JP2021151317A - Toilet seat device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a toilet seat device capable reducing a load on a toilet seat rotating shaft at a seated time, and measuring accurately a load of a seated person by regulating the position of the toilet seat.SOLUTION: A toilet seat device includes a toilet seat rotating shaft 13 provided on a bedpan, for supporting openably/closably a toilet seat 2 arranged over the bedpan, and a first rotary hinge part 3A provided on the toilet seat 2, for supporting the toilet seat rotating shaft 13. The first rotary hinge part 3A includes a hinge hole 25 displaceable from a no load position (closed position P1) at an unseated time to a lower position in a vertical direction at a seated time relative to the toilet seat rotating shaft 13 with the closed toilet seat 2, and a spring member 26 for regulating the hinge hole 25 on the no load position at an unseated time on the toilet seat 2 and at an opening/closing time of the toilet seat 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present disclosure relates to a toilet seat device.

As a toilet bowl that can measure the weight of a user, a toilet seat that has a built-in load sensor and has a weight measuring function for measuring the load of a seated person is known. In a toilet seat having such a weight measurement function, the load applied to the toilet seat at the time of sitting is lighter than the actual value because the load is applied not only to the load sensor built in the toilet seat but also to the hinge part connecting the functional part and the toilet seat. Was detected, and the measurement accuracy was insufficient.

For example, as in Patent Document 1, the hinge hole into which the hinge shaft is fitted is vertically elongated to provide a clearance in the vertical direction so that a load is not applied to the hinge portion of the toilet seat rotation shaft. Has been done.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-210229

In the case of a conventional toilet seat as in Patent Document 1, the hinge hole into which the toilet seat rotation shaft is fitted is configured to have a vertical clearance, but when returning from the seating position on the toilet seat to the opening / closing position (toilet seat rotation position), Alternatively, when opening and closing the toilet seat, there was no means for restricting the toilet seat rotation shaft to a predetermined toilet seat rotation position in the hinge hole. Therefore, in the conventional toilet seat, there is a possibility that the toilet seat can be opened and closed while the toilet seat rotation axis is displaced and positioned in the hinge hole.

The present disclosure provides a toilet seat device that can accurately measure the load of a seated person by reducing the load applied to the toilet seat rotation shaft at the time of sitting, and regulates the position of the toilet seat so that the toilet seat can be easily opened and closed.

The toilet seat device of one aspect of the present disclosure includes a toilet seat rotation shaft provided on the toilet bowl and supporting the toilet seat arranged above the toilet bowl so as to be openable and closable, and a rotation hinge provided on the toilet seat and supporting the toilet seat rotation shaft. The rotary hinge portion is provided with a hinge hole that can be displaced from a no-load position when not seated to a downward position in the vertical direction when seated with respect to the toilet seat rotation shaft with the toilet seat closed. It includes a rotation axis regulating member that regulates the hinge hole at the no-load position when the toilet seat is not seated and when the toilet seat is opened and closed.

It is a perspective view which looked at the toilet seat device by one Embodiment of this disclosure from obliquely above, and is the figure which omitted the toilet lid. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the toilet seat device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from above. FIG. 2 is a view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the back surface of the toilet seat which was opened by the toilet seat device shown in FIG. It is a main part perspective view which shows the structure of the 1st rotation hinge part provided with the rotation axis regulation member of a slowdown mechanism, and is the figure which shows the state at the time of non-seat. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the hinge hole on the toilet seat side in the rotary hinge part shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state at the time of sitting in the 1st rotation hinge part of FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB shown in FIG. 2 and is a diagram showing a configuration of a second rotating hinge portion on the other end side of the toilet seat rotating shaft. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC shown in FIG. 8 and is a diagram showing a configuration of a second rotating hinge portion. It is a side view which shows the structure of the load sensor provided in the toilet seat. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the 2nd rotation hinge part on the other end side of the toilet seat rotation shaft. It is a vertical cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the load sensor by the 1st modification. It is a vertical cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the load sensor by the 2nd modification. It is a vertical cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the load sensor by the 3rd modification. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the evaluation system to which the evaluation apparatus which concerns on embodiment is applied. It is a figure which shows the display example by the display part which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the history information stored in the storage part which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process performed by the evaluation apparatus which concerns on embodiment.

Hereinafter, the toilet seat device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the toilet seat device 1 according to the present embodiment measures the load and load fluctuation of the seated person at the time of excretion of the user, and evaluates the motor function of the user from the measured contents. It is a thing.

The toilet seat device 1 includes a toilet bowl 10 having a toilet bowl 11, a toilet seat 2 provided to be openable and closable with respect to the toilet bowl 10, and a toilet lid (not shown) provided to be openable and closable with respect to the toilet seat 2. ing. The toilet seat device 1 is provided with a load sensor 5 for measuring the load of the seated person. In FIGS. 1 to 3, the toilet seat 2 in the closed state (hereinafter referred to as the closed position P1) is shown, and the closed toilet lid covers the opening of the toilet bowl 11 from above via the toilet seat 2. FIG. 4 shows the toilet seat 2 in the open state (hereinafter referred to as the open position P2).

In the following description, when the user of the toilet seat device 1 is seated on the toilet seat 2, the front side of the user is the front side, the back side of the user is the rear side, and the direction connecting the front side and the rear side is front and back. The direction X1 is defined, and the direction connecting the left side and the right side of the toilet seat 2 as seen from the seated person is defined as the left-right direction X2. The side away from the floor surface on which the toilet seat device 1 is installed is defined as the "upper side", the side closer to the floor surface is defined as the "lower side", and the direction connecting the upper side and the lower side is defined as the vertical direction X3. In the toilet seat 2, the closed state is referred to as the closed position P1, and the open state is referred to as the open position P2.

The toilet bowl 10 has a toilet bowl 11. On the rear side of the toilet bowl 10, a functional unit 12 for accommodating the toilet seat 2, the opening / closing mechanism of the toilet lid, the water control device to be used, and the like is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper surface 11a of the toilet bowl 11 is provided with a rim that projects toward the inner space of the toilet bowl 11. A water reservoir 11c (see FIG. 2) is arranged at the bottom of the toilet bowl 11, and the water reservoir 11c is connected to a toilet drainage channel 14 for discharging excrement such as stool from the toilet bowl 11.

The toilet lid (not shown) is rotatably configured around a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction X2, covers the closed toilet seat 2 and extends in the left-right direction X2 and the front-back direction X1, respectively, and the toilet bowl 11 and the toilet seat 2 respectively. It can be in either a closed position P1 that closes the opening of the toilet or an open position P2 that extends at least in the vertical direction X3 as shown in FIG. That is, the toilet lid is provided so that the openings of the toilet bowl 11 and the toilet seat 2 can be opened and closed.

The functional unit 12 can incorporate, for example, a cleaning function (warm water washing toilet seat), a heater function (heating toilet seat), a deodorizing / sterilizing function, a drying function, a toilet seat / toilet seat lid opening / closing function, an onomatopoeia function, and the like. ing. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the functional unit 12 accommodates a toilet seat rotation shaft 13 that supports the toilet seat 2 so as to be openable and closable.

