Toilet bowl device and toilet seat device

Abstract

To provide a toilet bowl device which washes a bowl after a close operation of a toilet lid without complicated operation by a user, and a toilet seat device.SOLUTION: A toilet bowl device 1 includes: a bowl 12; a toilet bowl washing part 13 which supplies washing water to the bowl and washes the inside of the bowl; a toilet lid 20; a toilet lid opening and closing detection part 21 for detecting opening and closing of the toilet lid; a toilet lid driving part 22 for opening and closing the toilet lid; a control part 5 for controlling the toilet lid driving part; toilet lid opening and closing instruction means for outputting an opening and closing instruction to the control part; and a remote controller. The toilet lid opening and closing instruction means outputs the opening and closing instruction by the operation of the remote controller. The control part makes the toilet lid driving part start the opening operation of the toilet lid when receiving the opening and closing instruction by the toilet lid opening and closing instruction means in the closed state of the toilet lid, and the control part makes the toilet lid driving part start the closing operation of the toilet lid when receiving the opening and closing instruction by the toilet lid opening and closing instruction means in the open state of the toilet lid and makes the toilet bowl washing part start washing after closing of the toilet lid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a toilet apparatus having a toilet lid, and a toilet seat apparatus having a toilet lid which is attached to a toilet body when used. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, from the standpoint of preventing the spread of contaminants contained in excrement when flushing the toilet, it is now recommended to flush the bowl with the toilet lid closed after excretion so that droplets containing contaminants contained in the stool excreted in the bowl do not spread outside the toilet.

[0003] For example, in a toilet device such as that described in Patent Document 1, a user can operate the toilet lid operating part to close the toilet lid, and then operate the bowl flushing operating part to supply flushing water to the bowl. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-208380 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in a toilet device like that of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to operate the toilet lid operation unit and check that the toilet lid is closed before operating the flush operation unit, which results in poor operability. Also, in order to improve operability, it is conceivable to provide the remote control device with a dedicated operation unit that performs bowl flushing after closing the toilet lid, but this would increase the number of operation units on the remote control device and make the remote control device more complicated.

[0006] The present invention has been proposed in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a toilet device and a toilet seat device that flushes the bowl after closing the toilet lid without the user having to perform complicated operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the toilet device of the present invention is a toilet device comprising a bowl, a toilet flushing unit which supplies flushing water to the bowl to flush the inside of the bowl, a toilet lid, a toilet lid opening / closing detection unit which detects the opening and closing of the toilet lid, a toilet lid drive unit which opens and closes the toilet lid, a control unit which controls the toilet lid drive unit, a toilet lid opening / closing instruction means which outputs an opening / closing instruction to the control unit, and a remote control, wherein the toilet lid opening / closing instruction means is configured to output an opening / closing instruction by operating the remote control, and the control unit is characterized in that when the toilet lid is in a closed state and the control unit receives an opening / closing instruction from the toilet lid opening / closing instruction means, it causes the toilet lid drive unit to start the operation of opening the toilet lid, whereas when the toilet lid is in an open state and the control unit receives an opening / closing instruction from the toilet lid opening / closing instruction means, it causes the toilet lid drive unit to start the operation of closing the toilet lid, and after the toilet lid is closed, it causes the toilet flushing unit to start flushing.

[0008] In addition, the toilet seat device of the present invention is a toilet seat device that is attached to a toilet body that performs a bowl flushing operation and includes a toilet seat, a toilet seat opening / closing detection unit that detects the opening and closing of the toilet seat, a toilet seat drive unit that opens and closes the toilet seat, a toilet lid, a toilet lid opening / closing detection unit that detects the opening and closing of the toilet lid, a toilet lid drive unit that opens and closes the toilet lid, a toilet seat side control unit that controls the toilet lid drive unit, a toilet lid opening / closing command means that outputs an instruction to open or close the toilet lid to the toilet seat side control unit, and a remote control, and is characterized in that the toilet seat device is attached to a toilet body that performs a bowl flushing operation and includes a toilet seat, a toilet seat side control unit that controls the toilet seat side control unit, a toilet lid opening / closing command means that outputs an instruction to open or close the toilet lid to the toilet seat side control unit, and a remote control, and the toilet seat side control unit is configured to output an opening / closing command by operating the remote control, and when the toilet seat side control unit receives the opening / closing command from the toilet lid opening / closing command means when the toilet lid is in a closed state, it causes the toilet lid drive unit to start the operation to open the toilet lid, and when the toilet seat side control unit receives the opening / closing command from the toilet lid opening / closing command means when the toilet lid is in an open state, it causes the toilet lid drive unit to start the operation to close the toilet lid, and outputs a flushing command to the toilet body after the toilet lid is closed. Effect of the Invention

