JP5050630B2 - 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, there is a toilet seat device provided with a heating function in order to prevent discomfort when a user sits on a cold toilet seat (for example, see Patent Document 1). 28 is a partially cutaway top view of the heated toilet seat of Patent Document 1, and FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line JJ of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the heating toilet seat 900 includes an upper case 926 and a lower case 927 made of synthetic resin. The upper case 926 and the lower case 927 are connected to each other. Inside the upper case 926 and the lower case 927, a radiation reflector 929, a lamp heater 930, a thermostat 931, a thermal fuse 932, and a thermistor 33 are provided.

  Here, the radiation reflection plate 929 is formed so as to follow the shape of the lower case 927. A lamp heater 930 is disposed on the radiation reflector 929. A thermostat 931 and a thermal fuse 932 are attached to the radiation reflector 929 across a predetermined portion of the lamp heater 930.

  As shown in FIG. 29, a thermistor 933 is attached to the inner surface of the upper case 926 and at a location facing the lamp heater 930.

  In this heated toilet seat 900, an infrared sensor (not shown) detects the user entering the toilet room. Therefore, the lamp heater 930 is driven based on the detection signal of the infrared sensor. Thereby, the radiant energy from the lamp heater 930 is given to the upper case 926 directly or indirectly via the radiation reflector 929, and the upper case 926 generates heat.

With the above configuration, according to the heating toilet seat 900 of Patent Document 1, it is not necessary to drive the lamp heater 930 at all times, so that energy saving is realized.
JP 2000-14598 A JP 2000-210230 A

  By the way, in the heating toilet seat 900, the temperature of the upper case 926 is measured by the thermistor 933 provided on the inner surface of the upper case 926, and the driving of the lamp heater 930 is controlled by a control unit (not shown). Thereby, the upper case 926 can be warmed to a predetermined temperature.

  However, there is a delay until the upper case 926 reaches a predetermined temperature due to the radiant energy from the lamp heater 930.

  Therefore, when the drive of the lamp heater 930 is controlled based on the measured temperature value obtained by the thermistor 933, it is difficult to accurately control the temperature of the upper case 926.

Thus, for example, it has been proposed to determine the driving time of the lamp heater based on the measured temperature of the seating portion at the start of energization and the room temperature (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  In this case, the relationship between the driving time of the lamp heater and the actual temperature of the seating portion is calculated in advance, and the driving time to the lamp heater is controlled based on the calculation result, thereby setting the temperature of the seating portion to a predetermined temperature ( For example, it can be close to the user's set temperature).

  However, in the above-described heating toilet seat, in order for the lamp heater to instantaneously raise the temperature of the seating portion, it is necessary to pass a large current through the lamp heater. Thereby, an overshoot occurs in the temperature change of the seating portion. Therefore, it is difficult to stabilize the temperature of the seating portion at the set temperature in a short time.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a toilet seat device capable of realizing energy saving and stabilizing the temperature of a seating portion in a short time accurately at a temperature at which a predetermined user can feel comfortable, and a toilet device including the toilet seat device. That is.

  In order to solve the conventional problems, a toilet seat device according to the present invention includes a toilet seat part having a low heat capacity, a heating element that heats the toilet seat part, a human body detection part that detects the presence of a user, and the heating element. A controller that controls driving, and the controller is configured such that when the presence of a user is detected by the human body detector, the temperature of the toilet seat is lower than a preset temperature set in advance as a toilet seat heating temperature. A first time for driving the heating element with the first power so as to rise to the first power, and then the temperature of the toilet seat is raised to a temperature higher than a preset temperature set in advance as a toilet seat heating temperature. And determining a second time for driving the heating element with a second power smaller than the first power, and driving the heating element based on the first time and the second time to move the toilet seat It is characterized by raising the temperature.

  In this toilet seat device, when the presence of the user is detected by the human body detection unit, the heating element is driven by the control unit for the first time by the first power for the first time. Thereby, the temperature of a toilet seat part rises with a 1st temperature gradient.

  After the heating element is driven by the first electric power, the heating element is operated by the control unit for a second time with the second electric power lower than the first electric power so that the temperature of the toilet seat rises to a temperature higher than the set temperature. Driven. As a result, the temperature of the toilet seat rises with a second temperature gradient that is gentler than the first temperature gradient.

  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, the toilet seat is heated to a temperature lower than the set temperature with the first temperature gradient, and then heated to a temperature higher than the set temperature with a second temperature gradient that is gentler than the first temperature gradient. Thereby, the overshoot which arises in the temperature change of a toilet seat part in the temperature raised by the 2nd temperature gradient is reduced. Thereby, the temperature of the toilet seat is easily stabilized at the second temperature. Since the temperature is raised to a temperature higher than the set temperature, the user's sensed temperature at the time of sitting is substantially the same as the set temperature, and a comfortable feeling is obtained.

  According to the toilet seat device and the toilet device including the same according to the present invention, energy saving is realized, and the temperature of the seating portion can be accurately stabilized at a predetermined temperature in a short time.

  (1) A toilet seat device according to a first aspect of the present invention controls a toilet seat having a low heat capacity, a heating element that heats the toilet seat, a human body detection unit that detects the presence of a user, and driving of the heating element. A controller, and when the presence of a user is detected by the human body detector, the controller raises the temperature of the toilet seat to a temperature lower than a preset temperature set in advance as a toilet seat heating temperature. From the first power so that the temperature of the toilet seat is raised to a temperature higher than a preset temperature set in advance as the toilet seat heating temperature. Determining a second time for driving the heating element with a second electric power having a smaller value, and driving the heating element based on the first time and the second time to raise the temperature of the toilet seat It is characterized by.

  In this toilet seat device, when the presence of the user is detected by the human body detection unit, the heating element is driven by the control unit for the first time by the first power for the first time. Thereby, the temperature of a toilet seat part rises with a 1st temperature gradient.

  After the heating element is driven by the first electric power, the heating element is operated by the control unit for a second time with the second electric power lower than the first electric power so that the temperature of the toilet seat rises to a temperature higher than the set temperature. Driven. As a result, the temperature of the toilet seat rises with a second temperature gradient that is gentler than the first temperature gradient.

  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, the toilet seat is heated to a temperature lower than the set temperature with the first temperature gradient, and then heated to a temperature higher than the set temperature with a second temperature gradient that is gentler than the first temperature gradient. Thereby, the overshoot which arises in the temperature change of a toilet seat part in the temperature raised by the 2nd temperature gradient is reduced. Thereby, the temperature of the toilet seat is easily stabilized at the second temperature.

  And since it heats up to temperature higher than preset temperature, the user can obtain the substantially same sensible temperature as the temperature which he set at the time of seating on a toilet seat part, and a comfortable feeling is acquired.

