Urinal device

Abstract

To provide a urinal device having a configuration that includes a water level detection sensor for detecting a water level of retained water within the bowl part, which can suppress a decrease in detection accuracy caused by noise or the like.SOLUTION: A urinal device comprises a urinal body 2 having a bowl part 11 forming a bowl surface 13 and a trap part 12 communicating with a drain port 14, a water discharge part 3 provided on the urinal body 2, and a water level detection sensor for detecting a water level of retained water in the bowl part 11, wherein the water level detection sensor is provided on the rear side of the bowl part 11 in the range where the water discharge part 3 discharges washing water, detects an increase in electrostatic capacitance caused by washing water supplied via the wall part forming the bowl part 11, and proactively prevents an overflow of the washing water from the water discharge part 3 during the supply of the washing water.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a urinal apparatus in which flushing water is supplied to the bowl surface of a urinal body. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a urinal device that is equipped with a configuration for detecting clogging of a drainage section that drains water from the urinal body by measuring the state of the pooled water surface, which is the water level of the pooled water that has accumulated in the lower part of the bowl section of the urinal body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that uses a microwave Doppler sensor to measure the fluctuation of the pooled water surface, and determines the clogging state of the trap section of the urinal body or the drainage pipe that communicates with the trap section based on the measurement value.

[0003] Furthermore, with regard to technology for measuring the state of water in a toilet bowl, a technology that uses a capacitance sensor that detects capacitance is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Patent Document 2 discloses technology that uses a capacitance sensor as a water level sensor that measures changes in the water level in the toilet bowl, and discloses a configuration in which this capacitance sensor is provided on the back side (outside) of the bowl part of the toilet bowl. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-61030 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2017-106199 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The degree of clogging of the drain section can be detected by using a capacitance sensor such as that disclosed in Patent Document 2 to detect the drop in the water level after flushing the toilet, that is, the drainage of flush water in the bowl section. Here, the degree of clogging of the drain section is represented, for example, by the blockage rate of the drainage flow path in the drain section.

[0006] When detecting the water level in the bowl portion, it is possible to position the capacitance sensor by arranging the electrode portion of the capacitance sensor on the back side (outside) of the bowl portion, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, for example.

[0007] However, when a capacitance sensor is installed in the bowl of a urinal, noise or the like may occur depending on the surrounding environment, reducing the detection accuracy. Specifically, if a capacitance value that is temporarily above the threshold is measured due to the occurrence of noise, there is a possibility that an abnormality is detected even when there is no abnormality in the state of the water surface.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a urinal device that is equipped with a water level detection sensor for detecting the water level in the bowl portion, and that can suppress a decrease in detection accuracy due to the generation of noise, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The urinal device of the present invention is a urinal device in which flushing water is supplied to a bowl surface which receives urination, and comprises a urinal body having a bowl portion which forms the bowl surface and has a drain opening facing the bottom of the bowl surface, a water outlet portion having a water outlet located at the top of the bowl portion and which ejects flushing water to be supplied to the bowl surface from the water outlet, and a water level detection sensor consisting of a capacitance sensor for detecting the level of accumulated water in the bowl portion. a control unit that stops the supply of flush water from the water discharge unit when the water level in the bowl portion reaches or exceeds a preset value based on the capacitance value of the water level detection sensor; Equipped with The control unit is configured to prevent the flushing water from overflowing from the bowl unit by stopping the supply of flushing water from the water discharge unit, The water level detection sensor is provided on the back side of the bowl surface in the area where the water discharge section discharges flush water, The height of the overflow surface of the drain is lower than that of the drain opening. With detection unit The detection unit detects an increase in capacitance due to the flush water without interruption at least while the flush water is being supplied from the water discharge unit. This is what we do.

[0010] In a urinal device configured in this way, in a configuration equipped with a water level detection sensor for detecting the water level in the bowl portion, the water level detection sensor is provided on the bowl surface in the range where the water discharge portion discharges flush water, so that flush water that accumulates in the bowl portion and the area up to where the water level detection sensor is provided are continuous with flush water. By detecting a rise in the water level in the bowl portion when an increase in capacitance occurs due to the flush water being supplied, the water level sensor can prevent flush water from overflowing from the bowl portion while the flush water is being supplied. Since the capacitance value measured by the water level detection sensor gradually increases, the detection unit can suppress a decrease in detection accuracy due to noise, etc.

[0011] In another aspect of the urinal device of the present invention, the water discharge portion is disposed on the front portion of the bowl portion, and the detection portion is disposed on the rear side of the front portion and below the water discharge portion.

[0012] In a urinal device configured in this way, because it is located below the water discharge section, even if the amount of water discharged decreases, flush water continues to flow from the bowl section to the location where the water level detection sensor is installed. As a result, the capacitance value measured by the water level detection sensor gradually increases, making it possible to prevent the detection accuracy of the detection section from decreasing due to noise, etc.

[0013] In another aspect of the urinal device according to the present invention, at least a part of the detection portion is disposed within a left-right width range of the water discharge portion when viewed from the front of the bowl portion.

[0014] In a urinal device configured in this way, even when the water discharge range of the water discharge section is narrow, the detection section is provided within the width range of the water discharge section, so the flush water that accumulates in the bowl section continues to the location where the water level detection sensor is provided. As a result, the capacitance value measured by the water level detection sensor gradually increases, making it possible to prevent the detection accuracy of the detection section from decreasing due to noise, etc. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, in a configuration including a water level detection sensor for detecting the water level in the bowl portion, it is possible to suppress a decrease in detection accuracy due to the generation of noise, etc. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a urinal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a front view showing a urinal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a rear view showing a urinal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a longitudinal sectional view and a control block diagram showing the configuration of a urinal apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the behavior of flush water drainage when there is no blockage in the drainage section in a urinal device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the behavior of flush water drainage when there is no blockage in the drainage section in a urinal device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a graph showing a schematic representation of the change in capacitance detected by the upper water level detection sensor during flushing of the urinal apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a urinal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a rear cross-sectional view of a urinal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a urinal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional perspective view of a lower part of a urinal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a lower part of a urinal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional perspective view of a lower part of a urinal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14]FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the urinal apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention when being cleaned. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a graph showing an example of a change in capacitance detected by an upper water level detection sensor for each flow path blockage rate during flushing of a urinal device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a graph showing a schematic representation of the change in capacitance detected by the lower water level detection sensor during flushing of the urinal device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a graph showing an example of a change in capacitance detected by a lower water level detection sensor for each flow path blockage rate during flushing of a urinal device according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The present invention relates to detection of clogging of a drainage section that drains water from a urinal body, and suppresses a decrease in detection accuracy due to the generation of noise, etc., by devising the arrangement of a detection section of a water level detection sensor for detecting the water level in a bowl section. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the urinal device 1 according to this embodiment receives a supply of flushing water onto a bowl surface 13 that receives urination (urination), and comprises a urinal main body 2 and a spreader 3 constituting a water discharge section that discharges flushing water to be supplied to the bowl surface 13. The urinal device 1 is configured so that after a user has used the urination device, the bowl surface 13 is cleaned with flushing water discharged from the spreader 3. The cross-sectional view shown in Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the urinal main body 2 at the center position in the left-right direction (position AA in Figure 2).

[0019] The urinal device 1 according to this embodiment is a so-called wall-hung type toilet device in which a urinal body 2 is installed on a vertical wall surface 4. The urinal body 2 is fixed and supported to the wall surface 4 by fixing metal fittings or the like with its bottom surface floating above the floor surface 5. In this embodiment, the urinal body 2 is made of ceramic.

[0020] In the urinal device 1, the wall surface 4 side of the urinal main body 2 is the back side (rear side), and the opposite side, the bowl surface 13 side, is the front side (front side). Furthermore, the horizontal direction when viewed from the front of the urinal device 1 is the left-right direction, and the right and left sides of the urinal device 1 when viewed from the front are the right and left sides of the urinal device 1, respectively.

[0021] The urinal body 2 has a symmetrical or approximately symmetrical shape overall. In plan view, the urinal body 2 has an approximately mountain-shaped outer shape with the width gradually narrowing from the rear to the front, and in front view, has an approximately rectangular outer shape with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction.

[0022] Moreover, the urinal body 2 as a whole has a vertical surface with the back side aligned with the wall surface 4, and has a shape in side view in which the front-to-rear dimension gradually increases from the top to the bottom and gradually decreases from a position lower than the vertical center to the bottom end so that the bottom end is longer than the top end. In other words, the urinal body 2 has a generally mountain-shaped shape in side view in the front part, with its apex located below the vertical center.

[0023] The urinal body 2 has a bowl portion 11 which forms a bowl surface 13 and has a drain port 14 which opens facing the bottom of the bowl surface 13, and a trap portion 12 which communicates with the drain port 14.