[0009] Since the toilet apparatus and toilet seat apparatus of the present invention are configured as described above, the bowl can be flushed by starting the closing operation of the toilet lid. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a basic block diagram of a toilet apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1(a) is a schematic side view showing the inside of the toilet device, and FIG. 1(b) is a schematic side view showing the inside of a toilet device of another example. [Diagram 3] 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a basic operation of the toilet apparatus of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a basic operation of the toilet device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2(a) is a basic block diagram of a toilet device and a toilet seat device used therein according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2(b) is a schematic side view showing the interior of the toilet device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A toilet apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The toilet device 1 comprises a bowl 12, a toilet flushing unit 13 that supplies flushing water to the bowl 12 to flush the inside of the bowl 12, and a toilet lid 20. The toilet device 1 further comprises a toilet lid open / close detection unit 21 that detects whether the toilet lid 20 is open or closed, a toilet lid drive unit 22 that opens and closes the toilet lid 20, a toilet lid open / close instruction means that outputs an open / close instruction to the toilet lid drive unit 22, and a control unit 5. When the control unit 5 receives a close instruction from the toilet lid open / close instruction means while the toilet lid 20 is in an open state, it causes the toilet lid drive unit 22 to start the closing operation of the toilet lid 20, and then causes the toilet flushing unit 13 to start flushing. The details are explained below.

[0012] 1 and 2 are diagrams showing the configuration of the toilet apparatus 1, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are flow charts explaining the basic operation of the toilet apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. First, the configuration and structure of the toilet device 1 will be described.

[0013] The toilet device 1 comprises a bowl 12, a toilet flushing unit 13 that supplies flushing water to the bowl 12 to flush the inside of the bowl 12, a toilet lid 20, a toilet lid open / close detection unit 21 that detects whether the toilet lid 20 is open or closed, and a toilet lid drive unit 22 that opens and closes the toilet lid 20. The toilet device 1 also comprises a toilet lid operation unit 23 that receives opening and closing instructions from a user to the toilet lid drive unit 22. The toilet device 1 also comprises a toilet seat 24, a toilet seat open / close detection unit 25 that detects whether the toilet seat 24 is open or closed, a toilet seat drive unit 26 that opens and closes the toilet seat 24, a toilet seat operation unit 27 that receives opening and closing instructions to the toilet seat drive unit 26, and also a seating detection unit 28. Next, each of the components that make up the toilet device 1 will be described in detail.

[0014] The toilet device 1 is a seat-type Western-style toilet device that is fixed to the floor or wall in the toilet space. The toilet body 10 of this toilet device 1 is equipped with a bowl 12 that opens upward, a skirt part 11 that surrounds the periphery of the bowl 12, and a toilet seat 24 and a toilet lid 20 above the bowl 12 that can be raised and lowered relative to the opening of the bowl 12, each of which can rotate.

[0015] A toilet flushing unit 13 is disposed in the internal space of skirt portion 11, which drains wastewater from within bowl 12 and supplies flushing water from water supply port 14 into bowl 12 to clean the inside of bowl 12. This toilet flushing unit 13 has a water supply mechanism and a drainage mechanism.

[0016] The water supply mechanism includes a water supply port 14, a cleaning water supply passage 15 that supplies cleaning water from a water pipe (not shown) into bowl 12 through water supply port 14, and a water supply valve 16 that is arranged midway along cleaning water supply passage 15 and supplies or cuts off the water supply to bowl 12.

[0017] The drainage mechanism shown in Figure 2(a) has trap 17, a curved cylinder connected to extend rearward from the bottom of bowl 12, and this trap 17 extends further downward and is connected to drain port 18. This type of drainage mechanism includes the siphon type, siphon jet type, and siphon vortex type, and is a mechanism that creates a drainage state in which accumulated water is drained together with waste in bowl 12 by the siphon action, or a water-sealing state in which accumulated water is stored in bowl 12.

[0018] The drainage mechanism may also be a structure having a movable trap 17A as shown in Fig. 2(b). This trap 17A is rotated in the direction of the arrow by a drive unit (not shown) to form a drainage state or a water-sealing state. The trap 17 in the illustration is in a position for a water-sealing state, and in the drainage state, the trap 17A rotates so that the open end of the trap 17A faces the drain outlet 18. The trap 17A is surrounded by a trap case (not shown) to prevent sewage and odors from leaking into the surrounding area.

