JP7342546B2 - toilet seat device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a toilet seat device.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, as this type of toilet seat device, one has been proposed in which a toilet seat or the like is provided with an operation section that accepts operations for various functions such as hot water washing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this toilet seat device, a part of the outer surface such as the side surface of the toilet seat is used as the operation part, and a film-like capacitive switch is pasted inside the toilet seat, which is the back side of the outer surface, and the user's finger can be operated. A capacitance switch detects proximity to the device, allowing user operations to be accepted. Further, in order to make it easier for the user to recognize the position of the operating section, the operating section is formed in a convex or concave shape.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-133617

However, if the operating section is formed in a convex or concave shape, dirt may easily accumulate on the operating section or the design may be impaired. On the other hand, in the above-described toilet seat device, if the operating portion is not formed in a convex or concave shape, the user may find it difficult to recognize the position of the operating portion, making it easier to operate the toilet incorrectly, resulting in decreased operability.

The main object of the present invention is to improve the operability of the operating section without impairing the design of the toilet seat device.

The present invention employs the following means to achieve the above-mentioned main objective.

The toilet seat device of the present invention includes:
A toilet seat device installed in a toilet bowl,
a plurality of operation units each having a detection unit disposed inside the toilet seat device structure and receiving operations from a user;
a control unit that controls a function according to the operation unit that receives the operation;
Equipped with
Some of the plurality of operation parts have a light emitting part disposed inside the structure,
The structure is integrally provided with a light transmitting part having a smooth surface at a location corresponding to the light emitting part,
The gist is that the control section causes the light emitting section of at least one of the operation sections to emit light when a user is detected based on a predetermined detection condition.

In the toilet seat device of the present invention, some of the plurality of operation parts have a light emitting part disposed inside the toilet seat device structure, and the structure has a light transmitting part with no unevenness on the surface at a location corresponding to the light emitting part. The part is provided integrally with the structure. Further, when the control section detects the user based on a predetermined detection condition, the control section causes the light emitting section of at least one operation section to emit light. As a result, at least one of the plurality of operation sections indicates the position and presence of the operation section by emitting light from the light emitting section through the light transmission section, thereby preventing the user from being confused about operating the operation section or erroneously operating the operation section. can do. Further, since the light transmitting portion is provided integrally with the structural body and has no unevenness on the surface, it is possible to improve designability and prevent dirt from accumulating on the surface. For these reasons, the operability of the operating section can be improved without impairing the design of the toilet seat device. Note that the predetermined detection condition may be that the presence detection unit detects the presence of the user of the toilet seat device, or that the seating detection unit detects that the user is sitting on the toilet seat, or that the presence detection unit detects the presence of the user on the toilet seat, or that the presence detection unit detects the presence of the user on the toilet seat, or that the presence detection unit detects the presence of the user sitting on the toilet seat, or that the presence detection unit detects the presence of the user on the toilet seat device. It may also be that the detection unit of the unit has detected the operation. Further, the structural body corresponds to a device main body that houses a control unit, a toilet seat, a toilet lid, and the like.

In the toilet seat device of the present invention, the light emitting section and the light transmitting section may be configured to emit light to display a function corresponding to the operation section. In this way, it is possible to more reliably prevent the user from becoming confused or erroneously operating the operating section.

In the toilet seat device of the present invention, the control section disables detection by the detection section of the operating section when the light emitting section of the operating section is not emitting light, and when the light emitting section of the operating section is not emitting light. In this state, the detection by the detection section of the operation section may be enabled. In this way, when it is difficult to recognize the position of the operating section because the light emitting section is not emitting light, it is possible to prevent the function of the toilet seat device from malfunctioning due to erroneous operation of the operating section.

In the toilet seat device of the present invention, among the plurality of operation sections, the operation section in which the detection section is disposed inside the toilet seat as the constituent body may receive an operation related to a private part cleaning function. This allows the user to properly operate the private parts cleaning function while sitting, and also prevents the user from erroneously operating functions other than the private parts cleaning function while sitting. Moreover, compared to the case where all the functions are provided in one seat, the number of switches for each operation part is reduced, and the appearance is simple and easy to understand, so that operability can be improved.

In the toilet seat device of the present invention, among the plurality of operation sections, the operation section in which the detection section is disposed inside the toilet lid as the constituent body accepts operations related to functions other than the private part cleaning function. Good too. This allows the user to properly operate functions other than the private part washing function before sitting on the toilet seat. Note that operations for functions other than the private part cleaning function may include, for example, in the case of a toilet seat equipped with a built-in heater, operations such as stopping the operation of the heater and setting the temperature. Furthermore, in order to give priority to reducing power consumption, if an energy saving mode can be set in which the temperature of a heating unit such as a heater is lower than in a normal mode during standby, the mode setting operation can be performed.

In the toilet seat device of the present invention, the operating section includes an outer operating section that receives an operation from the outer surface side of the toilet lid, and the control section controls the operation of the outer operating section when the user is not detected. A user is detected using detection by the detection unit as the predetermined detection condition, and a function corresponding to the outer operation unit is controlled based on the detection by the detection unit of the outer operation unit in a state in which the user is detected. Good too. In this way, the presence detection section for detecting the presence of the user can also be used as the detection section of the outer operation section, so the number of parts can be reduced. Note that the outer operation section may have a light emitting section that always emits light. In this way, the user who approaches the toilet seat device can be prompted to operate the operating section, making it easier to detect the user.

