JP3282345B2 - Toilet seat device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toilet seat device for cleaning a local part of a human body, and more particularly to a toilet seat device for automatically setting cleaning conditions according to the condition of a stool.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this kind of toilet seat device, there has been one shown in FIG. 8 (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 62-689).
No. 35).

[0003] 1 is a low tank for storing water for washing the toilet 2. The toilet seat device 3 installed on the toilet 2 together with the openable / closable toilet seat 4 includes a water supply port 3a installed in the low tank 1, a pump 3b for taking in and supplying washing water from the water supply port 3a, and a water supply port 3a. An electromagnetic valve 3c for communicating and shutting off the pump 3b; and a washing nozzle 3d for ejecting washing water supplied by the pump 3b to a human body part, and a flow control means according to washing conditions set by the operation unit 5. Numeral 6 designates start adjustment of driving of the pump 3b. As shown in FIG. 9, the operation unit has a soft cleaning selection switch 5a for performing cleaning with a smaller amount of cleaning water than a normal setting.
And a hard cleaning selection switch 5b for performing cleaning with a larger amount of cleaning water than a normal setting, and a cleaning water amount adjusting switch 5c for adjusting the amount of cleaning water. In the above configuration, the toilet seat device 3 gradually decreases or increases the amount of washing water after the start of washing according to the washing condition selected by the user using the soft or hard washing switch, and the amount is smaller than the preset normal setting or The washing is performed with a large amount of washing water.

[0004]

However, since the conventional toilet seat apparatus is configured as described above, the user must select the washing conditions (the amount of washing water) and must be familiar with the washing conditions. If it did, a suitable cleaning could not be performed. In particular, elderly people have difficulty understanding washing conditions and do not select the amount of washing water according to the condition of the stool.Thus, in cases of diarrhea, etc., start washing with the amount of washing water that is normally started, and the stool scatters around the local area Had the problem of doing so.

[0005] In addition, when the user does not know the condition of the stool at the time of defecation, the user must check the stool once and then select the washing condition according to the stool condition and start the washing. There was a problem that was bad.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has as its first object to automatically set washing conditions according to the condition of a stool and to realize suitable washing without setting washing conditions.

In addition, the noise generated when the stool is dropped is detected, the stool state is determined in a non-contact manner, and the cleaning conditions are automatically set according to the stool state, thereby improving the operability. That is the second purpose.

A third object of the present invention is to detect a stool by an image and determine the state of the stool in a non-contact manner, and to improve the reliability of the stool state determination to at least as high as that of a user confirming and determining the stool state. And

[0009]

In order to achieve the first object, the toilet seat device according to the present invention comprises a cleaning device for cleaning a human body, a cleaning control means for controlling the cleaning device, and a cleaning device for at least a user. A cleaning operation unit whose start can be selected,
A stool state detecting means for detecting a stool state, a stool state determining means for determining a stool state based on an output signal of the stool state detecting means, and a cleaning condition according to an output signal from the stool state determining means.
The cleaning condition determination means automatically sets and outputs the next cleaning condition to the cleaning control means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toilet seat apparatus, wherein the stool state detecting means includes a pressure receiving means for capturing a sound when the stool falls, and a sound analyzing means for analyzing a sound signal from the pressure receiving means. The stool condition determination means compares a criterion sound signal output from the sound analysis means with a criterion sound signal stored in the criterion sound storage section storing a criterion sound for determining the condition of the stool. , And a determination unit for determining the state of the flight.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toilet seat device according to the present invention, wherein the stool state detecting means includes an image recognizing means for capturing a falling state of the stool as an image, The stool condition determination means includes a criterion image storage unit storing a criterion image for determining the condition of the stool, an image signal output from the image analysis means, and a criterion image. It is configured by a determination unit that compares the determination reference image signal in the storage unit and determines the state of the stool.

[0012]

According to the above construction, the toilet seat device according to the first object of the present invention comprises a stool state detecting means for detecting a stool state,
Since the stool condition determining means for determining the condition of the stool is provided, the washing conditions according to the condition of the stool such as diarrhea and constipation are automatically set. Therefore, even when the condition of the stool is diarrhea and constipation, the user can appropriately perform the washing without setting the washing condition of the washing operation unit.

A toilet seat apparatus according to a second object of the present invention comprises a pressure receiving means for detecting a sound when a stool falls and a stool state detecting means comprising a sound analyzing means, so that the stool can be used in a non-contact manner. Since the condition is determined and the washing condition is automatically set, the structure of the stool condition detecting means can be simplified and the operability is improved.