[0024] Bowl portion 11 is formed as a recess with the front and top open in most of the urinal body 2 except for the bottom end. The inner surface of bowl portion 11 forms bowl surface 13. Bowl portion 11 has front portion 11a and left and right side portions 11b as portions that form bowl surface 13. The upper edges of front portion 11a and left and right side portions 11b form an opening that tapers downward and has a vertically elongated inverted mountain shape when viewed from the front.

[0025] Bowl surface 13 has a substantially vertical flat surface portion 13a formed in the range from the upper end to the center of urinal body 2 in the up-down direction, side surfaces 13b formed on both the left and right sides of flat surface portion 13a, and a concavely curved bowl-shaped surface portion 13c forming the bottom of bowl surface 13. Flat surface portion 13a is formed as the front surface of the upper part of front surface portion 11a of bowl portion 11. Side surfaces 13b are formed as the inner surfaces of the upper parts of left and right side surface portions 11b of bowl portion 11. Flat surface portion 13a, left and right side surface portions 13b, and bowl-shaped surface portion 13c smoothly and continuously form bowl surface 13.

[0026] Flat surface portion 13a is formed over substantially the entire upper end of bowl portion 11 except for both ends in the left-right direction, and has a shape that tapers downwards with its left-right width gradually narrowing from the upper end to the lower side in front view. Side surface portion 13b is the inner surface of the left and right side wall portions of bowl portion 11, and is formed to have a substantially triangular shape that gradually narrows from the top to the bottom in side view, corresponding to the shape of urinal body 2 in side view. Bowl-shaped surface portion 13c is formed so as to be continuous with the lower sides of flat surface portion 13a and left and right side surface portions 13b.

[0027] In addition, in the bowl surface 13, water-conducting shelves 13d are formed on the left and right side surface portions 13b. The water-conducting shelves 13d are stepped portions formed so that the lower rear portions of the side surface portions 13b are positioned laterally inward relative to the other portions. The water-conducting shelves 13d are formed from a position in the upper-lower middle of the flat portion 13a to a position near the front end of the bowl surface 13 so as to follow the forward downward slope of the opening edge of the bowl portion 11 in a side view.

[0028] The upper part of front portion 11a of bowl portion 11 is a vertical wall surface portion forming flat portion 13a, and the lower part is a concave wall portion that gradually curves forward from the top to the bottom to form bowl-shaped surface portion 13c. Bowl-shaped surface portion 13c is formed to include the lower part of front portion 11a and the concave curved surface portion in front of drain outlet 14.

[0029] Bowl portion 11 also has a front peripheral wall portion 16 which forms the lower end of the opening-shaped portion in front view. Front peripheral wall portion 16 is a portion formed between the lower sides of left and right side portions 11b of bowl portion 11, and has an upper edge portion 16a which forms a semicircular arc shape with the lower side being convex in front view. The left-right center portion of upper edge portion 16a of front peripheral wall portion 16 forms the front apex of urinal body 2 in side view.

[0030] Drain outlet 14 is an opening having a substantially circular shape in a plan view, and opens toward bowl-shaped surface portion 13c forming the bottom of bowl surface 13. Urine received by bowl surface 13 and flushing water discharged from spreader 3 are discharged from drain outlet 14. A substantially circular plate-shaped strainer 17 having multiple water passage holes is provided for drain outlet 14 so as to cover drain outlet 14 from above.

[0031] The trap section 12 is provided below the bowl section 11 so as to communicate with the drain outlet 14. The trap section 12 has a descending flow passage section 12a that forms a downward tapered flow passage with a flow passage diameter gradually narrowing downward from the drain outlet 14, an ascending flow passage section 12b that turns back from the lower end of the descending flow passage section 12a at the rear side of the descending flow passage section 12a to form an ascending flow passage, and a discharge flow passage section 12c that forms a flow passage from the upper end of the ascending flow passage section 12b to the rear side and opens to the rear side. Between the descending flow passage section 12a and the ascending flow passage section 12b, a turn-back flow passage section 12d that forms the lower end of the trap section 12 is formed.

[0032] Trap section 12 mainly comprises descending flow passage section 12a, turning flow passage section 12d, and ascending flow passage section 12b, which form a turn-back trap flow passage in which flushing water is constantly stored as seal water within these flow passage sections. Ascending flow passage section 12b and discharge flow passage section 12c are formed below and behind the curved portion forming the lower part of front section 11a of bowl section 11. Descending flow passage section 12a and ascending flow passage section 12b are partitioned by flow passage partition section 12f, which extends diagonally downward and forward from the lower part of front section 11a of bowl section 11.

[0033] The discharge flow passage section 12c formed on the downstream side of the trap flow passage of the trap section 12 has a substantially circular rear opening 12e as a discharge outlet opening on the rear side of the urinal body 2 (see FIG. 3), and the downstream side of the discharge flow passage section 12c is connected in communication with a drain pipe 18. The drain pipe 18 extends to the far side of the wall surface 4 and is connected to a drainage facility (not shown).

[0034] The spreader 3 is a water discharge device that positions the water outlet 19 at the top of the bowl portion 11 and discharges flushing water from the water outlet 19 to be supplied to the bowl surface 13, and is provided at the left-right central position at the top of the bowl surface 13. In other words, the spreader 3 is provided at the left-right central position with respect to the urinal body 2 and at a position above the flat surface portion 13a. For this reason, a circular through-hole portion 11c for installing the spreader 3 is formed in the front portion 11a, which is a vertical wall portion that forms the flat surface portion 13a in the bowl portion 11.

[0035] The spreader 3 is configured to spout flush water from the water outlet 19 in such a manner that a water film is formed on the bowl surface 13. The water outlet 19 is provided symmetrically about the left-right center of the urinal body 2. The spreader 3 mainly comprises a substantially disc-shaped or cylindrical spreader body 3a, and a water supply pipe 3b provided on the rear side of the spreader body 3a.

[0036] The spreader body 3a has a water outlet 19, and is provided to cover the through-hole 11c from the front, with the water outlet 19 opening downward. The water outlet 19 is a thin opening that follows the flat surface 13a of the bowl surface 13, and is formed so that the wash water discharged downward from the spreader 3 spreads out in a fan shape.

[0037] The water supply pipe section 3b is a tubular portion constituting a water supply flow path that communicates with the water outlet 19 via a water supply flow path formed in the spreader body section 3a, and extends rearward from the spreader body section 3a, passing through the through-hole section 11c, and is disposed on the rear side of the urinal body 2. The downstream side of a water supply piping 20 is connected to the water supply pipe section 3b, and the water supply pipe section 3b is connected to a water supply source (not shown), such as a water main or a water tank, via a predetermined water supply member 21 to which the water supply piping 20 and the upstream side of the water supply piping 20 are connected.

[0038] In this configuration, flushing water supplied from a water supply source to water supply pipe section 3b via water supply member 21 and water supply piping 20 passes through a water supply flow path in spreader body section 3a and is discharged downward from water outlet 19. The flushing water discharged from water outlet 19 flows so as to spread downward along flat section 13a of bowl surface 13 (see arrow A1 in FIG. 1). The flushing water discharged from water outlet 19 forms a water film on bowl surface 13, and part of it is discharged from drain outlet 14 while wrapping around the front end side of bowl-shaped surface section 13c along water-conducting shelf 13d of side section 13b.

[0039] In the water supply configuration for the spreader 3 as described above, a solenoid valve 22 for opening and closing the flow path is provided in the flow path from the water supply piping 20 to the water supply pipe section 3b. The operation of the solenoid valve 22 is controlled by a control section 25 provided in the urinal device 1. In other words, the solenoid valve 22 opens and closes at a predetermined timing based on a control signal from the control section 25.

[0040] The control unit 25 includes a central processing unit (CPU) as an arithmetic processing device that executes various arithmetic processing and control, storage devices such as random access memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM), input / output devices (input / output circuits) such as an input / output interface for data input / output, and peripheral circuits such as a clock circuit, all connected via a bus, etc. The CPU of the control unit 25 performs arithmetic processing according to various programs stored in the ROM, etc.

[0041] The urinal device 1 according to this embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration is provided with a water level detection sensor for detecting a change in the pooled water level, which is the level of pooled water after flushing the urinal body 2, in order to detect in advance the overflow of flush water from the bowl portion 11. In other words, the water level detection sensor is a sensor for detecting the pooled water level in the bowl portion 11.

[0042] The urinal device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with an upper water level detection sensor 60, which is a first water level detection sensor, as a water level detection sensor for detecting in advance the overflow of cleaning water from the bowl portion 11 due to clogging of the drainage section, etc.

