JP5938578B2 - Toilet seat device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a toilet seat device that is integrally provided with a human body detection sensor in a remote controller.

  Conventionally, toilet seat devices equipped with this type of mote controller are equipped with a remote controller that is installed on the wall surface of the toilet room separately from the toilet seat body, and various functions of the toilet seat device are provided in front of the remote controller. A human body detection sensor for detecting a human body close to the toilet seat device, including an operation switch to be operated, a signal light emitting unit that transmits an operation signal to the main body, a light emitting element that emits infrared light, and a light receiving element that receives infrared light reflected by the human body (For example, refer patent document 1).

  FIG. 10 shows a remote controller of a conventional toilet seat device described in Patent Document 1. In FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of operation switches 3 are provided on the front surface 2 of the remote controller 1, a signal light emitting unit 4 that transmits an operation signal to the main body below the front surface 2, and a human body detection that detects a nearby human body. A sensor 5 is arranged.

JP-A-6-142008

  However, in the conventional configuration, the human body detection sensor is installed on the same surface as the surface of the remote controller, and the detection range of the human body detection sensor is limited to a narrow range.

  The remote controller is used by installing it on the wall of the toilet room. The installation wall varies depending on the entrance of the toilet room and the layout of the windows. Installed.

  As for the selection condition of the installation position of the remote controller, it is the highest priority that the user seated on the toilet seat device is easy to operate, and when it is installed in such a position, the human body detection sensor entered the toilet room When the human body cannot be detected, or when it can be detected only when it is very close to the toilet seat device, it may not be suitable as the installation position of the human body detection sensor, and the optimal installation position of the remote controller may not be provided However, there was still room for improvement in terms of usability.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides a toilet seat device equipped with an easy-to-use remote controller by increasing the degree of freedom of the installation position of the remote controller by expanding the detection range of the human body detection sensor. The purpose is to do.

In order to solve the conventional problems, a toilet seat device of the present invention includes a main body installed on a toilet and incorporating a plurality of electric functions, and a remote controller that operates the electric functions separately from the main body, The remote controller includes a human body detection sensor that detects a human body approaching the remote controller. The human body detection sensor includes a pyroelectric sensor having a light receiving surface that receives infrared light, and an infrared light that is disposed in front of the light receiving surface and radiates from the human body. And a mirror having a reflecting surface for reflecting the light to the light receiving surface, the light receiving surface is disposed inward from the outer surface of the remote controller, and a part of the reflecting surface is disposed outward from the surface of the outer surface. The mirror includes a cylindrical reflection tube and a support portion that supports the reflection tube. The reflection surface is formed by the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the reflection tube, and the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface are outward. From inward Is formed by the inclined surfaces of the narrowing substantially conically shaped I, the outer peripheral surface is characterized in that formed in the steep than the inner circumferential surface.

  As a result, the infrared ray emitted from the human body can be directly received by the light receiving surface of the pyroelectric sensor, and the infrared ray emitted from the human body can be reflected by the reflecting surface of the mirror, thereby expanding the light receiving range. Therefore, the range of human body detection can be expanded.

  The toilet seat device of the present invention can improve usability by increasing the degree of freedom of the installation position of the remote controller.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the toilet seat apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention The block diagram of the control system of the toilet seat apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the remote controller in Embodiment 1 of this invention The front view of the state which open | released the front panel of the remote controller in Embodiment 1 of this invention AA sectional view shown in FIG. BB sectional view shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows the detail of the human body detection sensor in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the detection range of the vertical direction of the human body detection sensor in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the detection range of the horizontal direction of the human body detection sensor in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the remote controller of the conventional toilet seat apparatus

A first invention includes a main body installed on a toilet and incorporating a plurality of electric functions, and a remote controller that operates the electric functions separately from the main body, and the remote controller is connected to the remote controller. A human body detection sensor for detecting an approaching human body, wherein the human body detection sensor is disposed in front of the light receiving surface, and includes a pyroelectric sensor having a light receiving surface for receiving infrared rays, and reflects the infrared rays emitted by the human body. A mirror having a reflecting surface for irradiating the light receiving surface, the light receiving surface is disposed inward from the outer surface of the remote controller, and a part of the reflecting surface is disposed outward from the outer surface , The mirror includes a cylindrical reflection tube and a support portion that supports the reflection tube. The reflection surface is formed by an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface of the reflection tube. The inner peripheral surface is formed by the inclined surfaces of the narrowing substantially conically shaped toward the outside inward, the outer peripheral surface is a toilet seat and wherein the formed steeper than the inner peripheral surface .

