Remote control device

Abstract

To provide a remote control device employing a capacitance detection method that can stably detect a depressing operation of an operation button with low power consumption and in a short time.SOLUTION: A remote control device includes an operation button that allows for a depressing operation and a detection unit that detects the depressing operation of the operation button. The detection unit includes a pair of fixed electrodes, a conductive member that is movable to a first position facing each of the pair of fixed electrodes at a predetermined distance, and a second position that is closer to the pair of fixed electrodes than the first position, and a detection circuit for detecting a change in the magnitude of capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes. The detection circuit includes a capacitor that is charged by current output from the fixed electrodes, a rectifier circuit that rectifies the current in a direction from the fixed electrodes to the capacitor, and a voltage suppression unit that increases the current output from the rectifier circuit while preventing voltage of the capacitor from rising to a predetermined value or higher.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION Aspects of the present invention generally relate to remote control devices. [Background technology]

[0002] There are remote control devices equipped with push-button type operation buttons that can be pressed down. Due to demands for thinner devices and lower power consumption, there is a demand for such remote control devices to employ a capacitance detection method to detect the operation of pressing the operation buttons. Furthermore, there is a demand for remote control devices that can detect the operation of pressing the operation buttons with low power consumption and in a short time.

[0003] For example, it has been proposed to detect a change in the magnitude of the capacitance due to whether or not an operation button is pressed using a detection circuit that detects a change in the magnitude of the voltage charged to the capacitance (for example, Patent Document 1). However, a detection circuit that detects a change in the magnitude of the voltage charged to the capacitance may be relatively large in circuit size and may consume relatively large power. Furthermore, a detection circuit that detects a change in the magnitude of the voltage charged to the capacitance may be susceptible to noise depending on the threshold value set for the voltage magnitude, or the magnitude of the capacitance to be detected may vary greatly, resulting in a decrease in the stability of the detection operation.

[0004] For this reason, it is desirable for a remote control device to be able to stably detect the pressing of an operation button with low power consumption and in a short time, even when a capacitance detection method is adopted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 62-144220 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention has been made based on the recognition of such problems, and aims to provide a remote control device using a capacitance detection method that can stably detect the pressing of an operation button with low power consumption and in a short time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention provides an electronic device comprising: an operation button that can be pressed down; a detection unit that detects the pressing of the operation button; and a control unit that determines whether the operation button has been pressed down based on the detection result of the detection unit and outputs a signal according to the determination result, wherein the operation button moves between a normal position and a pressed-down position when pressed down, and the detection unit is provided to be movable between a pair of fixed electrodes, a first position facing each of the pair of fixed electrodes with a predetermined gap therebetween, and a second position that is closer to the pair of fixed electrodes than the first position, and wherein the detection unit is provided with a conductive member that is located at the first position when the operation button is in the normal position, and that moves from the first position to the second position as the operation button moves from the normal position to the pressed-down position, and a detection circuit for detecting a change in the magnitude of the electrostatic capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes, and the detection circuit includes a pulse input unit that inputs a pulse signal to one of the pair of fixed electrodes, and a conductive member that inputs a pulse signal to the other of the pair of fixed electrodes. a capacitor electrically connected to the other fixed electrode and charged by the current output from the other fixed electrode in response to the input of the pulse signal; a rectifier circuit that rectifies the direction of the current flowing between the other fixed electrode and the capacitor in the direction from the other fixed electrode to the capacitor; a voltage suppression unit that increases the voltage of the capacitor using the current output from the rectifier circuit and suppresses the voltage of the capacitor from increasing above a predetermined value, and increases the current output from the rectifier circuit in accordance with the current output from the other fixed electrode in response to the input of the pulse signal, while suppressing the voltage of the capacitor from increasing above the predetermined value; and an output unit that outputs an output that changes in accordance with the current output from the rectifier circuit as a detection result of a change in the magnitude of the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes, wherein the control unit determines whether the operation button has been pressed or not based on the detection result of the detection circuit input via the output unit.

[0008] This remote control device suppresses the capacitor voltage from rising above a predetermined value, thereby linearizing the relationship between the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes and the change in current output from the rectifier circuit. This makes it easy to set the threshold for determining whether or not an operation button is pressed at any capacitance, enabling stable detection of the operation button press. Furthermore, it is possible to detect the operation button press with low power consumption and in a short time without requiring a dedicated IC or complex circuit configuration. Therefore, even when a capacitance-based detection method is adopted, it is possible to stably detect the operation button press with low power consumption and in a short time.

[0009] A second invention is the remote control device according to the first invention, characterized in that the voltage suppression section is a diode connected between the base and emitter of an NPN bipolar transistor.

[0010] This remote control device makes it possible to suppress the voltage to a low level. Also, a current flows through the base, which can be used to determine whether or not the operation button has been pressed.

[0011] A third invention is a remote control device according to the second invention, wherein the base of the NPN bipolar transistor receives an input of a voltage corresponding to the voltage charged to the capacitor, the collector of the NPN bipolar transistor receives an input of a voltage corresponding to a power supply voltage, the emitter of the NPN bipolar transistor is electrically connected to a portion of a common potential, the output unit is electrically connected to the collector of the NPN bipolar transistor and outputs a voltage that decreases in accordance with an increase in current output from the rectifier circuit as a detection result of a change in the magnitude of the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes, and the control unit determines that the operation button has not been pressed down when the voltage of the output unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and determines that the operation button has been pressed down when the voltage of the output unit is less than the predetermined value.

[0012] This remote control device can appropriately determine whether or not an operation button has been pressed using a relatively simple configuration, thereby preventing an increase in the number of parts in the remote control device.

[0013] A fourth invention is a remote control device according to any one of the first to third inventions, further comprising a power generation module that generates electricity based on the operating force associated with pressing down the operation button, and the control unit operates using the power generated by the power generation module.

[0014] According to this remote control device, the control unit is operated using the power generated by the power generation module, making it possible to provide a remote control device that does not require a power source such as a battery. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a remote control device using a capacitance detection method that can stably detect pressing of an operation button with low power consumption and in a short time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view schematically illustrating a remote control device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrical system of the remote control device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 3(a) and 3(b) are cross-sectional views schematically illustrating a part of the remote control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating an example of a detection circuit of a detection unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 5(a) to 5(c) are graphs that schematically show an example of the operation of the detection circuit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 6(a) to 6(e) are timing charts that schematically show an example of the operation of the remote control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating an example of a reference detection circuit. [Figure 8] 10 is a graph schematically illustrating an example of the operation of a reference detection circuit. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating a modified example of the detection circuit according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 10(a) to 10(c) are graphs that schematically show an example of the operation of the detection circuit of the modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like components are designated by like reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted where appropriate. FIG. 1 is a front view schematically illustrating a remote control device according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the remote control device 1 includes a case 2 that forms an outer shell, a plurality of operation buttons 3, a link mechanism 4, and a power generation module 10.

