JP2021159209A - Toilet seat device and closet bowl device - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce a risk that heat generated by a heating device for heating a toilet seat adversely affects a detection device for optically detecting excrement, which is provided in the toilet seat.SOLUTION: A toilet seat device according to the embodiment is attached to an upper part of a closet bowl in which a bowl part for receiving excrement is formed. The toilet seat device comprises: a toilet seat upper plate constituting a seating surface on which a user sits; a toilet seat bottom plate which is joined to the toilet seat upper plate and faces an upper surface of the closet bowl;, a heating device which is provided between the toilet seat upper plate and the toilet seat bottom plate and heats the toilet seat upper plate; and a detection device which is provided between the toilet seat upper plate and the toilet seat bottom plate and optically detects excrement. The detection device is arranged so as to be in non-contact with the heating device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The disclosed embodiments relate to toilet seat devices and toilet bowl devices.

Conventionally, a toilet seat device including a detection device capable of detecting excrement excreted in a toilet bowl is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The detection device used in the toilet seat device described in Patent Document 1 has a light emitting unit capable of irradiating excrement with infrared light and a light receiving unit capable of receiving reflected light from the excrement. .. It is possible to estimate the health condition of the user from the information of the excrement detected by this detection device. In addition, the detection device is arranged in the toilet seat so as not to make the user aware that his / her excrement is detected.

JP-A-2018-146244

When the toilet seat device has a heating function, a heating device such as a heater for heating the toilet seat is provided in the toilet seat. However, when a detection device for optically detecting excrement is arranged in the toilet seat like the toilet seat device described in Patent Document 1, the heat generated by the heating device may adversely affect the detection device. .. For example, when a device having low heat durability is used as the detection device, the heat generated by the heating device leads to deterioration and damage of the device. Further, when trying to acquire various information about excrement such as the color and shape of excrement as well as the presence or absence of excrement by the detection device, the optical information acquired by the detection device is required to have a predetermined accuracy. .. However, if the degree of heat generation of the heating device differs due to appropriate adjustment by the user, the thermal effect on the detection device is not always stable. There is a risk of fluctuations and variations in accuracy.

The disclosed embodiment solves the above-mentioned problems, and in a toilet seat device in which a detection device for optically detecting excrement is provided in the toilet seat, heat generated by a heating device for heating the toilet seat is generated. The purpose is to reduce the risk of adversely affecting the detection device.

The toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment is a toilet seat device attached to the upper part of a toilet bowl in which a bowl portion for receiving excrement is formed, and is a toilet seat upper plate constituting a seating surface on which a user is seated and a toilet seat. Between the toilet seat bottom plate, which is joined to the top plate and faces the upper surface of the toilet bowl, the heating device provided between the toilet seat top plate and the toilet seat bottom plate, and heating the toilet seat top plate, and between the toilet seat top plate and the toilet seat bottom plate. It is provided with a detection device for optically detecting excrement, and the detection device is characterized in that it is arranged so as not to come into contact with a heating device.
According to the toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the heating device provided between the toilet seat top plate and the toilet seat bottom plate and the detection device provided between the toilet seat top plate and the toilet seat bottom plate are non-contact. They are arranged as such. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility that the heat generated by the heating device adversely affects the detection device.

In the present embodiment, "non-contact" means that the heating device and the detection device are arranged at a predetermined distance in order to reduce the possibility of giving the detection device a thermal effect due to heat generation of the heating device. .. That is, even if the heating wire of the heating device is coated with a heat-resistant resin (for example, hard polyvinyl chloride), it is said that it is "arranged so as to be" non-contact "with respect to the detection device" by itself. Do not mean.

The toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment preferably includes heat transfer suppressing means for suppressing heat generated by the heating device from being transferred to the detection device.
According to the toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment, since the heat transfer suppressing means for suppressing the heat generated by the heating device from being transferred to the detection device is provided, the heat generated by the heating device may adversely affect the detection device. Can be reduced.