[0019] The drainage mechanism is not limited to the siphon type or the movable type, and may be, for example, a wash-down type. In the illustrated example, the toilet device 1 is a tankless type that is directly connected to the water supply and does not have a flush tank (low tank), but it may be configured with a flush tank.

[0020] The toilet lid drive unit 22 and the toilet seat drive unit 26 are each composed of a motor, etc. The toilet lid drive unit 22 electrically opens and closes (raises and lowers) the toilet lid 20 when instructed by the toilet lid operation unit 23, etc., and the toilet seat drive unit 26 electrically opens and closes (raises and lowers) the toilet seat 24 when instructed by the toilet seat operation unit 27, etc.

[0021] In this specification, for both the toilet lid 20 and the toilet seat 24, a state in which they are upright in an approximately vertical direction is referred to as the open state, and a state in which they are tilted approximately horizontally and approximately parallel to the opening surface of the bowl 12 is referred to as the closed state.

[0022] The toilet device 1 comprises a main body operation unit (not shown) provided on the toilet main body 10, and a remote control provided at a position separate from the toilet main body 10. These are provided with operation switches and buttons that allow various operations and settings. An infrared communication type is preferably used as the remote control. The remote control is provided with a transmitting unit (not shown), and the toilet main body 10 is provided with a receiving unit (not shown).

[0023] The toilet lid opening / closing instruction means of this embodiment is a means for outputting an instruction to open or close the toilet lid 20 in cooperation with hardware and software based on an instruction from the toilet lid operation unit 23. The toilet lid operation unit 23 is preferably arranged as an operation button on a remote control provided at a position away from the toilet body 10. The toilet lid opening / closing instruction means of this embodiment outputs different instructions to the toilet lid drive unit 22 via the control unit 5 described later depending on the open / closed state of the toilet lid 20 when the toilet lid operation unit 23 is operated. When the toilet lid operation unit 23 is operated, the toilet lid opening / closing instruction means outputs an instruction to open the toilet lid 20 if the toilet lid 20 is closed, and outputs an instruction to close the toilet lid 20 if the toilet lid 20 is open. In other words, the toilet lid operation unit 23 of this embodiment functions as a toilet lid opening / closing button that switches between opening and closing the toilet lid 20 with one button. In addition, the toilet lid operation unit 23 may be configured to have two types of operation buttons: a toilet lid open button and a toilet lid close button, with the toilet lid open button outputting an instruction to open the toilet lid 20 and the toilet lid close button outputting an instruction to close the toilet lid 20.

[0024] The toilet seat operation unit 27 is preferably arranged as an operation button on a remote control, similar to the toilet lid operation unit 23. The toilet seat operation unit 27 of this embodiment outputs different instructions to the toilet seat drive unit 26 via the control unit 5 described below depending on the open / closed state of the toilet seat 24, outputting an instruction to open the toilet seat 24 if the toilet seat 24 is closed, and outputting an instruction to close the toilet seat 24 if the toilet seat 24 is open. In other words, the toilet seat operation unit 27 of this embodiment is a toilet seat open / close button that switches between opening and closing the toilet seat 24 with one button. Note that the toilet seat operation unit 27 may be configured to include two types of operation buttons, a toilet seat open button and a toilet seat close button, with the toilet seat open button outputting an instruction to open the toilet seat 24 and the toilet seat close button outputting an instruction to close the toilet seat 24.

[0025] In the toilet bowl device 1, when an instruction to close the toilet lid 20 is given by the toilet lid operating unit 23, if the toilet lid 20 and the toilet seat 24 are both in the open position, the toilet seat 24 first performs a closing operation, and after it is closed (stopped in the closed position), the toilet lid 20 performs a closing operation in conjunction with the closing operation of the toilet seat 24. Also, when an instruction to open the toilet seat 24 is given by the toilet seat operating unit 27, if the toilet seat 24 and the toilet lid 20 are both in the closed position, the toilet lid 20 first performs an opening operation, and after it is opened (stopped in the open position), the toilet seat 24 performs an opening operation in conjunction with the opening operation of the toilet lid 20.

[0026] As the seating detection unit 28, for example, a load sensor built into the toilet seat 24 or an infrared sensor provided near the rotation shaft of the toilet seat 24 is used. These sensors detect the user sitting / leaving the seat. As the toilet lid opening / closing detection unit 21 and the toilet seat opening / closing detection unit 25, those configured to detect the open / closed state based on the opening angle are used.

