JP5055870B2 - Toilet bowl cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a toilet bowl cleaning device, and in particular, includes a Doppler sensor for detecting a urine flow excreted in the toilet bowl, detects the urine flow based on the sensor output of the Doppler sensor, and opens and closes the water supply valve. The present invention relates to a toilet cleaning device that performs control.

  Conventionally, a toilet cleaning device that uses a sensor to detect the user's urine flow and the user's urine flow and automatically supplies cleaning water to the toilet after the user has used the toilet. Is widely known.

  This type of toilet cleaning device includes a Doppler sensor for detecting the urine flow excreted in the toilet, and a control unit that controls the opening and closing of the water supply valve by detecting the urine flow based on the sensor output of the Doppler sensor. The controller continuously monitors the sensor output of the Doppler sensor and changes the opening time of the water supply valve according to the time when the urine flow is detected. A toilet cleaning device for cleaning has been devised (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this toilet bowl cleaning device, the Doppler sensor outputs radio waves (microwaves) as transmission waves, and receives the reflected waves reflected from the human body, urine flow, etc., to be detected, and transmits the transmitted waves and reflected waves. A signal obtained by mixing (mixing) is output to the control unit as a sensor output.

  The control unit uses the sensor output input from the Doppler sensor to generate a Doppler signal indicating the difference between the frequency of the transmitted wave and the frequency of the reflected wave, and samples the Doppler signal at a predetermined sampling period to calculate the frequency. By executing the processing, the frequency component of the Doppler signal is detected.

  And this control part judges that the urine flow was detected when the frequency component of the detected Doppler signal was a frequency band peculiar to the urine flow, and when the time for detecting the urine flow was long, the water supply valve While the control for extending the valve opening time is performed, the control for shortening the valve opening time of the water supply valve is performed when the time when the urine flow is detected is short.

As described above, in this toilet flushing apparatus, by continuously executing the frequency calculation process, the sensor output is constantly monitored to detect the urine flow, and the amount of flush water supplied to the toilet is determined according to the time when the urine flow is detected. By adjusting, if the user's urination volume is small, the toilet bowl can be washed with a relatively small amount of washing water, which is effective for saving water. If the user's urination volume is large, urination is performed. Toilet bowl cleaning can be performed by increasing the amount of washing water according to the amount, which is hygienic.
JP 2004-293103 A

  However, the conventional toilet flushing device detects the urine flow because the control unit continuously detects the urine flow by performing the frequency calculation by sampling the Doppler signal regardless of the presence or absence of the urine flow. For this reason, the frequency calculation processing performed by the control unit takes a long time, and the power consumed by the control unit increases accordingly. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the power consumption of the toilet bowl cleaning device.

Therefore, in the present invention according to claim 1, a toilet, a water supply valve for supplying cleaning water to the toilet, a Doppler sensor for detecting a urine flow excreted in the toilet, and a sensor output of the Doppler sensor. based on detecting the urine flow, in the toilet bowl flushing device and a control unit which controls the opening and closing of the water supply valve, wherein the control unit includes a urine flow detection means for detecting operation before Kinyo flow, wherein A urinary flow time detecting means for detecting a continuation state of the urine flow based on a urine flow detection result by the urine flow detecting means, and an amount of the rinsing water according to the output of the urine flow time detecting means and setting means, the washing water in the amount set by the amount of wash water setting means has closed the wash control means for supplying into the toilet bowl, the amount of wash water setting means is detected by the urine flow time detecting means Continuation of the urine flow As it becomes longer, the setting change is performed to increase the amount of the washing water stepwise, and the urine flow detecting means once stops the detection operation of the urine flow when detecting the urine flow, and thereafter the amount of the washing water The urine flow detection operation is performed at every timing when the setting unit performs a setting change to increase the amount of the washing water stepwise .

Moreover, in this invention which concerns on Claim 2 , in the toilet bowl washing | cleaning apparatus of Claim 1 , when the washing water amount setting means detects that the urine flow has continued for a predetermined time or more by the urine flow time detection means. The amount of washing water is set to a maximum value.

Moreover, in this invention which concerns on Claim 3 , in the toilet bowl washing | cleaning apparatus of Claim 1 or 2 , a control part detects the user of a toilet using the standing wave signal contained in a sensor output The urine flow detecting means stops the urine flow detecting operation until a user is detected by the human body detecting means.

In the present invention according to claim 1, a toilet, a water supply valve for supplying flush water to the toilet, a Doppler sensor for detecting a urine flow excreted into the toilet, and a urine flow based on the sensor output of the Doppler sensor. And a control unit that detects and controls the opening and closing of the water supply valve. The control unit includes : a urine flow detection unit that performs a urine flow detection operation; and a urine flow detection result by the urine flow detection unit. Urine flow time detecting means for detecting a urine flow continuation state based on the urine flow time detecting means, a wash water amount setting means for setting the amount of wash water according to the output of the urine flow time detecting means, and an amount set by the wash water amount setting means the wash water and possess a wash control means for supplying the toilet bowl, flush volume setting means, as persistent state of the urine flow detected by the urine flow time detecting means is long, gradual amount of washing water Change the setting to increase the amount of urine When the detection means detects the urine flow, the detection operation of the urine flow is temporarily stopped, and thereafter, the detection operation of the urine flow is performed at each timing when the cleaning water amount setting means performs a setting change in which the amount of the cleaning water is increased stepwise. for which comprises carrying out the, it is possible to reduce the power consumed by the control section, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the toilet cleaning device.

