JP2021122341A - Toilet seat device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a toilet seat device capable of detecting an abnormality in an electric path while inhibiting the size of the device from becoming large.SOLUTION: A toilet seat device includes: a toilet seat with a built-in detection electrode; a power source circuit; a capacitance type seating sensor driven by the power generated by the power source circuit for applying a pulse voltage to the detection electrode; and a determination unit for determining presence or absence of the seating to the toilet seat on the basis of a detection value output from the seating sensor. The determination unit further determines presence or absence of an abnormality in an electric path including the electric source circuit on the basis of the detection value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The disclosed embodiment relates to a toilet seat device.

As a technique for detecting the seating of the user on the toilet seat, an electrostatic seating type seating sensor that detects a change in capacitance and determines the presence or absence of seating is known. The electrostatic seating type seating sensor is easier to miniaturize than the mechanical seating sensor.

By the way, in the toilet seat device, for example, when a surge current or noise leaks, there is a risk of causing an abnormality in peripheral parts. Therefore, the toilet seat device may be provided with a function of detecting an abnormality in the electric path. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a toilet seat device equipped with a dedicated circuit for detecting an electric leakage in a heat exchanger for local cleaning.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-263813

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, there is a possibility that the device becomes large in size by providing a dedicated circuit.

One aspect of the embodiment is made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a toilet seat device capable of detecting an abnormality in an electric path while suppressing an increase in size of the device.

The toilet seat device according to one embodiment is of a capacitance type driven by a toilet seat having a built-in detection electrode, a power supply circuit, and electric power generated by the power supply circuit, and applies a pulse voltage to the detection electrode. The seating sensor includes a seating sensor and a determination unit for determining the presence or absence of seating on the toilet seat based on a detection value output from the seating sensor, and the determination unit includes an electric path including the power supply circuit based on the detection value. Further determine whether or not there is an abnormality in.

Since the capacitance type seating sensor is used to determine the presence or absence of an abnormality in the electric path, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated circuit. Therefore, according to the toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to detect an abnormality in the electric path while suppressing an increase in the size of the device.

Further, the determination unit determines the seating based on the comparison between the detected value and one of the first threshold value higher than the reference value which is the detected value and the second threshold value lower than the reference value in the non-seated state. The presence or absence is determined, and the abnormality of the electric path is determined based on the comparison between the other of the first threshold value and the second threshold value and the detected value.

The direction of change in the combined capacitance differs depending on whether the human body is seated on the toilet seat or if a component on the electrical path fails. Therefore, according to the toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment, both the presence or absence of seating on the toilet seat of the human body and the abnormality of the electric path can be detected by using the seating sensor.

Further, the determination unit determines an abnormality on the primary side of the power supply circuit based on a comparison between the other of the first threshold value and the second threshold value and the detected value. According to the toilet seat device according to the embodiment, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of seating on the toilet seat of the human body and the abnormality on the primary side of the power supply circuit by using the pulse voltage of the frequency set for the seating detection.

The determination unit determines an abnormality on the primary side of the power supply circuit based on the detection value output from the seating sensor when the pulse voltage of the first frequency is applied to the detection electrode from the seating sensor. , An abnormality on the secondary side of the power supply circuit based on the detection value output from the seating sensor when the pulse voltage of the second frequency different from the first frequency is applied to the detection electrode from the seating sensor. To judge. Thereby, it is possible to detect not only the abnormality on the primary side of the power supply circuit but also the abnormality on the secondary side of the power supply circuit.

Further, the toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment includes a heater built in the toilet seat, a water discharge unit that discharges water toward the human body, and a device control unit that controls the heater and the water discharge unit. The device control unit prohibits driving at least one of the heater and the water discharge unit when an abnormality in the electric path is determined. As a result, even if an abnormality occurs in the electric path, the safety of the user can be more reliably ensured.

