Toilet

Abstract

To provide a toilet that enables a video experience with a sense of immersion.SOLUTION: A toilet comprises: a toilet bowl that is provided on a turn table; a rotation mechanism that rotates the turn table from a first direction, in which the toilet bowl is directed in an entrance direction, in a second direction different from the first direction; and a room that is arranged in the second direction with respect to the turn table and that has a front surface, right and left side surfaces, a bottom surface and a top surface. The room is provided with a monitor for outputting a video.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a toilet. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a toilet room for wheelchair users, in which a turntable device for rotating a wheelchair user is provided between the entrance of the toilet room and the toilet bowl and fixtures (such as a hand washing bowl). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Actual total number of employees: 1-169199 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Although toilets are spaces closely related to our daily lives, there are still some areas of application technology that have yet to be explored.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a toilet that provides an immersive video experience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The toilet according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises: A toilet bowl provided on a turntable; a rotation mechanism that rotates the turntable from a first direction in which the toilet bowl faces an inlet direction to a second direction different from the first direction; a room disposed in the second direction with respect to the turntable and having a front surface, left and right side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface; Equipped with The room is provided with a monitor for outputting images.

[0007] According to this aspect, a user using the toilet can sit on the toilet bowl as the turntable rotates, allowing the user to access a room where a monitor is located, thereby enjoying a special and immersive visual experience in the private space of the toilet.

[0008] A toilet according to a second aspect of the present invention is the toilet according to the first aspect, The monitors are provided so as to cover at least the front and the left and right sides of the room.

[0009] According to this aspect, images are output from three sides (the front, left, right, and sides) so as to cover the field of vision of a user sitting on the toilet, thereby further enhancing the immersive feeling of the video experience.

[0010] A toilet according to a third aspect of the present invention is the toilet according to the second aspect, The monitor is further provided to cover the bottom surface of the room.

[0011] According to this aspect, images are output not only from the front and three sides (left and right) but also from the bottom, covering the field of vision of a user sitting on the toilet, thereby further enhancing the immersiveness of the visual experience.

[0012] A toilet according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a toilet according to any one of the first to third aspects, A cylindrical wall is provided on the turntable so as to surround the toilet bowl.

[0013] According to this aspect, the user sitting on the toilet is surrounded by a cylindrical wall, blocking out sound and light from the surroundings, further enhancing the immersive feeling of the visual experience.

[0014] A toilet according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a toilet according to any one of the first to third aspects, The toilet further includes a control unit that starts playing video on the monitor when the turntable rotates and the toilet bowl faces the second direction.

[0015] According to this embodiment, for a user sitting on the toilet, playback of the video only begins when the user accesses the room in which the monitor is located, thereby further enhancing the immersiveness of the video experience.

[0016] A toilet according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the toilet according to the first aspect, The room is further equipped with a speaker, a microphone and a camera; The camera can be turned on / off only by the user who uses the toilet, The device further comprises a communication means for transmitting the audio and video input to the microphone and camera to an external computer, and for receiving the video and audio to be output from the monitor and speaker from the external computer.

[0017] According to this embodiment, two-way communication is possible with an external computer. For example, if a person becomes unwell while using the toilet in a nursing home, he or she can talk to the outside and inform them of the situation.

[0018] A toilet according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a toilet according to any one of the first to third and sixth aspects, A holder for holding toilet paper is provided next to the toilet bowl, The holder is provided with a button for rotating the turntable.

[0019] According to this aspect, the user can easily rotate the turntable while remaining seated on the toilet. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, a toilet that provides an immersive video experience can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a structure including a toilet according to a first embodiment, in which the toilet bowl faces a first direction. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a structure including a toilet according to the first embodiment, in which the toilet bowl faces a second direction. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the toilet according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which the toilet bowl faces a first direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the toilet according to the first embodiment, showing the toilet bowl facing in a second direction. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a structure including a toilet according to a second embodiment, in which the toilet bowl faces a first direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a structure including a toilet according to a second embodiment, in which the toilet bowl faces in a second direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the following description and the drawings used in the following description, the same reference numerals are used for parts that can be configured identically, and duplicated descriptions are omitted. In addition, in the embodiment described below, a universal design toilet that is easy for wheelchair users to use may be used as an example, but the target users of the toilet according to this embodiment are not limited to wheelchair users, and it may be a toilet that can be used by everyone.