Moreover, in this invention which concerns on Claim 2 , in the toilet bowl washing | cleaning apparatus of Claim 1 , when the washing water amount setting means detects that the urine flow has continued for a predetermined time or more by the urine flow time detection means. Since the amount of washing water is set to the maximum value, even if the amount of urine excreted in the toilet bowl is large, the urine in the toilet bowl can be washed away reliably, so the toilet bowl is always sanitary. Can be kept.

Moreover, in this invention which concerns on Claim 3 , in the toilet bowl washing | cleaning apparatus of Claim 1 or 2 , a control part detects the user of a toilet using the standing wave signal contained in a sensor output And the urinary flow detection means stops the urine flow detection operation until the user is detected by the human body detection means. Since it can shorten, the power consumption of the toilet bowl washing | cleaning apparatus can be reduced further.

  A toilet bowl cleaning device according to the present invention includes a toilet bowl, a water supply valve for supplying flush water to the toilet bowl, a Doppler sensor for detecting a urine flow excreted in the toilet bowl, and urine based on the sensor output of the Doppler sensor. And a controller that detects the flow and controls the opening and closing of the water supply valve.

  Examples of the Doppler sensor include an ultrasonic Doppler sensor using an ultrasonic wave as well as a microwave Doppler sensor using a microwave. In the present embodiment, a microwave Doppler sensor will be described as an example.

  The microwave Doppler sensor includes transmission means for transmitting a microwave as a transmission wave, reception means for receiving the reflected wave, and mixer means for mixing (mixing) the transmission wave and the reflected wave.

  The mixer means combines the transmission signal and the reception signal to produce a sensor output. This sensor output includes a standing wave signal and a Doppler signal, which will be described later. The standing wave signal represents the distance from the object (position of the object), and the Doppler signal represents the movement of the object.

  The controller of the toilet flushing apparatus detects the urine flow using the Doppler signal included in the sensor output of the Doppler sensor, and after detecting the urine flow, intermittently detects the urine flow at predetermined time intervals ( Hereinafter, urine flow detection means for performing “urine flow detection operation”) is provided.

  Further, the control unit includes a urine flow time detecting unit that detects the urine flow continuation state including the presence / absence of the urine flow and the duration of the urine flow based on the urine flow detection result by the urine flow detecting unit, Washing water amount setting means for setting the amount of washing water corresponding to the urine flow continuation state detected by the urine flow time detecting means. The cleaning water amount setting means includes storage means capable of storing information related to the cleaning water amount to be set.

  The control unit further includes a cleaning control unit that performs control to supply the toilet with the amount of cleaning water set by the cleaning water amount setting unit after the user of the toilet completes urination and leaves the toilet. .

  Thus, since the toilet bowl washing | cleaning apparatus is comprised, the power consumption of a toilet bowl washing | cleaning apparatus can be reduced. That is, when detecting the urine flow, the urine flow detection means included in the control unit of the toilet bowl cleaning device stops the urine flow detection operation, and after the predetermined time has elapsed, the urine flow detection operation is limited to the predetermined time again. The intermittent urine flow detection operation of restarting is repeated while the urine flow is detected.

  Therefore, this toilet flushing device can shorten the time for the control unit to perform arithmetic processing for urine flow detection, compared to the conventional toilet flushing device that continuously performs the urine flow detection operation. As a result, the power consumed by the control unit can be reduced, so that the power consumption of the toilet bowl cleaning device can be reduced.

  Further, the control unit includes washing water supply frequency detection means for detecting the supply frequency of the washing water into the toilet bowl by the washing control means.

  This washing water supply frequency detection means measures the time from the time when the toilet is washed with urine after the user urinates to the time when the toilet is washed after the urination of the next user. Is detected.

  In addition, this washing water supply frequency detection means detects that the user has moved away from the toilet after urination by the human body detection means described later, and then detects that the next user has approached the toilet for urination. It is also possible to detect the use frequency of the toilet by measuring the time until it is done, and indirectly detect the supply frequency of the wash water based on this use frequency.

  The wash water amount setting means can set the wash water amount in consideration of the supply frequency of the wash water detected by the wash water supply frequency detection means in addition to the urine flow continuation state described above.

  By setting the amount of washing water in this way, the amount of urine excreted in the toilet bowl can be estimated based on the urine flow continuation state, and the degree of soiling of the toilet bowl can be estimated based on the supply frequency of the washing water. Therefore, the toilet bowl can be washed with an optimal amount of washing water, and the washing water can be effectively saved while keeping the toilet bowl clean.

That is, even if the degree of soiling of the toilet bowl is estimated based only on the estimation result of the urine volume, the factor that the toilet bowl becomes dirty does not depend only on the urine volume, so it is desirable to consider other factors, In the toilet cleaning device of the present embodiment, as described above, not only the urine amount is detected from the continuation state of the urine flow, but also the use frequency of the toilet is detected from the supply frequency of the wash water, and both of these are taken into consideration. Since the amount of washing water is set, the washing water can be effectively saved while keeping the toilet bowl clean. Here, the urine flow detecting means determines whether the urine flow continuation state and the washing water supply frequency are Considering both, the urine flow detection operation is performed intermittently.