Further, the toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment includes an entry detection unit that detects the entry of a human body into the toilet room in which the toilet seat is installed, and the device control unit uses the entry detection unit to enter the room. When is detected, the seating sensor is made to apply the pulse voltage to the detection electrode. As a result, wasteful power consumption can be suppressed.

According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to detect an abnormality in the electric circuit while suppressing an increase in the size of the device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a toilet seat device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power supply circuit and peripheral parts. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of an electric path formed by a power supply circuit, a seating sensor, and the like. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control unit. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of processing executed by the toilet seat device. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another example of the procedure of the process executed by the toilet seat device.

Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the toilet seat device according to the present disclosure (hereinafter, referred to as “the embodiment”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that this embodiment does not limit the toilet seat device according to the present disclosure. In addition, each embodiment can be appropriately combined as long as the processing contents do not contradict each other. Further, in each of the following embodiments, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description is omitted.

Further, in the embodiments shown below, expressions such as "constant", "orthogonal", "vertical" or "parallel" may be used, but these expressions are strictly "constant", "orthogonal", and "parallel". It does not have to be "vertical" or "parallel". That is, each of the above expressions allows for deviations in manufacturing accuracy, installation accuracy, and the like.

First, the configuration of the toilet seat device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a toilet seat device according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet seat device 1 is provided on the upper part of the toilet bowl 2. The toilet bowl 2 is a Western-style flush toilet bowl and is arranged in the toilet room.

The toilet seat device 1 includes a functional unit 10 and a toilet seat 20. The functional unit 10 is fixed to the toilet bowl 2, and the toilet seat 20 is pivotally supported with respect to the functional unit 10 so as to be openable and closable. The toilet seat 20 is made of resin.

Various functional parts are built in the functional unit 10. For example, the functional unit 10 includes a water discharge unit (not shown) as a functional component. The water discharge unit includes a nozzle for discharging water locally to the user, a motor for advancing the nozzle from the inside of the functional unit 10 toward the bowl portion of the toilet bowl 2, an electromagnetic valve for switching the water discharge from the nozzle, and the like.

Further, the toilet seat device 1 includes a detection electrode 30, a heater 40, a power supply circuit 50, a seating sensor 60, and a control unit 70. The detection electrode 30 and the heater 40 are built in the toilet seat 20, and the power supply circuit 50, the seating sensor 60, and the control unit 70 are built in the functional unit 10. The seating sensor 60 may be provided on the toilet seat 20.

The detection electrode 30 is made of a metal such as aluminum foil and is connected to the seating sensor 60. The heater 40 is connected to the power supply circuit 50 and generates heat by the electric power supplied from the power supply circuit 50.

The power supply circuit 50 is connected to the commercial power supply 3 and converts the AC power supplied from the commercial power supply 3 into DC power, or lowers the DC power to generate driving power.

The seating sensor 60 is a capacitance type seating sensor. The seating sensor 60 is connected to the power supply circuit 50 and is driven by the DC power generated by the power supply circuit 50.

When the human body sits on the toilet seat 20, a capacitance component is generated between the detection electrode 30 and the human body. The seating sensor 60 can detect the seating of the human body on the toilet seat 20 based on the change in the capacitance component. Specifically, the seating sensor 60 applies a pulse voltage to the detection electrode 30. Then, the seating sensor 60 detects the potential difference between the detection electrode 30 and the ground side of the seating sensor 60.

The detected value output from the seating sensor 60 changes according to the combined capacitance of the electric path from the seating sensor 60 to the seating sensor 60 through the detection electrode 30, the power supply circuit 50, and the like. This change in the combined capacitance can occur not only due to the seating of the human body on the toilet seat 20, but also due to, for example, a failure of a component (capacitor or the like) provided in the power supply circuit 50, a disconnection of the ground wire, or the like.

The toilet seat device 1 according to the embodiment pays attention to this point, and uses the capacitance type seating sensor 60 not only whether or not the human body is seated on the toilet seat 20, but also an abnormality in the electric path including the power supply circuit 50. It was decided to determine the presence or absence. This point will be described later.

