JP7454788B2 - Toilet bowl devices and toilet seat devices - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a toilet device having a toilet lid and a toilet lid driving section, and a toilet seat device having a toilet lid and a toilet lid driving section, which is used by being attached to a toilet main body.

Recently, from the perspective of preventing the spread of contaminants contained in excrement when cleaning the toilet bowl, the toilet bowl has been cleaned to prevent droplets containing contaminants contained in the stool excreted into the bowl from scattering outside the toilet bowl. It is recommended that the bowl be cleaned with the toilet lid closed afterwards.

In order to ensure that bowl cleaning is performed with the toilet lid closed, when a cleaning instruction is received, the toilet lid is first closed electrically by the toilet lid drive unit, and then the bowl is cleaned. A device has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-158142

However, although such a toilet lid that opens and closes electrically is supposed to try to close using a cleaning instruction as a trigger, it may stop working from the beginning or sometime due to various factors. In that case, if you follow the sequence of cleaning after the toilet lid is closed, the bowl will never be cleaned after that.

For example, if there is an obstacle in front of the toilet lid when it is upright, or if the toilet lid drive unit or the toilet lid is malfunctioning, the toilet lid will not be in the closed state. An example of an obstruction may be when a user manually stops the toilet lid from closing after instructing the toilet to clean by operating a button or the like in order to check how the excrement flows. It is inconvenient that the closing operation of the toilet lid is stopped by an obstruction (such as a human hand) and the bowl is not cleaned even after that.

The present invention was proposed in consideration of such circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a toilet device in which the bowl can be cleaned even if the toilet lid closing operation executed in response to a cleaning instruction is not properly executed. and to provide toilet seat devices.

In order to achieve the above object, the toilet device of the present invention includes a bowl, a toilet cleaning section that supplies flushing water to the bowl and cleans the inside of the bowl, a toilet lid, and a toilet that detects opening and closing of the toilet lid. A lid opening/closing detection unit, a toilet lid driving unit that opens and closes the toilet lid, a toilet seat, a toilet seat opening/closing detection unit that detects opening/closing of the toilet seat, a toilet seat driving unit that opens and closes the toilet seat, and cleaning the toilet bowl cleaning unit. A toilet device comprising a cleaning instruction means for outputting an instruction and a control section, wherein when a cleaning instruction is given by the cleaning instruction means, the toilet lid is open and the toilet seat is closed. For example, before the toilet bowl cleaning section cleans, the toilet lid driving section starts the closing operation of the toilet lid, and if the toilet lid is closed, the toilet bowl cleaning section performs cleaning. and if the toilet seat is open when receiving the cleaning instruction from the cleaning instruction means, the control unit causes the toilet bowl cleaning unit to start cleaning without closing the toilet seat and the toilet lid. It is characterized by

Another toilet device of the present invention further includes a notification section, and when the control section receives a cleaning instruction from the cleaning instruction means, the control section causes the notification section to notify that fact, and then the toilet cleaning section It may also be configured to start cleaning.
Further, another toilet device of the present invention further includes a timer, and the control unit starts a timer for a predetermined time if the toilet lid is open when receiving the cleaning instruction from the cleaning instruction means. If the toilet lid is detected to be closed before the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the toilet bowl cleaning unit is caused to start cleaning at that timing, but if the toilet lid is not detected to be closed after the predetermined period of time has elapsed. In such a case, the toilet bowl cleaning unit may be configured to start cleaning at that timing.
Further, another toilet device of the present invention further includes a timer, and the control unit starts a timer for a predetermined time if the toilet lid is open when receiving the cleaning instruction from the cleaning instruction means. However, the toilet bowl cleaning unit may be configured to start cleaning when the predetermined time has elapsed.

Further, the toilet seat device of the present invention includes a toilet seat, a toilet seat opening/closing detection unit that detects opening/closing of the toilet seat, a toilet seat driving unit that opens/closes the toilet seat, a toilet lid, and a toilet lid opening/closing detection unit that detects opening/closing of the toilet lid. A toilet seat device attached to the toilet main body, comprising: a toilet lid drive unit that opens and closes the toilet lid; a bowl cleaning instruction unit that receives a cleaning instruction for the toilet main body; a timer unit; and a toilet seat side control unit. If the toilet lid is open and the toilet seat is closed when a cleaning instruction is given by the bowl cleaning instruction means, the toilet lid is removed before outputting the cleaning instruction to the toilet main body. While the driving unit starts the closing operation of the toilet lid, if the toilet lid is closed, a cleaning instruction is output to the toilet main body, and the toilet seat side control unit outputs the bowl cleaning instruction. If the toilet seat is open when a cleaning instruction is received by the means, the cleaning instruction is output to the toilet main body without closing the toilet seat and the toilet lid.