(2) The toilet seat device according to the second invention is the toilet seat device configuration according to the first invention, wherein the toilet seat temperature measuring device for measuring the temperature of the toilet seat portion, the temperature measured by the toilet seat temperature measuring device, and the first And a storage unit that stores a correspondence relationship with the second time, and the control unit, based on the temperature measured by the toilet seat temperature measuring device when the presence of the user is detected by the human body detection unit Corresponding first and second times are read from the storage unit, and the heating element is driven based on the read first and second times.

  In this case, when the presence of the user is detected by the human body detection unit, the corresponding first and second times are read from the storage unit based on the temperature measured by the toilet seat temperature measurement device. Then, the heating element is driven by the controller based on the read first and second times.

  Thus, the heating element can be driven based on the first and second times corresponding to the temperature around the toilet seat device. Therefore, even when the air temperature fluctuates, the toilet seat can be accurately heated to the first and second temperatures.

  Further, when the presence of the user is detected by the human body detection unit, the heating element is not driven by the first and second electric power. Therefore, when the presence of the user is detected by the human body detection unit, the temperature measured by the toilet seat temperature measuring device is stable without changing, so that the heating element is based on the first and second times. By being driven, the toilet seat can be accurately heated to the first and second temperatures.

  (3) In the toilet seat device according to the third invention, in the configuration of the toilet seat device according to the second invention, the controller measures the temperature measured by the toilet seat temperature measuring device before the first time elapses. When the third temperature is reached, the heating element is driven with the second electric power.

  In this case, when the temperature measured by the toilet seat temperature measuring device reaches a predetermined third temperature before the first time elapses, the control unit drives the heating element with the second power.

  Here, the third temperature is set to a temperature measured by the toilet seat temperature measuring device when the temperature of the toilet seat portion reaches the first temperature by driving the heating element with the first electric power.

  Accordingly, when the heating element is driven based on the first time, the temperature of the toilet seat is prevented from excessively exceeding the first temperature.

  (4) In the toilet seat device according to the fourth invention, in the configuration of the toilet seat device according to any one of the first to third inventions, the control unit supplies the alternating current over the entire period. The heating element is driven by the first electric power, and the heating element is driven by the second electric power by supplying an alternating current over a predetermined number of half-cycle periods.

  In this case, when the heating element is driven by the first and second electric powers, an alternating current is supplied to the heating element over the entire period or a predetermined number of half cycles, so that the current supplied to the heating element is It changes to draw a sine curve. Thereby, the current supplied to the heating element does not contain harmonic components. Therefore, the generation of noise is sufficiently reduced.

  (5) In the toilet seat device according to the fifth invention, in the configuration of the toilet seat device according to the second or third invention, the controller controls the temperature of the toilet seat portion to be the second temperature after the second time has elapsed. The heating element is driven with a third electric power smaller than the first and second electric powers so as to be constant.

  In this case, after the second time has elapsed, the heating element is driven by the control unit with the third electric power smaller than the first electric power and the second electric power so that the temperature of the toilet seat becomes constant at the second temperature. The

As described above, the temperature of the toilet seat is kept constant at the second temperature, so that the user can comfortably sit on the toilet seat maintained at an appropriate temperature.

  Further, since the heating element is driven by the third electric power smaller than the first electric power and the second electric power, the temperature of the toilet seat is maintained at the second temperature while reducing the power consumption.

  (6) In the toilet seat device according to the sixth invention, in the configuration of the toilet seat device according to the fifth invention, the controller measures the temperature measured by the toilet seat temperature measuring device before the second time elapses. When the fourth temperature is reached, the heating element is driven with the third electric power.

  In this case, when the temperature measured by the toilet seat temperature measuring device reaches the predetermined fourth temperature before the second time elapses, the control unit drives the heating element with the third power.

  Here, the fourth temperature is set to a temperature measured by the toilet seat temperature measuring device when the temperature of the toilet seat reaches the second temperature by driving the heating element with the second electric power.

  Thereby, when the heating element is driven based on the second time, the temperature of the toilet seat is prevented from excessively rising beyond the second temperature.

  (7) In the toilet seat device according to the seventh invention, in the configuration of the toilet seat device according to the fifth or sixth invention, the control unit is configured to perform alternating current over a period of a cycle smaller than a predetermined number of quarters. Is used to drive the heating element with the third electric power.

  In this case, when the heating element is driven by the third electric power, since the current supplied to the heating element is small, the influence of harmonic components generated by the energization control of the alternating current is small. Therefore, generation of noise due to energization control is reduced.

  (8) In the toilet seat device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the toilet seat device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the controller is configured to perform the first operation immediately before driving the heating element by the first power. The heating element is driven with electric power smaller than the electric power.

  In this case, the heating element is driven by the control unit with power smaller than the first power immediately before driving the heating element with the first power, so that it is possible to sufficiently prevent the occurrence of a large inrush current.

  (9) A toilet seat device according to a ninth invention further includes a seating detection unit that detects a seating state of the user on the toilet seat unit in the configuration of the toilet seat device according to any one of the first to eighth inventions, The control unit drives the heating element so that the temperature of the toilet seat is lowered when the seating detection unit detects that the user is seated on the toilet seat.

  In this case, when the seating detection unit detects that the user is seated on the toilet seat, the heating element is driven by the control unit so that the temperature of the toilet seat decreases. In this case, even when the user sits on the toilet seat for a long time, the user is prevented from getting burned at low temperature.

  (10) A toilet seat device according to a tenth invention is the toilet seat device according to any one of the first to ninth inventions, wherein the toilet seat portion is formed of aluminum.

  In this case, since the toilet seat is made of aluminum having a higher thermal conductivity than that of the resin, the heat applied to the toilet seat is efficiently transmitted to the entire toilet seat by driving the heating element.

  (11) A toilet apparatus according to an eleventh invention includes a toilet bowl and the toilet seat apparatus according to any one of the first to tenth inventions.

  In this toilet apparatus, a toilet seat apparatus is attached to a toilet bowl. In this toilet seat device, when the presence of the user is detected by the human body detection unit, the heating element is operated by the control unit for the first time with the first power so that the temperature of the toilet seat unit rises to the first temperature. Driven. Thereby, the temperature of a toilet seat part rises with a 1st temperature gradient.

  After the heating element is driven by the first electric power, the heating element is controlled by the second electric power smaller than the first electric power so that the temperature of the toilet seat rises to a second temperature higher than the first temperature. Is driven 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.

  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, the toilet seat portion is heated to the first temperature with the first temperature gradient, and then heated to the second temperature with the second temperature gradient that is gentler than the first temperature gradient. Thereby, the overshoot which arises in the temperature change of a toilet seat part in 2nd temperature is reduced. Thereby, the temperature of the toilet seat is easily stabilized at the second temperature.

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

  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) Appearance of toilet seat device and toilet device including the same FIG. 1 is an external perspective view illustrating a toilet seat device and a toilet device including the toilet seat device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a 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 device 100 has a heating function, and includes a main body 200, a remote control device 300, a toilet seat 400, a lid 500, and a room entry detection sensor 600.

  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. 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.