The control unit 70 is connected to the power supply circuit 50 and is driven by the DC power generated by the power supply circuit 50. The control unit 70 controls the drive of various devices included in the toilet seat device 1. For example, the control unit 70 controls the drive of the seating sensor 60.

Further, the control unit 70 controls the drive of the heater 40. Specifically, a heater switch 45 is provided between the heater 40 and the power supply circuit 50, and the control unit 70 can control the drive of the heater 40 by turning the heater switch 45 on or off. can. The control unit 70 also controls the drive of the water discharge unit described above.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configurations of the power supply circuit 50 and peripheral components. As shown in FIG. 2, the power supply circuit 50 includes an AC / DC circuit 100. The AC / DC circuit 100 includes, for example, a transformer 101, a diode bridge circuit 102, a capacitor 103, and the like. In the AC / DC circuit 100, the AC power supplied from the commercial power supply 3 is stepped down by using the transformer 101, and the stepped-down AC power is rectified and smoothed by using the diode bridge circuit 102 and the capacitor 103 to direct current. Generate electricity.

For example, capacitors 111 and 112 are provided on the primary side of the power supply circuit 50. The capacitors 111 and 112 are connected in series and in parallel with the commercial power supply 3. The middle portion of the capacitor 111 and the capacitor 112 is connected to a heat sink 83, which will be described later, and is grounded via the heat sink 83 and the ground wire 85.

Further, a varistor 113 is provided on the primary side of the power supply circuit 50. The varistor 113 is also connected to the heat sink 83 and is grounded via the heat sink 83 and the ground wire 85. The heater 40 is connected to the primary side of the power supply circuit 50.

The primary side of the power supply circuit 50 is a portion of the power supply circuit 50 on the front side of the transformer 101, that is, a portion between the commercial power supply 3 and the transformer 101.

A DC / DC circuit 121 is provided on the secondary side of the power supply circuit 50. The DC / DC circuit 121 steps down the DC power supplied from the AC / DC circuit 100 to adjust it to a desired voltage. The secondary side of the power supply circuit 50 is a portion of the power supply circuit 50 that is behind the transformer 101, that is, a portion that is insulated from the primary side by the transformer 101.

Further, between the primary side and the secondary side of the power supply circuit 50, capacitors 131 and 132 (coupling capacitors) straddle the transformer 101 (so as to connect the primary side and the secondary side of the power supply circuit 50). It will be provided.

The toilet seat device 1 further includes an electrolytic electrode 81, a heat sink 83, and ground wires 85 and 87. The electrolytic electrode 81 is an electrode for electrolyzing chloride ions contained in water (tap water) to generate water containing hypochlorous acid (electrolyzed water). The electrolytic electrode 81 is provided inside an electrolytic cell (not shown). The electrolyzed water generated by the electrolytic cell is discharged from the above-mentioned spouting portion to the bowl surface of the toilet bowl 2. The electrolytic electrode 81 is connected to the ground wire 87 and is grounded via the ground wire 87. Further, the electrolytic electrode 81 can also be electrically connected to the heat sink 83 via water.

The heat sink 83 is attached to a board (control board) on which the power supply circuit 50 is provided, and dissipates heat from the control board. The heat sink 83 is connected to the ground wire 85 and is grounded via the ground wire 85.

In the toilet seat device 1, the detection electrode 30 and the heater 40 are arranged so as to run in parallel with each other inside the toilet seat 20. There is a parasitic capacitance 200 between the detection electrode 30 and the heater 40.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of an electric path formed by the power supply circuit 50, the seating sensor 60, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, it can be considered that a plurality of capacitance components (for example, capacitance components C1 to C4) are connected in parallel to the seating sensor 60.

