JP2011194023A - Toilet seat device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toilet seat device for reducing the standby power requirement during nonuse of the toilet seat and used at a comfortable toilet seat temperature in a toilet space where two or more toilet seat devices are installed.SOLUTION: The toilet seat device includes two or more detection sections (800, 600) having different detection areas for detecting a user approaching a toilet bowl, and controlling to raise the temperature of toilet seat 400 gradually as the user approaches the toilet bowl according to the detection operation of two or more detection sections. This enables the standby temperature to be lowered since the temperature rises ahead of time, detecting the user's approach beforehand, thereby eliminating or reducing the standby power requirement during nonuse of the toilet seat.

Description

  The present invention relates to a toilet seat device that controls the temperature of a toilet seat.

  A conventional general toilet seat device is a constantly heated toilet seat device, and a medium-power heater with an output of about 50 W is disposed on the back side of a resin toilet seat having a thickness of about 3 mm to prepare for use in advance. The temperature is constantly kept at a set temperature of about 40 ° C. to 40 ° C. so that it can be used comfortably at any time. However, since the non-use time is generally longer than the use time, energy is wasted in the non-use time zone, which is uneconomical.

  On the other hand, there is an instant heating type toilet seat device, in which the frame of the toilet seat is made of a metal material such as aluminum having good thermal conductivity, and a high-power heater is provided on the back side of the toilet seat. . When not in use, the heater is driven with low power, the toilet seat temperature is maintained at a predetermined standby temperature, the human body detection sensor detects the user's entry, and the heater is driven with high power. The toilet seat is heated up momentarily. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In the instant heating type toilet seat device, the temperature of the seating surface can be increased at a rate of temperature increase of about 2 K (Kelvin) per second using a 1200 W high-power heater. This is a temperature increase rate about 30 times that of a normally heated toilet seat device. As a result, the temperature of the toilet seat is instantaneously increased within a few seconds from when the user enters the toilet room until the user is seated on the toilet seat, and control is performed so as to maintain a set temperature in the range of 34 ° C to 40 ° C. The seated user can obtain a comfortable warm sensation.

  FIG. 12 is a graph showing the temperature rise characteristics when the temperature is raised from the standby temperature of the toilet seat to the set temperature in the toilet seat device of Patent Document 1. In the same figure, the temperature rise characteristic when the room temperature is 15 ° C. and the standby temperature is 18 ° C. is shown by curve a, and the temperature rise when the room temperature is lowered to 10 ° C. and the standby temperature is maintained at 18 ° C. The characteristic is shown by the curve c, and when the room temperature is lowered by 5 ° C., the temperature rise time from the standby temperature until reaching the cooling sensation limit temperature may be increased by 1 second from 5.5 seconds to 6.5 seconds. It is shown. In order to correct this delay, the temperature characteristic when the standby temperature is changed to 20 ° C. is shown by a curve d, and the temperature rise time is maintained at 5.5 seconds by changing the standby temperature to 20 ° C. I have to.

JP 2009-050436 A

  In the toilet seat device of Patent Document 1, the seating operation time required from the detection of the user by the human body detection sensor to the seating on the toilet seat is verified in advance, and the minimum time for this seating operation is 5.5 seconds. The result is obtained. It has also been experimentally obtained that the cool sensation limit temperature at which the user does not feel cold when sitting on the toilet seat is 29 ° C. Accordingly, if the rate of temperature rise to the cool sensation limit temperature (29 ° C.) can be increased within the shortest time (5.5 seconds) of the sitting operation, the standby temperature when not in use can be lowered.

  As a means for increasing the temperature raising rate for raising the temperature of the toilet seat, there is a method for increasing the power of the toilet seat heater. However, if this method is adopted, it is necessary to ensure the safe operation of the toilet seat heater and ensure the reliability of the toilet seat heater. It was difficult to improve.

  The present invention can save energy while maintaining comfort when a user uses a toilet seat even in a toilet seat device installed in a single toilet space such as a toilet room in an office building or a commercial facility. The purpose is to improve.

