JP4140627B2 - Toilet seat device and toilet device including the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a toilet seat device having a heating function and a toilet device including the same.

Conventionally, as a toilet seat device that starts energization of the toilet seat heating means immediately before the user uses the toilet for the purpose of suppressing the power consumption of the toilet seat heating means, the toilet seat device main body is connected to the toilet seat device main body via a communication means. The body operation display means is installed in a room separate from the toilet, and the user moves the toilet seat heating means from the room space outside the toilet using the separate operation display means, and the user moves from the room space to the toilet. The temperature of the toilet seat is raised during the time until it is done, and the display means is configured to notify the user that the toilet seat surface is at a comfortable temperature by lighting the toilet seat appropriate temperature lamp or displaying the toilet seat temperature (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-119444 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, since the heating means of the toilet seat is energized and heated during the travel time from the living room space where the separate operation display means is installed to the toilet, the distance between the location of the separate operation display means and the toilet, Since the time based on unspecified factors such as the user's walking speed is the energization time, the toilet seat has not sufficiently heated when arriving at the toilet, or it arrives at the toilet after a considerable time after the temperature rises, There was a problem that sufficient energy saving effect could not be obtained.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, realizes energy saving, can stabilize the temperature of the seating portion accurately at a predetermined temperature in a short time, and the temperature of the seating portion is comfortable. A toilet seat device capable of notifying that the temperature is present and a toilet device including the toilet seat device are provided.

In order to solve the conventional problems, the toilet seat apparatus according to the present invention, a toilet seat, a heating element for heating the toilet seat, a temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the toilet seat, the presence of the user A human body detection unit for detecting, a control unit, and a notification unit, wherein the control unit energizes the heating element when the presence of a user is detected by the human body detection unit; in after the temperature of the flight seat has driven the heating element at a first power to the user is increased to the limit temperature is the lowest temperature of the seating section not feel cold first time, the first The second electric power is smaller than the first electric power so that the temperature of the toilet seat rises to a temperature higher than the toilet seat set temperature preset by the user with a second temperature gradient gentler than the temperature gradient. The heating element is driven for a second time, and the notification unit is at least the heating element During temperature increase being energized, when the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit becomes the temperature which the temperature reaches the critical temperature of the toilet seat is obtained by said changing the notification of the notification unit. As a result, when the user enters the toilet, the human body detection unit detects it, energizes the toilet seat, and the temperature of the toilet seat is suitable for sitting until the user takes off the clothes and sits on the toilet seat. The temperature is raised to a predetermined temperature, and the notification means is used to notify the heating element of the toilet seat portion without wasteful energization and whether or not the temperature of the seat portion is in an uncomfortable low temperature state. Since it is possible to recognize without touching the seating section, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use toilet seat device with energy saving performance.

  According to the toilet seat device and the toilet device including the same according to the present invention, energy saving is realized, and the user can be notified that the temperature of the seating portion is a temperature suitable for seating.

Toilet seat apparatus according to the first invention comprises a toilet seat, a heating element for heating the toilet seat, a temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the toilet seat, a human body detection unit for detecting the presence of a user, a control unit, and a notification unit, wherein the control unit performs energization of the heating element if the presence of the user by the human body detection unit is detected, temperature of the toilet seat at a first temperature gradient However, after the heating element is driven with the first electric power for the first time so that the temperature rises to the limit temperature that is the lowest temperature of the seating portion that the user does not feel cold, the first temperature gradient is gentler than the first temperature gradient. the flight seat temperature user the heating element and the second in the second power the smaller than the first power to rise to a temperature higher than the toilet seat set temperature set in advance at a second temperature gradient Drive for a time, and the notification unit is at least during the temperature rise that is energizing the heating element, When the temperature detected by the degree detection unit reaches a temperature at which the toilet seat temperature reaches the limit temperature, the notification of the notification unit is changed, so that when the user enters the toilet, it is used by the human body detection unit. The presence of the person is detected, the toilet seat is energized, and when the heating element is energized, when the temperature detected by the temperature detector reaches the limit temperature, the detected temperature reaches the limit temperature. Whether or not the temperature of the seating part is in an unpleasant low temperature state when the user enters the toilet room without wasteful energization of the heating element of the toilet seat part. Can be recognized without actually touching the seating portion, so that it is possible to provide an easy-to-use toilet seat device with energy saving performance. In addition, the user can sit on the toilet seat without feeling that the seat is cold.

  In the toilet seat device according to the second aspect of the invention, the controller of the first aspect is configured such that the control unit of the first aspect energizes the heating element when the human body non-detection state continues for a certain time or longer by the human body detection unit, and the notification by the notification unit Since the human body non-detection state has passed for a certain period of time, the human body does not exist in the toilet room, and the consumption is stopped by stopping the energization of the heating element and the notification in the notification unit. Electric power can be reduced and energy can be saved.

  A toilet seat device according to a third aspect of the present invention is directed to the toilet seat device according to any one of the first and second aspects, wherein when the presence of a user is detected by the human body detection unit, the toilet seat unit has a first temperature gradient. After the heating element is driven with the first electric power for the first time so that the temperature rises to a limit temperature that is the lowest temperature of the seating portion that the user does not feel cold, the second, which is gentler than the first temperature gradient. The heating element is driven for a second time with a second power smaller than the first power so that the temperature of the toilet seat rises to a temperature higher than the toilet seat set temperature preset by the user at a temperature gradient of When the first power is energized, it is determined that the heating element is abnormal when the rate of change of the detected temperature per specified time in the temperature detector deviates from the first specified value. When energized, the rate of change of the detected temperature per specified time in the temperature detector is the second specified When the presence of the user is detected by the human body detection unit by determining that the heating element is abnormal when the power is off, stopping the power supply to the heating element, and notifying the abnormality of the heating element by the notification unit In addition, the heating element is driven by the controller for a first time with the first electric power so that the temperature of the toilet seat rises to the limit temperature. Thereby, the temperature of a toilet seat part rises with a 1st temperature gradient. If the heating element and the temperature detection unit are normal, the temperature rises at the first temperature gradient. However, if the heating element and the temperature detection unit are abnormal such as disconnection, the temperature detection unit Since the detected temperature does not change, the first specified value is deviated, and an abnormality in the heat generating portion and the temperature detecting portion can be detected.

  Further, after the heating element is driven by the first electric power, the second electric power that is smaller than the first electric power generates heat so that the temperature of the toilet seat rises to a temperature higher than the toilet seat setting temperature preset by the user. The body is driven by the controller for a second time. As a result, the temperature of the toilet seat rises with a second temperature gradient that is gentler than the first temperature gradient. When the heat generation unit and the temperature detection unit are abnormal, the second prescribed value is deviated, so that the abnormality of the heat generation unit and the temperature detection unit can be detected.

