JP2011212175A - Heated toilet seat device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heated toilet seat device configured such that temperature is raised when a user sits on a toilet seat while suppressing erroneous detection as much as possible, and preventing useless power consumption.SOLUTION: In the heated toilet seat device HS, a control part 15 drives a heating part 12 using a first signal level threshold when the temperature of the toilet seat 10 detected by a toilet seat temperature detection part 14 is a first temperature, and drives the heating part 12 using a second signal level threshold higher than the first signal level threshold when the temperature of the toilet seat 10 detected by the toilet seat temperature detection part 14 is a second temperature higher than the first temperature.

Description

  The present invention relates to a heated toilet seat apparatus.

  Regardless of home use or public use, a toilet device whose operation is controlled by transmitting and receiving radio waves is installed in the toilet room. Examples of such toilet devices are toilet bowls, urinals and hand-washing toilets with hot water washing toilets and electric water discharge. More specifically, the structure of the toilet device will be described. Operations for demonstrating the functions used when the toilet is used (discharge of cleaning water to the toilet, discharge of cleaning water to the user, hot air blowing to the user) , The temperature of the toilet seat), a Doppler sensor unit that transmits a microwave that is a transmission wave in a predetermined direction, and generates a Doppler signal that is a difference frequency between the transmission wave and the reflected wave, An object detection unit that detects an object based on the Doppler signal; and a control unit that outputs a control signal for causing the function unit to execute an operation in response to the detection of the object. .

  Among such toilet devices, in the heated toilet seat device capable of raising the temperature of the toilet seat, a heating unit for detecting a person entering the toilet room and raising the temperature of the toilet seat is driven. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). The technology described in Patent Document 1 below drives a toilet seat heater when a person is detected by a Doppler sensor using a microwave, and stops driving the heater when no person is detected, thereby achieving both power saving and comfort. It is intended.

JP-A-11-230562

  By the way, whether it is for home use or for public use, each individual toilet room where a toilet is installed needs only a space where one user can use the toilet. A few meters. Also, the toilet space is basically not very sunny and is often formed at the corner of the building, so it tends to be colder than other spaces in the building, especially in winter.

  The technique described in Patent Document 1 is basically an excellent technique in which when the person is not detected, driving of the heater is stopped to achieve both power saving and comfort. However, if the characteristics of the toilet space described above are taken into account, even if it is detected that a person has entered the toilet room and the heater of the toilet seat is energized, the temperature may not be sufficiently increased until the user sits down.

  In order to cope with such a situation, it has been proposed to devise such as increasing the temperature raising performance of the heater or forming the toilet seat with a metal having high thermal conductivity. However, in consideration of ensuring a higher level of safety and reliability, it is preferable that the heater has a normal performance and the toilet seat is also made of a normal resin.

  In this way, if the heater remains at its normal performance and the toilet seat is also made of ordinary resin, it detects the user outside the toilet room and starts to raise the toilet seat from the "coming in" stage. It is required that it does not cause excessive waste when it does not actually enter.

  However, although it is possible to detect a “person” outside the toilet room, it is difficult to reliably detect that the person actually enters the toilet room and becomes a “user”. Even a person who has passed through the vicinity of the outside of the toilet room cannot determine whether it has passed as it is or whether it actually enters the toilet room simply by providing a Doppler sensor unit. Therefore, if the detection signal level of the Doppler signal is set low, the detection range by the Doppler sensor is expanded, and even people who do not enter the toilet room frequently are detected, and the heater is frequently driven to save power. The contribution will be reduced. On the other hand, if the detection signal level of the Doppler signal is set high, such false detection is reduced, but it is assumed that the user is closer to the toilet seat and the toilet seat is lifted before the user is seated. A situation where the temperature is not in time is also assumed.

  Therefore, in the present invention, in order to solve such a problem, a heating toilet seat device attached to a toilet bowl provided in a toilet room, which suppresses erroneous detection as much as possible and prevents use of unnecessary power, An object of the present invention is to provide a heated toilet seat device configured so that the temperature rises in time when sitting on a toilet seat.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a heating toilet seat device according to the present invention is a heating toilet seat device attached to a toilet bowl provided in a toilet room, wherein the toilet seat to be seated when the toilet bowl is used, and at least the toilet seat A heating unit that raises the temperature to a predetermined temperature, a toilet seat temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the toilet seat, and a transmission unit that transmits a microwave that is a transmission wave toward the front of the toilet seat, outside the toilet room A Doppler sensor that receives a reflected wave that is reflected when the transmitted wave strikes a person inside or a person inside a toilet room, and generates a Doppler signal that is a difference frequency between the transmitted wave and the reflected wave And a control unit that drives the heating unit when a detection signal level of the Doppler signal exceeds a signal level threshold value. The signal level threshold includes at least a first signal level threshold and a second signal level threshold that is higher than the first signal level threshold. The controller drives the heating unit using the first signal level threshold when the toilet seat temperature detected by the toilet seat temperature detection unit is a first temperature, and the toilet seat temperature detection unit detects the heating unit. When the temperature of the toilet seat is a second temperature higher than the first temperature, the heating unit is driven using the second signal level threshold.

