JP7185380B2 - toilet equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to toilet apparatus.

In recent years, there is a toilet device that can automatically control various functions by detecting the state of the user's toilet device. For example, in a toilet device that automatically flushes, various sensors detect that the user has left the toilet seat, and the toilet device is flushed (large flush, small flush, etc.).

For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a toilet seat device (toilet device) in which a human body detecting means is housed. This human body detection means uses high-frequency radio waves for detecting a human body (user) based on a detection signal generated by a received wave obtained by receiving a transmitted wave and a reflected wave bounced back from the human body.

JP 2003-284655 A

In the toilet seat device described in Patent Document 1, a cleaning mechanism (nozzle) provided for cleaning the private parts of the user and capable of advancing and retracting in the front-rear direction is arranged below the human body detection device (human body detection means). (see FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1). Therefore, when the private parts are washed, the washing water discharged from the nozzle flows down in front of the receiving antenna of the human body detection device (that is, in the direction in which radio waves are emitted), and the reflected waves bounced back from the washing water There is a problem that it is mistakenly recognized as being bounced by the human body, and the detection of the user's seating or leaving is erroneous. If such misidentification occurs, even if the user who is washing his/her private parts gets off the seat and stands up, the cleansing water will continue to come out, and the user, the toilet seat device, the floor, etc. may get wet.

The inventor of the present invention has focused on the fact that the radio wave sensor generally has low accuracy in short-distance distance measurement, and that it is difficult to determine whether the user is seated or unseated at a short distance from the radio wave sensor. As a first method to solve the above problem, the transmitting part of the radio wave sensor is arranged on the most front side (that is, the user side) in the rear part of the toilet seat and above the nozzle, and the radio wave sensor is placed in the front part of the toilet seat. By arranging the receiver in the part facing the part, compared to the conventional case of detecting radio waves returning to the transmitter, it is possible to improve the accuracy of distance measurement. found to be useful for prevention. In addition, as a second method, a capacitance sensor is placed at the front of the main body of the toilet device and above the nozzle, and the capacitance of the user (that is, the human body), which is different from the capacitance of water, is measured. It has been found that by enabling detection, it is useful for good determination of whether the user is seated or unseated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a toilet apparatus that can satisfactorily detect whether a user is seated or unseated.

A toilet apparatus according to the present invention comprises a toilet, a toilet seat placed on the toilet and having an opening, and a capacitance sensing function and frequency disposed around the opening for sensing changes in capacitance. a multifunction unit having a continuous wave oscillating function for transmitting a modulated continuous wave and a continuous wave receiving function for receiving the continuous wave; and the capacitance sensed in the multifunction unit is larger than a predetermined capacitance. a detection unit that detects that the user is seated when the user is seated, and detects that the user is off the seat when the capacitance sensed by the multifunction unit is smaller than the predetermined capacitance. and a function of the multiple function unit can be switched between the capacitance sensing function, the continuous wave oscillation function, and the continuous wave reception function by the detection unit .

According to the above-described configuration, the capacitance sensing function is selected by switching the function of the multi-function unit between the capacitance sensing function, the continuous wave oscillating function, and the continuous wave receiving function by the sensing unit. In this case, as described above, when the user's seating or leaving the seat is detected satisfactorily according to changes in the capacitance of the multifunction unit, and the continuous wave oscillation function and the continuous wave reception function are selected, Based on distance measurement using continuous waves, the distance between the user and the toilet device, and the entrance/exit of the private toilet room, etc. are detected. By making it possible to switch between the human body detection mode based on the capacitance and the human body detection mode based on the continuous wave in the multiple function part in this manner, the size of the multiple function part and the toilet device can be reduced.

In the above-described toilet apparatus, the multiple function part may be arranged at the foremost part behind the toilet seat and above the nozzle.

According to the above configuration, when the function of the multifunction unit is switched to the capacitance sensing function, the change in capacitance is sensitively and reliably detected, and the user's seating and removal can be detected satisfactorily. be judged. In addition, when the function of the multifunction part is switched to the continuous wave oscillation function and the continuous wave reception function, it is transmitted from the multifunction part and sent to the user's toilet device by distance measurement using continuous waves such as FM-CW. , and the detection of entry and exit of private toilets, etc., can be performed satisfactorily.

Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, it is possible to satisfactorily detect the seating and leaving of a user. Furthermore, by detecting whether the user is seated or removed from the seat, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the private part washing nozzle.

It is a schematic diagram of the toilet apparatus of 1st embodiment to which this invention is applied. 1. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the components, circuits, etc. which were provided in the main-body part of the toilet apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is a side view showing a relative relationship between a cleaning nozzle and a region A; FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the toilet apparatus of 2nd embodiment to which this invention is applied.

An embodiment of a toilet apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings used in the following description are schematic, and the ratios of length, width, thickness, etc. are not necessarily the same as the actual ones, and can be changed as appropriate.

(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet device 1 of the first embodiment includes a toilet bowl 5, a toilet seat 6, a local cleaning nozzle (nozzle) 8, a transmitter 10, a first receiver 12, and a detector 9. , is equipped with

The configuration and shape of the toilet bowl 5 and the toilet seat 6 placed on the toilet bowl 5 are not particularly limited, and may be known ones.

The private part washing nozzle 8 is housed in a main body part 7 provided at the rear 6d of the toilet seat 6 so as to be movable back and forth, and has a function of washing the private part of the user with warm water or the like. That is, in the toilet device 1 , water is supplied from a tap (not shown), heated by a heater or the like installed inside the main body 7 , and supplied to the private part washing nozzle 8 . The private part washing nozzle 8 is basically accommodated inside or below the main body 7, and when it is detected that the user (not shown) has sat down on the toilet seat 6, the nozzle is operated by the user from a remote controller (not shown) or the like. A remote operation is accepted, and the front portion (that is, the cleansing water discharging portion) 8c of the private parts washing nozzle 8 is allowed to advance to the opening S of the toilet seat 6, and the discharging of cleansing water is permitted. In addition, while the user is seated on the toilet seat 6, after washing water is discharged at a predetermined time according to the usage time, etc., the private part washing nozzle 8 is turned on the main body by remote control by the user using a remote control or the like. It is accommodated inside or below 7. On the other hand, when it is detected that the user has left the toilet seat 6, remote operation by the user is not accepted, and if the private part washing nozzle 8 has discharged washing water immediately before the user has left the seat, the washing water is discharged. is stopped.

The transmitter 10, which emits radio waves, is located at the frontmost portion 6x behind the toilet seat 6 6d and in a retracted state (that is, in a state accommodated inside or below the main body 7, and does not discharge water). state) is arranged at least above the private part washing nozzle 8 . More specifically, the main body 7 includes a large number of functional parts for realizing various functions of the toilet apparatus 1 while being covered with the cover 17, circuits constituting a detection part 9 to be described later, and these functional parts and circuits. A control unit and the like for controlling are provided. FIG. 2A schematically illustrates the functional parts, circuits, and the like provided in the main body 7 as described above. As an arrangement capable of emitting radio waves at least from the rear 6d of the toilet seat 6, in the configuration illustrated in FIG. When the private parts washing nozzle 8 is in the retracted state, the transmitter 10 is positioned above the front part 8c of the private parts washing nozzle 8 and in front of or in front of the private parts washing nozzle 8 in the horizontal direction (the front-rear direction in FIGS. 1 and 2). is provided in the area A of When the cover 17 is installed as shown in FIG. 1, the frontmost surface 17P of the cover 17 is arranged within the area A shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b). The transmitting unit 10 is arranged in the area A so as to be arranged on the back surface (that is, the rear surface) of the foremost surface 17P of the cover 17 or on the same surface as the foremost surface 17P.

The transmission unit 10 includes a small power supply capable of transmitting (transmitting) high-frequency radio waves. The compact power supply is composed of, for example, an integrated circuit for generating high frequency pulses. The frequency of the high-frequency radio waves emitted from the transmitter 10 is, for example, about 24 GHz, but is not particularly limited.