  That is, the urine flow detecting means stops the urine flow detection operation once after first detecting the urine flow by the urine flow detection operation, and when the duration of the urine flow reaches the time for switching the setting of the washing water amount, The urine flow detection operation is performed again for a certain time, and it is confirmed whether or not the urine flow detection is continued.

  By doing so, the time during which the urine flow detection operation is stopped becomes longer, and the power consumed by the control unit for performing the urine flow detection operation can be reduced accordingly. Note that the urine flow detection operation of the urine flow detection means may be configured to perform an intermittent urine flow detection operation in consideration of either the urine flow continuation state or the wash water supply frequency. Good.

  The washing water amount setting means estimates that the amount of excreted urine increases as the duration of the urine volume detected by the urine flow time detection means (the duration of urine flow) increases, and determines the amount of washing water. The setting is changed so that the amount is increased.

  As a result, the toilet bowl can be washed with an optimal amount of wash water according to the amount of excreted urine, so if the urine volume is low, the wash water can be saved and the urine volume is high. Even if it exists, the urine in the toilet bowl can be reliably washed.

  In particular, this setting change is performed at every operation timing of intermittent urine flow detection operation by the urine flow detection means. That is, the washing water amount setting means continues to urinate after the urine flow is detected by the previous urine flow detection operation by the urine flow detection means, and the urine flow is detected again by the next urine flow detection operation. Then, at the timing when the urine flow is detected again, a setting change for increasing the amount of the washing water is performed.

  Since the cleaning water amount setting means changes the setting of the cleaning water amount as described above, the urinary flow detection means performs the urine flow detection operation only intermittently. Therefore, the toilet can always be kept hygienic while having low power consumption.

  In addition, when the urine flow time detecting means detects that the urine flow has continued for a predetermined time or longer, the wash water amount setting means sets the amount of wash water to the maximum value.

  That is, when the urine flow detection time by the urine flow time detection means exceeds a preset maximum time, the washing water amount setting means sets the maximum water amount among the plurality of stages of washing water prepared in advance, and then Does not change the setting to increase the amount of washing water even if the urine flow detection time is further extended.

  As a result, even if the amount of urine is large, the urine in the toilet bowl can be reliably washed, and there is an upper limit on the amount of washing water used for one toilet flushing, which is useless. There is no toilet flushing using a large amount of washing water, which is effective for saving water.

  Moreover, the control part of this toilet bowl washing | cleaning apparatus is equipped with the human body detection means which detects the presence or absence of the user of a toilet bowl using the standing wave signal contained in the sensor output of a Doppler sensor.

  The urine flow detection means stops the urine flow detection operation until the human body detection means detects the presence of the user, and the human body detection means detects the presence of the user as described above. An intermittent urine flow detection operation is started.

  Thereby, the power consumed by the control unit can be further reduced. In other words, standing wave detection has a smaller processing load compared to Doppler signal detection, and therefore, by detecting the user based on the standing wave signal until the user enters the predetermined range. The power consumption of the toilet bowl cleaning device is reduced.

  In addition, when a user is detected based on the standing wave signal, that is, after the user enters a predetermined range from the Doppler sensor, the urine flow is detected based on the Doppler signal. The urine flow detection accuracy of the device can be maintained.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a toilet bowl cleaning apparatus according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a urinal cleaning device will be described as an example of a toilet cleaning device.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a urinal cleaning device, FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the urinal cleaning device, and FIG. 3 is a human body detection and urine flow detection by the urinal cleaning device. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the urinal usage frequency, the urine flow detection time, and the amount of flush water, and FIGS. 5 to 7 are performed by the control unit of the urinal flush device. It is a flowchart which shows a process.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the urinal washing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is provided in the middle part of the urinal 2, the water supply pipe 3, the water supply valve 4 which supplies washing water to the urinal 2, and the urinal A drain pipe (not shown) for draining sewage in the ball part, a microwave Doppler sensor (hereinafter referred to as “Doppler sensor 5”) for detecting an object around the urinal 2, and sensor output from the Doppler sensor 5 And a controller that automatically cleans the urinal 2 by opening and closing the water supply valve 4.

  In particular, the control unit performs human body detection for detecting the presence or absence of the user and urine flow detection for detecting urination by the user based on the sensor output from the Doppler sensor 5. Based on the result, the usage frequency of the urinal 2 and the amount of urine excreted in the urinal 2 are determined, and the amount of washing water is set according to the determination result. In addition, the code | symbol M in a figure is the microwave (henceforth "the transmission wave M") by the electromagnetic wave output from the Doppler sensor 5, and the water supply valve 4 is comprised from an electromagnetic valve.

  Here, the electrical configuration of the urinal washing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the Doppler sensor 5 provided in the urinal cleaning device 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the Doppler sensor 5 includes a transmission unit 7 that outputs a transmission wave M toward a human body or urine flow that is a detection target, and a reception that receives the reflected wave m reflected by the transmission wave M on the detection target. Means 8 and a mixer means 9 for mixing (mixing) the transmission wave M transmitted by the transmission means 7 and the reflected wave m received by the reception means.

  The Doppler sensor 5 is arranged on the upper back side of the urinal 2 as shown in FIG. 1, and outputs a transmission wave M from the transmission means 7 toward the diagonally lower front including the ball portion of the urinal 2. At the same time, the reflected wave m of the transmission wave M is received by the receiving means 8.

  Thereafter, the Doppler sensor 5 outputs a sensor output obtained by mixing the transmission wave M and the reflected wave m by the mixer unit 9 to the control unit 6.

