Portable toilet

Abstract

To provide a portable toilet that enables recognition of the number of times of use.SOLUTION: A portable toilet 1 includes: a toilet seat 25; a seating detection part 9 that detects seating on the toilet seat; a counting part 7 that counts the number of times of seating on the basis of detection by the seating detection part; and a display part 37 that displays the number of times of seating as a numerical value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a portable toilet.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, a portable toilet installed in a bedroom or the like for a care recipient such as an elderly person with mobility problems has been known. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a portable toilet in which a toilet seat is supported on a toilet seat receiver of a tray into which a bucket for receiving excrement is inserted.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, there are cases where it is desired to confirm the number of times a care recipient as described above has used the toilet for information sharing with care staff in a welfare facility or the like or for grasping the health condition. However, since the portable toilet as described above is installed in a bedroom or the like, it may be difficult to grasp the number of times the toilet has been used when there is no caregiver such as a family member nearby at night.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a portable toilet capable of grasping the number of times of use.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the portable toilet according to the present disclosure includes a toilet seat, a seating detection unit that detects seating on the toilet seat, a counting unit that counts the number of times of seating based on the detection of the seating detection unit, and a display unit that displays the number of times of seating as a numerical value.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] Since the portable toilet according to the present disclosure has the above-described configuration, the number of times of use can be grasped.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In some of the drawings, some of the detailed reference numerals attached to other drawings are omitted. In the following embodiments, directions such as the vertical direction will be described based on the state in which an example of the portable toilet according to the present embodiment is installed on the floor. Also, based on the user facing the installed portable toilet in the standing use state, the front side is the front, the opposite side is the rear (back side), and the direction orthogonal to the depth direction (front-rear direction) and the vertical direction of the toilet is described as the width direction of the toilet.

[0010] Figures 1 to 8 are diagrams schematically showing an example and a modified example of the portable toilet according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the portable toilet 1 according to the present embodiment includes a toilet seat 25. As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the portable toilet 1 includes a seating detection unit 9 that detects sitting on the toilet seat 25, a control unit 7 that constitutes a counting unit that counts the number of times of sitting based on the detection of the seating detection unit 9, and a display unit 37 that displays the number of times of sitting as a numerical value. With such a configuration, the number of times of sitting can be grasped by checking the display unit 37. Further, since the number of times of sitting is displayed as a numerical value on the display unit 37, for example, compared with a configuration in which the number of times of sitting is displayed by the number of lit LEDs or the like, the number of times can be grasped directly.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the portable toilet 1 has a pair of front legs 13, 13 and a pair of rear legs 14, 14, and includes a frame 10 that supports the toilet seat 25. With such a configuration, the toilet seat 25 can be stably supported by the pair of front legs 13, 13 and the pair of rear legs 14, 14. The pair of front legs 13, 13 are provided so as to be located closer to the center side than the pair of rear legs 14, 14 in the toilet width direction. With such a configuration, for example, when moving (transferring) between a bed and the portable toilet 1, the pair of front legs 13, 13 are less likely to get in the way and are less likely to catch the feet.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5(b), the frame 10 includes a backrest frame 16 that is located on the upper side at the rear side of the toilet seat 25. The portable toilet 1 includes a cushion 2 having a backrest portion 4 that rises at the rear side of the toilet seat 25 and protrudes above the backrest frame 16. With such a configuration, a person can lean on the backrest portion 4, thereby reducing the physical burden. In addition, a backrest portion 4 having an appropriate height can be provided without making the backrest frame 16 too high. Further, for example, compared with a configuration in which the upper end portion of the backrest portion is connected to the backrest frame, the backrest frame 16 can be made less conspicuous.

[0013] Specifically, the portable toilet 1 is of a sitting type (so-called Western style), can be installed beside a bed in a bedroom or the like, and is portable. The installation location of this portable toilet 1 is not limited to general houses such as detached houses, apartment houses, and temporary houses, but may be various locations such as public facilities such as accommodation facilities, medical facilities, and welfare facilities, commercial facilities such as offices, and various stores. This portable toilet 1 can be used without providing water supply and drainage facilities such as a water supply pipe connected to a water supply source such as a water supply and a discharge pipe connected to sewage for discharging (transporting) dirt. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, this portable toilet 1 includes a toilet seat unit 23 having a toilet seat 25, a bucket (pot) 21 disposed below the toilet seat 25 for receiving dirt, and a tray 20 that detachably houses the bucket 21 and is supported by the frame 10. The portable toilet 1 includes a pair of armrests 18, 18 provided so as to be located on the upper side on both sides in the toilet width direction of the toilet seat 25.

[0014] The bucket 21 is a bottomed container that opens upward so as to be able to accommodate dirt. In the illustrated example, the bucket 21 shows an example in which it is substantially triangular in plan view with the rear side being substantially square and the front side being tapered as it goes forward, but it is not limited to such a shape. This bucket 21 is formed such that the inner peripheral edge of its upper end opening is located radially outside the inner peripheral edge of the opening of the toilet seat 25 arranged on the upper side in plan view. The bucket 21 is provided with a handle rotatable about an axis along the toilet width direction. The portable toilet 1 includes a lid 22 for closing the upper end opening of the bucket 21. The lid 22 is detachable from the upper end opening of the bucket 21.

