JP7161695B2 - toilet equipment - Google Patents

Description

Aspects of the present invention relate generally to toilet apparatus.

Prior Literature 1 discloses a technique for judging clogging in a toilet based on water level information in the toilet after flushing. According to this technique, the clogging determination is performed in a state where the water level in the toilet is stable, so the clogging determination accuracy can be improved.

JP 2013-72221 A

When the toilet bowl is clogged, it is desirable to quickly stop supplying flush water to the toilet bowl in order to prevent water from overflowing the toilet bowl. On the other hand, clogged toilet bowls are roughly divided into two types: those that do not improve even after the passage of time after flushing, and those that become clogged with the passage of time after flushing. In the latter case, if the flushing water supply to the toilet bowl is stopped early, the toilet bowl becomes unusable even though the clogged state is improved, and the usability of the toilet bowl deteriorates.
Another possible method is to determine the clogging state over a longer period of time so that the supply of cleaning water is not prohibited if the clogging is resolved over time. However, with this method, if flush water is supplied before the determination result is obtained, water may overflow if the toilet bowl is clogged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a toilet apparatus that can more reliably prevent water from overflowing from a toilet bowl while suppressing deterioration in usability of the toilet bowl. do.

A first invention comprises a detection unit capable of detecting at least one of a water level in a toilet bowl and an index related to the water level, and clogging determination for determining a clogged state of the toilet bowl based on the detection result of the detection unit. and a control unit that determines whether or not to prohibit the supply of flush water into the toilet based on the determination result of the clogging determination unit, wherein the control unit controls the flow of water into the toilet. A first step of determining whether or not to prohibit the supply of cleansing water based on the determination result of the clogging determination unit after the supply of cleansing water is finished; a second step of determining whether or not to continue prohibition of flush water supply based on the determination result of the clogging determination unit after the first step.

By executing the first step, when the toilet bowl is clogged, the flushing water supply to the toilet bowl can be quickly prohibited, and water overflowing from the toilet bowl can be prevented more reliably. By executing the second step, even if the flush water supply is prohibited in the first step, the prohibition of the flush water supply can be lifted if the state of the toilet is improved. As a result, flushing water can be supplied to the toilet bowl, and the toilet bowl can be used again. That is, according to this toilet apparatus, it is possible to more reliably prevent water from overflowing from the toilet bowl while suppressing deterioration in usability of the toilet bowl.

In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the control unit prohibits the supply of washing water when the clogging determination unit determines that there is clogging in the first step. and the toilet apparatus cancels the prohibition of the flush water supply when the clogging judging section judges that there is no clogging.

According to this toilet device, it is possible to more reliably prevent water from overflowing from the toilet while suppressing deterioration in usability of the toilet.

A third invention is the toilet apparatus according to the first or second invention, wherein the control unit executes the determination in the second step for a longer time than the determination in the first step.

According to this toilet apparatus, even if the supply of cleansing water is prohibited in the first step, the prohibition of supplying cleansing water is easily released in the second step. As a result, it is possible to improve usability of the toilet while preventing water from overflowing from the toilet more reliably.

In a fourth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions, when the clogging determination unit determines that there is clogging during the first step by the control unit, the second step by the control unit The clogged state of the toilet bowl is determined again during the first step, and if the controller determines that there is no clogged state during the first step, the clogged state of the toilet bowl is not determined thereafter.

According to this toilet device, it is possible to reduce the frequency of execution of the judgment operation by the clogging judging section, and to make the control more efficient.

In a fifth aspect of the invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the control unit controls the supply of cleaning water at least until the determination result of the first step is obtained after the supply of cleaning water is completed. It is a toilet device that sets a cleaning prohibition time that prohibits washing.

According to this toilet apparatus, it is possible to prevent the flush water from being supplied to the toilet even if the flush operation is performed after the flush water supply is completed and before the determination result in the first step is obtained. This can more reliably prevent water from overflowing from the toilet bowl.

In a sixth aspect based on any one of the first to fifth aspects, the control unit does not execute the notification by the notification means only by judging that the supply of washing water is prohibited in the first step. This toilet apparatus executes notification by a notification means when it is determined to continue prohibition of flush water supply in two steps.

According to this toilet apparatus, the number of times of notification by the notification means can be reduced, and for example, the management burden of notification by the manager of the toilet apparatus can be reduced.

In a seventh aspect, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, when the control unit determines not to continue the prohibition of the washing water supply in the second step, from the start of the second step to the This toilet apparatus determines whether or not notification is necessary by a notification means based on the determination time required to obtain a determination result.

According to this toilet device, it is possible to notify only relatively serious clogged toilets that require a long time for improvement. For example, by providing this notification to the administrator of the toilet apparatus, the administrator can perform maintenance on the toilet bowl before it becomes completely clogged, and can prevent the toilet from becoming completely clogged. .

