JP2012205670A - Heated toilet seat device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heated toilet seat device which can rapidly raise the temperature of a toilet seat up to a temperature which does not give a sensation of coldness when heating is started, and also preventing the influence of a magnetic field on a human body after sitting.SOLUTION: The heated toilet seat device includes: a toilet seat body having a heat generation part constituted by a conductor; an induction heating coil for generating a magnetic field to induction-heat the heat generation part; a control part for controlling current passing to the induction heating coil; a human body detection part for detecting the presence of the human body; and a sitting action detection part for detecting the sitting action of a user on the toilet seat body. The control part starts a first heating mode for heating the toilet seat body by current passing to the induction heating coil when the human body detection part detects the presence of the human body, and shifts the same to a second heating mode where the amount of current passing to the induction heating coil is smaller than the amount of current passing in the first heating mode after the sitting action detection part detects the sitting action of the human body.

Description

  An aspect of the present invention relates to a heating toilet seat device, and more particularly, to a heating toilet seat device capable of heating a toilet seat provided in a toilet bowl.

  As a heating form of a new heating toilet seat, a toilet seat apparatus using an induction heating method by supplying a high-frequency current to an induction heating coil has been proposed. In such an induction heating method, the degree of influence on the human body with respect to the strength of the magnetic field generated from the induction heating coil has been studied, and the magnitude of the magnetic flux density that does not affect the human body has been announced.

  As a driving method of induction heating for suppressing a magnetic field to a human body, a method of driving induction heating by detecting a human body and stopping induction heating by detecting sitting (Patent Document 1) has been considered. However, the seating detection generally used in the heated toilet seat is a condition that permits the start of the local cleaning operation, and the seating detection is confirmed by detecting the seated state of the user for a certain period of time. . For this reason, there is room for improvement in that the user may be exposed to a magnetic field for a certain period of time from when the user is seated to when the seating detection is confirmed.

  On the other hand, in order to suppress the influence of the magnetic field on the human body, as a driving method of induction heating, induction heating is driven by detection of entering a room, and the induction heating is stopped by detecting the presence of a human body near the toilet lid. A method has been considered (Patent Document 2). However, although this driving method eliminates the problem of the influence on the human body caused by the magnetic field, heating may be stopped early and the toilet seat may not be sufficiently warm when the user is seated. For this reason, there is room for improvement in that the user feels uncomfortable.

  On the other hand, in order to solve the problem of the magnetic field on the human body and the temperature of the toilet seat, the user himself opens the toilet lid or operates a dedicated switch to stop induction heating or reduce the amount of current applied to the magnetic field. There are a method of reducing the value to a value that does not affect the method, and a method in which the user cannot sit without opening the toilet lid unless the toilet seat is sufficiently warmed and induction heating is stopped. Further, a method of notifying that the magnetic field is generated and that the heating is insufficient and suppressing the seating can be considered. However, in any method, use of the heated toilet seat is restricted, and there remains a problem that the user feels uncomfortable or inconvenient.

JP 2001-8859 A JP 2008-18114 A

  The present invention has been made on the basis of recognition of such a problem, is a heating toilet seat device using the principle of induction heating, raising the temperature of the toilet seat to a temperature that does not feel cold quickly with the start of heating, An object of the present invention is to provide a heated toilet seat device that can prevent a human body from being affected by a magnetic field after being seated.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toilet seat body having a heat generating portion made of a conductor, an induction heating coil that generates a magnetic field for induction heating the heat generating portion, a control unit that controls energization to the induction heating coil, and a human body A human body detection unit that detects the presence of the user and a seating operation detection unit that detects a user's seating operation on the toilet seat body, and the control unit detects the presence of a human body by the human body detection unit. The first heating mode for warming the toilet seat body by energizing the induction heating coil is started, and after the seating motion detecting unit detects the seating motion of the human body, the energization amount to the induction heating coil is the first amount. It is the heating toilet seat apparatus which has transfered to the 2nd heating mode smaller than the energization amount in heating mode.

  According to this heating toilet seat device, since the first heating mode is shifted to the second heating mode by the detection of the seating operation by the seating motion detection unit, the toilet seat can be quickly heated before the seating and is used in the seated state. The influence of the magnetic field on the person can be sufficiently suppressed.

  In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the energization amount to the induction heating coil in the second heating mode has an influence on the human body seated on the toilet seat by the magnetic field generated by the induction heating coil. It is a heating toilet seat apparatus characterized by being the energization amount used as a magnetic field which is not.

  According to this heating toilet seat device, since the seating operation is detected by the seating motion detection unit to shift to the second heating mode, the user can ensure that the magnetic field generated from the induction heating coil does not affect the user. You can sit down after the transition. Further, since the seating motion detection unit detects the seating motion of the user, the seat can be warmed up to just before the user sits on the toilet seat. Thereby, it is possible to provide a heated toilet seat that does not feel cold or uncomfortable when the user is seated.

  According to a third invention, in the first or second invention, the control unit detects the presence of a human body by the human body detection unit, and then the seating motion detection unit detects the seating of the user. In the heating toilet seat device, the first heating mode is shifted to the second heating mode when a predetermined time has elapsed.

  According to this heating toilet seat device, since the first heating mode has the timed control, there is no problem that the temperature of the toilet seat is excessively increased, and an energy saving effect of suppressing wasteful power consumption can be obtained.

  In a fourth aspect based on any one of the first to third aspects, the second heating mode includes a temperature raising mode for raising the temperature of the toilet seat body, and a heat retention for keeping the temperature of the toilet seat body constant. A warm toilet seat device that is executed last within a period of executing the second heating mode.

  According to the heating toilet seat device, since the warming mode is provided, the toilet seat body is kept at a constant temperature even after the user is seated. For this reason, even if the user has been sitting on the toilet seat for a long time, the temperature of the toilet seat body does not decrease, and a comfortable heating toilet seat can be obtained. In addition, since the temperature of the toilet seat body can be raised and kept warm by the induction heating method, it is comfortable with a simple structure and simple control compared to the structure using the induction heating method and the heat transfer heating method. Realize a heated toilet seat.

  Further, a fifth invention further includes a function permission seating detection unit that determines permission of operation start of a function executable after the user is seated on the toilet seat in any one of the first to fourth inventions, The seating motion detection unit and the function-permitted seating detection unit also serve as a single sensor.

  According to this heating toilet seat device, since the seating motion detection unit also has a structure that also serves as a function permission seating detection unit that determines permission to start cleaning, which is normally used for a heating toilet seat, it is necessary to provide a plurality of sensors. In addition, one sensor can be provided at the optimum position for the user seated on the toilet seat, and the difference in seating accuracy due to the difference in installation position can be eliminated.

  In a sixth aspect based on the fifth aspect, the seating motion detection unit detects the seating motion of the human body prior to the determination of permission of the cleaning start by the function permission seating detection unit. This is a heating toilet seat device.

  According to this heating toilet seat device, it is possible to detect the operation immediately before sitting, which is prior to determining the washing permission, and when the user is seated, it is possible to surely switch to the second heating mode. As a result, it is possible to heat up to just before sitting, and when the user sits down, it is not necessary to feel cold, and after the magnetic field generated from the induction heating coil has surely shifted to a state where it does not affect the user. You can be seated.

  According to a seventh invention, in the fifth or sixth invention, a detection cycle at the time of detection processing by the seating motion detection unit is shorter than a detection cycle at the time of detection processing by the function permission seating detection unit. The heating toilet seat device.