In the toilet seat device according to one embodiment, preferably, the heat transfer suppressing means is composed of a foam-based heat insulating material, and the foam-based heat insulating material is arranged between the heating device and the detection device.
According to the toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment, since the foam-based heat insulating material is arranged between the heating device and the detection device, the possibility that the heat generated by the heating device adversely affects the detection device is reduced. It becomes possible to do.

In the toilet seat device according to one aspect of the present embodiment, preferably, the detection device is arranged so that a part thereof protrudes from the toilet seat bottom plate.
According to the toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment, since a part of the detection device is arranged so as to protrude from the toilet seat bottom plate, the distance between the heating device and the detection device can be sufficiently separated. .. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility that the heat generated by the heating device adversely affects the detection device.

Further, the toilet bowl device according to one aspect of the present embodiment is a toilet bowl device provided with a rim spout that discharges wash water along the rim portion of the toilet bowl, and is located on the toilet bowl and the upper part of the toilet bowl. It is characterized by having a toilet seat device to be attached.

In the toilet bowl device according to one aspect of the present embodiment, the detection device is preferably arranged at a position not facing the rim spout.
According to the toilet bowl device according to one aspect of the present embodiment, since the detection device is arranged at a position not facing the rim spout, the washing water discharged from the rim spout is applied to the detection device to cause the detection device. It is possible to reduce the risk of adverse effects.

In the toilet bowl device according to one aspect of the present embodiment, the detection device is preferably arranged inside the inner circumference of the rim portion.
According to the toilet bowl device according to one aspect of the present embodiment, since the detection device is arranged inside the inner circumference of the rim portion, a part of the detection device is projected below the upper surface of the toilet bowl. Is possible. That is, the distance between the heating device and the detection device can be sufficiently separated. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility that the heat generated by the heating device adversely affects the detection device.

According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the heat generated by the heating device for heating the toilet seat adversely affects the detection device for optically detecting the excrement provided in the toilet seat. ..

It is a perspective view which shows an example of the structure of the toilet bowl device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows an example of the structure of the toilet bowl device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an exploded perspective view which shows an example of the structure of the toilet seat device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged view of the cross section seen along the line AA of FIG. It is a partially enlarged view of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the detection device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data analysis of the shape of excrement. It is a figure which shows an example of the data analysis of the color of excrement. It is a figure which shows an example of the relationship between excrement and blood. It is a figure which shows an example of the data analysis of the color of excrement. It is a figure which shows an example of the data analysis of the color of excrement.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the toilet seat device and the toilet bowl device disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below.

<1. Toilet bowl device configuration>
First, the configuration of the toilet bowl device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the toilet bowl device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top view showing an example of the configuration of the toilet bowl device according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet bowl device 1 includes a toilet seat device 2 and a Western-style toilet bowl (hereinafter, referred to as “toilet bowl”) 7. As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet bowl 7 is installed on the floor surface F of the toilet room R. In the following, the direction from the floor surface F to the space of the toilet room R is described as upward.

The toilet bowl 7 is made of pottery, for example. A bowl portion 8 is formed on the toilet bowl 7. The bowl portion 8 has a downwardly recessed shape and is a portion that receives excrement excreted by the user. The toilet bowl 7 is not limited to the floor-standing type as shown in the figure, and may be a wall-mounted type. Further, a washing water tank for storing washing water may be installed in the upper rear portion of the toilet bowl 7, or a so-called tankless type in which a washing water tank is not installed may be installed.

Further, a rim portion 9 is formed on the upper edge of the toilet bowl 7. The upper surface of the rim portion 9 faces the back surface of the closed toilet seat 5. The rim portion 9 is provided with a rim spout 9a (see FIG. 2). The rim spout 9a discharges wash water for discharging the user's excrement to the outside of the toilet bowl 7 into the bowl portion 8 along the inner peripheral surface of the rim portion 9.

For example, when a cleaning operation unit (not shown) provided in the toilet room R for cleaning is operated by the user, toilet bowl cleaning is executed in which cleaning water is supplied from the rim spout 9a into the bowl portion 8. As a result, the surface of the bowl portion 8 is washed, and the excrement of the user is discharged from the inside of the bowl portion 8.

