JP3876925B2 - Toilet bowl unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a toilet unit, and more particularly, to a toilet unit capable of measuring the amount of excreted urine and biological information related to the amount of urine.

  Biological information obtained from urine is useful in the medical field, particularly in the preventive medical field and treatment management field. The conventional method of using a container such as a urine collection cup does not consider the comfort of the patient collecting urine, and only excretes urine in the toilet, and the amount of urine excreted and / or There is a need to measure urine volume related biological information. Further, there is a need for a toilet unit suitable for measuring not only preventive medicine but also an index necessary for disease management.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-301629 (Patent Document 1) discloses a toilet that measures the amount of urine by collecting the total amount of excreted urine with a bowl-shaped urinal provided above the toilet bowl. Are listed. In such a case, there is a problem that an expensive dedicated toilet having a configuration greatly different from the existing toilet configuration is required only for the function of measuring the urine amount for urine measurement.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-119859 (Patent Document 2) describes a toilet in which a weight sensor is provided between a toilet bowl and a toilet seat so that the urine volume is calculated based on the difference in body weight before and after excretion. In such a case, although processing is not required for the toilet bowl, the flatness accuracy of the toilet rim surface affects the measurement accuracy, so it is impossible to ensure a predetermined accuracy in the industrially produced ceramic toilet bowl, There was a problem that urine volume measurement could not be obtained with a predetermined accuracy.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-037284 (Patent Document 3) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-339432 (Patent Document 4) are provided with a pressure sensor or a water level sensor that communicates with the trap portion, and urine depending on the amount of change of the sensor. A urinal with an estimated volume is described. In such a case, the urine volume measurement function can be realized without significant processing on the toilet, but on the other hand, there is a process for predicting the behavior related to overflow of the urine beyond the trap part. There is a problem that the measurement accuracy varies depending on the urinary flow rate (urine flow rate) which is the flow rate of. In addition, depending on the state of the sewage pipe system, pressure fluctuation may occur in the trap part of the toilet depending on the drainage state of other plumbing equipment, and the water level of the stored water may fluctuate, which may cause measurement errors. there were.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-027883 (Patent Document 5) describes a toilet that measures the amount of urine by sucking urine excreted in a trap portion into a tank. In such a case, the urine flow rate (urine flow rate) can be measured together with the urine volume by measuring not only the urine volume but also the water level change after the pump suction, but the sewage in the toilet bowl water is sucked As a result, problems such as clogging of the measurement system due to suction of filth and problems such as corrosion of the measurement system due to suction of stored water containing salt occurred.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-186601 (Patent Document 6) describes a measurement method for measuring the amount of excreted urine as a change in weight over time and measuring the amount of urine and the urinary flow rate (urine flow rate). ing. In such cases, excretion for measuring urine volume and related indicators must be carried out in a doctor's office, not in the toilet, which places a psychological burden on patients with urological diseases, especially women. The medical staff is hesitant to take multiple measurements.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-299348 (Patent Document 7) describes a toilet that stores the urine in the ball itself after the trap portion of the toilet is deformed before measurement to secure a volume for receiving urine. In this toilet, the amount of urine is calculated by measuring the change in the weight of the accumulated water accumulated in the trap part or the change in the level of the accumulated water in the trap part. However, in this toilet, in order to lower the overflow water level before measuring the urine volume, it is necessary to move the trap part where urine accumulates up and down, so there is a risk of leakage from the mechanism part for moving up and down. In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to ensure long-term reliability of the trap part that moves up and down. In addition, when trying to calculate the amount of urine by measuring the water level in the trap part, the trap part must have a uniform cross section. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to construct a trap unit with high operational reliability.

  Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 7-259166 (Patent Document 8) describes a toilet device having a urine volume measuring function for receiving excreted urine in a container and measuring its volume. Such a toilet device has a problem that accurate urine volume measurement cannot be performed because all urine cannot be collected in a container for collecting urine because there is an individual difference in urination direction as seen particularly in women.

  As described above, the urine volume or urine flow rate measuring systems proposed so far have various problems. Furthermore, the above-described conventional urine volume measurement system has a problem that the operation reliability is insufficient due to the measurement target being urine. Since urine contains a large amount of sodium chloride as an electrolytic substance, metal parts are particularly easily corroded, and as a result, the operation of various components tends to be adversely affected. Further, the toilet described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-299348 has a problem that since it takes a long time to measure the amount of urine, it is necessary for the user to endure urination until the measurement is started, and the usability is poor.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a reliable and easy way to know the amount of excreted urine and related indicators simply by adding to the toilet. To provide a toilet unit.

  In addition, the object of the present invention is to provide a urine volume measurement function that is easy to use with respect to urination operation because the time lag required for measurement preparation is small, the measurement unit price per measurement is low, and realizes highly accurate urine volume estimation. To provide a toilet unit.

  Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a toilet unit having a highly accurate urine volume measurement function without making a major change to the structure of a normal toilet that has already obtained high drainage operation reliability. Yes.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a toilet unit according to the present invention includes a ball that receives a user's urine, and drains water stored in the ball to the sewer pipe, and the sewer pipe is sealed with water. A trap part for measuring the water level of the water stored in the ball, a means for calculating the amount of urine excreted by the user based on the water level measured by the water level measuring means, A fixed amount of water is supplied to or discharged from the ball, and the water level is changed when the fixed amount of water is supplied or discharged by the fixed amount of water. And a correcting means for correcting the calculated value by the urine volume calculating means.

  In the present invention configured as described above, the metered water input / discharge means inputs a predetermined amount of water into the ball or discharges a predetermined amount of water from the ball, and the water level in the ball at that time is determined. Changes are remembered. Next, the water level measuring means measures the level of the stored water after the user urinates, and the urine volume calculating means calculates the urine volume of the user based on the water level in the ball before and after the user urinates. The correcting means corrects the urine volume of the user calculated by the urine volume calculating means based on the change in the water level before and after the metered water input / discharge stored in advance.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, a predetermined amount of water is thrown into the ball, or the calculated value of the urine amount by the urine amount calculating means is corrected based on the change in the water level when discharged. Even when the water level in the ball before the urine volume measurement is not accurately set or there is an error in the measurement value of the water level measuring means, the urine volume can be measured with high accuracy.

In the present invention, preferably, the correction means stores a water level change curve representing the relationship between the amount of water stored in the ball and the water level of the water stored in the ball, and the correction means is measured by the water level measurement means. difference between the second level after introducing the first water level and the predetermined quantity of water prior to quantitation water charge / discharge means is turned a predetermined amount of water, and based on the water level change curve, the user urinates The water level in the previous ball is obtained, and the calculated value by the urine volume calculating means is corrected based on this water level.

In the present invention configured as described above, the correction means stores in advance a water level change curve that represents the relationship between the amount of water stored in the ball and the water level of the water stored in the ball. This correction means determines the water level of the accumulated water before the user urinates based on the difference in water level before and after the predetermined amount of water is supplied / discharged and the water level change curve stored in advance. Ask.

  According to the present invention configured as above, since the water level of the stored water is obtained based on the difference in the water level measured by the water level measuring means, the measurement value of the water level measuring means includes an offset error or the like. Even in this case, urine volume can be measured with high accuracy.

In the present invention, preferably, the correction means stores a water level change curve representing the relationship between the amount of water stored in the ball and the water level of the water stored in the ball, and the correction means is measured by the water level measurement means. the difference between the second level after discharging before the overflow water level and a predetermined amount of water quantification water charge / discharge means for discharging a predetermined amount of water, and before the user to urinate on the basis of the water level change curve The water level of the stored water in the ball is obtained, and the calculated value by the urine volume calculating means is corrected based on this water level.

In the present invention configured as described above, the correction means stores in advance a water level change curve that represents the relationship between the amount of water stored in the ball and the water level of the water stored in the ball. The correction means, the difference in water level after the overflow level and quantification water charge / discharge means has discharged a predetermined amount of water, based on the water level change curve stored in advance, before the user urinates reservoir Find the water level.

  According to the present invention configured as above, since the water level of the stored water is obtained based on the difference in the water level measured by the water level measuring means, the measurement value of the water level measuring means includes an offset error or the like. Even in this case, urine volume can be measured with high accuracy.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to provide the toilet unit which can know the amount of urine excreted and a related parameter | index simply and with high reliability only by urinating in a toilet.

  In addition, according to the toilet unit of the present invention, since the time lag required for measurement preparation is small, the urination operation is easy to use, the measurement unit price per measurement is low, and high-precision urine volume estimation is highly reliable. Can be realized.

  Furthermore, according to the toilet unit of the present invention, it is possible to perform highly accurate urine volume measurement without greatly changing the structure of a normal toilet.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The toilet unit 1 includes a Western-style toilet 11 that receives a user's excrement and discharges it into sewage, and a function case 2 in which various functions including urine volume estimation means are incorporated, and these are integrally formed. ing. Furthermore, the toilet unit 1 has a toilet seat 23 on which the user sits, and a toilet lid 24 that covers the toilet seat 23 and is rotatably arranged. The toilet unit 1 includes an ID card 21 for specifying a user and an operation / display unit 22 as accessory devices. The various functions of the toilet unit 1 are activated by reading the personal authentication information stored in the ID card 21, detecting the approach of the user, or operating the preparation switch, and enter the standby state. Perform operations such as measurement by. Moreover, the measurement result by the toilet unit 1 is displayed on the operation / display unit 22 and is disclosed to the user. Further, the function case 2 includes a urine volume calculating means (not shown) for calculating the user's urine volume, a urine flow rate calculating means (not shown) for calculating the user's urine flow rate, and the user's urination time. The urination time calculating means (not shown) for calculating

  The user specifying means is not limited to the ID card 21 in which the driving power is superimposed on the radio communication radio wave. That is, the user may be specified by operating a specific switch of the operation / display unit 22, inputting a personal identification number, or using biometric information for specifying an individual such as a fingerprint or weight. Information transmission between the operation / display unit 22 and the function case 2 is performed using infrared as a medium. As another embodiment, wireless communication using radio waves or wired signal transmission may be used.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the stored water discharge means in the toilet unit 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  A ball 12 is provided inside the western-style toilet 11, and the accumulated water 13 is collected as a medium for receiving filth. The ball 12 communicates with a sewage pipe (not shown) through a trap part 15 having a water seal structure and a drainage connection pipe 16 connected to the tip of the trap part 15. A jet water discharge nozzle 31 is disposed at the bottom of the ball 12. A rim 14 is formed at the upper end of the ball 12, and a rim water discharge nozzle 32 is disposed in the vicinity of the rim 14. Then, water is supplied to the zet water discharge nozzle 31 and the rim water discharge nozzle 32 from the water channel switching means (water channel switching valve) 3 provided at the upper rear of the Western-style toilet 11 through the water conduit. The rim water spouting nozzle 32 is arranged in a tangential direction with respect to the inner periphery of the upper end of the substantially circular ball 12, and the water discharged from the rim water spouting nozzle 32 reaches the accumulated water 13 while turning around the inner circumferential surface of the ball 12. Has a function of collecting the filth in the stored water 13 in the center along the vortex and returning the stored water 13 whose water level has been lowered to the overflow water level 41.

  When the water discharged from the jet water discharge nozzle 31 is driven into the trap portion 15 at a flow rate of about 20 L / min and the trap portion 15 becomes full, a siphon phenomenon occurs, and the accumulated water 13 flows out toward the sewer pipe all at once. And discharged. Therefore, the jet water discharge nozzle 31 functions as a stored water discharge means. When the flow rate and water discharge time of the jet water discharge nozzle 31 are not appropriate, all of the accumulated water 13 flows out, which causes the sealing water to run out and the backflow of the sewage odor may occur. In the present embodiment, the appropriate flow velocity and water discharge time of the jet water discharge nozzle 31 are set so that the water level of the accumulated water 13 does not fall below the water level 43 after the siphon phenomenon occurs. In the present embodiment, due to water discharged from the jet water discharge nozzle 31, the accumulated water 13 at the overflow water level 41 that is the top position of the trap portion 15 is lowered to a predetermined water level 42 by a siphon phenomenon. The amount of accumulated water between the overflow water level 41 and the predetermined water level 42 is set to be equal to or greater than the maximum value of the excretion urine volume to be measured. In addition, when the Western-style toilet 11 is a baked product, it is technically difficult to increase the shape dimensional accuracy, and the Western-style toilet 11 is set so that the shape characteristic of the Western-style toilet 11 does not fall below the level of the drained water level 43. Difficult to do. In that case, as shown in the sequence of FIG. 13 to be described later, a stored water return means for raising the water level of the stored water 13 to be higher than the sealed water level may be provided. Further, when the Western-style toilet 11 is used below the sealed water level, it is necessary to provide a deodorizing means for preventing a reverse flow of odor caused by the sewer pipe shown in FIG.

  In general, the amount of human excreted urine is about 1000 mL at a maximum. Therefore, if the amount of water stored between the overflow water level 41 and the predetermined water level 42 is set to 1000 mL or more as a design value, the urine excreted in the toilet is sewage. The entire urine excreted can be measured. In this way, if the amount of stored water is controlled by using the siphon phenomenon that occurs in the trap part, in order to lower the stored water level, the stored water that may contain excrement and detergent should be pumped. There is no need to use and suck, and there is no fear that the operation reliability of the water contact functional member is lowered.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the stored water discharge means that can be used in the toilet unit 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this modified example, the accumulated water 13 is discharged from the drainage port 33 instead of generating the siphon phenomenon by discharging the jet water.

  A ball 12 is provided inside the western-style toilet 11, and the accumulated water 13 is collected as a medium for receiving filth. The ball 12 communicates with a sewage pipe (not shown) through a trap part 15 having a water seal structure and a drainage connection pipe 16 connected to the tip of the trap part 15. A rim 14 is formed at the upper end of the ball 12. A drainage port 33 for discharging the accumulated water 13 to the drainage connection pipe 16 is provided at a position of the predetermined water level 42 of the trap portion 15 where the accumulated water 13 is accumulated. The opening position of the drainage port 33 is provided in the trap portion 15 where there is no possibility that the user's excrement is in direct contact, and is above the water level 43 when the water level is cut off in consideration of a backflow such as odor from sewage. A drainage passage 34 is connected between the drainage port 33 and the drainage connection pipe 16, and a drainage valve 35 is disposed on the way.

  When the water channel of the drain valve 35 is opened, the accumulated water 13 drains water from the overflow water level 41 until the predetermined water level 42 is reached. Since there is a possibility that stored water 13 containing excrement and detergent passes through the drainage channel 34 and the drainage valve 35, material selection considering operation reliability and electrical components do not directly contact the stored water. Thus, a combination of a silicon tube and a pinch valve system is suitable.

  Next, urine volume estimation in the toilet unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the urine 17 is excreted in the stored water 13 which has been set to the predetermined water level 42 by the stored water discharging means, the water level of the stored water 13 increases by the amount of urine. In the case of a general Western-style toilet, the amount of change is about 2 mm to 5 mm with respect to 100 mL of urine volume. When the water level changes by 1 mm, the water pressure of the stored water changes by 9.8068 Pa. Thus, the amount of urine stored in the ball, the water level of the stored water, and the water pressure of the stored water have a correlation, and the amount of urine can be estimated using this. By the way, since the shape of the ball 12 of the Western-style toilet 11 varies depending on the design of the toilet and the manufacturing conditions at the time of manufacture, the change in the water level of the stored water 13 with respect to the amount of urine is not always constant. In the present embodiment, the relationship between the change in the amount of accumulated water in the accumulated water 13 and the change in the water level is set and input to the urine amount calculating means (not shown) for each toilet. Alternatively, a calibration curve indicating the relationship between the amount of accumulated water and the water level may be set by measuring a change in the water level for a certain amount of dummy urine during construction. Thereby, the water level change per unit time of the stored water 13 is measured, the change of the stored water amount is obtained, and the urine flow rate (urine flow rate) per unit time can be measured.

  The pressure change of the stored water is measured by a pressure sensor 44 which is a water level measuring means provided at the bottom of the ball 12. The urine volume calculating means (not shown) converts the pressure change amount into a water level change amount, and estimates and calculates the result as the urine amount. Alternatively, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4, the pressure can be guided through a pressure guiding path 45 connected to the bottom of the ball 12 and the pressure can be measured by the pressure sensor 46. When the pressure guiding path 45 is used, the pressure sensor 46 as the water level measuring means can be disposed above the overflow water level 41, so that the pressure sensor 46 is not in direct contact with the accumulated water 13, and operation reliability is ensured. Can be improved. Here, the pressure sensor 44 directly detects the water pressure of the accumulated water 13, but in the case of the pressure sensor 46, the water pressure is detected via the air from the accumulated water 13 inside the pressure guiding path 45. Therefore, the pressure sensor 44 is superior in terms of measurement accuracy such as the SN ratio, and the pressure sensor 46 is superior in terms of operational reliability. If the pressure sensor type is a differential pressure sensor type, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of errors due to changes in atmospheric pressure. As the pressure sensor, a sensor of a type used in a sphygmomanometer or a barometer can be used. As a measurement principle of these pressure sensors, for example, there are one that reads a strain amount due to pressure generated in a silicon wafer by a bridge circuit, and one that measures a change in capacitance. If silicon oil is filled in part of the pressure sensor's pressure guiding path, the silicon wafer, which is a pressure sensitive element, and the air in contact with the stored water containing dirt and detergent do not come into direct contact. There is little possibility that corrosion or the like occurs on the member, and the operational reliability of the pressure sensor can be further improved.

FIG. 5 is a system block diagram of the toilet unit 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Water (city water) that has entered the functional section is guided to the water channel switching means 3 via the water supply section. The water channel switching means 3 includes a siphon phenomenon generating means (jet water discharge nozzle 31) as a stored water discharge means for lowering the stored water level of the Western-style toilet 11, and a water supply means (rim water discharge) for returning the stored water level. The nozzle 32) is connected to the Western-style toilet 11, and the water level measuring means for estimating the amount of urine, the urine collecting means (not shown) arranged in the Western-style toilet 11, and the Western-style toilet 11 and the functional part It is also connected to sensing means for specific components contained in urine, and water for washing each is supplied. Each electric component is driven by the control means of the functional unit, and the control means transmits the operation content to the operation / display unit 22 via the communication means, and the measurement result is disclosed.

  The measured values are not only disclosed to the user, but are transmitted via communication in consideration of cooperation with medical institutions, meal / exercise services, and insurance services that take incentives into consideration. It may be a thing.

Next, an operation sequence of the toilet unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
When the user operates the measurement start switch, the stored water discharge means discharges the stored water. In this embodiment, the stored water discharge means generates a siphon phenomenon by jet water discharge, and in a modified example, the drain valve 35 provided in the drainage channel 34 is opened, and the drainage connection pipe 16 is connected to the drain water together. The water level is discharged to sewage and the water level of the stored water is lowered. Here, what produces a siphon phenomenon by jet water discharge is demonstrated. After the stored water is discharged by the stored water discharging means, a small amount of water is supplied from the rim water discharge nozzle 32, and when the condensate to the predetermined water level 42 of the stored water 13 is completed, the preparation for measurement is completed. When the user urinates toward the accumulated water 13 in a state where preparation is complete, the water level of the accumulated water 13 rises. The change in water level is the basic data for estimating the amount of excreted urine. In this embodiment, the start of measurement preparation is performed starting from a measurement start switch performed by the user. As a modification, a human body detection sensor may be attached to the toilet unit, and the measurement preparation may be automatically started when the human body detection sensor detects the user. Further, when used in a medical institution, a measurement preparation operation may be performed by detecting an ID card held by the user for personal authentication. In the experiment conducted by the applicant, it was confirmed that about 10 seconds were required to prepare for lowering the water level by generating a siphon phenomenon. However, if preparation was performed due to human body detection, the time required for undressing Considering that, when undressing, preparation is almost completed, and the time lag time that must wait for urination can be suppressed. The operation sequence in this case will be described later.

