JPH04336019A - Electrifying method to paper-position-detecting means in sheet-paper automatic feeding toilet seat - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase the effect of power-saving, and to prolong the life of a battery as long as possible by providing a paper-position detecting means for detecting the presence of sheet-paper that has been fed on the toilet seat body, and by electrifying this detecting means at prescribed intervals. CONSTITUTION:When a feeding DC motor is stopped, a cutting DC motor is started, and a movable plate is moved to a paper-holding position, and at the same time the cutting and insertedly holding of paper is carried out. On the other hand, from the time when a feeding switch has been turned on, a seat sensor is intermittently electrified at intervals of 0.5 second, and when a user sits down on the seat for relieving himself, the seating is detected, and also when the user leaves the seat after relieving himself, the leaving is detected. A timer is set for one minute, and in the meantime, a paper-position detecting sensor is intermittently electrified, and also the paper sheet is flushed down with washing water. After a lapse of one minute, the electrification to the paper-position detecting sensor is turned off, and the movable plate is forcibly returned to its original position.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for energizing position detection means in an automatic sheet paper supplying toilet seat.

0002

[Prior Art] Conventionally, the automatic sheet paper supply toilet seat was
As seen in Japanese Patent Application No. 63-332274, there is a feeding mechanism part in the functional part casing that feeds the sheet paper from the sheet paper roll stored in the roll storage part onto the toilet seat main body through a feeding path, and It is equipped with a cutting mechanism section that cuts the rear end of the sheet paper fed out and clamps the rear end, and a control section that controls the operations of the feeding mechanism section and the cutting mechanism section. The control unit is driven by AC 100V of commercial power supply.

[0003] However, since the automatic sheet paper supply toilet seat is designed to be driven by commercial power, for example, public toilets installed in public institutions or toilets in ordinary homes have a power source for lighting. In order to install this automatic supply toilet seat in a toilet that is not equipped with power supply equipment to supply electricity to each toilet bowl, it is necessary to newly install power supply equipment for the toilet bowl, making it difficult to introduce this automatic supply toilet seat. In addition, in commercial facilities such as restaurants and department stores, power cords were unsightly and difficult to dispose of, such as dangling power cords.

[0004] Therefore, each mechanism such as the feeding mechanism and the cutting mechanism is driven by batteries, so that it can be used in places such as existing buildings where wiring for commercial power is difficult. A toilet seat has been developed.

[0005]

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, in such an automatic sheet paper supply toilet seat, electric power is used to perform various controls. Afterwards, a paper position detection sensor that detects whether or not the paper has been removed from the toilet seat body is energized, and various operational controls are performed based on the detection results.

[0006] However, since such a sensor is continuously energized, it consumes a large amount of power, and especially when batteries are used, it is necessary to suppress such power consumption as much as possible.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention comprises a sheet paper feeding mechanism section configured to feed sheet paper from a sheet paper roll onto a toilet seat body, and a control section controlling the above-mentioned feeding mechanism section. An automatic sheet paper supplying toilet seat, characterized in that it is provided with paper position detection means for detecting the presence or absence of sheet paper fed onto the toilet seat body, and the detection means is energized at predetermined intervals. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for energizing paper position detection means in a supply toilet seat.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, the overall structure of an automatic sheet paper supplying toilet seat A according to the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic sheet paper supply toilet seat A includes a toilet seat main body 11 placed on a flush toilet 10 so as to be openable and closable, and a toilet seat main body 11 placed on the rear of the flush toilet 10 in a fixed state. The rear part of the toilet seat main body 11 is formed by a functional part 14 which is rotatably supported vertically by a functional pivot 13 and a simple pivot 13a. In the figure, 11e indicates an opening.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the functional section 1
4 is a functional part casing 15 attached to the rear part of the flush toilet 10, a feeding mechanism part C disposed inside the casing 15,
It is composed of a cutting mechanism section D, a roll storage section E, a control section F, an operation section G, and a dry battery case 15a.