[0043] Here, with regard to clogging of the drain section, the behavior of flush water drained from the urinal body 2 will be explained in the cases where there is no clogging of the drain section and where there is clogging.

[0044] First, the behavior of drainage of wash water when there is no blockage in the drain section will be described with reference to Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5A, during normal times when wash water is not being supplied from the spreader 3, that is, when wash water is on standby, seal water 36 is stored in the trap flow path of trap section 12 as the accumulated water in bowl section 11. In other words, seal water 36 is water that has accumulated in the return flow path formed by descending flow path section 12a and ascending flow path section 12b of trap section 12.

[0045] When there is no blockage in the drainage section, the water level B1 of the seal water 36 is the height position of a ridge line portion 37c formed by a rear wall surface 37a of the wall surfaces forming the upward flow passage portion 12b and a lower wall surface 37b of the wall surfaces forming the discharge flow passage portion 12c among the wall surfaces forming the flow passage of the trap section 12. The pooled water level in the bowl section 11 is the height position of the water surface based on the height position B0 of the lower end of the turn-back flow passage portion 12d, which is the lower end of the trap section 12, for example.

[0046] During standby as shown in Fig. 5A, cleaning of bowl surface 13 is started by discharging cleaning water from spreader 3. As shown in Fig. 5B, while bowl surface 13 is being cleaned, a water film 38 is formed on bowl surface 13 by the cleaning water discharged from spreader 3, and the cleaning water having cleaned bowl surface 13 is discharged from drain port 14 and discharged through trap portion 12 and drain pipe 18.

[0047] Here, the pooled water level temporarily rises relative to the water level B1 of the seal water 36 during standby, but since there is no blockage in the drainage section, the degree of rise in the pooled water level is relatively small. Specifically, the pooled water level B2 during the rise in this case is, for example, at the height position of approximately the center of the rear opening 12e of the trap section 12 to which the drainage pipe 18 is connected.

[0048] Then, when the supply of flush water from the spreader 3 stops, the flush water that has raised the pooled water level is smoothly discharged, as shown in FIG. 5C, and the pooled water level returns to the water level B1 of the standby seal water 36.

[0049] Next, the behavior of flush water drainage when the drain section is clogged will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Here, as an example of a clog in the drain section, as shown in Fig. 6A, a case will be described in which urinary stones 39 are present in the drainage flow path in the drain section up to a position higher than the center of the cross section of the flow path of the drain pipe 18, that is, at a blocking rate of more than half of the flow path of the drain pipe 18. Note that urinary stones 39 are formed when bacteria in the air or in the toilet water pool mix with urine and turn into ammonia, which causes the pH of the water to rise and calcium ions contained in the toilet water pool to precipitate as calcium phosphate or calcium carbonate, which then harden into a gel-like deposit.

[0050] When there is a clog in the drainage section, the water level B3 of the seal water 36 is higher than the water level B1 (see FIG. 5A) of the seal water 36 when there is no clog due to the presence of urinary stones 39. Specifically, the water level B3 of the seal water 36 is, for example, the height position of the upper surface of the urinary stones 39. Note that, when the seal water 36 evaporates or moisture is absorbed by the urinary stones 39, the water level B3 of the seal water 36 may be, for example, a height position between the water level B1 of the seal water 36 when there is no clog and the height position of the upper surface of the urinary stones 39.

[0051] During standby as shown in Fig. 6A, cleaning of bowl surface 13 is started by discharging cleaning water from spreader 3. As shown in Fig. 6B, while bowl surface 13 is being cleaned, a water film 38 is formed on bowl surface 13 by the cleaning water discharged from spreader 3, and the cleaning water having cleaned bowl surface 13 is discharged from drain port 14 and discharged through trap portion 12 and drain pipe 18.

[0052] Here, because the drainage section is clogged, the pooled water level temporarily rises significantly above the water level B3 of the seal water 36 during standby. Specifically, the pooled water level B4 during the rise in this case is, for example, higher than the upper end position of the discharge flow passage section 12c that is formed to a position higher than the height of the upper end of the drainage pipe 18.

[0053] Then, when the supply of wash water from the spreader 3 stops, the pooled water level that rose to water level B4 gradually drops (see arrow B5) as shown in Fig. 6C. Here, because the drainage section is clogged and water drainage is poor, the wash water that raised the pooled water level is discharged over a certain amount of time, and the pooled water level returns to water level B3 of the standby seal water 36.

[0054] In this way, when the drainage section is clogged, the drainage capacity from the urinal body 2 decreases, the drainage capacity falls short of the amount of flush water supplied from the spreader 3, and water accumulates in the bowl section 11 during flushing of the bowl surface 13, causing the pooled water level to rise. Then, when the degree of clogging of the drainage section becomes severe, the pooled water level may reach the overflow surface of the bowl section 11 during toilet flushing, causing flush water to overflow from the bowl section 11. Such overflow of flush water from the bowl section 11 is detected in advance by the upper water level detection sensor 60.

[0055] 4 and 12, the overflow surface of bowl portion 11 is a horizontal imaginary plane at overflow surface height E1, which is the height position of the upper end of the left-right central portion of upper edge portion 16a of front end peripheral wall portion 16 of bowl portion 11. Overflow surface height E1 is the lowest height position of the upper end of upper edge portion 16a of front end peripheral wall portion 16. Therefore, when the water level in bowl portion 11 exceeds overflow surface height E1, the water in bowl portion 11 will overflow to the outside.

[0056] In this embodiment, the upper water level detection sensor 60 is a capacitance sensor. As shown in Fig. 4, the upper water level detection sensor 60 has a sensor body 61 configured by an IC board or the like, and an electrode part 62 connected to the sensor body 61 by a predetermined wiring. The sensor body 61 of the upper water level detection sensor 60 (water level detection sensor) is connected to the control unit 25.

[0057] The electrode section 62 includes, for example, a pair of sheet-like electrodes, and is configured as a sheet-like or plate-like member having a rectangular outer shape. The sensor main body 61 includes a circuit structure for measuring the capacitance of the electrode section 62 or the target portion to which the electrode section 62 is attached. The capacitance detected by the sensor main body 61 is converted into a digital value or the like and output as a measured capacitance value. An output signal from the upper water level detection sensor 60 is input to the control unit 25.

[0058] The electrode unit 62 of the upper water level detection sensor 60 is provided in the urinal body 2 at a position where it can measure the pooled water level near the overflow surface of the bowl part 11. The electrode unit 62 is provided in a state of being attached to the back side of the ceramic wall part that forms the bowl surface 13 of the urinal body 2. Therefore, the sensor body 61 measures the capacitance of the electrode unit 62 and the bowl part 11 to which it is attached, as well as the capacitance of the pooled water etc. in the bowl part 11. Hereinafter, the ceramic wall part that forms the bowl surface 13, which is the attachment part of the electrode unit 62 in the urinal body 2, will be referred to as the "upper sensor attachment wall part".

[0059] The electrode portion 62 is attached to the upper sensor mounting wall portion using, for example, an adhesive, an adhesive tape, etc. The method of installing the electrode portion 62 on the upper sensor mounting wall portion is not particularly limited, and the electrode portion 62 is not limited to being attached to the surface of the upper sensor mounting wall portion, and may be provided with a gap between the electrode portion 62 and the surface of the upper sensor mounting wall portion.

[0060] In detection by sensor main body 61, the detection range depends on the area of ​​electrode portion 62. That is, the capacitance detected by sensor main body 61 increases as the area of ​​the portion adjacent to electrode portion 62 and the water on bowl surface 13 side via the upper sensor mounting wall increases. In this way, electrode portion 62 is provided on the back side of bowl portion 11, and functions as a detection portion that detects the behavior of the water in bowl portion 11 via the wall portion that forms bowl surface 13.

[0061] The arrangement of the electrode part 62 of the upper water level detection sensor 60 in the urinal device 1 according to this embodiment, and the change in capacitance detected by the upper water level detection sensor 60 when the urinal body 2 is flushed (hereinafter referred to as "during toilet flushing") will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 8. In the graph shown in Fig. 7, the horizontal axis is time (seconds) and the vertical axis is the capacitance value, and Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of position BB in Fig. 4.

[0062] First, the arrangement of the electrode parts 62 of the upper water level sensor 60 in the urinal device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in Figure 8, when the urinal 3 is viewed from the front, flushing water discharged downward from the spreader 3 flows along the flat portion 13a of the bowl surface 13 so as to spread out in a fan shape downward (see area X in Figure 8). The flushing water discharged from the water outlet 19 forms a water film on the bowl surface 13, and part of it is discharged from the drain outlet 14 while running along the water-guiding shelf 13d of the side portion 13b and wrapping around to the front end side of the bowl-shaped surface portion 13c.

