Urinal device

Abstract

To suppress urine splash outside a urinal device and dirt spilled on a floor surface by guiding urine flow to a target position for urination.SOLUTION: A urinal device according to the embodiment has a urinal body, a light irradiation device, and a control device. The urinal body has a bowl surface for receiving urine and a drain port provided on the bottom of the bowl surface. The light irradiation device indicates a target position by irradiating light on the bowl surface. The control device controls irradiation of the light from the light irradiation device. The light irradiation device has an irradiation position changing part to change the position of the light irradiated on the bowl surface. The control device controls the irradiation position changing part so as to change the target position during urination of a user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to a urinal system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a urinal device is known in which a light irradiation device is provided on a spreader and a light target mark is projected from the light irradiation device onto the bowl surface to guide the position at which urine should be directed, thereby preventing urine splashing and dripping (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6796269 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, since the force of urine changes over time, it is difficult for the user to make the urine land at a fixed position. Therefore, when the urine force changes greatly, the urine landing position is significantly shifted from the irradiation position of the light target mark, which causes the urine to splash outside the urinal or to stain the floor.

[0005] One aspect of the embodiment has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a urinal device that can suppress urine splashing outside the urinal and dripping onto the floor by encouraging urine flow to the area where urination should be performed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A urinal device according to one aspect of the embodiment is a urinal device equipped with a function for indicating a target position onto which a user should direct their urine, and comprises a urinal body having a bowl surface for receiving urine and a drain outlet provided at the bottom of the bowl surface, a light irradiation device that indicates the target position by irradiating light onto the bowl surface, and a control device that controls the irradiation of light from the light irradiation device, wherein the light irradiation device has an irradiation position variation unit that changes the position of the light irradiated onto the bowl surface, and the control device controls the irradiation position variation unit to change the target position while the user is urinating.

[0007] The urinal device can change the position of the light projected onto the bowl surface while the user is urinating, and project the light target mark onto an appropriate position according to the urine flow. This allows the urinal device to encourage the urine flow to the location where urination should be done, and thus suppresses urine splashing outside the urinal and dripping onto the floor. Furthermore, suppressing dripping can also suppress floor stains that would prevent future users from approaching the urinal. It is also envisioned as a future aim to make users aware of the need to work on preventing splashing. In other words, it will be possible to establish in users the will to be careful about splashing in the future.

[0008] The urinal apparatus also includes a uroflowmeter for measuring the urinary flow of the user, the uroflowmeter measuring the urinary flow velocity of urine urinated onto the bowl surface.

[0009] The urinal device can obtain the real-time urination state by acquiring the urine flow rate as information about the urination state, which allows the urinal device to more accurately irradiate the light target mark at a position that can prevent urine from splashing outside the urinal and from dripping onto the floor.

[0010] Furthermore, the control device controls the light irradiation device so that the target position moves above the bowl surface when the urine flow velocity measured by the urine flow measuring device is decreasing.

[0011] When the control device determines that the timing is such that the urination position is likely to deviate from the target position based on the decrease in the urine flow rate, the control device can move the target position upward on the bowl surface. This allows the urinal device to make the user aware of urinating toward a higher position on the bowl surface or approaching the urinal body before the urine flow rate decreases further. This allows the urinal device to encourage the urine flow toward the position where the urine should be urinated, thereby further reducing urine splashing outside the urinal and dripping onto the floor.

[0012] The control device also includes a urine placement position detection unit that detects the user's urine placement position on the bowl surface, and when the distance between the urine placement position detected by the urine placement position detection unit and the target position is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance, the control device alerts the user that urine is not being placed in an appropriate position.

[0013] The control device can make the user aware of the need to urinate toward the target position by notifying the user that urine has not been deposited in the appropriate position, and by encouraging the flow of urine toward the desired position, the urinal device can further reduce urine splashing outside the urinal and soiling the floor. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to suppress urine splashing outside the urinal and dripping onto the floor. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a urinal apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the urinal apparatus according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of the urinal apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the light irradiation device and the notification device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion H shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the main body of the light irradiation device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between urination time and urine flow rate. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the control timing of the light irradiation device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing (a) an example of a target position when the maximum urine flow velocity is equal to or greater than a certain velocity, and (b) an example of a target position when the maximum urine flow velocity is less than a certain velocity. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a series of processing steps during a user's urination time. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a front view of a urinal apparatus according to a modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a process procedure at the user's urination time according to the modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a urinal device disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0017] <Configuration of urinal equipment> First, the configuration of a urinal device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a urinal device according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a urinal device according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a front view of a urinal device according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 3.