Another toilet seat device of the present invention further includes a notification section, and when the toilet seat side control section receives a cleaning instruction from the bowl cleaning instruction means, it causes the notification section to notify that fact, and then the toilet seat main body The configuration may be such that a cleaning instruction is output to the user.
Another toilet seat device of the present invention further includes a timer, and the toilet seat side control unit starts a timer for a predetermined time if the toilet lid is open when receiving a cleaning instruction from the bowl cleaning instruction means. If the toilet lid is activated and the toilet lid is detected to be closed before the predetermined time elapses, a cleaning instruction is output to the toilet main body at that timing, and the toilet lid is detected to be closed when the predetermined time elapses. If the user does not do so, a cleaning instruction may be output to the toilet main body at that timing.
Another toilet seat device of the present invention further includes a timer, and the toilet seat side control unit starts a timer for a predetermined time if the toilet lid is open when receiving a cleaning instruction from the bowl cleaning instruction means. It may be configured to start up and output a cleaning instruction to the toilet main body when the predetermined period of time has elapsed.
In another toilet seat device of the present invention, the toilet seat side control section performs the same operation when receiving a cleaning instruction from the toilet main body as it does when receiving a cleaning instruction from the bowl cleaning instruction means. It may be a configuration.

Since the toilet bowl device and the toilet seat device of the present invention each have the above-described configuration, the bowl can be cleaned even if the toilet lid closing operation executed in response to a cleaning instruction is not properly executed.

FIG. 1 is a basic block diagram of a toilet device according to an embodiment of the present invention. (a) is a schematic side view schematically showing the inside of the same toilet device, and (b) is a schematic side view schematically showing the inside of another toilet device. 2 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of one aspect of the toilet device of FIG. 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation concerning another aspect of the same toilet device. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation concerning still another aspect of the same toilet device. (a) is a basic block diagram of a toilet device and a toilet seat device used therein according to another embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a schematic side view schematically showing the inside of the toilet device. .

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The toilet bowl devices 1 and 3 described below are designed in principle to clean the bowl 12 with the toilet lid 20 closed, from the viewpoint of preventing the diffusion of contaminants contained in excrement. Therefore, if the toilet lids 20, 40 are not closed when a cleaning instruction is given, the toilet lids 20, 40 are automatically closed by electric power before cleaning in order to close the toilet lids 20, 40. It is normal practice for this to occur.

First, an overview of the toilet device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described below. This toilet device 1 has the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is capable of selectively performing the basic operations of the plurality of modes shown in FIGS. 3 to 5.

This toilet device 1 includes a bowl 12, a toilet cleaning section 13 that supplies flushing water to the bowl 12 and cleans the inside of the bowl 12, a toilet lid 20, and a toilet lid opening/closing detection section 21 that detects whether the toilet lid 20 is opened or closed. , and a toilet lid drive section 22 that opens and closes the toilet lid 20. The toilet device 1 also includes a cleaning instruction means for outputting a cleaning instruction to the toilet cleaning section 13, a timer section 6, and a control section 5. Here, the cleaning instruction means may be based on the user's cleaning operation or automatically based on the user's action, and the details will be described later.

In the present toilet device 1, if the toilet lid 20 is open when a cleaning instruction is given by the cleaning instruction means, the toilet lid driving section 22 starts the closing operation of the toilet lid 20 before the toilet cleaning section 13 starts cleaning. On the other hand, if the toilet lid 20 is closed, the toilet bowl cleaning unit 13 is configured to perform cleaning.
There are several types of basic operations.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, if the toilet lid 20 is open when receiving the cleaning instruction, the control unit 5 starts a timer for a predetermined time and closes the toilet lid before the predetermined time elapses. When the toilet 20 is detected to be closed, the toilet bowl cleaning section 13 is caused to start cleaning at that timing. Further, if the control unit 5 does not detect that the toilet lid 20 is closed after the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 5 causes the toilet bowl cleaning unit 13 to start cleaning at that timing (when the predetermined time has elapsed).

Furthermore, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, if the toilet lid 20 is open when receiving the cleaning instruction, the control unit 5 starts a timer for a predetermined time, and when the predetermined time elapses, the control unit 5 causes the toilet bowl cleaning unit 13 to start cleaning. let

By performing any of the above operations, even if the closing operation of the toilet lid 20 is not completed for some reason (the toilet lid 20 does not close) when a cleaning instruction is given, the bowl 12 can be opened without any problem afterwards. Cleaning is performed.
Next, the detailed configuration, structure, and basic operation of the toilet device 1 will be explained.

1 to 5 are explanatory views of the toilet device 1. FIG. As described above, FIGS. 3 and 4 are explanatory views of one operation mode, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of another operation mode. Note that FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are schematic side views schematically showing the inside of the toilet device 1 showing two forms with different cleaning methods (structures). You can.

The toilet device 1 is a seat-type Western-style toilet device that is fixed to the floor, wall, etc. in the toilet space. The main body 10 of the toilet device 1 has a bowl 12 that opens upward and is surrounded by a skirt portion 11. It includes a toilet seat 24 and a toilet lid 20 that have the same rotation axis.

A toilet bowl cleaning section 13 is arranged in the interior space of the skirt section 11 for discharging dirty water in the bowl 12 and supplying cleaning water from the water supply port 14 into the bowl 12 to clean the interior of the bowl 12. This toilet bowl cleaning section 13 has a water supply mechanism and a drainage mechanism.

The water supply mechanism is arranged between a water supply port 14, a wash water supply path 15 that supplies wash water from a water pipe (not shown) into the bowl 12 through the water supply port 14, and a middle of the wash water supply path 15. A water supply valve 16 for supplying or cutting off water supply to the bowl 12 is provided.