  The Doppler sensor 5 is urinating to the ball portion of the urinal 2 in addition to the fact that the human body has approached the urinal 2 (close to the human body), that the human body has moved away from the urinal 2 (human body separation). (Urine flow) is detected.

  Here, a radio wave signal of 10.525 GHz is used as the transmission wave M output from the transmission means 7.

  Next, the control unit 6 of the urinal washing apparatus 1 will be specifically described. The control unit 6 detects a human body using a standing wave detection unit 10 that detects a standing wave signal from a sensor output input from the Doppler sensor 5 and a standing wave signal detected by the standing wave detection unit. Human body detection means 11, frequency filter means 12 for detecting a Doppler signal from the sensor output input from Doppler sensor 5, urine flow detection means 13 for detecting urine flow using the Doppler signal detected by frequency filter means 12, and It has.

  Further, the control unit 6 detects the frequency of use of the urinal 2 by measuring the time from when the human body is not detected by the human body detection means 11 until the next human body is detected. Urine flow time for measuring the frequency of use of urine flow detected by the usage frequency detection means 14 for indirectly detecting the supply frequency of the wash water and the urine flow detection means 13 (hereinafter referred to as “urine flow detection time”). And detecting means 15.

  Further, the control unit 6 detects the detection result of the human body by the human body detection means 11, the detection result of the usage frequency of the urinal 2 by the usage frequency detection means 14, the detection result of the urine flow by the urine flow detection means 13, and the urine flow. Based on the detection result of the urine flow detection time by the time detection means 15, the washing water amount setting means 16 for setting the amount of washing water used for washing the urinal 2, and the amount of washing set by the washing water amount setting means 16 Washing control means 17 is provided for performing opening / closing control of the water supply valve 4 so as to supply water to the urinal 2. In this embodiment, the standing wave detecting means 10, the human body detecting means 11, the filter means 12, the urine flow detecting means 13, the usage frequency detecting means 14, the urine flow time detecting means 15, the washing water amount setting means 16, the washing The control means 17 is constituted by a microcomputer.

  The standing wave detection means 10 produces a standing wave signal from the sensor output input from the Doppler sensor 5, and includes a low-pass filter circuit (AC component removal circuit), a phase shift circuit, a full wave rectification circuit, and an addition circuit. Etc.

  The sensor output is composed of a DC component that is a standing wave signal and an AC component that is a Doppler signal, and the standing wave signal is extracted by removing the Doppler signal component by the low-pass filter circuit of the standing wave detecting means 10. Is done. That is, the AC component is removed from the sensor output.

  The level of this standing wave signal changes according to the distance between the Doppler sensor 5 and the detection target (human body or urine flow). That is, the voltage level of the standing wave signal increases as the distance from the Doppler sensor 5 to the detection target becomes shorter.

  And when this standing wave detection means 10 produces | generates the standing wave signal for a human body detection, it shifted the phase of the standing wave signal output from the low-pass filter circuit of the standing wave detection means 10 first. The signal is generated by a shift circuit.

  Next, the standing wave detection means 10 full-wave rectifies the standing wave signal whose phase is shifted in this way by the full-wave rectification circuit and is output from the low-pass filter circuit of the standing wave detection means 10. A standing wave signal which is not phase-shifted is full-wave rectified by a full-wave rectifier circuit.

  Thereafter, the standing wave detection means 10 adds the two standing wave signals that have been full-wave rectified in this way by an adder circuit to generate a standing wave synthesized signal, and this standing wave synthesized signal is used for human body detection. It outputs to the human body detection means 11 as a standing wave signal.

  The human body detection means 11 detects the presence or absence of a user (human body) who uses the urinal 2 using the standing wave signal for human body detection input from the standing wave detection means 10.

  That is, the standing wave signal generated by the standing wave detecting means 10 becomes a signal having a voltage level corresponding to the distance between the Doppler sensor 5 and the human body that is the detection target. By detecting this voltage level, the distance between the Doppler sensor 5 and the human body can be detected.

  Therefore, the human body detection unit 11 performs a calculation process that compares the voltage level of the standing wave signal input from the standing wave detection unit 10 with a predetermined threshold value set in advance, and the voltage level of the standing wave signal is When it is larger than the set threshold value, it can be determined that the user exists.

  When detecting the presence of the user, the human body detecting unit 11 outputs a human body detection signal indicating the fact to the washing water amount setting unit 16 and the usage frequency detecting unit 14.

  In this way, the human body detection means 11 can detect the presence or absence of a human body simply by performing a calculation process that compares the voltage level of a standing wave signal for human body detection with a threshold value. This process is short.

  Therefore, compared with performing human body detection based on the Doppler signal, processing for performing human body detection is reduced, and power consumption of the urinal cleaning device 1 can be reduced correspondingly.

  That is, in human body detection based on the Doppler signal, it is necessary to detect that the Doppler signal is an AC signal having a frequency of 50 Hz or less, and thus the urine flow detection process inevitably takes time. For example, in order to detect a 50 Hz Doppler signal, a time exceeding at least 20 ms is required.

  However, in the human body detection based on the standing wave signal, it is only necessary to detect the voltage level of the standing wave signal for human body detection, so that the human body can be detected in a short time (for example, 1 ms).

  Therefore, the human body detection means 11 detects the human body at a predetermined interval (for example, 1 sec), and stops the urine flow detection operation of the Doppler sensor 5 when the human body is not detected, that is, while urination is not performed. Thus, the power consumption of the urinal washing apparatus 1 can be reduced.

