JP2013185388A - Toilet seat device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small and low cost remote controller which can be operated in a non-contact manner.SOLUTION: A toilet seat device includes a body 200 which is arranged on a toilet bowl and incorporates a plurality of electric functions, and a remote controller 400. The remote controller 400 is provided with a contact switch 410 which is operated by contact or push, and a non-contact switch which has an illuminance sensor 440. The body 200 is provided with a seating detection sensor 250 which detects a body of a person seating on a toilet seat 220. When an operation signal of the non-contact switch is received, different electric functions are controlled based on a condition combining a detection signal of the seating detection sensor 250 and an operation signal of the contact switch 410, whereby non-contact operation of the plurality of electric functions can be performed by a small number of illuminance sensors 440 to reduce the number of used components and an installation space, which achieves a small and low cost remote controller.

Description

  The present invention relates to a toilet seat device including a remote controller that performs operation without contact.

  Conventionally, a toilet seat device equipped with a remote controller that performs this kind of non-contact operation is a switch operation by detecting the user's hand close to the non-contact switch with a sensor to open the toilet seat. As a non-contact switch detection sensor, a light detection sensor including a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element is used, and the light emitted from the light-emitting element is reflected by the user's hand close to the non-contact switch and received by the light-receiving element. Switch operation.

  As another detection sensor, a microwave sensor equipped with a transmission antenna and a reception antenna is used, and the microwave transmitted from the transmission antenna is reflected by the user's hand and received by the reception antenna to perform a switch operation. ing. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Another example of a non-contact switch is a non-contact switch of a speech synthesizer that generates a simulated sound that camouflages the use sound of the toilet. Two illuminance sensors, which are adjacent to the proximity illuminance sensor that detects a change in illuminance, are arranged at different positions, and a switch operation is performed by detecting a voltage difference generated by the two illuminance sensors. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

JP 2005-168719 A JP-A-2-194220

  However, in any of the conventional configurations described above, a sensor used as a non-contact switch is one in which only one switch function is given to one sensor. When trying to implement, since it is necessary to install many sensors, a large installation space and a lot of members are required, which leads to an increase in the size and cost of the remote controller.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and provides a toilet seat device having a small-sized, low-cost, non-contact operation remote controller by operating a plurality of switch functions with the same sensor. With the goal.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a toilet seat device according to the present invention includes a main body that is installed on a toilet and incorporates a plurality of electric functions, and a remote controller that operates the electric functions separately from the main body. The remote controller is a contact switch operated by contact or pressing, a non-contact switch having an illuminance sensor whose detection voltage varies depending on the proximity of the user's body part, and a remote control that detects the operation of the contact switch and the non-contact switch And a transmitter that transmits an operation signal of the remote control unit to the main body, the main body includes a toilet seat pivotally supported in a tiltable manner, a seating detection sensor that detects a human body seated on the toilet seat, and a remote controller A receiving unit that receives the transmitted operation signal, and a main body control unit that controls driving of the electric function,
When an operation signal of a non-contact switch is received, the toilet seat device controls different electric functions based on a condition that combines a detection signal of a seating detection sensor and an operation signal of a contact switch.

  As a result, non-contact operation of multiple electric functions can be performed with few illuminance sensors, so the number of parts used and installation space can be reduced, and a compact, low-cost, easy-to-use remote controller is implemented. can do.

  The toilet seat device of the present invention can implement a remote controller having a user-friendly non-contact operation function in a small size and at a low cost.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the toilet seat apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention The block diagram of the control system of the toilet seat apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the remote controller in Embodiment 1 of this invention The front view of the state which open | released the front panel of the remote controller in Embodiment 1 of this invention AA sectional view shown in FIG. BB sectional view shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows the detail of the human body detection sensor in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the detection range of the vertical direction of the human body detection sensor in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the detection range of the horizontal direction of the human body detection sensor in Embodiment 1 of this invention.

  A first invention includes a main body installed on a toilet and incorporating a plurality of electric functions, and a remote controller that operates the electric functions separately from the main body, and the remote controller is in contact with or pressed A contact switch operated by a non-contact switch having an illuminance sensor whose detection voltage fluctuates due to the proximity of a user's body part, a remote control controller for detecting an operation of the contact switch and the non-contact switch, and the remote control A transmission unit that transmits an operation signal of the unit to the main body, and the main body transmits from the remote controller, a toilet seat that is pivotably supported, a seating detection sensor that detects a human body seated on the toilet seat, and A receiving unit that receives the operated signal and a main body control unit that controls driving of the electric function, wherein the main body control unit includes the non-contact switch When receiving the operation signal, on the basis of the operation signal and a combination of condition detection signal and the contact switch of the seating detection sensor, a toilet seat apparatus which is characterized in that control different the electric function.