  Therefore, when it is determined that there is an abnormality such as disconnection of the heating element, or an abnormality of the temperature detection unit, energization to the heating element is stopped, so that it may become unsafe such as a burn when the user is seated. No.

  Here, when the temperature of the toilet seat is measured and the heating element is driven based on the measured temperature, a delay occurs until the heat of the heating element is transmitted to the toilet seat, so the temperature of the toilet seat is It is difficult to control accurately and quickly. On the other hand, in the toilet seat device according to the present invention, the driving time of the heating element by the first and second electric powers is preset as the first and second times, respectively. And can be controlled quickly.

  Further, when the presence of the user is detected by the human body detection unit, the heating element is driven by the first and second electric power, so that the heating element is used to raise the temperature of the toilet seat when the presence of the user is not detected. There is no need to drive with the required first and second power. Thereby, power consumption is sufficiently reduced and energy saving is realized.

  Further, after the toilet seat portion is heated to the limit temperature with the first temperature gradient, the toilet seat portion reaches a temperature higher than the toilet seat set temperature preset by the user with a second temperature gradient that is gentler than the first temperature gradient. The temperature is raised. Thereby, the overshoot which arises in the temperature change of a toilet seat part in toilet seat preset temperature is reduced. Thereby, the temperature of the toilet seat is easily stabilized at the toilet seat set temperature.

  Further, by setting the toilet seat set temperature to a temperature at which the user feels comfortable, the user can comfortably sit on the toilet seat.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the control unit of the toilet seat device according to the third aspect of the present invention is configured such that when the notification unit notifies the abnormality of the heating element, the human body detection unit does not detect the human body for a predetermined time or more. By continuing notification even when the state is continued, the notification of the abnormality of the heating element by the notification unit when the abnormality of the heating element and the temperature detection unit is detected can be notified regardless of whether the human body is detected or not detected. Since the abnormality can be recognized even when the user does not enter the toilet room, the safety can be further improved.

  The toilet apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention includes the toilet bowl and the toilet seat apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, thereby having the function of the toilet seat apparatus of any one of the first to fourth aspects. The toilet device is integrated with the toilet bowl, and the toilet device is easy to use and highly safe.

  Hereinafter, a toilet seat device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a toilet device including the same will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a toilet seat apparatus and a toilet apparatus provided with the toilet seat apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet apparatus 1000 includes a toilet seat apparatus 100 and a toilet bowl 700, and is installed in a toilet room.

  In the toilet apparatus 1000, the toilet seat apparatus 100 is mounted on the toilet bowl 700. The toilet seat apparatus 100 has a heating function, and includes a main body part 200, a remote operation device 300, a toilet seat part 400, a lid part 500, and a room entry detection sensor 600 that is a human body detection part.

  A toilet seat 400 and a lid 500 are attached to the main body 200 so as to be freely opened and closed. Furthermore, the main body 200 is provided with a cleaning water supply mechanism and a seating sensor 290, and has a control unit described later.

  In the present embodiment, the toilet seat 400 has a built-in lamp heater as a heating element. Details will be described later.

  A cleaning water supply mechanism (not shown) of the main body 200 is connected to a water pipe and supplies cleaning water into the toilet bowl 700. The seating sensor 290 is, for example, a reflection type infrared sensor. In this case, the seating sensor 290 detects the presence of a user on the toilet seat 400 when detecting infrared rays reflected from the human body.

  In addition, a notification LED 280 serving as a notification unit is provided on the upper surface side of the main body unit 200. Notification LED 280 blinks at the start of energization of the lamp heater, and lights up when the temperature of toilet seat 400 reaches a limit temperature described later. Also, the user is notified when there is an abnormality such as disconnection of a lamp heater or thermostat, which will be described later, or disconnection of the thermistor.

  The remote operation device 300 is provided with a plurality of switches. The remote control device 300 is attached to a place where a user who sits on the toilet seat 400 can operate, for example.

  The entrance detection sensor 600 is attached to the entrance of a toilet room, for example. The entrance detection sensor 600 is, for example, a reflective infrared sensor. In this case, the entrance detection sensor 600 detects that the user has entered the toilet room when detecting infrared rays reflected from the human body.

  Based on signals transmitted from the seating sensor 290, the remote operation device 300, and the room entry detection sensor 600, the control unit of the main body 200 controls driving of a lamp heater (described later) built in the toilet seat 400.

  Further, the control unit of the main body 200 also controls a cleaning water supply mechanism (not shown), a deodorizing device (not shown) provided in the main body 200, a hot air supply device (not shown), and the like.

  2 is a schematic diagram showing the remote control device 300 of FIG. 1. As shown in the figure, the remote control device 300 includes a heating switch 301, a plurality of temperature control switches 302, 303, 304, and a plurality of LEDs ( Light emitting diode) 305.

  The user presses the heating switch 301 and the plurality of temperature adjustment switches 302, 303, and 304.

  Thereby, the remote operation device 300 wirelessly transmits a predetermined signal to a control unit provided in the main body 200 of the toilet seat device 100 described later. The control unit of the main body 200 receives a predetermined signal wirelessly transmitted from the remote operation device 300, and controls driving of a lamp heater described later.

  When the user uses the heating function as in winter, the heating function of the toilet seat apparatus 100 is turned on by pressing the heating switch 301 in advance. In this state, when the temperature adjustment switch 302 is pressed, the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is set low (for example, 34 ° C.), and when the temperature adjustment switch 303 is pressed, the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is set. When the temperature adjustment switch 304 is pressed down, the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is set high (eg, 38 ° C.).

  When the user does not use the heating function as in summer, the heating function of the toilet seat device 100 is turned off by pressing the heating switch 301.

  Hereinafter, the temperature of the toilet seat 400 set by the temperature adjustment switches 302 to 304 is referred to as toilet seat set temperature.

  Each of the plurality of LEDs 305 is provided so as to correspond to the heating switch 301 and the plurality of temperature adjustment switches 302, 303, and 304. The plurality of LEDs 305 are turned on when the heating switch 301 and the plurality of temperature adjustment switches 302, 303, 304 are pressed.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the toilet seat device 100. As described above, the toilet seat device 100 includes the main body 200, the remote control device 300, the toilet seat 400, and the entrance detection sensor 600.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 200 includes a control unit 210, a temperature measuring unit 220, a heater driving unit 230, a notification LED 280, and a seating sensor 290.

  Further, the toilet seat 400 includes a lamp heater 480 and a thermistor 411. The lamp heater 480 includes a rear lamp heater 481 and a front lamp heater 482.

  The control unit 210 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and includes a determination unit that determines the user's entrance and the temperature of the toilet seat 400, a timer unit having a timer function, a storage unit that stores various information, and a heater driving unit 230. Including an energization rate switching circuit for controlling the operation.