In order to solve the conventional problems, a toilet seat device according to the present invention includes a plurality of toilets installed for each of a plurality of individual rooms partitioning a toilet space, a seating surface, and a toilet seat heater that heats the seating surface. A toilet seat placed on top of the toilet, a first detector for detecting the presence or absence of a person in the toilet space, a second detector for detecting a user's entry into each of the individual rooms, and the seating A controller that controls energization of the toilet seat heater so that the temperature of the surface follows the target temperature,
The control unit sequentially switches to a higher target temperature as the user approaches the toilet according to the detection operation of the first and second detection units, and causes the temperature of the seating surface to follow the target temperature. Thus, control is performed so as to start up toward the set temperature which is the final target temperature.

  As a result, it is detected in advance that the user is approaching the toilet and the temperature of the seating surface of the toilet seat is raised stepwise according to the degree of user's approach, thus shortening the operating time of the temperature raising operation can do. Therefore, since the seating surface can be sufficiently warmed up until the user sits on the toilet seat, it can be used comfortably, and the toilet seat temperature when not in use can be lowered to reduce power consumption.

  The toilet seat device of the present invention detects in advance that the user is approaching the toilet and raises the standby temperature of the seating surface of the toilet seat in a stepwise manner according to the degree of approach of the user. Therefore, the toilet seat heater can be made to stand by with lower power drive, and the energy saving performance can be provided.

  Especially in office buildings and commercial facilities where multiple toilet seat devices are often installed in a single toilet space, toilet seat devices installed in toilet spaces that are used by an unspecified number of people, such as during working hours and business hours In any of the toilet seats, a comfortable heating effect can be obtained at all times, and since it effectively acts on a plurality of toilet seat devices, a great energy saving can be realized.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the state which installed the toilet seat apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention on the toilet bowl. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a toilet seat according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The bottom view which shows the state which attached the toilet seat heater to the upper toilet seat casing of the toilet seat in Embodiment 1 of this invention Plan view of toilet seat heater according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Schematic diagram showing the configuration of the drive system of the toilet seat device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The schematic diagram which shows operation | movement of the toilet seat apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention with a user's approach. Time chart showing an example of driving the toilet seat heater and a change in the surface temperature of the toilet seat in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The schematic diagram which showed arrangement | positioning of the detection part in the toilet space of Embodiment 2 of this invention Schematic diagram of standby temperature setting unit in Embodiment 2 of the present invention The schematic diagram which showed arrangement | positioning of the detection part in the toilet space of Embodiment 3 of this invention Time chart showing a driving example of the toilet seat heater and a change in the surface temperature of the toilet seat when the second detection unit in the first embodiment of the present invention is not detected Graph showing temperature rise characteristics of a conventional toilet seat device

  The first invention includes a plurality of toilets installed in each of a plurality of private rooms partitioning a toilet space, a toilet seat that has a seating surface and a toilet seat heater that heats the seating surface, and is placed on top of the toilet, A first detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of a person in the toilet space, a second detection unit for detecting a user's entry into each private room, and a temperature of the seating surface so as to follow a target temperature. A control unit that controls energization of the toilet seat heater, and the control unit sequentially increases the target as the user approaches the toilet according to the detection operations of the first and second detection units. The temperature is switched to a temperature so that the temperature of the seating surface follows the target temperature and is controlled to rise toward a set temperature that is a final target temperature.

  As a result, it is detected in advance that the user is approaching the toilet and the temperature of the seating surface of the toilet seat is raised stepwise according to the degree of user's approach, thus shortening the operating time of the temperature raising operation can do. Therefore, since the seating surface can be sufficiently warmed up until the user sits on the toilet seat, it can be used comfortably, and the toilet seat temperature when not in use can be lowered to reduce power consumption.

  The second invention is a plurality of toilets installed in each of a plurality of private rooms partitioning the toilet space, a toilet seat that has a seating surface and a toilet seat heater that heats the seating surface, and is placed on the upper part of the toilet, A first detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of a person in the toilet space, a second detection unit for detecting a user's entry into each private room, and a temperature measurement unit for detecting the temperature of the seating surface of the toilet seat And a control unit that controls energization of the toilet seat heater so that the detected temperature of the temperature measuring unit follows a target temperature, the control unit according to a detection operation of the first detection unit The temperature of the seating surface is raised toward a standby temperature that is a target temperature lower than the final target temperature, and when the second detection unit detects the user, the temperature of the seating surface is set to the final target temperature. To the toilet seat superheater so that the temperature rises to a certain set temperature And it controls the energization.

