown in FIG. The emitted radio wave is reflected by the water droplet 520, and the Doppler sensor 200 receives the reflected radio wave (reflected wave). At this time, the Doppler sensor 200 mainly outputs a Doppler signal (detection signal) obtained from the water drop falling velocity component parallel to the radio wave radiation direction to the control unit 300. That is, the Doppler signal obtained from the water drop falling velocity component orthogonal to the radio wave radiation direction is a very small signal.

  However, the Doppler sensor 200 radiates radio waves in a certain area (detection range 201). Therefore, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the Doppler sensor 200 is configured to output a Doppler signal obtained from the water drop falling speed component parallel to the direction B even when the Doppler sensor 200 is installed in parallel to the ball surface 111. The data can be output to the control unit 300. This is not limited to the arrow B shown in FIG. 3B, and the same applies to the arrow C, for example. That is, the Doppler sensor 200 is not limited to the installation form shown in FIG. 3A or FIG. 3B, and receives radio waves reflected by the water droplets 520 falling along the ball surface 111, A Doppler signal can be output to the controller 300.

  At this time, the frequency band of the Doppler signal due to the water droplet 520 falling along the ball surface 111 is close to the frequency band of the Doppler signal due to the human body 510 approaching. Further, since the water droplet 520 that falls along the ball surface 111 passes near the Doppler sensor 200, the output level of the Doppler signal is large and may correspond to the output level of the Doppler signal due to the approach of the human body. Therefore, when the water droplet 520 remaining on the ball surface 111 of the urinal 100 falls along the ball surface 111 within the detection range 201 of the Doppler sensor 200, the urinal cleaning device erroneously determines that the human body 510 has approached. There is a risk of detection. Therefore, the urinal cleaning device according to the present embodiment can discriminate water drop dropping from approaching the human body and prevent cleaning due to erroneous detection. Hereinafter, identification of water drop dropping and human body approach will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a Doppler signal due to a drop of water droplets and approaching a human body, and determination timing.
FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing a state in which water drops fall along the ball surface.
FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a state where the human body approaches the urinal.
In the Doppler signal shown in FIG. 4, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents voltage.

  When the human body 510 approaches the urinal 100, the amplitude value of the Doppler signal output from the Doppler sensor 200 gradually increases as shown in FIG. This is because the human body 510 gradually enters the detection range 201 of the Doppler sensor 200 when the human body 510 approaches the urinal 100. Even when the human body 510 enters the detection range 201 from the side rather than the front of the urinal 100, the amplitude of the Doppler signal is shown in FIG. 4 because the distance between the Doppler sensor 200 and the human body 510 is long. As shown, it gradually increases.

  When the human body 510 exists at the position of the human body a shown in FIG. 6, that is, when the human body 510 enters the detection range 201 of the Doppler sensor 200, the amplitude value of the Doppler signal output from the Doppler sensor 200 changes. start. Subsequently, the amplitude value of the Doppler signal increases as the human body 510 approaches the position close to the urinal 100, and when the human body 510 reaches the position of the human body b shown in FIG. 1 threshold is exceeded. Furthermore, as the human body 510 approaches the position close to the urinal 100, the amplitude value of the Doppler signal further increases.

  On the other hand, when the water droplet 520 falls along the ball surface 111, the amplitude of the Doppler signal output from the Doppler sensor 200 is suddenly larger than that in the case of approaching the human body as shown in FIG. Become. This is because the distance between the Doppler sensor 200 and the water droplet 520 is short compared to the case of approaching a human body, and the water droplet 520 suddenly enters the detection range 201 of the Doppler sensor 200. Further, since the distance between the Doppler sensor 200 and the water droplet 520 is short, the amplitude of the Doppler signal may correspond to the amplitude of the Doppler signal due to the approach of the human body.

