JP6476712B2 - Toilet seat device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a toilet seat device having a function of detecting whether a user is seated on a toilet seat.

  The toilet seat device may be provided with a sensor for determining whether or not the user is seated on the toilet seat (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).

JP, 2014-151012, A

  As such a sensor, a sensor (mutual capacitance type electrostatic sensor) that detects the presence or absence of a detection target based on a change in an electric field (capacitance) between two electrodes may be used. Some of these sensors are subjected to calibration for setting a reference when the power is turned on in order to prevent erroneous detection due to the use environment. When this sensor is used in a toilet seat device that detects whether or not the user is seated on the toilet seat, the user is seated on the toilet seat when the power is turned on while the user is seated on the toilet seat. Since the state is set as a reference, there is a problem that normal detection cannot be performed thereafter.

  According to the present invention, in a toilet seat device including a sensor (detection means) that detects whether or not a user is seated on a toilet seat based on a change in an electric field between electrodes, the normal detection cannot be performed. The purpose is to suppress.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a toilet seat device according to the present invention is configured to detect whether a user is seated on a toilet seat based on a change in an electric field between the electrodes, and to change a voltage between the electrodes. And a control means capable of

  When the power is turned on, the control unit may set the voltage applied between the electrodes to a second voltage lower than the first voltage, which is a normal applied voltage, until calibration of the detection unit is completed.

  The second voltage may be set to a value such that the presence of a user sitting on the toilet seat does not change the electric field between the electrodes.

  A heat transfer member for transferring heat generated from the heater wire to the toilet seat, wherein one electrode of the detection means is constituted by a part of the heat transfer member, and the other electrode of the detection means is the heat transfer member; It is good to be comprised with the member different from a thermal member.

  The heater wire may be configured not to exist in a predetermined range on one electrode side of the detection means on the other electrode side of the detection means.

  The toilet seat device according to the present invention includes a control means capable of controlling the voltage between the electrodes. By controlling the voltage between the electrodes by the control means and adjusting the detection range, it is possible to suppress a state in which it is not possible to detect whether or not the user is seated.

  When the power is turned on, if the voltage applied between the electrodes is a second voltage lower than the first voltage, which is a normal applied voltage, until the calibration of the detection means is completed, the power is turned on and the calibration is performed. Even if the user is seated when executed, the influence of the presence of the user on the calibration can be reduced. That is, it can suppress that the detection means after calibration cannot perform normal detection.

  If the second voltage value is set so that the presence of the user seated on the toilet seat does not change the electric field between the electrodes, the calibration may be performed under the influence of the presence of the user. Is prevented.

  In the case of including a heat transfer member that transmits heat generated from the heater, the heat transfer member can be used as one electrode of the detection means.

  In this case, by making the heater wire not exist in a predetermined range on the other electrode side of one electrode of the detection means, the heater wire behaves as if it is a detection target, and the detection sensitivity ( It can suppress that detection accuracy) falls.

It is an external view of the toilet seat apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a diagram schematically showing a seating sensor, (b) is a diagram schematically showing lines of electric force generated between electrodes when a first voltage is applied between the electrodes constituting the seating sensor, (C) is the figure which showed typically the electric-force line which generate | occur | produces between electrodes when the 2nd voltage is applied between the electrodes which comprise a seating sensor. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the circuit for switching the voltage applied between the electrodes which comprise a seating sensor. It is the figure which showed the control flow by a control means. It is the figure which showed the difference of the output from the seating sensor at the time of non-seating, and the output from the seating sensor at the time of seating. When power is turned on and calibration is performed with the first voltage applied between the electrodes of the seating sensor (conventional case), the state in which the user is seated on the toilet seat (seat) becomes the reference. It is a figure for demonstrating this. It is the figure which showed typically the mode at the time of applying a 2nd voltage between the electrodes which comprise a seating sensor, when the electric force line did not fall enough. FIG. 9 is a diagram (No. 1) for explaining the point that seating / non-sitting can be detected even in the case shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is a diagram (No. 2) for explaining the point that seating / non-sitting can be detected even in the case shown in FIG. 7. It is the figure which showed typically what one electrode of the seating sensor was comprised using some heat-transfer members. It is sectional drawing which showed typically the heat-transfer member and heater wire which were provided in the toilet seat (seat part). It is the figure which expanded and showed the part by which the seating sensor was comprised, Comprising: As for the one part area | region by the side of the 2nd electrode in a 1st electrode (1st part of a heat-transfer member), a heater wire does not exist It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating being the prohibition area | region set. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the method of setting the area ratio of an electrode so that the erroneous detection by presence of water may not occur. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the example in which the control means (board | substrate) for controlling a seating sensor was provided not in the seat part but in the main-body part.