  Further, a notification LED 280 is provided on the upper surface side of the main body 200. The notification LED 280 is lit when the temperature of the toilet seat 400 reaches a toilet seat set temperature described later. This notification LED 280 is interlocked with the warming operation of the lamp heater, and visually displays the warming state of the toilet seat.

  More specifically, the notification LED 280 blinks when the lamp heater performs a warming operation (while the toilet seat 400 is heated), and when the lamp heater has completed the warming operation (the temperature of the toilet seat 400). Lights up while maintaining Notification LED 280 is turned off when the lamp heater does not perform a warming operation. Thereby, the user can know the temperature state of the toilet seat.

  The notification LED 280 is not necessarily linked to the warming operation of the lamp heater, may be linked to the surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 detected by a thermistor described later, and may be in a heat generation state or a driving state of the lamp heater. The surface temperature of the toilet seat 400 may be estimated based on the estimated value.

  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.

  For example, the controller of the main body 200 operates a cleaning water supply mechanism (not shown) only when the seating sensor 290 detects that a user is present on the toilet seat 400. Moreover, the control part of the main-body part 200 opens the cover part 500, when the entrance detection sensor 600 detects a user's entrance, for example.

  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) Configuration of Remote Operation Device FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the remote operation device 300 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the remote control device 300 includes a heating switch 301, a plurality of temperature adjustment switches 302, 303, 304, and a plurality of LEDs (light emitting diodes) 305.

Heating switch 301 and a plurality of temperature control switches 302, 303, 30 by the user
4 is pressed.

  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.

(3) Configuration of Toilet Seat Device FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the toilet seat device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. 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.

  In the present embodiment, the toilet seat device 100 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) Details of Toilet Seat Part Structure (4-a) Toilet Seat Part Structure FIG. 4 to 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 has a substantially annular shape and includes an upper toilet seat casing 410 made of aluminum and a lower toilet seat casing 420 made 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 all 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.

(4-a-1) Configuration of Lamp Heater The rated power of the rear lamp heater 481 and the front lamp heater 482 of the present embodiment is
Set to 500W and 700W, respectively. In this case, the rated power of the lamp heater 480 is 1200W.

  Here, the length of the rear lamp heater 481 is 460 mm, and the length of the front lamp heater 482 is 600 mm. In this case, the rated power per unit length of the rear lamp heater 481 is about 1087 W / m, and the rated power per unit length of the front lamp heater 482 is about 1167 W / m.

  Thus, the rated power per unit length of the front lamp heater 482 is set to be larger than the rated power per unit length of the rear lamp heater 481. Thereby, the magnitude per unit length of the radiant energy generated from the front lamp heater 482 can be made larger than the magnitude per unit length of the radiant energy generated from the rear lamp heater 481.

  Therefore, when the lamp heater 480 of this example is driven, the seating portion 410T positioned in front of the upper toilet seat casing 410 is heated by receiving greater radiation energy than the rear portion of the upper toilet seat casing 410, and the temperature of the seating portion 410T. Can be increased rapidly compared to other parts. As a result, the seating portion 410T is preferentially heated, so that the user is prevented from feeling cold when seated on the seating portion 410T.

  In the above description, it has been described that the rear lamp heater 481 and the front lamp heater 482 having different rated power are used as the lamp heater 480. However, the lamp heater 480 may be configured by three or more lamp heaters having different rated power.

  In this case, by adjusting the arrangement of the plurality of lamp heaters with respect to the upper toilet seat casing 410, the magnitude of the radiant energy given to each part of the upper toilet seat casing 410 can be adjusted more finely. This sufficiently prevents the user from feeling cold when sitting on the seating portion 410T.

(4-a-2) Shape of Upper Toilet Seat Casing As shown in FIG. 5, the upper toilet seat casing 410 of this example has different sizes (areas) between the front portion FA and the rear portion BA. In this example, the width FW of the upper toilet seat casing 410 of the front portion FA is about 50 mm, whereas the width BW of the rear portion is about 100 mm.

  In this case, assuming that all of the radiant energy generated by the lamp heater 480 is given to the upper toilet seat casing 410, the magnitude of the radiant energy given per unit length of the upper toilet seat casing 410 (the length along the annular shape). The height differs for each portion of the upper toilet seat casing 410.

  In this example, the magnitude per unit time of the radiant energy given per unit length in the front part FA of the upper toilet seat casing 410 is the magnitude per unit time of the radiant energy given per unit length in the rear part BA. About twice that.

  Thereby, the temperature of the upper toilet seat casing 410 can be rapidly increased as compared with other portions as the lamp heater 480 starts to be driven. As a result, the seating portion 410T is preferentially heated, so that it is possible to prevent the user from feeling cold when sitting on the seating portion 410T.

Thus, by adjusting the shape of the upper toilet seat casing 410, the degree of temperature rise (temperature increase rate) when the lamp heater 480 is driven can be adjusted for each portion of the upper toilet seat casing 410.

(4-a-3) Relationship between the lamp heater and the upper toilet seat casing From these, the upper toilet seat casing 410 when the lamp heater 480 is driven is adjusted by combining the configuration of the lamp heater 480 and the shape of the upper toilet seat casing 410. Can be adjusted in detail for each portion of the upper toilet seat casing 410.

  As in this example, a front lamp heater 482 having a large radiation energy generated per unit length is disposed in front of the upper toilet seat casing 410, and the size of the front portion FA of the upper toilet seat casing 410 is designed to be small. As a result, the temperature increase rate of the seating portion 410T can be sufficiently improved.

  Even if the arrangement position of the lamp heater 480 in the upper toilet seat casing 410 is adjusted, a desired temperature distribution can be formed in the upper toilet seat casing 410 when the temperature is raised.

  For example, in the front portion FA of the upper toilet seat casing 410, the lamp heater 480 is brought close to the inner surface of the upper toilet seat casing 410, and in the rear portion BA, the lamp heater 480 is separated from the inner surface of the upper toilet seat casing 410 at a predetermined interval. Even in this case, the temperature increase rate of the front portion FA of the upper toilet seat casing 410 can be made larger than the temperature increase rate of the rear portion BA.

  Furthermore, the thickness of the material may be changed in each part of the upper toilet seat casing 410. For example, the thickness of the front portion FA of the upper toilet seat casing 410 is set thin, and the thickness of the rear portion BA is set thick. Even in this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  Further, the material may be changed in each part of the upper toilet seat casing 410. For example, a material having high thermal conductivity is used for the front portion FA of the upper toilet seat casing 410, and a material having low thermal conductivity is used for the rear portion BA. Even in this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

(4-a-4) Modification of Lamp Heater The lamp heater 480 may be composed of a single lamp heater. In this case, the magnitude of the radiant energy per unit length generated for each part of the lamp heater can be adjusted by partially changing the number of turns of the filament of the lamp heater.

  For example, the number of turns of the filament in the portion of the lamp heater 480 disposed in the front portion FA of the upper toilet seat casing 410 is increased, and the number of turns of the filament in the portion of the lamp heater 480 disposed in the rear portion BA of the upper toilet seat casing 410 is increased. Make it smaller.