The capacitance component C1 corresponds to the capacitance component between the human body and the detection electrode 30. On the other hand, the capacitance components C2 to C4 correspond to the capacitance components of the power supply circuit 50 and the like. In the toilet seat device 1, a plurality of paths exist as electric paths including the power supply circuit 50 and the seating sensor 60, and the capacitance components C2 to C4 are the capacitances of components (capacitors and the like) arranged on each path. It represents a synthetic capacitance such as a parasitic capacitance or a parasitic capacitance. As an example, the toilet seat device 1 has an electric path from the seating sensor 60 to the seating sensor 60 through a detection electrode 30, a heater 40 (parasitic capacitance 200), and capacitors 131 and 132, and is arranged on this path. The combined capacitance of the parasitic capacitance 200, the capacitors 131, 132, etc., is the capacitance component of this path.

In the non-seat state, the capacitance component C1 does not exist, and when the human body sits on the toilet seat 20, the capacitance component C1 is added, and the combined capacitance of the entire circuit shown in FIG. 3 changes. Specifically, the added capacitance component C1 increases the combined capacitance.

On the other hand, if an abnormality occurs in a component on the electric path, for example, if the capacitors 111, 112, 131, 132 fail or the ground wire 85 is disconnected, one of the capacitance components C2 to C4 changes. It becomes. In this case as well, the combined capacitance changes, but the combined capacitance decreases, contrary to the case where the human body sits on the toilet seat 20.

As described above, the direction of change in the combined capacitance differs between the case where the human body is seated on the toilet seat 20 and the case where an abnormality occurs in a component on the electric path. The direction of change in the combined capacitance described above is an example. For example, when the toilet seat device 1 is provided with an inverting circuit, it decreases when the human body is seated on the toilet seat 20, and is on the electrical path. It increases when a part breaks down.

Next, a configuration example of the control unit 70 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control unit 70.

As shown in FIG. 4, a heater switch 45, a seating sensor 60, a water discharge unit 90, an entry detection unit 95, and the like are connected to the control unit 70. Of these, the room entry detection unit 95 is, for example, a pyroelectric sensor using an infrared signal, and detects the entry of a human body into the toilet room in which the toilet seat device 1 and the toilet bowl 2 are installed.

The control unit 70 includes a storage unit 71, a seating determination unit 72, an abnormality determination unit 73, and a device control unit 74.

The storage unit 71 stores the first threshold value 71a and the second threshold value 71b. The first threshold value 71a is a threshold value used when determining whether or not the human body is seated on the toilet seat 20, and the second threshold value 71b is used when determining the presence or absence of an abnormality in the electric path including the power supply circuit 50. It is a threshold.

As described above, in the toilet seat device 1, the combined capacitance increases when the human body sits on the toilet seat 20, and the combined capacitance decreases when an abnormality occurs in a component on the electric path. Therefore, the first threshold value 71a for seating determination is set to a value larger than a preset reference value as a detection value of the seating sensor 60 in the non-seating state. Further, the second threshold value 71b for determining the abnormality is set to a value lower than the above reference value.

The seating determination unit 72 determines whether or not the human body is seated on the toilet seat 20 by comparing the detected value output from the seating sensor 60 with the first threshold value 71a. Specifically, the seating determination unit 72 determines that the human body is seated on the toilet seat 20 when the detected value output from the seating sensor 60 is higher than the first threshold value 71a.

The abnormality determination unit 73 determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the electric path including the power supply circuit 50 by comparing the detected value output from the seating sensor 60 with the second threshold value. Specifically, the seating determination unit 72 determines an abnormality in the electric path when the detected value output from the seating sensor 60 is lower than the second threshold value.

The device control unit 74 controls the drive of devices connected to the control unit 70, such as the heater switch 45, the seating sensor 60, the water discharge unit 90, and the room entry detection unit 95 shown in FIG. For example, when the seating determination unit 72 determines that the human body is seated on the toilet seat 20, the device control unit 74 turns on the heater switch 45 to start heat generation of the heater 40.