  According to this heating toilet seat device, the user can be seated in a state where the magnetic field generated from the induction heating coil has no influence on the user. That is, the function permission seating detection unit of the normal heating toilet seat detects that the user has been seated for a certain period of time and determines that the user has been seated. The reason for this is that the washing start switch such as the remote control attached to the toilet seat device is detected at the same time as detecting the seating for a short time, such as when the projected area of the seating motion detection unit is small and difficult to detect, or when cleaning the toilet booth and toilet seat device. This is to prevent erroneous cleaning when pressed. However, in this heating toilet seat device, since the detection cycle is short in the seating motion detection unit, it is possible to detect the seating motion, that is, just before the seating, rather than the determination after the user has completed the seating. Therefore, the user can be seated in a state in which the influence of the magnetic field generated from the induction heating coil on the user is reliably eliminated.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth or sixth aspect, the number of processes from the detection of the human body by the seating motion detection unit to the determination of the seating is detected by the function-permitted seating detection unit. This is a heating toilet seat device characterized in that the number of processes is less than the number of processes until seating is detected.

  According to this heating toilet seat device, the user can be seated in a state where the magnetic field generated from the induction heating coil has no influence on the user. That is, the function permission seating detection unit of the normal heating toilet seat determines that the user has been seated after a certain time has elapsed since the user was seated. The reason for this is that the washing start switch such as the remote control attached to the toilet seat device is detected at the same time as detecting the seating for a short time, such as when the projected area of the seating motion detection unit is small and difficult to detect, or when cleaning the toilet booth and toilet seat device. This is to prevent erroneous cleaning when pressed. In this heating toilet seat device, since the number of processes until the seating motion detection unit determines seating is reduced, it is possible to detect the seating motion, i.e., just before seating, rather than the determination after the user has completed the seating. it can. Therefore, the user can be seated in a state in which the influence of the magnetic field generated from the induction heating coil on the user is reliably eliminated.

  A ninth aspect of the invention is the heating toilet seat according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the seating motion detection unit detects a change in a speed of a user in a vertical direction of the toilet seat body. Device.

  According to this heating toilet seat device, during a series of operations using the toilet, the operation of moving the buttocks from the upper side to the lower side, that is, the operation specific to the toilet seat such as sitting on the toilet seat, the change in the operation speed in the normal direction is changed. By detecting it, it can be captured reliably. Thereby, the user can enter the seating operation and detect the state immediately before touching the toilet seat, and can switch to the second heating mode. Therefore, the user can be seated in a state in which the influence of the magnetic field generated from the induction heating coil on the user is reliably eliminated.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, a heating toilet seat device that uses the principle of induction heating, the temperature of the toilet seat is raised to a temperature that does not feel cold quickly when heating is started, and the effect of the magnetic field after sitting is A heated toilet seat device is provided.

It is a typical perspective view which illustrates the toilet apparatus provided with the heating toilet seat apparatus concerning this Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram showing the heating toilet seat apparatus concerning this Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the heating toilet seat device concerning this embodiment. It is a control flowchart of induction heating by a control part. It is a figure which illustrates the operation | movement from entrance to a seat, and the sequence of induction heating operation | movement. It is a timing chart explaining the specific example of temperature rising control. It is a timing chart explaining the specific example of temperature rising control. It is a timing chart explaining the specific example of temperature rising control. It is a timing chart explaining the specific example of temperature rising control. It is a timing chart explaining the other specific example of temperature rising control. It is a timing chart explaining the other specific example of temperature rising control. It is a timing chart explaining the other specific example of temperature rising control. It is a timing chart explaining the other specific example of temperature rising control. It is a figure which illustrates the operation timing of a sensor. It is a figure which illustrates the reading timing of the information of a sensor. It is a figure which illustrates a radio wave sensor.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a toilet device provided with the heating toilet seat device according to the present embodiment.
2A and 2B are schematic views showing the heating toilet seat device according to the present embodiment, in which FIG. 2A is a schematic plan view of the heating toilet seat device viewed from above, and FIG. 2B is a cut surface shown in FIG. It is a typical sectional view in AA. In FIG. 2B, the closed toilet lid is also shown for the sake of explanation.

  Heated toilet seat apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is installed on Western-style seated toilet bowl 800 in toilet apparatus 10, and supports toilet seat 200, toilet lid 300, toilet seat 200, and toilet lid 300 so that they can be opened and closed. A casing 400. The toilet lid 300 can cover the toilet seat 200 in the closed state. For example, the toilet seat 200 includes a high-frequency power supply device 220 that generates a high-frequency current. The high frequency power supply device 220 may be built in the casing 400.

  The toilet seat 200 or the toilet lid 300 is provided with an induction heating coil 222 that generates a magnetic field by a high-frequency current supplied from the high-frequency power supply device 220. The toilet seat 200 is provided with a heat generating portion 231 made of a conductor that is induction-heated by a magnetic field. More specifically, the heat generating portion 231 generates heat due to an eddy current induced by a magnetic field generated from the induction heating coil 222.

The casing 400 is provided with a room entry detection sensor 441, a standing position detection sensor 442, a function permission seating sensor 443, and a seating motion sensor 444.
The entrance detection sensor 441 is, for example, a pyroelectric sensor, and detects that the user has entered the toilet room (human body detection unit). In the casing 400, a toilet lid opening / closing device (not shown) for opening and closing the toilet lid 300 is provided. That is, when a user's entry is detected by the entry detection sensor 441, the toilet lid opening / closing device is operated after a certain period of time and the toilet lid 300 is automatically opened.

The standing position detection sensor 442 is, for example, a photoelectric sensor, and measures the distance to the user, and detects that the user is standing at a predetermined position in front of the western-style seat toilet 800. When it is detected by the standing position detection sensor 442 that the user has moved away from the toilet seat 200 by a certain distance (for example, 30 cm) or more, the toilet lid opening / closing device is activated to automatically close the toilet lid 300.
The toilet lid 300 can be opened and closed not only automatically as described above, but also by the user's manual operation or the user's button operation.

  The function permission seating sensor 443 is, for example, a photoelectric sensor, and detects a state in which various functions of the heating toilet seat device 100 can be operated by the user sitting on the toilet seat 200. The function permission seating sensor 443 projects and receives light through the same light projecting / receiving window as the standing position detection sensor 442, for example. The function permission seating sensor 443 measures the distance to the user, detects whether the user has approached within a certain distance (for example, 10 cm), and provides a signal indicating that the detection has been made with a certain delay after the detection. Is output. That is, the function permission seating sensor 443 outputs a signal indicating that the user has detected the seat after being seated on the toilet seat 200 with certainty. The presence / absence of this signal determines the availability of various functions that can be used after sitting.

  The seating motion sensor 444 is a photoelectric sensor, for example, and detects the motion of the user sitting on the toilet seat 200 (sitting motion detection unit). For example, the seating motion sensor 444 measures the distance to the user, detects whether the user has approached within a certain distance (for example, 10 cm), and outputs a signal indicating that the detection has been made without delay after the detection. Output. That is, the seating motion sensor 444 can output a signal indicating that it has been detected at a timing immediately before the user is seated on the toilet seat 200. By this signal, the heating mode of the toilet seat 200 is switched.

  Here, a functional unit as a sanitary washing device may be provided inside the casing 400. That is, the casing 400 may incorporate a sanitary washing function unit having a water discharge nozzle (not shown) that ejects water toward the “butt” of the user sitting on the toilet seat 200.

Further, inside the casing 400, a “warm air drying function”, a “deodorizing unit”, an “indoor heating unit”, etc. that blows warm air toward the “buttock” of the user sitting on the toilet seat 200 and the like are dried. Various mechanisms may be provided as appropriate.
Among these various functions, those that should be operable after the user is seated on the toilet seat 200 are operable when a signal indicating that the function is permitted is output from the function permission seating sensor 443.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the control unit 410 is provided inside the casing 400. Then, power supplied from the commercial power source (hereinafter referred to as “commercial power” for convenience of explanation) is input to the control unit 410 and the high-frequency power device 220. The high frequency power supply device 220 generates a high frequency current based on a control signal supplied from the control unit 410.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the toilet seat 200 includes a housing 210 that forms the outer shape of the toilet seat 200. The housing 210 is made of an insulating material such as resin. Note that the housing 210 may be formed of a plurality of members or a single member.

