Heatable wc seat

Abstract

A heatable toilet seat (1) for a toilet bowl, wherein the toilet seat (1) comprises a heating device (6) integrated in the toilet seat (1) with a heating wire (5) which functions as a heating resistor (4), wherein the heating wire (5) is designed to be connectable to a power source and a controller; and the heating device (6) comprises an electronic circuit, a diode (3) with a forward direction and a reverse direction, and a measuring resistor (2), wherein - the measuring resistor (2) and the heating resistor (4) are connected in parallel; and - the polarity switching between the forward direction and the reverse direction of the diode can be effected by the electronic circuit; and - in the forward direction of the diode, the heating device (6) is in a heating phase and in the reverse direction of the diode, the heating device (6) is in a temperature measuring phase; and - the toilet seat (1) has an axle (13) with two electrical axle contacts (10a;10b), wherein the heating wire (5) comprises two end sections, each of which is connected to one of the axis contacts (10a; 10b);

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a heated toilet seat according to the preamble of claim 1, a method for heating the toilet seat according to the preamble of claim 9 and a combination of the toilet seat with a toilet bowl according to the preamble of claim 12.

[0002] Various heated toilet seats are known, with a particularly advantageous option being the wireless mounting of the toilet seat to the bowl, as this significantly simplifies cleaning. To enable wireless heating of a seat ring, the use of an electrical energy storage device is proposed in German patent DE 20 2011 108 948. However, the functionality of this heating system is limited by the limited lifespan of a battery.

[0003] This invention aims to remedy this problem. The invention is based on the objective of creating a heated toilet seat that is simpler in terms of energy efficiency, functionality, and construction.

[0004] The invention solves the stated problem with a heated toilet seat which has the features of claim 1.

[0005] The advantages achieved by the invention are essentially that the heating of the toilet seat as well as the temperature measurement necessary for setting the optimal temperature are carried out via a single circuit or only two electrical wires are required.

[0006] Further advantages of the invention include providing the user with a heated toilet seat that can be easily removed for cleaning. Conventional cable connections are inconvenient for easy disassembly; therefore, it has proven advantageous for the necessary electrical connections to be disconnected "automatically" upon removal. The present invention enables removal via the toilet seat's axis, allowing it to be pulled out in a vertical 90° position relative to the toilet bowl.

[0007] Technically, it is significantly easier to disconnect only two electrical wires than four, which are necessary for heating and measuring. Therefore, the integration of a heating device into the toilet seat according to claim 1 is particularly advantageous, since the diode and the polarity reversal allow both functions (heating and measuring) to be achieved with only two wires.

[0008] A further advantage of the present invention is that the toilet seat according to the invention has a single pivot axis for both the toilet seat and the lid, which serves both for the electrical supply of the heating device and for mounting the toilet seat to a toilet bowl. This results in a more compact form of the toilet seat compared to known toilet seats, which require two pivot axes (one for the toilet seat and one for the lid).

[0009] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be commented on as follows: In a particular embodiment, the toilet seat can be rotatably connected to a toilet bowl by means of the axle having two axis contacts.

[0010] In a special embodiment, the polarity switch from the heating phase to the temperature measurement phase takes place after a maximum of 12 seconds, preferably after a maximum of 30 seconds.

[0011] In another embodiment, the polarity switch from the temperature measurement phase to the heating phase takes place after a maximum of 100 milliseconds, preferably after a maximum of 50 milliseconds.

[0012] In a particular embodiment, the ratio between measuring resistance and heating resistance is in the range between 100 and 10,000, preferably between 900 and 1,100.

[0013] In an additional embodiment, the toilet seat can be mechanically connected to a toilet bowl and electrically to a power source via the axle. The electrical connection of the toilet seat to a power source is made via the electrical supply to the toilet bowl.

[0014] In another embodiment, the toilet seat is arranged to rotate around the axis relative to the toilet bowl.