[0015] The tray 20 is substantially square in plan view. The tray 20 is provided with a bucket accommodating portion for accommodating the bucket 21 and opening upward. The bucket accommodating portion has a shape corresponding to the shape of the bucket 21 so that the bucket 21 can be accommodated in a fitting state. The tray 20 is provided with a placement portion that extends radially outward from the upper end portion of the bucket accommodating portion and on which the toilet seat 25 is placed. Further, at the front end portion and both side end portions in the toilet width direction of the tray 20, there are provided an upright portion that rises from the outer peripheral edge portion of the placement portion and surrounds the toilet seat 25, and a hanging portion that hangs down on the outer peripheral side of the upper end portion of the upright portion. That is, a concave stepped portion for receiving the toilet seat 25 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the bucket accommodating portion of the tray 20. The upper side surface of the upright portion of the tray 20 and the upper side surface of the toilet seat 25 are provided so as to be substantially in the same plane. The front end surface of the tray 20 is formed in a protruding curved surface shape that protrudes forward in plan view as shown in FIG. 2(b).

[0016] The frame 10 includes a toilet seat support portion 11 that supports the tray 20 and the toilet seat unit 23, and armrest support portions 17, 17 that support a pair of armrests 18, 18. The toilet seat support portion 11 is formed so as to define an insertion hole 12 into which the bucket accommodating portion of the tray 20 is inserted. The tray 20 may be detachable from the toilet seat support portion 11. In the illustrated example, the toilet seat support portion 11 is formed in a substantially square frame shape. Mounting portions on both sides in the toilet width direction of the tray 20 are mounted on a pair of side piece portions extending in the front-rear direction (toilet depth direction) on both sides in the toilet width direction of the toilet seat support portion 11. The toilet seat support portion 11 may be configured to support the tray 20 so as to be pullable forward in order to facilitate the entry and exit of the bucket 21 with respect to the tray 20 or to facilitate the attachment and detachment of the tray 20 with respect to the toilet seat support portion 11. A fixing portion to which the toilet seat holding portion 24 of the toilet seat unit 23 is fixed is provided on a rear piece portion provided so as to connect the rear end portions of the pair of side piece portions of the toilet seat support portion 11.

[0017] The pair of front legs 13, 13 are provided so as to hang down from the respective front end portions of the pair of side piece portions of the toilet seat support portion 11. These front legs 13, 13 are formed in a substantially columnar shape extending in a substantially vertical direction. These front legs 13, 13 are provided so as to be positioned closer to the center in the toilet width direction than the elbow rests 18, 18 on both sides. With such a configuration, when the user places their hands on the elbow rests 18, 18 and stands up from a seated state, it becomes difficult for the user's feet to interfere with the front legs 13, 13. That is, it becomes easier to secure a space for placing the feet outside the front legs 13, 13 in the toilet width direction, and it becomes easier to stand up. As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), these front legs 13, 13 are formed in an inclined shape so as to be on the front side as they go toward the lower end side. With such a configuration, even when the user sits on the front end side, it becomes difficult to fall forward, and the stability can be improved. The inclination angle (the angle formed with the virtual vertical line passing through the upper end portion) of these front legs 13, 13 may be about 2 degrees to 10 degrees.

[0018] These front legs 13, 13 are adjustable in height (length). In the illustrated example, the front legs 13, 13 include an upper end side portion having a columnar (or tubular) shape, a lower end side portion having a tubular shape for slidably receiving the upper end side portion, and a fixing portion for fixing the vertical position of the upper end side portion with respect to the lower end side portion. Rubber caps or the like made of rubber or synthetic resin are provided at the lower ends of these front legs 13, 13. The frame 10 includes a front connecting portion that connects the upper ends of these front legs 13, 13. In the illustrated example, the front connecting portion is in the shape of a rod extending in the toilet width direction and is provided at a plurality of locations (two locations in the illustrated example) with a vertical interval. Further, in the illustrated example, the front connecting portion is formed in a protruding curved shape that protrudes forward in a plan view. This front connecting portion may constitute a front piece portion that connects the front end portions of a pair of side piece portions of the toilet seat support portion 11. The front connecting portion, the upper ends of the front legs 13, 13, and the side piece portions on both sides of the toilet seat support portion 11 are arranged so as to be located on the inner peripheral side of the vertical portion of the above-described tray 20 and are covered by the tray 20.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 2(a), the pair of rear legs 14, 14 are provided so as to be located outside the respective front legs 13, 13 on both sides in the toilet width direction when viewed from the front (in the front-rear direction). With such a configuration, while making the front legs 13, 13 less likely to be obstructive, the stability of the portable toilet 1 can be improved. These rear legs 14, 14 are in a substantially columnar shape extending in a substantially vertical direction. These rear legs 14, 14 are provided so as to be substantially in the same position as the armrests 18, 18 on both sides in the toilet width direction. In the illustrated example, these rear legs 14, 14 are provided so as to be located directly behind the armrests 18, 18 on both sides in a plan view. As shown in Figs. 5(a) and (b), these rear legs 14, 14 are formed in an inclined shape so as to be on the rear side as they go toward the lower end side. With such a configuration, it becomes difficult to fall backward, and the stability can be improved. That is, the front legs 13, 13 and the rear legs 14, 14 are formed in an inclined shape so as to be separated from each other as they go from the upper end side to the lower end side. The inclination angle of these rear legs 14, 14 (the angle formed with the virtual vertical line passing through the upper end portion) may be about 2 degrees to 10 degrees as described above.

