Smart toilets and their disinfection control methods

Abstract

This invention relates to a disinfection control method for a smart toilet. The smart toilet includes a toilet seat, a toilet lid, a temperature sensor disposed inside the smart toilet, and a drying device for supplying air. The disinfection control method for the smart toilet includes the following steps: determining whether the toilet lid is closed; detecting whether the internal temperature of the toilet seat is lower than a first preset temperature value; if the toilet lid is closed and the internal temperature of the toilet seat is lower than the first preset temperature value, activating the drying device to supply air to the internal temperature of the toilet seat to raise the internal temperature of the toilet seat; if the working time of the drying device has reached a preset time, turning off the drying device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of smart bathroom technology, and in particular to a smart toilet and its disinfection control method. Background Technology

[0002] Toilets, being used in a humid environment for extended periods, are prone to bacterial growth. To address this issue, traditional smart toilets typically employ sterilization methods such as ultraviolet light, ozone, or electrolyzed water, requiring dedicated sterilization devices that are costly and have blind spots in their sterilization process. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a smart toilet and its disinfection control method to address the above problems.

[0004] A disinfection control method for a smart toilet, the smart toilet including a toilet seat, a toilet lid, a temperature sensor disposed inside the smart toilet, and a drying device for air supply, the disinfection control method for the smart toilet including the following steps:

[0005] Determine whether the toilet seat is closed;

[0006] Detect whether the internal temperature of the toilet seat is lower than a first preset temperature value;

[0007] If the toilet seat is closed and the internal temperature of the toilet seat is lower than the first preset temperature value, the drying device is activated to blow air into the internal cavity of the toilet seat to raise the internal temperature of the toilet seat.

[0008] If the drying device has been in operation for the preset time, the drying device shall be turned off.

[0009] In one embodiment, before the step of turning off the drying device if the working time of the drying device has reached a preset time, the method further includes: detecting whether the inner cavity temperature of the toilet seat is lower than a second preset temperature value, wherein the second preset temperature value is greater than the first preset temperature value; if the inner cavity temperature of the toilet seat is not lower than the second preset temperature value and the working time of the drying device has not reached the preset time, pausing the drying device.

[0010] In one embodiment, pausing the drying device if the internal temperature of the toilet seat is not lower than the second preset temperature value and the drying device's operating time has not reached the preset time includes: restarting the drying device if the internal temperature of the toilet seat drops below the first preset temperature value. In other words, in this embodiment, it can be considered that the sterilization mode of the smart toilet can automatically cycle. When the toilet lid is closed and the internal temperature of the toilet seat is lower than the first preset temperature value, the drying device is activated for sterilization; when the internal temperature of the toilet seat is not lower than the second preset temperature value, the drying device is paused; when the internal temperature of the toilet seat drops back below the first preset temperature value, the drying device is restarted, to ensure that the temperature of the toilet's internal cavity is maintained approximately between the first and second preset temperature values, preventing bacterial regrowth.

[0011] In one embodiment, the smart toilet further includes a spray gun capable of telescopic movement relative to the inner cavity of the toilet seat. Before the step of activating the drying device to send air into the toilet seat to raise the temperature of the inner cavity, the following step is included: driving the spray gun to extend into the inner cavity of the toilet seat. The spray gun is driven into the inner cavity of the toilet seat before the drying device is activated, i.e., before the sterilization and disinfection process begins. In other words, the drying device is activated and the sterilization and disinfection process begins only after the spray gun has extended into the inner cavity of the toilet seat, allowing the relatively high temperature of the inner cavity of the toilet seat to simultaneously sterilize the surface of the spray gun.

[0012] In one embodiment, the step of driving the spray gun to extend into the toilet seat further includes the following steps: detecting whether the spray gun has extended to its maximum stroke into the inner cavity of the toilet seat; if the spray gun has not extended to its maximum stroke, driving the spray gun to continue extending until it reaches its maximum stroke. This arrangement ensures that the entire outer circumferential surface of the spray gun is exposed within the inner cavity of the toilet seat, thereby performing sterilization and disinfection treatment on the entire outer circumferential surface of the spray gun.