[0023] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the schematic configuration of a structure 1 including a toilet 2 according to the first embodiment, in which a toilet bowl 22 faces a first direction, and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a toilet bowl 22 faces a second direction.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 1, a structure 1 according to this embodiment includes a toilet 2, a hand-washing area 3, and a stock area 4. In the example shown, the toilet 2, the hand-washing area 3, and the stock area 4 are arranged adjacent to one another, and an entrance 5 is provided between the toilet 2 and the hand-washing area 3. The entrance 5 can be opened and closed by a door 51 (a sliding door in the example shown).

[0025] A hand-washing counter 31 is provided in the hand-washing area 3, and a control unit 28 that transmits images to monitors 25a to 25d (described later) is provided in the stock area 4. At least a part of the control unit 28 can be realized by a computer.

[0026] Next, we will explain the structure of the toilet 2. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the toilet 2, showing the toilet bowl 22 facing in a first direction, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the toilet bowl 22 facing in a second direction.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the toilet 2 has a turntable 21, a toilet bowl 22, a rotation mechanism 23, and a room 24. For ease of understanding, the rotation mechanism 23 is omitted from Figures 3 and 4.

[0028] Of these, toilet bowl 22 is provided on turntable 21 and can rotate integrally with turntable 21. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, turntable 21 may be configured to rotate around a drain pipe. In this case, a water supply pipe for supplying water to the tank of toilet bowl 22 may be configured as a flexible pipe so as to follow the rotation of turntable 21.

[0029] 1 to 4, a holder 27 for holding toilet paper is provided on turntable 21 next to toilet bowl 22, and holder 27 may be provided with a button 27a for rotating turntable 21. In this case, a user can operate button 27a while sitting on toilet bowl 22, and turntable 21 can be easily rotated.

[0030] Rotation mechanism 23 includes, for example, a motor and a gear that transmits the rotational force of the motor to turntable 21. Rotation mechanism 23 rotates turntable 21 from a first direction (see FIG. 1) in which toilet bowl 22 faces toward entrance 5, to a second direction (see FIG. 2) different from the first direction. The angle between the first direction and the second direction may be, for example, 90° to 130°.

[0031] The room 24 is disposed in the second direction relative to the turntable 21 .

[0032] 1 and 2, the room 24 has a front surface 24a, a left side surface 24b, a right side surface 24c, a bottom surface 24d, and a top surface (not shown). In the illustrated example, the front surface 24a, the left side surface 24a, and the right side surface each have a flat plate shape and are arranged to form a "U" shape in a plan view, but this is not limited thereto, and for example, the front surface 24a, the left side surface 24a, and the right side surface each may have a curved surface (single curved surface) shape and be arranged to form a "U" shape in a plan view.

[0033] Monitors 25a-25d for outputting images are provided in room 24. Monitors 25a-25d may be, for example, LED panels, liquid crystal panels, organic EL panels, or projector screens. A control unit 28 is communicatively connected to monitors 25a-25d, and images stored in a storage device of control unit 28 are output from monitors 25a-25d.

[0034] In this embodiment, a user using the toilet 2 can access room 24 in which monitors 25a to 25d are provided by rotating turntable 21 while sitting on toilet bowl 22, thereby receiving a special and immersive visual experience in the private space of toilet 4.

[0035] 1 to 4, the monitors 25a to 25c may be provided so as to cover at least the front 24a and the left and right sides 24b, 24c of the room 24. In this case, images are output from the three sides, the front 24a and the left and right sides 24b, 24c, so as to cover the field of view of the user sitting on the toilet 22, thereby further enhancing the immersive feeling of the video experience.