In the toilet seat device of the present invention, the operating section includes an inner operating section that receives an operation from the inner surface side of the toilet lid, and the control section controls the inner operating section when the user is not seated on the toilet seat. The detection by the detection section of the inner operating section may be enabled, and the detection by the detection section of the inner operating section may be disabled while the user is seated on the toilet seat. In this way, it is possible to prevent the functions of the toilet seat device from malfunctioning due to the user's back touching the inner operating section while the user is seated on the toilet seat.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the external appearance of the toilet seat device 10 of the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the external appearance of the toilet seat device 10 of the first embodiment. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a toilet seat device 10. FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the configuration of operation units 30, 40, and 50. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a toilet seat operation unit 40. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation control processing routine. It is an explanatory view showing an outline of composition of toilet seat device 10B of a modification. It is a flowchart which shows the operation control processing routine of a modification. It is an external perspective view showing the external appearance of a toilet seat device 10C of a second embodiment. It is an explanatory view showing an outline of composition of toilet seat device 10C. It is a flow chart which shows the operation control processing routine of a 2nd embodiment. It is an external appearance perspective view showing the external appearance of toilet seat device 10D of a 3rd embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the configuration of operation units 45, 47, 55, 57, and 230. It is a flow chart which shows the operation control processing routine of a 3rd embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of an operating unit 140 in a modified example.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A mode for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment]
1 and 2 are external perspective views showing the appearance of the toilet seat device 10 of the first embodiment, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the outline of the configuration of the toilet seat device 10, and FIG. 4 is an illustration of the operation unit 30. , 40, and 50. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the toilet seat device 10 is attached to the top surface of the toilet bowl 1, and includes a toilet seat device main body 12 and a toilet lid 14 that is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the toilet seat device main body 12 via a hinge shaft 14h. , a toilet seat 15 that is supported to be openable and closable with respect to the toilet seat main body 12 via a hinge shaft (not shown) and has a built-in toilet seat heater 18 , a nozzle unit 19 that sprays cleansing water toward private parts of the human body, and the entire device. and a control section 20 for controlling. Note that FIG. 1 shows the toilet lid 14 in an open state, and FIG. 2 shows the toilet lid 14 in a closed state. The toilet seat device main body 12, the toilet lid 14, and the toilet seat 15 are components of the toilet seat device 10, and include a hollow casing. The toilet seat device 10 also includes a human body detection sensor 22 such as an infrared type or a Doppler type that can detect whether or not a user enters the toilet room in which the toilet seat device 10 is installed and whether or not a user approaches the toilet seat device 10. , and a seating detection sensor 24 such as a capacitance type or mechanical type that can detect whether or not a user is sitting on the toilet seat 15. The nozzle unit 19 includes a heat exchange unit that heats water from a water supply pipe with a heater, a pulsating pump that adjusts the strength of the wash water, a switching valve that switches the flow path of the wash water, and a wash nozzle 19a (such as a butt wash nozzle or a bidet wash nozzle). It is equipped with a moving device that moves the nozzle forward and backward.

The toilet seat device 10 also includes a toilet lid operation unit 30 disposed inside the casing of the toilet lid 14 and an inside toilet seat operation unit disposed within the casing of the toilet seat 15 as operation units that receive user operations. 40, 50. The toilet lid operating unit 30 can be operated by a user in an upright state from the outer surface (the outer surface in a closed state) of the toilet lid 14. The in-toilet seat operation units 40 and 50 can be operated by a user who is seated on the toilet seat 15, and the in-toilet seat operation unit 40 is arranged on the right side of the top surface of the toilet seat 15 when viewed from the seated user. The toilet seat operation unit 50 is disposed on the left side of the top surface of the toilet seat 15. Note that an in-toilet seat operation unit may be disposed on the front side or the back side of the top surface of the toilet seat 15.

Here, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the toilet seat operation unit 40, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. The toilet seat operation unit 40 includes a plurality of (here, three) operation sections 40a, 40b, and 40c. The operating section 40a includes a butt washing switch 42a that instructs to wash the butt, and a lamp 44a that emits light. The operating section 40b includes a bidet cleaning switch 42b that instructs bidet cleaning, and a lamp 44b that emits light. The operating section 40c includes a stop switch 42c that instructs to stop cleaning, and a lamp 44c that emits light. The butt cleaning switch 42a, the bidet cleaning switch 42b, and the stop switch 42c are, for example, capacitance sensors, and a film 42 in which electrodes constituting each switch 42a to 42c are arranged at predetermined intervals on a transparent base material is attached to the toilet seat 15. It is attached to the lower surface of the upper plate 16. Note that the sensor is not limited to a capacitance sensor, and may be an ultrasonic sensor, a pressure-sensitive sensor, or the like. Further, each of the lamps 44a to 44c is, for example, an LED chip, and an LED board 44 on which the LED chips are arranged at the predetermined intervals is mounted on the lower plate 17 of the toilet seat 15. Therefore, the lamps 44a, 44b, and 44c are at lower positions corresponding to the butt wash switch 42a, bidet wash switch 42b, and stop switch 42c, respectively. Note that the toilet seat 15 includes an upper plate 16 and a lower plate 17 to form a hollow casing. Further, each of the lamps 44a to 44c is not limited to an LED, but may be a semiconductor laser or the like.

