Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
  • A47K13/00—Seats or covers for all kinds of closets
  • A47K13/24—Parts or details not covered in, or of interest apart from, groups A47K13/02 - A47K13/22, e.g. devices imparting a swinging or vibrating motion to the seats
  • A47K13/30—Seats having provisions for heating, deodorising or the like, e.g. ventilating, noise-damping or cleaning devices
  • A47K13/305—Seats with heating devices
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
  • G05D23/00—Control of temperature
  • G05D23/19—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means
  • G05D23/30—Automatic controllers with an auxiliary heating device affecting the sensing element, e.g. for anticipating change of temperature
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
  • H05B2203/00—Aspects relating to Ohmic resistive heating covered by group H05B3/00
  • H05B2203/029—Heaters specially adapted for seat warmers

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a toilet seat having a heating function and a toilet device equipped with the toilet seat.
• a cavity 1 is provided inside as shown in a cross-sectional view of Fig. 36, and a seating portion 3 of a ring-shaped toilet seat 2 used on a toilet is made of transparent polypropylene resin.
• a lamp heater (hereinafter referred to as a heater) 4 is provided along the entire ring shape of the toilet seat 2. Radiant energy from the heater 4 is quickly transmitted to the seat 3 through the cavity 1. With this configuration, the temperature of the warming surface on which the user sits quickly rises.
• a thermostat 5 connected in series to the heater 4 prevents the toilet seat 2 from overheating.
• Such a heating toilet seat is disclosed, for example, in JP-A-2000-210230.
• the heater 4 is energized immediately before the user sits on the toilet seat 2 and quickly sets the toilet seat 2 to an appropriate temperature in a short time until the user sits down. For this reason, a lamp heater whose temperature rises instantaneously is used.
• a thermostat 5 is installed in the energization circuit of the heater 4 to ensure safety against overheating.
• As the thermostat 5, a no-metal thermostat is generally used.
• a slight gap 8 is formed between the heat-sensitive surface 6 receiving the radiant energy of the heater 4 and the internal bimetal 7 receiving the radiant energy from the heat-sensitive surface 6. I have.
• the heat transfer from the heat-sensitive surface 6 to the bimetal 7 is mainly radiated from the heat-sensitive surface 6, it takes time to raise the temperature of the bimetal 7. Due to this response delay, the detection of excessive temperature rise is delayed.
• the heating device of the present invention includes a frame, a radiation-type heating element, and a heat receiving operation unit.
• the frame has a heating portion and is made of a material that is permeable to radiant energy.
• the radiant heating element is provided through a predetermined space from the heating unit, and heats the heating unit.
• the heat receiving operation section has a heat receiving section exposed to face the radiation type heating element, and turns off the radiation type heating element when the temperature near the radiation type heating element is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.
• FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a cross section and a schematic configuration of a main part of a seat portion of a heating toilet seat according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a toilet device in which the heating toilet seat shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on a toilet.
• FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway plan view of the heating toilet seat shown in FIG. 1.
• FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a seating portion of the heating toilet seat shown in FIG. 1.
• FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the heating toilet seat shown in FIG. 1.
• FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram of temperature control of the heating toilet seat shown in FIG. 1.
• FIG. 7A is a normal operation diagram of another thermostat of the heating toilet seat according to the embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 7B is a configuration diagram when the thermostat shown in FIG. 7A has failed.
• FIG. 7C is an operation diagram when the thermostat shown in FIG. 7A fails.
• FIG. 8 is a characteristic diagram of radiation energy at a seating portion of the heating toilet seat shown in FIG. 1.
• FIG. 9A is a configuration diagram of a radiant energy absorbing layer of the heating toilet seat shown in FIG. 1.
• FIG. 9B is another configuration diagram of the radiant energy absorbing layer of the heating toilet seat shown in FIG. 1.
• FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a principal part of another seating portion of the heating toilet seat according to the embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway plan view of another heating toilet seat according to the embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a heating toilet seat control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 13 is a state transition diagram of the heating toilet seat control system shown in FIG. 12.
• FIG. 14 is another state transition diagram of the heating toilet seat control system shown in FIG. 12.
• FIG. 15 is a time chart of a triac control pulse and a heater applied voltage waveform in the heating toilet seat control system shown in FIG. 12.
• FIG. 16 is a time chart of a gate panelless at the time of startup in a high output state and a low output state in the heating toilet seat control system shown in FIG.
• FIG. 17 is an interface circuit diagram of the heating toilet seat shown in FIG. 12.
• FIG. 18 is a voltage waveform diagram in the control system of the heating toilet seat shown in FIG. 12.
• FIG. 19 is a flow chart for determining human body detection in the heating toilet seat control system shown in FIG.
• FIG. 20 is another configuration diagram of a heating toilet seat control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 21 is a graph showing a relationship between a temperature detected by a temperature detecting unit and a voltage application time to a lamp heater according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 22 is a graph showing another relationship between the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit and the time for applying a voltage to the lamp heater according to the embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram of still another control system of the heating toilet seat according to the embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a change over time in the power applied to the lamp heater according to the embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the heating toilet seat shown in FIG. 11.
• FIG. 26 is a control block diagram of a heater circuit for explaining the operation of a position detection unit and a human body detection unit in the heating toilet seat shown in FIG. 1.
• FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining processing in the heater circuit shown in FIG. 26.
• FIG. 28 illustrates the operation of the position detection unit and the human body detection unit in the heating toilet seat shown in FIG.
• FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of a heater circuit to be described.
• FIG. 29 is a flowchart for explaining processing in the heater circuit shown in FIG. 28.
• FIG. 30 is a side view showing another position detecting unit in the heating toilet seat according to the embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 31 is a side view showing still another position detecting section in the heating toilet seat according to the embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing another human body detection unit in the heating toilet seat according to the embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 33 is a side view showing the position detecting section and the lid driving section shown in FIG.
• FIG. 34 is a side view of the configuration of FIG.
• FIG. 35A is an operation view of another heat receiving operation portion of the heating toilet seat in the normal state according to the embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 35B is an operation diagram of the heating toilet seat according to the embodiment of the present invention when another heat receiving operation section is abnormal.
• FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a conventional heating toilet seat.
• FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of a thermostat of a conventional heating toilet seat.
• Human body detection section A Human body detection sensor B Receiver
• FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view and a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a seat portion of a heating toilet seat according to an embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a toilet device equipped with the heating toilet seat
• FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a part of the seat portion of the heating toilet seat cut away
• FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a seating portion of the heating toilet seat.
• a heated toilet seat 11 with a hot water washing function for washing an anus and a bidet after stool is attached to a rear end of a toilet 20 by a horizontally long main body 21.
• a part of the hot water washing function is provided in the main body 21.
• a ring-shaped seat portion 22 having a ring-shaped inner periphery, which is a frame placed on the toilet 20, and a lid 23 are provided rotatably with respect to the main body portion 21. That is, the toilet device is configured such that the seat 22 of the heated toilet seat 11 is placed on the toilet 20.
• an infrared sensor which is a human body detection unit (hereinafter, detection unit) 25 for detecting the presence or absence of a human body in the toilet room, is provided in the sleeve of the main body 21.
• the detection unit 25 may be a CCD camera. Alternatively, another configuration may be used as described later.
• the seat portion 22 has a case 26 formed by welding and joining an upper member 26A and a lower member 26B made of synthetic resin at respective inner and outer peripheral edges.
• the upper member 26A forms a seating portion 24 that is a warming portion. That is, the seat 24 is provided above the seat 22.
• a closed cavity 27 is formed inside the case 26 to prevent water or the like from entering.
• a radiant energy reflecting plate (hereinafter referred to as the "reflecting plate") formed facing the seating portion 24.
• a lamp heater (hereinafter referred to as a heater) 29 is provided on the reflector 28 via a seating portion 24 and a predetermined space. That is, the reflecting plate 28 is provided on the opposite side of the seating portion 24 with respect to the heater 29.
• the reflection plate 28 is, for example, a mirror-finished aluminum plate.
