Toilet equipment

Abstract

To reduce the influence of dust 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 comprises : a toilet bowl 2 having a toilet cover 21; a toilet seat 6 arranged above the toilet bowl 21; a deodorizing device 43 having an opening opened toward the inside of the toilet bowl 21 and sucking air in the toilet bowl 21 from the opening and deodorizing the sucked air; 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 emitted 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; and a control device 41 that performs condition-determination control to determine the condition of the excreta by receiving the light-reception signal from the light-receiving unit 482. The control device 41 performs dust-suppression control that suppresses suspension of the dust in the toilet bowl 21 during performing of the condition-determination control.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] However, there may be chemical fibers from the user's clothing or pulp fibers from toilet paper floating in the toilet bowl, and such foreign matter (hereinafter referred to as "dust") in the toilet bowl may scatter light and reduce the accuracy of the judgment.

[0007] In view of the above problems, the present disclosure aims to reduce the impact of dust inside a toilet bowl on the accuracy of determination in a toilet device that determines 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 seat, a toilet seat positioned above the toilet bowl, a deodorizing device having an opening facing into the toilet bowl that sucks in air from within the toilet bowl through the opening to deodorize it, 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, and a control device that executes state determination control to determine the state of the excrement based on the light-receiving signal received from the light-receiving unit, and the control device executes dust suppression control to suppress the floating of dust in the toilet bowl when the state determination control is executed.

[0009] According to this configuration, the execution of the dust suppression control suppresses the floating of dust in the toilet bowl when the state determination control is executed, thereby reducing the effect of floating dust in the toilet bowl on the state determination control, and making it possible to determine the state of excrement with high accuracy.

[0010] In a toilet device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure, the control device controls the deodorizing device in dust suppression control so that the flow rate per unit time of air drawn in by the deodorizing device when the state determination control is being executed is zero, or is smaller than the flow rate per unit time of air drawn in by the deodorizing device when the state determination control is not being executed.

[0011] According to this configuration, the generation of airflow in the toilet bowl is suppressed when the state determination control is executed, thereby making it possible to suppress the suspension of dust due to the airflow when the state determination control is executed.

[0012] A toilet device according to a third aspect of the present disclosure includes a human body detection sensor that transmits a human body detection signal to a control device when a human body is present near the toilet bowl, and the control device operates a deodorizing device to suck in air at a first flow rate based on the start of reception of the human body detection signal during dust suppression control.

[0013] With this configuration, when a user approaches the toilet bowl to defecate, the deodorizing device can suck in and remove dust floating in the toilet bowl before the user sits on the toilet seat. This reduces the amount of dust floating in the toilet bowl after the user sits on the toilet seat, making it possible to mitigate the impact of dust on the state determination control.

[0014] A toilet device according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure includes a seating detection sensor that transmits a seating detection signal to a control device when a user is seated on the toilet seat, and the control device, in dust suppression control, stops the deodorizing device or operates the deodorizing device to suck in air at a second flow rate that is smaller than the first flow rate based on the start of receiving the seating detection signal.

[0015] According to this configuration, the generation of airflow in the toilet bowl is suppressed after the user sits on the toilet seat, which makes it possible to suppress the floating of dust due to the airflow when the state determination control is executed.

[0016] In the toilet device according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the control device stops the deodorizing device or operates the deodorizing device to suck in air at a second flow rate after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of reception of the seating detection signal.

[0017] With this configuration, a first flow rate of air is sucked from inside the toilet bowl upon starting to receive a human body detection signal, and this first flow rate of air continues to be sucked in for a predetermined time after the user sits on the toilet seat. This allows the deodorizing device to suck in and remove dust from the user's clothes while they are seated on the toilet seat. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of dust floating in the toilet bowl when the state determination control is executed and mitigate the impact of dust on the state determination control.

[0018] In the toilet device according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the control device operates the light receiving unit based on the start of reception of the seating detection signal.

[0019] According to this configuration, the user can activate the light receiving unit by simply sitting on the toilet seat, and cause the toilet device to execute state determination control.

[0020] A toilet device according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure includes a private parts washing nozzle that ejects water for washing the private parts of a user, and a control device starts the operation of a deodorizing device based on completion of the ejection of water from the private parts washing nozzle, or operates the deodorizing device so that the flow rate per unit time of air drawn into the deodorizing device is greater than the flow rate per unit time of air drawn into the deodorizing device in dust suppression control.

