JPH0525847A - Bowl with use-detecting function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically detect starting, ending, and using conditions of a bowl by the bowl itself without the needs for specific operations such as input operation and without the needs for attendant devices such as user sensor. CONSTITUTION:A bowl 1 is provided with an approach detection means 2 to detect the change and recovery of distance up to an object by a reflecting light and a time discrimination means 3 to discriminate the lapse of given time periods from the detection of change. The means 2 is positioned on the upside or downside center of a cover 1a, the upside and downside of a seat 1d, or a local cleaning nozzle 1f in such a way as to enable the cover 1a and the seat 1d to be detected in terms of opening or closing action when the bowl is in use. A standard time for the type of excrements is set up in the means 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toilet bowl with a use detecting function for detecting a use state by itself, and in particular, it does not require a specific operation such as an input operation, and is equipped with an accessory such as a user detecting sensor. The present invention relates to a toilet bowl with a use detection function that can automatically detect a use state by itself without needing to do so.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A hygiene environment is improved by diversifying equipment such as toilet flushing water, ventilation, lighting, and other equipment in a toilet, and the hygiene sensation of not wanting to touch the operating portion when operating these equipment. There is a problem of coping with the request from the user and a problem of coping with the troublesomeness of the command operation.

In order to solve these problems, various methods have been proposed for instructing the operation control of equipment in the toilet, instead of the method using the operation switch. For example, a method of performing a command operation without touching the operation unit by a non-contact sensor installed on a wall surface (Actual Kaihei No. 2-97463),
A method for automatically controlling the operation of a device by a seating switch operated by the weight applied to the valve seat
No.), a method for automatically detecting the user by the proximity sensor installed on the wall and controlling the operation of related equipment (Actual Kaihei 2-1361).
No. 73) and so on.

[0004]

However, the method using a non-contact sensor has the trouble of consciously bringing a hand or the like close to the sensor portion to perform a predetermined operation, and the method using a seating switch does not require a valve seat. Since it operates by applying weight, a separate detecting means is required for men's small use. further,
When the proximity sensor is used, construction cost for mounting the proximity sensor is required.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems, a change in the distance to an object is detected by a reflected light beam from the object and the opening / closing operation of the lid, seat, etc. of the toilet bowl when using the toilet. A toilet bowl with a use detection function, which includes an approach detection unit that detects a change due to the change and a recovery thereof, and a time determination unit that determines a lapse of a predetermined time from the detection of the change when the approach detection unit detects a recovery. Configured.

[0006]

[Function] Set the position of the approach detecting means of the toilet with a use detecting function so as to detect the opening / closing operation of the lid, seat, etc. of the toilet, and set the reference time for the size determination in the time determining means in advance. For example, the proximity detection means provided in the toilet bowl with the use detection function detects a change due to the use of the toilet bowl, and
When the time discriminating means detects the recovery of the original state due to the end of the use of the toilet, the elapse of the preset reference time is discriminated.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 is a side view of a toilet bowl with a use detecting function showing a first embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the same second embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a third embodiment. 1 is a view similar to FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a fourth embodiment, FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a fifth embodiment, and FIG. 6 is use detection according to the present invention. It is a block circuit diagram regarding the use detection function of the toilet bowl with a function.

In FIG. 1, the toilet bowl 1 includes an approach detecting means 2 for detecting a change and a recovery of a distance to an object by a reflected light beam and the like. And a time discriminating means 3 for discriminating the passage of a predetermined time.

The toilet bowl A with a use detecting function according to the first embodiment has an approach detecting means 2 on the upper surface of its lid 1a. When the lid 1a is opened corresponding to the use of the toilet bowl A with a use detecting function, the approach detecting means 2 detects a change in the distance to an object such as the tank 1b facing the front.

When the lid 1a is closed in response to the end of use of the toilet bowl A with a use detection function, the toilet bowl returns to its original state, and recovery of fluctuations is detected.

In FIG. 2, a toilet bowl B with a use detecting function according to the second embodiment has an approach detecting means 2 at the center of the lower surface of its lid 1a. When the lid 1a is opened corresponding to the use of the toilet bowl B with a use detecting function, the approach detecting means 2 detects a change in the distance to an object such as the toilet body 1c facing the front. The same applies when both the lid 1a and the seat 1d are opened.

When the lid 1a is closed in response to the end of the use of the toilet bowl B with the use detecting function, the toilet bowl returns to its original state and the recovery of fluctuation is detected.

In FIG. 3, a toilet bowl C with a use detecting function according to the third embodiment has an approach detecting means 2 on the upper surface of its seat 1d. When the lid 1a is opened corresponding to the use of the toilet bowl C with use detecting function, the approach detecting means 2 detects a change in the distance to the object such as the lid 1a facing the front. Further, by setting the opening angle of the lid 1a larger than the opening angle of the seat 1d, the detection is similarly performed even when both of them are opened.

When the lid 1a is closed in response to the end of the use of the toilet bowl C with a use detecting function, the lid 1a returns to the original state, and the recovery of fluctuation is detected.

In FIG. 4, a toilet bowl D with a use detecting function according to a fourth embodiment is provided with a seat 1e elastically held above the toilet body 1c, and the proximity detecting means 2 is provided on the lower surface of the seat 1e. Set up. When the lid 1a is opened corresponding to the use of the toilet bowl D with a use detecting function and the seat 1d is lowered by adding the weight of the user, the proximity detecting means 2 faces the front of the toilet body 1c or other object. The change in the distance to is detected as the usage state. The detection is similarly performed when both the lid 1a and the seat 1d are opened.

