Toilet equipment

Abstract

To reduce the influence of mist in a toilet bowl on determination accuracy in toilet equipment that determines the condition of excreta by irradiating the inside of the toilet bowl with light dispersed by a prism.SOLUTION: Toilet equipment 1 includes: a closet bowl 2 having a toilet bowl 21; a toilet seat 6; a toilet lid 7 rotatable between a closed position in which the toilet seat 6 is covered and an open position in which the toilet seat 6 is opened; a light-emitting unit 481 that emits light; a prism 483 that disperses the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 481 and irradiates the inside of the toilet bowl 21 with the dispersed light; a light-receiving unit 482 that receives light reflected by excreta in the toilet bowl 21 and transmits a light-reception signal corresponding to the received light; mist removal means that removes mist in the toilet bowl 21; and a control device 41 that performs condition-determination control for determining the condition of the excreta on the basis of the light-reception signal received from the light-receiving unit 482. The control device 41 operates the mist removal means in such a manner that suspension of mist in the toilet bowl 21 at the time of performing the condition-determination control is suppressed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to toilet devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Various devices for determining the state of excrement have been proposed for the purpose of managing the health of users. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a urine sugar meter that determines the level of sugar in urine. This urine sugar meter utilizes the property that the refractive index of light passing through urine changes depending on the concentration of sugar in the urine. Specifically, this urine sugar meter is configured so that urine is attached to the surface of a prism, and light dispersed by the prism passes through the urine. This urine sugar meter requires cleaning of the prism after each measurement.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a toilet seat device that photographs the inside of a toilet bowl and determines the state of excrement inside the bowl based on the acquired image. Because the toilet seat device itself does not come into contact with excrement, there is no need to clean the toilet seat device each time a determination is made. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-13419 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-55522 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is preferable that the device described in Patent Document 1 is configured so as not to come into contact with excrement and not to require cleaning after each determination, as with the device described in Patent Document 2. One possible configuration that meets this requirement is one in which, instead of a configuration in which excrement adheres to the surface of a prism, light dispersed by a prism is irradiated onto the excrement in the toilet bowl.

[0006] Incidentally, water vapor or particulate water (hereinafter referred to as "mist") may be floating inside the toilet bowl due to water sealing to block odors from sewer pipes or water supplied to prevent excrement from sticking. Such mist inside the toilet bowl may scatter light and reduce the accuracy of the determination.

[0007] In view of the above problems, the present disclosure aims to reduce the impact of mist in a toilet bowl on the accuracy of judgment in a toilet device that judges the state of excrement by irradiating light dispersed by a prism into the toilet bowl. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the toilet device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure comprises a toilet bowl having a toilet bowl, a toilet seat positioned above the toilet bowl, a toilet lid that can be rotated between a closed position that covers the toilet seat and an open position that opens the toilet seat, a light-emitting unit that emits light, a prism that disperses the light emitted from the light-emitting unit and irradiates it into the toilet bowl, a light-receiving unit that receives light reflected by excrement in the toilet bowl and transmits a light-receiving signal corresponding to the light, a mist removal means that removes mist from within the toilet bowl, and a control device that executes state determination control that determines the state of the excrement based on the light-receiving signal received from the light-receiving unit, and the control device operates the mist removal means to suppress the floating of mist in the toilet bowl when the state determination control is executed.

[0009] According to this configuration, by operating the mist removal means, the floating of mist in the toilet bowl is suppressed when the state determination control is executed, thereby reducing the impact of the floating mist in the toilet bowl on the state determination control, and making it possible to determine the state of excrement with high accuracy.

[0010] In the toilet apparatus according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the mist removal means is an intake fan that sucks air from within the toilet bowl.

[0011] This configuration makes it possible to remove mist contained in the air inside the toilet bowl and reduce the effect of the mist on the state determination control.

[0012] The toilet apparatus according to the third aspect of the present disclosure includes a deodorizing section that removes odorous components from the air sucked in by the intake fan.

[0013] With this configuration, the intake fan used to deodorize the air inside the toilet bowl can also be used to remove mist, which makes it possible to suppress increases in costs.

[0014] A toilet device according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure includes a user detection means for detecting the presence of a user at a position away from the toilet device, and a control device operates an intake fan when the presence of a user is detected by the user detection means.