  The heating toilet seat device according to the present invention raises the toilet seat to at least a predetermined temperature by a heating unit such as a heater. This predetermined temperature is at least a temperature at which the user does not feel cold when seated on the toilet seat, and the set temperature when the heating unit raises the toilet seat (when the toilet seat is heated up) Or a temperature that is lower than the set temperature in the first place. In order to raise the toilet seat to this predetermined temperature, it is necessary to add a quantity of heat that compensates for the temperature difference from the temperature of the toilet seat before the temperature rise. If so, the time required to raise the temperature to a predetermined temperature varies depending on the temperature of the toilet seat before the temperature rise. More specifically, if the temperature of the toilet seat before the temperature rise is relatively high, the time required to raise the toilet seat to a predetermined temperature is relatively small, while the temperature of the toilet seat before the temperature rise is low. If it is relatively low, the time required to raise the toilet seat to a predetermined temperature will be relatively long.

  Therefore, in the present invention, focusing on this point, when the temperature of the toilet seat is a relatively low first temperature, the first signal level threshold that is the threshold of the detection signal level of the Doppler signal is used, and the temperature of the toilet seat is relatively high. In the case of two temperatures, the second signal level threshold that is the threshold of the Doppler signal level is used, and the second signal level threshold is higher than the first signal level threshold. With this configuration, when using the first signal level threshold, it is possible to detect a person who is relatively far away and drive the heating unit, and if that person actually enters the toilet room When sitting on the toilet seat, it is possible to secure a sufficient time for raising the temperature to a predetermined temperature. On the other hand, when the second signal level threshold is used, the heating unit can be driven by detecting a person who is relatively close, and the driving of the heating unit is delayed until it can be determined that the seat is seated more reliably. Therefore, the possibility of erroneous detection can be reliably reduced.

  In the heated toilet seat device according to the present invention, the first signal level threshold value is a numerical value capable of detecting a person outside the toilet room and entering the toilet room, and the second signal level threshold value is the toilet room. It is also preferable that the numerical value can detect that a person enters the room.

  In this preferred embodiment, when the first signal level threshold value is used, the heating unit can be driven by detecting a person outside the toilet room and entering the toilet room, and the person actually enters the toilet room. When the user sits on the toilet seat, a sufficient time for raising the temperature to a predetermined temperature can be secured. On the other hand, when the second signal level threshold is used, the heating unit detects that the person has entered the toilet room, such as the person opening the toilet door or the person entering the toilet room from outside the toilet room. Since the drive of the heating unit can be delayed until the timing at which it can be determined that the user is seated on the toilet seat more reliably, the possibility of erroneous detection can be reliably reduced.

  In the heated toilet seat device according to the present invention, a seating detection unit that detects that a person is seated on the toilet seat, a detection signal level, and a seating detection in which seating is detected from a signal acquisition time at which the detection signal level is acquired. A storage unit that stores a pair of the time required for sitting over time, and the control unit is configured so that the heating unit controls the toilet seat based on the temperature of the toilet seat detected by the toilet seat temperature detection unit. A temperature rise time required for raising the temperature to the predetermined temperature is calculated, and a detection signal corresponding to the temperature rise time is calculated based on a relationship between the detection signal level stored in the storage unit and the required seating time. It is also preferable that the level is defined as the second signal level threshold value, and the heating unit is driven using the defined second signal level threshold value.

  The toilet room in which the heating toilet seat device is installed has various sizes and shapes, and the time when the user approaches and the detection signal level fluctuate accordingly. Therefore, in this preferred embodiment, the storage unit stores the relationship between the detection signal level and the required seating time from the signal acquisition time at which it was acquired to the seating detection time at which the seating was detected. Information reflecting the situation of the place where the apparatus is installed can be stored. Further, a detection signal level that can secure a time for raising the temperature of the toilet seat based on the time required for raising the temperature from the current temperature of the toilet seat to a predetermined temperature and the required seating time stored in the storage unit. Is set as the second signal level threshold, the drive timing of the heating unit can be set more accurately according to the situation of the place where the heating toilet seat device is actually installed, and the possibility of erroneous detection is more reliably reduced. can do.

  In the heated toilet seat device according to the present invention, the storage unit can store a plurality of pairs of the relationship between the detection signal level and the required seating time so that the required seating times are different from each other. The control unit preferably defines the detection signal level stored in the storage unit as the second signal level threshold so that the required seating time is closest to the temperature increase time.

  In this preferred embodiment, a plurality of pairs of the relationship between the detection signal level and the required seating time can be stored, and the detection signal stored in the storage unit so that the required seating time is closest to the temperature raising time. Since the level is defined as the second signal level threshold, it is possible to select the required seating time closer to the time required to raise the temperature of the toilet seat. Then, by setting the detection signal level corresponding to the selected required seating time as the second signal level threshold, the drive timing of the heating unit is set more accurately according to the situation of the place where the heating toilet seat device is actually installed. Therefore, the possibility of erroneous detection can be reduced more reliably.