  When urination completion is detected due to the absence of the water level change, the urine volume is calculated from the water level change measurement value of the measuring means, disclosed to the user, and the cleaning operation of the measurement system is also performed. Alternatively, the urine detector that collects the user's urine for use in other sensing is no longer detected, or the completion of urination can be detected by operating the urination end switch. The stored water 13 is returned to the original overflow water level 41 by the water supply means (rim water discharge nozzle 32). This is because, when the accumulated water 13 is considerably less than the overflow water level, the siphon phenomenon may not occur in the trap portion 15 in the normal toilet flushing operation, and the excrement may not flow completely. It is to prevent. After the condensing operation, when the user operates the toilet flushing operation switch, the accumulated water 13 is swung by the rim water spouting to collect excrement in the center, and the jet is discharged at that timing, and a siphon phenomenon occurs in the trap unit 15. After the excrement is discharged into the sewage, the rim is discharged again, and the water level becomes the overflow water level 41.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the operation | movement flow of the toilet unit 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.
When the user operates the measurement start switch, the stored water discharge means discharges the stored water. During the measurement, a notification is displayed on the operation / display unit 22 which is a notification means so as to prompt the user to urinate the stool or to prohibit the toilet paper from being put into the toilet 11. When drainage to a predetermined position is completed, preparation for measurement is completed, the user urinates toward the stored water, and the water level of the stored water rises. When there is no change in the water level, no urine is detected by the urine collector, or when urination completion is detected by operating the urination end switch, the urine volume is calculated from the water level change measurement value of the measuring means, disclosed to the user, and measured together The system is cleaned. In this operation flow, as will be described later, whether or not there is a possibility that stool is excreted during measurement is also determined and notified.

  FIG. 8 is a graph showing an example of a change in the level of accumulated water during urination of the user. In the present embodiment, since the water level change is directly converted into pressure and monitored directly, when discontinuous pressure change behaves as shown in FIG. 8, not only the continuous body of urine but also the excretion of stool simultaneously It is also possible to indicate to the user and the management / utilizer of the measurement value that the error has occurred in the urine output measurement value. In addition, since it is impossible to perform the same urination action, even when stool is mixed, the urine volume measurement value corrected by the method of FIG. 12 described later may be disclosed. If correction is performed, the specified urine volume estimation accuracy may not be ensured. Therefore, it should be confirmed that the correction has been made so that the treatment policy and management policy may not be mistaken. Disclose to users. The stored water 13 is returned to the original overflow water level 41 by the water supply means (rim water discharge nozzle 32). When the accumulated water level returns to the overflow water level 41, stool excretion and toilet paper input prohibition indications are turned off. Due to the display on the operation / display unit 22, the user can be informed of points to note when performing measurements, and excrement does not enter the measurement system and cause malfunctions. When the user performs the toilet cleaning operation, the accumulated water 13 is swirled by the rim water discharge, and the excrement is collected in the center. At that timing, the waste water is discharged, the siphon phenomenon occurs, and the excrement is discharged into the sewage. Later, rim water is discharged again, and the water level becomes the overflow water level 41. When the cleaning of the measurement system is completed, it is displayed to the user that the next measurement is possible.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the pressure change behavior of the stored water of the toilet unit of the present invention, and shows the amount of urine excreted by the difference measured as the pressure change by the pressure sensor 44 from the reference pressure. Is. The time from the start of the pressure change to the end of the pressure change indicates the urination time. The amount of urine per unit time, that is, the urine flow rate, which is a time derivative of urine volume change, is the urine flow rate per unit time, which will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In general, urinary system diseases such as prostatic hypertrophy are controlled by urine volume, urination time, maximum urinary flow rate, and the like. The toilet unit 1 according to the present embodiment can measure the urinary flow rate, which is an index of urinary system diseases such as prostatic hypertrophy, by simply urinating in the toilet as usual. Since measurement can be performed in a personal space called a toilet, repeated measurement can be performed without shame, and the state when the user feels urine can be measured. be able to.

  When only urine is excreted, when the stool is excreted on the way, the pressure change behavior is discontinuous. When stool is excreted, the pressure value of large amplitude and low frequency that accompanies the fall of the solid matter is measured. This point will also be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 shows a urine sample collection device for measuring a specific component concentration of urine used in the toilet unit 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The urine collecting device 52, which is a urine sample collecting device, is locked to the Western-style toilet 11 through the rim cover 51 so as to rotate in the toilet bowl. A part of the urine excreted from the user is directly collected by the urine collection unit 52, and the urine that could not be collected falls into the stored water 13. The dropped urine is measured for urine volume by the mechanism described above. The urine collected by the urine collector 52 is measured by the sensing means disposed inside the urine collector 52 or the concentration of the specific component by the sensing means after being sucked from the urine collector 52 to the measuring unit. . When urine is collected by the urine sample collection device, the amount of urine excreted is calculated by adding the amount of urine collected by the urine sample collection device and the amount of urine dropped on the accumulated water 13. Also, since it takes time for urine to accumulate in the bladder, urine volume and urinary flow rate and other information should be measured at the same time as sample collection for other clinical tests. Can be used for other clinical examinations, urine can be aspirated and collected in the storage container 54 as a sample. According to the toilet unit 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously perform the measurement relating to the urination state and the amount of urination with respect to one urination and the quantification and / or qualitative measurement of the specific component contained in the urine.

  The product of urine volume and specific component concentration is the actual excretion. For example, a product obtained by multiplying the urine salt concentration by the urine amount is a salt excretion amount, which is an index of hypertension. Also, the product of urine sugar concentration multiplied by urine volume is the amount of excreted sugar, which is an index of diabetes.

Next, a mechanism for collecting urine in the storage container 54 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a urine collection system used in the toilet unit 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this urine collection system, urine collected by the urine collector 52 is sucked into the storage container 54 by the negative pressure generating means via the urine collection arm 53. As the negative pressure generating means, a syringe pump is suitable in consideration of the microscopic examination of the specimen, which is less likely to damage the cells.

  FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a second example of the urine collection system used in the toilet unit 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this urine collection system, urine collected by the urine collector 52 is sucked into the storage container 54 via the urine collection arm 53 and the opening / closing valve. The inside of the storage container 54 has a negative pressure, and a check valve 58 called a duckbill is provided at the entrance. In the storage container 54 set in the suction piping system, the check valve 58 is opened by joining the pipelines. A signal from the urine detection means provided in the urine collecting device 52 opens an on-off valve provided in the pipeline so that urine is automatically sucked into the storage container 54. This configuration is a method that has been put into practical use with a blood collection syringe and the like, and has an advantage that a mechanism portion for generating negative pressure is not required.

Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the measurement of the specific component density | concentration in the toilet unit 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.
As shown in FIG. 10, the case 61 that forms the outline of the stored water measurement unit 6 is locked to the Western-style toilet 11. The urine excreted by the user falls into the accumulated water 13 collected in the balls 12 of the Western-style toilet 11. When the concentration measuring means for the specific component is arranged in the water sampling section 62, the specific component is diluted by the amount of stored water with the water level lowered. After the concentration is measured by a specific component concentration measuring means (not shown) arranged in the water collection unit 62, the concentration is measured in consideration of the amount of stored water and the amount of urine. As described above, the measured concentration becomes the actual excretion by multiplying the urine volume.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the measurement of the specific component density | concentration in the toilet unit 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 11 is a mathematical model diagram of measurement of a specific component concentration.
The stored water in the Western-style toilet 11 has a volume Q0 by reducing the water level. The volume of urine collected in the bladder 4 is R, and the specific component concentration is η1. The specific component concentration of the stored water is η2. By mixing both, the volume becomes (R + Q0) and the specific component concentration becomes η3. Expressing both equations as equations,
R × η1 + Q0 × η2 = (R + Q0) × η3 (1)
Therefore, the specific component concentration η1 of urine is estimated by the following [Equation 2].
η1 = {(R + Q0) η3-Q0 × η2} / R [Equation 2]

  FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing changes in urine volume and urine flow rate measured by the toilet unit 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention per time. The pressure change behavior measured in FIG. It is converted into urine volume / urine flow rate measurement value via change behavior. The upper graph is a measurement of the time-dependent behavior of urine volume and shows the case where stool is excreted in the middle. When stool is excreted on the way, a large amplitude / low frequency wave is measured on the graph with respect to the graph when only urine is excreted. When an experiment was conducted using a toilet with a water storage capacity of 3.5 L, the frequency associated with dropping the stool was about 5 Hz. The middle graph is obtained by applying a frequency bandpass filter to a frequency of about 1 to 10 Hz caused by dropping of stool water in the upper graph in consideration of the above characteristics. That is, the middle graph is obtained by removing frequency components lower than 1 Hz and frequency components higher than 10 Hz from the upper graph. The characteristics of the bandpass filter may be adjusted according to the characteristics of each toilet. In the middle graph, an inflection point occurs in the urine volume change curve per hour, and the amount by which the curve jumps represents the stool volume. When only urine is excreted, the amount of change itself becomes the urine amount, but when stool is excreted on the way, the amount of urine is obtained by subtracting the aforementioned stool amount. The stool excretion detection means (not shown) built in the urine volume calculation means (not shown) detects the excretion of stool based on the frequency component included in the water level change waveform and / or the amplitude change behavior of the water level change waveform. Detect. The urine volume calculating means (not shown) estimates the amount of change in the stored water level due to fecal excretion, and corrects the calculated urine volume based on the estimated change. Thus, in the toilet unit 1 of the present embodiment, even when stool is accidentally excreted during urine volume measurement, the urine volume including the stool volume is not output as a measurement value. In this case, since the measured urine volume is a part of which there is a concern in terms of accuracy, it is disclosed to the user and those who utilize the data that the data is of concern. . In this way, fecal excretion during urine volume measurement is considered to be an error in urine volume measurement, but the possibility of error is disclosed to the user and / or medical personnel who manage the measurement data. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of errors in medical judgment.

  The lower graph shows the time variation of the urinary flow rate, which is obtained by differentiating the urine volume per unit time calculated by the urinary flow rate calculating means (not shown), that is, the change in the urine volume with time. A discontinuous portion with an extremely large derivative is a portion due to a drop of stool, and a curve excluding the portion indicates a urine flow rate. Further, the urination time calculation means (not shown) calculates the urination time based on the time fluctuation of the urine flow rate. The maximum urine flow rate and urination time can be used for the management and treatment of urological diseases such as prostatic hypertrophy.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 13, an operation when the urine volume measurement is interrupted in the middle will be described. FIG. 13 is an operation sequence diagram when the measurement is stopped in the middle of the toilet unit 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. When the user operates the measurement start switch, a siphon phenomenon occurs due to jet water discharge, and the water level of the stored water is lowered. When the water supply to the predetermined position is completed, the measurement preparation is completed and the user waits for urination. If the water level does not rise after a predetermined time while waiting for urination, the user judges that the measurement has been stopped, and the water supply means increases the accumulated water to the overflow position, and then performs toilet flushing. is doing. If the water seal is cut off due to fluctuations in the water pressure of the jet water discharge or pressure fluctuation on the trap side during the preliminary preparation, the odor in the sewage pipe may flow back into the toilet. In addition, when toilet flushing is performed with the water level lowered, sufficient siphon phenomenon does not occur, so that the water is restored within a predetermined time. Preferably, the predetermined time is about 1 to 2 minutes in consideration of excretion time in a general toilet. In the toilet unit 1 of the present embodiment, when the measurement is stopped halfway, the stored water level is returned to the sealed water level or higher, which affects the ease of use as a toilet device thereafter, or from the sewer pipe. It is not necessary to carry out the deodorizing means operation for the odor of the product permanently.

  Next, another operation sequence of the toilet unit 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another operation sequence of the toilet unit 1, which is a stand-by state in which the stored water is lowered to a predetermined position in the normal state. That is, in the preparatory operation after the measurement, after a normal toilet flushing process (sequential washing of the rim water discharge, the jet water discharge, and the rim water discharge), the jet water is discharged for a short time to discharge a part of the stored water, and the stored water is lowered to a low level. Hold. In this case, the user can measure characteristic values such as urine volume immediately after entering the toilet without any special operation. In this operation sequence, measurement preparation is completed when the user enters the toilet, and urine volume measurement without any waiting time can be performed. Further, it is not necessary to perform a switch operation or the like at the start. In addition, since there is a high possibility that filth dirt will adhere to the dry surface of the toilet bowl because the standing water level is lowered and the sealing surface is lowered, there is a high number of users and toilet cleaning etc. This is the recommended preparation method for facilities with a substantial number of maintenance workers.

  Next, the deodorizing means of the toilet unit 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a deodorizing device 55, a blower device 56, and a water feeding device 57, which are deodorizing means of the toilet unit 1 according to the present embodiment. Since the odor inside the sewer pipe flows backward from the sewer pipe to which the Western-style toilet 11 is connected, the odor inside the sewer pipe should flow backwards. I can't expect completeness. Considering the amount of water level change per urine amount excreted in the ball 12, the water level change amount per urine amount is large at the bottom of the ball 12, so that the smaller the amount of the accumulated water 13, the higher the accuracy can be expected. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the predetermined water level 42 is set to a low water level that will cause the sealed water to run out during urine measurement, and in combination with the deodorizing means, odor problems do not occur during measurement. The deodorizing device 55, which is a suction device, sucks the odor of the ball 12, processes it with an adsorbent such as activated carbon, or deodorizing device such as oxidative decomposition and redox catalyst with ozone, and discharges it. The blower 56 connected to the drainage connection pipe prevents air from flowing backward by flowing air toward the sewage via the drainage connection pipe 16. These deodorizing means do not affect the performance of the Western-style toilet 11 and the usability as a toilet is not lowered. By driving the deodorizing means provided in the Western-style toilet 11, even if the water level of the Western-style toilet 11 is lowered, the user does not feel uncomfortable due to the odor flowing backward from the sewer pipe. The water feeding device 57 causes water to flow into the sewage via the drainage connection pipe 16, thereby generating a negative pressure in the trap portion 15 and preventing a reverse flow of odor. In addition to operating together with the preparatory operation for the user, a plurality of deodorizing devices may be combined or a single deodorizing device may be employed.

  The toilet unit 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is intended to measure urine volume, which is highly useful for treatment in a medical institution and health management at home, and its related index simply by urinating in the toilet. It is. According to the toilet unit 1 of the present embodiment, highly reliable measurement can be performed without reducing the convenience of use as a toilet. Moreover, since the toilet unit 1 of this embodiment enables measurement in a personal space called a toilet, it causes psychological adverse effects such as shame for measurement by a patient with a disease. In addition, the medical staff can also promote the therapeutic effect by instructing and confirming multiple measurements.

  Further, according to the toilet unit 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the excreted urine can be stored in the ball without flowing into the sewage, and the amount of urine can be measured. The amount of excreted urine can be measured. Furthermore, according to the toilet unit 1 of the present embodiment, the operation of measuring the urine volume itself can be performed by a series of operations of urinating in the toilet, and no special measures are required. Further, according to the toilet unit 1 of the present embodiment, the stored water level is reduced using the siphon phenomenon, and therefore, the excrement itself may be sucked compared to the case where the stored water level is reduced using a pump or the like. The reliability of the measurement system can be improved.

  Furthermore, according to the toilet unit 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the time required for measurement preparation is approximately the same as the time required for the user to enter the toilet and urinate. Hard to generate burden. In addition, since the length of the preparation time varies depending on the selected method, it is possible to select a preparation method in accordance with the facility conditions regarding the number of users at the installation location and the maintenance frequency, and the physical conditions regarding the user's illness and the like.

Next, a toilet unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a toilet unit having a urine volume measuring function according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

  The toilet unit 201 is composed of a functional case 202 in which a Western-style toilet 211, a toilet seat 221 and a toilet lid 222 are rotatably locked. When the space occupied by the mechanism is insufficient, the device is stored in the mechanism unit cabinet 205 connected by the back portion of the toilet unit 201 or the piping member. Inside the Western-style toilet 211, a ball 212 for storing a stored water 213 for receiving a user's excrement is configured. Above the ball 212, a rim surface 214 that abuts against the toilet seat 221 is formed.

  In addition, the urine collection unit 250 provided in the notch communicating with the inside and outside of the ball 212 with the upper surface being the same height as the rim surface 214 is a qualitative analysis of the specific components contained in the excreted urine. It is sent to sensing means for quantitative measurement. The sensing means may be incorporated in the toilet unit 201 as various biochemical sensors including biosensors, electrochemical sensors, and physical quantity measuring sensors, and samples may be collected for measurement by other large clinical laboratory devices. A method of storing a predetermined amount in a container may be used.

  Since the urine collection unit 250 is disposed at a position where it does not submerge except when a toilet bowl or sewage is clogged, it is not necessary to take special measures for waterproofing and drip-proofing. Further, since the outer shell of the urine collection unit 250 is configured within a range that does not interfere with the back side of the user's lower limb, which is arranged on the outer shape of the Western-style toilet stool 211, the urine collection unit is a toilet with a built-in urine collection function. As long as the stool operation itself is performed, there is no problem in usability with the general toilet. The range in which the lower limbs and the functional member do not interfere with each other is up to a protrusion dimension of about 50 mm or less with respect to the outline of the Western-style toilet 211.

  FIG. 19 is a sectional view of a toilet unit 201 having a urine volume measuring function according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  A ball 212 is formed inside the Western-style toilet 211, and a jet water discharge nozzle 231 provided at the bottom portion faces the trap portion 215 in the water discharge direction. The water discharged from the jet water discharge nozzle 231 generates a negative pressure with respect to the trap part 215, and the stored water 213 is sent to the sewer pipe through the drain connection pipe 216 by the generated siphon phenomenon. A rim water discharge nozzle 232 is provided on the upper portion of the ball 212 so as to replenish water. Similarly, a rim surface 214 that contacts the toilet seat 221 is formed above the ball 212. Water supply to the jet water discharge nozzle 231 and the rim water discharge nozzle 232 is supplied from a water supply valve 203 serving as a water channel switching means. A branch port 233 is provided in the middle of the water channel connecting the water channel switching unit 203 and the jet water discharge nozzle 231, and the pressure guide channel 242 is interposed between the pressure sensor 243 and the water level head of the urine 204 discharged to the ball 212. Is configured. When handling urine containing a large amount of sodium chloride or the like as an electrolytic substance, passing urine through a small gap tends to corrode metal parts, and operation reliability tends to decrease. However, in this embodiment, since the water level is changed by the jet water discharge, the operation reliability of the mechanism portion is hardly lowered due to corrosion or the like.

  The stored water level (Y) before the measurement is lower than the overflow water level (H) by an amount greater than the maximum amount of excreted urine per person. When urine is excreted there, the water level rises to the accumulated water level (Z). The water level difference (ZY) is the excreted urine volume portion, and the urine volume is calculated from a water level change curve representing the relationship between the water level and the stored water volume stored in advance based on the water level measurement value. Since the shape of the ball 212 is fixed, the measured value of the water level can be converted into the amount of urine through the amount of stored water. In addition, since toilets are generally made of ceramics, it is difficult to ensure precise dimensional accuracy, so a calibration curve for each water level position is set by learning the change in water level when a fixed amount of water is poured into the toilet during construction. This method is recommended as a method for ensuring accuracy.

  An expansion tube 242a is provided in the middle of the pressure guiding path 242. Since stool is also excreted in the ball 212, a component of stool rarely enters the pressure guiding path 242, but the lower part of the magnifying tube 242a is utilized by utilizing the fact that the invasion speed is lowered by the magnifying tube 242a. The stool component is prevented from entering the pressure sensor 243. Periodic cleaning, washing, or replacement of the expansion tube 242a is beneficial for ensuring long-term reliability of the measurement system. An air vent plug 242b is provided on the upper portion of the expansion pipe 242a to prevent air from remaining in the pipe. The water pressure in the pressure guiding path 242 is guided to the pressure sensor 243 via the on-off valve 242c.

  Even if negative pressure is generated in the sewage pipe due to the drainage flow caused by other equipment or the like, the water merging portion 216a is provided with a vent valve 216c, and air is fed from the intake pipe 216b to reduce the amount of negative pressure. Mitigated and suppressed. The vent valve 216c supplies air using the pressure difference between the atmosphere and the sewage pipe, but the effect is the same even with other means such as an air supply pump. During measurement, no negative pressure is applied to the trap side due to the inflow of air, so that no error occurs in the stored water level measurement of the present invention. According to the standards for water supply and sanitation facilities of the Japan Society for Air Conditioning and Sanitation Engineering, the design of sewage pipes is limited to 40 mm head in the sewage pipes, but if the air supply is about 25L / s, negative pressure will be applied to the trap side. It will not join.