[0018] In the following, to clarify the positional relationships, mutually perpendicular X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are defined, and the positive direction of the Z-axis is defined as the vertically upward direction. In the following, the direction along the X-axis is defined as the "front-rear direction," and the direction along the Y-axis is defined as the "left-right direction."

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, a urinal device 1 according to the embodiment includes a urinal body 2, a water discharge device 3, a urine flow measuring device 4, a light emitting device 5, an alarm device 6, and a control device .

[0020] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the urinal body 2 is a wall-hung urinal that is attached to a wall W for use, and is made of, for example, ceramic. The urinal body 2 has a shape that narrows in width from the rear end face (back surface) that abuts against the wall W towards the front end, and a bowl surface 21 for receiving urine is formed on the inside.

[0021] The bowl surface 21 includes a front portion 21a extending generally parallel to the wall surface W, and side portions 21b extending from both the left and right sides of the front portion 21a toward the front end of the urinal body 2. The side portions 21b are formed in a generally triangular shape that narrows from top to bottom (see FIG. 2). The upper portion of the bowl surface 21 is generally flat, and is curved downward to jut out toward the front end. The front portion 21a of the bowl surface 21 is also curved to smoothly connect with the side portions 21b on both sides.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, a drain outlet 22 is provided at the bottom of the bowl surface 21, which discharges urine and flushing water received by the bowl surface 21 to the outside of the urinal body 2. A drain pipe 23 communicating with the drain outlet 22 is provided in the urinal body 2, and the drain pipe 23 is connected to drain piping (not shown) located outside. A strainer 24 with multiple openings formed therein is placed on the drain outlet 22.

[0023] The water discharge device 3 discharges flushing water onto the bowl surface 21. The water discharge device 3 includes a spreader 31 provided on the upper part of the bowl surface 21, a water outlet 32 ​​(see FIG. 4) provided on the lower part of the spreader 31, a water supply pipe 33 that guides flushing water supplied from a water supply source to the water outlet 32, and an electromagnetic valve (not shown) that opens and closes the water supply pipe 33. The water outlet 32 ​​is a thin opening that extends along the mounting surface of the spreader 31 and is configured to spread downward in a fan shape. As a result, as shown by the arrow F in FIG. 2, flushing water discharged from the water discharge device 3 flows so as to spread downward along the front part 21a of the bowl surface 21, and a part of it is placed on the water guide shelf 21c provided on the side part 21b of the bowl surface 21, and is guided to the front end of the urinal body 2. The electromagnetic valve of the water discharge device 3 is electrically connected to the control device 7 and opens and closes based on commands from the control device 7.

[0024] The urinary flow measuring device 4 is, for example, a microwave sensor, and measures the urinary flow of the user. The urinary flow of the user is measured, for example, as a urinary flow rate equivalent to the urinary flow velocity or the instantaneous flow rate of urine. In this embodiment, the urinary flow measuring device 4 is configured to also function as a sensor that detects the user by microwaves, and the number of sensors provided in the urinary body 2 can be reduced. Note that a sensor that detects the user (for example, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, etc.) may be provided separately. The urinary flow measuring device 4 is positioned to the side of the water discharge device 3 when viewed from the front of the urinary body 2, and emits microwaves obliquely downward. The microwaves are emitted from the rear side of the urinary body 2 through the bowl surface 21 and obliquely downward of the urinary body 2, and the urinary flow measuring device 4 measures the urinary flow velocity by receiving the microwaves that hit the user's urine and are reflected. Furthermore, the urinary flow measuring device 4 detects, for example, a change in the speed of a user approaching the urinal body 2 by receiving microwaves reflected from the user, and a change in the distance from the user approaching the urinal body 2 to the urinal body 2. The urinary flow measuring device 4 is electrically connected to the control device 7, and outputs the detection results to the control device 7.