  This enables non-contact operation of multiple electric functions with fewer illuminance sensors, reducing the number of components used and installation space, and providing a small, low-cost, easy-to-use remote controller. can do.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, in particular, in the first aspect of the invention, the remote controller includes at least two illuminance sensors as a set. The approach of the body part and the direction of movement are detected, and the main body control unit controls the movement direction or strength direction of the electric function corresponding to the direction of movement.

As a result, it is possible to operate the electric function that has directionality for driving by the movement of the user's hand, and the operation method approaches the user's intuitive consciousness, so the usability of the remote controller is further improved To do.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, in particular, in the second aspect of the invention, the electric function changes a toilet seat rotation mechanism that causes the toilet seat to lie down, a nozzle drive mechanism that moves the cleaning position of the cleaning nozzle, and the ejection strength of the cleaning water. Two or more of the flow rate adjusting mechanism and the temperature adjusting mechanism for setting the hot air temperature of the drying device are provided.

  As a result, the toilet seat moves up and down due to ups and downs, the washing nozzle moves back and forth, the washing water changes in the strength of the jet, and the drying device changes in the hot air temperature. By making it correspond to the movement of the hand, it is possible to intuitively operate these electric functions, and the usability can be further improved.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the appearance of the toilet seat device according to the present embodiment installed on a toilet, and FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a control system.

<1> Configuration of Toilet Seat Device As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet seat device 100 includes a main body 200, a toilet lid 210, a toilet seat 220, and a remote controller 400, and the main body 200, the toilet lid 210, and the toilet seat 220 are configured integrally. It is installed on the upper surface of the toilet 110.

  In this embodiment, the installation side of the main body 200 of the toilet seat device 100 is the rear, the installation side of the toilet seat 220 is the front, the right side is the front side, the right side is the front side, and the left side is the front side. Will be explained.

  A toilet lid 210 and a toilet seat 220 are attached to the main body 200 through a toilet seat toilet lid rotating mechanism 215 so as to be opened and closed. In the state where the toilet lid 210 is opened as shown in FIG. 1, the toilet lid 210 stands so as to be positioned at the rearmost part of the toilet seat apparatus 100. When the toilet lid 210 is closed, the upper surface of the toilet seat 220 is concealed. The toilet seat 220 has a built-in toilet seat heater 221 that heats the seating surface of the toilet seat to a comfortable temperature.

  The toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism 215 includes a DC motor and a plurality of gears, and can open and close the toilet lid 210 and the toilet seat 220 individually or simultaneously.

  In the main body 200, a cleaning water supply mechanism (not shown), a heat exchanger (not shown), a cleaning mechanism 230 for cleaning a local part of the human body constituted by a cleaning nozzle 231, etc., and a local part after cleaning are provided. A drying device (not shown) for drying, a main body control unit 240 and the like are incorporated.

  A cleaning nozzle 231 is installed in the lower center of the main body 200. The main structure of the cleaning mechanism 230 includes a cleaning water supply mechanism (not shown) installed inside the main body 200, a heat exchanger (not shown) for heating the cleaning water, and a flow rate of the cleaning water. A flow rate adjusting mechanism (not shown) for adjusting the jetting strength of the washing water and the washing nozzle 231, supplying the washing water supplied from the water pipe with a heat exchanger to the washing nozzle 231, and washing Hot water is ejected from the nozzle 231 toward the user's local area to wash the user's local area.

The washing nozzle 231 includes a butt washing nozzle part for washing the butt and a bidet nozzle part for washing a female part. The cleaning nozzle 231 includes a nozzle drive mechanism (not shown) that moves back and forth between a storage position accommodated in the main body 200 and a cleaning position that protrudes from the main body 200 and performs a cleaning operation. The nozzle drive mechanism includes a cleaning position adjusting mechanism that adjusts the cleaning position of the cleaning nozzle 231.

  A seating detection sensor 250 is installed at a front corner portion of the main body 200. The seating detection sensor 250 is a reflective infrared sensor that detects the presence of a user on the toilet seat 220 by emitting infrared rays and receiving infrared rays reflected by the human body.

  On the right side of the main body 200, a sleeve portion 260 is formed integrally with the main body 200, and on the upper surface of the sleeve portion 260, a main body operation portion 261 and an infrared receiving portion that receives an infrared signal transmitted from the remote controller 400. The main body operation unit 261 has a power switch 261a which is the most important function of the toilet seat device 100, and an ass washing switch 261b which operates an ass washing function which is most frequently used among the washing functions. Is arranged.