In an eighth aspect of the invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, when the control unit determines not to continue the prohibition of the supply of cleansing water in the second step after the supply of cleansing water is finished, With reference to the result of determination by the control unit after completion of a predetermined number of times of supply of cleansing water executed most recently before the supply of cleansing water, the first This toilet apparatus executes notification by a notification means when it is determined not to continue prohibition of flush water supply in the second step.

According to this toilet device, even if the clogging in the toilet bowl is not serious, it can be notified when the clogging occurs repeatedly. For example, by providing this notification to the administrator of the toilet apparatus, the administrator can perform maintenance on the toilet bowl before it becomes completely clogged, and can prevent the toilet from becoming completely clogged. .

In a ninth aspect of the invention, in any one of the first to eighth aspects of the invention, when the control unit determines not to continue prohibition of the supply of cleansing water in the second step after the supply of cleansing water is finished, If it is determined that the prohibition of the supply of cleansing water is not to be continued in the second process even after the supply of cleansing water prior to the supply of cleansing water is completed, the second process is started in the second process. The determination time required to obtain the determination result is compared, and if the determination time tends to increase, a notification is performed by the notification means, and if the determination time tends to decrease, the notification means It is a toilet device that does not perform notification by.

According to this toilet device, when the determination time tends to increase, it can be notified. For example, by providing this notification to the administrator of the toilet apparatus, the administrator can receive this notification and perform maintenance of the toilet, thereby preventing the toilet from being completely clogged.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the aspect of this invention, the toilet apparatus which can prevent water overflowing from a toilet more reliably is provided, suppressing the deterioration of the usability of a toilet.

It is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the toilet apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing part of the toilet apparatus according to the embodiment. (a) is a graph illustrating detection results by a detection unit, and (b) to (d) are schematic diagrams showing states of a toilet bowl. (a) is a graph illustrating detection results by a detection unit, and (b) to (d) are schematic diagrams showing states of a toilet bowl. It is a flow chart showing the operation of the toilet apparatus according to the embodiment. It is a graph which illustrates the detection result by the detection part of the toilet apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a graph which illustrates the detection result by the detection part of the toilet apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a graph which illustrates the detection result by the detection part of the toilet apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a graph which illustrates the detection result by the detection part of the toilet apparatus which concerns on embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent elements, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the toilet apparatus according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet device 1 according to the embodiment includes a detection unit 10, a clogging determination unit 12, and a control unit . The toilet device 1 is used in combination with the notification means 16 , the toilet bowl 20 and the flush water supply section 22 . Alternatively, the toilet device 1 may include the notification means 16 , the toilet bowl 20 , and the flush water supply section 22 .

In the specification of the present application, the upward direction as viewed from the user seated on the toilet bowl 20 is defined as "upward", and the opposite direction is defined as "downward". In addition, the front as viewed from the user seated on the toilet bowl 20 is defined as "front", and the opposite direction is defined as "rear".

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing part of the toilet apparatus according to the embodiment.
The detection unit 10 can detect at least one of the water level in the toilet bowl 20 and an index related to the water level. The “indicator related to the water level” is, for example, the presence or absence of water in a predetermined area of the surface inside the toilet bowl 20, or the pressure of water accumulated inside the toilet bowl 20, or the like. A radio wave sensor, a capacitance sensor, a pressure sensor, an ultrasonic ranging sensor, an optical ranging sensor, or the like is used as the detection unit 10 .

The radio wave sensor emits radio waves and detects the reflected waves. The intensity of the reflected wave changes depending on the presence or absence of water at the position where the radio wave is radiated. When a radio wave sensor is used as the detection unit 10 , the detection unit 10 is provided so that radio waves are radiated to a predetermined area of the surface inside the toilet bowl 20 .
Also, the capacitance sensor senses the capacitance between the sensor and a predetermined area facing it. The capacitance changes with the presence or absence of water in that given area. When a capacitance sensor is used as the detection unit 10 , the detection unit 10 is provided so as to face a predetermined area of the surface inside the toilet bowl 20 .
By using a radio wave sensor or a capacitance sensor as the detection unit 10, it is possible to detect whether or not the water level in the toilet bowl 20 is at a position higher than a predetermined area.
In addition, the electrostatic sensor can directly detect the water level by continuously arranging a plurality of locations at different heights.

A pressure sensor detects the pressure of water accumulated in the toilet bowl 20 . The pressure is proportional to the amount of water in the toilet bowl 20. Therefore, by using the pressure sensor as the detection unit 10, the water level can be indirectly detected.

An ultrasonic ranging sensor emits ultrasonic waves and receives the reflected waves. When ultrasonic waves are radiated in a direction perpendicular to the water surface, the time from when the ultrasonic waves are radiated to when the peak of the reflected wave is detected changes according to the position of the water surface.
In addition, the optical distance measuring sensor irradiates light (for example, infrared light) toward an object and causes the reflected light to form an image on a light receiving element. The imaging position of the light receiving element changes according to the position of the water surface.
Therefore, by using an ultrasonic ranging sensor or an optical ranging sensor as the detection unit 10, the water level in the toilet bowl 20 can be detected directly.