  In the heated toilet seat device according to the present invention, the storage unit continuously acquires the relationship between the detection signal level and the required seating time in time series, and the required seating time is the same. When the detection signal level at the later time is lower than the detection signal level at the previous time, it is also preferable to store only the detection signal level having the lower value as a new second signal level threshold value.

  In this preferred embodiment, the detection signal level corresponding to the same required seating time can be updated to a lower value, so that even a user with a low detection signal level such as a child can drive the heating unit. Can be set more accurately, and the possibility of erroneous detection can be more reliably reduced.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a heating toilet seat device configured so that the temperature rises in time when a user sits on the toilet seat while suppressing erroneous detection as much as possible so as not to use wasteful power. it can.

It is a figure which shows the heating toilet seat apparatus which is embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the heating toilet seat apparatus which is embodiment of this invention. It is a block block diagram which shows the functional structure of the heating toilet seat apparatus which is embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the toilet seat temperature of the heating toilet seat apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and temperature rising time. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of determining whether or not to start raising the temperature of the toilet seat in the heating toilet seat device shown in FIG. 1. 2 is a flowchart showing a process of changing a signal level threshold in the heating toilet seat device shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the signal waveform output from a frequency filter, after giving a predetermined process to the Doppler signal which the Doppler sensor part shown in FIG. 3 outputs. It is a block block diagram which shows another example of a functional structure of the heating toilet seat apparatus which is embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the process which changes a signal level threshold value in the heating toilet seat apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a process of changing and storing a signal level threshold value in the heating toilet seat device shown in FIG. 8. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a process of changing a signal level threshold value in the heating toilet seat device shown in FIG. 8.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In order to facilitate the understanding of the description, the same constituent elements in the drawings will be denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and redundant description will be omitted.

  The heating toilet seat apparatus which is embodiment of this invention is demonstrated referring FIG. FIG. 1 is a view showing a state where the heating toilet seat device HS is attached to a toilet bowl SB installed in a toilet room TR. As shown in FIG. 1, the heating toilet seat device HS includes a toilet seat 10, a toilet lid 11, a heating unit 12, a Doppler sensor unit 13, a toilet seat temperature detection unit 14, and a control unit 15.

  The toilet seat 10 is a seat for seating when using the toilet bowl SB, and is attached so as to be rotatable about the back side of the toilet bowl SB. The toilet lid 11 is a lid that is attached so as to cover the toilet seat 10, and is attached so as to be rotatable about the back side of the toilet bowl SB.

  The heating unit 12 is a part that includes a heater that raises the toilet seat 10 to at least a predetermined temperature. This predetermined temperature is at least a temperature at which the user does not feel cold when seated on the toilet seat 10, and is originally set temperature when the heating unit 12 raises the temperature of the toilet seat 10 (becomes a steady state). The temperature may be the same temperature as the temperature) or may be lower than the set temperature in the first place.

  The toilet seat temperature detection unit 14 is a part that includes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the toilet seat 10. The toilet seat temperature detection unit 14 may estimate the temperature of the toilet seat 10 by directly measuring the temperature of the toilet seat 10 or by estimating from the room temperature.

  The control unit 15 is a part that drives the heating unit 12 when the detection signal level of the Doppler signal exceeds the signal level threshold.

  In the Doppler sensor unit 13, a transmission unit (not explicitly shown in FIG. 1) transmits a microwave that is a transmission wave, and the transmission wave hits a person outside the toilet room TR or a person inside the toilet room TR. This is a part that receives a reflected wave reflected by the receiver (not explicitly shown in FIG. 1) and generates a Doppler signal having a difference frequency between the transmitted wave and the reflected wave.

  From the Doppler sensor unit 13, a microwave that is a transmission wave is transmitted toward the front side of the toilet seat 10. In the case of this embodiment, the toilet bowl SB and the toilet seat 10 are set toward the door DR that separates the toilet room TR and the passage CR, and the microwave is also transmitted toward the door DR. Accordingly, the detection area SA formed by the transmission wave transmitted from the Doppler sensor unit 13 is configured to penetrate the door DR and reach the passage CR. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 1, a person M in the passage CR is detected.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the detection area SA of the Doppler sensor unit 13 passes through the door DR and reaches the passage CR. Accordingly, even when the person M passing the passage CR is in the position Ma, the person M enters the detection area SA and moves from the position Ma to the position Mb and simply passes in front of the toilet room TR, or from the position Ma to the position Mc. It is unknown whether the user moves to, opens the door DR, enters the toilet room TR and becomes a user. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the signal level threshold value for detecting the Doppler signal output from the Doppler sensor unit 13 is changed depending on the temperature of the toilet seat 10 to move from the position Ma to the position Mc and open the door DR. When the user enters the toilet room TR and becomes a user, the temperature of the toilet seat 10 can be reliably increased.