  The remote controller 400 is configured separately from the main body 200, and is attached to a place such as a wall surface of a toilet room that is easy for a user sitting on the toilet seat 220 to operate. The remote controller 400 is provided with a human body detection sensor 300 for detecting a user who enters and exits the toilet room and a plurality of switch functions and display functions for operating and setting each function of the toilet seat device 100. The detailed configuration and operation of the remote controller 400 will be described later.

  When there is no user in the toilet room, the toilet seat device 100 of the present invention stops energization of the toilet seat heater 221 or keeps the temperature at a standby temperature of about 20 ° C. When the user enters the toilet room, the toilet seat heater 221 is energized by receiving a signal from the human body detection sensor 300. The toilet seat heater is a very high output heater of about 800W, and the seating surface of the toilet seat 220 is about 40 ° C. for about 6 to 10 seconds after the user enters the toilet room and sits on the toilet seat. Increase the temperature to the set temperature.

  After the toilet seat reaches the set temperature, the energization of the toilet seat heater 221 is lowered to a low wattage of about 50 W to maintain the set temperature. When the user gets out of the toilet room, the energization to the toilet seat heater is stopped or the standby temperature becomes about 20 ° C. That is, the toilet seat device greatly reduces the power when there is no user in the toilet room.

  Note that the cleaning mechanism 230 including the cleaning nozzle 231 and the drying device are not essential components of the toilet seat device 100, and may be a toilet seat device 100 that does not include these components.

<2> Operation and Action of Toilet Seat Device When the human body detection sensor 300 of the remote controller 400 detects a human body, the remote controller 400 transmits a human body detection signal from the infrared transmission unit 436 and is received by the infrared reception unit 262 of the main body 200. The detection signal is transmitted to the main body control unit 240, and the main body control unit 240 drives the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism 215 to open the toilet lid 210 and starts energization of the toilet seat heater 221 of the toilet seat 220. The temperature is raised within 10 seconds so that the seating surface of 220 is about 40 ° C. suitable for seating.

  When the user sits on the toilet seat 220, the seating detection sensor 250 detects the seating, and the main body control unit 240 receives the seating signal, so that the butt cleaning switch 261b of the main body 200 and the remote controller 400 are operated to perform cleaning. The mechanism 230 and the drying apparatus can be operated.

  After the user finishes the stool and finishes the local cleaning by the cleaning mechanism 230, the user stands up from the toilet seat 220 and exits the toilet room, and the human body detection signal from the human body detection sensor 300 of the remote controller 400 is transmitted. When the operation stops, the main body control unit 240 automatically closes the toilet lid 210 by driving the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism 215 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the completion of human body detection (in this embodiment, three minutes later). At the same time, the energization to the toilet seat heater 221 is stopped, and then the control is performed so that the standby temperature is maintained when the toilet seat heater 221 is lowered to the standby temperature.

  When the user is for boys, the user enters the toilet room and the user opens the toilet seat 220 with the remote controller 400 while the toilet lid 210 is opened by a signal from the human body detection sensor 300 of the remote controller 400. By performing the standing operation, the main body control unit 240 drives the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism 215 to erect the toilet seat 220, stops energization of the toilet seat heater 221, and then reduces the standby temperature to the standby temperature. Control to maintain.

  When the user finishes the boy's small business, exits the toilet room, and completes the transmission of the human body detection signal from the human body detection sensor 300 of the remote controller 400, the main body control unit 240, after a predetermined time has passed (in this embodiment 3 minutes later), the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism 215 is driven to close the toilet lid 210 and the toilet seat 220.

  The detailed configuration and operation of the remote controller 400 will be described later.

<3> Configuration of Remote Controller FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the remote controller in use, FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state in which the front panel of the remote controller is opened, and FIG. 5 is shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line AA, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line BB shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the overall shape of the remote controller 400 is formed in a thin rectangular parallelepiped, and is composed of a box-shaped remote control body 401 formed of a resin material and a front panel 402 covering the front surface of the remote control body. The front panel 402 is pivotally supported at the front lower end portion of the remote control main body 401 so as to be openable and closable, and magnets 401a provided on the left and right in the vicinity of the upper end of the remote control main body 401 and a stainless steel receiving plate provided at a corresponding position on the front panel. By 402c, it is the structure which maintains the obstruction | occlusion state of the front panel 402 using magnetic force.

  During normal use, the front panel 402 is used in a closed state as shown in FIG. 3, and when the setting of the remote controller 400 and operations that are not normally used are performed, the front panel 402 is opened as shown in FIG. To use.