[0025] The light irradiation device 5 is built into the spreader 31. The light irradiation device 5 includes a light emitting diode such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and displays a light target mark M on the bowl surface 21 by irradiating the bowl surface with light emitted by the light emitting diode. The light target mark M is an image indicating a target position where the user should urinate. Although FIG. 3 shows an example in which the light target mark M is circular, the shape of the light target mark M is not limited to a circular shape. In addition, the irradiation position, color, size, illuminance, blinking, and the like of the light target mark M are not limited. The light irradiation device 5 is electrically connected to the control device 7, and emits light based on a command from the control device 7.

[0026] The notification device 6 is built into the spreader 31, similar to the light irradiation device 5. The notification device 6 is equipped with a light emitting diode such as an LED, and notifies the user of the state of the urinal body 2 by irradiating light emitted by the light emitting diode through the spreader 31 toward the front of the spreader 31. The notification device 6 is electrically connected to the control device 7, and emits light based on a command from the control device 7.

[0027] The control device 7 is configured to include, for example, a microprocessor, a memory, an interface circuit, and a program for operating these, etc. The control device 7 is electrically connected to the water discharge device 3, the urinary flow measuring device 4, the light emitting device 5, and the notification device 6, and controls the water discharge device 3, the light emitting device 5, and the notification device 6 based on the detection result of the urinary flow measuring device 4.

[0028] <Specific configurations of the light irradiation device and the notification device> Next, specific configurations of the light irradiation device 5 and the notification device 6 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the light irradiation device 5 and the notification device 6. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of part H shown in Fig. 4.

[0029] 5, the light irradiation device 5 and the notification device 6 are built into the spreader 31. The notification device 6 is disposed on the upper part of the spreader 31, and the light irradiation device 5 is disposed below the notification device 6.

[0030] The alarm device 6 includes a circuit board 61, a light-emitting diode 62 provided on the circuit board 61, and a holder 63 that holds the circuit board 61. The light-emitting diode 62 emits light to the front of the spreader 31 through a window 311a (see FIG. 6) provided on the front panel 311 (see FIG. 6) of the spreader 31. The holder 63 is formed so as to surround the periphery of the circuit board 61 and extends toward the front panel 311 of the spreader 31, thereby forming a partitioned space between the holder 63 and the front panel 311. This space is filled with a potting material. This improves the waterproofness of the circuit board 61 of the alarm device 6.

[0031] The light irradiation device 5 includes a main body 51 and an irradiation position changer 52 that changes the position of the light irradiated on the bowl surface. The main body 51 includes a light emitting diode as a light source, a lens that magnifies the light emitted by the light emitting diode and projects the light at a predetermined position, etc. The specific configuration of the main body 51 will be described later.

[0032] The light irradiation device 5 has a rotation shaft 51a on the side of the main body 51, and two protrusions 51b on both sides of the main body 51. The rotation shaft 51a is supported by a support part 632 integrally formed with the holding part 63 of the alarm device 6. The protrusions 51b are housed in recesses 633 integrally formed with the holding part 63 of the alarm device 6.

[0033] The irradiation position changer 52 rotates the main body 51 around an axis in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). The irradiation position changer 52 is disposed on the side of the rotation axis 51a of the main body 51. The irradiation position changer 52 is, for example, a stepping motor, and the rotation axis 51a of the main body 51 is connected to a shaft (not shown) of the stepping motor. When the stepping motor rotates based on a command from the control device 7, the main body 51 rotates around the rotation axis 51a such that the convex portion 51b moves forward or backward. This allows the light irradiation device 5 to adjust its irradiation position in the front-rear direction, i.e., the display position of the light target mark M in the vertical direction.

[0034] Here, if the spreader 31 is thick in the front-rear direction, for example, the user's field of vision may be blocked by the spreader 31, making it difficult for the user to properly recognize the optical target mark M. For this reason, it is desirable to form the spreader 31 as thin as possible.

[0035] Furthermore, since the light emitted from the light irradiation device 5 is irradiated onto the curved portion of the bowl surface 21, there is a risk that the shape of the optical target mark M will become distorted if light is simply irradiated.

[0036] Therefore, in the light irradiation device 5 according to the embodiment, measures are taken to reduce the thickness of the spreader 31 and to display the light target mark M in a desired shape. This will be described with reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the main body 51 of the light irradiation device 5.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 7, the main body 51 of the light irradiation device 5 includes a circuit board 501 having a light-emitting diode 511, a first lens 502, an aperture material 503, a case main body 504, a mask material 505, a second lens 506, a third lens 507, a sealing material 508, a protective material 509, and a cap 510.