  When the water droplet 520 reaches the position of the water droplet a shown in FIG. 5, that is, when the water droplet 520 enters the detection range 201 of the Doppler sensor 200, the amplitude of the Doppler signal output from the Doppler sensor 200 changes. Begin to. Subsequently, when the water droplet 520 reaches the position of the water droplet b shown in FIG. 5, the amplitude of the Doppler signal output from the Doppler sensor 200 may exceed the first threshold (timing t1). When the water droplet 520 reaches the position of the water droplet c shown in FIG. 5, that is, when the water droplet 520 is out of the detection range 201 of the Doppler sensor 200, the amplitude of the Doppler signal output from the Doppler sensor 200 is almost the same. It will not change.

  Therefore, the control unit 300 of the urinal washing apparatus according to the present embodiment, even if the Doppler signal from the Doppler sensor 200 exceeds the first threshold value (for example, even if the amplitude of the Doppler signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value), Based on this, it is not determined that the human body 510 has approached the urinal 100. When the Doppler signal from the Doppler sensor 200 exceeds the first threshold (for example, the amplitude of the Doppler signal becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold), the control unit 300 refers to the Doppler signal before the time when the change starts to occur. Here, “the time when the change starts to occur” in this specification is assumed to be a water droplet 520 that flows along the ball surface 111 of the urinal 100, and the flowing water droplet 520 enters the detection range of the Doppler sensor 200. This is the time when the Doppler signal from the sensor 200 begins to change. That is, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, when the amplitude of the Doppler signal from the Doppler sensor 200 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold at the timing t1, the urinal cleaning device has a predetermined time T1 that goes back before the timing t1. Read the Doppler signal in between.

  If the amplitude of the Doppler signal during the predetermined time T <b> 1 is equal to or greater than another predetermined threshold, the urinal cleaning device determines that the human body 510 has approached the urinal 100. That is, the urinal washing apparatus according to the present embodiment is a case where the amplitude of the Doppler signal from the Doppler sensor 200 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, and the Doppler for a predetermined time T1 that goes back before the timing t1. When the amplitude of the signal is greater than or equal to another predetermined threshold, it is determined that the human body 510 has approached the urinal 100.

  On the other hand, when the amplitude of the Doppler signal during the predetermined time T1 is smaller than the other predetermined threshold, the control unit 300 determines that the water droplet 520 has been detected, and the human body 510 has approached the urinal 100. Do not judge. That is, the urinal washing apparatus according to the present embodiment is a case where the amplitude of the Doppler signal from the Doppler sensor 200 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, and the Doppler for a predetermined time T1 that goes back before the timing t1. When the amplitude of the signal is smaller than another predetermined threshold, it is not determined that the human body 510 has approached the urinal 100.

  The predetermined time T1 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a predetermined time T2 that is further back from the predetermined time T1. In addition, the determination at the timing t1 is not limited to the determination based on the amplitude of the Doppler signal. For example, the determination may be performed using a variance value representing a variation in the amplitude of the Doppler signal during a predetermined time. That is, even when the variance value exceeds the predetermined value, it can be determined that the detection signal has changed beyond the first threshold. Furthermore, the determination at the predetermined time T1 or the predetermined time T2 that goes back before the timing t1 is not limited to the determination based on the amplitude of the Doppler signal. For example, the amplitude of the Doppler signal during the predetermined time T1 or the predetermined time T2 is determined. You may determine using an average value, an integrated value, etc.

  As described above, the urinal washing apparatus according to the present embodiment discriminates between the approach of the human body and the drop of the water drop based on the difference between the characteristics of the Doppler signal due to the approach of the human body and the characteristics of the Doppler signal due to the drop of the water drop. That is, the urinal washing device according to the present embodiment does not determine that the human body 510 has approached the urinal 100 only when the amplitude of the Doppler signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and before the time when the change starts to occur. When the amplitude of the Doppler signal during a predetermined time is equal to or greater than another predetermined threshold, it is determined that the human body 510 has approached the urinal 100. Therefore, the urinal cleaning device according to the present embodiment can identify the drop of water droplets and the approach of the human body, eliminate cleaning due to erroneous detection, and improve the reduction of cleaning water.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the urinal washing device according to this embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the determination unit of this embodiment.