[0021] With this configuration, it is possible to detect that the user has finished excreting and that state determination control is no longer necessary based on the completion of water discharge from the private parts washing nozzle. After water discharge from the private parts washing nozzle has finished, the deodorizing device operates to suck in and deodorize the air inside the toilet bowl. This prevents odors from leaking outside after the user leaves the toilet seat.

[0022] A toilet device according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure includes a user authentication means for authenticating a user who wishes to determine the state of excrement, and the control device executes dust suppression control only if the user authentication is successful.

[0023] With this configuration, only when a user who desires to have the state of excrement determined uses the toilet apparatus, the deodorizing apparatus is operated so that the flow rate per unit time of air drawn in by the deodorizing apparatus when the state determination control is being executed is zero, or is smaller than the flow rate per unit time of air drawn in by the deodorizing apparatus when the state determination control is not being executed. Therefore, when a person who does not desire to have the state of excrement determined (for example, a guest) uses the toilet bowl, air is drawn in from inside the toilet bowl at a flow rate greater than these values ​​to perform deodorization, thereby preventing odors from inside the toilet bowl from leaking to the outside.

[0024] In the toilet apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the light receiving unit and the opening of the deodorizing device are arranged to be spaced apart from each other.

[0025] With this configuration, the flow of air drawn in through the opening of the deodorizing device can be separated from the light receiving unit, thereby reducing the impact of dust contained in the air flow on the operation of the light receiving unit.

[0026] A toilet apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure includes a water supply device that supplies water into a toilet bowl, and a control device that operates the water supply device during dust suppression control.

[0027] According to this configuration, by supplying water into the toilet bowl, it is possible to reduce the amount of dust floating in the toilet bowl and reduce the effect that dust has on the state determination control.

[0028] A toilet device according to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure includes a human body detection sensor that transmits a human body detection signal to a control device when a human body is present near the toilet bowl, and the control device operates the water supply device based on the start of receiving the human body detection signal during dust suppression control.

[0029] With this configuration, when a user approaches the toilet bowl to defecate, the surface of the toilet bowl becomes wet with water before the user sits on the toilet seat, which prevents dust from floating on the surface of the toilet bowl and reduces the impact of dust on the state determination control.

[0030] A toilet device according to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is provided with a seating detection sensor that transmits a seating detection signal to a control device when a user is seated on the toilet seat, and the control device operates the water supply device based on the start of receiving the seating detection signal during dust suppression control.

[0031] With this configuration, the surface of the toilet bowl becomes wet after the user sits on the toilet seat, which prevents dust from the user's clothing that has adhered to the surface of the toilet bowl from floating again within the toilet bowl and reduces the impact of dust on the state determination control.

[0032] In a toilet apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the water dispenser is configured to dispense hydrogen ions and oxygen ions onto the surface of the toilet bowl when a human body detection signal is not received.

[0033] With this configuration, when no human body is present near the toilet, the water dispenser supplies hydrogen ions and oxygen ions that react with bacteria in the toilet bowl and turn into water, thereby sterilizing the surface of the toilet bowl while keeping it wet with water. This prevents dust from floating on the surface of the toilet bowl when a user subsequently uses the toilet device, reducing the impact of dust on the state determination control. [Effects of the Invention]

[0034] 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 of dust in the toilet bowl on the accuracy of the determination. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0035] [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 the toilet device according to the first modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a timing chart showing the operation of elements of a toilet device according to a second modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing elements of a toilet device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a timing chart showing the operation of elements of the toilet device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a timing chart showing the operation of elements of a toilet device according to a modified example of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] 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.

[0037] [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.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet device 1 includes a toilet bowl 2, a toilet seat device 3, and an operating device 8.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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."

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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).

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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 configured to draw air through an opening (not shown) that faces the inside of toilet bowl 21. The filter is positioned to allow the air drawn in by the intake fan to pass through, and removes odorous components from the air.

[0053] 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. Based on this signal, the control device 41 determines whether or not a human body is present in the toilet room R. 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."

[0054] 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."

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] The hydrogen ions and oxygen ions supplied from ion supply device 47 act on bacteria in toilet bowl 21 and combine to form water. Therefore, when ion supply device 47 operates, the surface of toilet bowl 21 becomes wet with water. Ion supply device 47 is an example of a "water supply device."

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] At time t0 shown in FIG. 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. The surface of toilet bowl 21 is also wet with water. This operation of ion supply device 47 is an example of "dust suppression control."