  Inside the casing 210 of the toilet seat 200, an induction heating coil 222 is provided that generates a magnetic field when a high-frequency current supplied from the high-frequency power supply device 220 is energized. The induction heating coil 222 is attached to the upper surface (inner surface facing the seating surface) 210 a inside the toilet seat 200. The induction heating coil 222 may be supported by a support.

  A heat generating portion 231 that generates heat due to an eddy current induced by a magnetic field generated from the induction heating coil 222 is attached to the upper surface (sitting surface) of the toilet seat 200. Alternatively, the heat generating part 231 may be provided inside the housing 210 of the toilet seat 200. Alternatively, the heat generating portion 231 may be attached to the upper surface 210 a inside the toilet seat 200.

  As a material of the heat generating portion 231, for example, a metal such as a ferromagnetic material such as iron or stainless steel or a paramagnetic material such as aluminum can be used. In order to make it difficult to emit a magnetic field to the outside of the toilet seat 200, it is more preferable to use a ferromagnetic material such as iron or stainless steel having a large electric resistance for the heat generating portion 231. In addition, when the heat generating part 231 is provided on the upper surface of the toilet seat 200, the surface of the heat generating part 231 may be coated, coated, or filmed so that the human body and the heat generating part 231 are not in direct contact. More preferred.

  The toilet seat 200 is provided with a temperature sensor 240. The temperature sensor 240 detects the temperature of the heat generating part 231, for example. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the temperature of the heat generating portion 231 is equivalent to the temperature of the seating surface of the toilet seat 200. In the present embodiment, the temperature of the seating surface of the toilet seat 200 is also simply referred to as the temperature of the toilet seat 200. A temperature detection signal from the temperature sensor 240 is sent to the high frequency power supply device 220 and the control unit 410.

  The controller 410 and the high frequency power supply device 220 are connected by a power supply line 415. The low frequency current such as commercial power and the control signal supplied from the control unit 410 are supplied to the high frequency power supply device 220 through the feeder line 415. That is, the control unit 410 controls the operation of the high frequency power supply device 220. The power supply line 415 supplies a low frequency current having a relatively lower frequency than the high frequency current output from the high frequency power supply device 220 to the high frequency power supply device 220. The high frequency power supply device 220 converts a low frequency current into a high frequency current based on a control signal supplied from the control unit 410. That is, the high frequency power supply device 220 converts the low frequency current supplied through the feeder line 415 into a current having a frequency higher than that frequency (hereinafter referred to as “high frequency current” for convenience of explanation).

  The high frequency current converted by the high frequency power supply device 220 flows to the induction heating coil 222. Then, the induction heating coil 222 generates a magnetic field. When the induction heating coil 222 generates a magnetic field, the heat generating portion 231 generates heat due to an eddy current induced by the magnetic field. Therefore, the heated toilet seat device 100 according to the present embodiment can rapidly heat the seating surface of the toilet seat 200 using the principle of induction heating, and can make the seating surface an appropriate temperature earlier.

  Moreover, since the heating toilet seat apparatus 100 concerning this embodiment can heat the seating surface of the toilet seat 200 rapidly, when the user is not using the toilet seat 200, it is not necessary to keep the toilet seat 200 warm. Absent. Therefore, for example, energy saving can be achieved as compared with the case where the seating surface of the toilet seat 200 is heated by resistance heating means such as “seeds heater”, “halogen heater”, and “carbon heater”.

  The toilet lid 300 is provided with, for example, a ferromagnetic magnetic shield 310 as magnetic field leakage suppression means for suppressing the degree of magnetic field generated by induction heating passing through the toilet lid 300. The magnetic shield 310 is disposed at a position that covers at least the front and side of the toilet seat 200 with the toilet lid 300 closed. As described above, when the toilet lid 300 is provided with the magnetic shield 310, the magnetic flux leakage from the induction heating coil 222 can be reduced when the toilet seat 200 is heated by induction heating while the toilet lid 300 is closed. In particular, since the user approaches the toilet seat 200 from the front or side of the Western-style toilet bowl 800 when entering the toilet, the magnetic shield 310 is provided at a position covering at least the front and side of the toilet seat 200, which is the direction in which the user approaches. Thus, the leakage magnetic flux can be effectively suppressed.

  In the heating toilet seat device 100 illustrated in FIG. 2, the induction heating coil 222 is provided in the casing 210 of the toilet seat 200, but the induction heating coil 222 may be provided in the casing of the toilet lid 300. Good. In the heating toilet seat device 100 in which the induction heating coil 222 is provided in the casing of the toilet lid 300, a magnetic field is generated by the induction heating coil 222 when the toilet lid 300 is closed. Thereby, the heat generating part 231 provided in the toilet seat 200 generates heat by an eddy current induced by the magnetic field. Further, the heat generating portion 231 may be provided not on the toilet seat 200 but on the toilet lid 300. In the following description, a configuration in which the toilet seat 200 is provided with the induction heating coil 222 and the heat generating portion 231 is taken as an example.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the heating toilet seat device according to the present embodiment.
That is, as shown in FIG. 3, in the heating toilet seat device 100 according to the present embodiment, the configuration provided in the toilet seat 200, the configuration provided in the toilet lid 300, the configuration provided in the casing 400, Is provided.
The toilet seat 200 is provided with, for example, a high frequency power supply device 220, a heat generating portion 231, an induction heating coil 222, and a temperature sensor 240.
In the present embodiment, the high frequency power supply device 220 is provided in the toilet seat 200, but may be provided in the casing 400.
The toilet lid 300 is provided with a magnetic shield 310 as magnetic field leakage suppression means.

  The casing 400 is provided with a control unit 410, an entrance detection sensor 441, a standing position detection sensor 442, a function permission seating sensor 443, a seating motion sensor 444, and a toilet lid opening / closing device 450. The toilet lid opening / closing device 450 may include a mechanism that opens and closes the toilet seat 200 in addition to opening and closing the toilet lid 300. Moreover, the local cleaning part 460 is provided in the casing 400 as needed.

  Next, the induction heating control operation by the control unit 410 will be described. In the present embodiment, the case where the control unit 410 performs the induction heating control operation will be described. However, the high frequency current control unit provided in the high frequency power supply device 220 (controls the amount of high frequency current supplied to the induction heating coil 222). The same control operation may be performed depending on the portion to be performed.

FIG. 4 is a control flowchart of induction heating by the control unit.
First, as shown in step S <b> 101, the control unit 410 determines whether or not entry into the toilet room of the user by the entry detection sensor 441 has been detected. When the room entry detection sensor 441 detects that the user has entered the room, as shown in step S102, the control unit 410 performs the first temperature increase control. In the first temperature rise control, supply of the high-frequency current to the induction heating coil 222 is started, and the supply is performed within the first time from the start of supply.

  Next, as shown in step S <b> 103, the control unit 410 determines whether or not the supply of the high-frequency current by the first temperature increase control has elapsed for the first time from the start of supply. If the first time has not elapsed, it is determined whether or not the toilet lid 300 has been opened as shown in step S104. If the toilet lid 300 is not open, the process returns to step S103.

  When the first time has elapsed from the start of the supply of the high-frequency current by the first temperature rise control, the toilet lid 300 is opened as shown in step S105. That is, the control unit 410 gives an instruction to the toilet lid opening / closing device 450 to open the toilet lid 300. In response to this instruction, the toilet lid opening / closing device 450 operates and the toilet lid 300 is automatically opened.

  When the toilet lid 300 is automatically opened, or when the toilet lid 300 is opened before the first time has passed (Yes in step S104), the control unit 410, as shown in step S106, The first temperature rise control shifts to the second temperature rise control. The second temperature raising control is a control for raising the temperature by reducing the supply amount of the high-frequency current per unit time as compared with the first temperature raising control.