The toilet seat rotation shaft 13 is arranged with the rotation center C1 facing the left-right direction X2, coaxially arranged with the rotation shaft portion of the slowdown mechanism 15 including an electric motor or the like, and is rotatable in the functional portion 12. The toilet seat rotation shaft 13 rotatably supports only one side of the toilet seat 2 (on the right side of the paper in FIG. 2) in the left-right direction X2. The toilet seat rotation shaft 13 is formed to have a substantially square cross section, and is supported in a state where the rotation tip portion 13a is fitted into the hinge hole 25 of the toilet seat 2, which will be described later.

The toilet seat 2 is housed in a functional portion 12 located at the rear of the toilet bowl 10 and is rotatably provided around a toilet seat rotation shaft 13 extending in the left-right direction X2. It is provided so as to rotate with respect to the open position P2 (see FIG. 4) standing up with respect to the pot 11.

As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet seat 2 has a seat surface wall 21, a seat back wall 22 (see FIG. 4), and a seat side wall 23 connecting the seat surface wall 21 and the seat back wall 22 continuously. They are connected and formed (see FIG. 10). The toilet seat 2 forms an annular shape that extends continuously in the circumferential direction, and is in contact with the upper surface 11a of the toilet bowl 11 at the closed position P1. The opening formed in the opening 2c of the toilet seat 2 is set to be slightly smaller than the opening of the toilet bowl 11 when viewed from above. When the toilet seat 2 is in the closed position P1, the toilet seat 2 projects from the upper surface 11a of the toilet bowl 11 toward the inner space. The toilet seat 2 is preferably made of a material having a higher rigidity than polypropylene, such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT resin), ABS, and urea resin. Additives such as glass fiber and talc may be added to polypropylene to enhance its rigidity, or a material obtained by reinforcing polypropylene with a metal plate may be used.

As shown in FIG. 2, the toilet seat 2 is a pair of toilet seat support portions 24 (24A, 24B) that extend rearward from each of the left and right ends of the rear end portion at the closed position P1 and are rotatably connected to the functional portion 12. have. The pair of toilet seat support portions 24A and 24B are provided with a first rotary hinge portion 3A and a second rotary hinge portion 3B corresponding to each of the pair of toilet seat support portions 24A and 24B, respectively. The first rotary hinge portion 3A of one of the rotary hinge portions 3A and 3B on one end side in the axial direction of the toilet seat rotary shaft 13 (on the left side of the paper in FIG. 2) is provided on the toilet seat 2 and supports the toilet seat rotary shaft 13.

The second rotating hinge portion 3B on the other end side of the toilet seat rotating shaft 13 in the axial direction (on the right side of the paper in FIG. 2) is provided on the functional portion 12 and is provided on the second toilet seat support portion 24B of the toilet seat 2. The shaft 27 is rotatably supported. The rotary hinge portions 3A and 3B are displaced downward in the vertical direction when seated from the no-load position when not seated with respect to the toilet seat rotation shaft 13 and the toilet seat side support shaft 27 (see FIG. 9) at the closed position P1 of the toilet seat 2. It is provided as possible.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the first rotary hinge portion 3A is a groove extending in the vertical direction X3 at the closed position P1 of the toilet seat 2 on the inner surface 24a of the first toilet seat support portion 24A facing inward in the left-right direction X2. A shaped hinge hole 25 is formed. The hinge hole 25 is formed so as to be displaceable from the no-load position (closed position P1) when the toilet seat 2 is closed with respect to the toilet seat rotation shaft 13 to the lower position P3 in the vertical direction when the toilet seat 2 is seated. A vertical surface 25a is formed in the hinge hole 25 on a pair of facing surfaces extending in the vertical direction X3 and facing each other.

In the hinge hole 25, a spring member 26 (rotary shaft restricting member) that regulates the hinge hole 25 at a no-load position when the toilet seat 2 is not seated and when the toilet seat 2 is opened and closed is connected to the rotating tip portion 13a of the toilet seat rotating shaft 13. It is provided between them. The toilet seat rotation shaft 13 is positioned in a state where the rotation tip portion 13a is in contact with the bottom surface 25c of the hinge hole 25 by the urging of the spring member 26, and the position of the rotation tip portion 13a is regulated.

In the first rotating hinge portion 3A, since the hinge hole 25 can slide up and down with respect to the rotating tip portion 13a, the toilet seat 2 can move between the closed position P1 and the lower position P3. The hole length (clearance) of the hinge hole 25 is determined by the amount of vertical movement of the toilet seat 2 and the length of the compression limit of the spring member 26.

The spring member 26 is inserted between the hole top surface 25b of the hinge hole 25 and the upper end of the rotation tip portion 13a in a state where a coil spring is used and the spring axis is directed in the longitudinal direction of the hinge hole 25. As shown in FIG. 7, the spring member 26 is compressed when the toilet seat 2 slides downward with respect to the rotational tip portion 13a and moves to the lower position P3 when seated, and resists the urging force. Further, the spring member 26 places the toilet seat rotating shaft 13 in a no-load position (closed position P1 shown in FIG. 5) when the seated person stands up from the time of sitting and the load is removed, that is, when the toilet seat 2 is not seated and when the toilet seat 2 is opened and closed. Restore to. At this time, the toilet seat rotating shaft 13 is restricted to a position where it comes into contact with the bottom surface 25c of the hinge hole 25 by the urging force of the spring member 26.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, in the first rotary hinge portion 3A, in addition to the above-mentioned rotation and downward slide mechanism of the toilet seat 2, the toilet seat / toilet lid vigorously moves when the toilet seat / toilet lid is opened / closed. A slowdown mechanism 15 for preventing opening and closing is provided. As the slowdown mechanism 15, for example, an electric opening / closing or a damper can be adopted.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the second rotary hinge portion 3B is a slide that rotatably supports the toilet seat side support shaft 27 fixed to the second toilet seat support portion 24B of the toilet seat 2 and the toilet seat side support shaft 27. It includes a moving frame 32 and a fixed frame 33 that is fixed to the functional portion 12 and guides the sliding frame 32. The sliding frame 32 and the fixed frame 33 are provided in the functional unit 12.

The toilet seat side support shaft 27 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the central axis is coaxial with the rotation center C1 of the toilet seat rotation shaft 13 at the closed position P1 of the toilet seat 2 and fixed to the second toilet seat support portion 24B. The toilet seat side support shaft 27 projects from the inner surface 24a of the second toilet seat support portion 24B of the toilet seat 2 facing inward in the left-right direction X2. The protruding end portion 27a of the toilet seat side support shaft 27 is rotatably fitted into the circular fitting hole 32a formed in the sliding frame 32. The toilet seat side support shaft 27 includes an electric wire passage 27A through which an electric wire connecting between the toilet seat 2 and the functional portion 12 is wired.

The sliding frame 32 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view in the storage portion 33a of the fixed frame 33, and has a fitting hole 32a to be fitted with the toilet seat side support shaft 27 inserted in the center. .. The toilet seat side support shaft 27 is coaxially fitted in the fitting hole 32a with the central shaft thereof. At the closed position P1 of the toilet seat 2, both side walls of the sliding frame 32 have sliding surfaces 32b having vertical faces. The sliding surface 32b is guided by the guide piece 33b formed on the fixed frame 33 and slides in the vertical direction. The lower surface 32c of the sliding frame 32 is in contact with each other in a state of being urged by a spring member 34 provided on the fixed frame 33, which will be described later.

The fixed frame 33 forms a storage portion 33a inside which the sliding frame 32 is slidably stored in the vertical direction. A guide piece 33b having a vertical surface is provided on the inner surface of both side walls 33A of the fixed frame 33. The guide piece 33b is arranged at a distance from the sliding surface 32b of the sliding frame 32, but even when the toilet seat side support shaft 27 moves back and forth, the guide piece 33b slides in a state of being supported by the guide piece 33b. The moving frame 32 is configured to slide in the vertical direction X3.

