JP4759814B2 - Sanitary washing device - Google Patents

Description

【００４５】
次に上記のようにフィードバック量を変更しながら実際に流量を合わせ込んでいくときの様子を説明する。なお、以下の説明では目標範囲、流量の検出方法および遅れ時間、フィードバック周期については実施例１と同じ値および考え方とし、説明は省略する。
【００４６】
まず、洗浄水の目標流量が５００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎである場合について説明する。洗浄が開始される（Ｓ２００）と、制御手段１１４は流量調節弁１０６を基準の開度１００ステップまで開かせる（Ｓ２０１）。諸条件のうち水圧が低いとすれば、この時に水路内を流れる洗浄水の流量は図９の一点鎖線に示すように４００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎとなる。これは洗浄水の流量の目標範囲の下限値４８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ（＝５００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ−２０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ）よりも少ない。そこで、流量調節弁１０６を開くようなフィードバック動作を繰り返し行う。流量調節弁１０６の開度が１００であるので表１に示すようにフィードバック量は９ステップとなる（Ｓ２０９）。制御手段１１４は流量調節弁１０６を９ステップ開くように出力し（Ｓ２１０）、９ステップ開いてからフィードバック周期である５００ｍｓ経過後に流量を検出し（Ｓ２０７）、その検出流量が４８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎを越えた時点で流量調節弁１０６を停止させる。図９より流量調節弁１０６の開度が１２４ステップの時には流量が４８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎとなるので、そこまでフィードバック動作を繰り返す。フィードバック量がこの領域では常に９ステップであるので、フィードバック動作を３回繰り返すと２７ステップ（＝９ステップ×３）だけ流量調節弁１０６が開き、開度が１２７ステップとなる。この時の流量は図９より目標範囲４８０〜５２０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ内に収まっているので、流量調節弁１０６を停止させる。
【００４７】
次に、洗浄水の目標流量が６００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎの場合について説明する。図９より、流量調節弁１０６および水圧などの諸条件が平均的な場合に、６００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎの流量を実現できる流量調節弁１０６の開度は１３０ステップである。そこで、洗浄が開始される（Ｓ２００）とまず、制御手段１１４は流量調節弁１０６を基準の開度である１３０ステップまで開かせる（Ｓ２０１）。諸条件のうち水圧が低いとすれば、この時に水路内を流れる洗浄水の流量は図９の一点鎖線に示すように５００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎとなる。これは洗浄水の流量の目標範囲の下限値５８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎよりも少ない。そこで、流量調節弁１０６を開くようなフィードバック動作を繰り返し行う。流量調節弁１０６の開度が１３０であるので表１に示すようにフィードバック量は１８ステップとなる（Ｓ２０９）。そこで、制御手段１１４が流量調節弁１０６を１８ステップ開くように出力し（Ｓ２１０）、１８ステップ開いてからフィードバック周期である５００ｍｓ経過後に流量を検出し（Ｓ２０７）、その検出流量が５８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎを越えた時点で流量調節弁１０６を停止させる。図９より流量調節弁１０６の開度が２２０ステップの時に流量が５８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎとなるので、そこまでフィードバック動作を繰り返す。フィードバック量は開度１３０〜１６０ステップまでは１８ステップ、１６０ステップ以上では６０ステップである。フィードバック動作を２回繰り返すと３６ステップ（＝１８ステップ×２）だけ流量調節弁１０６が開き、開度が１６６ステップ（＝１３０ステップ＋３６ステップ）となる。３回目のフィードバック動作を行う場合には、流量調節弁１０６の開度が１６０ステップ以上の領域にあるのでフィードバック量が６０ステップとなる。３回目のフィードバック動作が終了した時点で開度が２２６ステップ（＝１６６ステップ＋６０ステップ）となる。この時の流量、すなわちフィードバック周期５００ｍｓ後に検出する流量は図９より、目標範囲５８０〜６２０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ内に収まっているので、流量調節弁１０６を停止させる。
【００４８】
以上のように、本実施例においては、流量検出手段１０６が検出した検出流量に応じて流量調節弁１０６を制御する際に、フィードバック量を流量調節弁の特性に合わせて変更することによって、流量の合わせ込み時に一回のフィードバック動作で合わせ込める流量が流量調節弁１０６の開度の全領域において同じになるので、流量の合わせ込みを流量調節弁の個体差や水圧などの諸条件、および目標流量が異なる場合でも最適な速度で行うことができる。
【００４９】
なお、前記のフィードバック量の変更方法は、流量調節弁１０６の開度を複数の領域に分け、それに対応したテーブルからフィードバック量を取得する方法としたが、開度に応じて演算させるようにすればより精度よく行うことができる。
【００５０】
（実施例３）
本発明の実施例３を図８を用いて説明する。なお、洗浄動作の概略及び流量制御は内容は基本的に実施例２と同一であるので説明は省略する。実施例２と異なるところは、フィードバック制御に用いるフィードバック量を、目標流量と流量検出手段１０７が検出した検出流量との差に応じて変更するところである。そこで、フィードバック量の変更を中心に説明する。
【００５１】
洗浄が開始される（Ｓ２００）と、制御手段１１４は流量調節弁１０６を基準の開度１００ステップまで開かせる（Ｓ２０１）。諸条件のうち水圧が低い場合、水路内を流れる洗浄水の流量は図２０の一点鎖線に示すように４００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎとなる。これは洗浄水の流量の目標範囲の下限値４８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎよりも少ない。この場合、実施例１で説明したように３回のフィードバック処理を行い、流量の合わせ込みを完了する。更に水圧が著しく低かった場合、水路内を流れる洗浄水の流量は図２０の長波線に示すように３００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎとなる。１ステップあたりの流量変化が５ｃｃ／ｍｉｎであるので、流量の目標範囲の下限値４８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎと検出流量３００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎとの差である１８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎを増加させるには、３６ステップ（＝１８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ÷５ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ）だけ流量調節弁１０６を開かねばならない。このとき実施例１と同様に、フィードバック量を６ステップの固定でフィードバック制御を行うと、６回（＝３６ステップ÷６ステップ）のフィードバック動作が必要となる。ステッピングモータが動作している時間を無視しても、フィードバック動作がフィードバック周期５００ｍｓ毎に行われるので、流量の合わせ込みが完了するのに３秒（＝５００ｍｓ×６回）の時間がかかってしまう。そこで、フィードバック量を目標流量と検出流量の差が大きいときには大きく設定することによって、流量の合わせ込みが完了するまでの時間を短縮する。
【００５２】
実施例２で述べたように、フィードバック量は一回のフィードバック動作で合わせ込むことができる流量を３０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎになるように６ステップとした。しかし、目標流量と検出流量との差が３０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ以上ある場合には一回のフィードバック動作でそれ以上の流量を合わせ込んでも問題ない。そこで、本実施例では目標流量と検出流量との差に応じて、（表２）に示すようにフィードバック量を設定する。
【００５３】
【表２】

【００５４】
フィードバック量の設定は、一回のフィードバック動作で合わせ込むことができる流量が、目標範囲幅を越えないように設定する。（表２）で目標流量と検出流量の差が５０〜１００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎの時には、フィードバック量を１０としている。このとき、一回のフィードバック動作で合わせ込める流量は５０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎであるので、目標流量と検出流量の差がこの領域で最小の５０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎであっても、フィードバック動作時に、流量調節弁１０６を過度に開閉して目標範囲を越えて流量を変化させることがないようにしている。また、フィードバック量は細かく分けるほど、制御の精度は向上するが、目標流量と検出流量の差が実際に起こりうる範囲で設定できるようにすれば十分な効果が得られる。
【００５５】
先に述べたように、水圧が著しく低く、基準の開度１００での流量が３００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎしかない場合、目標流量と検出流量の差が２００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎであるので、フィードバック量は４０ステップとなる。一回のフィードバック動作で流量調節弁１０６を４０ステップ開くので、開度が１４０ステップ（＝１００ステップ＋４０ステップ）となり、流量が５００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎとなるので、一回のフィードバック動作で流量を合わせ込むことがきる。流量調節弁１０６が動作している時間を同様に無視すればフィードバック周期一回分の５００ｍｓで流量の合わせ込みを完了することができる。
【００５６】
以上のように、本実施例においては、目標流量と流量検出手段が検出した検出流量との差に応じて、フィードバック量を変更するので、検出流量が目標流量から著しくずれている場合にでも、高速に流量の合わせ込みを行うことができる。
【００５７】
なお、前記のフィードバック量の変更方法は、目標流量と検出流量の差を複数の領域に分け、それに対応したテーブルからフィードバック量を取得する方法としたが、目標流量と検出流量の差に応じて演算させるようにすればより精度よく行うことができる。
【００５８】
なお、本実施例では流量調節弁１０６の開度と流量の特性が線形的な場合を例に挙げたが、それ以外の特性でも実施例の中で述べたフィードバック量の設定方法に従って設定すれば、同様に行うことができる。
【００５９】
（実施例４）
図１０に、本発明の実施例４の流量調節弁１０６の制御系のブロック図を示す。実施例１の構成と異なるところは、フィードバック周期を変更するフィードバック周期変更手段１１６を設けた点である。図７において１１４は、流量検出手段１０７から取り込んだ信号と、フィードバック周期変更手段１１５によって変更されたフィードバック周期に応じて、予め決められた所定のアルゴリズムに基づいて流量調節弁１０６を制御する制御手段である。本実施例ではフィードバック周期変更手段１１６、制御手段１１４はともにマイクロコンピュータを配した制御回路で構成する。
【００６０】
以上のように構成された衛生洗浄装置について、以下その動作、作用を説明する。図１１は流量制御のアルゴリズムを示したフローチャートである。洗浄動作の概略及び流量制御は内容は基本的に実施例１と同一であるので説明は省略する。実施例１と異なるところは、フィードバック制御に用いるフィードバック周期を予め設定しておくのではなく、目標流量と流量検出手段１０７が検出した検出流量との差に応じて変更するところである。そこで、フィードバック周期の変更を中心に、図１１と図２０を用いて説明する。
【００６１】
洗浄が開始される（Ｓ４００）と、制御手段１１４は流量調節弁１０６を基準の開度１００ステップまで開かせる（Ｓ４０１）。諸条件のうち水圧が低いとすれば、この時に水路内を流れる洗浄水の流量は図２０の一点鎖線に示すように４００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎとなる。これは洗浄水の流量の目標範囲の下限値４８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎよりも少ない。この場合、実施例１で説明したように３回のフィードバック処理を行い、流量の合わせ込みを完了する。更に水圧が著しく低かった場合、水路内を流れる洗浄水の流量は図２０の長波線に示すように３００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎとなる。１ステップあたりの流量変化が５ｃｃ／ｍｉｎであるので、１８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ（＝４８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ−３００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ）を増加させるには、３６ステップ（＝１８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ÷５ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ）だけ流量調節弁１０６を開かねばならない。このとき実施例１と同様に、フィードバック量を６ステップの固定でフィードバック制御を行うと、６回（＝３６ステップ÷６ステップ）のフィードバック動作が必要となる。ステッピングモータを毎秒２０ステップで動かしているとすると３６ステップ開くのに必要な時間は１．８ｓ（３６÷２０）である。また、フィードバック動作がフィードバック周期５００ｍｓ毎に行われるので、それらを合計すると流量の合わせ込みが完了するのに４．８ｓ（＝１．８ｓ＋０．５ｓ×６回）の時間が必要となる。そこで、フィードバック周期を目標流量と検出流量の差が大きいときには短く設定することによって、流量の合わせ込みが完了するまでの時間を短縮する。