  As a result, the infrared ray emitted from the human body can be directly received by the light receiving surface of the pyroelectric sensor, and the infrared ray emitted from the human body can be reflected by the reflecting surface of the mirror, thereby expanding the light receiving range. Therefore, the range of human body detection can be expanded.

In particular , infrared light that has passed through the inside and outside of the reflecting tube can be directly received by the light receiving surface, and infrared light reflected by the reflecting surface formed on the outer peripheral surface and inner peripheral surface of the reflecting tube can also be received. The reflecting surface formed on the outer peripheral surface of the reflecting cylinder makes it possible to take infrared rays radiated from a direction close to the outer surface of the remote controller, thereby further expanding the light receiving range.

In a second aspect of the invention, particularly in the first aspect of the invention, the human body detection sensor is disposed on the front surface of the remote controller.

  As a result, it is possible to detect a human body in a range close to the wall surface of the toilet room where the remote controller is installed, and even if the remote controller is installed on any wall surface of the toilet room, the human body in the toilet room can be detected. It becomes possible.

According to a third aspect of the invention, particularly in the first or second aspect of the invention, the support portion of the mirror is integrally formed on the upper and lower portions of the reflection tube, and both side portions of the reflection tube are open.

  As a result, since the detection range of the human body detection sensor is wide in the horizontal direction with respect to the vertical direction, it becomes possible to detect a human body on a horizontal plane in a wide range where the remote controller is installed, and the human body in the toilet room can be detected. It can be detected stably.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the appearance of the toilet seat device according to the present embodiment installed on a toilet, and FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a control system.

<1> Configuration of Toilet Seat Device As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet seat device 100 includes a main body 200, a toilet lid 210, a toilet seat 220, and a remote controller 400, and the main body 200, the toilet lid 210, and the toilet seat 220 are configured integrally. It is installed on the upper surface of the toilet 110.

  In this embodiment, the installation side of the main body 200 of the toilet seat device 100 is the rear, the installation side of the toilet seat 220 is the front, the right side is the front side, the right side is the front side, and the left side is the front side. Will be explained.

  A toilet lid 210 and a toilet seat 220 are attached to the main body 200 through a toilet seat toilet lid rotating mechanism 215 so as to be opened and closed. In the state where the toilet lid 210 is opened as shown in FIG. 1, the toilet lid 210 stands so as to be positioned at the rearmost part of the toilet seat apparatus 100. When the toilet lid 210 is closed, the upper surface of the toilet seat 220 is concealed. The toilet seat 220 has a built-in toilet seat heater 221 that heats the seating surface of the toilet seat to a comfortable temperature.

  The toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism 215 includes a DC motor and a plurality of gears, and can open and close the toilet lid 210 and the toilet seat 220 individually or simultaneously.

  In the main body 200, a cleaning water supply mechanism (not shown), a heat exchanger (not shown), a cleaning mechanism 230 for cleaning a local part of the human body constituted by a cleaning nozzle 231, etc., and a local part after cleaning are provided. A drying device (not shown) for drying, a main body control unit 240 and the like are incorporated.

A cleaning nozzle 231 is installed in the lower center of the main body 200. The main structure of the cleaning mechanism 230 includes a cleaning water supply mechanism (not shown) installed in the main body 200, a heat exchanger (not shown) for heating the cleaning water, and a flow rate adjustment for adjusting the flow rate of the cleaning water. A mechanism (not shown) is connected to the cleaning nozzle 231, supplying hot water heated by a heat exchanger to the cleaning water supplied from the water pipe to the cleaning nozzle 231, and directed from the cleaning nozzle 231 toward the user's local area. Hot water is blown out to wash the user's local area.

  The washing nozzle 231 includes a butt washing nozzle part for washing the butt and a bidet nozzle part for washing a female part. The cleaning nozzle 231 includes a nozzle drive mechanism (not shown) that moves back and forth between a storage position accommodated in the main body 200 and a cleaning position that protrudes from the main body 200 and performs a cleaning operation.

  A seating detection sensor 250 is installed at a front corner portion of the main body 200. The seating detection sensor 250 is a reflective infrared sensor that detects the presence of a user on the toilet seat 220 by emitting infrared rays and receiving infrared rays reflected by the human body.

  On the right side of the main body 200, a sleeve portion 260 is formed integrally with the main body 200, and on the upper surface of the sleeve portion 260, a main body operation portion 261 and an infrared receiving portion that receives an infrared signal transmitted from the remote controller 400. The main body operation unit 261 has a power switch 261a which is the most important function of the toilet seat device 100, and an ass washing switch 261b which operates an ass washing function which is most frequently used among the washing functions. Is arranged.