The upper plate 16 of the toilet seat 15 has concave carved parts 16a, 16b, and 16c at positions corresponding to the butt cleaning switch 42a, bidet cleaning switch 42b, and stop switch 42c, which indicate the operation contents, that is, the functions corresponding to the respective operations. It is provided. The engraved portion 16a is engraved in a shape that indicates butt washing, the engraved portion 16b is engraved in a shape that indicates bidet washing, and the engraved portion 16c is engraved in a shape that indicates deactivation. These carved portions 16a, 16b, and 16c are carved in a concave shape, thereby reducing the thickness of the upper plate 16, so that they function as light transmitting portions that easily transmit light. Therefore, the light emitted from the lamps 44a, 44b, and 44c is displayed to the outside through the transparent base material of the film 42 and the carved parts 16a, 16b, and 16c, respectively, so as to indicate the function corresponding to the operation. This makes it visible from the top surface of the toilet seat 15. When the user visually recognizes this and brings his/her finger close to any of the carved parts 16a, 16b, 16c, a change in the capacitance of one of the butt cleaning switch 42a, bidet cleaning switch 42b, and stop switch 42c occurs. , one of the operating units 40a, 40b, and 40c detects a user's operation. Note that the carved portions 16a, 16b, and 16c do not penetrate the upper surface of the upper plate 16, so that unevenness such as a step does not occur on the surface of the toilet seat 15.

Further, the toilet lid operating unit 30 includes a plurality of (here, four) operating sections 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d. The operating unit 30a includes a high temperature switch 32a that sets the toilet seat heater 18 to a high temperature setting, and a lamp 34a that emits light to the outside through a carved part 14a provided on the top plate of the toilet lid 14. The operation unit 30b includes a low temperature switch 32b that sets the toilet seat heater 18 to a low temperature setting, and a lamp 34b that emits light to the outside through a carved part 14b provided on the top plate of the toilet lid 14. The operating portion 30c includes an off switch 32c for turning off the toilet seat heater 18, and a lamp 34c that emits light to the outside through a carved portion 14c provided on the top plate of the toilet lid 14. The operation unit 30d includes an energy saving switch 32d for setting the energy saving mode of the toilet seat device 10, and a lamp 34d that emits light to the outside through a carved portion 14d provided on the top plate of the toilet lid 14. Note that the energy saving mode is a mode in which the temperature of the toilet seat heater 18 and the like is lowered than in the normal mode during standby in order to give priority to reducing power consumption. Although detailed illustrations and explanations are omitted, each of the switches 32a to 32d is a capacitive sensor placed on a film 32 attached to the lower surface of the top plate of the toilet lid 14, and each of the lamps 34a to 34d is This is an LED chip arranged on an LED board 34 installed inside the toilet lid 14. Further, each of the carved parts 14a to 14d is carved in a concave shape on the lower surface of the upper plate of the toilet lid 14 so as to indicate the function corresponding to each operation part 30a to 30d, and does not penetrate through the upper surface of the upper plate. For example, the carved portions 14a and 14b are carved in a shape that indicates a display height (length) depending on the level of the set temperature, the carved portion 14c is carved in a shape that indicates an operation stop, and the carved portion 14d is carved in a shape that indicates an operation stop. It may be a mark or something engraved in the shape of a letter indicating.

Moreover, the toilet seat operation unit 50 includes a plurality of (here, four) operation sections 50a, 50b, and 50c. The operation unit 50a includes a strong wash switch 52a that sets the washing strength of the butt washing or bidet washing to strong, and a lamp 54a that emits light to the outside through a carved part 16d provided on the top plate 16 of the toilet seat 15. Equipped with The operating section 50b includes a medium cleaning switch 52b that sets the cleaning strength to medium, and a lamp 54b that emits light to the outside through a carved part 16e provided on the top plate 16. The operating portion 50c includes a weak cleaning switch 52c that sets the cleaning strength to weak, and a lamp 54c that emits light to the outside through a carved portion 16f provided on the top plate 16. Although detailed illustrations and explanations are omitted, each of the switches 52a to 52c is a capacitive sensor placed on a film 52 attached to the lower surface of the top plate 16, and each of the lamps 54a to 54c is a capacitance type sensor placed inside the toilet seat 15. This is an LED chip placed on an LED board 54 attached to the LED board 54. Further, each of the carved parts 16d to 16f is carved in a concave shape on the lower surface of the upper plate 16 so as to indicate a function corresponding to the operation parts 50a to 50c, and does not penetrate the upper surface of the upper plate 16.

The control unit 20 is configured as a microcomputer centered on a CPU, and includes a ROM, a RAM, a timer, an input/output port, etc. in addition to the CPU. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the control unit 20 receives a detection signal from the human body detection sensor 22, a detection signal from the seating detection sensor 24, and a detection signal from each switch 32a to 32d of the toilet lid operation unit 30. , detection signals from the respective switches 42a to 42c and 52a to 52c of the in-toilet seat operation units 40 and 50 are inputted via the input port. The control unit 20 also sends drive signals to the toilet seat heater 18, drive signals to the nozzle unit 19, drive signals to each of the lamps 34a to 34d of the toilet lid operation unit 30, and each of the toilet seat operation units 40 and 50. Drive signals for the lamps 44a to 44c and 54a to 54c are outputted via the output ports. The lamps 34a to 34d, 44a to 44c, and 54a to 54c of the toilet lid operating unit 30 and the toilet seat operating units 40 and 50 can be turned on by switching between high brightness and low brightness. Further, the toilet lid operating unit 30 and the toilet seat operating units 40 and 50 are not limited to communicating with the control unit 20 via wires, but may communicate via wireless.

Next, the operation of the toilet seat device 10 configured in this manner will be explained. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation control processing routine. This process is executed by the control unit 20. In the operation control processing routine, the control unit 20 first waits for the proximity of a human body (user) to be detected based on the detection signal from the human body detection sensor 22 (S100), and when the proximity of the human body is detected, the toilet lid is closed. The lamp of the internal operation unit 30 is turned on to enable the operation (S110). In S110, the control unit 20 lights, for example, the lamp corresponding to the current setting among the lamps 34a to 34d at high brightness, and lights the other lamps at low brightness. In this way, when the control unit 20 detects the proximity of a human body, it lights up at least one lamp of the toilet lid operating unit 30.