Near the transmitter 10, in addition to a compact power supply, there is a continuous wave source 18 that transmits a continuous wave W2 of FM-CW frequency-modulated in a predetermined pattern, and a second receiver that receives the continuous wave W2. 20 are provided.

The first receiving unit 12 shields the radio wave W1 emitted from the transmitting unit 10 between itself and the transmitting unit 10 on the far side of the front part 6c of the toilet seat 6 (for example, a power distribution/energizing device for warming the toilet seat 6). It is arranged so as to face the transmitter 10 without a metal plate) and receives the radio waves W1 emitted from the transmitter 10 .

The detection unit 9 has a function of causing the transmission unit 10 to transmit the radio waves W1 and determining whether or not the strength of the radio waves W1 received by the first reception unit 12 is stronger than a predetermined strength. The first receiver 12 detects that the user is seated when the strength of the received radio wave W1 is weaker than a predetermined strength. On the other hand, when the strength of the radio wave W1 received by the first receiving section 12 is stronger than the aforementioned predetermined strength, it is detected that the user has left the seat. In the toilet device 1, various functional components provided in the main body 7 are configured to start and stop operating based on the seating/unseating information detected by the detection unit 9 by the above-described control unit or the like. there is

Taking the private part washing nozzle 8, which is one of the above-described functional components, as an example, when the detection unit 9 detects that the user is seated, the user is provided with the toilet device 1, the remote controller, or the like. Washing water is discharged from the private part washing nozzle 8 when the private part washing switch is pressed. On the other hand, when the detection unit 9 detects that the user has left the seat, if cleansing water has been discharged from the private parts washing nozzle 8 immediately before that, the discharge of cleansing water is stopped. Alternatively, even if the user presses a private parts washing switch provided on the toilet device 1, a remote controller, or the like, discharge of washing water from the private parts washing nozzle 8 is prohibited.

The detection unit 9 and the above-described control unit are composed of, for example, a microchip or an integrated circuit in which the above-described control program is built.

In the vicinity of the transmitter 10, a continuous wave transmission source 18 that transmits FM-CW frequency-modulated in a predetermined pattern and a second receiver 20 that receives FM-CW (continuous wave CW) are provided. . As the continuous wave transmission source 18, there is a known FM-CW signal source chip used for distance measurement and the like. As the second receiving unit 20, a known FM-CW receiving system or receiving circuit used for distance measurement or the like can be used. The transmitting section 10, the continuous wave source 18 and the second receiving section 20 described above may be integrated as one sensor unit.

According to the toilet device 1 of the first embodiment described above, the radio wave W1 emitted from the transmitter 10 diverges and spreads as the distance from the transmitter 10 increases. Most of the radio waves W1 are blocked by the user U and hardly received by the first receiver 12 . On the other hand, when the user is off the toilet seat 6, the radio wave W1 emitted from the transmitter 10 is transmitted to the front part 6c of the toilet seat 6 (that is, the front inner side of the toilet seat 6) including the first receiver 12. and received by the first receiving unit 12 . For example, even if the user is off the toilet seat 6 and the cleansing water is being emitted from the private washing nozzle 8, the spread radio wave W1 is slightly blocked by the cleansing water as described above, and the first level of the radio wave W1 is not affected. It reaches the receiving section 12 sufficiently. When the strength of the radio wave at the first receiving section 12 is stronger than a predetermined strength, the detection section 9 detects that the user is out of the seat, and the strength of the radio wave at the first receiving section 12 is detected. If the strength is weaker than the predetermined strength, it is detected that the user is seated. Therefore, according to the toilet device 1, it is possible to satisfactorily detect whether the user is seated or unseated.