The fixed frame 33 has a bottom wall 33B having a recess 33c that holds the spring member 34 on the upper surface side. A coil spring is used in the spring member 34, and the spring member 34 is inserted between the recess 33c and the lower surface 32c of the sliding frame 32 in a state where the spring shaft is directed in the vertical direction. The spring member 34 is compressed when the toilet seat 2 slides downward with respect to the sliding frame 32 to which the toilet seat side support shaft 27 is fitted when seated, and resists urging. Further, the spring member 34 restores the sliding frame 32 to the no-load position when the seated person stands up from the time of sitting and the load is removed, that is, when the toilet seat 2 is not seated and when the toilet seat 2 is opened and closed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the back surface 2b of the toilet seat 2 is provided with a plurality (four) grounding legs 4 with load sensors protruding downward at four locations in the circumferential direction in the closed state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, each grounding leg 4 is fixed to the back surface 21a of the seat surface wall 21 of the toilet seat 2 via a load sensor 5 described later.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the four grounding legs 4 are grounded to the upper surface 11a of the toilet bowl 11 when the toilet seat 2 is in the closed position P1, and the toilet seat 2 is supported at four points. NS. As shown in FIG. 10, the grounding leg portion 4 is composed of, for example, a rubber member, and protrudes from the back surface 2b of the seat back wall 22 at a predetermined height at the closed position P1 of the toilet seat 2. The grounding leg portion 4 is provided so that the thickness in the vertical direction can be adjusted. When there is another protruding member (not shown) protruding downward on the back surface 2b of the toilet seat 2, the grounding leg portion 4 has a height of the protruding member so that the protruding member does not hit the upper surface 11a of the toilet bowl 11. It is installed so that it protrudes further.

The toilet seat 2 is built in the toilet seat 2, and a plurality of load sensors 5 for measuring the load of the seated person are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 2. The load sensor 5 is integrally supported by the seat surface wall 21 in the front and back directions of the toilet seat 2, and the load of the seated person seated on the toilet seat 2 is applied from the seat surface wall 21 to the upper surface 11a of the toilet bowl 11 via the load sensor 5. Arranged to be transmitted.

A strain gauge type load cell is used as the load sensor 5. As another load cell, a magnetostrictive load cell, a capacitance type load cell, a gyro type load cell, or the like can also be used.

The load sensor 5 includes a load cell 51, a base plate 52 made of a metal plate that supports the load applied to the load cell 51, and a plurality of support columns connecting the base plate 52 and the back surface 21a of the seat surface wall 21 of the toilet seat 2. 53 and. A support member 55 extends downward from the back surface 21a of the seat surface wall 21, and a support member 56 for supporting the load cell 51 by hooking both ends of the load cell 51 is provided at the lower end of the support column 55. As a result, the load sensor 5 is provided integrally with the seat surface wall 21 of the toilet seat 2. On the lower surface side of the load cell 51 of the load sensor 5, a grounding leg 4 provided in a state of being grounded to the upper surface 11a of the toilet bowl 11 is fixed. In the load sensor 5 having such a configuration, the stress due to seating is directly applied from each of the seat surface wall 21 and the ground contact portion (upper surface 11a of the toilet bowl 11), and there is no extra path (via another member). Can be applied to the load cell 51 (without).

As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet seat device 1 is provided with a load display unit (not shown) that displays the load (weight) of the seated person measured by the load sensor 5. The load display unit may be provided at a position that is easy to see in a part of the functional unit 12 in the toilet seat device 1, or may be such that the measurement data is displayed on a remote controller capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving. On the load display unit, for example, it is possible to display a graph over time showing the load value with respect to time. The load display unit is provided with a load balance display unit that displays the load balance of the seated person with respect to the toilet seat from the load measured by the plurality of load sensors 5.

When the seated person sits on the toilet seat 2, the toilet seat 2 is lowered by the rotary hinge portion 3 due to the load acting on the toilet seat 2, the grounding leg portion 4 comes into contact with the upper surface 11a of the toilet bowl 11, and the seating is completed. At this time, the weight of the seated person on the seat surface wall 21 is transmitted to the load sensor 5 via the seat surface wall 21, and the load cell 51 of the load sensor 5 is installed on the upper surface 11a of the toilet bowl 11. It is transmitted to 4. As a result, the load is detected in the load cell 51. As shown in FIG. 4, the toilet seat 2 is provided with four load sensors 5, and the load distribution can be obtained from the load measured by each load sensor 5, and the center of gravity position G of the seated person on the toilet seat 2 can be obtained. .. From this center of gravity position G, the balance of the weight of the seated person can be calculated, and as a result, the posture of the seated person at the time of sitting and the bias of the sitting style of the person can be estimated. The load measured by the load sensor 5 or the load balance is displayed on the load display unit described above.

Reference numeral G in FIG. 4 indicates the position of the center of gravity obtained from each load value measured by the four load sensors 5, and this can be displayed on the left-right balance display unit of the load display unit. The intersection O of the two-dot chain line of the cross passes through the center of each of the front-back direction X1 and the left-right direction X2, which is the ideal center of gravity position, and the balance of the weight on the left and right thighs of the seated person seated on the toilet seat 2. Is measured, and it is displayed whether or not the left and right sides are in a substantially equal state. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the center of gravity position G is located on the upper right side of the paper with respect to the intersection O, it can be confirmed that the weight is biased to the right front side, and a notification that the weight is moved to the left rear side is given. You can instruct the seated person. In the toilet seat device 1 of the present embodiment, it is also possible to accumulate the measured load data and confirm the change in the posture of the seated person in time series.

In the present embodiment, the weight value (measured value) of the seated person before and after defecation is measured by the load sensor 5, and at least one of the urine volume and the stool volume is measured from the difference of the weight values.

The measured value measured by the load sensor 5 is obtained by using it as a correction value for canceling the load escape element, such as adding the stress generated on the toilet seat rotation shaft 13 at the time of sitting, that is, the load relief to the value of the zero point correction. be able to. Thereby, the measurement accuracy may be improved.

In the toilet seat device 1 of the present embodiment, the measured value measured by the load sensor 5 is prepared so that the measurement result of the actual weight scale can be input, and the numerical value input a plurality of times and the actual measurement by the load sensor 5 on the toilet seat 2 are performed. The difference between the values may be used as a user-specific correction value.

In the toilet seat device 1 of the present embodiment, unstable elements such as body movement may be removed by arithmetic processing of the signal waveform of the load measured by the load sensor 5.

Next, the operation of the toilet seat device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 7, in the toilet seat device 1 according to the present embodiment, the toilet seat 2 is rotated from the open position P2 (see FIG. 4) in which the toilet seat 2 stands up against the toilet bowl 11. When the closed position P1 is set, the toilet seat 2 supported by the toilet seat rotating shaft 13 rotates via the rotating hinge portions 3A and 3B as the toilet seat rotating shaft 13 rotates, and the closed position is located on the toilet bowl 11. It becomes P1.