FIG. 2 illustrates a case where a radio wave sensor is used as the detection unit 10 and provided inside the toilet bowl 20 . In this example, the detection unit 10 emits radio waves 11 and detects whether or not there is water on the surface 20a inside the toilet bowl 20 . The surface 20a is positioned lower than the overflow surface S1 and higher than the water sealing surface S2. Hereinafter, a case where the detection unit 10 is a radio wave sensor will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2(a), in a normal state where the toilet bowl 20 is not clogged or the like, the surface of the water (sealing water) in the toilet bowl 20 is located on the water sealing surface S2. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the toilet bowl 20 is clogged with a foreign object E, the water surface in the toilet bowl 20 becomes higher than the water sealing surface S2. The overflow surface S1 is positioned higher than the water sealing surface S2. The position of the overflow surface S1 is arbitrary. For example, the position of the overflow surface S1 is set to the upper limit position where water does not overflow from the toilet bowl 20 even if flush water for flushing feces is supplied to the toilet bowl 20 next time. That is, if the water surface in the toilet bowl 20 is at a position higher than the overflow surface S1, water may overflow from the toilet bowl 20 when flush water is supplied to the toilet bowl 20 .

The clogging determination unit 12 determines whether the toilet 20 is clogged based on the detection result of the detection unit 10 . The clogging determination unit 12 transmits the determination result to the control unit 14 . A specific determination method by the clogging determination unit 12 will be described later. Also, the control unit 14 executes a first step and a second step, which will be described later, based on the determination result of the clogging determination unit 12 .

The clogging determination unit 12 and the control unit 14 each have a processing device (microcomputer), for example. Alternatively, one processing device may function as the clogging determination unit 12 and the control unit 14 . Alternatively, the detection unit 10 may include a processing device, and the detection unit 10 may include the function of the clogging determination unit 12 or the functions of both the clogging determination unit 12 and the control unit 14 . Further, the clogging determination unit 12 and the control unit 14 may appropriately include storage means for storing determination results.

The notification means 16 notifies the user or manager of the toilet apparatus 1 based on the signal transmitted from the control section 14 . For example, the notification means 16 emits light, sound, vibration, or the like to give notification. Alternatively, the notification means 16 may be display means for displaying characters, symbols, or the like. Alternatively, the notification means 16 may be a transmission means for transmitting the notification to a place away from the toilet bowl 20 . For example, the notification means 16 transmits a radio signal to the administrator's terminal. The notification means 16 is connected to a network or LAN, and may transmit information to the administrator's terminal or server via these.

The washing water supply unit 22 has a valve (for example, a solenoid valve), a motor, or the like, and is connected to a water supply source such as a water supply or a water storage tank. By operating the valve or the motor, a state in which flush water is supplied from the water supply source to the toilet bowl 20 and a state in which flush water is not supplied are switched. In addition, the washing water supply unit 22 may appropriately have a tank for storing water, a pump for pumping water, and the like.

When the user performs a cleaning operation for cleaning the toilet bowl 20 using a remote controller (not shown) or the like, the control unit 14 transmits a signal corresponding to the cleaning operation to the cleaning water supply unit 22 . The flush water is supplied to the toilet bowl 20 by operating the valve or the motor of the flush water supply unit 22 based on the signal transmitted from the control unit 14 .

For example, when the control unit 14 determines to prohibit the supply of cleansing water to the toilet 20, it does not transmit a signal for supplying cleansing water to the toilet 20 to the cleansing water supply unit 22 even if the remote controller is operated.

A determination method by the clogging determination unit 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG.
FIGS. 3A and 4A are graphs illustrating detection results by the detection unit. 3(b) to 3(d) and 4(b) to 4(d) are schematic diagrams showing the state of the toilet.
3A and 4A, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the result of detection by the detection unit 10. In FIG. In this example, the detector 10 is a radio wave sensor, and the vertical axis represents the intensity of the reflected wave detected by the detector 10 . Note that when the intensity of the reflected wave increases, the value on the vertical axis may fluctuate both up and down due to the influence of the standing wave. In the embodiments described later, the graph shows upward fluctuation when the toilet bowl 20 is clogged, but it may also include downward fluctuation.

FIG. 3A illustrates detection results when the toilet bowl 20 is not clogged. In FIG. 3A, a period P1 represents the state before cleaning water is supplied. A period P2 represents a state in which cleansing water is being supplied. A period P3 represents the state after the supply of cleaning water ends. Hereinafter, the state of the toilet bowl 20 during the period P1 will be referred to as "before flushing". Further, the state of the toilet bowl 20 during the period P2 is called "cleaning", and the state of the toilet bowl 20 during the period P3 is called "after cleaning". The states of the toilet bowl 20 during these periods will be specifically described below.

At time T0 in FIG. 3(a), it is assumed that the water surface in the toilet 20 is at the water sealing surface S2. At time T0, there is no water on the surface 20a inside the toilet bowl 20, as shown in FIG. 3(b). Therefore, the detection result is stable at a relatively small value.