[0063] 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. Control device 41, which has started receiving the human body detection signal, begins transmitting a control signal to deodorizing device 43 and stops transmitting a control signal to ion supply device 47. This causes the air intake fan of deodorizing device 43 to start operating and suck in air from within toilet bowl 21, while ion supply device 47 stops, stopping the supply of 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. This flow rate Qa is an example of a "first flow rate." This operation of deodorizing device 43 is an example of "dust suppression control."

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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. As a result, the intake fan of the deodorizing device 43 operates 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 and is an example of a "second flow rate." 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. This operation of the deodorizing device 43 is an example of "dust suppression control."

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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, resuming the supply of hydrogen ions and oxygen ions into toilet bowl 21. As described above, this operation of ion supplying device 47 is an example of "dust suppression control."

[0070] <Operations and Effects Based on the First Embodiment> According to the above configuration, the execution of dust suppression control suppresses the floating of dust in toilet bowl 21 when the state determination control is executed. This reduces the effect of dust floating in toilet bowl 21 on the state determination control, making it possible to determine the state of excrement with high accuracy.

[0071] Furthermore, in dust suppression control, control device 41 controls deodorizing device 43 so that the flow rate per unit time of air drawn in by deodorizing device 43 when state determination control is being executed is zero, or is smaller than the flow rate per unit time Qa of air drawn in by deodorizing device 43 when state determination control is not being executed. With this configuration, the generation of airflow within toilet bowl 21 is suppressed when state determination control is being executed. This makes it possible to suppress the floating of dust due to airflow when state determination control is being executed.

[0072] Furthermore, in dust suppression control, upon starting to receive a human body detection signal, the control device 41 operates the deodorizing device 43 to suck in air at a flow rate Qa. With this configuration, when a user approaches the toilet 2 to defecate, the deodorizing device 43 can suck in and remove dust floating in the toilet bowl 21 before the user sits on the toilet seat 6. This reduces the amount of dust floating in the toilet bowl 21 after the user sits on the toilet seat 6, making it possible to reduce the impact of dust on the state determination control.

[0073] Furthermore, in the dust suppression control, the control device 41 stops the deodorizing device 43 or operates the deodorizing device 43 to suck in air at a flow rate Qc that is smaller than the flow rate Qa based on the start of reception of the seating detection signal. With this configuration, the generation of airflow in the toilet bowl 21 is suppressed after the user sits on the toilet seat 6. This makes it possible to suppress the floating of dust due to the airflow when the state determination control is executed.

[0074] Furthermore, based on the start of reception of the seating detection signal, the control device 41 activates the light receiving unit 482. With this configuration, the user can activate the light receiving unit 482 by simply sitting on the toilet seat 6, and cause the toilet device 1 to execute state determination control.

[0075] Furthermore, the control device 41 executes dust suppression control only if the user is successfully authenticated. With this configuration, only when a user who desires to have the excrement state determined uses the toilet device 1, the deodorizing device 43 is operated so that the flow rate per unit time of air drawn in by the deodorizing device 43 when the state determination control is being executed is zero, or is smaller than the flow rate per unit time Qa of air drawn in by the deodorizing device 43 when the state determination control is not being executed. Therefore, when a person who does not desire to have the excrement state determined (for example, a guest) uses the toilet bowl 2, air is drawn in from inside the toilet bowl at a flow rate greater than these values ​​to perform deodorization, thereby preventing odors from inside the toilet bowl 21 from leaking to the outside.

[0076] Furthermore, light receiving unit 482 and the opening of deodorizing device 43 are arranged at a distance from each other. With this configuration, the flow of air sucked in through the opening of deodorizing device 43 can be separated from light receiving unit 482. This makes it possible to reduce the effect of dust contained in the air flow on the operation of light receiving unit 482.

[0077] Furthermore, in dust suppression control, control device 41 operates ion supply device 47, which is a water supply device. With this configuration, by supplying water into toilet bowl 21, it is possible to reduce the amount of dust floating in toilet bowl 21 and mitigate the effect of dust on the state determination control.

[0078] Furthermore, ion supply device 47, which is a water supply device, is configured to supply hydrogen ions and oxygen ions to the surface of toilet bowl 21 when a human body detection signal is not received. With this configuration, when there is no human body near toilet bowl 2, ion supply device 47 supplies hydrogen ions and oxygen ions that act on bacteria in toilet bowl 21 and turn into water, thereby sterilizing bacteria and keeping the surface of toilet bowl 21 wet with water. This makes it possible to prevent dust from floating on the surface of toilet bowl 21 when a user subsequently uses toilet device 1, and reduce the impact of dust on state determination control.

