JP2018168609A - Warm-water washing toilet seat - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide the warm-water washing toilet seat that prevents a user from being erroneously judged as having left a seat, such as when wiping the buttocks or bending forward after defecation.SOLUTION: The warm-water washing toilet seat comprises: a toilet seat; a seating sensor for detecting user's seating, a Doppler sensor for detecting user's approaching/separating with respect to the toilet seat; a judging unit for judging user's approaching/separating motion with respect to the toilet seat based on an approaching/separating detection signal outputted from the Doppler sensor to output an approaching/separating motion judging signal; a control unit for determining user's seating/seat-leaving with respect to the toilet seat based on a seating/seat-leaving detection signal and the approaching/separating motion judging signal to output a control signal; and a controlled unit controlled based on the control signal, wherein the control unit execute a second step of judging whether the approaching/separating motion judging signal is the judging signal of the separating motion when a judgment at a first step is the judgment of the seating, after executing the first step of judging whether the seating/seat-leaving judging signal is the judging signal of the seat-leaving, and the control unit determines that the user has left the seat when the judgment at the second step is the judgment of the seat-leaving.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a warm water flush toilet seat.

  Conventionally, a warm water flush toilet seat that can detect a user's seat is known.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a movable member having a pivot hole that pivotally supports a toilet seat shaft is provided between a switch disposed in an upper part and an elastic body disposed in a lower part, and the movable base is provided. A warm water washing toilet seat is disclosed in which the member moves up and down in conjunction with the vertical movement of the toilet seat shaft and detects the seating by opening and closing the switch.

  In this warm water flush toilet seat, when the user is not seated, the movable member pushes the switch with a constant force by the urging force of the elastic body, and in the seated state, the movable member moves downward due to the weight of the user. Move and release the switch. Therefore, even if the user moves his / her body while sitting, the open / close state of the switch is not affected.

JP 2008-38435 A

  However, when the user wipes the buttocks after stool, one part of the body may float from the toilet seat when one leg leaves the toilet seat or when the user bends forward. In that case, there is a problem that the open / close state of the switch is affected, and the user is unintentionally determined to be away from the seat even though the user is in the seated state.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a warm water-washed toilet seat that the user does not erroneously determine as being away from the user when wiping the stool after bowel movement or when bending forward. One of the purposes is to do.

  A warm water flush toilet seat according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a toilet seat, a seating sensor that detects a seating of a user on the toilet seat, a Doppler sensor that detects an approaching / separating of the user with respect to the toilet seat, and the Doppler sensor A determination unit that determines an approach / separation operation with respect to the toilet seat and outputs an approach / separation operation determination signal based on the approach / separation detection signal output from the user; the seating / separation detection signal; and the approach / separation operation determination signal And a control unit that determines whether the user is seated on and off the toilet seat and outputs a control signal, and a controlled unit that is controlled based on the control signal. After performing the first step of determining whether the seating / separation detection signal is the seating, when the determination of the first step is the seating, it is determined whether the approaching / separating operation determination signal is separated. Do Perform the second step, wherein when the determination of the second step is separated is a warm water washing toilet seat to determine the unseated user.

  According to this configuration, the control unit uses not only the sitting / separation detection signal from the seating sensor but also the approach / separation operation determination signal from the determination unit, so that the seating / separation detection signal from the seating sensor takes off. In this case, and when the approaching / separating action determination signal from the determination unit indicates separation, the seating is confirmed, so that only the seating sensor is used, such as when the user wipes the buttocks after bowel movement or bends forward. In the case of indicating the separation, it is possible to prevent the separation from being confirmed by mistake.

  In the warm water flush toilet seat according to the second aspect of the present invention, the determination unit performs presence / absence determination of the user based on the approach / separation detection signal, and outputs a presence / absence determination signal to the control unit. When the determination of the second step is not approaching or leaving, a third step of determining whether the presence / absence determination signal is unattended is executed, and when the determination of the third step is unattended, It is a warm water flush toilet seat that determines the seat.

  According to this configuration, when the signal indicating that the seating / separation detection signal from the seating sensor indicates the seating is separated, and when the approach / separation operation determination signal from the determination unit does not indicate the separation. In addition, when the presence / absence determination signal from the determination unit indicates unattended, since the seating is confirmed, it is possible to prevent the seating from being erroneously confirmed.

  A warm water washing toilet seat according to a third aspect of the present invention is a warm water washing toilet seat, wherein the non-control unit includes any one of a toilet seat heater, a toilet lid toilet seat opening / closing drive unit, and a toilet bowl washing unit.