  As shown in FIG. 4, an operation switch 410 and a human body detection sensor 300 that are operated when using the toilet seat device 100 are mainly arranged on the front surface of the remote control main body 401, and mainly on the lower portion. A setting switch 420 for setting the function, an operation switch 410 that is not normally used, two illuminance sensors 440 that are used in a non-contact operation at the center, and an operation that can be operated in the same manner as a non-contact operation. A switch 410 is provided. The operation switch 410 and the setting switch 420 are tact switches that are contact switches that are operated by directly contacting the operation unit of the switch.

The operation switch 410 that can be used while the front panel 402 is closed includes a bidet cleaning switch 411 that cleans the local area of the woman, an ass cleaning switch 412 that cleans the buttocks, and drying of the buttocks after cleaning. Stop switch 41 for stopping the operation started by the drying switch 413, the bidet cleaning switch 411, the buttocks cleaning switch 412 and the drying switch 413
4, a toilet seat opening switch 415 for raising the toilet seat 220, and a toilet seat closing switch 416 for lying down the toilet seat 220 are disposed. The toilet seat opening switch 415 and the toilet seat closing switch 416 are disposed on the same vertical line with a space therebetween.

  Further, as the operation switch 410 that can be used only when the front panel 402 is opened, a rhythm switch 417 for changing the washing water for the buttocks washing strength and a wide for expanding the ejection range of the washing water for the buttocks washing. A switch 418 and a move switch 419 for repeatedly moving the cleaning position during cleaning back and forth are arranged.

  The setting switch 420 includes a strength switch 421 for setting the strength of the washing water during washing and the hot air temperature of the drying apparatus during drying with two switches, and a washing position for setting the washing position with two switches. A switch 422, a hot water temperature switch 423 for setting the temperature of the wash water, a toilet seat temperature switch 424 for setting the temperature of the toilet seat, and an eight-hour cut-off for reducing the standby temperature of the toilet seat 220 for eight hours at night when the toilet seat device is not used. A switch 425, a power saving switch 426 that cuts off power to the toilet seat 220 when not in use, an automatic open / close switch 427 that sets automatic opening / closing of the toilet lid 210 and the toilet seat 220, and a gesture switch that sets non-contact operation by the illuminance sensor 440 428 and a nozzle sterilization switch 429 for setting high-temperature sterilization of the nozzle.

  The strength switch 421 can adjust the strength during operation by operating any one of the bidet cleaning switch 411, the buttocks cleaning switch 412 and the drying switch 413 and operating the selected function. is there. When performing bidet cleaning and buttocks cleaning, the jet water strength can be adjusted, and when drying is performed, the drying temperature can be adjusted.

  Further, an intensity indicator lamp 431 near the intensity switch 421, a hot water temperature indicator lamp 432 that displays the setting of the hot water temperature near the hot water temperature switch 423, and a toilet seat temperature setting near the toilet seat temperature switch 424 are set. A toilet seat temperature indicator lamp 433 for displaying and a battery indicator lamp 434 for displaying the battery consumption state are provided.

  Further, the first illuminance sensor 441 near the lower side of the toilet seat opening switch 415, the second illuminance sensor 442 near the lower side of the toilet seat closing switch 416, and a substantially intermediate position between the toilet seat opening switch 415 and the toilet seat closing switch 416. A sensor detection indicator lamp 435 is disposed on the screen. The sensor detection indicator 435 blinks when the toilet room is too dark and the illuminance sensor cannot sufficiently detect the change in illuminance, and lights up when a gesture operation is detected.

  The first illuminance sensor 441 and the second illuminance sensor 442 are used as non-contact switches. When the user moves the hand in the vicinity of the first illuminance sensor 441 and the second illuminance sensor 442, A change is detected, the direction of movement is determined, and the toilet seat 220 is raised and lowered in accordance with the movement direction.

  When the user moves his / her hand from the bottom to the top and changes in illuminance are detected in the order of the second illuminance sensor 442 to the first illuminance sensor 441, the toilet seat 220 is erected and detected in the order of the first illuminance sensor to the second illuminance sensor. If this happens, the toilet seat 220 is laid down.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, when the user moves his / her hand in proximity to the two illuminance sensors 440 is referred to as a gesture, and the operation by the gesture is referred to as a gesture operation.

An infrared transmission unit 436 that transmits operation information and setting information to an infrared reception unit 262 installed on the sleeve portion 260 of the main body 200 is disposed at the upper corner portion of the remote control main body 401. The infrared transmitter 436 includes an infrared light emitting diode as a light emitting element.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the front panel 402 operates a substantially flat resin-made panel frame 402 a, a back cover 402 b, and an operation switch 410 installed on the remote control body 401 from the surface of the front panel 402. It consists of a plurality of operation buttons 403.

