JP5641212B2 - Heating toilet seat device - Google Patents

Description

  The aspect of this invention is related with the heating toilet seat apparatus which can warm the toilet seat provided in a toilet bowl.

  Generally, the seat surface of the toilet seat is made of resin such as PP (polypropylene), so the user feels cold when sitting on a cool toilet seat when the temperature is low, such as in winter. There is. Therefore, there is a heated toilet seat device that can warm the toilet seat. In such a heated toilet seat device, various proposals have been made in order to increase the temperature of the toilet seat quickly, save energy, and improve safety.

  For example, a heated toilet seat has been proposed in which the seating surface of the toilet seat is quickly heated using the principle of induction heating to reduce standby power. In induction heating, a magnetic field is generated by passing a high-frequency current through an induction heating coil, and the conductor generates heat due to an eddy current generated when the magnetic field passes through the conductor. As such a heating toilet seat, an induction heating power source that outputs an alternating voltage, a heating excitation coil that generates a magnetic field by a current from the induction heating power source, and an induction current that is induced by a magnetic field generated from the heating excitation coil A heating toilet seat comprising a heating element that generates heat due to the heating toilet seat is characterized in that the heating element is provided on or near the surface of the toilet seat (Patent Document 1).

  However, in the heating toilet seat described in Patent Document 1, if a crack occurs in the heating element, the flow of the induced current is inhibited. If it does so, there exists a possibility that an induced current may concentrate on the edge part of a crack and a seating surface may overheat locally. Thereby, temperature unevenness may occur, and the seating comfort of the toilet seat may be deteriorated. In this regard, Patent Document 1 has room for improvement.

JP 11-299704 A

  The present invention has been made on the basis of recognition of such problems, and for example, induction heating type heating toilet seat apparatus that can suppress local overheating and maintain a sitting comfort even if damage such as a crack occurs in a conductor. The purpose is to provide.

First invention comprises a toilet seat, and the induction heating coil Ru to generate a magnetic field by the supplied high-frequency current, a heating unit provided in the toilet seat, said induction heating coil is inductively heated by a magnetic field which is generated a plurality of annular conductors that are heating toilet seat apparatus characterized by comprising a heat generating unit having an insulating portion having a sandwiched by insulating members between adjacent said electrical conductors to each other.

According to this heating toilet seat device, the heat generating part has a plurality of annular conductors and an insulating part sandwiched between conductors adjacent to each other. Therefore, the amount of eddy current flowing through each conductor is smaller. For this reason, even if damage such as a crack occurs in a part of the conductor, the amount of eddy current concentrated at the end of the damage can be further reduced. Alternatively, as damage progresses from one end of a conductor to the other, eddy currents do not flow through the damaged conductor. Thereby, it can suppress that a conductor overheats locally. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress the seating surface of the toilet seat from being locally overheated or causing temperature unevenness on the seating surface, thereby maintaining the comfort of the toilet seat.
Moreover, according to this heating toilet seat apparatus, an insulating part has an insulating member. That is, an insulating member is sandwiched between adjacent conductors instead of a gap. Therefore, the heat generated in the region of the damaged end is more easily diffused to the surroundings through the insulating member than when the insulating portion has a gap. Thereby, it can suppress that the conductor in the area | region of the edge part of a damage overheats locally.
In addition, since an insulating member is sandwiched between adjacent conductors, even if damage progresses from one end to the other end of one conductor, the adjacent conductors are prevented from contacting each other. be able to. Therefore, insulation between each conductor can be ensured. Thereby, it can suppress that a conductor overheats locally.

In addition, a second invention is the heating toilet seat device according to the first invention, further comprising an insulating reinforcing material that supports the plurality of annular conductors from below.

  According to the heating toilet seat device, the insulating reinforcing material that supports the plurality of annular conductors from below is provided. Therefore, the insulating reinforcing material can suppress deformation of the heat generating portion having a plurality of annular conductors, and can suppress deformation of the toilet seat. Further, the insulating reinforcing material can more reliably integrate the conductor and the insulating portion.

  According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided an induction heating type heated toilet seat device that can suppress local overheating and maintain a sitting comfort even if damage such as a crack occurs in a conductor.