  The Doppler sensor 200 of the present embodiment includes a transmission unit 210, a reception unit 220, and a difference detection unit 230. From the transmission means 210, radio waves in a frequency band of 10 kHz to 100 GHz such as high frequency, microwave, or millimeter wave are radiated. Reflected waves from the human body 510 and the water droplets 520 are input to the receiving means 220.

  By performing such a transmission / reception mode using radio waves, it is possible to detect a detected object that is difficult to detect with a sensor having very narrow directivity, such as a photoelectric sensor (infrared sensor). Therefore, by using radio waves in the vicinity of the urinal cleaning device, detection can be performed regardless of the shape, color, and material, and the detection accuracy of the detection target can be improved.

  A part of the transmission wave and the reception wave are respectively input to the difference detection unit 230 and synthesized, and an output signal reflecting the Doppler effect is output. That is, the difference detection unit 230 takes a frequency difference between a part of the transmission wave and the reception wave and outputs a Doppler signal. The Doppler signal output from the difference detection unit 230 is output to the control unit 300.

The Doppler signal output from the difference detection unit 230 has a waveform in which a high frequency signal is superimposed on a low frequency baseline. The high frequency component includes information on the Doppler effect. That is, when the detection object such as the human body 510 or the water droplet 520 moves, the wavelength of the reflected wave shifts due to the Doppler effect. The Doppler frequency ΔF (Hz) can be expressed by the following equation (1).

ΔF = Fs−Fb = 2 × Fs × v / c (1)

Where Fs: transmission frequency (Hz)
Fb: reflection frequency (Hz)
v: object moving speed (m / s)
c: speed of light (= 300 × 106 m / s)

  When the object to be detected moves relative to the Doppler sensor 200, an output signal including a frequency ΔF proportional to the velocity v can be obtained as represented by the equation (1). The output signal has a frequency spectrum, and there is a correlation between the peak frequency corresponding to the peak of the spectrum and the velocity v of the moving object. Therefore, the velocity v can be obtained by measuring the Doppler frequency ΔF.

  On the other hand, the control unit 300 includes a reception output unit 310 and a human body detection unit 320. In addition, the human body detection unit 320 includes a frequency filter 321 and a determination unit 323. The Doppler signal output from the difference detection unit 230 is output to the frequency filter 321 after being received by the reception output unit 310. Then, the high frequency component of the Doppler signal is removed by the frequency filter 321, and a human body detection frequency signal corresponding to the approach of the human body is extracted. The filtering frequency at this time can be changed as appropriate.

  The Doppler signal from which the high frequency component is removed by the frequency filter 321 and the human body detection frequency corresponding to the approach of the human body is extracted is output to the determination unit 323. The determination unit 323 identifies and determines the approach of the human body and the drop of water droplets by an operation like the flowchart shown in FIG. And the determination means 323 opens and closes the water supply valve 400 based on the determination result.

  Here, the operation of the determination unit 323 shown in FIG. 8 will be described. First, when the determination unit 323 starts the human body detection process (step S101), the determination unit 323 determines whether the amplitude of the Doppler signal from the frequency filter 321 is greater than or equal to the first threshold value (step S103). When the amplitude of the Doppler signal from the frequency filter 321 is less than the first threshold value (step S103: No), the operation of step S103 is repeated. On the other hand, when the amplitude of the Doppler signal from the frequency filter 321 is greater than or equal to the first threshold (step S103: Yes), the amplitude before the amplitude of the Doppler signal is greater than or equal to the first threshold is greater than or equal to the second threshold. Is determined (step S105).