  Next, specific functional configurations of the Doppler sensor unit 13, the toilet seat temperature detection unit 14, and the control unit 15 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram showing a functional configuration of the heating toilet seat device HS.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the Doppler sensor unit 13 includes a transmission unit 131, a reception unit 132, and a difference detection unit 133. The transmission unit 131 generates an oscillation circuit that generates a transmission signal that is an electric signal of 10.525 GHz in order to transmit an electric wave forward of the toilet seat 10, and transmits a transmission signal that is output from the oscillation circuit to a microwave of 10.525 GHz. And an antenna for transmitting as a wave.

  The receiving unit 132 is a part that outputs a reception signal in which the microwave transmitted from the transmission unit 131 is reflected by the detection target, receives the reflected wave, and is converted into an electric signal. The difference detection unit 133 is a part that outputs a Doppler signal that is a difference signal between the frequency of the transmission signal and the frequency of the reception signal.

The Doppler sensor unit 13 is used to detect the movement of the detection target based on the following formula (1) using the Doppler effect.
Basic formula: ΔF = FS−Fb = 2 × FS × ν / c (1)
ΔF: Doppler frequency (frequency of Doppler signal)
FS: Transmission frequency (frequency of transmission signal)
Fb: reflection frequency (frequency of received signal)
ν: moving speed of detection object c: speed of light (300 × 10 ⁶ m / s)

  That is, the microwave of the frequency FS transmitted from the transmission unit 131 is reflected on the detection target (person M, door DR, etc.) moving at the speed ν. Since this reflected wave has undergone a Doppler frequency shift due to relative motion, its frequency is Fb and is received by the receiving unit 132. Then, the difference detection unit 133 extracts a Doppler signal that is a frequency difference ΔF between the transmission wave and the reflected wave as a detection signal, and human body detection (human body approach detection or human body separation detection) is performed based on the Doppler signal.

  The Doppler signal output from the Doppler sensor unit 13 is output to the control unit 15 and converted into a digital Doppler signal by the reception output unit 151 that is an A / D conversion unit of the control unit 15. Thereafter, frequency components other than the band necessary for human body detection are removed from the digital Doppler signal by the frequency filter 152 which is a digital filter circuit, and the digital Doppler signal is input to the temperature rise start determination unit 153.

  The temperature rise start determination unit 153 performs human body detection based on the input digital Doppler signal. When a human body is detected by the temperature rise start determination unit 153, the control unit 15 controls the heating unit 12 according to a predetermined condition to raise the temperature of the toilet seat 10.

  Here, in this embodiment, the Doppler signal for detecting as a human body is 50 Hz or less. The Doppler signal of 50 Hz or less is output from the Doppler sensor unit 13 when the velocity ν of the detection target is approximately 0.7 m / s or less.

  When a Doppler signal equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value of 50 Hz or less is continuously output from the Doppler sensor unit 13 for a predetermined period, the temperature rise start determination unit 153 performs human body approach detection. When the human body approach detection is thus performed, the control unit 15 controls the heating unit 12 to raise the temperature of the toilet seat 10.

  The control unit 15 drives the heating unit 12 when the detection signal level of the Doppler signal exceeds the signal level threshold. The signal level threshold includes at least a first signal level threshold Th1 and a second signal level threshold Th2 having a value higher than the first signal level threshold Th1. The first signal level threshold Th1 and the second signal level threshold Th2 are selected by the threshold changing unit 154 of the control unit 15. The threshold value changing unit 154 selects one of the first signal level threshold value Th1 and the second signal level threshold value Th2 based on a value indicating the temperature of the toilet seat 10 output from the toilet seat temperature detection unit 14 provided in the toilet seat 10. And output to the temperature rise start determination unit 153. As a result, when the temperature of the toilet seat 10 detected by the toilet seat temperature detection unit 14 is the first temperature T1, the control unit 15 drives the heating unit 12 using the first signal level threshold Th1, and the toilet seat temperature detection unit 14 When the temperature of the toilet seat 10 detected by the second temperature T2 is higher than the first temperature T1, the heating unit 12 is driven using the second signal level threshold Th2.

  Next, the flow of the temperature rise start determination process of the temperature rise start determination unit 153 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S01, a subroutine for changing the signal level threshold by the threshold changing unit 154 is executed (this subroutine will be described later).

  In step S02 following step S01, it is determined whether the Doppler signal output from the Doppler sensor unit 13 exceeds the signal level threshold value Sj. If the Doppler signal does not exceed the signal level threshold value Sj, the process returns to step S01. If the Doppler signal exceeds the signal level threshold value Sj, the process proceeds to step S03.

  In step S03, it is determined that the user is approaching. In step S04, the control unit 15 drives the heating unit 12.