The toilet seat device 2 is attached to the upper part of the toilet bowl 7, and includes a functional unit 3, a toilet lid 4, and a toilet seat 5. The toilet seat device 2 may be detachably attached to the toilet bowl 7 or may be attached so as to be integrated with the toilet bowl 7.

The toilet seat device 2 includes a mechanism for executing a heating function for warming the buttocks of the user seated on the toilet seat 5 and a mechanism for executing the excrement detection function. The excrement detection function is a function of detecting excrement (particularly stool) excreted by a user seated on the toilet seat 5 of the toilet seat device 2 and acquiring information on the excrement. Information about excrement refers to the presence or absence of excrement and the properties of excrement (shape, size, hardness, color, etc.). The excrement detection function may have a function of detecting the presence of toilet paper or a foreign substance together with the excrement. The processing executed by the control device provided in the functional unit 3 and the configuration provided in the toilet seat 5 in order to execute the heating function and the excrement detection function will be described later.

Further, the toilet seat device 2 may be provided with a mechanism for performing a hygienic cleaning function. That is, the toilet seat device 2 may be configured to include a water discharge nozzle 6 that injects water toward the buttocks of the user seated on the toilet seat 5. Further, the toilet seat device 2 may be provided with a mechanism for executing a warm air drying function and a deodorizing function. That is, the toilet seat device 2 may be configured to include a blower unit that blows warm air toward the buttocks of the user seated on the toilet seat 5 and a deodorizing unit that sucks the air in the bowl portion 8.

The toilet seat 5 is formed in an annular shape having an opening 50 in the center, and is arranged along the upper surface of the rim portion 9 so as to cover a part of the opening formed above the bowl portion 8. That is, the toilet seat 5 has a shape in which a part thereof projects inward from the inner circumference of the rim portion 9. Further, the toilet seat 5 functions as a seating portion that supports the buttocks of the seated user.

One end of each of the toilet lid 4 and the toilet seat 5 is pivotally supported by the functional portion 3, and the toilet lid 4 and the toilet seat 5 are rotatably (openable and closable) attached around the shaft support portion of the functional portion 3. The toilet lid 4 can cover the upper part of the toilet seat 5 in the closed state. The toilet lid 4 may be attached to the toilet seat device 2 as needed, and the toilet seat device 2 may not include the toilet lid 4.

<2. Toilet seat device configuration>
Next, the configuration of the toilet seat device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the toilet seat device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a cross section seen along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the toilet seat 5 includes a toilet seat upper plate 11, a heating device 13, a detection device 15, and a toilet seat bottom plate 17 in this order from the top. The heating device 13 and the detection device 15 are arranged in a cavity 19 formed between the toilet seat upper plate 11 and the toilet seat bottom plate 17. That is, the toilet seat 5 includes a heating device 13 for executing the heating function and a detection device 15 for executing the excrement detection function inside the toilet seat 5. Further, the toilet seat 5 preferably includes a heat transfer suppressing means 21 between the heating device 13 and the detection device 15.

The toilet seat 5 is formed by joining the toilet seat top plate 11 and the toilet seat bottom plate 17 by a fusion method such as vibration fusion. The toilet seat 5 may be formed by fitting the toilet seat upper plate 11 and the toilet seat bottom plate 17 to each other. Further, the toilet seat upper plate 11 and the toilet seat bottom plate 17 are formed of, for example, a thermoplastic resin such as fiber reinforced plastic (FRP: Fiber Reinforced Plastics) or polypropylene (PP).

As shown in FIG. 4, the toilet seat upper plate 11 is formed by a seating portion 11a and a seating portion 11a forming a seating surface (upper surface of the toilet seat) which is formed in an annular shape and is inclined diagonally downward toward the bowl portion 8 side of the toilet bowl. It is formed from an inner peripheral portion 11b extending downward from the inner edge and an outer peripheral portion 11c extending downward from the outer edge of the seating portion 11a. The toilet seat upper plate 11 is formed so that the thickness of the seating portion 11a is thinner than that of the inner peripheral portion 11b and the outer peripheral portion 11c in order to quickly transfer the heat generated by the heating device 13 to the seating surface.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the heating device 13 is arranged on the back surface of the seating portion 11a in the cavity portion 19. The heating device 13 includes a heater that generates heat according to the amount of energization controlled by a control device (not shown) provided in the functional unit 3, and a heat equalizing body (not shown) that uniformly transfers heat from the heater to the seating portion 11a. Omitted) and. The heater extends over substantially the entire back surface of the seating portion 11a via, for example, a heat soaking body to heat the toilet seat 5 from the inside.