[0015] In another embodiment, the toilet seat has a lid that is rotatably arranged coaxially to the axis.

[0016] The inventive method for heating the inventive toilet seat comprises the following steps: a) Determining the need for heating; b) Heating the toilet seat during a predetermined heating interval IA; c) Reversing the polarity and measuring the actual temperature of the toilet seat; d) Calculating the difference between the actual temperature and the target temperature of the toilet seat and the estimated time interval IS for heating the toilet seat until the target temperature is reached; e) Reversing the polarity and heating the toilet seat during the time interval IS when the temperature difference is present, and repeating steps c) to e) until the target temperature is reached; f) Stopping the heating of the toilet seat (1) when the target temperature is reached.

[0017] In a special embodiment of the method, after reaching the target temperature, the actual temperature of the toilet seat is continuously measured until the actual temperature deviates from the target temperature, preferably until the actual temperature deviates from the target temperature by at least 1°C.

[0018] In an additional embodiment of the method, when the actual temperature deviates from the target temperature, the polarity is switched and steps b) to f) are performed again.

[0019] The invention also relates to the combination of the heated toilet seat with a toilet bowl, wherein the toilet seat is arranged to be rotatable around the axis relative to the toilet bowl.

[0020] In a special embodiment of the above-mentioned combination, the electrical connection of the toilet seat to a power source is interrupted when the toilet seat is in a vertical position.

[0021] In another embodiment of the above-mentioned combination, when the toilet seat is in a horizontal position, there is an electrical connection between the toilet seat and a power source.

[0022] In an additional embodiment of the above-mentioned combination, an electrical connection between the toilet seat and a power source can be established or interrupted when the toilet seat is rotated 90° relative to the toilet bowl.

[0023] In another embodiment of the above-mentioned combination, it has a lid that is rotatable relative to the toilet bowl about the same axis as the toilet seat.

[0024] The invention and further developments of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the partially schematic representations of an exemplary embodiment.

[0025] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the toilet seat according to the invention. Fig. 2a a schematic circuit diagram of the heating device of the toilet seat according to the invention, showing the polarity of the voltage in the forward direction of the diode; Fig. 2b a schematic circuit diagram of the heating device of the toilet seat according to the invention, showing the polarity of the voltage in the reverse direction of the diode; Fig. 3 a perspective detail view of the toilet seat; Fig. 4 Several cross-sections through the axis of the toilet seat or through the base plate of the toilet bowl during the removal of the toilet seat from the toilet bowl.

[0026] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a heated toilet seat 1, which has a heating device 6 for heating the toilet seat 1. The heating device 6 is connected to a power source (usually the electrical supply network) via a suitable voltage converter. In the Fig. 1 In the embodiment shown, the heating device 6 comprises a heating wire 5 integrated into the toilet seat. The heating wire 5 functions as a heating resistor 4 and converts the electrical energy into heat.

[0027] How the heating device 6 is connected to the supply network is best seen from Fig. 3 The end sections of the heating wire 5 are connected inside the toilet seat 1 to the axis contacts 10a and 10b (there is one axis contact 10a and 10b each for the two wires, offset by 180°). The axis 13 of the toilet seat 1 is positively engaged in the toilet seat 1, which is in Fig. 3 is only partially visible. If the toilet seat 1 is removed from the toilet bowl (e.g. for cleaning), the axle 13 remains firmly connected to the toilet seat 1.

[0028] Axis 13 connects the toilet seat 1 to the toilet bowl both electrically and mechanically.

[0029] Spring contacts 11a and 11b are installed in the base plate 14 of the toilet bowl. When the toilet seat 1 is mounted to or removed from the toilet bowl, the axle 13 of the toilet seat 1 is inserted into or removed from the base plate 14 in the raised position. In the raised position of the toilet seat, there is no contact between the axle contacts 10a and 10b and the spring contacts 11a and 11b. When the toilet seat 1 is lowered (e.g., for use), the axle 13, along with the axle contacts 10a and 10b, rotates 90° relative to the base plate 14, so that the axle contacts 10a and 10b come into contact with the spring contacts 11a and 11b. This creates a connection between the heating wire 5 and the toilet bowl connected to the electrical supply.