  As a result, in the toilet space where a plurality of toilet seat devices are installed, the first detection unit detects in advance that the user approaches the toilet, and the toilet seat is heated up to the standby temperature in advance and used closer to the toilet. By detecting the person by the second detection unit, the seating surface of the toilet seat is heated to the set temperature, so that the operation time of the temperature raising operation can be shortened and the seating surface can be sufficiently warmed. Further, since the operation time of the temperature raising operation can be shortened, the toilet seat temperature when not in use can be lowered, and power consumption when not in use can be reduced.

  The third invention is a plurality of toilets installed for each of a plurality of private rooms that partition the toilet space, a toilet seat that has a seating surface and a toilet seat heater that heats the seating surface, and is placed on the upper part of the toilet, A first detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of a person in the toilet space, a second detection unit for detecting a user's entry into each private room, and a temperature measurement unit for detecting the temperature of the seating surface of the toilet seat And a control unit that controls energization of the toilet seat heater so that the detected temperature of the temperature measuring unit follows a target temperature, the control unit according to a detection operation of the first detection unit When the temperature of the seating surface is raised from the first standby temperature to a second standby temperature higher than the first standby temperature, and the second detection unit detects the user, The temperature is set to a set temperature which is a final target temperature higher than the second standby temperature. As the temperature is raised Te, and controls the energization of the toilet seat heater.

  As a result, even if the ambient temperature decreases, if there is no user in the toilet space, the toilet seat is kept constant as the first standby temperature, so the first detection unit keeps the user close. When detected in advance, the toilet seat can be heated to the second standby temperature, and a user who is closer to the toilet bowl is detected by the second detection unit, so that the seating surface of the toilet seat is a set temperature that is a final target temperature. It is possible to raise the temperature to Therefore, the toilet seat temperature when not in use can be lowered to reduce power consumption, and the seating surface can be sufficiently warmed up until the user is seated on the toilet seat, so that it can be used comfortably. That is, even when the ambient temperature is lowered, the toilet seat temperature when the user is seated is guaranteed.

  In the fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, the control unit of the third aspect of the invention includes a first standby temperature setting unit, and the setting unit can arbitrarily set the first standby temperature.

  Thereby, since the installation location of the 1st detection part in a toilet space can set 1st standby temperature to arbitrary temperature according to arrangement | positioning of a toilet seat apparatus, it is set as a suitable setting according to each toilet space. If adjusted, the user will not feel uncomfortable when the user sits on the toilet seat.

  In the individual toilet seat devices installed in the toilet space, the first standby temperature may be set for each individual toilet seat device, so that a comfortable warm feeling can be obtained and a greater energy saving effect can be obtained.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, the control unit of the third aspect of the invention further includes a timer unit, from the detection operation of the first detection unit to the detection operation of the second detection unit measured by the timer unit. The control target value of the first standby temperature is determined by the time interval.

  Accordingly, the first standby temperature is determined based on the time interval between the detection operation of the first detection unit and the detection operation of the second detection unit in actual use without being particularly conscious. The user can reduce the power consumption by lowering the temperature of the toilet seat when not in use according to the time interval actually used according to the installation position of the first detection unit and the arrangement of the plurality of toilet seat devices. The seating surface can be sufficiently warmed up before being seated on the seat, so that the user can use it comfortably.

  In each toilet seat device installed in the toilet space, the first standby temperature is determined to be a temperature suitable for each individual toilet seat device, so that a comfortable warm feeling can be obtained even if any of the multiple toilet seats installed is used. As a result, a greater energy saving effect can be obtained.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the appearance of the toilet seat device according to the present embodiment in a state where it is installed on a toilet bowl.

<1> Configuration of Toilet Seat Device As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet seat device 100 includes a toilet seat body 200, a toilet lid 300, a toilet seat 400, a remote controller 500, a first detection unit 800, The second detection unit 600 is configured.

  The toilet seat body 200 has a toilet lid 300 and a toilet seat 400 attached to each other through an toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism (not shown) so as to be electrically opened and closed. The toilet seat body 200 includes a washing water supply mechanism (not shown), a heat exchanger (not shown), a washing nozzle 201 and the like, a drying unit (not shown), a toilet seat temperature control lamp RA1, and A control unit 90 and the like are incorporated.