  The temperature measuring unit 220 of the main body 200 is connected to the thermistor 411 of the toilet seat 400. Thereby, the temperature measuring unit 220 measures the temperature of the toilet seat 400 based on the signal output from the thermistor 411. Hereinafter, the temperature of the toilet seat 400 measured by the temperature measuring unit 220 through the thermistor 411 is referred to as a measured temperature value.

  Further, the heater driving unit 230 of the main body 200 is connected to the lamp heater 480 of the toilet seat 400. As a result, the heater driving unit 230 drives the lamp heater 480.

  The toilet seat device 100 having the above-described configuration operates as follows.

  First, the operation at the time of initial setting will be described. When the user depresses the heating switch 301 (FIG. 2) of the remote control device 300, a signal to turn on the heating function is transmitted to the control unit 210 of the main body unit 200. As a result, the control unit 210 controls the heater driving unit 230 to drive the lamp heater 480. Thereby, the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is adjusted so as to be about 18 ° C., for example. The temperature at this time is referred to as a standby temperature.

  Here, when the user presses one of the temperature adjustment switches 302, 303, and 304 (FIG. 2) of the remote control device 300, the toilet seat set temperature is transmitted to the control unit 210. Control unit 210 stores the toilet seat set temperature received from remote control device 300 in the storage unit.

  For example, when the temperature adjustment switch 302 is pressed, the toilet seat set temperature is stored as 34 ° C. in the storage unit. When the temperature adjustment switch 303 is pressed, the toilet seat set temperature is stored as 36 ° C. in the storage unit. Further, when the temperature adjustment switch 304 is pressed, the toilet seat set temperature is stored as 38 ° C. in the storage unit.

  When the user enters the toilet room, the entry detection sensor 600 detects the entry of the user. Thereby, a signal indicating that the user has entered the room is transmitted to the control unit 210.

  Next, the operation during normal use will be described. The determination unit of the control unit 210 detects the user entering the toilet room based on a signal from the room detection sensor 600. Therefore, the determination unit selects a specific heater control pattern related to driving of the lamp heater 480 based on the measured temperature value of the toilet seat 400 and a heater control table described later stored in the storage unit.

  The energization rate switching circuit controls the operation of the heater driving unit 230 based on the selected heater control pattern and time information obtained by the time measuring unit.

  Thereby, the lamp heater 480 is driven by the heater driving unit 230, and the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is instantaneously increased to the toilet seat set temperature.

  Details of the operation of the control unit 210, the heater control pattern relating to driving of the lamp heater 480, and the heater control table will be described later.

  4-7 is a figure for demonstrating the detail of the structure of the toilet seat part 400 of FIG. An exploded perspective view of the toilet seat 400 is shown in FIG. The figure which looked at the upper toilet seat casing 410 from the lower side is shown by FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper toilet seat casing 410 taken along the line U-U in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the toilet seat 400 includes an upper toilet seat casing 410 formed of aluminum and a lower toilet seat casing 420 formed of synthetic resin.

  As indicated by the alternate long and short dash line, a part of the upper surface of the upper toilet seat casing 410 is a seating portion 410T for the user.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, two thermistors 411 are attached to the lower surface side of the upper toilet seat casing 410 in the region of the seating portion 410T. Two thermistors 412 are attached to other regions.

  In addition, the thermistor 411 provided in the area | region of the seating part 410T may be one. Moreover, the thermistor 412 provided in another area | region may be one.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the upper toilet seat casing 410 is manufactured by forming various layers on the upper and lower surfaces of the aluminum layer 410b having excellent thermal conductivity. The thermal conductivity of aluminum is about 237 W / m · K.

  A black paint containing carbon or the like is applied to the lower surface of the aluminum layer 410b. Thereby, the black radiation absorption layer 410a which can absorb a radiation energy efficiently is formed in the lower surface of the aluminum layer 410b.

  On the upper surface of the aluminum layer 410b, an alumite layer 410c and a surface decorative layer 410d are sequentially formed. By forming the alumite layer 410c, the corrosion resistance of the upper surface of the aluminum layer 410b is improved. The surface decorative layer 410d is formed of a predetermined paint or the like.

  The thermistor 411 is attached to the lower surface of the aluminum layer 410b via the radiation absorbing layer 410a. The thermistor 411 detects the temperature of the aluminum layer 410b through the radiation absorbing layer 410a.

  The figure which looked at the lower toilet seat casing 420 from the upper side is shown by FIG. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, a radiation reflector 430 formed along the shape of the lower toilet seat casing 420 is attached to the upper surface side of the lower toilet seat casing 420. The radiation reflection plate 430 is produced by mirror-finishing the surface of a plate material made of aluminum.

  A lamp heater 480 is provided on the upper surface of the radiation reflecting plate 430. The lamp heater 480 is manufactured by connecting a rear lamp heater 481 and a front lamp heater 482 formed in a U shape in series.

  Further, two thermostats 441 are attached to the upper surface of the radiation reflector 430 so as to be close to predetermined locations (two locations) of the front lamp heater 482, and close to predetermined locations (two locations) of the rear lamp heater 481. Two thermostats 442 are attached as shown. The plurality of thermostats 441 and 442 are both connected in series to the lamp heater 480.

  1 is completed by joining the upper toilet seat casing 410 of FIG. 5 and the lower toilet seat casing 420 of FIG. 7 via a sealing material (not shown). Thereby, the space in the upper toilet seat casing 410 and the lower toilet seat casing 420 is sealed. The sealing material prevents water from entering the upper toilet seat casing 410 and the lower toilet seat casing 420. In this state, the thermistor 411 attached to the upper toilet seat casing 410 faces the front lamp heater 482.

  The rear lamp heater 481 and the front lamp heater 482 are halogen lamp heaters made of glass tubes, filaments, argon gas, and halogen gas.

  In these rear lamp heater 481 and front lamp heater 482, a filament is provided inside the glass tube, and argon gas and halogen gas are enclosed.

  The rated powers of the rear lamp heater 481 and the front lamp heater 482 of the present embodiment are 500 W and 700 W, respectively.

  As described above, the rear lamp heater 481 and the front lamp heater 482 are connected to the heater driving unit 230 of FIG. When a current is passed through the rear lamp heater 481 and the front lamp heater 482 by the heater driving unit 230, infrared rays are radiated from each lamp heater to the surroundings.

  Then, infrared rays radiated from the rear lamp heater 481 and the front lamp heater 482, that is, radiant energy, directly or indirectly enter the lower surface side of the upper toilet seat casing 410 via the radiation reflector 430.

  As described above, since the black radiation absorbing layer 410a (FIG. 6) can efficiently absorb the radiation energy, the radiation energy from the rear lamp heater 481 and the front lamp heater 482 is efficiently increased by the aluminum layer 410b (FIG. 6). Is transmitted to. Thereby, the aluminum layer 410b generates heat.

  As described above, since aluminum has high thermal conductivity, heat generated by radiant energy is transferred to the entire upper toilet seat casing 410 in a short time.