  In a portion corresponding to the first illuminance sensor 441, the second illuminance sensor 442, the intensity indicator lamp 431, and the battery indicator lamp 434, a transmission portion 404 formed of a transparent resin material is disposed. Thereby, while being able to visually recognize the intensity indicator lamp 431 and the battery indicator lamp 434 from the surface, the first illuminance sensor 441 and the second illuminance sensor 442 are configured to be able to detect a change in illuminance. The gesture operation can be performed with the 402 closed.

  The gesture operation is performed by detecting the illuminance change of the first illuminance sensor 441 and the second illuminance sensor 442, and the illuminance change caused by the shadow generated during the opening / closing operation of the front panel 402 is erroneously detected as the gesture operation. Since there is a possibility, an open / close detection sensor 437 for detecting the open / closed state of the front panel 402 is provided so that the gesture operation is possible only when the front panel 402 is completely closed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the open / close detection sensor 437 includes a switch magnet 437a installed on the back surface of the front panel 402 and a reed switch 437b installed on the remote control body 401. When the front panel 402 is in a closed state, When the contact of the switch 437b is turned on and the front panel 402 is in the open state, the contact of the reed switch 437b is turned off and the open / closed state of the front panel can be detected.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 3 and shows the installation state of the first illuminance sensor 441, the second illuminance sensor 442, the toilet seat opening switch 415, the toilet seat closing switch 416, and the sensor detection indicator lamp 435. Is. Inside the remote control main body 401, a first illuminance sensor 441 and a second illuminance sensor 442 are arranged on the board 405 with an interval therebetween, and a toilet seat opening switch 415 as a tact switch is located near the upper part of the first illuminance sensor 441. In the vicinity of the upper part of the second illuminance sensor 442, a toilet seat closing switch 416 of a tact switch is installed.

  In addition, a sensor detection indicator lamp 435 is installed at a substantially intermediate position between the toilet seat opening switch 415 and the toilet seat closing switch 416.

  A transparent transmissive portion 404 is disposed on the front panel 402 corresponding to the first illuminance sensor 441, the second illuminance sensor 442, and the sensor detection indicator lamp 435. The detection indicator lamp 435 can be visually recognized. Further, operation buttons 403 are provided on the front panel 402 corresponding to the toilet seat opening switch 415 and the toilet seat closing switch 416, and the toilet seat opening switch 415 and the toilet seat closing switch 416 are operated by pressing the operation buttons 403, respectively. be able to.

  The human body detection sensor 300 includes a pyroelectric sensor 310 that receives infrared rays emitted from the human body and a mirror 320 that reflects infrared rays from a wide range and enters the pyroelectric sensor 310. The mirror 320 is covered with a cover 330 formed of a translucent resin that transmits infrared rays.

7 is a perspective view showing a detailed appearance of the human body detection sensor, FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a detection range in the vertical direction of the human body detection sensor, and FIG. 9 shows a detection range in the horizontal direction of the human body detection sensor. It is a schematic diagram.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a mirror 320 is installed on the front surface of the pyroelectric sensor 310. The outer shape of the mirror 320 has a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape, and openings 322 are provided on both sides of the cylindrical portion 321 so that infrared rays can enter the mirror 320 from the side. On the other hand, support portions 323 are formed on the upper and lower portions of the cylindrical portion 321 and are closed. For this reason, infrared rays cannot enter the mirror 320 from the vertical direction.

  A circular opening 325 is provided in the bottom 324 of the mirror 320, and a cylindrical reflection cylinder 326 is integrally formed in the opening 325 inward. The inner peripheral surface 327 of the reflecting cylinder 326 is formed by a substantially conical inclined surface that narrows inward, and the inclined surfaces facing each other form approximately 45 degrees. In addition, the outer peripheral surface 328 of the reflecting tube 326 is formed to be steeper than the inner peripheral surface 327, and the opposing inclined surfaces form about 100 degrees. The inner peripheral surface 327 and the outer peripheral surface 328 are joined by a tip portion 329 formed in a planar shape. The mirror 320 is integrally formed of a resin material, and has a structure in which the surface is plated to easily reflect infrared rays.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the infrared rays irradiated from the front of the human body detection sensor 300 indicated by arrows Y1 and Y2 and the infrared rays irradiated from the vertical direction indicated by arrows Y1 and Y2 are the opening 322 of the mirror 320 and the reflecting cylinder 326. And directly reaches the pyroelectric sensor 310. Therefore, the vertical range that can be detected by the pyroelectric sensor 310 is about 60 degrees.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the infrared rays irradiated from the left and right direction of the human body detection sensor 300 are partially opened and the reflecting tube 326 as indicated by arrows Y5 and Y6 in the same manner as the irradiation from the vertical direction. And directly reaches the pyroelectric sensor 310. Further, infrared rays irradiated from the left and right directions close to the front surface of the remote controller 400 are reflected by the outer peripheral surface 328 of the reflecting tube 326 and reach the pyroelectric sensor 310 as indicated by arrows Y7 and Y8 in the figure. Therefore, the range in the left-right direction that can be detected by the pyroelectric sensor 310 is about 160 degrees.