  Hereinafter, toilet seat device 1 concerning one embodiment of the present invention is explained in detail. In the following description, the front-rear direction refers to the left-right direction in FIG. 1 (the left side is the front), and the up-down direction refers to the up-down direction in FIG.

[Configuration of toilet seat device (seating sensor)]
A toilet seat device 1 according to the present embodiment whose appearance is shown in FIG. 1 includes a toilet seat 10, a seating sensor 20 (corresponding to the detection means in the present invention), and a control means 30.

  The toilet seat 10 has a seat portion 11 on the front side on which a person who needs to sit is seated. The toilet seat 10 is rotatable with respect to the toilet bowl 90. The toilet seat 10 may be directly connected to the toilet bowl 90, or may be connected indirectly (via another member). The toilet seat 10 is in an open position (the seat 11 has an angle of 90 degrees or more) between the closed position (the position where the seat 11 can be used) where the seat 11 contacts the upper surface of the toilet 90 and the upper surface of the toilet 90. It is possible to rotate between the position where it cannot be used). A main body 12 that accommodates various members is provided behind the seat 11 of the toilet seat 10. For example, a cleaning unit including a cleaning nozzle for cleaning a local part of the human body and driving means for driving the toilet seat 10 and the toilet lid (which may not be provided) are accommodated in the main body 12.

  The seating sensor 20 schematically shown in FIG. 2 is a mutual capacitance type electrostatic sensor, and has two electrodes (a first electrode 21 and a second electrode 22). Both electrodes are arranged below the upper surface of the seat portion 11 (hereinafter also referred to as the seat surface 111) so as to be positioned substantially parallel to the upper surface. In the present embodiment, the positions of both electrodes in the vertical direction are substantially the same. By applying a predetermined voltage between the electrodes, an electric field is generated between the electrodes. Specifically, arch-shaped lines of electric force are generated as a whole, connecting the upper surfaces of both electrodes. Note that either the first electrode 21 or the second electrode 22 may have a high potential.

  The control means 30 applies a voltage between the two electrodes constituting the seating sensor 20. Further, the voltage can be set to the first voltage or the second voltage (the applied voltage can be changed). An example of the control by the control means 30 is shown in FIG. The control means 30 (microcomputer) switches the voltage applied between electrodes by controlling a switch (for example, transistor switch). When the first switch 31 is turned on, a first voltage is applied between the electrodes, and when the second switch 32 is turned on, a second voltage is applied between the electrodes.

  The first voltage is an applied voltage during normal use. As will be described later, the first voltage is applied between the electrodes except when the seating sensor 20 is turned on until calibration is completed. When the first voltage is applied, a part of the lines of electric force between the electrodes is generated above the seating surface 111 (see FIG. 2B). Therefore, when the user sits on the toilet seat 10 (on the seating surface 111), the electric lines of force (electric field) change. By detecting such a change, whether or not the user is seated on the toilet seat 10 is detected.

  On the other hand, the second voltage is set lower than the first voltage. Since it is defined as “electric field strength E = applied voltage V / distance D between electrodes”, when the voltage applied between the electrodes is reduced, the height of the electric lines of force generated in an arch shape is reduced. The second voltage is set to such a value that the presence of the user sitting on the toilet seat 10 (on the seating surface 111) hardly changes the electric field between the electrodes when the voltage is applied. In other words, most of the lines of electric force generated between the electrodes are set to values that are generated below the seating surface 111 (see FIG. 2C).