  In the upper toilet seat casing 410, the function of the thermistor 411 attached to the region of the seating portion 410T and the function of the thermistor 412 attached to the region other than the seating portion 410T will be described.

  The seating portion 410T of the upper toilet seat casing 410 is closer to the lamp heater 480 than other portions. As a result, the seat 410T of the upper toilet seat casing 410 transfers heat with a relatively high responsiveness when the lamp heater 480 is driven.

  Moreover, since the seating part 410T is a part which contacts a human body in the upper toilet seat casing 410, sufficient temperature management is required.

  Accordingly, the thermistor 411 of the seating portion 410T is used for temperature adjustment when the lamp heater 480 is driven.

  On the other hand, the thermistor 412 attached to a region other than the seating portion 410T is used to prevent the temperature of the upper toilet seat casing 410 from excessively rising when the thermistor 411 breaks down.

  In the lower toilet seat casing 420, the functions of the two thermostats 441 attached so as to be close to the front lamp heater 482 and the actions of the two thermostats 442 attached so as to be close to the rear lamp heater 481 will be described.

  Two thermostats 441 on the front lamp heater 482 side are used to monitor the temperature of the front lamp heater 482. These two thermostats 441 are set to cut off the power supply to the lamp heater 480 at 78 ° C., for example. Accordingly, the two thermostats 441 function as thermal fuses that cut off the current at 78 ° C.

  On the other hand, the two thermostats 442 on the rear lamp heater 481 side are used to monitor the temperature of the atmosphere around the rear lamp heater 481. These two thermostats 442 are set to cut off the power supply to the lamp heater 480 at 53 ° C., for example. Accordingly, the two thermostats 442 serve as thermal fuses that cut off current at 53 ° C.

  The controller 210 of the toilet seat apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment stores in advance three heater control tables corresponding to three types of toilet seat set temperatures (34 ° C., 36 ° C., and 38 ° C.).

  8-10 is a figure which shows an example of the heater control table corresponding to predetermined toilet seat setting temperature (34 degreeC, 36 degreeC, and 38 degreeC). Each of the heater control tables shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 has a plurality of heater control patterns corresponding to the measured temperature values of the thermistor 411 (FIG. 3) when the user enters the room.

  A time schedule for driving the lamp heater 480 is set in each of the plurality of heater control patterns. Further, in each heater control pattern, a measured temperature value of the thermistor 411 when switching the power for driving the lamp heater 480 is set. Details will be described later.

  As described above, when the toilet seat set temperature is determined, the control unit 210 selects one heater control table corresponding to the determined toilet seat set temperature.

  In addition, when the entry of the user is detected by the entry detection sensor 600 of FIG. 3, the control unit 210 selects one heater control pattern from the heater control table based on the measured temperature value of the thermistor 411. Thereby, driving of the lamp heater 480 is controlled according to the selected heater control pattern.

  For example, when the toilet seat set temperature is set low (34 ° C.) and the measured temperature value when the user enters the room is 16 ° C. to 18 ° C., the control unit 210 in FIG. Based on the heater control pattern corresponding to ℃ to 18 ℃, 600 W drive described later for reducing the inrush current is performed for 0.2 seconds.

  Thereafter, the control unit 210 performs 1200 W driving described later for 6 seconds, and subsequently performs 600 W driving described later for 2.1 seconds.

  As described above, in the toilet seat device 100 according to the present embodiment, when the heating function is on, the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is adjusted to about 18 ° C., for example.

  Here, the heater control tables in FIGS. 8 to 10 also assume a case where the heating function is switched from the off state to the on state. Accordingly, a heater control pattern corresponding to 0 ° C. to 16 ° C. is also set in the heater control tables of FIGS.

  That is, when the user turns on the heating function when the room temperature is 0 ° C., the control unit 210 performs 600 W driving based on a heater control pattern corresponding to 0 ° C. to 2 ° C. in the heater control table of FIG. For seconds.

  In the present embodiment, the driving control of the lamp heater 480 is performed by changing the electric power for driving the lamp heater 480 into three.

  For example, when raising the temperature of the toilet seat 400 with the first temperature gradient, the heater driving unit 230 in FIG. 3 drives the lamp heater 480 with about 1200 W of power (1200 W driving). When the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is raised at a second temperature gradient that is slightly gentler than the first temperature gradient, the heater driving unit 230 drives the lamp heater 480 with about 600 W of power (600 W driving). Further, when the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is kept constant, the heater driving unit 230 drives the lamp heater 480 with a power of about 50 W (low power driving). Note that low power driving refers to driving the lamp heater 480 with sufficiently low power (for example, power in the range of 0 W to 50 W) compared to 1200 W driving and 600 W driving.

  Switching between 1200 W driving, 600 W driving, and low power driving is performed by the energization rate switching circuit of the control unit 210 controlling the energization from the heater driving unit 230 to the lamp heater 480.

  An AC current is supplied to the heater driving unit 230 from a power supply circuit (not shown). Therefore, the heater drive unit 230 causes the alternating current supplied based on the energization control signal provided from the energization rate switching circuit to flow to the lamp heater 480.

  An energization state to the lamp heater 480 during 1200 W drive, 600 W drive, and low power drive will be described together with an energization control signal of the energization rate switching circuit.

  FIG. 11A is a waveform diagram of a current flowing through the lamp heater 480 during 1200 W driving, and FIG. 11B is a waveform diagram of an energization control signal supplied from the energization rate switching circuit to the heater driving unit 230 during 1200 W driving.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, the energization control signal at the time of 1200 W driving is always logic “1”. When the energization control signal is logic “1”, the heater driving unit 230 causes an alternating current supplied from the power supply circuit to flow to the lamp heater 480 (FIG. 11A, bold line portion). Thereby, an alternating current flows through the lamp heater 480 over the entire period. As a result, the lamp heater 480 is driven with a power of about 1200 W.

  FIG. 12A is a waveform diagram of a current flowing through the lamp heater 480 during 600 W driving, and FIG. 12B is a waveform diagram of an energization control signal supplied from the energization rate switching circuit to the heater driving unit 230 during 600 W driving.

  As shown in FIG. 12B, the energization control signal at the time of 600 W driving is composed of pulses having the same cycle as the alternating current supplied to the heater driving unit 230. The duty ratio of the pulse is set to 50%.

  When the energization control signal is logic “1”, the heater drive unit 230 causes an alternating current supplied from the power supply circuit to flow to the lamp heater 480 (FIG. 12A, bold line portion). Thereby, an alternating current flows through the lamp heater 480 during a half cycle. As a result, the lamp heater 480 is driven with about 600 W of power.

  FIG. 13A is a waveform diagram of a current flowing through the lamp heater 480 during low power driving, and FIG. 13B is a waveform diagram of an energization control signal supplied from the energization rate switching circuit to the heater driving unit 230 during low power driving. .