Next, the structure of the functional part casing 15 will be explained. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the casing 15 includes a lower casing 16 which incorporates a feeding mechanism part C, a cutting mechanism part D, etc. therein. and an upper casing 17 which is fitted and connected to the upper edge of the lower casing 16 and forms a roll storage section E therein.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, bearing boxes 30 and 31 are provided respectively on the left and right sides of the lower casing 16, and inside the right bearing box 31 are a feeding roller 33 of a feeding mechanism section C and a cutting mechanism section. A feeding DC motor M1 and a cutting DC motor M2, which are driving sources for the movable plate 50 of D, are provided.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the feeding mechanism section C includes left and right bearing boxes 30 of the lower casing 16,
A feed-out shaft 32 connected to a feed-out DC motor M1 is horizontally mounted between the rear upper parts of the feed-out shafts 31, and a feed-out roller 3
3 is fixed, and in cooperation with a pressing roller 34 disposed above it, presses and clamps the sheet paper P,
The sheet paper P is fed out onto the toilet seat body 11 from the roll storage part E. In the figure, 24 is a ceiling plate.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the cutting mechanism section D includes a disc cam 44 fixed to a power transmission shaft 43 connected to a DC motor M2 for cutting etc. disposed inside the right bearing box 31; A movable plate 50 is disposed so as to be swingable around the pivot shaft 49 and whose outer peripheral surface is engaged with the outer circumferential surface of the disc cam 44; The swing plate 51 is pivotally supported by the swing plate 51. Reference numeral 56 denotes a pressing piece provided at the rear of the upper surface of the movable plate 50, and can clamp the sheet paper P in cooperation with the pressing piece 57 forming the front part of the swinging plate 51. Further, a cutting portion 58 that is integral with the pressing piece 57 is formed at the rear of the swing plate 51 . Note that BP is a barrier for preventing intrusion of sewage that closes the paper outlet 8a attached to the front of the upper end of the movable plate 50.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIGS. 5 and 6, the roll storage section E has roll holders 60 and 61 arranged in the left and right bearing boxes 30 and 31, respectively, and multiple sheet papers P are stacked on the paper tube R1. A sheet paper roll R formed by winding is supported in a replaceable manner.

The control section F, as shown in FIGS.
A first and second motor circuit 1 having a power supply circuit 102, various circuits connected to the input and output terminals of a microcomputer 104, and each auxiliary contact of a relay provided in these circuits.
05, 106, a paper position detection sensor 70 that detects a position detection through hole b provided in the sheet paper P and generates an output, and an operation section G to be described later. An input interface connected to control output generation means such as a feeding switch 71 and a seating detection sensor 72 provided in the feeding mechanism section C.
and an output interface that connects to the cutting mechanism section D, etc.
It consists of a memory that stores programs for feeding, clamping, and cutting the sheet paper P, and a timer.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the operation section G is provided at the upper right front part of the lower casing 16, and includes a feed switch 71, a power lamp consisting of a light emitting diode, etc. It consists of a display section g1 such as a paper trouble lamp that has an alarm function in case of an abnormality such as replenishment.

As shown in FIG. 4, below the operation section G,
Dry battery case 1 that can store 4 AA batteries 101
5a, and the dry battery 1 in the same case 15a
01 supplies power to drive each of the mechanical sections C and D and the control section F. 15b is a cover that can be opened and closed.

As shown in FIG. 2, a paper position detection sensor 70 is disposed on the front right side of the functional unit casing 15, and the paper position detection sensor 70 is composed of a phototransistor and a photodiode. When the sheet paper P is fed out from the sheet paper roll R by a predetermined length onto the toilet seat main body 11, the paper position detection sensor 70 detects the position detection through hole b drilled in the sheet paper P, By stopping the operation of the feeding mechanism section C, the sheet paper P can be accurately fed onto the toilet seat body 11.

As shown in FIG. 2, the occupancy detection sensor 72, which serves as a means for detecting occupancy, connects both rear ends of the toilet seat body 11 to the front of the functional part casing 15 via the functional pivot 13 and the simple pivot 13a. Pivotal supports 14a provided on both sides of the
The toilet seat body 11 is attached removably and rotatably to the seat body 11.
The presence or absence of the seat is detected based on the load applied to the seat, and is disposed within the pivot portion 14a and operatively connected to the functional pivot 13.

