JPH07294662A - Object-detecting apparatus, and automatic washing device for sanitary fixture - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an object-detecting apparatus, which can detect an object accurately even if disturbance light is generated by any cause, and consumes a less power, and to provide an automatic washing device for sanitary fixture using such object detecting apparatus. CONSTITUTION:When a detected signal N is inputted from a pyroelectric sensor 6c, a microcomputer 22 outputs a command signal S to a switch circuit 25 and feeds the power to a light receiving circuit 27 so that a phototransistor 6b can receive light. The microcomputer 22 outputs a light-emitting command signal F so that a light emitting diode 6a emits light. The light projected from the light emitting diode 6a is reflected from the object. The phototransistor 6b detects the reflected light and outputs the received light signal K to the microcomputer 22 through the light receiving circuit 27. When the received light signal K is inputted, the microcomputer 22 judges that the object is present.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an object detecting device and an automatic cleaning device for sanitary ware. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus that detects the presence or absence of an object by projecting light onto an object such as a human body and detecting the reflected light reflected by the projected light hitting the object. The present invention also relates to an automatic cleaning device for sanitary ware using such an object detection device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an object detecting device for detecting an object by utilizing reflection of infrared light has been widely used in various fields of consumer and industry.

In such an object detecting device, first, infrared light is projected from a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode. When an object such as a human body exists in the space where the infrared light is projected, the projection light from the light emitting element hits the object and is reflected. The presence or absence of an object is detected by detecting the reflected light with a light receiving element such as a photodiode. That is, when the light receiving element detects the reflected light, it is determined that the object exists, and when the reflected light is not detected, it is determined that the object does not exist.

[0004]

By the way, in the above-mentioned object detecting device, infrared light generated by some external cause may act as a disturbance (hereinafter referred to as disturbance light), and accurate object detection may not be possible. . This is because the light receiving element only outputs a detection signal when it receives infrared light of a predetermined wavelength, and the received infrared light is reflected by the projection light from the light emitting element when it hits the object. This is because it does not have a function of discriminating between the reflected light and the ambient light. Therefore, when the wavelength of the ambient light matches the wavelength of the projected light of the light emitting element, it is not possible to determine whether the object actually exists or the ambient light is generated, and the It becomes impossible to detect various objects.

For example, when an inverter fluorescent lamp is used to illuminate the place where the above-mentioned object detection device is installed, the light from the inverter fluorescent lamp may act as ambient light. That is, in the inverter fluorescent lamp, since the lighting frequency is set to a certain specified range by the inverter control, ambient light is generated in the same cycle as the lighting frequency.

As a power source for such an object detecting device,
Commercial power or batteries are used. When a battery is used as a power source, it is general to use a battery having a long battery life, such as a lithium battery, and intermittently cause a light emitting element to emit light at a constant cycle to suppress battery consumption. With this configuration, the battery life is lengthened as much as possible to reduce the labor for battery replacement. However, in recent years, further reduction in power consumption has been demanded.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to be able to accurately detect an object even if ambient light is generated for some reason and to have low power consumption. An object is to provide an object detection device. Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic cleaning device for sanitary ware using such an object detecting device.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an object is detected by projecting light from a light emitting element and detecting reflected light reflected from an object by the light receiving element. In the device, an infrared sensor for detecting a change in infrared rays emitted by the object,
The gist is that the object is detected based on the detection result of the infrared sensor and the detection result of the light receiving element.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an object detecting device which detects an object by projecting light from a light emitting element and detecting reflected light reflected by the projected light upon the object by a light receiving element. An infrared sensor for detecting infrared rays to be radiated, and based on the detection result of the infrared sensor, when the infrared sensor detects infrared rays, the light receiving element can be received and the light emitting element is caused to emit a predetermined number of times, and For the light emission of the light emitting element, it is determined that the object exists when the reflected light is received by the light receiving element, and it is determined that the object does not exist when the reflected light is not received by the light receiving element. It is a gist that it is provided with a control determination means for performing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the object detecting device according to the first or second aspect, a sanitary device, a cleaning body supply means for supplying a cleaning body to the sanitary device, and the object. Based on the detection result of the detection device, when it is determined that the user of the sanitary equipment as an object exists, the cleaning body supply means is controlled to supply the cleaning body to the sanitary equipment for a certain period of time. The gist is that it is provided with a supply control means.

[0011]

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the invention, the object can be detected based on the detection results of the light emitting element and the light receiving element and the infrared sensor, so that the object can be accurately detected. .

Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, the light receiving element can receive light and the light emitting element emits light only when the infrared sensor detects the infrared ray. Therefore, the consumption required for the light emitting element to emit light is consumed. The power can be reduced. Therefore, when infrared rays are not detected, ambient light is not detected and it is possible to accurately detect an object.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the object detecting device according to the first aspect or the second aspect reliably detects the user of the sanitary ware and supplies the sanitary ware with the cleaning body for a certain period of time. The sanitary ware can be automatically cleaned and kept clean.

[0014]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment in which the object detecting device of the present invention is embodied in an automatic washing device for a flush urinal for men (hereinafter referred to as a morning glory) will be described with reference to the drawings.

2 and 3 show the state of attachment of the morning glory 1 of this embodiment. The morning glory 1 is attached to the front side of the wall surface 2 of the washroom, and the water supply pipe 3 connected to the morning glory 1 is connected with an electromagnetic opening / closing valve 4. When the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 4 is opened, washing water is supplied from the water supply pipe 3 to the morning glory 1. On the contrary, when the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 4 is closed, the morning glory 1 is discharged from the water supply pipe 3.
The supply of washing water to the machine is cut off.

The control box 5 is a wall surface 2 slightly above the morning glory 1.
Is attached to the back side of the control box 5, and the surface plate 5a of the control box 5 is attached to the wall surface 2
Is exposed to. The surface plate 5a has a light emitting diode 6a,
A user detection sensor 6 including a phototransistor 6b and a pyroelectric sensor 6c is provided, and a controller 7 and a lithium battery 8 are provided in the control box 5.

The light emitting diode 6a projects infrared light having a preset wavelength. The phototransistor 6b outputs a detection signal only when it receives infrared light having the same wavelength as the projected light of the light emitting diode 6a.

Further, when the user is moving, the pyroelectric sensor 6c detects a change in infrared rays due to the movement or movement of the user and outputs a detection signal. In other words, the pyroelectric sensor 6c is adapted to detect a change in infrared rays that corresponds to the movement of the user. In addition, the pyroelectric sensor 6c is different from the light emitting diode 6a and the phototransistor 6b in that
It consumes less power.

FIG. 1 shows an electric block circuit of the automatic cleaning apparatus of this embodiment. The lithium battery 8 is the controller 7
Power is supplied to the constant voltage circuit 20 therein.

The constant voltage circuit 20 is composed of a three-terminal regulator, and has a user detection sensor 6 and a valve drive circuit 2.
1. Microcomputer in controller 7 (hereinafter,
22, a light emission drive circuit 23, a signal processing circuit of the pyroelectric sensor 6c (hereinafter referred to as pyroelectric sensor circuit) 2
4, a stable DC voltage is supplied to each of the switch circuit 25 and the condition setting circuit 26.

The valve drive circuit 21 outputs a pulsed timing signal based on a command signal from the microcomputer 22.
The electromagnetic opening / closing valve 4 is composed of a main valve 4b and a pilot valve 4a composed of a self-holding solenoid. The pilot valve 4a opens and closes based on the timing signal from the valve drive circuit 21, and when the timing signal is not output, holds the opening and closing state before that. The main valve 4b is mechanically driven by the pilot valve 4a. Therefore, every time the valve drive circuit 21 outputs a pulsed timing signal, the main valve 4a
The open / closed state is also switched, and when the timing signal is not output, the open / closed state before that is maintained as it is.

The microcomputer 22 is a central processing unit (CP
U), a read-only memory (ROM) that stores a control program, a readable and writable memory (RAM) that temporarily stores a result of a user detection operation described later,
It consists of an input / output interface, etc.

Then, the microcomputer 22 outputs a light emission command signal F with a predetermined duty (for example, 50%) at a predetermined modulation frequency (for example, several tens KHz) at a predetermined detection timing (for example, about 1 second) for a predetermined time (for example). A predetermined number of pulses) are generated and output to the light emission drive circuit 23. Here, as will be described later, the pulse number of the light emission command signal F becomes an appropriate pulse number of 1 pulse or more (8 pulses in this embodiment) when the user appears before the morning glory 1 or when disturbance occurs. . The modulation frequency of the light emission command signal F is set so as not to match the lighting frequency of the ambient light generated in the washroom. For example, when an inverter fluorescent lamp is used for illumination of a washroom, the light from the inverter fluorescent lamp becomes ambient light, and its lighting frequency is set to a certain specified range. Therefore,
If the modulation frequency of the light emission command signal F is set so as to be shifted from the specified range of the lighting frequency of the inverter fluorescent lamp, it will not match the lighting frequency of the ambient light.