  As shown in FIG. 13B, the energization control signal at the time of low power driving is composed of pulses having the same cycle as the AC current supplied to the heater driving unit 230. The duty ratio of the pulse is set to be smaller than 50% (for example, about several percent).

  When the energization control signal is logic “1”, the heater drive unit 230 causes an alternating current supplied from the power supply circuit to flow to the lamp heater 480 (FIG. 13A, bold line portion). In each cycle, an alternating current flows through the lamp heater 480 for a period corresponding to the pulse width. As a result, the lamp heater 480 is driven with power of about 50 W, for example.

  In addition to the above, when the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is lowered, or when the heating function of the toilet seat device 100 is turned off, the energization rate switching circuit does not give an energization control signal to the heater driving unit 230 (energization control). Set the signal to logic "0"). Accordingly, the heater driving unit 230 does not drive the lamp heater 480.

  Here, generally, when the current supplied to the electronic device has a harmonic component, noise is generated. In this embodiment, when 1200 W drive or 600 W drive of the lamp heater 480 is performed as described above, the current supplied to the lamp heater 480 changes so as to draw a sine curve. Even so, the generation of noise is sufficiently reduced.

  Further, when the lamp heater 480 is driven at low power, the current supplied to the lamp heater 480 has a harmonic component, but the magnitude of the current is much smaller than that at the time of 1200 W driving and 600 W driving. Occurrence is sufficiently reduced.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the lamp heater 480 is driven with electric power of 1200 W, 600 W, and about 50 W, but the lamp heater 480 may be driven with other electric power.

  For example, in the case where an alternating current is passed through the lamp heater 480 for a half cycle period, the timing for flowing the alternating current is set at an interval of a predetermined cycle such as two cycles or three cycles. As a result, the lamp heater 480 can be driven with power of a magnitude different from 1200 W, 600 W, and about 50 W while sufficiently preventing noise.

  In the following description, the energization rate refers to the ratio of the time during which an alternating current is passed through the lamp heater 480 with respect to one cycle of the alternating current (the period of logic “1” in the energization control signal).

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 210 supplies current to the lamp heater 480 when the energization control signal is logic “1”, and the current to the lamp heater 480 when the energization control signal is logic “0”. Although supply is stopped, supply of current to the lamp heater 480 is stopped when the energization control signal is logic “1”, and current is supplied to the lamp heater 480 when the energization control signal is logic “0”. May be.

  In the toilet seat device 100 according to the present embodiment, a large current is passed through the lamp heater 480 when the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is instantaneously increased. In this case, a relatively large inrush current is generated in the lamp heater 480.

  When such a large inrush current occurs, the breaker is interrupted by an overcurrent, and a voltage drop occurs in the power wiring to which the toilet seat device 100 is connected.

  Accordingly, when creating the heater control table, it is preferable to set a plurality of heater control patterns so that the inrush current can be sufficiently reduced.

  In the example of the heater control table of FIGS. 8 to 10, when 1200 W driving of the lamp heater 480 is performed, the heater control pattern is set so that 600 W driving is performed immediately before that. 8 to 10, 600 W driving before 1200 W driving is shown as inrush current reducing 600 W driving.

  As described above, a large current is passed through the lamp heater 480 in order to instantaneously raise the temperature of the toilet seat 400 by the lamp heater 480. Thereby, an overshoot occurs in the temperature change of the toilet seat 400. Therefore, it is difficult to stabilize the temperature of the toilet seat 400 at the toilet seat set temperature in a short time.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the heater control table is created, a plurality of heater control patterns are set so that the overshoot of the temperature change of the toilet seat 400 can be sufficiently reduced.

  In the example of the heater control table of FIGS. 8 to 10, in order to prevent overshoot of the temperature change of the toilet seat 400, the driving of the lamp heater 480 is controlled in two steps when the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is increased. ing.

  In the toilet seat device 100 having a heating function, it is preferable that the user does not feel that the seating portion 410T is cold. Hereinafter, the minimum temperature of the seating portion 410T that the user does not feel cold is referred to as a limit temperature.

  Therefore, when the user enters the toilet room and sits on the seating portion 410T, at least the temperature of the seating portion 410T is preferably higher than the limit temperature.

  Therefore, when the heater control table is created, a plurality of heater control patterns are set so that the time during which the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T is raised from the user's entrance to the limit temperature can be sufficiently shortened. As a result of experiments conducted by the inventor, the limit temperature was about 29 ° C.

  In the example of the heater control table of FIGS. 8 to 10, the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is rapidly increased to the limit temperature. It is set to drive.

  The temperature felt by the user sitting on the seating portion 410T (body temperature) is different from the actual surface temperature of the seating portion 410T.

  In general, the sensible temperature when a human body comes into contact with a specific object varies depending on the thermal conductivity of the object and the difference in heat capacity between the human body and the object.

  As a result, a difference may occur between the actual surface temperature of the seating portion 410T and the sensible temperature of the user sitting on the seating portion 410T.

  In the present embodiment, the seating portion 410T is made of aluminum having excellent thermal conductivity.

  Thereby, for example, when the temperature of the seating portion 410T is lower than the user's body temperature, the user's body temperature is transmitted to the seating portion 410T in a short time, so that the user's sensed temperature is the actual seating portion 410T. It becomes lower than the temperature.

  Therefore, when the heater control table is created, a plurality of heater control patterns are set so that the sensible temperature when the user is seated is as close as possible to the toilet seat set temperature.

  When the toilet seat 400 is heated, there is a large temperature difference between the surface temperature of the lamp heater 480 (the temperature of the glass tube) and the actual surface temperature of the seating portion 410T.

  Therefore, in order to raise the surface temperature of the seating section 410T to the toilet seat set temperature and keep the temperature stable, a predetermined time is required from the start of driving of the lamp heater 480.

  The inventor performed the following test (toilet seat temperature increase test) for the time from the start of driving of the lamp heater 480 until the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T is stabilized at the toilet seat set temperature.

  When the room temperature of the toilet room is 25 ° C., the toilet seat set temperature is set to about 40 ° C. In this state, the lamp heater 480 is driven. And time until the surface temperature of the seating part 410T was stabilized at about 40 degreeC was measured. Thereby, the relationship shown in FIG. 14 was obtained.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the relationship between the surface temperature of the lamp heater 480 and the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T during the toilet seat temperature increase test. In FIG. 14, the vertical axis represents temperature, and the horizontal axis represents time. A thick solid line indicates the surface temperature of the lamp heater 480, and a thick dotted line indicates the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the lamp heater 480 is driven, the surface temperature of the lamp heater 480 reaches 100 ° C. in about 10 seconds. Thereafter, the surface temperature of the lamp heater 480 is kept constant at about 100 ° C.

  On the other hand, as the surface temperature of the lamp heater 480 changes, the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T rises gently and reaches about 40 ° C. in about 10 seconds. Thereafter, the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T is kept constant at about 45 ° C.