  According to this configuration, the control signal can be output from the control unit to the toilet seat heater which is a non-control unit, and the output of the toilet seat heater can be suppressed.

  Further, a control signal is output from the control unit to the toilet lid toilet seat opening / closing drive unit which is a non-control unit, and the toilet lid toilet seat opening / closing drive unit can automatically open and close the toilet lid toilet seat.

  Moreover, a control signal is output from the control unit to the toilet cleaning unit which is a non-control unit, and the toilet cleaning unit can automatically perform toilet cleaning.

  According to the warm water washing toilet seat of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the user from erroneously determining that the user is sitting away when wiping the buttocks after stool or bending forward.

It is a perspective schematic diagram showing the warm water washing toilet seat concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram showing the principal part structure of the warm water washing toilet seat concerning this embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the principal part structure of the Doppler sensor concerning this embodiment and a determination part. It is a plane schematic diagram showing the installation position of the Doppler sensor of this embodiment, and the radiation direction of a transmission wave. It is a conceptual diagram which illustrates the relationship between a user's operation | movement, the detection signal of a Doppler sensor, and the detection signal of a seating sensor. It is a flowchart figure which illustrates the specific example of the separation determination of the control part of this embodiment.

  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 showing a warm water washing toilet seat according to an embodiment of the present invention. Moreover, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the principal part structure of the warm water washing toilet seat concerning this embodiment.

  1 is installed in a Western-style seated toilet (hereinafter simply referred to as “toilet” for convenience of explanation) 800, and includes a casing 400, a Doppler sensor 310, a seating sensor 300, and a toilet lid toilet seat opening and closing. The driving unit 230, the toilet seat heater 220, the toilet seat 210, and the toilet lid 200 are provided. The toilet seat 210 and the toilet lid 200 are pivotally supported with respect to the casing 400 so as to be freely opened and closed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the warm water flush toilet seat 100 is provided with a Doppler sensor 310, a seating sensor 300, a determination unit 320, a control unit 330, and a controlled unit 340.

  The seating sensor 300 detects that the user 850 is seated on the toilet seat 210 and that the user 850 is seated from the toilet seat 210, and outputs a seating / separation detection signal.

  The Doppler sensor 310 radiates (transmits) high-frequency radio waves such as microwaves or millimeter waves, and receives reflected waves from the detected object of the radiated radio waves. Then, the Doppler sensor 310 performs approach / separation detection with respect to the toilet seat and outputs an approach / separation detection signal. The determination unit 320 outputs an approach / separation operation determination signal and a presence / absence determination signal based on the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310. The Doppler sensor 310 and the determination unit 320 will be described in detail later.

  The control unit 330 receives the sitting / seating detection signal output from the seating sensor 300, the approach / separation operation determination signal output from the determination unit 320, and the presence / absence determination signal. Then, according to the states of the sitting / separation detection signal, the approach / separation operation determination signal, and the presence / absence determination signal, the user 850 is confirmed to be separated and a control signal is output to the non-control unit 340. A method by which the control unit 330 determines the user 850 to leave will be described in detail later.

  The non-control unit 340 includes a toilet seat heater 220, a toilet lid toilet seat opening / closing drive unit 230, and a toilet bowl cleaning unit 410.

  The toilet seat heater 220 is installed inside the toilet seat 210, receives a control signal from the control unit 330, and warms the toilet seat 210. For example, when the control unit 330 determines that the user 850 is separated, the control unit 330 transmits a control signal for turning off the heater to the toilet seat heater 220. When the toilet seat heater 220 receives a control signal for turning off the heater, the toilet seat heater 220 turns off the heater and interrupts heating of the toilet seat 210. Thereby, an energy saving effect can be expected.

  The toilet lid toilet seat opening / closing drive unit 230 receives a control signal from the control unit 330 and opens and closes the toilet lid 200 and the toilet seat 210. For example, when the control unit 330 determines that the user 850 is seated, the control unit 330 transmits a control signal for closing the toilet lid to the toilet lid toilet seat opening / closing drive unit 230. The toilet lid toilet seat opening / closing drive unit 230 closes the toilet lid 200 when receiving a control signal for closing the toilet lid. Accordingly, the stool lid 200 can be automatically closed without the user 850 being conscious.