[0036] 1 to 4, monitor 25d may be provided so as to cover bottom surface 24d of room 24. In this case, images are output from bottom surface 24d in addition to front surface 24a and left and right sides 24b and 24c so as to cover the field of view of a user sitting on toilet 22, thereby further enhancing the immersive feeling of the video experience.

[0037] Although not shown in the drawings, as yet another modified example, the monitor may be provided so as to cover the ceiling of the room 24. In this case, an image is also output from the ceiling to the user sitting on the toilet 22, so that the immersive feeling of the video experience can be further enhanced.

[0038] Control unit 28 monitors the rotation angle of turntable 21, and may start playing video on monitors 25a-25d at the timing when turntable 21 rotates and toilet 22 faces the second direction. This allows the user sitting on toilet 22 to start playing video only when they access the room in which monitors 25a-25d are installed, further enhancing the immersive feeling of the video experience.

[0039] 1 to 4, a cylindrical wall 26 may be provided on the turntable 21 so as to surround the toilet bowl 22 (except for the front side of the toilet bowl 22). In this case, the user sitting on the toilet bowl 22 is surrounded by the cylindrical wall 26, blocking out sound and light from the surroundings (particularly from behind), further enhancing the immersive feeling of the video experience.

[0040] Next, an example of how to use the toilet 2 configured as above will be described.

[0041] 1, first, a user who wants to use toilet 2 enters hand-washing area 3 of structure 1, then opens door 51 at entrance 5 and moves from hand-washing area 3 to toilet 2. At this time, toilet bowl 22 of toilet 2 faces a first direction, which is the direction of entrance 5. After closing door 51 at entrance 5, the user takes off his / her pants and underwear and sits on toilet bowl 22.

[0042] Next, when the user operates button 27a provided on holder 27 while seated on toilet bowl 22, turntable 21 rotates integrally with toilet seat 22, holder 27, and cylindrical wall 28 from the first direction to the second direction, allowing the user to access room 24 where monitors 25a-25d are provided (see Figures 2 and 4). When turntable 21 rotates and toilet bowl 22 faces the second direction, control unit 28 starts playing images on monitors 25a-25d.

[0043] By outputting images from monitors 25a to 25d to a user sitting on toilet 22, the user can receive a special, immersive visual experience in a private space such as a toilet.

[0044] 1 to 4, the monitors 25a to 25c are provided so as to cover at least the front 24a and the left and right sides 24b, 24c of the room 24, and therefore images are output from the three sides, the front 24a and the left and right sides 24b, 24c, so as to cover the field of view of the user sitting on the toilet 22. This can further enhance the immersive feeling of the video experience.

[0045] 1 to 4, the monitor 25d is provided so as to cover the bottom surface 24d of the room 24, so that images are output from the bottom surface 24d in addition to the front surface 24a and the left and right sides 24b and 24c so as to cover the field of view of the user sitting on the toilet 22. This can further enhance the immersive feeling of the video experience.

[0046] 1 to 4, the user sitting on the toilet bowl 22 is surrounded by the cylindrical wall 26, blocking out sound and light from the surroundings (particularly from behind). This further enhances the immersive feeling of the video experience.

[0047] After playback of the video on monitors 25a-25d has finished, when the user operates button 27a on holder 27 while seated on toilet 22, turntable 21 rotates in the reverse direction from the second direction to the first direction together with toilet seat 22, holder 27 and cylindrical wall 28, and the rotation stops with toilet 22 facing toward entrance 5.

[0048] The user then stands up from the toilet 22, removes his / her underwear and trousers, opens the door 51 at the entrance 5, moves from the toilet 2 to the hand-washing area 3, washes his / her hands at the hand-washing counter, and exits the structure 1.

[0049] According to the present embodiment as described above, a user using the toilet 2 can access the room 24 in which the monitors 25a to 25d are provided as the turntable 21 rotates while the user is seated on the toilet bowl 22, thereby providing a special and immersive visual experience in the private space of the toilet 2.