[0015] With this configuration, the mist floating inside the toilet bowl can be sucked in and removed by the intake fan before the user sits on the toilet seat, making it possible to more reliably remove the mist from inside the toilet bowl.

[0016] A toilet device according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure includes a seat detection sensor that transmits a seat detection signal to a control device when a user is seated on the toilet seat, and the control device operates the intake fan so that the flow rate per unit time of air drawn in by the intake fan when the seat detection signal is received is smaller than the flow rate per unit time of air drawn in by the intake fan when the seat detection signal is not received.

[0017] With this configuration, when a user is seated on the toilet seat, it is possible to reduce the feeling of coldness that the user experiences from the air sucked in by the intake fan.

[0018] In the toilet device according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the control device operates the intake fan based on the end of reception of the seating detection signal so that the flow rate per unit time of air drawn in by the intake fan is greater than the flow rate per unit time of air drawn in by the intake fan when the seating detection signal is being received.

[0019] This configuration makes it possible to effectively remove mist generated in the toilet bowl due to excretion, and prepare the toilet bowl for use by the next user.

[0020] A toilet device according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure includes a toilet lid opening / closing device that rotates the toilet lid, and a control device controls the toilet lid opening / closing device so that the toilet lid is positioned in a closed position until a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the presence of a user is detected by the user detection means, and also operates an intake fan.

[0021] With this configuration, the intake fan draws air from inside the toilet bowl while the toilet lid is covering the toilet seat, allowing the intake fan to efficiently draw air from inside the toilet bowl and remove mist from inside the toilet bowl.

[0022] In the toilet apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the mist removal means is an air supply fan that blows air into the toilet bowl.

[0023] With this configuration, the air blown into the toilet bowl by the air supply fan pushes out the air inside the toilet bowl, removing the mist contained in that air. This reduces the impact of mist floating inside the toilet bowl on the state determination control, making it possible to determine the state of excrement with high accuracy.

[0024] A toilet device according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure includes a user detection means for detecting the presence of a user at a position away from the toilet device, and a control device operates an air supply fan when the presence of a user is detected by the user detection means.

[0025] This configuration makes it possible to push out the air inside the toilet bowl and remove the mist contained in that air before the user sits on the toilet seat, thereby more reliably removing the mist from inside the toilet bowl.

[0026] A toilet device according to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure includes a toilet lid opening / closing device that rotates the toilet lid, and when the presence of a user is detected by a user detection means, a control device controls the toilet lid opening / closing device so that the toilet lid is positioned in an open position and operates an air supply fan.

[0027] With this configuration, the air supply fan blows air into the toilet bowl when the toilet lid is in the open position and the toilet seat is open, which helps to push out the air inside the toilet bowl with the air blown out by the air supply fan, making it possible to efficiently remove mist. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] According to the present disclosure, in a toilet device that determines the state of excrement by irradiating light dispersed by a prism into the toilet bowl, it is possible to reduce the impact that mist in the toilet bowl has on the accuracy of the determination. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a toilet room in which a toilet device according to a first embodiment is installed. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing elements of a toilet device according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 4 is a timing chart showing the operation of elements of the toilet device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of state determination control. [Figure 5] 6 is a timing chart showing the operation of elements of a toilet device according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing elements of a toilet device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a timing chart showing the operation of elements of the toilet device according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same elements in the drawings will be denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0031] [First embodiment] First, the outline of the configuration of the toilet device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a toilet room R in which the toilet device 1 is installed.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet device 1 includes a toilet bowl 2, a toilet seat device 3, and an operating device 8.

[0033] The toilet bowl 2 is installed on the floor F of the toilet room R. The toilet bowl 2 has a toilet bowl 21 and a rim 22. The toilet bowl 21 is a recess that receives the user's excrement. The rim 22 stands upright around the periphery of the toilet bowl 21. A water supply channel (not shown) is formed within the toilet bowl 2 to guide tap water to the toilet bowl 21.