Next, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the user is seated based on the detection signal from the seat detection sensor 24 (S120), and determines whether or not the user is seated based on the detection signal from each switch of the toilet lid operation unit 30. It is determined whether the user's operation is detected (S130). If the control unit 20 determines in S130 that an operation of the toilet lid operating unit 30 has been detected, it executes a function corresponding to the operation (S140), and returns to S120. For example, the control unit 20 sets the temperature of the toilet seat heater 18 to a high temperature when detecting an operation of the high temperature switch 32a, sets the temperature of the toilet seat heater 18 to a low temperature when detecting an operation of the low temperature switch 32b, and detects an operation of the off switch 32c. Then, the toilet seat heater 18 is turned off. Note that the control unit 20 lights the lamp corresponding to the switch whose operation has been detected at high brightness, and lights the other lamps at low brightness. Further, the control unit 20 sets the energy saving mode when detecting the operation of the energy saving switch 32d during the setting of the normal mode, and sets the normal mode when detecting the operation of the energy saving switch 32d during the setting of the energy saving mode. Note that the control unit 20 lights the lamp 34d at high brightness during the energy saving mode, and lights the lamp at low brightness during the normal mode.

On the other hand, if the control unit 20 determines that the user is seated, it lights up the lamps of the toilet seat operation units 40 and 50 (S150). In S150, the control unit 20 lights, for example, a lamp corresponding to the current setting among the lamps 44a to 44c and 54a to 54c at high brightness, and a lamp corresponding to a switch that can accept operation, and turns on the other lamps. Turn on at low brightness or turn off. For example, when the user is seated and the washing operation has not started, there is no need to operate the stop switch 42c, but there is a possibility that the butt washing switch 42a and the bidet washing switch 42b may be operated. Therefore, the control unit 20 turns on the lamps 44a and 44b corresponding to the butt washing switch 42a and the bidet washing switch 42b at high brightness, and turns off the lamp 44c corresponding to the stop switch 42c. Further, for example, when the cleaning strength is set to medium, the control unit 20 lights the lamp 54b corresponding to the medium cleaning switch 52b at high brightness, and lights the other lamps 54a and 54c at low brightness. In this manner, when the control unit 20 detects that the user is seated, it lights up at least one lamp of the toilet seat operation units 40 and 50.

Subsequently, the control unit 20 determines whether the user's exit from the toilet seat 15 is detected (S160) and whether the operation of the in-toilet seat operation units 40, 50 is detected (S170). . When the control unit 20 determines in S170 that an operation of either of the toilet seat operation units 40, 50 is detected, it executes a function corresponding to the operation (S180), and returns to S160. For example, when the control unit 20 detects the operation of the butt wash switch 42a of the toilet seat operation unit 40, the nozzle unit 19 executes the butt wash, and when it detects the operation of the bidet wash switch 42b, the nozzle unit 19 executes the bidet wash. When the operation of the stop switch 42c is detected, the cleaning operation in progress is stopped. For example, when detecting the operation of the butt wash switch 42a, the control unit 20 lights up a lamp 44a corresponding to the operated butt wash switch 42a and a lamp 44c corresponding to the next operated stop switch 42c at high brightness. , the lamp 44b corresponding to the bidet cleaning switch 42b is turned on at low brightness. Note that the lamp 44b may be turned off, or the lamp 44a may be turned on at low brightness. Further, when the control unit 20 detects the operation of the stop switch 42c, the control unit 20 lights up the lamps 44a and 44b corresponding to the butt washing switch 42a and the bidet washing switch 42b with high brightness, for example in the same way as in S150, and turns on the lamps 44a and 44b corresponding to the butt washing switch 42a and the bidet washing switch 42b, and turning on the stop switch 42c. The corresponding lamp 44c is turned off. Further, when the control unit 20 detects an operation of any of the strong cleaning switch 52a, medium cleaning switch 52b, and weak cleaning switch 52c of the toilet seat operation unit 50, it changes the setting to the cleaning strength according to the operation, and The lamp corresponding to the operated switch is lit at high brightness, and the other lamps are lit at low brightness. Note that each switch 42a to 42c, 52a to 52c detects seating in S120, turns on one of the lamps 44a to 44c, 54a to 54c in S150, and then determines whether or not an operation is detected in S170. be done. Therefore, when each of the lamps 44a to 44c and 54a to 54c is emitting light (lit), the control unit 20 enables detection of each switch 42a to 42c and 52a to 52c, and each lamp 44a to 44c and 54a .about.54c is not emitting light (lighting up), the detection of each switch 42a to 42c, 52a to 52c is invalidated.

Further, when the control unit 20 determines that the user's exit from the seat is detected in S160, it turns off the lamps 44a to 44c, 54a to 54c of the in-toilet seat operation units 40 and 50 (S190), and removes the human body from the toilet seat device 10. Waits for detection of separation (S200). When the control unit 20 detects the separation of the human body, it turns off each of the lamps 34a to 34d of the toilet lid operating unit 30, invalidates the detection (S210), and ends the operation control processing routine. Therefore, the control unit 20 disables the detection of each switch 32a to 32d when each lamp 34a to 34d is not emitting light (lighting up), and disables the detection of each switch 32a to 32d when each lamp 34a to 34d is emitting light (lighting up). , the detection of each switch 32a to 32d is enabled.