  The remote controller 400 is configured separately from the main body 200, and is attached to a place such as a wall surface of a toilet room that is easy for a user sitting on the toilet seat 220 to operate. The remote controller 400 is provided with a human body detection sensor 300 for detecting a user who enters and exits the toilet room and a plurality of switch functions and display functions for operating and setting each function of the toilet seat device 100. The detailed configuration and operation of the remote controller 400 will be described later.

  When there is no user in the toilet room, the toilet seat device 100 of the present invention stops energization of the toilet seat heater 221 or keeps the temperature at a standby temperature of about 20 ° C. When the user enters the toilet room, the toilet seat heater 221 is energized by receiving a signal from the human body detection sensor 300. The toilet seat heater is a very high output heater of about 800W, and the seating surface of the toilet seat 220 is about 40 ° C. for about 6 to 10 seconds after the user enters the toilet room and sits on the toilet seat. Increase the temperature to the set temperature.

  After the toilet seat reaches the set temperature, the energization of the toilet seat heater 221 is lowered to a low wattage of about 50 W to maintain the set temperature. When the user gets out of the toilet room, the energization to the toilet seat heater is stopped or the standby temperature becomes about 20 ° C. That is, the toilet seat device greatly reduces the power when there is no user in the toilet room.

  Note that the cleaning mechanism 230 including the cleaning nozzle 231 and the drying device are not essential components of the toilet seat device 100, and may be a toilet seat device 100 that does not include these components.

<2> Operation and Action of Toilet Seat Device When the human body detection sensor 300 of the remote controller 400 detects a human body, the remote controller 400 transmits a human body detection signal from the infrared transmission unit 436 and is received by the infrared reception unit 262 of the main body 200. The detection signal is transmitted to the main body control unit 240, and the main body control unit 240 drives the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism 215 to open the toilet lid 210 and starts energization of the toilet seat heater 221 of the toilet seat 220. The temperature is raised within 10 seconds so that the seating surface of 220 is about 40 ° C. suitable for seating.

  When the user is seated on the toilet seat 220, the seating detection sensor 250 detects the seating, and the main body control unit 240 receives the seating signal, thereby operating the buttocks cleaning switch 261b of the main body 200 and the cleaning function of the remote controller 400. Is possible.

  After the user finishes the stool and finishes the local cleaning by the cleaning mechanism 230, the user stands up from the toilet seat 220 and exits the toilet room, and the human body detection signal from the human body detection sensor 300 of the remote controller 400 is transmitted. When the operation stops, the main body control unit 240 automatically closes the toilet lid 210 by driving the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism 215 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the completion of human body detection (in this embodiment, three minutes later). At the same time, the energization to the toilet seat heater 221 is stopped, and then the control is performed so that the standby temperature is maintained when the toilet seat heater 221 is lowered to the standby temperature.

  When the user is for boys, the user enters the toilet room and the user opens the toilet seat 220 with the remote controller 400 while the toilet lid 210 is opened by a signal from the human body detection sensor 300 of the remote controller 400. By performing the standing operation, the main body control unit 240 drives the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism 215 to erect the toilet seat 220, stops energization of the toilet seat heater 221, and then reduces the standby temperature to the standby temperature. Control to maintain.

  When the user finishes the boy's small business, exits the toilet room, and completes the transmission of the human body detection signal from the human body detection sensor 300 of the remote controller 400, the main body control unit 240, after a predetermined time has passed (in this embodiment 3 minutes later), the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism 215 is driven to close the toilet lid 210 and the toilet seat 220.

  The detailed configuration and operation of the remote controller 400 will be described later.

<3> Configuration of Remote Controller FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the remote controller in use, FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state in which the front panel of the remote controller is opened, and FIG. 5 is shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line AA, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line BB shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the overall shape of the remote controller 400 is formed in a thin rectangular parallelepiped, and is composed of a box-shaped remote control body 401 formed of a resin material and a front panel 402 covering the front surface of the remote control body. The front panel 402 is pivotally supported at the front lower end portion of the remote control main body 401 so as to be openable and closable, and magnets 401a provided on the left and right in the vicinity of the upper end of the remote control main body 401 and a stainless steel receiving plate provided at a corresponding position on the front panel. By 402c, it is the structure which maintains the obstruction | occlusion state of the front panel 402 using magnetic force.

  During normal use, the front panel 402 is used in a closed state as shown in FIG. 3, and when the setting of the remote controller 400 and operations that are not normally used are performed, the front panel 402 is opened as shown in FIG. To use.