[0034] The toilet seat device 3 is applied to this toilet bowl 2. In the following explanation, when viewed from the perspective of a user seated on the toilet seat 6 (described later), the front will be referred to as "front," the rear will be referred to as "rear," the left will be referred to as "left," and the right will be referred to as "right." Additionally, the vertically upward direction will be referred to as "up," and the vertically downward direction will be referred to as "down."

[0035] The toilet seat device 3 is attached to the top of the toilet bowl 2 and comprises a main body 4, a toilet seat 6, and a toilet lid 7. The toilet seat device 3 may be detachably attached to the toilet bowl 2, or may be configured integrally with the toilet bowl 2.

[0036] The main body 4 has a casing 40 and a private parts washing nozzle 42. The casing 40 is a member that forms the outer shell of the main body 4, and houses various elements described below inside. The casing 40 is located on the upper surface of the rear part of the toilet bowl 2.

[0037] The private parts washing nozzle 42 is located in the center of the casing 40 in the left-right direction, and is used to wash the private parts of the user. The private parts washing nozzle 42 is movable in the front-to-rear direction by being driven by an electric motor (not shown), and is configured to be able to move forward and backward within the toilet bowl 21. When the private parts washing nozzle 42 is positioned within the toilet bowl 21, a solenoid valve (not shown) is opened, causing the private parts washing nozzle 42 to spray water toward the private parts of the user.

[0038] The toilet seat 6 is disposed in front of the main body 4. The rear end of the toilet seat 6 is pivotally supported by the casing 40 of the main body 4. This allows the toilet seat 6 to rotate between a position where it is placed on the rim 22 and a position where it is separated from the rim 22 and opens the toilet bowl 21 widely. An opening 61 is formed in the center of the toilet seat 6. The opening 61 penetrates the toilet seat 6 in its thickness direction, and opens the toilet bowl 21 when the toilet seat 6 is placed on the rim 22.

[0039] The toilet lid 7 is pivotally supported at the rear end of the main body 4. This allows the toilet lid 7 to rotate between a closed position in which it covers the top of the toilet seat 6 and an open position in which it opens the toilet seat 6.

[0040] The operating device 8 is installed, for example, on the wall of the toilet room R. The operating device 8 includes a liquid crystal panel 81 and a plurality of switches 82. The liquid crystal panel 81 displays various information such as the operating status of the toilet seat device 3. The plurality of switches 82 respectively correspond to a plurality of operations of the toilet seat device 3 (for example, starting and stopping private parts washing).

[0041] In the toilet device 1 having such a configuration, when a user seated on the toilet seat 6 operates the switch 82 corresponding to the start of private parts washing, the operating device 8 generates a signal corresponding to this switch 82 and transmits it wirelessly to the main body 4. When the main body 4 receives this signal, the private parts washing nozzle 42 advances from the casing 40 into the toilet bowl 21, and sprays water supplied from the opened solenoid valve toward the user's private parts.

[0042] The toilet seat device 3 operates the excrement state detection unit 48, which will be described later, during or after the excretion of a user seated on the toilet seat 6, to determine the state of the excrement. The toilet seat device 3 generates a signal corresponding to this determination result and transmits it to the operation device 8. Based on this signal, the operation device 8 displays the determination result on the liquid crystal panel 81. By gazing at the liquid crystal panel 81, the user can understand the state of their excrement and health condition.

[0043] Next, the toilet seat device 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing elements of the toilet device 1. Each element is provided in a main body 4 of the toilet seat device 3, and is shown as a functional block in Fig. 2.

[0044] The main body 4 of the toilet seat device 3 includes, in addition to the casing 40 and the private parts cleaning nozzle 42 described above, a control device 41, a deodorizing device 43, a human body detection sensor 44, a seating detection sensor 45, a personal authentication means 46, an ion supply device 47, an excrement state detection unit 48, a toilet seat opening / closing device 49, a toilet lid opening / closing device 50, and a toilet bowl cleaning device 51.

[0045] The control device 41 is configured as a part or whole of an analog circuit or as a digital processor, and is configured to transmit signals to external devices to control the devices, and to make various decisions based on signals received from external devices.

[0046] Deodorizing device 43 is provided to deodorize the air within toilet bowl 21, and includes an intake fan (not shown) and a filter (not shown). The intake fan is an example of a "mist removal means," and is configured to draw air through an opening (not shown) that faces the inside of toilet bowl 21. The filter is an example of a "deodorizing section," and is positioned to allow the air drawn in by the intake fan to pass through, removing odorous components from the air.