  The usage frequency detection means 14 is a timer that detects the usage frequency of the urinal 2 based on the human body detection signal input from the human body detection means 11 (hereinafter referred to as “use frequency measurement timer”).

  That is, the use frequency detecting means 14 measures the time from when the human body detection signal is not input until the next human body detection signal is input, and the time when the urinal 2 is not used. The frequency of use of the urinal 2 is detected by measuring the urine, and the frequency of supplying the wash water to the urinal 2 (the frequency of supply of the wash water) is indirectly detected based on the detected use frequency It functions as a detection means.

  Then, the use frequency detection unit 14 outputs a signal indicating the detected use frequency of the urinal 2 to the washing water amount setting unit 16.

  The frequency filter unit 12 is a bandpass filter that removes a frequency band (frequency band other than 100 Hz to 180 Hz) unnecessary for urine flow detection from the frequency components of the sensor output input from the Doppler sensor 5, and this frequency filter The means 12 extracts a Doppler signal for detecting urine flow.

  Here, the frequency filter means 12 performs A / D conversion on the sensor output input from the Doppler sensor 5 to obtain a digital signal, and then performs digital filter processing by a microcomputer, thereby generating a Doppler signal for urine flow detection. Extract. The detected Doppler signal for urine flow detection is input to the urine flow detection means 13.

  The urine flow detection means 13 detects the urine flow excreted into the urinal 2 using the Doppler signal input from the filter means 12.

  Here, the motion detection of the detection target (urine flow) based on the Doppler signal included in the sensor output of the Doppler sensor 5 will be described. The movement of the detection object is detected from the relationship of the following formula (1).

Basic formula: ΔF = FS−Fb = 2 × FS × ν / c (1)
ΔF: Doppler frequency (frequency of Doppler signal included in sensor output Sig3)
FS: Transmission frequency (frequency of transmission signal Sig1)
Fb: reflection frequency (frequency of received signal Sig2)
ν: moving speed of detection object c: speed of light (300 × 10 ⁶ m / s)
That is, the transmission wave M having the frequency FS output from the transmission unit 7 is reflected by the detection target moving at the speed ν. Since this reflected wave m has undergone a Doppler frequency shift due to relative motion, its frequency is Fb and is received by the receiving means 8.

  Then, the Doppler frequency ΔF is extracted from the sensor output by removing the high frequency component from the signal obtained by mixing the transmission wave and the reception wave by the frequency filter means 12.

  Then, a Doppler signal having a frequency band (100 Hz to 180 Hz) for urine flow detection is extracted by the frequency filter unit 12, and the urine flow detection unit 13 detects the urine flow using the Doppler signal.

  The urine flow detecting means 13 performs frequency calculation processing for analyzing the frequency of the Doppler signal by sampling the Doppler signal input from the frequency filter means 12 at a predetermined sampling period.

  Then, the urine flow detection means 13 generates a urine flow detection signal indicating that the urine flow is detected and the urine flow time and the urine flow time when the frequency obtained by the frequency calculation process is a frequency unique to the urine flow. It outputs to the detection means 15, and functions as a urine flow detection means.

  By the way, if the urine flow is always detected by the urine flow detecting means 13, the power consumption in the control unit 6 is increased. This is because, as described above, the frequency calculation processing of the Doppler signal requires a longer time and larger power than the processing for human body detection using the standing wave signal.

  Therefore, the urine flow detection means 13 provided in the urinal washing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment does not always perform the urine flow detection operation called frequency calculation processing, but intermittently performs power consumption by the control unit 6. I try to reduce it.

  That is, in the urinal washing device 1, as shown in FIG. 3, the human body detection means 11 that detects the user of the urinal 2 at all times using the standing wave signal by the human body detection means 11 with relatively low power consumption. In other words, the urine flow detecting means 13 does not perform the urine flow detecting operation until the human body detecting means 11 detects the presence of the human body.

  Here, the human body detection based on the standing wave signal is always in the ON state. This is because the human body detecting means 11 sets the calculation place where the signal level of the standing wave signal is compared with a predetermined threshold value to 1 per second. It shows that it is done intermittently.

  When the human body detecting means 11 detects the presence of the user during the human body detection, the urine flow detecting means 13 starts the urine flow detecting operation using the Doppler signal, and the urine flow detecting operation is performed by the urine flow detecting operation. Is confirmed, the urine flow detection operation is stopped for a predetermined time.

  Here, the urine flow detection means 13 stops the urine flow detection operation for a time T1 after the urine flow detection is confirmed by the urine flow detection operation. This time T1 is measured by the urine flow time detecting means 15 described later.

  Thereafter, the urine flow detecting means 13 performs the urine flow detecting operation again only for a fixed time that is very short compared to the time when the urine flow detecting operation is stopped when the time T1 elapses after the urine flow detecting operation is stopped. . At this time, if it is detected by the urine flow detection means 13 that urination is still continuing, a setting change for increasing the amount of cleaning water is performed by a cleaning water amount setting means described later.

  The urine flow detection means 13 stops the urine flow detection operation after performing the urine flow detection operation for only the predetermined time, and when the time T2 has elapsed from the time when the urine flow detection is confirmed, Performs urine flow detection. At this time, if it is detected by the urine flow detection means 13 that the urination is still continued, the washing water amount setting means changes the setting to further increase the amount of the washing water.