The drainage mechanism shown in FIG. 2(a) has a cylindrical bent trap 17 connected to extend rearward from the bottom of the bowl 12, and the trap 17 extends further downward and is connected to a drain port 18. has been done. Examples of this type of drainage mechanism include a siphon type, a siphon jet type, and a siphon vortex type, which are mechanisms in which a drainage state or a water sealing state is created by the siphon action.

Further, the drainage mechanism may have a structure including a movable trap 17A as shown in FIG. 2(b). This trap 17A is rotated in the direction of the arrow by a drive unit (not shown) to form a draining state or a water sealing state. The illustrated trap 17A is in a water-sealing state, and rotates so that the open end of the trap 17A faces the drain port 18 in the draining state. Note that the trap 17A is surrounded by a trap case (not shown) to prevent sewage and odor from leaking outside.

Moreover, a drainage mechanism that is neither a siphon type nor a movable type, such as a flushing type drainage mechanism, can also be applied to the toilet device 1.

Further, in the illustrated example, the toilet device 1 is of a tankless type that is directly connected to water supply and does not include a flush tank (low tank), but it may be configured to include a flush tank.

Further, as described above and as shown in FIG. 1, the toilet device 1 includes a toilet lid opening/closing detection section 21 and a toilet lid driving section 22, and further receives opening/closing instructions from the user to the toilet lid driving section 22. It also includes a toilet lid operating section 23 for receiving the toilet. Furthermore, the toilet device 1 includes a toilet seat 24, a toilet seat opening/closing detection unit 25 that detects opening/closing of the toilet seat 24, a toilet seat driving unit 26 that opens and closes the toilet seat 24, and a toilet seat operating unit 27 that receives opening/closing instructions for the toilet seat driving unit 26. In addition, a seating detection section 28 is also provided.

As the seating detection section 28, for example, a load sensor built into the toilet seat 24 that detects seating/unseating, an infrared sensor that detects seating/unseating from the vicinity of the rotating shaft of the toilet seat 24, or the like is employed. The toilet lid open/close detector 21 and the toilet seat open/close detector 25 are configured to detect the open/close state based on the opening angle.

The toilet lid drive unit 22 and the toilet seat drive unit 26 each include a motor or the like. The toilet lid driving unit 22 electrically opens and closes (raises and lowers) the toilet lid 20 when there is an instruction from the toilet lid operating unit 23, and the toilet seat driving unit 26 operates when there is an instruction from the toilet seat operating unit 27. Toilet seat 24 is electrically opened and closed (raised and raised).

In this specification, the state in which the toilet lid 20 and the toilet seat 24 stand up substantially vertically is referred to as the open state, and the state in which they fall down substantially horizontally and are substantially parallel to the opening surface of the bowl 12 is referred to as the open state. It is called a closed state.

In this toilet device 1, if both the toilet lid 20 and the toilet seat 24 are in the open state when the toilet lid operating unit 23 or the like instructs the toilet lid 20 to close, the toilet seat 24 first performs the closing operation, and then the toilet seat 24 closes. After (stopping in the closed state), the toilet lid 20 performs a closing operation in conjunction with the closing operation of the toilet seat 24. Furthermore, if the toilet seat 24 and the toilet lid 20 are both in the closed state when an instruction to open the toilet seat 24 is given by the toilet seat operation unit 27 or the like, the toilet lid 20 first performs the opening action and then opens (in the open state). After the toilet seat 24 stops, the toilet seat 24 performs an opening operation in conjunction with the opening operation of the toilet lid 20.

The toilet device 1 may further include various functional devices such as a deodorizing device for deodorizing the inside of the bowl 12, a heating device for warming the toilet seat 24, and a private parts cleaning device for cleaning private parts.

Further, the toilet device 1 includes a cleaning operation section 29. The cleaning operation section 29 includes a stool cleaning button 29a and a urine cleaning button 29b that output a cleaning instruction to the toilet bowl cleaning section 13 via the control section 5, which will be described later.

Note that it is desirable that the cleaning operation section 29 be disposed on both the main body operation section (not shown) and the remote control (not shown). These are also provided with operation switches and operation buttons that allow various operations and settings. As the remote control, one with infrared communication is preferably used. Needless to say, the remote control is provided with a transmitting section (not shown), and the main body 10 is provided with a receiving section (not shown).

The operation of the cleaning operation section 29 acts as a cleaning instruction means, but furthermore, the change in state from sitting to unseated, which is detected by the seating detection section 28, also acts as a cleaning instruction means. That is, when a person stands up from the toilet seat 24 while seated, automatic cleaning is performed instead of operating the cleaning button.

Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a single cleaning button outputs a cleaning instruction without providing both the feces cleaning button 29a and the urine cleaning button 29b. In other words, in this case, the amount of water for flushing into the bowl 12 does not distinguish between a large capacity for feces and a small capacity for urination, but only one type, the large capacity for feces.