• the heater 29 is a plurality of radiant heating elements provided on both sides of the seat portion 24, and emits near-infrared rays.
• the heater 29 contacts the seating portion 24 and is not overheated locally, and the seating portion 24 is heated only by radiation from near-infrared rays. . Further, by installing the heater 29 in the closed cavity 27, it is safe that the human body does not directly contact the high-temperature heater 29.
• the reflector 28 has an upwardly bent portion 28A all around the inner and outer ends thereof. The bent portion 28A deflects the radiant energy from the heater 29 and increases the radiation density at the outer peripheral edge and the inner peripheral edge of the seating portion 24 away from the heater 29. Therefore, the radiant energy distribution to the upper part of case 26 is made uniform.
• the heat receiving operation unit controls the heater 29 to be turned off when the temperature near the heater 29 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.
• the heater 29 has a glass tube 32, a filament 33 having a tungsten force penetrating the inside of the glass tube 32, and a nitrogen gas 34 sealed in the glass tube 32.
• the halogen cycle reaction for forming halogenated tungsten is repeated with the heat generation of the filament 33, and the consumption of the filament 33 is prevented.
• the heat capacity is very small, the filament 33 can be used as a heat source, and the radiant energy can rise very steeply. Therefore, the heater 29 can be used, for example, in several seconds until the user enters the toilet room, lowers his / her clothes, and sits his buttocks on the seating portion 24 of the seating portion 22.
• the temperature can be raised at a high speed.
• the heater 29 is fixed to the reflector 28 by a fixture 36 having a rubber bush 35 made of an elastic material, and the reflector 28 is fixed to the lower member 26B by rubber feet 37.
• the detection unit 38 is a microscopy provided in the leg rubber 39 of the seat 22 on the toilet 20. It is constituted by a switch 40. The detection unit 38 detects the user's seating when the microswitch 40 is turned on by the load of the user sitting on the seating unit 24. The detection unit 38 may be configured by another method as described later.
• the upper member 26 A of the case 26 is composed of a main body 41, a radiant energy absorbing layer (hereinafter, “absorbing layer”) 42 provided on the upper surface of the main body 41, and a surface layer further provided thereon. 43 and
• the main body 41 is formed by injection molding using a transparent polypropylene resin material.
• the absorption layer 42 contains a large amount of carbon black.
• the surface layer 43 is a light shielding layer that shields all visible light radiated from the heater 29 and takes into account surface hardness, chemical resistance, gloss, and the like.
• the surface layer 43 is provided on the outer surface of the seating portion 24, and has a film material covering the absorbing layer 42.
• the surface layer 43 has a hue that is in harmony with the overall color tone of the seat portion 22, and may have not only a single color but also a combination of a plurality of colors, a designed pattern, or the like.
• the surface layer 43 can achieve the object of the present invention even if it does not block all the visible light radiated from the heater 29, and intentionally transmits a part of such visible light. It is good.
• the main body 41 preferably has a radiant energy transmittance of 70% or more by molding a transparent polypropylene resin material with an average thickness of 2.5 mm. Further, the main body 41 functions as a structural rectangular body of the seat portion 22 due to its rigidity.
• the thickness of the absorbing layer 42 is 0.1 mm
• the thickness of the surface layer 43 is 0.1-0.2 mm, which is thinner than the thickness of the main body 41. Can be formed. These two layers completely absorb the radiant energy transmitted through the main body 41 and have a very small heat capacity, so that the temperature rises instantaneously and shields the radiated visible light. Since the cavity 27 is interposed between the heater 29 and the main body 41, the main body 41 does not burn out due to heat transfer from the heater 29.
• a thermistor 44 as a temperature detecting unit is fitted into a concave portion 44C opened on the inner surface of the upper member 26A of the case 26.
• the thermistor 44 detects the temperature in the vicinity of the absorption layer 42 of the seat 24 heated by the heater 29.
• An electrode 46 is formed on the rotating shaft 45 of the seat 22, and forms a position detecting section (hereinafter, detecting section) 47 together with a bearing section (not shown) of the main body section 21.
• the detection unit 47 is located in a substantially horizontal use position on the toilet 20 which can be used by sitting on the seat 22 when the seat 22 is in the upright position. Detect.
• the main unit 21 is provided with a control unit 50 mainly composed of a microcomputer.
• the control unit 50 receives a detection signal of a room temperature thermistor (hereinafter, thermistor) 48 as a room temperature detection unit and a signal from the thermistor 44, and obtains a predetermined temperature at which the temperature of the seating unit 24 as a heating surface is an appropriate temperature.
• the temperature of the heater 29 is controlled so that
• the control unit 50 also has a timer unit 49 that counts the elapsed time at the time when the temperature is started by energizing the heater 29. Then, the control unit 50 captures the signals of the detection units 25, 38, and 47 and controls the start and stop of the power supply to the heater 29.
• FIG. 5 shows a cross section of the thermostat 30.
• the thermostat 30 has a bimetal 51 which is a heat receiving part.
• the bimetal 51 is exposed to face the heater 29, and the surface thereof is coated with a heat-resistant black paint as a radiant energy absorbing material (hereinafter, absorbing material) 52.
• absorbing material a radiant energy absorbing material
• the thermostat 30 efficiently absorbs the energy radiated from the heater 29 toward the metal metal 51 by the absorbing material 52. Therefore, the temperature of the metal 51 increases quickly.
• the thermostat 30 is preferably set so that the distance 57 between the heater 29 and the surface of the seating portion 24 is larger than the distance 56 between the heater 29 and the thermostat 30! .
• the heater 29 is arranged such that the distance 57 from the surface of the seating portion 24 is substantially constant in the longitudinal direction, and the heater 61 is also arranged so that the distance 61 from the reflector 28 is constant. Is preferred. Thereby, the radiant energy reaching distance to the surface of the seating portion 24 becomes constant, the temperature of the surface of the seating portion 24 becomes uniform, and the comfort is improved.
• the detection unit 25 detects this, and the signal is sent to the control unit 50.
• the control section 50 starts energizing the heater 29.
• the input energy is instantaneously converted into radiant energy by the initial energization, and is radiated from the filament 33 toward the main body 41 through the glass tube 32 and the reflection plate 28. Further, the radiant energy of the heater 29 is partially absorbed or reflected inside the main body 41, but most of it is transmitted and contributes to the temperature rise of the absorption layer 42 and the surface layer 43.
• the heater 29 is energized when the user enters the toilet, and the seating portion 2 4 heating surface is heated almost instantaneously. For this reason, the heating toilet seat 11 does not need to be energized at all times, and greatly contributes to energy saving.
• the control unit 50 calculates the temperature difference between the two and the respective temperature force based on the signals of the thermistors 44 and 48 at the start of energization, and sets and stores the rough force. Select the optimal value of the power-on time limit for initial power-on. When the elapsed time counted by the timer unit 49 reaches the power supply restriction time, the control unit 50 reduces or makes the power supply amount zero. Then, based on the signal from the thermistor 44, the amount of electricity is controlled so that the seating section 24 has an appropriate temperature.
• the thermistor 44 detects the temperature in the vicinity of the seating section 24 that is actually touched by the user, and the control section 50 accurately maintains the temperature at an appropriate temperature. Therefore, the use of the seat portion 22 is comfortable, and the control portion 50 controls the input amount of the radiant energy in accordance with the load amount based on the signals of the thermistors 44 and 48, so that more accurate and safer control is possible. Heat the seat 24 to the appropriate temperature
• control unit 50 gives priority to the initial energization time control, and after the energization time limit, reduces the amount of energization to the heater 29 to reduce the temperature rise rate. Therefore, even if the response speed of the temperature detecting section (thermistor 44) is low, the seating section 24 is safely heated.
• an inexpensive thermistor 44 can be used. Normally, most heaters control the temperature by reducing the applied voltage.
