JP5369386B2 - Heated toilet seat and sanitary washing device provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heated toilet seat which saves energy and can be used comfortably. <P>SOLUTION: This heated toilet seat carries out heating of a toilet seat for a short period of time using a radiation heating element after detecting a human body by a human-detecting means. In addition, the toilet seat is warmed according to a preset condition when the turning of the toilet seat is detected and the toilet seat is lifted. By these operations, a heated toilet seat which saves energy and can be used comfortably can be achieved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to heater control of a heated toilet seat that detects a human body and heats the toilet seat.

In this type of conventional heated toilet seat, as shown in FIG. 11, the use of the toilet seat 2 is automatically detected by a human body detection sensor 1 using light, ultrasonic waves, etc., and the contact 4 of the control device 3 is closed at the time of human body detection. 5 is discharged, and the toilet seat heater 6 is energized. When the toilet seat 2 is in a state of being lifted, the contact 4 is opened by the signal of the toilet seat open signal generator 7 and the energization to the toilet seat 2 is stopped. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP-A-11-299696

  However, in the conventional configuration, the human body is detected and energized to the toilet seat heater. However, even when the human body is detected, the energization to the toilet seat heater is stopped when the toilet seat is flipped up. When the user sat down with the toilet seat down, he had to sit on a cold toilet seat or wait until he was warm, which was not satisfactory in terms of usability and comfort.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and is a heating toilet seat that can save energy by detecting the human body and energizing the toilet seat to heat the toilet seat in an extremely short time and can provide a comfortable feeling of use. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the conventional problems, a heating toilet seat according to the present invention includes a rotatable toilet seat, a heating element that heats the toilet seat, a seating portion of the toilet seat, and a temperature detection that detects the temperature of the seating portion. Means, a controller for controlling the heating element according to a signal from the temperature detection means, a human body detection means for outputting a detection signal when detecting a human body, and an attachment of the heating element that operates in response to a signal output from the human body detection means. A force detecting means, a rotation detecting means for detecting the rotation state of the toilet seat, and a change in the rotation state of the toilet seat by detecting a change in the output of the rotation detection means to control the electric power applied to the heating element. An applied electric power control means, and when the control unit determines that the toilet seat is in the middle of opening operation by the output of the rotation detection means after the human body detection by the human body detection means, The applied power control means Either stop the applied power, or is usually one that is configured to the temperature-maintaining power for maintaining the first retained temperature is equal to or less and kept temperature during use.

  As a result, the human body detecting means detects the user's entry into the toilet and energizes the heating element, so that the toilet seat is energized only during use, and wasteful power consumption when not in use is eliminated. Furthermore, since the rotation state of the toilet seat is detected and the applied power control means controls the applied power to the heating element, the toilet seat is rotated according to the rotation state of the toilet seat or by the user. The optimal toilet seat temperature is always maintained, even if

  The heating toilet seat of the present invention detects that the user has entered the toilet and heats the seat, so it can reduce unnecessary power when not using the toilet seat, which occupies most of the day, and realizes significant energy saving In addition, the user's consciousness of “money” can be eliminated.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pivotable toilet seat, a heating element for heating the toilet seat, a seating portion of the toilet seat, a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the seating portion, and a signal from the temperature detecting means. A control unit that controls the heating element, a human body detection unit that outputs a detection signal when detecting a human body, an urging unit of the heating unit that operates in response to a signal output from the human body detection unit, and a rotational state of the toilet seat. A heating toilet seat comprising: a rotation detection means for detecting; and an applied power control means for controlling a power applied to the heating element by detecting a change in a rotation state of the toilet seat based on an output change of the rotation detection means. When the control unit determines that the toilet seat is in the middle of opening operation based on the output of the rotation detection unit after detecting the human body by the human body detection unit, the control unit stops the applied power of the applied power control unit. Or normal use Most of the day because the seating part is heated by detecting that the user has entered the toilet by adopting a structure for maintaining the first temperature which is equal to or lower than the temperature of the first temperature. Can reduce unnecessary power when the toilet seat is not used, greatly reducing energy consumption, and eliminating the user's “wasteful” awareness. Furthermore, for example, even when the user is a male and enters the toilet for small use and then opens the toilet seat, the power applied to the heating element is appropriately controlled so that the temperature of the seating section is always appropriate. Therefore, the user will not feel discomfort due to the cold feeling even if the user performs a non-stationary operation such as taking a seat during a small use and falling down and sitting down. Easy to use and comfortable toilet seat heating can be realized.

  Further, after the human body is detected, when it is determined that the toilet seat is in the middle of opening operation based on the output of the rotation detection means, the control power of the applied power control means is stopped or the temperature is equal to or lower than the heat retention temperature during normal use. By maintaining the warming temperature at 1, the warming power can be maintained while keeping the seating part at a predetermined temperature that does not impair the warmth while detecting the human body. Even when the toilet seat is depressed and seated suddenly, the user does not feel uncomfortable with the cold feeling, and a comfortable and comfortable toilet seat heating can be realized.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in particular, in the heating toilet seat of the first aspect of the invention, there is provided a rotating means for rotating the toilet seat, and when there is no human body detection signal from the human body detecting means, the toilet seat is set at a substantially horizontal position. Because the biasing of the heating element always starts when the toilet seat is substantially horizontal, temperature variations caused by the effect of convection generated on the seat surface and inside the toilet seat when the seat temperature rises rapidly It is possible to prevent discomfort that the user feels due to the temperature variation of the seating section, and to realize comfortable toilet seat heating. Furthermore, in general, when such temperature variations occur in the heating element, its reliability and durability are impaired. However, since the heating element is urged with the toilet seat always in a substantially horizontal state, the heating element is substantially omitted. Since the heat is generated in a horizontal state, it is possible to solve the problem that the temperature is partially increased due to convection or the like, and it is possible to improve the reliability and durability of the heating element.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in particular, in the heating toilet seat of the first or second aspect, the heating element excluding the second heating element has a rated capacity of 1500 W or less and a seating portion temperature of at least 1 K per second. By adopting a configuration that can raise the temperature, it is possible to supply power from a general outlet in the home, so special construction is not required, the installation cost can be reduced, and the installation range can be expanded. . In addition, since the temperature rise rate of the seating part is fast, the time required to heat up the seating part after the user has entered the toilet can be shortened so that the user can undress and sit Since the temperature of the seating portion can be sufficiently raised to a temperature at which a feeling of cooling is not felt in a short time until it is done, toilet seat heating excellent in energy saving can be realized.