[0047] The human body detection sensor 44 is an example of a "user detection means." The human body detection sensor 44 is, for example, a pyroelectric infrared sensor, and is configured to transmit a signal at a predetermined cycle and to change the signal when it receives infrared light of a specific wavelength emitted by a human body. The control device 41 determines whether or not a human body is present in the toilet room R based on this signal. In this specification, the signal transmitted by the human body detection sensor 44, based on which the control device 41 can determine that a human body is present in the toilet room R, is referred to as a "human body detection signal."

[0048] The seating detection sensor 45 is provided to detect that a user is seated on the toilet seat 6. The seating detection sensor 45 is, for example, a distance measuring sensor that uses infrared rays, and is configured to transmit a signal at a predetermined cycle and to cause the signal to change in response to a change in the distance between an object and the seating detection sensor 45. The control device 41 determines whether or not a user is seated on the toilet seat 6 based on this signal. In this specification, of the signals transmitted by the seating detection sensor 45, those that allow the control device 41 to determine that a user is seated on the toilet seat 6 are referred to as "seating detection signals."

[0049] The personal authentication means 46 is provided to authenticate a user who desires to have the state of excrement determined. The personal authentication means 46 may be configured, for example, by a transceiver (not shown) that is provided in the main body 4 and transmits and receives signals wirelessly, and a portable device (not shown) that is carried by the user who desires to have the state of excrement determined. In this configuration, when the portable device receives a signal transmitted from the transceiver, it transmits a response signal. Then, when the transceiver receives the response signal, it becomes possible to authenticate the user who desires to have the state of excrement determined.

[0050] Ion supply device 47 is provided to supply ions into toilet bowl 21, and includes an ion generation unit (not shown) and an air blower (not shown). The ion generation unit ionizes water vapor and oxygen in the air through plasma discharge to generate hydrogen ions and oxygen ions. The air blower blows air into toilet bowl 21, thereby transferring the hydrogen ions and oxygen ions into toilet bowl 21. The supply of hydrogen ions and oxygen ions is expected to sterilize and deodorize the inside of toilet bowl 21.

[0051] The hydrogen ions and oxygen ions supplied from ion supply device 47 that act on bacteria in toilet bowl 21 combine to form water. Therefore, when ion supply device 47 operates, the surface of toilet bowl 21 becomes wet with water.

[0052] The excrement state detection unit 48 is a functional unit that is operated when the control device 41 executes state determination control. The excrement state detection unit 48 has a light-emitting unit 481 and a light-receiving unit 482. The light-emitting unit 481 is, for example, a light-emitting diode, and emits laser light. The light-receiving unit 482 is, for example, a photodiode, and receives light, converts it into a signal, and transmits the signal to the control device 41. The light-receiving unit 482 and the opening of the deodorizing device 43 described above are arranged spaced apart from each other. Specifically, the two are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction.

[0053] The toilet seat opening / closing device 49 and the toilet lid opening / closing device 50 are devices that respectively open and close the toilet seat 6 and the toilet lid 7. The toilet seat opening / closing device 49 and the toilet lid opening / closing device 50 are, for example, electric motors (not shown), and operate based on control signals received from the control device 41 to rotate the toilet seat 6 and the toilet lid 7, thereby opening and closing them.

[0054] The toilet flushing device 51 is provided to supply flush water into the toilet bowl 21. The toilet flushing device 51 consists of, for example, a flush operation unit (not shown) provided in the toilet room R, and a solenoid valve (not shown). The flush operation unit can take various forms, such as a switch provided on the operating device 8. In this configuration, when the flush operation unit is operated by the user, the solenoid valve opens and flush water is supplied to the water supply channel in the toilet bowl 2. This flush water is supplied to the surface of the toilet bowl 21 via the water supply channel, and flushes excrement in the toilet bowl 21 into the sewer.

[0055] Next, the control executed by the control device 41 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a timing chart showing the operation of the elements of the toilet device 1. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the state determination control.