[0038] Circuit board 501, first lens 502, diaphragm member 503, mask member 505, second lens 506, and third lens 507 are arranged in this order from top to bottom in case body 504. Furthermore, sealant 508 and protective member 509 are attached in this order to the lower opening of case body 504. Then, cap 510 is attached to the lower part of case body 504 to which sealant 508 and protective member 509 have been attached.

[0039] The first lens 502 functions as a condenser lens that converges the light emitted by the light emitting diode 511 so that the light travels in a straight line. By disposing the first lens 502 in the vicinity of the light emitting diode 511, which is a light source, the efficiency of using the light emitted by the light emitting diode 511 can be improved.

[0040] The diaphragm member 503 is a plate-shaped member, and has an opening 531 that partially blocks the light that has passed through the first lens 502 .

[0041] The shape of the opening 531 provided in the diaphragm member 503 is determined according to the shape of the optical target mark M and the shape of the display surface on which the optical target mark M is displayed. For example, when the shape of the optical target mark M to be displayed on the bowl surface 21 is a perfect circle, the display surface on which the optical target mark M is displayed is curved (see FIG. 4), so if the shape of the opening 531 is a perfect circle, the shape of the optical target mark M displayed on the display surface will extend into a vertically long ellipse. Therefore, the opening 531 of the diaphragm member 503 is formed into a horizontally long ellipse. This allows the light irradiation device 5 to display the circular optical target mark M on the display surface.

[0042] In this way, the light irradiation device 5 adjusts the shape of the light passing through the first lens 502 by the diaphragm member 503 so that the shape of the optical target mark M displayed on the curved display surface is a desired shape. Specifically, when the desired shape of the optical target mark M is a perfect circle, the shape of the opening 531 of the diaphragm member 503 is made to be a horizontally long ellipse, so that the curved display surface is irradiated with light having a horizontally long ellipse shape. As a result, the light irradiation device 5 can suppress distortion of the shape of the optical target mark M even when the optical target mark M is displayed on a curved display surface.

[0043] Case body 504 is a cylindrical member with both upper and lower ends open. Specifically, case body 504 is formed in a flattened rectangular tube shape with a small thickness in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction).

[0044] 6, light guide 541 expanding in diameter from top to bottom is formed inside case body 504, and an upper space and a lower space of case body 504 communicate with each other via light guide 541. Circuit board 501, first lens 502, and diaphragm member 503 are housed in the upper space of case body 504, and mask member 505, second lens 506, and third lens 507 are housed in the lower space. An opening on the upper end side of light guide 541 is larger than opening 531 of diaphragm member 503.

[0045] The upper space of the case body 504 is filled with a potting material. This improves the waterproofing of the circuit board 61 of the notification device 6. The potting material used in the light irradiation device 5 and the notification device 6 is preferably opaque, for example, black. By using an opaque potting material, it is possible to suitably prevent the light irradiated from the light irradiation device 5 and the notification device 6 from leaking from unintended places.

[0046] The mask material 505 is a thin plate-like (sheet-like) member, and is sandwiched between the lower end of the light guide 541 and the second lens 506. An opening 551 larger than the opening 531 of the diaphragm member 503 is formed in the center of the mask material 505. The opening 551 of the mask material 505 is smaller than the opening on the upper end side of the light guide 541. According to the light irradiation device 5 according to the embodiment, by providing the mask material 505 and the light guide 541, unnecessary light such as flare can be reduced. In addition, the opening on the upper end side of the light guide 541 is made equal to the light entrance side of the second lens 506, so that light from outside the lens is suppressed. Therefore, the outline of the optical target mark M can be made clear.

[0047] The mask material 505 may be a painted material instead of a separate material as in this embodiment. Also, a lens support material that is difficult for light to transmit may be used instead.

[0048] The second lens 506 and the third lens 507 are provided to display the optical target mark M at an appropriate position and with an appropriate size. The third lens 507 is disposed with its distance from the second lens 506 adjusted so that the optical target mark M is focused at the position where it is displayed.