【００６２】
流量調節弁１０６の制御状態が検出流量に反映されるまでの遅れ時間５００ｍｓを流量に換算する。流量調節弁１０６を毎秒２０ステップの速度で動作させるとすれば、前記の遅れ時間に起因する検出流量の遅れは最大で１０ステップ（＝２０ステップ×０．５秒）となる。１ステップあたりの流量変化は５ｃｃ／ｍｉｎであるのでこれは５０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ（＝１０ステップ×５ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ）の流量に相当する。つまり、前記の遅れ時間に起因する流量調節弁の制御状態と検出流量との差は最大で５０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎということであり、５０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ以上の流量を合わせ込む段階では前記遅れ時間に起因する流量の遅れは無視して流量の合わせ込みを行っても問題ない。そこで、目標流量と検出流量の差に応じて（表３）に示すように、フィードバック周期を設定する。
【００６３】
【表３】

【００６４】
（表３）においてフィードバック周期を切り替える目標流量と検出流量の差の境界値、およびフィードバック周期を切り替える段階数は、流量調節弁１０６の動作速度、フィードバック量、流量の目標範囲に応じて設定する。本実施例では、フィードバック周期を０ｍｓと５００ｍｓの２段階で切り替えるようにした。そして、フィードバック周期を切り替える境界付近でフィードバック動作を行ったときに、最終的に流量が目標範囲を超えないように、検出流量の遅れの最大値５０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎに、一回のフィードバック動作で合わせ込む流量３０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎを加味した値を設定した。
【００６５】
先に述べた水圧が著しく低い場合に、上記のようにしてフィードバック周期を変更した場合の動作を説明する。図１２は流量調節弁１０６の動作と実流量及び検出流量の変化を表したタイミングチャートである。目標流量と検出流量の差が１８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎであるので、この時のフィードバック周期は０ｍｓとなる。つまり、この期間は流量調節弁１０６が停止した時点ですぐに検出流量を取り込むので、５０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎの遅れが生じている。このような検出状態で検出流量が目標流量と検出流量の差が８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎとなる４２０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎの流量を検出するまでフィードバック動作が連続的に続く。検出流量が４２０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎとなったところで、フィードバック周期が５００ｍｓに切り替わり、その期間は流量調節弁１０６が停止している。しかし、ここまでは検出流量には遅れの流量が加味されていないので、そのまま検出流量は増加し、フィードバック周期中に安定したときには４５０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎとなる。４５０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎではまだ目標範囲４８０〜５２０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎに収まっていないので再度フィードバック周期５００ｍｓでフィードバック動作を行い、４８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎの流量が実現できる開度で流量調節弁１０６を停止させる。また、この合わせ込みに必要な時間は流量を１８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ（４８０−３００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ）分増加させる時間と、一回のフィードバック周期待ちだけである。流量調節弁１０６の１ステップあたりの流量変化が５ｃｃ／ｍｉｎであること、流量調節弁１０６の動作速度が毎秒２０ステップであることから、流量調節弁１０６が動作している時間が１．８ｓ（１８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ÷５÷２０）である。これにフィードバック周期も含めた流量の合わせ込みを完了するのに必要な時間は２．３ｓ（１．８ｓ＋０．５ｓ）となり、フィードバック周期を変更しない場合に比べて約半分の時間となる。
【００６６】
以上のように、本実施例においては、流量検出手段１０６が検出した検出流量に応じて流量調節弁１０６を制御する際に、フィードバック周期を目標流量と検出流量の差が大きい場合にはフィードバック周期を短くすることによって、検出流量が目標流量から著しく外れている場合の流量の合わせ込みに必要な時間を短縮することができる。
【００６７】
なお、前記のフィードバック周期の変更方法は、目標流量と検出流量の差を複数の領域に分け、それに対応したテーブルからフィードバック周期を取得する方法としたが、目標流量と検出流量の差に応じて演算させるようにしても同様に行うことができる。
【００６８】
（実施例５）
図１３に、本発明の実施例５の流量調節弁１０６の制御系のブロック図を示す。実施例１の構成と異なるところは、流量調節弁１０６の開閉速度を変更する開閉速度変更手段１１７を設けた点である。図１３において１１４は、流量検出手段１０７から取り込んだ信号と、開閉速度変更手段１１７によって変更された速度に応じて、予め決められた所定のアルゴリズムに基づいて流量調節弁１０６を制御する制御手段である。本実施例では開閉速度変更手段１１７、制御手段１１４はともにマイクロコンピュータを配した制御回路で構成する。
【００６９】
以上のように構成された衛生洗浄装置について、以下その動作、作用を説明する。洗浄動作の概略は実施例１と同一であるので説明は省略する。
【００７０】
洗浄時の流量制御について、例をあげて説明する。ここで流量の検出は実施例１と同一の方法で行い、実流量が検出流量に反映されるまでの遅れ時間、および流量調節弁の制御状態が実流量に反映されるまでの遅れ時間も実施例１と同じくそれぞれ３００ｍｓ、２００ｍｓとする。これより、流量調節弁１０６の制御状態と検出流量の間には５００ｍｓの応答遅れが存在することになる。
【００７１】
図９に示すように、一般的に流量調節弁１０６の１ステップあたりの流量変化は、流量調節弁１０６の開度の絶対値によって異なる。つまり、常に同じ速度で流量調節弁１０６を開閉した場合、流量調節弁１０６の開度の絶対値によって単位時間あたりの流量の変化量が異なることを意味する。本実施例の流量調節弁１０６であれば、１ステップあたりの流量変化は、開度が９０ステップ付近では５ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ程度であり、開度が２００ステップ付近では０．５ｃｃ／ｍｉｎである。これより、流量調節弁１０６を毎秒２０ステップの速度で開閉させた場合の流量変化速度は、開度９０ステップ付近で毎秒２００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ（＝５ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ×２０）となり、開度２００ステップ付近で毎秒２０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ（＝０．５ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ×２０）となる。
【００７２】
この値を用いて、先に述べた流量調節弁１０６の制御状態と検出流量の間の応答遅れ５００ｍｓを流量の遅れに換算すると、流量調節弁１０６の制御状態と検出流量との流量のずれは、開度９０ステップ付近で±１００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ（＝２００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ×０．５）となり、開度２００ステップ付近で±１０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ（＝２０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ×５）となる。例えば、洗浄水の目標流量が５００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ、目標範囲が±２０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎである場合に、流量を増加させて流量を合わせ込む場合を考えてみる。流量が少ないので、流量調節弁１０６を開いていき、検出流量が目標範囲の下限値４８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎに到達したところで流量調節弁１０６を停止させる。しかし、先に述べたように流量調節弁１０６の制御状態が検出流量に反映されるまでには時間的な遅れがあるため、流量調節弁１０６が停止した開度ではそのずれ分も含めた流量を供給できる状態である。開度９０ステップ付近で流量調節弁１０６を停止させた場合、流量調節弁１０６は５８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ（＝４８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ＋１００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ）の流量を供給できる開度で停止したことになり、流量が目標範囲の上限５２０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎを越えてしまう。
【００７３】
また、開度２００ステップ付近で流量調節弁１０６を停止させた場合には、前記の流量のずれ分が１０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎであるので、流量調節弁１０６は４９０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ（＝４８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ＋１０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ）の流量を供給できる開度で停止したことになり、流量が目標範囲内に収まる。このように、流量調節弁１０６の制御状態と検出流量との間の流量のずれは流量の変化速度、つまりは流量調節弁１０６の開閉速度に依存する。そこで、流量調節弁１０６の開度の絶対値に対応して流量調節弁１０６の開閉速度を設定するようにする。開閉速度は流量調節弁１０６の開度の全領域において、流量変化速度が一定となるように流量調節弁１０６の特性に合わせて設定するのが望ましい。本実施例では（表４）に示すように、流量調節弁１０６の開度の絶対値によって６つの領域に分け、それぞれに開閉速度を設定した。開閉速度は各領域の１ステップあたりの流量変化を線形近似した値を用いて、全ての領域において流量変化速度が毎秒６０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎとなるように設定した。
【００７４】
【表４】

【００７５】
なお、前記のフィードバック量については、流量調節弁１０６と流量の関係、流量の目標範囲および流量調節弁１０６の制御状態が検出流量に反映されるまでの遅れ時間から最適な値を設定する。本実施例であれば、遅れ時間５００ｍｓ間の流量変化が目標範囲幅４０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ（目標範囲が±２０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎであるので）を越えないようにするのが望ましい。また、流量変化速度、つまりは開閉速度が速い方が流量を速くあわせ込むことができるので、前記の内容を考慮した上で最大の値にするのが望ましい。単位時間あたりの流量変化量を６０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎとした場合、流量調節弁１０６と検出流量のずれは３０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ（＝６０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ×０．５）となり、目標範囲幅４０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎに対しても余裕がある。
【００７６】
次に上記のように開閉速度を変更しながら実際に流量を合わせ込んでいくときの様子を、洗浄水の目標流量が５００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎの場合を例に挙げて説明する。図１４は流量制御のアルゴリズムを示したフローチャートである。
【００７７】
洗浄が開始される（Ｓ５００）と、制御手段１１４は流量調節弁１０６を基準の開度１００ステップまで開かせる（Ｓ５０１）。諸条件のうち水圧が低いとすれば、この時に水路内を流れる洗浄水の流量は図９の一点鎖線に示すように４００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎとなる。これは洗浄水の流量の目標範囲の下限値４８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎよりも少ない（Ｓ５０５）。そこで、流量調節弁１０６を開いていく。この時、流量調節弁１０６の開度が１００であるので表４に示すように開閉速度は１８ステップ／ｓとなる（Ｓ５０３）。制御手段１１４は流量調節弁１０６を１８ステップ／ｓの速度で開いていく（Ｓ５０６）。制御手段１１４は開いていく間も常に流量を検出し（Ｓ５０４）、その検出流量が４８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎを越えた時点で流量調節弁１０６を停止させる。流量調節弁１０６の制御状態と検出流量とのずれのため、流量調節弁１０６が停止した後も検出流量は増加して行くが、流量変化速度が毎秒６０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎになるように流量調節弁１０６の開閉速度を設定しているので、最終的に５１０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ（＝４８０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ＋３０ｃｃ／ｍｉｎ）で流量の増加は収まる。
