Control method of intelligent closestool based on single distance sensor

Abstract

The invention provides an intelligent closestool control method based on a single sensor, and the method comprises the steps: S1, transmitting a proximity signal to a controller through a second communication unit when a distance sensor detects that a target user approaches in a first state that a cover plate is closed, the controller controls the first uncovering mechanism to open the cover plate through the first communication unit according to the signal; s2, the distance sensor continuously detects gestures of a target user and transmits the gestures to the controller through the second communication unit, and the controller controls the first cover opening mechanism, the second cover opening mechanism and the flushing mechanism to work cooperatively through the first communication unit according to the gestures and the opening and closing positions of the cover plate and the toilet seat. According to the invention, the distance sensor and the controller are matched to carry out approach detection on the target user and carry out gesture analysis on the target user, so that different control on the cover plate, the toilet seat and the flushing mechanism is realized, the cost can be greatly saved, and the customer experience is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of intelligent toilets, and particularly to an intelligent toilet control method based on a single sensor. Background Art

[0002] The automatic flushing cover function of intelligent toilets usually uses two or more sensors in cooperation to control the automatic opening and closing of the toilet seat cover and the automatic flushing of the toilet. Although this design improves the convenience and hygiene of use, it also increases the manufacturing cost of the toilet. The signal matching of multiple sensors works alternately, which not only increases the technical complexity but also may cause malfunction of the function or decline in user experience due to signal interference or out-of-synchronization between sensors. For example, if the sensitivity of the sensor is set improperly, it may cause the cover to flip up accidentally when not needed, or not flip up when needed, bringing inconvenience to users. In addition, the increase in sensors also means an increase in the user's usage cost.

[0003] Therefore, the present invention is based on a single distance sensor, which can avoid the above technical problems. However, how to control the cover, the toilet seat, and the automatic flushing of the toilet through a single distance sensor is the technical problem to be solved by the present invention. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Aiming at the deficiencies in the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to propose an intelligent toilet control method based on a single sensor to solve the problems mentioned in the above background art section.

[0005] The present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0006] An intelligent toilet control method based on a single sensor, including a mounting base, a cover plate rotatably connected to the mounting base through a first opening mechanism, a toilet seat rotatably connected to the mounting base through a second opening mechanism, a control unit and a first communication unit provided on the mounting base, a flushing mechanism for automatically flushing the toilet provided in the mounting base, the first opening mechanism, the second opening mechanism, the flushing mechanism and the first communication unit are connected to the control unit; a distance sensor is further provided at the front end of the cover plate, and a second communication unit for interacting with the first communication unit, the detection distance of the distance sensor is 0-0.8 meters, and the control method includes the following steps:

[0007] S1, in the first state where the cover plate is closed, when the distance sensor detects that a target user approaches, the proximity signal is transmitted to the controller through the second communication unit, and the controller controls the first opening mechanism to open the cover plate according to this signal through the first communication unit;

[0008] S2. The distance sensor continuously detects the gestures of the target user, and transmits the gestures to the controller through the second communication unit. The controller controls the first cover opening mechanism, the second cover opening mechanism, and the flushing mechanism to work together according to the gestures, as well as the opening and closing positions of the cover plate and the toilet seat. Specifically:

[0009] S21. In the second state where the cover plate is open, and when the controller detects that the target user makes a first gesture, it controls the second cover opening mechanism to open the toilet seat and proceeds to step S22; or in the second state where the cover plate is open, and when the controller detects that the target user makes a second gesture, it controls the first cover opening mechanism to close the cover plate, and controls the flushing mechanism to perform automatic flushing;

[0010] S22. In the third state where both the cover plate and the toilet seat are open, and when the controller detects that the target user makes a third gesture, it controls the second cover opening mechanism to close the toilet seat, controls the first cover opening mechanism to close the cover plate, and controls the flushing mechanism to perform automatic flushing.

[0011] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The intelligent toilet control method based on a single sensor provided by the present invention realizes different controls on the cover plate, the toilet seat, and the flushing mechanism through the cooperation of the distance sensor and the controller for proximity detection of the target user and gesture analysis of the target user, which can greatly save costs and improve the customer experience. Description of the Drawings

[0012] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional view of the intelligent toilet of the present invention in the closed state.

[0013] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional view of the cover plate of the present invention in the open position.

[0014] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional view of the cover plate and the toilet seat of the present invention in the open position.

[0015] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the changes in the positions of the intelligent cover plate main body of the present invention in different positions.

[0016] Figure 5 It is a flowchart of the control method of the intelligent toilet of the present invention.