  As shown in FIG. 4, an operation switch 410 and a human body detection sensor 300 that are frequently used when the toilet seat device 100 is used are mainly arranged on the front surface of the remote control main body 401, and mainly on the lower portion. A setting switch 420 for setting 100 functions and an operation switch 410 that is not normally used are arranged, and two illuminance sensors 440 that are used for non-contact operation and the same operation as for non-contact are arranged in the center. An operation switch 410 that can be operated is provided. The operation switch 410 and the setting switch 420 are tact switches that are contact switches that are operated by directly contacting the operation unit of the switch.

The operation switch 410 that can be used while the front panel 402 is closed includes a bidet cleaning switch 411 for starting local cleaning of a woman, an ass cleaning switch 412 for cleaning the buttocks, and drying of the buttocks after cleaning. A drying switch 413 to perform, a bidet washing switch 411, a buttocks washing switch 412, a stop switch 414 for stopping the operation started by the drying switch 413, a toilet seat opening switch 415 for raising the toilet seat 220, and a toilet seat closing switch for inverting the toilet seat 220 416 is arranged. The toilet seat opening switch 415 and the toilet seat closing switch 416 are disposed on the same vertical line with a space therebetween.

  Further, as the operation switch 410 that can be used only when the front panel 402 is opened, a rhythm switch 417 for changing the washing water for the buttocks washing strength and a wide for expanding the ejection range of the washing water for the buttocks washing. A switch 418 and a move switch 419 for repeatedly moving the cleaning position during cleaning back and forth are arranged.

  The setting switch 420 includes a strength switch 421 for setting the strength of the washing water during washing and the hot air temperature of the drying apparatus during drying with two switches, and a washing position for setting the washing position with two switches. A switch 422, a hot water temperature switch 423 for setting the temperature of the wash water, a toilet seat temperature switch 424 for setting the temperature of the toilet seat, and an eight-hour cut-off for reducing the standby temperature of the toilet seat 220 for eight hours at night when the toilet seat device is not used. A switch 425, a power saving switch 426 that cuts off power to the toilet seat 220 when not in use, an automatic open / close switch 427 that sets automatic opening / closing of the toilet lid 210 and the toilet seat 220, and a gesture switch that sets non-contact operation by the illuminance sensor 440 428 and a nozzle sterilization switch 429 for setting high-temperature sterilization of the nozzle.

  Further, an intensity indicator lamp 431 near the intensity switch 421, a hot water temperature indicator lamp 432 that displays the setting of the hot water temperature near the hot water temperature switch 423, and a toilet seat temperature setting near the toilet seat temperature switch 424 are set. A toilet seat temperature indicator lamp 433 for displaying and a battery indicator lamp 434 for displaying the battery consumption state are provided.

  Further, the first illuminance sensor 441 near the lower side of the toilet seat opening switch 415, the second illuminance sensor 442 near the lower side of the toilet seat closing switch 416, and a substantially intermediate position between the toilet seat opening switch 415 and the toilet seat closing switch 416. A sensor detection indicator lamp 435 is disposed on the screen. The sensor detection indicator 435 blinks when the toilet room is too dark and the illuminance sensor cannot sufficiently detect the change in illuminance, and lights up when a gesture operation is detected.

  The first illuminance sensor 441 and the second illuminance sensor 442 are used as non-contact switches. When the user moves the hand in the vicinity of the first illuminance sensor 441 and the second illuminance sensor 442, A change is detected, the direction of movement is determined, and the toilet seat 220 is raised and lowered in accordance with the movement direction.

  When the user moves his / her hand from the bottom to the top and changes in illuminance are detected in the order of the second illuminance sensor 442 to the first illuminance sensor 441, the toilet seat 220 is erected and detected in the order of the first illuminance sensor to the second illuminance sensor. If this happens, the toilet seat 220 is turned upside down.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, when the user moves his / her hand in proximity to the two illuminance sensors 440 is referred to as a gesture, and the operation by the gesture is referred to as a gesture operation.

  An infrared transmission unit 436 that transmits operation information and setting information to an infrared reception unit 262 installed on the sleeve portion 260 of the main body 200 is disposed at the upper corner portion of the remote control main body 401. The infrared transmitter 436 includes an infrared light emitting diode as a light emitting element.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the front panel 402 operates a substantially flat resin-made panel frame 402 a, a back cover 402 b, and an operation switch 410 installed on the remote control body 401 from the surface of the front panel 402. It consists of a plurality of operation buttons 403.

  In a portion corresponding to the first illuminance sensor 441, the second illuminance sensor 442, the intensity indicator lamp 431, and the battery indicator lamp 434, a transmission portion 404 formed of a transparent resin material is disposed. Thereby, while being able to visually recognize the intensity indicator lamp 431 and the battery indicator lamp 434 from the surface, the first illuminance sensor 441 and the second illuminance sensor 442 are configured to be able to detect a change in illuminance. The gesture operation can be performed with the 402 closed.