In the toilet seat device 10 of the first embodiment described above, the operation parts 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d of the toilet lid internal operation unit 30 are provided with the switches 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d inside the toilet lid 14, and the carved part 14a. , 14b, 14c, 14d, and lamps 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d that emit light to the outside. Further, the operation parts 40a, 40b, 40c of the toilet seat operation unit 40 are provided with switches 42a, 42b, 42c inside the toilet seat 15, and lamps 44a, 44b that emit light to the outside via carved parts 16a, 16b, 16c, respectively. , 44c. The operating sections 50a, 50b, and 50c of the toilet seat operating unit 50 are similarly configured. Further, when the control unit 20 detects the proximity of a human body based on the detection signal of the human body detection sensor 22, it causes one of the lamps 34a to 34d to emit light, and based on the detection signal of the seating detection sensor 24, the control unit 20 causes the user to sit down. When detected, one of the lamps 44a to 44c and 54a to 54c is made to emit light. As a result, even if the switches 32a to 32d are disposed inside the toilet lid 14, or the switches 42a to 42c, 52a to 52c are disposed in the toilet seat 15, each operation part 30a to 30d, 40a to By indicating the existence of 40c, 50a to 50c, it is possible to prevent the user from being confused about the operation or erroneously performing the operation. Furthermore, the carved portions 14a to 14d and 16a to 16f are provided on the surface of the toilet lid 14 and the toilet seat 15 without any unevenness. Therefore, the toilet lid 14 and the toilet seat 15 can have a clean appearance with no irregularities on the surface, which improves the design quality, and can prevent dirt from accumulating on the surfaces. For these reasons, the operability of each of the operation parts 30a to 30d, 40a to 40c, and 50a to 50c can be improved without impairing the design of the toilet seat device 10.

Further, the control unit 20 disables the detection of each switch 32a-32d when each lamp 34a-34d is not emitting light, and disables the detection of each switch 42a-32d when each lamp 44a-44c, 54a-54c is not emitting light. Detection of 42d and 52a to 52d is disabled. On the other hand, the control unit 20 enables detection of each switch 32a to 32d when each lamp 34a to 34d is emitting light, and enables detection of each switch 42a to 32d when each lamp 44a to 44c, 54a to 54c is emitting light. Detection of 42d and 52a to 52d is enabled. This prevents the functions of the toilet seat device 10 from malfunctioning due to user's erroneous operation when it is difficult to recognize the positions of the operation parts 30a to 30d, 40a to 40c, and 50a to 50c because the lamps do not emit light. can do.

Moreover, since the toilet seat operation units 40 and 50 accept the operation of the private part cleaning function, the user can appropriately operate the private part cleaning function while sitting. Furthermore, compared to the case where all the functions are provided in the toilet seat 15, the number of switches in the toilet seat operation units 40, 50 is reduced, and the appearance is simple and easy to understand, so that operability can be improved. In addition, since the toilet lid operation unit 30 accepts operations for functions other than the private part cleaning function, such as setting the temperature of the toilet seat 15, the user can properly operate functions other than the private part cleaning function before sitting down. can.

In the first embodiment, the human body detection sensor 22 dedicated to detecting a human body (user) is provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a modified toilet seat device 10B. As illustrated, the toilet seat device 10B differs from the toilet seat device 10 in that it does not include a human body detection sensor 22. Moreover, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation control processing routine of a modified example. In addition, in the following flowchart, the same step number is attached to the same process as the embodiment, and detailed explanation is omitted. In the operation control processing routine of the modified example, the control unit 20 first waits until the operation of the toilet lid operation unit 30 is detected (S100b), and when the operation of the toilet lid operation unit 30 is detected, the control unit 20 starts the toilet lid operation. The lamp of the unit 30 is turned on (S110b), and the processes from S120 onwards are executed. That is, in this modification, the proximity of a human body is detected based on the operation of any one of the operating sections 30a to 30d of the toilet lid operating unit 30. Incidentally, in order to prompt the user to operate the toilet lid internal operating unit 30, each of the lamps 34a to 34d of the toilet lid internal operating unit 30 may be turned on. For example, all of the lamps 34a to 34d may be lit at low brightness, any one of them may be lit at low brightness, or the lamps 34a to 34d that are lit may be switched in order. Good too.

In the operation control processing routine of FIG. 9, the control unit 20 detects that the user leaves the seat in S160, turns off the lamps of the toilet seat operation units 40 and 50 in S190, and waits for a predetermined time to elapse. Wait (S200b). Note that the predetermined time is set to be, for example, several seconds to several tens of seconds, which is sufficient time for the user who has left the toilet to leave the toilet room. When a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the control unit 20 turns off the lamp of the toilet lid operating unit 30 and ends the operation control processing routine (S210b). However, even if the lamp of the toilet lid operation unit 30 is turned off, the detection of the switch of the toilet lid operation unit 30 remains effective because the toilet lid operation unit 30 is used to detect the proximity of a human body. Further, as described above, each of the lamps 34a to 34d of the toilet lid operating unit 30 may be turned on at low brightness instead of being turned off. In this way, in the modified example, the presence of the user is detected based on the detection signal of any one of the switches 32a to 32d of the toilet lid in-operation unit 30 in a state where the presence of the user is not detected, and the presence of the user is detected. When the presence of the toilet lid operation unit 30 is detected, the corresponding function is controlled based on the detection signal of each switch 32a to 32d of the toilet lid internal operation unit 30. Therefore, the toilet lid operation unit 30 provided on the toilet lid 14 can also be used to detect a human body, so that a dedicated human body detection sensor can be omitted and the number of parts can be reduced.