【００７８】
以上のように、本実施例においては、流量検出手段１０６が検出した検出流量に応じて流量調節弁１０６を制御する際に、流量調節弁１０６を開閉する速度を、単位時間あたりの流量の変化量が目標流量範囲幅を超えないように設定することによって、流量調節弁の制御状態が検出流量に反映されるまでの遅れ時間に起因して流量調節弁１０６が開きすぎる又は閉じすぎるといったことが発生しなくなり、安定した流量で洗浄水を吐水することができる。また、必要以上に流量調節弁１０６を動作させないので流量調節弁１０６の実使用における寿命を延ばすことができる。さらに、流量調節弁の開度と流量の特性に応じて流量調節弁を開閉する速度を変更することによって、流量調節弁の開度の全領域において流量の合わせ込みを最適な速度で行うことができる。
【００７９】
なお、前記の開閉速度の変更方法は、流量調節弁１０６の開度を複数の領域に分け、それに対応したテーブルから開閉速度を取得する方法としたが、開度に応じて演算させるようにすればより精度よく行うことができる。
【００８０】
なお、前記の開閉速度の変更方法は、目標流量と検出流量の差が大きい場合には開閉速度を速くするように、目標流量と検出流量の差が小さい場合には開閉速度を遅くするようにすることによって、同様の効果を得ることができる。
【００８１】
（実施例６）
図１５に、本発明の実施例６の流量調節弁１０６の制御系のブロック図を示す。実施例１の構成と異なるところは、洗浄時に流量調節弁１０６の開度を記憶する記憶手段１１８と、衛生洗浄装置に電力が供給されていない時に記憶手段１１８の内容を保持するバックアップ手段を設けた点である。図１５において１１４は、流量検出手段１０７から取り込んだ信号と、記憶手段１１８によって記憶されている開度に応じて、予め決められた所定のアルゴリズムに基づいて流量調節弁１０６を制御する制御手段である。本実施例では記憶手段１１８、制御手段１１４はともにマイクロコンピュータを配した制御回路で構成し、バックアップ手段１１９はＥＥＰＲＯＭで構成する。
【００８２】
以上のように構成された衛生洗浄装置について、以下その動作、作用を説明する。図１６は流量制御のアルゴリズムを示したフローチャートである。洗浄動作の概略及び流量制御は内容は基本的に実施例１と同一であるので説明は省略する。実施例１と異なるところは、洗浄時の流量調節弁１０６の開度を記憶し、次回の洗浄開始時にその記憶している開度まで流量調節弁１０６を開くところである。
【００８３】
衛生洗浄装置に通電されると、まず、バックアップ手段１１９に保持している情報を記憶手段に基準の開度として読み出す（Ｓ６０１）。ここで、バックアップ手段１１９には初期値として、１００ステップという値が保持されていたとすると、記憶手段１１８は基準の開度を１００ステップとして記憶する。
【００８４】
まず一回目の洗浄が開始される（Ｓ６０２）と、制御手段１１４は流量調節弁１０６を基準の開度１００ステップまで開かせる（Ｓ６０３、Ｓ６０４）。洗浄中は実施例１で説明したフィードバック処理を行い（Ｓ６０５〜Ｓ６１５）、流量制御を行う。流量調節弁１０６の開度と流量の特性が図２０の一点鎖線に示すような場合、実施例１によれば、流量調節弁１０６は６ステップ開くフィードバック動作を３回目繰り返したところで停止する。この時、流量調節弁１０６の開度は１１８ステップ（＝１００ステップ＋６ステップ×３回）まで開いている。そして、この１１８ステップを基準の開度として記憶手段１１８に記憶し、バックアップ手段１１９に書き込む（Ｓ６１６、Ｓ６１７）。
【００８５】
二回目の洗浄が開始されると、制御手段１１４は前回の洗浄時に記憶した基準の開度１１８ステップまで流量調節弁１０６を開く（Ｓ６０３、Ｓ６０４）。流量調節弁１０６や水圧などの諸条件が前回の洗浄時から変化していなければ、流量調節弁１０６の開度と流量特性は図２０の一点鎖線のままなので、開度１１８ステップで目標流量５００ｃｃ／ｍｉｎを実現する。すなわち、洗浄開始時から所定の流量で吐水を行うことができる。
【００８６】
なお、バックアップ手段１１９は、衛生洗浄装置への通電がＯＦＦしているときにも、書き込まれた値を保持している。それゆえ、一回目と二回目の洗浄の間に、一旦衛生洗浄装置の電源を切られた場合にも、同様に基準の開度を１１８ステップとして流量調節弁１０６を開くので、洗浄開始時から所定の流量で吐水を行うことができる。
【００８７】
【発明の効果】
以上のように、請求項１に記載の発明によれば、流量検出手段に検出された流量が目標流量範囲に収まるように流量調節弁にフィードバック制御を行う際に、流量調節弁を停止してフィードバック周期と称する所定時間を経過した後に、安定した流量を検出するまで、次のフィードバック制御を行わないので、流量調節弁の制御状態が検出流量に反映されるまでの遅れ時間に起因して流量調節弁が開きすぎる又は閉じすぎるといったことが発生しなくなり、流量のハンチングを防ぎ、安定した流量で洗浄を行うことができる。
【００８８】
さらに、請求項２〜７に記載の発明によれば、流量のフィードバック制御を行う際に、目標流量、検出流量そして流量調節弁の開度に応じて制御に用いるパラメータを変化させるので、流量の安定化を高速に行うことができ、水圧や水路の圧損などが変動した場合にも安定した流量で洗浄を行うことができる。
【００８９】
さらに、請求項８、９に記載の発明によれば、洗浄時にその時に最適な流量調節弁の開度を記憶し、次回からの洗浄にはその記憶した開度を初期値として洗浄開始時の流量調節弁の制御を行うので、洗浄開始直後から安定した流量で洗浄を行うことができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】 本発明の実施例１〜６における衛生洗浄装置の外観斜視図
【図２】 同装置の水路構成図
【図３】 （ａ）同装置における流量検出手段の側断面図
（ｂ）同検出手段の平面図
【図４】 同装置における流量調節弁の制御系のブロック図
【図５】 同装置における流量制御のフローチャート
【図６】 同装置における流量調節弁の動作と実流量及び検出流量の変化を表したタイミングチャート
【図７】 本発明の実施例２、３における流量調節弁の制御系のブロック図
【図８】 同調節弁における流量制御のフローチャート
【図９】 本発明の実施例２、５における流量調節弁の開度と流量の特性図
【図１０】 本発明の実施例４における流量調節弁の制御系のブロック図
【図１１】 同調節弁における流量制御のフローチャート
【図１２】 同調節弁の動作と実流量及び検出流量の変化を表したタイミングチャート
【図１３】 本発明の実施例５における流量調節弁の制御系のブロック図
【図１４】 同調節弁における流量制御のフローチャート
【図１５】 本発明の実施例６における流量調節弁の制御系のブロック図
【図１６】 同調節弁における流量制御のフローチャート
【図１７】 従来の衛生洗浄装置の外観斜視図
【図１８】 同装置の水路構成を示すブロック図
【図１９】 同装置における流量調節弁の制御系のブロック図
【図２０】 流量調節弁の開度と流量との関係を示す特性図
【図２１】 同調節弁の動作と実流量及び検出流量の変化を表したタイミングチャート
【符号の説明】
１０６ 流量調節弁
１０７ 流量検出手段
１１４ 制御手段
１１５ フィードバック量変更手段
１１６ フィードバック周期変更手段
１１７ 開閉速度変更手段
１１８ 記憶手段
１１９ バックアップ手段[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sanitary washing apparatus in which the flow rate of washing water for performing local washing of a human body is appropriately controlled.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 17 is an external view of a conventional sanitary washing device. In FIG. 17, 1 is a toilet seat, 2 is an operation means for the user to operate each function such as cleaning of the sanitary washing device, 3 is a cleaning nozzle for discharging the cleaning water toward a local part of the human body, and 4 is a toilet seat box It is. Inside the toilet seat box 4 are arranged actuators, control circuits, water channels and the like necessary for realizing each function of the sanitary washing device.
[0003]
FIG. 18 is a water channel configuration diagram of the sanitary washing apparatus of the conventional example. In FIG. 18, 5 is a water stop solenoid valve for supplying / stopping cleaning water used for cleaning, and its primary side is directly connected to a water pipe. 6 is a flow rate detecting means for detecting the flow rate of the wash water flowing through the water channel, 7 is a heating means for heating the wash water, 8 is an incoming water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the wash water before being heated by the heating means 7, 9 Is a water discharge temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the wash water heated by the heating means 7, and 10 is a flow rate adjusting valve for adjusting the flow rate by adjusting the opening of the valve.
[0004]
When the user sits on the toilet seat 1 and operates the operation means 2 to instruct the washing operation, the water stop electromagnetic valve 5 disposed in the toilet seat box 4 is opened, and at the same time, the opening degree of the flow control valve 10 is adjusted. By doing so, the washing water is pumped at a predetermined flow rate. The heating means 7 boiles the wash water that has been pumped to a predetermined temperature based on the information detected by the flow rate detection means 6, the incoming water temperature detection means 8, and the outgoing water temperature detection means 10. In this way, finally, wash water of a predetermined temperature is discharged from the wash nozzle 3 at a predetermined target flow rate, and the human body is partially cleaned.
[0005]
FIG. 19 shows a block diagram of a control system of the flow rate adjusting valve 10 of the conventional example. In FIG. 19, reference numeral 11 denotes a control means, which performs feedback control to the flow rate control valve 10 based on the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means 6 so that the flow rate of the washing water becomes the target flow rate. The control contents are shown below.
[0006]
The flow rate actually flowing is not completely constant due to disturbances such as the accuracy of the flow rate detection means 6 and changes in water pressure and pressure loss in the water channel. Therefore, if the flow rate is to be kept completely constant, the flow rate control valve 10 is always operating, which is not preferable from the viewpoint of the life of the flow rate control valve 10. Therefore, in general, a certain target range is set for a predetermined target flow rate, and the flow rate control valve 10 is opened and closed only when the detected flow rate is outside the target range.