  The gesture operation is performed by detecting the illuminance change of the first illuminance sensor 441 and the second illuminance sensor 442, and the illuminance change due to the shadow generated during the opening / closing operation of the front panel 402 is erroneously detected as the gesture operation. Therefore, during the opening / closing operation of the front panel 402, the front panel 402 is not tilted even if a change in the illuminance of the first illuminance sensor 441 and the second illuminance sensor 442 is detected. An open / close detection sensor 437 for detecting the open / close state is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the open / close detection sensor 437 includes a switch magnet 437a installed on the back surface of the front panel 402 and a reed switch 437b installed on the remote control body 401. When the front panel 402 is in a closed state, When the contact of the switch 437b is turned on and the front panel 402 is in the open state, the contact of the reed switch 437b is turned off and the open / closed state of the front panel can be detected.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 3 and shows the installation state of the first illuminance sensor 441, the second illuminance sensor 442, the toilet seat opening switch 415, the toilet seat closing switch 416, and the sensor detection indicator lamp 435. Is. Inside the remote control main body 401, a first illuminance sensor 441 and a second illuminance sensor 442 are arranged on the board 405 with an interval therebetween, and a toilet seat opening switch 415 as a tact switch is located near the upper part of the first illuminance sensor 441. In the vicinity of the upper part of the second illuminance sensor 442, a toilet seat closing switch 416 of a tact switch is installed.

  In addition, a sensor detection indicator lamp 435 is installed at a substantially intermediate position between the toilet seat opening switch 415 and the toilet seat closing switch 416.

  A transparent transmissive portion 404 is disposed on the front panel 402 corresponding to the first illuminance sensor 441, the second illuminance sensor 442, and the sensor detection indicator lamp 435. The detection indicator lamp 435 can be visually recognized. Further, operation buttons 403 are provided on the front panel 402 corresponding to the toilet seat opening switch 415 and the toilet seat closing switch 416, and the toilet seat opening switch 415 and the toilet seat closing switch 416 are operated by pressing the operation buttons 403, respectively. be able to.

  The human body detection sensor 300 includes a pyroelectric sensor 310 that receives infrared rays emitted from the human body and a mirror 320 that reflects infrared rays from a wide range and enters the pyroelectric sensor 310. The mirror 320 is covered with a cover 330 formed of a translucent resin that transmits infrared rays.

  7 is a perspective view showing a detailed appearance of the human body detection sensor, FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a detection range in the vertical direction of the human body detection sensor, and FIG. 9 shows a detection range in the horizontal direction of the human body detection sensor. It is a schematic diagram.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a mirror 320 is installed on the front surface of the pyroelectric sensor 310. The mirror 320 is integrally formed with a cylindrical reflecting tube 321 and a support portion 322 that supports the reflecting tube 321. The reflecting cylinder 321 is formed in a cylindrical shape that expands in a trumpet shape from the inside toward the outside.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the light receiving surface 311 of the pyroelectric sensor 310 of the human body detection sensor 300 is installed at a position that is inward from the front surface of the front panel 402 that is the outer shell of the remote controller 400. On the other hand, a part of the reflecting cylinder 321 of the mirror 320 is installed at a position that is outward from the front surface of the front panel 402.

  Supporting portions 322 are integrally formed on the upper and lower portions of the reflecting cylinder 321. Therefore, infrared rays cannot enter the outer surface of the reflecting cylinder 321 from the vertical direction.

  Support portions 322 are not formed on both side portions of the reflection tube 321, and an opening portion 323 is formed, and the outer surface of the reflection tube 321 is opened from the side near the front surface of the front panel 402 through the opening portion 323. Infrared rays can be incident.

  The front surface portion 324 of the mirror 320 is provided with a circular opening 325, and the inner surface of the opening 325 is integrally formed so as to be connected to the inner peripheral surface 326 of the reflecting tube 321. The inner peripheral surface 326 of the reflecting cylinder 321 is formed by a substantially conical inclined surface that becomes narrower from the outside toward the inside, and the inclined surfaces facing each other form about 45 degrees. In addition, the outer peripheral surface 327 of the reflecting cylinder 321 is formed to be steeper than the inner peripheral surface 326, and the opposing inclined surfaces form about 100 degrees.