[Control of seating sensor]
As shown in the control flow of FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the second voltage is applied between the electrodes of the seating sensor 20 after the seating sensor 20 is turned on (S1) until the calibration is completed ( S2, S3). After the calibration of the seating sensor 20 is completed, a first voltage is applied between the electrodes of the seating sensor 20 (S4), and an output value from the seating sensor 20 to be measured (AD value (static between the electrodes in this embodiment)). The value obtained by converting the change in the electric capacity into a digital value (hereinafter the same)) is equal to or greater than the threshold value (S5 “Yes”). (S5 “No”) is determined to be in a non-sitting state (S7). The effect | action by controlling in this way is as follows.

  When the first voltage is applied between the electrodes of the seating sensor 20, the output value indicating the capacitance change between the two electrodes when the user is seated on the toilet seat 10 (on the seating surface 111) is 50. And That is, the output value when the user is not seated is almost 0 (no change in capacitance), but the output value when the user is seated on the toilet seat 10 (on the seat surface 111) is 50. Therefore, if the threshold value is set to a predetermined value of less than 50 (for example, set to 25), the seating state is detected if a value equal to or greater than the threshold value is detected, and the non-sitting state is detected if no such value is detected. (See FIG. 5).

  In the control (conventional control) in which the first voltage is applied between the electrodes of the seating sensor 20 at all times (including the period after the power is turned on and until calibration is completed), the user takes the toilet seat 10 (seat surface 111). When the power supply of the seating sensor 20 is turned on in the state of being seated on (above), calibration is executed based on the state. That is, the state in which the output value 50 is to be output is calibrated so as to become the reference state (see FIG. 6). Therefore, even if the user subsequently sits on the toilet seat 10 (on the seat surface 111), an output value equal to or higher than the threshold is not detected. That is, the user's seat cannot be detected.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, when the power of the seating sensor 20 is turned on by the control means 30, the second voltage lower than the first voltage is not applied between the electrodes of the seating sensor 20 until the calibration is completed. A voltage is applied. As described above, the second voltage is set to such a value that the presence of the user sitting on the toilet seat 10 (on the seating surface 111) does not change the electric field between the electrodes. Calibration is not performed with the presence of Therefore, if the applied voltage between the electrodes is the first voltage after calibration is completed, the presence or absence of the user's seating can be detected without any problem.

  Thus, in order to eliminate the influence of the seated user, it is desirable to make the second voltage as small as possible within a range where normal calibration is performed. However, even when a second voltage lower than the first voltage is applied, as shown in FIG. 7, the height of the arch-shaped electric force lines does not become sufficiently low (a part of the electric force lines is on the seating surface 111). May exist). Even in such a case, it is meaningful to apply the second voltage.

  Assume that the output value representing the capacitance change between both electrodes when the user is seated on the toilet seat 10 (on the seating surface 111) with the second voltage applied is 20. In other words, the height of the lines of electric force when the second voltage is applied is not sufficiently low (the influence of the user who is seated cannot be excluded even when the second voltage is applied), and the user moves the toilet seat 10 (seat surface). It is assumed that the output value does not become zero when sitting on (111). Even in this case, the output value representing the capacitance change between the two electrodes when the user is seated on the toilet seat 10 (on the seat surface 111) with the first voltage applied is 50. The output value becomes lower than that.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, when the power of the seating sensor 20 is turned on, if the second voltage lower than the first voltage is applied between the electrodes until the calibration is completed, the output value 20 Although the amount corresponding to is canceled by the calibration, the entire amount corresponding to the output value 50 is not canceled by the calibration. That is, if the first voltage is applied between both electrodes after calibration is completed, the output value when the user is seated on the toilet seat 10 (on the seat surface 111) is 30 (20 is canceled by calibration). Should be lower). Therefore, if the threshold is set to a predetermined value less than 30 (for example, set to 25), the sitting state can be detected without any problem.