[0007]
At the start of cleaning, the flow control valve 10 is opened to a certain standard opening. If the detected flow rate is within the target range at this time, the flow rate control valve 10 is stopped and the reference opening degree is maintained. However, the relationship between the opening and the absolute value of the flow rate varies depending on various conditions such as variations among individual flow control valves and water pressure at the installation location. FIG. 20 is a characteristic diagram of the opening degree and flow rate of the flow control valve 10. In FIG. 20, the horizontal axis is the opening, and the vertical axis is the flow rate. When the opening degree of the flow control valve 10 is increased, the flow rate is increased, and when it is decreased, the flow rate is decreased. The rate of change is 5 cc / min. Among the characteristics shown in FIG. 20, the solid line represents the case where the flow control valve 10 and various conditions such as water pressure are standard. If these conditions change, the absolute value itself becomes a different value even if the rate of change is the same. For example, when only the water pressure among the various conditions is lower than the standard value, the flow rate with respect to the same opening degree decreases as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG.
[0008]
As described above, the reference opening is an opening that achieves the target flow rate when the conditions such as the water pressure of the flow control valve 10 and the installation location are standard, and these conditions are used in different environments. Then, the target flow rate cannot be realized. In such a case, for example, when the detected flow rate is higher than the target flow rate, the flow rate control valve 10 is continuously closed, and the flow rate control valve 10 is stopped when the detected flow rate enters the target range. Conversely, when the detected flow rate is smaller than the target flow rate, the flow rate control valve 10 is continuously opened, and the flow rate control valve 10 is stopped when the detected flow rate enters the target range.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, after the control means 11 opens and closes the flow rate adjusting valve 10, the flow rate of the cleaning water actually changes, and there is a time delay until the change is reflected in the detected flow rate. Therefore, when it is confirmed that the detected flow rate has entered the target range and the flow rate control valve 10 is stopped, the flow rate control valve 10 has already been opened (or closed), and as a result, the flow rate is an intended value. There was a problem that it was not stable.
[0010]
The contents will be specifically described with reference to FIG. Here, an example is given in which feedback control is performed so as to increase the flow rate when the flow rate when the flow rate adjustment valve 10 is opened to the reference opening degree is lower than the lower limit value of the target range because the water pressure is low. . In FIG. 21, the horizontal axis represents the time during which feedback control is performed so as to increase the flow rate in both (a) and (b), and the vertical axis represents the opening degree of the flow control valve 10 for (a). ) Represents the flow rate. As other conditions, the target flow rate is 500 cc / min, the target range is ± 20 cc / min, and the reference opening is 100 steps. The delay time until the control state of the flow rate control valve 10 is reflected in the detected flow rate is 500 ms. The contents of this delay are a delay time of 200 ms until the actual flow rate changes after the flow control valve 10 operates, and a delay time of 300 ms until the actual flow rate is reflected in the detected flow rate. For simplicity, it is assumed that the flow rate control valve 10 is stopped and the flow rate feedback control is performed from a stable state where the actual flow rate and the detected flow rate are the same.
[0011]
First, in order to obtain 500 cc / min at the start of cleaning, the flow rate control valve 10 is opened by a reference opening degree of 100 steps. Since the water pressure is low here, the flow rate actually flows only 400 cc / min. Then, since the detected flow rate is smaller than the lower limit value 480 cc / min of the target range, feedback control is performed on the flow rate adjustment valve 10 so as to increase the flow rate. As shown in FIG. 20, when the control means 11 controls to open the flow control valve 10, the actual flow rate gradually increases with a delay of 200 ms, and the detected flow rate further increases after 300 ms. If the flow rate control valve 10 is opened at a speed of 20 steps per second at this time, as shown in FIG. 21, the detected flow rate reaches 480 cc / min 1.3 seconds after the flow rate control valve 10 is first opened. Here, the control means 11 stops the flow rate control valve 10, but since there is a delay time of 500 ms until the flow rate is detected, at this time, the flow rate control valve 10 has already moved to a further open position. From the characteristics of the flow rate and the opening degree of the flow rate control valve shown in FIG. 20, the opening degree required to increase the flow rate by 80 cc / min is 16 steps, and the time required for opening this amount is 0.8 s (= 16 steps ÷ 20 steps / s). That is, since it has been opened for 1.3 seconds, it will be opened for 0.5 seconds. This translates into 10 steps when converted into steps, which is 50 cc / min when converted into a flow rate. That is, as shown in FIG. 21, after 1.3 s, the flow control valve 10 is already open to 126 steps (= 100 steps + 16 steps + 10 steps) that can supply 530 cc / min (480 cc / min + 50 cc / min). Become. Therefore, even after the flow rate control valve 10 is stopped, the detected flow rate increases with a delay, and after 1.7 s after the flow rate control valve 10 starts to open, the detected flow rate exceeds 520 cc / min, which is the upper limit of the target range. This time, flow rate feedback control is performed to reduce the flow rate. Since the same phenomenon occurs when the flow rate is decreased, the flow rate hunts in a range exceeding the target range as a result.
[0012]
The example described here is a case where the delay time until the control state of the flow control valve 10 is reflected in the detected flow rate is fixed and the delay is extreme. However, this example does not mention the accuracy of the flow rate detection means 6, the fluctuation of the water pressure, and the pressure loss of the water channel. Even when the flow detection delay time is not extreme, the flow rate is not stabilized due to the flow detection delay time as described above when there is a change in the detection accuracy of the flow detection means 6, the water pressure, or the pressure loss of the water channel. This phenomenon occurs.
[0013]
The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and prevents the flow rate control valve from opening and closing more than necessary due to a delay time until the control state of the flow rate control valve is reflected in the detected flow rate, and is stable. An object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary washing device capable of washing at a flow rate.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the sanitary washing device of the present invention changes the opening of the flow rate detecting means for detecting the flow rate of the wash water for performing local washing of the human body and the flow rate of the wash water. And a control means for controlling the flow rate adjusting valve. When the control means controls the flow rate control valve so that the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means falls within a predetermined target flow rate range, the flow rate control valve is driven by a predetermined valve opening amount which is a feedback amount. And a feedback amount changing means for changing whether or not the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detecting means is within a target flow rate range after a predetermined time which is a feedback cycle, and changing the feedback amount, The changing means is divided into a plurality of regions according to the absolute value of the opening degree of the flow rate control valve, and the flow rate changing with the feedback amount in one time is set to be constant in the plurality of regions. Even when various conditions such as individual differences of control valves, water pressure, and target flow rates are different, it can be performed at an optimum speed. As a result of the determination, if the detected flow rate is not within the target flow rate range, the flow rate adjusting valve is stopped after being driven again by the feedback amount, and the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detecting means is detected after a predetermined time which is the feedback cycle. By determining whether the flow rate is within the target flow range, the flow rate control valve is prevented from opening and closing more than necessary due to a delay time until the control state of the flow rate control valve is reflected in the detected flow rate, and stable. It is possible to provide a sanitary washing apparatus capable of washing at a flow rate.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 is a flow rate detecting means for detecting the flow rate of the wash water, a flow rate adjusting valve for adjusting the flow rate of the wash water by changing the opening of the valve, and a control means for controlling the flow rate control valve. And the control means performs feedback control for driving the flow rate control valve so that the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means falls within the target flow rate range. It is stopped after being driven by a predetermined valve opening amount that is an amount, and after a predetermined time that is a feedback cycle, it is determined whether the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means is within the target flow rate range, and the determination result, If the detected flow rate is not within the target flow rate range, the flow rate control valve is stopped again after being driven by the feedback amount, and after a predetermined time that is the feedback cycle. The flow rate detecting means determines whether or not the detected flow rate detected is within the target flow rate range, and further includes a feedback amount changing means for changing the feedback amount, and the feedback amount changing means includes an opening degree of the flow control valve. Are divided into a plurality of regions according to the absolute values of the plurality of regions, and are set such that the flow rate that changes with the feedback amount at one time is constant in the plurality of regions.
[0016]
Thus, after a predetermined time called a feedback cycle has elapsed after the flow rate control valve is stopped, the next feedback control is not performed until a stable flow rate is detected, so the control state of the flow rate control valve is reflected in the detected flow rate. This prevents the flow rate adjusting valve from opening or closing too much due to the delay time until the cleaning water is discharged, and the washing water can be discharged at a stable flow rate. In addition, since the flow control valve is not operated more than necessary, the service life of the flow control valve can be extended.
[0017]
In this case, in particular, a feedback amount changing means for changing the feedback amount is provided, and the feedback amount changing means is divided into a plurality of regions according to the absolute value of the opening degree of the flow control valve, and once in the plurality of regions. By setting the flow rate that changes according to the feedback amount to be constant, the flow rate can be adjusted at an optimum speed even when various conditions such as individual differences of the flow rate control valve, water pressure, and the target flow rate are different. it can.
[0018]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flow rate detecting means for detecting a flow rate of cleaning water for performing local cleaning of a human body, a flow rate adjusting valve for adjusting the flow rate of the cleaning water by changing the opening of the valve, And a control means for controlling the flow rate control valve so that the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means falls within a predetermined target flow rate range, wherein the control means is detected by the flow rate detection means. When performing the feedback control for driving the flow rate control valve so that the flow rate is within the target flow rate range, the flow rate control valve is stopped after being driven by a predetermined valve opening amount that is a feedback amount, and in a feedback cycle. After a predetermined time, it is determined whether or not the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means is within the target flow rate range, and the determination result indicates that the detected flow rate is not within the target flow rate range. And the flow rate control valve is stopped after being driven by the feedback amount, and after a predetermined time which is the feedback cycle, it is determined whether or not the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means is within the target flow rate range, and Feedback amount changing means for changing the feedback amount is provided, and the feedback amount changing means changes the feedback amount in accordance with at least one of the opening degree of the flow rate control valve, the detected flow rate, and the target flow rate. Is.
[0019]
Thus, after a predetermined time called a feedback cycle has elapsed after the flow rate control valve is stopped, the next feedback control is not performed until a stable flow rate is detected, so the control state of the flow rate control valve is reflected in the detected flow rate. This prevents the flow rate adjusting valve from opening or closing too much due to the delay time until the cleaning water is discharged, and the washing water can be discharged at a stable flow rate. In addition, since the flow control valve is not operated more than necessary, the service life of the flow control valve can be extended.
[0020]
In this case, in particular, a feedback amount changing unit that changes the feedback amount is provided, and the feedback amount changing unit is configured to change the feedback amount according to at least one of an opening degree, a detected flow rate, and a target flow rate of the flow rate control valve. Thus, the delay time until the control state of the flow rate control valve is reflected in the detected flow rate can be absorbed effectively.