The light emission drive circuit 23 causes the light emitting diode 6a to emit light based on the light emission command signal F from the microcomputer 22. The light receiving circuit 27 includes an amplifier 27a and a waveform shaping circuit 2
7b and. The amplifier 27a amplifies the detection signal of the phototransistor 6b. Waveform shaping circuit 27
The waveform b is waveform-shaped after integrating the output signal of the amplifier 27a, and the waveform-shaped light reception signal K is output to the microcomputer 22.

Power is supplied to the light receiving circuit 27 from the constant voltage circuit 20 through the switch circuit 25. The switch circuit 25 is switched on / off based on a command signal S from the microcomputer 22, supplies power from the constant voltage circuit 20 to the light receiving circuit 27 when the switch circuit 25 is on, and from the constant voltage circuit 20 when the switch circuit 25 is off. The power supplied to 27 is cut off. That is, the switch circuit 25 functions as a power switch for the light receiving circuit 27. When the switch circuit 25 is turned on, the light receiving circuit 27 is turned on, and when the switch circuit 25 is turned off, the light receiving circuit 27 is turned off.

The pyroelectric sensor circuit 24 is composed of an amplifier 24a and a waveform shaping circuit 24b. Amplifier 24a
Amplifies the detection signal of the pyroelectric sensor 6c. The waveform shaping circuit 24b integrates the output signal of the amplifier 24a, shapes the waveform, and outputs the waveform-shaped detection signal N to the microcomputer 22. When the detection signal N is input, the microcomputer 22 outputs a command signal S to the switch circuit 25 to turn it on and supply power to the light receiving circuit 27. On the other hand, the microcomputer 22
When the above-mentioned light receiving signal K is no longer input, the command signal S
Is output to the switch circuit 25 and turned off to stop the supply of power to the light receiving circuit.

In the condition setting circuit 26, the predetermined detection timing of the light emission command signal F, the predetermined modulation frequency, the predetermined duty, and the margin time α described later are set, and these settings can be changed. . In addition, as a method of changing those settings, for example, by turning on / off a switch (not shown) corresponding to the setting,
It is set by the builder during construction of the automatic cleaning device according to the construction site.

Next, the operation for detecting whether or not the user is standing in front of the morning glory 1 (hereinafter referred to as the user detecting operation) in this embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
It will be described according to the time chart shown in.

When the user is not standing in front of morning glory 1,
Since infrared rays are not input to the pyroelectric sensor 6c, the pyroelectric sensor 6c does not output a detection signal. Pyroelectric sensor circuit 24
Does not input the detection signal from the pyroelectric sensor 6c, the detection signal N is not output to the microcomputer 22. Therefore, since the microcomputer 22 does not input the detection signal N, the switch circuit 2
5 does not output the command signal S. As a result, since the switch circuit 25 is off and the power supply to the light receiving circuit 27 is cut off, the light receiving circuit 27 is off.

At this time, even if the ambient light from the inverter fluorescent lamp or the like is incident on the phototransistor 6b, the light receiving circuit 27 is off, so that the light receiving signal K is not output. Since the microcomputer 22 does not input the light reception signal K, it is determined that the user is not standing in front of the morning glory 1 and "the user is not detected".
To judge. Therefore, even when such ambient light is generated, the microcomputer 22 does not erroneously determine "user detection".

When the user appears in front of the morning glory 1, the pyroelectric sensor 6c detects a change in infrared rays by the user and outputs a detection signal. The pyroelectric sensor circuit 24 is the pyroelectric sensor 6c.
The detection signal from is amplified and waveform-shaped, and the waveform-shaped detection signal N is output to the microcomputer 22.

When the microcomputer 22 receives the detection signal N,
The command signal S is output to turn on the switch circuit 25 to supply power to the light receiving circuit 27. Then, the microcomputer 22 waits for the margin time α and then outputs the light emission command signal F 8
Output pulse. Then, the light emission drive circuit 23 causes the light emitting diode 6a to emit light continuously eight times. The projected light of the light emitting diode 6a is reflected by the user, and the phototransistor 6b detects the reflected light and outputs a detection signal. The detection signal is amplified by the amplifier 27a, further waveform-shaped by the waveform shaping circuit 27b, and input to the microcomputer 22 as the received light signal K.

The margin time α is set to be longer than the time from when the power of the light receiving circuit 27 is turned on until the operation becomes stable and the light receiving signal K can be generated from the detection signal of the phototransistor 6b. . Therefore, at the time when the light emitting diode 6a emits light according to the light emission command signal F,
The operation of the light receiving circuit 27 is stable, and the light receiving signal K can be generated from the detection signal of the phototransistor 6b.