[0049] Here, if the case body 504 is formed to match the size of the third lens 507, the front-rear width of the case body 504 increases, and the front-rear width of the spreader 31 that houses the case body 504 increases, that is, there is a risk of the thickness of the spreader 31 increasing. Therefore, in the light irradiation device 5 according to the embodiment, instead of forming the case body 504 to match the size of the third lens 507, the front end 571a and the rear end 571b of the third lens 507 are cut to match the front-rear width of the lower space of the case body 504.

[0050] Thus, the light irradiation device 5 according to the embodiment includes the third lens 507 that expands the light that has passed through the diaphragm member 503, and the third lens 507 has a shape in which both ends in the thickness direction of the case body 504 are cut out. The brightness of the light target mark M is attenuated by cutting the ends (front end 571a and rear end 571b) of the third lens 507, but in this embodiment, the irradiation light is horizontally elongated due to the shape of the opening 531 of the diaphragm member 503, and the light is configured to be expanded and irradiated, so that the influence on the brightness of the light that passes through the cut ends is small. By adopting such a shape, the thickness of the spreader 31 can be suppressed. Note that, here, both ends in the thickness direction of the case body 504 are cut out, but the third lens 507 may have a shape in which one end of both ends in the thickness direction of the case body 504 is cut out.

[0051] The light passing through the diaphragm member 503 is expanded at a predetermined spread angle by the second lens 506 and the third lens 507. Specifically, the light passing through the diaphragm member 503 is expanded so as to be larger than the front-rear width of the case body 504. In this way, according to the light irradiation device 5 according to the embodiment, it is possible to form the case body 504 thin and prevent the size of the optical target mark M from becoming small.

[0052] Here, an example is shown in which the light passing through the diaphragm member 503 is magnified using two lenses, the second lens 506 and the third lens 507. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, if the brightness of the optical target mark M can be sufficiently ensured, it is also possible to adjust the size of the optical target mark M with one lens.

[0053] Sealing material 508 is a frame-shaped member that is arranged at the lower end of case body 504 and on the outer periphery of the upper surface of protective material 509 described later, thereby preventing water, dust, etc. from entering the lower space of case body 504.

[0054] Protective material 509 is a plate-shaped transparent member, and is attached to the lower opening of case body 504 via sealing material 508, thereby closing the lower space of case body 504. By providing protective material 509, third lens 507 can be protected.

[0055] Cap 510 is attached to case body 504 so as to cover the lower end of case body 504. Sealing material 508 and protective material 509 are fixed to case body 504 by being pressed against the lower end of case body 504 by cap 510.

[0056] 6, the lower end of the light irradiation device 5 is located above the opening for light irradiation provided at the bottom of the spreader 31. This makes it possible to prevent the protective material 509 of the main body 51 from being soiled or damaged by the light irradiation device 5 touching the protective material 509 when the user cleans the spreader 31, for example.

[0057] <Relationship between urination time and urinary flow rate> Next, the relationship between urination time and urine flow velocity will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between urination time and urine flow velocity. As shown in Fig. 8, for example, the urine flow velocity increases to a maximum velocity qmax after the user starts urination, and then gradually decreases with the passage of time. Since there is a risk that urine will not reach the target position from the urination position until the urine flow velocity reaches the reference velocity qs and from the time the urine flow velocity falls below the reference velocity qs until urination is ended (see the shaded portion in Fig. 8), the user needs to get closer to the urinal body 2.

[0058] <Specific operation of the urinal device> Next, a specific operation of the above-mentioned urinal device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. Fig. 9 is a timing chart showing the control timing of the light irradiation device 5. Fig. 10(a) is a diagram showing an example of a target position when the maximum urine flow velocity is equal to or greater than a certain velocity. Fig. 10(b) is a diagram showing an example of a target position when the maximum urine flow velocity is less than a certain velocity.

[0059] 9, at time t0, the control device 7 is in a standby state before a user approaches the urinary body 2. At this time, the user is located outside the detection range of the urinary flow measuring device 4, and the urinary flow measuring device 4 is in a non-detection state in which it is not detecting the user, and the control device 7 determines that the user is not approaching. In addition, the control device 7 sets the light emitting device 5 to an off state in which it is not lit.