Next, as represented by step S <b> 107, the control unit 410 determines whether the seating motion sensor 444 has detected the user's seating motion. When the user's seating motion is detected, as shown in step S109, the control unit 410 shifts from the second temperature rise control to the third temperature rise control.
On the other hand, if the user's sitting motion is not detected, the process proceeds to step S108. In step S108, control unit 410 determines whether or not the supply of the high-frequency current by the second temperature rise control has passed a second time since the human body detection. If the second time has not elapsed, the second temperature rise control is continued as it is, and the process returns to step S107.

On the other hand, when the second time has elapsed, as shown in step S109, the control unit 410 shifts from the second temperature increase control to the third temperature increase control. In other words, when the controller 410 detects the seating operation of the user during the second temperature increase control or when the second time has elapsed, the control unit 410 performs the third temperature increase control to the third temperature increase control. Shift to the temperature rise control.
The third temperature increase control is a control for increasing the temperature by reducing the supply amount of the high-frequency current per unit time as compared with the second temperature increase control.

  Next, as represented by step S110, the control unit 410 determines whether or not the temperature of the toilet seat 200 has reached a preset temperature (for example, a comfortable temperature). That is, control unit 410 determines whether or not the temperature of toilet seat 200 has reached the set temperature based on the temperature detection signal from temperature sensor 240. If the set temperature has not been reached, control unit 410 continues the third temperature rise control. On the other hand, when the set temperature is reached, the control unit 410 shifts from the third temperature increase control to the heat retention control as represented in step S111. Thereby, the temperature of the toilet seat 200 is maintained at a comfortable temperature.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation from entering the toilet room to sitting of the user and a sequence of induction heating operation.
Fig.5 (a) has illustrated the operation | movement from a user's entrance to a seating.
FIG. 5B illustrates an operation sequence of various sensors corresponding to the operation of FIG.
FIG. 5C illustrates a sequence of input power to the induction heating coil corresponding to the operation of FIG.
FIG. 5D illustrates the transition of the magnetic flux density of the leakage magnetic field corresponding to the operation of FIG. Here, the magnetic flux density is a value measured at a position away from the heated toilet seat device 100 when the user is not seated, and is measured on the seating surface of the toilet seat 200 when the user is seated. It is the value.
FIG. 5E illustrates a temperature rise curve representing a change in the temperature of the toilet seat corresponding to the operation of FIG.

First, in the unused state, only the entrance detection by the entrance detection sensor 441 is performed. In a state where the entrance to the toilet room is not detected by the entrance detection sensor 441 (an unused state), the input power to the induction heating coil 222 is the stop control CT0 (stop of power input) or the standby control CTr (toilet seat 200). Power supply to keep the temperature at the standby temperature). In the stop control CT0, the magnetic flux density B0 of the magnetic field leaking from the induction heating coil 222 to the outside of the toilet seat 200 is zero. In the standby control CTr, the magnetic flux density Br is very small.
The temperature THs of the toilet seat 200 that is executing the stop control CT0 is substantially room temperature. Further, the temperature of the toilet seat 200 during execution of the standby control CTr is the standby temperature THr.

Next, when the entrance detection sensor 441 detects that the user enters the toilet room (time t0), the control unit 410 shifts the input power to the induction heating coil 222 to the first temperature increase control CT1. In the first temperature rise control CT1, the magnetic flux density B1 of the magnetic field leaking from the induction heating coil 222 to the outside of the toilet seat 200 is higher than the magnetic flux densities B0 and Br, but smaller than the reference magnetic flux density Bref.
The first temperature increase control CT1 is executed from time t0 when entering the room to time t1 when the first time elapses. At time t1, the temperature of the toilet seat 200 rises to the first temperature TH1.

  Next, the toilet lid 300 is automatically opened at the time t1 when the first time has elapsed from the time t0 of entry detection. In addition, control unit 410 shifts input power to induction heating coil 222 from first temperature increase control CT1 to second temperature increase control CT2. In the second temperature increase control CT2, the supply amount of the high-frequency current per unit time is lower than that in the first temperature increase control CT1. However, since the toilet lid 300 is open, the magnetic shielding effect by the toilet lid 300 is reduced. Therefore, the magnetic flux density B2 during execution of the second temperature rise control CT2 is larger than the magnetic flux density B1. However, the magnetic flux density B2 is smaller than the reference magnetic flux density Bref.

After the toilet lid 300 is opened, operations of the standing position detection sensor 442, the function permission seating sensor 443, and the seating motion sensor 444 are started from time t ′. Thereafter, the user enters a seating motion, and a signal indicating that the seating motion has been detected is output from the seating motion sensor 444 at time t2 immediately before the seating. The control unit 410 receives the signal output from the seating motion sensor 444 and shifts the input power to the induction heating coil 222 from the second temperature increase control CT2 to the third temperature increase control CT3. In the third temperature rise control CT3, the supply amount of the high-frequency current per unit time is lower than that in the second temperature rise control CT2.
The magnetic flux density B3 during execution of the third temperature rise control CT3 is a value that does not affect the human body even when the user is seated on the toilet seat 200.

  At time t2 when the second temperature rise control CT2 is switched to the third temperature rise control CT3, the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the cooling sensation limit temperature TH2. In addition, the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the comfortable temperature TH3 from the cooling sensation limit temperature TH2 by executing the third temperature rise control CT3.

When the seating state is detected by the function-permitted seating sensor 443 (time tw) after detection immediately before sitting by the seating motion sensor 444, various functions become usable. On the other hand, when the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the comfortable temperature TH3 (time tg) by the execution of the third temperature increase control CT3, the control unit 410 changes the input power to the induction heating coil 222 to the third temperature increase. Control CT3 shifts to heat retention control CTk. Thereby, the temperature of the toilet seat 200 is maintained at the comfortable temperature TH3.
The magnetic flux density during execution of the heat retention control CTk is Bk. In the heat retention control CTk, since a small amount of current is sufficient to maintain the comfortable temperature TH3, the magnetic flux density Bk is smaller than the magnetic flux density B3.

In the present embodiment, the temperature rise control performed between the detection of the entrance by the entrance detection sensor 441 and the detection immediately before the seating by the seating motion sensor 444 is referred to as the first heating mode, and the time immediately before the seating by the seating motion sensor 444 is detected. The temperature increase control that has shifted to (the temperature increase control that provides a magnetic flux density that does not affect the human body even when the user is seated) is referred to as a second heating mode.
In the example shown in FIG. 5, the first temperature increase control CT1 and the second temperature increase control CT2 are in the first heating mode, and the third temperature increase control CT3 and the heat retention control CTk are in the second heating mode.

  The second heating mode includes a state where the induction heating coil 222 is not energized. When the second heating mode includes at least the third temperature increase control CT3 and the heat retention control CTk, the heat retention control CTk is executed last in the period in which the second heating mode is executed.

  By such temperature increase control, the toilet seat 200 can be warmed up to just before the user is seated, and a heated toilet seat that does not cause the user to feel the coldness of the toilet seat 200 when the user is seated is provided. become able to. Moreover, since it has shifted to the second heating mode immediately before sitting, after the seating (after the user's butt touches the seating surface of the toilet seat 200), it has surely shifted to the second heating mode, It is possible to provide an environment in which the human body is not exposed to a magnetic field having a high magnetic flux density, and to be used with confidence.

Next, specific temperature increase control by the control unit 410 will be described.
6 to 9 are timing charts for explaining specific examples of the temperature rise control.
The timing charts shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 illustrate control when a toilet lid having a magnetic shielding effect is provided.
In each figure, (a) illustrates a temperature rise curve representing a change in the temperature of the toilet seat with respect to time. Moreover, (b) represents the change of the magnetic flux density with respect to time.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart illustrating temperature increase control when a human body is detected such as entering a room and then seated on the toilet seat 200 within a second time period.
First, let t0 be the time when the room entry detection sensor 441 detects a human body while the temperature of the toilet seat 200 is the initial temperature TH0. On condition that the controller 410 detects the closed state of the toilet lid 300 by the seating motion sensor 444 from time t0 when the human body is detected by the room detection sensor 441 to time t1 when the first time TM1 elapses. The first temperature increase control CT1 is executed.