  Thus, like the lamp heater 480 including the rear lamp heater 481 and the front lamp heater 482, a large radiation energy can be obtained at the front portion FA of the upper toilet seat casing 410, and the front portion of the upper toilet seat casing 410 at the rear portion BA. Radiant energy smaller than FA can be obtained.

  When the rated power of the lamp heater 480 is sufficient wattage to rapidly increase the temperature of the entire upper toilet seat casing 410, the configuration of the upper toilet seat casing 410 is such that the temperature increase rate of each part of the upper toilet seat casing 410 is It is preferable to adjust so that it may become substantially uniform. In this case, the user does not feel cold even when sitting on a portion other than the seating portion 410T by driving the lamp heater 480 with rated power.

  In the upper toilet seat casing 410, a new lamp heater may be provided in order to obtain a desired temperature distribution during the temperature rise.

  As described above, the upper toilet seat casing 410 has a rear width larger than a front width. Thus, for example, when it is desired to make the temperature increase rate of the entire upper toilet seat casing 410 uniform at the time of temperature increase, even if one lamp heater is arranged along the shape of the upper toilet seat casing 410, There is a difference between the temperature distribution and the temperature distribution in the front part.

  Therefore, a new lamp heater is provided in the rear part so that the temperature distribution is uniform throughout the upper toilet seat casing 410. Thus, by providing a new lamp heater according to the shape of the upper toilet seat casing 410 and the desired temperature distribution at the time of temperature increase, the desired temperature distribution in the upper toilet seat casing 410 can be obtained.

(4-b) Driving of Lamp Heater 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 a high thermal conductivity, heat generated by radiant energy is transmitted to the entire upper toilet seat casing 410 in a short time.

  As a result, when the temperature of the upper toilet seat casing 410 rises due to the driving of the lamp heater 480, even when the temperature unevenness occurs in the upper toilet seat casing 410, the temperature of the upper toilet seat casing 410 is made uniform in a short time.

(4-c) Upper toilet seat casing The seat 410T of the toilet seat 400 is preferably adjusted to a temperature of about 29 ° C or higher when the user is seated. 29 degreeC is the minimum temperature of the seating part 410T which a user does not feel cold. Details will be described later.

  Therefore, the present inventor investigated the time from when the user enters the toilet room until he / she sits on the toilet seat 400 (hereinafter referred to as “room sitting time”). This survey was conducted by using a toilet room for a predetermined number of users, measuring the entrance / seating time of each user, and calculating the cumulative percentage for each entrance / seating time.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the results of investigation into the room sitting time. In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis indicates the room sitting time, and the vertical axis indicates the cumulative percentage of users.

As shown in FIG. 8, according to this survey, it is clear that many users (over 90% of users) are seated on the toilet seat 400 after about 6 seconds after entering the toilet room. became.

  When the room temperature of the toilet room is low as in winter, for example, the temperature of the toilet seat 400 may drop to about 5 ° C. Therefore, the upper toilet seat casing 410 is prepared so that the toilet seat 400 is heated from 5 ° C. to 29 ° C. in 6 seconds after the user enters the toilet room.

  Specifically, the upper toilet seat casing 410 is made of aluminum so that the exposed surface area is about 1200 cm 2 and the plate thickness is 1 mm.

  Here, the specific gravity of aluminum is 2.71, and the specific heat is 0.215 cal / g · K. Thereby, when the upper toilet seat casing 410 is produced as described above, the heat capacity thereof is about 293 J / K.

  In this case, if all of the radiant energy generated from the lamp heater 480 is applied to the upper toilet seat casing 410 by driving the lamp heater 480 at 1200 W, the upper toilet seat casing 410 has a temperature increase rate of about 4 K / s. Is heated. Note that 1200 W is almost the maximum amount of power that can be obtained from a general household outlet.

  Accordingly, the temperature of the upper toilet seat casing 410 increases by about 24 ° C. in 6 seconds by driving the lamp heater 480. Therefore, even if the toilet seat 400 is lowered to 5 ° C., the upper toilet seat casing 410 is moved to about 29 ° C. 6 seconds after the user enters the toilet room by driving the lamp heater 480. The temperature can be raised.

  As described above, the upper toilet seat casing 410 is preferably configured to have a low heat capacity. That is, the upper toilet seat casing 410 is manufactured so that the heat capacity is about 300 J / K or less.

  This eliminates the need to keep the upper toilet seat casing 410 warm while the user is not in the toilet room, thereby realizing energy saving.

  Actually, even if the lamp heater 480 is driven at 1200 W, not all of the 1200 W electric energy is converted into radiant energy, and all of the radiant energy generated from the lamp heater 480 is not converted into the upper toilet seat casing 410. Is not communicated to. Therefore, when producing the upper toilet seat casing 410, it is necessary to consider the loss of transmitted radiant energy.

  In this case, for example, as described later, it is necessary to maintain the upper toilet seat casing 410 at a low temperature of about 18 ° C. until the user enters the room.

  In this example, it has been described that the upper toilet seat casing 410 is made of aluminum. However, by setting the thickness of the upper toilet seat casing 410 to about 1 mm or more, a user can satisfactorily sit on the upper toilet seat casing 410. Strength can be obtained.

  The upper toilet seat casing 410 is made of high-tensile aluminum, or the lower toilet seat casing is provided with a support so as to support the lower surface side of the upper toilet seat casing 410, so that the seating portion when the user is seated 410T can be prevented from bending. In this case, the plate thickness of the upper toilet seat casing 410 can be about 0.8 mm.

  As a material of the upper toilet seat casing 410, for example, stainless steel can be used instead of aluminum. In this case, by setting the thickness of the upper toilet seat casing 410 to about 0.5 mm or more, it is possible to obtain a strength that allows a user to satisfactorily sit on the upper toilet seat casing 410.

(4-d) Functions of Multiple Thermistors In the upper toilet seat casing 410, functions of the thermistor 411 attached to the region of the seating part 410T and functions of the thermistor 412 attached to an area other than the seating part 410T will be described.

  Inside the upper toilet seat casing 410, for example, the lamp heater 480 is disposed closer to the seating portion 410T than the 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.

(4-e) Functions of a plurality of thermostats In the lower toilet seat casing 420, functions of two thermostats 441 attached so as to be close to the front lamp heater 482 and two thermostats 442 attached so as to be close to the rear lamp heater 481 Explain the function of.

  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.

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

  9-11 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. 9 to 11 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 of FIGS. 9 to 11 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 the 600 W drive for 16 W based on the heater control pattern corresponding to 0 ° C. to 2 ° C. in the heater control table of FIG. For seconds.

(6) Driving of the lamp heater 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.

  12A is a waveform diagram of a current flowing through the lamp heater 480 during 1200 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 1200 W driving.

  As shown in FIG. 12B, 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 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 over the entire period. As a result, the lamp heater 480 is driven with a power of about 1200 W.