When the microcomputer 22 receives the light reception signal K,
"User detection" assuming that the user is standing in front of morning glory 1
And the determination result is stored in the RAM. And
When the microcomputer 22 determines "user detection", it outputs the light emission command signal F for 8 pulses at the next detection timing. Therefore, if the user is standing in front of the morning glory 1, the above operation is repeated at a predetermined detection timing. And morning glory 1
The microcomputer 22 outputs the light emission command signal F for 8 pulses immediately after the user has left before.

However, at this time, since the user is not standing in front of the morning glory 1, the projected light from the light emitting diode 6a is not reflected, and the phototransistor 6b cannot detect the reflected light, and thus does not output the detection signal. Therefore, the microcomputer 2
2 does not input the light reception signal K. Therefore, the microcomputer 22
Determines that the user is not standing in front of the morning glory 1 and determines that "the user is not detected", and stores the determination result in the RAM.

On the other hand, when the user is not standing in front of the morning glory 1, infrared rays may be input to the pyroelectric sensor 6c due to disturbance. The disturbance at this time may be as follows. When the user simply passes just before morning glory 1.

When infrared rays from sunlight enter. When the infrared ray changes as described above, the pyroelectric sensor 6c detects the change and outputs a detection signal N to the microcomputer 22 via the pyroelectric sensor circuit 24.

When the detection signal N is input, the microcomputer 22 outputs a command signal S and turns on the switch circuit 25,
The light receiving circuit 27 is turned on. Then, after the lapse of the margin time α, the microcomputer 22 sets the light emission command signal F to 8
A pulse is output (E in the figure). Then, the light emission drive circuit 23
Causes the light emitting diode 6a to emit light eight times in succession. At this time, the user has already passed the morning glory 1, so
The light projected from the light emitting diode 6a is not reflected. Since the phototransistor 6b does not detect reflected light, the microcomputer 22
The light reception signal K is not output to. Therefore, since the microcomputer 22 does not input the light reception signal K, it is determined that the user is not standing in front of the morning glory 1 and "no user detected". Therefore, the microcomputer 22 does not erroneously determine "user detection" even when the above-described disturbance occurs.

Further, in the above case, the change in infrared rays due to sunlight is sufficiently slower than the change in infrared rays due to the movement of the user, so that the pyroelectric sensor 6c hardly changes. Therefore, the pyroelectric sensor 6c does not detect the change of the infrared ray and does not output the detection signal, so that the detection signal N is not output to the microcomputer 22. Since the microcomputer 22 does not input the detection signal N, it is possible to prevent erroneous user detection operation.

Thus, in this embodiment, the morning glory 1
When the user is standing in front of, the pyroelectric sensor 6c detects a change in infrared rays by the user, and the pyroelectric sensor circuit 24 outputs a detection signal N to the microcomputer 22. Microcomputer 2
When 2 receives the detection signal N, it outputs a command signal S to the switch circuit 25 to turn on the switch circuit 25 and turn on the power supply of the light receiving circuit 27.

Then, the microcomputer 22 outputs 8 pulses of the light emission command signal F at a predetermined detection timing to cause the light emitting diode 6a to emit light. The phototransistor 6b detects the reflected light reflected by the user, and the light receiving circuit 27 outputs the light receiving signal K to the microcomputer 22. When the light receiving signal K is input, the microcomputer 22 determines that "user detection" is performed.

On the other hand, when the user is not standing in front of the morning glory 1 and the ambient light enters the phototransistor 6b by an inverter fluorescent lamp or the like, the phototransistor 6b detects the ambient light and outputs a detection signal. Output. At this time, since the pyroelectric sensor 6c does not detect a change in infrared rays by the user, the microcomputer 22 does not input the detection signal N and the switch circuit 25 remains off. for that reason,
The light receiving circuit 27 is powered off, and the light receiving signal K is not output. Therefore, even if there is ambient light, the microcomputer 22 does not determine "user detection" by the ambient light.

Further, when the user is not standing in front of the morning glory 1 and the pyroelectric sensor 6c detects a change in infrared ray due to disturbance, the pyroelectric sensor 6c outputs a detection signal N to the microcomputer 22. . When the detection signal N is input, the microcomputer 22 outputs a command signal S to turn on the switch circuit 25 and turn on the power source of the light receiving circuit 27. Then, the microcomputer 22 outputs a light emission command signal F of 8 pulses at a predetermined detection timing to cause the light emitting diode 6a to emit light. At this time, since the user is not standing in front of the morning glory 1, the projection light from the light emitting diode 6a is not reflected. Therefore, since the phototransistor 6b does not detect the reflected light, the light receiving signal K is not output from the light receiving circuit 27. Then, since the microcomputer 22 does not input the light reception signal K, "user not detected"
To determine.