The toilet device 1 controls the above-mentioned control targets (water supply valve 16 of the toilet bowl cleaning section 13, toilet lid drive section 22, toilet seat drive section 26, etc.), and also controls the cleaning operation section 29, the toilet lid opening/closing detection section 21, and the toilet seat opening/closing detection section. The controller 5 includes a control section 5 that receives output signals from the section 25, the seating detection section 28, and the like. This control unit 5 includes a processor such as a CPU or an MPU, and various programs. The toilet device 1 further includes a clock section 6 and a power supply section (not shown).

Further, the toilet device 1 includes a notification section 7 that includes a speaker or the like that notifies abnormalities, conditions, and guidance of the device using sound or voice synthesis. Note that the notification section 7 may be configured to include a display such as an LED instead of or in addition to the one that outputs sound.

Next, the basic operation of this toilet device 1 will be explained based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 to 5. All of these operations are operations performed by the control unit 5 when a cleaning instruction is issued by the cleaning instruction means.

The toilet device 1 may have an operational configuration that executes any of the operations shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 when a flushing instruction is given, but the toilet device 1 may be It may be possible to change it in the settings. Furthermore, if a cleaning instruction is given by the cleaning operation section 29 while the user is seated, the toilet device 1 does not accept the cleaning instruction.

In the following operation description, detection of the open/closed state of the toilet lid 20 and detection of the open/closed state of the toilet seat 24 is performed by each detection section, but explanations of the operations of these detection sections will be omitted. Further, although the opening/closing operations of the toilet lid 20 and the opening/closing operations of the toilet seat 24 are performed by respective drive units, a description of the operations of these drive units will be omitted.

First, the operation of FIG. 3 will be explained along the flowchart shown in steps S100 to S113. In the following explanation, the operation steps in FIGS. 3 to 5 are abbreviated as "Sxxxx" instead of "step Sxxxx".

When a cleaning instruction is received from the cleaning instruction means, first, the notification unit 7 notifies you of this, for example, by an electronic beep or the like (S100). Then, the open/closed state of the toilet lid 20 is determined, and if the toilet lid 20 is in the closed state, the bowl 12 is immediately washed (N of S101, S111).

Although not shown in FIG. 3, after the cleaning in S111 is completed, the toilet lid 20 is opened, and after a certain period of time has passed, the toilet lid 20, which has been opened, is closed. Alternatively, the toilet lid 20 may be placed in a standby state (with the toilet lid 20 closed).

This operation of opening the toilet lid 20 after cleaning is an operation performed by the user to check whether dirt remains in the bowl 12 after cleaning. In other words, the user does not need to manually open the toilet lid 20 to check the inside of the bowl 12 after cleaning.

Note that instead of delaying for a certain period of time, the device may return to the standby state at the timing when the human sensor no longer detects a person. Of course, since the user can close the toilet lid 20 using the toilet lid operating section 23, there is no need to automatically return it to the standby state.

Further, if the toilet lid 20 is in the open state when the cleaning instruction is received, a timer for a predetermined time is started (Y in S101, S102). This timer is used to forcibly start cleaning in a timed manner if the toilet seat 24 and toilet lid 20 are not closed within a predetermined time during the subsequent closing operation of the toilet seat 24 and toilet lid 20. It is.

In this toilet device 1, the toilet seat 24 is also electrically opened and closed. Therefore, if the toilet seat 24 is opened by the command to close the toilet lid 20 based on the cleaning instruction, the toilet seat 24 must also be closed. Therefore, the predetermined time is the time required for both the closing operation of the toilet seat 24 and the closing operation of the toilet lid 20. It is desirable to set a time that takes into account the following.

After the timer is activated, the state of the toilet seat 24 is determined, and if the toilet seat 24 is in the open state, the closing operation of the toilet seat 24 is started (Y in S103, S104). If the toilet seat 24 is not closed by the time the timer expires, the notification unit 7 notifies that the time has expired, and cleaning is started (S105, N in S106, Y in S105, S112, S113).

The notification at this time is a warning level for forced cleaning, so it is best to use something that is clearly audible, such as an electronic sound "pippipipipipippi". It is desirable that cleaning be started after the sound has finished.

Next, when the toilet seat 24 is closed without the time being up, or if the toilet seat 24 is closed at the timing of the cleaning instruction, the closing operation of the toilet lid 20 is started (Y in S106, N in S103, S107). If the toilet lid 20 is not closed by the time the timer expires, it is notified that the time has expired, and cleaning is started (S108, N in S109, N in S108, S112, S113).

If the toilet lid 20 is closed without the time being up, the closure of the toilet lid 20 is notified with an electronic sound "beep" or the like, which is different from when the cleaning instruction is given, and the bowl 12 is cleaned (Y in S109, S110, S111). Note that instead of notifying that the toilet lid 20 is closed, it may be possible to notify that cleaning will be performed. In other words, in that case, the notification is also made when the toilet lid 20 is closed (N in S101) after the washing instruction is given.

In principle, the toilet device 1 starts cleaning when the toilet lid 20 is closed, but cleaning is performed exceptionally when the time is up (Y at S105, Y at S108). Possible factors that cause the time to elapse before the toilet seat 24 closes include, for example, a failure of the toilet seat drive unit 26 or the toilet seat 24, or a case where the toilet seat 24 is stopped by hand during the closing operation. Furthermore, possible causes for the time elapse before the toilet lid 20 closes include, for example, a failure of the toilet lid drive unit 22 or the toilet lid 20, or a case where the toilet lid 20 is stopped by hand during the closing operation.