Thereafter, when flush water supply to the toilet bowl 20 is started at time T1, period P1 ends and period P2 begins. At time T1, in other words, a signal for supplying flush water to the toilet 20 is transmitted from the control unit 14 to the flush water supply unit 22 .

For example, between times T1 and T2, which is immediately after the supply of cleaning water is started, the water flow on the surface 20a is not stable, so the value of the detection result fluctuates greatly. After that, from time T2 to time T3, a large amount of flush water is supplied into the toilet bowl 20 as shown in FIG. 3(c). Since the entire surface 20a is covered with water during this time, the detection result is stabilized at a relatively large value.

When the supply of cleaning water is stopped at time T3, period P2 ends and period P3 begins. At time T3, in other words, a signal for stopping the supply of flush water to the toilet bowl 20 is transmitted from the control unit 14 to the flush water supply unit 22 .

After that, from time T3 to time T4 until the washing water runs out, the flow of water on the surface 20a changes, and the value of the detection result fluctuates greatly. After time T4, the supplied washing water runs out, and as shown in FIG. 3(d), there is no water on the surface 20a. Therefore, the detection result is stabilized at a relatively small value as in the period P1.

FIG. 4A illustrates detection results when the toilet 20 is clogged. In FIG. 4(a), periods P1 to P3 represent the states before, during and after cleaning, respectively, as in FIG. 3(a).

The detection results by the detection unit 10 in periods P1 and P2 are substantially the same as the example shown in FIG. That is, during the period P1, as shown in FIG. 4B, there is no water on the surface 20a, and during the period P2, as shown in FIG. is covered with water.

If the toilet bowl 20 is clogged, the flush water supplied during the period P2 is not drained from the toilet bowl 20 and accumulates in the toilet bowl 20 as shown in FIG. 4(c). In this case, since the surface 20a is covered with water, the detection result shows a relatively large value even after the supply of cleaning water is finished at time T3.

The clogging determination unit 12 compares the first detection result of the detection unit 10 during the period P2 during cleaning with the second detection result of the detection unit 10 during the period P3 after cleaning in the series of flows described above. The clogging judging section 12 judges the clogging state of the toilet bowl 20 based on the comparison result.

Specifically, the clogging determination unit 12 calculates the difference between the first detection result and the second detection result. The clogging determination unit 12 determines that the toilet bowl 20 is not clogged if the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The clogging determination unit 12 determines that the toilet bowl 20 is clogged if the difference is less than a predetermined value. For example, the absolute value of the difference is used for comparison with a predetermined value. The predetermined value is set in advance by an administrator of the toilet device 1. FIG. Alternatively, the predetermined value may be set based on past detection results by the detection unit 10 or the like.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3A, the detection unit 10 acquires the first detection result at timing t1 in period P2, and the detection unit 10 acquires the second detection result at timing t2 in period P3. The clogging determination unit 12 compares the difference between the value V1 of the first detection result and the value V2 of the second detection result with a predetermined value PV. Since the difference V1-V2 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value PV, it is determined that the toilet bowl 20 is not clogged.

In the example shown in FIG. 4A, the value V1 of the first detection result obtained at timing t1 of period P2 is the same as the value V2 of the second detection result obtained at timing t2 of period P3. Therefore, since the difference V1-V2 is less than the predetermined value PV, it is determined that the toilet bowl 20 is clogged.

Alternatively, the clogging determination unit 12 may use the detection result of the detection unit 10 during the period P1 before cleaning as the first detection result. In this case, if the difference between the first detection result and the second detection result is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the clogging determination unit 12 determines that the toilet bowl 20 is clogged. 20 is determined to be free of clogging.

However, during the period P1, the state of the surface 20a may change depending on the functions attached to the toilet bowl 20, the mode of use of the toilet bowl 20, and the like. For example, the toilet bowl 20 may be provided with a device that sprays water (disinfected water or tap water) on the surface inside the toilet bowl 20 before cleaning. When water is sprayed on the surface inside the toilet bowl 20, a large number of water droplets adhere to the surface 20a, increasing the detection result. Alternatively, wet toilet paper may adhere to the surface 20a. In this case, the detection result is greater than when nothing adheres to the surface 20a. As a result, the difference between the detection result in the period P1 and the detection result in the period P3 is greater than or equal to the threshold, and there is a possibility that the toilet 20 is clogged even though the toilet 20 is not clogged. .

Therefore, as the first detection result, it is desirable to use the detection result of the detection unit 10 during the period P2 during cleaning. This makes it possible to stabilize the first detection result used as the reference value in determining whether the toilet 20 is clogged, regardless of the functions attached to the toilet 20 and the mode of use of the toilet 20 . As a result, it becomes possible to determine the clogging state of the toilet bowl 20 with higher accuracy. Hereinafter, a case will be described in which the detection result during the cleaning period P2 is used as the first detection result to determine whether the toilet 20 is clogged.