  When the amplitude before the amplitude of the Doppler signal becomes greater than or equal to the first threshold is less than the second threshold (step S105: No), the operation of step S103 is repeated. On the other hand, when the amplitude before the amplitude of the Doppler signal becomes greater than or equal to the first threshold is greater than or equal to the second threshold (step S105: Yes), it is determined that the human body 510 has approached the urinal 100 (step S107). ) The human body detection process is terminated (step S109).

Next, a specific example of the configuration of the urinal washing device according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of the configuration of the urinal washing device according to this embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the water droplet detection means of this example.

  The human body detection unit 320 of this specific example includes a frequency filter 321, a human body detection threshold value determination unit 325, and a water droplet detection unit 330. That is, the determination unit 323 illustrated in FIG. 7 corresponds to having the human body detection threshold value determination unit 325 and the water droplet detection unit 330. About another structure, it is the same as that of the structure of the urinal washing apparatus represented to FIG.

  In the urinal washing apparatus of this specific example, the Doppler signal from which the high frequency component has been removed by the frequency filter 321 is output to the human body detection threshold value determination unit 325. The human body detection threshold value determination unit 325 determines whether the Doppler signal from the frequency filter 321 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. If the Doppler signal from the frequency filter 321 is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, the Doppler signal is output to the water droplet detection means 330. That is, the control unit 300 does not open the water supply valve 400 only when the Doppler signal from the frequency filter 321 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the water droplet detection unit 330 includes an amplitude storage unit 331, an amplitude integration unit 333, and a water droplet detection threshold value determination unit 335, and the Doppler signal from the human body detection threshold value determination unit 325 is a water droplet. Determine if it is due to a fall. More specifically, the amplitude integration unit 333 can store the amplitude of the Doppler signal from the human body detection threshold value determination unit 325 for a predetermined time.

  Further, the amplitude accumulating unit 333 can accumulate the amplitude during a predetermined time stored in the amplitude storage unit 331. As an amplitude integration method, for example, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 18, a method of integrating the difference between the peak of the Doppler signal, that is, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value in a plurality of waveforms of the Doppler signal, etc. It is done.

  The water drop detection threshold value determination unit 335 determines whether or not it is a water drop drop based on the integrated value of the amplitude calculated in this way. When the integrated amplitude value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value, the water drop detection threshold value determination unit 335 determines that the human body 510 has approached the urinal 100 and opens the water supply valve 400. On the other hand, when the integrated value of the amplitude is less than the predetermined threshold, the water droplet detection threshold value determination unit 335 determines that the water droplet 520 has fallen along the ball surface 111 and does not open the water supply valve 400.

  In this specific example, the amplitude storage unit 331 stores the amplitude of the Doppler signal, and the amplitude integration unit 333 has been described by taking as an example the case of integrating the amplitude for a predetermined time stored in the amplitude storage unit 331. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the amplitude storage unit 331 may store the integrated value of the amplitude calculated by the amplitude integration unit 333. Then, the water droplet detection threshold value determination unit 335 can determine whether or not the water droplet is dropped based on the integrated value of the amplitude stored in the amplitude storage unit 331.

  According to this specific example, when the Doppler signal from the frequency filter 321 is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold and the integrated amplitude value is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the water drop detection threshold determination unit 335 causes the human body 510 to move to the urinal 100. It determines with approaching, and opens the water supply valve 400. FIG. As described above, the control unit 300 or the water droplet detection threshold value determination unit 335 is not limited to the determination based on the amplitude of the Doppler signal, and may be determined using the integrated value of the amplitude of the Doppler signal in a predetermined time. Hereinafter, as in the urinal washing apparatus of this specific example, a case where a drop of water droplets is determined using an integrated value of the amplitude of the Doppler signal at a predetermined time will be described as an example.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating the Doppler signal due to the drop of water and the approach of the human body, and the timing for determining the dispersion value.
FIG. 12 is a graph showing an example of the Doppler signal due to the approach of the human body and the variance value of the Doppler signal.
FIG. 13 is a graph showing an example of a Doppler signal due to a drop of water droplets and a dispersion value of the Doppler signal.
In the Doppler signals and dispersion values shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents voltage.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 4, the determination as to whether or not the detected object such as the human body 510 or the water droplet 520 has approached the Doppler sensor 200 uses a dispersion value or the like that represents fluctuations in the amplitude of the Doppler signal during a predetermined time. May be determined. That is, the human body detection threshold value determination unit 325 illustrated in FIG. 9 may perform determination using a variance value that represents fluctuations in the amplitude of the Doppler signal during a predetermined time.