[0018] The remote control device 1 is installed in a toilet room and remotely controls, for example, a toilet device (not shown). Each operation button 3 is, for example, a push button that can be pressed down. The remote control device 1 detects the operation of each operation button 3 and transmits a wireless signal corresponding to the operated operation button 3 to the toilet device. The toilet device receives the wireless signal transmitted from the remote control device 1 and performs an operation corresponding to the wireless signal.

[0019] The operation buttons 3 are arranged in two vertical rows on the case 2. For example, the upper end of each operation button 3 serves as a rotatable fixed end (fulcrum), and the lower end serves as a free end that can be pressed down. Each operation button 3 is arranged on the case 2 so as to be capable of being pressed down. Note that the configuration of each operation button 3 is not limited to the above-described configuration in which the upper end serves as a fulcrum, and any configuration that allows for a pressing down operation may be used.

[0020] The operation buttons 3 include, for example, a stop button 3a, a rear cleansing button 3b, a bidet cleansing button 3c, a sound generating button 3d, a low water flow rate button 3e, a high water flow rate button 3f, a low volume button 3g, a high volume button 3h, and a nozzle cleansing button 3i.

[0021] The number of operation buttons 3 provided on the remote control device 1 may be any number. For example, the number of operation buttons 3 provided on the remote control device 1 may be one. The remote control device 1 is required to have at least one operation button 3. The functions assigned to each operation button 3 are not limited to those described above, and may be any function. Each operation button 3 may be any operation button for inputting any operation instruction to the toilet device.

[0022] The link mechanism 4 is provided inside the case 2. The link mechanism 4 connects each operation button 3 and the power generation module 10. The link mechanism 4 has a first link 4a located on the upper side and extending in the longitudinal direction of the remote control device 1, a second link 4b located on the lower side (below the first link 4a) and extending in the longitudinal direction of the remote control device 1, and a connecting rod 4c connecting the first link 4a and the second link 4b. The link mechanism 4 moves (slides) laterally in response to operation of any of the operation buttons 3, and presses the input section of the power generation module 10. In other words, the link mechanism 4 is a transmission mechanism that transmits the operating force of pressing down any of the operation buttons 3 to the power generation module 10.

[0023] The power generation module 10 is provided inside the case 2. In this example, the power generation module 10 is mounted on the lower left of the case 2. The power generation module 10 is connected to each of the operation buttons 3 via a link mechanism 4, and generates power when any of the operation buttons 3 is pressed down. In other words, the power generation module 10 generates power based on the operating force associated with the pressing down of any of the operation buttons 3, which is transmitted via the link mechanism 4.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrical system of the remote control device according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the remote control device 1 has multiple detection units 5 that detect the pressing of multiple operation buttons 3, a power supply unit 6 that has a storage element 6a that stores power generated by the power generation module 10, and a control unit 7 that operates using the power generated by the power generation module 10.

[0025] The multiple detectors 5 are provided corresponding to the multiple operation buttons 3, respectively. The number of the multiple detectors 5 is, for example, the same as the number of the multiple operation buttons 3. Each detector 5 detects the pressing of one corresponding operation button 3.

[0026] The power supply unit 6 supplies the power stored in the power storage element 6a to each detection unit 5 and the control unit 7. Each detection unit 5 detects the depression of each operation button 3 based on the power supplied from the power supply unit 6. The control unit 7 is activated based on the power supplied from the power supply unit 6.

[0027] The storage element 6a may be, for example, a capacitor or a storage battery. The capacity of the storage element 6a is set to the minimum capacity that can store the power required to start the control unit 7 and transmit wireless signals. This can prevent the storage element 6a from becoming too large. It can also prevent the control unit 7 from malfunctioning due to excess power remaining in the storage element 6a.

[0028] The control unit 7 is electrically connected to each of the multiple detection units 5. Based on the detection results of the multiple detection units 5, the control unit 7 determines which operation button 3 has been pressed, and transmits a wireless signal corresponding to the determined operation button 3 to the toilet device, thereby remotely controlling the toilet device.

[0029] The control unit 7 includes, for example, a microcomputer 7a, a high-frequency generating circuit 7b, and a transmitting unit 7c. The microcomputer 7a, for example, identifies the operation button 3 that has been pressed and generates a signal corresponding to the identified operation button 3. The high-frequency generating circuit 7b, for example, converts the signal generated by the microcomputer 7a into a high-frequency signal. The high-frequency generating circuit 7b generates a high-frequency signal of, for example, 2.4 GHz. The transmitting unit 7c, which includes, for example, an antenna, converts the high-frequency signal generated by the high-frequency generating circuit 7b into a wireless signal and transmits it to the toilet device.

[0030] However, the control unit 7 is not limited to a configuration that transmits wireless signals, and may be configured, for example, to be connected to the toilet device via a wire and output a signal to the toilet device via a wire. The control unit 7 may be configured in any way that can determine whether the operation button 3 has been pressed or not based on the detection result of the detection unit 5, and output a signal according to the determination result.

[0031] 3(a) and 3(b) are cross-sectional views schematically illustrating a part of the remote control device according to the embodiment. 3(a) and 3(b) schematically show the configuration of a portion related to one operation button 3 of the remote control device 1. Note that the configuration of the portion related to the operation button 3 can be the same for each of the multiple operation buttons 3, so the description of the configuration of the portions related to the other operation buttons 3 will be omitted.

[0032] As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the operation button 3 is provided on the case 2 so as to be able to be depressed, and moves between a normal position and a depressed position when depressed. Figure 3(a) schematically shows the state in which the operation button 3 is in the normal position. Figure 3(b) schematically shows the state in which the operation button 3 is in the depressed position. In other words, the depressed position is a position in which the operation button 3 is pressed by the user's finger or the like and is pushed closer to the case 2 than the normal position.

[0033] The operation button 3 is held in a normal position when not being pressed down, for example, by a spring (not shown). The operation button 3 moves between the normal position and the pressed-down position, for example, by having its upper end pivotally supported by the case 2. However, the configuration of the operation button 3 is not limited to this, and any configuration that allows it to move between the normal position and the pressed-down position may be used.

[0034] The detection unit 5 has a pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 and a conductive member 23. The pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 are provided inside the case 2. The pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 are provided inside the case 2 so as to face the operation button 3, for example.

[0035] The conductive member 23 is provided so as to face each of the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22. The conductive member 23 is provided, for example, so as to be located between each of the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 and the operation button 3. In other words, the conductive member 23 is provided so as to face each of the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 and also face the operation button 3.