  Then, the urine flow detecting means 13 performs the urine flow detecting operation only for a certain period of time intermittently at predetermined time intervals until no urine flow is detected.

  For this reason, in the urinal washing apparatus 1, it is possible to greatly reduce the time required for the arithmetic processing in which a large processing load is applied to the control unit 6 called the urine flow detection operation using the Doppler signal. Power consumption can be reduced.

  The urine flow time detection means 15 is a timer (hereinafter referred to as “urine flow time measurement timer”) that detects the urination time of the user based on the urine flow detection signal input from the urine flow detection means 13.

  That is, the urine flow time detecting means 15 measures the time (urine flow detection time) from the time when the urine flow detecting means 13 detects the urine flow until no urine flow is detected, so that the urine flow continuation state is detected. Is detected.

  The urine flow time detecting means 15 outputs a signal indicating the detected urine flow continuation state to the washing water amount setting means 16.

  The cleaning water amount setting means 16 includes storage means (not shown) for storing setting information of the cleaning water amount supplied to the urinal 2 when performing toilet flushing.

  The washing water amount setting means 16 is a human body detection signal input from the human body detection means 11, a signal indicating the use frequency input from the use frequency detection means 14, and a urine flow input from the urine flow detection means 13. Based on the detection signal and the signal indicating the urine flow continuation state input from the urine flow time detection means 15, a setting change is performed to increase or decrease the amount of washing water. The setting information of the amount of washing water is stored in the storage means.

  In particular, the washing water amount setting means 16 changes the setting of the washing water amount when it is detected that the urine flow is still detected as a result of the urine flow detection means 13 performing the urine flow detection operation. The washing water amount is changed according to the operation timing of the urine flow detection operation.

  The washing control means 17 performs the opening / closing control of the water supply valve 4 after the human body detection means 11 no longer detects the presence of the user, so that the amount of washing water set by the washing water amount setting means 16 is supplied to the urinal 2. To supply.

  By configuring the control unit 6 in this way, the urinal washing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment performs urinal washing with an optimal amount of washing water in consideration of the urine flow continuation state and the usage frequency of the urinal 2.

  That is, in the urinal washing apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 4, when the urine flow detection time is relatively short and the use frequency of the urinal 2 is relatively high, the degree of contamination of the urinal 2 is low. As a matter of course, the urinal 2 is washed with a relatively small amount of 1 liter of washing water.

  When the urine flow detection time is relatively long and the use frequency of the urinal 2 is standard, it is assumed that the degree of contamination of the urinal 2 is standard, and standard 2.5 liters of washing water is used. Thus, the urinal 2 is washed.

  If the urine flow detection time is relatively long and the urinal 2 is used relatively frequently, the urinal 2 is considered to have a high degree of contamination, and the urinal is washed with 4 liters of washing water, which is the maximum amount. 2 is washed.

  Thus, in the urinal washing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, since the urinal washing is performed with the optimum amount of washing water in consideration of the urine flow continuation state and the usage frequency of the urinal 2, the degree of contamination of the urinal 2 is increased. The setting of the amount of washing water can be changed accordingly.

  Therefore, when the degree of contamination of the urinal 2 is low, the toilet bowl can be washed with the minimum amount of flush water necessary for toilet bowl washing, which is effective for saving water.

  Further, when the degree of contamination of the urinal 2 is high, the toilet bowl can be washed with the maximum amount of washing water, and the urinal can always be kept hygienic.

  Hereinafter, the process performed when the control part 6 of this urinal washing apparatus 1 performs toilet flushing with an optimal amount of flush water will be specifically described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  When the power is turned on, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 6 first determines whether or not the human body detecting means 11 has detected a human body using a standing wave signal (step S1).

  Here, when it is determined that the human body is detected, the control unit 6 moves the process to step S2, and when it is determined that the human body is not detected, the process of step S1 is repeatedly performed until the human body is detected.

  Next, in step S2, the control unit 6 performs a process of stopping the use frequency measurement timer that was started when the previous user of the urinal 2 moved away from the urinal 2, and then the process proceeds to step S3. . The symbol (Tx) in the flowchart indicates the count value of the usage frequency measurement timer.

  Next, in step S3, the control unit 6 performs a process for causing the urine flow detection means 13 to start a urine flow detection operation, and then moves the process to step S4.

  Next, in step S4, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the urine flow detection means 13 has confirmed the urine flow detection based on the Doppler signal, and if it is determined that the urine flow detection has been confirmed, the process proceeds to step S5. If it is determined that urine flow detection has not been confirmed, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S5, the control unit 6 performs a process of stopping the urine flow detection operation by the urine flow detection means 13, and then moves the process to step S7 shown in FIG.

  In step S6, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the human body detecting means 11 has detected a human body from the standing wave signal. If it is determined that the human body has been detected, the process proceeds to step S4 to detect the human body. If it is determined that it is not, the process proceeds to step S20.

  In step S20, the control unit 6 performs a process of restarting the use frequency measurement timer stopped in the process of step S2, and then moves the process to step S1.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 6 performs a process of starting a urine flow detection timer, and then moves the process to step S8. The symbol (t) in the flowchart indicates the count value of the urine flow detection timer.