After that, in the present embodiment, when a seated person is seated on the toilet seat 2 at the closed position P1, the toilet seat 2 is lowered by the load of the seated person and placed on the upper surface 11a of the toilet bowl 11. At that time, as shown in FIG. 5, the toilet seat support portion 24A is provided with a hinge hole 25 that can slide upward so as not to interfere with the toilet seat rotation shaft 13, and as shown in FIG. 11, the toilet seat support portion 24B side is on the toilet seat side. A hinge hole 12a that can slide downward is provided so that the support shaft 27 does not interfere with the cover 12A of the functional portion 12. As described above, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, the toilet seat rotation shaft 13 and the toilet seat side support shaft 27 are the structural portions of the toilet seat 2 and the functional portion 12 in both the toilet seat support portions 24A and 24B located at the left and right ends. Sliding hinge holes 25 and 12a are provided so as not to let the load to be transmitted to the load cell 51 (see FIG. 10) escape by interfering with the toilet seat 2, and when seated on the toilet seat 2, both ends of the toilet seat support portions 24A and 24B are provided. Since it has a clearance that allows it to move in the vertical direction, it is possible to prevent the rotary hinge portions 3A and 3B that open and close the toilet seat 2 from interfering with the surrounding members.

In the present embodiment, as described above, spring members 26 and 34 for absorbing the displacement at the time of seating are provided on the respective rotary hinge portions 3A and 3B so that the load is not applied to the rotary hinge portions 3A and 3B on both the left and right sides at the time of seating. ing. By providing the spring members 26 and 34, the toilet seat 2 when not seated is urged to an upper position (closed position P1) by the spring force. By generating the minimum spring force in the spring members 26 and 34 when opening and closing the toilet seat 2, the toilet seat rotation shaft 13 can be restored and fixed at an appropriate position with respect to the toilet seat 2. At this time, the toilet seat rotation shaft 13 movements can be regulated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the toilet seat from being seated in a state where the toilet seat is displaced from a predetermined position with respect to the toilet seat rotation shaft 13 when seated, and the load of the seated person can be accurately measured by the load sensor 5 provided on the toilet seat 2. ..

In the present embodiment, when the toilet seat 2 is placed on the upper surface 11a of the toilet bowl 11, the load is applied to the toilet bowl 11. That is, since most of the load acting on the toilet seat 2 is borne by the toilet bowl 11, the load acting on the toilet seat rotating shaft 13 and the fixed frame 33 is reduced only by the compressive force of the spring members 26 and 34. That is, in the present embodiment, the load measured by the load sensor 5 is a value obtained by losing the spring load of the spring members 26 and 34 from the actual weight of the seated person at the time of sitting, but the spring force is reproduced as weak as possible. By generating it with good sex, the relative change in weight can be obtained accurately. As described above, in the present embodiment, since the toilet seat 2 can be freely slid in the vertical direction by the first rotating hinge portion 3A, it is possible to suppress the escape of the load acting on the toilet seat 2, and the load sensor 5 provided on the toilet seat 2 can be suppressed. The accuracy of the load value measured in can be improved. Then, in the present embodiment, the motor function state of the user can be accurately grasped based on the measured load value.

In the present embodiment, when the toilet seat 2 is seated in the closed state, the rotary hinge portions 3A and 3B can move in the vertical direction. It is possible to measure accurately by reducing the effect of the load escaping due to interference with.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a load sensor 5 provided on the second toilet seat support portion 24B side on the other end side in the axial direction of the toilet seat rotation shaft 13 and connecting between the toilet seat 2 and the functional portion 12 Since the electric wire passage 27A through which electric wires such as heaters (not shown) are wired is provided, not only the toilet seat side support shaft 27 does not interfere when the toilet seat 2 is displaced in the vertical direction X3, but also the toilet seat 2 receives stress when seated. This can prevent the wire from being damaged or cut.

In the present embodiment, each of the plurality of load sensors 5 arranged on the toilet seat 2 is provided with, for example, an amplifier, so that individual loads can be measured for each load sensor 5. In this case, by arranging the toilet seat 2 in the circumferential direction, the load distribution can be obtained from the load measured by each load sensor 5, and the position G of the center of gravity of the seated person on the toilet seat 2 can be obtained. .. From this center of gravity position G, the weight balance of the seated person can be calculated.

In the present embodiment, since the toilet seat 2 is made of a material having a higher rigidity than polypropylene, it is possible to prevent the toilet seat 2 itself from being deformed when seated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the load (weight) of the seated person from escaping due to the deformation of the toilet seat 2, and the load of the seated person can be measured more accurately.

In the present embodiment, the load sensor 5 is built in the toilet seat 2, is integrally held on the seat surface wall 21 in the front and back directions of the toilet seat 2, and the load of the seated person acting on the seat surface is integrated with the seat surface wall 21. The provided load sensor 5 is arranged so that the load is transmitted to and from the ground plane of the upper surface 11a of the toilet bowl 11. Therefore, the stress transmission structure when stress is applied to the load sensor 5 can be simplified, the overweight area in the toilet seat 2 can be reduced, and the load can be measured more accurately.

In the present embodiment, since the weight value of the seated person before and after defecation can be accurately measured by the load sensor 5, at least one of the urine volume and the stool volume can be measured more accurately from the difference in the weight values. Therefore, it is possible to measure with a small amount of urine and stool. Then, the user can input urine only, stool only, or both urine and stool by himself / herself to distinguish between urine volume and stool volume.

In the present embodiment, the state of the load balance of the seated person with respect to the toilet seat 2 is displayed on the load balance display unit such as a remote controller based on the load measured by the plurality of load sensors 5, and the position determined each time while looking at the load balance display unit. The position can be adjusted by the user by changing the posture so that the measurement can be performed with. Examples of the load balance display unit include a toilet remote controller, a smartphone, a tablet, and the like.

In the present embodiment, the load sensor 5 can adjust the thickness of the grounding leg 4 in the vertical direction at a position where it touches the upper surface 11a of the toilet bowl 11, for example, by changing the thickness of the spacer or the rubber leg. Thereby, for example, even if the upper surface 11a of the toilet bowl 11 is not flat due to a manufacturing error, the ground contact leg 4 can be adjusted, and the toilet seat 2 is positioned in the horizontal posture at the closed position P1. And the load can be measured accurately.

In the toilet seat device 1 according to the present embodiment, the load of the seated person can be measured accurately by regulating the position of the toilet seat 2 when seated.

The structure of the load sensor 5 described above is not limited to the embodiment described above, and can be adopted with other configurations. For example, in the load sensor 5A installed in the toilet seat 2 of the toilet seat device 1A according to the first modification shown in FIG. 12, the grounding leg 4 is integrally fixed to the seat back wall 22 of the toilet seat 2 via the holder 41. The load cell 51 is arranged in contact with the upper surface 4a of the grounding leg portion 4. The load cell 51 is fixed to the lower surface 54a of the plate-shaped support plate 54 by a support pillar 53 hanging from the back surface 21a of the seat surface wall 21.

A circular hole 22a substantially coaxial with the load cell 51 is formed in the seat back wall 22, and the holder 41 is engaged with the inside of the circular hole 22a via an O-ring 57. As the material of the O-ring 57, for example, silicon or fluorine-based rubber can be adopted. A pressure plate 58 is fitted in the upper part of the holder 41 from above. The load cell 51 is in contact with the upper surface of the pressure plate 58 with respect to 58a. In the first modification, the circular hole 22a formed in the seat back wall 22 has a waterproof structure in which the circular hole 22a is in liquid-tight contact with the holder 41 by the O-ring 57, so that the inflow of water into the toilet seat 2 can be prevented. , It is possible to prevent water from adhering to the load cell 51 in the toilet seat 2.