The dispersion value of the Doppler signal can be expressed by the following equation.

  Based on the Doppler signal due to the approach of the human body, the variance value calculated by Equation (2) is as shown in FIG. According to this, the dispersion value of the Doppler signal due to the approach of the human body increases as the human body 510 approaches the urinal 100 and the fluctuation of the amplitude of the Doppler signal increases. Further, based on the Doppler signal due to the drop of the water droplet, the variance value calculated by the equation (2) is the same as in the case of approaching the human body, the water drop 520 falls along the ball surface 111, and the fluctuation of the amplitude of the Doppler signal is changed. As it grows, it grows.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the dispersion value of the Doppler signal appears more significantly than the amplitude of the Doppler signal and changes more stably. Therefore, if the variance value of the Doppler signal is used, it is easier to determine whether or not a detected object such as the human body 510 or the water droplet 520 has approached the Doppler sensor 200. In view of this, a case will be described below in which the determination as to whether or not a detection object such as the human body 510 or the water droplet 520 has approached the Doppler sensor 200 is made using the variance value of the Doppler signal.

  Returning to FIG. 11, the urinal washing apparatus according to the present embodiment does not determine that the human body 510 has approached the urinal 100 based on the dispersion value of the Doppler signal exceeding a predetermined threshold value. . When the variance value of the Doppler signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, the urinal cleaning device reads the Doppler signal before the time when the change starts to occur. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 11, when the variance value of the Doppler signal becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold at timing t2, the urinal cleaning device reads the Doppler signal for a predetermined time T3 that goes back before timing t2. .

  If the integrated value of the amplitude of the Doppler signal during the predetermined time T3 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the urinal cleaning device determines that the human body 510 has approached the urinal 100. That is, the urinal washing device according to the present embodiment is a case where the dispersion value of the Doppler signal from the Doppler sensor 200 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, and during a predetermined time T3 that goes back before the timing t2. When the integrated value of the amplitude of the Doppler signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the human body 510 has approached the urinal 100. Next, a specific example of this operation will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a specific example of the determination operation when the variance value and the integrated value are used.
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for explaining a determination operation when noise occurs in the Doppler signal.
FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram for explaining the processing after determining that the water droplet is falling. In the Doppler signals shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents voltage.

  First, when the human body detection unit 320 starts the human body detection process (step S201), the human body detection unit 320 determines whether or not the variance value of the Doppler signal calculated by Expression (2) is greater than or equal to the threshold value A (first threshold value). (Step S203). When the variance value is greater than or equal to the threshold value A (step S203: Yes), the amplitude of a predetermined time period before the variance value becomes greater than or equal to the threshold value A is detected (step S205). Note that the amplitude in a predetermined time period before the variance value becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value A is stored in, for example, the amplitude storage unit 331 illustrated in FIG. Further, the predetermined time zone shown in FIG. 14 is, for example, the predetermined time T1, T2 shown in FIG. 4, the time zone of the predetermined time T3 shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, the water droplet detection means 330 determines whether or not the amplitude of the predetermined time period is smaller than the threshold value B (third threshold value) (step S207). This step S207 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. When the amplitude in the predetermined time zone is smaller than the threshold value B (step S207: Yes), the water droplet detection means 330 adds the amplitude to the integrated value. Note that the addition to the integrated value is performed by, for example, the amplitude integrating means 333 shown in FIG. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the detection of the amplitude in the predetermined time period has been completed (step S211). If it has not been completed (step S211: No), step S205, step S207, step S209, and step S211 are performed. Repeat.