[Second embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the toilet lid operation unit 30 is arranged so that it can be operated from the outer surface side of the toilet lid 14, that is, it can be operated by the user when the toilet lid 14 is in the closed state. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It's not something you can do. FIG. 10 is an external perspective view showing the appearance of a modified toilet seat device 10C, and FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the outline of the configuration of the toilet seat device 10C. As shown in the figure, in the toilet seat device 10C, the toilet lid internal operation unit 130 is arranged so that it can be operated from the inner surface side of the toilet lid 14, that is, it can be operated by a user when the toilet lid 14 is in an open state. Note that the toilet lid operating unit 130 is configured in the same manner as the toilet lid operating unit 30 except that the arrangement position is different. Further, the toilet seat device 10C differs from the toilet seat device 10 in that it includes an opening/closing unit 26 for opening and closing the toilet lid 14. That is, in the first embodiment, the toilet lid 14 is opened and closed manually by the user and does not open and close automatically, but in the second embodiment, the toilet lid 14 can be opened and closed automatically.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation control processing routine of the second embodiment. In this operation control processing routine, when detecting the proximity of a human body in S100, the control unit 20 automatically opens the toilet lid 14 using the opening/closing unit 26 (S105), and executes the processing from S110 onwards. In this modification, since the toilet lid operation unit 130 can be operated from the inner surface side of the toilet lid 14, the lamp of the toilet lid operation unit 130 is turned on and operated when the toilet lid 14 is opened. This enables the detection of Further, when the control unit 20 detects that the user is seated in S120, the control unit 20 turns off the lamp of the toilet lid operation unit 130 to invalidate the detection (S145). This can prevent the toilet lid operating unit 30 from being erroneously operated due to the user's back touching the toilet seat 15. Then, when the control unit 20 detects that the user leaves the seat in S160 and turns off the lamps of the toilet seat operation units 40 and 50 in S190, it turns on the lamp of the toilet lid operation unit 130 to enable the detection. (S195). Further, when the control unit 20 detects the separation of the human body in S200 and S210 and turns off the lamp of the toilet lid operation unit 130 to invalidate the detection, the control unit 20 automatically closes the toilet lid 14 using the opening/closing unit 26. (S220), the operation control processing routine ends.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the toilet lid operation unit 130 is arranged so that it can be operated by the user from the inner surface side of the toilet lid 14, and can be operated inside the toilet lid when the user is not seated. The detection of each of the switches 32a to 32d of the operation unit 130 is enabled, and the detection of each of the switches 32a to 32d is disabled when the user is seated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the function of the toilet seat device 10C from malfunctioning due to the back of a seated user touching each of the operation parts 30a to 30d. Note that the toilet lid 14 may include two toilet lid operating units 30 and 130 that accept operations for different functions.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the operating parts 40a to 40c for the private parts cleaning function used while sitting are arranged on the toilet seat 15, and the operating parts 30a to 30d for functions other than the private part cleaning function are arranged on the toilet lid. 14, but it is not limited to this. For example, part or all of the operating section for the private part cleaning function may be disposed in the toilet lid internal operating unit 130 that can be operated from the inner surface side of the toilet lid 14, or the operating section for the temperature setting function of the toilet seat heater 18 may be provided. etc. may be arranged on the toilet seat 15.

In the first and second embodiments described above, when the lamp is emitting light, the detection of the switch of the operating section is effective, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even if the lamp does not emit light, the detection of a switch on the operating section may be effective. Furthermore, although all the operating sections are provided with lamps, the present invention is not limited to this, and there may be operating sections that do not include lamps. In addition, the device is not limited to indicating the position of the operation part by emitting a lamp, but it is also equipped with a sound output part that outputs sound, and by outputting a voice guidance from the sound output part, the position and function of the operation part can be shown to the user. It may also be used as a notification.

In the first and second embodiments described above, when the operation parts 40a and 40b are operated, the butt washing and bidet washing are performed, and when the operation part 40c is operated, the washing operation is stopped, but the invention is not limited to this. The cleaning operation may be performed while the operation section is being operated, and the cleaning operation may be stopped when the operation is released. For example, the butt washing may be executed while the operating section 40a detects the user's finger, and the butt washing may be stopped when the operation unit 40a does not detect the user's finger or the like.

[Third embodiment]
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the toilet seat device 10 includes the toilet lid 14, but the toilet seat device 10 is not limited to this, and may not include the toilet lid 14. FIG. 13 is an external perspective view showing the external appearance of the toilet seat device 10D of the third embodiment, and FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the outline of the configuration of the operation units 45, 47, 55, 57, and 230. The toilet seat device 10D differs from the toilet seat devices 10, 10B, and 10C in that the toilet seat device 10D does not include a toilet lid and all the operation parts are provided on the toilet seat 15. The toilet seat device 10D includes a toilet seat back operation unit 230 on the back side of the top surface of the toilet seat 15, and toilet seat side operation units 45, 47, 55, and 57 on the left and right sides of the toilet seat 15. The toilet seat back side operation unit 230 is a toilet lid inside operation unit, except that lamps 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d emit light through carved parts 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j formed in the top plate 16. It has the same configuration as 30. Furthermore, when viewed from the user who is sitting, the toilet seat side operation units 45 and 47 are arranged on the right side of the toilet seat 15, and the toilet seat side operation units 55 and 57 are arranged on the left side of the toilet seat 15. ing. The toilet seat side operation unit 45 includes a butt wash/stop switch 46 that instructs to start and stop butt washing, and the toilet seat side operation unit 55 includes a bidet wash/stop switch 56 that instructs to start and stop bidet washing. These toilet seat side operation units 45, 55 are arranged in symmetrical positions with respect to each other. The toilet seat side operation unit 47 is equipped with a cleaning power increase switch 48 that increases the cleaning strength by one level, and the toilet seat side operation unit 57 is equipped with a cleaning power decrease switch 58 that lowers the cleaning strength by one level. The toilet seat side operation units 47, 57 are arranged in symmetrical positions with respect to each other. In addition, although none of the toilet seat side operation units 45, 47, 55, and 57 are provided with a lamp, they may be provided with a lamp.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation control processing routine of the third embodiment. In this operation control processing routine, when the control unit 20 detects the proximity of a human body in S100, it lights up the lamp of the toilet seat back side operation unit 230 to enable detection (S112), and determines whether the user's seating is detected. (S120), and whether or not the operation of the toilet seat back side operation unit 230 is detected (S130d). If the control unit 20 determines in S132 that an operation of the toilet seat back side operation unit 230 has been detected, it executes a function corresponding to the operation in S140, and returns to S120. Therefore, before sitting on the toilet seat 15, the user can operate the toilet seat rear side operation unit 230 to set the temperature of the toilet seat 15, etc. Further, when the control unit 20 detects that the user is seated in S120, the control unit 20 turns off the lamp of the toilet seat back side operation unit 230 and invalidates the detection (S155). This can prevent the function of the toilet seat device 10D from malfunctioning due to the buttocks of the user seated on the toilet seat 15 touching the toilet seat 15. Subsequently, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the user's withdrawal from the seat is detected (S160), and whether or not the operation of the toilet seat side operation units 45, 47, 55, and 57 is detected (S170d). do. If the control unit 20 determines in S170d that an operation of the toilet seat side operation unit 45, 47, 55, 57 has been detected, it executes a function corresponding to the operation in S180, and returns to S160. Since the control unit 20 does not determine whether the operation of the toilet seat side operation units 45, 47, 55, 57 is detected unless the user is seated in S120, the toilet seat side operation units 45, 57 are operated only when the user is seated. 47, 55, and 57 are made effective. Further, in S170d, the control unit 20 detects a specific operation of each switch 46, 48, 56, 58, such as a double tap operation performed twice within a certain period of time, or a long press operation performed for a predetermined period of time or more. In this case, the operation of the toilet seat side operation units 45, 47, 55, 57 is detected.