  Since the urine volume measurement in the toilet unit 201 according to this embodiment is performed in a sealed state, no odor prevention measure is required to prevent the odor in the sewer pipe from rising into the toilet. Since it is not necessary to prepare for lowering the level of the stored water one by one in preparation for measurement, the measurement cost can be reduced by reducing the amount of water used.

Next, a mechanism for cleaning the inside of the measurement system pipe will be described.
Water supplied from a stop cock 301 connected to city water is branched by a branch fitting 302 into a water supply valve 203 and a cleaning system. The branched water is supplied to the tank 304 from the on-off valve 303 while securing a water outlet space for preventing backflow. The water supply level is always stored at a constant level by a water level detection means (not shown). In the unlikely event that the water level detection means fails, the overflow pipe 308 flows out from the rim water spouting nozzle 232 toward the pooled water 213, and the expansion damage outside the toilet is prevented. Water in the tank 304 is sucked by a pump 306 through a water intake unit 305 having a strainer for removing foreign matter therein, and then guided to a pressure guiding path 242 of the measurement system. An on-off valve 307 is disposed in front of the junction, and is closed during measurement and opened to allow water to flow through the measurement system pipe during cleaning.

Next, the urine component measuring device will be described.
The urine collector 251 moves inside the ball 212 by the turning operation of the urine collection arm 252 to reach the urination route, and directly collects urine. Regarding position A, the front side of the toilet is the male urine collection position, and the rear side is the female urine collection position. In particular, since the urination range of women varies among individuals, a position adjustment function may be provided in the front-rear direction. Regarding the position B, when the toilet bowl is cleaned, the urine collector 251 prevents interference with the water supplied to the toilet bowl, and escapes from the concave portion of the rim surface 214 through which the toilet bowl cleaning water flows so as not to cause harmful effects on the drainage. When the urine is not collected for the position C, the urine collector 251 is stored in the vicinity of the rim surface 214. If it is arranged at this position at the stage of replenishing the stored water after completion of the toilet discharging operation, it is a storage position where the urine collection device 251 is washed by the water flow of the makeup water.

  FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the operating principle of the vent valve 216c used in the toilet unit 201 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the left side shows a state where no negative pressure is generated in the sewer pipe, and the right side shows a case where a negative pressure is generated in the sewer pipe.

  A vent valve 216c is connected to the other end of the intake pipe 216b connected to the drain connection pipe. The valve body 361 can be moved up and down by a guide 364 of the main body 363. A hole is formed in the center of the valve body 361, and a pressure chamber 362 is formed in the upper part of the valve body. When there is no negative pressure in the sewage pipe, the pressure inside the pressure chamber 362 is the same as that in the sewage pipe and is the same as the atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the valve body 361 has fallen to the main body 363 side by its own weight, and the valve body has a form that holds down the main body 363 and the pressure chamber 363, and the odor generated in the sewer pipe does not rise or diffuse into the toilet. When a negative pressure is generated in the sewage pipe, the pressure in the pressure chamber 362 is the same as that in the sewage pipe, so that the pressure holding the valve body 361 is reduced from the atmospheric pressure. Due to this pressure difference, the valve body 361 is pulled upward, and air flows from the outside toward the inside of the vent valve 216c until the negative pressure is eliminated. Since the negative pressure is not transmitted to the reservoir portion through the trap portion, the water level does not change when measuring the reservoir water level, and as a result, highly accurate urine volume measurement can be performed.

  FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a toilet unit 201 having a urine volume measuring function according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The toilet unit 201 can be broadly divided into a toilet part (Western style toilet 211) and a functional part (functional case 202). The toilet part includes a drain connection pipe 216 (drain socket), a rim water discharge nozzle 232, a jet water discharge nozzle 231, a urine collector 251 and the like. The function unit includes control means for receiving an operation command in response to a control signal from an operation / display unit such as a remote controller, a water supply system for supplying water from the city water to each mechanism of the toilet unit 201, and a reservoir 213 communicating with a ball. Pressure sensor 243 for measuring the water pressure of the water, ball water level measuring means, electrolyzed water supply means for supplying sterilized electrolyzed water to the urine collector, and the like. Note that the detected pressure of the pressure sensor 243 is transmitted to the control means, and the urine volume is calculated by determining the water level of the stored water from the pressure value by a calculation unit (not shown) which is a urine volume calculation means.

  A zet water discharge nozzle 231 for generating a siphon phenomenon with respect to the stored water in the toilet is provided in the stored water, and a rim water discharge nozzle 232 is provided for the purpose of replenishing the stored water. The city water supplied to the functional unit is supplied to the water supply valve 203 through a water supply unit including a strainer that removes foreign matters so as not to affect the mechanical system. The water supply valve 203 and the switching valve sequentially supply water to the jet water discharge nozzle 231 for discharging the waste sewage from the toilet and the electrolyzed water supply means for cleaning the urine collector 251 for collecting the urine sample. FIG. 20 shows a configuration in which measurement is performed in a sealed state, but in order to perform measurement in a sealed state, a water passage is formed between the on-off valve 307 and the water merging portion 216a, and switching is performed. Prevent backflow of internal odors into the toilet. You may connect the chlorine supply means for improving the production | generation efficiency of hypochlorous acid to an electrolyzed water supply means. This is not necessary if the amount of chlorine in the water and the required concentration of hypochlorous acid are compatible, but a chlorine supply means is required to obtain higher sterilization performance and urine stone control performance. One that diverts chlorine ions contained in the calibration solution of the ion sensor arranged in the urine collection device 251, one that is a sodium chloride reserve member, one that stores a part of urine and uses dissolved chlorine ions Etc. are recommended as chlorine supply means. According to the experiment conducted by the present applicant, it was confirmed that the hypochlorous acid concentration is about 1 to 5 ppm and has a bactericidal and urolithic control effect. The control means controls the water supply valve 203, the electrolyzed water supply means, the water level measurement means, the urine collection means, and the sensing means communicating with the urine collection means, and transmits the measurement calculation result to the operation / display unit via the communication means. The communication means may be not only wired transmission but also wireless transmission using infrared rays or radio waves. The sensing means may be present in the functional unit, but may also be via a sample container for cooperation with other large clinical testing devices.

FIG. 22 is a system block diagram showing a water supply system of the toilet unit 201 of the present embodiment.
The supplied city water is branched into a toilet flushing system and a sanitary washing system, and the level of stored water that receives the user's urine is measured by the pressure sensor 243, and the connection state of each pipe and the connection relation of each operation means It is shown. In this figure, the portion where the intrusion of urine is considered is indicated by a broken line, but the broken line portion is washed with city water. Since urine contains salt, it tends to corrode piping and mechanical parts, but long-term operational reliability is ensured by washing. When not only city water but also electrolyzed water is passed, the cleaning effect is higher.

FIG. 23 is an operation sequence diagram of the toilet with the urine volume measuring function according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Initially, the stored water level is maintained at a water level (Y) below the overflow water level (H). The water level (Y) is set to a position that does not exceed the water level (H) due to the excretion of the user's urine. Generally, since the maximum urination volume for human beings is 1000 mL, a position obtained by subtracting 1000 mL from the water level (H) may be set as the water level (Y). Since the frequency of urination is less than 500 mL, the water level (Y) may be set from the substantial urine volume measurement range. The position of the water level (Y) can be changed depending on how the measurement range specification of the apparatus is set. Since the preparation time for changing the water level is not required for urine volume measurement, the user can urinate without waiting for preparation. Since no preparation time is required, it is convenient for the user.

  When the user performs a measurement preparation start switch operation, the pressure sensor, which is a water level measuring means, is activated, and the piping is connected so that the absolute value of the stored water level is measured. The urine collection means moves to the urine collection position (A). When the user urinates according to the display during measurement, the water level rises due to urine in the ball. In addition, urine collection means for sending urine to other sensing means or storing urine in the sample container moves in the ball and collects and sucks a predetermined amount of urine, and urine samples necessary for sensing are obtained. Collected. When the collection of the urine sample is completed, the urine collection means moves the urine collection device to the storage position (C).

  The water level change in the toilet bowl is measured by a water level measuring means such as a pressure sensor, and converted into a stored water amount change from a water level change curve representing the relationship between the stored water level and the stored water amount. The difference in the amount of accumulated water before and after urination is measured as the amount of excreted urine. The amount of change in urine volume converted from the change in water level with time is an index called urinary flow rate or urine flow rate, and can also be used for the management of urinary system diseases typified by prostatic hypertrophy. The measured urine amount may be the actual excretion amount of the specific component excreted by the user by multiplying the specific component concentration measured by the sensing means of the urine sample.

  For example, when a specific component is a sodium ion concentration, a salt excretion amount can be calculated by converting a sodium ion concentration measurement value into a sodium chloride amount and multiplying by a urine amount. It is possible to estimate the intake salt content from the characteristic of excreting 90%. This intake salt content can be used to control the intake salt amount, which should be controlled to 10 g or less for general people proposed in the healthy Japan 21 exercise, and 7 g or less for hypertensive patients.

  When urinating to conduct urine sample sensing, if the stool is accidentally excreted, the amplitude and frequency of the water level measurement value will be different from those of urine alone, so sample collection will be stopped. Or, by estimating the stool volume and correcting the urine volume, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the reliability of the urine volume measurement operation.

  The water level change of the stored water is measured with a pressure sensor, and the urine amount is calculated based on the change of the pressure value by the calculation unit in the control means. Thus, the urine volume can be estimated with high accuracy by measuring the water level change due to the urine volume with high accuracy using the pressure head.

  Although the user inputs the end of urination, it may be automatically terminated upon detecting that the water level change has stabilized within a predetermined time. After the urination end operation, city water is supplied to the measurement system by a pump, and the portion in contact with urine is washed. In this embodiment, since the water supply source is the tank 304 that is cut off from the city water by providing a water discharge gap, the prevention of sewage backflow to the city water should be ensured.

  Next, the user confirms the displayed measurement value, communicates measurement data for cooperation with other services not included in the present invention, or the measurement result and other medical care along with the measurement time.・ Printed out for guidance from health workers. When the user performs the toilet bowl cleaning operation, the display changes again during preparation. When the rim water discharge is performed, the urine collector moves to a position (B) where it does not interfere with the rim water discharge so that the toilet cleaning performance is not affected. In a state where the accumulated water level has risen to the overflow water level due to the rim water discharge, a siphon phenomenon occurs due to the jet water discharge, and urine is discharged into the sewage together with the water stored. Thereafter, the stored water level rises due to rim water discharge, but the control means controls the water supply valve 203 while measuring the water supply time and the water level change amount by the water level measurement means to set the water level at the water level (Y). Send a signal to stop water discharge on the rim side. By controlling the water level in this way, the water level of the stored water can be made constant every time, so the change in water level due to urine volume can be measured under the same conditions each time, and as a result, highly accurate urine volume estimation can be performed. It can be carried out. Further, since the water level rise curve is predicted to change depending on the water supply pressure, it may be controlled to always obtain a predetermined water level (Y) while learning the relationship between the water supply time and the water level (Y). At the stage where the rim water is discharged, the urine collecting device is stored in the storage position (C) of the rim portion, and the outer shell of the urine collecting device is washed by the rim water discharging at that position. Since the flow rate per unit time is large, the cleaning power of the urine collector is high.

  The electrolyzed water supply means is driven to supply electrolyzed water containing hypochlorite ions to the suction pipe connecting the urine collector and the sensing means of the urine collecting means in accordance with toilet flushing. If electrolyzed water is also supplied into the urine volume measurement system pipe, the effect of suppressing the growth of mold, bacteria, etc. can be expected. When the cleaning process is completed, the display in preparation is switched to a measurement ready display.

  According to the toilet unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention, urine containing a large amount of sodium chloride or the like as an electrolytic substance is not sucked into the functional member, so that the operation of various components is not adversely affected. Further, in the toilet unit according to the present embodiment, since the stored water is not discharged for measurement preparation, the measurement unit price per time is reduced. Furthermore, according to the toilet unit according to the present embodiment, since the standby is performed with the water level in the ball lowered, the time lag required for measurement preparation is small, and the usability regarding the urination operation can be improved.

Next, a toilet unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing the entire toilet unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 25 is a side sectional view.

The toilet unit 401 according to the present embodiment includes a Western-style toilet 402 and a cabinet 404 that houses various functional units that operate the toilet unit 401.
The Western-style toilet 402 communicates with a ball 406 that receives a user's urine, stool, and the like, a rim water discharge nozzle 407 that discharges cleaning water from a rim portion of the ball 406, and a bottom portion of the ball 406. And a trap portion 408. The Western-style toilet 402 is disposed at the bottom of the ball 406 and has a jet water discharge nozzle 409 that ejects washing water toward the trap portion 408, a toilet seat 410 disposed at the top of the ball 406, a toilet lid 412, A urine collecting device 414 is provided on the rim portion of the ball 406. Further, a rim surface 406 a that contacts the toilet seat 410 is formed above the ball 406.

  Further, the cabinet 404 includes a water channel switching means 416 that is a water supply valve that discharges wash water supplied from city water from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 and the jet water discharge nozzle 409, and a water level measurement means that measures the hydrostatic pressure at the bottom of the ball 406. The pressure sensor 418 and the water channel switching means 416 are controlled, and the control means 420 for calculating the urine volume of the user is housed. Further, an operation / display unit 422 for sending a signal for operating the control means 420 is attached to the wall surface.

  The Western-style toilet 402 is made of earthenware, and a resin toilet seat 410 and a toilet lid 412 are rotatably attached to the upper part thereof. An outlet side end portion of the trap portion 408 is connected to a sewer pipe 426 via a drain socket 424. The ball 406 can hold the accumulated water up to the overflow water level at the height of the top portion 408 a of the trap portion 408. Further, when the water level in the ball 406 becomes lower than the height of the trap portion inlet 408b, the trap portion 408 is not sealed off by the accumulated water in the ball 406, so that the sealed water is cut off.

  The rim water discharge nozzle 407 is configured to discharge cleaning water in the tangential direction of the rim from the upper portion of the ball 406 to clean the wall surface of the ball 406. The jet water discharge nozzle 409 is configured to eject cleaning water from the bottom of the ball 406 toward the trap portion 408 and induce a siphon phenomenon in the trap portion 408.

  The urine collection device 414 includes a urine collection device 414a for collecting a user's urine, a urine collection arm 414b for rotating the inside of the ball 406, and a urine collection unit 414c for performing a driving operation. The urine collection device 414 is configured to send the excreted urine to a urine component measurement unit 414d housed in the cabinet 404, and to perform qualitative / quantitative measurement of a specific component contained in the urine by the urine component measurement unit 414d. ing. Further, the urine collecting device 414 incorporates a piping member (not shown) for returning the waste liquid into the ball 406 and a control wiring (not shown) for operating the mechanism unit. In this embodiment, the urine component measurement unit 414d is installed outside the cabinet 404, but some of the measurement items for urine component measurement may be performed in the urine collector 414a, and items such as urine temperature may be collected. It may be measured in the instrument 414a. The urine component measurement unit 414d can be arranged inside the cabinet 404, in the toilet room where the toilet unit 401 outside the cabinet 404 is installed, or in a room different from the toilet room. Various sensors including a biosensor, an electrochemical sensor, and a physical quantity measurement sensor may be incorporated in the urine component measurement unit 414d, and a sample is collected and stored in a container to be measured by another large clinical test apparatus. It may be configured to store only a fixed amount. Preferably, the outline of the urine collecting device 414 is formed of an antibacterial material in consideration of contact with excrement and water, and the surface is subjected to a water repellent treatment. Thereby, the cleaning property of the urine collecting device 414 is further improved.

  The outline of the urine collecting device 414 is arranged with a notch in a part of the Western-style toilet 402. The toilet seat 412 is in contact with the upper surface of the urine collection device 414, and the inside of the urine collection device 414 is configured to contact the ball 406. Further, the toilet seat abutting surface of the urine collecting device 414 is inclined by about 3 ° toward the center, and the water repellent treatment of the abutting surface makes it easier for the splashes to return to the balls 406 and makes the toilet floor less likely to get dirty. Between the Western-style toilet 402 and the urine collecting device 414, a rubber packing (not shown) as a sealing agent is disposed to prevent the intrusion of excrement droplets. The outer size is substantially the same as the outer silhouette of the Western-style toilet 402, and does not interfere with the back side of the user's lower limb. For this reason, even a toilet with a urine collection function can be used in the same manner as a general toilet as long as the toilet action itself is performed. Moreover, since the piping / wiring member is disposed in the hollow portion of the Western-style toilet 402, a clean appearance is obtained. Further, by arranging the urine component measuring unit 414d in the cabinet 404, the urine component measuring unit 414d does not occupy the floor surface of the toilet, and therefore it is not necessary to move the urine component measuring unit 414d every time cleaning is performed. . Therefore, the urine component measuring unit 414d does not narrow the toilet space and is effective for keeping the toilet hygienic.

  The water channel switching unit 416 is configured to alternately discharge the wash water supplied from the city water from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 and the jet water discharge nozzle 409 in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 420.

  The pressure sensor 418 is configured to measure the hydrostatic pressure at the bottom of the ball 406 guided by a pressure conduit 418a in communication with the jet water discharge nozzle 409.

  The control means 420 is configured to control the water channel switching means 416 in accordance with a user operation and a built-in program. Further, the control means 420 has a built-in urine volume calculating means 428, which calculates the water level in the ball 406 based on the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 418, and the user excretes it. Configured to calculate the amount of urine produced. Further, the control unit 420 includes a correcting unit 430 that corrects the urine volume calculated by the urine volume calculating unit 428.

  Further, the operation / display unit 422 provided on the wall is attached to the front end position of the Western-style toilet 402 in order to improve operability. The operation / display unit 422 includes a sanitary washing device remote controller 432 for operating a function for hygienically washing the user's local area, a urine component measuring unit remote controller 434 for operating a function related to the user's urine component measurement, And a urine component measurement result, and a printer 436 is provided for the user to check the data and for medical staff to use in medical practice.

  FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing details of the pressure sensor portion of the toilet unit 401 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 26, the pressure conduit 418a communicated with the jet water discharge nozzle 409 is connected to the pressure sensor 418 via a water channel expanding portion 418b and a first on-off valve 418c. The water channel expanding portion 418b is provided in the middle of the pressure conduit 418a, and is configured to have a sufficiently larger channel cross-sectional area than the pressure conduit 418a. Therefore, in the unlikely event that the filth in the stored water flows toward the pressure sensor 418 through the pressure conduit 418a communicating with the jet water discharge nozzle 409, the flow rate is reduced by the water channel expanding portion 418b. It is precipitated at the enlarged portion 418b and does not reach the pressure sensor 418. It is preferable that the water channel expanding portion 418b is configured so that it can be periodically cleaned. Further, the first on-off valve 418c connected between the water channel expanding portion 418b and the pressure sensor 418 is opened by the control means 420 when the water level is measured by the pressure sensor 418, and is closed when the water level is not measured. It is comprised so that.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 26, a vent valve 438 for releasing negative pressure generated in the sewer pipe and a sewer pipe pressure sensor 440 for monitoring pressure fluctuations in the sewer pipe communicate with the drain socket 424. Is provided. In the present embodiment, “Dorgo” (trademark) manufactured by Morinaga Engineering Co., Ltd. or “ventilation number” (trademark) manufactured by KITZ Co., Ltd. is used as the vent valve 438. As this ventilation valve 438, any ventilation valve generally used for depressurization of the sewer pipe path can be used. The sewage pipe pressure sensor 440 is connected to the drain socket so as to communicate with the inside of the sewage pipe, and is configured to measure the pressure in the sewage pipe. The water level of the stored water in the ball 406 increases when the pressure in the sewer pipe becomes positive, and decreases when the pressure becomes negative. In the toilet unit 401 according to the present embodiment, the amount of urine is measured based on the level of the accumulated water in the ball 406. Therefore, if the level of the accumulated water changes due to the pressure in the sewer pipe, an error is caused in the measured value of the urine amount. Will occur. Therefore, in the toilet unit 401 of the present embodiment, the pressure in the sewage pipe is measured by the sewage pipe pressure sensor 440, and the measured value of the accumulated water amount is corrected based on this pressure. When the pressure in the sewage pipe is lowered, the atmosphere is introduced into the sewage pipe through the vent valve 438, so that no large negative pressure is generated in the sewage pipe.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 27 thru | or 30, the effect | action of the toilet unit 401 by 3rd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 27 is a graph showing the operation of the toilet unit 401 in time series, and FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing the relationship between each part of the toilet unit 401.