  Next, a subroutine for changing the signal level threshold value Sj by the threshold value changing unit 154 in step S01 of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S11, it is determined whether the temperature T0 ° C. of the toilet seat 10 detected by the toilet seat temperature detection unit 14 is lower than the threshold temperature Td ° C. If the temperature T0 ° C. of the toilet seat 10 is lower than the threshold temperature Td ° C., the process proceeds to step S12. If the temperature T0 ° C. of the toilet seat 10 is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature Td ° C., the process proceeds to step S13.

  Here, the basis for setting the threshold temperature Td ° C. will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a view showing a temperature change of the toilet seat 10. The toilet seat 10 of the present embodiment is configured to increase in temperature when the heating unit 12 is driven and to be stable at a set temperature. The temperature of the toilet seat 10 is preferably set to this set temperature. However, even if the temperature is such that the user does not feel cold when seated, the set temperature will eventually approach the set temperature. If the minimum seating temperature Tm ° C. is reached, it is acceptable.

Even when the lowest temperature Tm ° C. at the time of sitting is set as the target temperature, the time for raising the temperature to the lowest temperature Tm ° C. at the time of sitting varies depending on the temperature of the toilet seat 10 before the temperature rise. When the temperature of the toilet seat 10 is a relatively low first temperature T1 ° C., time ta is required to raise the temperature to the lowest temperature Tm ° C. when seated. On the other hand, when the temperature of the toilet seat 10 is the second temperature T2 ° C., which is relatively high, time tb (ta> tb) is required to raise the temperature to the lowest temperature Tm ° C. when sitting. In general, the time t required to raise the temperature T0 ° C. of the toilet seat 10 to the lowest temperature Tm ° C. at the time of sitting can be obtained by Expression (2).
Calculation formula: t = (Tm−T0) / ΔT (2)
Tm: Minimum seating temperature T0: Initial toilet seat temperature ΔT: Rate of temperature increase

  In FIG. 6, if the user is seated on the toilet seat 10 at time t3, when the temperature of the toilet seat 10 is the second temperature T2 ° C., the comparison is made when the temperature of the toilet seat 10 is the first temperature T1 ° C. Thus, the driving of the heating unit 12 can be delayed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the driving timing of the heating unit 12 when the temperature of the toilet seat 10 is the first temperature T1 ° C. is time t1, and the driving of the heating unit 12 when the temperature of the toilet seat 10 is the second temperature T2 ° C. The timing is time t2.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the time t2 is set as the opening / closing timing of the door DR when the user enters the toilet room TR. Therefore, at time t1, by using the first signal level threshold Th1 as the signal level threshold Sj corresponding to the first temperature T1, the person H who is outside the toilet room TR and before entering the toilet room TR can be detected. It is supposed to be. On the other hand, at time t2, by using the second signal level threshold Th2 as the signal level threshold Sj corresponding to the second temperature T2, it is possible to detect that a person enters the toilet room TR by opening / closing the door DR. It is said.

  An example of the first signal level threshold Th1 and the second signal level threshold Th2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a signal waveform output from the frequency filter 152 after predetermined processing is performed on the Doppler signal output from the Doppler sensor unit 13 illustrated in FIG. 3.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the person H approaches the door DR, the amplitude of the Doppler signal gradually increases, and the amplitude of the Doppler signal suddenly increases when the door is opened and closed. After that, when the person H approaches the toilet SB, the amplitude further increases, and becomes the maximum amplitude when seated. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the time t3 is set at the time of sitting, the timing at which the amplitude is suddenly increased by opening / closing the door is set at time t2, and the timing at which the amplitude starts to increase significantly first is set at time t1. . Therefore, the signal level value that can detect that the person H has approached the door DR is the first signal level threshold Th1, and the signal level value that can detect that the person H has opened and closed the door DR is the second signal level. The threshold value Th2 is set.

