JP3518189B2 - Sanitary washing equipment - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sanitary washing device, and more particularly to a means for detecting the presence or absence of a removable optional device and its type.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the functions of sanitary washing devices have become multifunctional, and various functions such as deodorizing, drying, and room heating have been added in addition to the basic functions of washing the buttocks and bidets. .

There are two types of means for supplying water to the main body: a direct water supply type and a pump type. The former is a method of supplying water directly from the water pipe, which is used when the water supply has a predetermined pressure or more, and the latter is a method of supplying the water in the low tank of the toilet with a pump. , Used when you want to simplify the installation work.

In order to flexibly respond to diversifying consumer needs accompanying such an increase in functions, an increase in the number of models is inevitable, resulting in a longer development period.
The mass production effect was weakened, which was disadvantageous in terms of cost, and the distribution inventory increased.

Therefore, recently, there has been considered a method of reducing the number of models by allowing necessary functions to be optionally connected to a main body having basic functions.

An example of a conventional sanitary washing device will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is an external view of the sanitary washing device body, 6 is an operating device, and 7 is a display device. FIG. 12 shows an external view of the operating device 6 and the display device 7. With this operating device 6, it is possible to start or cancel the operations of the buttocks wash, bidet wash, heated toilet seat, room heating, drying, and deodorizing functions, or set the wash water temperature, toilet seat temperature, and room heating temperature. The display device 7 displays the function in operation and the set temperature.

In this conventional example, the room heating device 4, which is an option, is attached to the sanitary washing device body. The room heating device 4 is for heating the toilet room, and can be attached and detached even when the main body is energized. Reference numeral 5 is an operation display LED.

FIG. 11 is an external view of another optional pump device 24 mounted on a sanitary washing device. The pump device 24 is used when the water pressure of the water supply is low and cannot be used in a direct water connection type, or when the installation work is simplified, and supplies the water in the low tank of the toilet to the main body.

Regarding the operation of the conventional sanitary washing device,
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram when the room heating device 4, which is an option, is attached to the sanitary washing device body 13. The room heating device 4 includes a heater 10 and an operation display LED 5. Microcomputer 1
Controls the entire sanitary washing device. Various control sequences, temperature control functions, etc. are programmed to exchange signals with various control devices. In particular, the input ports 1a and 1b and the output ports 1c and 1d are used for controlling the optional device. The connector 8 and the connector 9 have a heater 10 as a load and an operation display LED 5
3 wires required to control the
a, 8d, 8e, 9a, 9d, 9e of the connector 9),
Wiring for detecting presence / absence of the room heating device 4 (8 of connector 8)
b, 9b) of the connector 9 are connected. Nothing is connected to 8c of the connector 8 and 9c of the connector 9.

When the main body 13 and the room heating device 4 are connected, power is supplied from the connector 9b, so that the input port 1a of the microcomputer 1 becomes Hi level. At this time, the microcomputer 1 determines that there is the optional room heating device 4. At this time, when the operating device 6 is operated to operate the room heating function, the microcomputer 1 causes the heater 1 of the room heating device 4 to operate.
In order to control 0 and the operation display LED 5, a signal is sent to the option driving device 2 to turn on the transistor 14 and the transistor 18. Further, the set temperature is displayed on the display device 7. When the room heating device 4 is not connected to the main body 13, since nothing is connected to the connector 9b, the input port 1a of the microcomputer 1 becomes the Lo level by the pull-down resistor 16, and at this time, the microcomputer 1 It is determined that there is no optional room heating device 4. At this time, the room heating temperature setting display L of the display device 7 is displayed.
The ED15 is not displayed to prevent misidentification by the user and improve operability.

FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram when a pump device 24, which is another option, is attached to the sanitary washing device body. The main body 13 is the same as that of FIG. 13, and the optional pump device 24 is connected to the same connector 9 to which the room heating device 4 is attached.