When the control unit 20 detects that the user leaves the seat in S160, the control unit 20 turns on the lamp of the toilet seat back side operation unit 230 to enable the detection (S185). Thereby, when the user leaves the seat and there is little possibility of erroneous operation, the toilet seat back side operation unit 230 can be reactivated and the operation can be accepted. Further, when the control unit 20 detects the separation of the human body in S200, the control unit 20 turns off the lamp of the toilet seat back side operation unit 230, invalidates the detection (S215), and ends the operation control processing routine.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the detection is enabled when the user is not seated on the toilet seat back side operation unit 230, and the detection is disabled when the user is seated. It is possible to prevent the function of the toilet seat device 10D from malfunctioning due to the buttocks of the user who is sitting there touching the toilet seat device 10D. In addition, since the toilet seat side operation units 45, 47, 55, and 57 do not have a light emitting part, there is a possibility that the user may accidentally touch them or otherwise operate them incorrectly. By detecting the operation as a condition, it is possible to appropriately prevent the functions of the toilet seat device 10D from malfunctioning. It should be noted that the detection is not limited to a specific operation, but may also detect a normal operation (a short-time, one-time operation). Further, the operation units 45, 47, 55, 57, 230 may be provided in the toilet seat device 10 with the toilet lid 14, etc.

In each of the embodiments described above, the carved portion is illustrated as the light transmitting portion, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the toilet lid 14 or the toilet seat 15 may be formed by partially cutting out the toilet lid 14 or the toilet seat 15, and the entire surface of the toilet lid 14 or the toilet seat 15, including the notched portion, may be covered with a transparent film-like member. A part of the shaped member may be a light transmitting portion. Alternatively, the toilet lid 14 and the toilet seat 15 are formed by two-color molding by combining the base resin material (colored resin) of the toilet lid 14 and the toilet seat 15 with a transparent resin material, and the transparent resin part is used as the light transmitting part. You can also use it as Furthermore, the light transmitting section is not limited to a shape that indicates a function according to the operation section, but may have a shape that indicates a number, a letter, a symbol, or the like. Alternatively, it may be one that simply transmits light. Here, FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of the operating section 140 of a modified example. As shown in the figure, on the upper surface of the upper plate 16 on which a film 42 (switches are not shown) is attached as in the embodiment, there is a printed part 142 on which the operation contents of the switch, that is, the functions corresponding to the operations, are printed. , and a transparent film-like member 144 that covers the printing section 142. In this operation section 140 as well, the user can recognize and operate the operation details printed on the printing section 142 via the film-like member 144. Further, the surface of the film-like member 144 can have a clean appearance without any unevenness. Note that instead of the film-like member 144, it may be covered with a transparent resin part. The printed portion 142 may be printed on the lower surface (back surface) of the film-like member 144, or may be printed on the upper surface of the upper plate 16 or the lower surface of the transparent resin portion. Alternatively, a printed sheet on which operation details are printed may be provided as the printing section 142, and this may be covered with a film-like member or a transparent resin section.

In each of the embodiments described above, when an operation performed on each of the operation units 30a to 30d, 40a to 40c, and 50a to 50c is detected, it may be notified. For example, when an operation performed on each of the operation parts 30a to 30d, 40a to 40c, and 50a to 50c is detected, the respective lamps 34a to 34d, 44a to 44c, and 54a to 54c are changed from lighting to flashing, etc. The notification may be made by changing the mode. Alternatively, a sound output section that outputs sound may be provided, and when an operation performed on each of the operation sections 30a to 30d, 40a to 40c, and 50a to 50c is detected, notification may be provided by outputting sound. Alternatively, notification may be made by a combination of light emission and sound.

In each of the embodiments described above, the heated toilet seat function, the energy saving function (energy saving mode), the private part cleaning function, etc. are exemplified as the functions operated by the operation unit, but the functions are not limited to these. For example, some of these functions may not be provided, or other functions may be provided instead of or in addition to each function. For example, the device may have a drying function that performs hot air drying after washing the private parts. Further, although the operating section for setting the cleaning strength is illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this, and there may be an operating section for adjusting the washing position.