  As shown in FIG. 27, during standby, the water level in the ball 406 of the toilet unit 401 is the overflow water level indicated by H in FIG. “Measurable” is displayed. Next, when the user of the toilet unit 401 operates a preparation switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422 or operates a personal authentication means (not shown) such as an ID card or a tag, the control means 420 sends a control signal to the water channel switching means 416 to discharge water from the jet water discharge nozzle 409. Further, the display of the operation / display unit 422 becomes “in preparation”. When water is discharged from the jet water discharge nozzle 409, a siphon phenomenon occurs in the trap portion 408, and the accumulated water in the ball 406 is sucked, and the water level in the ball 406 is lowered to the water level indicated by X in FIG. Next, the control unit 420 sends a control signal to the water channel switching unit 416 to discharge water from the rim water discharge nozzle 407. At the same time, the control means 420 activates the pressure sensor 418 and the sewer pressure sensor 440 to open the first on-off valve 418c.

  The washing water discharged from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 flows into the ball 406 and the water level in the ball 406 rises. The control means 420 discharges water from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 for a predetermined time, and then sends a control signal to the water channel switching means 416 to stop water discharge from the rim water discharge nozzle 407.

の関係を有する。洋風大便器４０２は陶器製であり個体差が大きいため、制御手段４２０に内蔵された補正手段４３０は、図２９に示すような、ボール４０６内の溜水量と水位の関係である検量線を予め記憶している。この検量線は製造時または施工時に、ボール４０６内に所定量ずつ水を投入し、そのときの水位を測定することによって求められる。この洋風大便器４０２において、水位ｈが最下点水位Ｘにあるときの溜水量は１２０ｍＬ、溢流水位Ｈにあるときの溜水量は２５００ｍＬ、下水管がトラップ部４０８によって水封されるときの溜水量は７００ｍＬとなる。 FIG. 29 is a graph of a calibration curve, which is a water level change curve showing an example of the relationship between the amount Q of accumulated water in the ball 406 and the water level h, and is a Tofu Toki Equipment Co., Ltd., which is a Western-style toilet 402 used in this embodiment. In a sample of product number C950B, the amount of water Q and the water level h are

Have the relationship. Since the Western-style toilet 402 is made of earthenware and has a large individual difference, the correction means 430 built in the control means 420 uses a calibration curve that is a relationship between the amount of water stored in the ball 406 and the water level as shown in FIG. I remember it. This calibration curve is obtained by introducing a predetermined amount of water into the ball 406 at the time of manufacture or construction and measuring the water level at that time. In this Western-style toilet 402, when the water level h is at the lowest point water level X, the amount of stored water is 120 mL, when the water level h is at the overflow water level H is 2500 mL, and when the sewer pipe is sealed by the trap unit 408. The amount of stored water is 700 mL.

  In the present embodiment, the design is such that the amount of stored water after the end of water discharge from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 is 1300 mL and the water level of the stored water is Y (see FIG. 26). The water level Y, which is the starting water level for urine volume measurement, is applied even if the negative pressure of 40 mmAqa specified by the Air Conditioning and Sanitation Engineering Society Standard “Drainage Capacity Test Method for Drainage Standpipe System for Apartment Houses” (HASS218-1999) is applied. It is set in consideration of the amount of water that does not overflow. That is, according to the start water level Y of the accumulated water, even if the user urinates about 800 mL at the maximum and the negative pressure 40 mmAqa is applied to the drain pipe, the accumulated water in the ball 406 exceeds the trap portion 408. Will not be drained.

  The correction means 430 calibrates the start water level Y based on the pressure measurement value by the pressure sensor 418 and the relationship between the stored water amount and the water level. The flow rate of the wash water discharged from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 is kept constant by a constant flow valve (not shown). In the present embodiment, 300 mL of cleaning water is discharged from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 per second. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the water channel switching means 416 and the constant flow valve (not shown) constitute a metered water input / discharge means.

  On the other hand, the pressure measurement value measured by the pressure sensor 418 is proportional to the water level in the ball 406. Therefore, when the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 418 one second before the stop of water discharge from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 is P1, and the pressure at the time of water discharge stop is P2, the pressure difference P2-P1 between these is the water discharge stop 1 This corresponds to the difference Δh between the water level before the second and the water level when the water discharge is stopped. From this, the amount of change Δh in the water level when 300 mL of accumulated water increases per second can be seen. As schematically shown in FIG. 30, the amount of change Δh in the water level when the amount of retained water increases by a certain amount ΔQ changes depending on the absolute value of the water level in the ball 406, and thus the amount of retained water ΔQ and the amount of change in the water level increased. The absolute water level can be calculated from Δh and the relationship between the amount of water stored in the ball 406 and the water level shown in FIG.

  For example, when the difference between the first water level 1 second before the water discharge from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 and the second water level at the time of water discharge stop is 20.1 mm, the correction means 430 supplies the water level of 20. Based on the relationship of rising by 1 mm, the water level of the stored water is calculated as 67.9 mm and the amount of stored water is calculated as 850 mL based on the formula [3]. Further, when the difference in the water level is 19.0 mm, the correcting unit 430 calculates the water level of the stored water as 73.9 mm and the stored water amount as 950 mL based on the formula [3]. The water level calculated in this manner is affected by the offset error of the pressure sensor 418 because the pressure difference is accurately measured even if an offset error occurs in the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 418. There is nothing. In the present embodiment, a predetermined amount of water is supplied by the water channel switching means 416. However, as a modified example, water is supplied using a dedicated adjustment pump (not shown). You can also

  Next, the user of the toilet unit 401 operates a measurement start switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422 or performs an authentication operation using personal authentication means (not shown) such as an ID card or a tag. As a result, the display of the operation / display unit 422 changes to “under measurement”. After the display changes to “measuring”, the user urinates to the ball 406. When the user urinates, the water level in the ball 406 rises to the water level Z as shown in FIG.

  After the urination is finished, when the user operates the urination end switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422 or when the urination end is detected by the change in the stored water level disappearing, the control means 420 The pressure sensor 418 and the sewer pipe pressure sensor 440 are turned off, and the first on-off valve 418c is closed. At the same time, the urine volume calculation means 428 built in the control means 420 is based on the pressure difference between the pressure at the start water level Y measured by the pressure sensor 418 and the pressure at the water level Z after urination. And the water level difference between water level Z is calculated. Next, the urine volume calculating means 428 calculates the water level Z based on the calculated water level difference and the start water level Y obtained in advance by the correcting means 430. Furthermore, the urine volume calculation means 428 calculates the amount of water stored at the water level Z from the calculated water level Z and the previously stored relationship of FIG. 29, and subtracts the amount of water stored at the start water level Y from this amount of stored water. Calculate urine volume. The calculated urine volume is displayed on the operation / display unit 422, printed out from the printer 436, or output as electronic information to an electronic storage medium, a facility LAN, or the like.

  In the urine volume measurement described above, the case where the pressure in the sewer pipe is atmospheric pressure has been described. However, when a positive pressure or a negative pressure is detected by the sewer pipe pressure sensor 440, the urine volume calculating means 428 is used. Corrects the water level measured by the pressure sensor 418 based on the pressure measurement by the sewer pressure sensor 440.

  When the user operates the toilet flushing switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422 after completion of the urine volume measurement, the display of the operation / display unit 422 changes to “in preparation”. At the same time, the control means 420 discharges water from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 for a predetermined time, and the water level in the ball 406 rises to the overflow water level H as shown in FIG. . Next, the control unit 420 stops water discharge from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 and discharges water from the jet water discharge nozzle 409. Due to water discharge from the jet water discharge nozzle 409, a siphon phenomenon occurs in the trap portion 408, and the wash water and urine in the ball 406 are sucked into the trap portion 408, and the water level in the ball 406 is lowered. After the siphon phenomenon, the control means 420 again discharges water from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 for a predetermined time, raises the water level in the ball 406 to the overflow water level H, and returns to the standby state. Thereafter, the display on the operation / display unit 422 changes to “measurable”.

  According to the toilet unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the water level measurement value by the pressure sensor is corrected based on the calibration curve measured and stored in advance, so that there is an error such as an offset error in the pressure sensor. Can accurately measure urine volume.

  In the above-described embodiment, the correction means obtains an accurate start water level based on the calibration curve, and the urine volume calculation means calculates the urine volume based on this start water level. The error between the start water level and the actual start water level is measured by the correction means based on the calibration curve, and the urine volume calculated by the urine volume calculation means based on this error is measured by adding / subtracting / subtracting a predetermined coefficient. It can also be configured to correct the urine volume.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the fixed-quantity water input / discharge means is realized by discharging the water that has passed through the constant flow valve for a predetermined time. However, as a modification, a fixed-quantity water that can store a certain amount of water. By providing a tank and pouring the water in the metering tank into the ball, the metering water charging / discharging means can be realized.

  Alternatively, the metered water input / discharge means can be realized by causing the water in the ball to flow into the metering tank until the empty metering tank is filled. For example, after setting the overflow water level that is the first water level in the ball, a predetermined amount of stored water is discharged by means of quantitative water input / discharge, the difference between the overflow water level and the second water level after discharge, and the water level change The starting water level may be obtained based on a curve.

  Next, a toilet unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The toilet unit according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is different from the toilet unit of the third embodiment in the setting mechanism of the start water level in the ball for starting urine volume measurement. Therefore, only the points different from the third embodiment of the toilet unit according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described here, and the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of a toilet unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 32 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a start water level setting mechanism portion. FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing the relationship between each part of the toilet unit of this embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 31 to 33, a toilet unit 501 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a Western-style toilet 402 and a cabinet (not shown) that houses various functional units for operating the toilet unit 501. And having.

  The Western-style toilet 402 includes a ball 406, a rim water discharge nozzle 407 that discharges cleaning water, a trap portion 408 that seals the ball 406, and a jet water discharge nozzle 409 that discharges cleaning water toward the trap portion 408. Have.

  Further, the cabinet (not shown) has a water channel switching means 416 that is a water supply valve that discharges wash water supplied from city water, and a pressure sensor 418 that is a water level measuring means that measures the hydrostatic pressure at the bottom of the ball 406. The control means 420 that houses the urine volume calculating means for controlling the water channel switching means 416 and calculating the urine volume of the user is housed. An operation / display unit 422 for sending a signal for operating the control means is attached to the wall surface.

An outlet side end portion of the trap portion 408 is connected to a sewer pipe 426 via a drain socket 424.
The rim water discharge nozzle 407 is configured to discharge cleaning water in the tangential direction of the rim from the upper portion of the ball 406 to clean the wall surface of the ball 406. The jet water discharge nozzle 409 is configured to eject cleaning water from the bottom of the ball 406 toward the trap portion 408 and induce a siphon phenomenon in the trap portion 408.

  The water channel switching unit 416 is configured to alternately discharge the wash water supplied from the city water from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 and the jet water discharge nozzle 409 in accordance with a control signal from the control unit.

  The pressure sensor 418 is configured to measure the hydrostatic pressure at the bottom of the ball 406 guided by a pressure conduit 418a in communication with the jet water discharge nozzle 409. As shown in FIG. 31, the pressure conduit 418a communicated with the jet water discharge nozzle 409 is connected to the pressure sensor 418 via a water channel expanding portion 418b and an on-off valve 418c. The water channel expanding portion 418b is provided in the middle of the pressure conduit 418a, and is configured to have a sufficiently larger channel cross-sectional area than the pressure conduit 418a. A vertical conduit 502 extending vertically upward is connected to the water channel expanding portion 418b. Further, the first on-off valve 418c connected between the water channel expanding portion 418b and the pressure sensor 418 is opened by the control means 420 when the water level is measured by the pressure sensor 418, and is closed when the water level is not measured. It is comprised so that. Further, the second on-off valve 418d connected between the water channel expanding portion 418b and the pressure conduit 418a is configured to be normally opened by the control means.

  As shown in FIG. 32, an electromagnetic valve 504, which is a water level setting valve, is connected to the upper end of a vertical conduit 502 that extends vertically upward from the water channel expanding portion 418b. Above this electromagnetic valve 504, a drain outlet 505 that opens vertically upward and is open to the atmosphere is provided. This drain outlet 505 is disposed at the height of the start water level in the ball 406 where the urine volume measurement should be started. The water overflowing from the drain outlet 505 falls into the drain receiver 506a and is drained to the drain socket 424 through the return pipe 506. That is, the water in the ball 406 is drained from the drain outlet 505 from the jet water discharge nozzle 409 through the pressure conduit 418a, the water channel expanding portion 418b, the vertical conduit 502, and the electromagnetic valve 504 communicated therewith. The path from the jet nozzle 409 to the drain outlet 505 constitutes a drain pipe, and the jet outlet of the jet nozzle 409 also serves as a drain inlet of the drain pipe. Further, a return pipe trap portion 506b is formed between the return pipe 506 and the drain socket 424 so that odor in the drain pipe does not leak from the opening.

  The control means 420 is configured to control the water channel switching means 416 in accordance with a user operation and a built-in program. Further, the control means incorporates a urine volume calculation means (not shown). This urine volume calculation means obtains the water level in the ball 406 based on the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 418 and stores it in advance. The urine volume excreted by the user is calculated by a water level change curve representing the relationship between the water level and the amount of stored water.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 31, a sewage pipe pressure sensor 510 for monitoring pressure fluctuation in the sewage pipe is provided so as to communicate with the drain socket 424 via a three-way valve 508. The sewage pipe pressure sensor 510 is connected to the drain socket 424 so as to communicate with the sewage pipe, and is configured to measure the pressure in the sewage pipe. In the toilet unit 501 of the present embodiment, the pressure in the sewage pipe is measured by the sewage pipe pressure sensor 510, and the measured value of the accumulated water amount is corrected based on this pressure.

Next, the operation of the toilet unit 501 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 34 is a graph showing the operation of the toilet unit 501 in time series.
As shown in FIG. 34, during standby, the water level in the ball 406 of the toilet unit 501 is the overflow water level indicated by H in FIG. “Measurable” is displayed. Next, the user of the toilet unit 501 operates a preparation switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422 or performs an authentication operation by personal authentication means (not shown) such as an ID card or a tag. Thus, the control means 420 sends a control signal to the electromagnetic valve 504 to open the electromagnetic valve 504. Further, the display of the operation / display unit 422 becomes “in preparation”. When the electromagnetic valve 504 is opened, the accumulated water in the ball 406 flows out from the drain outlet 505 through the jet water discharge nozzle 409, the pressure conduit 418a, the water channel expanding portion 418b, the vertical conduit 502, and the electromagnetic valve 504. The water that flows out from the drain outlet 505 falls to the drain receptacle 506a, passes through the return pipe 506 and the return pipe trap 506b, and is discharged from the drain socket 424. Since the drain outlet 505 is disposed at the start water level Y lower than the overflow water level H, the accumulated water in the ball 406 flows out from the drain outlet 505 until the water level reaches the start water level Y.

  The control means 420 opens the electromagnetic valve 504 and closes the electromagnetic valve 504 when the water level in the ball 406 reaches the start water level Y. At the same time, the control means 420 opens the on-off valve 418c to make the pressure sensor 418 measurable. Further, a control signal is sent to the three-way valve 508 to switch the pipe line opened to the atmosphere to the sewage pipe, and measurement of the pressure in the sewage pipe by the sewage pipe pressure sensor 510 is started. That is, after calibrating at atmospheric pressure, the monitoring of the sewage pipe pressure is started to prevent the occurrence of an offset error or the like.

  Further, the control means 420 calibrates the pressure sensor 418 using the start water level Y. Since the start water level Y is accurately set according to the height of the drain outlet 505, the offset error of the pressure sensor 418 can be corrected by calibrating the pressure sensor 418 using this water level. Further, the calibration of the pressure sensor 418 can be performed by using the overflow water level H that is determined in advance by the shape of the trap portion 408. Alternatively, the pressure sensor 418 may be calibrated at both the overflow water level H and the start water level Y. In this case, the gain error of the pressure sensor 418 can also be corrected. As described above, the calibration of the pressure sensor 418 may be performed for each cycle of urine volume measurement, or the user of the toilet unit 501 calibrates the operation / display unit 422 (not shown). It can also be configured to be executed by operating.

  Next, the user of the toilet unit 501 operates a measurement start switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422 or performs an authentication operation using personal authentication means (not shown) such as an ID card or a tag. As a result, the display of the operation / display unit 422 changes to “under measurement”. After the display changes to “measuring”, the user urinates to the ball 406. When the user urinates, the water level in the ball 406 rises to the water level Z as shown in FIG.

  After the urination is finished, when the user operates the urination end switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422 or when the end of urination is detected by the change in the stored water level disappearing, the control means 420 The pressure sensor 418 and the sewer pipe pressure sensor 440 are turned off, and the on-off valve 418c is closed. At the same time, the urine volume calculation means (not shown) built in the control means 420 is based on the pressure difference between the pressure at the start water level Y measured by the pressure sensor 418 and the pressure at the water level Z after urination. Then, the water level difference between the start water level Y and the water level Z is calculated. Next, the urine volume calculation means calculates the water level Z based on the calculated water level difference and the start water level Y that is accurately set to the height of the drain outlet 505. Further, the urine amount calculating means calculates the amount of water stored at the water level Z from the calculated water level Z and the relationship between the pre-stored water level and the amount of stored water, and subtracts the amount of stored water at the start water level Y from this amount of stored water. To calculate the urine volume. The calculated urine volume is displayed on the operation / display unit 422, printed out from a printer (not shown), or output as electronic information to an electronic storage medium, a facility LAN, or the like.

  In addition, when a positive pressure or a negative pressure is detected by the drain pressure sensor 510 during the above-described urine volume measurement, the urine volume calculation means calculates the water level measured by the pressure sensor 418 as the drain pressure. Correction is performed based on the pressure measurement value by the sensor 510.

  When the user operates the toilet flushing switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422 after completion of the urine volume measurement, the display of the operation / display unit 422 changes to “in preparation”. At the same time, the control means 420 discharges water from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 for a predetermined time, and as shown in FIG. 34, the water level in the ball 406 rises to the overflow water level H, and dirt is collected in the center by the swirling flow. . Next, the control unit 420 stops water discharge from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 and discharges water from the jet water discharge nozzle 409. Due to water discharge from the jet water discharge nozzle 409, a siphon phenomenon occurs in the trap portion 408, and the wash water and urine in the ball 406 are sucked into the trap portion 408, and the water level in the ball 406 is lowered. After the siphon phenomenon, the control means 420 again discharges water from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 for a predetermined time, raises the water level in the ball 406 to the overflow water level H, and returns to the standby state. Thereafter, the display on the operation / display unit 422 changes to “measurable”.

  According to the toilet unit according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the start water level at which the urine volume measurement is started is accurately set according to the height at which the drainage outlet is arranged. Can do.

  In the toilet unit according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention described above, the jet outlet of the jet water discharge nozzle also serves as a drainage inlet, and the pressure conduit also serves as a part of the drainage pipe. It may be provided separately from the jet water discharge nozzle at an appropriate position, and a drainage pipe communicating with the drainage inlet may be provided separately from the pressure conduit.

  Next, a toilet unit according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The toilet unit according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention includes a drainage conduit structure for setting a start water level in a ball for starting urine volume measurement, and a procedure for setting the start water level by a control means. Different from unit. Therefore, only the points different from the fourth embodiment of the toilet unit according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described here, and the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 35 is a sectional view of a toilet unit according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 35, in the toilet unit 550 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the first three-way valve 552 that is a water level setting valve is provided at the upper end of the vertical conduit 502 that extends upward from the water channel expanding portion 418b. The entrance / exit 552a is connected. A water column 554 extending vertically upward and having an open upper end is connected to the second inlet / outlet 552b of the first three-way valve 552. Further, a drain outlet 552 c that is a third inlet / outlet of the first three-way valve 552 is connected to the return pipe 556. The return pipe 556 extends in the horizontal direction from the drain outlet 552c, then bends downward, and communicates with the drain socket 424. Further, the return pipe 556 is provided with an inverted U-shaped return pipe trap portion 556a disposed at a position lower than the drain outlet 552c so that the odor in the drain pipe does not flow backward. According to this configuration, when the first inlet / outlet 552a and the drain outlet 552c of the first three-way valve 552 communicate with each other, the water in the ball 406 is transferred from the jet water discharge nozzle 409 to the pressure conduit 418a communicating with this, It flows out from the drain outlet 552c to the return pipe 556 through the section 418b, the vertical conduit 502, and the first three-way valve 552. Accordingly, the water level in the ball 406 is lowered to the height of the drain outlet 552c (water level Y). The path from the jet water discharge nozzle 409 to the drain outlet 552c constitutes a drain pipe, and the jet outlet of the jet nozzle 409 also serves as the drain inlet of the drain pipe.