  The inner peripheral surface 326 and the outer peripheral surface 327 are joined so that the inclined surfaces intersect at the tip portion 328. The mirror 320 is integrally formed of a resin material, and has a structure in which the surface is plated to easily reflect infrared rays.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the infrared rays irradiated from the front of the human body detection sensor 300 indicated by arrows Y1 and Y2 and the infrared rays irradiated from the vertical direction indicated by arrows Y1 and Y2 pass through the inside of the reflection cylinder 321 of the mirror 320. Then, it directly reaches the light receiving surface 311 of the pyroelectric sensor 310. Infrared rays irradiated from the outside of the arrows Y 1 and Y 2 are reflected by the inner peripheral surface 326 of the reflecting cylinder 321 and reach the light receiving surface 311. Therefore, the range in the vertical direction that can be detected by the pyroelectric sensor 310 is about 60 degrees.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a part of infrared rays irradiated from the left and right direction of the human body detection sensor 300 pass through the inside of the reflection cylinder 321 similarly to the irradiation from the vertical direction, and the light receiving surface 311 of the pyroelectric sensor 310. To reach. A part of the light passes through the opening 323 and directly reaches the light receiving surface 311 of the pyroelectric sensor 310 as indicated by arrows Y5 and Y6 in the figure.

  Infrared rays irradiated from a wide angle near the front surface of the remote controller 400 are reflected by the outer peripheral surface 327 of the reflecting cylinder 321 and reach the light receiving surface 311 of the pyroelectric sensor 310 as indicated by arrows Y7 and Y8 in the figure. Therefore, the range in the left-right direction that can be detected by the pyroelectric sensor 310 is about 160 degrees.

  Since the remote controller 400 is generally installed at a height (about 80 cm to 100 cm) that is easy for a user to sit and use, it can receive infrared rays in a range close to a horizontal plane with a wide installation height. Thus, it is possible to cope with a wide range of heights from children to adults, and the probability of light reception can be improved.

In order to receive infrared rays from a wide range as described above, the light receiving surface 311 of the pyroelectric sensor 310 of the human body detection sensor 300 is installed inward from the front surface of the front panel 402 of the remote controller 400, and A part of the inner peripheral surface 326 and the outer peripheral surface 327 of the reflecting tube 321 is installed at a position that is outward from the front surface of the front panel 402.

  By installing in this way, even when the human body detection sensor 300 is installed with hardly protruding from the front surface of the remote controller 400, it is possible to detect a human body that exists in a wide range of 160 degrees or more on the horizontal plane of the installation position. It is possible.

<4> Configuration of Control System of Remote Controller As shown in FIG. 2, the remote controller 400 includes a human body detection sensor 300, an open / close detection sensor 437, an operation switch 410, a setting switch 420, an illuminance as information input means. The sensor 440 is provided, and the output means includes an infrared transmitter 436 that transmits control information to the main body 200 by infrared rays, and an indicator lamp 430 that displays the control information. A battery 450 is provided as a drive source for the remote controller 400.

  The remote control unit 500 that processes various operation information of the remote controller 400 includes a sensor detection unit that detects sensor detection signals, a switch operation detection unit that detects switch operations of the operation switch 410 and the setting switch 420, and a first A gesture detection unit that detects a gesture operation signal from the illuminance sensor 440 configured by the illuminance sensor 441 and the second illuminance sensor 442 as a digital signal is provided.

  The gesture detection unit performs digital processing by converting the detection voltage of the illuminance sensor 440 into a digital signal via an A / D converter, and consumes a large amount of power and greatly affects the consumption of the battery 450 that is the power source of the remote controller 400. It is. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the gesture detection unit is driven only while the human body detection sensor 300 detects the human body, and the gesture detection unit is paused while the human body is not detected, thereby suppressing the consumption of the battery 450. doing.

  In addition, as a function for detecting the gesture operation, a sensor driving unit that drives the illuminance sensor 440 and a sensitivity adjustment unit that adjusts the sensitivity of the illuminance sensor 440 are provided.

  The sensitivity adjustment unit adjusts a reference voltage serving as a reference for detecting a gesture operation and a detection threshold value for detecting the gesture operation in accordance with a change in brightness of the place where the remote controller 400 is installed. Is too dark to exceed the reference voltage adjustment range, the sensor detection indicator 435 blinks to notify the user that the gesture operation cannot be performed.

  In addition, a battery inspection unit that detects the remaining amount of the battery 450, an indicator lamp driving unit that drives the indicator lamp 430 that displays control information, and a timer that provides timing information are provided. An information processing unit mainly composed of a microcomputer is provided as a function.

  The remote controller 400 having the above-described configuration is an information processing unit that indicates what operation has been performed based on input information input from the operation switch 410, the setting switch 420, the first illuminance sensor 441, and the second illuminance sensor 442, which are operation means. The predetermined indicator lamp 430 is turned on by the indicator lamp driving unit.