[0036] Furthermore, the conductive member 23 is provided so as to be movable between a first position where it faces each of the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 at a predetermined distance, and a second position where it is closer to the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 than the first position. In other words, the second position is a position where the distance between the conductive member 23 and each of the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 is narrower than the first position. The first position is, for example, the position shown in FIG. 3(a), and the second position is, for example, the position shown in FIG. 3(b).

[0037] The conductive member 23 is located at the first position when the operation button 3 is in the normal position. The conductive member 23 moves from the first position to the second position as the operation button 3 moves from the normal position to the depressed position due to a depression operation. The conductive member 23 is located at the second position when the operation button 3 is in the depressed position.

[0038] The pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 and the conductive member 23 change the distance between them in response to the depression of the operation button 3, thereby changing the magnitude of the capacitance between them. When the operation button 3 is in the depressed position, the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 and the conductive member 23 narrow the distance between them compared to when the operation button 3 is in the normal position, thereby increasing the magnitude of the capacitance between them. In other words, when the operation button 3 is depressed, the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 and the conductive member 23 increase the magnitude of the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 compared to when the operation button 3 is not depressed.

[0039] More specifically, the magnitude of the capacitance between the fixed electrode 21 and the conductive member 23 when the conductive member 23 is in the second position is larger than the magnitude of the capacitance between the fixed electrode 21 and the conductive member 23 when the conductive member 23 is in the first position, and the magnitude of the capacitance between the fixed electrode 22 and the conductive member 23 when the conductive member 23 is in the second position is larger than the magnitude of the capacitance between the fixed electrode 22 and the conductive member 23 when the conductive member 23 is in the first position. The magnitude of the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 is the magnitude of the combined capacitance of the magnitude of the capacitance between the fixed electrode 21 and the conductive member 23 and the magnitude of the capacitance between the fixed electrode 22 and the conductive member 23.

[0040] In this way, the detection unit 5 moves the conductive member 23 in response to the pressing of the operation button 3, and changes the magnitude of the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22, thereby making it possible to detect the pressing of the operation button 3. The detection unit 5 detects the pressing of the operation button 3 using a capacitance detection method.

[0041] The detection unit 5 further includes, for example, a substrate 24, an insulating film 25, and an elastic member 26. The substrate 24 supports the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22. The pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 are attached to the inside of the case 2 via the substrate 24, for example, in a state where they are arranged side by side on the substrate 24. The substrate 24 has insulating properties and prevents electrical connection between the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 via the substrate 24. For example, a metal material is used for the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22. However, the material of the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 is not limited to this and may be any material that is at least conductive.

[0042] The insulating film 25 is provided on the substrate 24 and covers the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 that are arranged side by side on the substrate 24. The insulating film 25 has insulating properties. For example, when the conductive member 23 moves to (come close to) the second position, the insulating film 25 prevents the conductive member 23 from coming into contact with the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22, thereby preventing electrical conduction between the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 and the conductive member 23. The second position may be, for example, a position where the conductive member 23 is in contact with the insulating film 25. Furthermore, there may be a gap between the conductive member 23 and the insulating film 25 when the conductive member 23 is in the second position.

[0043] The elastic member 26 is provided on the case 2 so as to be located, for example, between the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 and the operation button 3. The elastic member 26 supports the conductive member 23. The conductive member 23 is provided on a surface of the elastic member 26 that faces the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22.

[0044] The elastic member 26 holds the conductive member 23 at the first position when the operation button 3 is in the normal position. When the operation button 3 moves from the normal position to the depressed position, the elastic member 26 comes into contact with the operation button 3 and elastically deforms, thereby moving the conductive member 23 from the first position to the second position.

[0045] The elastic member 26 is elastic and insulating. For example, silicone rubber is used for the elastic member 26. When the conductive member 23 is provided on the elastic member 26, a material having both conductivity and elasticity, such as conductive rubber, is used for the conductive member 23. However, the material of the conductive member 23 may be a metal material or the like. The material of the conductive member 23 may be any material that is at least conductive.

[0046] Furthermore, elastic member 26, for example, closes the opening of case 2, thereby separating the space inside case 2 in which pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 and the like are provided. This prevents water from entering the space inside case 2 in which electrical components such as pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 are provided, even when water splashes on remote control device 1 while cleaning the toilet device, for example. For example, it is possible to prevent false detection from occurring due to water splashing on pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22. For example, it is also possible to prevent failure of remote control device 1 due to water splashing.

[0047] In this way, the conductive member 23 is provided on the elastic member 26, and moves to the first position and the second position due to elastic deformation of the elastic member 26. However, the configuration for moving the conductive member 23 to the first position and the second position is not limited to this, and any configuration that can appropriately move the conductive member 23 to the first position and the second position may be used.

[0048] The configuration of the detection unit 5 is not limited to the above, and may be any configuration that includes at least a pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 and a conductive member 23, and that allows the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 to be changed by moving the conductive member 23. The conductive member 23 may be configured to move between a first position and a second position by being held by, for example, a rubber spring. Alternatively, the conductive member 23 may be a bell-shaped or conical coil spring, and the spring force of the conductive member 23 itself may move between the first position and the second position. The conductive member 23 may be attached to, for example, the back surface of the operation button 3. In other words, the conductive member 23 may be configured to be switchable between a first state in which the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 is set to a first magnitude and a second state in which the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 is set to a second magnitude greater than the first magnitude.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating an example of a detection circuit of the detection unit according to the embodiment. 4, the detection unit 5 has a detection circuit 30 for detecting a change in the magnitude of the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22. The detection circuit 30 is provided, for example, on the substrate 24 together with the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22. However, the detection circuit 30 may be provided on a substrate separate from the substrate 24. The detection unit 5 may have multiple substrates.

[0050] The detection circuit 30 includes a pulse input unit 31 , a rectifier circuit 32 , a capacitor 33 , a resistive element 34 , a transistor 35 , a resistive element 36 , and an output unit 37 .

[0051] 4, capacitance C1 is a capacitance component generated between the pair of fixed electrodes 21 and 22. More specifically, capacitance C1 is a combined capacitance of the capacitance component between fixed electrode 21 and conductive member 23 and the capacitance component between fixed electrode 22 and conductive member 23. Therefore, the magnitude of capacitance C1 changes between a state in which conductive member 23 is in a first position and a state in which conductive member 23 is in a second position.

[0052] The pulse input unit 31 is connected to one fixed electrode 21 of the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22, and is also connected to the power supply unit 6 and the microcomputer 7a of the control unit 7. The pulse input unit 31 receives a power supply voltage from the power supply unit 6. The pulse input unit 31 receives an input of a pulse signal from the microcomputer 7a.

[0053] Pulse input unit 31 has a function of, for example, increasing the driving capability of a pulse signal input from microcomputer 7a, that is, a function of decreasing the output impedance of a pulse signal input to fixed electrode 21. If the driving capability of microcomputer 7a is sufficient, pulse input unit 31 may be an output port of microcomputer 7a. In other words, pulse input unit 31 may input the pulse signal input from microcomputer 7a to fixed electrode 21 as is.