[0027] The toilet apparatus 1 may further be configured to include various functional devices such as a deodorizing device that deodorizes the inside of the bowl 12, a heating device that warms the toilet seat 24, and a private parts washing device that washes the private parts.

[0028] The toilet device 1 further includes a flush operation unit 29 that outputs flush instructions to the toilet flushing unit 13. This flush operation unit 29 includes a defecation flush button 29a and a urination flush button 29b that output flush instructions to the toilet flushing unit 13 via the control unit 5, which will be described later.

[0029] It is preferable that the flush operation unit 29 is provided on either a main body operation unit provided on the toilet main body 10 or on a remote control provided at a position away from the toilet main body 10. Also, it is possible to have a configuration in which a flush command is output by one flush button, without providing both the stool flush button 29a and the urination flush button 29b. In other words, in that case, the amount of flush water into the bowl 12 is only one type, large capacity for stool, without any distinction between large capacity for stool and small capacity for urination.

[0030] The toilet apparatus 1 is equipped with a control unit 5 which controls the above-mentioned controlled objects (such as the water supply valve 16 of the toilet flushing unit 13, the toilet lid drive unit 22, and the toilet seat drive unit 26), while receiving output signals from the flush operation unit 29, the toilet lid open / close detection unit 21, the toilet seat open / close detection unit 25, and the seating detection unit 28. This control unit 5 is composed of a processor such as a CPU or MPU, and various programs. The toilet apparatus 1 further includes a timing unit 6 which measures the time since flushing by the toilet flushing unit 13 has ended and the time since the toilet lid 20 has been opened, and a power supply unit (not shown) which supplies power to the toilet apparatus 1, etc.

[0031] The toilet device 1 also includes a notification unit 7 that includes a speaker or the like that notifies the user of device abnormalities, status, and guidance by sound or voice synthesis. Note that the notification unit 7 may be configured to include a display such as an LED or a lamp that lights up or flashes, instead of or in addition to a sound output device.

[0032] Next, the basic operation of this toilet device 1 will be explained based on the flowcharts in Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 explains the basic operation when a toilet lid opening / closing command is issued by the toilet lid operating unit 23, and Figure 4 explains the basic operation when a flushing command is issued by the flushing operating unit 29.

[0033] In the following operation description, the open / closed state of the toilet lid 20 and the open / closed state of the toilet seat 24 are detected by the various detection units, but the description of the operation of these detection units will be omitted. Also, the opening and closing operations of the toilet lid 20 and the toilet seat 24 are performed by the various drive units, but the description of these drive units will be omitted. Also, as described above, the toilet lid operation unit 23 of this embodiment is a toilet lid opening / closing button that switches between opening and closing the toilet lid 20 with a single button, and the following operation description will be based on the toilet lid opening / closing instructions given by the toilet lid operation unit 23, which is this toilet lid opening / closing button.

[0034] First, the operation of Fig. 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in steps S100 to S119. Note that in the following description, the operation steps in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 will be abbreviated to "SXXX" with only the reference numerals, instead of "Step SXXX".

[0035] When the control unit 5 receives an instruction to open or close the toilet lid 20 from the toilet lid operating unit 23, it determines whether the toilet lid 20 is open or closed. If the toilet lid 20 is closed, the toilet lid 20 opens (S100, N in S101, S109). This opening operation of the toilet lid 20 is an operation that is performed by the user to use the toilet device 1, clean it, etc.

[0036] If the toilet lid 20 is open, the control unit 5 determines whether the user is seated on the toilet seat 24 (S102). If the user is seated on the toilet seat 24, there is a risk that the toilet lid 20 may collide with the user when the toilet lid 20 is closed, so the control unit 5 cancels the toilet lid open / close command of S100 and causes the notification unit 7 to notify, by sound or the like, that the toilet lid open / close command has been canceled (Y in S102, S110, S111).

[0037] If the user is not seated, the control unit 5 determines whether time T1 has elapsed from the end of the previous flush (the flush that begins after the toilet lid operating unit 23 begins the closing operation of the toilet lid 20) to the time it receives a closing command from the toilet lid operating unit 23 this time (N in S102, S103).

[0038] If time T1 has elapsed, the control unit 5 determines whether time T2 has elapsed from when the toilet lid 20 was opened until the current close command was received from the toilet lid operating unit 23 (Y in S103, S104).