In the first temperature rise control CT1, a high-frequency current for increasing the temperature of the toilet seat 200 from the initial temperature TH0 to the first temperature TH1 is supplied to the induction heating coil 222 within the first time TM1.
Here, the supply amount of the high-frequency current is obtained by the detection value by the current transformer, the number of pulses of the switching transistor, the ON time, and the like.

In the first temperature increase control CT1, the control unit 410 performs temperature control of the toilet seat 200 by, for example, feedforward control. That is, the amount of high-frequency current obtained from the relationship between the difference between the initial temperature TH0 of the toilet seat 200 and the first temperature TH1 and the first time TM1 (for example, the relational expression or table data) is determined as the induction heating coil 222. To supply.
In the first temperature rise control CT1, the slope of the temperature rise curve of the toilet seat is θ1.

In the first temperature rise control CT1, rapid heating is performed so that the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the first temperature TH1 that is equal to or lower than the cooling sensation limit temperature TH2 within the first time TM1.
Here, the first temperature TH1 is set in advance as a temperature equal to or lower than the cooling sensation limit temperature TH2. Even if the first temperature TH1 is lower than the cooling sensation limit temperature TH2, as long as the toilet seat 200 reaches the first temperature TH1, the user only needs to feel a slight cooling sensation when seated.

  Further, the magnetic flux density during execution of the first temperature rise control CT1 is B1. Here, the magnetic flux density B1 is a value measured under conditions in which the user is not seated. The magnetic flux density B1 is smaller than the magnetic flux density Bref, which is a reference for equipment that uses induction heating. In the first temperature increase control CT1, a relatively large high-frequency current is supplied to the induction heating coil 222 in order to perform rapid heating. However, since the toilet lid 300 is closed, the magnetic flux density leaking to the outside is small.

Next, when the first time TM1 has elapsed, the control unit 410 performs control to automatically open the toilet lid 300. And the control part 410 performs control which transfers to 1st temperature rising control CT1 from 2nd temperature rising control CT2.
In the second temperature increase control CT2, the supply amount of the high-frequency current per unit time is lower than that in the first temperature increase control CT1. That is, in the second temperature rise control CT2, the slope θ2 of the toilet seat temperature rise curve is smaller than the slope θ1 of the temperature rise curve of the first temperature rise control CT1.
In the second temperature increase control CT2, the control unit 410 performs temperature control of the toilet seat 200 by, for example, feedforward control similar to the first temperature increase control CT1.

  The magnetic flux density during execution of the second temperature rise control CT2 is B2. Here, the magnetic flux density B2 is a value measured under conditions in which the user is not seated. In the second temperature rise control CT2, induction heating is performed in a state where the toilet lid 300 is open, so that the magnetic flux density B2 is larger than the magnetic flux density B1 when the first temperature rise control CT1 is executed. However, in the second temperature increase control CT2, since the gradient of the temperature increase curve is smaller than that in the first temperature increase control CT1, the increase in magnetic flux density is slight. Further, the magnetic flux density B2 is smaller than the reference magnetic flux density Bref.

Thereafter, when the user is seated on the toilet seat 200 within the second time TM2 (the time from the time t0 when the human body is detected to the time t2) (the time td when the user is seated), the control unit 410 performs the second temperature increase control CT2. To shift to the third temperature rise control CT3. That is, when the seating motion sensor 444 detects that the user is just sitting, the control unit 410 switches from the second temperature rise control CT2 to the third temperature rise control CT3 based on the detection result.
In the third temperature rise control CT3, the supply amount of the high-frequency current per unit time is lower than that in the second temperature rise control CT2. That is, in the third temperature rise control CT3, the slope θ3 of the temperature rise curve of the toilet seat is smaller than the slope θ2 of the temperature rise curve of the second temperature rise control CT2.

  The third temperature increase control CT3 is temperature increase control in a state where the user is seated on the toilet seat 200. Therefore, the temperature increase due to the inclination θ3 becomes very slow to the extent that the user does not feel a rapid temperature increase. The temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the cooling sensation limit temperature TH2 during execution of the third temperature increase control CT3, and further reaches a preset temperature (comfort temperature TH3).

  The magnetic flux density during execution of the third temperature rise control CT3 is B3. Here, the magnetic flux density B3 is a value measured under conditions in which the user is seated. In the third temperature increase control CT3, since the temperature increase control is performed while the user is seated on the toilet seat 200, the first temperature increase control CT1 and the second temperature increase control CT2 are executed. Are smaller than the magnetic flux densities B1 and B2. For this reason, even if induction heating is performed while the user is seated on the toilet seat 200, the leakage magnetic flux does not affect the human body.

  The control unit 410 executes the third temperature increase control CT3 until the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the comfortable temperature TH3. The control unit 410 performs temperature control of the toilet seat 200 by, for example, feedforward control in the first half of the period in which the third temperature increase control CT3 is executed. On the other hand, in the second half of the period, the temperature control of the toilet seat 200 is performed by, for example, feedback control. Thereby, the overshoot in which the temperature of the toilet seat 200 exceeds the comfortable temperature TH3 can be suppressed.

  When the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the comfortable temperature TH3 (time tg), the control unit 410 performs control to shift from the third temperature increase control CT3 to the heat retention control CTk. Thereby, the temperature of the toilet seat 200 is maintained at the comfortable temperature TH3.

  The magnetic flux density during execution of the heat retention control CTk is Bk. In the heat retention control CTk, the magnetic flux density Bk is very small because only a small amount of current is required to maintain the comfortable temperature TH3. Here, the magnetic flux density Bk is a value measured under conditions in which the user is seated.

  Such temperature increase control can prevent the human body from being exposed to a magnetic field having a high magnetic flux density, and can warm the toilet seat without consuming wasteful power before the user enters the toilet room and sits down. it can. This makes it possible to safely perform toilet seat heating that can minimize the cooling sensation when the user is seated, while saving power.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart illustrating temperature increase control when the toilet lid 300 is opened within a first time after human body detection such as entering a room.
First, let t0 be the time when the room entry detection sensor 441 detects a human body while the temperature of the toilet seat 200 is the initial temperature TH0. The control unit 410 executes the first temperature increase control CT1 on the condition that the closed state of the toilet lid 300 is detected by the seating motion sensor 444 from time t0 when the human body is detected by the room entry detection sensor 441. The slope of the temperature rise curve of the toilet seat in the first temperature rise control CT1 is θ1. Further, the magnetic flux density during execution of the first temperature rise control CT1 is B1.

  Here, it is assumed that the user opens the toilet lid 300 manually or at the user's instruction between time t0 and time t1 when a preset first time TM1 elapses (time tp). In this case, the control unit 410 performs control to shift from the first temperature increase control CT1 to the second temperature increase control CT2. In the second temperature rise control CT2, the slope θ2 of the temperature rise curve of the toilet seat is smaller than the slope θ1 of the temperature rise curve of the first temperature rise control CT1. The magnetic flux density during execution of the second temperature rise control CT2 is B2.

  Thereafter, when the user is seated on the toilet seat 200 within the second time TM2 (seating time td), the control unit 410 performs control to shift from the second temperature rise control CT2 to the third temperature rise control CT3. . In the third temperature rise control CT3, the slope θ3 of the temperature rise curve of the toilet seat is smaller than the slope θ2 of the temperature rise curve of the second temperature rise control CT2. The magnetic flux density during execution of the third temperature rise control CT3 is B3.

  The control unit 410 executes the third temperature increase control CT3 until the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the comfortable temperature TH3. When the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the comfortable temperature TH3 (time tg), the control unit 410 performs control to shift from the third temperature increase control CT3 to the heat retention control CTk. Thereby, the temperature of the toilet seat 200 is maintained at the comfortable temperature TH3. The magnetic flux density during execution of the heat retention control CTk is Bk.