In the fourth invention, in particular, the heating toilet seat according to any one of the first to third inventions is mounted on a sanitary washing device, and the toilet seat can be used in a very short time when detecting a human body when using the sanitary washing device. Heating is stopped and heating is stopped when not in use, so it is extremely energy efficient and the temperature of the seating section is adjusted appropriately according to the rotation state of the toilet seat. Even when the user performs an operation such as sitting down, the user can prevent discomfort associated with the cold feeling, and can realize toilet seat heating that is comfortable and easy to use.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sanitary washing device provided with a heated toilet seat according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sanitary washing device provided with the toilet seat, and FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of the toilet seat. 4 is a graph summarizing the results of investigating the time from when the user enters the toilet until sitting, FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the main part of the seating portion of the toilet seat, and FIG. It is a characteristic view which shows the heating principle.

  1 to 3, a horizontally long main body 22 a is attached to the rear end of the toilet bowl 21 of the sanitary washing device 20, and a part of the hot water cleaning function is built in the main body 22 a and A ring-shaped toilet seat 23 and a toilet lid 24 mounted thereon are rotatably provided. When the toilet seat 23 is not used, the toilet lid 24 is laid down to cover a seating portion 25 that is a warming portion on the upper surface of the toilet seat 23. It is like that. The seating portion 25 is a portion that is directly touched by a human body when a person uses the sanitary washing device 20. The sleeve 22b of the main body 22a is equipped with an infrared sensor 26 which is a human body detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a human body in the toilet room. As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet seat 23 is formed by joining two members, a synthetic resin toilet seat upper 23a and a toilet seat lower 23b, at the inner and outer peripheral edges thereof, and the inside of the toilet seat 23 is infiltrated with water or the like. The structure has a sealed cavity 27 that can be blocked.

  Inside the cavity portion 27 is a radiation reflecting plate 28 having a mirror-finished aluminum plate or stainless steel plate facing the seating portion 25 on which a user using the sanitary washing device sits, and radiation heat generation on both sides of the seating portion 25. Two lamp heaters 29 (hereinafter referred to as lamp heaters 29 except when referring to individual lamp heaters), which are the body, are provided from the inner surface of the seating portion 25 according to the shape of the toilet seat 23 via a predetermined space. It has been. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the lamp heater 29 is provided along the shape of the toilet seat 23 on the lateral portions 25 a and 25 b of the seat portion 25 of the toilet seat 23 that is ring-shaped in a plan view of the toilet seat 23. The horizontal portions 25a and 25b of the seating portion 25 are portions where the thighs come into contact when a person is seated. As shown in FIG. 1, the radiation reflector 28 has an upward bent portion 28a on the entire periphery of the inner and outer end portions thereof, and heat radiation from the lamp heater 29 is deflected by the bent portion 28a. The device is designed to increase the radiation density at the outer peripheral edge and the inner peripheral edge away from the lamp heater 29 and to make the radiation distribution to the upper part of the cavity 27 uniform. In the vicinity of the lamp heater 29, thermostats 30a, 30b and thermal fuses 31a, 31b electrically connected in series with the lamp heater 29 and thermal fuses 31a, 31b are provided. Acts to prevent ascending. The thermostats 30a and 30b and the thermal fuses 31a and 31b are provided so as to correspond to the two lamp heaters 29, and the safety is improved.

  The lamp heater 29 is configured by penetrating a filament 33 made of tungsten inside a quartz glass tube 32 and enclosing a halogen gas, and repeats a halogen cycle reaction in which tungsten halide is formed as the filament 33 generates heat. Thus, the filament 33 is prevented from being consumed. By this action, the filament 33 having a very small heat capacity can be used as a heat source, and the radiation energy can be caused to rise very steeply. Accordingly, the lamp heater 29 can raise the temperature of the seating portion 25 of the toilet seat 23 to an appropriate temperature within a few seconds until the user enters the toilet, lowers his clothes, and sits on the seating portion 25 of the toilet seat 23. Therefore, it is not necessary to keep the toilet seat heated by always energizing it, thus providing a power-saving heating element.

The time it takes for the user to undress the lower body and sit down on the toilet seat after entering the toilet varies depending on the type of clothing worn by the user, individual differences, gender differences, seasonal differences, etc. However, as a result of the investigation, it was found that the average was about 10 seconds. FIG. 4 summarizes the results of this survey, and this line graph shows the cumulative percentage of subjects seated at the time indicated on the horizontal axis. From this result, a few users finished undressing after about 5-6 seconds after entering the toilet, and about half of the users completed seating in about 10 seconds, and about 20 seconds later. It can be seen that 100% of users complete the seating. From this, if the time required to complete the temperature rise of the seating portion 25 can be within about 5 to 6 seconds, the seating portion 25 is at an appropriate temperature in a scene where almost all users are seated, If the time required to complete the heating of the seating section 25 can be made within about 10 seconds, the seating section 25 is heated to an appropriate temperature in a situation where almost half of the users are seated, but the remaining half of the users are seated. If the seating section 25 is not warmed up to an appropriate temperature and the user does not sit down after a while, the user will feel uncomfortable with the cold feeling. However, the appropriate temperature here does not necessarily need to be a preset heating temperature of the toilet seat and may be at least a level at which the user does not feel discomfort associated with the cold feeling.

  The lamp heater 29 is fixed to the radiation reflecting plate 28 by a lamp heater fixture 34, and the radiation reflecting plate 28 is fixed to the toilet seat bottom 23 b by rubber feet 35. 36 is a seating detection means comprising a microswitch provided in the leg rubber 37 of the toilet seat 23 on the toilet 21, and the microswitch is turned on by the load of the user seated on the seating portion 25 of the toilet seat 23. Thus, the seating of the user is detected. The seating detection means may be an infrared sensor similar to the human body detection means, or may be a system that detects a change in the capacitance of the toilet seat.