Also in the case of the load sensor 5A according to the first modification, the load sensor 5A is built in the toilet seat 2, is integrally held by the seat surface wall 21 in the front and back directions of the toilet seat 2, and the load of the seater acting on the seat surface is applied to the seat. A load sensor 5A integrally provided on the front wall 21 is arranged so that the load is transmitted to and from the ground contact surface of the upper surface 11a of the toilet bowl 11. Therefore, the stress transmission structure when stress is applied to the load sensor 5A can be simplified, the overweight area in the toilet seat 2 can be reduced, and the load can be measured more accurately.

The toilet seat device 1B according to the second modification shown in FIG. 13 is a modification of the waterproof structure of the circular hole 22a formed in the seat back wall 22 in the toilet seat device 1A (see FIG. 12) according to the first modification described above. .. The ground contact leg 4 according to the second modification is provided with a first waterproof packing 42 extending upward from a circular outer peripheral edge when viewed from above. The first waterproof packing 42 has a tubular portion 421, a bent portion 422 curved so as to be folded back from the upper end of the tubular portion 421, and a locking portion 423 provided at the tip of the bent portion 422. ..

The first waterproof packing 42 is a circle in which the locking portion 423 is formed on the peripheral edge of the circular hole on the upper surface of the seat back wall 22 in a state where the holder 41 is fitted into the tubular portion 421 of the grounding leg portion 4 from above. It is locked to the peripheral groove 22b. As the material of the grounding leg portion 4 and the first waterproof packing 42, for example, silicon, EPDM, elastomer or the like can be adopted. As a result, in the second modification, the circular hole 22a formed in the seat back wall 22 by the first waterproof packing 42 and the grounding leg 4 has a waterproof structure that is liquid-tightly sealed, so that water into the toilet seat 2 is formed. Can be prevented from flowing in, and water can be prevented from adhering to the load cell 51 in the toilet seat 2.

The toilet seat device 1C according to the third modification shown in FIG. 14 is a modification of the shape of the waterproof packing provided on the grounding leg 4 in the toilet seat device 1B (see FIG. 13) according to the second modification described above. An opening cylinder portion 22c that extends downward and projects is formed in a portion of the seat back wall 22 that forms a circular hole 22a. The holder 41 and the grounding leg 4 are fitted into the opening cylinder 22c. A circumferential groove 22d is formed on the seat back wall 22 at an intersection with the opening cylinder portion 22c. The second waterproof packing 43 provided on the grounding leg 4 according to the third modification has a configuration of being locked to the lower surface of the seat back wall 22, and is a concave cylinder extending upward from the outer peripheral edge of the lower end of the grounding leg 4. It has a portion 431 and a flange portion 432 that protrudes outward in the radial direction from the upper end of the concave cylinder portion 431 and extends over the entire circumference.

In the second waterproof packing 43, in a state where the holder 41 and the grounding leg portion 4 are fitted inside the opening cylinder portion 22c, the concave cylinder portion 431 is fitted outside the opening cylinder portion 22c, and the collar portion 432 is fitted. It is locked to the circumferential groove 22d of the seat back wall 22. The flange portion 432 locked in the circumferential groove 22d is fixed by a holding plate 59 using a fixing screw (not shown). As the material of the grounding leg portion 4 and the second waterproof packing 43, for example, silicon, EPDM, elastomer or the like can be adopted. As a result, in the third modification, the circular hole 22a formed in the seat back wall 22 by the second waterproof packing 43 and the grounding leg 4 has a waterproof structure that is liquid-tightly sealed, so that water into the toilet seat 2 is formed. Can be prevented from flowing in, and water can be prevented from adhering to the load cell 51 in the toilet seat 2.

The evaluation system 7 to which the evaluation device using the load sensor described above is applied will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 15 to 18.

As shown in FIG. 15, the evaluation system 7 includes, for example, a plurality of load sensors 8 (load sensors 8-1, ..., 8-N) (N is an arbitrary natural number), a toilet device 9, and an evaluation device 70. To be equipped.

The load sensor 8 is a sensor that measures the load. The load sensor 8 is provided with, for example, a strain gauge, and converts a load into an electric signal according to its weight by utilizing the fact that the resistance value changes according to the deformation of the strain gauge due to the load. The load sensor 8 is installed, for example, on the back side of the toilet seat in the toilet bowl device 9. The load sensor 8 measures the load acting on the toilet seat when the user sits on the toilet seat, and outputs information (load information) indicating the measured load to the evaluation device 70.

The toilet device 9 includes, for example, an input unit 90, a detection unit 91, and an output unit 92. The input unit 90 acquires information that is operated and input by the user from a remote controller (not shown) or the like. The information input for the operation is, for example, information indicating the start and end of the use of the local cleaning, the operation of the toilet bowl cleaning, and the like. The detection unit 91 detects the situation regarding the toilet bowl device 9. For example, the detection unit 91 detects the content of the information operated and input by the user. The detection unit 91 performs processing according to the detected content. For example, when the detection unit 91 detects that an operation input indicating the start of use of local cleaning has been made, the detection unit 91 outputs a command to start local cleaning to the functional unit that performs local cleaning. The output unit 92 outputs information (detection information) indicating the content detected by the detection unit 91 to the evaluation device 70.

The evaluation device 70 includes, for example, a load information acquisition unit 71, a detection information acquisition unit 72, a determination unit 73, an authentication unit 74, a display unit 75, an input unit 76, and a storage unit 77. The load information acquisition unit 71 acquires load information from the load sensor 8 and outputs the acquired load information to the determination unit 73. The detection information acquisition unit 72 acquires the detection information from the toilet bowl device 9, and outputs the acquired detection information to the determination unit 73.

The determination unit 73 acquires load information from the load information acquisition unit 71, and determines the motor function of the user based on the acquired load information. The motor function here is determined according to an index or the like calculated based on the load and the fluctuation of the load (hereinafter referred to as the load fluctuation) accompanying the movement of the user. The user's movement is a movement including when the user is seated on the toilet seat, while sitting, and when the user is unseat. The index or the like is a numerical value or the like that serves as a guide for evaluating the motor function, and is, for example, a muscle strength index, a posture retention index, a weight index, an excretion amount, an excretion time, a comfortable stool index, a weight increase / decrease index, or the like.

The muscular strength index is a numerical value or the like that serves as a guideline for the muscular strength of the user, and is an index that is determined based on, for example, the rate of change in load fluctuation due to the movement (seating) of standing up from the state of sitting on the toilet seat. The posture holding index is a numerical value indicating the degree to which the user holds the sitting posture, and is an index determined based on, for example, the degree of fluctuation of the center of gravity in the state of being seated on the toilet seat. The body weight index is a numerical value that serves as a guide for the body weight of the user, and is, for example, a representative value (for example, an average value) of a load measured during sitting. The excretion amount is the amount of stool or urine excreted by the user, and is, for example, the difference between the load measured before excretion and the load measured after excretion. The excretion time is the time required for excretion. The pleasant stool index is a numerical value or the like indicating the degree of comfort of excretion by the user, and is an index calculated according to the excretion time. The excrement subject to the pleasant stool index includes not only stool but also urine. The body weight gain / loss index is an index indicating whether the weight of the user tends to increase or decrease, and is, for example, the body weight before a certain period (for example, one day, one week, one month, etc.). This is the difference between the index and the current weight index.