[0060] At time t1, a user moves toward the urinal body 2 and enters the detection range of the urinary flow measuring device 4. At this time, the urinary flow measuring device 4 enters a detection state in which it has detected the user. After that, for example at time t2, the control device 7 determines that the user is approaching based on a change in the user's approach speed or a change in the user's approach distance, and turns on the light irradiation device 5. At this time, a light target mark M is displayed at the target position on the bowl surface 21 where urine should be applied.

[0061] At time t3, the control device 7 determines that the user has reached the proximity area and is in an approach stop state based on a change in the user's approach speed or a change in the user's approach distance. The approach stop state is, for example, a state in which the user stops at the urination position (proximity area) to urinate. The user starts urination after time t3. At this time, the light target mark M is displayed at the target position on the bowl surface 21 where the urine should be applied, so that the user can be guided to urinate at the target position.

[0062] At time t4, the control device 7 controls the light emitting device 5 so that the target position moves upward on the bowl surface 21 when the urine flow rate is decreasing. For example, the control device 7 determines that the urine flow rate has decreased based on the change over time of the urine flow rate when the urine flow rate shows a decreasing tendency (when the urine flow rate starts to decrease), and turns on the irradiation position change unit 52. Alternatively, the control device 7 determines that the urine flow rate has decreased when the urine flow rate becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined rate, and turns on the irradiation position change unit 52. As a result, the main body unit 51 (see FIG. 5) is rotated in a direction in which the convex portion 51b (see FIG. 5) moves backward, and for example, as shown in FIG. 10(a), the display position of the light target mark M moves in the order of positions A to D. As a result, the urinal device 1 can suppress urine splashing outside the urinal main body 2 and soiling on the floor by making the user try to urinate more upward toward the light target mark M when the urine flow rate is decreasing.

[0063] The control device 7 may change the height of the light target mark M according to the maximum urine flow velocity. The control device 7 determines the maximum urine flow velocity of the user based on the urine flow velocity measured by the urine flow measuring device 4. When the maximum urine flow velocity is less than a certain velocity (see FIG. 10(b)), the control device 7 displays the position D, which is the uppermost position of the light target mark M, higher than when the maximum urine flow velocity is equal to or higher than the certain velocity (see FIG. 10(a)). In this way, even when the urine flow velocity is low and it is difficult for urine to reach the light target mark M, the urinal device 1 can prevent urine from splashing outside the urinal body 2 and from staining the floor by making the user urinate higher toward the light target mark M.

[0064] At time t5, the user finishes urination and starts moving away from the urinal body 2, entering a moving away state. The moving away state is, for example, a state in which the user moves away from the urination position. Based on the detection of the user's moving away by the urinary flow measuring device 4, the control device 7 turns off the light emitting device 5 and turns off the irradiation position changing unit 52. In addition, the control device 7 starts discharging wash water from the water discharge device 3 to the bowl surface 21 by opening the solenoid valve of the water discharge device 3. When a preset time has elapsed since the start of discharging wash water from the water discharge device 3 to the bowl surface 21, the control device 7 stops discharging wash water from the water discharge device 3 to the bowl surface 21 by closing the solenoid valve of the water discharge device 3.

[0065] At time t6, the user leaves the detection range of the uroflow measuring device 4. The user is now outside the detection range of the uroflow measuring device 4, the uroflow measuring device 4 is in a non-detection state in which it is not detecting the user, and the control device 7 returns to the standby state.

[0066] Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing a series of processing steps during a user's urination time. As shown in Fig. 11, the control device 7 judges whether or not the urine flow rate is on a downward trend (step S101). This processing is repeated until the urine flow rate is on a downward trend (step S101, No).

[0067] In step S101, when it is determined that the urine flow rate is on a downward trend (step S101, Yes), the control device 7 operates the irradiation position changer 52 to move the display position of the light target mark M upward (step S102). As a result, the target position moves upward on the bowl surface 21.

[0068] Next, the control device 7 judges whether or not the user has entered a separated state (step S103). This process is repeated until it is judged that the user has entered a separated state (step S103, No).

[0069] In step S103, when it is determined that the user is in a separated state (step S103, Yes), the control device 7 causes the light irradiation device 5 to end the irradiation of light (step S104).