[0050] Second embodiment Next, the second embodiment will be described. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a structure 1 including a toilet 2 according to the second embodiment, in which the toilet bowl 22 faces a first direction, and Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the toilet bowl 22 faces a second direction. In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals as those used for the corresponding parts in the first embodiment are used for parts that can be configured in the same way as in the first embodiment described above, and duplicated explanations are omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences.

[0051] 5 and 6, in the second embodiment, a speaker 51, a microphone 52, and a camera 53 are provided in room 24 arranged in the second direction with respect to turntable 21, instead of monitors 25b to 25d provided on left and right side surfaces 24b, 24c and bottom surface 24d. In the illustrated example, speaker 51 and camera 53 are provided on front surface 24a of room 24, and microphone 52 is provided on left side surface 24b of room 24, but the positions of speaker 51, microphone 52, and camera 53 are not limited thereto and can be changed as appropriate.

[0052] Camera 53 is configured to be turned on / off only by a user who uses toilet 22. For example, the on / off switch for camera 53 may be provided only on holder 27.

[0053] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the toilet 2 according to this embodiment further includes a communication means 55 capable of communicating with an external computer (not shown) via a network such as the Internet, instead of the control unit 28 in the first embodiment. The network may be wireless or wired. At least a part of the communication means 55 may be realized by a computer.

[0054] The communication means 55 is communicatively connected to the monitor 24a, speaker 51, microphone 52 and camera 53, and is configured to transmit audio and video input by the user to the microphone 52 and camera 53, respectively, to an external computer, and to receive video and audio from the external computer that should be output to the user from the monitor 24a and speaker 41, respectively.

[0055] According to the second embodiment described above, a user using the toilet can access a room equipped with a monitor, speaker, microphone and camera by rotating the turntable while sitting on the toilet, and can communicate with an external computer two-way using audio and video. This makes it possible for a user to talk to the outside and inform them of the situation, for example, if they feel unwell while using the toilet in a nursing home.

[0056] The above description of the embodiment and the disclosure of the drawings are merely examples for explaining the invention described in the claims, and the invention described in the claims is not limited by the above description of the embodiment or the disclosure of the drawings. The components of the above embodiment can be arbitrarily combined without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1 structure 2. Toilets 21 Turntable 22 Toilet 23 Rotation mechanism 24 rooms 25a~25 Monitor 26 Cylindrical Wall 27 Holder 27a Button 28 Control Unit 3. Hand-washing area 31 Hand-washing counter 4. Stock Area 5 entrance 61 Speaker 62 Mike 63 Camera 65 Means of communication

Claims

1. A toilet bowl provided on a turntable; a rotation mechanism that rotates the turntable from a first direction in which the toilet bowl faces an inlet direction to a second direction different from the first direction; a room disposed in the second direction with respect to the turntable and having a front surface, left and right side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a top surface; Equipped with The room is provided with a monitor for outputting images. A toilet characterized by:

2. The monitors are provided to cover at least the front and the left and right sides of the room.

2. The toilet of claim 1.

3. The monitor is further provided so as to cover the bottom surface of the room.

3. The toilet of claim 2.

4. A cylindrical wall is provided on the turntable so as to surround the toilet bowl.

4. The toilet according to claim 1, wherein the toilet is a water-repellent material.

5. The toilet further includes a control unit that starts playing back an image on the monitor when the turntable rotates and the toilet bowl faces the second direction.

4. The toilet according to claim 1, wherein the toilet is a water-repellent material.

6. The room is further equipped with a speaker, a microphone and a camera; The camera can be turned on / off only by a user who uses the toilet; The apparatus further comprises a communication means for transmitting the audio and video input to the microphone and camera to an external computer, and receiving the video and audio to be output from the monitor and speaker from the external computer.

2. The toilet of claim 1.

7. A holder for holding toilet paper is provided next to the toilet bowl, The holder is provided with a button for rotating the turntable. The toilet according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 6.

Images