  In order to receive infrared rays from a wide range as described above, the human body detection sensor 300 is installed so as to protrude from the front panel 402 of the remote controller 400, and the center of the light receiving surface 311 of the pyroelectric sensor 310 and the front panel are arranged. It is installed so that tangents S1 and S2 with the end of 402 are 160 degrees or more. By installing in this way, the human body detection sensor 300 can detect a human body existing in a wide range of approximately 160 degrees on the horizontal plane where the remote controller 400 is installed.

<4> Configuration of Control System of Remote Controller As shown in FIG. 2, the remote controller 400 includes a human body detection sensor 300, an open / close detection sensor 437, an operation switch 410, a setting switch 420, an illuminance as information input means. The sensor 440 is provided, and the output means includes an infrared transmitter 436 that transmits control information to the main body 200 by infrared rays, and an indicator lamp 430 that displays the control information. A battery 450 is provided as a drive source for the remote controller 400.

  The remote control unit 500 that processes various operation information of the remote controller 400 includes a sensor detection unit that detects sensor detection signals, a switch operation detection unit that detects switch operations of the operation switch 410 and the setting switch 420, and a first A gesture detection unit that detects a gesture operation signal from the illuminance sensor 440 configured by the illuminance sensor 441 and the second illuminance sensor 442 as a digital signal is provided.

The gesture detection unit performs digital processing by converting the detection voltage of the illuminance sensor 440 into a digital signal via an A / D converter, and consumes a large amount of power and greatly affects the consumption of the battery 450 that is the power source of the remote controller 400. It is. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the gesture detection unit is driven only while the human body detection sensor 300 detects the human body, and the gesture detection unit is paused while the human body is not detected, thereby suppressing the consumption of the battery 450. doing.

  In addition, as a function for detecting the gesture operation, a sensor driving unit that drives the illuminance sensor 440 and a sensitivity adjustment unit that adjusts the sensitivity of the illuminance sensor 440 are provided.

  The sensitivity adjustment unit adjusts a reference voltage serving as a reference for detecting a gesture operation and a detection threshold value for detecting the gesture operation in accordance with a change in brightness of the place where the remote controller 400 is installed. Is too dark to exceed the reference voltage adjustment range, the sensor detection indicator 435 blinks to notify the user that the gesture operation cannot be performed.

  In addition, a battery inspection unit that detects the remaining amount of the battery 450, an indicator lamp driving unit that drives the indicator lamp 430 that displays control information, and a timer that provides timing information are provided. An information processing unit mainly composed of a microcomputer is provided as a function.

  The remote controller 400 having the above-described configuration is an information processing unit that indicates what operation has been performed based on input information input from the operation switch 410, the setting switch 420, the first illuminance sensor 441, and the second illuminance sensor 442, which are operation means. The predetermined indicator lamp 430 is turned on by the indicator lamp driving unit.

  In addition, a control signal is transmitted from the infrared transmission unit 436 to the main body 200, and the main body control unit 240 controls various functions of the toilet seat apparatus 100.

<8> Operation and Action of Remote Controller When a user enters the toilet room and the sensor detection unit detects a human body based on a detection signal from human body detection sensor 300, the information processing unit of remote control control unit 500 drives the gesture detection unit. At the same time, a human body detection signal is transmitted from the infrared transmitter 436 to the main body 200.

  The human body detection signal received by the infrared receiving unit 262 of the main body 200 is transmitted to the main body control unit 240. The main body control unit 240 drives the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism 215 to open the toilet lid 210, and the toilet seat of the toilet seat 220 Heating of the toilet seat 220 is started by driving the heater 221.

  When the operation switch 410 or the setting switch 420 of the remote controller 400 is operated, the switch operation detection unit of the remote controller control unit 500 detects the operation content, and the detection data of the switch operation detection unit is determined by the information processing unit. The operation signal thus transmitted is transmitted from the infrared transmission unit to the main body 200.

  Further, for example, when a change in illuminance is detected in the order of the second illuminance sensor 442 to the first illuminance sensor of the illuminance sensor 440, this change is determined to be an operation of opening the toilet seat 220 with the user swinging his hand up from below Then, the information processing unit of the remote controller control unit 500 transmits the detection information of the swing gesture (hereinafter, this detection information is referred to as an up signal) to the main body control unit of the main body 200 via the infrared transmission unit 436, and the up signal When the seating detection sensor 250 has not detected the seating, the main body control unit 240 drives the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism 215 to erect the toilet seat 220. Note that when the seating detection sensor 250 detects the seating, the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism 215 is not driven.