The control unit 14 executes the following first step and second step based on the determination result by the clogging determination unit 12 described above. In the first step, the control unit 14 determines whether or not to prohibit the supply of flush water based on the determination result of the clogging determination unit 12 after the supply of flush water into the toilet bowl 20 is completed. The second step is executed when it is determined in the first step that the supply of washing water is prohibited. In the second step, the control unit 14 determines whether or not to continue prohibiting the supply of cleaning water based on the determination result of the clogging determining unit 12 after the first step.

The effects of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of the toilet apparatus according to the embodiment.
After starting the supply of cleansing water to the toilet bowl 20, the control unit 14 ends the supply of cleansing water (step St1). After that, the control unit 14 prohibits the flush water supply to the toilet bowl 20 (step St2).

The clogging determination unit 12 acquires the detection result by the detection unit 10 while the flush water supply is prohibited (step St3), and determines whether the toilet bowl 20 is clogged. When the clogging state is determined by the clogging determination unit 12, the control unit 14 performs a first step of determining whether or not to prohibit the supply of cleaning water based on the determination result (step St4). When the clogging determination unit 12 determines that there is no clogging, the control unit 14 does not prohibit the supply of cleaning water. That is, the control unit 14 cancels the prohibition of the cleaning water supply executed in step St2 (step St5).

When the clogging determination unit 12 determines that there is clogging, the control unit 14 prohibits the supply of cleaning water (step St6). That is, the control unit 14 continues the prohibition of the cleaning water supply executed in step St2. Then, the clogging determination unit 12 acquires the detection result of the detection unit 10 again while the flush water supply is prohibited (step St7), and determines whether the toilet bowl 20 is clogged.

When the clogging state is determined by the clogging determination unit 12, the control unit 14 performs a second step of determining whether or not to continue prohibiting the supply of cleaning water (step St8). The determination result of the clogged state of the toilet bowl 20 after the first step is used for the determination of the second step. When the clogging determination unit 12 determines that there is clogging, the control unit 14 continues prohibiting the supply of cleaning water (step St9). Then, the control unit 14 causes the notification means 16 to notify that the toilet bowl 20 is clogged (step St10). When the clogging determination unit 12 determines that there is no clogging, the control unit 14 finally cancels the prohibition of the cleaning water supply (step St17).

In the toilet device 1 according to the embodiment, the controller 14 executes the above-described first step and second step. In the first step, the control unit 14 determines whether or not to prohibit the supply of flush water based on the clogged state of the toilet bowl 20 determined early after the supply of flush water. Therefore, when the toilet bowl 20 is clogged, the flushing water supply to the toilet bowl 20 can be quickly prohibited, and the overflow of water from the toilet bowl 20 can be prevented more reliably.
Then, in the second step, the control unit 14 determines whether or not to prohibit the supply of flush water based on the clogged state of the toilet bowl 20 determined after the first step. Even if the flush water supply is prohibited in the first step, the prohibition of the flush water supply is lifted in the second step if the condition of the toilet 20 is improved. As a result, flushing water can be supplied to the toilet bowl 20, and the toilet bowl 20 can be used again.
In other words, according to the toilet device 1 of the embodiment, it is possible to more reliably prevent water from overflowing the toilet 20 while suppressing deterioration in usability of the toilet 20 .

It is desirable that the clogging determination unit 12 determines whether the toilet 20 is clogged only when the first step and the second step are performed. That is, when the clogging determination unit 12 determines that there is clogging during the first step by the control unit 14 , the clogging state of the toilet bowl 20 is determined again during the second step by the control unit 14 . When the control unit 14 determines that there is no clogging during the first step, the clogging determination unit 12 does not determine the clogging state of the toilet bowl 20 thereafter. As a result, the frequency of execution of the judgment operation by the clogging judging section 12 can be reduced, and the control in the toilet device 1 can be made more efficient.

The cleaning operation for cleaning the toilet bowl 20 may be performed continuously. For example, the user may perform a cleaning operation, supply cleaning water, and then perform the next cleaning operation immediately after the supply of cleaning water is completed. After the flushing water supply is completed and before the judgment result in the first step is obtained, the flushing operation is performed, and when the flushing water is supplied to the toilet bowl 20, if the toilet bowl 20 is clogged, the water is removed. may overflow. Therefore, it is desirable that the control unit 14 sets a cleaning prohibition time for prohibiting the supply of cleaning water, as in step St2 in the flowchart of FIG. The cleaning prohibition time is set at least between the end of the cleaning water supply and the time when the determination result of the first step is obtained. By setting the flushing prohibition time, it is possible to prevent the flushing operation from being performed and the flushing water to be supplied to the toilet bowl 20 from the end of the flushing water supply to the determination result in the first step. can be prevented. As a result, overflow of water from the toilet bowl 20 can be prevented more reliably.

Further, the control unit 14 does not execute the notification by the notification means 16 when it is determined that the supply of cleaning water is prohibited only in the first step, and the notification is performed by the notification means 16 when it is determined in the second step that the supply of cleaning water is to be continued. to run. That is, the notification by the notification means 16 is performed only when the clogged state of the toilet bowl 20 does not improve over time and is serious. By doing so, the number of times of reporting by the reporting means 16 can be reduced, and for example, the management burden of reporting by the administrator of the toilet apparatus 1 can be reduced.