[0039] If time T2 has passed, control unit 5 determines whether toilet seat 24 is open / closed. If toilet seat 24 is closed, the toilet lid 20 is closed (Y in S104, N in S105, S106). After the toilet lid 20 has been closed and the toilet lid 20 has closed, an electronic sound or other notification is issued that flushing of bowl 12 will take place, after which the toilet flushing unit 13 flushes bowl 12 (S107, S108). If toilet device 1 distinguishes between a large capacity for stool and a small capacity for urination, the flushing operation in S108 is a large flush.

[0040] On the other hand, if the toilet seat 24 is in the open state, the toilet seat 24 is closed, followed by the toilet lid 20 (Y in S105, S116, S117). After the toilet lid 20 has been closed and the toilet lid 20 has been closed, an electronic sound or other notification is issued that the bowl 12 will be flushed, and the toilet flushing unit 13 flushes the bowl 12 (S118, S119). If the toilet device 1 distinguishes between a large capacity for stool and a small capacity for urination, the flushing operation of S119 will be a small flush.

[0041] In the above explanation, flushing is started after the toilet lid 20 is closed in S106 and S117, but flushing by the toilet flushing unit 13 may be started while the toilet lid 20 closing operation is being performed.

[0042] On the other hand, even if time T1 has not elapsed in S103 or time T2 has not elapsed in S104, the control unit 5 first determines whether the toilet seat 24 is open or closed (N in S103 or N in S104, S112). If the toilet seat 24 is closed, the closing operation of the toilet lid 20 is initiated (N in S112, S114). If the toilet seat 24 is open, the closing operation of the toilet seat 24 is initiated, followed by the closing operation of the toilet lid 20 (Y in S112, S113, S114). If the toilet lid 20 is closed, the fact that the toilet lid 20 is closed is notified by sound or the like (S115).

[0043] As described above, in the toilet device 1 of this embodiment, when the control unit 5 receives a close command from the toilet lid operating unit 23 (toilet lid opening / closing command means) while the toilet lid 20 is in the open state, it causes the toilet lid drive unit 22 to start the closing operation of the toilet lid 20, and then causes the toilet flushing unit 13 to start flushing.

[0044] In this way, when an instruction to close the toilet lid 20 is received from the toilet lid operating unit 23, flushing is performed after the toilet lid 20 is closed. Therefore, after excretion, the user does not need to issue an instruction to flush the bowl 12 from the flushing operating unit 29 again.

[0045] Furthermore, in the toilet device 1 of this embodiment, when the control unit 5 receives a close command from the toilet lid operating unit 23 (toilet lid opening / closing command means) while the toilet seat 24 is in the open state, it causes the toilet seat drive unit 26 to start the closing operation of the toilet seat 24, and then causes the toilet lid drive unit 22 to start the closing operation of the toilet lid 20. After that, the control unit 5 causes the toilet flushing unit 13 to start a small flush.

[0046] In this way, if the toilet seat 24 is in the open position when an instruction to close the toilet lid 20 is received from the toilet lid operating unit 23, a small flush is performed because it is highly likely that the male user has urinated while standing.

[0047] Furthermore, in the toilet device 1 of this embodiment, if the control unit 5 receives a close command from the toilet lid operating unit 23 (toilet lid opening / closing command means) while the toilet lid 20 is in the open state within time T1 after the end of flushing that began after the start of the toilet lid closing operation of the toilet lid 20, the control unit 5 causes the toilet lid drive unit 22 to start the closing operation of the toilet lid 20. On the other hand, the control unit 5 does not cause the toilet flushing unit 13 to start flushing.

[0048] In this way, if time T1 has not elapsed, the toilet lid open / close command in S100 is determined to be a command from the user to check whether waste remains in bowl 12 after flushing, and a new flush is not performed even if toilet lid 20 is closed. This prevents excessive flushing of bowl 12, and saves on water and electricity bills. Note that time T1 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 20 seconds.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a closing command is received from the toilet lid operating unit 23 (toilet lid opening / closing command means) within time T2 after the toilet lid 20 is opened, the control unit 5 causes the toilet lid drive unit 22 to start the closing operation of the toilet lid 20. On the other hand, the control unit 5 does not cause the toilet flushing unit 13 to start flushing.

[0050] In this way, if the time T2 has not elapsed, the toilet lid open / close command in S100 is determined to mean that the toilet lid 20 has been repeatedly opened and closed at short intervals for the purpose of, for example, inspecting the toilet device 1, and a new flush is not performed even if the toilet lid 20 is closed. This prevents excessive flushing of the bowl 12, and saves on water and electricity costs. Note that the time T2 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 30 seconds.

[0051] Incidentally, the toilet apparatus 1 described above is configured so that the notification unit 7 issues a notification after the toilet lid is closed in response to a toilet lid open / close command or after the toilet lid open / close command is cancelled, but it may also be configured so that no notification is issued.