  When a gesture in which the hand is swung down from the first illuminance sensor to the second illuminance sensor 442 is detected, it is determined that the gesture is an operation for the user to close the toilet seat 220, and the information processing unit 580 The main body control unit 240 that has received the down signal is transmitted to the main body control unit 240 of the main body 200 through the infrared transmission unit 436, and the detection information of the downward gesture (hereinafter, this detection information is referred to as a down signal). When the seating detection sensor 250 has not detected the seating, the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism 215 is driven to lie down on the toilet seat 220. Note that when the seating detection sensor 250 detects the seating, the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism 215 is not driven.

  Note that the opening / closing operation of the toilet seat 220 is performed with priority over the gesture operation when the user operates the toilet seat opening switch 415 or the toilet seat closing switch 416 regardless of the gesture operation. Also in this case, when the seating detection sensor 250 detects the seating, the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism 215 is not driven.

  When all the operations of the remote controller 400 are finished and the user leaves the toilet room and the human body detection sensor 300 finishes detecting the human body, the information processing unit stops driving the gesture detection unit and Stop sending human body detection signals. The main body control unit 240 drives the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism 215 to close the toilet lid 210 and the toilet seat 220 after a predetermined time has elapsed (after 3 minutes in the present embodiment).

  As described above, the remote controller of the toilet seat apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a non-contact gesture operation and a contact switch that is directly operated by hand. A user who is familiar with the operation method can perform the operation hygienically by a non-contact operation. Further, since a user who is not familiar with the non-contact operation method can reliably perform the switch operation using the contact switch, the toilet seat device can be provided to all users with ease of use.

  In the present embodiment, an open / close detection sensor 437 that detects the open / closed state of the front panel 402 is provided, and the operation signal of the gesture operation is not detected when the front panel 402 is opened. Since it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of a shadow that occurs as the panel 402 is opened and closed as a gesture operation, safety and reliability can be improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a sensor detection indicator lamp 435 that blinks when the toilet room is too dark and the illuminance sensor cannot sufficiently detect a change in illuminance and that lights up when a gesture operation is detected is provided. Thus, since the user can visually recognize the state of the gesture operation, a user-friendly remote controller can be provided.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the gesture detection unit that performs processing based on the digital signal is driven only while the human body detection sensor 300 detects the human body, and is paused while the human body detection is not performed, thereby draining the battery 450. It is possible to provide the user-friendly remote controller 400 by suppressing and extending the battery life.

  In this embodiment, the gesture operation is employed only in the toilet seat drive mechanism by the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism corresponding to the toilet seat opening switch 415 and the toilet seat closing switch 416 that perform the raising / lowering operation of the toilet seat 220. The present invention is not limited to this, other than the operation of the nozzle drive mechanism corresponding to the cleaning position switch 422 that operates the back and forth movement of the cleaning position of the cleaning nozzle 231, the flow rate adjustment mechanism corresponding to the strength switch 421 that changes the jetting strength of the cleaning water, and the like. It can also be adopted for the electric function.

  In the case of other electric mechanisms, it is desirable that the gesture direction of the hand at the time of the gesture operation is related to the operation direction of the corresponding electric mechanism. For example, in the case of the operation of the nozzle driving mechanism, the illuminance sensor 440 is arranged in the lateral direction. Then, the washing nozzle is moved back and forth by the lateral movement of the hand. In the gesture operation of the flow rate adjusting mechanism, the flow rate is increased when the hand is moved upward, and the flow rate is decreased when the hand is moved downward.

  In the present embodiment, the gesture operation is configured to detect the user's linear gesture with the two illuminance sensors 440. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more illuminance sensors 440 are used. For example, the illuminance sensor may be arranged at a position that is not a straight line, and the user's more advanced operation intention may be detected by detecting a curvilinear gesture.

  In the present embodiment, the illuminance sensor 440 includes the first illuminance sensor 441 and the second illuminance sensor 442 as a set, and performs the opening / closing operation of the toilet seat 220 by a gesture operation that detects the movement of the user's hand. For example, as a non-contact switch that opens the toilet seat 220 when the first illuminance sensor 441 detects a change in illuminance, and falls down when the second illuminance sensor 442 detects a change in illuminance. Also good.

(Embodiment 2)
The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that, in the first embodiment, the gesture detection using the first illuminance sensor 441 and the second illuminance sensor 442 is not detected by the seating detection sensor 250. In this case, the gesture operation is used only for the operation of raising and lowering the toilet seat 220. However, in the present embodiment, the gesture operation is performed according to the use condition based on the use state of the other operation switch 410. The scope of use has been expanded for the operation of functions.