[0020] These rear legs 14, 14 are adjustable in height (length). That is, the front legs 13, 13 and the rear legs 14, 14 on both the front and rear sides are adjustable in height (length). With such a configuration, the height of the seat surface can be adjusted according to the body type of the user, etc. In the illustrated example, similar to the above, the rear legs 14, 14 include a columnar (or cylindrical) upper end side portion, a cylindrical lower end side portion that receives the upper end side portion so as to be vertically movable, and a fixing portion that fixes the vertical position of the upper end side portion with respect to the lower end side portion. Rubber caps or the like formed of rubber, synthetic resin, etc. are provided at the lower ends of these rear legs 14, 14. These rear legs 14, 14 are connected to the rear piece portion of the toilet seat support portion 11 via a rod-shaped rear side connecting portion extending in the toilet width direction. Also, the upper end side portions of the respective rear legs 14, 14 and the upper end side portions of the respective front legs 13, 13 are connected by a rod-shaped side connecting portion that extends in the front-rear direction below the respective side piece portions of the toilet seat support portion 11. In the illustrated example, the side connecting portions on both sides are formed in an inclined shape such that the rear end side portions are separated from each other as they go toward the rear end side. The front side portions of these side connecting portions are arranged to be located on the inner peripheral side of the hanging portion of the tray 20, similar to the side piece portions of the toilet seat support portion 11, and are covered by the tray 20.

[0021] In addition, wheels 15, 15 are provided at the lower end sides of the rear legs 14, 14 so that when the portable toilet 1 is tilted backward (when the front side is lifted from the floor), it can travel on the floor. These wheels 15, 15 are not in contact with the floor when the front legs 13, 13 and the rear legs 14, 14 are in contact with the ground. These wheels 15, 15 are rotatably held by a wheel holding portion that extends obliquely downward from the rear side of the lower end side portion of the rear legs 14, 14. Instead of the configuration with such wheels 15, 15, the lower end portions of the rear legs 14, 14 themselves may be configured with swivel casters with stoppers. Also, a configuration without such wheels 15, 15 or casters, etc. may be adopted.

[0022] The backrest frame 16 is in the shape of a rod extending in the toilet width direction above the rear part of the toilet seat support part 11. This backrest frame 16 may be provided at a position around the height of the waist when the user is seated. Both ends of this backrest frame 16 are provided so as to extend upward in series from the upper ends of the rear legs 14, 14, and are formed to be continuous with the backrest rear end support parts to which the rear ends of the armrest supports 17, 17 are connected. In the illustrated example, an example is shown in which the corners (corner parts) between both ends of the backrest frame 16 and the upper ends of the backrest rear end support parts are formed in a curved shape.

[0023] The armrest supports 17, 17 on both sides are provided so as to extend forward from the upper end side parts of the armrest rear end supports on both sides. These armrest supports 17, 17 are provided with a pair of armrests 18, 18 fixed to the upper surface side, and are provided so as to hang downward from the front end parts of the rod-shaped parts extending back and forth, and are provided with armrest front end supports for supporting the front end side. The armrest front end supports on both sides are in a substantially columnar shape extending in a substantially vertical direction. These armrest front end supports are provided so as to be located outside the pair of front legs 13, 13 in the toilet width direction. Also, these armrest front end supports are provided so as to be located outside the side pieces on both sides of the toilet seat support part 11 in the toilet width direction. In the illustrated example, a protruding piece is provided at the lower end of these armrest front end supports and projects toward the center side in the toilet width direction, and an example in which this protruding piece is joined to the side connection part below the side piece is shown. Also, these armrest front end supports are provided so as to be located behind the pair of front legs 13, 13 in the toilet depth direction. With such a configuration, while the armrests 18, 18 can be stably supported on both the front and rear sides, it is less likely that the armrest front end supports will get in the way. For example, even when the legs are spread in the seated state, it is less likely that the armrest front end supports will interfere with the thighs or the like.

[0024] The elbow rest support parts 17, 17 on both sides are height-adjustable with respect to the toilet seat support part 11. With such a configuration, the height of the elbow rest parts 18, 18 can be adjusted according to the body type of the user and the like. These elbow rest support parts 17, 17 are connected to the elbow rest rear end support part in a height-adjustable manner on the rear end side. The elbow rest rear end support part is provided with appropriate fixing parts for fixing the rear ends of the height-adjusted elbow rest support parts 17, 17 at their respective heights. Further, at the elbow rest front end support parts of these elbow rest support parts 17, 17, there are provided a columnar (or cylindrical) upper end side part, a cylindrical lower end side part for receiving the upper end side part in a vertically movable manner, and a fixing part for fixing the vertical position of the upper end side part with respect to the lower end side part.

[0025] The elbow rest parts 18, 18 on both sides are elongated in the front-rear direction. In the illustrated example, these elbow rest parts 18, 18 are in the form of slender plate-like members arranged such that the thickness direction is the vertical direction, and a gripping part having a large thickness and a protruding curved front end face is provided at the front end part. A receiving groove for receiving the upper side part of a rod-shaped part extending in the front-rear direction of the elbow rest support part 17 may be formed on the lower surface side of these elbow rest parts 18, 18. Also, in the illustrated example, these elbow rest parts 18, 18 are provided such that the front ends are located slightly forward of the elbow rest front end support part. The elbow rest parts 18, 18 are not limited to the configuration as in the illustrated example, and may have various other configurations. These elbow rest parts 18, 18 may be detachable from the frame 10 together with a part of the elbow rest support parts 17, 17. Each part constituting the frame 10 may be made of metal or synthetic resin. Also, the frame 10 is not limited to the configuration as described above, and may have various other configurations.