As a result, even if the ambient light detected by the phototransistor 6b or the change in infrared light detected by the pyroelectric sensor 6c occurs, the user of the morning glory 1 can be detected accurately without being affected by the change. can do.

Further, in this embodiment, the microcomputer 22
When the detection signal N from the pyroelectric sensor 6c is not input (hereinafter, referred to as normal time), the switch circuit 25 is turned off and the light receiving circuit 27 is turned off. When the detection signal N is input, the microcomputer 22 turns on the switch circuit 25 and turns on the light receiving circuit 27. And
The microcomputer 22 causes the light emitting diode 6a to emit light eight times in succession according to the modulated 8-pulse light emission command signal F.

Therefore, since the light receiving circuit 27 is normally turned off, the power consumption of the controller 7 can be reduced. By the way, even in a frequently used washroom such as a public toilet at a station, the morning glory 1 is usually used for 2 hours or less out of 24 hours a day. Therefore, the power-on time of the light receiving circuit 27 is short, and the power consumption of the controller 7 is small. Also,
Even if the sunlight enters the public toilet, the change in the infrared ray is slower than the change in the infrared ray by the user, so the pyroelectric sensor 6c does not detect the change. Therefore, since the light receiving circuit 27 is not turned on, the power consumption of the controller 7 in the normal state is reduced and the consumption of the lithium battery 8 is significantly suppressed. As a result, the battery life of the lithium battery 8 is lengthened, and the labor for battery replacement is reduced.

By the way, the microcomputer 22 carries out the user detecting operation at a predetermined detecting timing. And
Next to the judgment result of "user not detected", "user detected"
If the determination result is that the microcomputer 22 performs the pre-washing process for the morning glory 1. That is, the microcomputer 22 controls the valve drive circuit 21 to open the main valve 4b through the pilot valve 4a for a certain period of time to supply a certain amount of washing water from the water supply pipe 3 to the morning glory 1 and the morning glory 1 To wash. As a result, the user can comfortably add a small amount and the morning glory 1 is less likely to get dirty.

Subsequently, when the judgment result of "user detection" is followed by the judgment result of "user non-detection", the microcomputer 22 indicates that the user, who has finished adding small amounts, has left the morning glory 1. After the judgment, the morning glory 1 is subjected to the post-cleaning process. That is, the microcomputer 22 controls the valve drive circuit 21 to open the main valve 4b through the pilot valve 4a for a certain period of time to supply a certain amount of washing water from the water supply pipe 3 to the morning glory 1 and the user. Morning glory 1
To wash.

As described above, in the automatic washing device for morning glory 1 of the present embodiment, when the user who wants to take a small dose stands in front of the morning glory 1, the morning glory 1 is washed (pre-cleaning process), and the small amount is used. When the user who has finished adding leaves the front of the morning glory 1 again, the morning glory 1 is washed again (post-cleaning processing). Therefore, the morning glory 1 can be kept clean at any time. (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment in which the object detecting device of the present invention is embodied in an automatic morning glory washing device will be described with reference to the drawings.

Since the construction of this embodiment is exactly the same as that of the first embodiment, the construction of this embodiment is given the same reference numeral as that of the first embodiment and its explanation is omitted. Microcomputer 22
Outputs a light emission command signal F of a predetermined number of pulses (8 pulses in this embodiment) to cause the light emitting diode 6a to emit light. The projected light of the light emitting diode 6a is reflected by the user, and the phototransistor 6b detects the reflected light and outputs a detection signal K to the microcomputer 22 via the light receiving circuit 27. When the microcomputer 22 receives the light reception signal K, it also outputs the light emission command signal F having a predetermined number of pulses and then outputs the light emission command signal F to cause the light emitting diode 6a to emit light.
The output of the light emission command signal F is continued until the microcomputer 22 stops inputting the light reception signal K.

That is, when the microcomputer 22 outputs a predetermined number of pulses of the light emission command signal F and inputs the light reception signal K, it continues to output the light emission command signal F until the light reception signal K is no longer input.

The user detection operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the time chart shown in FIG. still,
Ambient light such as an inverter fluorescent lamp causes phototransistor 6b.
Since the operation when incident on is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

When the user appears in front of the morning glory 1, the pyroelectric sensor 6c detects a change in infrared rays by the user and outputs a detection signal as in the first embodiment, and the pyroelectric sensor circuit 24
Output a detection signal N to the microcomputer 22.