[0030] The heating device 6 is also connected to the control unit with an electronic circuit (not shown) of the WC by means of the contact between the axle contacts 10a; 10b and the spring contacts 11a; 11b.

[0031] The heating device 6 comprises a heating resistor 4, a measuring resistor 2, and a diode 3. The heating device 6 is designed to be connected to a controller with an electronic circuit (not shown) as described above, so that the heating of the toilet seat 1 is initiated and stopped by the controller and the electronic circuit. The electronic circuit also controls the polarity reversal of the voltage source of the heating device 6. The controller is housed in the cavity of the toilet bowl. The electronic circuit includes a microchip with corresponding software that switches the polarity and accordingly initiates and stops the heating phase and the temperature measurement phase.

[0032] The principle of the present invention can be explained by the Fig. 2 depicted. Fig. 2a Figure 1 shows a schematic circuit diagram of the heating device 6 during the heating phase. The heating device 6 comprises a heating resistor 4, a measuring resistor 2, and a diode 3, with the diode 3 being forward-biased in the circuit during the heating phase. In this example, the heating resistor 4 has a resistance of approximately 10 ohms, while the measuring resistor 2 has a resistance of approximately 10,000 ohms. Thus, during the heating phase, the current flows primarily through the heating resistor 4, so the current flow through the measuring resistor 2 can be neglected. Fig. 2b Figure 1 shows a schematic circuit diagram of the heating device 6 during the heating pause (i.e., during the measurement phase), wherein during the heating pause the diode 3 is arranged in the reverse direction of the current in the circuit, so that the current flow can only flow through the measuring resistor 2.

[0033] The heating of toilet seat 1 occurs after the need for heating is recognized.

[0034] The heating of the toilet seat 1 is then initiated, with current flowing in the forward direction of diode 3 and thus through heating resistor 4 for a predetermined heating interval IA. After the heating interval IA has elapsed, the polarity is reversed so that the current now flows in the reverse direction of diode 3 and thus only through measuring resistor 2. The controller or the corresponding software detects the actual temperature and compares it to the target temperature, determining the length of the next heating interval Is based on the measured data. After the heating interval IS has elapsed, the polarity is reversed again, and the measurement of the actual temperature, its comparison with the target temperature, and – if necessary – the determination of the length of another heating interval IS are repeated. The heating / measuring / heating process continues until the target temperature is reached and the heating process is interrupted.

[0035] Once the target temperature is reached, continuous measurements are taken. If the actual temperature of toilet seat 1 drops (e.g., by more than 1°C), another heating phase is initiated.

[0036] The heating process is initiated either directly by the user or by a sensor, which can be located either inside or outside the toilet seat. During the heating phase ( Fig. 2a The current flows through the heating resistor 4, heating the heating element (heating wire 5) and thus the toilet seat 1. After a heating interval, the heating process is interrupted by switching the polarity of the voltage source via the control unit. During the heating pause ( Fig. 2b ) the current flows only through the measuring resistor 2, so that the temperature of the heating wire 5 can be detected.

[0037] The heating interval is variable and depends on the deviation of the actual temperature from the target temperature. The greater the deviation from the target temperature, the longer the heating period can last (typically > 10 seconds). The factor determining the heating interval between measurements is 200 ms / °C. This means that for a difference of 10°C between the actual and target temperatures, heating will occur for 2 seconds before the next measurement is taken. As the temperature approaches the target temperature, the interval can be reduced to 100 ms. The heating pause is generally constant and typically ranges from 1 to 100 ms.

[0038] The polarity reversal of the voltage is controlled by the electronic circuit.