  A seating sensor 202 is installed on the front surface of the toilet seat body 200. The seating sensor 202 is a reflective infrared sensor, and detects the presence of a user on the toilet seat 400 by detecting infrared light reflected from the human body.

  Further, the washing water supply mechanism and the heat exchanger are connected to the washing nozzle 201, the washing water supplied from the water pipe (not shown) is heated by the heat exchanger, and the heated washing water is washed with the washing nozzle. It supplies to 201. The washing mechanism is not an essential component of the toilet seat device, and may be a toilet seat device that does not include these components.

  The cleaning nozzle 201 is provided with a butt cleaning nozzle part (not shown) for cleaning the butt and a bidet nozzle part (not shown) for cleaning a female part, and the cleaning water is directed toward the user's local part. And the user's local area is washed with washing water.

  The remote controller 500 has a plurality of operation switches, and is attached to a place such as a wall surface of a toilet room that can be operated by a user seated on the toilet seat 400. Then, when the user operates the operation switch of the remote controller 500, each function of the toilet seat apparatus 100 can be operated.

  The control unit 90 controls the operation of each unit of the toilet seat device 100 based on signals transmitted from the remote controller 500, the first detection unit 800, the second detection unit 600, and the seating sensor 202. .

  The 1st detection part 800 and the 2nd detection part 600 are comprised, for example by a reflection type infrared sensor, and detect the infrared rays reflected from the human body, and detect a user's approach. These have different detection areas, and the second detection unit 600 sets the detection area closer to the toilet 700 (toilet seat body 200) than the detection area of the first detection unit 800. Thereby, it can detect in steps according to the approach degree to which a human body approaches a toilet bowl.

<2> Configuration of Toilet Seat 400 FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the toilet seat 400.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the toilet seat 400 includes an annular upper toilet seat casing 410 having a substantially elliptical shape as a seating surface, and a toilet seat heater 450 that is a substantially horseshoe-shaped toilet seat heater adhered to the back surface of the upper toilet seat casing 410. A substantially elliptical annular lower toilet seat casing 420 formed of a synthetic resin is used as a main component.

  Upper toilet seat casing 410 is formed by pressing an aluminum plate having a thickness of about 1 mm by pressing or the like, and a coating film containing polyester powder having electrical insulation and heat resistance is formed on the front and back surfaces.

  The lower toilet seat casing 420 is a molded product using a resin material, and is composed of a main body portion 421 whose planar shape is substantially the same shape as the upper toilet seat casing 410, and arm portions 422 that project obliquely upward to the rear of both sides of the main body portion 421. Has been. The upper toilet seat casing 410 and the lower toilet seat casing 420 are coupled at the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion, and a watertight means is applied to the joint portion.

  The toilet seat 400 having the toilet seat heater 450 adhered to the back surface of the upper toilet seat casing 410 and the lower toilet seat casing 420 coupled thereto includes an arm portion 422 at the rear portion as shown in FIG. By being coupled to the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism, it is pivotally supported.

<3> Configuration of Toilet Seat Heater FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the toilet seat heater 450 attached to the upper toilet seat casing 410, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of the toilet seat heater 450.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a toilet seat heater 450 is adhesively fixed to almost the entire back surface of the upper toilet seat casing 410, and a thermostat 461 and a temperature fuse 462 are provided on a part of the toilet seat heater 450 as an overheat prevention device. And are installed. A thermistor 401a is attached to the surface of the side portion, and the thermistor 401a is connected to a temperature measurement unit for feedback control of energization to the toilet seat heater 450 based on the temperature of the toilet seat casing 410.

  An earth wire 480 is connected to the outer peripheral portion of the upper toilet seat casing 410 in order to prevent an electric shock in the event of an electric leakage.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the toilet seat heater 450 is formed in a substantially horseshoe shape in which a part of the front portion is cut out in a sheet shape. The toilet seat heater 450 is configured by arranging the heater wires 453 in a meandering manner with the heater wires 453 sandwiched between two metal foils 451 and 452 made of aluminum.

  A part of the toilet seat heater 450 is formed with a high density portion in which the heater wire 460 meanders at a high density, and a resettable thermostat 461 using a bimetal is provided in the high density portion. The thermostat 461 functions to prevent overheating, and stops the energization of the toilet seat heater 450 when the toilet seat heater 450 reaches an unexpected abnormal temperature.