In such a case, when the time is up, priority is given to the cleaning instruction regardless of the state of the toilet lid 20 (toilet seat 24), and cleaning is forcibly executed. Although the operation of the toilet seat 24 and toilet lid 20 may be stopped at the user's will, in order to encourage the user to release the restriction on the toilet seat 24 and toilet lid 20, as described above, the operation of the toilet seat 24 and toilet lid 20 is stopped. It is desirable that the notification be made (S112) when the lid 20 is not closed (time has expired).

Furthermore, as an operation mode for cleaning the toilet lid 20 before it closes, as shown in the flowchart (S200 to S214) in FIG. good.

When a cleaning instruction is received, the instruction is first notified by, for example, an electronic beep (S200). Then, the open/closed state of the toilet lid 20 is determined, and if the toilet lid 20 is in the closed state, the bowl 12 is immediately washed (N of S201, S212). Similar to the embodiment in FIG. 3, the toilet lid 20 is opened after the cleaning in S212 is completed, and after a certain period of time has passed, the toilet lid 20 that has been in the open state is closed, and the toilet lid 20 is in a standby state. (The toilet lid 20 is in a closed state).

Further, if the toilet lid 20 is in an open state when receiving a cleaning instruction, the state of the toilet seat 24 is further determined, and if the toilet seat 24 is in an open state, a timer for a predetermined time (timer #1) is activated. (Y in S201, Y in S202, S203). This timer monitors the closing operation of the toilet seat 24, and is used to forcibly start cleaning if the toilet seat 24 is not closed.

After starting the timer, the closing operation of the toilet seat 24 is started (S204). If the toilet seat 24 is not closed by the time the timer #1 times up, it is notified that the time has expired, and cleaning is started (S205, N in S206, Y in S205, S213, S214). As in the example shown in FIG. 3, this toilet device 1 basically starts flushing when the toilet lid 20 is closed. (Toilet seat 24) is cleaned before closing.

Next, when the toilet seat 24 is closed without the time being up, or if the toilet seat 24 is closed at the timing of the cleaning instruction, a timer (timer #2) for a predetermined time is started and the closing operation of the toilet lid 20 is started. (Y in S206, N in S202, S207, S208). If the toilet lid 20 is not closed by the time this timer #2 times up, it is notified that the time has expired, and cleaning is started (S209, N in S210, Y in S209, S213, S214).

If the toilet lid 20 is closed without the time being up, the closure of the toilet lid 20 is notified by an electronic sound such as "beep", which is different from the one used when the cleaning instruction is issued, and the bowl 12 is cleaned (Y in S210, S211, S212). Note that instead of notifying that the toilet lid 20 is closed, it may be possible to notify that cleaning will be performed. In other words, in that case, the notification is also given when the toilet lid 20 is closed (N in S201) after the washing instruction.

As shown in FIG. 3, this toilet device 1, in principle, starts flushing when the toilet lid 20 is closed. In step Y), the toilet lid 20 is cleaned before closing.

In this way, in the operation shown in FIG. 4, each closing operation of the toilet seat 24 and the toilet lid 20 is individually monitored by a timer. Therefore, the closing operation is monitored at different time intervals depending on when only the toilet lid 20 is open and when both the toilet seat 24 and the toilet lid 20 are open. It can be washed at any time. For example, if only the toilet lid 20 is open (such as immediately after excretion), one timer (timer #2) monitors the closing operation, but if both the toilet seat 24 and toilet lid 20 are open If so, the closing operation is monitored by both timers (timer #1 + timer #2).

As described above, in both the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4, even if the closing of the toilet lid 20 (including the toilet seat 24) is not detected when the time is up, cleaning is performed at the timing of the time up. Therefore, even if the toilet lid 20 does not close due to a malfunction of the toilet seat 24 or the toilet lid 20 or a stoppage of the toilet seat 24 or the toilet lid 20 midway due to the user's hand, etc., the reason why the toilet lid 20 does not close may occur. There is no situation where cleaning is not performed, but forced cleaning is performed. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a state in which cleaning is not performed for a long time.

In addition, according to such forced cleaning due to time-up, cleaning is performed with the toilet lid 20 open, so there is a risk of scattering of contaminants, but if the user is present, cleaning can be performed. As soon as this starts, the user only has to close the toilet lid 20 by hand, and there is almost no problem.

Further, if the closing of the toilet lid 20 is detected before the timer expires, cleaning is executed at the detection timing, so it is possible to avoid cleaning being delayed more than necessary due to the timer.

Next, the operation of FIG. 5 will be explained along the flowchart (S300 to S314).

When a cleaning instruction is received, it is first notified by, for example, an electronic beep (S300). Then, the open/closed state of the toilet lid 20 is determined, and if the toilet lid 20 is in the closed state, the bowl 12 is immediately washed (N in S301, S312).

Similar to the example in FIG. 3, after cleaning is completed, the toilet lid 20 opens, and after a certain period of time has passed, the toilet lid 20, which was in the open state, closes and closes in a standby state ( The toilet lid 20 may be in a closed state).