[0052] The toilet lid operation unit 23 may be configured to have two types of operation buttons, a toilet lid open button and a toilet lid close button. In this case, if the toilet lid 20 is open when an open command is output by the toilet lid open button, the open command is canceled and the toilet lid 20 is maintained in the open state. On the other hand, if the toilet lid 20 is closed when an open command is output by the toilet lid open button, the toilet lid 20 is opened (S109 in FIG. 3). Also, if the toilet lid 20 is closed when a close command is output by the toilet lid close button, the close command is canceled and the toilet lid 20 is maintained in the closed state. On the other hand, if the toilet lid 20 is open when a close command is output by the toilet lid close button, the operation is performed according to the flowchart from S102 in FIG. 3.

[0053] Next, the operation of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart (S200 to S204).

[0054] When the control unit 5 receives a flush command from the flush operation unit 29, it determines whether flushing is being performed after the toilet lid 20 is closed by the toilet lid operation unit 23 (S200, S201). If flushing is not being performed, the toilet flushing unit 13 performs a flushing operation of the bowl 12 regardless of whether the toilet lid 20 is open or closed (N in S201, S202).

[0055] On the other hand, in S201, if cleaning is being performed, the cleaning command is cancelled, and the fact that the cleaning command has been cancelled is notified by an electronic sound or the like (Y in S201, S203, S204).

[0056] As described above, in the toilet apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the control unit 5 does not accept flushing by the flushing operation unit 29 during a flush that begins after the closing operation of the toilet lid 20 has begun.

[0057] In this way, when flushing is being performed after the toilet lid 20 is closed by the toilet lid operating unit 23, even if the user operates the flushing operating unit 29 as per usual habit, a new flush is not performed, thereby preventing excessive flushing and saving on water and electricity bills.

[0058] The toilet apparatus 1 is not limited to the above, and may be one in which the toilet seat 24 and toilet cover 20 are replaceable as a single unit. In particular, it may be a toilet apparatus 3 to which a toilet seat apparatus 30 as shown in Fig. 5 has been added (or replaced). The basic structure of a toilet apparatus 3 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 5(a) and (b). Note that in this embodiment, a movable trap 17A is shown in Fig. 5(b) as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to toilets in which the toilet body has a siphon-type trap 17 (see Fig. 2(a)) or other types.

[0059] Specifically, the toilet device 3 comprises a bowl 12, a toilet flushing unit 13 that supplies flushing water to the bowl 12 to flush the inside of the bowl 12, a toilet seat device 30, and a flush operation unit 29 that outputs a flushing command to the toilet flushing unit 13. The toilet device 3 further comprises a control unit 5, a timing unit 6, and an alarm unit 7.

[0060] The toilet seat device 30 is a separate, detachable unit from the toilet main body (parts excluding the toilet seat device 30) of the toilet device 3. The toilet seat device 30 is equipped with a toilet lid 40, a toilet lid open / close detection unit 41, a toilet lid drive unit 42, a toilet lid operation unit 43, a toilet seat 44, a toilet seat open / close detection unit 45, a toilet seat drive unit 46, a toilet seat operation unit 47, a seating detection unit 48, a bowl flush operation unit 49, a toilet seat side control unit 35, and an alarm unit 37. In addition, signals can be transmitted and received between the toilet seat device 30 and the toilet main body.

[0061] The configuration of the toilet device 3 (toilet body) excluding the toilet seat device 30 is generally similar to that in Fig. 1, so detailed explanation will be omitted. In addition, the toilet lid 40, toilet lid open / close detection unit 41, toilet lid drive unit 42, toilet lid operation unit 43, toilet seat 44, toilet seat open / close detection unit 45, toilet seat drive unit 46, toilet seat operation unit 47, and seating detection unit 48 provided in the toilet seat device 30 are also generally similar to those in Fig. 1, so explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0062] The toilet seat device 30 in Fig. 5 is configured so that an instruction to flush the bowl 12 can be output from the toilet seat device 30 to the toilet flushing unit 13. Specifically, when a flushing instruction is given from the bowl flushing operation unit 49, the toilet seat side control unit 35 of the toilet seat device 30 receives this instruction and controls the toilet flushing unit 13 via the control unit 5 on the toilet body side to flush the bowl 12. The toilet seat side control unit 35 may also be configured to directly control the toilet flushing unit 13.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 5, the toilet apparatus 3 is configured to include not only the bowl flush operation unit 49 on the toilet seat apparatus 30 side, but also the flush operation unit 29 on the main body side. In other words, the toilet apparatus in Fig. 5 is configured so that flush instructions can be given by either the flush operation unit 29 or the bowl flush operation unit 49. Also, it may be configured so that flush instructions can be given only by the bowl flush operation unit 49, without providing the flush operation unit 29 on the main body side. It is preferable that the bowl flush operation unit 49 also has a stool flush button and a urination flush button.