• the heater 29 repeats a halogen cycle reaction for forming tungsten halide with the heat generation of the filament 33, thereby preventing the filament 33 from being consumed. Therefore, when the temperature of the glass tube falls below 200 ° C, the halogen cycle becomes unstable. Therefore, in order to set the seating portion 24 at an appropriate temperature by the heater 29, it is preferable to change the energizing cycle within an output range in which the halogen cycle is effective.
• the control unit 50 stops energizing the heater 29.
• the filament 33 has a coil shape, and while the heater 29 is generating heat at a maximum output and at a high temperature, the filament 33 is easily elongated in a length direction which is a tension direction of the coil. Therefore, when the heater 22 is energized while the seat portion 22 is in the upright state, gravity is applied in the length direction of the filament 33 which generates heat in the energized state, and the filament 33 is easily broken. As described above, the seat 22 stands upright In this state, such disconnection is prevented by controlling the control unit 50 so that the heater 29 is not energized at the maximum output. Further, by such control, unnecessary heating of the seat portion 22 is reduced, and energy is further saved.
• the fixture 36 has a rubber bush 35 made of an elastic material, and the reflector 28 on which the heater 29 is mounted has rubber feet 37. Therefore, even if the user switches the seat 22 between the upright state and the horizontal state according to the purpose, the shock to the heater 29 is absorbed by these shock attenuation effects. Therefore, breakage of the glass tube 32 and the filament 33 is prevented.
• control unit 50 controls the amount of electricity supplied to the heater 29 according to the signal of the detection unit 38 to zero or to a point where the temperature of the seat 22 does not rise excessively. Accordingly, the user who does not excessively raise the temperature of the seat portion 22 during use can use safely without worrying about burns or the like.
• the heating toilet seat 11 Since the user directly sits on the seat 22 in which the heater 29 is built in contact with the skin, the heating toilet seat 11 needs to be given special consideration to safety. In a normal use state, the heating toilet seat 11 can be used safely and comfortably as described above. However, it is necessary to operate safely even in the event that a malfunction occurs in the microcomputer or the like constituting the control unit 50 for some reason and the power supply to the heater 29 is continued. Therefore, the heating toilet seat 11 has a thermostat 30 connected in series to the heater 29! Since the bimetal 51 of the thermostat 30 is exposed, it is directly heated by the radiation energy from the heater 29. Further, it is preferable to provide the absorbing material 52 on the surface of the bimetal 51.
• the thermostat 30 quickly follows a rapid change in the temperature of the seat portion 22 and cuts off the power supply circuit of the heater 29 when the temperature rises. Further, it is more preferable that a heat-resistant black paint is applied as the absorbent 52. The black paint can effectively absorb the heat from the heater 29 and increase the temperature of the bimetal 51.
• the thermostat 30 may be set at a position such that the distance 57 between the heater 29 and the surface of the seating portion 24 of the seat portion 22 is larger than the distance 56 between the heater 29 and the thermostat 30. preferable. As a result, the temperature of the bimetal 51 rises earlier than the surface temperature of the seating portion 24 rises. As a result, the surface temperature of the seating portion 24 rises excessively when abnormal, The power supply circuit of the heater 29 is shut off before the condition is reached.
• the temperature of the bimetal 51 can be raised quickly, erroneous operation of the thermostat 30 can also be prevented. That is, if the temperature of the bimetal 51 can be quickly increased, the operating temperature of the thermostat 30 to be turned off (opening the energizing circuit of the heater 29) can be set higher than the normal operating temperature of the seat 22. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the thermostat 30 from being operated during normal use and the heating function of the heating toilet seat 11 from being disabled.
• FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram of the temperature control of the heating toilet seat 11.
• the distance 56 is 7 mm and the distance 57 is 15 mm.
• FIG. 6 shows a time change between the temperature near the bimetal 51 and the surface temperature of the seating portion 24 when the heater 29 is energized.
• a curve 58 shows a change in the surface temperature of the seating portion 24.
• the temperature can be raised to a normal control temperature (Ta) in tl time (about 7.5 seconds).
• Ta normal control temperature
• the temperature of the bimetal 51 of the thermostat 30 rises to the temperature Ta at time t2 faster than the seating portion 24.
• Tb maximum set temperature
• Tc off operating temperature
• the temperature fuse 31 is activated before the safety limit temperature (Td) is reached and the heater 29 is activated. Cut off the power supply circuit. At this time, the surface temperature of the seat 22 does not reach the temperature Td.
• the operating temperature Tc of the thermostat 30 is set to be equal to or higher than the maximum set temperature Tb of the seat portion 22 and equal to or lower than the safety limit temperature Td. As a result, the heating circuit of the heater 29 is easily cut off by the thermal fuse 31 and the heating function of the seat 22 is not disabled.
• the control unit 50 controls the temperature of the seating unit 24 by the timer 49 and the thermistor 44.
• the energization circuit of the heater 29 is cut off by turning off the thermostat 30. In this case, the circuit can be restored by the temperature drop.
• the thermal fuse 31 blows the energizing circuit of the heater 29. In this case, the circuit cannot be restored. In this way, it is necessary to set three levels of safety functions.
• the heating toilet seat 11 can be used safely and comfortably for a long period of time.
• a plurality of heaters 29 are provided on both sides of seat 22, and a thermostat 30 is provided to face each heater 29.
• Each thermostat 30 is electrically connected in series. It is preferable that thermostats 30 having different off-operation temperatures be provided opposite to the respective heaters 29.
• FIG. 3 does not show the connection state.
• thermostat 30 it is preferable to connect a thermostat 30 to each heater 29 in series, and further connect them in series to form an energization circuit for the heater 29.
• the thermostat 30 cuts off the power supply circuit of the heater 29.
• the energizing circuit of the heater 29 is shut off by the other thermostat 30. Therefore, power supply to both heaters 29 is safely stopped. If thermostats 30 with different off-operation temperatures are provided for each heater 29, even if there is an abnormality in the thermostat 30 with a low off-operation temperature, the other thermostat 30 operates.
• the heater 29 is divided into a plurality of heaters. Therefore, the stress applied to the lamp heater is reduced as compared with the case where one ring-shaped lamp heater is arranged substantially over the entire cavity 27 of the seat portion 22. Such stress is caused by a radius of the seat 22 and an installation error of the lamp heater. Therefore, the danger of breakage of the heater 29 due to the radius of the seat 22 or the like is eliminated.
• 7A to 7C are operation diagrams of the thermostat 60 of the heating toilet seat according to the embodiment of the present invention.
• the thermostat 60 has a first bimetal (hereinafter, bimetal) 53 and a second nonmetal (hereinafter, metal) 54 having an off-operation temperature different from that of the bimetal 53.
• the bimetals 53 and 54 are exposed to the heater 29 similarly to the bimetal 51. Further, it is preferable to provide the absorption layer 52.
• the thermostat 30 When the thermostat 30 operates normally, as shown in FIG. 7A, the thermostat 30 is inverted when the bimetal 53 directly receiving the radiation energy of the heater 29 reaches the OFF operation temperature. Then, the contact 55 connected in series to the energizing circuit of the heater 29 is turned off, and the energizing circuit of the heater 29 is turned off. Road is blocked.
• the bimetal 54 As shown in FIG. 7B, if the bimetal 53 is broken for some reason, the metal 55 cannot turn off the contact 55 in some cases. Even in such a case, as shown in FIG. 7C, the bimetal 54 is higher than the off-operation temperature of the bimetal 53, and the bimetal 54 is directly heated by the radiant energy of the heater 29 whose temperature has risen excessively to be inverted. The bimetal 54 turns off the contact 55 to safely shut off the power supply circuit of the heater 29. In this case, it is preferable that the bimetal 54 operates when the contact is abnormal, so that the non-return type is used, and thereafter, the heater 29 is not energized to ensure safety.
• FIGS. 35A and 35B a switch 141 using a shape memory alloy spring (hereinafter, a spring) 143 can be used as the heat receiving portion.
• FIG. 35A shows a normal state of the switch 141 using the shape memory alloy spring
• FIG. 35B shows a state of an abnormal state.
• the switch 141 has an urging spring (hereinafter, a spring) 142 and a spring 143.