[0021]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in particular, the feedback period change in which the feedback period according to the first or second aspect is changed according to at least one of an opening degree of the flow rate control valve, a detected flow rate, and a target flow rate. Because it is equipped with means, it is possible to adjust the flow rate more accurately and at high speed according to various conditions such as individual differences in flow rate control valves, water pressure, etc., and conditions such as deviations from the detected flow rate and the specified target flow rate range. Can do.
[0022]
The invention according to claim 4 is the sanitary washing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in particular, the detected flow rate of the flow control valve. and Since it has an open / close speed changing means for changing the open / close speed of the flow rate control valve according to the target flow rate, various conditions such as individual differences and water pressure of the flow rate control valve, and deviations between the detected flow rate and the predetermined target flow rate range Depending on the situation, the flow rate can be adjusted more accurately and at high speed.
[0023]
The invention according to claim 5 is the sanitary washing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, particularly, further comprising storage means for storing the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve with respect to the target flow rate during washing. The control means opens and closes the flow rate control valve with the opening degree of the previous cleaning stored in the storage means as an initial value at the start of cleaning. As long as various conditions such as individual differences and water pressure do not change, cleaning can be started at an appropriate opening degree from the next cleaning, and the adjustment of the flow rate can be made unnecessary.
[0024]
The invention according to claim 6 is the sanitary washing device according to claim 5, further comprising backup means capable of holding data even when not energized, and the backup means is stored in the storage means when energized. The information read out is retained, the information read out when it is not energized, and the information read out during the first energization is written into the storage means. However, it is possible to start cleaning at an appropriate opening degree and make it unnecessary to adjust the flow rate.
[0025]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0026]
Example 1
FIG. 1 is an external view of a sanitary washing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 101 is a toilet seat, 102 is an operation means for a user to operate each function such as cleaning of a sanitary washing apparatus, 103 is a cleaning nozzle for discharging the cleaning water toward a local part of the human body, and 104 is a toilet seat box It is. Inside the toilet seat box 104, an actuator, a control circuit, a water channel, and the like necessary for realizing each function of the sanitary washing device are arranged.
[0027]
FIG. 2 is a water channel configuration diagram of the sanitary washing device of this embodiment. In FIG. 2, 105 is a water stop solenoid valve. Reference numeral 106 denotes a flow control valve, which is driven by a stepping motor. Reference numeral 107 denotes a flow rate detecting means for detecting the flow rate of the cleaning water flowing through the water channel. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the impeller 108 is rotated by the flow of the cleaning water, and the rotation of the light emitting diode 109 and the phototransistor 110 is detected. The flow rate is detected by converting to the frequency of the pulse voltage with the used switching circuit. Reference numeral 111 denotes a heating means for heating the cleaning water. In this embodiment, the heating means is constituted by a high-power ceramic heater capable of raising the temperature to a predetermined temperature while passing the cleaning water. 112 is an incoming water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the washing water before being heated by the heating means 111, and 113 is an outlet temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the heated washing water flowing out from the heating means. In this embodiment, the temperature is detected using the temperature characteristic of the resistance value of the thermistor.
[0028]
FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a control system of the flow rate control valve 106. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 114 denotes a control unit that takes in a signal from the flow rate detection unit 107 and controls the flow rate adjustment valve 106 based on a predetermined algorithm in accordance with the signal. In this embodiment, a control unit is provided with a microcomputer. Consists of a circuit.
[0029]
About the sanitary washing apparatus comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.
[0030]
First, an outline of the cleaning operation by the sanitary cleaning device of this embodiment will be described.
[0031]
When the user sits on the toilet seat 101 and operates the operation means 102 to instruct a washing operation, the water stop electromagnetic valve 105 disposed in the toilet seat box 104 is opened and at the same time the opening degree of the flow control valve 106 is adjusted. As a result, the washing water is pumped at a predetermined flow rate. The heating means 111 boiles the wash water that has been pumped to a predetermined temperature based on the information detected by the flow rate detection means 107, the incoming water temperature detection means 112, and the outgoing water temperature detection means 113.
In this way, finally, cleaning water having a predetermined temperature is discharged from the cleaning nozzle 103 at a predetermined target flow rate to perform local cleaning of the human body.
[0032]
Next, flow rate control during cleaning will be described by taking as an example a case where the target flow rate of cleaning water is 500 cc / min and the target range is ± 20 cc / min. Here, regarding the detection of the flow rate, if the instantaneous value of the flow rate is handled as the detected flow rate as it is, the influence of detection variation and the like will be noticeable. Then, the influence will come out to the flow volume and temperature of the washing water which are controlled using the detected flow volume. Therefore, the detected flow rate is generally obtained as an average value for a certain period. In this embodiment, the detected flow rate is obtained by inputting pulses output from the flow rate detection means 107 to the microcomputer, using the total number of pulses for 500 ms, and performing calculations based on the flow rate-frequency characteristics of the flow rate detection means for 500 ms. The average flow rate is obtained. Thereby, there is a delay time until the actual flow rate is reflected in the detected flow rate. In the description of the present embodiment, this delay time is treated as a fixed 300 ms. Also, since there is a delay in the response of the machine and fluid until the impeller 108 of the flow rate detecting means 107 rotates, the flow rate control valve 106 is driven, and the flow rate actually changes, the control state of the flow rate control valve is the actual flow rate. There is a delay time before it is reflected in. In this embodiment, this delay time is 200 ms.
[0033]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow rate control algorithm, and FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the operation of the flow rate control valve 106 and changes in the actual flow rate and the detected flow rate.
[0034]
When the cleaning is started (S100), the control unit 114 opens the flow rate adjusting valve 106 to the reference opening degree 100 steps (S101). At this time, the flow rate of the cleaning water flowing in the water channel depends on various conditions such as the flow rate control valve 106 and water pressure. First, the case where the above-mentioned various conditions are standard will be described. If the relationship between the opening degree of the flow rate control valve 106 and the flow rate in this embodiment is the same as that in the conventional example shown in FIG. 20, when the flow rate control valve 106 is opened up to 100 steps, it is shown by the solid line in FIG. As described above, the flow rate of the cleaning water flowing in the water channel is 500 cc / min. If the feedback cycle is set to 500 ms, the delay time until the control state of the flow control valve 106 is reflected in the detected flow rate is 500 ms (200 ms + 300 ms). S103), the detected flow rate input after the feedback period is 500 cc / min (S107). Since the detected flow rate is within the target range (480 to 520 cc / min) (S108, S111), the flow rate control valve 106 is kept stopped at the current opening.
[0035]
Next, the case where the above-mentioned various conditions are not standard will be described. Specifically, this is a case where the water pressure is low and the flow rate control valve 106 and the flow rate characteristics are shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. When the flow rate adjusting valve 106 is opened to the reference opening degree of 100 steps, the flow rate becomes 400 cc / min, so the detected flow rate input after 500 ms falls below 480 cc / min, which is the lower limit of the target range (S108). Then, in order to increase the flow rate, the flow rate adjustment valve 106 is opened by 6 steps, which is a preset feedback amount (S109). When the output of 6 steps to the flow control valve 106 is completed (S110) and the flow control valve 106 is stopped (S103), the feedback period is counted (S104, S105). When the flow rate is detected after the feedback period of 500 ms has elapsed (S106, S107), the detected flow rate is 430 cc / min, which is less than 480 cc / min, so the flow rate adjustment valve 106 is opened again for 6 steps. The flow rate is adjusted by repeating this operation (S103 to S110). In the above example, since the detected flow rate 500 ms after the flow rate adjusting valve 106 completes the third feedback operation becomes 490 cc / min, the flow rate adjusting valve 106 is stopped at that time. Conversely, even when the flow rate is higher than the target flow rate due to various conditions, the flow rate can be adjusted by performing similar control (S103 to S108, S111 to S113).
[0036]
When the flow rate control valve 106 is stopped, the detected flow rate is always taken in every feedback cycle, and when the flow rate fluctuates due to a change in water pressure or the like, the feedback control is performed again to adjust the flow rate. .
[0037]
As described above, in this embodiment, when the flow rate control valve 106 is controlled in accordance with the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means 106, the feedback cycle elapses after the flow rate control valve 106 is stopped, and is stabilized. Since the next feedback control is not performed until the flow rate is detected, the flow rate control valve 106 is too open or closed due to a delay time until the control state of the flow rate control valve is reflected in the detected flow rate when the flow rate is adjusted. It will not occur too much, and the washing water can be discharged at a stable flow rate. Further, since the flow control valve 106 is not operated more than necessary, the life of the flow control valve 106 in actual use can be extended. Moreover, since the heating means is controlled according to the flow rate, the temperature of the cleaning water can be indirectly stabilized by stabilizing the flow rate.
[0038]
The feedback amount is set to an optimum value based on the opening degree and flow rate characteristics of the flow rate control valve 106 and the flow rate target range. In this embodiment, it is desirable not to exceed the target range width of 40 cc / min (since the target range is ± 20 cc / min) by a single feedback operation of the flow control valve 106. This is because there is a high possibility that the flow rate cannot be adjusted to the target range if the flow rate is excessively higher than 40 cc / min in one feedback operation. In addition, since the flow rate can be adjusted faster when the feedback amount per one time is larger, it is desirable to set the maximum value in consideration of the above contents. When the feedback amount is set to 6 steps, the flow rate change rate with respect to the opening degree of the flow rate control valve 106 is 5 cc / min. Therefore, the flow rate change amount in one feedback is 30 cc / min, which is the target range. There is room for a width of 40 cc / min.
[0039]
In this embodiment, since the delay time until the control state of the flow control valve 106 is reflected in the detected flow rate is treated as being fixed at 500 ms in this embodiment, the feedback cycle is set to 500 ms. Depending on conditions such as the characteristics of the opening and flow rate of the valve 106, the target flow rate, the water pressure, etc., the delay time becomes a different value at any time. Also, it is difficult to theoretically determine the actual delay time. However, if the delay time is considered to be averaged under the actual use conditions, and the value obtained experimentally according to the actual use conditions is set as the feedback cycle, the effect of this embodiment can be obtained.
[0040]
(Example 2)
FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a control system of the flow rate control valve 106 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the configuration of the first embodiment is that a feedback amount changing means 115 for changing the feedback amount is provided. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 114 denotes a control unit that controls the flow rate control valve 106 based on a predetermined algorithm in accordance with the signal fetched from the flow rate detection unit 107 and the feedback amount changed by the feedback amount change unit 115. It is. In this embodiment, both the feedback amount changing means 115 and the control means 114 are constituted by a control circuit having a microcomputer.