[0064] When an instruction to open or close the toilet lid is given by the toilet lid operating unit 43, this toilet apparatus 3 is also capable of the operation shown in Fig. 3, similar to the toilet apparatus 1 in Fig. 1. In other words, if the toilet seat apparatus 30 receives an instruction to close the toilet lid 40 while the toilet lid 40 is in the open state, the toilet seat side control unit 35 causes the toilet lid 40 to execute a closing operation, and outputs a flushing instruction to the toilet flushing unit 13 after the toilet lid 40 is closed.

[0065] Furthermore, when a flushing command is received, the operation of Fig. 4 is enabled, similar to the toilet apparatus 1 of Fig. 1. That is, when a flushing command is received, the toilet seat-side control unit 35 outputs a flushing command if the bowl 12 is not being flushed, and cancels the flushing command if the bowl 12 is being flushed.

[0066] As described above, the toilet seat device 30 comprises the toilet seat 44, the toilet seat open / close detection unit 45 that detects whether the toilet seat 44 is open or closed, the toilet seat drive unit 46 that opens and closes the toilet seat 44, and the toilet lid 40. The toilet seat device 30 further comprises a toilet lid open / close detection unit 41 that detects whether the toilet lid 40 is open or closed, a toilet lid drive unit 42 that opens and closes the toilet lid 40, and the toilet seat side control unit 35, and is attached to the toilet body that performs the flushing operation of the bowl 12. When the toilet seat side control unit 35 receives a closing command from the toilet lid operation unit 43 (toilet lid open / close command means) while the toilet lid 40 is in the open state, it causes the toilet lid drive unit 42 to start the closing operation of the toilet lid 40, and then outputs a flushing command to the toilet body.

[0067] In this way, if the user after defecation issues an instruction to close the toilet lid 40 using the toilet lid operating unit 43, flushing will be performed after the toilet lid 40 is closed, so the user does not need to issue an instruction to flush the bowl 12 using the flushing operating unit 29 or the bowl flushing operating unit 49.

[0068] Furthermore, when the toilet seat side control unit 35 receives a close command from the toilet lid operation unit 43 (toilet lid opening / closing command means) while the toilet seat 44 is in the open state, it causes the toilet seat drive unit 46 to start the operation to close the toilet seat 44. After that, the toilet seat side control unit 35 causes the toilet lid drive unit 42 to start the operation to close the toilet lid 40, and then outputs a small flush command to the toilet body. In other words, this operation corresponds to S116, S117, S118, and S119 in Figure 3.

[0069] Furthermore, the toilet seat side control section 35 does not output a flush command to the toilet body during flushing that begins after the start of the closing operation of the toilet lid 40. In other words, this operation corresponds to that shown in FIG.

[0070] Furthermore, if the toilet seat-side control unit 35 receives a close command from the toilet lid operation unit 43 (toilet lid opening / closing command means) while the toilet lid 40 is in the open state within time T1 after the end of the flush that started after the start of the closing operation of the toilet lid 40, it causes the toilet lid drive unit 42 to start the closing operation of the toilet lid 40. On the other hand, the toilet seat-side control unit 35 does not output a flush command to the toilet bowl body. In other words, this operation corresponds to N of S103 and S114 in Figure 3.

[0071] Furthermore, if the toilet seat side control unit 35 receives a close command from the toilet lid operating unit 43 (toilet lid opening / closing command means) within time T2 after the toilet lid 40 is opened, it causes the toilet lid drive unit 42 to start the closing operation of the toilet lid 40, and does not output a flush command to the toilet body. In other words, this operation corresponds to N of S104 and S114 in FIG. 3.

[0072] Various notifications, such as notifications after the toilet lid 40 is closed during the operation of the toilet device 3, or notifications after a toilet lid open / close command is cancelled, may be made by either the notification unit 37 of the toilet seat device 30 or the notification unit 7 of the toilet body.