When the microcomputer 22 receives the detection signal N,
The command signal S is output to turn on the switch circuit 25 to supply power to the light receiving circuit 27. Then, the microcomputer 22 waits for the margin time α and then outputs the light emission command signal F 8
A pulse is output to cause the light emitting diode 6a to emit light eight times.
The phototransistor 6b detects the reflected light reflected by the user, and the received light signal K from the light receiving circuit 27 is received by the microcomputer 22.
Is output to. When the microcomputer 22 receives the light reception signal K, it determines that the user is standing in front of the morning glory 1 and "detects the user", and stores the determination result in the RAM. Further, when the microcomputer 22 receives the light reception signal K, it also outputs the 8-pulse light emission command signal F and continues to emit the light emission command signal F.
Is output to cause the light emitting diode 6a to emit light. And
The microcomputer 22 outputs the light emission command signal F throughout the input of the light reception signal K.

Therefore, while the user is standing in front of the morning glory 1, the microcomputer 22 outputs the light emission command signal F. Also,
While the user is standing in front of the morning glory 1, the microcomputer 22 inputs the light reception signal K, determines that the user is detected, and stores the determination result in the RAM. That is, the microcomputer 22 performs the user detection operation while the user is standing in front of the morning glory 1.

When the user leaves the morning glory 1 in front of the morning glory 1, the projected light from the light emitting diode 6a is not reflected, and the phototransistor 6b cannot detect the reflected light and therefore does not output a detection signal. Therefore, the microcomputer 22 does not input the light reception signal K. Therefore, the microcomputer 22 determines that the user is not standing in front of the morning glory 1 and determines that "user not detected", and stores the determination result in the RAM. Further, the microcomputer 22 stops outputting the light emission command signal F, and outputs the command signal S to the switch circuit 2
5 to turn off the switch circuit 25. As a result, the light receiving circuit 23 is turned off.

That is, when the user leaves the morning glory 1 in front of the morning glory 1, the microcomputer 22 turns off the power of the light receiving circuit 27 to suppress the power consumption and the consumption of the lithium battery 8. Morning glory 1
When the user is not standing in front of, infrared rays may be input to the pyroelectric sensor 6c due to disturbance as in the first embodiment. The pyroelectric sensor 6c detects infrared rays due to this disturbance and outputs a detection signal N to the microcomputer 22 via the pyroelectric sensor circuit 24.

When the microcomputer 22 receives the detection signal N,
The light receiving circuit 27 is powered on in the same manner as when the user is present. After the margin time α has elapsed, the microcomputer 22 outputs the light emission command signal F to the 8-pulse light emission drive circuit 23.
To cause the light emitting diode 6a to emit light.

At this time, since there is no user in front of the morning glory 1, the projection light from the light emitting diode 6a is not reflected. Therefore, since the phototransistor 6b does not detect the reflected light and the microcomputer 22 does not input the light receiving signal K, after outputting the light emission command signal F for 8 pulses, the output of the light emission command signal F is stopped. Further, the microcomputer 22 outputs a command signal S to the switch circuit 25 to turn off the switch circuit 25 and turn off the power source of the light receiving circuit 27.

Thus, in this embodiment, the morning glory 1
When the user is standing in front of, the pyroelectric sensor 6c detects a change in infrared rays by the user, and the pyroelectric sensor circuit 24 outputs a detection signal N to the microcomputer 22. Microcomputer 2
When 2 receives the detection signal N, it outputs a command signal S to the switch circuit 25 to turn on the switch circuit 25 and turn on the power supply of the light receiving circuit 27.

Then, the microcomputer 22 outputs the light emission command signal F for 8 pulses to cause the light emitting diode 6a to emit light. The light emitting diode 6a detects the reflected light reflected by the user, and the light receiving circuit 27 outputs the light receiving signal K to the microcomputer 22. When the light reception signal K is input to the microcomputer 22,
The light emission command signal F is continuously output while the light reception signal K is input following the pulse light emission command signal F. And
The microcomputer 22 stops outputting the light emission command signal F when the light reception signal K is no longer input. Further, the microcomputer 22 outputs the command signal S to turn off the switch circuit 25 and turn off the power supply of the light receiving circuit 27.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the user leaves the morning glory 1 before, the light receiving circuit 27 is turned off, so that the time for turning on the light receiving circuit 27 is shortened as compared with the first embodiment. be able to. As a result, the power consumption of the controller 7 can be further reduced as compared with the first embodiment.

The front and rear washing processing of the morning glory 1 based on the user detection operation is the same as that in the first embodiment, and therefore its explanation is omitted. (Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment in which the object detecting device of the present invention is embodied in an automatic morning glory washing device will be described with reference to the drawings. The same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is partially omitted.