  FIG. 13A is a waveform diagram of a current flowing through the lamp heater 480 during 600 W drive, and FIG. 13B is a waveform diagram of an energization control signal provided from the energization rate switching circuit to the heater drive unit 230 during 600 W drive.

  As shown in FIG. 13B, 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. 13A, 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. 14A is a waveform diagram of a current flowing through the lamp heater 480 during low power driving, and FIG. 14B 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. 14B, 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 driving unit 230 causes an alternating current supplied from the power supply circuit to flow to the lamp heater 480 (FIG. 14A, 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 the present embodiment, the lamp heater 480 is driven at 1200 W or 60 as described above.
In the case of performing 0 W driving, the current supplied to the lamp heater 480 changes so as to draw a sine curve, so that the generation of noise is sufficiently reduced even when the current increases.

  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 powers of 1200 W, 600 W, and about 50 W, but the lamp heater 480 may be driven with other power levels.

  For example, when 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 intervals of a predetermined cycle such as two cycles or three cycles. As a result, the lamp heater 480 can be driven with a power different from 1200 W, 600 W, and about 50 W while sufficiently preventing the generation of 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.

(7) Method for creating heater control table (7-a) Inrush current In the toilet seat device 100 according to the present embodiment, when the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is instantaneously increased, a large current is passed through the lamp heater 480. 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. 9 to 11, when 1200 W driving of the lamp heater 480 is performed, the heater control pattern is set to perform 600 W driving immediately before that. 9 to 11, 600 W driving before 1200 W driving is shown as inrush current reducing 600 W driving.

(7-b) Overshoot 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. 9 to 11, the driving of the lamp heater 480 is controlled in two stages when the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is increased in order to prevent overshoot of the temperature change of the toilet seat 400. ing.

(7-c) Limit temperature In the toilet seat apparatus 100 having a heating function, it is necessary 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 must be 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.

  In the example of the heater control table of FIGS. 9 to 11, 1200 W of the lamp heater 480 is used when the measured temperature value when the user enters the room is smaller than the limit temperature in order to quickly raise the temperature of the toilet seat 400 to the limit temperature. It is set to drive.

  The details of the limit temperature will be described. The inventor conducted the following investigation on the limit temperature. In this investigation, the present inventor seated a predetermined number of users on the toilet seat 400 having five types of temperature adjustment (25 ° C., 27 ° C., 29 ° C., 31 ° C. and 33 ° C.). This was done by taking a questionnaire about the user's impressions.

  In addition, the questionnaire is “comfortable”, “slightly comfortable”, “neither”, “slightly uncomfortable”, and “uncomfortable” as impressions when sitting on the toilet seat 400. This was done by letting the user choose one of the answers.

  Thereafter, the present inventor obtained the following survey results by counting the answers of a predetermined number of users and calculating the average of the answers for each adjusted temperature of the toilet seat 400.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the results of investigation of the limit temperature. In FIG. 15, the vertical axis represents the sensory evaluation result of the user, and the horizontal axis represents the temperature of the toilet seat 400.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the user felt somewhat uncomfortable when the temperature of the toilet seat 400 was 27 ° C. or lower, and generally did not feel uncomfortable when the temperature was 29 ° C. or higher. In this way, the inventor obtained a result that the critical temperature is about 29 ° C.

(7-d) Seating portion and temperature of sensation The temperature (sensation temperature) that the user feels when sitting on the seating portion 410T 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.

(7-e) Relationship between the temperature of the lamp heater and the surface temperature of the seating portion When the toilet seat 400 is heated, the surface temperature of the lamp heater 480 (the temperature of the glass tube) and the actual surface temperature of the seating portion 410T A large temperature difference occurs between them.

  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 conducted 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. 16 was obtained.

  FIG. 16 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. 16, 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. 16, 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.

(7-f) Relationship between the temperature value measured by the thermistor and the surface temperature of the seating portion When the temperature of the toilet seat 400 is increased, the temperature value measured by the thermistor 411 in FIG. 3 and the actual surface temperature of the seating portion 410T A temperature difference occurs.

  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. 17 was obtained.

  FIG. 17 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. 17, 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. 17, 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. 17, 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. 9 to 11, 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. 9 to 11, 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.

(7-g) Prevention of low-temperature burns when sitting When a human body comes into contact with a heat source having a temperature slightly higher than the body temperature for a long time, low-temperature burns 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. 9 to 11, 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.

(8) Driving Example of Lamp Heater Based on Heater Control Table FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a driving example of the lamp heater 480 based on the heater control table of FIG. 11 and changes in the surface temperature of the seating portion 410T (FIG. 4).

  FIG. 18 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 for 600 W according to the heater control table of FIG. 11 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. 18, 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. Thus, the user can sit on the toilet seat 400 without feeling that the seat 410T is cold even in a state where the above-described notification LED 280 (FIG. 1) is not lit.

  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.

(9) Operation of Control Unit FIGS. 19 to 24 are flowcharts showing the operation of the control unit 210 of FIG. Hereinafter, the operation of the control unit 210 will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the control unit 210 performs low power driving of the lamp heater 480 so that the surface temperature of the seating unit 410T becomes 18 ° C. (step S101). Therefore, the control unit 210 determines whether or not the user has entered the toilet room using the entry detection sensor 600 (step S102).

  When the user is not in the room, the control unit 210 acquires the measured temperature value (step S201), and determines whether the measured temperature value is equal to or higher than the standby temperature (step S202).

  When the temperature measurement value is equal to or higher than the standby temperature, control unit 210 stops the low power driving of lamp heater 480 (step S203) and repeats the operations of steps S201 to S203. Moreover, the control part 210 returns to step S101, when a temperature measured value is not more than standby temperature.

  The operations in steps S101, S102, S201 to S203 (FIG. 19) correspond to the operation of the control unit 210 in the standby periods D1 and D10 described above.

  In step S102, when the user enters the room, the control unit 210 acquires a measured temperature value (step S103), and based on the measured temperature value, obtains one heater control pattern from the heater control table stored in the storage unit. Select (step S104).

  Therefore, the control unit 210 determines whether or not the lamp heater 480 is driven by 1200 W in the selected heater control pattern (step S105). Further, when there is no 1200 W drive of the lamp heater 480, the controller 210 determines whether or not the lamp heater 480 is driven 600W (step S211).

  In step S105, when there is 1200 W drive of the lamp heater 480, the control unit 210 turns on the timer of its own clock unit (step S111), and performs 600 W drive of the lamp heater 480 in order to reduce the inrush current ( Step S112). Here, the control unit 210 determines whether or not the time set in the selected heater control table has elapsed (step S113).

  The operations of Steps S111 to S113 (FIG. 20) correspond to the operation of the control unit 210 in the inrush current reduction period D2.

  The control unit 210 performs an operation of step S121 described later when the lamp heater 480 is driven at 600 W in step S211, and performs an operation of step S131 described later when the lamp heater 480 is not driven by 600 W.