The functional pivot 13 is shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, and is inserted into the pivot 14a through an elongated hole 75 provided vertically in the inner wall of the pivot 14a. 78 is a movable bearing, 78 is a coil spring, 79 is a regulation plate, 80 is a lever pressing piece, 81 is a sensor activation lever, 81a is its base end, 82 is a coil spring, 83 is a lever elevation guide casing, and 84 is a shielding plate. Yes, the light emitting element 85a and the light receiving element 8 of the infrared sensor 85 disposed inside the pivot portion 14a of the functional part casing 15
5b.

Further, 86 is a toilet seat main body engagement portion, and 87 is a pivot engagement hole. Therefore, the toilet seat body 11 is raised (lowered)
Therefore, the shielding plate 84 connects the light emitting element 85a and the light receiving element 85.
b and turns on (off) the infrared sensor 85 by cutting off the conduction between
Therefore, the posture of the toilet seat main body 11 can be detected, and based on these outputs, the control section F can control the feeding mechanism section C even if the feeding switch 71 is pressed when the toilet seat main body 11 is in a state where it cannot be fed out. By suppressing the operation of the sheet paper P, it is possible to prevent the sheet paper P from becoming tangled or clogging within the functional part casing 15.

Movable plate position detection sensor 93, 93a
As shown in FIGS. 13, 14, and 15, this is a photointerrupter type consisting of a light emitting element, a light receiving element, and a pair of detection plates 96, 96a, and as shown in FIGS. It is housed in a sensor mounting box 95 provided on the bottom of the casing near the center of the power transmission shaft 43.

The detection plates 96, 96a are shown in FIGS.
As shown in Fig. 15, it is formed in an arc shape with approximately 1/3 notches g and h, and each operating position shown in the explanatory diagram (Fig. 18) showing the operating sequence of the automatic sheet paper supply toilet seat A. ((a) to (h) in FIG. 18), it is possible to detect that the movable plate 50 has arrived and cause the feeding mechanism section C etc. to perform a desired operation.

As shown in FIG. 16, the sheet paper P is provided with linear cutting perforations c in the width direction at regular intervals in the feeding direction, and the inner shape of the toilet seat body 11 is cut between each perforation c. A cutout perforation a of a suitable shape is provided. However, a non-perforated part d is formed between the rear ends of the cutout perforation a, so that when the cutout perforation a is cut, the central portion hangs down into the flush toilet bowl 10. In addition, position detection holes b are provided on one side edge of the sheet paper P at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction, and furthermore, the last sheet paper P1 wound around the sheet paper roll R
A through hole b1 for detecting paper breakage is bored in the hole b1, and when the paper position detecting sensor 70 detects this,
The paper trouble lamp LED2 is lit.

In the figure, X indicates the paper end position detection hole, Y indicates the section, Z indicates the section, Xa indicates the amount of movement, and A, B, C, D, and Ho indicate the boundaries of each section.

Next, various circuits constituting the control section F will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 9.

FIG. 7 shows a power supply circuit 1 equipped with a dry battery 101.
02, DC motor M1 for feeding and D for cutting etc.
It is configured to output a drive power supply Vcc supplied to the C motor M2 and a constant voltage power supply Vdd supplied to the control section F via a constant voltage circuit 103.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of each circuit connected to the input and output terminals of the microcomputer 104, and is constructed as follows.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a sheet paper position detection circuit, which includes a paper position detection sensor 70 consisting of a photodiode and a phototransistor, and a phototransistor which is connected between the emitter-grounded photodiode and the constant voltage power supply Vdd and serves as a switch. The base of the transistor is connected to the input terminal O1 of the microcomputer 104 through a resistor, and the emitter of the photodiode is connected to the input terminal I1 of the microcomputer 104.
When the transistor is turned on by a command from the output terminal O1 of No. 4, the photodiode is turned on and the paper position detection sensor 70 is energized to detect the paper position.