• the spring 142 is generally made of, for example, stainless steel
• the spring 143 is generally made of, for example, a TiNi alloy.
• the spring 143 has a smaller spring constant than the spring 142 at a low temperature.
• the spring 143 is in a compressed state, and the contact point 144 is closed at this time. That is, this state is maintained when the heating toilet seat is not used or in a temperature range where the heater 29 normally heats.
• the spring constant of the spring 143 becomes large and the spring 142 becomes compressed. Become.
• the contact 144 is opened and the power supply to the heater 29 is stopped.
• the spring 143 is also preferably coated with a radiant energy absorbing material including a heat-resistant black paint!
• the surface layer 43 on which the absorbent layer 42 is printed is mounted on a mold for molding the upper member 26A of the seating portion 22, and the transparent polypropylene resin material forming the main body 41 is injected. Molded.
• the surface layer 43 on which the absorbing layer 42 is printed is preformed into the shape of the upper member 26A by vacuum molding or the like, and then mounted on a mold for molding the upper member 26A and injection-molded.
• the main body 41 is formed in a body, but is not limited to this.
• the area of the absorption layer 42 may be made smaller than the area of the surface layer 43, and the absorption layer 42 may be printed and molded on the surface layer 43 corresponding to the seating portion 24.
• the surface layer 43 may be larger than the area of the absorption layer 42, but is preferably molded so as to cover the entire upper member 26A. By doing so, the end of the surface layer 43 does not appear on the surface of the upper member 26A, and the finish can be molded beautifully.
• transparent polypropylene resin is used as the main body 41, but transparent polyester resin, acrylic resin, or the like can also be used.
• the radiant energy converted into heat in the absorption layer 42 is transmitted to the surface of the seating portion 24 through the surface layer 43.
• the thickness of the surface layer 43 and the absorption layer 42 should be as thin as possible. If the absorbing layer 42 is formed by printing as in the present embodiment, it can be formed with a thickness of several / zm level. If these layers are formed as thin as possible in consideration of the wear resistance of the surface layer 43, etc., the temperature of the surface of the seat portion 24 can be quickly raised.
• the absorbing layer 42 is formed by a printed film.
• a film material containing a radiation energy absorbing agent can be formed integrally with the surface layer 43.
• the film material needs to have a certain thickness, it is necessary to set the thickness of the absorbing layer 42 and the surface layer 43 so that the temperature rise of the surface of the seating portion 24 due to conduction does not become slow.
• a film material in which a vapor deposition film of a metal such as aluminum is formed on the surface layer 43 for the purpose of completely blocking radiation energy and visible light from the heater 29 may be used.
• the absorption layer 42 and the surface layer 43 may be configured to transmit a part of visible light.
• a concave portion 44C is provided in the upper member 26A formed as described above.
• a molding die in which the concave portion 44C is formed may be used. Then, the thermistor 44 is fitted into the concave portion 44C.
• the heater 26, the thermostat 30, and the fuse 31 are arranged and wired on the lower member 26B.
• the upper member 26A and the lower member 26B are fitted.
• heater 29 One mostostat 30 and the like are arranged in the cavity 27.
• leg rubber 39 incorporating the microswitch 40 is attached to the lower member 26B.
• the leg rubber 39 may be attached to the lower member 26B in advance, and then the upper member 26A and the lower member 26B may be fitted.
• the upper member 26A and the lower member 26B may be fixed with an adhesive or the like.
• the seat 22 is assembled.
• the main body 21 and the seat 22 are rotatably mounted by combining the bearing of the main body 21 and the rotating shaft 45 of the seat 22.
• the respective electric components included in the main body 21 and the seat 22 are wired.
• the heating toilet seat 11 is assembled.
• the optimal heat distribution on the heating surface is a uniform heat distribution.
• the heat distribution can be easily manipulated by changing the pattern (printing shape) of the absorption layer 42, and various distributions can be realized.
• FIG. 8 is a characteristic diagram of radiant energy in the seating portion 24, and FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating a configuration example of the absorption layer 42.
• the absorption layer 42 has a distribution in the amount of radiation energy absorbed by the surface of the seating portion 24. If the distance of the surface of the seating portion 24 from the heater 29 is constant, the radiant energy reaching the surface of the seating portion 24 becomes uniform, and the surface temperature of the seating portion 24 becomes constant. However, in practice, it is difficult to maintain a constant distance from the heater 29 due to the sitting comfort and design restrictions of the seating portion 24, and a distribution 64 occurs in the intensity of the radiant energy as shown in FIG. . That is, the radiant energy of the portion close to the heater 29 increases, and the temperature of the portion increases.
• the absorption layer 42 has a configuration in which the radiant energy intensity distribution emitted from the heater 29 and reaching the outer surface of the seating portion 24 and the radiant energy absorption amount distribution 65 are substantially reversed. That is, as shown in FIG. 9A, a white or silver pigment 66 that reflects radiant energy is used in a portion close to the heater 29, and is gradually changed to a black pigment 67 that absorbs radiant energy. Or, as shown in Fig. 9B, alternately print white or silver pigment 66 and black pigment 67 The interval may be changed according to one intensity.
• X—X indicates a position corresponding to the heater 29.
• FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing another configuration of the seat 24.
• an absorbent layer 42 made of a printed film is formed on a main body 41 formed by injection molding using transparent polypropylene resin.
• a colored layer 43A made of a printing film is formed on the absorbing layer 42, and a surface layer 43B made of a light-transmitting film material is formed on the outer surface. That is, the colored layer 43A is provided between the surface layer 43B, which is a film material, and the absorbing layer 42.
• a colored layer 43A is printed by force, and a surface layer 43B on which an absorbing layer 42 is printed is mounted on a mold of the upper member 26A. Mold in the same manner as above.
• the colored layer 43A shields visible light emitted from the heater 29, and has a color that is in harmony with the color tone of the entire seat 22, and is not limited to a single color, but may be a combination of a plurality of colors or a design pattern. Etc. may be used. Further, a part of the visible light radiated from the heater 29 may be intentionally transmitted.
• the surface layer 43B is substantially transparent, so that the colored layer 43A can be protected and a transparent and clear surface state can be obtained. When the transparency of the material of the surface layer 43B is high as described above, the color of the colored layer 43A can be effectively reflected on the surface. However, in order to have a design effect, a partially opaque or slightly colored transparent film is used. You can use!
• FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway plan view of another heating toilet seat according to the embodiment of the present invention.
• the difference between the structure in FIG. 11 and the structure in FIG. 3 is that the shape and arrangement of the heater 29 and a code heater (hereinafter, heater) 62 are provided.
• the other configuration is the same as the structure in FIG.
• the reflection plate 28 and the heater 29 are provided in accordance with the shape of the seat 22. That is, Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1, the heater 29 is provided on the lateral portion 24A of the seat portion 24, which is annular in plan view, so as to conform to the shape of the seat portion 22.
• the lateral portion 24A is a portion where the thigh contacts when a person is seated.
• the heater 62 is a heat conduction type heating element provided on the back surface of the rear portion 24 B of the seating portion 24. This is where the buttocks touch when a person sits down. Although not shown in FIG. 11, the heater 62 may be provided, if necessary, at the front 24C rear surface of the seating portion 24 or at other portions that do not normally touch the human body, such as the outer peripheral side surface of the seating portion 24. It may be laid on the back. As described above, the heater 62 heats a portion of the seating portion 24 different from the portion heated by the heater 29.
• a thermistor 44A is provided at a portion corresponding to the rear portion 24B to be heated by the heater 62.
• the control unit 50 receives signals from the human body detection unit 25, the detection unit 38, and the position detection unit 47, and controls the start and stop of energization of the heater 29. Further, signals from the thermistors 44, 44A, 48 are taken in, and the temperatures of the heaters 29, 62 are controlled so that the temperature of the seating portion 24, which is a heating surface, becomes a predetermined appropriate temperature. With such a configuration, it is possible to perform fine temperature control that separately controls the temperature of each heater, and it is also possible to detect an abnormal temperature rise or heat generation stoppage due to disconnection, so that the control unit 50 can appropriately control each situation. Can handle.