  In step S113, when the set time has elapsed, the control unit 210 resets the timer and turns on the timer again (step S114), and performs 1200 W driving of the lamp heater 480 (step S115). Here, the control unit 210 determines whether or not the time set in the selected heater control table has elapsed (step S116).

When the set time has not elapsed, the control unit 210 acquires the measured temperature value (step S
221), it is determined whether or not the measured temperature value is equal to or higher than the switching temperature (step S222).

  Control part 210 repeats operation of Step S116, when measured temperature value is not more than switching temperature.

  The operations in Steps S114 to S116, S221, and S222 (FIG. 20) correspond to the operation of the control unit 210 in the first temperature increase period D3 described above.

  When the time set in step S116 has elapsed, or when the measured temperature value is equal to or higher than the switching temperature in step S222, control unit 210 resets the timer and turns the timer on again (step S121), and lamp heater 480. 600 W drive is performed (step S122). Here, the control unit 210 determines whether or not the time set in the selected heater control table has elapsed (step S123).

  When the set time has not elapsed, the control unit 210 acquires the measured temperature value (step S231), and determines whether or not the measured temperature value is equal to or higher than the target temperature (step S232).

  When the measured temperature value is not equal to or higher than the target temperature, control unit 210 repeats the operation of step S123.

  The operations of Steps S121 to S123, S231, and S232 (FIG. 21) correspond to the operation of the control unit 210 in the second temperature increase period D4 described above.

  When the time set in step S123 has elapsed, or when the measured temperature value is equal to or higher than the target temperature in step S232, the control unit 210 resets the timer and uses the seating sensor 290 to seat the user on the toilet seat 400. Is determined (step S131).

  When the user is not seated, the controller 210 performs low power driving of the lamp heater 480 (step S241). Therefore, the control unit 210 acquires the measured temperature value (step S242), and determines whether or not the measured temperature value is equal to or higher than the target temperature (step S243).

  When the temperature measurement value is equal to or higher than the target temperature, control unit 210 stops the low power driving of lamp heater 480 (step S244) and repeats the operation of step S243. Moreover, the control part 210 repeats operation | movement of step S131, when a temperature measurement value is not more than target temperature.

  The operations of Steps S131 and S241 to S244 (FIG. 22) correspond to the operation of the control unit 210 in the first sustain period D5 described above.

  When the user is seated in step S131, the control unit 210 determines whether the user has left the toilet seat 400 by using the seating sensor 290 (step S141).

  Therefore, the control unit 210 turns on the timer when the user leaves the toilet seat 400 (step S250a), and again determines the seating of the user on the toilet seat 400 by the seating sensor 290 (step S250b).

The controller 210 determines whether or not 30 seconds have elapsed due to the timer when the user is not seated (step S250c). When the controller 210 has not elapsed 30 seconds, the controller 210 performs step S
The operation of 250b is repeated. On the other hand, when 30 seconds have elapsed, the controller 210 stops driving the lamp heater 480 (step S251), and performs the operation of step S101.

  In addition, the control part 210 performs operation | movement of said step S241, when a user seats on the toilet seat part 400 in step S250b.

  As described above, when the control unit 210 performs the operations of steps S250a to S250c, the user can sit on the toilet seat 400 again without feeling uncomfortable even when the user stands up from the toilet seat 400 instantaneously. .

  Even when one user leaves the toilet seat 400 and another user sits immediately, the other user can sit on the heated toilet seat 400.

  On the other hand, when the user does not leave the toilet seat 400 in step S141, the control unit 210 turns on the timer again (step S142) and performs low power driving of the lamp heater 480 (step S143). Here, the control unit 210 determines whether or not two minutes have passed by the timer (step S144).

  When two minutes have not elapsed, the control unit 210 acquires a measured temperature value (step S261), and determines whether the measured temperature value is equal to or higher than the toilet seat set temperature (step S262).

  When the measured temperature value is equal to or higher than the toilet seat set temperature, the control unit 210 stops the low power driving of the lamp heater 480 (step S263) and repeats the operation of step S262. Control part 210 repeats operation of Step S144, when a temperature measurement value is not more than toilet seat preset temperature.

  The operations in steps S141 to S144 and S261 to S263 (FIG. 23) correspond to the operation of the control unit 210 in the first sitting period D6 described above.

  When two minutes have elapsed in step S144, the controller 210 determines whether the user has left the toilet seat 400 by using the seating sensor 290 (step S151).

  Therefore, when the user leaves the toilet seat 400, the controller 210 stops driving the lamp heater 480 (step S271) and performs the operation of step S101.

  Therefore, the control unit 210 turns on the timer when the user leaves the toilet seat 400 (step S270a), and again determines the seating of the user on the toilet seat 400 by the seating sensor 290 (step S270b).

  The controller 210 determines whether or not 30 seconds have elapsed due to the timer when the user is not seated (step S270c). Control unit 210 repeats the operation of step S270b when 30 seconds have not elapsed. On the other hand, when 30 seconds have elapsed, the controller 210 stops driving the lamp heater 480 (step S251), and performs the operation of step S101.

  In addition, the control part 210 performs operation | movement of said step S241, when a user seats on the toilet seat part 400 in step S270b.

  As described above, the control unit 210 performs the operations of steps S270a to S270c, so that even when the user stands up from the toilet seat 400 instantaneously, the user can sit on the toilet seat 400 again without feeling uncomfortable. .

  Even when one user leaves the toilet seat 400 and another user sits immediately, the other user can sit on the heated toilet seat 400.

  On the other hand, when the user does not leave the toilet seat 400 in step S151, the controller 210 performs low power driving of the lamp heater 480 (step S152). Then, the control unit 210 acquires the measured temperature value (step S153), and determines whether or not the measured temperature value is equal to or higher than the maintenance temperature (step S154).

  When the measured temperature value is equal to or higher than the maintenance temperature, control unit 210 stops the low power driving of lamp heater 480 (step S155) and repeats the operation of step S154. Moreover, the control part 210 repeats operation | movement of step S151, when a temperature measurement value is not more than a maintenance temperature.

  The operations in Steps S151 to S155 (FIG. 24) correspond to the operations of the control unit 210 in the second sitting period D7 and the second sustaining period D8 described above.

  Note that operations similar to steps S142 to S144 and S261 to S263 may be inserted between step S151 and step S152.

  The operations of the above steps S101, S102, S201 to S203, S251, and S271 (FIGS. 19, 23, and 24) correspond to the operation of the control unit 210 in the stop period D9 described above.

(10) Effects 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. 18) 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.

(11) Other configuration examples (11-a)
In this embodiment, the lamp heater 480 is driven using about 1200 W and about 600 W power and sufficiently lower power than the 1200 W drive and 600 W drive, but the power used for driving the lamp heater 480 is It is not limited to these. The power used for driving the lamp heater 480 may be set according to the rated power.

(11-b)
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 used instead. A heater including a heating wire may be used, a heater including a strip-shaped resistor may be used, or a planar heater may be used.