It is a perspective schematic diagram which illustrates the toilet apparatus provided with the heating toilet seat apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a plane schematic diagram showing the toilet seat of this embodiment. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the toilet seat of this embodiment. It is a plane schematic diagram showing the toilet seat of this embodiment. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram for demonstrating the eddy current which arises in the conductor of this embodiment. It is a plane schematic diagram for demonstrating the eddy current which flows through the conductor of the heating toilet seat apparatus concerning the comparative example of this embodiment. It is a plane schematic diagram for demonstrating the specific example of the eddy current which flows through the conductor of this embodiment. It is a plane schematic diagram for demonstrating the other specific example of the eddy current which flows through the conductor of this embodiment. It is a plane schematic diagram which illustrates the modification of the heat generating part of this embodiment. It is a plane schematic diagram which illustrates the modification of the induction heating coil of this embodiment. It is a plane schematic diagram which illustrates the specific example of the insulation part of this embodiment. It is a plane schematic diagram which illustrates the comparative example in which an insulation part has a space | gap. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which illustrates the modification of the toilet seat of this embodiment. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which illustrates the other modification of the toilet seat of this embodiment. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which illustrates the toilet seat of the heating toilet seat apparatus concerning the comparative example of this embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a toilet apparatus including a heated toilet seat apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

  The toilet device shown in FIG. 1 includes a Western-style seat toilet 800 and a heated toilet seat device 100 provided thereon. The heating toilet seat device 100 includes a casing 400, a toilet seat 200, and a toilet lid 300. The toilet seat 200 and the toilet lid 300 are pivotally supported with respect to the casing 400 so as to be freely opened and closed. The toilet lid 300 can cover the toilet seat 200 in the closed state.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view illustrating the toilet seat according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the toilet seat of the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the toilet seat according to the present embodiment as viewed from above. Further, in the toilet seat 200 shown in FIG. 2, the skin material 240 that covers the heat generating portion 230 is omitted. Further, FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a cutting plane AA shown in FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the toilet seat 200 includes a casing 210 that forms the outer shape of the toilet seat 200. The casing 210 is formed of an insulating material such as resin. Inside the casing 210 of the toilet seat 200 are provided an induction heating coil 222 that generates a magnetic field when energized with a high-frequency current, and a support 280 that supports the induction heating coil 222. The induction heating coil 222 is connected to a high-frequency power supply circuit (not shown) by, for example, a litz wire having a structure in which a plurality of individually insulated conductor wires are twisted together.

  In addition, although the induction heating coil 222 represented in FIG. 3 is supported by the support body 280, the installation form of the induction heating coil 222 is not limited to this. The induction heating coil 222 may be attached to the upper surface (inner surface facing the seating surface) 210a of the toilet seat 200 without being supported by the support body 280, for example.

  Further, the toilet seat 200 is provided with a heat generating portion 230 that is induction-heated by a magnetic field generated from the induction heating coil 222. The heat generating part 230 includes a conductor 231 and an insulating part 233. As shown in FIG. 2, the conductor 231 and the insulating portion 233 have an annular shape that follows the shape of the opening 201 of the toilet seat 200. As shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of annular conductors 231 are concentrically attached to the upper surface of the casing 210 of the toilet seat 200.

  As the conductor 231, for example, a metal such as a ferromagnetic material such as iron or stainless steel or a paramagnetic material such as aluminum can be used. In order to make it difficult to emit a magnetic field to the outside of the toilet seat 200, it is more preferable to use a ferromagnetic material such as iron or stainless steel having a large electric resistance for the conductor 231.

  The insulating part 233 is sandwiched between the conductors 231 adjacent to each other. A specific example of the insulating portion 233 will be described in detail later.

  A skin material 240 is provided above and to the side of the heat generating portion 230. The skin material 240 covers the heat generating part 230 and prevents the human body and the heat generating part 230 from coming into direct contact. The skin material 240 may be an insulating member having an insulating property, or may be a coating or coating applied to the surface of the heat generating portion 230.

  In the toilet seat 200 shown in FIG. 3, the heat generating portion 230 is attached to the upper surface of the casing 210 of the toilet seat 200, but the installation form of the heat generating portion 230 is not limited to this.

  In this embodiment, the case where the induction heating coil 222 is provided inside the toilet seat 200 is described as an example, but the installation form of the induction heating coil 222 is not limited to this. The induction heating coil 222 may be provided inside the toilet lid 300. Even in this case, in the state where the toilet lid 300 is closed or the toilet seat 200 and the toilet lid 300 are opened, the heat generating unit 230 can generate heat due to the eddy current induced by the magnetic field generated from the induction heating coil 222. .