As the heater, a so-called tubing heater, a sheathed heater, a halogen heater, a carbon heater, or the like may be used. Further, the shape of the heater may be any shape such as a wire shape, a sheet shape, and a mesh shape.
The heat soaking body is formed of a metal foil or the like having a high thermal conductivity such as aluminum or copper.

In the present embodiment, the case where the resistance heating method is used as the heating device 13 has been described, but the heating device 13 may use, for example, an induction heating method in which heating is performed by electromagnetic induction.

As shown in FIG. 4, the detection device 15 is arranged in the cavity 19 so as not to be in contact with the heating device 13. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility that the heat generated by the heating device 15 adversely affects the detection device 15. The detailed structure of the detection device 15 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The toilet seat bottom plate 17 is a bottom plate that constitutes the lower surface of the toilet seat 5. As shown in FIG. 4, the toilet seat bottom plate 17 is attached with a toilet seat cushion 20 that supports the toilet seat 5 by coming into contact with the upper surface of the toilet bowl 7 in a state where the toilet seat 5 is closed. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the toilet seat bottom plate 17 is formed with a recess 17a so that a part of the detection device 15 can protrude downward from the toilet seat bottom plate 17. The recess 17a is sealed with packing or the like in order to prevent water from entering the toilet seat 5 from the outside.

Further, the recess 17a can prevent the toilet seat bottom plate 17 from being deformed by the load generated when the user sits on the toilet seat 5. That is, since the periphery of the detection device 15 can be reinforced by the recess 17a, there is a possibility that the detection device 15 may be damaged or the detection accuracy may be lowered due to the displacement of the detection device 15 due to the deformation of the toilet seat bottom plate 17. It becomes possible to suppress.

As shown in FIG. 4, the heat transfer suppressing means 21 is provided between the heating device 13 and the detection device 15 in the cavity 19. The heat transfer suppressing means 21 is a vacuum heat insulating material that reduces heat conduction by gas by making the surroundings vacuum, and a fiber-based heat insulating material (glass wool, rock wool, etc.) that reduces heat conduction by physical and chemical properties. , Formed by foam insulation (urethane foam, polystyrene foam, etc.). Therefore, the heat transfer suppressing means 21 can reduce the possibility that the heat generated by the heating device 13 adversely affects the detection device 15.

Although the heat transfer suppressing means 21 formed of the foam-based heat insulating material is inexpensive, it may burn when abnormal heat generation occurs due to disconnection of the heater of the heating device 13. Therefore, it is preferable that the heat transfer suppressing means 21 is arranged at a predetermined distance so as not to come into contact with the heating device 13.

Further, the heat transfer suppressing means 21 is preferably arranged so as to be in contact with the back surface of the toilet seat bottom plate 17. As a result, it is possible to suppress the heat generated by the heating device 13 from being dissipated to the toilet seat bottom plate 17 side, so that the time until the heat generated by the heating device 13 is transferred to the seating portion 11a is shortened. It is possible to save energy.

<3. Detection device configuration>
Next, the configuration of the detection device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the detection device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, the detection device 15 has a light emitting unit 23 that emits light in response to an electric signal controlled by a control device (not shown) provided in the functional unit 3, and a light emitting unit 23 with respect to the light emitted by the light emitting unit 23. It includes a light receiving unit 25 that receives the reflected light from the excrement of the user, and a housing 27 for supporting the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 25. The detection device 15 detects excrement (particularly stool) excreted by the user and acquires data on the excrement. The detection device 15 detects, for example, data on the presence or absence of excrement and the properties of excrement (shape, size, hardness, color, etc.). The process executed by the functional unit 3 with respect to the data detected by the detection device 15 will be described later.