  The toilet bowl washing unit 410 receives a control signal from the control unit 330 and performs toilet bowl washing. For example, when the control unit 330 determines that the user 850 is away, the control unit 330 transmits a control signal for performing toilet cleaning to the toilet cleaning unit 410. When the toilet cleaning unit 410 receives a control signal for toilet cleaning, the toilet cleaning unit 410 performs toilet cleaning. Thus, toilet cleaning can be performed automatically without the user 850 being conscious.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the Doppler sensor and the determination unit according to the present embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the Doppler sensor 310 includes an antenna 311, a transmission unit 312, a reception unit 313, and a mixer unit 314. The antenna 311 connected to the transmission unit 312 and the reception unit 313 emits radio waves in a frequency band of 10 kHz to 100 GHz such as high frequency, microwave, or millimeter wave. Specifically, a transmission wave T1 having a frequency of, for example, 24.15 GHz is radiated from the antenna 311. A reflected wave or transmitted wave T <b> 2 from an object to be detected such as a user is input to the receiving unit 313 via the antenna 311. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the antenna may have a common transmission side and reception side.

  A part of the transmission wave and the reception wave are respectively input to the mixer unit 314 and synthesized, and for example, an output signal reflecting the Doppler effect is output. The approach / separation detection signal output from the mixer unit 314 is output to the determination unit 320. The determination unit 320 includes a filter 321, a physical quantity detection unit 322 that detects a frequency, wave number, amplitude value, and the like, an approach / separation operation determination unit 323, and a user presence / absence determination unit 324. The high frequency component of the approach / separation detection signal output from the mixer unit 314 is first removed by the filter 321. The filtering frequency at this time can be set to 200 Hz, for example.

  In the present embodiment, the filter 321 may not be provided.

  The approach / separation detection signal output from the mixer unit 314 has a waveform in which a high frequency signal is superimposed on a low frequency baseline. The high frequency component includes information on the Doppler effect. That is, when a detection object such as a user moves, the wavelength of the reflected wave shifts due to the Doppler effect. The Doppler frequency ΔF (Hz) can be expressed by the following equation (1).

ドップラーセンサー３１０に対して被検知体が相対的に移動すると、式（１）で表されるように、その速度ｖに比例した周波数ΔＦを含む出力信号が得られる。出力信号は周波数スペクトラムを有し、スペクトラムのピークに対応するピーク周波数と移動体の速度ｖとの間には相関関係がある。従って、ドップラー周波数ΔＦを測定することにより速度ｖを求めることができる。なお、日本においては、使用者８５０を検知する目的には１０．５０〜１０．５５ＧＨｚまたは２４．０５〜２４．２５ＧＨｚの周波数が使用できる。

When the object to be detected moves relative to the Doppler sensor 310, an output signal including a frequency ΔF proportional to the velocity v is obtained as represented by the equation (1). The output signal has a frequency spectrum, and there is a correlation between the peak frequency corresponding to the peak of the spectrum and the velocity v of the moving object. Therefore, the velocity v can be obtained by measuring the Doppler frequency ΔF. In Japan, the frequency of 10.50 to 10.55 GHz or 24.05 to 24.25 GHz can be used for the purpose of detecting the user 850.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing the installation position of the Doppler sensor of this embodiment and the radiation direction of the transmission wave. (A) is a schematic diagram showing the state where the user is standing in front of the toilet seat. (B) is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the user sat down on the toilet seat.
In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the Doppler sensor 310 is provided, for example, behind the toilet seat 210. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, it is provided behind the toilet seat 210 and in the front part inside the casing 400.

  In the specification of the present application, the front is “front” when viewed from the user 850 sitting on the toilet seat 210, and the rear is “back” when viewed from the user 850 sitting on the toilet seat 210. In addition, the right side is “right side” and the left side is “left side” as viewed from the user 850 standing in front of the toilet bowl 800.

  As shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the Doppler sensor 310 radiates the transmission wave T1 forward. The Doppler sensor 310 can detect the user 850 moving from the front of the toilet bowl 800 toward the toilet seat 210 and sitting on the toilet seat 210 by the above-described Doppler effect or Doppler frequency ΔF.

  Next, a series of operations from when the user 850 enters the toilet room to when he leaves the room, the voltage value and amplitude value of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310, and the seating output from the seating sensor 300 The relationship with the separation detection signal will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the relationship between the operation of the user 850, the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310, and the seating / seating detection signal output from the seating sensor 300. FIG. 5A is a graph illustrating the voltage value of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310. That is, the vertical axis in the figure represents the voltage value of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310, and the horizontal axis in the figure represents time. FIG. 5B is a graph illustrating the amplitude value of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310. That is, the vertical axis in the figure represents the amplitude value of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310, and the horizontal axis in the figure represents time. FIG. 5C is a graph illustrating the value of the sitting / seating detection signal output from the seating sensor 300. That is, the vertical axis in the figure represents the value of the sitting / seating detection signal output from the seating sensor 300, and the horizontal axis in the figure represents time.