[0017] Among them, the above-mentioned drawings include the following reference numerals:

[0018] 1. Toilet body; 2. Intelligent cover plate main body; 21. Cover plate; 22. Toilet seat; 23. Distance sensor. Detailed Embodiments

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted here that the description of these embodiments is used to help understand the present invention, but does not constitute a limitation on the present invention. In addition, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0020] Referring to Figure 1 As shown, an intelligent toilet according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:

[0021] A toilet body 1;

[0022] An intelligent cover body 2 provided on the toilet body. The intelligent cover body 2 includes a mounting seat, a cover plate 21 rotatably connected to the mounting seat through a first opening mechanism, a toilet seat ring 22 rotatably connected to the mounting seat through a second opening mechanism, a control unit and a first communication unit provided on the mounting seat. A flushing mechanism for automatically flushing the toilet is provided in the mounting seat. The first opening mechanism, the second opening mechanism, the flushing mechanism, and the first communication unit are connected to the control unit; a distance sensor 23 is further provided at the front end of the cover plate 21, and a second communication unit that interacts with the first communication unit. The detection distance of the distance sensor 23 is 0 to 0.8 meters. Among them, the first communication unit and the second communication unit can adopt wired or wireless transmission methods

[0023] Specifically, based on the structure of the above intelligent toilet, the present invention provides an intelligent toilet control method based on a single sensor. The control method includes the following steps:

[0024] When the target user approaches the intelligent toilet and is detected by the distance sensor, it indicates that the target user wants to use the intelligent toilet. At this time, it is necessary to control the cover plate 21 of the intelligent toilet to open automatically. The specific control is as follows:

[0025] Referring to Figure 1 As shown, in the first state where the cover plate 21 is closed, when the distance sensor 23 detects that the target user is approaching, that is, when the target user is within the detection range of the distance sensor 23, the proximity signal is transmitted to the controller through the second communication unit. The controller receives the signal and determines it as a proximity signal. Then, the controller controls the first opening mechanism to open the cover plate 21 according to the signal through the first communication unit;

[0026] After the cover plate 21 is automatically opened, it is necessary to further detect whether the target user wants to use the toilet in a sitting position or a standing position. Among them, using the toilet in a sitting position is applicable to: women's defecation or urination, and men's defecation; using the toilet in a standing position is applicable to: men's urination. The specific control is as follows:

[0027] The distance sensor 23 continuously detects the gesture of the target user and transmits the gesture to the controller through the second communication unit. The controller controls the first opening mechanism, the second opening mechanism, and the flushing mechanism to work together according to the gesture, as well as the opening and closing positions of the cover plate 21 and the toilet seat 22. Specifically:

[0028] Refer to Figure 2 As shown, in the second state where the cover plate 21 is opened, and when the controller detects that the target user makes a first gesture, it controls the second opening mechanism to open the toilet seat 22; this step is mainly applicable to the situation where the target user wants to use the toilet in a standing position, and at this time, the toilet seat 22 is controlled to open through the first gesture.

[0029] Refer to Figure 2 As shown, in the second state where the cover plate 21 is opened, and when the controller detects that the target user makes a second gesture, it controls the first opening mechanism to close the cover plate 21, and then controls the flushing mechanism to perform automatic flushing; this step is mainly applicable to the situation where the target user has completed using the toilet in a sitting position, and at this time, the cover plate 21 is controlled to close and automatic flushing is performed through the second gesture.

[0030] In the third state where both the cover plate 21 and the toilet seat 22 are opened, and when the controller detects that the target user makes a third gesture, it controls the second opening mechanism to close the toilet seat 22, controls the first opening mechanism to close the cover plate 21, and controls the flushing mechanism to perform automatic flushing. This step is mainly applicable to the situation where the target user has completed using the toilet in a standing position. Among them, automatic flushing can be performed before or after the cover plate 21 is closed, and the order is not limited. Preferably, the target user controls the toilet seat 22 to close, the cover plate 21 to close, and finally performs automatic flushing through the third gesture, which can prevent stains from splashing during the flushing process.

[0031] As a further improvement, when the user needs to perform flushing work during the cleaning process of the toilet body 1 or other situations, in the second state where the cover plate 21 is opened or the third state where both the cover plate 21 and the toilet seat 22 are opened, and when the controller detects that the target user makes a fourth gesture, it controls the flushing mechanism to perform automatic flushing.

[0032] Preferably, the first gesture is the upward movement of the target user's gesture. Therefore, when the target user's gesture swings from bottom to top, the toilet seat 22 can be controlled to open, and then men can urinate.

[0033] The second gesture and the third gesture are the downward movements of the target user's gestures. Therefore, when the target user's gesture swings from top to bottom, the controller determines whether the toilet seat 22 is in the closed position through the second cover opening mechanism. If the toilet seat 22 is in the closed position, only the cover plate 21 is controlled to close, and then flushing is performed. If neither the cover plate 21 nor the toilet seat 22 is closed, the toilet seat 22 and the cover plate 21 are controlled to close in sequence, and then flushing is performed.