The light emitting unit 23 includes, for example, a light emitting element (not shown) such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The light emitting element included in the light emitting unit 23 is not limited to the LED, and various elements may be used. Further, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 23 is not limited to white light having uniform wavelengths of visible light, and may be colored light having only a specific wavelength or invisible light such as infrared light.

The light receiving unit 25 includes a lens 26 and a light receiving element (not shown). The light receiving element is formed by, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor, or a line sensor or area sensor in which CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensors are arranged. Further, the light receiving unit may have a configuration having a spectroscopic function such as a spectroscopic filter.

In the present embodiment, the mode in which the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 25 are supported by the same housing 27, in other words, the mode of the detection device 15 in which the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 25 are integrated has been described. The light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 25 are supported by different housings 27, in other words, the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 25 are arranged as separate bodies, and the function of the detection device 15 is executed by the functions provided by each. It may be in this mode.

The light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 25 may be adversely affected by the heat generated by the heating device 13. Specifically, when the light emitting unit 23 is used in an environment where the ambient temperature is high, parts such as a capacitor provided on the power supply board unit may be damaged, the life of the light emitting element may be shortened, and the illuminance may vary. This may reduce the detection accuracy. Further, in the light receiving unit 25, the degree of heat generation of the heating device 13 may be appropriately adjusted by the user, so that the detection sensitivity of the light receiving element may differ. As a result, the accuracy of one-time excrement detection and the accuracy of continuous excrement detection over time may fluctuate or vary.

<4. Location of detection device>
Subsequently, the arrangement position of the detection device will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

The detection device 15 is arranged at a position not facing the rim water discharge port 9a. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the rim spout 9a is provided on the left side in the left-right direction of the toilet bowl 7, the detection device 15 is arranged on the right side in the left-right direction of the toilet bowl 7. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the washing water discharged from the rim water discharge port 9a from being applied to the detection device 15.

If water droplets adhere to the lens 26 of the detection device 15, when the reflected light from the excrement passes through the water droplets, the light is diffusely reflected, the intensity of the light is attenuated, and the water droplets are dried. There is a risk that the detection accuracy of the excrement by the detection device 15 will be lowered due to the water stains that are deposited. According to the above-mentioned arrangement position, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the cleaning water discharged from the rim spout 9a adversely affects the sensitivity of the detection device 15.

The arrangement position of the detection device 15 is not limited to the above-mentioned arrangement example as long as it is not exposed to the washing water discharged from the rim water discharge port 9a. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the rim water discharge port 9a provided on the right side in the left-right direction of the toilet bowl discharges the washing water toward the rear of the toilet bowl, the detection device 15 uses the detection device 15 in the left-right direction of the toilet bowl 7. It may be arranged in front of the toilet bowl on the right side of the rim spout 9a.

As shown in FIG. 5, the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 25 included in the detection device 15 are arranged so as to project from the toilet seat bottom plate 17 via the recess 17a provided in the toilet seat bottom plate 17. As a result, the distance between the heating device 13 and the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 25 can be sufficiently separated. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the heat generated by the heating device 13 adversely affects the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 25.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the detection device 15 is arranged inside the inner circumference of the rim portion 9. More specifically, the detection device 15 is arranged along the inner peripheral portion 11b of the toilet seat upper plate 11. Since the toilet seat 5 has a shape in which a part of the toilet seat 5 projects inward from the inner circumference of the rim portion 9, the detection device 15 is arranged along the inner peripheral portion 11b of the toilet seat upper plate 11. The light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 25 included in the detection device 15 can be arranged so as to project below the upper surface of the rim portion 9. As a result, the distance between the heating device 13 and the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 25 can be further separated. Further, by arranging the detection device 15 inside the inner peripheral surface of the rim portion 9, it is possible to prevent the detection device 15 from being exposed to the washing water swirling along the inner peripheral surface of the rim portion 9. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the heat generated by the heating device 13 adversely affects the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 25.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the detection device 15 is hooked on the rim portion 17b formed on the inner peripheral surface of the recess 17a. Specifically, the detection device 15 is stopped by hooking a part of the rim portion 17b. As a result, the detection device 15 is configured to be removable from the rim portion 17b. When the detection device 15 is not attached to the rim portion 17b, the toilet seat bottom plate 17 is configured so that the cover capable of blindfolding the recess 17a can be hooked to the rim portion 17b regardless of the presence or absence of the detection device 15. Can be shared.