[0054] The capacitor 33 is electrically connected to the other fixed electrode 22 of the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22, and is charged by the current output from the fixed electrode 22 in response to the input of a pulse signal. In other words, the capacitor 33 integrates the signal output from the fixed electrode 22 in response to the input of a pulse signal. For this reason, the capacitance of the capacitor 33 is set to a value that is sufficiently large relative to the capacitance C1. The capacitor 33 has, for example, a pair of terminals. One terminal of the capacitor 33 is electrically connected to the fixed electrode 22. The other terminal of the capacitor 33 is electrically connected to a common potential portion (GND). The potential of the other terminal of the capacitor 33 is set to a common potential (for example, ground potential).

[0055] The rectifier circuit 32 is provided between the other fixed electrode 22 of the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 and the capacitor 33. In other words, the capacitor 33 is connected to the fixed electrode 22 via the rectifier circuit 32. The rectifier circuit 32 rectifies the direction of the current flowing between the fixed electrode 22 and the capacitor 33 in the direction from the fixed electrode 22 toward the capacitor 33.

[0056] The rectifier circuit 32 includes, for example, a first rectifier element 32a and a second rectifier element 32b. The first rectifier element 32a and the second rectifier element 32b are, for example, diodes. The first rectifier element 32a is provided between the fixed electrode 22 and the capacitor 33. One end (anode) of the first rectifier element 32a is electrically connected to the fixed electrode 22, and the other end (cathode) of the first rectifier element 32a is electrically connected to the capacitor 33. The first rectifier element 32a rectifies the direction of the current flowing between the fixed electrode 22 and the capacitor 33, toward the capacitor 33 from the fixed electrode 22. One end (cathode) of the second rectifier element 32b is electrically connected to the connection point between the fixed electrode 22 and the first rectifier element 32a. The other end (anode) of the second rectifier element 32b is electrically connected to a portion at a common potential. The potential at the other end of the second rectifying element 32b is set to the common potential.

[0057] The transistor 35 is, for example, an NPN bipolar transistor. The base of the transistor 35 is electrically connected to the connection point between the first rectifier element 32a and the capacitor 33. As a result, the voltage charged in the capacitor 33 is applied to the base of the transistor 35. The collector of the transistor 35 is electrically connected to one end of the resistor element 36. The power supply voltage supplied from the power supply unit 6 is applied to the other end of the resistor element 36. As a result, a voltage corresponding to the power supply voltage is applied to the collector of the transistor 35. In other words, the collector of the transistor 35 receives an input of a voltage corresponding to the power supply voltage. The emitter of the transistor 35 is electrically connected to a portion at a common potential. The potential of the emitter of the transistor 35 is set to the common potential.

[0058] One end of the resistor element 34 is electrically connected to the connection point between the capacitor 33 and the base of the transistor 35. The other end of the resistor element 34 is electrically connected to the common potential. The potential of the other end of the resistor element 34 is set to the common potential. In other words, the resistor element 34 is provided in parallel with the capacitor 33 between the capacitor 33 and the base of the transistor 35.

[0059] The resistive element 34 adjusts the magnitude of the current flowing into the base of the transistor 35 according to the voltage charged in the capacitor 33. By adjusting the resistance value of the resistive element 34, it is possible to adjust, for example, the magnitude of the capacitance C1 that detects a press-down operation. In other words, by adjusting the resistance value of the resistive element 34, it is possible to adjust the detection sensitivity of the detection circuit 30. The resistive element 34 is provided as needed and can be omitted.

[0060] The output unit 37 is electrically connected to the connection point between the collector of the transistor 35 and the resistance element 36. The output unit 37 is connected to the microcomputer 7a of the control unit 7, and outputs the detection result of the change in the magnitude of the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 to the microcomputer 7a of the control unit 7. Based on the detection result of the detection circuit 30 input via the output unit 37, the microcomputer 7a determines which operation button 3 has been pressed, as described above.

[0061] 5(a) to 5(c) are graphs that schematically show an example of the operation of the detection circuit according to the embodiment. The horizontal axis in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c) represents the magnitude of the capacitance C1. The vertical axis of FIG. 5( a ) represents the voltage Vout of the capacitor 33 . The vertical axis of FIG. 5( b ) represents the current Iout output from the rectifier circuit 32 and the current Ib flowing between the base and emitter of the transistor 35 . The vertical axis of FIG. 5(c) represents the current Ic flowing through the collector of the transistor 35.

[0062] In the detection circuit 30, when the pulse signal input from the pulse input unit 31 to the fixed electrode 21 becomes high (high voltage state), the capacitance C1 is charged based on the voltage of the pulse signal, the first rectifier element 32a of the rectifier circuit 32 is turned on and the second rectifier element 32b is turned off, and the capacitor 33 is charged according to the magnitude of the capacitance C1.

[0063] When the pulse signal input from the pulse input unit 31 to the fixed electrode 21 switches from high to low, the second rectifier element 32b turns on, and the charge stored in the capacitance C1 is discharged toward the common potential. At this time, the first rectifier element 32a turns off, preventing the charge stored in the capacitor 33 from being discharged toward the fixed electrode 22. As a result, the pulse signal repeatedly turns on and off at a predetermined cycle, and each time it switches to high, the capacitor 33 is charged according to the magnitude of the capacitance C1, and the voltage of the capacitor 33 rises (for example, from time t1 to time t2 in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c)). In other words, the capacitor 33 accumulates (integrates) the magnitude of the capacitance C1 (the charge stored in the capacitance C1) for each cycle of the pulse signal.

[0064] When the voltage of capacitor 33 increases and the voltage applied to the base of transistor 35 reaches the forward voltage Vbe between the base and emitter, the increase in the voltage of capacitor 33 is suppressed. After the voltage applied to the base of transistor 35 reaches the forward voltage Vbe, the voltage of capacitor 33 is suppressed to a value corresponding to the forward voltage Vbe, and the increase in the voltage of capacitor 33 above the forward voltage Vbe is suppressed. In this state, the current Ib flowing from the base to the emitter of transistor 35 and the current Iout output from rectifier circuit 32 increase in accordance with the current output from fixed electrode 22 in response to the input of a pulse signal (for example, after time t2 in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c)).

[0065] When the base-emitter current Ib of the transistor 35 increases, the current Ic flowing from the collector to the emitter of the transistor 35 also increases in response to the increase in current Ib. In other words, the transistor 35 gradually switches from the OFF state to the ON state in response to the increase in current Ib.