As described above, it is assumed that the user has bounced back the radio waves (reflected waves) from the flushing water, as in conventional toilet devices, by properly detecting the user's seating and leaving. Misrecognition and misrecognition that the user is seated on the toilet seat 6 are extremely unlikely to occur. In addition, the user is seated on the toilet seat because the reflected waves bounced back from the wash water are perceived as being bounced back by the human body, which accompanies good detection of the user's sitting down or leaving the seat. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the false recognition that the private part washing nozzle 8 discharges washing water. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user, the toilet seat device, the floor surface, etc. from getting wet due to the fact that the cleansing water continues to come out even when the user who is washing his/her private parts leaves the seat and stands up. Alternatively, it is possible to prevent the toilet bowl flushing water from flowing even if the user leaves the seat.

Further, according to the toilet device 1 of the first embodiment, since the continuous wave transmission source 18 and the second reception section 20 are provided in the vicinity of the transmission section 10, the continuous wave transmission source 18 transmits and frequency-modulates Distance measurement using FM-CW becomes possible, and a user approaching or leaving the toilet device 1 can be detected satisfactorily. As a result, in addition to the user's sitting on and off the toilet seat 6, the user's approaching and separating from the toilet device 1, and the user's entering and exiting the private toilet where the toilet device 1 is installed can be detected. It can be carried out.

In the above-described first embodiment, the transmission unit 10 is installed on the back (rear side) of the front surface 17P of the cover 17 of the main unit 7 or on the same surface as the front surface 17P. and above the private part washing nozzle 8, it may be provided at a position other than the above. For example, a portion through which the radio wave W1 and the continuous wave W2 can pass is provided on the front surface 17P of the cover 17, and the transmission unit 10 is covered with the cover 17 in the same manner as the components and circuits illustrated in FIG. may be installed in area A.

Further, in the first embodiment described above, the case where the first receiving section 12 is provided on the far side of the front portion 6c of the toilet seat 6 has been described, but the first receiving section 12 faces the transmitting section 10 with the user of the toilet device 1 interposed therebetween. The first receiver 12 may be provided at a position other than the front part 6c of the toilet seat 6 as long as it is a position where the first receiver 12 is located. For example, the radio wave W1 may be radiated from the transmitter 10 so as to diffuse, and the first receiver 12 may be provided on the side of the toilet seat 6 .

(Second embodiment)
Next, the toilet device 2 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Among the constituent elements of the toilet device 2 shown in FIG. 2, the constituent elements that are the same as those of the toilet device 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the toilet device 2 of the second embodiment, instead of the transmitting section 10, a sensing section 22 that senses changes in capacitance is provided. Also, the first receiving unit 12 is unnecessary. The sensing unit 22 is not particularly limited as long as it can sense a change in capacitance caused by the user touching the sensing unit 22 from the front when the user is seated on the toilet seat 6, and senses the capacitance. available electrodes, known electrostatic capacitance type proximity sensors, and the like.

The detection unit 9 detects that the user is seated when the capacitance sensed by the sensing unit 22 is greater than a predetermined capacitance, and the capacitance sensed by the sensing unit 22 is equal to the predetermined capacitance. If it is smaller than the capacity, it is detected that the user is off the seat.

In the toilet device 2 as well, based on the seating/unseating information detected by the detector 9, various functional components are configured to start and stop operating by the aforementioned controller and the like. As for the private part washing nozzle 8 as well, according to the seating/unseating information detected by the detector 9 as described for the toilet device 1, washing water is discharged, or the discharge of washing water is stopped or prohibited.

According to the toilet device 2 of the second embodiment described above, when the user is seated on the toilet seat 6, the capacitance is detected by the sensing unit 22 . On the other hand, when the user is off the toilet seat 6, the sensor 22 does not detect the capacitance. Therefore, when the capacitance at the sensing portion 22 is larger than the predetermined capacitance, the sensing portion 9 senses that the user is seated on the toilet seat 6, and the capacitance at the sensing portion 22 is If the strength is less than the predetermined strength, it is detected that the user is off the seat. It is considered that the capacitance changes greatly when the user sits on or leaves the toilet seat 6, and the movement of the user on the toilet seat 6 can be detected more sensitively. Therefore, according to the toilet device 2, it is possible to satisfactorily detect whether the user is seated or unseated.
In addition, similar to the toilet device 1 of the first embodiment, it is possible to obtain the effect associated with good detection of the user's seating and removal.