  Further, as a backup function of the thermostat 461, the temperature fuse 462 is closely attached and fixed to the toilet seat heater 450, and the non-recoverable temperature fuse 462 is blown when the resettable thermostat 462 does not operate when the abnormal temperature rises. As a result, the power supply to the toilet seat heater 450 is completely cut off.

<4> Configuration of Drive System of Toilet Seat Heater FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the drive system of the toilet seat device 100. As shown in FIG. 5, the toilet seat body 200 includes a control unit 90, a temperature measurement unit 401, a heater drive unit 402, a toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism 490, a toilet seat temperature adjustment lamp RA <b> 1, and a seating sensor 202. The toilet seat 400 includes a toilet seat heater 450 and a thermistor 401a.

  The control unit 90 includes a microcomputer as a main component, a determination unit 620 for determining a user's entry and the temperature of the toilet seat 400, a timer unit 403 having a timekeeping function and a timer function, and a storage unit for storing various information 404 and an energization rate switching circuit 406 for controlling the operation of the heater driving unit 402.

  The temperature measuring unit 401 is connected to a thermistor 401 a installed in the upper toilet seat casing 410 of the toilet seat 400. Thereby, the temperature measurement part 401 measures the temperature of the seating surface of the toilet seat 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, when the user operates the toilet seat temperature adjustment switch of the remote controller 500, the set temperature of the toilet seat 400 is transmitted to the control unit 90. The control unit 90 stores the set temperature received from the remote controller 500 in the storage unit 404.

  The heater driving unit 402 is provided in the toilet seat body 200 and is connected to the toilet seat heater 450 in the toilet seat 400, and is configured to drive the toilet seat heater 450.

  FIG. 6 shows the operation of the toilet seat device according to the present embodiment together with the user who approaches the toilet seat device. FIG. 6A shows that when the user approaches the toilet seat device 100 and enters the detection area 800a of the first detection unit 800, the first detection unit 800 detects the approach of the user and sends the detection signal to the toilet seat body. It transmits toward the control part 90 in 200. As a result, the control unit 90 starts control to drive the toilet seat heater 450 to rise in temperature.

  6B shows that when the user further approaches the toilet seat device 100 and enters the detection area 600a of the second detection unit 600, the second detection unit 600 indicates that the user has further approached the toilet seat device 100. And a detection signal is transmitted to the control unit 90 in the toilet seat body 200. Thereby, the control unit 90 controls the temperature of the toilet seat 400 to be further raised toward the set temperature and to open the toilet lid 300. As a result, the user can comfortably sit on the warm toilet seat 400.

  FIG. 7 is a time chart showing the detection operation of the first detection unit 800 and the second detection unit 600 and the temperature change of the toilet seat. In FIG. 7, time T0 corresponds to the operation of FIG. 6A, the toilet seat heater 450 is driven in accordance with the detection operation of the first detection unit 800, and the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is the standby temperature (first claim). 2) (equivalent to a standby temperature of 2). The toilet seat heater 450 is energized at 600 W for a short time immediately before energizing 1200 W. This is performed in order to suppress inrush current when the toilet seat heater 450 is energized.

  Next, time T1 corresponds to the operation in FIG. 6B, the toilet seat heater 450 is driven in accordance with the detection operation of the second detection unit 600, and the temperature of the toilet seat 400 further increases toward the set temperature. Is done. The cooling sensation limit temperature is set to 29 ° C., and when the cooling sensation limit temperature is reached (time point T2), the power supplied to the toilet seat heater 450 is reduced to 600 W to slow the rate of temperature rise and Stabilizes temperature changes. This is to prevent overshoot of the toilet seat temperature, and also to improve the comfort when the user is seated by eliminating the temperature error that occurs when the followability of temperature control is insufficient. When the user is seated on the toilet seat 400 at time T3, the seating sensor 202 detects that the user is seated and is turned on.

  In the present embodiment, after the temperature of the toilet seat 400 reaches the set temperature, the toilet seat heater 450 is driven with low power at a low energization rate, and the temperature control is performed so that the temperature of the toilet seat 400 maintains the set temperature. .