[0034] The fourth gesture is the horizontal movement of the target user's gesture. This horizontal movement includes horizontal movement in the left-right direction or horizontal movement in the front-back direction, which can avoid being distinguished from the vertical movement of the first gesture, the second gesture, and the third gesture, avoid confusion between different gestures, improve the accuracy and efficiency of gesture recognition by the controller, and enhance the user experience.

[0035] By different movement directions of the first gesture, the second gesture, the third gesture, and the fourth gesture, the opening and closing of the cover plate 21 and the toilet seat 22 are controlled. This correspondence conforms to people's intuitive understanding of the movement direction of objects, enables users to quickly get started during operation without complex operation instructions, and reduces the risk of misoperation.

[0036] Specifically, the controller obtains the positions of the user's gestures at two time points in chronological order. When the position of the user's hand in the first frame is below the position of the user's hand in the second frame and the distance between them exceeds the set threshold, it is determined as the first gesture; when the position of the user's hand in the first frame is above the position of the user's hand in the second frame and the distance between them exceeds the set threshold, it is determined as the second gesture and the third gesture; when the position of the user's hand in the first frame is at the position of the user's hand in the second frame and the distance between them is less than the set threshold, it is determined as the fourth gesture.

[0037] As another embodiment, the first gesture to the third gesture are the different durations that the target user stays or touches within the detection range of the distance sensor.

[0038] For example, in the second state where the cover plate 21 is open, if the distance between the user's gesture and the distance sensor remains unchanged and the user stays for 2 seconds, the controller determines it as the first gesture. At this time, the controller controls the second cover opening mechanism to open the toilet seat 22.

[0039] In the second state where the cover plate 21 is open, if the distance between the user's gesture and the distance sensor remains unchanged and the user stays for 4 seconds, the controller determines it as the second gesture. At this time, the controller controls the first cover opening mechanism to close the cover plate 21, and then controls the flushing mechanism to perform automatic flushing.

[0040] In the third state where both the cover plate 21 and the toilet seat 22 are open, if the distance between the user's gesture and the distance sensor remains unchanged and stays for 4 seconds, the controller determines it as the third gesture. At this time, the controller controls the second opening / closing mechanism to close the toilet seat 22, controls the first opening / closing mechanism to close the cover plate 21, and finally controls the flushing mechanism to perform automatic flushing.

[0041] Refer to Figure 4 As shown, the fixed detection distance of the distance sensor is 0.4 - 0.7 meters (i.e., Figure 4 dimension A in the figure), in the first state where the cover plate is closed, the detection direction of the distance sensor is inclined downward and the angle θ with the plane where the cover plate is located is 40° - 60°. Preferably, the angle θ is 55°. By meeting this angle parameter, the distance sensor emits in the direction of the inclined ground. In the conventional design, the height B of the toilet body 1 is 0.4 meters. Generally, a child about 6 years old with a height of 1.2 meters has the ability to use the intelligent toilet independently. Therefore, as Figure 4 shown in the middle figure of the figure, when the cover plate 21 is in the open position, the detection line of the distance sensor is at the position of the child's head, enabling the child to also control the intelligent toilet using gestures.

[0042] And through the setting of this angle, as Figure 4 shown in the middle and lower figures of the figure, during the process of the cover plate 21 switching from the open position to the closed position, when the cover plate 21 is inclined by about 10° (as Figure 4 shown in the lower figure of the figure), the distance sensor emits in the obliquely upward direction, and the detection line of the distance sensor can detect the user sitting on the toilet body 1 and determines the user as an obstacle. When the distance sensor detects an obstacle, the controller pauses the operation of the first opening / closing mechanism and the second opening / closing mechanism and emits an alarm sound, thereby preventing the cover plate 21 and the toilet seat 22 from accidentally pinching the user during the closing process. As another embodiment, the controller can control the first opening / closing mechanism and the second opening / closing mechanism to reset to avoid accidentally pinching the user.

[0043] As another embodiment, when the controller only controls the second opening / closing mechanism to close the toilet seat 22, the controller synchronously drives the cover plate 21 to tilt by a set angle through the first opening / closing mechanism. The set angle is 45°, so that the distance sensor 23 can detect whether there is an obstacle during the closing process of the toilet seat 22, and the toilet seat 22 is closed to avoid accidentally pinching the user. After the toilet seat 22 is closed, the controller controls the first opening / closing mechanism to reset.