  In FIG. 5, the seating portion 25 is provided with a surface layer 39 that is a film material on the outer surface of a transmission body 38 that is a radiation transmission material formed by injection molding using a transparent polypropylene resin material, and the transmission body 38 and the surface layer. Between 39, a radiation absorbing layer 40 containing a large amount of a radiation energy absorber mainly composed of a black pigment such as carbon black is formed. FIG. 6 shows the characteristics of the lamp heater 29, the transmission body 38, and the radiation absorption layer 40. FIG. 6A shows the wavelength distribution when the temperature of the filament 33 of the lamp heater 29 is 2400K, and mainly generates light in the near-infrared to mid-infrared wavelength region having a peak near the wavelength of 1200 nm. . FIG. 6B shows the light transmission characteristics when the transparent member 38 has a transparent polypropylene thickness of 3.0 mm. The wavelength range from 500 nm to 2300 nm, that is, from the near infrared rays emitted from the lamp heater 29. It has the characteristic of transmitting light in the infrared wavelength region. FIG. 6C shows light transmission characteristics when the radiation absorbing layer 40 is a polypropylene sheet having a thickness of 0.3 mm containing a black pigment, and the light is almost completely shielded. With this configuration, the radiant energy emitted from the lamp heater 29 passes through the transmissive body 38 and is almost completely shielded by the radiation absorbing layer 40, where it is converted into heat. Therefore, the surface of the seating part 25 can be heated quickly.

  The surface layer 39 shields visible light radiated from the lamp heater 29 and has a hue in harmony with the color tone of the entire toilet seat in consideration of surface hardness, chemical resistance, gloss, and the like. A combination of multiple colors or a designed pattern may be used. Further, a part of visible light emitted from the lamp heater 29 may be transmitted intentionally. The seating part 25 mounts the surface layer 39 on which the radiation absorbing layer 40 has been printed in advance on a mold for molding the toilet seat top 23a, and injects and molds a transparent polypropylene resin material that is a transparent body 38. Alternatively, the surface layer 39 on which the radiation absorbing layer 40 is printed in advance is preliminarily molded into the shape of the toilet seat upper 23a by vacuum molding or the like, and then mounted on a mold for molding the toilet seat upper 23a and injection molded. The surface layer 39 and the radiation absorbing layer 40 can also be formed by painting or printing.

In the above molding method, the entire toilet seat top 23a is formed by the transparent body 38 that forms the seating portion 25, but is not limited thereto. For example, only the seating portion 25 can be molded with a transparent polypropylene resin, and the other toilet seat upper portion 23a can be molded in two colors with a colored polypropylene resin having the same color as the toilet seat lower portion 23b. In this case, the area of the radiation absorbing layer 40 may be made smaller than the area of the surface layer 39, and the radiation absorbing layer 40 may be printed on the surface layer 39 corresponding to the seating portion 25 and molded. The surface layer 39 only needs to be larger than the area of the radiation absorbing layer 40. However, if the surface layer 39 is formed so as to cover the entire toilet seat top 23a, the boundary of the surface layer 39 does not appear on the surface of the toilet seat top 23a, and the finish can be molded beautifully. it can. In the above description, a transparent polypropylene resin is used as the transparent body 38, but a transparent polyester resin, acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, polystyrene resin, or the like can also be used.

  The seat portion 25 is made of a transparent polypropylene resin material, which is a transparent body 38, with an average thickness of 2.5 mm, thereby transmitting radiation energy and at the same time functioning as a structural rectangular body of the toilet seat from its rigidity. Further, the total thickness of the formed radiation absorbing layer 40 and the surface layer 39 is 0.5 mm or less, and since the heat capacity is very small, the temperature is increased instantaneously and at the same time, the visible light is shielded and the surface of the seating portion 25 is heated. .

  In the present embodiment, the toilet seat 23 is made of polypropylene resin, and the seating portion 25 has the radiation energy transmitted through the transparent polypropylene resin heated by the radiation absorbing layer 40 of the seating surface 25 provided on the surface of the toilet seat 23. However, the toilet seat 23 is made of a heat-conducting material such as metal, and a radiation absorbing layer 40 that absorbs radiation energy emitted from the lamp heater 29 and generates heat is provided inside the toilet seat cavity. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the heat of the absorption layer 40 is transmitted to the seating portion 25 on the surface of the toilet seat 23 by heat conduction.

  The seating portion 25 is provided with a thermistor 41a as temperature detection means in a recess opened on the inner surface thereof, so that the temperature in the vicinity of the radiation absorbing layer 40 can be detected. That is, by providing the thermistor 41a in the vicinity of the surface of the seating portion 25 heated by the two lamp heaters 29, it is possible to control the temperature of the seating portion 25 in detail, and it is also possible to detect a heat generation stop due to an abnormal temperature rise or disconnection. Can respond appropriately.

  Further, the toilet seat 23 is provided with a rotating means 43 formed of a geared motor on the rotating shaft 42 and further includes a rotation detecting means 44 for detecting the rotating state of the toilet seat 23. With these configurations, the toilet seat 23 can be opened / closed without the user touching the toilet seat 23 by operating an operation button or the like that is provided automatically or generally on a remote control (not shown) of a sanitary washing device. be able to. Also, the toilet seat is pivoted, that is, whether the toilet seat is in an opened state or a substantially horizontal state when seated and used, or in the middle of the operation of opening the toilet seat 23, or closed. It is possible to detect a dynamic state such as whether the operation is in progress. Further, the main body 22a is provided with a control unit 46 mainly composed of a microcomputer having a timer unit 45 that counts an elapsed time from the time when the temperature rise is started by energizing the lamp heater 29. Then, the control unit 46 takes in signals from the first urging means 47, the seating detection means 36, the rotation detection means 44, and the thermistor 41a that start energization of the lamp heater 29 in response to a signal from the infrared sensor 26, and takes a warming surface. The first applied power control means 48 for controlling the energization of the lamp heater 29 so that the temperature of the seating portion 25 is a predetermined temperature.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the rotation detection means 44. 44a is a micro switch which is a rotation detecting means installed on the periphery of the rotation shaft 42 of the toilet seat 23. When the toilet seat 23 is opened more than a predetermined angle, the cam 49 pushes the lever 50 of the micro switch 44a, and the micro switch 44a is turned on. With this configuration, the control unit 46 controls energization to the lamp heater 22a and the lamp heater 29b via the first applied power control means 48 by detecting the conduction of the micro switch 44a. In this configuration, it is only possible to determine whether or not the toilet seat 23 is open at a predetermined angle or more. However, a plurality of sets of cams 49 and micro switches 44a (not shown) are provided, and the mounting angle of the cams 49 is shifted. By doing so, it is possible to determine whether the toilet seat 23 is opened by determining whether the plurality of microswitches are turned on or by detecting the timing of each conduction ON-OFF. It can also be determined whether the operation is in progress or the operation of closing the toilet seat 23.