[0026] The toilet seat unit 23 includes a toilet seat holding part 24 that holds the toilet seat 25 so as to be tiltable (rotatable) about an axis along the toilet width direction. This toilet seat holding part 24 is placed on the upper surface side of the rear part of the toilet seat support part 11, and may be fixed to the toilet seat support part 11 by engaging appropriate engaging parts provided thereon with each other and using appropriate fixing tools. This toilet seat holding part 24 includes a rising part that rises on the rear side of the toilet seat 25. Further, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the toilet seat holding portion 24 is provided with a cleaning nozzle 29 that constitutes a local cleaning device 27 (see FIG. 6(b)) for locally cleaning. The cleaning nozzle 29 is displaceable by being driven by an appropriate nozzle drive unit between a storage position retracted inside the toilet seat holding portion 24 and a cleaning position protruding forward from the front side of the toilet seat holding portion 24. The portable toilet 1, although details will be described later, is provided with a remote controller 30 having a cleaning operation unit 31 for operating the local cleaning device 27, as shown in FIG. 6(a). With such a configuration, by setting the remote controller 30 at an appropriate position, the cleaning operation unit 31 can be positioned at an easily operable position, improving the usability.

[0027] The local cleaning device 27 includes a pump 28 that supplies cleaning water to the cleaning nozzle 29. In the illustrated example, this pump 28 is supported by an appropriate pump support portion provided so as to extend rearward from the rear part of the toilet seat support portion 11. The cleaning nozzle 29 of the local cleaning device 27 is connected to the discharge side of the pump 28 in a communicating manner, and a water supply tank 6 provided in the portable toilet 1 is connected to the suction side of the pump 28. The water supply tank 6 is in the form of a thin container whose thickness direction is the front-rear direction, and is detachably mounted on a tank holding portion provided on the rear side of the rear part of the toilet seat support portion 11. The water supply tank 6 and the suction side of the pump 28 may be connected by an appropriate water supply pipe or the like. The toilet seat unit 23 may be provided with a drying device for locally drying. Such a drying device may be configured to supply warm air through an appropriate fan and heater toward a warm air outlet opening on the front side of the toilet seat holding portion 24.

[0028] The toilet seat unit 23 may be provided with a foam supply unit that supplies foam (foam-containing foam washing water) into the bucket 21. With such a configuration provided with a foam supply unit, by supplying foam into the bucket 21, it is possible to reduce the splashing of dirt such as urine and suppress the generation of odors. As such a foam supply unit, it may be configured to supply foam generated by mixing the washing water supplied from the pump 28 and the detergent supplied from an appropriate detergent supply unit toward a foam outlet that opens on the front side of the toilet seat holding unit 24. In addition, the toilet seat unit 23 is provided with a toilet seat side operation unit 26 for operating the local washing device 27, the drying device, the foam supply unit, and the like. In the illustrated example, the toilet seat side operation unit 26 is provided so as to be operable on the upper surface side of an extension portion formed to extend forward along one side in the toilet width direction of the toilet seat 25 (tray 20) from one side in the toilet width direction of the toilet seat holding unit 24. Note that the toilet seat unit 23 may be provided with various functional devices such as a heating device for heating the toilet seat 25 and a deodorizing device for deodorizing the bucket 21. In addition, the toilet seat unit 23 is not limited to the configuration described above, and may have various other configurations.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the portable toilet 1 includes a seat portion 3 that is displaceable between a seat state in which the seat portion 3 is arranged to cover the toilet seat 25 and a toilet use state in which the seat portion 3 is separated from the toilet seat 25 so that sitting on the toilet seat 25 is possible. With such a configuration, by setting the seat portion 3 to the seat state, the portable toilet 1 can be used as a chair, and since the toilet seat 25 is covered, the appearance of the portable toilet 1 can be improved. This seating portion 3 forms the cushion 2, and the seating portion 3 is connected to a backrest portion 4 arranged so as to rise from the rear end side in a sheet state via a connecting portion 5. With such a configuration, the seating portion 3 constituting the cushion 2 and the backrest portion 4 are provided continuously, and a more chair-like appearance can be exhibited. Further, since the seating portion 3 forms the cushion 2, for example, compared with a configuration in which a seating portion is provided on the upper surface side of a lid body such as a hard toilet seat lid, due to appropriate flexibility, when sitting on the seating portion 3, the seating portion 3 deforms so as to follow the surface shape of the toilet seat 25, so that the sitting comfort can be improved. That is, the seating portion 3 constituting the cushion 2 is placed on the toilet seat 25 in a sheet state without passing through a toilet seat lid or the like. The seating portion 3 is arranged so as to cover the upper surface side of the tray 20 on the outer peripheral side thereof in addition to the toilet seat 25 in a sheet state. With such a configuration, the appearance of the portable toilet 1 can be further improved.