  By such temperature increase control, even when the toilet lid 300 opens at a relatively early timing after entering the toilet, the user is seated from the toilet entering while preventing the human body from being exposed to a magnetic field having a high magnetic flux density. The toilet seat can be warmed up without consuming unnecessary power. This makes it possible to safely perform toilet seat heating that can minimize the cooling sensation when the user is seated, while saving power.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart illustrating temperature increase control when seated simultaneously with the second time.
First, let t0 be the time when the room entry detection sensor 441 detects a human body while the temperature of the toilet seat 200 is the initial temperature TH0. On condition that the controller 410 detects the closed state of the toilet lid 300 by the seating motion sensor 444 from time t0 when the human body is detected by the room detection sensor 441 to time t1 when the first time TM1 elapses. The first temperature increase control CT1 is executed. The slope of the temperature rise curve of the toilet seat in the first temperature rise control CT1 is θ1. Further, the magnetic flux density during execution of the first temperature rise control CT1 is B1.

  When the first temperature rise control CT1 is performed at the first time TM1, the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the first temperature TH1. When the first time TM1 has elapsed, the control unit 410 performs control to automatically open the toilet lid 300. And the control part 410 performs control which transfers to 1st temperature rising control CT1 from 2nd temperature rising control CT2. In the second temperature rise control CT2, the slope θ2 of the temperature rise curve of the toilet seat is smaller than the slope θ1 of the temperature rise curve of the first temperature rise control CT1. The magnetic flux density during execution of the second temperature rise control CT2 is B2.

When the second temperature increase control CT2 is performed at the second time TM2, the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the cooling sensation limit temperature TH2. When the user is seated on the toilet seat at time t2 when the second time TM2 has elapsed (time t2 = td), the control unit 410 shifts from the second temperature increase control CT2 to the third temperature increase control CT3. Take control. In the third temperature rise control CT3, the slope θ3 of the temperature rise curve of the toilet seat is smaller than the slope θ2 of the temperature rise curve of the second temperature rise control CT2. The magnetic flux density during execution of the third temperature rise control CT3 is B3.
When the user is seated, the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the cooling sensation limit temperature TH2, so that the user is not given a cooling sensation.

  The control unit 410 executes the third temperature increase control CT3 until the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the comfortable temperature TH3. When the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the comfortable temperature TH3 (time tg), the control unit 410 performs control to shift from the third temperature increase control CT3 to the heat retention control CTk. Thereby, the temperature of the toilet seat 200 is maintained at the comfortable temperature TH3. The magnetic flux density during execution of the heat retention control CTk is Bk.

  By such temperature rise control, when the toilet lid 300 is automatically opened from the toilet entrance and seated on the toilet seat 200 at an average timing, while preventing the human body from being exposed to a magnetic field having a high magnetic flux density, The toilet seat can be warmed up to the cooling sensation limit temperature TH2 without consuming unnecessary power. Accordingly, it is possible to safely perform toilet seat heating that does not give the user a feeling of cooling while saving power.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart illustrating temperature increase control when seated after the second time has elapsed.
First, let t0 be the time when the room entry detection sensor 441 detects a human body while the temperature of the toilet seat 200 is the initial temperature TH0. On condition that the controller 410 detects the closed state of the toilet lid 300 by the seating motion sensor 444 from time t0 when the human body is detected by the room detection sensor 441 to time t1 when the first time TM1 elapses. The first temperature increase control CT1 is executed. The slope of the temperature rise curve of the toilet seat in the first temperature rise control CT1 is θ1. Further, the magnetic flux density during execution of the first temperature rise control CT1 is B1.

  When the first temperature rise control CT1 is performed at the first time TM1, the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the first temperature TH1. When the first time TM1 has elapsed, the control unit 410 performs control to automatically open the toilet lid 300. And the control part 410 performs control which transfers to 1st temperature rising control CT1 from 2nd temperature rising control CT2. In the second temperature rise control CT2, the slope θ2 of the temperature rise curve of the toilet seat is smaller than the slope θ1 of the temperature rise curve of the first temperature rise control CT1. The magnetic flux density during execution of the second temperature rise control CT2 is B2.

  When the second temperature increase control CT2 is performed at the second time TM2, the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the cooling sensation limit temperature TH2. Then, at time t2 when the second time TM2 has elapsed, the control unit 410 performs control to shift from the second temperature increase control CT2 to the third temperature increase control CT3. In the third temperature rise control CT3, the slope θ3 of the temperature rise curve of the toilet seat is smaller than the slope θ2 of the temperature rise curve of the second temperature rise control CT2. The magnetic flux density during execution of the third temperature rise control CT3 is B3.

  If the user sits on the toilet seat 200 while the second time TM2 has elapsed and the third temperature increase control CT3 is being executed, the control unit 410 continues the third temperature increase control CT3 as it is. The third temperature rise control CT3 is continued until the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the comfortable temperature TH3.

  Then, when the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the comfortable temperature TH3 (time tg), the control unit 410 performs control to shift from the third temperature increase control CT3 to the heat retention control CTk. Thereby, the temperature of the toilet seat 200 is maintained at the comfortable temperature TH3. The magnetic flux density during execution of the heat retention control CTk is Bk.

  By such temperature rise control, the toilet lid 300 is automatically opened from the toilet entrance, and even when the toilet seat 200 is seated at a timing later than the average timing, the human body is exposed to a magnetic field having a high magnetic flux density. The toilet seat can be warmed to the cooling sensation limit temperature TH2 without consuming unnecessary power. Accordingly, it is possible to safely perform toilet seat heating that does not give the user a feeling of cooling while saving power.

Next, another example of specific temperature increase control by the control unit 410 will be described.
10 to 13 are timing charts for explaining other specific examples of the temperature rise control.
The timing charts shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 illustrate control when the toilet lid has no magnetic shielding effect or when the toilet lid is not provided.
In each figure, (a) illustrates a temperature rise curve representing a change in the temperature of the toilet seat with respect to time. Moreover, (b) represents the change of the magnetic flux density with respect to time.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart illustrating temperature increase control when seated simultaneously with the second time.
First, let t0 be the time when the room entry detection sensor 441 detects a human body while the temperature of the toilet seat 200 is the initial temperature TH0. The control unit 410 executes the second temperature increase control CT2 from time t0 when the human body is detected by the room entry detection sensor 441 to time t2 when the second time TM2 elapses. The slope of the temperature rise curve of the toilet seat in the second temperature rise control CT2 is θ2 ′. Further, the magnetic flux density during execution of the second temperature rise control CT2 is B2 ′. The magnetic flux density B2 ′ is larger than the magnetic flux density B2. This is because the antimagnetic effect by the toilet lid 300 cannot be obtained. However, the magnetic flux density B ′ is smaller than the reference magnetic flux density Bref.

  When the second temperature increase control CT2 is performed at the second time TM2, the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the comfortable temperature TH3. When the user is seated on the toilet seat at time t2 when the second time TM2 has elapsed (time t2 = td), the control unit 410 performs control to shift from the second temperature increase control CT2 to the heat retention control CTk. Thereby, the temperature of the toilet seat 200 is maintained at the comfortable temperature TH3. The magnetic flux density during execution of the heat retention control CTk is Bk.

  By such temperature increase control, when sitting on the toilet seat 200 at an average timing from entering the toilet room, it is possible to prevent the human body from being exposed to a magnetic field having a high magnetic flux density, and to consume a comfortable temperature without consuming unnecessary power. The toilet seat can be warmed up to TH3. Accordingly, it is possible to safely perform toilet seat heating that does not give the user a feeling of cooling while saving power.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart illustrating another temperature increase control when sitting at the same time as the second time.
First, let t0 be the time when the room entry detection sensor 441 detects a human body while the temperature of the toilet seat 200 is the initial temperature TH0. The control unit 410 executes the second temperature increase control CT2 from time t0 when the human body is detected by the room entry detection sensor 441 to time t2 when the second time TM2 elapses. The slope of the temperature rise curve of the toilet seat in the second temperature rise control CT2 is θ2 ″. The magnetic flux density B2 '' is smaller than the magnetic flux density B2 '.