Further, if the toilet lid 20 is in the open state when the cleaning instruction is received, a timer for a predetermined time is started (Y in S301, S302). This timer is for forcibly starting cleaning if the toilet lid 20 is not closed within a predetermined time in the subsequent closing operation of the toilet lid 20.

After the timer is activated, the state of the toilet seat 24 is determined, and if the toilet seat 24 is in the open state, the closing operation of the toilet seat 24 is started (S303, S304). If the toilet seat 24 is not closed by the time the timer expires, it is notified that the time has expired, and cleaning is started (S305, N in S306, Y in S305, S313, S314).

Next, when the toilet seat 24 is closed without the time being up, or if the toilet seat 24 is closed at the timing of the cleaning instruction, the closing operation of the toilet lid 20 is started (Y in S306, N in S303, S307). Further, if the toilet lid 20 is not closed by the time the timer times up, it is notified that the time has expired, and cleaning is started (S308, N in S309, Y in S308, S313, S314).

If the toilet lid 20 is closed without the time being up, the closing of the toilet lid 20 is notified with an electronic sound such as "beep", which is different from the one used when the cleaning instruction is given, after waiting for the time to expire, and the cleaning of the bowl 12 is executed ( Y of S310, S311, S312). Note that instead of being notified after the time is up, the notification may be made immediately after the toilet lid 20 is closed.

As shown in FIG. 3, in principle, cleaning is started when the toilet lid 20 is closed, but in exceptional cases, cleaning is started when the toilet lid 20 is closed (Y in S305, Y in S308). It will be done.

In the operation mode shown in FIG. 5, even if the closing operation of the toilet lid 20 is completed within a predetermined time, cleaning is not performed until the time is up, and cleaning is started at the timing when the time is up (Y in S310). , S311, S312). That is, in the operation mode shown in FIG. 5, unless a cleaning instruction is given when the toilet lid 20 is in the closed state, cleaning is started only when the timer times up (N in S301, S312).

In this way, if the timer is started, cleaning will not be started in any case unless the timer expires, so the cleaning start timing can be created with a simpler process. In this way, it is not necessary to use the processing logic as shown in FIG. 5, and cleaning can be forcibly started using an interrupt-like process due to time-up, making programming easier.

In addition, in the case of such an operation mode in which cleaning is performed when the time is up, a configuration may be adopted in which two timers are used, as in the case shown in FIG. 4.

The operational modes shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 are such that if a cleaning instruction is issued by the cleaning operation unit 29 while the user is seated, the cleaning instruction will not be accepted, but the operation is such that cleaning is performed while the user is seated. It may also be a mode. In that case, the toilet lid 20 is not closed.

In the case of cleaning while seated, the same operation as the operation when the toilet lid 20 is closed (S101, S111 in FIG. 1) may be used, but the cleaning may be performed after a predetermined period of time. . In other words, in this case, the closing operation of the toilet lid 20 is stopped when the toilet lid 20 hits the seated body, and cleaning is started when the timer times out (S108, S112, and S113 in FIG. 1). similar).

It is only necessary that either one of the operation modes shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the operation mode shown in FIG. good.

The operations shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 can also be applied to the case of urination, but may be excluded from the case of urination. For example, if the urination flushing button 29b is operated and the toilet seat 24 is in the open state, it may be determined that a man is urinating in a standing position, and the flushing operation may be performed without closing the toilet seat 24 and toilet lid 20. good.

In addition, although the toilet device 1 described above has an operational configuration in which the closing operation of the toilet seat 24 is completed and the closing operation of the toilet lid 20 is started, the toilet device 1 may operate at the same time, and the toilet lid 20 may be operated at the same time. The closing operation may be performed with a slight delay from the closing operation of the toilet seat 24.

Moreover, the toilet device 1 is not limited to the above-mentioned one, and the toilet seat 24 and the toilet lid 20 may be replaceable as one unit. In particular, the toilet device 3 may be retrofitted with (or replaced with) a toilet seat device 30 as shown in FIG. The basic configuration of a toilet device 3 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be explained based on FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b). In this embodiment, the movable trap 17A is illustrated in FIG. 6(b), but the toilet body may have a siphon-type trap 17 (see FIG. 2(a)) or other types. It is also possible to apply.

Specifically, the toilet device 3 outputs a cleaning instruction to the bowl 12, the toilet bowl cleaning section 13 that supplies cleaning water to the bowl 12 and cleans the inside of the bowl 12, the toilet seat device 30, and the toilet bowl cleaning section 13. It includes a cleaning operation section 29, a control section 5, a clock section 6, and a notification section 7.

The toilet seat device 30 is a separate body that is detachable from the toilet main body of the toilet device 3 (the portion excluding the toilet seat device 30). The toilet seat device 30 includes a toilet lid 40, a toilet lid opening/closing detection section 41, a toilet lid driving section 42, a toilet lid operating section 43, a toilet seat 44, a toilet seat opening/closing detection section 45, a toilet seat driving section 46, a toilet seat operating section 47, and a seating detection section. 48, a bowl cleaning operation section 49, a toilet seat side control section 35, a timer section 36, and a notification section 37. Further, electrical signals can be transmitted and received between the toilet seat device 30 and the toilet main body.