  When the main body control unit 240 receives an operation signal of any of the bidet cleaning switch 411, the buttocks cleaning switch 412, and the drying switch 413 in a state where the seating detection signal of the seating detection sensor 250 is received, Drive function. In the case where a gesture operation signal using the first illuminance sensor 441 and the second illuminance sensor 442 is received during driving of the electric function, the strength of the electric function being driven is adjusted. The function 421 is performed by a gesture operation.

  The first use condition is a state in which the seating detection sensor 250 is not detected. In this case, similar to the first embodiment, the toilet seat 220 is erected by the up operation of the gesture operation, and the toilet seat 220 is laid down by the down operation. The use conditions and the operation functions are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The second use condition is a state where seating is detected and the bidet cleaning switch 411 is ON. In this state, the cleaning strength is increased by the gesture operation up operation, and the cleaning strength is reduced by the down operation.

  The third usage condition is a state in which seating detection is present and the buttocks cleaning switch 412 is ON. In this state, the cleaning strength is increased by the gesture operation up operation, and the cleaning strength is reduced by the down operation.

  The fourth use condition is a state in which seating detection is present and the drying switch 413 is ON. In this state, the drying temperature is raised by the up operation of the gesture operation, and the washing temperature is lowered by the down operation.

As described above, the function added to the gesture operation in the present embodiment is a function provided in the intensity switch 421, and the same operation can be performed with the intensity switch 421 as in the first embodiment.

  In the first embodiment, it is necessary to open the front panel 402 in order to operate the strength switch 421. However, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to open the front panel 402, and the usability of the remote controller is further improved. can do.

  In addition, since only a minimum of two illuminance sensors 440 for performing a gesture operation can be used to operate a plurality of electric functions, the number of parts to be used and the installation space can be reduced, and the size and cost can be reduced. An easy-to-use remote controller can be provided.

  As in the first embodiment, the illuminance sensor 440 includes the first illuminance sensor 441 and the second illuminance sensor 442 as a set, and opens and closes the toilet seat 220 by a gesture operation that detects the movement of the user's hand. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a non-contact switch that increases the intensity when the first illuminance sensor 441 detects an illuminance change and decreases the intensity when the second illuminance sensor 442 detects an illuminance change may be used. .

  As described above, since the toilet seat device according to the present invention can operate a plurality of functions with one non-contact switch and can improve usability, other consumer devices using the non-contact switch, etc. It can also be applied to applications.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Toilet seat apparatus 110 Toilet bowl 200 Main body 215 Toilet seat toilet lid rotating mechanism (toilet seat rotating mechanism, electric function)
220 Toilet seat 231 Cleaning nozzle (nozzle drive mechanism, electric function)
240 body control unit 250 seating detection sensor 262 infrared receiving unit (receiving unit)
400 Remote controller 401 Remote control body 402 Front panel 410 Operation switch (contact switch)
411 Bidet washing switch (contact switch)
412 Ass washing switch (contact switch)
413 Drying switch (contact switch)
436 Infrared transmitter (transmitter)
440 Illuminance sensor 441 First illuminance sensor (illuminance sensor)
442 Second illuminance sensor (illuminance sensor)
500 Remote control unit

Claims (3)

A main body installed on the toilet and incorporating multiple electric functions;
A remote controller that operates the electric function separately from the main body,
The remote controller detects a contact switch operated by contact or pressing, a non-contact switch having an illuminance sensor whose detection voltage varies depending on proximity of a user's body part, and an operation of the contact switch and the non-contact switch. A remote controller, and a transmitter that transmits an operation signal of the remote controller to the main body,
The body includes a toilet seat pivotably supported, a seating detection sensor for detecting a human body seated on the toilet seat, a receiving unit for receiving an operation signal transmitted from the remote controller, and driving of the electric function A main body control unit for controlling
When the operation signal for the non-contact switch is received, the main body control unit controls the different electric functions based on a combination of the detection signal of the seating detection sensor and the operation signal of the contact switch. And
Toilet seat device. The remote controller includes at least two illuminance sensors as a set, and the remote control unit detects the approach of the user's body part and the direction of movement based on a variation in the detection voltage of the illuminance sensor and a time difference, and the main body The control unit is configured to control the movement direction or strength direction of the electric function corresponding to the direction of the movement,
The toilet seat device according to claim 1. The main body includes a toilet seat rotating mechanism that causes the toilet seat to fall down, a nozzle drive mechanism that moves the cleaning position of the cleaning nozzle, a flow rate adjusting mechanism that changes the ejection strength of the cleaning water, and a temperature that sets the hot air temperature of the drying device. With two or more electric functions of the adjustment mechanism,
The toilet seat device according to claim 2.