[0039] Appropriate switching elements (transistors, relays) are connected and controlled in such a way that typically 24V is applied for heating and typically 5V or less for temperature measurement.

[0040] The temperature is measured by measuring the voltage drop across the variable measuring resistor and converting it into a temperature value in the control unit.

[0041] The invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Heatable toilet seat (1) for a toilet bowl, wherein the toilet seat (1) comprises a heating device (6) integrated into the toilet seat (1) with a heating wire (5) which functions as a heating resistor (4), wherein the heating wire (5) is designed to be connectable to a power source and a control device; characterized in that the heating device (6) comprises an electronic circuit, a diode (3) with a forward direction and a reverse direction, and a measuring resistor (2), wherein - the measuring resistor (2) and the heating resistor (4) are connected in parallel; and - the polarity switch between the forward direction and the reverse direction of the diode can be effected by the electronic circuit; and - in the forward direction of the diode, the heating device (6) is in a heating phase, and in the reverse direction of the diode, the heating device (6) is in a temperature measurement phase; and - the toilet seat (1) comprises an axle (13) with two electrical axle contacts (10a; 10b), wherein the heating wire (5) comprises two end sections, each of which is connected to one of the axle contacts (10a; 10b).

2. Heated toilet seat (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the toilet seat (1) can be connected to a toilet bowl in a rotatable manner by means of the axle (13) having the two axle contacts (10a; 10b).

3. Heated toilet seat (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the polarity switchover from the heating phase to the temperature measurement phase takes place after a maximum of 12 seconds, preferably after a maximum of 30 seconds.

4. Heated toilet seat (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the polarity switchover from the temperature measurement phase to the heating phase 2 takes place after a maximum of 100 milliseconds, preferably after a maximum of 50 milliseconds.

5. Heated toilet seat (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the ratio between the measuring resistor (2) and the heating resistor (4) is in the range between 100 and 10,000, preferably between 900 and 1,100.

6. Heated toilet seat (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the toilet seat (1) can be connected mechanically to a toilet bowl via the axis (13) and electrically to a power source.

7. Heated toilet seat (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the toilet seat (1) is arranged so that it can rotate relative to the toilet bowl about the axis (13).

8. Heated toilet seat (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it has a lid (15) arranged to rotate coaxially with the axis (13).

9. Method for heating a toilet seat, in particular a toilet seat (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by the following steps: a) detecting the need for heating; b) heating the toilet seat (1) during a predetermined heating interval IA ; c) switching the polarity and measuring the actual temperature of the toilet seat (1); d) calculating the difference between the actual temperature and the target temperature of the toilet seat (1) and the estimated time interval IS for heating the toilet seat until the target temperature is reached; e) Switching the polarity and heating the toilet seat (1) during the time interval Is at the existing temperature difference and repeating steps c) to e) until the target temperature is reached; f) Stopping the heating of the toilet seat (1) when the target temperature is reached.

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that, after the target temperature has been reached, the actual temperature of the toilet seat (1) is measured continuously until the actual temperature deviates from the target temperature, preferably until the actual temperature deviates from the target temperature by at least 1°C.

11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, when the actual temperature deviates from the target temperature by the specified amount, the polarity is reversed and steps b) to f) are performed.

12. Combination of the heatable toilet seat (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 with a toilet bowl, wherein the toilet seat (1) is arranged so as to be rotatable relative to the toilet bowl about the axis (13).

13. Combination according to claim 12, characterized in that when the toilet seat (1) is in a vertical position, the electrical connection between the toilet seat (1) and a power source is interrupted.

14. Combination according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that when the toilet seat (1) is in a horizontal position, there is an electrical connection between the toilet seat (1) and a power source.

15. Combination according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that when the toilet seat (1) is rotated by 90° relative to the toilet bowl, an electrical connection between the toilet seat (1) and a power source can be established or interrupted.

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