Note that the configuration of the toilet device 3 (toilet main body) except for the toilet seat device 30 is generally the same as that shown in FIG. 1, so a detailed explanation will be omitted. In addition, the toilet seat device 30 includes a toilet lid 40, a toilet lid opening/closing detection section 41, a toilet lid driving section 42, a toilet lid operating section 43, a toilet seat 44, a toilet seat opening/closing detection section 45, a toilet seat driving section 46, a toilet seat operating section 47, The seating detection section 48 is also generally the same as that shown in FIG. 1, and its explanation will be omitted.

The toilet seat device 30 shown in FIG. 6 is configured such that an instruction to clean the bowl 12 can be outputted from the toilet seat device 30 side to the toilet bowl cleaning unit 13. Specifically, in the toilet seat device 30, when a cleaning instruction is received from the bowl cleaning operation section 49, the toilet seat side control section 35 receives the instruction and operates the toilet bowl cleaning section 13 through the toilet main body side control section 5. The bowl 12 can be cleaned under control. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which the toilet seat side control section 35 directly controls the toilet bowl cleaning section 13.

As shown in FIG. 6, the toilet device 3 includes not only the bowl cleaning operation section 49 on the toilet seat device 30 side but also the cleaning operation section 29 on the toilet main body side. In other words, the one shown in FIG. 6 is configured so that a cleaning instruction can be issued using either the cleaning operation section 29 or the bowl cleaning operation section 49. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which a cleaning instruction can be given only by the bowl cleaning operation section 49 without providing the cleaning operation section 29 on the toilet main body side. Note that it is desirable that the bowl cleaning operation section 49 also have a feces cleaning button and a urine cleaning button.

The operation of the bowl cleaning operation section 49 acts as a bowl cleaning instruction means, but furthermore, the change in state from sitting to unseated, which is detected by the seating detection section 48, also acts as a bowl cleaning instruction means. That is, when the user stands up from the toilet seat 44 while sitting, automatic cleaning is performed instead of operating the cleaning button.

Similar to the toilet device 1 of FIG. 1, this toilet device 3 is also capable of operations such as those shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. In this way, when the toilet bowl cleaning section 13 receives a cleaning instruction from the bowl cleaning instruction means (bowl cleaning operation section 49), in principle, the bowl 12 is cleaned with the toilet lid 40 closed. If the toilet lid 40 is in the open state when a cleaning instruction is given, the closing operation is performed, but this is monitored by a timer, and when the time is up, cleaning is performed even if the toilet lid 40 is not in the closed state. .

As described above, the toilet seat device 30 includes the toilet seat 44, the toilet lid 40, the toilet lid opening/closing detection section 41 that detects the opening and closing of the toilet lid 40, and the toilet lid driving section 42 that opens and closes the toilet lid 40. We are prepared. Further, the toilet seat device 30 is a device that is attached to the toilet main body and includes a bowl cleaning instruction means that receives a washing instruction for the toilet main body, a timer section 36, and a toilet seat side control section 35. In the toilet seat device 30, if the toilet lid 40 is open when a cleaning instruction is issued by the bowl cleaning instruction means, the toilet lid drive section 42 causes the toilet lid drive section 42 to open the toilet lid 40 before outputting the cleaning instruction to the toilet main body. Closing operation begins. Further, the toilet seat device 30 outputs a cleaning instruction to the toilet main body if the toilet lid 40 is closed.

This toilet seat side control unit 35 starts a timer for a predetermined time if the toilet lid 40 is open when receiving a cleaning instruction, and starts a timer for a predetermined time when the toilet lid 40 is detected to be closed before the predetermined time elapses. outputs a cleaning instruction to the toilet bowl body at that timing. Furthermore, if the toilet seat side control section 35 does not detect the closure of the toilet lid 40 after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, it outputs a cleaning instruction to the toilet main body at that timing. In other words, this operation corresponds to that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Furthermore, if the toilet lid 40 is open when the toilet seat side control unit 35 receives the cleaning instruction, it starts a timer for a predetermined period of time, and outputs a cleaning instruction to the toilet main body when the predetermined period of time has elapsed. Good too. In other words, this operation corresponds to that shown in FIG.

Further, even when the toilet seat device 30 receives a cleaning instruction from the cleaning operation section 29 of the toilet main body instead of the cleaning instruction from the bowl cleaning operation section 49, the toilet seat device 30 performs the same operation as the operation according to the cleaning instruction from the bowl cleaning operation section 49. It is desirable that the configuration is such that this is executed.

Timer processing in the toilet device 3 may be performed by the timer 36 of the toilet seat device 30, but the timer 6 of the toilet main body may also be used. Further, various notifications may be made by the notification section 37 of the toilet seat device 30, but the notification section 7 of the toilet main body may also be used.

Note that the toilet seat device 30 is not limited to the one shown in FIG. For example, the toilet seat device 30 may be configured to include a private parts cleaning device, or may be configured to have a toilet seat operation unit (not shown) that allows various operations and settings (for example, private parts cleaning device). .