  A second three-way valve 558 is provided between the water channel switching means 416 and the rim water spouting nozzle 407. The first inlet / outlet 558 a of the second three-way valve 558 is connected to the water channel switching means 416, and the second inlet / outlet 558 b is connected to the rim water discharge nozzle 407. Accordingly, in the state where the first inlet / outlet 558a and the second inlet / outlet 558b of the second three-way valve 558 are in communication, water is discharged from the rim water discharge nozzle 407. The third inlet / outlet 558c of the second three-way valve 558 is connected to the first inlet / outlet 560a of the third three-way valve 560 connected between the water channel expanding portion 418b and the pressure sensor 418. Further, the second inlet / outlet 560b of the third three-way valve 560 is connected to the water channel expanding portion 418b, and the third inlet / outlet 560c is connected to the pressure sensor 418. Therefore, in the state where the first inlet / outlet 558a and the third inlet / outlet 558c of the second three-way valve 558 are communicated and the first inlet / outlet 560a and the second inlet / outlet 560b of the third three-way valve 560 are communicated, The water flowing out from the switching means 416 is configured to flow into the water channel expanding portion 418b through the second three-way valve 558 and the third three-way valve 560.

Next, the operation of the toilet unit 550 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 36 is a graph showing the operation of the toilet unit 550 in time series.
As shown in FIG. 36, during standby, the water level in the ball 406 of the toilet unit 550 is the overflow water level indicated by H in FIG. “Measurable” is displayed. Next, the user of the toilet unit 550 operates a preparation switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422 or performs an authentication operation by personal authentication means (not shown) such as an ID card or a tag. As a result, the display of the operation / display unit 422 becomes “in preparation”. At the same time, the control unit 420 sends a control signal to the water channel switching unit 416 to discharge water from the jet water discharge nozzle 409. When water is discharged from the jet water discharge nozzle 409, a siphon phenomenon occurs in the trap portion 408, the water in the ball 406 is sucked, and the water level in the ball 406 is lowered. After discharging water from the jet water discharge nozzle 409 for a predetermined time, the control means 420 sends a control signal to the water channel switching means 416, the first three-way valve 552, the second three-way valve 558, and the third three-way valve 560. By this control signal, the water channel switching means 416 is switched to rim water discharge, the first three-way valve 552 is connected to the first inlet / outlet 552a and the third inlet / outlet 552c, and the second three-way valve 558 is connected to the first inlet / outlet 558a. The second inlet / outlet 558b continues to communicate, and the third three-way valve 560 connects the second inlet / outlet 560b and the third inlet / outlet 560c. Further, the control means 420 sends control signals to the pressure sensor 418 and the sewer pipe pressure sensor 510 to operate them.

  The water level in the ball 406 rises due to water discharged from the rim water discharge nozzle 407. At the same time, the water in the ball 406 is drained from the drain outlet 552c through the drain conduit. In the present embodiment, the rim water discharge nozzle 407 functions as a water replenishing unit. After discharging water from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 for a predetermined time, the control means 420 stops the rim water discharge. Even after the water discharge from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 is stopped, the water discharge from the discharge outlet 552c is performed, so that the water level in the ball 406 is lowered to the start water level Y having the same height as the drain outlet 552c. The first three-way valve 552 is returned to a state where the first inlet / outlet 552a and the third inlet / outlet 552c communicate with each other after draining for a predetermined time.

  Next, the user of the toilet unit 501 operates a measurement start switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422 or performs an authentication operation using personal authentication means (not shown) such as an ID card or a tag. As a result, the display of the operation / display unit 422 changes to “under measurement”. After the display changes to “measuring”, the user urinates to the ball 406. When the user urinates, the water level in the ball 406 rises to the water level Z as shown in FIG. When the urination is finished, the control means 420 sends a control signal to the third three-way valve 560. By this control signal, the first inlet / outlet 560a and the second inlet / outlet 560b of the third three-way valve 560 are communicated. The calculation of the urine volume urinated by the user, which is executed by the urine volume calculation means incorporated in the control means 420, is the same as in the fourth embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  After the urine volume measurement is completed, when the user operates the toilet flushing switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422 or when the end of urination is detected by the change in the stored water level, the operation / display unit 422 is detected. The display changes to “Preparing”. At the same time, the control means 420 discharges water from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 for a predetermined time, and the water level in the ball 406 rises to the overflow water level H as shown in FIG. . Next, the control unit 420 stops water discharge from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 and discharges water from the jet water discharge nozzle 409. Due to water discharge from the jet water discharge nozzle 409, a siphon phenomenon occurs, and the water level in the ball 406 decreases. After completion of the siphon phenomenon, the control means 420 again discharges water from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 for a predetermined time, and raises the water level in the ball 406 to the overflow water level H.

  Next, the control means 420 sends a control signal to the second three-way valve 558. With this control signal, the second three-way valve 558 connects the first inlet / outlet port 558a and the third inlet / outlet port 558c. As a result, the water flowing out from the water channel switching means 416 flows into the water channel expansion portion 418b through the second three-way valve 558 and the third three-way valve 560, and further passes through the pressure conduit 418a and the jet water discharge nozzle 409 to the ball 406. Flows in. Thereby, it is possible to clean these routes where filth such as urine may flow. Thereafter, the display on the operation / display unit 422 changes to “measurable” and returns to the standby state.

  According to the toilet unit according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, since the start water level at which urine volume measurement is started is accurately set by the height at which the drainage outlet is arranged, highly accurate urine volume measurement is performed. Can do.

  In addition, according to the toilet unit according to the present embodiment, the drainage from the drainage outlet is performed together with the rim water supply after the water level in the ball is lowered by the siphon phenomenon, so that the water level in the ball reaches the start water level. Can be shortened.

  Furthermore, according to the toilet unit according to the present embodiment, since the flow channel such as the pressure conduit can be washed, the reliability of the operation of the toilet unit can be improved.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first three-way valve 552 is used as the water level setting valve that allows the drainage inlet and the drainage outlet of the drainage conduit to communicate with each other, but as a modification, the first three-way valve 552 is a large-scale valve according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As in the toilet unit 501, a valve other than the three-way valve such as the electromagnetic valve 504 can be used as the water level setting valve. Conversely, a three-way valve can be used as the water level setting valve of the toilet unit 501 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  Next, a toilet unit according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The toilet unit according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention has the same structure as the drainage conduit for setting the start water level in the ball for starting urine volume measurement, the start water level setting procedure by the control means, and the like in the fifth embodiment. Different from toilet unit. Therefore, only the points different from the fifth embodiment of the toilet unit according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described here, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 37 is a sectional view of a toilet unit according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 37, in the toilet unit 600 by 6th Embodiment of this invention, the rotary valve 608 is used as a water level setting valve instead of the 1st three-way valve in 5th Embodiment. First, a second three-way valve 602 is provided between the water channel switching means 416 and the rim water spouting nozzle 407. The first inlet / outlet 602 a of the second three-way valve 602 is connected to the water channel switching means 416, and the second inlet / outlet 602 b is connected to the rim water spouting nozzle 407. Therefore, water is discharged from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 in a state where the first inlet / outlet 602a and the second inlet / outlet 602b of the second three-way valve 602 are in communication. The third inlet / outlet 602 c of the second three-way valve 602 is connected to the inflow pipe 604 a of the cleaning tank 604. The end of the inflow pipe 604 a ends at the upper part of the cleaning tank 604, and the end of the inflow pipe 604 a is not in contact with the cleaning water stored in the cleaning tank 604. Therefore, in a state where the first inlet / outlet 602a and the third inlet / outlet 602c of the second three-way valve 602 are in communication, the water flowing out from the water channel switching means 416 flows into the washing tank 604. In addition, the inflow pipe 604a of the cleaning tank 604 does not come into contact with the water of the cleaning tank 604 and has a water discharge gap, so that water does not flow backward from the cleaning tank 604 toward the water channel switching means 416. Absent.

  Furthermore, an outflow pipe 604 b is connected to the cleaning tank 604, and the outflow pipe 604 b extends from the bottom of the cleaning tank 604 to the outside. An outflow pipe 604 b extending from the cleaning tank 604 is connected to the pump 606. An outflow pipe 606a of the pump 606 is connected to a first inlet / outlet 608a of a rotary valve 608 which is a water level setting valve. The second inlet / outlet 608 b of the rotary valve 608 is disposed at the height of the water level Y, which is the starting water level for urine volume measurement, and the second inlet / outlet 608 b is connected to the drain socket 424. Accordingly, when the pump 606 is operated in a state where the first inlet / outlet 608a and the second inlet / outlet 608b of the rotary valve 608 are in communication, the water in the cleaning tank 604 passes through the drain socket 424 to the sewer pipe. Since the water is drained and the air in the trap portion 408 is also drawn to the sewer pipe by this water flow, the odor in the sewer pipe does not diffuse into the toilet. In the present embodiment, the start water level Y is set to a water level lower than the sealed water level, that is, the broken water level.

  The third inlet / outlet 608 c of the rotary valve 608 is connected to the first inlet / outlet 560 a of the third three-way valve 560. Further, the second inlet / outlet 560b of the third three-way valve 560 is connected to the water channel expanding portion 418b, and the third inlet / outlet 560c is connected to the pressure sensor 418. Therefore, the pump 606 is operated in a state where the first inlet / outlet 608a and the third inlet / outlet 608c of the rotary valve 608 are communicated and the first inlet / outlet 560a and the second inlet / outlet 560b of the third three-way valve 560 are communicated. Then, the water in the cleaning tank 604 flows into the water channel expanding portion 418b through the rotary valve 608 and the third three-way valve 560, and the stored water is set to the start water level, or the measurement pipe in contact with the stored water. It becomes the mode which is washed and discharged to the ball surface. Further, a water column 610 extending vertically upward is connected to the water channel expanding portion 418b, and air is vented from the upper end of the water column 610 that is open to the atmosphere. Further, the upper end of the water column 610 is disposed at a position higher than the overflow water level H.

Next, the operation of the toilet unit 600 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 38 is a graph showing the operation of the toilet unit 600 in time series.
As shown in FIG. 38, during standby, the water level in the ball 406 of the toilet unit 600 is the overflow water level indicated by H in FIG. “Measurable” is displayed. Next, the user of the toilet unit 600 operates a preparation switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422 or performs an authentication operation by personal authentication means (not shown) such as an ID card or a tag. As a result, the display of the operation / display unit 422 becomes “in preparation”. At the same time, the control unit 420 sends a control signal to the water channel switching unit 416 to discharge water from the jet water discharge nozzle 409. When water is discharged from the jet water discharge nozzle 409, a siphon phenomenon occurs in the trap portion 408, the water in the ball 406 is sucked, and the water level in the ball 406 is lowered to the water level X. After discharging water from the jet water discharge nozzle 409 for a predetermined time, the control unit 420 sends control signals to the water channel switching unit 416, the second three-way valve 602, the third three-way valve 560, and the rotary valve 608. By this control signal, the water channel switching means 416 stops jet discharge, the second three-way valve 602 maintains communication between the first inlet / outlet 602a and the second inlet / outlet 602b, and the third three-way valve 560 is in the first inlet / outlet 560a. And the second inlet / outlet 560b are maintained in communication, and the rotary valve 608 is connected to the second inlet / outlet 608b and the third inlet / outlet 608c. Furthermore, the control means 420 sends a control signal to the pressure sensor 418 to operate them. The pressure sensor 418 outputs the water level as a pressure value until the urination end operation or the water level change disappears.

  After water discharge from the jet water discharge nozzle 409 is completed, water that does not exceed the top portion 408a of the trap portion 408 returns to the bottom portion of the ball 406, so that the water level in the ball 406 starts to rise. On the other hand, the first inlet / outlet 560a and the second inlet / outlet 560b of the third three-way valve 560 communicate with each other, and the second inlet / outlet 608b and the third inlet / outlet 608c of the rotary valve 608 communicate with each other. Is discharged to the drain socket 424 through the jet water discharge nozzle 409, the pressure conduit 418a communicating therewith, the water channel expanding portion 418b, the third three-way valve 560, and the rotary valve 608. A path from the jet nozzle 409 to the second inlet / outlet 608b of the rotary valve 608, which is a drain outlet, constitutes a drain conduit, and the jet outlet of the jet nozzle 409 also serves as a drain inlet of the drain conduit. Since the second inlet / outlet 608b of the rotary valve 608 is disposed at the level of the water level Y, which is the starting water level for urine volume measurement, the water is drained until the water level in the ball 406 reaches the starting water level Y.

  When the water level is set to Y, the control unit 420 sends a control signal to the water channel switching unit 416, the third three-way valve 560, and the rotary valve 608. With this control signal, the third three-way valve 560 connects the second inlet / outlet 560b and the third inlet / outlet 560c, and the rotary valve 608 connects the first inlet / outlet 608a and the second inlet / outlet 608b. Furthermore, the control means 420 sends a control signal to the pump 606 to activate it. When the pump 606 is operated, the water in the cleaning tank 604 is sucked through the outflow pipe 604 b and drained from the drain socket 424 through the outflow pipe 606 a of the pump 606 and the rotary valve 608. Due to the ejector effect of the drainage, the air in the ball 406 is sucked into the drainage pipe. Thereby, the odor in drainage piping does not flow backward.

  Next, when the user of the toilet unit 600 operates a measurement start switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422, the display of the operation / display unit 422 changes to “under measurement”. After the display changes to “measuring”, the user urinates to the ball 406. When the user urinates, the water level in the ball 406 rises to the water level Z as shown in FIG. The calculation of the urine volume urinated by the user, which is executed by the urine volume calculation means incorporated in the control means 420, is the same as in the fourth embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  When the user operates the toilet flushing switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422 after completion of the urine volume measurement, the display of the operation / display unit 422 changes to “in preparation”. At the same time, the control means 420 sends a control signal to the pump 606 to stop its operation. Further, the control means 420 discharges water from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 for a predetermined time, and the water level in the ball 406 rises to the overflow water level H as shown in FIG. Next, the control unit 420 stops water discharge from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 and discharges water from the jet water discharge nozzle 409. Due to water discharge from the jet water discharge nozzle 409, a siphon phenomenon occurs, and the water level in the ball 406 decreases. After completion of the siphon phenomenon, the control means 420 again discharges water from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 for a predetermined time, and raises the water level in the ball 406 to the overflow water level H.

  Next, the control means 420 sends control signals to the second three-way valve 602, the third three-way valve 560, and the rotary valve 608. By this control signal, the second three-way valve 602 communicates the first inlet / outlet 602a and the third inlet / outlet 602c, and the third three-way valve 560 maintains the communication between the first inlet / outlet 560a and the second inlet / outlet 560b, and the rotary The valve 608 communicates with the first inlet / outlet 608a and the third inlet / outlet 608c. Further, the control means 420 sends a control signal to the pump 606 to operate it. Thereby, the water flowing out from the water channel switching means 416 first flows into the cleaning tank 604. Further, the water in the cleaning tank 604 flows into the water channel expanding portion 418b through the rotary valve 608 and the third three-way valve 560 by the pump 606. Further, the water flowing into the water channel expanding portion 418b is drained into the ball 406 through the pressure conduit 418a and the jet water discharge nozzle 409. Thereby, it is possible to clean these routes where filth such as urine may flow. Thereafter, the display on the operation / display unit 422 changes to “measurable”, the pump 606 is stopped, and each valve returns to the standby state.

  According to the toilet unit according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, since the start water level at which urine volume measurement is started is accurately set according to the height at which the drainage outlet is arranged, highly accurate urine volume measurement is performed. Can do.

  In addition, according to the toilet unit according to the present embodiment, the drainage socket is drained through the rotary valve during measurement preparation and during measurement, so the urine volume measurement start water level is set below the sealed water level. However, the odor in the sewage pipe does not flow backward.

  Furthermore, according to the toilet unit according to the present embodiment, since the flow channel such as the pressure conduit can be washed, the reliability of the operation of the toilet unit can be improved.

  Next, a toilet unit according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. The toilet unit according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention is different from the toilet unit of the fifth embodiment in the setting mechanism of the start water level in the ball for starting urine volume measurement. Therefore, only the points different from the fifth embodiment of the toilet unit according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described here, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 39 is a sectional view of a toilet unit according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 40 is a sectional view of a reservoir tank used for setting the start water level.
As shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, a toilet unit 700 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention includes a Western-style toilet 402 and a cabinet 404 (see FIG. 39) that houses various functional units that operate the toilet unit 700. (Not shown).

  The Western-style toilet 402 includes a ball 406, a rim water discharge nozzle 407 that discharges cleaning water, a trap portion 408 that seals the ball 406, and a zette that is a siphon phenomenon generating means that ejects cleaning water toward the trap portion 408. A water discharge nozzle 409.

Further, the cabinet 404 includes a water channel switching unit 416 that is a water supply valve that discharges wash water supplied from city water, a pressure sensor 418 that is a water level measuring unit that measures the hydrostatic pressure at the bottom of the ball 406, and a water channel switching unit. Control means 420 (not shown in FIG. 39) for controlling 416 and calculating the user's urine volume is housed. Further, an operation / display unit 422 (not shown in FIG. 39) for sending a signal for operating the control means is attached to the wall surface.
An outlet side end portion of the trap portion 408 is connected to a sewer pipe 426 via a drain socket 424.

  The rim water discharge nozzle 407 is configured to discharge cleaning water in the tangential direction of the rim from the upper portion of the ball 406 to clean the wall surface of the ball 406. The jet water discharge nozzle 409 is configured to eject cleaning water from the bottom of the ball 406 toward the trap portion 408 and induce a siphon phenomenon in the trap portion 408.

  The water channel switching unit 416 is configured to alternately discharge the wash water supplied from the city water from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 and the jet water discharge nozzle 409 in accordance with a control signal from the control unit.

  The pressure sensor 418 is configured to measure the hydrostatic pressure at the bottom of the ball 406 guided by a pressure conduit 418a in communication with the jet water discharge nozzle 409. As shown in FIG. 39, the pressure conduit 418a communicating with the jet water discharge nozzle 409 is connected to the pressure sensor 418 via a water channel expanding portion 418b and a first on-off valve 418c. The water channel expanding portion 418b is provided in the middle of the pressure conduit 418a, and is configured to have a sufficiently larger channel cross-sectional area than the pressure conduit 418a. Further, the first on-off valve 418c connected between the water channel expanding portion 418b and the pressure sensor 418 is opened by the control means 420 when the water level is measured by the pressure sensor 418, and is closed when the water level is not measured. It is comprised so that.

  39, a first three-way valve 702 is provided between the water channel switching means 416 and the rim water spouting nozzle 407. When the first inlet / outlet 702a and the second inlet / outlet 702b of the first three-way valve 702 communicate with each other, water is discharged directly from the water channel switching means 416 to the rim water spouting nozzle 407. Further, the third inlet / outlet 702c of the first three-way valve 702 is connected to a water storage tank 704 with a water discharge opening gap for preventing backflow. When the first inlet / outlet 702a and the third inlet / outlet 702c of the first three-way valve 702 are communicated, water is supplied from the water channel switching means 416 to the water storage tank 704. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the water channel switching means 416 and the first three-way valve 702 constitute a reservoir water supply means.

  As shown in FIG. 40, a cleaning tank 706 is provided so as to surround the stored water tank 704, and water overflowing from the stored water tank 704 flows into the cleaning tank 706. Further, the water supply pipe 702d connected to the third inlet / outlet 702c of the first three-way valve 702 has a water outlet opening at a position where a gap is provided from the upper end of the reservoir tank 704, and from the reservoir tank 704 side. Prevents backflow to the water supply side. An outflow pipe 704a is connected to the bottom of the reservoir tank 704, and water in the reservoir tank 704 is discharged from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 through the third on-off valve 710 connected to the outflow pipe 704a. It is like that.