[0013] In one embodiment, the step of turning off the drying device if the working time of the drying device has reached a preset time includes: turning off the drying device and driving the spray gun to retract if the working time of the drying device has reached the preset time.

[0014] In one embodiment, the disinfection control method for the smart toilet includes the following steps: during the operation of the drying device, detecting whether the toilet lid is opened; if the toilet lid is opened, shutting down the drying device and driving the spray gun to retract. If the toilet lid is opened during the sterilization and disinfection process of the smart toilet, such as automatically opening upon receiving an instruction, opening by the user's hand, or opening due to external impact, the drying device will shut down promptly to prevent the high temperature inside the toilet from affecting the user or the surrounding environment.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first preset temperature value is 60°C to 95°C.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first preset temperature value is 65°C, and the second preset temperature value is 75°C.

[0017] This application also relates to a smart toilet, used in the disinfection control method for the smart toilet described in any of the above embodiments, the smart toilet comprising:

[0018] Toilet seat:

[0019] A toilet seat, which is installed on the toilet seat and can be opened and closed relative to the toilet seat;

[0020] A temperature sensor is installed on the toilet seat or the toilet lid to detect the temperature of the inner cavity of the toilet seat;

[0021] A drying device is provided on the toilet seat and is used to supply air into the inner cavity of the toilet seat.

[0022] The aforementioned smart toilet and its disinfection control method, when the toilet lid is closed and the temperature sensor detects that the internal temperature of the toilet seat is lower than a first preset temperature value, can activate the drying device to blow hot air into the internal cavity of the toilet seat to raise the internal temperature, thereby killing most pathogens on the internal cavity of the toilet seat and the toilet lid. When the drying device has been in operation for the preset time, regardless of whether the internal temperature of the toilet seat has reached a second preset temperature value, the drying device is turned off, and the sterilization work is stopped. Notably, the inner edge of the toilet seat often contains some blind spots that are not visible to the naked eye. When the toilet lid is closed, the internal cavity of the toilet lid is a relatively sealed environment, allowing the hot air blown by the drying device to diffuse and reach every corner, ensuring thorough sterilization even in these blind spots. Furthermore, it should be emphasized that after using the toilet, the drying device on the smart toilet can blow hot air to target areas (such as the buttocks) to dry them, leaving them dry and refreshed. In other words, this application utilizes the existing drying device on the smart toilet, which is originally used to dry target parts of the human body, to blow hot air to sterilize and disinfect the toilet seat and toilet lid. There is no need to add a new device specifically for sterilization and disinfection, which greatly reduces costs while ensuring the disinfection effect.

[0023] In one embodiment, the smart toilet further includes a spray gun disposed on the toilet seat, the spray gun being retractable relative to the inner cavity of the toilet seat. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the conventional technology, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the conventional technology will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating a disinfection control method for an intelligent toilet according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural view of a smart toilet provided in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure label:

[0028] 10. Smart toilet; 100. Toilet seat; 110. Inner cavity; 200. Toilet lid; 300. Drying device; 310. Fan; 320. Exhaust duct; 400. Spray gun. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be practiced in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0030] Although Figure 1 The steps in the flowchart are shown sequentially as indicated by the arrows, but these steps are not necessarily executed in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless otherwise specified herein, there is no strict order in which these steps are executed, and they can be performed in other orders. Figure 1 At least some of the steps in the process may include multiple steps or multiple stages. These steps or stages are not necessarily completed at the same time, but may be executed at different times. The execution order of these steps or stages is not necessarily sequential, but may be executed in turn or alternately with other steps or at least some of the steps or stages in other steps.