  First, when the user 850 stands in front of the toilet room (operation M11), opens the toilet room door and enters the toilet room (operation M13: entry operation), the approach / separation detection signal (Doppler) output from the Doppler sensor 310. The voltage value of the signal starts to oscillate around the reference value. When the user 850 approaches the toilet device, the amplitude value of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310 gradually increases (operation M13: room entry operation).

  Here, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, when the amplitude value of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310 is equal to or greater than a threshold value related to the room entry operation (room entry threshold value: first threshold value), the determination unit 320 ( The user presence / absence determination unit 324) determines that the user 850 has entered the toilet room (time t11). That is, in this embodiment, the determination unit 320 (user presence / absence determination unit 324) determines that the amplitude value (amplitude magnitude) of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor is equal to or greater than the first threshold value. Determines that the user 850 has entered the room and notifies the control unit 330 of the presence / absence determination signal.

  Subsequently, when the user 850 approaches the toilet, undresses, and sits on the toilet seat 210, the voltage value of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310 is output from the Doppler sensor 310 during the entrance operation. It vibrates more than the voltage value of the approach / separation detection signal (operation M15: seating operation). That is, when the user 850 approaches the toilet and sits on the toilet seat 210, the amplitude value of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310 is the value of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310 during the entrance operation. It becomes larger than the amplitude value. Further, when the user 850 is seated on the toilet seat 210, the seating / separation detection signal output from the seating sensor 300 indicates ON. (Operation M15: Sitting operation).

  Here, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, when the amplitude value of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310 gradually increases, the determination unit 320 (approach / separation operation determination unit 324) causes the user 850 to perform the determination. Is determined to have approached the toilet and is notified to the control unit 330 by an approach / separation operation determination signal.

  Here, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, when the sitting / seating detection signal output from the seating sensor 300 changes to ON, the control unit 330 displays the sitting / seating detection signal output from the seating sensor 300. Recognize that it is ON and confirm the seating.

  Subsequently, when the user 850 is stationary while sitting, the voltage value of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310 does not vibrate (operation M17: sitting / stationary). This is because in the equation (1) described above with reference to FIG. 2, the velocity v of the moving body (user 850) is substantially zero and the Doppler frequency ΔF is substantially zero. Therefore, when the user 850 is stationary while seated, the amplitude value of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310 is substantially zero.

  On the other hand, when the user 850 performs an operation such as tilting, shaking, or twisting the body while sitting, the voltage value of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310 is centered on the reference value. Then, vibration is started (operation M19: seating / operation). Subsequently, when the user 850 stops again while sitting, the voltage value of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310 does not vibrate (operation M21: sitting / stationary). Therefore, when the user 850 stops again while seated, the amplitude value of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310 becomes substantially zero again.

  Subsequently, when the user 850 leaves the toilet seat 210 and stands up, the voltage value of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310 starts to oscillate around the reference value. When the user 850 stands up from the toilet seat 210, the seating / separation detection signal output from the seating sensor 300 indicates OFF. When the user 850 wears and moves away from the toilet seat 210, the amplitude value of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310 gradually decreases (operation M23: separation operation). Subsequently, when the user 850 opens the door of the toilet room and leaves the toilet room, the amplitude value of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310 is greater than the amplitude value of the approach / separation detection signal during the sitting operation. Are also reduced (operation M25: leaving operation).

Here, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, when the amplitude value of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310 gradually decreases, the determination unit 320 (approach / separation operation determination unit 324) causes the user 850. Is determined to have separated from the toilet, and is notified to the control unit 330 by an approach / separation operation determination signal. When the amplitude value of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310 is equal to or less than a threshold value (exit threshold value: second threshold value) related to the exit operation, the determination unit 320 (user presence / absence determination unit 324) Is determined to have left the toilet room (time t15). In other words, in the present embodiment, the determination unit 320 (approach / separation operation determination unit 324) causes the user 850 when the amplitude value (amplitude magnitude) of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310 gradually decreases. Is determined to have separated from the toilet, and is notified to the control unit 330 by an approach / separation operation determination signal.
The determination unit 320 (user presence / absence determination unit 324) is used when the amplitude value (amplitude magnitude) of the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor is equal to or lower than the second threshold value for a certain period. It is determined that the person 850 has left the room, and the control unit 330 is notified by a presence / absence determination signal. The exit threshold (second threshold) relating to the exit operation may be different from or the same as the entrance threshold (first threshold) relating to the entrance operation as shown in FIG.