Further, according to the toilet device 2 of the second embodiment, since the continuous wave transmission source 18 and the second receiving portion 20 are provided in the vicinity of the sensing portion 22, similar to the toilet device 1 of the first embodiment, Ranging using frequency-modulated FM-CW emitted from the continuous wave source 18 is possible. Thereby, it is also possible to detect a user approaching the toilet device 2 or leaving the toilet device 2 satisfactorily. As a result, in addition to the user's seating/leaving on the toilet seat 6, the proximity/separation of the user to/from the toilet device 1 and the user's entry/exit to/from the private toilet where the toilet device 1 is installed can be detected. It can be carried out.
If the sensing portion 22 can sense the change in the electrostatic capacitance due to the seating and leaving of the user, the above effects can be obtained. Instead, the sensing part 22 may be arranged at a position in the toilet device 2 where the capacitance can be sensed.

(Other embodiments)
As another embodiment, in the configuration described in the second embodiment, instead of the sensing unit 22, the continuous wave transmission source 18, and the second receiving unit 20 , a capacitance sensing function for sensing changes in capacitance and an FM - A toilet device having a multi-function unit having a continuous wave oscillating function for transmitting a continuous wave W2 such as CW and a continuous wave receiving function for receiving the continuous wave W2. The function of the multi-function unit is configured to be switchable between the aforementioned capacitance sensing function , continuous wave oscillation function, and continuous wave reception function by means of the detection unit 9 .

Specifically, an electrode capable of detecting electrostatic capacity and an antenna capable of functioning as a source for transmitting the continuous wave W2 and a receiver for receiving the continuous wave W2 (for example, a patch antenna, etc.) are configured to be the same. and a toilet apparatus having a multi-functional part. For example, metals, conductive objects, and the like can be used as the above-mentioned electrode and patch antenna. It is preferable that the metal, conductive object, or the like described above is provided with a function switching circuit capable of switching the connection destination between the electrode for detecting the capacitance by the detection unit 9 and the patch antenna for transmitting the continuous wave W2. . That is, by using the function switching circuit, by switching the circuit connected from the detection unit 9 to the circuit provided with the electrode or the circuit provided with the patch antenna depending on the detection state of the human body, the function realized in the multifunction unit may be switched between a capacitive sensing function or a continuous wave transmitting and continuous wave receiving function. By performing such switching, the space in which the sensing section 22, the continuous wave transmission source 18, and the second receiving section 20 are installed can be integrated into the space in which the multifunction section is installed. Thereby, size reduction of the toilet apparatus 2 can also be achieved.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the scope of the claims. Change is possible.

For example, the continuous waves emitted from the continuous wave source 18 are preferably those applicable to ranging, but are not limited to frequency-modulated ones. The continuous wave source 18 may emit an amplitude-modulated or phase-modulated continuous wave.

1, 2 Toilet device 5 Toilet bowl 6 Toilet seat 8 Cleaning nozzle (nozzle)
9 detection unit 10 transmission unit 12 first reception unit 20 second reception unit 22 detection unit S opening

Claims (2)

a toilet bowl;
a toilet seat placed on the toilet bowl and having an opening;
It is arranged around the opening and has a capacitance sensing function for sensing a change in capacitance, a continuous wave oscillating function for transmitting a frequency-modulated continuous wave, and a continuous wave receiving function for receiving the continuous wave. a multifunction unit;
When the capacitance sensed by the multi-function unit is greater than a predetermined capacitance, it is detected that the user is seated, and the capacitance sensed by the multi-function unit is equal to the predetermined capacitance. a detection unit that detects that the user is off the seat when the capacity is smaller than the capacity,
The function of the multifunction unit is configured to be switchable among the capacitance sensing function , the continuous wave oscillation function, and the continuous wave reception function by the detection unit ,
toilet equipment. A nozzle housed in the rear part of the toilet seat so that it can move back and forth,
The multi-function part is arranged at the foremost part in the rear part of the toilet seat and above the nozzle,
Toilet apparatus according to claim 1 .

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