When the main body 13 and the pump device 24 are connected, power is supplied from 9c of the connector 9, so that the input port 1b of the microcomputer 1 becomes Hi level. At this time, the microcomputer 1 determines that the optional pump device 24 is present. At this time, when the operating device 6 is operated to select washing of "buttocks" or "bidet", the microcomputer 1 sends a signal to the optional driving device 2 to operate the pump device 24 for supplying water, and the transistor 14 and the transistor Turn ON 18. When the pump device 24 is not connected to the main body 13, nothing is connected to 9c of the connector 9, so the input port 1b of the microcomputer 1 becomes Lo level by the pull-down resistor 17, and at this time, the microcomputer 1
Determines that there is no optional pump device 24. At this time, the microcomputer 1 outputs Lo for all the outputs to the option drive device 2 so as not to operate.

[0013]

However, in the conventional configuration as described above, a dedicated wiring circuit is required for discriminating the option device, which also increases as the number of connectable options increases, and therefore the main body. Since the number of poles of the connector for connecting with the optional device is increased, the size is increased, the mounting density is lowered, the cost is increased, and the reliability is lowered due to the increase in the number of connecting points.

[0014]

A sanitary washing device of the present invention includes a main body, a plurality of option devices that can be attached to and detached from the main body, an option drive device that drives a load of the option device, and a signal from the option device. An option detecting device for detecting and an judging device for judging the option device and its type are provided. The judging device temporarily stops a part of the output of the option driving device and is detected by the option detecting device. According to the detection signal, the presence or absence of the optional device and its type are determined.

According to the present invention, with the above structure, the driving of the load built in the optional device and the detection of the presence or absence and the type of the optional device can be performed by the same wiring, so that the number of wirings at the connecting portion between the main body and the optional device can be increased. It is possible to detect the presence or absence of an optional device and its type.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention includes a main body, a plurality of option devices that can be attached to and detached from the main body, an option drive device that drives the load of the option device, and an option detection device that detects a signal from the option device. , The presence or absence of the optional device and a determining means for determining its type, the determining means temporarily stops a part of the output of the optional drive device, and by a detection signal detected by the optional detecting device, It is configured to judge the presence or absence of the optional device and its type. Since the drive of the load built in the optional device and the detection of the optional device's presence and its type can be done with the same wiring, the connection between the main unit and the optional device is possible. It is possible to detect the presence or absence of an optional device and the type thereof without increasing the number of wirings of the unit.

Further, the output of the option drive device is temporarily stopped at a predetermined cycle, and the presence or absence of the option device and its type are determined by the detection signal detected by the option detection device. If an optional device is connected to the main body, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of the optional device and its type whether it is in operation or stopped.

Further, the load of the optional device is a heater, a motor or a solenoid valve, and the time during which the load is temporarily stopped to detect the presence or absence of the optional device and its type depends on the pulse width of noise or the like. The length can be longer than that, and malfunction can be prevented.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
From FIG. 9, description will be made. It should be noted that, as in the case of the conventional example, the configuration has the same operational effect. That is, as shown in the external view of FIG. 10 of the conventional example, the operation device 6 and the display device 7 are provided on the side of the main body 13, and the room heating device 4 is attached as an optional device under the operation device 6. The room heating device 4 is for heating the room in the toilet room, and can be additionally installed even after the main body 13 is installed. Further, FIG. 11 shows a pump device 24 as an optional device.
Is attached. This pump device 24 is shown in FIG.
It is installed at the same place as the room heating device 4 shown in.

FIG. 12 is an external view of the operating device 6 and the display device 7. In this embodiment, the functions of the sanitary washing device include buttocks washing, bidet washing, toilet seat heating, room heating, drying and deodorizing functions. It is designed to display operations and actions,
There are keys for starting the operation of various functions and setting the temperature for each function. On the upper part of the operating device 6, in order to display the result of the operation, the display devices 7 are composed of LEDs and are arranged corresponding to the operating device 6. Reference numeral 15 denotes an LED for displaying the room heating set temperature, which is not displayed when the optional room heating device 4 is not connected to prevent misunderstanding by the user and improve usability.