Further, when the lid 1a is closed in response to the end of use of the toilet bowl D with use detecting function, the lid 1a returns to its original state, and recovery of fluctuation is detected.

In FIG. 5, the toilet bowl E with use detecting function according to the fifth embodiment is provided with the approach detecting means 2 on the upper surface of the local cleaning nozzle 1f. Toilet bowl E with usage detection function
When the lid 1a is opened corresponding to the use of, the approach detecting means 2 detects a variation in the distance to the object such as the lid 1a.
Further, when the lid 1a is closed corresponding to the end of use of the toilet bowl E with a use detection function, the lid 1a returns to the original state, and the recovery of fluctuation is detected.

In FIG. 6, the internal configuration of the approach detecting means 2 comprises a light projecting section 2a, a light receiving section 2b, an amplifying section 2c, a waveform shaping section 2d, a rising detecting section 2e, a falling detecting section 2f and the like.

The light projecting section 2a and the light receiving section 2b perform signal emission and reflection detection, respectively. Generally, pulse waves such as infrared rays, visible rays, and ultrasonic waves are used as signals. The signal wave emitted from the light projecting unit 2a is reflected by an object in the light beam direction, reaches the light receiving unit 2b, and is converted into an electric signal.

The amplification section 2c and the waveform shaping section 2d respectively perform amplification for signal processing and binary determination of signal strength under a predetermined continuation condition based on the reference strength. The rising detection unit 2e and the falling detection unit 2f detect the fluctuation of the signal strength and the timing of recovery.

When the state of the object facing the front of the light receiving portion 2b of the approach detecting means 2 changes, the intensity of the reflected light beam reaching the light receiving portion 2b changes depending on the state of the object and the distance to the object. When the intensity change of the amplified electric signal satisfies the predetermined continuation condition and the signal strength reference, the waveform shaping section 2d produces a predetermined divisional wave, and stops the divisional wave when the original state is restored.

With respect to this square wave, the rising detection unit 2e and the falling detection unit 2f detect the rising and falling timings, respectively, and thereby start corresponding to the change in the state of the object and its recovery. It is output as a start signal and an end signal at the timing and the end timing.

The time discriminating means 3 comprises a delay unit 3a, a reference setting unit 3b, a transfer unit 3c, an output holding unit 3d, etc.
The start signal and the end signal are received from the approach detection means 2 at the start timing and the end timing, respectively.

The delay unit 3a outputs the delay signal after a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving the start signal. The reference setting unit 3b uses the delay unit 3 to set a predetermined time serving as a discrimination reference for the large and small which is input by operation.
Set to a. When the transfer unit 3d receives the end signal,
The output of the delay unit 3a is sent to the output holding unit 3e.

When the time discriminating means 3 receives the start signal, the delay section 3a sends the delayed signal to the transfer section 3d after a lapse of a predetermined time. When the transfer unit 3d receives the end signal, the delay signal is transferred to the output holding unit 3e if it has already received the delay signal, and is output as the time elapse determination signal.

With the above configuration, the start signal and the end signal are output from the approach detecting means 2 in accordance with the fluctuation and the recovery of the state of the object facing the front of the light receiving portion 2b of the approach detecting means 2, respectively. At the time of recovery, the elapse of a predetermined time is determined by the time elapse determination signal output by the time determination means 3.

It is also possible to determine the start and end based on the forward / backward movement of the user of the toilet by adjusting the signal sensitivity.

[0028]

As described above, the position of the approach detecting means is set so as to detect the opening / closing operation of the lid or the seat of the toilet bowl, and the time determining means is preset with the reference time for the size determination. For example, the proximity detection means provided in the toilet bowl is
When the fluctuation associated with the use of the toilet bowl is detected and the restoration of the original state due to the end of the usage of the toilet bowl is detected, the time discriminating means can discriminate the elapse of a predetermined time from the time of the fluctuation detection.

As described above, the toilet bowl with the use detecting function according to the present invention detects the start and end of use without requiring any special operation by the user, and automatically determines the usage pattern for the size. can do.

Further, since the use detecting function of the toilet bowl with the use detecting function is integrated in the main body of the toilet bowl, additional work such as attachment of accessories is not required, and the construction cost can be suppressed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a toilet bowl with a use detecting function showing a first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the third embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block circuit diagram of a use detecting function unit of a toilet bowl with a use detecting function according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Toilet bowl 1a ... Lid 1d ... Seat 1e ... Seat 1f ... Local cleaning nozzle 2 ... Approach detection means 3 ... Time determination means

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Takanori Matsuno, Takanori Matsuno 2-1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture Totoki Equipment Co., Ltd. (72) Takenori Fukushima, Nakajima, Kitakyushu-ku, Fukuoka 2 1st-1st Totoki Equipment Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

Claim: What is claimed is: 1. A lid of a toilet bowl when a toilet bowl is used, which detects variations in the distance to the object by reflected light rays from the object.
Proximity detection means for detecting fluctuations due to opening and closing operations of seats and recovery thereof, and time discrimination means for judging elapse of a predetermined time from the time of fluctuation detection when the proximity detection means detects the recovery. A toilet bowl with a use detection function.