FIG. 6 shows an electric block circuit of the automatic cleaning apparatus of this embodiment. From the constant voltage circuit 20 to the switch circuit 25, the valve drive circuit 21, the microcomputer 22, and the light receiving circuit 27 are connected.
Power is supplied via. The pyroelectric sensor 6c detects a change in infrared rays by the user of the morning glory 1, and a detection signal N is output from the pyroelectric sensor circuit 24 to the microcomputer 22 and the switch circuit. The switch circuit 25 is turned on based on the detection signal N from the pyroelectric sensor circuit 24,
Power is supplied to the valve drive circuit 21, the microcomputer 22, and the light receiving circuit 27.

The microcomputer 22 immediately outputs the latch signal L to the switch circuit 25 when the power is turned on. When the latch signal L is input from the microcomputer 22, the switch circuit 25 is turned on only while the latch signal L is being input, and is turned off when the latch signal L is not input.

That is, the switch circuit 25 is the valve drive circuit 2
1, the microcomputer 22, the light receiving circuit 27 as a power switch, the switch circuit 2 by the detection signal of the pyroelectric sensor 6c
When 5 is turned on, the valve drive circuit 21, the microcomputer 22, and the light receiving circuit 27 are turned on. And the microcomputer 22
Switch circuit 25 when the latch signal L is no longer output.
Is turned off, and the valve drive circuit 21, the microcomputer 22, and the light receiving circuit 27 are turned off.

As described above, in this embodiment, the valve drive circuit 21, the microcomputer 22, and the light receiving circuit 27 are connected to the switch circuit 25, and when the switch circuit 25 is turned on, the valve drive circuit 21, the microcomputer 22, and the light receiving circuit 27 are turned on. Was turned on. The pyroelectric sensor circuit 24 outputs a detection signal N to the switch circuit 25 in response to the detection signal of the pyroelectric sensor 6c. Then, the switch circuit 25 is turned on based on the detection signal N. Further, the switch circuit 25 is kept on when the latch signal L from the microcomputer 22 is input, and is turned off when the latch signal is not input.

That is, when the pyroelectric sensor 6c does not detect a change in infrared rays, the valve drive circuit 21, the microcomputer 22 and the light receiving circuit 27 remain off. As a result, the power consumption of the controller 7 can be further reduced as compared with the second embodiment.

Since the user detecting operation and the front and rear washing processing of the bosh 1 in this embodiment are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, the description thereof will be omitted. By the way, the present invention may be carried out as follows in addition to the above embodiment.

1) In the first embodiment, the microcomputer 22 determines "user detection" when the light reception signal K is input at one detection timing, but it is continuously detected at a plurality of times (for example, two to three times). Then, when the light reception signal K is input, it is determined as "user detection". Then, the pre-washing process for the morning glory 1 is performed after it is determined to be "user detected". in this case,
Even if a person simply crosses the front of the morning glory 1, the user detection operation can be performed more reliably, and the pre-cleaning process is not erroneously performed.

2) In the second and third embodiments, the microcomputer 22 outputs the command signal S to the switch circuit 25 and simultaneously outputs the light emission command signal F to the light emission drive circuit 23.
Then, after the microcomputer 22 has passed the margin time α,
The light receiving signal K from the light receiving circuit 27 may be input.

3) The power source of the phototransistor 6b is turned on / off by the switch circuit 25 together with the light receiving circuit 27. With this configuration, the power consumption of the lithium battery 8 can be further reduced.

4) Replace the lithium battery 8 with a DC power supply device and supply power from a commercial power supply. 5) The constant voltage circuit 20 is omitted.

6) Direct power is supplied to the valve drive circuit 21 from the lithium battery 8. 7) Use visible or ultraviolet light instead of infrared light. That is, not the infrared light but the visible light or the ultraviolet light is projected from the light emitting diode 6a, and the phototransistor 6b receives the projected light to output the detection signal.

8) Not only the morning glory 1, but also an automatic cleaning device for various sanitary appliances such as a washbasin. 9) Not only the automatic cleaning device for sanitary equipment, but also other object detection devices such as automatic doors, FA devices, and intrusion detection security systems.

10) It is carried out in combination with the first and third embodiments. That is, in the configuration of the third embodiment, when the user stands in front of the morning glory 1 as in the first embodiment,
The microcomputer 22 emits a light emission command signal F at a predetermined detection timing.
Is output to cause the light emitting diode 6a to emit light. With this configuration, the power consumption of the controller 7 can be further reduced.