  On the other hand, when the detection of the amplitude in the predetermined time period is completed (step S211: Yes), the water droplet detection unit 330 determines whether or not the integrated value of the amplitude is equal to or greater than the threshold C (second threshold). (Step S215). When the integrated value of the amplitude is equal to or greater than the threshold value C (step S215: Yes), the water droplet detection unit 330 determines that the human body is approaching rather than the water droplet falling (step S217). That is, it is determined that the water droplet 520 has not fallen along the ball surface 111 but the human body 510 has approached the urinal 100. Thereafter, the human body detection process is terminated (step S223).

  On the other hand, when the integrated value of the amplitude is smaller than the threshold value C, the water droplet detection means 330 determines that the water droplet 520 has fallen along the ball surface 111 instead of the human body 510 approaching the urinal 100. Subsequently, after waiting for a predetermined time T (seconds) (step S221), the human body detection process is terminated (step S223). Step S221 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

Here, step S207 will be described with reference to FIG.
The Doppler sensor 200 may receive noise other than the water droplet 520. As shown in FIG. 15, this noise may occur in a predetermined time zone (see step S205) before the variance value becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value A. When noise occurs in the predetermined time zone in step S205, the variance value of the Doppler signal due to the noise does not exceed the threshold value A, but when the noise value is integrated with the amplitude of the Doppler signal due to other noise, the integrated value becomes the threshold value C. There is a risk of this.

  When the integrated value of the amplitude of the Doppler signal due to noise becomes greater than or equal to the threshold value C (step S215: Yes), the water droplet detection means 330 determines that the human body 510 has approached the urinal 100 as described above. Therefore, the water droplet detection means 330 determines whether or not the amplitude in the predetermined time period is smaller than the threshold value B (third threshold value) (step S207).

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, as one of the characteristics of the Doppler signal due to noise other than the water droplet 520, the amplitude of the Doppler signal due to noise is larger than the amplitude of the Doppler signal due to human approach. It is done. That is, the amplitude of the Doppler signal due to noise other than the water droplet 520 is larger than the amplitude in the middle of the human body 510 approaching the urinal 100. Therefore, by determining whether or not the amplitude of the predetermined time period is smaller than the threshold value B in step S207, the water droplet detection unit 330 can exclude noise other than the water droplet 520.

  When the amplitude in the predetermined time zone is equal to or greater than the threshold value B (step S207: No), the water droplet detection unit 330 does not add the amplitude to the integrated value (step S213). Then, the water droplet detection means 330 determines that the human body 510 has not approached the urinal 100 but that noise has occurred (step S219). Subsequently, after waiting for a predetermined time T (seconds) (step S221), the human body detection process is terminated (step S223).

Here, step S221 will be described with reference to FIG.
In step S 219, even after the water droplet detection unit 330 determines that the water droplet 520 has fallen along the ball surface 111, the water droplet 520 may fall along the ball surface 111 in the vicinity of the Doppler sensor 200. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16, the amplitude of the Doppler signal may fluctuate until the water droplet 520 flows down.