The determination unit 73 acquires the load and the load fluctuation during the operation including the time when the user is seated on the toilet seat, during the seating, and when the user is unseat, based on the time-dependent change of the load information. The determination unit 73 determines that the user has been seated on the toilet seat, for example, when the load indicated in the load information changes from a state of substantially 0 (zero) to a value larger than a predetermined seating threshold value. The seating threshold value here is a load that can detect the state in which the human body is seated on the toilet seat. The determination unit 73 acquires the load at the time of sitting and the load fluctuation based on the load information acquired during a predetermined period (hereinafter referred to as the seating period) from the time when it is determined that the user has been seated on the toilet seat. .. The seating period is, for example, a period from when the load fluctuates greatly due to the seating of the user until it becomes almost stable. The seating load is a representative value (for example, an average value) of the load during the sitting period. The load fluctuation during sitting is information indicating the relationship between the load and time during the sitting period.

The determination unit 73 determines that there has been a seating, for example, when the load indicated in the load information changes to a value smaller than a predetermined seating threshold value after the user's seating on the toilet seat is detected. The seating threshold value here is a load that can detect a state in which the human body is seated from the toilet seat. The seating threshold and the unseat threshold may be the same value or different values from each other. The determination unit 73 acquires the load during seating and the load fluctuation based on the load information acquired during the period (hereinafter referred to as the seating period) after the seating period elapses and before it is determined that there has been seating. do. The seating period is, for example, a period in which the load is substantially stable before the load fluctuates significantly due to the user leaving the seat. The load during sitting is a representative value (for example, an average value) of the load during the period during sitting. The load fluctuation during sitting is information indicating the relationship between the load and time during the sitting period.

For example, the determination unit 73 determines the load and load fluctuation at the time of seating based on the load information acquired during the period before and after the time when the user's seating on the toilet seat is detected (hereinafter referred to as the seating period). get. The withdrawal period is, for example, a period in which the load fluctuates greatly with the user's withdrawal. The load at the time of unseat is a representative value (for example, an average value) of the load during the unseat period. The load fluctuation at the time of unseat is information indicating the relationship between the load and the time during the unseat period.

The determination unit 73 calculates the muscle strength index of the user based on the load fluctuation at the time of sitting or leaving. For example, the determination unit 73 calculates a muscle strength index proportional to the amount of load fluctuation per unit time so as to satisfy the equation (1). In equation (1), Ki is a muscle strength index, ΔW is a load fluctuation amount at time Δt, Δt is a minute time, W (t + Δt) is a load at time t + Δt, and W (t) is a load at time t. Using the equation (1), the determination unit 73 calculates so that the larger the load fluctuation amount per unit time, the larger the muscle strength index.

Ki∝ΔW / Δt
ΔW = W (t + Δt) −W (t)… (1)

For example, the determination unit 73 may calculate the muscle strength index of the user based on the maximum value of the load fluctuation during the sitting period or the unseat period so as to satisfy the equation (2). In the equation (2), Wmax is the maximum value of the load fluctuation during the sitting period or the unseat period, and Wave is the average value of the load fluctuation during the sitting period or the unseat period. Alternatively, Wave may be the average value of load fluctuations during the sitting period.

Ki∝Wmax / Wave… (2)

For example, the determination unit 73 may calculate the muscle strength index of the user based on the change width of the load fluctuation during the sitting period or the unseat period so as to satisfy the equation (3). In equation (3), Wmax is the maximum value of load fluctuation during the sitting period or unseat period, and Wmin is the minimum value of load fluctuation during the sitting period or unseat period.

Ki∝ (Wmax-Wmin)… (3)

The determination unit 73 calculates the position of the center of gravity of the load during sitting based on the load measured by each of the plurality of load sensors 8. The determination unit 73 calculates the position of the center of gravity of the load, for example, as shown in the equation (4). In equation (4), (x1, y1) indicates the position coordinates of the load sensor 8-1, ... (XN, yN) indicates the position coordinates of the load sensor 8-N. In equation (4), W1 indicates the load measured by the load sensor 8-1, and WN indicates the load measured by the load sensor 8-N. P (x, y) indicates the position coordinates of the center of gravity.

P (x, y)
x = (W1 x x1 + ... + WN x xN) / (W1 + ... + WN)
y = (W1 x y1 + ... + WN x yN) / (W1 + ... + WN) ... (4)

The determination unit 73 calculates the posture holding index of the user while sitting from the change over time in the position of the center of gravity. For example, the determination unit 73 calculates a posture holding index proportional to the amount of change in the position of the center of gravity per unit time so as to satisfy the equation (5). In equation (5), SH is a posture holding index, ΔP is the amount of change in the position of the center of gravity at time Δt, Δt is a minute time, P (t + Δt) is the position of the center of gravity at time t + Δt, and P (t) is the position of the center of gravity at time t. ing. Using the equation (5), the determination unit 73 calculates so that the smaller the amount of change in the position of the center of gravity per unit time, the larger the posture holding index.

SHi∝ΔP / Δt
ΔP = P (t + Δt) −P (t)… (5)

The determination unit 73 determines the excretion time required for excretion based on the change over time of the load information. The determination unit 73 determines that the excrement has been excreted, for example, when the load measured during sitting decreases by a predetermined threshold value or more. The predetermined threshold value here is, for example, a load corresponding to excrement at one time. The determination unit 73 determines the excretion time as the period from the time when the user determines that the toilet seat is seated to the time when the excrement is determined to be excreted.

The determination unit 73 determines the comfort index based on the determined excretion time. The determination unit 73 calculates a stool index proportional to the excretion time so as to satisfy the equation (6), for example. In equation (6), KBi indicates a stool index and HJ indicates an excretion time. Using the equation (6), the determination unit 73 calculates so that the shorter the excretion time, the larger the value of the stool index.

KBi∝HJ… (6)

The determination unit 73 determines the weight increase / decrease index of the user based on the history of the weight index. The determination unit 73 converts the calculated weight index into the history information 770 of the storage unit 77 in association with the measurement attribute information. The measurement attribute information is information indicating attributes related to measurement, such as identification information (measurement ID) that uniquely identifies the measurement, measurement date and time, and measurement time. The determination unit 73 refers to the history information 770 based on the current measurement date and time, and extracts the weight index before a certain period from the current measurement date and time. The determination unit 73 calculates the difference between the weight index calculated this time and the past weight index extracted from the history information 770. The determination unit 73 calculates the weight gain / loss index based on the calculation result. If the current weight index is larger than the past weight index, the determination unit 73 calculates so that the weight index becomes a positive value. If the current weight index is smaller than the past weight index, the determination unit 73 calculates so that the weight index becomes a negative value. As shown in the equation (7), the determination unit 73 calculates, for example, a weight index proportional to the magnitude of the difference between the current weight index and the past weight index. In equation 7), TZi indicates the weight gain / loss index, Tin indicates the current weight index, and Tio indicates the past weight index.

TZi∝ (Tin-Tio)

The determination unit 73 stores not only the weight index but also the calculated index in the history information 770 of the storage unit 77. The calculated index is a muscle strength index, a position of the center of gravity, a posture holding index, an excretion time, a comfortable stool index, and the like. The determination unit 73 stores these indexes in association with the attribute information related to the measurement.