  Hereinafter, in order to raise the surface temperature of the seating part 410T, it replaces with the lamp heater 480 and the structure in the case of using a heater provided with a heating wire is demonstrated.

  In this example, a sheet-like heating unit including a heating wire is attached to the inner surface of the upper toilet seat casing 410.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a heating unit of the seating portion 410T using a heating wire. FIG. 25A shows a top view of the heating unit 480U, and FIG. 25B shows a cross-sectional view taken along line Q1-Q1 in FIG. 25A.

  As shown in FIGS. 25A and 25B, the heating unit 480U includes a linear heater 483 and two aluminum thin films 484a and 484b.

  Specifically, the linear heater 483 is arranged so as to meander over the entire lower surface of the upper toilet seat casing 410 at equal intervals, and the arranged linear heater 483 has two pieces of aluminum having substantially the same shape as the upper toilet seat casing 410. The heating unit 480U is manufactured by sandwiching the thin films 484a and 484b and bonding them together with an adhesive having high heat resistance (high temperature adhesive).

  The linear heater 483 includes a core wire 483a, a heating wire 483b, and a covering tube 483c. In the linear heater 483, a heating wire 483b is wound around the core wire 483a. Furthermore, a core wire 483a around which the heating wire 483b is wound is covered with a covering tube 483c.

  Here, the covering tube 483c is formed of a highly heat-resistant fluororesin or the like. Thereby, electrical insulation between the heating wire 483b and the core wire 483a and the aluminum thin films 484a and 484b is ensured.

  The covering tube 483c may be formed of silicon rubber instead of the fluororesin. Even in this case, the heat generation wire 483b and the core wire 483a are covered with silicon rubber having high heat resistance, so that electrical insulation between the heat generation wire 483b and the core wire 483a and the aluminum thin films 484a and 484b is ensured.

  The covering tube 483c is made of a material other than fluororesin and silicon rubber as long as it can secure electrical insulation between the heating wire 483b and the core wire 483a and the aluminum thin film 484a and has high heat resistance. May be.

  However, the material constituting the covering tube 483c is required to have heat resistance that can sufficiently withstand the impact of heat generated from the heating element 483b when, for example, the heating unit 480U is rapidly driven at 1000 W to 1200 W. .

  FIG. 26 is a schematic view showing a state in which the heating unit 480U of FIG. 25 is attached to the toilet seat 400A. As shown in FIG. 26, the heating unit 480U is attached to the inner surface (lower surface) of the upper toilet seat casing 410.

  In this state, the linear heater 483 drawn from the heating unit 480U is connected to the heater driving unit 230. When the heater driving unit 230 applies a voltage to the linear heater 483, a current flows through the heating wire 483 b of the linear heater 483. Thereby, the heating wire 483b generates heat. Heat generated from the heating wire 483b is released to the outside through the covering tube 483c. The released heat is quickly transmitted to the entire aluminum thin films 484a and 484b having excellent thermal conductivity. Thereby, the entire upper toilet seat casing 410 is heated.

  Here, in this example, the linear heater 483 is sandwiched between the two aluminum thin films 484a and 484b. However, as the thin film sandwiching the linear heater 483, a copper thin film or the like can be used instead of the aluminum thin films 484a and 484b. A metal thin film excellent in thermal conductivity may be used. Also in this case, the heat released from the linear heater 483 is quickly transmitted to the entire metal thin film.

  Also in the toilet seat 400A of this example, a thermistor 411 is provided on the lower surface of the upper toilet seat casing 410. The thermistor 411 is used for temperature adjustment when the heating unit 480U (linear heater 483) is driven, as in the example of FIG.

  FIG. 27A shows a sectional view taken along the line Q2-Q2 of the toilet seat 400A of FIG. 26, and FIG. 27B shows a partially enlarged sectional view of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 27A, in the toilet seat 400A of this example, the heating unit 480U is attached to the lower surface of the upper toilet seat casing 410 with an adhesive (high temperature adhesive) having high heat resistance (not shown).

  At the time of bonding, care should be taken so that there is no space between the upper toilet seat casing 410 and the heating unit 480U. Thereby, the fall of the heat transfer efficiency between the upper toilet seat casing 410 and the heating unit 480U is prevented.

  Further, instead of the adhesive used for attaching the upper toilet seat casing 410 and the heating unit 480U, an adhesive sheet having high heat resistance may be used. However, it is preferable to make the thickness of such an adhesive or adhesive sheet as thin as possible. Thereby, the fall of the heat transfer efficiency between the upper toilet seat casing 410 and the heating unit 480U is fully prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 27 (b), the upper toilet seat casing 410 of this example is also produced by forming various layers on the upper and lower surfaces of the aluminum layer 410b in the same manner as the upper toilet seat casing 410 of FIG.

  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.

  In this example, the alumite layer 410c is also formed on the lower surface of the aluminum layer 410b. Thereby, the electrical continuity between the heating wire 483b and the core wire 483a of the heating unit 480U and the aluminum layer 410b is reliably interrupted by the above-described covering tube 483c and the alumite layer 410c, and high insulation can be obtained.

  Note that a film made of polyimide or PET (polyethylene terephthalate) may be attached to the lower surface of the aluminum layer 410b instead of providing the alumite layer 410c. Also in this case, the electrical conduction between the heating wire 483b and the core wire 483a of the heating unit 480U and the aluminum layer 410b is reliably cut off, and high insulation can be obtained.

  Here, the present inventor attached the heating unit 480U to the upper toilet seat casing 410 made of aluminum having a surface area of about 1200 cm 2 and a plate thickness of 1 mm, and driven the heating unit 480U at 1200 W. In this case, the temperature increase rate of the toilet seat 400A was 2.5 K / s.

  When the room temperature of the toilet room is low as in winter, for example, the temperature of the toilet seat 400A may drop to about 5 ° C. Therefore, when the heating unit 480U is driven at 1200 W after the user enters the toilet room, the toilet seat 400A is heated from 5 ° C. to 30 ° C. in 10 seconds after the user enters the toilet room.

  Thereby, according to the toilet seat 400A of the present example, the user is prevented from feeling cold at the time of sitting by sitting on the toilet seat 400A after 10 seconds have passed since entering the toilet room. In addition, as shown in the survey result of the entry / seating time in FIG. 8, about half of the users sit on the toilet seat 400 after about 10 seconds after entering the toilet room.

  Therefore, even when the heating unit 480U of this example is used, it is not necessary to keep the upper toilet seat casing 410 warm while the user is not in the toilet room, and energy saving is realized.

  As described with reference to FIG. 8, many users (over 90% of users) sit on the toilet seat 400 after about 6 seconds have passed after entering the toilet room.

  Also in the toilet seat apparatus 100 including the toilet seat unit 400A of this example, the control unit 210 stores in advance a heater control table as shown in FIGS.

  When preparing the heater control table, as described above, the inrush current, the limit temperature, the sensory temperature when the user is seated, the power used to drive the heating unit 480U, and the power to stabilize the seating portion at the toilet seat set temperature. The time schedule of the power for driving the heating unit 480U is set in consideration of the time necessary for the heating, the relationship between the temperature value measured by the thermistor 411 and the actual surface temperature of the seating section, and low temperature burns.