[0066] In this example, the voltage of the output section 37 decreases as the collector-emitter current Ic increases. During the off-state of the transistor 35, when the voltage applied to the base of the transistor 35 is less than the forward voltage Vbe, the voltage of the output section 37 is set to a value corresponding to the power supply voltage. During the off-state of the transistor 35, the voltage of the output section 37 is set to a value that is recognized as high by the microcomputer 7a of the control section 7, for example.

[0067] When the voltage applied to the base of the transistor 35 exceeds the forward voltage Vbe and the current Ic increases, the voltage at the output section 37 decreases in accordance with the increase in the current Ic. Then, the transistor 35 switches to a completely ON state, and the voltage at the output section 37 is set to a value close to the ground potential (e.g., 0 V). While the transistor 35 is in the ON state, the voltage at the output section 37 is set to a value that is recognized as low by the microcomputer 7a of the control section 7, for example.

[0068] The microcomputer 7a of the control unit 7 determines whether or not the operation button 3 has been pressed, for example, at the timing when a predetermined number of pulses are input to the fixed electrode 21. In other words, the microcomputer 7a determines whether or not the operation button 3 has been pressed when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the determination of whether or not the operation button 3 has been pressed.

[0069] The magnitude of the capacitance C1 is set so that when the conductive member 23 is in the second position (when the operation button 3 is pressed down), the magnitude of the voltage of the output section 37 becomes low (less than the low determination threshold of the microcomputer 7a) at the timing when the microcomputer 7a makes a judgment.

[0070] The magnitude of the capacitance C1 is set so that when the conductive member 23 is in the first position (when the operation button 3 is not pressed down), the magnitude of the voltage of the output section 37 becomes high (above the high determination threshold of the microcomputer 7a) at the timing when the microcomputer 7a makes a determination.

[0071] This allows the microcomputer 7a to determine which operation button 3 has been pressed, based on the voltage of the output section 37. As described above, the voltage of the output section 37 changes in response to an increase in the current Ic accompanying an increase in the current Ib and the current Iout. That is, the voltage of the output section 37 changes in response to the current Iout.

[0072] In the detection circuit 30, the transistor 35 increases the voltage of the capacitor 33 using the current output from the rectifier circuit 32, while suppressing the voltage of the capacitor 33 from increasing by a predetermined value (e.g., a forward voltage Vbe), and increases the current Iout output from the rectifier circuit 32 in accordance with the current output from the fixed electrode 22 in response to the input of a pulse signal, while the voltage of the capacitor 33 is suppressed from increasing by a predetermined value or more. That is, in this example, a voltage suppression unit is realized in which the transistor 35 increases the voltage of the capacitor 33 using the current output from the rectifier circuit 32, while suppressing the voltage of the capacitor 33 from increasing by a predetermined value or more, and increases the current output from the rectifier circuit 32 in accordance with the current output from the fixed electrode 22 in response to the input of a pulse signal, while the voltage of the capacitor 33 is suppressed from increasing by a predetermined value or more. In this example, the voltage suppression unit is, more specifically, a diode (a PN junction diode inside the transistor 35) between the base and emitter of the transistor 35 (an NPN bipolar transistor).

[0073] The detection circuit 30 then causes the output section 37 to output an output that changes in response to the current Iout as a detection result of the change in the magnitude of the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22. The output section 37 is electrically connected to, for example, the collector of the transistor 35, and outputs a voltage that decreases in response to an increase in the current Iout as a detection result of the change in the magnitude of the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22. This enables the detection circuit 30 to determine which operation button 3 has been pressed.

[0074] The microcomputer 7a determines that the operation button 3 is not being pressed when the voltage of the output unit 37 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and determines that the operation button 3 is being pressed when the voltage of the output unit 37 is less than the predetermined value. In other words, the microcomputer 7a determines which operation button 3 is being pressed based on changes in the current Iout. In other words, the microcomputer 7a determines that the operation button 3 is not being pressed when the current Iout is less than a predetermined value, and determines that the operation button 3 is being pressed when the current Iout is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. Note that the output of the output unit 37 is not limited to the above. For example, the output unit 37 may be configured to output a voltage that is low when the conductive member 23 is in the first position (when the operation button 3 is not being pressed) and high when the conductive member 23 is in the second position (when the operation button 3 is being pressed). The output of the output unit 37 changes in accordance with the current Iout output from the rectifier circuit 32, and may be any output that can be output as a detection result of a change in the magnitude of the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22.

[0075] 6(a) to 6(e) are timing charts that schematically show an example of the operation of the remote control device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6(a) schematically shows the movement of the operation button 3 between the normal position and the depressed position. FIG. 6(b) schematically shows the movement of the conductive member 23 between the first position and the second position. FIG. 6(c) shows a schematic diagram of the operation of the power generation module 10. FIG. 6(d) shows a schematic diagram of the voltage of the power storage element 6a of the power supply unit 6. FIG. 6(e) shows a schematic diagram of the operation of the microcomputer 7a.

[0076] As shown in Figures 6(a) to 6(e), when a user or the like presses down the operation button 3, the operation button 3 starts to move from the normal position towards the pressed-down position (for example, time t11 in Figures 6(a) to 6(e)).

[0077] The power generation module 10 generates power when the operation button 3 is moved to the depressed position (for example, time t13 in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(e)).

[0078] At this time, the conductive member 23 completes the movement from the first position to the second position (for example, time t12 in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(e)) before the power generation module 10 starts generating power. In other words, the conductive member 23 changes the magnitude of the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 from a small state to a large state before the power generation module 10 starts generating power.

[0079] When the power generation module 10 generates power, the voltage of the storage element 6a of the power supply unit 6 gradually increases (for example, from time t13 to time t14 in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(e)). When the voltage of the storage element 6a of the power supply unit 6 reaches or exceeds a predetermined voltage, the microcomputer 7a starts up (for example, from time t14 in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(e)).

[0080] After being started, the microcomputer 7a starts inputting pulse signals to the pulse input unit 31, thereby causing the detection circuit 30 to start detecting changes in the magnitude of the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22. At this time, the conductive member 23 has completed moving from the first position to the second position before the power generation module 10 starts generating power. In other words, the conductive member 23 has completed moving from the first position to the second position before the microcomputer 7a is started. As a result, by the time the microcomputer 7a causes the detection circuit 30 to start detection, the magnitude of the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22 has appropriately changed, allowing the detection circuit 30 to appropriately detect changes in the magnitude of the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22.

[0081] The microcomputer 7a determines whether or not the operation button 3 has been pressed down at the timing when a predetermined number of pulses are input to the fixed electrode 21 (for example, time t15 in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(e)). For example, the microcomputer 7a determines that, among the multiple operation buttons 3, the operation button 3 for which the voltage of the output section 37 is low is the operation button 3 that has been pressed down.