  FIG. 8 shows another example of the rotation detecting means 44. 44b is a potentiometer installed in the periphery of the rotating shaft 42 of the toilet seat 23, and a resistance value changes according to the angle of the toilet seat 23, and the output voltage from the terminal 51 changes. With such a configuration, it is possible to determine how much the toilet seat 23 is opened from the horizontal plane based on the output voltage value from the terminal 51. Further, it is possible to determine whether the toilet seat 23 is being opened or closed by the change in the output voltage from the terminal 51. The control unit 46 controls the energization to the lamp heater 22 a and the lamp heater 29 through the first applied power control means 48 by detecting the value or change of the output voltage from the terminal 1.

  In this embodiment, the rotation detection unit 44 is configured as a separate member from the rotation unit 43. However, for example, the rotation unit 43 is not fed back with respect to the rotation angle like a stepping motor or a synchronous motor. By using the actuator that can be determined in (4), it is possible to determine the turning state of the toilet seat 23 based on the turning signal given to the turning means 43.

  In the above embodiment, when the power is turned on, the sanitary washing device is ready for use, and when the user enters the toilet, the infrared sensor 26 detects this and a signal is sent to the control unit 47. At this time, when it is confirmed that the toilet seat 23 is in a substantially horizontal use position by a signal from the rotation detection means 44 for detecting the rotation state of the toilet seat, the control unit 46 passes the ramp through the first biasing means 47. Energization of the heater 29 is started. By this initial energization, the input energy is instantaneously converted into light, that is, radiation energy, partly directly from the filament 33 through the glass tube 32, and the remaining part is reflected by the radiation reflector 28 to the seat 25. Radiated.

  The radiant energy radiated from the lamp heater 29 is partially absorbed or reflected inside the transmitting body 38 of the seating portion 25, most of which is transmitted therethrough and contributes to the temperature rise of the radiation absorbing layer 40 and the surface layer 39. To do. Therefore, the transmitting body 38 constituting the seating portion 25 is hardly heated by the radiant energy, and the surface layer 39 is heated.

  Thus, the lamp heater 29 capable of instantaneously generating radiation energy due to the small heat capacity of the heating element is used, and the thickness of the radiation absorbing layer 40 and the surface layer 39 heated by the lamp heater 29 is required. It is possible to raise the temperature of the seating portion 25 of the toilet seat 23 in a very short time by configuring the structure to a minimum and suppressing the heat capacity. As a result, even if heating of the seating part 25 is started after the user enters the toilet, the temperature of the seating part 25 is raised to a temperature at which the user does not feel a cool feeling before the user sits on the toilet seat 23. This eliminates the need to keep the seating portion 25 energized at all times. In other words, an instant heating type heating toilet seat that heats up the toilet seat 23 immediately before use can be realized, and as a result, the toilet seat warming power when not in use can be greatly reduced. realizable.

  In the present embodiment, for example, a lamp heater having a total rated capacity of 1200 W and a power density of 1 W / mm is used, and the distance from the lamp heater 29 to the lower surface of the seating portion 25 is 20 mm. In this case, it was confirmed that it was possible to raise the temperature of the seating portion 25 to a temperature (27 to 28 ° C.) at which no feeling of cooling was felt in about 4 seconds. That is, with the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to raise the temperature of the seating portion 25 at a rate of temperature rise of about 3 K / second.

FIG. 9 shows the results of evaluation of the temperature and comfort of the seating part. FIG. 9 summarizes the results of reporting on the comfort felt by the subject at this time, in a 5 ° C. atmosphere assuming winter, with the subject changing the temperature of the seating section 25. According to this, it can be seen that even in a cold 5 ° C. atmosphere, if the seating portion 25 is heated to about 27 to 28 ° C. or more, the user is less likely to feel uncomfortable with the cold feeling. In general, when a human touches an object, it is said that when the skin temperature of the part falls below about 2 to 3 ° C., a cold feeling is felt, and the skin temperature of the human buttock is about 32 to 33 ° C. This is a reasonable result even when considering the degree. In other words, humans are more likely to feel cold when an object having a temperature lower than about 29 ° C. comes into contact with the buttocks, however, if it is in contact with an object having a temperature of about 27 to 28 ° C. which is 1 to 2 ° C. lower than this, Although it feels cold, it is hard to reach discomfort.

  In the present embodiment, the lamp heater 29 having a total rated capacity of 1200 W is used. However, since the electric power consumed by the sanitary washing apparatus other than the toilet seat heating is less than about 100 W, the maximum is about 1300 W during the toilet seat heating. Power, that is, a current of about 13 A is supplied from the outlet. In consideration of the fact that the upper limit of the current of an outlet installed in a general household is 15A, it can be installed easily without requiring special power supply construction in a general household, and the power supply situation is not so good. It can also be installed in old houses that are not there. However, since the upper limit of the current of the outlet installed in a general home is 15A, the amount of power used by the sanitary washing device other than the heating of the toilet seat is reduced to the limit, and other power installed in the sanitary washing device If the device is configured to avoid simultaneous use with the function, the rated capacity of the heating element such as the lamp heater 29 can be made as close as possible to 1500 W. Of course, if the rated capacity of the heating element is increased, the temperature raising rate of the seating portion 25 is increased, and the temperature of the seating portion 25 can be raised to an appropriate temperature in a shorter time. Can be realized.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the heating element and the seating portion are configured to have a temperature rising rate of about 3 K / sec. However, with this configuration, the above-described user sits on the toilet seat after entering the toilet. The seating portion can be heated up by 15K or more in about 5 to 6 seconds until it is done. In this case, in general, when the season is spring, summer, or autumn, the temperature in the toilet room does not fall below 15 ° C. in a wide range of Japan. It is possible to raise the temperature from a temperature at which the user does not feel uncomfortable with the cold feeling to a temperature at which the user can feel comfortable. That is, there is no need to wait for seating until the seat 25 rises in temperature after the user enters the toilet except during the winter season, and he / she sits in a hurry and does not feel uncomfortable with the cold feeling, Comfortable and easy-to-use toilet seat heating can be realized.