  In this way, the approach of the user to the toilet bowl is detected step by step by a plurality of detection units, and the temperature of the seating surface is increased step by step as the user approaches, so that the user can move to the toilet seat. The seating surface can be sufficiently warmed up before sitting. Therefore, the user can not only comfortably use the toilet seat device, but also can reduce power consumption by lowering the toilet seat temperature when not in use.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, the layout of the toilet seat device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of the first and second detection units in the toilet seat device according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a large toilet room such as an office building or a commercial facility has a plurality of partitioned rooms, toilets provided in these individual rooms, and a shared space where everyone can freely enter and exit. have. And the toilet seat apparatus 100 of this invention is each provided in the toilet bowl of these private rooms 710,711.

  The first detection unit 800 is configured by a reflective infrared sensor or the like, and is provided in a common space in a large toilet room, and particularly installed near the entrance of the toilet room, and moves to the private room through the common space. The user who performs is detected in advance. As a means for detecting before entering the room, it may be combined with a sensor for turning on or off the illumination provided in the toilet room, or may be provided separately.

  The second detection units 600 and 601 are configured by reflective infrared sensors or the like, are attached to the wall surfaces of the private rooms 710 and 711 that partition the toilet space, and are installed in the private rooms 710 and 711 where the toilet seats 400 and 401 are installed. Detect that has entered the room.

  The first detection unit 800 is different from the second detection units 600 and 601 in the position of the detection area, and a user who enters the toilet room moves in a shared space up to the private room 710 (or 711) and moves to the private room 710 ( Or it detects in advance before entering 711).

  The toilet seat device 100 operates as follows. When the first detection unit 800 does not perform the detection operation, since there is no user in the toilet room, the energization to the toilet seat heater 450 is stopped and is not heated. Therefore, the toilet seat 400 has substantially the same temperature as the environmental temperature of the toilet room.

  When the user enters the toilet room and the first detection unit 800 detects the user, the control unit 90 controls the heater driving unit 402 to energize the toilet seat heater 450 so that the toilet seat 400 is approximately Heat to 18 ° C. This temperature is referred to as a second standby temperature. However, since the toilet seat heater 450 is not energized when the room temperature is 18 ° C. or higher, the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is the same as the room temperature.

  When a user enters the private room 710 (or 711) in which the toilet seat device 100 is installed, the control unit 90 receives a signal from the second detection unit 600, which is a human body detection sensor, and energizes the toilet seat heater 450. The toilet seat heater 450 is a very high-power heater of about 1200 W, and the seating surface 411 of the toilet seat 400 is set to 40 for about 6 seconds to 10 seconds after the user enters the toilet room and sits on the toilet seat. Warm to an appropriate temperature of about ℃. After the toilet seat 400 reaches an appropriate temperature, the energization of the toilet seat heater 450 is reduced to a low power of about 50 W and the heating is continued to keep the temperature of the toilet seat 400 at an appropriate temperature.

  In addition, in winter and the like, when there is no person in the toilet space under low-temperature environmental conditions, the first detection unit 800 does not perform the detection operation, and the first standby temperature where the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is lower than the second standby temperature. Is controlled to maintain at least.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a standby temperature setting unit 550 provided in the controller 500. As shown in FIG. 9, the standby temperature setting unit 550 allows the first standby temperature to be arbitrarily set to a temperature value corresponding to the rotation angle of the knob by rotating the knob between high and low. Yes. The standby temperature setting unit 550 may be provided in the main body 200, and the adjusting means may be configured to rotate a knob as shown in FIG. 9, or may be adjusted by setting a push button. In addition, when the toilet space is wide and the time interval from the detection operation of the first detection unit 800 to the detection operation of the second detection unit 600 is long, it is possible to secure a sufficient time to raise the toilet seat temperature. By setting the first standby temperature lower, the power consumption can be further effectively reduced.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, the layout of the toilet seat apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of the first and second detection units in the toilet seat device according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a male urinal 40 and a hand-washing 50 are provided in the toilet room, in addition to the private rooms 710 and 711 provided with the toilet seat device 100. And the 1st detection parts 800 and 801 are spaced apart and provided in the ceiling of the toilet space, and are comprised so that the inside of a wide area | region (800a, 801a) may be detected.