The technical ideas other than the claims that can be understood from the above-described embodiments will be described below along with their effects. B) In the object detection device according to claim 2, the control determination means 2
2 outputs the light emission command signal F to the light emission drive circuit 23 at every predetermined detection timing, and causes the light emitting element 6a to emit light based on the light emission command signal F. With this configuration, the power consumption of the controller 7 is reduced and the consumption of the lithium battery 8 is suppressed.

(B) In the object detecting device according to the second aspect, the control determining means 22 causes the light emitting element 6a to emit light based on the detection result of the infrared sensor 6c, and the light emitting element 6b while the light receiving element 6b receives the reflected light. Was made to emit light.
With this configuration, the light emission of the light emitting element 6a can be immediately stopped when the object is no longer detected.

(C) In the object detecting device according to the second aspect, the control determination means 22 starts the operation when the infrared sensor 6c detects a change in infrared rays. With this configuration, the control determination unit 22 is intermittently operated to reduce the power consumption of the controller 7 and suppress the consumption of the lithium battery 8.

D) In the object detecting device according to any one of claims 1 and 2 or (a) to (c), the control determining means 22 generates a light emission command signal F with a predetermined duty at a predetermined modulation frequency, and based on the light emission command signal F. The light emitting element 6a is caused to emit light. In this configuration, if the frequency is set not to match the frequencies of the projection light of the light emitting element 6a and the ambient light, the object can be detected more accurately.

(E) In the above-mentioned object detection device, the control determination means 22 is provided with the condition setting circuit 26 in which the detection timing, the modulation frequency and the duty are preset. By changing the setting of the condition setting circuit 26, the detection timing, the modulation frequency, and the duty can be easily changed.

In the present specification, the light emitting element is an element for projecting light having a preset wavelength and includes a semiconductor laser in addition to the light emitting diode. The light receiving element is an element that outputs a detection signal only when it receives light having the same wavelength as the projected light of the light emitting element, and includes a photodiode in addition to a phototransistor.

Further, the infrared sensor is a detection sensor for detecting a change in infrared rays, and includes a pyroelectric infrared sensor or a quantum infrared sensor. Pyroelectric infrared sensors include thermopiles, thermistors, and pyroelectric elements, and quantum infrared sensors include PbS, InSb, PbSe, and PbSnT.
Sensors using semiconductor materials such as e and HgCdTe are available.

[0084]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an object detecting device which can detect an object accurately even if ambient light is generated for some reason and which consumes less power. it can. In addition, it is possible to provide an automatic cleaning device for sanitary ware using such an object detection device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electric block circuit diagram of a first embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an automatic washing device for a flush urinal for men (morning glory).

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view showing a mounted state of the flush urinal for men (morning glory) of the first embodiment.

3 is a front view of the flush urinal for men (morning glory) shown in FIG. 2. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the automatic cleaning device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an electric block circuit diagram of an automatic washing device for flushing urinals (morning glory) for men according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... men's flush urinal as sanitary equipment, 4 ... electromagnetic open / close valve as cleaning body supply means, 6a ... light emitting diode as light emitting element, 6b ... phototransistor as light receiving element, 6c ... pyroelectric as infrared sensor Sensor, 2
2 ... Microcomputer as control determination means and supply control means.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location G01V 8/12 9406-2G G01V 9/04 L

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A light receiving element (6) that emits light from a light emitting element (6a), and reflects the reflected light reflected by the projected light upon an object.
In the object detection device for detecting an object by detecting by b), an infrared sensor (6c) for detecting a change in infrared rays emitted by the object is provided, and the detection result of the infrared sensor (6c) and the light receiving element (6b). ) An object detection device configured to detect an object based on the detection result of. 2. A light receiving element (6) that emits light from a light emitting element (6a) and reflects the reflected light reflected by an object.
In an object detection device for detecting an object by detecting by b), an infrared sensor (6c) for detecting a change in infrared rays emitted by the object, and an infrared sensor (6c) based on a detection result of the infrared sensor (6c). When 6c) detects infrared rays, the light receiving element (6b) is made to be able to receive light and the light emitting element (6a) is caused to emit light, and the reflected light is received by the light emitting element (6a). A control determination unit (22) that determines that an object is present when (6b) receives light, and determines that an object is not present when the reflected light is not received by the light receiving element (6b). An object detection device including. 3. The object detection device according to claim 1 or 2, a sanitary device (1), and a cleaning body supply means (4) for supplying a cleaning body to the sanitary device (1). Based on the detection result of the object detection device, when it is determined that the user of the sanitary equipment as an object exists, the cleaning body supply means (4) is controlled to cause the sanitary equipment (1) to operate. An automatic cleaning device for sanitary ware, comprising a supply control means (22) for supplying a cleaning body for a fixed time.