JP3589261B2 - Auxiliary equipment for toilet - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to an auxiliary device for a toilet such as a local cleaning device, a toilet cleaning device, and a heating toilet seat device attached to a toilet.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Many of the recent toilet accessories have been sophisticated and each function is controlled by a microcomputer. For example, recent local cleaning devices have various convenient functions such as a local cleaning function, a hot air drying function, a deodorizing function, a toilet seat heating function, an indoor heating function, and the operation of each functional part is controlled by a microcomputer. . Also in a toilet flushing device that automatically flushes flush water to the toilet, the microcomputer controls the number of rotations and driving time of a motor that opens the valve.
[0003]
In a conventional toilet device, all setting data required for control are incorporated in a microcomputer program. For example, in the local cleaning device, there are upper and lower limit values of the washing water temperature, upper and lower limit values of the drying air temperature, upper and lower limit values of the cleaning intensity, upper and lower limit values of the toilet seat temperature, upper and lower limit values of the toilet seat temperature, upper and lower limit values of the nozzle length, and the like as the setting data. These are all written in the program ROM of the microcomputer.
[0004]
By the way, an appropriate value as setting data greatly changes depending on a region, user's preference, and the like. In particular, since the toilet room is usually not cooled or heated, it is desirable to change setting data relating to the temperature depending on whether it is for a cold region or a warm value. In addition, the user's preference regarding the intensity of cleaning water and nozzle length during local cleaning also varies greatly from person to person because it is private, and it is not desirable to determine an appropriate range based on questionnaire survey results and the like. .
[0005]
If you want to change the configuration data in consideration of such circumstances, the conventionally known method,
▲ 1 ▼ Software change,
(2) Changing the dynamic range of the sensor output using a variable resistor,
(3) Selection using jumper wires or DIP switches.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the software change of (1) cannot be adopted in principle because it requires re-creation of a mass storage ROM and requires a large cost.
[0007]
The change of the dynamic range of the sensor using the variable resistor of (2) means changing the value of the voltage dividing resistor at the output end of the sensor by using a variable resistor. Since it is large, it becomes an obstacle to downsizing the control board. Further, in the method of changing the voltage dividing resistance value, the dynamic range can be shifted upward or downward as a whole, but the dynamic range cannot be enlarged or reduced and the upper and lower limits cannot be individually changed.
[0008]
(3) Selection using a jumper line or a dip switch is a method of selecting one of a plurality of options prepared in advance in a program with a jumper line or a dip switch. It can be changed only in steps, and the optimum value cannot always be selected. If many options are prepared, this problem can be solved. However, the size of the program is increased, and there is a possibility that the program is limited and cannot be stored in the ROM capacity.
[0009]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily and freely change various setting data required for control without changing a computer program in a microcomputer-controlled toilet bowl accessory.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A microcomputer-controlled toilet device according to the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives a registration command specifying a value of setting data to be registered, a rewritable storage unit that continuously holds registered data, Means for registering the setting data value designated by the registered command in the rewritable storage means. Then, the microcomputer controls the toilet accessory using the value registered in the rewritable storage means as setting data. Here, as the rewritable storage means, for example, an EEPROM or a backed-up RAM is suitable.
[0011]
In this toilet device, when a registration command designating an arbitrary setting data value is transmitted to the receiving means, the setting data value is registered in the rewritable storage means and used for subsequent control. Therefore, it is easy to change the setting data.
[0012]
A data input device capable of communicating with the receiving means can be used to transmit the registration command to the toilet bowl accessory. The data input device may be a dedicated device, or a remote controller for sending an operation command to the accessory device for the toilet may be used as the data input device.
[0013]
In this toilet device, preferably, the default value of the setting data is stored in advance in a program ROM or the like, and when the setting data value is not registered in the rewritable storage means, or when the registered setting data value is If abnormal, the default value can be used for control. This ensures that normal control is always performed.
[0014]
When a registration command is received during execution of control by the microcomputer, it is desirable that the setting data value specified by the received registration command be immediately reflected in the control being executed. This makes it possible to change the set data value while using the toilet bowl accessory and check on the spot whether or not the value is appropriate, so that it is easy to find the optimum value.
[0015]
Embodiment
FIG. 1 shows a block configuration of a main part of a local cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016]
This local cleaning device includes a control board 2 on which a microcomputer 1 is mounted. Also, on the same control board 100, a communication interface 4 (for example, a connector terminal of a communication cable or a wireless transceiver) for communicating with an external data input device 6 and setting data input from the data input device 6 And an EEPROM 3 for holding the same. Further, the microcomputer 1 includes various functional components controlled by the microcomputer 1, an adjuster for a user to adjust an operation state of the functional components, a sensor for detecting a state of the functional components, and the like. It is connected. FIG. 1 illustrates a washing water heater 9 as a functional component, a washing water temperature adjusting knob 7 as an adjuster, and a washing water temperature sensor 8 as a sensor. It goes without saying that the same applies to functional components (for example, a toilet seat heater, a drying air heater, a washing water ejection pump, a nozzle advance / retreat motor, etc.).