• the heater 29 is energized when the user enters the toilet and can warm the heating surface of the seating portion 24 almost instantaneously, so that the heater 29 is not always energized. It is a very energy-saving radiant heating element. For example, when the room temperature is 15 ° C, the lateral portion 24A heated by the heater 29 does not feel cold in about 4 seconds, but can be heated to a moderate temperature (27 to 28 ° C). That is, it is possible to heat the seating section 24 until the detecting section 25 detects that a person has entered the toilet and sits on the seating section 24. In this way, the heater 29 instantly warms the lateral portion 24A, which is the portion that first comes into contact with the seating portion 24 and contacts the temperature-sensitive thigh, so that the user can use the seat portion 22 comfortably. .
• the amount of power to the heater 62 is increased, and the temperature is raised to a predetermined heating temperature.
• the heat from the heater 62 is transferred to the front surface by heat conduction from the back surface force of the seating portion 24, so that the heat generated by the heater 29 A steep temperature rise cannot be obtained as in the case of a temperature rise.
• the rear part 24B is a part where the buttocks, which are less temperature-sensitive than the thighs, come into contact, and even if the temperature is gradually increased to such a degree that the user does not feel cold, the heating feeling of the entire seat part 22 is not impaired.
• each of the heaters 29 and 62 heats the seat 24 in a different time series.
• the portion of the heater 62 that is constantly energized is heated by the heater 62 at the rear portion 24 B, which has an area of about 1Z3 of the seating portion 24. Therefore, the power consumption can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where the entire seating portion 24 is heated by the heater 62.
• the heater 29 and the heater 62 in accordance with the contact area of the human body, a comfortable feeling of heating can be obtained, and significant energy saving can be realized.
• the power described in the configuration in which the pair of heaters 29 is provided on the left and right sides is not limited to this. If necessary, the number of the heaters 29 may be increased, and the heaters 29 may be arranged in accordance with the shape of the seat portion 22. In such a case, energization control may be performed for each of the heaters 29, in which case more detailed heating is realized.
• the heater 62 has been described as the heat transfer type heating element. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a metal formed by patterning a flat metal and a heater having PTC characteristics may be used.
• the heater 29 is disposed inside the center line A-A of the seating portion 24, and has a curved shape so that the inner peripheral force of the seating portion 24 also keeps substantially the same distance 63.
• the load is inevitably applied to the inside, the contact surface is also concentrated on the inside, and the contact pressure is higher on the inner side. Therefore, more comfortable heating is achieved mainly by radiant heating. That is, by arranging the center axis of the heater 29 inside the center line A-A of the seating portion 24 of the seat portion 22, the inside of the toilet seat where the coldness is easily felt is heated.
• the heating toilet seat can be used comfortably without feeling.
• control unit 50 a configuration for turning ON / OFF the energization of the heater 29 will be described.
• FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the heating toilet seat shown in FIG.
• the seat portion 22 has a hollow inside, and houses the heater 29 and the thermistor 44 as a temperature detecting portion.
• the body 21 has a detection sensor, a seating sensor (hereinafter referred to as a sensor) 38A, and a heater 29 for controlling the triac. 72, a zero-cross detection circuit (hereinafter referred to as a circuit) 73 that detects the zero point of the AC signal of 100 VAC, which is the commercial voltage.
• a heater control unit (hereinafter referred to as a control unit) 74, a buffer 75, a resistor 76 connected in series with the thermistor 44, a human body detection sensor (hereinafter referred to as a sensor) 25A which is a human body detection unit, and a signal reception unit 25B are provided.
• the triac 72, the circuit 73, the control unit 74, the buffer 75, and the resistor 76 are included in the control unit 50 in FIG.
• the force provided with the sensor 38A, the sensor 25A and the receiving unit 25B may be replaced by the detecting unit 38 in place of the sensor 38A, as in FIG.
• the detection unit 25 may be used instead of the combination of the sensor 25A and the reception unit 25B.
• Signals from the sensor 25A, the thermistor 44, the sensor 38A, and the circuit 73 are input to the control unit 74, and the control unit 74 calculates a control signal for the heater 29 from the signal input and outputs the signal to the buffer 75.
• the switching of the heater 29 is controlled through a triac 72, and the output of the heater 29 is determined by applying a voltage of 100V AC.
• the thermistor 44 is provided in the vicinity of the heater 29 and is mounted at a position where a temperature close to the surface temperature of the seating portion 24 to be heated can be detected.
• the control section 74 estimates the surface temperature of the seating section 24 and the temperature of the heater 29 with reference to a temperature approximating the surface temperature of the seating section 24 detected by the thermistor 44.
• the senor 25A detects a human body with a pyroelectric infrared sensor, and finally transmits a detection signal to the control unit 74.
• the signal from the sensor 25A is received by the receiving unit 25B, and is input to the control unit 74.
• the sensor 25A detects a human body
• the control unit 74 starts to supply electricity to the heater 29, controls the temperature based on the detection of the thermistor 44, and the triac 72 supplies the electric power to the heater 29. Control. Therefore, a heating toilet seat that has instantaneous heating performance, is easy to use, and realizes a heating toilet seat that is rich in energy saving can be obtained.
• FIG. 13 is a state transition diagram of control in the configuration of FIG.
• the heater 29 In the standby state 77, the heater 29 is not driven because no signal is output to the triac 72.
• the output In the high output state 78, the output is constantly output to the triac 72, and the heater 29 is driven at the rated output.
• the low output state 79 the output is intermittently output to the triac 72, and the heater 29 is driven at an output lower than the rated output.
• the path 77A from the standby state 77 to the high output state 78 is performed when a human body is detected by the sensor 25A, and the path 78A from the high output state 78 to the low output state 79 is a predetermined level where the temperature detection of the thermistor 44 is performed.
• the path 79A from the low power state 79 to the standby state 77 is executed when the output power of the sensor 38A also stops detecting the human body.
• the sensor 38A has a light emitting part and a light receiving part of an infrared LED
• the light from the light emitting part is reflected on the human body and detected by the light receiving part to detect the sensor.
• 38A has detected seating.
• the reflected light cannot be detected by the light receiving unit, so the sensor 38A determines that there is no seat.
• the case of using the human body detection unit 38 is omitted since it has already been described.
• FIG. 14 is another state transition diagram in the control of the configuration of FIG. The difference from FIG. 13 is that there is a noise 77B from the standby state 77 to the low output state 79.
• a noise 77B from the standby state 77 to the low output state 79.
• FIG. 15 is a time chart of a control pulse of the triac 72 and a heater applied voltage waveform in the control of the configuration of FIG.
• a half cycle voltage up to the next zero point is applied to the heater 29. If pulse 80 is not applied, no voltage is applied to heater 29.
• FIG. 16 is an example of a time chart of the gate pulse at the time of rising in the high output state 78 and the low output state 79 of FIGS. 13 and 14.
• the high output state 78 the number of pulses 81 applied every 0.1 second is increased, and the maximum number (12 pulses ⁇ . 1 second) is output after one second.
• the low output state 79 the number of pulses 82 applied every 0.1 second is increased, and after 0.2 seconds, a small number (3 pulses ⁇ . 1 second) is reduced every 0.1 second.
• Output That is, in the low output state 79, 1Z4 power in the high output state 78 is supplied.
• the number of pulses in the low output state 79 can be arbitrarily set according to the specifications of the heater 29 and the set temperature.
• the control unit 74 After detecting a person with the sensor 25A, the control unit 74 outputs gate pulses 81 and 82 for driving the triac 72 intermittently until a certain time elapses, and the number of pulses 81 and 82 applied. Increase. By doing so, the rush current is suppressed, and the life of the heater 29 is extended.
• FIG. 17 shows an interface circuit diagram until a human body detection signal sent from the sensor 25A is input to the control unit 74, and this circuit is included in, for example, the reception unit 25B.
• FIG. 18 shows a voltage waveform diagram of each circuit block.