In each of the embodiments described above, each of the detection switches 32a to 32d, 42a to 42c, and 52a to 52c is an example of an operation unit disposed inside a component such as the toilet lid 14 or the toilet seat 15 (inside the housing). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and there may be an operation section in which a detection switch is disposed inside the toilet seat device main body 12. The device may also include a sound output unit that outputs sound, and may notify the user of the detection of each switch by voice, buzzer sound, or the like. Furthermore, in order to clearly indicate which switch has detected the detection, the lamp of the detected switch may be made to blink.

The correspondence between the main elements of this embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the column of means for solving the problems will be explained. In this embodiment, the toilet seat devices 10, 10B, 10C, and 10D correspond to the "toilet seat device", and each of the operating parts 30a to 30d of the toilet lid inside operation unit 30 (130) and the toilet seat back side operation unit 230, Each operating section 40a to 40c, 50a to 50c of the units 40, 50 and the toilet seat side operating units 45, 47, 55, 57 correspond to the "operating section", and the toilet seat 15 corresponds to the "component" ("toilet seat"). The toilet lid 14 corresponds to a "component" ("toilet lid"), each switch 32a to 32d, 42a to 42c, 52a to 52c corresponds to a "detection section", and each lamp 34a to 34d, 44a 44c, 54a to 54c correspond to "light emitting parts", and each of the carved parts 14a to 14d, 16a to 16f correspond to "light transmitting parts". Further, the toilet lid internal operation unit 30 of the toilet seat device 10B corresponds to the "outside operation section". The toilet lid internal operation unit 130 of the toilet seat device 10C corresponds to the "inside operating section".

Note that the correspondence relationship between the main elements of this embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the column of means for solving the problem is the same as the correspondence relationship between the main elements of the present embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the column of means for solving the problem. Since this is an example for specifically explaining a mode for implementing the above, it is not intended to limit the elements of the invention described in the column of means for solving the problems. In other words, the interpretation of the invention described in the column of means for solving the problem should be based on the description in that column, and this embodiment is based on the invention described in the column of means for solving the problem. This is just one specific example.

Although the embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments in any way, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention can be utilized for the manufacturing industry of a toilet seat apparatus, etc.

1 Toilet bowl, 10, 10B, 10C, 10D Toilet seat device, 12 Toilet seat device body, 14 Toilet lid, 14a to 14d Engraved portion, 14h Hinge shaft, 15 Toilet seat, 16 Top plate, 16a to 16j Engraved portion, 17 Lower plate, 18 Toilet seat heater, 19 nozzle unit, 19a cleaning nozzle, 20 control unit, 22 human body detection sensor, 24 seating detection sensor, 30, 130 toilet lid operation unit, 30a to 30d, 40a to 40c, 50a to 50c operation unit, 32, 42, 52 film, 32a high temperature switch, 32b low temperature switch, 32c off switch, 32d energy saving switch, 34, 44, 54 LED board, 34a to 34d, 44a to 44c, 54a to 54c lamp, 40, 50 toilet seat operation unit, 42 Film, 42a Butt cleaning switch, 42b Bidet cleaning switch, 42c Stop switch, 45, 47, 55, 57 Toilet seat side operation unit, 46 Butt cleaning/stop switch, 48 Cleaning power increase switch, 52a Strong cleaning switch, 52a Medium Cleaning switch, 52c weak cleaning switch, 56 bidet cleaning/stop switch, 58 cleaning power reduction switch, 230 toilet seat back side operation unit, 140 operation section, 142 printing section, 144 film-like member.

Claims (6)

A toilet seat device installed in a toilet bowl,
a plurality of operation units each having a detection unit disposed inside the toilet seat device structure and receiving operations from a user;
a control unit that controls a function according to the operation unit that receives the operation;
Equipped with
Some of the plurality of operation parts have a light emitting part disposed inside the structure,
The structure is integrally provided with a light transmitting part having a smooth surface at a location corresponding to the light emitting part,
When the control section detects a user based on a predetermined detection condition, the control section causes the light emitting section of at least one of the operating sections to emit light, and when the light emitting section of the operating section is not emitting light, the control section causes the light emitting section of at least one of the operating sections to emit light. The detection by the detection unit of the operation unit is disabled, and the detection by the detection unit of the operation unit is enabled when the light emission unit of the operation unit is emitting light.
Toilet seat device. The toilet seat device according to claim 1,
The light emitting section and the light transmitting section are configured to emit light to display a function corresponding to the operation section. The toilet seat device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
Among the plurality of operation sections, the operation section in which the detection section is disposed inside the toilet seat as the constituent body receives an operation related to a private part cleaning function. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
Among the plurality of operation sections, the operation section in which the detection section is disposed inside the toilet lid as the constituent body accepts operations related to functions other than the private part cleaning function. The toilet seat device according to claim 4 ,
The operation section includes an outer operation section that receives an operation from the outer surface side of the toilet lid,
The control unit detects the user by setting the detection by the detection unit of the outer operation unit as the predetermined detection condition in a state where the user is not detected, and detects the user by using the detection by the detection unit of the outer operation unit in a state where the user is detected. A toilet seat device that controls functions according to the outer operating section based on detection by the detection section. The toilet seat device according to claim 4 or 5 ,
The operation section includes an inner operation section that receives an operation from the inner surface side of the toilet lid,
The control section enables the detection by the detection section of the inner operation section when the user is not seated on the toilet seat, and enables the detection by the detection section of the inner operation section when the user is seated on the toilet seat. Toilet seat device that negates detection by

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