  Thus, for example, the difference between the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T and the toilet seat set temperature increases with time and becomes substantially constant after about 10 seconds.

  That is, when temperature control is performed within a time shorter than 10 seconds, it is difficult to control the current flowing to the lamp heater 480 in consideration of the difference between the surface temperature of the lamp heater 480 and the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T. is there.

  Therefore, when preparing the heater control table, a plurality of heater control patterns are set in consideration of the electric power used to drive the lamp heater 480 and the time required to stabilize the seating section 410T at the toilet seat set temperature by the electric power. Set.

  When the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is increased, a temperature difference is generated between the temperature measured by the thermistor 411 in FIG. 3 and the actual surface temperature of the seat 410T.

  The present inventor conducted the following test (measured temperature value confirmation test) on the relationship between the temperature value measured by the thermistor 411 when the toilet seat 400 is heated and the actual surface temperature of the seating portion 410T.

  When the room temperature of the toilet room is 21 ° C., the toilet seat set temperature is set to about 38 ° C. In this state, the lamp heater 480 is driven for a predetermined time. Then, the time until the measured temperature value and the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T were stabilized at about 38 ° C. was measured. Thereby, the relationship shown in FIG. 15 was obtained.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the relationship between the measured temperature value by the thermistor 411 and the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T during the measured temperature value confirmation test. In FIG. 15, the vertical axis represents temperature and the horizontal axis represents time. A thick solid line indicates the temperature value measured by the thermistor 411, and a thick dotted line indicates the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T.

  As shown in FIG. 15, when the lamp heater 480 is driven to raise the temperature of the toilet seat 400, a temperature difference is generated between the measured temperature value and the surface temperature of the seat 410T.

  In the example of FIG. 15, a temperature difference of about 2.5 ° C. occurs between the measured temperature value and the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T after about 4 seconds from the start of driving of the lamp heater 480.

  Although not shown, when the measured temperature value confirmation test was performed under other conditions, a maximum temperature difference of about 6 ° C. occurred between the measured temperature value and the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T.

  That is, when the toilet seat 400 is heated, it is difficult to accurately control the driving of the lamp heater 480 based on the temperature value measured by the thermistor 411.

  Therefore, when preparing the heater control table, a plurality of heater control patterns are set in consideration of the electric power used to drive the lamp heater 480 and the time required to stabilize the seating section 410T at the toilet seat set temperature by the electric power. Set.

  In addition, the heater control pattern may have a measured temperature value when the power for driving the lamp heater 480 is switched. In this case, the relationship between the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T and the measured temperature value is investigated by conducting experiments or simulations in advance. And the measured temperature value at the time of power switching is set.

  As described above, when the heater control pattern includes information related to the time for driving the lamp heater 480 and information related to the measured temperature value, more accurate drive control of the lamp heater 480 can be performed based on the respective information. it can.

  In the example of the heater control table of FIGS. 8 to 10, in addition to the time schedule for driving the lamp heater 480, a measured temperature value (switching temperature) at the time of switching from 1200 W driving to 600 W driving is set. This switching temperature corresponds to the limit temperature on the surface of the seating portion 410T.

  In this case, when the measured temperature value when the user enters the room is 16 ° C. to 28 ° C., the control unit 210 drives the lamp heater 480 at 1200 W according to the time schedule, and the measured temperature value becomes the switching temperature. It is determined whether or not it has been reached.

  Therefore, when the measured temperature value reaches the switching temperature, switching from 1200 W driving to 600 W driving is performed regardless of the time schedule.

  Further, in the example of the heater control table of FIGS. 8 to 10, a measured temperature value (target temperature) at the time of switching from 600 W driving to low power driving is set. This target temperature corresponds to the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T when the temperature rise is stopped and the user is seated.

  In this case, the control unit 210 performs 600 W driving of the lamp heater 480 according to the time schedule, and determines whether or not the measured temperature value has reached the target temperature.

  Therefore, when the measured temperature value reaches the target temperature, switching from 600 W driving to low power driving is performed regardless of the time schedule, and the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T is kept constant.

  When a human body comes into contact with a heat source having a temperature slightly higher than the body temperature for a long time, a low-temperature burn may occur at the contact portion of the human body. Also in this embodiment, when the toilet seat set temperature is higher than the user's body temperature, the user may get burned at a low temperature if the user's sitting state is extended for a long time.

  Therefore, when creating the heater control table, it is preferable to set a plurality of heater control patterns so that the temperature of the seating portion 410T gradually decreases as time passes after the user is seated.

  In the heater control patterns of the heater control tables of FIGS. 8 to 10, the time schedule after the user is seated is omitted. However, in practice, it is preferable to set a time schedule for the electric power for driving the lamp heater 480 so that the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T gradually decreases after the user is seated.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a driving example of the lamp heater 480 based on the heater control table of FIG. 10 and changes in the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T (FIG. 4).

  FIG. 16 shows a graph showing the relationship between the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T and time, and a graph showing the relationship between the energization rate when driving the lamp heater 480 and time. The horizontal axis of these two graphs is a common time axis.

  In this example, it is assumed that the user turns on the heating function in advance and sets the toilet seat set temperature high (38 ° C.).

  As described above, when the room temperature such as in winter is lower than the standby temperature of 18 ° C., the control unit 210 (FIG. 3) adjusts the temperature of the toilet seat 400 to 18 ° C. As described above, the controller 210 controls the lamp heater 480 so that the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T is constant at 18 ° C. during the waiting period D1 until the user's entry is detected by the entrance detection sensor 600. Low power drive is performed.

  When the entry detection sensor 600 detects entry of the user at time t1, the control unit 210 drives the lamp heater 480 in 600 W according to the heater control table of FIG. 10 during the inrush current reduction period D2. This 600 W drive is performed in order to sufficiently reduce the inrush current. In this case, the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T is raised with a slightly gentle second temperature gradient.

  Thereafter, the controller 210 starts 1200 W driving of the lamp heater 480 at time t2 after the rush current reduction period D2 elapses, and continues 1200 W driving of the lamp heater 480 during the first temperature rising period D3. In this case, the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T is raised with the above-described first temperature gradient.

  Here, the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T is rapidly increased. The 1200 W drive of the lamp heater 480 is performed until the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T reaches the limit temperature. In the graph showing the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T in FIG. 16, the limit temperature is 29 ° C. and is indicated by a one-dot chain line. When the lamp heater 480 is driven at 1200 W, the measured temperature value assumed when the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T reaches the limit temperature is the switching temperature in FIG.

  The time t3 when the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T reaches the limit temperature is a short time among the 1200 W driving time determined by the heater control table and the time until the measured temperature value reaches the switching temperature determined by the heater control table. It is.