  In addition, a control signal is transmitted from the infrared transmission unit 436 to the main body 200, and the main body control unit 240 controls various functions of the toilet seat apparatus 100.

<8> Operation and Action of Remote Controller When a user enters the toilet room and the sensor detection unit detects a human body based on a detection signal from human body detection sensor 300, the information processing unit of remote control control unit 500 drives the gesture detection unit. At the same time, a human body detection signal is transmitted from the infrared transmitter 436 to the main body 200.

  The human body detection signal received by the infrared receiving unit 262 of the main body 200 is transmitted to the main body control unit 240. The main body control unit 240 drives the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism 215 to open the toilet lid 210, and the toilet seat of the toilet seat 220 Heating of the toilet seat 220 is started by driving the heater 221.

  When the operation switch 410 or the setting switch 420 of the remote controller 400 is operated, the switch operation detection unit of the remote controller control unit 500 detects the operation content, and the detection data of the switch operation detection unit is determined by the information processing unit. The operation signal thus transmitted is transmitted from the infrared transmission unit to the main body 200.

  Further, for example, when a change in detection voltage is detected in the order of the second illuminance sensor 442 to the first illuminance sensor of the illuminance sensor 440, this change is an operation of opening the toilet seat 220 in which the user swings his hand up from below. The information processing unit of the remote control unit 500 transmits the detection information of the swing gesture to the main body control unit 240 of the main body 200 via the infrared transmission unit 436, and the main body control unit 240 uses the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism. 215 is driven to raise the toilet seat 220.

  When a gesture in which the hand is swung down from the first illuminance sensor to the second illuminance sensor 442 is detected, it is determined that the gesture is an operation for the user to close the toilet seat 220, and the information processing unit 580 Transmits the detection information of the swing-down gesture to the main body control unit of the main body 200 via the infrared transmission unit 436, and the main body control unit 240 drives the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism 215 to invert the toilet seat 220.

  Note that the opening / closing operation of the toilet seat 220 is performed with priority over the gesture operation when the user operates the toilet seat opening switch 415 or the toilet seat closing switch 416 regardless of the gesture operation.

  In addition, when the opening operation of the front panel 402 of the remote controller 400 is performed, the contact of the reed switch 437b of the open / close detection sensor 437 is turned OFF, and within the first predetermined time after the opening of the front panel 402 is detected (this embodiment When the change in the detection voltage adapted to the gesture operation is detected within 0.2 seconds in the embodiment), the information processing unit does not determine the change in the detection voltage as the gesture operation, and sends a detection signal for the gesture operation to the main body 200. Do not send. Thereby, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of a shadow generated during the opening operation of the front panel 402 as a gesture operation.

  Further, when the front panel closing operation is performed, the contact of the reed switch 437b of the open / close detection sensor 437 is turned ON, and within a second predetermined time before the front panel 402 is detected to be closed (in this embodiment, 0. If the detected voltage change adapted to the gesture operation is detected within 6 seconds), the information processing unit does not determine the detected voltage change as the gesture operation and does not transmit the gesture operation detection signal to the main body 200. This prevents a shadow that is generated during the closing operation of the front panel 402 from being erroneously detected as a gesture operation.

  When all the operations of the remote controller 400 are finished and the user leaves the toilet room and the human body detection sensor 300 finishes detecting the human body, the information processing unit stops driving the gesture detection unit and Stop sending human body detection signals. The main body control unit 240 drives the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism 215 to close the toilet lid 210 and the toilet seat 220 after a predetermined time has elapsed (after 3 minutes in the present embodiment).

  As described above, the remote controller of the toilet seat apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a non-contact gesture operation and a contact switch that is directly operated by hand. A user who is familiar with the operation method can perform the operation hygienically by a non-contact operation. Further, since a user who is not familiar with the non-contact operation method can reliably perform the switch operation using the contact switch, the toilet seat device can be provided to all users with ease of use.

  In the present embodiment, the human body detection sensor is provided integrally with the remote controller, the human body detection sensor 300 includes the pyroelectric sensor 310 and the mirror 320, and the light receiving surface 311 of the pyroelectric sensor 310 is the front surface of the front panel 402. The human body detection sensor 300 is installed at a position that is more inward, and the inner peripheral surface 326 and the outer peripheral surface 327 that are reflection surfaces of the mirror 320 are partially protruded from the front surface of the front panel 402. A wide range of human bodies can be detected in a state where it hardly protrudes from the outline of the controller 400.