[0079] [First Modification of the First Embodiment] Next, a toilet device according to a first 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 first 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.

[0080] FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the operation of elements of the toilet device according to the first modified example of the first embodiment.

[0081] In the toilet device according to the first modified example of the first embodiment, when a user sits on the toilet seat 6 at time t211, the control device 41 starts receiving a seating detection signal from the seating detection sensor 45 and starts sending a control signal to the excrement state detection unit 48 without changing the control signal sent to the deodorizing device 43. This causes the deodorizing device 43 to operate so as to maintain the flow rate Qa of the sucked air per unit time.

[0082] At time t212, when time T has elapsed since time t211, control device 41 changes the control signal to be sent to deodorizing device 43. Time T is a predetermined length (for example, 10 seconds) and is an example of a "predetermined time." As a result, the intake fan of deodorizing device 43 operates so that the flow rate per unit time of sucked air becomes Qc. Note that, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 5, deodorizing device 43 may be stopped so that the flow rate per unit time of sucked air becomes zero. This operation of deodorizing device 43 is an example of "dust suppression control."

[0083] <Operations and effects based on the first modified example of the first embodiment> In this way, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of reception of the seating detection signal, the control device 41 stops the deodorizing device 43 or operates the deodorizing device 43 to suck in air at a flow rate Qc, which is smaller than the flow rate Qa. With this configuration, air is sucked in from inside the toilet bowl 21 at the flow rate Qa based on the start of reception of the human body detection signal, and this suction of air at the flow rate Qa continues until time T has elapsed after the user sits on the toilet seat 6. This allows the deodorizing device 43 to suck in and remove dust generated from the clothes of a user sitting on the toilet seat 6. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of dust floating in the toilet bowl 21 when the state determination control is executed and reduce the impact of dust on the state determination control.

[0084] [Second Modification of the First Embodiment] Next, a toilet device according to a second modified example of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The toilet device is configured to determine the state of a user's excrement, similar to the first embodiment. Of the toilet device according to the second modified example, the same elements and operations as those of the first embodiment and its first modified example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0085] FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the operation of elements of the toilet device according to the second modified example of the first embodiment.

[0086] 6 shows that in the toilet apparatus according to the second modification, the operation of the genital washing nozzle 42 begins at time t213. Specifically, at time t213, the user operates the switch 82 of the operating device 8, which corresponds to the start of genital washing, and the control device 41 begins sending a control signal to the genital washing nozzle 42. As a result, the genital washing nozzle 42 begins spraying water toward the user's genitals.

[0087] At time t214, 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] <Operations and effects based on the second modified example of the first embodiment> In this way, the control device 41 starts the operation of the deodorizing device 43 based on the completion of water discharge from the private parts washing nozzle 42, or operates the deodorizing device 43 so that the flow rate per unit time of air drawn by the deodorizing device 43 is greater than the flow rate per unit time of air drawn by the deodorizing device 43 in dust suppression control. With this configuration, it is possible to detect, based on the completion of water discharge from the private parts washing nozzle 42, that the user's excretion has ended and that state determination control is no longer necessary. Therefore, after the completion of water discharge from the private parts washing nozzle 42, the deodorizing device 43 operates to draw in and deodorize the air within the toilet bowl 21. This prevents odors from within the toilet bowl 21 from leaking to the outside after the user leaves the toilet seat 6.

[0090] [Second embodiment] Next, a toilet device according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Similar to the first embodiment, the 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 first and second modifications are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0091] Fig. 7 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. 7. Fig. 8 is a timing chart showing the operation of the elements of the toilet device according to the second embodiment.

[0092] The main body of the toilet apparatus according to the second embodiment is equipped with a water discharge device 52 in addition to the elements equipped in the first embodiment. The water discharge device 52 is configured to receive a supply of tap water and pressurize the tap water. The water discharge device 52 has an opening (not shown) arranged facing the inside of the toilet bowl 21, and the pressurized tap water is atomized and supplied into the toilet bowl 21 from the opening. Therefore, when the water discharge device 52 operates, the surface of the toilet bowl 21 becomes wet with water. The water discharge device 52 is an example of a "water supply device."

[0093] In the toilet device according to the second embodiment, when a user enters toilet room R at time t12, 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 supplying device 47, and begins transmitting a control signal to water discharger 52. This causes the air intake fan of deodorizing device 43 to start operating, sucking in air from within toilet bowl 21, and ion supplying device 47 to stop supplying hydrogen ions and oxygen ions to toilet bowl 21. Furthermore, water discharger 52 supplies atomized tap water into toilet bowl 21, wetting the surface of toilet bowl 21. This operation of deodorizing device 43 and water discharger 52 is an example of "dust suppression control."