When the second temperature increase control CT2 is performed at the second time TM2, the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the cooling sensation limit temperature TH2. When the user is seated on the toilet seat at time t2 when the second time TM2 has elapsed (time t2 = td), the control unit 410 shifts from the second temperature increase control CT2 to the third temperature increase control CT3. Take control. In the third temperature rise control CT3, the slope θ3 of the temperature rise curve of the toilet seat is smaller than the slope θ2 ″ of the temperature rise curve of the second temperature rise control CT2. The magnetic flux density during execution of the third temperature rise control CT3 is B3.
When the user is seated, the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the cooling sensation limit temperature TH2, so that the user is not given a cooling sensation.

  The control unit 410 executes the third temperature increase control CT3 until the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the comfortable temperature TH3. When the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the comfortable temperature TH3 (time tg), the control unit 410 performs control to shift from the third temperature increase control CT3 to the heat retention control CTk. Thereby, the temperature of the toilet seat 200 is maintained at the comfortable temperature TH3. The magnetic flux density during execution of the heat retention control CTk is Bk.

  By such temperature increase control, when sitting on the toilet seat 200 at an average timing from entering the toilet room, it is possible to prevent the human body from being exposed to a magnetic field having a high magnetic flux density, and to feel cool without consuming unnecessary power. The toilet seat can be warmed up to the limit temperature TH2. Accordingly, it is possible to safely perform toilet seat heating that does not give the user a feeling of cooling while saving power.

  In the timing charts illustrated in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the case where the user is seated at the same time as the second time TM2 is shown. Temperature controlled.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart illustrating temperature increase control when seated before the second time elapses.
First, let t0 be the time when the room entry detection sensor 441 detects a human body while the temperature of the toilet seat 200 is the initial temperature TH0. The control unit 410 executes the second temperature increase control CT2 from time t0 when the human body is detected by the room entry detection sensor 441 to time t2 when the second time TM2 elapses. The slope of the temperature rise curve of the toilet seat in the second temperature rise control CT2 is θ2 ′. Magnetic flux density B2 ′.

  Thereafter, when the user is seated on the toilet seat 200 within the second time TM2 (seating time td), the control unit 410 performs control to shift from the second temperature rise control CT2 to the third temperature rise control CT3. . In the third temperature rise control CT3, the slope θ3 of the temperature rise curve of the toilet seat is smaller than the slope θ2 'of the temperature rise curve of the second temperature rise control CT2. The magnetic flux density during execution of the third temperature rise control CT3 is B3.

  The control unit 410 executes the third temperature increase control CT3 until the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the comfortable temperature TH3. When the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the comfortable temperature TH3 (time tg), the control unit 410 performs control to shift from the third temperature increase control CT3 to the heat retention control CTk. Thereby, the temperature of the toilet seat 200 is maintained at the comfortable temperature TH3. The magnetic flux density during execution of the heat retention control CTk is Bk.

  Even when seated at a relatively early timing after entering the toilet, the temperature rise control prevents the human body from being exposed to a magnetic field having a high magnetic flux density while sitting from the user entering the toilet. The toilet seat can be warmed up without consuming unnecessary power. This makes it possible to safely perform toilet seat heating that can minimize the cooling sensation when the user is seated, while saving power.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart illustrating another temperature increase control when seated before the second time elapses.
First, let t0 be the time when the room entry detection sensor 441 detects a human body while the temperature of the toilet seat 200 is the initial temperature TH0. The control unit 410 executes the second temperature increase control CT2 from time t0 when the human body is detected by the room entry detection sensor 441 to time t2 when the second time TM2 elapses. The slope of the temperature rise curve of the toilet seat in the second temperature rise control CT2 is θ2 ″. The magnetic flux density B2 '' is smaller than the magnetic flux density B2 '.

  Thereafter, when the user is seated on the toilet seat 200 within the second time TM2 (seating time td), the control unit 410 performs control to shift from the second temperature rise control CT2 to the third temperature rise control CT3. . In the third temperature rise control CT3, the slope θ3 of the temperature rise curve of the toilet seat is smaller than the slope θ2 ″ of the temperature rise curve of the second temperature rise control CT2. The magnetic flux density during execution of the third temperature rise control CT3 is B3.

  The control unit 410 executes the third temperature increase control CT3 until the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the comfortable temperature TH3. When the temperature of the toilet seat 200 reaches the comfortable temperature TH3 (time tg), the control unit 410 performs control to shift from the third temperature increase control CT3 to the heat retention control CTk. Thereby, the temperature of the toilet seat 200 is maintained at the comfortable temperature TH3. The magnetic flux density during execution of the heat retention control CTk is Bk.

  Even when seated at a relatively early timing after entering the toilet, the temperature rise control prevents the human body from being exposed to a magnetic field having a high magnetic flux density while sitting from the user entering the toilet. The toilet seat can be warmed up without consuming unnecessary power. This makes it possible to safely perform toilet seat heating that can minimize the cooling sensation when the user is seated, while saving power.

Next, detection by the function permission seating sensor and the seating motion sensor will be described.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the operation timing of the sensor.
14A illustrates the operation timing of the function-permitted seating sensor, and FIG. 14B illustrates the operation timing of the seating motion sensor.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 14A, the function permission seating sensor 443 operates every cycle ST1. For example, when a photoelectric sensor is used as the function permitting seating sensor 443, light is emitted every period ST1.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14B, the seating motion sensor 444 operates every cycle ST2. The cycle ST2 is shorter than the cycle ST1. For example, the period ST2 is set to ½ of the period ST1. Thereby, the seating motion sensor 444 can detect the seating motion at a timing earlier than the detection by the function permission seating sensor 443.

  In order to make the operation cycle of the seating motion sensor 444 shorter than the operation cycle of the function-permitted seating sensor 443, the operation time per time of the seating motion sensor 444 is set to be smaller than the operation time per time of the function-permitted seating sensor 443. May be shortened. Thereby, the lifetime of the sensor can be extended.

Here, the function permission seating sensor 443 and the seating motion sensor 444 may be combined with one sensor. In this case, after detecting the entrance by the entrance detection sensor 441, the operation cycle of the sensor is changed from ST1 to ST2, the seating detection is performed, and then the operation mode of the sensor is changed from ST2 to ST1 after shifting to the second heating mode. Return to.
By combining the function-permitted seating sensor 443 and the seating motion sensor 444 with one sensor, there is no need to provide a plurality of sensors. Further, the sensor can be provided at an optimum position for the user seated on the toilet seat 200, and the difference in the seating detection system due to the difference in the installation position can be eliminated.

FIG. 15 is a diagram exemplifying sensor information reading timing.
FIG. 15A illustrates the timing of reading information of the function-permitted seating sensor, and FIG. 15B illustrates the timing of reading information of the seating motion sensor.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 15A, with respect to the function permission seating sensor 443, the timing SP1 at which the time SPT1 has elapsed from the start of operation and the timing at which the time SPT2 has elapsed from the start of operation within one operation period. In SP2, the control unit 410 reads an output signal from the function permission seating sensor 443. For example, when the human body is detected at four consecutive timings SP1 to SP4, the control unit 410 determines that the function after the seating is operable.

  As shown in FIG. 15B, the seating motion sensor 444 also has a timing SP1 at which the time SPT1 has elapsed from the start of operation and a timing SP2 at which the time SPT2 has elapsed from the start of operation within one operation period. The controller 410 reads an output signal from the function permission seating sensor 443. However, the control unit 410 determines the seating motion with a smaller number of processing times than the function-permitted seating sensor 443 for the information of the seating motion sensor 444. For example, when a human body is detected at two consecutive timings SP1 and SP2, it is determined that a seating operation has occurred. Although the determination may be made at one time, it is preferably twice or more from the viewpoint of preventing erroneous detection due to signal noise or the like.