  Further, in the present embodiment, an open / close detection sensor 437 that detects the closed state of the front panel 402 is provided, and a change in detection voltage that adapts to a gesture operation detected within a predetermined time during the open / close operation of the front panel 402. Even if detected, the information processing unit does not determine the change in the detected voltage as a gesture operation, and does not transmit a gesture operation detection signal to the main body 200, so that a shadow generated in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the front panel 402 is detected. Since it is possible to prevent erroneous detection as a gesture operation, safety and reliability can be improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a sensor detection indicator lamp 435 that blinks when the toilet room is too dark and the illuminance sensor cannot sufficiently detect a change in illuminance and that lights up when a gesture operation is detected is provided. Thus, since the user can visually recognize the state of the gesture operation, a user-friendly remote controller can be provided.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the gesture detection unit that performs processing based on the digital signal is driven only while the human body detection sensor 300 detects the human body, and is paused while the human body detection is not performed, thereby draining the battery 450. It is possible to provide the user-friendly remote controller 400 by suppressing and extending the battery life.

  In this embodiment, the gesture operation is employed only in the toilet seat drive mechanism by the toilet seat toilet lid rotation mechanism corresponding to the toilet seat opening switch 415 and the toilet seat closing switch 416 that perform the raising / lowering operation of the toilet seat 220. The present invention is not limited to this, other than the operation of the nozzle drive mechanism corresponding to the cleaning position switch 422 that operates the back and forth movement of the cleaning position of the cleaning nozzle 231, the flow rate adjustment mechanism corresponding to the strength switch 421 that changes the jetting strength of the cleaning water It can also be adopted for the electric function.

  In the case of other electric mechanisms, it is desirable that the gesture direction of the hand at the time of the gesture operation is related to the operation direction of the corresponding electric mechanism. For example, in the case of the operation of the nozzle driving mechanism, the illuminance sensor 440 is arranged in the lateral direction. Then, the washing nozzle is moved back and forth by the lateral movement of the hand. In the gesture operation of the flow rate adjusting mechanism, the flow rate is increased when the hand is moved upward, and the flow rate is decreased when the hand is moved downward.

In the present embodiment, the gesture operation is configured to detect the user's linear gesture with the two illuminance sensors 440. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more illuminance sensors 440 are used. For example, the illuminance sensor may be arranged at a position that is not a straight line, and the user's more advanced operation intention may be detected by detecting a curvilinear gesture.

  In the present embodiment, the illuminance sensor 440 includes the first illuminance sensor 441 and the second illuminance sensor 442 as a set, and performs the opening / closing operation of the toilet seat 220 by a gesture operation that detects the movement of the user's hand. For example, as a non-contact switch that opens the toilet seat 220 when the first illuminance sensor 441 detects a change in illuminance, and inverts the toilet seat 220 when the second illuminance sensor 442 detects a change in illuminance. Also good.

  In the present embodiment, the reflecting cylinder 321 of the mirror 320 of the human body detection sensor 300 is substantially cylindrical. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an elliptical cylindrical shape or a rectangular cylindrical shape is used. However, an approximate effect can be obtained.

  As described above, since the toilet seat device according to the present invention can be installed with a human body detection sensor capable of detecting a wide range of human bodies hardly protruding from the outer shell of the device, other consumer devices using pyroelectric sensors, etc. It can be applied to other uses.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Toilet seat apparatus 110 Toilet bowl 200 Main body 300 Human body detection sensor 310 Pyroelectric sensor 311 Light reception surface 320 Mirror 321 Reflection cylinder 322 Support part 326 Inner peripheral surface (reflection surface)
327 Peripheral surface (reflective surface)
402 Front panel

Claims (3)

A main body installed on the toilet and incorporating multiple electric functions;
A remote controller that operates the electric function separately from the main body,
The remote controller includes a human body detection sensor that detects a human body approaching the remote controller,
The human body detection sensor includes a pyroelectric sensor having a light receiving surface that receives infrared light, and a mirror having a reflective surface that is disposed in front of the light receiving surface and reflects the infrared light emitted by the human body to irradiate the light receiving surface. Prepared,
The light receiving surface is disposed inward from the outer surface of the remote controller, and a part of the reflecting surface is disposed outward from the outer surface ,
The mirror includes a cylindrical reflection tube, and a support portion that supports the reflection tube.
Forming the reflecting surface on the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the reflecting tube;
The outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface are formed of a substantially conical inclined surface that narrows from the outside toward the inside,
The outer peripheral surface is formed to be steeper than the inner peripheral surface,
Toilet seat device. The human body detection sensor is disposed in front of the remote controller,
The toilet seat device according to claim 1 . The support portion of the mirror is integrally formed on the upper and lower portions of the reflecting tube, and both side portions of the reflecting tube are open.
The toilet seat device according to claim 1 or 2 .