[0041]
About the sanitary washing apparatus comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow control algorithm. Since the outline of the cleaning operation and the flow rate control are basically the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. The difference from the first embodiment is that the feedback amount used for the feedback control is not set in advance, but is changed according to the opening degree of the flow control valve 106. Therefore, the explanation will be focused on the change of the feedback amount.
[0042]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the characteristics of the opening degree and the flow rate of the flow rate control valve 106 in the present embodiment, and the solid line shows the case where various conditions such as the flow rate control valve 106 and water pressure are standard. As shown in FIG. 9, the flow rate change per step of the flow rate control valve 106 generally differs depending on the absolute value of the opening degree of the flow rate control valve 106. For example, in the case of the flow control valve 106 of the present embodiment, the flow rate change per step is about 5 cc / min when the opening is in the vicinity of 90 steps, and is 0.5 cc / min when the opening is in the vicinity of 200 steps. . That is, if the flow rate is always adjusted with a constant feedback amount, the time required for the flow rate to be stabilized varies depending on the opening degree of the flow rate control valve 106. When the feedback amount is always 6 steps as in the first embodiment, the flow rate that can be adjusted by one feedback operation of the flow rate control valve 106 is 30 cc / min when the opening degree is close to 90 steps. Since it becomes 3 cc / min when the opening is near 200 steps, it takes about 10 times longer when the opening is around 200 steps than when the opening is around 90 steps to adjust the same flow rate. .
[0043]
Therefore, the feedback amount is set in accordance with the absolute value of the opening degree of the flow control valve 106. The feedback amount is desirably set in accordance with the characteristics of the opening and flow rate of the flow control valve 106 so that the flow rate to be adjusted per time is constant in the entire region of the opening of the flow control valve 106. In this embodiment, as shown in (Table 1), the absolute value of the opening degree of the flow control valve 106 is divided into six regions, and the feedback amount is set for each of the six regions. The feedback amount was set so that the flow rate that can be adjusted in one feedback operation in all regions was 30 cc / min using a value obtained by linearly approximating the flow rate change per step in each region. The reason why the flow rate that can be adjusted in one feedback operation is 30 cc / min is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
[0044]
[Table 1]

[0045]
Next, how the flow rate is actually adjusted while changing the feedback amount as described above will be described. In the following description, the target range, the flow rate detection method and delay time, and the feedback period are assumed to have the same values and concept as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.
[0046]
First, the case where the target flow rate of cleaning water is 500 cc / min will be described. When cleaning is started (S200), the control means 114 opens the flow rate adjustment valve 106 up to a reference opening degree of 100 steps (S201). If the water pressure is low among the various conditions, the flow rate of the cleaning water flowing in the water channel at this time is 400 cc / min as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. This is less than the lower limit 480 cc / min (= 500 cc / min-20 cc / min) of the target range of the flow rate of the cleaning water. Therefore, a feedback operation that opens the flow control valve 106 is repeated. Since the opening degree of the flow control valve 106 is 100, the feedback amount is 9 steps as shown in Table 1 (S209). The control means 114 outputs the flow rate adjusting valve 106 so as to open 9 steps (S210). After the 9 steps open, the flow rate is detected after the elapse of 500 ms as a feedback cycle (S207), and the detected flow rate exceeds 480 cc / min. At the time, the flow control valve 106 is stopped. From FIG. 9, when the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve 106 is 124 steps, the flow rate is 480 cc / min, and thus the feedback operation is repeated up to that point. Since the feedback amount is always 9 steps in this region, if the feedback operation is repeated three times, the flow rate adjusting valve 106 is opened by 27 steps (= 9 steps × 3), and the opening degree becomes 127 steps. Since the flow rate at this time is within the target range of 480 to 520 cc / min from FIG. 9, the flow rate adjustment valve 106 is stopped.
[0047]
Next, the case where the target flow rate of cleaning water is 600 cc / min will be described. From FIG. 9, when the conditions such as the flow control valve 106 and the water pressure are average, the opening degree of the flow control valve 106 capable of realizing a flow rate of 600 cc / min is 130 steps. Therefore, when the cleaning is started (S200), first, the control means 114 opens the flow rate adjusting valve 106 to 130 steps which is the reference opening degree (S201). If the water pressure is low among the various conditions, the flow rate of the cleaning water flowing in the water channel at this time is 500 cc / min as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. This is less than the lower limit 580 cc / min of the target range of the flow rate of the washing water. Therefore, a feedback operation that opens the flow control valve 106 is repeated. Since the opening degree of the flow control valve 106 is 130, the feedback amount is 18 steps as shown in Table 1 (S209). Therefore, the control means 114 outputs the flow rate adjusting valve 106 so as to open 18 steps (S210), detects the flow rate after the elapse of 500 ms which is the feedback cycle after opening 18 steps (S207), and the detected flow rate becomes 580 cc / min. When it exceeds, the flow control valve 106 is stopped. From FIG. 9, since the flow rate becomes 580 cc / min when the opening degree of the flow control valve 106 is 220 steps, the feedback operation is repeated up to that point. The feedback amount is 18 steps from the opening 130 to 160 steps, and 60 steps above 160 steps. When the feedback operation is repeated twice, the flow rate adjusting valve 106 is opened by 36 steps (= 18 steps × 2), and the opening degree is 166 steps (= 130 steps + 36 steps). When performing the third feedback operation, the amount of feedback is 60 steps because the opening degree of the flow control valve 106 is in the region of 160 steps or more. When the third feedback operation is completed, the opening degree is 226 steps (= 166 steps + 60 steps). Since the flow rate at this time, that is, the flow rate detected after a feedback cycle of 500 ms is within the target range of 580 to 620 cc / min from FIG. 9, the flow rate adjustment valve 106 is stopped.
[0048]
As described above, in this embodiment, when the flow rate control valve 106 is controlled in accordance with the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means 106, the feedback amount is changed in accordance with the characteristics of the flow rate control valve, thereby changing the flow rate. Since the flow rate that can be adjusted by one feedback operation at the time of adjustment of the flow rate is the same in the entire range of the opening degree of the flow rate control valve 106, the flow rate adjustment is performed according to various conditions such as individual differences of the flow rate control valve, water pressure, and the target. Even when the flow rate is different, it can be performed at an optimum speed.
[0049]
Although the feedback amount changing method is a method of dividing the opening degree of the flow control valve 106 into a plurality of regions and acquiring the feedback amount from a table corresponding thereto, it may be calculated according to the opening degree. Can be performed more accurately.
[0050]
(Example 3)
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The outline of the cleaning operation and the flow rate control are basically the same as those in the second embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. The difference from the second embodiment is that the feedback amount used for feedback control is changed according to the difference between the target flow rate and the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means 107. Therefore, the explanation will be focused on the change of the feedback amount.
[0051]
When cleaning is started (S200), the control means 114 opens the flow rate adjustment valve 106 up to a reference opening degree of 100 steps (S201). When the water pressure is low among the various conditions, the flow rate of the cleaning water flowing in the water channel is 400 cc / min as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. This is less than the lower limit value 480 cc / min of the target range of the flow rate of the washing water. In this case, as described in the first embodiment, the feedback process is performed three times to complete the flow rate adjustment. Further, when the water pressure is extremely low, the flow rate of the cleaning water flowing in the water channel is 300 cc / min as shown by the long wave line in FIG. Since the flow rate change per step is 5 cc / min, in order to increase 180 cc / min which is the difference between the lower limit value 480 cc / min of the target flow rate range and the detected flow rate 300 cc / min, 36 steps (= 180 cc / min) The flow rate adjusting valve 106 must be opened by (min ÷ 5 cc / min). At this time, as in the first embodiment, if feedback control is performed with the feedback amount fixed at 6 steps, feedback operation of 6 times (= 36 steps ÷ 6 steps) is required. Even if the time during which the stepping motor is operating is ignored, since the feedback operation is performed every feedback cycle of 500 ms, it takes 3 seconds (= 500 ms × 6 times) to complete the flow rate adjustment. . Therefore, by setting the feedback amount to be large when the difference between the target flow rate and the detected flow rate is large, the time required to complete the flow rate adjustment is shortened.
[0052]
As described in the second embodiment, the feedback amount is set to 6 steps so that the flow rate that can be adjusted by one feedback operation is 30 cc / min. However, when the difference between the target flow rate and the detected flow rate is 30 cc / min or more, there is no problem even if the higher flow rate is adjusted by one feedback operation. Therefore, in this embodiment, the feedback amount is set as shown in (Table 2) according to the difference between the target flow rate and the detected flow rate.
[0053]
[Table 2]

[0054]
The feedback amount is set so that the flow rate that can be adjusted in one feedback operation does not exceed the target range. In Table 2, when the difference between the target flow rate and the detected flow rate is 50 to 100 cc / min, the feedback amount is set to 10. At this time, since the flow rate that can be adjusted in one feedback operation is 50 cc / min, even if the difference between the target flow rate and the detected flow rate is 50 cc / min, which is the minimum in this region, the flow rate adjustment valve 106 is set during the feedback operation. The flow rate is not changed by opening and closing excessively and exceeding the target range. Further, although the accuracy of the control is improved as the feedback amount is finely divided, a sufficient effect can be obtained if the difference between the target flow rate and the detected flow rate can be set in a range that can actually occur.
[0055]
As described above, when the water pressure is extremely low and the flow rate at the reference opening degree 100 is only 300 cc / min, the difference between the target flow rate and the detected flow rate is 200 cc / min, so the feedback amount is 40 steps. . Since the flow rate adjustment valve 106 is opened 40 steps by one feedback operation, the opening degree is 140 steps (= 100 steps + 40 steps), and the flow rate is 500 cc / min. Therefore, the flow rate is adjusted by one feedback operation. I'm going. If the time during which the flow rate adjusting valve 106 is operating is similarly ignored, the flow rate adjustment can be completed in 500 ms for one feedback cycle.
[0056]
As described above, in this embodiment, since the feedback amount is changed according to the difference between the target flow rate and the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means, even when the detected flow rate is significantly deviated from the target flow rate, The flow rate can be adjusted at high speed.
[0057]
The method for changing the feedback amount is a method in which the difference between the target flow rate and the detected flow rate is divided into a plurality of regions and the feedback amount is acquired from the corresponding table. However, depending on the difference between the target flow rate and the detected flow rate, If it is made to calculate, it can carry out more accurately.
[0058]
In this embodiment, the case where the characteristics of the opening degree and the flow rate of the flow control valve 106 are linear has been taken as an example, but other characteristics can be set according to the feedback amount setting method described in the embodiment. Can be done as well.