  The cleaning tank 706 is provided with a float switch 706b which is a water level detecting means. The float switch 706b stops water supply to the reservoir tank 704 when the water supplied to the reservoir tank 704 overflows into the cleaning tank 706 and the water level in the cleaning tank 706 reaches a predetermined water level. It is configured. For this reason, the amount of water stored in the reservoir tank 704 is determined by the volume of the reservoir tank 704, and a certain amount of water is stored in the reservoir tank 704. Further, an overflow pipe 706c is connected to the cleaning tank 706 at a position higher than a predetermined water level set by the float switch 706b. The overflow pipe 706c is connected to the rim water spouting nozzle 407 via a fourth on-off valve 714 (FIG. 39). As a result, in the unlikely event that the water supply to the reservoir tank 704 is not stopped due to a malfunction of the float switch 706b, the water in the cleaning tank 706 is discharged to the ball 406 and the water from the cleaning tank 706 overflows. It is preventing.

  Furthermore, an outflow pipe 706 a is connected to the bottom of the cleaning tank 706. As shown in FIG. 39, the outflow pipe 706a is connected to a water channel expanding portion 418b via a pump 708 and a fifth on-off valve 712. Accordingly, when the pump 708 is operated with the fifth on-off valve 712 opened, the water in the cleaning tank 706 flows into the water channel expanding portion 418b.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 39, a vent valve 716 for releasing the negative pressure generated in the sewer pipe is provided so as to communicate with the drain socket 424 via 718. Further, a sewage pipe pressure sensor 720 for monitoring the pressure fluctuation in the sewage pipe is provided so as to communicate with the drain socket 424 via the second three-way valve 722. In the present embodiment, “Dolgo” (trademark) manufactured by Morinaga Engineering Co., Ltd. or “ventilation number” (trademark) manufactured by KITZ Co., Ltd. is used as the vent valve 716. As this vent valve 716, any vent valve that is generally used for depressurization of the sewer pipe path can be used. The sewage pipe pressure sensor 720 is connected to the drain socket 424 so as to communicate with the sewage pipe, and is configured to measure the pressure in the sewage pipe. In the toilet unit 700 of the present embodiment, the pressure in the sewage pipe is measured by the sewage pipe pressure sensor 720, and the measured value of the amount of stored water is corrected based on this pressure. Further, when the pressure in the sewage pipe decreases, the atmosphere is introduced into the sewage pipe via the vent valve 716, so that no large negative pressure is generated in the sewage pipe.

Next, with reference to FIG. 41, the operation of the toilet unit 700 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 41 is a graph showing the operation of the toilet unit 700 in time series.
As shown in FIG. 41, during standby, the water level in the ball 406 of the toilet unit 700 is the start water level indicated by Y in FIG. 39, and the operation / display unit 422 displays “ “Measurable” is displayed. Next, the user of the toilet unit 700 operates a preparation switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422 or performs an authentication operation by personal authentication means (not shown) such as an ID card or a tag. As a result, the display of the operation / display unit 422 becomes “in preparation”. At the same time, the control means 420 sends control signals to the first on-off valve 418c and the second three-way valve 722. Thereby, the water channel expansion part 418b and the pressure sensor 418, and the sewage pipe pressure sensor 720 and the sewage pipe are communicated. Further, the control means 420 sends control signals to the pressure sensor 418 and the sewer pipe pressure sensor 720 to operate them.

  When the predetermined time has elapsed, the display on the operation / display unit 422 changes to “under measurement”. After the display changes to “measuring”, the user urinates to the ball 406. When the user urinates, the water level in the ball 406 rises to a water level Z as shown in FIG. When the pressure change measured by the pressure sensor 418 is eliminated, the control unit 420 determines that the user's urination is finished, and starts calculating the user's urination amount. The calculation of the urine volume urinated by the user, which is executed by the urine volume calculation means incorporated in the control means 420, is the same as in the fourth embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  Simultaneously with the calculation of the amount of urination, the control means 420 sends a control signal to the pressure sensor 418 and the sewer pressure sensor 720, turns them off, sends a control signal to the first on-off valve 418c, and closes it. . Further, the control means 420 sends a control signal to the sixth on-off valve 718 to close it, and shuts off the intake of air from the vent valve 716. Further, the control means 420 opens the fifth on-off valve 712 and operates the pump 708. As a result, the water in the cleaning tank 706 is discharged from the jet water discharge nozzle 409 through the pump 708, the fifth on-off valve 712, the water channel expanding portion 418b, the second on-off valve 418d, and the pressure conduit 418a, and these paths Is washed.

  When the user operates the toilet flushing switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422 after completion of the urine volume measurement, the display of the operation / display unit 422 changes to “in preparation”. At the same time, the control unit 420 sends a control signal to the water channel switching unit 416 to discharge water from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 for a predetermined time, and the water level in the ball 406 rises to the overflow water level H as shown in FIG. . At this time, the water flowing out from the water channel switching means 416 flows in from the first inlet / outlet 702a of the first three-way valve 702, flows out of the second inlet / outlet 702b, and is discharged through the rim water spouting nozzle 407. Next, the control unit 420 stops water discharge from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 and discharges water from the jet water discharge nozzle 409. Due to water discharge from the jet water discharge nozzle 409, a siphon phenomenon occurs, the water level in the ball 406 decreases to the water level X, and the amount of water stored in the ball 406 becomes almost zero. Therefore, in this embodiment, the jet water discharge nozzle 409 functions as a stored water discharge means.

  After performing the jet water discharge for a predetermined time, the control means 420 stops the jet water discharge. At the same time, the control means 420 sends a control signal to the third on-off valve 710 to release it, and a predetermined amount of water stored in the reservoir tank 704 is supplied to the third on-off valve 710 and the rim water spouting nozzle 407. The water is discharged into the ball 406 via When the third on-off valve 710 is opened for a predetermined time, all the water in the reservoir tank 704 flows into the ball 406. Here, since the amount of water stored in the ball 406 before water supply from the water storage tank 704 is almost zero, all the water in the water storage tank 704 in which a predetermined amount of water has been stored flows into the ball 406. After that, the amount of accumulated water in the ball 406 is always substantially constant, and the water level at this time becomes the start water level Y. In the present embodiment, the start water level Y is set to a water level that is 25 mm higher than the sealed water level.

  When all the water in the reservoir tank 704 flows into the ball 406, the control means 420 closes the third on-off valve 710. At the same time, the control means 420 sends a control signal to the first three-way valve 702 to cause the first inlet / outlet 702a and the third inlet / outlet 702c of the first three-way valve 702 to communicate with each other. As a result, the water that has flowed out of the water channel switching means 416 passes through the first three-way valve 702 and flows into the accumulated water tank 704. When water flows into the reservoir tank 704, the water level in the reservoir tank 704 rises. When the reservoir tank 704 becomes full, the water overflows from the reservoir tank 704 and flows into the cleaning tank 706. When the water level of the cleaning tank 706 rises and reaches a predetermined water level, the float switch 706b provided in the cleaning tank 706 is activated and a signal is sent to the control means 420, and the control means 420 receives the water channel switching means 416. Stop water supply from. When the water supply from the water channel switching unit 416 is stopped, the display on the operation / display unit 422 changes to “measurable”, and the toilet unit 700 returns to the standby state.

  Further, the control means 420 opens the fourth on-off valve 714 when water supply to the water storage tank 704 is started. As a result, if the water supply is not stopped by the float switch 706b, the water in the cleaning tank 706 is drained into the ball 406 via the fourth on-off valve 714 and the rim water discharge nozzle 407 and cleaned. The tank 706 is prevented from overflowing.

  Further, in a standby state, when a pressure fluctuation of a predetermined value (25 mmAqa in the present embodiment) or more occurs in the sewer pipe and there is a possibility that the sealing water is broken, the control means 420 replenishes the accumulated water from the rim water discharge nozzle 407. And raise the water level in the ball. Therefore, in this embodiment, the control means 420 and the rim water discharge nozzle 407 function as water supply means.

  Furthermore, when the urinal unit 700 of this embodiment is used for stool rather than urine volume measurement, the user uses the stool use switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422 before use. When a stool use switch (not shown) is pressed, the control means 420 supplies rim water from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 and raises the water level in the ball 406 to the overflow water level H. Since the rim water supply is performed at a flow rate of about 20 L per minute, the time required to raise the water level to the overflow water level H is within about 10 seconds, and the user's convenience is not deteriorated. Moreover, by raising the water level to the overflow water level H, a sufficient water storage area can be secured, and a siphon phenomenon due to jet water discharge can be effectively generated. In addition, the use of stool may be authorized in conjunction with the seating detection mechanism, for example, when stool is seated and the preparation switch is not pressed within a certain time.

  Further, in the toilet unit 700 of the present embodiment, since the water level in the ball 406 is at the start water level Y in the standby state, the start water level Y in the ball 406 is reduced by evaporation when not used for a long time. It is possible to end up. In general, since the water level drop is about 1 mm in 24 hours, in this embodiment, when the toilet unit 700 is not used for 12 hours, the control means 420 performs toilet flushing and sets the start water level Y again. I will do it again.

  According to the toilet unit according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, since the start water level at which urine volume measurement is started is accurately set according to the capacity of the reservoir tank, it is possible to perform highly accurate urine volume measurement.

  Further, according to the toilet unit according to the present embodiment, in the standby state, since the water level in the ball is set to the start water level, it is possible to shorten the time required for preparation for starting the measurement.

  Furthermore, according to the toilet unit according to the present embodiment, since the flow channel such as the pressure conduit can be washed, the reliability of the operation of the toilet unit can be improved.

  In the toilet unit according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention described above, the siphon phenomenon is induced by the jet water discharge nozzle which is the stored water discharge means, and the stored water in the ball is discharged. By providing a drain outlet (not shown) in the water and opening the on-off valve connected to this drain outlet, the water amount in the ball is made zero, and then the water in the reservoir tank is introduced into the ball by It can also be configured to set a starting water level.

  Next, a toilet unit according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The toilet unit according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention is different from the toilet unit of the seventh embodiment in the setting mechanism of the start water level in the ball for starting the urine volume measurement. Therefore, here, only the points different from the seventh embodiment of the toilet unit according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described, and the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view of a toilet unit according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view of a reservoir tank used for setting the start water level.
As shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, in the toilet unit 800 according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention, the seventh on-off valve 804 and the eighth on-off valve 802 are connected to the rim water supply side of the water channel switching means 416. . The other end 802 a of the eighth on-off valve 802 is connected to the rim water discharge nozzle 407. In addition, a reservoir tank 805 is connected to the other end 804 a of the seventh on-off valve 804. As shown in FIG. 43, the reservoir tank 805 has a sealed structure. One end 806 a of the third on-off valve 806 is connected to the bottom of the reservoir tank 805, and one end 806 a of the third on-off valve 806 is connected to the fifth on-off valve 712. The other end 806 b of the third on-off valve 806 is connected to the rim water discharge nozzle 407. Further, an overflow pipe 808 a is connected to the side surface of the water storage tank 805, and this overflow pipe 808 a is connected to the rim water discharge nozzle 407 via a fourth on-off valve 808. In addition, a compressor 810 serving as a pressure feeding unit is connected to an upper portion of the reservoir tank 805 via a ninth on-off valve 812.

Next, the operation of the toilet unit 800 according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 44 is a graph showing the operation of the toilet unit 800 in time series.
As shown in FIG. 44, during standby, the water level in the ball 406 of the toilet unit 800 is the start water level indicated by H in FIG. 42, and the operation / display unit 422 displays “ “Measurable” is displayed. Next, the user of the toilet unit 800 operates a preparation switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422 or performs an authentication operation by personal authentication means (not shown) such as an ID card or a tag. As a result, the display of the operation / display unit 422 becomes “in preparation”. At the same time, the control unit 420 sends a control signal to the water channel switching unit 416 to discharge water from the jet water discharge nozzle 409. When water is discharged from the jet water discharge nozzle 409, a siphon phenomenon occurs in the trap portion 408, the water in the ball 406 is sucked, and the amount of water in the ball 406 becomes almost zero. Therefore, in this embodiment, the jet water discharge nozzle 409 functions as a stored water discharge means.

  Further, the control means 420 opens the ninth on-off valve 812 to increase the pressure in the stored water tank 805. After discharging water from the jet water discharge nozzle 409 for a predetermined time, the control means 420 closes the ninth on-off valve 812 and opens the first on-off valve 418c and the third on-off valve 806. When the third on-off valve 806 is opened, a predetermined amount of water stored in the reservoir tank 805 is discharged from the rim water discharge nozzle 407. Here, since the inside of the stored water tank 805 is pressurized by the compressor 810 which is a pumping means, the water in the stored water tank 805 is rapidly discharged from the rim water discharge nozzle 407. When all the water in the reservoir tank 805 is discharged, the water level in the ball 406 becomes the start water level Y. Here, since the water amount (water level X) in the ball 406 before discharging the water in the reservoir tank 805 is almost zero, the start water level Y is set by the amount of water stored in the reservoir tank 805. The

  After all the water in the reservoir tank 805 has been discharged, the control means 420 closes the third on-off valve 806. In addition, the control means 420 sends a control signal to the second three-way valve 722 so that the sewer pipe pressure sensor 720 communicates with the sewer pipe. At the same time, the control means 420 sends control signals to the pressure sensor 418 and the sewer pressure sensor 720 to operate them.

  Further, the display on the operation / display unit 422 changes to “under measurement”. After the display changes to “measuring”, the user urinates to the ball 406. When the user urinates, the water level in the ball 406 rises to a water level Z as shown in FIG. When the pressure change measured by the pressure sensor 418 disappears or the urination end switch is operated, the control means 420 determines that the user's urination has ended, and starts calculating the user's urine output. The calculation of the urine volume urinated by the user, which is executed by the urine volume calculation means incorporated in the control means 420, is the same as in the fourth embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  Simultaneously with the calculation of the amount of urination, the control means 420 sends control signals to the pressure sensor 418 and the sewer pressure sensor 720 to turn them off, and sends a control signal to the first on-off valve 418c to close it. . Further, the control means 420 sends a control signal to the sixth on-off valve 718 to close it, and shuts off the intake of air from the vent valve 716.

  When the user operates the toilet flushing switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422 after completion of the urine volume measurement, the display of the operation / display unit 422 changes to “in preparation”. At the same time, the control unit 420 sends control signals to the water channel switching unit 416 and the eighth on-off valve 802 to discharge water from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 for a predetermined time, and the water level in the ball 406 overflows as shown in FIG. It rises to the running water level H. At this time, the water flowing out from the water channel switching means 416 is discharged from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 through the eighth on-off valve 802. Next, the control unit 420 stops water discharge from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 and discharges water from the jet water discharge nozzle 409. Due to water discharge from the jet water discharge nozzle 409, a siphon phenomenon occurs, and the water level in the ball 406 decreases.

  After performing the jet water discharge for a predetermined time, the control means 420 stops the jet water discharge, restarts the rim water discharge, and raises the water level in the ball 406 to the overflow water level H. After the water level in the ball 406 rises to the overflow water level H, the control means 420 closes the eighth on-off valve 802 and opens the seventh on-off valve 804 and the fourth on-off valve 808. By opening the seventh on-off valve 804, the water flowing out from the water channel switching means 416 flows into the reservoir tank 805, and the water level in the reservoir tank 805 rises. When the water level in the reservoir tank 805 rises to the height at which the overflow pipe 808a is provided, the water in the reservoir tank 805 is drained from the rim water spouting nozzle 407 into the ball 406 through the fourth on-off valve 808. The amount of water stored in the reservoir tank 805 is constant.

  Thereafter, the control means 420 closes the seventh on-off valve 804 and the fourth on-off valve 808. Furthermore, the control means 420 opens the ninth on-off valve 812 for a predetermined time to increase the pressure in the stored water tank 805.

  Next, the control means 420 opens the fifth on-off valve 712. When the fifth on-off valve 712 is opened, the water in the reservoir tank 805 is caused to flow through the fifth on-off valve 712, the water channel expanding portion 418b, the second on-off valve 418d, the pressure conduit 418a, and the jet water discharge nozzle 409 by the internal pressure. It passes through and is drained into the ball 406. Thereby, it is possible to clean these routes where filth such as urine may flow.

  Further, the control means 420 closes the fifth on-off valve 712, opens the seventh on-off valve 804 and the fourth on-off valve 808 again, and stores water in the reservoir tank 805. After a predetermined amount of water is stored in the reservoir tank 805, the control means 420 stops water supply from the water channel switching means 416 and returns to the standby state.

  According to the toilet unit according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention, the start water level at which urine volume measurement is started is accurately set according to the capacity of the reservoir tank, so that urine volume measurement with high accuracy can be performed.

  Moreover, according to the toilet unit according to the present embodiment, the water in the reservoir tank is rapidly discharged from the rim water discharge nozzle by the pressure feeding means, so that the time required for setting the start water level can be shortened.

  Furthermore, according to the toilet unit according to the present embodiment, since the flow channel such as the pressure conduit can be washed, the reliability of the operation of the toilet unit can be improved.

  Next, a toilet unit according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The toilet unit according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention is different from the toilet unit according to the eighth embodiment in the setting mechanism of the start water level in the ball for starting urine volume measurement. Therefore, only the points different from the eighth embodiment of the toilet unit according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described here, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 45 is a sectional view of a toilet unit according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 45, a toilet unit 900 according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention includes a Western-style toilet 402, a cabinet 404 (see FIG. 24) that houses various functional units that operate the toilet unit 900, Have

  The Western-style toilet 402 includes a ball 406, a rim water discharge nozzle 407 that discharges cleaning water, a trap portion 408 that seals the ball 406, and a jet water discharge nozzle 409 that discharges cleaning water toward the trap portion 408. Have.

  Further, the cabinet 404 includes a water channel switching unit 416 that is a water supply valve that discharges wash water supplied from city water, a pressure sensor 418 that is a water level measuring unit that measures the hydrostatic pressure at the bottom of the ball 406, and a water channel switching unit. The control means 420 which contains urine volume calculation means which controls 416 and calculates a user's urine volume is accommodated. An operation / display unit 422 for sending a signal for operating the control means is attached to the wall surface.

  An outlet side end portion of the trap portion 408 is connected to a sewer pipe 426 via a drain socket 424.

  The rim water discharge nozzle 407 is configured to discharge cleaning water in the tangential direction of the rim from the upper portion of the ball 406 to clean the wall surface of the ball 406. The jet water discharge nozzle 409 is configured to eject cleaning water from the bottom of the ball 406 toward the trap portion 408 and induce a siphon phenomenon in the trap portion 408.

  The pressure sensor 418 is configured to measure the hydrostatic pressure at the bottom of the ball 406 guided by a pressure conduit 418a in communication with the jet water discharge nozzle 409. As shown in FIG. 45, the pressure conduit 418a communicated with the jet water discharge nozzle 409 is connected to the pressure sensor 418 via the first on-off valve 418c. Further, the first opening / closing valve 418c is configured to be opened by the control means 420 when the water level is measured by the pressure sensor 418 and closed when the water level is not measured. Further, a silicon oil tank 908 that is an equal pressure means is connected to a conduit between the first on-off valve 418c and the pressure sensor 418 via a tenth on-off valve 910.

  The silicon oil tank 908 is disposed above the pressure sensor 418 and holds silicon oil. Silicone oil has a lower specific gravity than water and does not mix with water, so even if water and silicone oil come into direct contact with each other through the conduit between the tenth on-off valve 910 and the silicone oil tank 908, they are always separated. It is kept in the state. Further, since silicon oil having a small volatile component is used, there is almost no reduction due to evaporation or the like, so that the silicon oil in the silicon oil tank 908 keeps a constant amount for a long period of time. Therefore, when the first on-off valve 418c is closed and the tenth on-off valve 910 is opened, a constant pressure is always applied to the pressure sensor 418 by the pressure head of silicon oil and water in the conduit. Become. In the toilet unit of this embodiment, the pressure sensor 418 is calibrated using this constant pressure.

  The control means 420 is configured to control the water channel switching means 416 in accordance with a user operation and a built-in program. Further, the control means incorporates a urine volume calculation means (not shown), and the urine volume calculation means obtains the water level in the ball 406 based on the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 418, and the user Is configured to calculate the amount of urine excreted.