As shown in FIG. 16, the determination unit 73 may display all or a part of the calculated index on the display unit 75. The index here is an index calculated by the determination unit 73 to determine the motor function and is an example of "processing content associated with the determination", and is a weight index, a muscle strength index, a center of gravity position, and a posture holding index. , Excretion time, comfort index, etc. FIG. 16 shows an example in which the weight index, the muscle strength index, and the position of the center of gravity are displayed. In this example, the load measured by the load sensor 8 is shown as a weight index, and the load fluctuation at the time of sitting down is shown in time series as a muscle strength index. In this example, four load sensors 8 are provided on the back of the toilet seat. In this example, as the center of gravity position, a guide indicating the geometric center line of the plane SQ indicated by the line segments L1 and L2 and the center of gravity position G1 calculated from the load are displayed. By visually recognizing the guide displayed on the plane SQ and the position of the center of gravity G1, the user can recognize the degree of separation between the geometric center position and the position of the center of gravity G1 of the user.

The determination unit 73 may generate guidance information for guiding the position of the center of gravity during sitting. The guidance information here is information that guides the center of gravity position G2, which has a high comfort index based on past results. The determination unit 73 refers to the past history information 770 of the user based on the result of the personal authentication performed by the authentication unit 74 described later, and when the comfort index is larger than the predetermined threshold value in the user. Get the corresponding center of gravity position. The determination unit 73 displays the acquired center of gravity position as the ideal center of gravity position G2 on the plane SQ. By visually recognizing the center-of-gravity positions G1 and G2 displayed on the plane SQ, the user can recognize the degree of separation between his / her own center-of-gravity position G1 and the ideal center-of-gravity position G2. Therefore, the evaluation device 70 can recommend the ideal center of gravity position, guide the user to a good (ideal) defecation posture, and encourage the user to excrete in a shorter time.

The determination unit 73 may generate guidance information for guiding the position of the center of gravity suitable for local cleaning, cleaning of the toilet bowl, etc., based on the position of the center of gravity of the user. As a result, the user can perform comfortable local cleaning. The toilet device 9 can efficiently clean the toilet. The determination unit 73 may display only the long-term weight gain / loss index without displaying the weight index.

The determination unit 73 may calculate the stool index by using the information indicating whether or not the stool is a stool input by the user via the input unit 76. In this case, an operation button or the like for inputting whether or not the stool is comfortable is displayed on the touch panel of the display unit 75, and when the operation button is operated, information indicating whether or not the stool is comfortable is input to the input unit 76. Is entered in. The determination unit 73 calculates the stool index based on the information input to the input unit 76. The determination unit 73 may calculate the stool index based on the excretion time and the information input to the input unit 76.

The determination unit 73 may acquire information indicating good physical condition and lifestyle (for example, whether or not an exercise such as a walk has been performed) input by the user via the input unit 76. For example, the determination unit 73 may weight the calculated index based on the acquired information. As a result, the determination unit 73 can calculate an index in consideration of the physical condition of the user and the lifestyle.

Returning to FIG. 15, the authentication unit 74 performs personal authentication of the user based on the processing content associated with the determination by the determination unit 73. The authentication unit 74 refers to the history information 770, for example, based on an index or the like calculated by the determination unit 73 in connection with this measurement. The authentication unit 74 extracts history information 770 having an index similar to the index calculated this time (for example, a weight index). The authentication unit 74 determines that the user corresponding to the user ID associated with the extracted history information 770 corresponds to the user measured this time. When the history information 770 having an index similar to the index calculated this time (for example, weight index, muscle strength index, center of gravity position, posture holding index, etc.) does not exist, the authentication unit 74 corresponds to the index calculated this time. A new user ID is added to the history information 770, and it is determined that the user measured this time is a new user who has never been measured in the past. It should be noted that personal authentication may not be performed between the time when the user's seating is detected and the time when the user's seating is detected, and personal authentication may be performed after the user's seating is detected.

The input unit 76 acquires a signal indicating an operation input from a touch panel or the like. The touch panel is, for example. It is installed on all or part of the display screen of the display unit 75, and an operation button or the like for correcting or confirming the result of personal authentication is displayed. When a touch operation is performed on the operation button, a signal indicating that the touch operation has been performed is input to the input unit 76. The input unit 76 updates or stores the history information 770 according to the input signal.

The storage unit 77 includes history information 770. As shown in FIG. 17, the history information 770 includes a measurement ID, a measurement date and time, an authentication result, and a determination result item. The measurement ID is identification information that uniquely identifies the measurement. The measurement date and time is information indicating the date and time when the measurement was performed. The authentication result is information indicating the result of personal authentication by the authentication unit 74, and for example, a user ID that uniquely identifies the user is indicated. In the determination result, the processing contents associated with the determination by the determination unit 73 are shown, and for example, a muscle strength index, a posture holding index, a stool index, a weight index, an excretion amount, a weight increase / decrease index, and the like are shown.

The flow of processing performed by the evaluation device 70 will be described with reference to FIG. The evaluation device 70 acquires load information from the load sensor 8 (step S10). The evaluation device 70 determines whether or not the user is seated based on the load and the load fluctuation shown in the acquired load information (step S11). When the evaluation device 70 determines that the user has been seated, the evaluation device 70 acquires the load at the time of sitting and the load fluctuation (step S12). The evaluation device 70 determines whether or not the user has left the seat (step S13). When the evaluation device 70 determines that the user has not left the seat, the evaluation device 70 acquires the load during seating and the load fluctuation (step S14). When the evaluation device 70 determines that the user has been unseat, the evaluation device 70 acquires the load and the load fluctuation at the time of unseat (step S15). The evaluation device 70 is an index for determining motor function (muscle strength index, posture retention index, comfort index, weight index, etc.) based on the respective loads and load fluctuations during sitting, sitting, and unseat. Calculate the amount of excretion, weight gain / loss index, etc.). The evaluation device 70 performs personal authentication based on the respective loads and load fluctuations when seated, seated, and unseat.

As described above, the evaluation device 70 of the embodiment includes a load information acquisition unit 71 and a determination unit 73. The load information acquisition unit 71 acquires load information from the load sensor 8 that measures the load acting on the toilet seat. Based on the change over time of the load information, the determination unit 73 acquires the load and the load fluctuation indicating the fluctuation of the load during the operation including the time when the user is seated on the toilet seat, during the seating, and when the user is unseat. , The acquired load and load fluctuation are used to judge the motor function of the user. As a result, the evaluation device 70 of the embodiment can determine the motor function of the user based on the act of excretion by the user, and can be used in daily life without the trouble of preparing a special measuring device. It is possible to continuously evaluate motor function.

In the evaluation device 70 of the embodiment, the determination unit 73 calculates the muscle strength index of the user based on the load fluctuation at the time of sitting or unseat. As a result, in the evaluation device 70 of the embodiment, it is possible to determine the muscle strength of the user by utilizing the sitting motion accompanying sitting and the standing motion accompanying sitting off, and the same effect as the above-mentioned effect is obtained.

In the evaluation device 70 of the embodiment, the load sensors 8 are provided at a plurality of different locations on the toilet seat. The determination unit 73 determines the change with time of the center of gravity position G1 during sitting based on the load information acquired from each of the load sensors 8, and determines the posture holding index of the user from the change with time of the center of gravity position G1. Calculate. As a result, in the evaluation device 70 of the embodiment, it is possible to determine the force for holding the posture in the user by using the posture while sitting, and the same effect as the above-mentioned effect is obtained.