[0059]
Example 4
FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of a control system of the flow rate control valve 106 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the configuration of the first embodiment is that a feedback cycle changing means 116 for changing the feedback cycle is provided. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 114 denotes a control unit that controls the flow rate control valve 106 based on a predetermined algorithm in accordance with the signal fetched from the flow rate detection unit 107 and the feedback cycle changed by the feedback cycle change unit 115. It is. In this embodiment, both the feedback cycle changing means 116 and the control means 114 are constituted by a control circuit having a microcomputer.
[0060]
About the sanitary washing apparatus comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow control algorithm. Since the outline of the cleaning operation and the flow rate control are basically the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. The difference from the first embodiment is that the feedback cycle used for feedback control is not set in advance, but is changed according to the difference between the target flow rate and the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means 107. Therefore, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 11 and 20 with a focus on changing the feedback cycle.
[0061]
When the cleaning is started (S400), the control unit 114 opens the flow rate adjusting valve 106 to the reference opening degree of 100 steps (S401). If the water pressure is low among the various conditions, the flow rate of the cleaning water flowing in the water channel at this time is 400 cc / min as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. This is less than the lower limit value 480 cc / min of the target range of the flow rate of the washing water. In this case, as described in the first embodiment, the feedback process is performed three times to complete the flow rate adjustment. Further, when the water pressure is extremely low, the flow rate of the cleaning water flowing in the water channel is 300 cc / min as shown by the long wave line in FIG. Since the flow rate change per step is 5 cc / min, in order to increase 180 cc / min (= 480 cc / min−300 cc / min), the flow rate adjusting valve 106 is increased by 36 steps (= 180 cc / min ÷ 5 cc / min). Must open. At this time, as in the first embodiment, if feedback control is performed with the feedback amount fixed at 6 steps, feedback operation of 6 times (= 36 steps ÷ 6 steps) is required. If the stepping motor is moving at 20 steps per second, the time required to open 36 steps is 1.8 s (36 ÷ 20). Further, since the feedback operation is performed every feedback cycle of 500 ms, a total time of 4.8 s (= 1.8 s + 0.5 s × 6 times) is required to complete the flow rate adjustment. Therefore, by setting the feedback cycle to be short when the difference between the target flow rate and the detected flow rate is large, the time required to complete the flow rate adjustment is shortened.
[0062]
A delay time of 500 ms until the control state of the flow rate control valve 106 is reflected in the detected flow rate is converted into a flow rate. If the flow control valve 106 is operated at a speed of 20 steps per second, the detected flow rate delay due to the delay time is 10 steps (= 20 steps × 0.5 seconds) at the maximum. Since the flow rate change per step is 5 cc / min, this corresponds to a flow rate of 50 cc / min (= 10 steps × 5 cc / min). That is, the difference between the control state of the flow rate control valve and the detected flow rate due to the delay time is 50 cc / min at the maximum, and the flow rate due to the delay time at the stage where the flow rate of 50 cc / min or more is combined. There is no problem if the flow rate is adjusted by ignoring the delay. Therefore, a feedback cycle is set according to the difference between the target flow rate and the detected flow rate (Table 3).
[0063]
[Table 3]

[0064]
In Table 3, the boundary value of the difference between the target flow rate and the detected flow rate for switching the feedback cycle, and the number of stages for switching the feedback cycle are set according to the operating speed of the flow rate control valve 106, the feedback amount, and the target range of the flow rate. In this embodiment, the feedback cycle is switched in two stages of 0 ms and 500 ms. Then, when the feedback operation is performed near the boundary where the feedback cycle is switched, the feedback flow is adjusted to the maximum detected flow rate delay of 50 cc / min so that the flow rate does not eventually exceed the target range in a single feedback operation. A value taking into account the flow rate of 30 cc / min was set.
[0065]
The operation when the feedback cycle is changed as described above when the water pressure described above is extremely low will be described. FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing the operation of the flow control valve 106 and changes in the actual flow rate and the detected flow rate. Since the difference between the target flow rate and the detected flow rate is 180 cc / min, the feedback cycle at this time is 0 ms. That is, during this period, the detected flow rate is taken in as soon as the flow rate control valve 106 stops, causing a delay of 50 cc / min. In such a detection state, the feedback operation continues continuously until a detected flow rate of 420 cc / min is detected at which the difference between the target flow rate and the detected flow rate is 80 cc / min. When the detected flow rate becomes 420 cc / min, the feedback cycle is switched to 500 ms, and the flow rate control valve 106 is stopped during that period. However, since the delayed flow rate is not added to the detected flow rate so far, the detected flow rate increases as it is, and becomes 450 cc / min when stabilized during the feedback period. At 450 cc / min, the target range is not yet within the range of 480 to 520 cc / min. Therefore, a feedback operation is performed again with a feedback cycle of 500 ms, and the flow rate control valve 106 is stopped at an opening that can realize a flow rate of 480 cc / min. Further, the time required for this adjustment is only the time for increasing the flow rate by 180 cc / min (480-300 cc / min) and waiting for one feedback cycle. Since the flow rate change per step of the flow control valve 106 is 5 cc / min and the operation speed of the flow control valve 106 is 20 steps per second, the time during which the flow control valve 106 is operating is 1.8 s ( 180 cc / min ÷ 5 ÷ 20). The time required to complete the flow rate adjustment including the feedback period is 2.3 s (1.8 s + 0.5 s), which is about a half of the time when the feedback period is not changed.
[0066]
As described above, in this embodiment, when the flow rate adjusting valve 106 is controlled according to the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detecting means 106, the feedback cycle is set to the feedback cycle when the difference between the target flow rate and the detected flow rate is large. By shortening, it is possible to shorten the time required for adjusting the flow rate when the detected flow rate is significantly different from the target flow rate.
[0067]
The above-described feedback cycle changing method is a method in which the difference between the target flow rate and the detected flow rate is divided into a plurality of regions and the feedback cycle is acquired from the corresponding table, but depending on the difference between the target flow rate and the detected flow rate Even if it makes it calculate, it can carry out similarly.
[0068]
(Example 5)
FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of a control system of the flow rate control valve 106 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the configuration of the first embodiment is that an opening / closing speed changing means 117 for changing the opening / closing speed of the flow rate control valve 106 is provided. In FIG. 13, reference numeral 114 denotes control means for controlling the flow rate control valve 106 based on a predetermined algorithm in accordance with the signal fetched from the flow rate detection means 107 and the speed changed by the opening / closing speed change means 117. is there. In this embodiment, the opening / closing speed changing means 117 and the control means 114 are both constituted by a control circuit provided with a microcomputer.
[0069]
About the sanitary washing apparatus comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below. Since the outline of the cleaning operation is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.
[0070]
The flow control during cleaning will be described with an example. Here, the flow rate is detected in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the delay time until the actual flow rate is reflected in the detected flow rate and the delay time until the control state of the flow control valve is reflected in the actual flow rate are also implemented. As in Example 1, it is 300 ms and 200 ms, respectively. Accordingly, a response delay of 500 ms exists between the control state of the flow control valve 106 and the detected flow rate.
[0071]
As shown in FIG. 9, the flow rate change per step of the flow rate control valve 106 generally differs depending on the absolute value of the opening degree of the flow rate control valve 106. That is, when the flow rate control valve 106 is always opened and closed at the same speed, it means that the amount of change in the flow rate per unit time varies depending on the absolute value of the opening degree of the flow rate control valve 106. In the case of the flow control valve 106 of the present embodiment, the flow rate change per step is about 5 cc / min when the opening is in the vicinity of 90 steps and 0.5 cc / min when the opening is in the vicinity of 200 steps. As a result, the flow rate change rate when the flow rate control valve 106 is opened and closed at a speed of 20 steps per second becomes 200 cc / min (= 5 cc / min × 20) per second around the opening degree 90 steps, and around the 200 degree opening degree. 20 cc / min per second (= 0.5 cc / min × 20).
[0072]
When this value is used to convert the response delay of 500 ms between the control state of the flow rate control valve 106 and the detected flow rate described above into a delay in flow rate, the flow rate deviation between the control state of the flow rate control valve 106 and the detected flow rate is the same. In the vicinity of 90 steps of opening, ± 100 cc / min (= 200 cc / min × 0.5), and in the vicinity of 200 steps of opening, ± 10 cc / min (= 20 cc / min × 5). For example, consider a case where the flow rate is adjusted by increasing the flow rate when the target flow rate of cleaning water is 500 cc / min and the target range is ± 20 cc / min. Since the flow rate is small, the flow rate adjustment valve 106 is opened, and the flow rate adjustment valve 106 is stopped when the detected flow rate reaches the lower limit value 480 cc / min of the target range. However, as described above, there is a time delay until the control state of the flow rate control valve 106 is reflected in the detected flow rate. Can be supplied. When the flow control valve 106 is stopped in the vicinity of the opening 90 steps, the flow control valve 106 is stopped at an opening that can supply a flow rate of 580 cc / min (= 480 cc / min + 100 cc / min). The upper limit of 520 cc / min is exceeded.
[0073]
Further, when the flow rate adjustment valve 106 is stopped in the vicinity of the opening degree of 200 steps, the flow rate deviation valve is 10 cc / min, so the flow rate adjustment valve 106 is 490 cc / min (= 480 cc / min + 10 cc / min). Therefore, the flow rate is within the target range. Thus, the flow rate deviation between the control state of the flow rate control valve 106 and the detected flow rate depends on the flow rate change rate, that is, the opening / closing speed of the flow rate control valve 106. Therefore, the opening / closing speed of the flow control valve 106 is set corresponding to the absolute value of the opening of the flow control valve 106. It is desirable to set the opening / closing speed in accordance with the characteristics of the flow control valve 106 so that the flow rate change speed is constant in the entire range of the opening of the flow control valve 106. In this example, as shown in Table 4, the opening / closing speed was set for each of the six regions according to the absolute value of the opening degree of the flow control valve 106. The opening / closing speed was set so that the flow rate change rate was 60 cc / min per second in all regions using a value obtained by linearly approximating the flow rate change per step in each region.
[0074]
[Table 4]

[0075]
The feedback amount is set to an optimum value from the delay time until the relationship between the flow rate control valve 106 and the flow rate, the target range of the flow rate, and the control state of the flow rate control valve 106 are reflected in the detected flow rate. In the present embodiment, it is desirable that the flow rate change during the delay time of 500 ms does not exceed the target range width of 40 cc / min (since the target range is ± 20 cc / min). Further, since the flow rate can be adjusted faster when the flow rate change speed, that is, the opening and closing speed is faster, it is desirable to set the maximum value in consideration of the above contents. When the amount of change in flow rate per unit time is 60 cc / min, the difference between the flow rate control valve 106 and the detected flow rate is 30 cc / min (= 60 cc / min × 0.5), and the target range width is 40 cc / min. Afford.