When the clogging determination unit 12 determines that there is no clogging in the second step, the control unit 14 determines whether the determination time of the second step is longer than or equal to the predetermined time (step St11). The determination time of the second step refers to the time from the start of the second step until the determination result of the second step is obtained. If the determined time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the control unit 14 causes the notification means 16 to notify that fact or that there is a possibility of a blockage in the future (step St12).

For example, the clogging determination unit 12 repeatedly determines whether the toilet bowl 20 is clogged using a plurality of detection results acquired during the second step. Even if it is determined that the toilet bowl 20 is clogged, the water in the toilet bowl 20 may gradually flow thereafter and the level of the water surface may drop. In the second step, a final determination result that the toilet bowl 20 is clogged is made based on only one detection result. Even if the water flows out, flush water cannot be supplied to the toilet bowl 20. - 特許庁

Therefore, in the second step, the clogging determination unit 12 continuously or intermittently acquires detection results multiple times, and repeatedly determines the clogging state of the toilet bowl 20 . This repeated determination is performed until a predetermined period of time elapses or until the controller 14 determines not to continue prohibiting the supply of cleansing water. That is, in the second step, if the clogging determination unit 12 determines that there is no clogging, the control unit 14 determines not to continue prohibiting the supply of washing water, and the clogging determination unit 12 repeatedly determines that there is clogging. If time passes, the prohibition of cleaning water supply is continued. Step St11 compares the time from the start of the second step until the determination result of the second step is obtained when the clogging determination unit 12 determines that there is no clogging with a preset predetermined time. .

In this way, even if the control unit 14 determines not to continue the prohibition of washing water supply in the second step, the notification unit 16 It is desirable to determine the necessity of notification by According to this method, it is possible to report a relatively serious clogged toilet bowl 20 that took a long time to improve. For example, by notifying the manager of the toilet device 1 of this, the manager can perform maintenance on the toilet bowl 20 before the toilet bowl 20 is completely clogged, and the toilet bowl 20 is completely clogged. can be prevented.

Moreover, it is desirable that the control unit 14 executes the determination in the second step for a longer time than the determination in the first step. By doing so, even if the supply of cleaning water is prohibited in the first step, the prohibition of supplying cleaning water is easily released in the second step. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent water from overflowing from the toilet bowl 20, and to improve usability of the toilet bowl 20. - 特許庁

When the determination time is less than the predetermined time, the control unit 14 determines whether it is determined not to continue prohibition of the cleaning water supply in the second step for a plurality of consecutive times (step St13). For example, when the second step is executed after the supply of cleansing water is completed and it is determined not to continue the prohibition of the supply of cleansing water, the control unit 14 controls the predetermined number of Refer to the judgment result after the end of the cleaning water supply. If the control unit 14 determines that the second process is executed after each supply of cleansing water has been completed a predetermined number of times, and it is determined that the prohibition of the supply of cleansing water will not be continued even in the second process, the control unit 14 will be blocked. The notification means 16 is made to notify that there is a possibility (step St14). The predetermined number of times may be once, or may be two or more times.

If clogging occurs continuously in the toilet bowl 20, there is a high possibility that the toilet bowl 20 will become clogged more seriously in the near future. According to steps St13 and St14, even if the clogging in the toilet bowl 20 is not serious, if clogging occurs repeatedly, it is possible to notify that clogging may occur in the future. For example, by notifying the manager of the toilet device 1 of this, the manager can perform maintenance on the toilet bowl 20 before the toilet bowl 20 is completely clogged, and the toilet bowl 20 is completely clogged. can be prevented.

When the determination in step St13 is "No", the control unit 14 determines whether the determination time for the second process has increased compared to the determination time for the previously executed second process (step St15). If it has increased, the control unit 14 notifies that (step St16).

Even if clogging in the toilet bowl 20 does not occur continuously, if the determination time in the second step tends to increase, it is assumed that the degree of clogging is increasing, and the toilet bowl 20 will cause serious clogging in the near future. is likely to occur. According to steps St15 and St16, when the determination time tends to increase, it is possible to notify that fact or that there is a possibility that the system will be stuck in the future. For example, by notifying the administrator of the toilet apparatus 1, the administrator can receive this notification and perform maintenance of the toilet bowl 20, thereby preventing the toilet bowl 20 from being completely clogged.

If the determination in step St15 is "No", or after any one of steps St12, St14, and St16 is executed, the prohibition of supplying cleansing water is lifted (step St17). Note that the order of executing the determinations in steps St11, St13, and St15 is not limited to the embodiment. The order of these determinations can be changed as appropriate.

The operation of the toilet apparatus 1 according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to specific examples.
6 to 9 are graphs illustrating detection results by the detection unit of the toilet apparatus according to the embodiment.
6 to 9, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the result of detection by the detection unit 10. FIG. 6 to 9 show the intensity (voltage value) of the reflected wave detected by the radio wave sensor when the radio wave sensor is used as the detection unit 10 as the detection result.