[0056] At time t0 shown in Figure 3, there is no user in toilet room R, and therefore human body detection sensor 44 does not detect the presence of a human body. In this case, control device 41 sends a control signal to ion supply device 47 to operate it continuously. This causes hydrogen ions and oxygen ions to be supplied into toilet bowl 21 in preparation for use by a user, thereby sterilizing and deodorizing the interior of toilet bowl 21. In addition, the surface of toilet bowl 21 becomes wet with water.

[0057] At time t11, when a user enters toilet room R, human body detection sensor 44 detects the presence of a human body and begins transmitting a human body detection signal. Having started receiving the human body detection signal, control device 41 begins transmitting a control signal to deodorizing device 43 and stops transmitting a control signal to ion supplying device 47. This causes the air intake fan of deodorizing device 43 to start operating and suck in air from within toilet bowl 21, and ion supplying device 47 to stop supplying hydrogen ions and oxygen ions to toilet bowl 21. At this time, the air intake fan of deodorizing device 43 operates so that the flow rate of sucked air per unit time is Qa.

[0058] Also, at time t11, the control device 41 starts receiving the human body detection signal and activates the personal authentication means 46, causing a transceiver (not shown) provided in the main body 4 to wirelessly transmit a signal. If a user in the toilet room R is carrying a portable device (not shown), the transceiver receives a response signal from the portable device. The control device 41 executes state determination control only when the transceiver receives this response signal.

[0059] At time t21, when the user sits on the toilet seat 6, the seat detection sensor 45 starts transmitting a seat detection signal. Having started receiving the seat detection signal, the control device 41 changes the control signal to be sent to the deodorizing device 43 and starts transmitting a control signal to the excrement state detection unit 48. This causes the intake fan of the deodorizing device 43 to operate so that the flow rate of the sucked air per unit time is Qc. The flow rate Qc is smaller than the flow rate Qa. Note that, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 3, the deodorizing device 43 may be stopped so that the flow rate of the sucked air per unit time is zero.

[0060] When excrement state detection unit 48 receives a control signal, light-emitting unit 481 emits a laser beam, as shown in Figure 4. This laser beam passes through prism 483, which is made of a transparent material such as acrylic resin, and is dispersed. Prism 483 is disposed between light-emitting unit 481 and toilet bowl 21 so that the dispersed light is directed into toilet bowl 21, irradiating the entire interior of toilet bowl 21 or irradiating only the area of ​​toilet bowl 21 where excrement E may be present.

[0061] A portion of the light reflected by excrement E in toilet bowl 21 reaches light receiving unit 482. Light receiving unit 482 generates a light receiving signal corresponding to the wavelength and amplitude of the received light, and transmits this light receiving signal to control unit 41. Control unit 41 executes state determination control to determine the state of the excrement based on the characteristics of the light receiving signal received from light receiving unit 482.

[0062] At time t31, when the user finishes using the toilet and leaves the toilet seat 6, the seat detection sensor 45 stops transmitting the seat detection signal. The control device 41, which no longer receives the seat detection signal, changes the control signal to be sent to the deodorizing device 43 and stops transmitting the control signal to the excrement state detection unit 48. As a result, the intake fan of the deodorizing device 43 operates so that the flow rate per unit time of the sucked air becomes Qa again. In addition, the light-emitting unit 481 of the excrement state detection unit 48 stops emitting the laser light, and the state determination control ends.

[0063] At time t41, when the user leaves toilet room R, human body detection sensor 44 no longer detects the presence of a human body and stops transmitting the human body detection signal. Now that control device 41 no longer receives the human body detection signal, it stops transmitting control signals to deodorizing device 43 and starts transmitting control signals to ion supplying device 47. As a result, deodorizing device 43 stops, and ion supplying device 47 starts operating, restarting the supply of hydrogen ions and oxygen ions into toilet bowl 21.

[0064] <Operations and Effects Based on the First Embodiment> According to the above configuration, by operating the intake fan of deodorizing device 43, which is an example of mist removal means, the floating of mist in toilet bowl 21 during execution of state determination control is suppressed. This reduces the impact of mist floating in toilet bowl 21 on state determination control, making it possible to determine the state of excrement with high accuracy.