Further, the device control unit 74 prohibits the driving of the heater switch 45 and the water discharge unit 90 when the abnormality determination unit 73 determines that the electrical path is abnormal. That is, for example, even if the user operates the heater 40 and the water discharge unit 90 by using an operation unit (not shown), the device control unit 74 does not drive the heater switch 45 and the water discharge unit 90. As a result, even if an abnormality occurs in the electric path, the safety of the user can be more reliably ensured.

Next, an example of a specific operation of the toilet seat device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by the toilet seat device 1.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 70 of the toilet seat device 1 determines whether or not the entry detection unit 95 has detected the entry of the human body into the toilet room (step S101). This process is repeated until the entry detection unit 95 detects that the human body has entered the toilet room (steps S101 and No).

When it is determined in step S101 that entry into the toilet room is detected (step S101, Yes), the control unit 70 controls the seating sensor 60 to apply a pulse voltage to the detection electrode 30 (step S102). ).

Subsequently, the control unit 70 determines whether or not the detected value output from the seating sensor 60 exceeds the first threshold value 71a (step S103). In this determination, when the detected value exceeds the first threshold value 71a (step S103, Yes), the control unit 70 determines that the human body is seated on the toilet seat 20 (step S104). Then, the control unit 70 drives the heater 40 by turning on the heater switch 45, for example (step S105).

On the other hand, in step S103, when the detected value does not exceed the first threshold value 71a (steps S103, No), the control unit 70 determines whether or not the detected value is lower than the second threshold value 71b (step S106). .. In this determination, when the detected value is lower than the second threshold value 71b (step S106, Yes), the control unit 70 determines the abnormality of the current path (step S107). In this case, the control unit 70 prohibits the driving of the heater 40 and the water discharge unit 90 (step S108).

When the processing of steps S105 and S108 is completed, or when the detected value is not lower than the second threshold value in step S106 (steps S106 and No), the control unit 70 ends the processing.

By the way, the amount of change in the combined capacitance that changes when the human body sits on the toilet seat 20 is about 30 to 40 pF, and the pulse voltage output from the seating sensor 60 usually detects a change of 30 to 40 pF. It is set to a possible frequency (hereinafter referred to as "first frequency").

On the other hand, the power supply circuit 50 is provided with parts having a capacitance that is very small compared to the amount of change in the combined capacitance due to seating (30 to 40 pF). It is difficult to detect using the pulse voltage of the first frequency. This is because the smaller the capacitance, the more difficult it is for electricity to pass through, and the more difficult it is to detect it as a voltage.

Here, on the primary side of the power supply circuit 50, a component having a capacitance that is extremely large compared to the amount of change in the combined capacitance (30 to 40 pF) due to seating is provided, and these components are provided. It is possible to detect a failure by using the pulse voltage of the first frequency. On the other hand, such a component having a large capacitance is not provided on the secondary side of the power supply circuit 50.

Therefore, when the control unit 70 of the toilet seat device 1 determines that the detected value detected by using the pulse voltage of the first frequency is smaller than the second threshold value 71b, the power supply circuit is specifically regarded as an abnormality of the current path. It may be determined that the abnormality is on the primary side of 50.

Further, the toilet seat device 1 may switch the frequency of the pulse voltage output from the seating sensor 60 in order to determine whether or not there is an abnormality on the secondary side of the power supply circuit 50. This point will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another example of the procedure of the process executed by the toilet seat device 1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 70 controls the seating sensor 60 to apply a second frequency pulse voltage to the detection electrode 30 (step S201). The second frequency is a frequency higher than the first frequency. For example, the first frequency is 10 kHz and the second frequency is 1 MHz.

Subsequently, the control unit 70 determines whether or not the detected value output from the seating sensor 60 is lower than the third threshold value (step S202). The third threshold value is set to a value lower than a preset reference value as a detection value of the seating sensor 60 in the non-seating state.