[0030] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5(b), the seating portion 3 is in a sheet state and is formed in a substantially flat plate shape arranged such that the thickness direction is generally in the vertical direction. The seating portion 3 is substantially square in shape when viewed in the thickness direction. The front end surface of the seating portion 3 in the sheet state is formed in a protruding curved surface shape that protrudes forward so as to substantially coincide with the front end surface of the tray 20 having the protruding curved surface shape as described above in plan view. The dimension of the seating portion 3 along the toilet width direction is set according to the dimension between the both side armrest portions 18, 18. In the illustrated example, the dimension of the seating portion 3 along the toilet width direction is slightly smaller than the dimension between the both side armrest portions 18, 18. The depth dimension of the seating portion 3 orthogonal to the thickness direction and the toilet width direction is set according to the dimension along the toilet depth direction from the front end surface of the tray 20 to the rising portion on the rear end side of the toilet seat 25.

[0031] The backrest portion 4 of the cushion 2 is arranged on the front side of the backrest frame 16 in a state where the seating portion 3 is in a sheet state, and becomes a backrest state. With such a configuration, in a state of sitting on the seating portion 3 in a sheet state, it is possible to lean against the backrest portion 4, and the physical load can be reduced. The backrest portion 4 is arranged in a substantially flat plate shape such that the thickness direction is generally the front-rear direction in this backrest state. In the illustrated example, in the backrest state, the lower end portion of the backrest portion 4 is arranged on the front surface side of the upper end portion of the toilet seat holding portion 24 of the toilet seat unit 23, and is arranged in an inclined manner so as to be on the rear side as it goes toward the upper end side. This backrest portion 4 is substantially square in shape when viewed in the thickness direction. In the illustrated example, the upper end surface of the backrest portion 4 in the backrest state is in a protruding curved surface shape that protrudes upward when viewed in the thickness direction. The dimension of this backrest portion 4 along the toilet width direction is substantially the same as the dimension of the seat portion 3 along the toilet width direction. The height dimension of this backrest portion 4 perpendicular to the thickness direction and the toilet width direction is substantially the same as the depth dimension of the seat portion 3.

[0032] This backrest portion 4 is rotatably connected to the backrest frame 16 about an axis along the toilet width direction. The seat portion 3 is displaced between the sheet state and the toilet use state when this backrest portion 4 is rotated with respect to the backrest frame 16. With such a configuration, the seat portion 3 can be displaced by rotating the backrest portion 4 connected to the seat portion 3, and the handling property can be improved as compared with a configuration in which it is necessary to remove the seat portion 3 when changing to the toilet use state. When the backrest portion 4 is rotated with respect to the backrest frame 16 and arranged on the rear side of the backrest frame 16 to be in a non-backrest state, the seat portion 3 is in the toilet use state and also in the backrest state. That is, in the toilet use state, the seat portion 3 functions as a backrest instead of the backrest portion 4. With such a configuration, when sitting on the toilet seat 25, it is possible to lean against the seat portion 3 that serves as the backrest portion, and the physical load can be reduced.

[0033] On the back side of the backrest portion 4 in the backrest state, a belt-shaped frame connecting portion 4a wound around the backrest frame 16 is provided. This frame connecting portion 4a is provided so as to be located at substantially the central portion in the vertical direction of the backrest portion 4 in the backrest state. In the illustrated example, the frame connecting portion 4a is provided so as to be located slightly above the central portion in the vertical direction of the backrest portion 4 in the backrest state. In the non-backrest state, the connecting part 5 with the seat part 3 is on the upper end side, and the lower end part is located on the rear side of the upper end part of the toilet seat holding part 24. An appropriate holding part may be provided to maintain the backrest part 4 in the non-backrest state, that is, to maintain the seat part 3 in the toilet use state. For example, an appropriate joint part that can be detachably joined between the lower end part of the backrest part 4 in the non-backrest state and the upper end part of the toilet seat holding part 24 may be provided as the holding part. Such a joint part may be a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap button, or the like.

[0034] The thickness dimensions of the backrest part 4 and the seat part 3 may be about 15 mm to 60 mm from the viewpoints of appearance and handleability, although they also depend on the materials constituting the backrest part 4 and the seat part 3. In the illustrated example, the thickness dimensions of these backrest part 4 and seat part 3 are the same as each other. These backrest part 4 and seat part 3 may be configured such that an appropriate cushioning material such as urethane foam is accommodated in a cover formed in a bag shape with an appropriate cloth material. As the cover for these backrest part 4 and seat part 3, synthetic leather such as polyurethane leather may be used, or other cloth materials may be used. Also, circular stitches may be formed at appropriate positions on one or both of the front side (surface side) of the backrest part 4 in the backrest state and the upper surface side (surface side) of the seat part 3 in the sheet state so as to exhibit a button-like appearance. With such a configuration, a button-like appearance can be exhibited without attaching buttons.

[0035] The connecting part 5 that connects these backrest part 4 and seat part 3 is in a sheet shape with a thickness smaller than that of the backrest part 4 and the seat part 3. This connecting part 5 may be formed from the same cloth material (for example, synthetic leather) as the covers of the backrest part 4 and the seat part 3. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(a), the connecting part 5 is in a long shape with the longitudinal direction along the toilet width direction, and is provided over substantially the entire toilet width direction of the backrest part 4 and the seat part 3. In the illustrated example, the connecting part 5 is provided at a portion excluding both end parts in the toilet width direction of the backrest part 4 and the seat part 3. The connecting portion 5 is joined by suturing or the like at both ends in the width direction to the surface sides (the surface sides when the seat portion 3 is in the sheet state) of the edges of the connecting sides (proximity sides) of the backrest portion 4 and the seat portion 3, respectively. As shown in Fig. 5(a), the width dimension of this connecting portion 5 is set to a dimension corresponding to the sum of the thickness dimensions of the backrest portion 4 and the seat portion 3.