  Therefore, in order to more reliably prevent erroneous detection of water drop dropping and human body approach after the water drop detection means 330 determines that the water drop is falling, the urinal washing device according to the present embodiment is provided with a water drop detection. After the means 330 determines that the water droplet is falling, the human body detection process is stopped (standby) for a predetermined time. This stop (standby) time is an estimated time until the water droplet 520 flows out of the detection range 201 of the Doppler sensor 200. According to this, since the human body detection process is not performed, there is no possibility of erroneously detecting water drop dropping and human body approach. Therefore, even after the water droplet detection means 330 determines that the water droplet 520 has fallen along the ball surface 111, it is possible to prevent water droplet falling, approaching the human body, and erroneous detection.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific example of a predetermined time period in which the water droplet detection means performs detection.
In the Doppler signal shown in FIG. 17, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents voltage.
When the variance value of the Doppler signal is greater than or equal to the threshold value A (Step S203: Yes), the urinal washing device according to the present embodiment is greater than or equal to the threshold value A, for example, as in the determination operation illustrated in FIG. The amplitude of the predetermined time zone before becoming is detected (step S205).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 17, it is assumed that the variance value of the Doppler signal becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold at timing t6. At this time, the human body detection unit 320 of this specific example reads the amplitude of the predetermined time T6 from the timing t3 when the Doppler signal due to the approach of the human body appears to the timing t4 before the Doppler signal due to the drop of water appears. That is, the predetermined time T6 is a difference time between the predetermined time T4 that goes back before the time when the change starts (timing t5) and the predetermined time T5 that goes back before the time when the change starts (timing t5). It corresponds to. Then, the water droplet detection means 330 integrates the amplitude during the predetermined time T6.

  The predetermined time T5 is derived from the characteristics of the Doppler signal due to the drop of water droplets, and is stored in advance in the storage means of the control unit 300. The Doppler signal due to the drop of water drops has a characteristic that it increases more rapidly than in the case of approaching a human body, as shown in the graph of FIG. Therefore, the predetermined time T5 is smaller than the predetermined time T4 and is derived from the characteristics of the Doppler signal due to the drop of water. Therefore, the human body detection unit 320 of this specific example can recognize the timing t4 before the Doppler signal due to the drop of water appears.

  At a predetermined time T6 from timing t3 to timing t4, as shown in FIG. 17, the amplitude of the Doppler signal due to the approach of the human body gradually increases and fluctuates. On the other hand, the amplitude of the Doppler signal due to the drop of water drops Is not increasing and staying almost constant. Therefore, during the predetermined time T6, the integrated value of the amplitude of the Doppler signal due to the approach of the human body and the integrated value of the amplitude of the Doppler signal due to the drop of water can be more clearly identified. Therefore, the urinal cleaning device of this example can more clearly identify the drop of water and the approach of the human body, and prevent erroneous detection.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram for explaining a specific example of the method of integrating the amplitude of the Doppler signal. In the Doppler signal shown in FIG. 18, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents voltage.
When the variance value of the Doppler signal is greater than or equal to the threshold value A (Step S203: Yes), the urinal washing device according to the present embodiment is greater than or equal to the threshold value A, for example, as in the determination operation illustrated in FIG. The amplitude of the predetermined time zone before becoming is detected (step S205).

  At this time, the water droplet detection unit 330 can determine the drop of the water droplet and the approach of the human body by integrating the amplitude during a predetermined time stored in the amplitude storage unit 331 or the like. The method of integrating the amplitude of the Doppler signal in this specific example is a method of integrating the difference between the peaks of the Doppler signal, that is, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of each of the plurality of waveforms of the Doppler signal.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, the Doppler signal from the Doppler sensor 200 has a signal whose amplitude varies and a plurality of waveforms are continuous. Then, the difference between the peak P1 and the peak P2, the difference between the peak P3 and the peak P4, and the difference between the peak P5 and the peak P6 are integrated. For example, the difference between the peak P1 and the peak P2 is 50 (mV), the difference between the peak P3 and the peak P4 is 15 (mV), and the difference between the peak P5 and the peak P6 is 90 (mV). Then, the integrated value of the amplitude of the Doppler signal is 155 (mV).