  Returning to FIG. 5, in step S12, the signal level threshold value Sj is defined as the first signal level threshold value Th1. In step S13, the signal level threshold value Sj is defined as the second signal level threshold value Th2.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the temperature of the toilet seat 10 is raised to at least a predetermined temperature (the lowest temperature Tm at the time of sitting) by the heating unit 12 such as a heater. The seating minimum temperature Tm, which is a predetermined temperature, is a temperature at which the user does not feel at least cold when sitting on the toilet seat. In order to raise the temperature of the toilet seat 10 to the lowest temperature Tm at the time of sitting, it is necessary to add an amount of heat sufficient to compensate for the temperature difference from the temperature of the toilet seat 10 before the temperature rise. If it is a premise to be, the time required to raise the temperature to the lowest temperature Tm at the time of sitting varies depending on the temperature of the toilet seat 10 before the temperature rise (see FIG. 6). More specifically, in the case of the second temperature T2 where the temperature of the toilet seat 10 before the temperature rise is relatively high, the time tb required to raise the temperature of the toilet seat 10 to the lowest temperature Tm when seated is relatively small. On the other hand, when the temperature of the toilet seat 10 before the temperature rise is the first temperature T1 that is relatively low, the time ta required to raise the temperature of the toilet seat 10 to the lowest temperature Tm at the time of sitting becomes relatively long.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, paying attention to this point, when the temperature of the toilet seat 10 is a relatively low first temperature T1, the first signal level threshold Th1 that is a threshold of the detection signal level of the Doppler signal is used, and the temperature of the toilet seat is When the second temperature Th2 is relatively high, the second signal level threshold Th2 that is a threshold of the Doppler signal level is used, and the second signal level threshold Th2 is higher than the first signal level threshold Th1. It is said. With this configuration, when the first signal level threshold value Th1 is used, it is possible to detect the person who is relatively far and drive the heating unit 12, and if that person actually enters the toilet room TR When entering and sitting on the toilet seat 10, it is possible to ensure a sufficient time for raising the temperature to the lowest temperature Tm at the time of sitting. On the other hand, when the second signal level threshold Th2 is used, the heating unit 12 can be driven by detecting a person who is relatively close, and until the timing at which the seating on the toilet seat 10 can be determined more reliably. Since the driving can be delayed, the possibility of erroneous detection can be reliably reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the first signal level threshold Th1 is a numerical value that can detect a person outside the toilet room TR and before entering the toilet room TR, and the second signal level threshold Th2 is set in the toilet room TR. It is a numerical value that can detect the person entering the room.

  When the first signal level threshold Th1 is used, it is possible to detect the person before entering the toilet room TR and drive the heating unit 12, and the person actually enters the toilet room TR for use. When sitting on the toilet seat 10 as a person, it is possible to secure a sufficient time for raising the temperature to the lowest temperature Tm at the time of sitting. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the setting is made so that it can be detected when the person M is in the position Ma to the position Mb, and can be handled when the person M actually enters the toilet room TR from the position Mb. It is assumed that the person M does not actually enter the toilet room TR from the position Ma through the position Mb, but in that case, when the person M is found not to enter the toilet room TR (for example, When the seating cannot be detected after a certain time has elapsed), the driving of the heating unit 12 is stopped. On the other hand, when the second signal level threshold Th2 is used, the heating unit 12 can be driven by detecting that the door DR of the toilet room TR is opened, that is, that the person M enters the toilet room TR. Since the drive of the heating unit 12 can be delayed until it can be determined that the user is seated on the toilet seat 10 more reliably, the possibility of erroneous detection can be reliably reduced.

  A mode in which a plurality of signal level threshold values are provided and a signal level threshold value selected from them is used is not limited to the above. The plurality of signal level threshold values also differ depending on the moving speed and the physique of the person M entering the toilet room TR, and are learned according to the state of the reflected wave with respect to the person M actually entering the toilet room TR. It is also preferable. Therefore, a heating toilet seat device HSa including a control unit 15a as a modification will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the heating toilet seat device HSa includes a Doppler sensor unit 13, a toilet seat temperature detection unit 14, and a control unit 15a. The Doppler sensor unit 13 and the toilet seat temperature detection unit 14 are the same as those described with reference to FIG.

  The Doppler signal output from the Doppler sensor unit 13 is output to the control unit 15a and converted into a digital Doppler signal by the reception output unit 151 which is an A / D conversion unit of the control unit 15a. Thereafter, the digital Doppler signal is subjected to a frequency filter 152 which is a digital filter circuit, and frequency components other than the band necessary for human body detection are removed, and the temperature rise start determination unit 153, the seating detection unit 155, and the storage unit 156 are respectively Entered.

  The temperature rise start determination unit 153 performs human body detection based on the input digital Doppler signal. When a human body is detected by the temperature rise start determination unit 153, the control unit 15a controls the heating unit 12 according to a predetermined condition to raise the temperature of the toilet seat 10.

  Here, in this embodiment, the Doppler signal for detecting as a human body is 50 Hz or less. The Doppler signal of 50 Hz or less is output from the Doppler sensor unit 13 when the velocity ν of the detection target is approximately 0.7 m / s or less.

  When a Doppler signal equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value of 50 Hz or less is continuously output from the Doppler sensor unit 13 for a predetermined period, the temperature rise start determination unit 153 performs human body approach detection. When the human body approach detection is performed in this way, the control unit 15a controls the heating unit 12 to raise the temperature of the toilet seat 10.

  The control unit 15a drives the heating unit 12 when the detection signal level of the Doppler signal exceeds the signal level threshold. In this example, the signal level threshold is at least the first signal level threshold Thc, the second signal level threshold Thb having a value higher than the first signal level threshold Thc, and further higher than the second signal level threshold Thb. The value includes the third signal level threshold value Tha.