Below, the seating detection circuit 111 and the movable plate position detection circuits 112 and 112a have similar configurations.

Reference numeral 113 is a rotational speed detection circuit for the feeding DC motor M1, which uses a commercially available incremental type rotary encoder 113a.

114 represents a switch circuit, and 71 represents a feed switch.

115 is a relay drive circuit, X1 to X
3 indicates a relay, and X1a, X1b, X2a, and X2b indicate auxiliary contacts.

116 is a display circuit for indicating a paper jam and a dead battery, and LED1 is a battery dead indicator lamp;
ED2 indicates a paper trouble lamp.

Reference numeral 117 indicates a battery voltage detection circuit, and this circuit 117 is composed of a first voltage detection IC1, a second voltage detection IC2, and a third voltage detection IC3, and detects the voltage corresponding to the battery voltage. The signal is input to predetermined input terminals I7 to I9 of the microcomputer 104, and the battery voltage is displayed on the battery dead indicator lamp LED1. RC indicates a reset circuit.

The motor drive circuit 107 shown in FIG. 8 has auxiliary contacts X1a, X1b to X1 of relays X1 to X3, respectively, between the drive power supply Vcc and the ground.
X3a, X3b, a feeding DC motor M1, and a DC motor M2 for cutting etc. are individually connected in series to form a first motor circuit (for paper feeding) 105 and a second motor circuit 106.
It is composed of:

In the sheet paper automatic supply toilet seat A constructed as described above, the gist of the present invention is to provide paper position detection means for detecting the presence or absence of sheet paper fed out onto the toilet seat body, and to This is because the detection means is energized at predetermined intervals.

The gist of the present invention will be explained in detail based on an embodiment. When the feed switch 71 is turned on to feed the sheet paper P, the sheet paper P is fed onto the toilet seat body 11. Then, the movable plate 50 rotates and the sheet paper P is clamped by the pressing pieces 56 and 57. After that, the user will sit on the toilet seat main body 11 to relieve himself, but the seating detection sensor 72 will be turned ON due to this sitting operation, and the seating detection sensor 72 will be turned OFF when the user leaves the seat after urinating. Become.

When such unseating operation is detected, the movable plate 50 moves from the sheet paper clamping position to the clamping release position, and the used sheet paper P is flushed away at the same time as drainage.
Move to the next step. In this process, when the movable plate 50 moves to the paper holding release position and releases the paper after the unseated movement is detected, the paper position detection sensor 70 is intermittently energized for a certain period of time to release the sheet paper P. This is to detect whether or not it has been removed from the toilet seat body 11.

For example, specifically, the presence or absence of sheet paper P can be detected by intermittently energizing a total of 12 times at 5-second intervals for one minute after paper holding is released.

Next, the detection operation of the paper position detection sensor 70 due to such intermittent energization will be described while explaining the feeding operation of the sheet paper P with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.

First, by turning on the feeding switch 71 (201), the movable plate 50 is moved from the original position to the paper feeding position (FIG. 18(b)). Furthermore, when the toilet seat is erected or seated in step 203Y, the microcomputer 104 is switched to maintenance mode (204). Also, if a battery voltage of 4V or less is detected, the battery-dead indicator lamp LED1 is turned on in step 418.
lights up continuously, indicating that the battery is low, and does not allow paper to be fed.

[0044] After the initial settings for installing the dry battery are completed, the sheet paper P is fed out using the feeding switch 71.

That is, when the feeding switch 71 is turned on (201), the rotary encoder 113a, the movable plate position detection sensors 93, 93a, and the seating detection sensor 7 are activated.
2 is energized (202).

[0046] When the toilet seat body is upright or seated, the microcomputer 104 is switched to maintenance mode (204).

When it is determined that the toilet seat body etc. is not upright or not seated (203N), the movable plate 50 is moved to the cam/paper feeding position (the movable plate 50
(205) (FIG. 18(b)).

After moving the movable plate 50, the timer in the microcomputer 104 is set (8 seconds) (206), and the timer starts (207).
The feeding DC motor M1 is started to start feeding the sheet paper (208).