  Thereby, also in the toilet seat apparatus 100 provided with the toilet seat part 400A of this example, the same effect as the toilet seat apparatus 100 provided with the toilet seat part 400 demonstrated in FIGS. 1-24 can be acquired.

  In this example, the heating wire 483b is wound around the core wire 483a. However, the heat capacity of the linear heater 483 (heater wire) itself is lowered and the surface of the linear heater 483 is smoothed and adhered. In order to improve the quality, the core wire itself may be a heating wire.

(11-c)
In the present embodiment, upper toilet seat casing 410 may be made of, for example, stainless steel instead of aluminum.

Stainless steel has a higher strength than aluminum. Therefore, even if the thickness of the upper toilet seat casing 410 is thinner (for example, 0.5 mm) than the thickness (for example, 1 mm) of the upper toilet seat casing 410 made of aluminum, the user can satisfactorily sit down. Strength can be obtained.

  Further, by reducing the thickness of the upper toilet seat casing 410, the heat capacity of the upper toilet seat casing 410 can be reduced. Thereby, the temperature increase rate of the toilet seat 400 can be improved.

  Thereby, the standby temperature can be set lower. Alternatively, the driving of the lamp heater 480 can be stopped during a waiting period until the user enters the toilet room. As a result, power consumption is further reduced, and sufficient energy saving is realized.

(12) Correspondence relationship between constituent elements of claims and embodiment In the toilet seat device 100 and the toilet device 1000 according to the present embodiment, the toilet seat portions 400 and 400U correspond to the toilet seat portion, and the lamp heater 480 The heating unit 480U corresponds to a heating element, the entrance detection sensor 600 corresponds to a human body detection unit, the control unit 210 and the heater driving unit 230 correspond to a control unit, and the surface temperature of the seating unit 410T becomes the temperature of the toilet seat unit. The limit temperature (29 ° C.) corresponds to the first temperature, the power of 1200 W corresponds to the first power, and the duration time of 1200 W driving set by the motor control pattern corresponds to the first time. The toilet seat set temperature (34 ° C., 36 ° C. and 38 ° C.) corresponds to the second temperature, 600 W electric power corresponds to the second electric power, and the 600 W drive set by the motor control pattern. The duration of the corresponds to the second time.

  The thermistor 411 and the temperature measuring unit 220 correspond to the toilet seat temperature measuring device, and the heater control table and the heater control pattern correspond to the correspondence between the temperature measured by the toilet seat temperature measuring device and the first and second times. The storage unit included in the unit 210 corresponds to the storage unit, the switching temperature corresponds to the third temperature, the low power of 0 to 50 W corresponds to the third power, the target temperature corresponds to the fourth temperature, The seating sensor 290 corresponds to a seating detection unit.

  The present invention is useful as a heating device in contact with a human body.

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 figure for demonstrating the detail of the structure of the toilet seat part of FIG. The figure for demonstrating the detail of the structure of the toilet seat part of FIG. The figure for demonstrating the detail of the structure of the toilet seat part of FIG. The figure for demonstrating the detail of the structure of the toilet seat part of FIG. The figure which shows the investigation result of the entrance time 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 given 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 given 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 provided from the energization rate switching circuit to the heater driving unit during low power driving. Diagram showing sensory evaluation results of limit temperature The figure which shows the relationship between the surface temperature of the lamp heater at the time of 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 seating part The figure which shows the change of the surface temperature of the driving example of a lamp heater based on the heater control table of FIG. 11, and a seating part (FIG. 4). The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part of FIG. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part of FIG. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part of FIG. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part of FIG. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part of FIG. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the heating unit of the seating part using a heating wire Schematic which shows a mode that the heating unit of FIG. 25 was attached to the toilet seat part. Q2-Q2 line sectional view and partial enlarged sectional view of the toilet seat portion of FIG. Partially cut away top view of the heated toilet seat of Patent Document 1 JJ sectional view of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Toilet seat apparatus 210 Control part 400,400A Toilet seat part 410T Seating part 411 Thermistor 480 Lamp heater 480U Heating unit 483 Linear heater 210 Control part 220 Temperature measurement part 290 Seating sensor 600 Entrance detection sensor 700 Toilet bowl 1000 Toilet apparatus

Claims (11)

A toilet seat having a low heat capacity; a heating element that heats the toilet seat; a human body detection unit that detects the presence of a user; and a control unit that controls driving of the heating element, wherein the control unit includes the human body When the detection unit detects the presence of a user, the heating element is driven with the first electric power so that the temperature of the toilet seat rises to a temperature lower than a preset temperature set in advance as the toilet seat heating temperature. The heating element is driven with a second electric power that is smaller than the first electric power so that the temperature of the toilet seat rises to a temperature that is higher than a preset temperature that is set in advance as a toilet seat heating temperature. A toilet seat device that determines a second time and drives the heating element to raise the temperature of the toilet seat based on the first time and the second time. A toilet seat temperature measuring device for measuring the temperature of the toilet seat,
A storage unit that stores a correspondence relationship between the temperature measured by the toilet seat temperature measuring device and the first and second times;
When the presence of a user is detected by the human body detection unit, the control unit reads the corresponding first and second times from the storage unit based on the temperature measured by the toilet seat temperature measurement device. The toilet seat device according to claim 1, wherein the heating element is driven based on the read first and second times. When the temperature measured by the toilet seat temperature measuring device reaches a temperature increased by the first power before the first time has elapsed, the control unit generates the heat by the second power. The toilet seat device according to claim 2, wherein the body is driven. The controller drives the heating element with the first power by supplying an alternating current over a period of the entire cycle, and supplies the alternating current over a period of a predetermined number of half cycles. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heating element is driven by a second electric power. After the second time has elapsed, the control unit uses the third power smaller than the first and second powers so that the temperature of the toilet seat is constant at a temperature higher than a set temperature. The toilet seat device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the heating element is driven. When the temperature measured by the toilet seat temperature measuring device reaches a temperature raised by the second power before the second time elapses, the control unit uses the third power to turn the heating element on. The toilet seat device according to claim 5, wherein the toilet seat device is driven. The said control part drives the said heat generating body with the said 3rd electric power by supplying an alternating current over the period of a period smaller than a predetermined number of 1/4. The toilet seat device described. The control unit drives the heating element with electric power smaller than the first electric power immediately before driving the heating element with the first electric power. The toilet seat device described. A seating detection unit for detecting a seating state of the user on the toilet seat unit;
The control unit drives the heating element so that the temperature of the toilet seat is lowered when the seating detection unit detects that a user is seated on the toilet seat. The toilet seat apparatus in any one of -8. The toilet seat device according to claim 1, wherein the toilet seat portion is formed of aluminum. Toilet bowl,
A toilet apparatus provided with the toilet seat apparatus in any one of Claims 1-10.

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