[0063] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the electrode portion 62 is arranged so that at least a portion of it is located below the height position of the overflow surface of the bowl portion 11 (Figure 4, overflow surface height E1), and functions as an upper detection portion (detection portion) of the upper water level detection sensor 60.

[0064] The wash water spreading out in a fan shape from the spreader 3 flows down while spreading out in the left-right direction from the flat portion 13a toward the discharge port 14. Here, the range over which the spreader 3 discharges the wash water is set to a left-right width W1.

[0065] The left-right width W1 varies depending on the height direction of the urinal 3, and the flushing water discharged from the spreader 3 is configured to spread to the left-right width of the flat surface 13a and to the left-right width including the water guide shelf 13d, but it is preferable that it is configured to spread at least to the left-right width of the flat surface 13a.

[0066] The electrode 62 is provided so as to be located within a range of width W1 in the left-right direction in which flush water is discharged, and is configured so that flush water from the spreader 3 passes through the portion of the planar portion 13a where the electrode 62 is provided. In this embodiment, the entire electrode 62 is provided within the range of width W1 in the left-right direction, but for example, a portion of the electrode 62 may be provided so as to be located within the range of width W1 in the left-right direction. With this configuration, flush water discharged from the spreader 3 flows down into the seal water 36 via the portion of the bowl surface 13 where the electrode 62 is provided, so that the portion of the bowl surface 13 where the electrode 62 is provided and the water level formed in the seal water 36 can be continuous with the flush water.

[0067] Furthermore, electrode 62 constituting upper water level detection sensor 60 is provided on the back wall so as to face flat surface 13a of bowl surface 13, and it is preferable that at least all or part of electrode 62 is provided within the left-right width range of flat surface 13a. This allows flush water to connect the location on bowl surface 13 where electrode 62 is provided and the water level formed in seal water 36, even when left-right width W1 in which flush water is discharged from spreader 3 is small. For example, even in a toilet shape that only extends to flat surface 13a, flush water can connect the location on bowl surface 13 where electrode 62 is provided and the water level formed in seal water 36.

[0068] More preferably, electrode 62 provided on planar portion 13a may be provided so that all or part of the electrode is located within the left-right width range of spreader 3 (water discharge portion). By configuring in this manner, even when left-right width W1 in which flush water is discharged from spreader 3 is small, flush water can be used to maintain continuity between the location on bowl surface 13 where electrode 62 is provided and the water level formed in seal water 36. For example, even when width W1 is small, such as at the end of a toilet flush, flush water can be used to maintain continuity between the location on bowl surface 13 where electrode 62 is provided and the water level formed in seal water 36.

[0069] In addition, as shown in Figure 8, the electrode portion 62 is arranged so that at least a portion is located below the height position of the overflow surface of the bowl portion 11 (overflow surface height E1 in Figure 4).This makes it possible to shorten the distance between the accumulated water level formed on the bowl surface 13 and the height position to the electrode, thereby preventing the continuity of the cleaning water between the point on the bowl surface 13 where the electrode 62 is provided and the water level formed in the sealing water 36 from being interrupted.

[0070] Next, the manner in which the capacitance changes as detected by the upper water level sensor 60 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in Fig. 7, during standby from time 0 second, the capacitance value is approximately constant. At this time, as shown in Fig. 6A, the discharge of flush water from the spreader 3 has not started, and the water level B3 of the standby seal water 36, which is the pooled water level, is not in contact with the electrode 62.

[0071] Next, as shown in Figure 7, when washing of bowl surface 13, i.e., when wash water starts to be discharged from spreader 3, at time S1, the capacitance value rises sharply in the portion shown in region (I). At this time, as shown in Figure 6B, when wash water starts to be discharged from spreader 3 at time S1, the wash water passes through the portion of bowl surface 13 where electrode 62 is provided, causing a sudden change in the capacitance value.

[0072] 6B, flush water passes through the portion of bowl surface 13 where electrode 62 is provided and flows into the seal water, forming water level B4. At this time, bowl surface 13 at electrode 62 and water level B4 of seal water 36 are continuous with each other due to the flush water being discharged. 7, the capacitance value changes gently in the portion shown in region (II) during period U1 during toilet flushing, from time S1, when flushing begins, to time S2, when the supply of flush water from the spreader 3 stops. Specifically, the capacitance value rises gently and gradually as the water level change up to maximum water level B4 is detected via successive flush water, and at water level B4, which is the maximum water level, the capacitance value reaches a maximum value, and after the water level stabilizes, it transitions to continue at a substantially constant value.

[0073] Then, from time S2 when the supply of cleaning water stops, the capacitance value gradually decreases, and as shown in Figure 6C, the pooled water level, which had risen to water level B4, gradually decreases (see arrow B5), and finally returns to the standby state.

[0074] The change in capacitance detected by upper water level detection sensor 60 during such a toilet flush corresponds to the change in the water level in bowl section 11. Therefore, the higher the blockage rate of the drainage flow path in the drain section (hereinafter referred to as the "flow path blockage rate"), the larger the capacitance value during period U1 during the toilet flush. Based on the manner in which the capacitance changes in response to the change in the water level detected by upper water level detection sensor 60, flush water overflow from bowl section 11 is detected. The flow path blockage rate is a blockage rate related to the cross-sectional area of ​​the drainage flow path. In this embodiment, the drainage flow path in the drain section that is the subject of detection of the flow path blockage rate includes the water hole of strainer 17, drain outlet 14, trap section 12, and drain pipe 18 connected thereto.

[0075] The shape of the vicinity of the location where the electrode part 62 is provided in the urinal body 2 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 8 to Fig. 13. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the CC position in Fig. 4.

[0076] As shown in Figures 8 to 13, a bottom space 40 is formed in the bottom of the urinal body 2, with an opening 40a whose lower side is open. The bottom space 40 is a portion formed due to the mold structure for forming the trap part 12 in the urinal body 2 which is molded using a mold as ceramic. Note that Figures 11, 12 and 13 show the cross section at the DD position in Figure 3.

[0077] The bottom space 40 has an opening shape that is approximately an isosceles triangle (approximately a mountain shape with the front side convex) with the front side at the apex, so as to conform to the bottom view shape of the urinal body 2 (see FIG. 10). The surfaces that form the bottom space 40 include the rear surface of the bowl portion 11 and the outer surface of the wall portion that forms the flow path of the trap portion 12, and the surface that forms the bottom space 40 is the part that is exposed to the outside air.

[0078] In the left-right center of the bottom space 40, the trap portion 12 forms a protruding portion 12X that protrudes downward as a wall portion that forms the flow path of the trap portion 12. The protruding portion 12X as the trap portion 12 has an outer shape that follows the shape of the flow path of the trap portion 12.

[0079] The protrusion 12X has left and right sidewalls 41 in a substantially vertical plane shape, a rear wall 42 that forms a curved surface convex toward the rear in a planar cross-sectional view, an upper wall 43 that forms a curved surface convex toward the lower in a rear cross-sectional view, and a substantially dome-shaped bottom wall 44 that forms the lower end of the protrusion 12X. In the trap 12, the inner surfaces of the left and right sidewalls 41 form the side surfaces of the upward flow passage 12b and the discharge flow passage 12c. The front curved surface of the rear wall 42 forms the rear surface of the discharge flow passage 12c. The upper curved surface of the upper wall 43 forms the lower surface of the discharge flow passage 12c. The inner surface of the bottom wall 44 forms most of the turn-back flow passage 12d.

[0080] An inner peripheral wall surface 45 is formed as a surface that defines the bottom space 40. The inner peripheral wall surface 45 is formed over the entire circumference so as to conform to the opening shape of the bottom space 40, and surrounds the periphery of the protruding portion 12X. The rear surface of the inner peripheral wall surface 45 is a rear wall surface 45a that is substantially vertical and flat.

[0081] Planar top surfaces 46 located on both the left and right outer sides of the upper wall portion 43 of the protruding portion 12X in a bottom view are formed as surfaces forming the bottom of the bottom space 40. In addition, a stepped surface 47 having a substantially semicircular arc shape in a bottom view is formed on the front side of the bottom wall portion 44 as a surface forming the bottom space 40. The stepped surface 47 has a curved horizontal surface portion that follows the curved shape of the protruding portion 12X in a plan view, and vertical surface portions formed on the rear sides of both the left and right sides of the curved horizontal surface portion.

[0082] Furthermore, as surfaces that form bottom space 40, bulging inclined surfaces 48 are formed between left and right top surfaces 46 and both left and right ends of step surface 47. Bulging inclined surfaces 48 are surfaces between left and right side wall portions 41 of protrusion 12X and inner circumferential wall surface 45. Bulging inclined surfaces 48 form the back surfaces of the walls that form bowl-shaped surface portion 13c in bowl portion 11, i.e., the back surfaces of the lower portion of front portion 11a of bowl portion 11.