• the signal transmitted from the sensor 25A after being modulated by infrared rays to the receiving section 25B with infrared rays is received by the infrared ray receiving element (hereinafter, element) 83, and the magnitude thereof is adjusted to 5V. Thereafter, the signal is input to the control unit 74 via an inverting circuit (hereinafter, a circuit) 84, an integrating circuit (hereinafter, a circuit) 85, and a waveform shaping circuit (hereinafter, a circuit) 86, and it is recognized that the human body has been detected.
• an inverting circuit hereinafter, a circuit
• an integrating circuit hereinafter, a circuit
• a waveform shaping circuit hereinafter, a circuit
• the output signal 101 of the element 83 is input to the gate (G) of the N-channel MOSFET transistor 87 of the circuit 84. Then, an output signal 102 in which OV and 5V are inverted with respect to the input is output between the resistor 88 connected between the drain (D) and the power supply and the ground, and input to the circuit 85 of the next stage.
• a resistor 89 of about 1 ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ is connected in parallel with a resistor 90 of about 100 ⁇ connected in series with a diode 91, and charges and discharges with a capacitor 92. Due to the polarity of the diode 91, charging of the capacitor 92 is mainly performed through the resistor 90, and discharging is performed through the resistor 89. Therefore, it takes about 10,000 times as fast to charge the capacitor 92 since the discharge is determined by the resistance ratio of the resistors 89 and 90. Therefore, when pulses are continuously input, the output stays around 4V, and returns to OV when there is no input.
• the circuit 86 is configured by cascading an N-channel MOSFET transistor 93 and a resistor 94 and a P-channel MOSFET transistor 95 and a resistor 96.
• the output signal 103 of the circuit 85 is shaped into a waveform having a magnitude of 5 V by the circuit 86 like the signal 104, input to the control unit 74, and recognized as having detected a human body. With this configuration, the output of the human body detection signal can be transmitted wirelessly, and there is an advantage that there is no restriction on the mounting location of the sensor 25A.
• FIG. 19 is a flowchart in which the control unit 74 determines human body detection.
• S001 Reset the flag to count the signal Find. Then, the presence or absence of a human body detection signal is checked (S002). If there is no signal, reset the flag Find (S003), enter the idle state and wait for an interrupt. If an interrupt occurs, enter S002. If there is a human body detection signal, 1 is added to Flag Find (S004), and it is checked whether Flag Find has reached 12 (S005). If the flag Find has not reached 12, the robot enters the idle state. If the flag reaches 12, the human body detection ends and the routine proceeds to the post-detection routine.
• the wireless transmission / reception method of the signal between the sensor 25A and the reception unit 25B may be a power-saving wireless method.
• the wireless infrared remote controller for the heating toilet seat and the receiving device can be shared, and it is not necessary to newly install a receiving device, so that the space saving is also improved.
• the degree of freedom in design is increased.
• a switch 105 having an infrared transmission unit for instructing the heater 29 to be energized may be provided.
• energization of the heater 29 is performed only by detecting a human body by the sensor 25A.
• the power supply of the sensor 25A is a battery in order to secure the degree of freedom of attachment, the output of the battery may decrease and the human body may not be detected. In such a case, power can be supplied to the heater 29 by the switch 105.
• Sensor 25A and switch Even if the switch 105 coexists, the heating control of the seat 22 is not hindered at all.
• the control unit 74 outputs a gate pulse for driving the triac 72 by the outputs of the circuit 73, the sensor 25A, the thermistor 44, and the sensor 38A.
• control unit 50 a configuration for controlling the temperature rise of the seating unit 24 by the heater 29 will be described.
• the basic configuration is the same as in FIG.
• the sensor 25A detects a human body and starts energizing the heater 29. Prior to the start of energization of the heater 29, the temperature around the heater 29 is detected by the thermistor 44, and the application time of the initial voltage to the heater 29 is determined.
• the temperature around the heater 29 also correlates with the temperature around the seat 22 and the main body 21. Therefore, when the temperature is low in accordance with the temperature detected by the thermistor 44, it is preferable to lengthen the application time of the initial voltage to the heater 29. When the temperature is high, it is preferable to shorten the application time so that the temperature of the seating portion 24 becomes as constant as possible with respect to fluctuations in the ambient temperature.
• the control unit 74 may detect the ambient temperature with the thermistor 48 and control the application time of the initial voltage to the heater 29.
• the configuration of the thermistor 48 can be simplified by using the thermistor 44, which is not essential, for the ambient temperature detection and referring to the temperature at an appropriate timing.
• FIG. 21 is a graph showing the relationship between the temperature detected by the thermistor 44 and the time during which voltage is applied to the heater 29. Since the power of the heater 29 is 600 to 800 watts, the heater 29 can heat up to the extent that the seating part 24 does not feel cold by heating for 10 seconds or less even in severe winter when the ambient temperature is close to 0 ° C. It is. On the other hand, in summer when the ambient temperature exceeds 30 ° C., the heater 29 can heat the seat 22 for less than one second, or can keep the seat portion 22 comfortable without heating. When no person is using it, the heater 29 is not energized.
• the control unit 74 cancels the application of the initial voltage. This suppresses excessive heating.
• the application time is set, for example, in seconds for each section of 5 ° C, and the application time is a function of temperature. Become. If necessary, this application time can be set in the zero-cross cycle unit (8.3 ms at 60 Hz), which is the controllable unit of the triac 72, of the commercial frequency.
• the detection by the temperature detecting device such as the thermistor 44 having good quick-warming performance may be delayed. Therefore, the heater 29 cannot be quickly controlled, and the seat portion 22 is excessively heated, or it is difficult to perform the control according to the fluctuation of the ambient temperature. That is, if the heating output is set in accordance with the winter when the ambient temperature is low, overheating occurs when the ambient temperature is high. If the heating output is set according to summer when the ambient temperature is high, the heating will be insufficient when the ambient temperature decreases. However, in the present embodiment, power is supplied to the heater 29 according to the ambient temperature as described above. Therefore, a heating toilet seat that has immediate heating performance, is easy to use, and has excellent energy saving properties can be obtained.
• FIG. 22 is a graph showing another relationship between the detected temperature of the thermistor 44 and the voltage application time to the heater 29.
• FIG. 22 shows that the initial voltage is not applied to the heater 29 when the detected temperature is 30 ° C. or higher. If the temperature detected by the thermistor 44 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature before the completion of the application of the initial voltage at which the ambient temperature is somewhat high, it is preferable to stop the application of the initial voltage. In such a case, by not energizing the heater 29, a heating seat that is easy to use, energy-saving and excellent in safety can be obtained.
• FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram of still another control system of the heating toilet seat in the present embodiment.
• the difference between FIG. 12 and FIG. 23 is that, in addition to the thermistor 44, a thermistor 106 is provided to measure the temperature of the seat 24.
• the thermistor 106 is a temperature detection unit provided to control the output to the heater 29 by the control unit 74 so that the temperature of the seating unit 24 becomes 50 ° C. or less.
• the upper limit is set to 50 ° C according to a questionnaire on the results of 10 monitor males and females sitting on toilet seats maintained at 50 ° C. When sitting on a toilet seat kept at 50 ° C, 9 out of 10 people answered that they felt that they felt particularly hot, and that others could not stand it!
• the control unit 74 may perform control by referring to the temperature of the thermistor 44.
• the thermistor 44 can measure not only the temperature near the heater 29 but also the temperature while the heater 29 is turned on. Therefore, the temperature of the seating section 24 may be estimated by the temperature force of the thermistor 44 other than installing the dedicated thermistor 106. Therefore, the threshold value of the temperature control is set in two steps. When the first threshold value is exceeded during the initial voltage application of the heater 29, the output of the heater 29 is set to the low output state 79. When the second threshold is exceeded, the power supply to the heater 29 is stopped regardless of the remaining time. This may be done.
• control unit 74 determines the temperature detected by the thermistor 44 in a plurality of steps, and sets the energization time when the initial voltage is applied to the heater 29 to be gradually reduced as the detected temperature becomes lower and the power becomes higher. Well! / ,. This also keeps the surface temperature of the seat portion 24 constant, and provides a safe and comfortable heating toilet seat.