  When the presence of a person is detected in the detection region 800a (or 801a) of the first detection unit 800 (or 801), a detection signal is wired or wirelessly (electromagnetic wave) toward the toilet seat device installed in each of the plurality of private rooms. Send with. Then, the control unit 90 heats the toilet seat to the second standby temperature by controlling the heater driving unit 402 in accordance with the detection signal of the first detection unit 800 and energizing the toilet seat heater 450.

  The first standby temperature is determined based on the time interval from the detection operation of at least one of the first detection units 800 and 801 to the detection operation of the second detection unit 600. That is, regardless of the position of the first detection unit 800 to be installed, the second seating unit 400 may reach the second standby temperature at the time of the detection operation of the second detection unit 600 depending on the time interval. The standby temperature of 1 is automatically set.

  For example, when the temperature rising rate of the toilet seat 400 is 2K (Kelvin) per second and the measured time interval is 5 seconds at the shortest, when the detection operation of the first detection unit 800 is not performed, the temperature is further higher than 18 ° C. Control is performed so that the toilet seat is kept at a low temperature of about 8 ° C. (that is, a temperature obtained by subtracting 10 K (Kelvin) of the temperature rise in 5 seconds). The toilet seat heater 450 of the toilet seat 400 is not energized unless the ambient temperature at which the toilet seat 400 is installed (in this embodiment, the temperature of the temperature measuring unit that detects the temperature of the seating surface) is lower than 8 ° C. Therefore, when there is no user in the toilet space, power consumption can be greatly reduced.

  Next, the operation during use will be described. When the user enters the toilet space and proceeds into the detection area 800 a of the first detection unit 800, the first detection unit 800 that detects the user transmits a detection signal to the control unit 90.

  The determination unit 620 of the control unit 90 detects the presence of the user in the toilet space based on the detection signal from the first detection unit 800, and the measured temperature value of the toilet seat 400 and the toilet seat set temperature stored in the storage unit 404. Based on the above, a specific control pattern related to the driving of the toilet seat heater 450 is executed.

  Here, the timer unit 403 starts measurement based on the detection signal of the first detection unit 600, measures the time until the detection operation of the second detection unit 800, and stores the measured time in the storage unit 404. The first standby temperature is automatically set based on the time interval from the detection operation of the first detection unit 800 to the detection operation of the second detection unit 600, and the second standby time until the time of the detection operation of the second detection unit 600 is second. Allow the standby temperature to be reached.

  Subsequently, when the user enters the private room where the toilet seat device 100 is installed and enters the detection area 600a of the second detection unit 600, the second detection unit 600 detects the user and sends a detection signal to the control unit. 90.

  The determination unit 620 of the control unit 90 detects entry into the private room in which the user's toilet seat device 100 is installed based on an entry detection signal from the second detection unit 600. The control unit 90 drives the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism 490 to open the valve lid 300, and the determination unit 620 of the control unit 90 determines the measured temperature value of the toilet seat 400 and the toilet seat set temperature stored in the storage unit 404. The specific heater control pattern related to the driving of the toilet seat heater 450 is selected based on the above.

  The energization rate switching circuit 406 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 403. Accordingly, the toilet seat heater 450 is driven by the heater driving unit 402, and the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is instantaneously increased to the toilet seat set temperature.

  Thus, in the determination of the first standby temperature, it is not used for the user entering the private room in which the toilet seat device 100 is installed by being determined based on the time interval stored in the storage unit 404. The toilet seat temperature at the time can be lowered to reduce power consumption, and the seating surface can be sufficiently warmed up until the user sits on the toilet seat 400, so that it can be used comfortably. Further, even when the ambient temperature is lowered, the toilet seat temperature when the user is seated is guaranteed.

  On the other hand, a false detection can be considered as a problem when the first detection unit 800 is provided in the toilet space. In the present invention, by providing the timer unit 403 that operates for a predetermined time according to the detection operation of the first detection unit 800, even if the first detection unit 800 erroneously detects and operates the timer unit 403, the second If the second detection unit 600 does not operate, the temperature is not raised to the set temperature, and if the second detection unit 600 does not operate within a certain time (for example, 1 minute), it is determined that the first detection unit 800 is malfunctioning. This detection may be invalidated, power consumption at the time of malfunction can be reduced, and malfunction of the first detection unit 800 can be allowed.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the toilet seat heater 450 is driven by the detection operation of the first detector 800, and the toilet seat temperature rises to the standby temperature. Thereafter, when there is no detection operation of the second detection unit 600, it is determined that there is a false detection at time T3, and the maintenance of the standby temperature is stopped. Although the time setting of the timer unit 403 in this embodiment is 1 minute from the time T0 to the time T4, the time may be set in consideration of a margin for the time difference from the time T0 to the time T1 that is normally detected. good.