[0083] Bulging inclined surface 48 has upper step surface portion 48a having a bulging shape that bulges toward the inside of bottom space 40 in accordance with the curved shape of bowl-shaped surface portion 13c of bowl surface 13, and lower step surface portion 48b formed below upper step surface portion 48a and mainly constituting the portion between the vertical surface portion of step surface 47 and the left and right side wall portions 41. In side view, upper step surface portion 48a is an inclined surface that slopes downward approximately to the front in accordance with the curved shape of bowl-shaped surface portion 13c, and lower step surface portion 48b extends approximately downward from the lower end of upper step surface portion 48a in accordance with the flow path shape of downward flow path portion 12a of trap portion 12.

[0084] Further, on the rear side of the urinal body 2, a rear side recess 50 is formed which is recessed with respect to a vertical imaginary plane along which the rear side of the urinal body 2 extends. The rear side recess 50 is a portion including groove-like and hole-like recessed portions formed over substantially the entirety of the urinal body 2 in the up-down direction.

[0085] The upper part of the rear recess 50 is a generally rectangular hole-like recess 50a with the left-right direction as the longitudinal direction, and is used as an arrangement space for the water supply pipe 20 arranged on the rear side of the urinal body 2. The vertical middle part of the rear recess 50 is formed as a groove-like part extending in the vertical direction by the left and right inner surfaces 51 and a bowl back surface 52 which is the back surface of the front part 11a of the bowl part 11. The front part 11a is a wall part which follows the curved shape of the bowl surface 13, and the bowl back surface 52 has a shape which follows the bowl surface 13.

[0086] At the lower part of the rear recess 50, there are formed an approximately horizontal upper horizontal wall portion 53, an approximately vertical rear vertical wall portion 54, and an approximately horizontal bottom wall portion 55. The upper horizontal wall portion 53, the rear vertical wall portion 54, and the bottom wall portion 55 are formed so as to include the formation range of the trap portion 12 in the left-right direction, and the upper horizontal wall portion 53 and the rear vertical wall portion 54 each protrude on the left and right sides relative to the trap portion 12. The upper horizontal wall portion 53, the rear vertical wall portion 54, and the bottom wall portion 55 each connect on the left and right sides to the left and right inner surfaces 51, and are formed as walls that are bridged between the left and right inner surfaces 51.

[0087] The upper horizontal wall portion 53, the rear vertical wall portion 54 and the bottom wall portion 55 are formed to have a crank shape in a side cross-sectional view. That is, in a side cross-sectional view, the substantially vertical rear vertical wall portion 54 is formed from the rear end portion of the substantially horizontal upper horizontal wall portion 53 so as to form a substantially right angle with the upper horizontal wall portion 53. In addition, the substantially horizontal bottom wall portion 55 is formed from the lower end portion of the rear vertical wall portion 54 so as to form a substantially right angle with the rear vertical wall portion 54.

[0088] The upper side wall portion 53 is formed on the rear side of the front portion 11a at a height position of the middle part of the curved surface portion forming the lower part of the front portion 11a so as to form a valley part together with the front portion 11a. The upper surface of the discharge flow passage portion 12c is formed by the left and right middle part of the lower surface 53a of the upper side wall portion 53, and the left and right parts of the lower surface 53a of the upper side wall portion 53 form the top surface 46 of the bottom space 40. The front side of the discharge flow passage portion 12c is formed by the back surface (rear surface) of the lower part of the front portion 11a.

[0089] The rear vertical wall portion 54 forms a rear opening end surface portion of the trap portion 12. The rear surface of the discharge flow passage portion 12c is formed by an upper and left-right middle portion of a front surface 54a of the rear vertical wall portion 54. A rear opening portion 12e of the trap portion 12 is formed through the left-right middle portion of an upper portion of the rear vertical wall portion 54, and opens toward a rear surface 54b of the rear vertical wall portion 54. In addition, at the lower portion of the rear vertical wall portion 54, the front surface 54a forms a rear wall surface 45a of the inner circumferential wall surface 45.

[0090] The bottom wall portion 55 forms the lower bottom surface of the rear recess 50, and its lower surface 55a forms part of the substantially horizontal bottom surface 2a of the urinal body 2.

[0091] In the above-described configuration, electrode portion 62 is provided in the lower portion of front portion 11a of bowl portion 11, directly above upper lateral wall portion 53. Specifically, electrode portion 62 having a long and narrow rectangular (strip-like) outer shape is attached along the curved surface of bowl back surface 52 with its longitudinal direction oriented in the left-right direction when viewed from behind.

[0092] In this embodiment, the electrode portion 62 is provided so that the entire electrode portion 62 is located below the overflow surface (overflow surface height E1). That is, the electrode portion 62 is provided so that the height position E5 (see FIG. 12) of the upper edge of the electrode portion 62 provided in a horizontally elongated state is lower than the overflow surface height E1. Note that the electrode portion 62 may be provided so that the longitudinal direction is the up-down direction in rear view, for example, and the electrode portion 62 extends above and below the overflow surface height E1 in the up-down direction. In this case, the electrode portion 62 is provided so that a part of the electrode portion 62 is located below the overflow surface.

[0093] With respect to the electrode portion 62 provided on the bowl back surface 52 of the bowl portion 11 as described above, a shielding portion 70 that prevents water from entering the bottom space 40 from the opening 40a is provided below the electrode portion 62. In this embodiment, in a configuration in which the electrode portion 62 is disposed above the upper lateral wall portion 53 on the bowl back surface 52, the upper lateral wall portion 53 functions as the shielding portion 70. In other words, the upper lateral wall portion 53 functions as a water exposure suppression wall portion that suppresses the electrode portion 62 from becoming wet.

[0094] The upper lateral wall portion 53, with its left and right intermediate portion, forms the upper surface portion of the discharge flow passage portion 12c of the trap portion 12. In other words, the upper lateral wall portion 53 is included in the wall portion that forms the flow passage of the trap portion 12. Thus, in this embodiment, the shielding portion 70 for the electrode portion 62 is formed as the wall portion that forms the flow passage of the trap portion 12. In other words, the shielding portion 70 is provided as part of the ceramic urinal body 2 by the portion where the trap portion 12 is formed.

[0095] In the configuration in which the electrode portion 62 is provided in the left-right central portion where the trap portion 12 is formed, as in this embodiment, the protruding portions 53b on both the left and right sides of the upper lateral wall portion 53 that form the top surface 46 of the bottom space 40 mainly function as the shielding portion 70. In other words, if the protruding portion 53b were not formed in the upper lateral wall portion 53, the space above the upper lateral wall portion 53, which is the arrangement space of the electrode portion 62, and the bottom space 40 would be in communication with each other via the left and right sides of the trap portion 12. For this reason, since the upper lateral wall portion 53 has the protruding portion 53b, the upper lateral wall portion 53 serving as the shielding portion 70 prevents water from entering the arrangement space of the electrode portion 62.

[0096] Also, as shown in Figures 3, 12 and 13, in this embodiment, the electrode portion 62 is provided above the rear opening 12e serving as an outlet of the urinal body 2, which communicates with the trap portion 12 and receives connection of the drain pipe 18.

[0097] The rear opening 12e is formed through the upper left-right center of the rear vertical wall portion 54. The rear vertical wall portion 54 is formed to form a substantially vertical wall portion downward from the rear end portion of the upper horizontal wall portion 53. Therefore, the upper end of the portion where the rear opening 12e is formed, that is, the outlet upper end height E6 which is the height position of the upper end of the inner circumferential surface of the rear opening 12e, is lower than the upper horizontal wall portion 53 (see FIG. 12). The electrode portion 62 is provided at a position above the upper horizontal wall portion 53 as described above. In this way, the electrode portion 62 is provided at a position above the rear opening 12e of the urinal body 2 in the up-down direction.

[0098] In this embodiment, the electrode portion 62 is provided at a position above the drain pipe 18 that is connected to the rear opening 12e in the up-down direction. In other words, the electrode portion 62 is provided such that the position of its lower end is located above the position of the upper end of the drain pipe 18.

[0099] In this embodiment, the drain pipe 18 is provided so as to communicate with the rear opening 12e formed in the rear vertical wall portion 54, and is located within the formation range of the rear vertical wall portion 54 in the up-down direction. The electrode portion 62 is provided above the upper horizontal wall portion 53 formed forward from the upper end of the rear vertical wall portion 54. Therefore, the electrode portion 62 is located above the drain pipe 18.

[0100] In this embodiment, the space in which the electrode section 62 is provided, that is, the space in which the electrode section 62 is disposed, and the bottom space 40 are separated from each other by a wall portion that forms the flow path of the trap section 12 .