  The threshold value in such a case is appropriately set according to the set second voltage. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the output value representing the capacitance change between the two electrodes when the user is seated on the toilet seat 10 (on the seat surface 111) with the second voltage applied is 30. Then, after the calibration is completed, the output value when the user is seated on the toilet seat 10 (on the seat surface 111) in a state where the first voltage is applied between both electrodes is 20 (the amount 30 is canceled by the calibration). Should be lower). Therefore, in that case, the threshold value may be set to a predetermined value less than 20 (for example, set to 15).

  Note that the difference between the output value assumed in the seated state and the non-sitting state and the threshold value is how much “margin” should be secured based on measurement errors and the like. Therefore, the “difference” can be changed as appropriate.

[Specific examples of seating sensors]
The seating sensor 20 having the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 can be configured as follows, for example. Hereinafter, a specific example of the seating sensor 20 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the seating sensor 20 according to this example uses a heater unit 40 provided in the toilet seat device 1. The heater unit 40 includes a heater wire 41 and a heat transfer member 42. The heater wire 41 may be anything as long as it generates heat when energized. The heat transfer member 42 is disposed or fixed in the vicinity of the heater wire 41 and is disposed so as to overlap at least a part of the seating surface 111. The heater wire 41 in the present embodiment is disposed so as to reciprocate in the width direction of the toilet seat having an O shape or a U shape. Heat generated from the heater wire 41 is transmitted to the entire seat surface 111 by the heat transfer member 42. Although both the heater wire 41 and the heat transfer member 42 are formed of a metal material, since at least one of them is coated with an insulating material, they are not electrically short-circuited.

  In the seating sensor 20 in this example, the first electrode 21 is constituted by a part of the heat transfer member 42. The second electrode 22 is configured by another member different from the heat transfer member 42. The heat transfer member 42 can be divided into a first portion 421 that functions as the first electrode 21 and a second portion 422 that is the other portion. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the second portion 422 of the heat transfer member 42 is formed with a rectangular through hole 4221 that is elongated in the width direction of the toilet seat 10. The elongated rectangular second electrode 22 is disposed in the through hole 4221. The first electrode 21 that is also the first portion 421 of the heat transfer member 42 is disposed outside the second electrode 22 in the through hole 4221 with a gap therebetween. There is a gap between the first electrode 21 and the second portion 422 of the heat transfer member 42 (the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 4221). Thus, the seating sensor 20 is constituted by the second electrode 22 arranged on the center side in the through hole 4221 and the first portion 421 of the heat transfer member 42 functioning as the first electrode 21 arranged around the second electrode 22. Composed.

  The heater wire 41 is disposed not only in the second portion 422 of the heat transfer member 42 but also in the first portion 421 (arranged or fixed in proximity to the first portion 421). That is, the first portion 421 also functions as a member for transferring heat generated from the heater wire 41. As described above, since at least one of the heater wire 41 and the heat transfer member 42 is coated with an insulating material, the first portion 421 and the second portion of the heat transfer member 42 through the heater wire 41. 422 is not electrically shorted. Thus, the seating sensor 20 in this example uses the first portion 421 that is a part of the heat transfer member 42 as one electrode (first electrode 21).

  Each electrode of the seating sensor 20 may have the following shape. The second electrode 22 formed of a member different from the heat transfer member 42 may be as elongated as possible. Since the second electrode 22 does not function as the heat transfer member 42, the portion where the second electrode 22 is provided may become temperature unevenness (a colder portion than other portions). Therefore, the temperature unevenness can be reduced by making the part elongated (rather than making the part close to a square or a circle).