  Thus, in the first temperature rising period D3, the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T is quickly raised to the limit temperature by 1200 W driving. When the temperature is lower than the limit temperature (the first specified temperature in the present invention), the notification LED 280 (FIG. 1) blinks as the first notification means (in this embodiment, 0.3 seconds ON, 0.3 seconds). OFF) to notify the user that the heater is energized. When the temperature detected by the thermistor is higher than the limit temperature, the notification LED is turned on as the second notification means, so that the user can sit on the toilet seat 400 without feeling that the seating portion 410T is cold.

  Further, as described above, when the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T is rapidly increased, an overshoot occurs in the temperature change. However, in the present embodiment, the 1200 W driving of the lamp heater 480 is switched to the 600 W driving when the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T reaches the limit temperature. Therefore, even when the change in the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T overshoots, the surface temperature does not exceed the toilet seat set temperature. As a result, the user is prevented from feeling that the seating portion 410T is hot when seated.

  Subsequently, the controller 210 starts 600 W driving of the lamp heater 480 at time t3 after the first temperature rising period D3, and continues 600 W driving of the lamp heater 480 during the second temperature rising period D4. To do. In this case, the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T is increased by the above-described second temperature gradient.

  The 600 W drive of the lamp heater 480 is performed until the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T reaches a temperature (40 ° C.) slightly higher than the toilet seat set temperature. Here, when the lamp heater 480 is driven at 600 W, the measured temperature value assumed when the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T is slightly higher than the toilet seat set temperature is the target temperature in FIG.

  The time t4 when the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T reaches a temperature slightly higher than the toilet seat set temperature is 600 W drive time determined by the heater control table and until the measured temperature value reaches the target temperature determined by the heater control table. This is a short time.

  The second temperature gradient is gentler than the first temperature gradient. This prevents a large overshoot from occurring in the change in the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T.

  The controller 210 starts low power driving of the lamp heater 480 at time t4 after the second temperature rising period D4 has elapsed, and continues low power driving of the lamp heater 480 during the first sustain period D5. Thereby, the surface temperature of the seating part 410T becomes constant at a temperature slightly higher than the toilet seat set temperature.

  In this example, the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T is raised to a temperature slightly higher than the toilet seat set temperature set by the user, and the temperature is maintained until the user is seated. Therefore, the user can obtain a temperature that is substantially the same as the toilet seat set temperature set by the user at the time of sitting.

  When the seating sensor 290 detects that the user is seated on the toilet seat 400 at time t5, the controller 210 reduces the energization rate of the low power drive, and the surface of the seating portion 410T during the first seating period D6. Low power driving of the lamp heater 480 is continued so that the temperature drops to the toilet seat set temperature. In this example, the first seating period D6 is set to about 2 minutes.

  In addition, the control unit 210 further reduces the energization rate of the low power drive at time t6 after the elapse of the first seating period D6, and the surface temperature of the seating part 410T during the second seating period D7 is the toilet seat set temperature. The low power driving of the lamp heater 480 is continued so that the temperature is lowered to a slightly lower temperature (36 ° C.). In this example, the second seating period D7 is set to about 2 minutes.

  At time t7 after the elapse of the second seating period D7, the controller 210 further reduces the energization rate of the low power drive, and the surface temperature of the seating part 410T is lower than the toilet seat set temperature during the second maintenance period D8. The low power driving of the lamp heater 480 is continued so as to be constant at a slightly low temperature (36 ° C.). In the following description, the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T that is maintained constant in the second maintenance period D8, that is, a temperature that is slightly lower than the toilet seat set temperature is referred to as a maintenance temperature.

  Thus, in this example, after the user is seated on the toilet seat 400, the controller 210 gradually decreases the surface temperature of the seat 410T. This prevents the user from getting burned at low temperatures.

  When the seat 210 detects that the user has left the toilet seat 400 at time t8, the controller 210 stops driving the lamp heater 480 during the stop period D9. Thereby, the surface temperature of the seating part 410T falls.

  The controller 210 starts the low power driving of the lamp heater 480 again at time t9 when the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T reaches 18 ° C., and waits for the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T to be constant at 18 ° C. The low power driving of the lamp heater 480 is maintained during D10.

  In the second temperature raising period D4, the control unit 210 performs 600 W driving of the lamp heater 480. However, the control unit 210 may gradually reduce the power for driving the lamp heater 480 so as to draw a parabola. Good (Refer to the thick dotted line in the graph of power supply rate).

  In this case, as indicated by the thick dotted line in the graph indicating the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T, the temperature gradient gradually decreases as the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T approaches a temperature slightly higher than the toilet seat set temperature. .

  When the temperature gradient gradually decreases in this way, the overshoot caused by the temperature change of the seating portion 410T can be sufficiently reduced.

  In this example, after the user is seated on the toilet seat 400, the surface temperature of the seat 410T is gradually lowered by adjusting the power used to drive the lamp heater 480. However, the driving of the lamp heater 480 is used. The user may stop when sitting on the toilet seat 400. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent the user from getting burned at a low temperature.

  Further, in this example, the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T is raised to a temperature slightly higher than the toilet seat set temperature, but the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T may be raised to the toilet seat set temperature.

  As described above, the notification LED 280 blinks as the first notification means when the detected temperature (measured temperature value) is lower than the limit temperature, and the second notification means when the detected temperature (measured temperature value) is high. It is possible to determine whether or not the user feels that the seating portion 410T is cold by looking at the notification LED 280 and to be seated on the toilet seat portion 400.

  Further, the function of detecting the presence or absence of the human body in the toilet room by the entrance detection sensor 600 stops the energization of the lamp heater 480 when a certain time (for example, 3 minutes) has elapsed since the user left the toilet room, and the notification LED 280 Turns off regardless of the blinking or lit state.

Furthermore, when the lamp heater 480 is broken or the thermostats 441 and 442 are broken, the measured temperature value of the thermistor 411 does not change even if the lamp heater 480 is energized. As described above, when 1200 W is energized, the measured temperature value of the thermistor 411 is delayed compared to the degree of temperature rise at the lamp heater 480. Therefore, if abnormality determination is performed using the measured temperature value of the thermistor 411, it takes time to detect abnormality. Therefore, the user is seated on the cold seating portion 410T, which is uncomfortable and unusable.
In order to solve the above-described problem, the toilet seat device 100 according to the present embodiment is 1. When the rate of change of the measured temperature value per second is 1200 W according to the energization rate (1200 W, 600 W) to the lamp heater 480. At 5 ° C. and 600 W, when the temperature is 0.8 ° C. or lower, it is determined that the lamp heater 480 or the like is broken. The rate of change of 1.5 ° C. or 0.8 ° C. per second is set to about ½ of the rate of change of temperature when there is no disconnection.