[0036] As shown in Figs. 1 and 5(a), when the backrest portion 4 is in a non-backrest state, that is, when the seat portion 3 is in a toilet use state, the connecting portion 5 is generally in an extended state and is arranged to cover the end faces of these connecting sides (proximity sides). On the other hand, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5(b), when the backrest portion 4 is in a backrest state, that is, when the seat portion 3 is in a sheet state, the end faces of these connecting sides (proximity sides) come close to each other and the connecting portion 5 is in a bent state. The backrest portion 4, the seat portion 3, and the connecting portion 5 connecting them are not limited to the above-described configuration, and may have various other configurations. For example, the cushion 2 may have a configuration including only one of the backrest portion 4 and the seat portion 3.

[0037] The seating detection unit 9 is configured to detect the seating on the seat portion 3 in the sheet state. With such a configuration, in addition to the number of times of use as a toilet, the number of times of use as a chair can also be counted, and the number of transfers from the bed to the portable toilet 1 can be grasped. Thereby, the physical condition such as the self-care state of the care recipient can also be estimated. Such a seating detection unit 9 only needs to be configured to be able to detect the seating and rising of the user on the toilet seat 25 or the seat portion 3. For example, it may be a pressure sensor or a load sensor provided on the toilet seat 25 or the tray 20, or a switch or the like. The seating detection unit 9 is not limited to such a contact type, and may be a non-contact sensor such as an infrared sensor provided at an appropriate position of the toilet seat unit 23 or the tray 20. As shown in Fig. 6(b), this seating detection unit 9 is connected by wire or wirelessly to the control unit 7 constituting the counting unit via an appropriate signal line or the like.

[0038] The control unit 7 is capable of measuring the sitting time based on the detection by the sitting detection unit 9, and the display unit 37 is capable of displaying the sitting time. With such a configuration, the sitting time on the toilet seat 25 can be confirmed. If configured to also detect sitting on the seat portion 3 in the sheet state as described above, the time of sitting in the sheet state can also be confirmed, the number of times the care recipient stands up and the sitting time can be grasped, and the daily activities can also be inferred. The control unit 7 is capable of counting the number of times of cleaning based on the operation of the cleaning operation unit 31 of the local cleaning device 27, and the display unit 37 is capable of displaying the number of times of cleaning used. With such a configuration, the number of times the care recipient uses the local cleaning device 27 for cleaning can be grasped. Thereby, the number of times actually used as a toilet and the number of times used as a chair can also be inferred. The portable toilet 1 may include a pump drive time display unit 19 that displays the drive time of the pump 28 measured by the control unit 7. With such a configuration, the drive time of the pump 28 can be grasped as a reference for maintenance timing and the like.

[0039] The control unit 7 may be a microcomputer (MCU) or the like including a control circuit such as a CPU and various memories (storage units) 8 such as a ROM and a RAM that store various programs and the like. The control unit 7 is wired-connected or wirelessly connected to the toilet seat side operation unit 26, the local cleaning device 27, the remote controller 30, the drying device, the foam supply unit, etc. via appropriate signal lines and the like. The control unit 7 may be installed in a suitable place of the toilet seat unit 23. Each unit is controlled by this control unit 7, and the local cleaning device 27, the drying device, the foam supply unit, etc. are operated according to the operations of the toilet seat side operation unit 26 and the remote controller 30, and various information is displayed on the display unit 37. The display unit 37 is provided on the remote controller 30. With such a configuration, the display unit 37 can be positioned in an easily visible position.

[0040] The remote controller 30 can be installed at a distance from the toilet seat unit 23. This remote controller 30 may be detachably held at an appropriate position on the frame 10, for example, on the armrest 18 or the like, by means of a hook-and-loop fastener or the like. As shown in Fig. 6(a), the remote controller 30 is provided with a buttock cleaning operation unit 31A and a bidet cleaning operation unit 31B that constitute the cleaning operation unit 31 of the local cleaning device 27. In the control unit 7, when either the buttock cleaning operation unit 31A or the bidet cleaning operation unit 31B is operated, it may be counted as the number of times the local cleaning device 27 is used, or the number of operations of each of the buttock cleaning operation unit 31A and the bidet cleaning operation unit 31B may be counted individually.

[0041] The remote controller 30 is provided with a water potential adjustment unit 31a that is operated when adjusting the water potential (cleaning strength) of the cleaning water discharged from the cleaning nozzle 29 of the local cleaning device 27, and a position adjustment unit 31b that is operated when adjusting the front and rear positions of the discharge port of the cleaning nozzle 29. In addition, the remote controller 30 is provided with a rhythm operation unit 31c that is operated when discharging the cleaning water from the cleaning nozzle 29 at an appropriate rhythm, and a move operation unit 31d that is operated when discharging the cleaning water while moving the cleaning nozzle 29 back and forth. Further, the remote controller 30 is provided with a nozzle cleaning operation unit 31e that is operated when cleaning the cleaning nozzle 29. The remote controller 30 is provided with a stop operation unit 32 that is operated when stopping the operation of the local cleaning device 27. In addition, the remote controller 30 is provided with a drying operation unit 33 that is operated when operating the drying device. The stop operation unit 32 may also function as a stop operation unit for stopping the operation of the drying device.