[0017]
The external data input device 6 is capable of inputting an arbitrary set data value to the local cleaning device, and is provided with a communication interface 5 (for example, a connector terminal) for communicating with the microcomputer 1 on the control board 2. Or a wireless transceiver). The data input device 6 is used at a manufacturing factory or the like for inputting appropriate setting data values according to a shipping destination area or the like, or is used by an installer at the time of installation. In addition, the data input device 6 may be configured in the form of a remote controller used by a user, or the data input device 6 may be incorporated in an operation panel provided on the main body of the local cleaning device. In particular, since many recent local cleaning apparatuses include a remote controller for operation, the remote controller can also have the function of the data input device 6. In this case, the user can change the setting data value according to his / her preference, which is convenient. In any case, the setting data input from the data input device 6 is registered in the EEPROM 3 through the microcomputer 1.
[0018]
There are various items in the setting data. For example, upper and lower limits of washing water temperature, upper and lower limits of drying air temperature, upper and lower limits of cleaning intensity, upper and lower limits of toilet seat temperature, and upper limit of nozzle length (nozzle tip position) And the lower limit value, the conversion data between the position (rotation angle) of the adjustment knob 7 and the control target value of the cleaning water temperature, the number of rotations of the drying air fan, the number of rotations of the deodorization fan, the continuous driving time of the deodorization fan after use, There are thresholds for determining the ON / OFF state of the seating switch for seating detection. Of course, there are other items, and not all of them are required. The setting data that can be registered using the data input device 6 may cover all items, or may be limited to only some items that are generally considered to require adjustment.
[0019]
The microcomputer 1 uses these setting data in control. In principle, the default values of the setting data of all items are stored in advance in a program ROM (not shown) in the microcomputer 1. If any value is registered in the EEPROM 3 for the setting data of each item, the microcomputer 1 uses the registered value instead of the default value as the setting data of the item. Or, even if the registered value is abnormal (for example, extremely large or small, an unrealizable value, cannot be read normally, etc.), the microcomputer 1 sets the default value of the item to Used as setting data.
[0020]
FIG. 3 shows a flow of processing performed by the microcomputer 1.
[0021]
The microcomputer 1 periodically monitors the presence or absence of a command, and upon receiving the command, interprets the content of the command (S1). The commands are roughly classified into a registration command and an operation command. The registration command is a command input from the data input device 6 to register a setting data value, and specifies a setting data item to be registered and its value.
[0022]
When receiving the registration command, the microcomputer 1 interprets the registration command, grasps the setting data items and data values specified by the registration commands, and registers these items and values in the EEPROM 3 (S3). At this time, if a data value has already been registered for the same item in the EEPROM 3, the microcomputer 1 rewrites the registered data value to the received new data value.
[0023]
On the other hand, the operation command is for controlling the operation of various functions of the local cleaning device (for example, starting and stopping operations such as local cleaning, hot air drying, toilet seat heating, deodorization, etc., and adjusting the control target value). , An operation (or signal) input from a remote controller, an operation panel, or various sensors / switches designates an operation to be performed. To illustrate some operation commands, the position signal of the knob 7 coming from the adjusting knob 7 is an operation command for specifying a control target value of the washing water temperature, and the turn-on signal from the seating switch is used to start the deodorizing operation and local cleaning. An operation instruction for enabling the function, and a cleaning instruction coming from the remote controller is an operation instruction for starting a local cleaning operation.
[0024]
When receiving the operation command, the microcomputer 1 interprets the operation command, grasps the operation content specified by the command, and registers the setting data value of the item necessary for performing the operation content in the EEPROM 3. It is checked whether it is (S3). If it is registered, the registered data value is read from the EEPROM 3 as setting data of the item (S4), and the operation content specified by using the setting data is executed (S6). As an example, when a position signal from the adjustment knob 7 is received, the microcomputer 1, as shown in FIG. 2, controls the upper limit value a and the lower limit value b of the cleaning water temperature, the position of the knob 7 and the cleaning water. A registered value such as conversion data with the target temperature is read out from the EEPROM 3 and the picked position indicated by the received position signal is converted into a target temperature of the washing water using the read value, and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8 is used as the target temperature. The feedback control of the amount of power to the heater 9 is performed so that
[0025]
As a result of the check in step S3, if the necessary setting data value is not registered in the EEPROM 3 or the registered data value is abnormal, the microcomputer 1 reads the default value of the item from the program ROM. Then, this is set as the setting data of the item (S5), and the specified operation is executed using the setting data (S6). As a result, even if an abnormal setting data value is erroneously registered, or if the setting data value cannot be read correctly due to a problem in the EEPROM 3, normal operation is guaranteed.