6 to 9, it is assumed that the water level in the toilet bowl 20 is at the water sealing surface S2 shown in FIG. 2 at time T10. In the example of FIG. 6, after that, the cleaning operation is performed at time T11, and cleaning water supply is started. After the supply of cleansing water is started, the water level in the toilet bowl 20 stabilizes at time T12, and the supply of cleansing water ends at time T13. After that, the first step is executed by the control unit 14 between time T13 and time T14.

The clogging determination unit 12 determines the clogging state of the toilet bowl 20 using the detection results of the detection unit 10 acquired between time T13 and time T14. For example, the clogging determination unit 12 uses the detection result obtained at timing t11 between time T12 and time T13 and the detection result obtained at timing t12 between time T13 and time T14, A clogged state of the toilet bowl 20 is determined. In the first step, the control unit 14 determines whether or not to prohibit the flush water supply to the toilet bowl 20 based on this determination result.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the detection result at timing t11 and the detection result at timing t12 are the same value. Therefore, the clogging determination unit 12 determines that the toilet bowl 20 is clogged. Based on this determination result, the control unit 14 determines to prohibit the flush water supply to the toilet bowl 20 in the first step.

When the determination of the first step is completed, the control unit 14 executes the second step after time T14 after the first step. The clogging determination unit 12 determines whether the toilet bowl 20 is clogged using the detection result of the detection unit 10 acquired after time T14. For example, the clogging determination unit 12 determines the clogging state of the toilet 20 using the detection result obtained at timing t11 and the detection result obtained at timing t13 after time T14. In the second step, the control unit 14 determines whether or not to continue prohibiting the flush water supply to the toilet bowl 20 based on this determination result.

The determination by the control unit 14 in the second step is repeated continuously or intermittently as described above. For example, when it is determined that there is clogging in the clogging state determination using the detection result at timing t13, the clogging determination unit 12 uses the detection results acquired at timing t11 and timing t14 after timing t13. clogged state of the toilet bowl 20 is determined again. Then, when it is determined that there is clogging and it is determined to continue prohibiting the supply of cleaning water, the clogging determination unit 12 similarly repeatedly determines the clogging state using the detection results at timings t15 and t16.

When the control unit 14 determines not to continue prohibition of the supply of cleansing water, or repeatedly determines to continue prohibition of the supply of cleansing water for a predetermined time, the second step ends. In the example of FIG. 6, since the value of the detection result does not change after time T14, the control unit 14 repeatedly determines to continue prohibiting the supply of cleaning water. Then, at time T15 after a predetermined period of time has elapsed from time T14, the second step ends while the supply of cleaning water is still prohibited. Thereafter, the supply of flush water is prohibited, and the clogging of the toilet bowl 20 is reported.

In the example of FIG. 7, the detection results from time T10 to time T14 are the same as in the example of FIG. That is, in the first step, the controller 14 determines to prohibit the supply of cleaning water. In the example of FIG. 7, the detection result gradually decreases thereafter. That is, although the toilet bowl 20 is clogged, the water in the toilet bowl 20 gradually flows and the water level is lowered. For example, in the second step, it is determined that there is clogging in the clogging state determination based on the respective detection results at timings t13 to t16. However, at time T15, the detection result becomes sufficiently smaller than the detection result at time t11, and the clogging determination unit 12 determines that there is no clogging. As a result, the control unit 14 cancels the prohibition of flush water supply to the toilet bowl 20 and ends the second step.

At this time, in the second step, if the time required for determination from time T14 to time T15 is longer than the predetermined time PT, the control unit 14 causes the notification means 16 to perform notification. As a result, as described above, it is possible to notify only when the clogging state of the toilet bowl 20 is relatively serious.

FIG. 8 shows the state when the cleaning operation is performed twice with an interval of time. The detection results from time T10 to time T15 in FIG. 8 are substantially the same as the example in FIG. Further, the detection results from time T21 to time T25 in FIG. 8 are substantially the same as the detection results from time T11 to time T15 in FIG. That is, the first step is performed from time T13 to time T14 and from time T23 to time T24, and the second step is performed from time T14 to time T15 and from time T24 to time T25.

In the first steps from time T13 to time T14 and from time T23 to time T24, it is determined that the toilet bowl 20 is clogged, and the controller 14 determines to prohibit flush water supply. Further, in the second steps from time T14 to time T15 and from time T24 to time T25, it is finally determined that the toilet bowl 20 is not clogged, and the controller 14 determines not to continue prohibition of flush water supply. .

Further, as described above, if the controller 14 determines not to continue the prohibition of the supply of cleansing water in the second step after finishing the supply of cleansing water a predetermined number of times most recently executed, the notification means 16 Notify. Here, it is assumed that one time is set as the predetermined number of times. In the example of FIG. 8, when the supply of cleansing water from time T11 to time T13 is executed immediately before the supply of cleansing water from time T21 to time T23, the control unit 14 causes the notification unit 16 to perform notification. .