In the evaluation device 70 of the embodiment, the determination unit 73 determines the excretion time required for excretion based on the change over time of the load information, and calculates the user's stool index based on the excretion time. As a result, the evaluation device 70 of the embodiment can determine whether the excretion is good or bad in the user.

In the evaluation device 70 of the embodiment, the determination unit 73 determines the position of the center of gravity G1 during sitting based on the load information acquired from each of the load sensors 8, and associates the position of the center of gravity with the comfort index to provide historical information. Store in 770. As a result, guidance information for guiding the ideal center of gravity position G2 (an example of the "center of gravity position") can be generated based on the relationship between the user's center of gravity position and the comfort index stored in the history information 770. It will be possible. Therefore, the evaluation device 70 of the embodiment can guide the excretion posture of the user to guide the excretion with a shorter excretion time.

In the evaluation device 70 of the embodiment, the determination unit 73 calculates the weight increase / decrease index of the user based on the history of the weight index calculated based on the load during sitting. As a result, the evaluation device 70 of the embodiment can manage the weight of the user by utilizing the seating of the user, and has the same effect as the above-mentioned effect.

The evaluation device 70 of the embodiment further includes a display unit 75 that displays the processing content associated with the determination by the determination unit 73. As a result, the evaluation device 70 of the embodiment allows the user to recognize the position of the center of gravity G1 and various indexes. Therefore, the user can grasp the position of the center of gravity G1 and various indexes.

The evaluation device 70 of the embodiment further includes an authentication unit 74 that performs personal authentication of the user based on the processing content associated with the determination by the determination unit 73. As a result, the evaluation device 70 of the embodiment can perform personal authentication through the natural daily operation of using the toilet without performing an independent authentication act. By performing personal authentication, various indicators can be managed for each user.

All or part of the processing performed by the evaluation device 70 in the above-described embodiment may be realized by a computer. In that case, the program for realizing this function may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read by the computer system and executed. The "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a storage device such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM or a CD-ROM, or a hard disk built in a computer system. Further, a "computer-readable recording medium" is a communication line for transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, and dynamically holds the program for a short period of time. It may also include a program that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory inside a computer system that is a server or a client in that case. The above program may be for realizing a part of the above-mentioned functions, and may be further realized for realizing the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, and is an FPGA. It may be realized by using a programmable logic device such as.

Although the embodiment of the toilet seat device according to the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment.

For example, in the present embodiment, the rotary hinge portion 3 is configured to have a mechanism for the toilet seat 2 to slide from the closed position P1 to the lower position P3, but the rotary hinge portion 3 has a toilet seat at the closed position P1 of the toilet seat 2. A hinge hole 25 having a vertical surface that allows the rotating shaft 13 to slide along the vertical direction is formed in the toilet seat, and the toilet seat rotating shaft 13 is restored to a no-load position when the toilet seat 2 is not seated or opened and closed. If so, the restoration method is not limited to coil springs and leaf springs.

The configuration of the load sensor is not limited to the configuration in which the load acts directly on the load cell 51 from the seat surface wall 21 of the toilet seat 2 as in the above-described embodiment and modification. For example, the iron plate (base plate) holding the load cell 51 may not be integrally fixed to the seat front wall 21, but may be fixed to the seat back wall 22, and the grounding leg portion 4 may be provided on the lower surface of the load cell 51. In this case, since the stress on the base plate that presses the load cell 51 from above is borne by the seat back wall 22 of the toilet seat 2, the structure is greatly affected by the deflection of the toilet seat 2 and the stress easily escapes. Since the support column as described above is not required, there is an advantage that the member can be easily processed.

In the present embodiment, coil springs are used as the spring members 26 and 34 of the rotary hinge portions 3A and 3B, but the present invention is not limited to coil springs, and for example, leaf springs may be used.

The content displayed on the load display unit as in the above-described embodiment is not limited to the load, the load balance, and the graph over time, and is appropriately required based on the load value measured by the load sensor 5. Information can be displayed.

In addition, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiment with well-known components as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

1 ... Toilet seat device, 2 ... Toilet seat, 3, 3A, 3B ... Rotating hinge part, 4 ... Ground leg part, 5 ... Load sensor, 10 ... Toilet bowl, 11 ... Toilet bowl, 11a ... Top surface, 12 ... Functional part, 13 ... Toilet seat rotation shaft, 15 ... Slow down mechanism, 24, 24A, 24B ... Toilet seat support, 25 ... Hinge hole, 26 ... Spring member (rotation shaft regulation member), 27 ... Toilet seat side support shaft, 32 ... Sliding frame, 33 ... Fixed frame, X1 ... Front-back direction, X2 ... Left-right direction, X3 ... Vertical direction, 7 ... Evaluation system, 8 ... Load sensor, 9 ... Toilet bowl device, 70 ... Evaluation device, 71 ... Load information acquisition unit, 72 ... Detection information Acquisition unit, 73 ... Judgment unit, 74 ... Authentication unit, 75 ... Display unit, 76 ... Input unit, 77 ... Storage unit, 770 ... History information

Claims (11)

A toilet seat rotation shaft provided on the toilet bowl and supporting the toilet seat arranged above the toilet bowl so as to be openable and closable.
A rotary hinge portion provided on the toilet seat and supporting the toilet seat rotation shaft is provided.
The rotary hinge portion is
A hinge hole that can be displaced from the no-load position when not seated to the downward position in the vertical direction when seated with the toilet seat closed.
A rotary shaft regulating member that regulates the hinge hole at the no-load position when the toilet seat is not seated and when the toilet seat is opened and closed.
Toilet seat device. The rotary hinge portion is provided on one end side in the axial direction of the toilet seat rotation shaft.
On the other end side of the toilet seat rotation shaft in the axial direction, an electric wire passage through which an electric wire connecting between the toilet seat and a functional portion arranged behind the toilet bowl is wired is provided.
The toilet seat device according to claim 1. The toilet seat is provided with a plurality of load sensors for measuring the load of the seated person at intervals in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat.
The toilet seat device according to claim 1 or 2. The measured value measured by the load sensor is obtained by using the stress as a load relief element generated in the toilet seat rotation shaft at the time of sitting as a correction value.
The toilet seat device according to claim 3. The plurality of load sensors each include an amplifier for measuring individual loads.
The toilet seat device according to claim 3 or 4. The measured value measured by the load sensor is provided so that the actual measurement result of the weight scale can be input, and the difference between the input amount and the measured value is used as a user-specific correction value.
The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 3 to 5. The toilet seat is made of a material that is more rigid than polypropylene.
The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 3 to 6. The load sensor is built in the toilet seat and is integrally supported by the seat surface wall on the front side in the front and back directions of the toilet seat, and the load of the seated person seated on the toilet seat is applied from the seat surface wall via the load sensor. Arranged so as to be transmitted to the upper surface of the toilet bowl of the toilet bowl,
The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 3 to 7. The weight value of the seated person before and after defecation is measured by the load sensor, and at least one of urine volume and stool volume is measured from the difference between the body weight values.
The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 3 to 8. It is provided with a load balance display unit that displays the load balance of the seated person with respect to the toilet seat from the load measured by the plurality of load sensors.
The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 3 to 9. The toilet seat is provided with a grounding leg that is grounded on the upper surface of the toilet bowl when the toilet seat is closed and has an adjustable thickness in the vertical direction.
The load sensor is fixed to the upper part of the ground contact leg.
The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 3 to 10.

Images