  The first signal level threshold Thc, the second signal level threshold Thb, and the third signal level threshold Tha are selected by the threshold changing unit 154a of the control unit 15a. The threshold value changing unit 154a is configured to output a first signal level threshold value Thc, a second signal level threshold value Thb, and a third signal based on a value indicating the temperature of the toilet seat 10 output from the toilet seat temperature detection unit 14 provided in the toilet seat 10. One of the level threshold values Tha is selected and output to the temperature rise start determination unit 153. As a result, when the temperature of the toilet seat 10 detected by the toilet seat temperature detection unit 14 is the first temperature Tc, the control unit 15a drives the heating unit 12 using the first signal level threshold Thc, and the toilet seat temperature detection unit 14 When the temperature of the toilet seat 10 detected by the second temperature Tb is higher than the first temperature Tc, the heating unit 12 is driven using the second signal level threshold Thb, and the toilet seat temperature detecting unit 14 detects the toilet seat 10 detected. When the temperature is the third temperature Ta higher than the second temperature Tb, the heating unit 12 is driven using the third signal level threshold Tha.

  Further, the control unit 15a includes a seating detection unit 155, a storage unit 156, and a threshold value changing unit 154a. The seating detection unit 155 is a part that detects that a person M is seated on the toilet seat 10. Specifically, the seating detection unit 155 detects that the person M is seated on the toilet seat 10 based on the digital Doppler signal output from the frequency filter 152, and outputs the detection and time to the storage unit 156. To do.

  The storage unit 156 sits from the detection signal level output from the frequency filter 152 and the seating detection time (output from the seating detection unit 155) when seating is detected from the signal acquisition time when the detection signal level is acquired. This is the part that stores the relationship with the required time in pairs. In the case of this example, the detection signal level includes a first signal level threshold value Thc, a second signal level threshold value Thb, and a third signal level threshold value Tha, and the corresponding seating required times are c, b, a (A <b <c) (see FIG. 9). In the example shown in FIG. 9, the fourth signal level threshold Thd having a value lower than the first signal level threshold Thc is set.

  Based on the temperature of the toilet seat 10 output from the toilet seat temperature detection unit 14, the threshold value changing unit 154a calculates the time required to raise the temperature to the lowest temperature Tm (see FIG. 6) at the time of sitting, and according to the time The optimum time is selected from time c, time b, and time a. Then, a corresponding signal level threshold value is selected from the first signal level threshold value Thc, the second signal level threshold value Thb, and the third signal level threshold value Tha, and is output to the temperature rise start determination unit 153 (details will be described later).

  Next, a process of updating the first signal level threshold Thc, the second signal level threshold Thb, and the third signal level threshold Tha will be described with reference to FIG. In step S21, the storage unit 156 stores the detection signal level output from the frequency filter 152 and the signal acquisition time when the detection signal level is acquired.

  In step S22 following step S21, it is determined whether the seating detection unit 155 has detected the seating of the person M on the toilet seat 10. If the seating of the person M on the toilet seat 10 is not detected, the process returns to step S21. If the seating of the person M on the toilet seat 10 is detected, the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S23, the stored detection signal level is read as a detection signal level Tha1 a seconds before the seating time, a detection signal level Thb1 b seconds before the seating time, and a detection signal level Thc1 c seconds before the seating time.

  In step S24 following step S23, the existing first signal level threshold value Thc, second signal level threshold value Thb, and third signal level threshold value Tha are compared with the detection signal levels Thc1, Thb1, and Tha1, respectively, and the smaller one is obtained. Are updated as new first signal level threshold value Thc, second signal level threshold value Thb, and third signal level threshold value Tha.

  In step S25 following step S24, it is determined whether the seating detection determination is continued. If it is continued, the process of step S25 is looped. If not continued, the process returns to step S21.

Next, the flow of the temperature rise start determination process of the temperature rise start determination unit 153 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S31, the time t required to raise the toilet seat 10 to the lowest temperature Tm at the time of sitting is calculated.
As described above, the time t required to raise the temperature T0 of the toilet seat 10 to the lowest temperature Tm at the time of sitting can be obtained by Expression (2).
Calculation formula: t = (Tm−T0) / ΔT (2)
Tm: Minimum seating temperature T0: Initial toilet seat temperature ΔT: Rate of temperature increase

  In step S32, it is determined whether t <a is satisfied. If t <a is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S33. If t <a is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S34.

  In step S33, the third signal level threshold value Tha is selected as the signal level threshold value Sj and is output to the temperature rise start determination unit 153.

  In step S34, it is determined whether a ≦ t <b is satisfied. If a ≦ t <b is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S35, and if a ≦ t <b is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S36.

  In step S35, the second signal level threshold Thb is selected as the signal level threshold Sj and is output to the temperature rise start determination unit 153.

  In step S36, it is determined whether b ≦ t <c is satisfied. If b ≦ t <c is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S37. If b ≦ t <c is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S38.

  In step S37, the first signal level threshold value Thc is selected as the signal level threshold value Sj, and is output to the temperature rise start determination unit 153. In step S38, the fourth signal level threshold Thd is selected as the signal level threshold Sj and is output to the temperature rise start determination unit 153.