[0082] For example, it is conceivable that the magnitude of the voltages of the plurality of output sections 37 may become low at the timing of the determination due to the influence of water adhering to the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22. In such a case, it is considered that the change in the magnitude of the capacitance due to the adhesion of water or the like is smaller than the change in the magnitude of the capacitance due to the approach of the conductive member 23. Therefore, when the magnitude of the voltages of the plurality of output sections 37 is low, the microcomputer 7a determines that the operation button 3 whose magnitude of the voltage of the output section 37 first became low is the operation button 3 that was pressed down.

[0083] After identifying the pressed operation button 3, the microcomputer 7a generates a signal corresponding to the identified operation button 3, and transmits a wireless signal corresponding to the generated signal from the transmitter 7c to the toilet device (for example, time t16 in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(e)). This allows the toilet device to perform the action corresponding to the pressed operation button 3.

[0084] After transmitting the wireless signal, the microcomputer 7a stops operating when the voltage of the power storage element 6a of the power supply unit 6 falls below a predetermined voltage (for example, time t17 in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(e)).

[0085] The operation button 3 moves from the depressed position to the normal position when the user or the like finishes depressing the operation button 3 (for example, at time t19 in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(e)).

[0086] For example, the conductive member 23 completes movement from the second position to the first position before the operation button 3 starts moving from the depressed position and moves to the normal position (for example, time t18 in Figures 6(a) to 6(e)).

[0087] The most common method for detecting when a push-button-type operating button 3 is pressed and the operating button 3 is in the ON state (hereinafter referred to as "ON detection") is to use an electrical contact such as a metal spring, but this method has durability issues due to deformation and wear of the contact. In particular, remote control devices 1 for public restrooms and the like are expected to be able to withstand around one million switch operations. Therefore, a switch detection method that does not use electrical contacts but uses electrostatic capacitance has been proposed.

[0088] Furthermore, in the case of the remote control device 1, in which the generator of the power generation module 10 is rotated by pressing the operation button 3 and radio waves are transmitted using the power obtained, the amount of power generated by the device itself is extremely small, so it is important to reduce the power consumption for ON detection.

[0089] Furthermore, when using the power generated by the power generating module 10, the ON detection circuit must not only consume little power, but also perform detection in a short time. In addition to the ON detection circuit for the operation button 3, the remote control device 1 also contains, for example, a microcomputer 7a that emits radio waves. Until it has finished detecting which operation button 3 has been turned ON, other circuits in the remote control device 1 must wait to operate, consuming power during this time. Therefore, it is important to shorten the time it takes for the circuit to start and finish ON detection after power is applied to the self-generated power, thereby reducing the power consumption of circuits other than ON detection. The time from the start to the end of detection should preferably be less than 10 ms, for example.

[0090] There are many methods for detecting ON using capacitance, but there are challenges when it comes to requirements for "low power consumption and short detection time." The simplest method for detecting capacitance is to use a commercially available capacitance detection IC. This type of IC is designed for general-purpose use and generally has a built-in microcontroller. When the power is turned on, it takes time to start measuring as it prepares for electrostatic detection operation by setting operating conditions (detection cycle, detection sensitivity) and initializing the circuit (cancelling parasitic capacitance). This typically takes more than 100 ms. For applications such as the self-powered remote control mentioned above, this long preparation time makes it difficult to use a capacitance detection IC.

[0091] FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating an example of a reference detection circuit. 7, in a reference detection circuit 40, the transistor 35 of the detection circuit 30 shown in Fig. 4 is replaced with a comparator 41. Note that the same components as those in the detection circuit 30 shown in Fig. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0092] A voltage corresponding to the voltage charged in the capacitor 33 is applied to one input terminal of the comparator 41. A threshold value Vth generated by dividing the power supply voltage by resistor elements 42 and 43 is input to the other input terminal of the comparator 41.

[0093] The output terminal of the comparator 41 is connected to the output unit 37. The comparator 41 outputs a low signal when the voltage charged in the capacitor 33 is less than the threshold Vth, and outputs a high signal when the voltage charged in the capacitor 33 is equal to or greater than the threshold Vth.

[0094] The detection circuit 40 detects a change in the magnitude of the voltage charged to the capacitance C1 (the voltage charged to the capacitor 33), thereby making it possible to identify the operation button 3 that has been pressed down.

[0095] In order to complete ON detection in a short time, a simple detection circuit that can perform detection operations immediately after the microcomputer 7a is started up, without using a capacitance detection IC or the like, is suitable.

[0096] In this detection circuit 40, the peak value Vout can be expressed by the following formula.

number

[0097] FIG. 8 is a graph schematically showing an example of the operation of the reference detection circuit. 8 shows the relationship between capacitance C1 and peak value Vout in the reference detection circuit 40. As can be seen from the equation, in the region (region A) where capacitance C1 is small compared to 1 / (K×R1) and peak value Vout is small relative to power supply voltage Vcc, capacitance C1 and peak value Vout are nearly proportional, but as capacitance C1 increases (region B), the slope of the graph becomes gentler. This is because as peak value Vout increases, current output Iout via capacitance C1 decreases.

[0098] With this characteristic, if the threshold voltage Vth is lowered, the relationship between the capacitance C1 and the peak value Vout becomes nearly proportional, making it suitable for a design that judges at a predetermined capacitance. However, because the judgment voltage is low, it has the disadvantage of being vulnerable to noise from within the circuit or from the switch section.

[0099] Therefore, if the threshold Vth is set high to make it resistant to noise (a high threshold means that the effect of noise is relatively small), the slope of the graph will be gentle, and a slight change in threshold voltage will cause a large change in the capacitance value that determines whether the device is on or off. In other words, the value that determines how much capacitance is used to determine whether the device is on or off is likely to vary, resulting in unstable operation.

[0100] Furthermore, in the reference detection circuit 40, the voltage signal of the capacitance C1 may be amplified using an amplifier such as a transistor. Because the capacitance C1 is small, on the order of a few pF, the resulting voltage signal is very small, and variations in the setting conditions of the transistor's bias circuit and the amplification factor hfe cause variations in the output voltage. This variation can be resolved by using a comparator 41 with an adjustable threshold Vth, but this increases the circuit size, power consumption, and cost. Furthermore, if there are, for example, ten operation buttons 3, as in the case of a remote control device 1 for a toilet, ten times the number of circuits is required, increasing power consumption and cost.

[0101] As described above, the reference detection circuit 40 is susceptible to noise, has large circuit variations, and is difficult to stably determine ON / OFF at an arbitrary capacitance in terms of its operating principle.