[0026]
Further, when a registration instruction of setting data necessary for the operation is received while the operation is started and the operation is continued (for example, while the local cleaning operation is being performed, the cleaning water intensity is not changed). If the microcomputer 1 receives a command for registering the upper limit, the microcomputer 1 performs the registering operation in step S2 according to the command, and proceeds to step S6 to immediately use the registered value as setting data in the ongoing operation control. Use.
[0027]
According to this embodiment, the setting data can be easily changed using the data input device. Further, when the user can change the setting data from the remote controller or the like, the setting can be changed according to the user's preference. Useful for items.
[0028]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, when setting data related to an operation is changed during execution of the operation, the change is immediately reflected in the operation, so that it is easy to select an optimum setting data value. It is. For example, when it is desired to change the upper limit of the cleaning water intensity, the operation is performed so as to increase the cleaning intensity upper limit value while performing local cleaning at the current upper limit intensity. Since this is reflected in the running local cleaning operation, the user can set an appropriate upper limit value while experiencing the intensity.
[0029]
FIG. 4 shows a main part of a toilet flushing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0030]
The toilet cleaning apparatus has a control board 12 on which a microcomputer 11 is mounted, and a switch 19 and a motor 17 are connected to the microcomputer 11. The rotating shaft of the motor 17 is connected to a drain valve 20 in a low tank 18 attached to the toilet.
[0031]
Further, on the control board 12, as in the first embodiment, an EEPROM 13 for registering setting data and a communication interface 14 for communicating with the data input device 16 are provided. The data input device 16 also has a communication interface 15. The data input device 16 may be used at a factory, used by an installer, or used as a remote controller used by a user.
[0032]
When the user presses the switch 19, the microcomputer 11 drives the motor 17 to open the drain valve 20, whereby the flush water flows to the toilet. The amount of washing water is determined by the water pressure P of the water supply for supplying the washing water to the low tank 18 and the driving time (valve opening time) t of the motor. Therefore, the motor drive time t required for flowing a certain amount of flush water into the toilet varies depending on the tap water pressure P as shown in FIG.
[0033]
The motor drive time t is setting data, and its default value is stored in advance in the program ROM in the microcomputer 11. An arbitrary value can be registered in the EEPROM 13 from the data input device 16 as the drive time t. it can.
[0034]
The operation of the microcomputer 11 is the same as that shown in FIG. Here, the registration command is a command from the data input device 6 for registering an arbitrary value for the motor drive time t, and the operation command is a signal indicating pressing from the switch 19. Upon receiving the pressing signal, the microcomputer 11 uses the motor drive time t as the motor drive time t if the value of the motor drive time t is registered in the EEPROM 3, and uses the default value as the motor drive time t if the value is not registered. During this time t, the motor 17 is driven to open the drain valve 20.
[0035]
According to this toilet bowl cleaning device, an appropriate valve opening time can be set according to the tap water pressure at the installation location.
[0036]
It should be noted that the present invention can be implemented not only in the above-described embodiment, but also in various other forms with various modifications, corrections, and improvements. For example, a backup RAM may be used instead of the EEPROM.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the setting data of the accessory device for toilets controlled by a microcomputer can be changed easily.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a local cleaning device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between a position of a knob 7 and a control target temperature of cleaning water.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the microcomputer 1.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a toilet flushing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between tap water pressure for flowing a certain amount of washing water and motor driving time.
[Explanation of symbols]
1,11 microcomputer 2,12 control board 3,13 EEPROM
6, 16 data input device

Claims (7)

In a toilet bowl accessory controlled by a microcomputer,
A command interpreting means for interpreting the contents of those commands upon receiving the registration command and the operation command;
Receiving means for receiving a registration command that specifies the value of setting data to be used by a constructor or used at the time of installation in order to input an appropriate setting data value according to a shipping area or the like. When,
Rewritable storage means for continuously holding registered data;
Means for registering the setting data value specified by the received registration command in the rewritable storage means;
With
The microcomputer for a toilet device, wherein the microcomputer controls the toilet device using a value registered in the rewritable storage unit as the setting data. The device of claim 1,
An auxiliary device for a toilet, further comprising a data input device for transmitting the registration command to the receiving means. The device according to claim 2,
A toilet accessory device comprising a remote controller for sending an operation command to the toilet accessory device, wherein the remote controller also serves as the data input device. The device of claim 1,
Further provided is a default value storage means holding a default value of the setting data,
An auxiliary device for a toilet bowl, wherein the microcomputer uses the default value for control when a setting data value is not registered in the rewritable storage means or when the registered setting data value is abnormal. The device of claim 1,
The microcomputer for a toilet device, wherein, when the registration command is received during execution of the control, the microcomputer uses a setting data value designated by the received registration command for the control being executed. The device of claim 1,
When the registration means receives the registration command, if the setting data value is already registered in the rewritable storage means, the registration command designates the already registered setting data value. Auxiliary device for toilet bowl that rewrites to existing setting data value. The device of claim 1,
The rewritable storage means is an auxiliary device for a toilet bowl, which is an EEPROM or a backed-up RAM.

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