[0044] In the second state where the cover plate 21 is open, and in the third state where both the cover plate 21 and the toilet seat 22 are open, when the distance sensor does not detect the gesture of the target user within the set duration, the second cover opening mechanism is respectively controlled to close the toilet seat 22, and the first cover opening mechanism is controlled to close the cover plate 21. Through the above steps, when the user uses the toilet and forgets to operate with the appropriate gesture, the cover plate 21 and the toilet seat 22 will automatically close. Preferably, the set duration is 30 min to 40 min.

[0045] Preferably, after the controller controls the first cover opening mechanism to close the cover plate 21, the flushing mechanism performs automatic flushing. Thus, the flushing is automatically performed every time the cover plate 21 is closed, which can ensure the cleanliness of the interior of the toilet body 1, maintain the hygiene state of the toilet, and provide a clean environment for the next use.

[0046] The distance sensor 23 is an infrared sensor, a capacitance sensor or a microwave sensor. Infrared sensors, capacitance sensors and microwave sensors all have the characteristic of fast response and can capture the changes of the target object in a short time, thereby improving the sensitivity of the intelligent toilet lid to user detection.

[0047] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0048] In the description of the present invention, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features.

[0049] The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not used to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can have various changes and modifications. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An intelligent toilet control method based on a single sensor, characterized in that, It includes a mounting base, a cover plate rotatably connected to the mounting base through a first cover opening mechanism, a toilet seat rotatably connected to the mounting base through a second cover opening mechanism, a control unit and a first communication unit provided on the mounting base. An flushing mechanism for automatically flushing the toilet is provided in the mounting base. The first cover opening mechanism, the second cover opening mechanism, the flushing mechanism and the first communication unit are connected to the control unit. A distance sensor is further provided at the front end of the cover plate, and a second communication unit that interacts with the first communication unit. The detection distance of the distance sensor is 0-0.8 m. The control method includes the following steps: S1. In the first state where the cover plate is closed, when the distance sensor detects that a target user is approaching, the proximity signal is transmitted to the controller through the second communication unit. The controller controls the first cover opening mechanism to open the cover plate according to this signal through the first communication unit; S2. The distance sensor continuously detects the gesture of the target user and transmits the gesture to the controller through the second communication unit. The controller controls the first cover opening mechanism, the second cover opening mechanism and the flushing mechanism to work cooperatively according to the gesture, and the opening and closing positions of the cover plate and the toilet seat. Specifically: S21. In the second state where the cover plate is open, and when the controller detects that the target user makes a first gesture, it controls the second cover opening mechanism to open the toilet seat and proceeds to step S22; or in the second state where the cover plate is open, and when the controller detects that the target user makes a second gesture, it controls the first cover opening mechanism to close the cover plate and controls the flushing mechanism to perform automatic flushing; S22. In the third state where both the cover plate and the toilet seat are open, and when the controller detects that the target user makes a third gesture, it controls the second cover opening mechanism to close the toilet seat, controls the first cover opening mechanism to close the cover plate, and controls the flushing mechanism to perform automatic flushing.

2. The intelligent toilet control method based on a single sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the second state or the third state, and when the controller detects that the target user makes a fourth gesture, it controls the flushing mechanism to perform automatic flushing.

3. The intelligent toilet control method based on a single sensor according to claim 2, wherein The first gesture to the fourth gesture are different in movement direction or dwell time.

4. The intelligent toilet control method based on a single sensor according to claim 1, wherein, The fixed detection distance of the distance sensor is 0.4-0.7 m. In the first state where the cover plate is closed, the detection direction of the distance sensor is inclined downward and the included angle θ with the plane where the cover plate is located is 40°-60°.

5. The intelligent toilet control method based on a single sensor according to claim 4, wherein When the controller controls the first cover opening mechanism to close the cover plate, and when the controller controls the second cover opening mechanism to close the toilet seat, when the distance sensor detects an obstacle, the operation of the first cover opening mechanism and the second cover opening mechanism is paused and an alarm is issued, or the first cover opening mechanism and the second cover opening mechanism are controlled to reset.

6. The intelligent toilet control method based on a single sensor according to claim 1, wherein In the second state where the cover plate is open, and in the third state where both the cover plate and the toilet seat are open, when the distance sensor does not detect the gesture of the target user within the set time period, it controls the second cover opening mechanism to close the toilet seat and controls the first cover opening mechanism to close the cover plate respectively.

7. The intelligent toilet control method based on a single sensor according to claim 6, characterized in that, After the controller controls the first cover opening mechanism to close the cover plate, the flushing mechanism performs automatic flushing.

8. The intelligent toilet control method based on a single sensor according to claim 6, wherein The set duration is 30 min to 40 min.

9. The control device of an intelligent toilet according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The distance sensor is an infrared sensor, a capacitance sensor or a microwave sensor.

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