  On the other hand, if the device is configured so that the seating portion 25 has an appropriate temperature in a scene where almost half of the users are seated except in the winter season, about 12 to about 15 to 27 to 28 ° C in about 10 seconds. What is necessary is just to raise the temperature of the seating part 25 at 13K. In this case, the heating element and the seating part may be configured so that the temperature rise rate is about 1 K / second or more. In particular, high-air-tight and highly insulated houses have recently become widespread, and the number of apartment houses like condominiums has increased, so the temperature in the toilet room is sometimes lower than 15 degrees Celsius throughout the year, or even 17-18 degrees Celsius or higher. In this case, it is sufficient that the temperature raising rate of the seating portion 25 is 1 K / second or more, and the user can avoid feeling uncomfortable with the cool feeling at the time of sitting. In addition, since the heating rate of about 1 K / second can be realized with a heating element of about 300 W, if the heating element can be made of a small capacity in this way, energy saving and comfort are sacrificed. In addition, there is an advantage that the safety can be improved, for example, the flickering of the lamp can be prevented and the damage caused to the surroundings by the overheating of the heating element can be reduced even in the event of a device failure.

On the other hand, if the device is configured so that the seating portion 25 can be heated to an appropriate temperature in a scene where almost all users are seated including the winter season, the temperature rising rate of the seating portion 25 is large. It is necessary to configure the equipment to be However, it is difficult to assume that the temperature in the toilet room in ordinary households is lower than 0 ° C, although it is winter, so use the seating section 25 cooled in the worst-case atmosphere of 0 ° C. It can be considered on the condition that the temperature is raised to a temperature of 27 to 28 ° C. or higher so that the person feels uncomfortable with the cold feeling in 5 to 6 seconds, which is considered to be the shortest time until the person enters the toilet and sits down. As a result, it is only necessary to configure the device so as to satisfy a temperature increase rate of about 5 K / second. In this way, if the device is configured such that the seating portion 25 has a temperature increase rate of about 5 K / sec, the seating portion is between the time when almost all users enter the toilet and the time when they sit down even in winter. 25 can be heated up to 27 to 28 ° C., which is a temperature that does not cause discomfort associated with a cold feeling, and therefore, toilet seat heating that is excellent in energy saving, comfortable and easy to use can be realized.

  From the above, the rated capacity of the heating element is desirably 300 to 1500 W, and on the other hand, the heating rate of the seating portion 25 is desirably set to 1 to 5 K / sec. The toilet seat heating, which is excellent in performance, comfortable and easy to use, can be realized, and it is possible to avoid problems such as limiting the homes that can be installed and requiring special power supply construction.

  In addition, although it is the structure which heats up the seating part 25 at about 5 K / sec, in the system using the lamp heater 29 of a present Example, while raising the rated capacity | capacitance of the lamp heater 29 to 1350W, the radiation absorption layer 40 and the surface 1. Only the seating portion 25 is reduced so that the total thickness of the layer 39 is reduced to about 0.3 mm to reduce the heat capacity of the heated portion, and the thickness of the transparent polypropylene resin material that is the transmission body 38 is not insufficient as a toilet seat. It has been confirmed that it is feasible if it is configured with 2 mm.

  As a matter of course, since the number of clothes increases in winter, the time it takes for the user to sit in the toilet after sitting in the toilet tends to be longer. It is possible to sit comfortably without feeling cold.

  FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of energization control to the lamp heater 29.

  When the temperature of the seating portion 25 is not so low and the temperature of the seating portion 25 is T2 (for example, 15 ° C.) or more except during the winter season, when the person is not detected by the infrared sensor 26, the control portion 46 does not energize the lamp heater 29. If it is determined by checking the signal of the rotation detecting means 44 that the toilet seat is in an open state (hereinafter referred to as “open”), the geared motor 43 is driven and the toilet seat 23 is in a substantially horizontal state (hereinafter referred to as “open”). , And close). Therefore, the toilet seat is always kept closed until it is detected that the user has entered the toilet.

  In this state, when the presence of a person is detected by the infrared sensor 26, that is, when the user enters the toilet, the control unit 46 starts energizing the lamp heater 29 via the first urging means 47. Then, the temperature of the seating portion 25 is rapidly increased. At this time, the timer unit 45 starts energization of the lamp heater 29 and the first energizing unit 47 counts the energization time, and the control unit 46 preliminarily determines the energization time signal from the timer unit 45 and the thermistor 41a. The energization to the lamp heater 29 is controlled via the first urging means 47 according to the detected temperature signal of the seating section 25.

  When the energization of the lamp heater 29 is started by the first urging unit 47 and the toilet seat is determined to be closed by the detection signal from the rotation detection unit 44, the control unit 46 It is determined that the user is seated on the toilet seat 23 as it is, and the temperature of the seating portion 25 that has been heated to a predetermined temperature via the first applied power control means 48 is set to a temperature T0 (eg, 38 ° C.) during normal use. The power applied to the lamp heater 29 is controlled so as to hold it.

Further, when it is determined that the toilet seat is opened by the detection signal from the rotation detection unit 44 in a state where the energization to the lamp heater 29 is started by the first urging unit 47, the control unit 46 uses the It is determined that the person does not sit on the toilet seat 23, the energization control to the lamp heater 29 via the first urging means 47 is stopped, and the first additional power control means 48 is used to The electric power applied to the lamp heater 29 is controlled so that the temperature of the seat 25 raised by the urging means 47 is maintained at a temperature T1 (for example, 27 ° C.) at which the user does not feel uncomfortable feeling with cooling. . Naturally, if the temperature rise by the first biasing means 47 is insufficient, the temperature is kept at the normal temperature T1 during normal use. If the temperature rise by the first biasing means 47 is once completed, The applied power is controlled so that the heat retention temperature T0 during use can be maintained.