1, 3 Western-style toilet device 5 Control unit 6 Timing unit 7 Notification unit 12 Bowl 13 Toilet cleaning unit 20 Toilet lid 21 Toilet lid opening/closing detection unit 22 Toilet lid driving unit 23 Toilet lid operating unit 24 Toilet seat 25 Toilet seat opening/closing detection unit 26 Toilet seat drive Section 27 Toilet seat operation section 28 Seating detection section 29 Cleaning operation section 30 Toilet seat device 35 Toilet seat side control section 36 Time measurement section 37 Notification section 40 Toilet lid 41 Toilet lid opening/closing detection section 42 Toilet lid drive section 43 Toilet lid operation section 44 Toilet seat 45 Toilet seat Open/close detection section 46 Toilet seat drive section 47 Toilet seat operation section 48 Seating detection section 49 Bowl cleaning operation section

Claims (9)

A bowl, a toilet cleaning unit that supplies cleaning water to the bowl and cleans the inside of the bowl, a toilet lid, a toilet lid opening/closing detection unit that detects opening and closing of the toilet lid, and a toilet lid drive that opens and closes the toilet lid. a toilet seat, a toilet seat opening/closing detection unit for detecting opening/closing of the toilet seat, a toilet seat driving unit for opening/closing the toilet seat, a cleaning instruction means for outputting a cleaning instruction to the toilet cleaning unit, and a control unit. A toilet device comprising:
If the toilet lid is open and the toilet seat is closed when a cleaning instruction is issued by the cleaning instruction means, the toilet lid drive unit operates the toilet lid before the toilet cleaning unit cleans the toilet lid. While the closing operation starts, if the toilet lid is closed, the toilet bowl cleaning section is configured to perform cleaning,
If the toilet seat is open when receiving the cleaning instruction from the cleaning instruction means, the control unit causes the toilet bowl cleaning unit to start cleaning without closing the toilet seat and the toilet lid. Toilet device. In claim 1,
Equipped with an additional information department,
The toilet device according to claim 1, wherein when the control section receives the cleaning instruction from the cleaning instruction means, the control section causes the notification section to notify that fact, and then causes the toilet cleaning section to start cleaning. In claim 1 or 2,
Further equipped with a timekeeping section,
If the toilet lid is open when receiving the cleaning instruction from the cleaning instruction means, the control unit starts a timer for a predetermined time, and detects that the toilet lid is closed before the predetermined time elapses. If the toilet lid is not closed after the predetermined time has elapsed, the toilet bowl cleaning unit is caused to start cleaning at that timing. A toilet device featuring: In claim 1 or 2,
Further equipped with a timekeeping section,
If the toilet lid is open when receiving the cleaning instruction from the cleaning instruction means, the control unit starts a timer for a predetermined time, and causes the toilet bowl cleaning unit to start cleaning when the predetermined time elapses. A toilet device featuring: A toilet seat, a toilet seat opening/closing detection unit that detects opening/closing of the toilet seat, a toilet seat driving unit that opens/closes the toilet seat, a toilet lid, a toilet lid opening/closing detection unit that detects opening/closing of the toilet lid, and a toilet seat opening/closing detection unit that detects opening/closing of the toilet seat. A toilet seat device that is attached to the toilet main body, the toilet seat device comprising: a toilet lid drive unit for cleaning the toilet main body; a bowl washing instruction unit that receives a washing instruction for the toilet main body; and a toilet seat side control unit;
If the toilet lid is open and the toilet seat is closed when a cleaning instruction is issued by the bowl cleaning instruction means, the toilet lid drive section may issue a cleaning instruction to the toilet body before outputting a cleaning instruction to the toilet main body. While the closing operation of the toilet lid starts, if the toilet lid is closed, a cleaning instruction is output to the toilet main body,
If the toilet seat is open when receiving the cleaning instruction from the bowl cleaning instruction means, the toilet seat side control section outputs a cleaning instruction to the toilet main body without closing the toilet seat and the toilet lid. A toilet seat device featuring: In claim 5,
Equipped with an additional information department,
The toilet seat device, wherein the toilet seat side control section, when receiving a cleaning instruction from the bowl cleaning instruction means, causes the notification section to notify that fact, and then outputs a cleaning instruction to the toilet main body. In claim 5 or 6,
Further equipped with a timekeeping section,
If the toilet lid is open when receiving the cleaning instruction from the bowl cleaning instruction means, the toilet seat side control unit starts a timer for a predetermined time, and closes the toilet lid before the predetermined time elapses. If closing is detected, a cleaning instruction is output to the toilet main body at that timing, while if closing of the toilet lid is not detected after the predetermined time has elapsed, a cleaning instruction is output to the toilet main body at that timing. A toilet seat device characterized by outputting instructions. In claim 5 or 6,
Further equipped with a timekeeping section,
If the toilet lid is open when receiving a cleaning instruction from the bowl cleaning instruction means, the toilet seat side control section starts a timer for a predetermined period of time, and issues a cleaning instruction to the toilet main body when the predetermined period of time has elapsed. A toilet seat device characterized by outputting. In any one of claims 5 to 8,
The toilet seat device, wherein the toilet seat side control section executes the same operation when receiving a cleaning instruction from the bowl cleaning instruction means, even when receiving a cleaning instruction from the toilet main body.

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