[0076]
Next, how the flow rate is actually adjusted while changing the opening / closing speed as described above will be described by taking the case where the target flow rate of cleaning water is 500 cc / min as an example. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a flow control algorithm.
[0077]
When cleaning is started (S500), the control unit 114 opens the flow rate control valve 106 up to a reference opening degree of 100 steps (S501). If the water pressure is low among the various conditions, the flow rate of the cleaning water flowing in the water channel at this time is 400 cc / min as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. This is less than the lower limit 480 cc / min of the target range of the flow rate of the washing water (S505). Therefore, the flow control valve 106 is opened. At this time, since the opening degree of the flow control valve 106 is 100, the opening / closing speed is 18 steps / s as shown in Table 4 (S503). The control means 114 opens the flow rate adjustment valve 106 at a speed of 18 steps / s (S506). The control means 114 always detects the flow rate while opening (S504), and stops the flow rate adjusting valve 106 when the detected flow rate exceeds 480 cc / min. The detected flow rate increases after the flow rate control valve 106 stops because of the difference between the control state of the flow rate control valve 106 and the detected flow rate, but the flow rate control valve 106 so that the flow rate change rate is 60 cc / min. Therefore, the increase in the flow rate is finally reduced at 510 cc / min (= 480 cc / min + 30 cc / min).
[0078]
As described above, in this embodiment, when the flow rate control valve 106 is controlled in accordance with the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means 106, the speed at which the flow rate control valve 106 is opened and closed is changed by the flow rate per unit time. By setting the amount so as not to exceed the target flow rate range width, the flow control valve 106 is too open or closed due to a delay time until the control state of the flow control valve is reflected in the detected flow rate. It is no longer generated and the washing water can be discharged at a stable flow rate. Further, since the flow control valve 106 is not operated more than necessary, the life of the flow control valve 106 in actual use can be extended. Furthermore, by adjusting the opening / closing speed of the flow rate control valve according to the flow rate control valve opening and flow rate characteristics, the flow rate can be adjusted at the optimum speed in the entire range of the flow rate control valve opening. it can.
[0079]
The above-described method for changing the opening / closing speed is a method in which the opening degree of the flow rate control valve 106 is divided into a plurality of regions and the opening / closing speed is obtained from the corresponding table. However, the opening / closing speed may be calculated according to the opening degree. Can be performed more accurately.
[0080]
Note that the switching speed change method described above increases the switching speed when the difference between the target flow rate and the detected flow rate is large, and decreases the switching speed when the difference between the target flow rate and the detected flow rate is small. By doing so, the same effect can be obtained.
[0081]
(Example 6)
FIG. 15 shows a block diagram of a control system of the flow rate control valve 106 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. A difference from the configuration of the first embodiment is that a storage unit 118 that stores the opening degree of the flow rate control valve 106 at the time of cleaning and a backup unit that stores the contents of the storage unit 118 when power is not supplied to the sanitary cleaning device are provided. It is a point. In FIG. 15, reference numeral 114 denotes a control unit that controls the flow rate control valve 106 based on a predetermined algorithm determined in accordance with the signal acquired from the flow rate detection unit 107 and the opening degree stored in the storage unit 118. is there. In this embodiment, both the storage means 118 and the control means 114 are constituted by a control circuit provided with a microcomputer, and the backup means 119 is constituted by an EEPROM.
[0082]
About the sanitary washing apparatus comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a flow control algorithm. Since the outline of the cleaning operation and the flow rate control are basically the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. The difference from the first embodiment is that the opening degree of the flow control valve 106 at the time of cleaning is stored, and the flow control valve 106 is opened to the stored opening degree at the start of the next cleaning.
[0083]
When the sanitary washing apparatus is energized, information stored in the backup unit 119 is first read as a reference opening degree in the storage unit (S601). Here, if the backup unit 119 holds a value of 100 steps as an initial value, the storage unit 118 stores the reference opening degree as 100 steps.
[0084]
First, when the first cleaning is started (S602), the control unit 114 opens the flow rate adjustment valve 106 to the reference opening degree 100 steps (S603, S604). During the cleaning, the feedback processing described in the first embodiment is performed (S605 to S615), and the flow rate is controlled. When the opening degree and flow rate characteristics of the flow rate control valve 106 are as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 20, according to the first embodiment, the flow rate control valve 106 stops when the feedback operation that opens 6 steps is repeated for the third time. At this time, the opening degree of the flow control valve 106 is opened to 118 steps (= 100 steps + 6 steps × 3 times). Then, the 118 steps are stored in the storage unit 118 as the reference opening and written in the backup unit 119 (S616, S617).
[0085]
When the second cleaning is started, the control unit 114 opens the flow rate control valve 106 up to the reference opening 118 step stored at the previous cleaning (S603, S604). If various conditions such as the flow control valve 106 and water pressure have not changed since the previous washing, the opening and flow characteristics of the flow control valve 106 remain the one-dot chain line in FIG. / Min. That is, water discharge can be performed at a predetermined flow rate from the start of cleaning.
[0086]
Note that the backup unit 119 holds the written value even when the energization of the sanitary washing apparatus is off. Therefore, even when the sanitary washing apparatus is turned off once between the first and second washings, the flow rate control valve 106 is opened with the reference opening at 118 steps in the same manner. Water can be discharged at a predetermined flow rate.
[0087]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when feedback control is performed on the flow rate control valve so that the flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means falls within the target flow rate range, the flow rate control valve is stopped. Since the next feedback control is not performed until a stable flow rate is detected after the elapse of a predetermined time called a feedback cycle, the flow rate is caused by a delay time until the control state of the flow rate control valve is reflected in the detected flow rate. The control valve will not be opened or closed too much, preventing flow rate hunting and cleaning at a stable flow rate.
[0088]
Furthermore, according to the invention described in claims 2 to 7, when performing feedback control of the flow rate, the parameters used for the control are changed according to the target flow rate, the detected flow rate, and the opening degree of the flow rate control valve. Stabilization can be performed at high speed, and cleaning can be performed at a stable flow rate even when the water pressure or the pressure loss of the water channel fluctuates.
[0089]
Further, according to the inventions of claims 8 and 9, the optimum opening degree of the flow rate control valve is memorized at the time of washing, and the memorized opening degree is used as an initial value for the next washing. Since the flow rate control valve is controlled, cleaning can be performed at a stable flow rate immediately after the start of cleaning.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a sanitary washing device according to first to sixth embodiments of the present invention.
[Figure 2] Waterway configuration diagram of the device
FIG. 3 (a) is a side sectional view of flow rate detection means in the apparatus.
(B) Plan view of the detection means
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system of a flow rate control valve in the apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of flow control in the apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the operation of the flow control valve and changes in the actual flow rate and the detected flow rate in the apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control system of a flow rate control valve in Embodiments 2 and 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of flow control in the control valve.
FIG. 9 is a characteristic diagram of the flow rate control valve opening and flow rate in Examples 2 and 5 of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a flow rate control valve control system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of flow rate control in the control valve.
FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing the operation of the control valve and changes in the actual flow rate and the detected flow rate.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a flow rate control valve control system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart of flow control in the control valve.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a flow rate control valve control system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart of flow control in the control valve.
FIG. 17 is an external perspective view of a conventional sanitary washing device.
FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the water channel configuration of the apparatus
FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a control system for a flow rate control valve in the apparatus.
FIG. 20 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the opening of the flow control valve and the flow rate.
FIG. 21 is a timing chart showing the operation of the control valve and changes in the actual flow rate and the detected flow rate.
[Explanation of symbols]
106 Flow control valve
107 Flow rate detection means
114 Control means
115 Feedback amount changing means
116 Feedback period changing means
117 Opening / closing speed changing means
118 Storage means
119 Backup means

Claims (6)

A flow rate detecting means for detecting a flow rate of cleaning water for performing local cleaning of the human body, a flow rate adjusting valve for adjusting the flow rate of the cleaning water by changing the opening of the valve,
Control means for controlling the flow rate control valve so that the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means falls within a predetermined target flow rate range,
The control means, when performing feedback control to drive the flow rate adjustment valve so that the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means falls within the target flow rate range,
The flow rate control valve is stopped after being driven by a predetermined valve opening amount that is a feedback amount, and after a predetermined time that is a feedback cycle, it is determined whether or not the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means is within the target flow rate range. Done
As a result of the determination, if the detected flow rate is not within the target flow rate range, the flow control valve is again driven after being driven by the feedback amount,
After a predetermined time that is the feedback cycle, it is determined whether the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means is within the target flow rate range,
Feedback amount changing means for changing the feedback amount;
The feedback amount changing means is divided into a plurality of regions according to the absolute value of the opening degree of the flow control valve, and the sanitary washing device is set so that the flow rate that changes with the feedback amount in one time is constant in the plurality of regions. . A flow rate detecting means for detecting a flow rate of cleaning water for performing local cleaning of the human body, a flow rate adjusting valve for adjusting the flow rate of the cleaning water by changing the opening of the valve,
Control means for controlling the flow rate control valve so that the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means falls within a predetermined target flow rate range,
The control means, when performing feedback control to drive the flow rate adjustment valve so that the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means falls within the target flow rate range,
The flow rate control valve is stopped after being driven by a predetermined valve opening amount that is a feedback amount, and after a predetermined time that is a feedback cycle, it is determined whether or not the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means is within the target flow rate range. Done
As a result of the determination, if the detected flow rate is not within the target flow rate range, the flow control valve is again driven after being driven by the feedback amount,
After a predetermined time that is the feedback cycle, it is determined whether the detected flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means is within the target flow rate range,
Feedback amount changing means for changing the feedback amount;
The said feedback amount change means is a sanitary washing apparatus which changes the said feedback amount according to the opening degree of the said flow control valve.   The sanitary washing device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising feedback cycle changing means for changing the feedback cycle according to the detected flow rate and the target flow rate. The sanitary washing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an opening / closing speed changing means for changing an opening / closing speed of the flow rate adjusting valve in accordance with a detected flow rate and a target flow rate of the flow rate adjusting valve.   Storage means for storing the opening degree of the flow rate control valve relative to the target flow rate at the time of cleaning is provided, and the control means adjusts the flow rate with the opening degree at the previous cleaning stored in the storage means at the start of cleaning as an initial value. The sanitary washing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the valve is opened and closed.   6. The sanitary washing device according to claim 5, further comprising backup means for holding the opening degree of the flow rate control valve stored in the storage means when not energized.

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