  Here, when the user operates the toilet seat from the open state to the closed state, this change in state is detected by the rotation detecting means 44, and the control unit 46 causes the user to move the toilet seat 23 to the detection signal. It is determined that the user is seated, and the temperature of the seating portion 25 is raised to the heat retaining temperature T0 during normal use via the first applied power control means 48.

  Although the lamp heater 29 can raise the temperature of the seating portion 25 in a very short time due to its characteristics, the operation from when the toilet seat 23 is lowered from the open state to the closed state until it is seated can be performed in a very short time. As expected, if energization of the lamp heater 29 is stopped while the toilet seat 23 is open, the temperature of the seating portion 25 decreases, the toilet seat 23 is closed again, and the user is seated. Sometimes, the temperature rise of the seating portion 25 may be insufficient. However, with the configuration of the present embodiment, even when the toilet seat 23 is in an open state, the seating portion 25 is always held at the heat retaining temperature T1 by the user, so that the user feels the discomfort associated with the cold feeling. Can be avoided and the toilet seat can be used comfortably.

  Here, the heat retention temperature T1 is set to 27 ° C., which is a temperature at which the user does not feel uncomfortable with the sensation of cooling, but this is a setting for reducing unnecessary power consumption as much as possible. Not too much. In other words, it is possible to make the heat retaining temperature T1 the same as the normal heat retaining temperature T0. In this case, even if the toilet seat 23 is once opened and then immediately closed, the seating portion 25 is Since the heat-retaining temperature T0 during normal use is always maintained, the feeling of comfort when the user is seated is greatly improved.

  In this case, the control flow performed by the control unit 46 is substantially the same as described above, but the temperature of the seating unit 25 raised by the first urging unit 47 via the first applied power control unit 48 is adjusted. Then, the electric power applied to the lamp heater 29 is controlled so as to maintain the heat retention temperature T0 (for example, 38 ° C.) during normal use. Naturally, if the temperature increase by the first urging means 47 is insufficient, the temperature is kept at the normal temperature T0 during normal use. If the temperature increase by the first urging means 47 is once completed, The applied power is controlled so that the heat retention temperature T0 during use can be maintained.

  When the energization of the lamp heater 29 is started by the first urging unit 47 and the toilet seat is determined to be open by the detection signal from the rotation detection unit 44, the control unit 46 Although it is determined that the toilet seat 23 is not seated, the temperature of the seat portion 25 is controlled by energization control to the lamp heater 29 via the first biasing means 47 in case the toilet seat is immediately closed and seated. The temperature of the seating portion 25 raised by the first urging means 47 is raised by the user via the first applied power control means 48 and then the temperature of the seating portion 25 is raised by the user. The electric power applied to the lamp heater 29 may be controlled so as to maintain the temperature T1 (for example, 27 ° C.) at a level at which no uncomfortable feeling is felt.

The control unit 46 performs such control, so that, for example, even when the user raises the toilet seat 23 halfway and then immediately closes it to the closed state, the seating unit becomes at least a heat retaining temperature during normal use. Therefore, the user does not feel uncomfortable with the sensation of cooling and can realize comfortable toilet heating that is easy to use. In particular, when the temperature in the toilet is low, when the opening and closing operations of the toilet seat 23 are continued, heat radiation is promoted by the flow of cool air generated around the seat 25, and the temperature of the seat 25 decreases. However, since the first applied power control means 48 once raises the temperature of the seating portion 25 to a temperature higher than the heat retention temperature during normal use, this heat radiation can be supplemented, and the user can Comfortable toilet seat heating can be realized without feeling uncomfortable with the cold feeling.

  When the air temperature is low and the temperature of the seating section 25 is T2 or less, such as in winter, the control section 46 controls the temperature of the seating section 25 via the first applied power control means 48 regardless of the human body detection signal from the infrared sensor 26. You may hold | maintain to T2. This is the time it takes for the user to sit in the toilet after sitting in the toilet, especially in the winter when the cooling feeling received from the seating section 25 is likely to cause discomfort, especially during sitting, and the user feels the discomfort associated with the cool feeling. This is a measure for raising the temperature of the seating portion 25 to a certain temperature.

  For example, in the present embodiment, when the temperature of the seating portion 25 is 5 ° C., which is generally considered in winter, the temperature of the seating portion 25 may be raised to a temperature that does not cause discomfort associated with a cool feeling for just over 7 seconds. Is possible. However, it takes 7 to 9 seconds on average since the number of clothes increases in the winter until the user enters the toilet after sitting in the toilet, but this time varies depending on individual differences and the condition of the clothes. For example, relax indoors In the case of dressed clothes, the time to sit down may be shortened.

  On the other hand, if the seating section 25 is kept at T2 by the first applied power control means 48, the temperature at which the user does not feel discomfort associated with the cool feeling in about 4 seconds even in winter. Thus, the temperature of the seating section 25 can be increased, and the toilet seat can be used comfortably.

  When the infrared sensor 26 detects that the user is not in the toilet, the control unit 46 drives the geared motor 43 that is a rotating means to keep the toilet seat 23 in a closed state. As a matter of course, the control unit 46 determines that the user is not in the toilet after confirming that there is no human body detection signal from the infrared sensor 26 for a predetermined time in order to prevent malfunction.

  When the lamp heater 29 is energized while the toilet seat 23 is open, the temperature at the front end of the toilet seat 23 located above the toilet seat 23 is open due to the influence of convection generated inside the toilet seat 23. It becomes higher compared with other places, and the reliability and durability of the lamp heater 29 are impaired. Further, when the filament 33 of the lamp heater 29 is held in the vertical direction, a partial stress is applied due to the influence of gravity, and the reliability and durability of the lamp heater 29 are also impaired by energizing in this state. End up. In addition, not only lamp heaters, but even general heating elements, when placed in the vertical direction and energized, partial temperature variations occur due to convection and other factors, and their reliability and durability are impaired. This is a well-known fact. Furthermore, temperature variation also occurs in the seating portion 25, leading to the user feeling uncomfortable.