Next, a specific example of separation determination according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a specific example of the determination of the separation of the present embodiment.

  First, the control unit 330 acquires a sitting / seating detection signal from the seating sensor 300 (step S110). Subsequently, the control unit 330 acquires an approach / separation operation determination signal from the determination unit 320 (approach / separation operation determination unit 323) (step S120). Subsequently, the control unit 330 performs a seating determination step of determining whether or not the seating / seating detection signal from the seating sensor 300 is seating (step S130). When the seating / separation detection signal is separation (step S130: YES), subsequently, the separation determination for determining whether the approach / separation operation determination signal from the determination unit 320 (approach / separation operation determination unit 323) is separation or not. A step is executed (step S140). When the approach / separation operation determination signal is separation (step S140: YES), the control unit 330 determines the separation (step S170). And the control part 320 complete | finishes a process (step S200). On the other hand, when the seating / seating detection signal is not seating (step S130: NO), the controller 330 does not confirm the seating (step S190). And the control part 320 complete | finishes a process (step S200). On the other hand, when the approach / separation operation determination signal is not separation (step S140: NO), the control unit 330 acquires the presence / absence determination signal from the determination unit 320 (user presence / absence determination unit 324) (step S140). S150). Subsequently, the control unit 330 executes an unattended determination step of determining whether or not the presence / absence determination signal from the determination unit 320 (user presence / absence determination unit 324) is unattended (step S160). When the presence / absence determination signal is unattended (step S160: YES), the control unit 330 determines to be away (step S180). And the control part 320 complete | finishes a process (step S200). On the other hand, when the presence / absence determination signal is not unmanned (step S160: NO), the control unit 330 does not confirm the separation (step S190). And the control part 320 complete | finishes a process (step S200).

  In summary, when the user 850 leaves the toilet seat 210 and then moves away from the toilet, the seating / separation detection signal output from the seating sensor 300 indicates that the user has left. Since the determination unit 320 determines from the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310 that the sensor is separated, the approach / separation detection signal indicates separation. From these situations, the control unit determines the seating away.

  On the other hand, when the user 850 floats slightly from the toilet seat 210, the seating / separation detection signal output from the seating sensor 300 indicates the seating away. Since the determination unit 320 does not determine the separation from the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor 310, the approach / separation detection signal does not indicate separation. Moreover, since the determination part 320 does not determine that it is unattended, from these situations, a control part does not confirm leaving.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Hot water washing toilet seat 200 ... Toilet lid 210 ... Toilet seat heater 230 ... Toilet seat toilet seat opening / closing drive part 300 ... Seating sensor 310 ... Doppler sensor 311 ... Antenna 312 ... Transmission part 313 ... Reception part 314 ... Mixer part 320 ... Determination Unit 321 ... Filter 322 ... Physical quantity detection unit 323 ... Approaching / separating operation determination unit 324 ... User presence / absence determination unit 330 ... Control unit 340 ... Non-control unit 400 ... Casing 410 ... Toilet washing unit 800 ... Western-style sitting toilet 850 ... User

Claims (3)

Toilet seat and
A seating sensor for detecting the seating of the user on the toilet seat;
A Doppler sensor for detecting the approach and separation of the user with respect to the toilet seat;
Based on the approach / separation detection signal output from the Doppler sensor, a determination unit that determines an approach / separation operation from the toilet seat of the user and outputs an approach / separation operation determination signal;
Based on the seating / separation detection signal from the seating sensor and the approach / separation operation determination signal, the control unit for confirming seating / seating to the toilet seat of the user and outputting a control signal;
A controlled unit controlled based on the control signal;
With
The controller is
After executing the first step of determining whether the seating / separation detection signal is separation, if the determination of the first step is separation, it is determined whether the approach / separation operation determination signal is separation. A warm water flush toilet seat that executes the second step and, when the determination in the second step is separation, confirms the user's separation. The determination unit performs presence / absence determination of the user based on the approach / separation detection signal and outputs a presence / absence determination signal to the control unit,
The control unit executes a third step of determining whether the presence / absence determination signal is unattended when the determination of the second step is not approaching or separating, and when the determination of the third step is unattended The warm water washing toilet seat according to claim 1, wherein the user's sitting is confirmed.   The warm water washing toilet seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the non-control unit includes any one of a toilet seat heater, a toilet lid toilet seat opening / closing drive unit, and a toilet bowl washing unit.

Images