[0101] The electrode part 62 is provided in the urinal body 2 at a position directly above the upper horizontal wall part 53 at the lower part of the rear recess 50. Therefore, the arrangement space of the electrode part 62 is the lower spatial part within the rear recess 50, which is the spatial part above the upper horizontal wall part 53.

[0102] The bottom space 40 is partitioned from the space in which the electrode portion 62 is disposed by the left and right overhanging portions 53b of the upper lateral wall portion 53. In this manner, the space in which the electrode portion 62 is disposed and the bottom space 40 are partitioned by the upper lateral wall portion 53 that forms the upper surface portion of the trap portion 12 as described above.

[0103] In this embodiment, there is no portion that communicates the space in which the electrode portion 62 is disposed and the bottom space 40 in the up-down direction, and these spaces are completely separated from each other. In addition, in the front-rear direction, the rear recess 50, which is the space in which the electrode portion 62 is disposed, is separated from the bottom space 40 by the rear vertical wall portion 54.

[0104] According to the urinal device 1 of this embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration, a shielding portion 70 is provided for the electrode portion 62 of the upper water level detection sensor 60, so that in a configuration having an upper water level detection sensor 60 for detecting the water level in the bowl portion 11, it is possible to prevent the electrode portion 62 of the upper water level detection sensor 60 from becoming wetted by water that penetrates into the bottom space 40 of the urinal body 2, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in detection accuracy and failure due to the electrode portion 62 becoming wetted.

[0105] In the wall-hung urinal device 1, the bottom space 40 formed in the bottom of the urinal body 2 is a space that is open downward. For this reason, for example, as shown in Fig. 14, when the urinal device 1 is cleaned using a cleaning tool such as a mop 65, water 66 used for cleaning may enter the bottom space 40 from below the urinal body 2. If the electrode part 62 is wetted with the water 66, there is a risk that the detection accuracy of the upper water level detection sensor 60 will decrease or a malfunction will occur.

[0106] Therefore, by providing a shielding portion 70 below the electrode portion 62, the shielding portion 70 acts as a barrier against the water 66, preventing the water 66 from entering the space in which the electrode portion 62 is disposed, thereby preventing the electrode portion 62 from being splashed with water. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the detection accuracy or failure of the upper water level detection sensor 60, and to prevent erroneous detection of the pooled water level or the occurrence of a non-operating state of the sensor. As a result, for example, in a control that detects an excessive rise in the pooled water level caused by clogging of the drainage flow path and stops flush water, it is possible to eliminate a problem in which flush water cannot be stopped when it should be stopped, causing flush water to overflow from the bowl portion.

[0107] Moreover, in the urinal device 1 according to this embodiment, the shielding part 70 is formed as the upper horizontal wall part 53 included in the wall part that forms the flow path of the trap part 12. With such a configuration, since the shielding part 70 is formed by the trap part 12 that is part of the urinal main body 2, there is no need to provide a new part that functions as the shielding part 70, and it is possible to prevent the structure from becoming complicated.

[0108] Moreover, in the urinal device 1 according to this embodiment, the electrode unit 62 is provided above the rear opening 12e which receives connection to the drain pipe 18. With this configuration, the electrode unit 62 can be positioned above the drainage flow path from the urinal body 2 to the drain pipe 18, which makes it possible to further suppress intrusion of water into the space in which the electrode unit 62 is disposed, and effectively prevents the electrode unit 62 from becoming wet.

[0109] Furthermore, in the urinal device 1 according to this embodiment, the space in which the electrode unit 62 is disposed and the bottom space 40 are partitioned from each other by the shielding portion 70. With this configuration, the space in which the electrode unit 62 is disposed is separated from the bottom space 40 by the shielding portion 70, so that it is possible to reliably prevent water that has entered the bottom space 40 from entering the space in which the electrode unit 62 is disposed. This makes it possible to effectively prevent the electrode unit 62 from becoming wet.

[0110] In the urinal device 1 according to this embodiment as described above, an example of a change in output value (capacitance) from the upper water level detection sensor 60 is shown in Fig. 15. In the graph shown in Fig. 15, the horizontal axis represents time (seconds) and the vertical axis represents the capacitance value. In the graph shown in Fig. 15, graphs K1 to K9 correspond to cases where the flow path blockage rates are 0%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 92.3%, 93% and 100%, respectively.

[0111] As shown in the graph of FIG. 15, except when the flow path blockage rate is 100%, as shown in the graph of FIG. 7, the capacitance value rises after the flushing water starts to be discharged, the capacitance value changes gently while the bowl surface 13 is being washed, and the capacitance value gradually decreases from the timing when the flushing water stops to the timing when the flushing water stops. In the time change in capacitance that changes according to the behavior of the flushing water in this way, the overflow of flushing water from the bowl section 11 is detected based on the change in capacitance during a predetermined time (for example, about 6 or 7 seconds, see the part L1 surrounded by the dashed line) immediately after the timing when the flushing water starts to be discharged. In other words, the electrode section 62 detects the pooled water level based on the change in capacitance during washing (when the flushing water is being discharged). Here, as the change in capacitance, for example, the value of the capacitance difference or the value of the slope at a predetermined timing is measured.

[0112] As shown in graph K9, when the flow path blockage rate is 100%, flush water will overflow from bowl portion 11 at timing M1 when the graph reaches or near its peak during flushing. In other words, the flush water in bowl portion 11 will overflow beyond the overflow surface and spill out. Therefore, upper water level detection sensor 60 detects the state before flush water overflows from bowl portion 11 based on changes in capacitance, thereby detecting the overflow of flush water in advance. Note that in graph K9, the discharge of flush water is forcibly stopped at timing M1, and the capacitance value remains approximately constant from that point on.

[0113] The control unit 25 detects in advance the overflow of wash water based on a detection signal sent from the upper water level detection sensor 60. The control unit 25 detects in advance the overflow of wash water by detecting that the pooled water level has risen to near the overflow surface height E1 based on a change in capacitance detected by the upper water level detection sensor 60. The water level near the overflow surface height E1 is set in advance in the control unit 25 as a predetermined water level (limit water level) recognized in relation to the capacitance. By detecting that the pooled water level has risen to near the overflow surface height E1 during washing, the control unit 25 sends a control signal to the solenoid valve 22 to close the valve, and controls the supply of wash water from the spreader 3 to stop.

[0114] The provision of shielding portion 70 for electrode portion 62 and the arrangement of electrode portion 62 according to this embodiment as described above make it possible to clarify the difference in capacitance change due to the flow path blockage rate, as shown in the graph of Fig. 15, and to suppress erroneous detection of flush water overflowing from bowl portion 11. This makes it possible to suppress flush water from overflowing from within bowl portion 11.

[0115] Furthermore, with regard to detection of flush water overflow by the electrode unit 62, even if the strainer 17 provided in the drain outlet 14 is clogged with vomit or the like, leakage of flush water can be suppressed by detecting a rise in the pooled water level. In other words, the electrode unit 62 can detect a rise in the pooled water level caused by clogging caused by foreign matter near the drain outlet 14 or in the trap flow path, rather than clogging caused by the accumulation of urinary stones 39 over time from the downstream part of the trap unit 12 to the drain pipe 18.

[0116] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 15, when the flow path blockage rate is 100%, the rate at which the pooled water level rises is fast, so the slope of the graph becomes steep. Therefore, a 100% flow path blockage rate can be detected and an overflow state can be determined from the volume or slope at a specified time (see area L1 surrounded by a dashed line) immediately following the timing when flush water starts to be discharged.

[0117] On the other hand, the occurrence of temporary noise or the like can cause the capacitance value to rise sharply for an instant, which can lead to a false determination of an overflow state even when no clogging is occurring. 15, a first threshold value (V1) of the capacitance value and a second threshold value (V2) which is a capacitance value higher (larger) than the first threshold value (V1) are set, and when the capacitance value detected by the electrode unit 62 exceeds the first threshold value (V1) for a predetermined period of time, it is determined that a clog has occurred, and a control signal for closing the valve is sent to the solenoid valve 22, and control is performed to stop the supply of wash water from the spreader 3. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in detection accuracy due to noise that temporarily increases the capacitance value.

[0118] Furthermore, as described above, when detecting an overflow state based on the capacitance value or slope (rate of change of capacitance value per time) at a predetermined time (see area L1 surrounded by a dashed line) immediately following the timing when flush water discharge begins, water discharge from the water discharger is stopped when the slope reaches or exceeds a predetermined value. Here, the predetermined value may be set, for example, to the slope of the toilet bowl when in its normal state as a reference value. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in detection accuracy due to noise that causes a temporary rise in capacitance value, since a capacitance value that rises gradually is used as the reference.