  The first portion 421 of the heat transfer member 42, that is, the first electrode 21 may be larger than the second electrode 22. The area ratio is set based on viewpoints such as preventing the water from being judged as a human body when the water is present on the seating surface 111, and having the necessary sensitivity as a sensor. . For example, it is possible that water adheres to a part of the seating surface 111, but in such a case, there is a problem if water is detected as an object to be detected. When the surface area is less than or equal to a predetermined area, the area ratio is set so that water is not detected as a detection object. As shown in FIG. 13, the coupling capacity (C2) between the predetermined area of water existing on the seating surface 111 and the first electrode 21 is the coupling capacity between the predetermined area of water and the ground (the transmission capacity connected to the ground). By setting the size of the first electrode 21 to be larger than the combined capacity of water and the ground through the second portion 422 of the thermal member 42; C3 + C4), the water of the predetermined area is detected as an object. Since it is not judged (functions as the 1st electrode 21), it can suppress that the above problems generate | occur | produce. As a suitable area ratio between the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22, the area of the first electrode 21: the area of the second electrode 22 ≈ 10: 1 can be exemplified.

  Further, in order to ensure the sensitivity required for the sensor, the heater wire 41 is set so as not to be disposed in a predetermined range of the first electrode 21 closer to the second electrode 22. As described above, since the first electrode 21 is a part (the first part 421) of the heat transfer member 42, the heater wire 41 is disposed or fixed to a part of the first electrode 21. By setting the predetermined range close to the second electrode as a prohibited region 421a (see FIG. 12) where the heater wire 41 does not exist, a decrease in sensitivity as a sensor is suppressed. That is, the side near the second electrode 22 in the first electrode 21 has a large number of lines of electric force when a voltage is applied between the electrodes, and the influence on the sensitivity given by the heater wire 41 is large. By setting the predetermined range closer to the second electrode 22 as the prohibited region 421a, the influence on the sensitivity given by the heater wire 41 is reduced. In other words, the temperature unevenness is reduced by arranging the heater wire 41 on the side of the first electrode 21 that has a small influence on the sensitivity far from the second electrode 22. That is, if the prohibition region 421a is too large, temperature unevenness is caused. Therefore, when the area of the first electrode 21: the area of the second electrode 22≈10: 1, the area of the prohibition region 421a in the first electrode 21 : The area of the second electrode 22 is preferably set to approximately 2: 1.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the control means 30 (control board) for controlling the seating sensor 20 may be housed in the seat portion 11, or in the seat portion 11 as shown in FIG. It is good also as a structure accommodated in the main-body part 12 without.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described in detail, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment at all, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Toilet seat apparatus 10 Toilet seat 11 Seat part 111 Seat surface 12 Main-body part 20 Seating sensor (detection means)
21 First electrode 22 Second electrode 30 Control means 41 Heater wire 42 Heat transfer member 42
421 Heat transfer member first part 421a Forbidden area 422 Heat transfer member second part

Claims (5)

Detection means for detecting whether the user is seated on the toilet seat based on a change in the electric field between the electrodes;
Control means capable of changing the voltage between the electrodes;
Equipped with a,
When the power is turned on, the control means sets the voltage applied between the electrodes to a second voltage lower than the first voltage which is a normal applied voltage until calibration of the detection means is completed. apparatus. 2. The toilet seat device according to claim 1 , wherein the second voltage is set to a value such that presence of a user seated on the toilet seat does not change an electric field between the electrodes. A heat transfer member for transmitting heat generated from the heater wire to the toilet seat;
One electrode of the detection means is composed of a part of the heat transfer member,
3. The toilet seat device according to claim 1 , wherein the other electrode of the detection unit is formed of a member different from the heat transfer member. The toilet seat device according to claim 3 , wherein the heater wire is configured not to exist in a predetermined range on one electrode side of the detection means on the other electrode side of the detection means. Detection means for detecting whether the user is seated on the toilet seat based on a change in the electric field between the electrodes;
Control means capable of changing the voltage between the electrodes;
A heat transfer member for transmitting heat generated from the heater wire to the toilet seat;
Equipped with a,
One electrode of the detection means is composed of a part of the heat transfer member,
The other electrode of the detection means is composed of a member different from the heat transfer member,
A toilet seat device configured such that the heater wire does not exist in a predetermined range on one electrode side of the detection means on the other electrode side of the detection means .

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