[0102] In contrast, in the detection circuit 30 according to this embodiment, the voltage charged to the capacitor 33 after rectification is limited to a predetermined value, and the determination is made based on the magnitude of the output current, not on the level of the voltage. As described above, in the detection circuit 30, the transistor 35 prevents the voltage of the capacitor 33 from rising above a predetermined value (for example, the forward voltage Vbe), and in a state in which the voltage of the capacitor 33 is prevented from rising above the predetermined value, the current Iout is increased according to the current output from the fixed electrode 22 in response to the input of a pulse signal, and an output that changes according to the current Iout is output to the output section 37 as the detection result of the change in the magnitude of the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes 21, 22.

[0103] In this way, by suppressing the rise in the voltage (charging voltage) of the capacitor 33, the relationship between the capacitance C1 and the change in the rectified output current Iout can be made linear (see, for example, FIG. 5(b)). This makes it easy to set the threshold for ON / OFF determination at any capacitance C1, allowing for stable ON / OFF determination. Because the determination is based on the output current rather than the charging voltage, it eliminates the drawback of using a region where the capacitance-output relationship is linear, as in the detection circuit 40, which has a low determination voltage and is susceptible to noise. Because no amplification means is used, variation in determination is also reduced.

[0104] The detection circuit 30 according to this embodiment has a simple circuit configuration that does not use a capacitance detection IC or the like, and can perform detection in a short time, for example, in less than 10 ms.

[0105] Furthermore, the detection circuit 30 according to this embodiment does not require an amplifier or the like for amplifying the voltage signal of the capacitance C1, and can also suppress increases in power consumption due to variations in the amplification factor.

[0106] Therefore, even when the remote control device 1 according to this embodiment employs a capacitance detection method, it is possible to stably detect the pressing of the operation button 3 with low power consumption and in a short time.

[0107] The remote control device 1 according to this embodiment employs a capacitance detection method, which improves the durability of the remote control device 1 compared to a method using electrical contacts. Furthermore, unlike a method using a magnetic sensor, there is no need to physically move a magnet significantly, which also allows the remote control device 1 to be made thinner.

[0108] In the remote control device 1 according to this embodiment, transistor 35 prevents the voltage of capacitor 33 from rising above a predetermined value, and while the voltage of capacitor 33 is prevented from rising above the predetermined value, current Iout is increased according to the current output from fixed electrode 22 in response to the input of a pulse signal. This makes it possible to keep the charging voltage of capacitor 33 at a low voltage of approximately 0.5 V to 0.6 V, and a current flows through the base, which can also be used to determine the current value.

[0109] In the remote control device 1 according to this embodiment, the control unit 7 is operated using power generated by the power generation module 10, thereby providing a remote control device 1 that does not require a power source such as a battery. However, the remote control device 1 may be configured to receive power from a power source such as a battery. The control unit 7 may operate based on power supplied from a power source such as a battery.

[0110] FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating a modified example of the detection circuit according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, in a detection circuit 30a, the resistive element 34 and the transistor 35 of the detection circuit 30 shown in FIG.

[0111] The transistors 51 and 52 are, for example, NPN bipolar transistors. The collector of the transistor 51 is electrically connected to the connection point between the first rectifier element 32a and the capacitor 33. The emitter of the transistor 51 is electrically connected to a portion at a common potential. The potential of the emitter of the transistor 51 is set to the common potential. The base of the transistor 51 is electrically connected to the connection point between the first rectifier element 32a and the capacitor 33, and is also electrically connected to the base of the transistor 52.

[0112] The collector of the transistor 52 is electrically connected to one end of the resistor element 36. The other end of the resistor element 36 is applied with the power supply voltage supplied from the power supply unit 6. The emitter of the transistor 52 is electrically connected to a portion at a common potential. The potential of the emitter of the transistor 52 is set to the common potential.

[0113] The transistors 51 and 52 form a so-called current mirror circuit. In the detection circuit 30a, the output section 37 is electrically connected to the connection point between the collector of the transistor 52 and the resistance element .

[0114] 10(a) to 10(c) are graphs that schematically show an example of the operation of the detection circuit of the modified example. The horizontal axis in FIGS. 10(a) to 10(c) represents the magnitude of the capacitance C1. The vertical axis of FIG. 10( a ) represents the voltage Vout of the capacitor 33 . The vertical axis of FIG. 10( b ) represents the current Iout output from the rectifier circuit 32 . The vertical axis of FIG. 10(c) represents the voltage of the output section 37.

[0115] In the detection circuit 30a, when the voltage across the capacitor 33 increases and the voltage applied to the base of the transistor 51 reaches the forward voltage Vbe between the base and emitter, the increase in the voltage across the capacitor 33 is suppressed. At this time, in the detection circuit 30a, since the resistance element 34 is omitted, the voltage across the capacitor 33 reaches the forward voltage Vbe more quickly than in the configuration of the detection circuit 30.

[0116] After the magnitude of the voltage applied to the base of transistor 51 reaches forward voltage Vbe, the magnitude of the voltage of capacitor 33 is suppressed to a magnitude corresponding to forward voltage Vbe, and while the voltage of capacitor 33 is prevented from increasing above a predetermined value, the current flowing into the collector of transistor 51 increases in accordance with the current output from fixed electrode 22 in response to the input of a pulse signal. Current Iout output from rectifier circuit 32 increases in proportion to the magnitude of the current output from fixed electrode 22.

[0117] A voltage of substantially the same magnitude as that applied to the base of transistor 51 is applied to the base of transistor 52. A current of substantially the same magnitude as that flowing through the base of transistor 51 flows through the base of transistor 52. As a result, a current of substantially the same magnitude as the current Iout output from rectifier circuit 32 flows through the collector of transistor 52.

[0118] The voltage of the output part 37 decreases in accordance with an increase in the current Iout output from the rectifier circuit 32 and an accompanying increase in the collector current of the transistor 52. In this way, in the detection circuit 30a as well, the voltage of the output part 37 changes in accordance with the current Iout.

[0119] When determining at a predetermined timing whether the operation button 3 has been pressed down, the microcomputer 7a of the control unit 7 determines, for example, whether the voltage of the output unit 37 is equal to or greater than a threshold value. For example, when the voltage of the output unit 37 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the microcomputer 7a determines that the operation button 3 has not been pressed down, and when the voltage of the output unit 37 is less than the threshold value, the microcomputer 7a determines that the operation button 3 has been pressed down.

[0120] In the detection circuit 30a, transistors 51 and 52 increase the voltage of capacitor 33 using the current output from the rectifier circuit 32, while suppressing the voltage of capacitor 33 from increasing above a predetermined value, and a voltage suppression unit is realized that increases the current output from the rectifier circuit 32 in accordance with the current output from the other fixed electrode 22 in response to the input of a pulse signal, while suppressing the voltage of capacitor 33 from increasing above a predetermined value.