Further, the toilet seat apparatus according to the third object of the present invention comprises an image recognizing means for detecting a shape of the stool when the stool is dropped as an image, and a stool state detecting means comprising an image analyzing means. Since the condition is determined and the cleaning conditions are automatically set, the condition of the stool can be determined without contact, and the operability is improved.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the construction of a toilet seat device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
And a flight condition detecting means comprising a sound analyzing means 9 for converting an output signal from the underwater microphone 8. The sound analysis means 9 includes a frequency analysis unit 10 for analyzing the frequency of the input signal and a duration analysis unit 11 for analyzing the duration of the frequency change. In this embodiment, the underwater microphone 8 is provided in the water as shown in FIG. 2 to prevent the detection of noise generated in the air. However, by improving the analysis reliability of the sound analysis means 9, the toilet seat device is improved. It is also possible to install a pressure receiving means at 12.

The sound analysis means 9 converts the analysis value into a signal, and the stool state judgment means 1 comprising a judgment reference sound storage unit 13 and a judgment unit 14.
5 is output. The determination unit 14 compares the output value from the sound analysis unit 9 with the determination reference sound stored in the determination reference sound storage unit 11 to determine whether the type of the sound is caused by dropping the stool. In addition to the determination, the status of the flight is determined. The determination unit 14 outputs a signal corresponding to the determination result to the cleaning condition determination unit 16 only when determining the state of the flight.

The cleaning condition determining means 16 for determining the cleaning condition based on the output signal of the determination unit 14 includes a cleaning start condition providing unit 17 for providing a cleaning start condition, and a cleaning condition according to an elapsed time from the start of the cleaning. Cleaning condition changing unit 18 for changing
It is composed of

The cleaning device 19 includes a pump 20 for supplying cleaning water and adjusting a supply amount of the cleaning water, and a heater 2.
And a check valve 23 for preventing a back flow of water, which can instantaneously adjust the temperature of the washing water by the amount of electric power supplied thereto.
, An air pump 25 capable of supplying air to the washing water flowing through the washing water supply path 24, and a washing nozzle 27 capable of ejecting the jet of washing water to a human body part in a wide range or in a concentrated manner using a motor 26 as an actuator. It is composed of

FIG. 3 shows a remote controller 28 which is an operation unit of the toilet seat device 12, and is provided with a cleaning operation unit 29 for the user to set the start of cleaning, the cleaning stop, and the cleaning conditions. The washing operation unit 29 includes a washing start button 29a, a washing water adjustment button for adjusting the amount of washing water, a washing water temperature control knob 29b for adjusting the temperature of washing water, and a bubble washing button 29c for setting whether or not bubbles are mixed in the washing water. Cleaning button 29 for setting the jet of cleaning water to a wide range and a direct jetting state
d, a washing start condition automatic setting release button 29e is provided, and a signal is output to the washing control means 30 in accordance with washing start, washing stop, and washing conditions selected by the user.

The cleaning control means 30 provided in the control means 31 for controlling the toilet seat device 12 includes the pump 20, the heater 21, the air pump 25, and the motor 26 of the cleaning device 19, and the cleaning condition determining means 16 and the cleaning operation section 28. Is controlled according to the output signal from the controller.

The toilet seat device 12 has a toilet seat 3 that can be freely opened and closed.
2 and a toilet lid 33 are provided.
4 is provided with a seating switch (not shown) for detecting that the user is seated on the toilet seat 32.

The operation and operation of the present embodiment in the above configuration will be described. When the user sits on the toilet seat 32, a seating switch (not shown) is turned on, and the cleaning device 1 is turned on.
In addition to the operation of Step 9, the condition of the stool is determined according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, and the determination of the initial cleaning conditions is started.

The underwater microphone 8 is provided in the water to prevent the noise generated in the toilet from being taken in, and detects the sound of a falling object in the water more selectively. The detection sound from the underwater microphone 8 is output to the sound analysis means 9 as an electric signal. When the input signal exceeds a predetermined value, the sound analysis unit 9 analyzes the frequency characteristics by the frequency analysis unit 10 until the input signal becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value. Analyze the time spent. After analyzing the sound, the sound analysis unit 9 outputs the analysis result to the determination unit 14.

The criterion sound storage unit 13 stores frequency characteristics and duration characteristics characteristic of diarrhea (a lot of water), constipation (a little water), and a sound generated when a stool falls into water under normal conditions. Since the (determination reference value) is stored, when there is an input from the sound detection means 9, the determination unit 14 compares the characteristics of the input signal with the flight condition determination reference value of the determination reference sound storage unit 13 and determines the input signal. It is sequentially determined whether any of the flight states does not belong to the determination reference value range. At this time, if both the frequency characteristics and the duration characteristics of the input signal belong to the criteria for diarrhea, constipation, and normal conditions, the type of sound is the sound of a stool drop, and the stool is diarrhea and constipation. It is determined to be in the state. If at least one of the frequency characteristic and the duration characteristic of the input signal does not belong to the determination reference value in each flight state determination, it is determined that the type of sound is not the sound at the time of falling of the flight.