[0031] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2This application provides a smart toilet 10 and its disinfection control method. The smart toilet 10 includes a toilet seat 100, a toilet lid 200, a temperature sensor disposed inside the smart toilet 10, and a drying device 300 for supplying air. The toilet lid 200 covers the toilet seat 100 and can be opened and closed relative to the toilet seat 100. The temperature sensor can be disposed on either the toilet seat 100 or the toilet lid 200 to detect the temperature of the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100. The drying device 300 is disposed on the toilet seat 100 for supplying air to the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100.

[0032] The disinfection control method of the smart toilet 10 includes the following steps:

[0033] Determine whether the toilet seat 200 is closed;

[0034] Detect whether the temperature of the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100 is lower than a first preset temperature value;

[0035] If the toilet seat 200 is closed and the temperature of the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100 is lower than the first preset temperature value, the drying device 300 is activated to blow air into the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100 to raise the temperature of the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100.

[0036] If the drying device 300 has been in operation for a preset time, the drying device 300 shall be turned off.

[0037] The aforementioned smart toilet 10 and its disinfection control method, when the toilet lid 200 is closed and the temperature sensor detects that the temperature of the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100 is lower than a first preset temperature value, can activate the drying device 300 to blow hot air into the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100 to raise the temperature of the inner cavity 110, thereby killing most pathogens on the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100 and the toilet lid 200. When the working time of the drying device 300 has reached the preset time, the drying device 300 is turned off, and the sterilization work is stopped. The inner edge of the toilet seat 100 often has some blind spots that are not visible to the naked eye. When the toilet lid 200 is closed, the inner cavity 110 of the toilet lid 200 is a relatively sealed environment, and the hot air blown out by the drying device 300 can diffuse and reach every corner, achieving sterilization without dead angles and ensuring that these blind spots are also effectively disinfected. Furthermore, it should be emphasized that after use, the drying device 300 on the smart toilet 10 can blow hot air to dry target areas (such as the buttocks), leaving them dry and refreshed. In other words, this application utilizes the existing drying device 300 on the smart toilet 10, originally designed for drying target areas of the body, to blow hot air and sterilize the toilet seat 100 and toilet lid 200, eliminating the need for a new dedicated sterilization device. This significantly reduces costs while ensuring effective sterilization.

[0038] Specifically, in some embodiments, before the step of turning off the drying device 300 if its operating time has reached a preset time, the method further includes: detecting whether the temperature of the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100 is lower than a second preset temperature value, where the second preset temperature value is greater than the first preset temperature value. If the temperature of the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100 is not lower than the second preset temperature value and the operating time of the drying device 300 has not reached the preset time, the drying device 300 is paused. When the temperature sensor detects that the temperature of the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100 has reached the second preset temperature value, but the operating time of the drying device 300 has not yet reached the preset time, the drying device 300 is paused. When the operating time of the drying device 300 has reached the preset time, regardless of whether the temperature of the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100 has reached the second preset temperature value, the drying device 300 will be turned off, and the sterilization operation will be stopped. This setup can be considered as having two working modes for sterilization. The first working mode is that after the drying device 300 is started, it only performs sterilization timing. Once the preset time is reached, the drying device 300 stops directly and exits the sterilization program. The second working mode is that after the drying device 300 is started, it not only performs sterilization timing but also detects whether the temperature of the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100 has reached the second preset temperature value. If the temperature sensor detects that the temperature of the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100 has reached the second preset temperature value, but the working time of the drying device 300 has not yet reached the preset time, the drying device 300 is simply paused until the sterilization timing reaches the preset time, at which point the drying device 300 is turned off and the sterilization work stops.