[0070] <Modification> Next, a modified example will be described with reference to Figs. 12 to 14. In the following, the same components as those in the above-mentioned embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. Fig. 12 is a front view of a urinal device 1 according to a modified example. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure during a user's urination time according to the modified example.

[0071] The urine landing position detection unit 8 is, for example, an electrostatic sensor, and detects the user's urine landing position P based on a change in capacitance detected by the electrostatic sensor. As shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13, the urine landing position detection unit 8 is provided, for example, on the lower back side of the front portion 21a of the bowl surface 21, and multiple urine landing position detection units 8 are arranged at positions where urine is expected to land (for example, near the target position T) when viewed from the front of the urinal body 2. The urine flow measurement device 4 is electrically connected to the control device 7, and outputs the detection result to the control device 7.

[0072] The control device 7 calculates the distance L between the urine landing position P and the target position T. The distance L is preferably less than 50 mm, for example. The control device 7 determines whether the distance L is a predetermined distance (for example, 50 mm) or more, and when the distance L is the predetermined distance or more, notifies the user that the urine is not deposited in an appropriate position by the notification device 6. Alternatively, the control device 7 notifies the user by changing the color, illuminance, shape, etc. of the light target mark M. In this way, when the urine flow rate is decreasing, the urinal device 1 can suppress urine splashing outside the urinal body 2 and soiling on the floor by having the user try to urinate toward the light target mark M. Also, the control device 7 may notify the user that the urine is not deposited in an appropriate position by the notification device 6 when the distance L is the predetermined distance or more for a certain period of time.

[0073] When the distance L is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance, the control device 7 may move the display position of the light target mark M in a direction in which the urination position P is to be guided. For example, when the urination position P is below the light target mark M, the control device 7 moves the display position of the light target mark M further upward. The notification device 6 may also be configured to include a sound output unit (not shown), for example, to provide notification by outputting sound.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 14, in step S201, the control device 7 calculates the distance L between the urine landing position P and the target position T.

[0075] Next, the control device 7 judges whether the distance L is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance (step S202). This process is repeated until the distance L is equal to or greater than the predetermined distance (step S202, No).

[0076] In step S202, when it is determined that the distance L between the urination position P and the target position T is equal to or greater than the predetermined distance (Yes in step S202), the control device 7 notifies the user that the urine is not deposited at an appropriate position by the notification device 6 (step S203). Even after the notification in step S203 is completed, the control device 7 continues to repeat the processes in steps S201 and S202, and when it is determined that the distance L is equal to or greater than the predetermined distance, it performs the notification in step S203.

[0077] As described above, the urinal device 1 of the embodiment is a urinal device 1 equipped with a function of indicating a target position T where a user should direct urine, and comprises a urinal body 2 having a bowl surface 21 for receiving urine and a drain outlet 22 provided at the bottom of the bowl surface 21, a light irradiation device 5 that indicates the target position T by irradiating light onto the bowl surface, and a control device 7 that controls the irradiation of light from the light irradiation device 5, the light irradiation device 5 having an irradiation position variation unit 52 that changes the position of light irradiated onto the bowl surface, and the control device 7 controls the irradiation position variation unit 52 to change the target position T while the user is urinating.

[0078] The urinal device 1 can change the position of the light projected onto the bowl surface while the user is urinating, thereby projecting the light target mark M onto an appropriate position according to the urine flow. This allows the urinal device 1 to encourage the urine flow to the position where urination should be done, thereby preventing urine from splashing outside the urinal body 2 and dripping onto the floor. Furthermore, the prevention of dripping can also prevent floor stains that would prevent future users from approaching the urinal. Furthermore, it can also establish in the user a will to be careful about future splashing.

[0079] The urinal device 1 also includes a urinary flow measuring device 4 that measures the urinary flow of the user, and the urinary flow measuring device 4 measures the urinary flow velocity of urine discharged onto the bowl surface 21.

[0080] The urinal device 1 can obtain the real-time urination state by acquiring the urine flow velocity as information on the urination state. This allows the urinal device 1 to more accurately irradiate the light target mark M at a position that can prevent urine from splashing outside the urinal and from dripping onto the floor.

[0081] Furthermore, the control device 7 controls the light irradiation device 5 so that the target position T moves above the bowl surface 21 when the urine flow velocity measured by the urine flow measuring device 4 is decreasing.