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating the toilet seat according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the eddy current generated in the conductor of the present embodiment.
In the toilet seat 200 shown in FIG. 4, the skin material 240 and the heat generating portion 230 are omitted. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the cutting plane BB shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the induction heating coil 222 is wound and disposed so as to follow the shape of the opening 201 of the toilet seat 200 as shown in FIG. When a high frequency current flows through the induction heating coil 222, a magnetic field 501 is generated around the induction heating coil 222 as shown in FIG. When a magnetic field 501 is generated around the induction heating coil 222, an eddy current 503 induced by the magnetic field 501 flows through the conductor 231 as indicated by arrows in FIGS. The conductor 231 generates heat due to Joule heat generated when the eddy current 503 flows through the conductor 231.

  According to the present embodiment, the heating toilet seat device 100 can rapidly heat the seating surface of the toilet seat 200 by using the principle of induction heating, and the seating surface can be appropriately heated earlier. Moreover, since the heating toilet seat apparatus 100 concerning this embodiment can heat the seating surface of the toilet seat 200 rapidly, when the user is not using the toilet seat 200, it is not necessary to keep the toilet seat 200 warm. Therefore, energy saving can be achieved.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view for explaining the eddy current flowing through the conductor of the heating toilet seat device according to the comparative example of the present embodiment.
In the following FIGS. 6 to 13, for convenience of explanation, the skin material 240 will be omitted as appropriate.
The toilet seat 200a of the heating toilet seat device according to this comparative example includes a conductor 231a as in the toilet seat 200 of the present embodiment. However, the conductor 231a of this comparative example does not have an annular shape like the toilet seat 200 of this embodiment. Further, the plurality of conductors 231a are not necessarily provided. Therefore, the insulating part is not provided in this comparative example.

  For example, when damage 511 such as a crack occurs in the conductor 231a, the flow of the eddy current 503 is hindered by the damage 511 as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. Then, the eddy current 503 flows avoiding the portion of the damage 511 and concentrates on the end portion of the damage 511. Therefore, the conductor 231a in the region A1 at the end of the damage 511 is locally overheated. As a result, the seating surface of the toilet seat 200 is locally overheated, temperature unevenness occurs on the seating surface, and the seating comfort of the toilet seat may be deteriorated.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, a plurality of annular conductors 231 are provided, and an insulating portion 233 is sandwiched between the conductors 231 adjacent to each other. Therefore, it can suppress that the conductor 231a overheats locally. This will be further described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view for explaining a specific example of the eddy current flowing through the conductor according to the present embodiment.
As described above with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, an eddy current 503 induced by the magnetic field 501 flows through the conductor 231. At this time, in the present embodiment, a plurality of annular conductors 231 are provided, and the insulating portion 233 is sandwiched between the conductors 231 adjacent to each other. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the eddy current 503 flows in each conductor 231 and does not flow to other adjacent conductors 231.

  Thus, the amount of eddy current 503 flowing through each conductor 231 is smaller than the amount of eddy current 503 flowing through the conductor 231a of the comparative example described above with reference to FIG. Therefore, even if damage 512 such as a crack occurs in a part of the conductor 231, the amount of eddy current 503 concentrated on the end of the damage 512 is reduced to the amount of eddy current 503 concentrated on the end of the damage 511 described above with reference to FIG. Can be kept smaller than the amount of.

  Therefore, local overheating of the conductor 231 in the region A2 at the end of the damage 512 can be suppressed. Thereby, it can suppress that the seating surface of the toilet seat 200 overheats locally, or temperature unevenness arises in a seating surface, and can maintain the seating comfort of a toilet seat.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view for explaining another specific example of the eddy current flowing through the conductor of the present embodiment.
The damage 512 described above with reference to FIG. 7 occurs in a part of the conductor 231. On the other hand, the damage 513 shown in FIG. 8 progresses from one end of one conductor 231 to the other end. As a result, one conductor 231 is torn.

  In this case, the eddy current 503 does not flow through the broken conductor 231. For this reason, the broken conductor 231 does not generate heat. Thereby, even if the damage 513 progresses from one end of the conductor 231 to the other end, the conductor 231 can be prevented from being overheated locally. In addition, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of temperature unevenness on the seating surface and maintain the sitting comfort of the toilet seat.

  On the other hand, the other conductor 231 in which the damage 513 has not occurred does not locally overheat. Further, the eddy current 503 flows through the other conductors 231 as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. Therefore, the other conductors 231 generate heat similarly to the case where the damage 513 has not occurred. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the decrease in the overall temperature of the conductor 231. Thereby, it can suppress to the minimum that the temperature of the whole toilet seat 200 falls.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view illustrating a modification of the heat generating portion of the present embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view illustrating a modification of the induction heating coil according to this embodiment. In the toilet seat 200b shown in FIG. 10, the conductor 231b and the insulating portion 233b are omitted.