[0039] More specifically, in some embodiments, if the temperature of the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100 is not lower than the second preset temperature value and the working time of the drying device 300 has not reached the preset time, the step of pausing the drying device 300 includes: if the temperature of the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100 drops below the first preset temperature value, restarting the drying device 300. In other words, in such embodiments, it can be considered that the sterilization mode of the smart toilet 10 can automatically cycle. When the toilet lid 200 is closed and the temperature of the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100 is lower than the first preset temperature value, the drying device 300 is activated for sterilization; when the temperature of the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100 is not lower than the second preset temperature value, the drying device 300 is paused; when the temperature of the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100 drops back below the first preset temperature value, the drying device 300 is restarted to ensure that the temperature of the inner cavity 110 of the toilet is always maintained approximately between the first and second preset temperature values, preventing bacteria from re-growth.

[0040] More specifically, such as Figure 2As shown, in some embodiments, the smart toilet 10 further includes a spray gun 400 disposed on the toilet seat 100, the spray gun 400 being capable of telescopic movement relative to the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100. Before the step of activating the drying device 300 to send air into the toilet seat 100 to raise the temperature of the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100, the following step is included: driving the spray gun 400 to extend into the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100. Before the drying device 300 is activated, that is, before the sterilization and disinfection work begins, the spray gun 400 is driven into the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100, that is, the spray gun 400 is driven to extend above the toilet bowl. In other words, the drying device 300 is activated and the sterilization and disinfection work begins only after the spray gun 400 extends into the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100, allowing the relatively high temperature of the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100 to simultaneously sterilize the surface of the spray gun 400.

[0041] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the step of driving the spray gun 400 to extend into the toilet seat 100 further includes the following step: detecting whether the spray gun 400 has extended to its maximum stroke into the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100; if the spray gun 400 has not extended to its maximum stroke, driving the spray gun 400 to continue extending until its maximum stroke. This arrangement ensures that the entire outer peripheral surface of the spray gun 400 is exposed within the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100, thereby sterilizing and disinfecting the entire outer peripheral surface of the spray gun 400.

[0042] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the step of turning off the drying device 300 if the operating time of the drying device 300 has reached the preset time includes: turning off the drying device 300 if the operating time of the drying device 300 has reached the preset time, and driving the spray gun 400 to retract.

[0043] In some embodiments, the disinfection control method of the smart toilet 10 includes the following steps: during the operation of the drying device 300, detecting whether the toilet lid 200 is opened; if the toilet lid 200 is opened, closing the drying device 300 and driving the spray gun 400 to retract. If the toilet lid 200 is opened during the sterilization and disinfection process of the smart toilet 10, such as automatically opening upon receiving an instruction, opening by the user's hand, or opening due to external impact, the drying device 300 will close in time to prevent the high temperature inside the toilet from affecting the user or the surrounding environment.

[0044] In some embodiments, the drying device 300 includes a fan 310 and a heating wire disposed in the exhaust duct of the fan 310. When the drying device 300 is started, the fan 310 can be started first, the heating wire can be preheated first, or the fan 310 and the heating wire can be started simultaneously.

[0045] In some embodiments, the step of determining whether the toilet seat 200 is closed further includes receiving a sterilization command. After receiving the sterilization command, the smart toilet 10 begins to determine conditions such as whether the toilet seat 200 is closed and whether the temperature of the inner cavity 110 of the toilet seat 100 is lower than a first preset temperature value, and then starts the drying device 300 to perform sterilization and disinfection.

[0046] In some embodiments, the first preset temperature value is 60℃ to 95℃, which can be considered the sterilization range of general pasteurization. More specifically, in some preferred embodiments, the first preset temperature value is 65℃, and the second preset temperature value is 75℃. This temperature setting ensures, on the one hand, that the temperature inside the toilet is sufficient to achieve sterilization and disinfection; on the other hand, it controls the temperature within a certain range, avoiding excessive power consumption of the drying device 300, thus saving energy and protecting the environment; furthermore, when the toilet lid 200 is open, this temperature setting also prevents excessively high gas temperatures inside the toilet from causing an unpleasant experience for the user when it rushes out.