  As in this specific example, when the difference between the peak and peak of the Doppler signal during a predetermined time is integrated, the integrated value becomes a value larger than a simple amplitude or an average value of the amplitude. And a Doppler signal due to a drop of water can be more clearly identified. That is, there is a larger difference between the integrated value of the amplitude of the Doppler signal due to the approach of the human body and the integrated value of the amplitude of the Doppler signal due to the drop of water. Further, if the amplitude at the predetermined time T6 shown in FIG. 17 is read, there will be a larger difference between the integrated value of the amplitude of the Doppler signal due to the approach of the human body and the integrated value of the amplitude of the Doppler signal due to the drop of water. . Therefore, the urinal washing device of this example can more clearly identify the drop of water and the approach of the human body, and prevent erroneous detection.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is not determined that the human body 510 has approached the urinal 100 only when the amplitude of the Doppler signal is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, and before the time when the change starts to occur. When the amplitude of the Doppler signal during a predetermined time is equal to or greater than another predetermined threshold, it is determined that the human body 510 has approached the urinal 100. At this time, determination may be made using not the amplitude of the Doppler signal but a variance value or an integrated value calculated from the amplitude. According to this, it is possible to identify the drop of water droplets and the approach of the human body, eliminate the cleaning due to erroneous detection, and improve the reduction of cleaning water.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. As long as the features of the present invention are provided, those skilled in the art appropriately modified the design of the above-described embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention. For example, the shape, dimensions, material, arrangement, and the like of each element included in the urinal 100 and the like, the installation form of the Doppler sensor 200, and the like are not limited to those illustrated, and can be changed as appropriate.
Moreover, each element with which each embodiment mentioned above is provided can be combined as long as technically possible, and the combination of these is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as it includes the features of the present invention.

  100 urinal, 110 ball section, 111 ball surface, 120 water supply section, 130 trap section, 140 drain outlet, 200 Doppler sensor, 201 detection range, 210 transmission means, 220 reception means, 230 difference detection means, 300 control section, 310 Reception output means, 320 human body detection means, 321 frequency filter, 323 determination means, 325 human body detection threshold value determination section, 330 water droplet detection means, 331 amplitude storage means, 333 amplitude integration means, 335 water drop detection threshold value determination section, 400 water supply valve, 510 user (human body), 520 water drops

Claims (7)

A Doppler sensor that transmits and receives radio waves toward the front of the urinal and detects the approach of the human body,
A controller that determines whether or not a human body is approaching based on a detection signal output from the Doppler sensor and controls opening and closing of a water supply valve that supplies cleaning water to the urinal;
With
When the control signal starts to change and exceeds a first threshold, the human body approaches when the amplitude of the detection signal before a time when the change starts to occur exceeds a predetermined range. A urinal washing device characterized by determining that the   The time when the change starts to occur is a time when water droplets flowing along the ball surface of the urinal are assumed, and the flowing water droplets are within the detection range of the Doppler sensor, and the detection signal starts to change. The urinal washing device according to claim 1.   When the control unit determines that the amplitude of the detection signal before the time when the change starts to occur does not exceed the predetermined range, the control unit does not execute the determination of whether or not the human body is approaching for a predetermined time. The urinal washing device according to claim 1 or 2.   The control unit extracts a signal having a predetermined frequency from the detection signal, and determines whether or not a change exceeding the first threshold has occurred in a variance value of the extracted signal. The urinal washing device according to any one of?   When the variance exceeds the first threshold, the control unit refers to the amplitude of the detection signal before the time when the change starts to occur, and the referenced amplitude is equal to or greater than the second threshold. 5. The urinal cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein in some cases, it is determined that the human body is approaching. The controller is
Amplitude value storage means for storing the amplitude of the detection signal;
When the variance value of the detection signal exceeds the first threshold, the amplitude of the detection signal before the time when the change starts to occur is read from the amplitude value storage means, and the amplitude read from the amplitude value storage means Amplitude value integration means for performing the integration processing;
Have
6. The urinal washing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the controller determines that the human body has approached when the integrated value output from the amplitude value integrating means is equal to or greater than the second threshold value.   The control unit executes the determination by excluding the detection signal having an amplitude exceeding a third threshold among the detection signals before the time when the change starts to occur. The urinal washing device according to any one of -6.