When detecting a state in which the temperature does not rise due to the disconnection of the lamp heater 480, the failure of the thermostat 441, 442, or the state in which the temperature cannot be detected due to the failure of the thermistor 411, the notification LED 280 is notified by the third notification means. Thus, the abnormal state is notified to the user. Unlike the normal flashing (0.3 seconds ON, 0.3 seconds OFF), the abnormality notification as the third notification means flashes quickly (for example, 0.1 seconds ON, 0.1 seconds OFF). Etc.), the user is informed that the state is different from the normal state.
The notification of the abnormal state, which is the third notification means, continues the abnormal state notification after a certain time (for example, 3 minutes) from the detection of leaving the room by the entrance detection sensor 600, and is in an abnormal state without entering the toilet room. Can be judged. In the present embodiment, the notification LED is used to notify the abnormal state, which is the third notification means. However, the notification means that can be recognized by the buzzer, voice, or even outside the toilet room is used. In this way, an abnormality in the toilet seat device can be detected at an early stage.

  As described above, in the toilet seat device 100 according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to always maintain the temperature of the toilet seat 400 at the toilet seat set temperature. Therefore, in the standby periods D1 and D10 (FIG. 16) in which the user does not enter the toilet room, the current for driving the lamp heater 480 can be sufficiently reduced.

  Thereby, even when the heating function of the toilet seat apparatus 100 is turned on, the power consumption is sufficiently reduced. As a result, energy saving is realized.

  The inventor conducted an experiment on the power consumption of the toilet seat device (power used to drive the lamp heater 480) that always maintains the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T at the toilet seat set temperature, and the power consumption is about 125 W / h. there were. On the other hand, the power consumption of the toilet seat device 100 according to the present embodiment (power used for driving the lamp heater 480) was reduced to about 42 W / h.

  In addition, the control unit 210 of the toilet seat apparatus 100 increases the surface temperature of the seating unit 410T in a short time to the limit temperature by driving the lamp heater 480 to 1200W. Thereafter, the controller 210 drives the lamp heater 480 to 600 W, and raises the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T with a gentler temperature gradient than during 1200 W driving.

  Thereby, the overshoot which arises in the temperature change of the seating part 410T is fully reduced. As a result, the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T is accurately raised in a short time and stabilized at the toilet seat set temperature.

  In addition, the disconnection state of the lamp heater 480, the thermostats 441 and 442, and the thermistor 411 can be detected by the notification LED 280 based on the rate of change of the measured temperature value of the thermistor 411 when the lamp heater 480 is energized. A good toilet seat device can be provided.

  In this embodiment, the lamp heater 480 is used to increase the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T. However, if the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T can be increased instantaneously, the lamp heater 480 is Instead, a heater provided with a heating wire may be used.

The lamp heater 480 is driven using electric power of about 1200 W and about 600 W and sufficiently lower electric power compared to 1200 W driving and 600 W driving, but the electric power used for driving the lamp heater 480 is not limited to these. The power used for driving the lamp heater 480 may be set according to the rated power.
Furthermore, although the notification LED is described as the abnormality notification means as the third notification means, the same effect can be obtained by using a buzzer, sound, or notification means that can be recognized by the user even outside the toilet room. Can be obtained.

  Since this invention can improve the safety | security of a heating appliance with high immediate warming property, it can be applied also to the use to the heating apparatus which contacts a human body directly.

1 is an external perspective view showing a toilet seat device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a toilet device including the same. Schematic diagram showing an example of the remote control device of FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the toilet seat apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. The disassembled perspective view for demonstrating the detail of the structure of the toilet seat part of FIG. The bottom view for demonstrating the detail of the structure of the upper toilet seat casing of FIG. Sectional drawing of the principal part for demonstrating the detail of the structure of the toilet seat part of FIG. The internal top view for demonstrating the detail of the internal structure of the toilet seat part of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the heater control table corresponding to predetermined toilet seat preset temperature (34 degreeC, 36 degreeC, and 38 degreeC) The figure which shows an example of the heater control table corresponding to predetermined toilet seat preset temperature (34 degreeC, 36 degreeC, and 38 degreeC) The figure which shows an example of the heater control table corresponding to predetermined toilet seat preset temperature (34 degreeC, 36 degreeC, and 38 degreeC) (A) is a waveform diagram of the current flowing through the lamp heater during 1200 W drive, and (b) is a waveform diagram of an energization control signal supplied from the energization rate switching circuit to the heater drive unit during 1200 W drive. (A) is a waveform diagram of the current flowing through the lamp heater during 600 W drive, and (b) is a waveform diagram of an energization control signal supplied from the energization rate switching circuit to the heater drive unit during 600 W drive. (A) is a waveform diagram of the current flowing through the lamp heater during low power driving, and (b) is a waveform diagram of an energization control signal applied from the energization rate switching circuit to the heater driving unit during low power driving. The figure which shows the relationship between the surface temperature of the lamp heater and the surface temperature of the seating part during the toilet seat temperature rise test The figure which shows the relationship between the measured temperature value by the thermistor at the time of the measured temperature value confirmation test and the surface temperature of the seat The figure which shows the drive example of a lamp heater based on the heater control table of FIG. 10, and the change of the surface temperature of a seating part (FIG. 4).

Explanation of symbols

100 Toilet seat device 210 Control unit 280 Notification LED (notification unit)
400 Toilet seat part 411, 412 Thermistor (temperature detection part)
480 Lamp heater (heating element)
600 Entrance detection sensor (human body detection unit)
700 Toilet bowl 1000 Toilet device

Claims (5)

Comprising a toilet seat, a heating element for heating the toilet seat, a temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the toilet seat, a human body detection unit for detecting the presence of a user, and a control unit, and a notification unit, wherein the control unit performs energization of the heating element if the presence of the user by the human body detection unit is detected, seat the temperature of the flight seat at a first temperature gradient is not feel cold user After the heating element is driven with a first electric power for a first time so as to rise to a limit temperature that is the lowest temperature of the first temperature, the temperature of the toilet seat portion is increased with a second temperature gradient that is gentler than the first temperature gradient. Driving the heating element for a second time with a second power smaller than the first power so that the temperature rises to a temperature higher than the toilet seat set temperature preset by the user, The temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is being increased while the heating element is energized. When the temperature at which the temperature of the toilet seat reaches the limit temperature, the toilet seat apparatus, characterized in that changing the notification of the notification unit. 2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the human body non-detection state is continued for a predetermined time or longer by the human body detection unit, the control unit stops energization of the heating element and notification by the notification unit. The toilet seat device described. The controller determines that the heating element is abnormal when the rate of change of the detected temperature per specified time in the temperature detecting unit deviates from the first specified value when energized with the first power. And, when energized with the second power, when the rate of change of the detected temperature per specified time in the temperature detector deviates from the second specified value, it is determined that the heating element is abnormal, The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the energization of the heating element is stopped, and the abnormality of the heating element is notified by the notification unit. The control unit, when the notification unit notifies the abnormality of the heating element, continues the notification even when the human body non-detection state is continued for a predetermined time or more by the human body detection unit. 4. The toilet seat device according to 3. A toilet apparatus provided with a toilet bowl and the toilet seat apparatus in any one of Claims 1-4.

Images