[0065] The mist removal means is an intake fan that sucks air from within toilet bowl 21. This configuration makes it possible to remove mist contained in the air within toilet bowl 21 and reduce the effect of the mist on the state determination control.

[0066] The toilet apparatus 1 also includes a filter that removes odorous components from the air drawn in by the intake fan. With this configuration, the intake fan used to deodorize the air inside the toilet bowl 21 can also be used to remove mist, which helps prevent costs from increasing.

[0067] Furthermore, the control device 41 operates the intake fan when the presence of a user is detected by the human body detection sensor 44. With this configuration, the intake fan can suck in and remove mist floating in the toilet bowl 21 before the user sits on the toilet seat 6. This makes it possible to more reliably remove mist from inside the toilet bowl 21.

[0068] Furthermore, when the control device 41 receives a seating detection signal, it operates the intake fan so that the flow rate Qc of air drawn in by the intake fan per unit time is smaller than the flow rate Qa of air drawn in by the intake fan per unit time when the control device 41 does not receive a seating detection signal. This configuration makes it possible to reduce the cold feeling felt by the user when the user is seated on the toilet seat 6 due to the air drawn in by the intake fan.

[0069] Furthermore, when reception of the seating detection signal has ended, the control device 41 operates the intake fan so that the flow rate per unit time Qa of air drawn in by the intake fan is greater than the flow rate per unit time Qc of air drawn in by the intake fan while the seating detection signal is being received. This configuration effectively removes mist generated in the toilet bowl due to excretion, making it possible to prepare the toilet bowl for use by the next user.

[0070] [Modification of the first embodiment] Next, a toilet device according to a modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The toilet device is configured to determine the state of a user's excrement, similar to the first embodiment. In the toilet device according to this modification, the same elements and operations as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted where appropriate.

[0071] FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the operation of elements of a toilet device according to a modified example of the first embodiment.

[0072] In the toilet device according to the modification of the first embodiment, when a user enters toilet room R at time t111, human body detection sensor 44 detects the presence of a human body and begins transmitting a human body detection signal. Having started receiving the human body detection signal, control device 41 begins transmitting a control signal to deodorizing device 43, stops transmitting a control signal to ion supply device 47, and transmits a control signal to toilet lid opening / closing device 50 so that toilet lid 7 is positioned in the closed position. This causes the air intake fan of deodorizing device 43 to begin operating, sucking in air from within toilet bowl 21, ion supply device 47 to stop, terminating the supply of hydrogen ions and oxygen ions to toilet bowl 21, and the toilet lid 7 to be positioned in the closed position. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the toilet lid 7 has been positioned in the closed position since before time t111, and therefore does not rotate at time t111.

[0073] At time t112, when time T1 has elapsed since time t111, the control device 41 sends a control signal to the toilet lid opening / closing device 50 to place the toilet lid 7 in the open position. Time T1 is a predetermined length (e.g., 10 seconds) and is an example of a "predetermined time." This opens the toilet seat 6, allowing the user to sit on it.

[0074] At time t211, when the user sits on the toilet seat 6, the seat detection sensor 45 starts transmitting a seat detection signal. Having started receiving the seat detection signal, the control device 41 changes the control signal to be sent to the deodorizing device 43 and starts transmitting a control signal to the excrement state detection unit 48. As a result, the intake fan of the deodorizing device 43 operates so that the flow rate per unit time of the sucked air becomes Qc, and the light-emitting unit 481 of the excrement state detection unit 48 starts emitting laser light, thereby executing state determination control. Note that, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 5, the deodorizing device 43 may be stopped so that the flow rate per unit time of the sucked air becomes zero.

[0075] At time t212, the user operates switch 82 of operating device 8, which corresponds to the start of local washing, and based on this, control device 41 starts sending a control signal to local washing nozzle 42. As a result, local washing nozzle 42 starts spraying water toward the user's local areas.

[0076] At time t213, when the user operates switch 82 on operating device 8 corresponding to the end of local washing, control device 41 changes the control signal sent to deodorizing device 43 and stops sending the control signal to local washing nozzle 42. As a result, the intake fan of deodorizing device 43 operates so that the flow rate per unit time of sucked air is Qb. Flow rate Qb is smaller than flow rate Qa and larger than flow rate Qc. In addition, local washing nozzle 42 stops spraying water toward the user's local areas.