When it is determined in step S202 that the detected value is lower than the third threshold value (step S202, Yes), the control unit 70 determines an abnormality on the secondary side of the power supply circuit 50 as an abnormality of the electric path (step S203). ). When the process of step S203 is completed, or when the detected value is not lower than the third threshold value in step S202 (steps S202, No), the control unit 70 ends the process.

When the abnormality on the secondary side of the power supply circuit 50 is determined, the control unit 70 may perform an abnormality handling process different from the case where the abnormality on the primary side of the power supply circuit 50 is determined. For example, when the control unit 70 determines an abnormality on the primary side of the power supply circuit 50, it prohibits driving of the heater 40 and the water discharge unit 90, and when it determines an abnormality on the secondary side of the power supply circuit 50, the control unit 70 prohibits driving. Only the driving of the heater 40 may be prohibited.

When the frequency of the pulse voltage is switched to the second frequency, it becomes difficult to correctly detect whether or not the human body is seated on the toilet seat 20. Therefore, when the frequency of the pulse voltage is switched to the second frequency, it is preferable not to perform the determination process by the seating determination unit 72.

(Modification example)
The control unit 70 stores in the storage unit 71 the component information associated with the detection value (or the amount of change thereof) output from the seating sensor 60 when an abnormality occurs in the component for each component on the electric path. You may be. In this case, the control unit 70 can identify the component in which the abnormality has occurred based on the detected value output from the seating sensor 60 and the component information.

Of the capacitance components of the power supply circuit 50, for the capacitance component connected in parallel to the commercial power supply 3 (earth of the commercial power supply 3), it is difficult to see the change in the combined capacitance in the event of a failure, so an abnormality is determined. Can be difficult. Therefore, the toilet seat device 1 may have a path for directly connecting the capacitance component connected in parallel to the commercial power source 3 to the seating sensor 60. For example, the toilet seat device 1 may have a path connecting the middle portion of the capacitors 111 and 112 and the seating sensor 60. In this case, the control unit 70 can determine an abnormality (failure) of the capacitor 111 based on the second detection value (potential difference in the above path) detected by the seating sensor 60.

As described above, the toilet seat device (for example, the toilet seat device 1) according to the embodiment includes a toilet seat (for example, the toilet seat 20) in which a detection electrode (for example, a detection electrode 30) is built in, and a power supply circuit (for example, an example). As a power supply circuit 50), a capacitance type seating sensor (for example, a seating sensor 60) that is driven by the power generated by the power supply circuit and applies a pulse voltage to the detection electrode, and is output from the seating sensor. It is provided with a determination unit (as an example, a seating determination unit 72) that determines whether or not the user is seated on the toilet seat based on the detected value. Further, the determination unit (as an example, the abnormality determination unit 73) further determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the electric path including the power supply circuit based on the detected value.

Since the capacitance type seating sensor is used to determine the presence or absence of an abnormality in the electric path, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated circuit. Therefore, according to the toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to detect an abnormality in the electric path while suppressing an increase in the size of the device.

Further, the determination unit (as an example, the seating determination unit 72 and the abnormality determination unit 73) has a first threshold value (for example, a first threshold value 71a) higher than the reference value which is a detected value in the non-seating state and a reference value. Based on the comparison between the detected value and one of the lower second threshold values (for example, the second threshold value 71b), the presence or absence of seating is determined, and based on the comparison between the other of the first and second threshold values and the detected value. , Judge the abnormality of the electric path.

The direction of change in the combined capacitance differs depending on whether the human body is seated on the toilet seat or if an abnormality occurs in a component on the electrical path. Therefore, both the presence or absence of seating on the toilet seat of the human body and the abnormality of the electric circuit can be detected by using the seating sensor.

Further, the determination unit determines an abnormality on the primary side of the power supply circuit based on the comparison between the detected value and the other of the first threshold value and the second threshold value.

On the primary side of the power supply circuit, a component having a capacitance that is significantly different from the amount of change in the combined capacitance due to seating is provided. Therefore, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of seating on the toilet seat of the human body and the abnormality on the primary side of the power supply circuit by using the pulse voltage of the frequency set for the seating detection.