  Although the first detection unit and the second detection unit are infrared sensors in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a sensor using millimeter waves or ultrasonic waves, which are switches operated by the user. Alternatively, it may be configured to be interlocked with a lighting switch such as a corridor. A method of transmitting from a mobile phone is also conceivable.

  In addition, a charged battery power source may be provided, and the power for energizing a plurality of toilet seat devices simultaneously may be supplied from the battery power source.

  Further, the timing of starting energization of the toilet seat heater may be shifted for each toilet seat device. In this case, the detection signal from the first detection unit may be sequentially transmitted, or the energization control timing and energization pattern of the toilet seat heater may be set differently for each toilet seat device. Since the power consumption can be dispersed, the influence of the voltage drop of the power source can be suppressed.

  As described above, when a plurality of toilet seat devices according to the present invention are installed and used, the power consumption during standby can be effectively reduced, so that the toilet seat device can be applied to other heating devices and the like.

90 Control unit (control means)
100 Toilet seat device 202 Seat sensor (seat detection means)
400 Toilet seat 403 Timer unit 404 Storage unit (storage unit)
411 Seating surface 450 Toilet seat heater 600 Second detection unit (human body detection means)
800 1st detection part (human body detection means)

Claims (5)

A plurality of toilets installed in each of a plurality of private rooms that partition the toilet space, a toilet seat that has a seating surface and a toilet seat heater that heats the seating surface, and is placed on top of the toilet, and a person in the toilet space A first detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of the user, a second detection unit for detecting a user entering the individual rooms, and energizing the toilet seat heater so that the temperature of the seating surface follows a target temperature. And a control unit for controlling
The control unit sequentially switches to a higher target temperature as the user approaches the toilet according to the detection operation of the first and second detection units, and causes the temperature of the seating surface to follow the target temperature. The toilet seat device is controlled to start up toward the set temperature, which is the final target temperature. A plurality of toilets installed in each of a plurality of private rooms that partition the toilet space, a toilet seat that has a seating surface and a toilet seat heater that heats the seating surface, and is placed on top of the toilet, and a person in the toilet space A first detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a user, a second detection unit that detects a user's entry into each of the individual rooms, a temperature measurement unit that detects the temperature of the seating surface of the toilet seat, and the temperature measurement unit A control unit for controlling energization to the toilet seat heater so that the detected temperature of the
The control unit raises the temperature of the seating surface toward a standby temperature that is a target temperature lower than a final target temperature in accordance with a detection operation of the first detection unit, and the second detection unit uses the use When a person is detected, the toilet seat device controls energization to the toilet seat overheating portion so as to raise the temperature of the seating surface toward a set temperature that is the final target temperature. A plurality of toilets installed in each of a plurality of private rooms that partition the toilet space, a toilet seat that has a seating surface and a toilet seat heater that heats the seating surface, and is placed on top of the toilet, and a person in the toilet space A first detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a user, a second detection unit that detects a user's entry into each of the individual rooms, a temperature measurement unit that detects the temperature of the seating surface of the toilet seat, and the temperature measurement unit A control unit for controlling energization to the toilet seat heater so that the detected temperature of the
The controller raises the temperature of the seating surface from a first standby temperature to a second standby temperature higher than the first standby temperature according to a detection operation of the first detection unit, When the second detection unit detects the user, the energization to the toilet seat heater is controlled so as to raise the temperature of the seating surface toward a set temperature that is a final target temperature higher than the second standby temperature. Toilet seat device. The control unit includes a first standby temperature setting unit,
The toilet seat device according to claim 3, wherein the setting unit can arbitrarily set the first standby temperature. The control unit further includes a timer unit, and the control target of the first standby temperature is determined by the time interval from the detection operation of the first detection unit to the detection operation of the second detection unit measured by the timer unit. 4. The toilet seat device according to claim 3, wherein a value is determined.

Images