[0073] The toilet seat device 30 is not limited to the one shown in Fig. 5. For example, the toilet seat device 30 may be configured to include a private parts cleansing device, or may be configured to include a toilet seat operating unit (not shown) that can operate and set various functions (for example, the private parts cleansing device). [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1,3 Toilet equipment 5. Control section 12 Bowl 13 Toilet flushing section 20 toilet lid 21 Toilet lid opening / closing detector 22 Toilet lid drive unit 24 Toilet Seat 25 Toilet lid opening / closing detector 26 Toilet seat drive unit 29 Cleaning operation unit 30 Toilet seat device 35 Toilet seat side control section 40 toilet lid 41 Toilet lid opening / closing detector 42 Toilet lid drive unit 44 Toilet Seat 45 Toilet seat opening / closing detector 46 Toilet seat drive unit

Claims

1. A toilet device comprising: a bowl; a toilet flushing unit that supplies flushing water to the bowl to flush the inside of the bowl; a toilet lid; a toilet lid open / close detection unit that detects whether the toilet lid is open or closed; a toilet lid drive unit that opens and closes the toilet lid; a control unit that controls the toilet lid drive unit; a toilet lid open / close command means that outputs an open / close command to the control unit; and a remote control; The toilet lid opening / closing instruction means is configured to output an opening / closing instruction in response to an operation of the remote control, The toilet device is characterized in that when the control unit receives an open / close command from the toilet lid opening / closing command means when the toilet lid is in a closed state, it causes the toilet lid drive unit to start the toilet lid opening operation, and when the control unit receives an open / close command from the toilet lid opening / closing command means when the toilet lid is in an open state, it causes the toilet lid drive unit to start the toilet lid closing operation, and after the toilet lid is closed, it causes the toilet flushing unit to start flushing.

2. In claim 1, The toilet apparatus is characterized in that the remote control is provided with one operation button or one operation switch for switching between opening and closing the toilet lid.

3. In claim 1 or 2, Further comprising a toilet seat and a seating detection unit, A toilet device characterized in that when a toilet lid opening / closing command is received from the remote control while the toilet lid is in an open state, if the seating detection unit detects a person sitting down, the toilet lid closing operation is canceled.

4. In claim 3, A toilet apparatus, characterized in that, when the closing operation of the toilet lid is canceled, an alarm unit notifies that the closing operation of the toilet lid has been canceled.

5. In any one of claims 1 to 4, This toilet device is characterized in that when the toilet lid is in an open state and an opening / closing command is received from the toilet lid opening / closing command means, the toilet lid drive unit starts the toilet lid closing operation, and after the toilet lid is closed, an alarm unit notifies the user that flushing will be performed, and then the toilet flushing unit starts flushing.

6. A toilet seat device comprising: a toilet seat opening / closing detection unit which detects whether the toilet seat is opened or closed; a toilet seat drive unit which opens and closes the toilet seat; a toilet lid; a toilet lid opening / closing detection unit which detects whether the toilet lid is opened or closed; a toilet lid drive unit which opens and closes the toilet lid; a toilet seat side control unit which controls the toilet lid drive unit; a toilet lid opening / closing instruction means which outputs an instruction to open and close the toilet lid to the toilet seat side control unit; and a remote control; The toilet lid opening / closing instruction means is configured to output an opening / closing instruction in response to an operation of the remote control, The toilet seat device is characterized in that when the toilet seat side control unit receives an opening / closing command from the toilet lid opening / closing command means when the toilet lid is in a closed state, it causes the toilet lid drive unit to start the toilet lid opening operation, and when it receives an opening / closing command from the toilet lid opening / closing command means when the toilet lid is in an open state, it causes the toilet lid drive unit to start the toilet lid closing operation, and after the toilet lid is closed, it outputs a flushing command to the toilet bowl body.

7. In claim 6, The toilet seat apparatus, wherein the remote control is provided with one operation button or one operation switch for switching between opening and closing the toilet lid.

8. In claim 6 or 7, Further comprising a seating detection unit, A toilet seat device characterized in that when a toilet lid opening / closing command is received from the remote control while the toilet lid is in an open state, if the seating detection unit detects a person sitting down, the toilet lid closing operation is canceled.

9. In claim 8, A toilet seat apparatus, characterized in that, when the closing operation of the toilet lid is canceled, an alarm unit notifies that the closing operation of the toilet lid has been canceled.

10. In any one of claims 6 to 9, This toilet seat device is characterized in that when the toilet lid is in an open state and an opening / closing command is received from the toilet lid opening / closing command means, the toilet lid drive unit starts the toilet lid closing operation, and after the toilet lid is closed, an alarm unit notifies the user that flushing will be performed, and then outputs a flushing command to the toilet bowl body.

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