<5. Data analysis>
From here, the data analysis regarding the properties such as the shape and color of the excrement (stool) detected by the detection device will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. In the following, a case where the control device provided in the functional unit 3 executes data analysis processing regarding the shape and color of excrement (stool) will be described as an example. Note that this data analysis may be performed by an external device (not shown) connected to the toilet seat device 2 or the detection device 15 by wire or wirelessly.

<5-1. Shape of excrement>
First, data analysis regarding the shape of excrement will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of data analysis of the shape of excrement.

The object OB1 in FIG. 7 schematically shows the excrement (stool) to be detected, and the outline of how the shape of the excrement is measured will be described by taking the object OB1 as an example. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the object OB1 will be the vertical direction, and the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (short direction) will be described as the lateral direction. Such an object OB1 falls in the vertical direction.

Each measurement result RS1 to RS3 is a graph showing the reflectance of the reflected light from the excrement detected by each pixel included in the light receiving element. Each measurement result RS1 to RS3 shows the measurement result corresponding to each position in the vertical direction of the object OB1. The measurement result RS1 indicates the measurement result corresponding to the upper end portion of the object OB1. The measurement result RS2 shows the measurement result corresponding to the central portion of the object OB1 in the vertical direction. The measurement result RS3 shows the measurement result corresponding to the lower end portion of the object OB1.

The control device provided in the functional unit 3 detects the presence or absence of the reflectance of each pixel received by the light receiving element. The control device obtains a peak value from the reflected pixels. In each measurement result RS1 to RS3, the central portion has a peak value. For example, the control device identifies in the measurement result RS2 that pixel X0 is an image having a peak value.

The control device compares the difference in reflectance between the pixel having the peak value and the adjacent pixel, and when the reflectance above or below the predetermined value is confirmed, it is estimated to be the reflected light from the excrement. The control device also processes colors in the same manner.

When it is confirmed that the light is reflected from the excrement, the control device further performs the same processing on the pixels adjacent to the pixel. As a result, the control device identifies the edge of the excrement and estimates the width of the excrement. For example, the control device estimates that the range from the pixel X1 to the image X2 is excrement in the measurement result RS2. In the measurement result RS1, the control device estimates that the width L narrower than the range from the pixel X1 to the image X2 in the measurement result RS2 is the width of the excrement. The control device analyzes the shape of excrement by stacking the measurement results RS1 to RS3 and the like. In the example of FIG. 7, in the control device, the portion corresponding to the measurement result RS2 (center portion) is the widest, the portion corresponding to the measurement result RS1 (upper end portion), and the portion corresponding to the measurement result RS3 (lower end portion). ), It is analyzed that the width becomes narrower.

By the process described above, the toilet seat device 2 detects the object OB1 that falls from the user toward the bowl portion 8 of the toilet bowl 7. For example, the falling excrement object OB1 is detected in the order from the bottom to the top by passing in the order of the lower end portion, the central portion, and the upper end portion in front of the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 25 facing. Specifically, the object OB1, which is a falling excrement, is detected in the order of measurement result RS3, measurement result RS2, and measurement result RS1. As a result, the toilet seat device 2 can detect excrement (stool) falling from the user. The toilet seat device 2 may detect not only the falling excrement but also the excrement after being submerged in the sealing water in the bowl portion 8.

<5-2. Color of excrement>
First, data analysis regarding the color of excrement will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of data analysis of excrement color. The same points as in FIG. 7 will be omitted as appropriate by adding the same reference numerals.

The object OB2 in FIG. 8 shows a virtual excrement (stool), and the object OB2 differs from the object OB1 in FIG. 7 in that the blood region BD is included in the central portion. The measurement results RS1 to RS3 shown in FIG. 8 correspond to the measurement results RS1 to RS3 of the object OB1 in FIG. 7 having no blood region BD.