In this embodiment, as an option, the room heating device 4 and the pump device 24 can be connected to each other so that they can be mounted in the same place and wired to the same connector so as to perform a suitable control operation. The presence or absence of optional devices and their types are automatically detected. The detection method will be described below based on the circuit diagrams of FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram when a room heating device 4 is connected as an optional device, and FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram when a pump device 24 is specifically connected as an optional device.

The microcomputer 1 is a room heating device 4 which can be removed by various functions and options built in the main body 13.
In order to operate the sequence for controlling the pump device 24 and the automatic temperature control function, signals are exchanged with various control devices. The room heating device 4 includes a heater 10 as a load.
And, there is an LED 5 for operation display, which heats the toilet room. The control of the heater 10 is controlled by a signal from the output port 1d of the microcomputer 1. If 1d is Hi output, the transistor 14 of the optional drive device 2 is turned on.
Then, the heater 10 is energized to start heating. The room heating operation display LED 5 is controlled by a signal from the output port 1c of the microcomputer 1, and if 1c is a Hi output, the transistor 18 of the option drive device 2 is turned on to turn on the LED.
An electric current flows through 5 and it lights up.

The optional detection device 3 includes a transistor 1
9, a transistor 20, and a resistor 11. When detecting the option, the output port 1c of the microcomputer 1 is Lo
Is output to turn off the transistor 18 of the option drive device 2, and the output port 1e of the microcomputer 1 outputs Hi.
Is output to turn on the transistor 20. At this time, if the optional device is connected, a base current flows from the connector 1b to the transistor 19 to turn on the transistor 19. When the transistor 19 is turned on, the power supply device 21 → connector 9a → connector 8a → LE
D5 → resistor 22 → connector 8 8b → connector 9 9b
→ Current flows through the circuit of transistor 19 → resistor 11.
Then, a voltage obtained by dividing the voltage of the power supply device 21 by the resistor 22 and the resistor 11 is applied to the input port 1a of the microcomputer 1 (for simplification of description, VF of the LED 5, VCE (sat) of the transistor 19, and the microcomputer 1 The input impedance of the input port 1a is ignored, and so on).
The microcomputer 1 also serves as a determination means, and the input port 1a
Is for determining the presence or absence of an optional device and its type, and is a port with an AD conversion function, which converts the input voltage into a digital value internally and connects according to that value. Determine the type of device. Figure 2
When the pump device 25 is connected to the main body shown in (1), similarly, the voltage input to the input port 1a of the microcomputer 1 is the voltage of the power supply device 21 divided by the resistor 23 and the resistor 11. Since the resistance values of the resistors 22 and 23 are changed, the voltage input to the input port 1a of the microcomputer 1 varies depending on the option device connected, and can be determined by the microcomputer 1. The resistor 22 in FIG. 1 and the resistor 23 in FIG. 2 are the current limiting resistor of the room heating operation display LED 5 and the current limiting resistor of the pump device operation display LED 25, respectively. The resistance value is set so that the difference between the two is not noticeable.

Next, the sequence in which the microcomputer 1 controls the option detecting device 3 and the option driving device 2 will be described with reference to the timing charts of FIGS.

FIG. 5 shows the case where the optional room heating device 4 is attached to the main body 13 and the room heating function is ON. The microcomputer 1 normally outputs Lo to the output port 1e.
Is output, but the output is set to Hi for the time of the cycle t1 + t2 and for the very short pulse width t1. Output port 1
In c, the room heating function is ON, so output Hi and LED
5 is turned on, but at time t in synchronization with the output port 1e.
The output is set to Lo only during 1. During this time t1, the transistor 20 is on because the base is Hi. At this time, the base current flows in the order of power supply device 21 → connector 8a → connector 9a → LED 5 → resistor 22 → connector 8b → connector 9b → transistor 19 → transistor 20 so that transistor 19 is turned on. ,
The voltage 1a obtained by dividing the voltage of the power supply device 21 by the resistor 22 and the resistor 11 is input to the input port 1a of the microcomputer 1.
The microcomputer 1 determines that the room heating device 4 is present if a voltage of A or more and B or less is input to the input port 1a for the time t1. The transistor 18 is turned off at time t1.
To make the output port 1c Lo, the collector output of the transistor 18 is also connected to the emitter of the transistor 19. Therefore, when the current flowing through the LED 5 is absorbed by the collector of the transistor 18, the transistor 19 is turned on. This is because it cannot be done.