Note that the toilet apparatus 1 may be provided with adjusting means so that the "predetermined number of times" can be individually set according to the installation site. Since the frequency of use and the susceptibility to clogging differ depending on the installation environment at the site, it is possible to achieve the optimum maintenance load according to the installation site by adjusting.

FIG. 9, like FIG. 8, shows the state when the cleaning operation is performed twice with an interval of time. In the example of FIG. 9, the first step is performed from time T13 to time T14 and from time T23 to time T24, and the second step is performed from time T14 to time T15 and from time T24 to time T25. In any second step, the controller 14 finally determines not to continue prohibition of the supply of cleaning water.

At this time, the control unit 14 compares the determination time DT1 in the previous second step with the determination time DT2 in the subsequent second step. The determination time DT1 represents the time required from the start of the second step until obtaining the determination result of the second step in the previous second step. Further, the determination time DT2 represents the time required from the start of the second step until obtaining the determination result of the second step in the subsequent second step.

The control unit 14 does not perform notification by the notification means 16 when these determination times tend to decrease, and executes notification by the notification means 16 when they tend to increase. It should be noted that the supply of cleansing water from time T11 to time T13 may or may not be executed immediately before the supply of cleansing water from time T21 to time T23. That is, another supply of cleaning water may be performed between the supply of cleaning water from time T11 to time T13 and the supply of cleaning water from time T21 to time T23.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the invention is not limited to these descriptions. Appropriate design changes made by those skilled in the art with respect to the above embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, size, material, arrangement, installation form, and the like of each element provided in the toilet device 1 are not limited to those illustrated and can be changed as appropriate.
Moreover, each element provided in each of the above-described embodiments can be combined as long as it is technically possible, and a combination of these is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as it includes the features of the present invention.

1 Toilet device 10 Detection unit 11 Radio wave 12 Clogging determination unit 14 Control unit 16 Notification means 20 Toilet bowl 20a Surface 22 Cleaning water supply unit E Foreign matter P1 to P3 Period PV Predetermined value S1 Overflow surface S2 Sealing surface St1 to St17 Steps T0 to T4, T10 to T15, T21 to T25 Time V1 First detection result V2 Second detection result t1, t2, t11 to t15 Timing

Claims (9)

a detection unit capable of detecting at least one of the water level in the toilet and an index related to the water level;
a clogging determination unit that determines a clogged state of the toilet based on the detection result of the detection unit;
a control unit that determines whether or not to prohibit supply of flush water into the toilet based on the determination result of the clogging determination unit;
with
The control unit
a first step of determining whether or not to prohibit the supply of flush water based on the determination result of the clogging determination unit after the supply of flush water into the toilet is finished;
A second step for determining whether or not to continue prohibiting the supply of cleansing water based on the determination result of the clogging determination unit after the first step when it is determined to prohibit the supply of cleansing water in the first step. two steps and
Toilet equipment that runs. In the first step, the control unit prohibits the supply of washing water when the clogging determining unit determines that there is clogging, and in the subsequent second step, the clogging determining unit determines that there is no clogging. 2. The toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the prohibition of the flush water supply is released when the flush water supply is stopped. The toilet apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control section executes the determination in the second step for a longer time than the determination in the first step. When the clogging determining unit determines that there is clogging during the first step by the control unit, the clogging state of the toilet bowl is determined again during the second step by the control unit, The toilet apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when it is determined that there is no clogging during one process, the clogged state of the toilet bowl is not determined thereafter. 5. The controller according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit sets a cleaning prohibition time during which the supply of cleaning water is prohibited at least from the end of the supply of cleaning water until the determination result of the first step is obtained. 1. Toilet apparatus as described in . The control unit does not execute notification by the notification means when it is determined in the first step that the supply of cleaning water is prohibited, and executes notification by the notification device when it is determined in the second step that the supply of cleaning water is to be continued. The toilet apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. When it is determined in the second step that the prohibition of the supply of cleaning water is not to be continued, the control unit determines whether or not to issue a notification by the notification means based on the determination time required from the start of the second step until the determination result is obtained. The toilet device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which determines necessity. The control unit
When it is determined in the second step after the end of the supply of cleansing water that the prohibition of the supply of cleansing water is not to be continued, after the end of the supply of cleansing water a predetermined number of times executed immediately before the supply of cleansing water Refer to the judgment result of the control unit,
If it is determined in the second step that the prohibition of the supply of cleansing water is not to be continued after each completion of the supply of cleansing water for the predetermined number of times, a notification is performed by the notifying means.
Toilet apparatus according to any one of claims 1-7. The control unit
When it is determined in the second step after the end of the supply of cleansing water that the inhibition of the supply of cleansing water is not to be continued, even after the end of the supply of cleansing water prior to the supply of cleansing water, the supply of cleansing water is continued in the second step. If it is determined that the prohibition of
When the determination time tends to increase, the notification by the notification means is performed, and when the determination time tends to decrease, the notification by the notification means is not performed.
Toilet apparatus according to any one of claims 1-8.

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