[0042] The remote controller 30 is provided with a bubble automatic supply unit 34A and a bubble manual supply unit 34B that constitute a bubble supply operation unit 34 which is operated when activating the bubble supply unit. When the operation of the bubble automatic supply unit 34A is performed and in the bubble automatic supply mode, if the use of the toilet is detected, the control unit 7 may control the bubble supply unit to supply a predetermined amount of bubble washing water to the bucket 21. The detection of the use of the toilet may be performed by the above-described seating detection unit 9, or instead of or in addition to this, an appropriate detection unit capable of detecting the use of the toilet, such as the seat part 3 being in a toilet use state or detecting the raising of the toilet seat 25, may be provided. On the other hand, if the operation of the bubble manual supply unit 34B is performed, the bubble automatic supply mode is cancelled, and each time the operation of the bubble manual supply unit 34B is performed, control may be performed to supply a predetermined amount of bubble washing water to the bucket 21. Further, the remote controller 30 is provided with a bubble automatic lighting unit 38 composed of an LED or the like that lights up in the bubble automatic supply mode, and a seating detection lighting unit 39 composed of an LED or the like that lights up when seating is detected. Further, the remote controller 30 is provided with a bubble outlet cleaning operation unit 34b that is operated when cleaning the bubble outlet of the bubble supply unit, and a detergent supply operation unit 34a that starts the supply of detergent when cleaning the bubble outlet or the nozzle.

[0043] The display unit 37 is composed of a liquid crystal panel or the like and includes a count display unit 37a and a time display unit 37b. The display unit 37 is configured to selectively display the count display unit 37a and the time display unit 37b. Further, the display unit 37 can selectively display the buttocks cleaning use count, the bidet cleaning use count, and the seating count on the count display unit 37a. Further, the display unit 37 can selectively display the cumulative seating time and the current time on the time display unit 37b. The remote controller 30 is provided with a selection operation unit 35 that is operated when selecting the information (the above-described various counts or various times) to be displayed on the display unit 37. On the display unit 37, each time the operation of the selection operation unit 35 is performed, the above-described various counts and times are sequentially switched and displayed.

[0044] In addition, the display unit 37 is provided with a buttocks cleaning times lighting unit 37c that lights up when displaying the number of times of buttocks cleaning, a bidet cleaning times lighting unit 37d that lights up when displaying the number of times of bidet cleaning, a seating time lighting unit 37e that lights up when displaying the cumulative seating time, a seating times lighting unit 37f that lights up when displaying the number of seating times, and a time lighting unit 37g that lights up when displaying the current time, as notification units for notifying the selected display target. In the illustrated example, an example is shown in which the number of seating times is displayed on the times display unit 37a of the display unit 37 and the seating times lighting unit 37f is lit. In addition, the remote controller 30 is provided with a reset operation unit 36 that is operated when resetting (zero resetting) the various times and numbers described above. This reset operation unit 36 may be configured to be operable with an elongated rod-shaped jig such as a toothpick and difficult to operate with fingers or the like.

[0045] The number displayed on the times display unit 37a is not limited to the numbers as described above, and may be the number of times of use of a drying device, bubble cleaning, a deodorizing device, or the like. In addition, the time displayed on the time display unit 37b is not limited to the times as described above, and may be the cumulative use time of local cleaning, a drying device, a deodorizing device, or the like. Further, the time displayed on the time display unit 37b is not limited to such cumulative time, and may be, for example, the time of the most recent use (seating) or the respective times of the most recent multiple uses (seating). In addition, instead of or in addition to the configuration provided with the reset operation unit 36 as described above, for example, the various times and numbers described above may be reset every time a preset period such as one week or 24 hours elapses.

[0046] The pump drive time display unit 19 described above may be provided in the display unit 37 of the remote controller 30. In this case, by simultaneously pressing a plurality of operation units or long-pressing any one of the operation units, the drive time of the pump 28 may be displayed at an appropriate position on the display unit 37. The pump drive time display unit 19 is not limited to the configuration provided in the display unit 37 of the remote controller 30, and may be provided at an appropriate position such as near the pump 28. Alternatively, instead of or in addition to providing the display unit 37 on the remote controller 30, it may be provided on the toilet seat side operation unit 26 or the like. The pump drive time display unit 19, various operation units provided on the remote controller 30 described above, and the display unit 37 are not limited to the configurations described above, and may have various other configurations.

[0047] Next, a modified example of the portable toilet will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. In the following modified example, the differences from the previously described example will be mainly described, and for similar configurations, the description will be omitted or briefly described. In the following modified example, the description of the effects similar to those of the previously described example will also be omitted or briefly described.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the portable toilet 1A according to this modified example mainly differs from the above-described example in the configuration of the armrests 18A. In this modified example, the armrests 18A, 18A on both sides are held in a cantilevered manner by the armrest support portions 17A, 17A on the rear end side. With such a configuration, compared to the configuration in which the armrest front end support portion is provided on the armrest supports 17, 17 as described above, the armrest supports 17A, 17A are less likely to get in the way. That is, on the frame 10A, the front end side and the like of the armrest supports 17A, 17A are not connected, and a space is formed below the armrests 18A, 18A. These armrests 18A, 18A are held by the armrest support portions 17A, 17A so as to be rotatable about an axis along the toilet width direction with the rear end side as a fulcrum, and are displaceable between an armrest position and a retracted position. With such a configuration, when the armrest 18A is in the retracted position, the armrest 18A is less likely to get in the way, and transfer and the like become easier. These armrests 18A, 18A are displaceable between a substantially horizontal armrest position in which the longitudinal direction is the front-rear direction and a substantially vertical retracted position in which the longitudinal direction is the vertical direction. The armrest support portions 17A, 17A are provided with appropriate fixing portions for fixing the armrests 18A, 18A in the armrest position and the retracted position, respectively.