  The toilet room TR in which the heating toilet seat device HSa is installed has various sizes and shapes, and the time when the user M approaches and the variation of the detection signal level corresponding thereto vary. Therefore, in this modification, the storage unit 156 stores a pair of the relationship between the detection signal level and the required seating time from the signal acquisition time at which it was acquired to the seating detection time at which seating was detected. Information reflecting the situation of the place where the heating toilet seat device HSa is installed can be stored. Further, based on the time t required to raise the temperature from the current temperature T0 of the toilet seat 10 to the lowest seating temperature Tm and the required seating time (a, b, c) stored in the storage unit, the toilet seat 10 Is set to a threshold value selected from the first signal level threshold value Thc, the second signal level threshold value Thb, the third signal level threshold value Tha, and the fourth signal level threshold value Thd. Therefore, the drive timing of the heating unit 12 can be set more accurately according to the situation of the place where the heating toilet seat device HSa is actually installed, and the possibility of erroneous detection can be reduced more reliably.

  In this modification, it is possible to store a plurality of pairs of the relationship between the detection signal level and the required seating time (a, b, c), and the required seating time (a, b, c) is the highest in the temperature rise time t. Since the first signal level threshold value Thc, the second signal level threshold value Thb, the third signal level threshold value Tha, and the fourth signal level threshold value Thd stored in the storage unit 156 are selected so as to be close to each other, the temperature of the toilet seat 10 is increased. The required seating time (a, b, c) that is closer to the time t required for the movement can be selected.

  In this modification, the detection signal level corresponding to the same required seating time (a, b, c) can be updated to a lower value. However, the drive timing of the heating unit can be set more accurately, and the possibility of erroneous detection can be more reliably reduced.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these specific examples. In other words, those specific examples that have been appropriately modified by those skilled in the art are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the characteristics of the present invention. For example, the elements included in each of the specific examples described above and their arrangement, materials, conditions, shapes, sizes, and the like are not limited to those illustrated, but 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.

10: Toilet seat 11: Toilet lid 12: Heating unit 13: Doppler sensor unit 14: Toilet seat temperature detection unit 15: Control unit 131: Transmission unit 132: Reception unit 133: Difference detection unit 151: Reception output unit 152: Frequency filter 153: Temperature rise start determination unit CR: passage DR: door HS: heating toilet seat device M: person Ma: position Mb: position Mc: position SA: detection area SB: toilet bowl TR: toilet room

Claims (5)

A heating toilet seat device attached to a toilet provided in a toilet room,
Toilet seat to sit when using the toilet,
A heating section for raising the temperature of the toilet seat to at least a predetermined temperature;
A toilet seat temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the toilet seat;
The transmitter transmits a microwave that is a transmission wave toward the front of the toilet seat, and a reflected wave that is reflected when the transmission wave hits a person outside the toilet room or a person inside the toilet room. A Doppler sensor unit that receives a reception unit and generates a Doppler signal that is a difference frequency between the transmission wave and the reflected wave;
A control unit that drives the heating unit when a detection signal level of the Doppler signal exceeds a signal level threshold,
The signal level threshold includes at least a first signal level threshold and a second signal level threshold that is higher than the first signal level threshold;
The controller drives the heating unit using the first signal level threshold when the toilet seat temperature detected by the toilet seat temperature detection unit is a first temperature, and the toilet seat temperature detection unit detects the heating unit. When the temperature of the toilet seat is a second temperature higher than the first temperature, the heating unit is driven using the second signal level threshold.   The first signal level threshold is a numerical value that can detect a person outside the toilet room and before entering the toilet room, and the second signal level threshold value can detect that a person enters the toilet room. The heating toilet seat device according to claim 1, wherein the heating toilet seat device is a numerical value. A seating detection unit for detecting that a person is seated on the toilet seat;
A storage unit that stores a pair of a relationship between a detection signal level and a required seating time from a signal acquisition time at which the detection signal level is acquired to a seating detection time at which seating is detected;
The controller is
Based on the temperature of the toilet seat detected by the toilet seat temperature detection unit, the heating unit calculates a temperature increase time required for raising the toilet seat to the predetermined temperature,
Based on the relationship between the detection signal level stored in the storage unit and the required seating time, the detection signal level corresponding to the temperature rise time is defined as the second signal level threshold, and the defined second signal The heating toilet seat device according to claim 1, wherein the heating unit is driven using a level threshold value. The storage unit is capable of storing a plurality of pairs of the relationship between the detection signal level and the required seating time such that the required seating times are different from each other,
The said control part defines the detection signal level memorize | stored in the said memory | storage part as said 2nd signal level threshold value so that the said required seating time becomes the said temperature rising time closest. The heating toilet seat device according to 1.   The storage unit continuously acquires the relationship between the detection signal level and the required seating time along a time series, and the detection signal at a later time when the required seating time is the same. The heating toilet seat device according to claim 4, wherein, when the level is a value lower than the detection signal level at the previous time, only the detection signal level having the lower value is stored as a new second signal level threshold value. .

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