FIG. 6 shows a case where the optional room heating device 4 is attached to the main body 13 but the room heating function is OFF. As in the case of FIG. 5, the microcomputer 1 outputs Hi for the output port 1e only during the period t1 + t2 and the pulse width t1. Since the room heating function is OFF, the output port 1c is always Lo and the LED 5 is off. At this time, as in the case of FIG. 5, the transistors 19 and 20 are turned on, the voltage a is input to the input port 1a, and it is determined that the room heating device 4 is present.

FIG. 7 shows the case where the optional pump device 24 is attached to the main body 13 and the pump function is ON. Although the microcomputer 1 normally outputs Lo to the output port 1e, the output is set to Hi for a period of t1 + t2 and a very short pulse width t1. Output port 1c
Since the room heating function is ON, output Hi and LED2
5 is turned on, but at time t in synchronization with the output port 1e.
The output is set to Lo only during 1. During this time t1, the transistor 20 is on because the base is Hi. At this time, the base current flows in the order of power supply device 21-> connector 8 8a-> connector 9 9a-> LED 25-> resistor 23-> connector 8 8b-> connector 9 9b-> transistor 19-> transistor 20, so transistor 19 is turned on.
Then, the voltage b obtained by dividing the voltage of the power supply device 21 by the resistor 23 and the resistor 11 is input to the input port 1a of the microcomputer 1.
The microcomputer 1 determines that the pump device 24 is present if a voltage of B or more is input to the input port 1a for the time t1. Note that the output port 1c is set to Lo in order to turn off the transistor 18 at time t1 because the collector output of the transistor 18 is also connected to the emitter of the transistor 19 so that the current flowing through the LED 25 is supplied to the transistor 18. This is because the transistor 19 cannot be turned on if it is sucked into the collector.

FIG. 8 shows a case where the optional pump device 24 is attached to the main body 13 but the pump function is OFF. As in the case of FIG. 7, the microcomputer 1 outputs Hi for the output port 1e only during the period t1 + t2 and the pulse width t1. Since the pump function is OFF, the output port 1c is always Lo and the LED 25 is off. At this time also, as in the case of FIG. 7, the transistors 19 and 20 are turned on, the voltage b is input to the input port 1a,
It is determined that the pump device 24 is present.

FIG. 9 shows a case where the optional device is not attached to the main body 13, and the microcomputer 1 outputs the period t1 + t2 and the pulse width t1 from the output port 1e as in the case of FIG.
Only during the period, Hi is output, and the option detection device 3 is activated. However, in this case, since there is no optional device, the base current does not flow in the transistor 19. Therefore, the transistor 19 is always turned off, and Lo is always input to the input port 1a of the microcomputer 1. The microcomputer 1
If a voltage equal to or lower than A is input to the input port 1a for the time t1, it is determined that there is no optional device.

Thus, in this embodiment, the LED 5 and L
By temporarily stopping the output from the optional drive means for the load of the ED 25, that is, the optional drive device 2, it is possible to detect whether the room heating device 4 or the pump device 24, which is an option, is connected. Wiring for detection is not required.

Further, according to this embodiment, the output from the option driving device 2 is stopped, that is, the option detection output is always output at a predetermined cycle, so the main body 13
The presence or absence of the option connection can be detected at any time regardless of the operating or stopping status of.

The period t1 + t2 for outputting the output for detecting the presence / absence of the connection of the optional device is set to periodically detect the presence / absence of the optional device, and the room heating device 4 is an optional device even when the main body 13 is energized. Alternatively, since the pump device 24 can be attached and detached, it is appropriate to set it to several Hz to several tens Hz so that detection can be performed several times per second in order to speed up the detection response.
If the pulse width time t1 is too long, the LED
5 or the time when the LED 25 is turned off becomes long and appears as flicker, so 1 ms or less is appropriate.