The determination unit determines an abnormality on the primary side of the power supply circuit based on the detection value output from the seating sensor when the pulse voltage of the first frequency is applied to the detection electrode from the seating sensor, and is different from the first frequency. When a pulse voltage of two frequencies is applied to the detection electrode from the seating sensor, the abnormality on the secondary side of the power supply circuit is determined based on the detection value output from the seating sensor. Thereby, it is possible to detect not only the abnormality on the primary side of the power supply circuit but also the abnormality on the secondary side of the power supply circuit.

Further, the toilet seat device according to one embodiment includes a heater built in the toilet seat (heater 40 as an example), a water discharge unit that discharges water toward the human body (water discharge unit 90 as an example), a heater, and a heater. It is provided with an equipment control unit (as an example, an equipment control unit 74) that controls a water discharge unit. Further, the device control unit prohibits the driving of at least one of the heater and the water discharge unit when an abnormality in the electric circuit is determined. As a result, even if an abnormality occurs in the electric path, the safety of the user can be more reliably ensured.

Further, the toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment includes an entry detection unit (for example, an entry detection unit 95) that detects the entry of a human body into the toilet room in which the toilet seat is installed. When the entry detection unit detects the entry, the device control unit causes the seating sensor to apply a pulse voltage to the detection electrode. As a result, wasteful power consumption can be suppressed.

Further effects and variations can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. For this reason, the broader aspects of the invention are not limited to the particular details and representative embodiments expressed and described above. Therefore, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1: Toilet seat device 2: Toilet bowl 3: Commercial power supply 10: Functional unit 20: Toilet seat 30: Detection electrode 40: Heater 45: Heater switch 50: Power supply circuit 60: Seating sensor 70: Control unit 81: Electrolytic electrode 83: Heat sink 85 : Ground wire 100: AC / DC circuit 101: Transformer 102: Diode bridge circuit 103: Capacitor 111, 112, 131, 132: Capacitor

Claims (6)

Toilet seat with built-in detection electrode and
Power supply circuit and
A capacitance type seating sensor that is driven by the electric power generated by the power supply circuit and applies a pulse voltage to the detection electrode.
It is provided with a determination unit that determines whether or not the toilet seat is seated based on the detected value output from the seating sensor.
The determination unit
A toilet seat device that further determines whether or not there is an abnormality in an electric path including the power supply circuit based on the detected value. The determination unit
Based on the comparison between the detected value and one of the first threshold value higher than the reference value which is the detected value and the second threshold value lower than the reference value in the non-seated state, the presence or absence of the seating is determined.
The toilet seat device according to claim 1, wherein an abnormality of the electric circuit is determined based on a comparison between the first threshold value and the other of the second threshold values and the detected value. The determination unit
The toilet seat device according to claim 2, wherein an abnormality on the primary side of the power supply circuit is determined based on a comparison between the first threshold value and the other of the second threshold values and the detected value. The determination unit
When the pulse voltage of the first frequency is applied to the detection electrode from the seating sensor, an abnormality on the primary side of the power supply circuit is determined based on the detection value output from the seating sensor.
When the pulse voltage of the second frequency different from the first frequency is applied to the detection electrode from the seating sensor, the abnormality on the secondary side of the power supply circuit is detected based on the detection value output from the seating sensor. The toilet seat device according to claim 3, wherein the determination is made. The heater built into the toilet seat and
A water discharge part that discharges water toward the human body,
A device control unit that controls the heater and the water discharge unit is provided.
The device control unit
The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which prohibits driving of at least one of the heater and the water discharge portion when an abnormality in the electric circuit is determined. It is equipped with an entry detection unit that detects the entry of a human body into the toilet room where the toilet seat is installed.
The device control unit
The toilet seat device according to claim 5, wherein when the entry detection unit detects the entry, the seating sensor is made to apply the pulse voltage to the detection electrode.

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