[0121] The configuration of the voltage suppression unit is not limited to the above, but may be any configuration that can increase the voltage of capacitor 33 using the current output from rectifier circuit 32, suppress the voltage of capacitor 33 from increasing above a predetermined value, and increase the current output from rectifier circuit 32 in accordance with the current output from the other fixed electrode 22 in response to the input of a pulse signal, while suppressing the voltage of capacitor 33 from increasing above a predetermined value.

[0122] For example, when the voltage suppression unit is configured with a transistor 35, as in the detection circuit 30 shown in Fig. 4, the voltage suppression unit can be realized with a simple configuration. For example, an increase in the number of components in the detection circuit can be suppressed, and an increase in the power consumption and manufacturing costs of the detection circuit can be suppressed.

[0123] In each of the above embodiments, the remote control device 1 is used for a toilet device. However, the remote control device 1 is not limited to being used for a toilet device, and can be used for any device.

[0124] Embodiments may include the following features. (Configuration 1) An operation button that can be pressed down, a detection unit that detects a depression operation of the operation button; a control unit that determines whether or not the operation button has been pressed based on the detection result of the detection unit, and outputs a signal according to the determination result; Equipped with The operation button moves between a normal position and a depressed position when depressed, The detection unit A pair of fixed electrodes; a conductive member that is movable between a first position facing each of the pair of fixed electrodes with a predetermined gap therebetween and a second position that is closer to the pair of fixed electrodes than the first position, the conductive member being located at the first position when the operation button is in a normal position, and moving from the first position to the second position as the operation button moves from the normal position to the depressed position; a detection circuit for detecting a change in the magnitude of the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes; and The detection circuit a pulse input unit that inputs a pulse signal to one of the pair of fixed electrodes; a capacitor electrically connected to the other of the pair of fixed electrodes and charged by a current output from the other fixed electrode in response to the input of the pulse signal; a rectifier circuit that rectifies the direction of a current flowing between the other fixed electrode and the capacitor in a direction from the other fixed electrode toward the capacitor; a voltage suppression unit that increases the voltage of the capacitor by the current output from the rectifier circuit, suppresses the voltage of the capacitor from increasing above a predetermined value, and increases the current output from the rectifier circuit in accordance with the current output from the other fixed electrode in response to input of the pulse signal, while the voltage of the capacitor is suppressed from increasing above the predetermined value; an output unit that outputs an output that changes according to the current output from the rectifier circuit as a detection result of a change in the magnitude of the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes; and The control unit determines whether or not the operation button has been pressed based on the detection result of the detection circuit input via the output unit.

[0125] (Configuration 2) 2. The remote control device according to configuration 1, wherein the voltage suppression section is a diode between the base and emitter of an NPN bipolar transistor.

[0126] (Configuration 3) a base of the NPN bipolar transistor receives an input of a voltage corresponding to the voltage charged in the capacitor; The collector of the NPN bipolar transistor receives an input of a voltage corresponding to a power supply voltage, The emitter of the NPN bipolar transistor is electrically connected to a portion at a common potential, the output unit is electrically connected to the collector of the NPN bipolar transistor, and outputs a voltage that decreases in accordance with an increase in the current output from the rectifier circuit as a detection result of a change in magnitude of the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes; The remote control device according to configuration 2, wherein the control unit determines that the operation button is not being pressed down when the voltage of the output unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and determines that the operation button is being pressed down when the voltage of the output unit is less than the predetermined value.

[0127] (Configuration 4) a power generation module that generates power based on the operating force associated with the pressing operation of the operation button; 4. The remote control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the control unit operates using the power generated by the power generation module.

[0128] The above describes embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. Design modifications made by a person skilled in the art to the above-described embodiments are also within the scope of the present invention as long as they incorporate the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, dimensions, materials, and arrangement of each element of the power generation module and remote control device are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the elements of the above-described embodiments can be combined to the extent technically possible, and such combinations are also within the scope of the present invention as long as they incorporate the features of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0129] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1... remote control device, 2... case, 3... operation button, 4... link mechanism, 5... detection unit, 6... power supply unit, 7... control unit, 10... power generation module, 21, 22... fixed electrode, 23... conductive member, 24... substrate, 25... insulating film, 26... elastic member, 30, 30a... detection circuit, 31... pulse input unit, 32... rectifier circuit, 33... capacitor, 34... resistance element, 35... transistor, 36... resistance element, 37... output unit, 40... detection circuit, 41... comparator, 42, 43... resistance element, 51, 52... transistor

Claims

1. An operation button that can be pressed down, a detection unit that detects a depression operation of the operation button; a control unit that determines whether or not the operation button has been pressed based on the detection result of the detection unit, and outputs a signal according to the determination result; Equipped with The operation button moves between a normal position and a depressed position when depressed, The detection unit A pair of fixed electrodes; a conductive member that is movable between a first position facing each of the pair of fixed electrodes with a predetermined gap therebetween and a second position that is closer to the pair of fixed electrodes than the first position, the conductive member being located at the first position when the operation button is in a normal position, and moving from the first position to the second position as the operation button moves from the normal position to the depressed position; a detection circuit for detecting a change in the magnitude of the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes; and The detection circuit a pulse input unit that inputs a pulse signal to one of the pair of fixed electrodes; a capacitor electrically connected to the other of the pair of fixed electrodes and charged by a current output from the other fixed electrode in response to the input of the pulse signal; a rectifier circuit that rectifies the direction of a current flowing between the other fixed electrode and the capacitor in a direction from the other fixed electrode toward the capacitor; a voltage suppression unit that increases the voltage of the capacitor by the current output from the rectifier circuit, suppresses the voltage of the capacitor from increasing above a predetermined value, and increases the current output from the rectifier circuit in accordance with the current output from the other fixed electrode in response to input of the pulse signal, while the voltage of the capacitor is suppressed from increasing above the predetermined value; an output unit that outputs an output that changes according to the current output from the rectifier circuit as a detection result of a change in the magnitude of the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes; and The control unit determines whether or not the operation button has been pressed based on the detection result of the detection circuit input via the output unit.

2. 2. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the voltage suppression section is a diode connected between the base and emitter of an NPN bipolar transistor.

3. the base of the NPN bipolar transistor receives an input of a voltage corresponding to the voltage charged in the capacitor; The collector of the NPN bipolar transistor receives an input of a voltage corresponding to a power supply voltage, The emitter of the NPN bipolar transistor is electrically connected to a portion at a common potential, the output unit is electrically connected to the collector of the NPN bipolar transistor, and outputs a voltage that decreases in accordance with an increase in the current output from the rectifier circuit as a detection result of a change in magnitude of the capacitance between the pair of fixed electrodes; The remote control device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit determines that the operation button is not being pressed down when the voltage of the output unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and determines that the operation button is being pressed down when the voltage of the output unit is less than the predetermined value.

4. a power generation module that generates power based on the operating force associated with the pressing operation of the operation button; 2. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit operates using the power generated by the power generation module.

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