  The water channel switching unit 416 is configured to alternately discharge the wash water supplied from the city water from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 and the jet water discharge nozzle 409 in accordance with a control signal from the control unit. Further, the first inlet / outlet 902a of the first three-way valve 902 is connected to the outlet of the water channel switching means 416 on the rim water spouting nozzle 407 side. The second inlet / outlet 902 b of the first three-way valve 902 is connected to the rim water spouting nozzle 407. In addition, an inlet 904a of an electromagnetic valve 904 that is a water supply valve is connected to a water channel between the second inlet / outlet 902b and the rim water spouting nozzle 407. That is, the inlet 904a of the electromagnetic valve 904 is connected to a supply source of water supplied to the ball. The outlet 904b of the electromagnetic valve 904 is connected to one end of a water supply trap 906 bent into a U shape. The other end of the water supply trap 906 is connected to communicate with the sewer pipe through the drain socket 424. On the other hand, the third inlet / outlet 902c of the first three-way valve 902 is connected to the pressure conduit 418a via the fifth on-off valve 712.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 45, a sewage pipe pressure sensor 720 for monitoring pressure fluctuation in the sewage pipe is provided so as to communicate with the drain socket 424 via a second three-way valve 722. When the first inlet / outlet 722a and the second inlet / outlet 722b of the second three-way valve 722 are communicated with each other, the sewage pipe pressure sensor 720 communicates with the inside of the sewage pipe via the second three-way valve 722 and the drain socket 424. The pressure in the sewer pipe can be measured. In the toilet unit 900 of the present embodiment, the pressure in the sewage pipe is measured by the sewage pipe pressure sensor 720, and the measured value of the accumulated water amount is corrected based on this pressure. Further, when the second inlet / outlet 722 b and the third inlet / outlet 722 c of the second three-way valve 722 are in communication, the sewage pipe pressure sensor 720 is in communication with the atmosphere via the second three-way valve 722. In the toilet unit 900 of the present embodiment, the sewer pressure sensor 720 is calibrated using atmospheric pressure.

  Next, the operation of the toilet unit 900 according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 46 is a graph showing the operation of the toilet unit 900 in time series when performing urine volume measurement, and FIG. 47 is a graph when the toilet unit 900 is used as a normal toilet.

  As shown in FIG. 46, during standby, the water level in the ball 406 of the toilet unit 900 is the start water level indicated by Y in FIG. 45, and the operation / display unit 422 displays “ “Measurable” is displayed. Next, when the user of the toilet unit 900 operates a preparation switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422, the display of the operation / display unit 422 becomes “in preparation”. At the same time, the control means 420 activates the pressure sensor 418. Further, the control means 420 sends a control signal to the second three-way valve 722 and the tenth on-off valve 910 so that the second three-way valve 722 communicates with the second inlet / outlet 722b and the third inlet / outlet 722c. The on-off valve 910 is opened. Thereby, atmospheric pressure acts on the sewer pressure sensor 720, and pressure by the pressure head of the silicone oil and water in the conduit acts on the pressure sensor 418. The control means 420 calibrates the sewer pressure sensor 720 and the pressure sensor 418 using these constantly maintained pressures.

  When the predetermined time has elapsed, the display on the operation / display unit 422 changes to “measuring” to inform the user that urination is allowed. At the same time, the control means 420 closes the tenth on-off valve 910 and puts the second three-way valve 722 into a state where the first inlet / outlet 722a and the second inlet / outlet 722b communicate with each other. Further, the control means 420 sends a control signal to the first on-off valve 418c to open it. There is no change in the liquid level in the silicon oil tank 908, which is the isobaric means, before and after opening and closing of the tenth on-off valve 910 and the first on-off valve 418c. After the display changes to “measuring”, the user urinates to the ball 406. Then, as shown in FIG. 46, the water level in the ball 406 rises to a water level Z.

  When the user's urination is finished and the water level measured by the pressure sensor 418 does not change for a predetermined time, the control means 420 determines that the urination has ended, and starts calculating the urine volume. Since the calculation of the urine volume is the same as that of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the description thereof is omitted.

  Further, when the control means 420 determines that urination has ended, the control means 420 closes the first on-off valve 418c and opens the fifth on-off valve 712. Further, the control means 420 turns off the pressure sensor 418 and the sewer pipe pressure sensor 720. At the same time, the control means 420 sends a control signal to the water channel switching means 416 and starts water supply from the rim side outlet. Water discharged from the rim side outlet of the water channel switching means 416 reaches the fifth on-off valve 712 via the first inlet / outlet 902a and the third inlet / outlet 902c of the first three-way valve 902. Further, the water that has reached the fifth on-off valve 712 is discharged into the ball 406 through the pressure conduit 418 a and the jet water discharge nozzle 409. Thereby, the pressure conduit 418a and the jet water discharge nozzle 409 are washed.

  When the user operates the toilet flushing switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422 after completion of the urine volume measurement, the display of the operation / display unit 422 changes to “in preparation”. At the same time, the control means 420 closes the fifth on-off valve 712 and closes the electromagnetic valve 904. Further, the control means 420 switches the first three-way valve 902 so that the first inlet / outlet port 902a and the second inlet / outlet port 902b communicate with each other. Thereby, the water discharged from the rim side outlet of the water channel switching means 416 is discharged from the rim water discharge nozzle 407 through the first three-way valve 902 since the electromagnetic valve 904 is closed. With this rim water supply, the water level in the ball 406 rises to the overflow water level H as shown in FIG.

  After performing rim water supply for a predetermined time, the control unit 420 switches the water channel switching unit 416 to the jet water supply side and discharges water from the jet water discharge nozzle 409. This jet water discharge causes a siphon phenomenon, the water in the ball 406 is sucked, and the amount of water stored in the ball 406 becomes almost zero.

  After performing the jet water discharge for a predetermined time, the control unit 420 switches the water channel switching unit 416 to the rim water supply side and starts rim water supply again. When the rim water supply is performed for a predetermined time and the water level in the ball 406 reaches the start water level Y, the control means 420 sends a control signal to the electromagnetic valve 904 to open the electromagnetic valve 904. Further, since the solenoid valve 904 is rapidly opened when receiving the control signal, the amount of water flowing in by the rim water supply for a predetermined time becomes constant, and the start water level Y is set with high accuracy. That is, when the electromagnetic valve 904 is opened, the water flowing out from the second inlet / outlet 902b of the first three-way valve 902 flows into the water supply trap 906 side and is drained to the sewer pipe 426 through the drain socket 424. Thus, when the electromagnetic valve 904 is opened, the water flowing into the electromagnetic valve 904 flows into the water supply trap 906 and is discharged to the sewer pipe 426, so that the water supply into the ball 406 is suddenly stopped.

  When the rim water supply is completed, the display on the operation / display unit 422 returns to “measurable”, and the toilet unit 900 returns to the standby state.

Next, with reference to FIG. 47, the operation when the toilet unit 900 according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention is used as a normal toilet will be described.
First, in the standby state of the toilet unit 900, the user operates a preparation switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422, or an authentication operation by personal authentication means (not shown) such as an ID card or a tag. If the user is seated for the toilet without performing the operation, the display on the operation / display unit 422 becomes “in preparation”. At the same time, the control unit 420 switches the water channel switching unit 416 to the rim water supply side, closes the electromagnetic valve 904, and further communicates the first three-way valve 902 with the first inlet / outlet 902a and the second inlet / outlet 902b. Switch as follows. Thereby, rim water supply is performed, and the water level in the ball 406 rises to the overflow water level H.

  After a predetermined time, the control means 420 stops the rim water supply and changes the display on the operation / display unit 422 to “defecation is possible”. When the user operates a toilet flushing switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 422 after defecation, the display on the operation / display unit 422 changes to “in preparation” and the toilet flushing action is started. Since the toilet flushing action is the same as the above-described action at the time of urine volume measurement, the description thereof is omitted.

  According to the toilet unit of the ninth embodiment of the present invention, since the rim water supply can be suddenly stopped by the electromagnetic valve that is a water supply valve, the start water level Y for urine volume measurement can be set with high accuracy.

  Further, in the toilet unit of the ninth embodiment of the present invention described above, the start water level Y is set by opening the electromagnetic valve after performing rim water supply for a predetermined time. It may be configured that the pressure sensor is sometimes operated and the electromagnetic valve is opened at the moment when the pressure sensor detects the start water level Y. According to this configuration, the start water level Y can be accurately set even when the flow rate of the rim water supply is not constant.

  Further, in the toilet unit of the ninth embodiment of the present invention described above, the start water level Y is set only by rim water supply for a predetermined time, but as a modification, auxiliary water supply means (not shown) is further used. The start water level Y can be finely adjusted. In this modification, a rough start water level Y is set by rim water supply, and then water is supplied into the ball while measuring the water level with a pressure sensor by auxiliary water supply means (not shown). Tweak the. In a toilet unit with a local cleaning device (not shown), it is possible to use water discharged into the ball during the self-cleaning operation of the nozzle of the local cleaning device as an auxiliary water supply means (not shown). it can.

Moreover, the toilet unit of this invention can also be comprised as follows.
The toilet unit of the present invention includes a ball that receives a user's urine, a trap portion that communicates with the ball and discharges water stored in the ball to a sewer pipe, and seals the sewer pipe. Reservoir discharge means for lowering the water level to a predetermined water level lower than the overflow water level in the trap section, and the water level lowered by this retentate discharge means and the ball after the user has finished urination A water level measuring means for measuring a change in the water level in the inside, a urine volume calculating means for calculating a urine volume excreted by the user from the water level change measurement value measured by the water level measuring means, and water in the ball. And a water replenishing means for allowing the water level in the ball to flow back to the overflow water level.

  In the present invention configured as above, the stored water discharge means discharges the stored water from the ball holding the stored water, and lowers the stored water level in the ball. Next, the user urinates the ball whose water level has decreased. At this time, the stored water level in the ball has been lowered in advance from the overflow water level, so that the user's urination does not cause the stored water or urine to flow out through the trap portion. The water level measuring means measures the water level before urination reduced by the stored water discharging means and the water level after the user urinates. The urine volume calculation means measures the urine volume of the user based on the water level in the ball before and after the user urinates. After the measurement, the water replenishing means causes water to flow into the ball, condenses the water level in the ball to the overflow water level, and reliably seals the sewer pipe.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, urine volume measurement can be performed without greatly changing the structure of a conventional flush toilet. Further, according to the present invention configured as above, since urine is not mixed in the stored water discharged by the stored water discharging means, failure due to contact with urine hardly occurs, and the toilet unit Reliability can be increased.

  In the present invention, preferably, the stored water discharging means includes: a drainage channel that connects a drainage port provided at a predetermined water level of the trap unit and sewage; and a drainage valve provided in the drainage channel. Have.

  In the present invention configured as described above, when the drain valve is opened, the accumulated water in the ball is drained into the sewage through the drainage channel until the level of the accumulated water reaches the level of the drainage port.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, since the water level before the start of urine volume measurement can be set accurately depending on the height at which the drainage port is formed, the urine volume measurement accuracy is increased. be able to.

  In the present invention, preferably, the stored water discharging means is siphon phenomenon generating means for discharging water in the ball by causing water to flow into the trap portion and generating a siphon phenomenon in the trap portion.

In the present invention configured as above, the accumulated water in the ball is discharged from the trap portion by the siphon phenomenon caused by the siphon phenomenon generating means.
According to the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to use the jet water discharge nozzle and the like provided in the conventional flush toilet as well as the stored water discharge means, and improve the reliability of the toilet unit. It can also be increased.

  In the present invention, preferably, the stored water discharge means is operated by user operation or by automatically detecting the user of the toilet unit.

  In the present invention configured as described above, the accumulated water discharging means is activated by the user's operation or the user's automatic detection, and the water level in the ball is lowered to a predetermined water level.

  In the present invention, preferably, the stored water discharge means is automatically operated for the next urine volume measurement when one urine volume measurement is completed.

  In the present invention configured as described above, after one urine volume measurement is completed, the stored water discharge means is automatically activated for the next urine volume measurement, and the water level in the ball is set to a predetermined water level. Is lowered.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to reduce the time that the user of the toilet unit has to endure urination before starting the urine volume measurement.

  In the present invention, preferably, it further has a deodorizing means for deodorizing the odor that flows back from the sewer pipe, and the stored water discharge means has a predetermined water level lower than the level of the sealed water in the trap portion. To lower.

  In the present invention configured as described above, the stored water discharging means lowers the level of the stored water in the ball to a level at which the trap portion is not sealed, and the deodorizing means deodorizes the odor that flows backward from the sewer pipe. To do.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, the maximum measurable urine volume can be increased. In addition, the amount of urine is measured by using the lower part of the ball having a small cross-sectional area, and particularly when a small amount of urine is discharged, the change in the stored water level per unit amount of urine increases, thereby improving the measurement accuracy.

  In the present invention, preferably, the deodorizing means is a suction device that sucks air in the ball, a blower that blows air into the sewer pipe, or a water supply device that causes water to flow into the sewer pipe.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, the performance of the toilet unit is not affected or the usability is not lowered.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that at least the user after the accumulated water discharging means starts discharging water until the water replenishing means causes water to flow into the ball and condenses the water level to the overflow water level. On the other hand, it has an informing means for displaying that it is forbidden to throw anything other than urine into the ball.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, since it is possible to notify the user of the points to be noted when measuring the urine volume, excrement may enter the functional unit that performs urine volume measurement and cause malfunction. Absent. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of measurement errors due to accidental injection of things other than urine such as toilet paper into the stored water.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the urinary flow rate calculating unit further calculates the urinary flow rate based on a change per unit time of the water level measured by the water level measuring unit.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to measure the urinary flow rate, which is an index of urinary system diseases such as prostatic hypertrophy, by simply urinating in the toilet as usual. In addition, since measurement can be performed in a personal space called a toilet, repeated measurement can be performed without shame, so that highly reliable management can be performed by continuously confirming therapeutic effects. In addition, since measurement can be performed immediately when the user feels urine, data in the daily activity state can be obtained.

  In the present invention, it is preferable to further include a urination time calculation means for calculating a urination time based on a change per unit time of the water level measured by the water level measurement means.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to measure urination time, which is an index of urinary system diseases such as prostatic hypertrophy, by simply urinating in the toilet as usual. In addition, since measurement can be performed in a personal space called a toilet, repeated measurement can be performed without shame, so that highly reliable management can be performed by continuously confirming therapeutic effects.

  In the present invention, preferably, it further comprises stool excretion detection means for detecting excretion of stool by a user based on a time-dependent water level change waveform measured by the water level measurement means. Excretion of stool is detected based on the frequency component included in the change waveform and / or the amplitude change behavior of the water level change waveform.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to detect the excretion of stool, which is an error with respect to urine volume measurement, and by displaying this, it is possible to indicate that the measurement data may have an error. Therefore, it is possible to notify the medical staff and call attention, so that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of errors in medical judgment.

  In the present invention, preferably, when the stool excretion detecting means detects excretion of stool, the urine volume calculating means estimates the amount of change in the stored water level due to stool excretion, and the urine calculated based on the estimated change amount Correct the amount.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, even when stool is accidentally excreted during urine volume measurement, the urine volume including the stool volume is not output as a measurement value. In addition, since it is less likely to lose measurement opportunities due to fecal excretion, continuous measurement over a long period of time is possible without missing data.

  In the present invention, preferably, the water replenishing means interrupts the measurement and causes the water to flow into the ball when the state where the water level in the ball is lowered by the stored water discharging means continues for a predetermined time or longer. Raise the water level to the overflow water level.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, even when the urine volume measurement is stopped halfway, the water level of the accumulated water is returned to the overflow water level, which affects the convenience of the subsequent toilet device. There is no need to permanently operate the deodorizing means in order to prevent odor backflow from the sewer pipe.

  In the present invention, preferably, it further includes a urine sample collection device for directly collecting a part of the urine excreted by the user, and the urine volume calculation means includes the amount of urine excreted in the ball and the urine sample collection device. The amount of excreted urine is calculated by adding the amount of collected urine.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, for a single urination, both the measurement relating to the urination state and the quantification and / or qualitative measurement of the specific component contained in the urine can be performed.

  The toilet unit of the present invention includes a ball that receives a user's urine, a trap portion that communicates with the ball and discharges water stored in the ball to a sewer pipe, and seals the sewer pipe. The water level measuring means for measuring the water level of the water in the water, the water supply valve for supplying water into the ball, and the water level in the ball before starting the urine measurement of the user are the overflow water level of the trap part. Control means for controlling the water supply valve so that the predetermined water level is lower and higher than the sealed water level, the predetermined water level, and the inside of the ball after the user measured by the water level measuring means finishes urination Urine volume calculating means for calculating the urine volume excreted in the ball by the user based on the water level.

  In the present invention configured as described above, the water supply valve controlled by the control means has a predetermined water level in which the water level in the ball is lower than the overflow water level in the trap section and higher than the sealed water level. Supply water to become. Next, the user urinates the ball whose water level has decreased. At this time, since the water level in the ball is lower than the overflow water level, the water or urine does not flow out through the trap portion by the user's urination. The water level measuring means measures the water level before urination of the user and the water level after urination. The urine volume calculating means measures the urine volume of the user based on the water level in the ball before and after urination.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, urine volume can be measured in a state where urine containing a large amount of sodium chloride or the like as an electrolytic substance is in the ball. Does not adversely affect operation. In addition, since the water level of the stored water in the ball is set to a predetermined level in advance, it is not necessary to discharge the stored water to prepare for the measurement, thereby reducing the unit price per measurement, and Because the time required for measurement preparation is short, it is not necessary to endure urination for a long time.

  In the present invention, preferably, the water level measuring means is a pressure sensor for measuring the water pressure of the accumulated water in the ball.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, since urine volume can be measured in a state where urine is in the ball, the operation of each component that performs urine volume measurement is not adversely affected. Reliability can be increased.

  In the present invention, the control means preferably controls the water supply valve based on the water level in the ball measured by the water level measurement means after finishing the cleaning operation of the ball, so that the next urine volume measurement is performed. Therefore, the accumulated water in the ball is returned to a predetermined water level.

  In the present invention configured as described above, the water supply valve supplies water so that the stored water in the ball becomes a predetermined water level based on the water level of the stored water in the ball measured by the water level measuring means.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, since the predetermined water level for starting the urine volume measurement can be set with high accuracy, the urine volume measurement can be performed with higher accuracy.

  The toilet unit of the present invention includes a ball that receives a user's urine, a trap portion that communicates with the ball and discharges water stored in the ball to a sewer pipe, and seals the sewer pipe. A water level measuring means for measuring the water level of the stored water, a urine volume calculating means for calculating the urine volume or urine flow rate excreted by the user based on the water level measured by the water level measuring means, and a predetermined amount in the ball Based on the change in the water level when water is charged or discharged by the fixed quantity water supply / discharge means and the fixed quantity water supply / discharge means for discharging a predetermined amount of water from the ball, Correction means for correcting a calculation value obtained by the urine volume calculation means.

  In the present invention configured as described above, the metered water input / discharge means inputs a predetermined amount of water into the ball or discharges a predetermined amount of water from the ball, and the water level in the ball at that time is determined. Changes are remembered. Next, the water level measuring means measures the level of the stored water after the user urinates, and the urine volume calculating means calculates the urine volume of the user based on the water level in the ball before and after the user urinates. The correcting means corrects the urine volume of the user calculated by the urine volume calculating means based on the change in the water level before and after the metered water input / discharge stored in advance.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, a predetermined amount of water is thrown into the ball, or the calculated value of the urine amount by the urine amount calculating means is corrected based on the change in the water level when discharged. Even when the water level in the ball before the urine volume measurement is not accurately set or there is an error in the measurement value of the water level measuring means, the urine volume can be measured with high accuracy.

  In the present invention, preferably, the correction means stores a water level change curve representing the relationship between the amount of water stored in the ball and the water level of the water stored in the ball, and the correction means is measured by the water level measurement means. Before the user urinates based on the difference between the first water level before the predetermined amount of water is input and the second water level after the predetermined amount of water is input and the water level change curve. The water level of the stored water in the ball is obtained, and the calculated value by the urine volume calculating means is corrected based on this water level.

  In the present invention configured as described above, the correction means stores in advance a water level change curve that represents the relationship between the amount of water stored in the ball and the water level of the water stored in the ball. This correction means obtains the water level of the stored water before the user urinates based on the difference in water level before and after the water input / discharge means supplies a predetermined amount of water and the water level change curve stored in advance. .