Then, the perforations provided in the sheet paper can be reliably set at the cutting position by the paper position detection sensor 70 and the rotary encoder 113a (209).

In this state, when the feeding DC motor M1 stops, the cutting DC motor M2 starts, moves the movable plate 50 to the paper holding position, and cuts and clamps the paper at the same time (210) (Fig. 18(e)-(f))
.

On the other hand, from the time when the feed switch 71 is turned on, the seating detection sensor 72 is intermittently energized at 0.5 second intervals (203, 211, 212, etc.), so that the user cannot use the toilet. This system detects when the user sits on the toilet seat, and also detects when the user leaves the toilet seat after using the toilet.
The seating detection sensor 72 is turned off (212Y), and immediately,
The movable plate 50 is moved from the paper clamping position to the clamping release position by the cutting DC motor M2 (212) (Fig. 1
8(g)).

Then, a timer is set for one minute, during which time the paper position detection sensor is intermittently energized and the sheet paper P can be flushed together with the cleaning water (213, 214).

Here, when the movable plate 50 is in the paper clamp release position, the paper outlet 8a is in an open state, so there is a possibility of movement such that sewage or the like can enter into the casing 15.

Therefore, when the apparatus is not in use, it is necessary to return the movable plate 50 to its original position and close the paper outlet 8a with the barrier BP for preventing intrusion of waste water.

If the sheet paper is removed (removed by the flow of washing water, etc.) while the paper position detection sensor 70 is intermittently energized (within 1 minute) (215Y), the paper position detection sensor 70 is energized at that point. is turned off, and the movable plate 50 returns to its original position. Then, the feeding motor M1 is activated to feed out the sheet paper P by a predetermined length (for example, 20 mm) to prevent paper jams (218). Note that intermittent energization of the paper position detection sensor 70 refers to energization of the sensor in spots at regular intervals.

When one minute has elapsed (216Y), the power to the paper position detection sensor 70 is turned off, and the movable plate 50 is forcibly returned to its original position (217).
Figure 18(h)).

[0057] The above shows the normal cycle from when the sheet paper P is fed out, when the person sits down and leaves the seat, until the paper P is removed and the next sheet paper starts to be fed out, and such control is carried out. For, memory p
A program is set for the microcomputer 104 to function as follows.

That is, after the holding of the sheet paper P is released, the paper position detection sensor 70 is energized for 1 minute at 5 second intervals to determine the presence or absence of the sheet paper.
This example sets an interrupt program for the flow shown in FIG.

[0059]

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, the paper position detection sensor that detects when the sheet paper fed to the toilet seat body is removed from the toilet seat body is energized at regular intervals for a certain period of time. Intermittent energization is a measure to save power, and has the effect of making the battery last as long as possible in a battery-powered automatic sheet paper supply toilet seat.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a toilet device equipped with an automatic sheet paper supply toilet seat according to the present invention.

[Fig. 2] A partially cutaway plan view of the same toilet device.

[Figure 3] Partially cutaway right side view.

[Fig. 4] Cross-sectional side view of the dry battery case.

FIG. 5 is a view taken along line I-I in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 3;

[Fig. 7] An explanatory diagram of a radio wave circuit.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a motor drive circuit.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the connection state of microprocessors.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view of a main part of a seating detection sensor as seating detection means.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional front view of the same essential parts.

12 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a movable plate position detection sensor.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the same.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the operation.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of sheet paper.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a control operation sequence.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of operating positions.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Toilet seat body 101 Dry battery 102 Power supply circuit 111 Seating detection circuit C Feeding mechanism section D Cutting mechanism section F Control section P sheet paper

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An automatic sheet paper feeding toilet seat comprising: a sheet paper feeding mechanism configured to feed sheet paper from a sheet paper roll onto a toilet seat body; and a control section controlling the feeding mechanism. A paper position detection means for detecting the presence or absence of sheet paper fed out onto the main body is provided, and the detection means includes:
A method for energizing paper position detection means in an automatic sheet paper supply toilet seat, characterized in that the power is energized at predetermined intervals.