[0119] Furthermore, in order to detect the degree of clogging of the drainage section, the urinal apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a lower water level detection sensor 30, which is a second water level detection sensor, as a water level detection sensor for detecting the drop in the water level after flushing the urinal body 2, in other words, the drainage condition of the flush water in the bowl section 11. In the urinal apparatus 1, the degree of clogging of the drainage section is represented by the flow path blockage rate, and this flow path blockage rate is detected by the lower water level detection sensor 30.

[0120] As described above, if the drainage section is clogged, water accumulates in bowl section 11 and the pooled water level rises during cleaning of bowl surface 13 (see FIG. 6). For this reason, after cleaning of bowl surface 13 (after water supply from spreader 3 is stopped), the time it takes for the pooled water level, which has risen once, to fall to the standby height (hereinafter referred to as the "post-cleaning water level fall time") becomes longer.

[0121] The post-flush water level drop time varies depending on the degree of clogging of the drain section. In other words, the higher the flow path blockage rate, the longer the post-flush water level drop time. Such changes in the post-flush water level drop time are detected by the lower water level detection sensor 30. In other words, the lower water level detection sensor 30 detects the pooled water level, which changes in different ways depending on the flow path blockage rate, and changes its output value according to changes in the pooled water level.

[0122] In this embodiment, the lower water level detection sensor 30 is a capacitance sensor having a similar configuration to the upper water level detection sensor 60. That is, as shown in Fig. 4, the lower water level detection sensor 30 has a sensor body 31 configured by an IC board or the like, and an electrode part 32 connected to the sensor body 31 by a predetermined wiring. The sensor body 31 of the lower water level detection sensor 30 is connected to the control unit 25. The sensor body 31 and the electrode part 32 of the lower water level detection sensor 30 have the same configurations as the sensor body 61 and the electrode part 62 of the upper water level detection sensor 60, respectively, and therefore a description of each part will be omitted.

[0123] The electrode part 32 of the lower water level detection sensor 30 is provided in the urinal body 2 at a position where it can measure the water level in the bowl part 11, which changes depending on the degree of clogging of the drainage part. The electrode part 32 is provided at a height position below the electrode part 62 of the upper water level detection sensor 60 in the up-down direction, via the part where the upper lateral wall part 53 is formed. The electrode part 32 is provided in a state where it is affixed to the back side of the ceramic wall parts that respectively form the bowl surface 13 and the trap part 12 in the urinal body 2. Hereinafter, the ceramic wall parts that respectively form the bowl surface 13 and the trap part 12, which are the mounting parts of the electrode part 32 in the urinal body 2, are referred to as the "lower sensor mounting wall parts".

[0124] The electrode section 32 is attached to the lower sensor mounting wall using, for example, an adhesive, a sticky tape, etc. The method of installing the electrode section 32 on the lower sensor mounting wall is not particularly limited, and the electrode section 32 is not limited to being attached to the surface of the lower sensor mounting wall, and may be provided with a gap between the electrode section 32 and the surface of the lower sensor mounting wall.

[0125] In detection by sensor main body 31, the detection range depends on the area of ​​electrode portion 32. That is, the capacitance detected by sensor main body 31 increases as the area of ​​the portion adjacent to electrode portion 32 and the water on bowl surface 13 side via the lower sensor mounting wall increases. In this way, electrode portion 32 is provided on the back side of bowl portion 11, and functions as a detection portion that detects the behavior of the water in bowl portion 11 via the wall portion that forms bowl surface 13.

[0126] The change in capacitance detected by the lower water level sensor 30 during toilet flushing will be described with reference to Figure 16. In the graph shown in Figure 16, the horizontal axis represents time (seconds) and the vertical axis represents the capacitance value.

[0127] As shown in the graph in Figure 16, during standby from time 0 seconds, the capacitance value is approximately constant, and when flushing of bowl surface 13, that is, the discharge of flush water from spreader 3, begins at time T1, the capacitance value rises sharply. The raised capacitance value changes gradually during period D1 during toilet flushing, from time T1, when flushing begins, to time T2, when the supply of flush water from spreader 3 stops. Then, from time T2, when the supply of flush water stops, the capacitance value gradually falls, eventually returning to the value during standby.

[0128] The change in capacitance detected by lower water level sensor 30 during such a toilet flush corresponds to the change in the water level in bowl portion 11. Therefore, the higher the flow path blockage rate, the larger the capacitance value during period D1 during the toilet flush, the smaller the degree of capacitance decrease from time T2, and the longer the post-flush water level decrease time. The flow path blockage rate is detected based on the manner in which the capacitance changes in response to the change in the water level detected by lower water level sensor 30.

[0129] The arrangement of the electrode part 32 of the lower water level sensor 30 in the urinal device 1 according to this embodiment will be described below. The electrode part 32 is provided at a position offset in the left-right direction from the water outlet 19 of the spreader 3. In other words, the electrode part 32 is provided in a state of being attached to the right half of the rear (back side) of the lower sensor mounting wall, including the portion forming the bowl surface 13.

[0130] Specifically, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the electrode unit 32 is provided at a position shifted to the right with respect to the center position C1 in the left-right direction of the urinal body 2. In this embodiment, the electrode unit 32 is provided at a position that is off to the right outside the opening range of the spout 19 of the spreader 3, which is provided in the center, in the left-right direction.

[0131] The electrode portion 32 is provided in a state of being attached to the right-side bulging inclined surface 48 of the left and right bulging inclined surfaces 48 that form the bottom space 40. In other words, the electrode portion 32 is attached so as to conform to the surface shape of the bulging inclined surface 48, with the portion forming the right-side bulging inclined surface 48 serving as a lower sensor mounting wall portion.

[0132] In this embodiment, the bulging inclined surface 48 is formed as a portion having a curved shape convex toward the front side by an upper step surface portion 48a and a lower step surface portion 48b in a side cross-sectional view, and the electrode portion 32 is attached so as to follow the curved shape of the bulging inclined surface 48. Therefore, when the electrode portion 32 is attached to the bulging inclined surface 48, the electrode portion 32 has a curved shape with the upper electrode portion 32a along the upper step surface portion 48a and the lower electrode portion 32b along the lower step surface portion 48b. In this embodiment, the bulging inclined surface 48 is provided so that the majority of its upper side is the upper step surface portion 48a.

[0133] As described above, in the urinal device 1 of this embodiment, the urinal body 2 has, as surfaces forming the bottom space 40, the outer surface of the protruding portion 12X, the inner circumferential wall surface 45 surrounding the protruding portion 12X, and a surface portion between the protruding portion 12X and the inner circumferential wall surface 45. The electrode portion 32 is affixed to the upper right front portion of the surface portion between the protruding portion 12X and the inner circumferential wall surface 45. The urinal device 1 in which the electrode portion 32 is affixed to a predetermined portion within the bottom space 40 of the urinal body 2 as described above has the following configuration with regard to the arrangement of the electrode portion 32.

[0134] Electrode portion 32 is provided so that at least a portion thereof is located in the vicinity of the junction where the back surface of bowl portion 11 and the outer surface of the wall portion forming trap portion 12 are connected.

[0135] In this embodiment, the electrode portion 32 is affixed to a bulging inclined surface 48, which is the back surface of the lower part of the front portion 11a of the bowl portion 11. The right bulging inclined surface 48 on which the electrode portion 32 is affixed is a surface portion that continues to the right side of the right side wall portion 41 that forms the protrusion 12X as the trap portion 12. Therefore, the electrode portion 32 is provided in the vicinity of a boundary portion 58 that is the connecting portion between the right side wall portion 41 and the right bulging inclined surface 48.

[0136] Furthermore, electrode portion 32 is provided so that at least a portion thereof is located below the height of the overflow surface of bowl portion 11 and above the height of the opening position of drain outlet 14. That is, electrode portion 32 having a long and narrow rectangular (strip-like) outer shape is provided so that its longitudinal direction is approximately the up-down direction in a plan view, and electrode portion 32 is provided so that its lower end is located below the height of the overflow surface of bowl portion 11 and its upper end is located above the height of the opening position of drain outlet 14.

[0137] The opening position of drain outlet 14 is located at drain outlet height E2, which is the height position of the opening edge of drain outlet 14 facing bowl-shaped surface portion 13c, as shown in Figures 4 and 12. In detail, drain outlet height E2 is the height position of the circumferential ridge portion in a plan view formed by bowl-shaped surface portion 13c and the peripheral wall surface that forms downward flow path portion 12a of trap portion 12, which narrows downward.