[0047] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the processes in the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. The computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above methods. Any references to memory, databases, or other media used in the embodiments provided in this application can include at least one of non-volatile and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash memory, optical memory, high-density embedded non-volatile memory, resistive random access memory (ReRAM), magnetic random access memory (MRAM), ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), phase change memory (PCM), graphene memory, etc. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory, etc. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM can take many forms, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) or Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM). The databases involved in the embodiments provided in this application may include at least one type of relational database and non-relational database. Non-relational databases may include, but are not limited to, blockchain-based distributed databases. The processors involved in the embodiments provided in this application may be general-purpose processors, central processing units, graphics processing units, digital signal processors, programmable logic devices, quantum computing-based data processing logic devices, etc., and are not limited to these.

[0048] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "inner", "outer", "circumferential", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0049] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0050] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0051] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0052] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "attached to," "fixed to," or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0053] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0054] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of this invention patent should be determined by the appended claims.

[0055] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "an embodiment," "another implementation," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative descriptions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this application.

Claims

1. A disinfection control method for an intelligent toilet, characterized in that, The smart toilet includes a toilet seat, a toilet lid, a temperature sensor installed inside the smart toilet, and a drying device for air delivery. The disinfection control method of the smart toilet includes the following steps: Determine whether the toilet seat is closed; Detect whether the internal temperature of the toilet seat is lower than a first preset temperature value; If the toilet seat is closed and the internal temperature of the toilet seat is lower than the first preset temperature value, the drying device is activated to blow air into the internal cavity of the toilet seat to raise the internal temperature of the toilet seat. The system detects whether the internal temperature of the toilet seat is lower than a second preset temperature value. If the second preset temperature value is greater than the first preset temperature value, and the internal temperature of the toilet seat is not lower than the second preset temperature value and the working time of the drying device has not reached the preset time, the drying device is paused. If the temperature inside the toilet seat drops below the first preset temperature value, the drying device will be restarted. If the drying device has been in operation for the preset time, the drying device shall be turned off.

2. The disinfection control method for an intelligent toilet according to claim 1, characterized in that, The smart toilet also includes a spray gun capable of telescopic movement relative to the inner cavity of the toilet seat. Before the step of activating the drying device to send air into the inner cavity of the toilet seat to raise the temperature of the inner cavity, the following steps are also included: Drive the spray gun to extend into the inner cavity of the toilet seat.

3. The disinfection control method for an intelligent toilet according to claim 2, characterized in that, The step of driving the spray gun to extend into the inner cavity of the toilet seat further includes the following steps: The system detects whether the spray gun has extended to its maximum stroke into the inner cavity of the toilet seat. If the spray gun has not extended to its maximum stroke, the system drives the spray gun to continue extending until it reaches its maximum stroke.

4. The disinfection control method for an intelligent toilet according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The step of turning off the drying device if the operating time of the drying device has reached the preset time includes: If the drying device has been in operation for the preset time, the drying device is turned off and the spray gun is retracted.

5. The disinfection control method for an intelligent toilet according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The disinfection control method for the smart toilet includes the following steps: During the operation of the drying device, it is detected whether the toilet lid is opened; If the toilet seat is opened, the drying device is turned off, and the spray gun is driven to retract.

6. The disinfection control method for an intelligent toilet according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first preset temperature value is 60℃~95℃.

7. The disinfection control method for an intelligent toilet according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first preset temperature value is 65℃, and the second preset temperature value is 75℃.

8. A smart toilet, used to implement the disinfection control method for the smart toilet according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The smart toilet includes: Toilet seat: A toilet seat, which is installed on the toilet seat and can be opened and closed relative to the toilet seat; A temperature sensor is installed on the toilet seat or the toilet lid to detect the temperature of the inner cavity of the toilet seat; A drying device is provided on the toilet seat and is used to supply air into the inner cavity of the toilet seat.

9. The smart toilet according to claim 8, characterized in that, The smart toilet also includes a spray gun disposed on the toilet seat, the spray gun being able to extend and retract relative to the inner cavity of the toilet seat.

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