  By detecting that the user is not in the toilet with the infrared sensor 26 and keeping the toilet seat 23 in a substantially horizontal closed state, the above-described problems can be avoided.

  In the present embodiment, the first urging means 47 and the first applied power control means 48 have been described independently from the control unit 46 in order to make the description easy to understand. The urging means 47 and the first applied power control means 48 are included, the first urging means 47 includes the function of the first applied power control means 48, and vice versa. May be. That is, even if any of these does not exist, it is clear that the same effect can be obtained if these functions are fulfilled, and the effect of the invention is not limited by this configuration.

In the present embodiment, the rotation detecting means 44 is configured to detect whether the toilet seat 23 is statically open or closed and the control unit 46 performs control. The controller 46 may perform the same control by detecting whether the toilet seat is dynamically opening or closing based on a signal from the motion detection unit 44. In this way, by detecting and controlling the dynamic state of the toilet seat 23, it is possible to perform accurate control with less error and to obtain the same effect as described above.

  In the present embodiment, the rotation state of the toilet seat 23 is detected by a signal from the rotation detection unit 44 and the control unit 46 performs various controls. However, the geared motor 43 which is a rotation unit is used. For example, when a switch for manually operating the device is provided on a remote controller provided in the sanitary washing device, the same control may be performed based on the operation signal. Further, if the control unit 46 is configured to perform control based on both the operation signal for the rotation means and the signal from the rotation detection means 44, it is easy to perform more prompt and accurate control. Can be considered.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the infrared sensor 26 as the human body detection means is provided in the main body sleeve portion 22b. However, for example, a remote controller provided in the sanitary washing device or an independent human body detection unit is provided separately. If it comprises, since a user's entrance to a toilet can be detected rapidly, it will be appreciated that the temperature rise of the seating portion 25 is completed quickly and the usability is further improved. In particular, since the toilet door has a variety of positional relationships with the toilet bowl, a small human body detection unit (not shown) having human body detection means such as an infrared sensor 26 is configured, and this is used as a toilet. If it is arranged in front of the door or the like, it can be detected that the user enters the room at the moment when the door is opened, and the probability that the temperature of the seating section 25 is completed before the user is seated increases.

  In this embodiment, the lamp heater 29 has been described as an example of the heating element. However, this is only an example, and a general tubing heater (not shown) or sheathed heater (not shown) 11, an expanded metal type heating element as shown in FIG. 11, a flat heater in which a metal foil as shown in FIG. 12 is patterned and covered with an insulating film, and a heater having PTC characteristics (not shown) However, it goes without saying that the same effects as those of the inventions described so far can be obtained if the heat capacity can be reduced and the temperature rise characteristics can be improved. For example, if the tubing heater is applied, using a material with excellent heat resistance and insulation for the coating, and if the coating thickness is made as thin as possible, the temperature of the heater wire itself is very fast, It is possible to ensure a temperature rise performance that is not inferior to that of a lamp heater. If any of the heating elements listed here is used, all of them are superior in impact resistance as compared with the lamp heater, so that a heated toilet seat with excellent reliability and durability can be provided.

  In this embodiment, a description has been given of a configuration using a 100 V power source supplied from a general household outlet. However, a 200 V power source is used in an all-electric house that is increasing in recent years. If possible, a rated capacity of the heating element of 2000 to 3000 W class can be adopted, and the temperature rising rate of the seating portion can be increased faster, for example, to about 10 K / second. In this case, even in an extreme case where the temperature in the toilet room is lower than 0 ° C. in the severe winter season, the seating portion 25 is close to the user's body temperature rather than the temperature at which the user does not feel a sensation after entering the room. Needless to say, the temperature can be surely raised to a comfortable temperature, and the comfort, convenience, and energy saving of toilet seat heating are further improved. Moreover, if it is configured to be compatible with a 200V power supply, comfortable toilet seat heating can be realized even in regions where 200V class power supplies are common, especially in regions where winter cold is severe compared to Japan.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of a heating toilet seat according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a heating method of the heating toilet seat. Those denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment perform the same operation and action, and description thereof will be omitted, and only configurations different from those in the first embodiment will be described. In FIG. 13 , the lamp heater 29, which is the first heating element and the radiation type heating element described in the first embodiment, is provided inside the toilet seat 23, and the heater wire is heat-resistant on the back surface of the seating section 25. A tubing heater 52, which is a second heat generating element that is insulated and coated with vinyl chloride, silicon, or the like and is a heat conduction type heat generating element, is laid. In addition to the first urging means 48 and the first applied power control means, the control unit 46 controls the second urging means 47 and the infrared sensor 26 for controlling the energization of the tubing heater 52 by the signal from the infrared sensor 26. A second applied power control means 54 is provided for controlling the temperature of the tubing heater 52 so that the temperature of the seating portion 25 as a warming surface becomes a predetermined temperature by taking in signals from the motion detection means 44 and the thermistor 41b. .

  With this configuration, the portion corresponding to the temperature-sensitive thigh is heated by the rapid heating type lamp heater 29 to be quickly heated, and the collar portion insensitive to the temperature is heated by the tubing heater 52. The tube heater 52 is inferior in quick warmth but has good temperature uniformity, and therefore heats a portion that is relatively insensitive to temperature and a portion that is difficult to be heated by the lamp heater 29. Since the lamp heater 29 and the tubing heater 52 have different heating characteristics, the lamp heater 29 is controlled by the first urging means 47 and the first applied power control means 48, and the tubing heater 52 is the second attachment. Heating control is performed by the biasing means 53 and the second applied power control means 54.