The control device identifies a pixel having a peak value for light having a wavelength having a characteristic reflectance for blood among the light irradiated to the object OB2 which is excrement. For example, the control device identifies a pixel having a peak value for light including a wavelength of 670 nm having a reflectance characteristic of blood among the light irradiated to the object OB2 which is excrement.

After that, the control device calculates the reflectance with respect to the light of other wavelengths detected by the pixel having the peak value. The control device estimates the color from the ratio of the reflectance to other wavelengths including 670 nm detected by the pixel. The measurement result RS4 shown in FIG. 8 shows the measurement result for a portion including the blood region BD such as the object OB2. For example, the measurement result RS4 shown in FIG. 8 shows the measurement result when the portion including the blood region BD of the object OB2 is irradiated with light not containing 670 nm.

The wavelength having a characteristic reflectance for blood is not limited to 670 nm, and may be in the range of 600 nm to 800 nm. This is because, in this wavelength band, when blood is attached to the stool, the reflectance for the blood color is detected more remarkably than the stool color.

Here, the relationship between excrement and blood will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between excrement and blood. The graph GR1 shown in FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the reflection of stool and the reflection of blood attached to stool for each wavelength.

The line FL1 in the graph GR1 of FIG. 9 shows the reflectance of each wavelength (about 600 nm to about 870 nm) with respect to excrement (stool). As shown by line FL1 in FIG. 9, in the case of excrement (stool), the reflectance increases as the wavelength becomes longer. As shown by line FL1 in FIG. 9, in the case of excrement (stool), the reflectance around 600 nm is the lowest, and the reflectance around 870 nm is the highest. Further, the line BD1 in the graph GR1 of FIG. 9 shows the reflectance of each wavelength (about 600 nm to about 870 nm) with respect to the blood attached to the stool. As shown in line BD1 in FIG. 9, in the case of blood attached to stool, the difference in reflectance near 670 nm from line FL1 is the smallest, and the difference in reflectance from line FL1 increases as the distance from 670 nm increases. ..

In the graph GR1 in FIG. 9, the ratio of the reflectance of blood attached to stool to the reflectance of stool is maximum at around 670 nm and decreases as the distance from 670 nm increases. As described above, in the graph GR1 shown in FIG. 9, the ratio of the reflectance of blood attached to stool to the reflectance of stool is large at a wavelength of 670 nm, and the reflectance of blood to the reflectance of stool at a wavelength of 870 nm. The ratio is small.

Therefore, the toilet seat device 2 can detect blood adhering to excrement (stool) based on the ratio of the reflectances of each wavelength as described above. Further, the toilet seat device 2 can analyze the color of excrement based on the ratio of the reflectances of each wavelength as described above. This point will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. 10 and 11 are diagrams showing an example of data analysis of excrement color.

The measurement results RS11 to RS13 shown in FIG. 10 show the measurement results when excrement (feces) of different colors are measured. For example, the color of the excrement (stool) to be measured may be darkened in the order of measurement results RS11, RS12, and RS13. For example, the measurement result RS11 is the measurement result of ocher excrement (stool), the measurement result RS12 is the measurement result of brown excrement (stool), and the measurement result RS13 is the measurement result of dark brown excrement (stool). It may be a measurement result.

Further, each of the LED # 1, LED # 2, and LED # 3 shown in the measurement results RS11 to RS13 in FIG. 10 is a light emitting element that irradiates light, and is LED # 1, LED # 2, and LED # 3. Each curve of is shown the relationship between the LED and the reflectance. Each of LED # 1, LED # 2, and LED # 3 may be a light emitting element that irradiates light in any wavelength region.

For example, the darker the color of stool, the smaller the reflectance for each wavelength. In the example of FIG. 10, among the measurement results RS11 to RS13, the reflectance for each wavelength in the measurement result RS13 in which the color of excrement (stool) is the darkest becomes small, and the ratio of the respective reflectances becomes large.