  Next, in step S8, the control unit 6 performs a cleaning water amount setting process by the cleaning water amount setting means 16, and then moves the process to step S9. This washing water amount setting process will be specifically described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, in step S9, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the count value (t) of the urine flow detection timer is greater than or equal to a value (T) set by a washing water amount setting process described later, and (T) The process proceeds to step S11 when it is determined that the value is equal to or greater than that, and the process proceeds to step S10 when it is determined that the value is not equal to or greater than (T).

  In step S10, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the human body detection means 11 is still detecting the human body based on the standing wave signal. If it is determined that the human body is still detected, the process proceeds to step S9. If it is determined that no human body has been detected, the process proceeds to step S15.

  Next, in step S11, the control unit 6 performs a process of causing the urine flow detection means 13 to perform a urine flow detection operation for a predetermined time, and then moves the process to step S12.

  Next, in step S12, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the urine flow is detected based on the Doppler signal during the urine flow detection operation for only a predetermined time. If it is determined that the urine flow is detected, the process is performed in step S13. If it is determined that the urine flow is not detected, the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S13, the control unit 6 determines whether (T) is a maximum value (T _MAX ) set by a cleaning water amount setting process described later, and determines that (T) = (T _MAX ). If so, the process proceeds to step S14. If it is determined that (T) = (T _MAX ), the process proceeds to step S8.

  Next, in step S <b> 14, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the human body detection unit 11 is still detecting a human body based on the standing wave signal.

  Here, when it is determined that the human body is still detected, the control unit 6 repeats the process of step S14 until no human body is detected, and the process is performed when it is determined that the human body is no longer detected. Move to S15.

  Next, in step S15, the control unit 6 determines whether or not (t) is 3 seconds or longer. If it is determined that it is 3 seconds or longer, the control unit 6 moves the process to step S16, and if it is not 3 seconds or longer. If so, the process proceeds to step S18.

  Next, in step S16, the control unit 6 performs a toilet flushing process for supplying flush water to the urinal 2 by causing the washing control means 17 to perform opening / closing control of the water supply valve 4, and then moves the process to step S17. .

  Next, in step S17, the control unit 6 performs a process of resetting the usage frequency measurement timer, and then moves the process to step S18.

  In step S18, the control unit 6 performs a process of resetting the urine flow detection timer, and then performs a process of starting the use frequency measurement timer again (step S19).

  And the control part 6 of the toilet bowl washing | cleaning apparatus 1 is made to repeatedly perform the process of these steps S1-S19 while the power supply is turned on.

  Next, the cleaning water amount setting process performed by the control unit 6 will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In this cleaning water amount setting process, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 6 first sets the use frequency measurement timer 14 so that the count value (Tx) of the use frequency measurement timer is greater than the predetermined use frequency threshold (T _A ). Is also determined (step S21).

Here, the control unit 6, when it is determined that the by using frequency detection means _{14 (Tx) <(T A} ), the processings proceed as frequently used to step S31, (Tx) <(T A ), It is determined that the frequency of use is low, and the process proceeds to step S22.

In step S22, the control unit 6 performs a process of setting a value of (T ₂ ) as (T _MAX ), and then moves the process to step S23.

Next, the control unit 6 determines whether or not (t) is smaller than the value (T ₁ ) smaller than (T ₂ ) by the urine flow time detecting means 15, and (t) <(T ₁ ). The process proceeds to step S24 if it is determined that, and the process proceeds to step S26 if it is determined that (t) <(T ₁ ) is not satisfied.

In step S24, the control unit 6 performs a process of setting a value (T ₁ ) as a value (T) for determining the operation interval of the urine flow detection operation, and then moves the process to step S25.

Next, in step S25, the control unit 6 performs a process of setting the value (b ₁ ) (in this case, 1 liter), which is the smallest amount of washing water, in the storage means by the washing water amount setting means 16, and thereafter Then, the process shown in FIG. 6 is moved to step S9.

  Here, the value set by the washing water amount setting means 16 is set based on the use frequency of the urinal 2 (the supply frequency of the washing water amount) and the urine amount detection time (continuation state of the urine flow) as described above. Is.

Further, in step S26, the control unit 6 determines whether or not (T ₁ ) ≦ (t) <(T ₂ ) by the urine flow time detecting means 15, and (T ₁ ) ≦ (t) <( If it is determined that T ₂ ), the process proceeds to step S27. If it is determined that (T ₁ ) ≦ (t) <(T ₂ ), the process proceeds to step S29.

In step S27, the control unit 6 performs a process of setting a value of (T ₂ ) as (T), and then moves the process to step S25.

Next, in step S28, the control unit 6 sets a value (b ₂ ) (in this case, 2.5 liters), which is a standard amount of cleaning water, to the storage unit by the cleaning water amount setting unit 16. Then, the process shown in FIG. 6 is moved to step S9.

In Step S29, control part 6 performs processing which sets the value of ( _TMAX ) which is the maximum value as (T), and moves processing to Step S30 after that.

In step S30, the control unit 6 performs a process of setting the value (b ₃ ) (here, 4 liters), which is the maximum amount of cleaning water, by the cleaning water amount setting unit 16 in the storage unit, The process shown in FIG. 6 is moved to step S9.

In step S31, the control unit 6 performs a process of setting a value (T ₄ ) larger than (T ₂ ) as (T _MAX ), and then moves the process to step S22.

Next, in step S32, the control unit 6 determines whether (t) is smaller than (T ₃ ) by the urine flow time detecting means 15. Here, (T ₃ ) is a value larger than (T ₂ ) and smaller than (T ₄ ).