When it is determined that the type of the sound is a sound of a flight drop, the determination unit 14 of the flight state determination means 15 outputs to the cleaning condition determination means 16 in accordance with the flight state, and is stored. Update flight status.

If it is determined that the type of sound is not the sound of a dropping flight, the determination unit 14 does not output to the cleaning condition determining means 16 and waits for an input again.

The cleaning condition determining means 16 whose storage of the stool status has been updated is, for example, as shown in Table 1, the cleaning start condition providing unit 1.
The setting of the cleaning condition stored in 7 is changed according to the state of the input stool.

[0029]

[Table 1]

If no sound is detected when the stool falls, the washing conditions are set normally.

An example in Table 1 will be described. If the stool is renewed as having diarrhea, the setting is changed so that the washing water volume is lower and the washing water temperature is lower than the washing condition that is normally started, and bubbles are mixed in the washing water at the start of washing, and The setting is changed so that a proper cleaning is performed.

The washing condition changing unit 18 according to the condition of the stool.
The time for changing the cleaning conditions from the start of cleaning stored in is also changed. FIG. 5 shows a change over time in the amount of washing water after the start of washing as an example of a change in washing conditions with time. Each stool condition is a change in washing conditions when constipation, usually diarrhea. For example, when the stool condition is determined to be diarrhea, the washing water amount is set to be small at the start of washing,
After washing for a certain time, the amount of washing water is changed to normal conditions. Therefore, after the stool is dropped to some extent, the amount of normal washing water is reduced, so that scattering of the stool is prevented.

When the start of cleaning is selected by the cleaning start button 29a, the cleaning control means 30 automatically switches from the cleaning start condition providing section 17 of the cleaning condition determination means 16 to the cleaning device 19.
Pump 20, heater 21, air pump 25, motor 2
The cleaning start condition of 6 is input, and the cleaning is started based on the set cleaning start condition. At the same time, a cleaning condition change time according to the condition of the flight is input from the cleaning condition changing unit 18,
The cleaning conditions are changed based on the set change time.

It is to be noted that the automatic washing selection button 29e allows selection of turning on / off an automatic washing mode for determining an initial condition for starting washing according to the condition of the stool.

Further, even during the cleaning in the automatic cleaning mode, the cleaning conditions can be changed by selecting the cleaning conditions with the cleaning operation section 28.

Further, the determination result of the stool state determined by the determination unit 14 can be output as an output signal to a centralized central computer (not shown), and the stool state can be recorded as data. It can be used as one data of management.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the stool state detecting means 7 for detecting the state of the stool in the toilet seat device 12.
And a stool condition determining means 15 for determining the condition of the stool, and a cleaning condition determining means 1 for determining a cleaning condition according to the determination result
6, the condition of the stool is automatically determined, and the washing conditions are set. This allows the user to perform washing under the optimum washing conditions according to the condition of the stool without checking the condition of the stool, thereby improving comfort.

Further, since the optimum washing conditions are automatically set in advance according to the condition of the stool, it is not necessary to set a plurality of washing conditions by the washing operation section, and the operability is improved.

Furthermore, since the underwater microphone 8 is used as the pressure receiving means, the noise in the toilet is prevented from being taken into the stool state detecting means 7. Therefore, the frequency analysis and the duration analysis of the sound of the flight falling into the water can be accurately performed, and the reliability of the flight state determination is improved.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, only differences from the first embodiment will be described.

Reference numeral 35 denotes a CCD camera 3 as image recognition means.
And a stool condition detecting means 6 comprising an image analyzing means 37 for analyzing image data from the CCD camera 36. The image analysis means 37 includes a shape analysis unit 38 for analyzing the number of shapes of image data and a luminance analysis unit 39 for analyzing the color of the image.

The image analysis means 37 converts the analysis value into a signal, and outputs the signal to the stool state determination means 42 comprising a criterion image storage section 40 and a determination section 41. The judging section 41 judges a falling object and judges a flight state by comparing the output value from the image analyzing means 37 with the judgment reference value stored in the judgment reference image storage section 40. . Judgment unit 41
Outputs a signal corresponding to the determination result to the cleaning condition determining means 16 only when the condition of the stool is determined.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the determination of the flight status according to the present embodiment. The CCD camera 36 captures an image within a predetermined range and outputs image data to the image analysis means 37. When the image data changes, the image analysis unit 37 analyzes the shape of the falling object by the shape analysis unit 38 and the color of the falling object by the luminance analysis unit 39 until the image change ends. After analyzing the image, the image analysis unit 37 outputs the analysis result to the determination unit 41.