[0082] When the control device 7 determines that it is time for the urine landing position to easily deviate from the target position T based on the decrease in the urine flow rate, it can move the target position T above the bowl surface 21. This allows the urinal device 1 to make the user aware of urinating toward a higher position on the bowl surface 21 or approaching the urinal body 2 before the urine flow rate decreases further. This allows the urinal device 1 to encourage the urine flow to the position where urination should be performed, thereby further suppressing urine splashing outside the urinal body 2 and dripping onto the floor.

[0083] The control device 7 also includes a urine placement position detection unit 8 that detects the user's urine placement position on the bowl surface 21, and when the distance L between the urine placement position detected by the urine placement position detection unit 8 and the target position T is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance, the control device 7 notifies the user that urine is not being placed in an appropriate position.

[0084] The control device 7 notifies the user that urine has not been deposited in the appropriate position, thereby making the user aware of the need to urinate toward the target position T. This allows the urinal device 1 to encourage the flow of urine to the position where urination should be performed, thereby further reducing urine splashing outside the urinal body 2 and soiling the floor.

[0085] In the present embodiment, the configuration of the irradiation position changer 52 that rotates the main body 51 around an axis in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) has been described, but a configuration that rotates the main body 51 around an axis in the front-back direction (Z-axis direction) may be added. For example, a stepping motor may be disposed behind the main body 51, the rear surface of the main body 51 may be connected to the shaft of the stepping motor, and the stepping motor may be rotated to rotate the main body 51 (see FIG. 5) so that the convex portion 51b (see FIG. 5) moves leftward or rightward. This allows the control device 7 to change the display position of the optical target mark M in the left-right direction as well.

[0086] Further advantages and modifications may readily occur to those skilled in the art. Thus, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

[0087] <Additional Notes> (1) A urinal device having a function of indicating a target position where a user should urinate, A urinal body having a bowl surface for receiving urine and a drain hole provided at the bottom of the bowl surface; a light irradiation device that irradiates light onto the bowl surface to indicate the target position; A control device for controlling the irradiation of light from the light irradiation device, The light irradiation device has an irradiation position changer that changes the position of the light irradiated on the bowl surface, The control device controls the irradiation position changing unit to change the target position while a user is urinating. (2) A uroflowmeter is provided for measuring the urinary flow of a user, The urinal apparatus according to (1), wherein the urinary flow measuring device measures the urinary flow velocity of urine urinated onto the bowl surface. (3) The urinal device according to (2), wherein the control device controls the light irradiation device so that the target position moves above the bowl surface when the urine flow rate measured by the urine flow measuring device is decreasing. (4) A urine arrival position detection unit is provided for detecting a urine arrival position of a user on the bowl surface, The urinal device described in any one of (1) to (3), wherein the control device notifies a user that urine is not deposited in an appropriate position when the distance between the urine position detected by the urine position detection unit and the target position is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1 urinal device 2 Urinal body 3. Water discharge device 4 Urine flow measuring device 5 Light irradiation device 6. Notification device 7 Control device 8. Urine position detection unit 21 Bowl surface 22 Drain 52 Irradiation position change part L distance M Optical target mark P Urination position T target position

Claims

1. A urinal device having a function of indicating a target position where a user should urinate, A urinal body having a bowl surface for receiving urine and a drain hole provided at the bottom of the bowl surface; a light irradiation device that irradiates light onto the bowl surface to indicate the target position; A control device for controlling the irradiation of light from the light irradiation device, The light irradiation device has an irradiation position changer that changes the position of the light irradiated on the bowl surface, The control device controls the irradiation position changing unit to change the target position while a user is urinating.

2. A uroflowmeter is provided for measuring the urinary flow of a user, 2. The urinal system of claim 1, wherein the uroflow measuring device measures a urinary flow velocity of urine urinated onto the bowl surface.

3. 3. The urinal device according to claim 2, wherein the control device controls the light irradiation device so that the target position moves above the bowl surface when the urine flow rate measured by the urine flow measuring device is decreasing.

4. A urine arrival position detection unit is provided for detecting a urine arrival position of a user on the bowl surface, A urinal device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control device notifies a user that urine is not deposited in an appropriate position when the distance between the urine position detected by the urine position detection unit and the target position is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance.

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