By the way, according to the above embodiment, the LED is used as an optional load for detecting the presence or absence of the option connection.
5 or LED 25 was used, which is shown in FIG.
Or the pump motor 12 shown in FIG.
If such a load is used, the reliability of detection of the presence or absence of the option connection can be improved.

That is, if the LED 5 or the LED 25 is used as in the above-described embodiment, the output stop time from the option drive device 2 which is the option detection output, that is, the pulse width t1 must be a time that is difficult for humans to recognize.
D5 or LED25 flickers. Therefore, it is weak against noise and the like, and there is a fear of malfunction due to noise and the like.

However, if the load is the heater 10 or the pump motor 12, the output stop time from the option drive device 2, that is, the pulse width t1 can be made relatively long, and the option connection can be achieved by differentiating from the noise. Presence / absence detection accuracy is improved.

In the description of the above embodiment, the room heating device 4 and the pump device 24 are taken as options to be connected to the main body 13, but the present invention is not limited to these two, and they are used by being connected to the main body 13. Any type may be used as long as it is suitable, and the optimum load may be selected as needed. Further, the presence / absence of option connection may be detected intermittently or once, for example, only at the start of operation, instead of being constantly and periodically detected as in the above embodiment.

[0038]

As described above, in the sanitary washing device of the present invention, the determination means of the option device temporarily stops a part of the output of the option drive device and detects the detection signal detected by the option detection device. The presence / absence of an optional device and its type are determined by the above, so the load drive of the optional device and the detection of the presence / absence and type of the optional device can be performed with the same wiring. It is possible to detect the presence / absence and type of optional equipment, save space and cost at the connection connector part, and since the number of connection wires does not increase, reliability is also improved and mass productivity is improved. A high sanitary washing device can be provided. Moreover, since the type of the optional detection device can be automatically discriminated and the control suitable for the optional device can be made by simply mounting the optional device, it is not necessary to set the type of the optional device one by one, and the usability is extremely improved.

What is the structure in which the output of the option drive device is temporarily stopped at a predetermined cycle and the presence or absence of the option device and its type are determined by the detection signal detected by the option detection device. However, the presence / absence of option connection can be detected, and the presence / absence of option connection and its type can be detected reliably and quickly.

Further, when the load of the optional device for temporarily stopping the output is the heater, the motor or the solenoid valve, the presence or absence of the option connection and its type are detected as compared with the case where the load is the display device. Since it is possible to take a long time, there is less possibility of malfunction due to noise or the like, and there is an advantage that the reliability of the presence or absence of the option connection and the detection of its type is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a sanitary washing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a case where another optional device is attached to the sanitary washing device of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a sanitary washing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a case where another option device in the sanitary washing device of the embodiment is mounted.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the option detecting device in the sanitary washing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the option detecting device in the sanitary washing device of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the option detecting device in the sanitary washing device of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the option detecting device in the sanitary washing device of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the option detection device in the sanitary washing device of the same embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an external view showing a conventional sanitary washing device.

FIG. 11 is an external view showing a case where another optional device is attached to the sanitary washing device.

FIG. 12 is an external view showing an operating device and a display device of the sanitary washing device.

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram of the sanitary washing device.

FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram showing a case where another optional device is attached to the sanitary washing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Microcomputer 2 Optional drive 3 Option detection device 4 room heating system 5 Room heating operation display LED 24 pump device 25 Pump operation display LED

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A main body, a plurality of option devices that can be attached to and detached from the main body, an option drive device that drives a load of the option device, an option detection device that detects a signal from the option device, and the presence or absence of the option device. A determination means for determining the type, the determination means temporarily stops a part of the output of the option drive device, and detects the presence or absence of the option device by a detection signal detected by the option detection device. A sanitary washing device configured to determine the type. 2. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein the output of the option drive device is temporarily stopped at a predetermined cycle, and the presence or absence of the option device and its type are determined by a detection signal detected by the option detection device. Sanitary washing device. 3. The sanitary washing device according to claim 1, wherein the load of the optional device is a heater, a motor or a solenoid valve.