• FIG. 24 shows the change over time in the power applied to heater 29.
• the heater 29 supplied with the initial power of 800 watts changes the power supply to 200 watts after 6 seconds and keeps the seat 24 warm with 200 watts of power as long as the user is sitting in the seat 22 .
• Thermistor 44 continues to detect the temperature even when the temperature is kept warm, and stops the power supply when the temperature exceeds the set temperature. That is, at the time of warming, the ONZOFF operation of the heater 29 is repeated according to the output of the thermistor 44. Therefore, the electric power at the time of heat insulation can be set arbitrarily as long as it is equal to or more than the electric power required for heat insulation.
• the electric power at the time of keeping the temperature can be set according to the specification of the heater 29 and the set temperature by setting the number of pulses of the triac 72.
• the control temperature during the heat retention is different from the control temperature during the initial power supply, and is set to a temperature that is comfortable for long-time use of the seat 22. That is, the control unit 74 changes the control temperature of the heater 29 by changing the power applied to the heater 29 after the end of the initial voltage application. With such a configuration, the supply of extra power to the heater 29 is prevented, and a toilet seat capable of instantaneous heating with excellent power saving is obtained.
• the seating sensor 38A which is a detecting unit, has the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the infrared LED as described above.
• the seating sensor 38A detects seating when a person is sitting on the seat 22 by reflecting light from the light emitting unit to the human body and detecting the light by the light receiving unit. So Is output to the control unit 74 as a voltage, and if it is determined that the seat is being seated, the heater 29 continues to keep the heat from the output from the control unit 74.
• the reflected light cannot be detected by the light receiving portion, so that it is determined that there is no seating.
• FIG. 25 is a configuration diagram of a control system of the heating toilet seat shown in FIG.
• the difference between FIG. 25 and FIG. 12 is that a cord heater (hereinafter, referred to as a heater) 62 is attached to a heater 29 and a linear cord heater (hereinafter referred to as a heater) 62 is attached to the surface of the cavity 27 of the seat 22 on the seating portion 24 side. The point that the seating part 24 is warmed. The effect of the heater 29 does not change at all.
• a cord heater hereinafter, referred to as a heater
• a linear cord heater hereinafter referred to as a heater
• the output of the heater 62 is controlled by the output from the control unit 74 via the buffer 114 and the triac 115, and the voltage of AC100 is applied to determine the output of the heater 62.
• the control temperature of the heater 62 is controlled based on the output from the thermistor 44A.
• the control temperature of the thermistor 44 for detecting the temperature of the heater 29 and the control temperature of the thermistor 44 A for detecting the temperature of the heater 62 are different. That is, the heater 29 is mainly radiant heat, the heater 62 is mainly conductive heating, and the control temperature is also different because the applied power and heating characteristics of each heater are different. As described above, heater 29 heats the temperature sensitive thigh, and heater 62 is used to heat the hips, which is more temperature sensitive than the thigh. In addition to this, the heater 62 has a small wire diameter, and is installed in the area where the heater 29 cannot be housed and radiant heating is difficult, or in the periphery of the low height cavity 27 to complement the heater 29. It can also serve as a heater. By introducing the heater 62, the temperature distribution of the seat portion 24 is improved, and a more comfortable heating toilet seat can be obtained.
• the heater 62 which is a heat conduction type heat generator that heats the seating section 24, and the temperature detection that detects the surface temperature of the portion heated by the heater 62
• a thermistor 44A is provided in addition to the heater 29, the heater 62, which is a heat conduction type heat generator that heats the seating section 24, and the temperature detection that detects the surface temperature of the portion heated by the heater 62
• the control unit 74 controls the power supply timing and the power supply time to the heaters 29 and 62 based on the outputs of the sensor 38A and the thermistors 44 and 44A.
• FIG. 26 is a control block diagram of a heater circuit for explaining the operation of the position detection unit and the human body detection unit in the heating toilet seat shown in FIG.
• a signal output is input to the heater control unit (hereinafter, control unit) 120.
• the control unit 120 receives this signal and outputs a signal to an ONZOFF control unit (hereinafter, control unit) 121 that controls power supply to the heater 29 installed in the seat unit 22. Thereby, the control unit 121 supplies electric power to the heater 29.
• the position detecting section (hereinafter, detecting section) 47 detects the rotation of the seat section 22 and outputs a signal output to the control section 120.
• Control unit 120 receives this signal and outputs the signal to applied power control unit (hereinafter, control unit) 122.
• the control unit 122 determines the power to be supplied to the heater 29 based on this signal.
• the toilet seat rotating section 123 has, for example, a stepping motor, and rotates the seat section 22 according to an instruction from the control section 120.
• Control unit 50 in FIG. 1 includes control units 120, 121, and 122.
• the control unit 120 also becomes a microcomputer.
• the control unit 121 is composed of, for example, a relay or a switching element, and the control unit 122 preferably changes the number of pulses as described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 16, but the output voltage is controlled by a microcomputer. May be. Also, two or more of the control units 120, 121, and 122 may be integrally configured.
• the control unit 120 energizes the heater 29 to heat the seat 22.
• the detecting section 47 detects that the seat section 22 is jumped up, such as when the apparatus is installed in a state of using men's urinals, the electric power applied to the heater 29 is controlled, and the small electric power for heat insulation is controlled. Only applied. In this way, a more convenient and easy-to-use heating toilet seat can be obtained.
• the heater 29 When a human body is detected, the heater 29 is energized to heat the seat portion 22 in an extremely short time, and the seat portion 22 is flipped up. If not, the seat portion 22 is kept at the normal warming temperature TO (for example, 38 ° C). You.
• the electric power applied to the heater 29 is controlled to keep the temperature at the first heat retention temperature T1 (for example, 27 ° C.).
• T1 for example, 27 ° C.
• the controller 122 increases the applied power and keeps the temperature at the temperature TO in preparation for sitting on the seat 22. In this way, even when the seat 22 is flipped up and set to the use state of the men's urine and subsequently used for stool, the seat 22 is immediately set to a comfortable temperature. Therefore, it is possible to use it for energy saving and to obtain a self-contained and heated toilet seat.
• the heater 29 can heat the seat portion 22 in a very short time, but the heating time varies depending on the room temperature (the temperature of the seating portion 24).
• the seat 24 does not feel cold.
• the temperature rises to 27 ° C it takes about 3.5 seconds at room temperature 15 ° C and about 7 seconds at room temperature 5 ° C.
• Power to enter the toilet Average seating time is 7-9 seconds before seating.
• the temperature can be raised to 27 ° C within 4 seconds. Therefore, when the surface temperature of the seating portion 24 is extremely low, such as in winter, the temperature is kept at the second heat retaining temperature T2 (for example, 15 ° C.). Use this throughout the year! ⁇ A comfortable heated toilet seat can be obtained.
• the second power for maintaining the temperature T1 is, for example, 20W
• the third power for maintaining the temperature T2 is, for example, 10W. is there. If the output is low, such as the second power or the third power, the possibility of breaking the filament 33 as described above is extremely low.
• the thermistor 44 detects the temperature of the seat 24 (S101). If the detected temperature is lower than T2 The control unit 122 controls the electric power applied to the heater 29 so that the seating unit 24 has the temperature T2 (S102). If the detected temperature is ⁇ 2 or more, the process proceeds to S103. In S103, the detection unit 25 detects human power. If it is determined that there is a person, the process proceeds to S104. If it is determined that there is no person, the control unit 120 drives the toilet seat rotating unit 123, closes the seat unit 22, and sets the seat to a horizontal state (S105). .
• the detection unit 47 detects whether the seat 22 has been opened and has been flipped up (S104).
• the controller 122 controls the power applied to the heater 29 so that the seat 24 maintains the temperature T1 (S106). If the seat 22 is closed, the controller 122 controls the electric power applied to the heater 29 so that the seat 24 has the temperature TO (S107). In any case, the process returns to S103.