[0077] At time t311, when the user finishes using the toilet and leaves the toilet seat 6, the seat detection sensor 45 stops transmitting the seat detection signal. The control device 41, which no longer receives the seat detection signal, changes the control signal to be sent to the deodorizing device 43 and stops transmitting the control signal to the excrement state detection unit 48. As a result, the intake fan of the deodorizing device 43 operates so that the flow rate per unit time of the sucked air becomes Qa again. In addition, the light-emitting unit 481 of the excrement state detection unit 48 stops emitting the laser light, and the state determination control ends.

[0078] At time t411, when the user leaves toilet room R, human body detection sensor 44 no longer detects the presence of a human body and stops transmitting the human body detection signal. Now that control device 41 no longer receives the human body detection signal, it stops transmitting control signals to deodorizing device 43 and starts transmitting control signals to ion supplying device 47, while also transmitting a control signal to toilet lid opening / closing device 50 so that toilet lid 7 is placed in the closed position. This causes deodorizing device 43 to stop, ion supplying device 47 to start operating and resumes the supply of hydrogen ions and oxygen ions into toilet bowl 21, and the toilet lid 7 is placed in the closed position.

[0079] <Operations and effects based on the modified example of the first embodiment> In this way, the control device 41 controls the toilet lid opening / closing device 50 to keep the toilet lid 7 in the closed position until time T1 has elapsed from time t111, when the presence of a user is detected by the human body detection sensor 44, which is an example of a user detection means, and also operates the intake fan of the deodorizing device 43. With this configuration, the intake fan draws air from inside the toilet bowl 21 while the toilet lid 7 is covering the toilet seat 6. This allows the intake fan to efficiently draw air from inside the toilet bowl 21, making it possible to remove mist from inside the toilet bowl 21.

[0080] [Second embodiment] Next, a toilet device according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Similar to the first embodiment and its modified examples, this toilet device is configured to determine the state of a user's excrement. Of the toilet device according to the second embodiment, the same elements and operations as those of the first embodiment and its modified examples are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted where appropriate.

[0081] Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing elements of a toilet device according to a second embodiment. Each element is provided in the main body of the toilet seat device and is shown as a functional block in Fig. 6. Fig. 7 is a timing chart showing the operation of the elements of the toilet device according to the second embodiment.

[0082] In addition to the elements included in the first embodiment, the main body of the toilet apparatus according to the second embodiment is equipped with an air supply fan 52. The air supply fan 52 is an example of a "mist removal means" and is configured to blow air from an opening (not shown) that is opened toward the inside of the toilet bowl 21.

[0083] In the toilet device according to the second embodiment, when a user enters toilet room R at time t121 shown in Figure 7, human body detection sensor 44 detects the presence of a human body and begins transmitting a human body detection signal. Having started receiving the human body detection signal, control device 41 begins transmitting control signals to deodorizing device 43 and air supply fan 52, stops transmitting the control signal to ion supply device 47, and transmits a control signal to toilet lid opening / closing device 50 so that toilet lid 7 is positioned in the open position. As a result, with toilet lid 7 holding toilet seat 6 open, the air intake fan of deodorizing device 43 begins operating to suck in air from within toilet bowl 21, air supply fan 52 begins operating to blow air into toilet bowl 21, and ion supply device 47 stops, stopping the supply of hydrogen ions and oxygen ions into toilet bowl 21.

[0084] At time t122, when time T2 has elapsed since time t121, the control device 41 stops sending the control signal to the air supply fan 52. Time T2 is a predetermined length (for example, 10 seconds). This causes the air supply fan 52 to stop.

[0085] <Operation and effect based on the second embodiment> With this configuration, the air blown into toilet bowl 21 by air supply fan 52, an example of mist removal means, pushes out the air within toilet bowl 21, making it possible to remove the mist contained in that air. This reduces the impact of mist floating within toilet bowl 21 on the state determination control, making it possible to determine the state of excrement with high accuracy.

[0086] Furthermore, when the presence of a user is detected by human body detection sensor 44, which is an example of user detection means, control device 41 operates air supply fan 52. With this configuration, it is possible to push out the air inside toilet bowl 21 and remove the mist contained in that air before the user sits on toilet seat 6. This makes it possible to more reliably remove the mist from inside toilet bowl 21.