The judgment reference image storage unit 40 stores the characteristic shape and color (judgment reference value) of diarrhea (having a lot of water), constipation (having a little water), and stool in a normal state. When there is an input from the image detecting means 35, the unit 41 compares the characteristics of the input signal with the stool condition determination reference value of the criterion image storage unit 40, and the input signal belongs to any of the stool condition determination reference value ranges. Determine whether it is not. At this time, if the input signal has diarrhea, constipation,
If it falls within the normal criterion value, the falling object is stool, and the stool is determined to be diarrhea, constipation, and a normal state. If at least one of the shape characteristics and the color characteristics of the input signal does not belong to the determination reference value, it is determined that the falling object is not a stool.

According to the present embodiment, since the stool condition detecting means 35 comprising the CCD camera 36 and the image analyzing means 37 is provided, the condition of the stool is determined by the shape and color of the image data. Therefore, it is possible to make a determination equal to or more than when the user checks the condition of the stool, and the reliability of the determination of the stool condition is improved.

Further, since the state of the stool is determined from the image of the falling object, the state of the stool can be determined without contact, and the configuration of the detecting means can be simplified.

In this embodiment, since the shape and color of the stool can be determined more accurately, the use of the output signal from the determination unit 41 enables highly accurate health management.

[0048]

As described above in detail, the toilet seat device of the present invention comprises a stool state detecting means for detecting a stool state, a stool state determining means for determining a stool state, and a cleaning start in accordance with the determination result. Since the cleaning condition determining means for determining the initial conditions is provided, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) Since the condition of the stool is automatically determined and the initial condition for starting the washing is set, the user does not need to check the condition of the stool and can use the optimum washing condition according to the condition of the stool. Cleaning can be performed, and comfort is improved.

Further, since the optimum initial conditions for cleaning start are set in advance, it is not necessary to set a plurality of cleaning conditions by the cleaning operation section, and the operability is improved.

(2) The stool condition detecting means is provided with a pressure receiving means and a sound analyzing means to determine the condition of the stool. Since the condition of the stool is determined by the sound when the stool falls, the reliability of the stool condition determination is high. The performance is improved.

Also, since the condition of the stool is determined by sound,
The state of the stool can be determined by non-contact, and the configuration of the stool state detecting means can be simplified.

(3) The stool condition detecting means is provided with an image recognizing means and an image analyzing means to determine the condition of the stool. Since the condition of the stool is determined by the image of the stool, the user can confirm the stool condition. As a result, the state of the stool can be determined without contact, and the configuration of the stool state detecting means can be simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a toilet seat device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an installation diagram of the toilet seat device in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an external view of an operation unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a flight state determination in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a change over time in cleaning conditions in the example.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a toilet seat device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a flight state determination in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a conventional toilet seat device.

FIG. 9 is an external view of operating means of the toilet seat device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 7, 35 Stool state detection means 8 Underwater microphone (pressure receiving means) 9 Sound analysis means 12 Toilet seat device 13 Judgment reference sound storage unit 14, 41 Judgment unit 15, 42 Stool state judgment means 16 Cleaning condition determination means 19 Cleaning device 29 Cleaning operation Unit 30 Cleaning control unit 36 CCD camera (image recognition unit) 37 Image analysis unit 40 Judgment reference image storage unit

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yutaka Takahashi 1006 Kadoma, Kazuma, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (56) References JP 2-16420 (JP, B2) JP 5-29737 (JP) , B2) (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) E03D 9/08

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cleaning device for cleaning a human body, a cleaning control unit for controlling the cleaning device, a cleaning operation unit for allowing a user to select at least a start of cleaning, and a stool state detecting unit for detecting a stool state. A stool state determining means for determining a stool state based on an output signal of the stool state detecting means; and automatically setting washing conditions in accordance with an output signal from the stool state determining means.
And a washing condition determining means for outputting the next washing condition to the washing control means. 2. The stool state detecting means comprises pressure receiving means for capturing a sound when the stool falls, and sound analyzing means for analyzing a sound signal from the pressure receiving means, and the stool state determining means determines the state of the stool. A judgment reference sound storage unit that stores a judgment reference sound, and a judgment unit that compares a sound signal output from the sound analysis unit with a judgment reference sound signal of the judgment reference sound storage unit to determine a state of a stool. Item 7. The toilet seat device according to Item 1. 3. The stool state detecting means comprises: an image recognizing means for capturing an image of a falling state of the stool as an image; and an image analyzing means for analyzing an image signal from the image recognizing means. The determining means compares a criterion image storage unit storing a criterion image for determining the condition of the stool with an image signal output from the image analysis means and a criterion image signal of the criterion image storing unit. The toilet seat device according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines a state.