• the thermistor 44 measures the room temperature or the temperature of the seating section 24, and the control section 122 determines the applied power based on the output.
• This control is not essential. That is, S101 and S102 may not be provided, or predetermined power (second and third powers) may be supplied to the heater 29 without detecting the temperature of the seat in S106 and S107. Good.
• the position of the seat portion 22 may be detected by the detection portion 47 detecting the state of the toilet seat rotating portion 123. Also, as described with reference to FIG. 1, if the energization of the heater 29 is controlled by the timer unit 49, the temperature of the seating unit 24 is prevented from excessively rising.
• FIG. 28 The difference between FIG. 28 and FIG. 26 is that the output from the control unit 120 is output to an ONZOFF control unit (hereinafter, a control unit) 124 and an applied power control unit (hereinafter, a control unit) 125, The point is that the power supply to the heater 62 is controlled by the unit.
• the output from the thermistor 44A is also input to the control unit 120.
• the heater 62 does not have a rapid warming property, but the provision of the heater 62 improves the temperature uniformity. Therefore, it is preferable to use the heater 62 to heat a portion that is not sensitive to temperature or to heat the portion hardly using the heater 29.
• heaters 29 and 62 have different heating characteristics, it is preferable to control them individually. That is, the control units 121 and 122 control the heating of the heater 29, and the control units 124 and 125 control the heating of the heater 6.
• the control unit 125 controls the output to the heater 62 so as to maintain the seating surface of the rear portion 24B corresponding to the heater 62 at the temperature T1. This is because the heater 62 has no quick warming property. Further, when the output from the thermistor 44 is less than T2, the control unit 122 controls the heating unit 29 by using the heater 29, as in the configuration of FIG. Is maintained at the temperature T2.
• the thermistor 44A detects the temperature of the seat 24 (S201). If it is lower than the detected temperature force T1, the control unit 125 controls the electric power applied to the heater 62 so that the seating unit 24 has the temperature T1 (S202). Further, the thermistor 44 detects the temperature of the seat 24 (S203). If the temperature is lower than the detected temperature, the control unit 122 controls the electric power applied to the heater 29 so that the seating unit 24 has the temperature T2 (S204). If the detected temperature of thermistor 44A is T1 or more and the detected temperature of thermistor 44 is T2 or more, the process proceeds to S205.
• the detection unit 25 detects whether there is a person. If it is determined that there is human power, the process proceeds to S206, and if it is determined that there is no human, the control unit 120 drives the toilet seat rotation unit 123, closes the seat unit 22, and sets the seat unit 22 to a horizontal state (S208). .
• the detecting section 47 detects whether or not the seat section 22 has been opened and has been flipped up (S206). If the seat 22 is opened, the control unit 122 controls the power applied to the heater 29 so that the seat 24 maintains the temperature T1 (S207). If the seat 22 is closed, the controllers 122 and 125 control the electric power applied to the heaters 29 and 62, respectively, so that the seat 24 becomes the temperature TO (S209). In any case, the process returns to S205.
• the output to the heater 62 is, for example, 10-11 W, 6-7 W, and 3-4 W for TO, Tl, and ⁇ 2 in winter, respectively.
• a switch or the like may be provided so that the heat retention mode is not manually selected.
• FIG. 30 is a side view showing another detection unit 47.
• the microswitch 130 is a detection unit 47 installed on the periphery of the rotation shaft 45 of the seat 22. If the seat 22 is flipped over a certain angle, the cam 131 pushes the actuator 132 of the microswitch 130. Then, the state of the contact of the micro switch 130 is detected by the control unit 120.
• the microswitch 130 is inexpensive and makes it easy to specify the rotational position of the seat 22.
• FIG. 31 is a side view showing still another detection unit 47.
• the potentiometer 133 is installed on the periphery of the rotation shaft 45 of the seat 22, and the output voltage of the terminal 134 changes according to the angle of the seat 22. When the seat portion 22 is flipped up by a certain angle or more, the output voltage of the terminal 134 changes, and the control unit 120 detects this.
• the potentiometer 133 can linearly detect the rotation angle, unlike the microswitch 130 that detects at a specific position.
• FIG. 32 is a configuration diagram of another human body detection unit (hereinafter, detection unit) 25.
• the detection unit 25 includes a human body recognition unit (hereinafter, a recognition unit) 135 and a door state detection unit (hereinafter, a detection unit) 136.
• the recognition unit 135 is also a combination of an infrared source and an infrared sensor and has a CCD camera.
• the recognizing unit 135 recognizes the presence in the human body toilet space by infrared rays reflected from the human body, video signals, and the like.
• the detecting unit 136 detects that the toilet door is closed. That is, the detection unit 136 detects the entry of a human body into the space where the heating toilet seat 11 is arranged.
• the detection unit 25 outputs a human body detection signal for the first time. This signal starts energization of the heater 29, and energizes the heater 29 and the heater 62 only when necessary.
• the detection unit 25 may have another configuration as long as it can detect a phenomenon in which a person enters the toilet space and can identify the state in which the door is closed.
• the recognizing unit 135 may be one using an ultrasonic wave, one using a photocoupler, or the like.
• the detection unit 136 may be configured so as to be able to confirm entry into the toilet space, a sensor for detecting contact of a hand with a door knob, rotation of the knob, lock state of the door, and opening / closing degree of the door can be used. May be attached.
• the human body detection unit 25 may be configured with only one of the recognition unit 135 and the detection unit 136.
• FIG. 33 is a side view in the case where a lid drive unit is provided in addition to the position detection unit 47 shown in FIG.
• the lid 23 is attached to the same rotation shaft 45 as the seat 22 and is rotated by a stepping motor 137. Be moved. That is, the stepping motor 137 is a lid driving unit, and when no human body is detected, closes the lid 23 to cover the seat 22 and prevents dust from entering the toilet 20. When a human body is detected, the stepping motor 137 rotates the lid 23 so that the toilet can be used. By controlling the opening and closing of the lid 23 by detecting the human body in this way, a sanitary and convenient heating toilet seat can be obtained.
• the control of the stepping motor 137 may be performed by the control unit 120 (50), or a separate control unit may be provided.
• FIG. 34 is a side view in which a lid rotation stop (hereinafter, stop) 138 is further provided in the configuration of FIG.
• the output from the microswitch 130 is output to the stepping motor 137 via the stop 138.
• Stop 138 may be included in controller 120 (50).
• the stop portion 138 controls the stepping motor 137 to stop the lid 23 at the fully open position.
• the lid 23 does not force the seat portion 22 forcibly, so that the durability of the stepping motor 137 is ensured.
• the origin position of the lid 23 can be known, and the opening and closing operation of the lid 23 can be stabilized.
• a heating toilet seat is described as an example.
• the present invention is not limited to this. It can be used as a heating device for things that have a seating portion, such as a garage or a seating mat for a Japanese-style room.
• the heater 29 is provided in the closed cavity 27.
• the present invention is not limited to this, and a space is provided between the heating unit and the radiant heating element. Any configuration is acceptable.
• the bimetal of the thermostat is directly heated by radiation energy from the radiation type heating element. Therefore, the thermostat can quickly detect a change in temperature, and can quickly prevent an excessive rise in the temperature of the toilet seat. That is, it can be used safely A heated toilet seat is obtained. In addition, it can be applied as a heating tool for heating a device seated by a user who is not only a heating toilet seat, or for warming a portion where a human body comes into contact.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
• Toilet Supplies (AREA)

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Citations (7)

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• 2005
  • 2005-01-21 WO PCT/JP2005/000764 patent/WO2005074777A1/ja active Application Filing
  • 2005-01-21 CN CN2009102217110A patent/CN101703379B/zh active Active
  • 2005-01-21 KR KR1020067011467A patent/KR100804354B1/ko active IP Right Grant
  • 2005-01-21 CN CN2009102217125A patent/CN101703380B/zh active Active
• 2006
  • 2006-06-08 HK HK06106557.6A patent/HK1086464A1/xx not_active IP Right Cessation

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