  Here, the above-described reading timing is applicable even when the function-permitted seating sensor 443 and the seating motion sensor 444 are shared by one sensor. In this case, after the entrance is detected by the entrance detection sensor 441, the seating operation is determined at the stage where the human body is detected at the two consecutive timings SP1 and SP2 in the operation period of the sensor, and the two timings thereafter. Even in SP3 and SP4, it is determined that the function after sitting is operable when a human body is detected.

Next, another example of the sitting motion sensor 444 will be described.
In the seating motion sensor 444 described above, an example in which a photoelectric sensor is used has been described. However, as the seating motion sensor 444, other sensors such as an electrostatic sensor and a radio wave sensor can be used in addition to the photoelectric sensor.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a radio wave sensor.
FIG. 16A is a schematic block diagram of the radio wave sensor. FIG. 16B is a diagram illustrating an output waveform of the radio wave sensor.
As illustrated in FIG. 16A, the radio wave sensor 480 includes a transmission circuit 481, a branching unit 482, a transmission antenna 483, a reception antenna 484, and a mixer circuit 485.
This radio wave sensor 480 uses the Doppler effect, branches the transmission signal transmitted by the transmission circuit 481 to the transmission antenna 483 and the mixer circuit 485 by the branching unit 482, and transmits the radio wave WV1 by, for example, microwaves from the transmission antenna 483. Send.

  The radio wave WV 1 hits the human body HM, and the reflected radio wave WV 2 is received by the receiving antenna 484 and sent to the mixer circuit 485. In the mixer circuit 485, a differential signal is extracted by mixing the transmission signal branched by the branching unit 482 and the reception signal by the radio wave WV2 received by the reception antenna 484, amplified by the amplification circuit 486, and then used as the sensor output SV. Yes.

  FIG. 16B illustrates the waveform of the sensor output SV with respect to time. Here, the waveform change of the sensor output SV from entering the room to sitting is shown. As shown in FIG. 16B, when the user opens the toilet door, the sensor output SV becomes the waveform SG1. Next, when the user approaches the toilet seat (toilet bowl), the sensor output SV becomes a waveform SG2. Next, when the user rotates toward the toilet seat, the sensor output SV becomes a waveform SG3. Next, when the user is undressing, the sensor output SV is a waveform SG4. Next, when the user is sitting, the sensor output SV has a waveform SG5. And while a user continues seating, sensor output SV becomes waveform SG6.

  Each of the waveforms SG1 to SG6 according to the user's operation has its characteristics. That is, depending on the operation period of the user, there are cases where the waveform frequency band is low and high. This is due to a change in the operation speed of the user. Therefore, by performing signal processing on the change in the sensor output SV, the characteristics of the waveforms SG1 to SG6 can be extracted, and the user's operation can be determined depending on which waveform SG1 to SG6 is classified.

  When such a radio wave sensor 480 is used for the seating motion sensor 444, the user's seating motion can be determined by extracting the waveform SG5. For example, the waveform SG5 of the sitting operation has a larger amplitude (moving speed is faster) than the waveforms SG1 to SG4 and SG6 of the other operations. A waveform SG5 is extracted using this feature to detect a seating motion. The temperature rise control of the toilet seat 200 by the control unit 410 is shifted to the second heating mode at the stage where the waveform SG5 of the sensor output SV is extracted.

  Here, when the radio wave sensor 480 is used, it is desirable that the radiation direction of the radio wave WV1 is a vertical direction with respect to the toilet seat 200. That is, in a series of operations using the toilet, the seating operation has a specific movement of moving the buttocks from the top to the bottom. That is, since the waveform SG5 in the seating operation has a larger amplitude than the waveforms SG1 to SG4 and SG6 of the other operations, the signal intensity of the seating operation is set by making the radiation direction of the radio wave WV1 perpendicular to the toilet seat 200. The seating motion of the user can be reliably detected with higher.

  Note that, in the radio wave sensor 480 as described above, all of the room entry detection sensor 441, the standing position detection sensor 442, the function permission seating sensor 443, and the seating motion sensor 444 can be combined. That is, since the user's operation from entering the toilet room to sitting can be discriminated by the waveforms SG1 to SG6 of the sensor output SV, the output signals necessary for these sensors can be obtained by extracting the waveforms SG1 to SG6. Is possible. In this case, of the part (signal processing circuit, signal processing algorithm, etc.) that processes the sensor output SV of the radio wave sensor 480, the part that extracts the waveform SG1 is the human body detection part, and the part that extracts the waveform SG5 is the seating motion detection. Become a part.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the human body is not exposed to a magnetic field having a high magnetic flux density without consuming wasteful power until the user sits from the toilet room. The toilet seat can be warmed. Thereby, it is the heating toilet seat apparatus 100 using the principle of an induction heating, Comprising: It becomes possible to heat up a toilet seat to the temperature which does not feel cold quickly with the start of heating.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. As long as the features of the present invention are provided, those skilled in the art appropriately modified the design of the above-described embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.
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.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Toilet device, 100 ... Heating toilet seat device, 200 ... Toilet seat, 220 ... High frequency power supply device, 222 ... Induction heating coil, 231 ... Heat generating part, 300 ... Toilet lid, 310 ... Magnetic shield, 400 ... Casing, 410 ... Control part 415 ... Feeding line sensor, 441 ... Entrance detection sensor, 442 ... Standing position detection sensor, 443 ... Function permission seating sensor, 444 ... Seating movement sensor, 450 ... Toilet lid opening / closing device, 460 ... Local cleaning unit, 480 ... Radio wave sensor, 800 ... Western style toilet

Claims (9)

A toilet seat body having a heat generating portion made of a conductor;
An induction heating coil that generates a magnetic field for inductively heating the heat generating part;
A control unit for controlling energization to the induction heating coil;
A human body detection unit that detects the presence of a human body,
A seating motion detector for detecting a seating motion of the user on the toilet seat body;
With
The controller is
When the presence of a human body is detected by the human body detection unit, a first heating mode for heating the toilet seat body by energizing the induction heating coil is started,
After detecting the seating motion of the human body by the seating motion detection unit, the energization amount to the induction heating coil is shifted to the second heating mode which is smaller than the energization amount in the first heating mode. Heating toilet seat device.   The amount of energization to the induction heating coil in the second heating mode is an amount of energization in which the magnetic field generated by the induction heating coil is a magnetic field that does not affect the human body seated on the toilet seat. The heating toilet seat device according to Item 1. The controller is
After the presence of the human body is detected by the human body detection unit, the seating operation detection unit has not detected the user's seating, and when the first heating mode has elapsed for a certain period of time, the second heating mode is set. The heating toilet seat device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating toilet seat device is shifted. The second heating mode has a temperature raising mode for raising the temperature of the toilet seat body, and a heat retention mode for keeping the temperature of the toilet seat body constant,
The heating toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat retention mode is executed last within a period of executing the second heating mode. A function permission seating detection unit for determining permission to start an operation of a function executable after the user is seated on the toilet seat;
The heating toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the seating motion detection unit and the function-permitted seating detection unit also serve as one sensor.   The heating toilet seat device according to claim 5, wherein the seating motion detection unit detects the seating motion of the human body prior to the determination of permission to start the washing by the function permission seating detection unit.   The heating toilet seat device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a detection cycle at the time of detection processing by the seating motion detection unit is shorter than a detection cycle at the time of detection processing by the function permission seating detection unit.   The number of processing times from the detection of the human body by the seating motion detection unit to the determination of seating is less than the number of processing times from the detection of the human body by the function-permitted seating detection unit to the detection of seating. The heating toilet seat device according to claim 5 or 6.   The heating toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the seating motion detection unit detects a change in speed of a user in a vertical direction of the toilet seat body.