[0049] The armrest support parts 17A, 17A are each connected to a corresponding one of the armrest rear-end support parts that are continuous with the upper sides of the rear legs 14, 14. In the illustrated example, the armrest support parts 17A, 17A are provided with holding holes through which the armrest rear-end support parts are inserted. These armrest support parts 17A, 17A are provided so as to be height-adjustable with respect to the armrest rear-end support parts. These armrest support parts 17A, 17A are provided with appropriate fixing parts for fixing the height position with respect to the armrest rear-end support parts. As the armrest support parts 17A, 17A, instead of the configuration of rotatably holding the rear end sides of the armrest parts 18A, 18A about an axis along the toilet width direction as described above, a configuration of rotatably holding them about an axis along the vertical direction may be adopted. In this case, the armrest parts 18A, 18A may be configured such that their longitudinal directions are along the toilet width direction and they are in a retracted position. As the armrest support parts 17A, 17A for displaceably holding the armrest parts 18A, 18A between the armrest position and the retracted position, various other configurations may be adopted. Each member and each part configuration of the portable toilet 1, 1A described above are merely examples, and various other modifications are possible.

[0050] <Supplementary Note> From the description of the above embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed. <Technology 1> A portable toilet including a toilet seat, a seating detection unit that detects seating on the toilet seat, a counting unit that counts the number of seatings based on the detection of the seating detection unit, and a display unit that displays the number of seatings as a numerical value. <Technology 2> The portable toilet according to Technology 1, further including a seat portion that is displaceable between a seat state where it is arranged to cover the toilet seat and is capable of seating, and a toilet use state where it is separated from the toilet seat and is capable of seating on the toilet seat, and the seating detection unit also detects seating on the seat portion in the seat state. <Technology 3> The portable toilet according to Technology 1 or Technology 2, wherein the counting unit is capable of measuring the seating time based on the detection of the seating detection unit, and the display unit is capable of displaying the seating time. <Technology 4> A portable toilet comprising a local cleaning device for cleaning a local area, wherein the counting unit is capable of counting the number of times of cleaning use based on the operation of the cleaning operation unit of the local cleaning device, and the display unit is capable of displaying the number of times of cleaning use, according to any one of Technologies 1 to 3. <Technology 5> The portable toilet according to Technology 4, wherein the local cleaning device includes a pump for supplying cleaning water to a cleaning nozzle, and a pump drive time display unit for displaying the drive time of the pump measured by the counting unit. <Technology 6> A portable toilet comprising a local cleaning device for cleaning a local area and a remote controller provided with a cleaning operation unit for operating the local cleaning device, wherein the display unit is provided on the remote controller, according to any one of Technologies 1 to 5. <Technology 7> In the present disclosure, a portable toilet is also disclosed, which includes a toilet seat and a frame having a pair of front legs and a pair of rear legs for supporting the toilet seat, and the pair of front legs are provided so as to be located closer to the center in the toilet width direction than the pair of rear legs. <Technology 8> In the present disclosure, a portable toilet is also disclosed, which includes a toilet seat, a backrest frame located above the rear side of the toilet seat and a frame for supporting the toilet seat, and a backrest portion provided so as to rise on the rear side of the toilet seat and protrude above the backrest frame.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0051] 1, 1A Portable toilet 3 Seat portion 7 Control unit (counting unit) 9 Seating detection unit 19 Pump drive time display unit 25 Toilet seat 27 Local cleaning device 28 Pump 29 Cleaning nozzle 30 Remote controller 31 Cleaning operation unit 37 Display unit

Claims

1. A portable toilet comprising a toilet seat, a seating detection unit for detecting seating on the toilet seat, a counting unit for counting the number of seatings based on the detection of the seating detection unit, and a display unit for displaying the number of seatings as a numerical value.

2. In Claim 1, it is provided with a seat portion that is displaceable between a seat state in which it is arranged to cover the toilet seat and is capable of seating, and a toilet use state in which it is separated from the toilet seat so as to enable seating on the toilet seat, wherein the seating detection unit also detects seating on the seat portion in the seat state, characterized by the portable toilet.

3. In Claim 1, the counting unit is capable of measuring the seating time based on the detection of the seating detection unit, and the display unit is capable of displaying the seating time, characterized by the portable toilet.

4. In Claim 1, it is provided with a local cleaning device for cleaning a local area, the counting unit is capable of counting the number of cleaning uses based on the operation of the cleaning operation unit of the local cleaning device, and the display unit is capable of displaying the number of cleaning uses, characterized by the portable toilet.

5. In Claim 4, the local cleaning device is provided with a pump for supplying cleaning water to a cleaning nozzle, and is characterized by the portable toilet being provided with a pump drive time display unit for displaying the drive time of the pump measured by the counting unit.

6. In any one of Claims 1 to 5, it is provided with a local cleaning device for cleaning a local area and a remote controller provided with a cleaning operation unit for operating this local cleaning device, wherein the display unit is provided on the remote controller, characterized by the portable toilet.

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