[0138] The electrode portion 32 is provided such that at least a portion thereof is located below the overflow surface height E1 and above the drain outlet height E2 in the vertical direction. That is, as shown in Fig. 12, the electrode portion 32 is provided such that a portion thereof is located within a height range E3 between the overflow surface height E1 and the drain outlet height E2. In this embodiment, the electrode portion 32 is provided such that approximately one-third of the upper side (approximately half of the upper side of the upper surface portion 48a) is located within the height range E3 in the vertical direction.

[0139] The electrode portion 32 is provided so that its lower end is located below the height of the opening position of the drain outlet 14. That is, as shown in Fig. 12, the electrode portion 32 is provided so that the height position E4 of its lower end is located below the drain outlet height E2. In other words, the electrode portion 32 is provided so that at least a portion of it is located below the drain outlet height E2.

[0140] Therefore, for example, as shown in Fig. 12, when a part of the electrode unit 32 is located below the drain outlet height E2, the electrode unit 32 is provided so as to straddle both the upper and lower sides of the drain outlet height E2 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 12, the electrode unit 32 is provided so that approximately 2 / 3 of the lower part is located below the drain outlet height E2 in the vertical direction.

[0141] According to the urinal device 1 of this embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration, the electrode portion 32 of the lower water level detection sensor 30 is positioned at a position shifted from the left-right center position of the urinal main body 2, so that false detections can be suppressed and detection accuracy can be improved when detecting blockages in the drainage section.

[0142] That is, with regard to the behavior of the water film formed on bowl surface 13 by flush water discharged from water outlet 19 of spreader 3, after water discharge from outlet 19 is stopped by closing solenoid valve 22, the water film recedes from both above and the left and right on bowl surface 13. For this reason, by arranging electrode unit 32, which detects water on bowl surface 13 via the lower sensor mounting wall, at a position away from the left-right center with respect to spreader 3, electrode unit 32 is arranged at a position where the water film recedes relatively quickly, and the influence of the water film detected by electrode unit 32 can be mitigated. This makes it possible to suppress erroneous detection of the pooled water level by lower water level detection sensor 30 and improve detection accuracy.

[0143] In the urinal device 1 according to this embodiment as described above, an example of a change in output value (capacitance) by the lower water level detection sensor 30 is shown in Fig. 17. In the graph shown in Fig. 17, the horizontal axis represents time (seconds) and the vertical axis represents the capacitance value. In the graph shown in Fig. 17, graphs H1 to H9 correspond to cases where the flow path blockage rate is 0%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 92.3%, 93%, and 100%, respectively.

[0144] As shown in the graph of FIG. 17, except when the flow path blockage rate is 100%, as shown in the graph of FIG. 16, the capacitance value rises after the start of flushing water discharge, the capacitance value remains substantially constant during the washing of the bowl surface 13, and the capacitance value gradually decreases from the timing when the flushing water discharge stops. In this way, in the time change in capacitance that changes according to the behavior of the flushing water, the flow path blockage rate is identified and detected based on the change in capacitance during a predetermined time (for example, about 10 seconds, see the part J1 surrounded by the dashed line) immediately after the timing when the flushing water discharge stops. In other words, according to the electrode unit 32, the pooled water level is detected based on the change in capacitance after flushing (after the flushing water discharge stops). Here, as the change in capacitance, for example, the value of the capacitance difference or the value of the slope at a predetermined timing is measured.

[0145] That is, the lower the flow path blockage rate, the greater the degree of decrease in capacitance value from the timing when flush water discharge is stopped. On the other hand, as shown in graph H9, when the flow path blockage rate is 100%, the capacitance value remains at its maximum value with almost no change from the timing when flush water discharge is stopped. The flow path blockage rate is determined and detected by the control unit 25 based on the detection signal sent from the lower water level detection sensor 30.

[0146] According to the arrangement configuration of the electrode portion 32 in this embodiment as described above, it is possible to clarify the difference in the change in capacitance due to the flow path blockage rate, as shown in the graph of FIG. 17, and it is possible to suppress erroneous detection of the flow path blockage rate.

[0147] Furthermore, according to the urinal device 1 of this embodiment, even if the electrode part 32 becomes wet and this causes a malfunction in the detection of the flow path blockage rate by the lower water level detection sensor 30, the electrode part 62 is prevented from becoming wet by the shielding part 70, so that the overflow of the flushing water can be detected in advance by the upper water level detection sensor 60, and the overflow of the flushing water can be prevented.

[0148] The urinal apparatus 1 according to this embodiment may be provided with a configuration for notifying a user of the urinal apparatus 1, a cleaning worker, or the like, that the flow path blockage rate detected by the lower water level detection sensor 30 has reached a predetermined value (e.g., 80%), or that an overflow of flush water has been detected in advance by the upper water level detection sensor 60. Specifically, for example, as shown in Fig. 4, a notification unit 59 electrically connected to the control unit 25 is provided.

[0149] The notification unit 59 is configured to have a function as a light-emitting unit using, for example, an LED (light-emitting diode) as a light source, and a function as a sound-generating unit configured with a buzzer that generates electronic sounds. The notification unit 59 is a part that notifies the detection result regarding the occurrence of clogging in the drainage unit and the overflow of flush water, for example, by light or sound. The notification unit 59 may have a function of changing the manner of light emission or sound generation according to, for example, the magnitude of the flow path blockage rate, that is, the degree of clogging in the drainage unit.

[0150] According to such a configuration, it is possible for a user of the urinal device 1 or a cleaning worker to recognize the state of clogging in the drainage section, and therefore it is possible to know the appropriate time to clean the drainage section. This allows the drainage section to be cleaned efficiently. Note that as a configuration for making the notification, for example, a configuration using a wireless communication module and transmitting detection information on the flow path blockage rate to a predetermined receiving device may be used. Furthermore, as a method of notification, light, sound, or the transmission of a message such as an e-mail may be used.

[0151] The urinal device according to the present invention described above using the embodiments is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various aspects can be adopted within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

[0152] In the above-described embodiment, the urinal device 1 is a wall-hung type toilet device, but it may also be a so-called floor-standing type toilet device in which the urinal body 2 is installed on the floor surface 5. However, since a configuration in which the urinal body 2 is installed at a position above and away from the floor surface 5 makes it easier for water to infiltrate into the bottom space 40, a configuration in which a shielding part 70 is provided for the electrode part 62 is more effective in a wall-hung type toilet device.

[0153] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a capacitance sensor is used as the water level detection sensor, but sensors other than capacitance sensors may also be applied as long as they have the function of detecting the behavior of the flush water in the bowl portion 11 through the wall portion of the urinal body 2. Possible sensors other than capacitance sensors include, for example, radio wave sensors such as a microwave Doppler sensor that uses microwaves, and ultrasonic sensors that use ultrasonic waves.

[0154] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the upper lateral wall portion 53 forming the trap portion 12 functions as a shielding portion 70 for the electrode portion 62, but the configuration of the shielding portion 70 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0155] 1 urinal device 2 Urinal body 3 Spreader (water outlet) 11 Bowl section 12 Trap section 12e Rear opening (exhaust port) 12X protrusion 13 Bowl surface 14 Drain 16 Front end peripheral wall 18 Drain pipe 19 Water outlet 25 Control Unit 30 Lower water level detection sensor 32 Electrode section (detection section) 40 Bottom space 40a opening 48 Slanted surface 52 Bowl back 53 Upper side wall 53b Overhang 60 Upper water level detection sensor 62 Electrode unit (detection unit, upper detection unit) 70 Shielding part 70A shielding part 70B Shielding part

Claims

1. A urinal device in which flushing water is supplied to a bowl surface for receiving urination, a urinal body having a bowl portion which forms the bowl surface and has a drain opening facing a bottom of the bowl surface; a water discharge part that has a water discharge port located at an upper part of the bowl part and discharges wash water to be supplied to the bowl surface from the water discharge port; a water level detection sensor including a capacitance sensor for detecting the water level of the water stored in the bowl portion; and a control unit that stops the supply of flush water from the water discharge unit when the water level in the bowl portion reaches or exceeds a predetermined value based on the capacitance value of the water level detection sensor, The control unit is configured to prevent overflow of the flushing water from the bowl portion in advance by stopping the supply of flushing water by the water discharge unit, the water level detection sensor has a detection unit provided on the back side of the bowl surface in the range where the water discharge unit discharges flush water, and located below the height of the overflow surface of the bowl unit and above the height of the opening position of the drain outlet; The detection unit detects an increase in capacitance due to wash water without interruption at least while wash water is being supplied from the water discharge unit. A urinal apparatus characterized in that

2. The water discharge portion is disposed on a front surface of the bowl portion, and the detection portion is disposed on the rear side of the front surface and below the water discharge portion. A urinal device according to claim 1.

3. When viewed from the front of the bowl portion, at least a part of the detection portion is disposed within a width range in the left-right direction of the water discharge portion.

3. A urinal apparatus according to claim 2.

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