Then, when the control unit 6 determines that (t) <(T ₃ ) by the urine flow time detecting means 15, the control unit 6 moves the process to step S33 and determines that (t) <(T ₁ ) is not satisfied. If so, the process proceeds to step S35.

In step S33, the control unit 6 performs a process of setting a value of (T ₃ ) as (T), and then moves the process to step S34.

Next, in step S34, the control unit 6 performs a process of setting the value (b ₁ ) (in this case, 1 liter), which is the smallest amount of cleaning water, in the storage unit by the cleaning water amount setting unit 16, and thereafter Then, the process shown in FIG. 6 is moved to step S9.

Further, in step S35, the control unit 6 determines whether or not (T ₃ ) ≦ (t) <(T ₄ ) by the urine flow time detecting means 15, and (T ₃ ) ≦ (t) <( T ₄ the process when it is determined that) is transferred to a step S36, transferring _{(T 3) ≦ (t)} <(T 4) not equal the process when it is determined to step S38.

In step S36, the control unit 6 performs a process of setting a value of (T ₄ ) as (T), and then moves the process to step S37.

Next, in step S37, the control unit 6 sets a value (b ₂ ) (2.5 liters here), which is a standard amount as the amount of cleaning water, to the storage unit by the cleaning water amount setting unit 16. Then, the process shown in FIG. 6 is moved to step S9.

In step S38, the control unit 6 performs a process of setting a maximum value (T _MAX ) as (T), and then moves the process to step S39.

In step S39, the control unit 6 performs a process of setting the value (b ₃ ) (here, 4 liters), which is the maximum amount of cleaning water, by the cleaning water amount setting unit 16 in the storage unit, The process shown in FIG. 6 is moved to step S9.

  When the control unit 6 performs such processing, in the urinal cleaning apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the toilet bowl is cleaned with an optimal amount of cleaning water according to the use frequency and the urine flow detection time. Cleaning can be performed.

In the above embodiment, depending on whether or not the count value of the use frequency measuring timer (T _X) is smaller than the threshold value T _A set in advance, it has been configured to determine the height of the frequency of use of the urinal 2, The present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of threshold values that increase stepwise may be provided. By doing so, the level of usage frequency is further finely divided. Accordingly, the amount of washing water can be set more finely.

In the above embodiment, with respect to the value for determining the operation interval of the urine flow detecting operation _(T), a _{(T 1), (T 2} ), (T 3), the value of 4 stages: _{(T 4)} As for the amount of cleaning water provided, three levels of setting values (b ₁ ), (b ₂ ), and (b ₃ ) are provided, but the types of these values are further increased. By doing so, the amount of washing water can be set more finely according to the urine flow detection time.

It is an external appearance perspective view of a urinal washing device. It is a functional block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a urinal washing device. It is a timing chart which shows human body detection and urine flow detection by a urinal washing device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the usage frequency of a urinal, urine flow detection time, and the amount of washing water. It is a flowchart which shows the process which the control part of the toilet bowl washing | cleaning apparatus performs. It is a flowchart which shows the process which the control part of the toilet bowl washing | cleaning apparatus performs. It is a flowchart which shows the process which the control part of the toilet bowl washing | cleaning apparatus performs.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Urinal washing apparatus 2 Urinal 3 Water supply pipe 4 Water supply valve 5 Doppler sensor 6 Control part 7 Transmission means 8 Reception means 9 Mixer means 10 Standing wave detection means 11 Human body detection means 12 Filter means 13 Urinary flow detection means 14 Usage frequency detection means 15 urine flow time detecting means 16 flush volume setting means 17 the wash control means M transmission wave m reflected wave _{T X} usage measurement count value t urine flow detection count value of the timer of the timer _{(T), (T 1)} , ( T ₂ ), (T ₃ ), (T ₄ ) Values (b ₁ ), (b ₂ ), (b ₃ ) for determining the operation interval of the urine flow detection operation

Claims (3)

A toilet, a water supply valve for supplying flush water to the toilet, a Doppler sensor for detecting a urine flow excreted in the toilet, and detecting a urine flow based on a sensor output of the Doppler sensor, In a toilet bowl cleaning device comprising a control unit that controls opening and closing of a valve,
The controller is
And urine flow detection means for detecting operation before Kinyo flow,
Urine flow time detecting means for detecting a continuation state of the urine flow based on a urine flow detection result by the urine flow detecting means;
In accordance with the output of the urine flow time detecting means, the washing water amount setting means for setting the amount of the washing water,
The washing water in the amount set by the amount of wash water setting means has closed the wash control means for supplying into the toilet bowl,
The washing water amount setting means includes
As the urine flow continuation state detected by the urine flow time detection means becomes longer, a setting change is made to increase the amount of the washing water stepwise,
When the urine flow detecting means detects the urine flow, the urine flow detecting operation is temporarily stopped, and thereafter, the timing at which the washing water amount setting means performs a setting change to increase the amount of the washing water stepwise. A toilet cleaning device , wherein the urine flow detection operation is performed every time . The washing water amount setting means includes
The toilet cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein when the urine flow time detecting means detects that the urine flow has continued for a predetermined time or more, the amount of the washing water is set to a maximum value. . The controller is
Human body detecting means for detecting a user of the toilet using a standing wave signal included in the sensor output;
The urine flow detecting means, until said user is detected by said human body detection means, the toilet cleaning device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that to stop the detection operation of the urine flow.

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