On the other hand, for example, the lighter the color of stool, the greater the reflectance for each wavelength. In the example of FIG. 10, among the measurement results RS11 to RS13, the reflectance for each wavelength in the measurement result RS11 in which the color of excrement (stool) is the lightest becomes large, and the ratio of the respective reflectances becomes small. For example, the closer to a lighter color, the stronger the light of each wavelength is reflected, so that the difference in reflectance of each wavelength becomes smaller.

Therefore, the toilet seat device 2 can classify the color of excrement (stool) by analyzing based on the relationship between the wavelength and the reflectance as described above. For example, the toilet seat device 2 classifies the measurement results RS11 to RS13 based on the ratio of the reflectance to each of LED # 1, LED # 2, and LED # 3, as shown in the classification result RS21 shown in FIG. The color of excrement (stool) in each measurement is classified according to.

For example, the toilet seat device 2 uses the ratio of the reflectance of LED # 1 to the reflectance of LED # 2 and the ratio of the reflectance of LED # 3 to the reflectance of LED # 2, and each measurement result RS11 to RS11. Classify the color of the excrement (stool) of RS13. For example, in the toilet seat device 2, "reflectance of LED # 1 / reflectance of LED # 2" is the X-axis, and "reflectance of LED # 3 / reflectance of LED # 2" is the Y-axis, and each measurement result. The color of the excrement (stool) in each measurement is classified according to the position of RS11 to RS13. For example, when the toilet seat device 2 is less than X1 in the X-axis direction and less than Y1 in the Y-axis direction, the color of excrement (stool) in the measurement is classified as "ocher". For example, when the toilet seat device 2 is X1 or more and less than X2 in the X-axis direction and Y1 or more and less than Y2 in the Y-axis direction, the color of excrement (stool) in the measurement is classified as "brown". For example, when the toilet seat device is X2 or more in the X-axis direction and Y2 or more in the Y-axis direction, the color of excrement (stool) in the measurement is classified as "dark brown". The above is an example, and the toilet seat device 2 may classify the color of excrement (stool) in each measurement by any method.

It should be noted that the above-described embodiments and modifications can be appropriately combined as long as the processing contents do not contradict each other.

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. Thus, 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 bowl device 2 ... Toilet seat device 3 ... Functional unit 4 ... Toilet lid 5 ... Toilet seat 6 ... Water discharge nozzle 7 ... Toilet bowl 8 ... ... Bowl 9 ... Rim 9a ... Rim spout 11 ... Toilet seat top plate 13 ... Heating device 15 ... Detection device 17 ... Toilet seat bottom plate 17a ... Recess 17b ...・ Rim part 19 ・ ・ ・ Cavity part 21 ・ ・ ・ Heat transfer suppressing means 23 ・ ・ ・ Light emitting part 25 ・ ・ ・ Light receiving part

Claims (7)

A toilet seat device that is attached to the top of a toilet bowl with a bowl that receives excrement.
The toilet seat upper plate that constitutes the seating surface on which the user sits,
The toilet seat bottom plate, which is joined to the toilet seat top plate and faces the toilet bowl,
A heating device provided between the toilet seat top plate and the toilet seat bottom plate to heat the toilet seat top plate,
A detection device provided between the toilet seat upper plate and the toilet seat bottom plate and optically detecting the excrement is provided.
The toilet seat device is characterized in that the detection device is arranged so as not to come into contact with the heating device. The toilet seat device according to claim 1, further comprising a heat transfer suppressing means for suppressing heat generated by the heating device from being transferred to the detection device. The heat transfer suppressing means is composed of a foam-based heat insulating material having a heat insulating function.
The toilet seat device according to claim 2, wherein the foam-based heat insulating material is arranged between the heating device and the detection device. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detection device is arranged so that a part thereof protrudes from the toilet seat bottom plate. A toilet bowl device provided with a rim spout that discharges wash water along the rim portion of the toilet bowl.
With the toilet bowl
A toilet bowl device comprising the toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is attached to the upper part of the toilet bowl. The toilet bowl device according to claim 5, wherein the detection device is arranged at a position not facing the rim spout. The toilet bowl device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the detection device is arranged inside the inner circumference of the rim portion.

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