  In the toilet seat 200 described above with reference to FIG. 2, the conductor 231 has an annular shape that follows the shape of the opening 201 of the toilet seat 200. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the conductor 231b of this modification has an independent ring around the opening 201 of the toilet seat 200b, and has a ring that follows the shape of the opening 201. I'm not doing it. Around the opening 201 of the toilet seat 200b, the plurality of annular conductors 231b and the plurality of insulating parts 233b sandwiched between the conductors 231b adjacent to each other are integrated to form one heat generation group 235b. doing.

  Further, a plurality of heat generation groups 235 b are provided over the entire seating surface of the toilet seat 200. The heat generating part 230b of this modification includes a plurality of heat generating groups 235b and a conductor 231b provided around the plurality of heat generating groups 235b.

  In the case of this modification, the induction heating coil 222b has an annular shape that conforms to the shapes of the conductor 231b and the insulating portion 233b, as shown in FIG. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 3, the induction heating coil 222b is supported by the support 280, and is provided below the conductor 231b and the insulating portion 233b and inside the toilet seat 200b.

  Also in this modification, the principle of induction heating is used, the seating surface of the toilet seat 200b can be heated rapidly, and the seating surface can be brought to an appropriate temperature earlier. Further, as described above with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, even if damage such as a crack occurs in the conductor 231b, the amount of the eddy current 503 concentrated on the end of the damage can be further reduced. Thereby, it can suppress that the seating surface of the toilet seat 200b overheats locally, or temperature unevenness arises in a seating surface, and can maintain the seating comfort of a toilet seat. Alternatively, a decrease in the overall temperature of the toilet seat 200 can be minimized.

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view illustrating a specific example of the insulating portion of this embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view illustrating a comparative example in which the insulating portion has a gap.
Note that FIG. 12A is a schematic plan view illustrating the case where damage occurs in a part of the conductor, and FIG. 12B shows that damage has progressed from one end of the conductor to the other end. It is a plane schematic diagram which illustrates a case.

  In the toilet seat 200c of this specific example, the insulating portion 233 includes an insulating member 237. The insulating member 237 has insulating properties and is sandwiched between the conductors 231 adjacent to each other. The rest of the toilet seat 200c has the same structure as the toilet seat 200 described above with reference to FIGS.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 12A, when the insulating portion 233 has the gap 239 instead of the insulating member 237, the heat generated in the region A3 at the end of the damage 514 is transmitted to the surroundings. Hateful. That is, when the insulating portion 233 is formed of air having a relatively high heat insulating property, the amount of heat released to the insulating portion 233 in the region A3 is such that the insulating portion 233 has the insulating member 237. Smaller than the case. For this reason, the conductor 231 in the region A3 at the end of the damage 514 may locally overheat.

  Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 12B, when the damage 515 progresses from one end of one conductor 231 to the other end, the conductor 231 in which the damage 515 has occurred is adjacent to another adjacent conductor 231. May come into contact with. Then, the eddy current 503 may concentrate in the region A4 where the conductors 231 adjacent to each other are in contact with each other. Therefore, the conductor 231 in the region A4 where the conductors 231 adjacent to each other are in contact with each other may locally overheat.

  On the other hand, in this specific example, the insulating member 237 is interposed between the conductors 231 adjacent to each other. Therefore, the heat generated in the region A3 at the end of the damage 514 (see FIG. 12A) is more easily diffused to the periphery through the insulating member 237 than when the insulating portion 233 has the gap 239. Thereby, it can suppress that the conductor 231 in area | region A3 of the edge part of the damage 514 overheats locally.

  Further, since the insulating member 237 is sandwiched between the conductors 231 adjacent to each other, even if the damage 515 proceeds from one end of the conductor 231 to the other end (see FIG. 12B), The conductors 231 adjacent to each other can be prevented from contacting each other. Therefore, insulation between the respective conductors 231 can be ensured. Thereby, it can suppress that the conductor 231 overheats locally.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a modified example of the toilet seat of this embodiment.
Note that FIG. 13 corresponds to a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a cutting plane BB shown in FIG.
In this modification, an insulating reinforcing material 250 is attached below the conductor 231. The insulating reinforcing material 250 has insulating properties and can support the conductor 231 from below. The insulating reinforcing material 250 is made of, for example, resin. Therefore, the insulating reinforcing material 250 can suppress the deformation of the heat generating portion 230 having the plurality of conductors 231 and can suppress the deformation of the toilet seat 200. Further, the insulating reinforcing member 250 can more reliably integrate the conductor 231 and the insulating portion 233.

FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another modification of the toilet seat of this embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the toilet seat of the heating toilet seat device according to the comparative example of this embodiment.
14 and 15 correspond to schematic cross-sectional views taken along the cutting plane AA shown in FIG.
In this modification, an insulating surface material 245 is attached to the upper surfaces of the conductor 231 and the insulating portion 233. The insulating surface material 245 has an insulating property and can cover the conductor 231 and the insulating portion 233.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 15A, when the insulating surface material 245 is not provided, for example, a droplet 530 such as urine or detergent may adhere to the insulating portion 233. As a result, the eddy current 503 may flow to another adjacent conductor 231 via the droplet 530. In this case, a larger eddy current 503 flows across the plurality of conductors 231. Therefore, when the conductor 231 is damaged, the conductor 231 may locally overheat.

  Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 15B, a human body such as a buttocks may contact the insulating portion 233. Then, the eddy current 503 may flow to another adjacent conductor 231 through the human body. As a result, the same action as described above with reference to FIG.

  On the other hand, in this specific example, an insulating surface material 245 is attached to the upper surfaces of the conductor 231 and the insulating portion 233. Therefore, the droplet 530 and the human body 540 are not in direct contact with the conductor 231. Further, even if the droplet 530 or the human body 540 adheres to or contacts the periphery of the insulating portion 233, an insulating surface material 245 having an insulating property is provided between the droplet 530 and the human body 540 and the conductor 231. Intervene. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the eddy current 503 from flowing to the other adjacent conductor 231 via the droplet 530 or the human body 540. Thereby, even if the conductor 231 is damaged, the conductor 231 can be prevented from being locally heated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the heat generating unit 230 includes the plurality of annular conductors 231. Moreover, the heat generating part 230 includes an insulating part 233 sandwiched between conductors 231 adjacent to each other. The conductor 231 and the insulating part 233 are integrated. As a result, the amount of eddy current 503 flowing through each conductor 231 is smaller. Therefore, even if damage 512 such as a crack occurs in part of the conductor 231, the amount of eddy current 503 concentrated on the end of the damage 512 can be further reduced. Alternatively, when the damage 513 progresses from one end of the conductor 231 to the other end, the eddy current 503 does not flow to the conductor 231 in which the damage 513 occurs. According to this, it can suppress that the conductor 231 overheats locally. Furthermore, the seating surface of the toilet seat 200 can be prevented from being locally overheated, or temperature unevenness can be prevented from occurring on the seating surface, and the sitting comfort of the toilet seat can be maintained.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. As long as the features of the present invention are provided, those skilled in the art appropriately modified the design of the above-described embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention. For example, the shape, size, material, arrangement, etc. of each element included in the toilet seat 200 and the like, the installation form of the conductor 231, the insulating portion 233, and the induction heating coil 222 are not limited to those illustrated, but are appropriately changed. be able to.
Moreover, each element with which each embodiment mentioned above is provided can be combined as long as technically possible, and the combination of these is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as it includes the features of the present invention.

  100 Heating Toilet Seat Device, 200, 200a, 200b, 200c Toilet Seat, 201 Opening, 210 Housing, 210a Top View, 222, 222b Induction Heating Coil, 230, 230b Heating Part, 231, 231a, 231b Conductor, 233, 233b Insulation Part, 235b heat generation group, 237 insulating member, 239 gap, 240 skin material, 245 insulating surface material, 250 insulating reinforcing material, 280 support, 300 toilet lid, 400 casing, 501 magnetic field, 503 eddy current, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515 Damage, 530 droplet, 540 human body, 800 Western-style sitting toilet

Claims (2)

Toilet seat and
An induction heating coil Ru to generate a magnetic field by the supplied high frequency current,
A heat generating portion provided in the toilet seat, wherein an insulating member sandwiched between a plurality of annular conductors that are induction-heated by a magnetic field generated by the induction heating coil and the conductors adjacent to each other. An insulating part, and a heating part having
Heating toilet seat apparatus comprising the. Wherein the plurality of annular conductors supporting from below, characterized in that it further comprises an insulating reinforcement material according to claim 1 Symbol placement of heating the toilet seat apparatus.

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