  According to the present invention configured as above, since the water level of the stored water is obtained based on the difference in the water level measured by the water level measuring means, the measurement value of the water level measuring means includes an offset error or the like. Even in this case, urine volume can be measured with high accuracy.

  In the present invention, preferably, the correction means stores a water level change curve representing the relationship between the amount of water stored in the ball and the water level of the water stored in the ball, and the correction means is measured by the water level measurement means. Based on the difference between the overflow water level before discharging the predetermined amount of water and the second water level after discharging the predetermined amount of water, and before the user urinates based on the water level change curve The water level in the ball is obtained, and the calculated value by the urine volume calculating means is corrected based on this water level.

  In the present invention configured as described above, the correction means stores in advance a water level change curve that represents the relationship between the amount of water stored in the ball and the water level of the water stored in the ball. This correction means is based on the difference between the overflow water level and the water level after the water input / discharge means discharges a predetermined amount of water, and the stored water before the user urinates based on the water level change curve stored in advance. Ask for the water level.

  According to the present invention configured as above, since the water level of the stored water is obtained based on the difference in the water level measured by the water level measuring means, the measurement value of the water level measuring means includes an offset error or the like. Even in this case, urine volume can be measured with high accuracy.

  Further, the toilet unit of the present invention includes a ball that receives a user's urine, a trap portion that communicates with the ball and discharges water stored in the ball to a sewer pipe, and seals the sewer pipe with a ball or A drainage pipe extending from a drainage inlet provided at a position lower than the overflow water level of the trap section to a drainage outlet opening at a predetermined height higher than the drainage inlet and lower than the overflow water level, and drainage of the drainage pipe A water level setting valve that allows the inlet and the drain outlet to communicate with each other or shuts off, and the water level setting valve that is brought to a predetermined height by opening the water level setting valve, the water level setting valve is closed, and the user urinates A water level measuring means for measuring a change in the water level in the ball after finishing, and a urine volume calculating means for calculating the amount of urine excreted by the user in the ball from the water level change measurement value measured by the water level measuring means; Special features It is set to.

  In the present invention configured as described above, the water level setting valve is opened, so that the accumulated water in the ball is drained from the drainage inlet through the drainage conduit to the drainage outlet. As a result, the water level of the stored water in the ball is lowered to a predetermined height at which the drain outlet is opened. After the water level setting valve is closed, the user urinates the ball whose water level has fallen. At this time, the stored water level in the ball has been lowered in advance from the overflow water level, so that the user's urination does not cause the stored water or urine to flow out through the trap portion. The water level measuring means measures the water level before urination set by the water level setting valve and the water level after the user urinates. The urine volume calculation means measures the urine volume of the user based on the water level in the ball before and after the user urinates.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, since the water level of the stored water is set by the height at which the drainage outlet is open, the water level before the start of urine volume measurement can be set accurately. Therefore, urine volume can be measured with high accuracy.

  In the present invention, preferably, there is further provided siphon phenomenon generating means for causing water to flow into the trap portion, generating a siphon phenomenon in the trap portion and discharging the water in the ball, and the ball by the siphon phenomenon generating means. After the water level in the inner water is lowered, the water level setting valve is opened to bring the water level in the ball to a predetermined height.

  In the present invention configured as described above, the water level in the ball is lowered to some extent by the siphon phenomenon generating means, and then the water level setting valve is opened to accurately set the water level of the stored water to a predetermined height. Therefore, the time required for setting the water level can be shortened.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the water supply means further flows water into the ball and raises the level of the accumulated water in the ball, and the water level in the ball is lowered by the siphon phenomenon generating means. Thereafter, water is caused to flow into the ball by the water replenishing means, and the water level setting valve is opened to set the water level of the stored water in the ball to a predetermined height.

  In the present invention configured as described above, after the water level in the ball is lowered by the siphon phenomenon generating means, the water is supplied to the ball by the water replenishing means, and the water level setting valve is opened to Since the water level is accurately set to a predetermined height, the time required for setting the water level can be shortened.

  In the present invention, preferably, the water level measuring means has a pressure conduit communicating with the ball and a pressure sensor connected to the pressure conduit, and a part or all of the drainage conduit is also used as the pressure conduit, The water in the ball is drained through the pressure conduit.

  In the present invention configured as described above, the water level in the ball is obtained by measuring the water pressure in the ball transmitted by the pressure conduit with a pressure sensor. This pressure conduit is shared with part or all of the drain conduit.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, the drainage conduit can be configured with a simple structure.

  In the present invention, preferably, the urine volume calculating means calibrates the water level measuring means when the water level of the stored water in the ball is a predetermined height or when it is the overflow water level.

  In the present invention configured as described above, the water level measuring means is calibrated using the overflow water level or the water level of a predetermined height which is set accurately and highly reproducibly by the structure of the toilet unit, so that the accuracy is high. Urine volume can be measured.

  Further, the toilet unit of the present invention includes a ball that receives a user's urine, a trap portion that communicates with the ball and discharges water stored in the ball to a sewer pipe, and seals the sewer pipe. The stored water discharging means for discharging the stored water, the stored water tank for storing a predetermined amount of water flowing into the ball from which the stored water has been discharged by the stored water discharging means, and the predetermined amount of water flowing from the stored water tank From the water level measurement means for measuring the water level in the ball after being discharged and the change in the water level in the ball after the user has finished urination, and the water level change measurement value measured by this water level measurement means And a urine volume calculating means for calculating the urine volume excreted by the person into the ball.

  In the present invention configured as above, first, the stored water in the ball is discharged by the stored water discharging means so that the amount of stored water becomes substantially zero, and then the ball is discharged from the stored water tank storing a predetermined amount of water. The water level in the ball before the urine volume measurement is set by letting water flow in. Next, the user urinates the ball with the set water level. The water level measuring means measures the set water level before urination and the water level after the user urinates. The urine volume calculation means measures the urine volume of the user based on the water level in the ball before and after the user urinates.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, the water level in the ball before the urine measurement is set according to the amount of water stored in the reservoir tank, so that the water level can be set accurately. Thereby, the urine volume can be measured with high accuracy.

  In the present invention, preferably, the stored water discharging means is siphon phenomenon generating means for discharging water in the ball by causing water to flow into the trap portion and generating a siphon phenomenon in the trap portion.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, since the jet water discharge nozzle can be used as the stored water discharging means, the stored water discharging means can be configured with a simple structure.

  In this invention, Preferably, it has a pressure feeding means which pressure-feeds the water in a stored water tank further in a ball | bowl.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, the water in the reservoir tank can be rapidly flowed into the ball, so that the time required for preparation before the urine volume measurement can be shortened.

  In the present invention, it is preferable to further have a water tank water supply means for supplying water to the water tank. The water tank water supply means supplies water to the water tank so that the water overflows from the water tank. By doing so, the amount of water stored in the reservoir tank is specified.

  According to the present invention thus configured, the amount of water stored in the reservoir tank is accurately determined by the structure of the reservoir tank, so that the water level in the ball before the urine volume measurement is accurately set. be able to.

  In the present invention, preferably, further, a sewage pipe pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in the sewage pipe, and when the sewage pipe pressure sensor detects a pressure fluctuation of a predetermined value or more, water is caused to flow into the ball and Water supply means for raising the water level.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, even in a toilet unit in a standby state in which the water level in the ball is lower than the overflow water level, it is not broken due to pressure fluctuations in the sewer pipe. .

  The toilet unit of the present invention includes a ball that receives a user's urine, a trap portion that communicates with the ball and discharges water stored in the ball to a sewer pipe, and seals the sewer pipe. Provided with a water level measuring means for measuring the water level of the stored water, an outlet connected to a water supply port for supplying water to the ball, and an inlet connected to a supply source of water supplied to the ball. A water supply valve that communicates or shuts off between the inlet and the inlet; one end is connected to the inlet, the other end is connected to the sewer pipe, and when the water supply valve is in communication, one end and the other When the water supply valve is cut off, the water supply trap pipe that releases water supplied from the supply source to the sewer pipe, and the water supply valve are controlled so that the water level of the stored water in the ball becomes a predetermined water level. Control means, predetermined water level, and usage measured by water level measuring means There Based on the water level in the bowl at end of urination, the user is characterized by having a urine amount calculation means for calculating the volume of urine excreted to the ball.

  In the present invention configured as described above, the water supplied from the supply source is supplied into the ball through the water supply valve, and the control means supplies the water when the water level in the ball reaches a predetermined level. The valve is shut off. When the water supply valve is shut off, the water supplied from the supply source is discharged to the sewer pipe through the water supply trap pipe. The user urinates the ball set at a predetermined water level. The water level measuring means measures the predetermined water level before urination and the water level after the user urinates. The urine volume calculation means measures the urine volume of the user based on the water level in the ball before and after the user urinates.

  According to the present invention configured as above, the water level in the ball can be accurately set by using a valve that can be shut off rapidly as a water supply valve. Even when the water supply valve is shut off rapidly, the water supplied from the supply source is discharged to the sewer pipe through the water supply trap pipe, so that the water hammer phenomenon does not occur.

  In the present invention, the control means preferably controls the water supply valve based on the water level in the ball measured by the water level measuring means.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, since the water supply valve is controlled based on the water level measured by the water level measuring means, it is possible to further improve the setting accuracy of the stored water level.

  In the present invention, preferably, the apparatus further includes a sanitary washing device, and the control means adjusts the water level in the ball using the water discharged from the sanitary washing device into the ball after the water supply valve is shut off.

  In the present invention configured as described above, after the water supply by the water supply valve is finished, the water level in the ball is finely adjusted using the water discharged from the sanitary washing device into the ball. Setting accuracy can be further improved.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the pressure head further has an isobaric means in which the pressure head is always kept constant, and the water level measuring means is a pressure sensor for measuring the water pressure of the accumulated water in the ball. The pressure sensor is calibrated by communicating the means.

  In the present invention configured as above, the pressure sensor is calibrated by applying the pressure of the isobaric means whose pressure head is always kept constant to the pressure sensor, so that the measurement accuracy of urine volume is further improved. Can be made.

It is a perspective view which shows the toilet unit by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the stored water discharge means in the toilet unit by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the stored water discharge means which can be used for the toilet unit by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the urine volume estimation in the toilet unit by 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a system block diagram of a toilet unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement sequence of the toilet unit by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement flow of the toilet unit by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows an example of the water level change of the stored water in a user's urination. It is a perspective view which shows the urine sample collection device which measures the specific component density | concentration of the urine used for the toilet unit of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows another example of the biometric information measuring apparatus used for the toilet unit of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a mathematical model figure of measurement of a specific ingredient concentration. It is a graph which shows the change per hour of the amount of urine and urine flow rate which were measured with the toilet unit by a 1st embodiment of the present invention. In the toilet unit by 1st Embodiment of this invention, it is an operation | movement sequence diagram at the time of stopping a measurement on the way. It is a figure which shows another operation | movement sequence of the toilet unit by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the deodorizing apparatus which is a deodorizing means of the toilet unit by 1st Embodiment of this invention, an air blower, and a water supply apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the urine collection system used for the toilet unit by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the 2nd example of the urine collection | collection system used for the toilet unit by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the toilet unit provided with the urine volume measuring function by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the toilet unit provided with the urine volume measuring function by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the operation | movement principle of the vent valve currently used for the toilet unit by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the toilet unit provided with the urine volume measuring function by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a system block diagram which shows the water supply system of the toilet unit by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is an operation | movement sequence diagram of the toilet bowl with the urine volume measuring function by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the whole toilet unit by 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the toilet unit by 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the detail of the pressure sensor part of the toilet unit by 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph showing the operation of the toilet unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention in time series. It is a block diagram showing the relationship of each part of the toilet unit by 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph of the calibration curve which shows an example of the relationship between the amount Q of stored water in a ball | bowl, and the water level h. It is a graph explaining the principle which calculates a water level in the toilet unit by 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the toilet unit by 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view of the setting mechanism part of the start water level of the toilet unit by 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the relationship of each part of the toilet unit by 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph showing the operation of the toilet unit according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention in time series. It is sectional drawing of the toilet unit by 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph showing the operation of the toilet unit according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention in time series. It is sectional drawing of the toilet unit by 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph showing the operation of the toilet unit according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention in time series. It is sectional drawing of the toilet unit by 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the reservoir tank used for the setting of the start water level of the toilet unit by 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph showing the operation of the toilet unit according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention in time series. It is sectional drawing of the toilet unit by 8th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the reservoir tank used for the setting of the start water level of the toilet unit by 8th Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph showing the operation of the toilet unit according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention in time series. It is sectional drawing of the toilet unit by 9th Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph showing the effect | action at the time of performing urine volume measurement with the toilet unit by 9th Embodiment of this invention in time series. It is a graph which shows an effect | action at the time of using the toilet unit by 9th Embodiment of this invention as a normal toilet bowl.

Explanation of symbols

A ... Urine collection position B ... Urinal washing / removal position C ... Urine collection / washing / storage position H ... Overflow water level Y ... Pre-measurement water level Z ... Post-urination water level 1 ... Urinal unit 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention 2 ... Function Case 3 ... water channel switching means (water channel switching valve)
4 ... Bladder 5 ... Urine collection part (urine sample collection device)
6 ... Reservoir measurement unit 11 ... Western style toilet 12 ... Ball 13 ... Reservoir 14 ... Rim 15 ... Trap part 16 ... Drain connection pipe 17 ... Urine 21 ... ID card 22 ... Operation / display part 23 ... Toilet seat 24 ... Toilet lid 31 ... Zet water discharge nozzle (siphon phenomenon generating means)
32 ... Rim water discharge nozzle (water supply means)
33 ... Drainage port 34 ... Drainage channel (reserved water discharge means)
35 ... Drain valve (open / close valve)
41 ... Overflow water level 42 ... Predetermined water level 43 ... Sealed water level 44 ... Pressure sensor (water level measuring means)
45 ... Pressure guiding path 46 ... Pressure sensor (water level measuring means)
51 ... Rim cover 52 ... Urine collector 53 ... Urine collection arm 54 ... Stockpile container 55 ... Deodorization device (suction device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 56 ... Air blower 57 ... Water supply device 58 ... Check valve 61 ... Case 62 ... Water sampling part 201 ... Toilet bowl unit 202 by 2nd Embodiment of this invention 202 ... Function case 203 ... Water supply valve 204 ... Urine 205 ... Mechanism unit cabinet 211 ... Western-style toilet 212 ... Ball 213 ... Reservoir 214 ... Rim surface 215 ... Trap part 216 ... Drain connection pipe 216a ... Water merge part 216b ... Intake pipe 216c ... Ventilation valve 217 ... Pressure release hole 221 ... Toilet seat 222 ... Toilet lid 231 ... Zette water discharge nozzle 232 ... Rim water discharge nozzle 233 ... Branch port 234 ... Branch path 235 ... Three-way valve 242 ... Pressure guide path 242a ... Expansion pipe 242b ... Air vent plug 242c ... Open / close valve 243 ... Pressure sensor (reserved water amount measuring means)
250 ... Urine collection unit 251 ... Urine collection device 252 ... Urine collection arm 260 ... Electrolysis tank 261 ... Case 262 ... Lid 263, 264 ... Electrode 265 ... Spacer 266 ... Water inlet 267 ... Water outlet 301 ... Stop cock 302 ... Branch fitting 303 ... Opening / closing Valve 304 ... Tank 305 ... Intake unit 306 ... Pump 307 ... Open / close valve 308 ... Overflow pipe 361 ... Valve body 362 ... Pressure chamber 363 ... Main body 364 ... Guide 401 ... Toilet unit 402 according to the third embodiment of the present invention 402 ... Western style large Toilet 404 ... Cabinet 406 ... Ball 406a ... Rim surface 407 ... Rim spout nozzle 408 ... Trap section 408a ... Top 408b ... Trap section inlet 409 ... Zet spout nozzle 410 ... Toilet seat 412 ... Toilet lid 414 ... Urine collection device 414a ... Urine collector 414b ... Urine collection arm 414 c ... Urine collection unit 414d ... Urine component measurement unit 416 ... Water channel switching means 418 ... Pressure sensor 418a ... Pressure conduit 418b ... Water channel enlargement unit 418c ... On-off valve 420 ... Control means 422 ... Operation / display unit 424 ... Drain socket 426 ... Sewage pipe 428 ... Urine volume calculation means 430 ... Correction means 432 ... Sanitary washing device remote control 434 ... Urine component measurement unit remote control 436 ... Printer 438 ... Ventilation valve 440 ... Sewage pipe pressure sensor 501 ... Toilet bowl unit 502 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention 502 ... vertical pipe 504 ... solenoid valve 505 ... drainage outlet 506 ... return pipe 506a ... drainage receiving part 506b ... trap part 508 ... three-way valve 510 ... sewer pressure sensor 550 ... toilet unit 552 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention 552 ... 1 Three-way valve 552a ... Entrance / exit 552b ... Entrance / exit 552c ... Drainage Exit 554 ... Water column 556 ... Return pipe 558 ... Second three-way valve 558a ... Entrance / exit 558b ... Entrance / exit 558c ... Entrance / exit 560 ... Third three-way valve 560a ... Entrance / exit 560b ... Entrance / exit 560c ... Entrance / exit 600 ... Toilet bowl according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention Unit 602 ... 2nd three-way valve 602a ... Entrance / exit 602b ... Entrance / exit 602c ... Entrance / exit 604 ... Cleaning tank 604a ... Inflow pipe 604b ... Outflow pipe 606 ... Pump 606a ... Outflow pipe 608 ... Rotary valve 608a ... Outlet / inlet 608b ... Outlet / inlet 608c ... ... Water column 700 ... Toilet unit 702 ... First three-way valve 702a ... Entrance / exit 702b ... Entrance / exit 702c ... Entrance / exit 704 ... Reservoir tank 704a ... Outflow pipe 706 ... Washing tank 706a ... Outflow pipe 706b ... Float switch 706c ... Overflow -Pipe 708 ... pump 710 ... third on-off valve 712 ... fifth on-off valve 714 ... fourth on-off valve 716 ... vent valve 718 ... sixth on-off valve 720 ... sewage pipe pressure sensor 722 ... second three-way valve 800 ... of the present invention Urinal unit according to the eighth embodiment 802... 8th on-off valve 804... 7th on-off valve 805... Reservoir tank 806 ... 3rd on-off valve 808 ... 4th on-off valve 808 a ... Overflow pipe 810. 900: Toilet unit according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention 902 ... First three-way valve 902a ... Inlet / outlet 902b ... Inlet / outlet 902c ... Inlet / outlet 904 ... Solenoid valve 904a ... Inlet 904b ... Outlet 906 ... Water supply trap 908 ... Silicon oil tank 910 ... 10th on-off valve

Claims (3)

A ball that receives the user's urine;
A trap portion communicating with the ball and discharging water stored in the ball to a sewer pipe, and sealing the sewer pipe;
Water level measuring means for measuring the water level of the stored water in the ball;
Urine volume calculating means for calculating the urine volume excreted by the user based on the water level measured by the water level measuring means;
A metered water input / discharge means for charging a predetermined amount of water into the ball or discharging a predetermined amount of water from the ball;
Correction means for correcting the calculated value by the urine volume calculation means based on the change in the water level when water is supplied or discharged by the quantitative water supply / discharge means;
A toilet unit characterized by comprising: The correction means stores a water level change curve representing the relationship between the amount of water stored in the ball and the water level of the water stored in the ball, and the correction means is the measurement of the water level measured by the water level measurement means. The user urinates based on the difference between the first water level before the predetermined amount of water is supplied and the second water level after the predetermined amount of water is supplied, and the water level change curve. 2. The toilet unit according to claim 1, wherein the level of the stored water in the previous ball is obtained, and the calculated value by the urine volume calculating means is corrected based on the water level. The correction means stores a water level change curve representing the relationship between the amount of water stored in the ball and the water level of the water stored in the ball, and the correction means is the measurement of the water level measured by the water level measurement means. the difference between the second level after discharging before the overflow water level and a predetermined amount of water quantification water charge / discharge means for discharging a predetermined amount of water, and before the user urinates on the basis of the water level change curve 2. The toilet unit according to claim 1, wherein the level of the stored water in the bowl is obtained, and the calculated value by the urine volume calculating means is corrected based on the water level.

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