[0087] Furthermore, when the presence of a user is detected by human body detection sensor 44, which is an example of user detection means, control device 41 controls toilet lid opening / closing device 50 so that toilet lid 7 is placed in the open position, and operates air supply fan 52. With this configuration, air supply fan 52 blows air into toilet bowl 21 when toilet lid 7 is placed in the open position and toilet seat 6 is open. This encourages the air blown out by air supply fan 52 to push out the air inside toilet bowl 21, making it possible to efficiently remove mist.

[0088] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. In other words, designs obtained by appropriately modifying the above-described specific examples by a person skilled in the art are also included within the scope of the present disclosure as long as they include the features of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the elements of the above-described embodiments and the following modifications can be combined to the extent technically possible, and combinations of these can also be included within the scope of the present disclosure as long as they include the features of the present disclosure.

[0089] For example, the above embodiment includes a human body detection sensor 44 that detects the presence of a human body in the toilet room R as an example of a "user detection means." However, the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment. Instead of the human body detection sensor 44, a sensor that detects the presence of a user in front of the door of the toilet room R, or a mobile terminal through which the user inputs a reservation for use of the toilet device, etc. may be used as the "user detection means." [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1 Toilet equipment 2 Toilet bowl 21 Toilet Bowl 41 Control device 44 Human body detection sensor (user detection means) 45 Seating detection sensor 481 Light-emitting part 482 Light receiving part 483 Prism 50 Toilet lid opening / closing device 52 Air supply fan (mist removal means) 6 Toilet seats 7 Toilet lid

Claims

1. a toilet bowl having a toilet bowl; a toilet seat disposed above the toilet bowl; a toilet lid that is rotatable between a closed position that covers the toilet seat and an open position that opens the toilet seat; a light emitting unit that emits light; a prism that disperses the light emitted from the light emitting unit and irradiates the light into the toilet bowl; a light receiving unit that receives light reflected by excrement in the toilet bowl and transmits a light receiving signal corresponding to the light; a mist removal means for removing mist from within the toilet bowl; a control device that executes state determination control to determine the state of excrement based on the light receiving signal received from the light receiving unit, The toilet apparatus is characterized in that the control device operates the mist removal means so as to suppress mist floating in the toilet bowl when the state determination control is executed.

2. 2. The toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mist removal means is an intake fan that draws air from within the toilet bowl.

3. 3. The toilet apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a deodorizing unit that removes odorous components from the air drawn in by the intake fan.

4. a user detection means for detecting the presence of a user at a position away from the toilet device; 4. The toilet apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control device operates the intake fan when the presence of a user is detected by the user detection means.

5. a seat detection sensor that transmits a seat detection signal to the control device when a user is seated on the toilet seat; 5. The toilet device according to claim 4, wherein the control device operates the intake fan so that the flow rate per unit time of the air drawn in by the intake fan when the seating detection signal is received is smaller than the flow rate per unit time of the air drawn in by the intake fan when the seating detection signal is not received.

6. 6. The toilet device according to claim 5, wherein the control device, based on the completion of reception of the seating detection signal, operates the intake fan so that the flow rate per unit time of the air drawn in by the intake fan is greater than the flow rate per unit time of the air drawn in by the intake fan when the seating detection signal is received.

7. A toilet lid opening and closing device is provided to rotate the toilet lid, The toilet device described in claim 4, characterized in that the control device controls the toilet lid opening and closing device so that the toilet lid is positioned in the closed position until a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the presence of a user is detected by the user detection means, and operates the intake fan.

8. 2. The toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mist removal means is an air supply fan that blows air into the toilet bowl.

9. a user detection means for detecting the presence of a user at a position away from the toilet device; 9. The toilet apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control device operates the air supply fan when the presence of a user is detected by the user detection means.

10. A toilet lid opening and closing device is provided to rotate the toilet lid, The toilet device according to claim 9, characterized in that, when the presence of a user is detected by the user detection means, the control device controls the toilet lid opening / closing device so that the toilet lid is positioned in the open position and operates the air supply fan.

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