  In FIG. 10, when the seating portion 25 is equal to or lower than the temperature T1, the tubing heater 52 is not immediately warmed, so that the seating portion 25 corresponding to the tubing heater 52 is held at T1. Further, when the temperature of the seating portion 25 is equal to or lower than T2, the temperature is kept at T2 in order to ensure immediate warming at the seating portion 25 corresponding to the lamp heater 29. Therefore, when the temperature of the seating portion 25 is equal to or higher than T1, the first applied power control means 48 and the second applied power control means do not operate, and when the temperature of the seating portion 25 is equal to or higher than T2 and equal to or lower than T1, the second applied power is not applied. Only the power control means 54 is operated, and the seating portion 25 corresponding to the tubing heater 52 is held at T1, and when the temperature of the seating portion 25 is T2 or less, the second applied power control means 54 uses the tubing heater 52. The seating portion 25 corresponding to the lamp heater 29 is held at T1, and the first applied power control means 48 holds the seating portion 25 corresponding to the lamp heater 29 at T2.

  When a person is detected by the infrared sensor 26, it is applied to the first urging means 47 to raise the temperature of the seating portion 25 in a short time. At the same time, it is applied to the second urging means 53. At this time, when the toilet seat is opened, it is detected by the rotation detecting means 44. For example, it is determined that the seat is not seated as in the case of a boy's urine, and the energization to the lamp heater 29 and the tubing heater 52 is stopped once. When the temperature decreases to the temperature T1, the first applied power control means 48 and the second applied power control means 54 hold the temperature T1. Here, if the toilet seat is closed, it is detected by the rotation detecting means 44, and it is determined that the seat is seated, and the first applied power control means 48 and the second applied power control means 54 are used to make the seat 25 normal. The temperature is kept at the temperature T0.

  As described above, by using different types of heaters, the heating method can be changed appropriately according to the part of the seating part, or the heating element can be properly used according to the time series. Comfortable heating is obtained. In the above example, a place where the temperature sensitivity of the human body is high and the contact area is large and a place where the contact area is not provided are shown with different heating methods. However, the lamp heater 29 and the tubing heater 52 are provided in combination. Heating the seating portion 25 in a short time by radiation of the heater 29 and uniform heat retention after that by heat conduction of the tubing heater 52 makes it possible to perform appropriate heating according to the purpose.

  In the present embodiment, the lamp heater 29, which is a radiant heating element, has been described as an example of the first heating element, but nothing is limited to a lamp heater or a radiant heater. Needless to say, the effect similar to that described so far can be obtained by the rapid heating type heating element as in the first mode.

In the present embodiment, a tubing heater which is a heat conduction type heating element has been described as an example of the second heating element. However, patterning and rated capacity are the same even though the method is the same as that of the first heating element. It goes without saying that the same effect as described above can be obtained by combining the different heating elements. As the second heating element, a flat heater in which a thin metal plate is patterned and both surfaces are covered with an insulating film, a heater having PTC characteristics, or the like can be used.

  In the present embodiment, different parts are heated by a plurality of heating elements, but for example, by arranging to heat the same part and properly using them in time series, quick warming and soaking properties are improved. It goes without saying that various applications can be made depending on the characteristics of the heating element, such as achieving compatibility.

  Further, since the human sense of temperature varies to some extent, the temperatures of T0, T1, and T2 described above may have a certain range so that the user can set them. In addition, when emphasizing energy saving, it is possible to configure so that the user does not manually select the heat retention mode. Furthermore, it is possible to select not to perform the heat retention in a time zone in which it is known that the toilet is not used in daily life.

  As described above, the heating toilet seat of the present invention and the sanitary washing apparatus equipped with the same use a high-temperature heating type heating element, detect the human body by the human body detection means, and then start heating the toilet seat. When the toilet seat is flipped up and only the temperature of the toilet seat is kept warm according to the set conditions, energy-saving and comfortable heating can be realized. It can be applied as a heating technology.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sanitary washing device provided with a heating toilet seat according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Perspective view of the sanitary washing device Plan view showing a part of the heated toilet seat cut away Time chart from user entering the toilet to sitting Cross-sectional view of the main part of the seating part of the heated toilet seat Characteristic diagram showing the heating principle of the heated toilet seat The block diagram of one Example of the rotation detection means of the heating toilet seat The block diagram of the Example of another rotation detection means of the heating toilet seat Evaluation results for seating temperature and comfort Flow chart showing the heating method of the heating toilet seat Configuration diagram of another heating element of the heated toilet seat Configuration diagram of yet another heating element of the heating toilet seat Schematic configuration diagram of a heating toilet seat in Embodiment 2 of the present invention Flow chart showing the heating method of the heating toilet seat Schematic illustration of a conventional heated toilet seat

20 Sanitary washing device 23 Toilet seat 25 Seating part (warming part)
26 Infrared sensor (human body detection means)
27 Cavity 29a, 29b Lamp heater (radiant heating element)
38 Transmitter (radiation transmitting material)
41a, 41b thermistor (temperature detection means)
43 Geared motor (turning means)
44 Rotation detection means 44a Rotation detection means (micro switch)
44b Rotation detection means (potentiostat)
46 Control Unit 47 First Energizing Unit 48 First Applied Power Control Unit 52 Thermal Conductive Heating Element 53 Second Energizing Unit 54 Second Applied Power Control Unit

Claims (4)

A pivotable toilet seat;
A heating element for heating the toilet seat;
A seating portion of the toilet seat;
Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the seating portion;
A control unit for controlling the heating element according to a signal from the temperature detection means;
Human body detection means for outputting a detection signal when detecting a human body;
An urging means for the heating element that operates by a signal output from the human body detecting means;
Rotation detection means for detecting the rotation state of the toilet seat;
Applied power control means for controlling the applied power to the heating element by detecting a change in the rotation state of the toilet seat by an output change of the rotation detection means;
A heating toilet seat having
When the control unit determines that the toilet seat is in the middle of opening operation by the output of the rotation detection unit after detecting the human body by the human body detection unit, the control unit stops the applied power of the applied power control unit or normally A heating toilet seat with heat-retaining power that maintains a first heat-retaining temperature that is equal to or lower than the heat-retaining temperature during use. The heating toilet seat according to claim 1, further comprising a rotating means for rotating the toilet seat, wherein the toilet seat is set at a substantially horizontal position when there is no human body detection signal from the human body detecting means. The heating toilet seat according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the heating element has a rated capacity of 1500 W or less and is configured to be able to raise the temperature of the seating portion at least at 1 K or more per second. The sanitary washing apparatus using the heating toilet seat of any one of Claims 1-3 .

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