[0094] At time t22, when the user sits on the toilet seat 6, the seat detection sensor 45 transmits a seat detection signal to the control device 41. The control device 41, which has started receiving the seat detection signal, changes the control signal sent to the deodorizing device 43, starts transmitting the control signal to the excrement state detection unit 48, and stops transmitting the control signal to the water discharger 52. This causes the intake fan of the deodorizing device 43 to operate so that the flow rate of the sucked air per unit time becomes Qc. Note that, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 8, the deodorizing device 43 may be stopped so that the flow rate of the sucked air per unit time becomes zero. This operation of the deodorizing device 43 is an example of "dust suppression control." Furthermore, the excrement state detection unit 48 operates, and the control device 41 executes state determination control to determine the state of the excrement based on the characteristics of the light-receiving signal received from the light-receiving unit 482. Furthermore, the supply of tap water from the water discharger 52 to the toilet bowl 21 is stopped.

[0095] <Operation and effect based on the second embodiment> In this way, in dust suppression control, control device 41 operates water discharge device 52, which is a water supply device, based on the start of reception of a human body detection signal. With this configuration, when a user approaches toilet bowl 2 to defecate, the surface of toilet bowl 21 becomes wet with water before the user sits on toilet seat 6. This makes it possible to suppress dust from floating on the surface of toilet bowl 21 and reduce the impact of dust on state determination control.

[0096] [Modification of the second embodiment] Next, a toilet device according to a modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. This toilet device is configured to determine the state of a user's excrement, similar to the first and second embodiments. Of the toilet device according to this modification, the same elements and operations as those of the first embodiment, its first and second modifications, and the second embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0097] FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the operation of elements of a toilet device according to a modified example of the second embodiment.

[0098] In the toilet device according to the modification of the second embodiment, when a user enters toilet room R at time t121, human body detection sensor 44 detects the presence of a human body and begins transmitting a human body detection signal. Control device 41, which has begun receiving the human body detection signal, begins transmitting a control signal to deodorizing device 43 and stops transmitting a control signal to ion supplying device 47. At this time, control device 41 has not yet begun transmitting a control signal to water discharger 52. As a result, the air intake fan of deodorizing device 43 begins operating to suck in air from within toilet bowl 21, and ion supplying device 47 stops, stopping the supply of hydrogen ions and oxygen ions to toilet bowl 21. This operation of deodorizing device 43 is an example of "dust suppression control."

[0099] At time t221, 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, starts transmitting a control signal to the excrement state detection unit 48, and starts transmitting a control signal to the water discharger 52. 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. This operation of the deodorizing device 43 is an example of "dust suppression control." Furthermore, the excrement state detection unit 48 operates, and the control device 41 executes state determination control to determine the state of the excrement based on the characteristics of the light-receiving signal received from the light-receiving unit 482. Furthermore, the supply of tap water from the water discharger 52 to the toilet bowl 21 starts.

[0100] At time t222, when the user operates switch 82 of operating device 8 (see FIG. 1) corresponding to the start of private parts washing, control device 41 starts sending a control signal to private parts washing nozzle 42 and stops sending a control signal to water discharger 52. As a result, private parts washing nozzle 42 starts discharging water toward the user's private parts. In addition, the supply of tap water from water discharger 52 to toilet bowl 21 is stopped. This operation of water discharger 52 is an example of "dust suppression control."

[0101] <Operations and effects based on the modified example of the second embodiment>

[0102] In this way, in dust suppression control, control device 41 operates water discharge device 52, which is a water supply device, based on the start of reception of a seating detection signal. With this configuration, the surface of toilet bowl 21 becomes wet with water after the user sits on toilet seat 6. This prevents dust that has been generated from the user's clothing and adhered to the surface of toilet bowl 21 from floating again within toilet bowl 21, making it possible to reduce the impact of dust on state determination control.

[0103] 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. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1 Toilet equipment 2 Toilet bowl 21 Toilet Bowl 41 Control device 42 Local cleaning nozzle 43 Deodorizing device 44 Human body detection sensor 45 Seating detection sensor 46 Personal authentication means 47 Ion supply device (water supply device) 481 Light-emitting part 482 Light receiving part 52 Water discharge device (water supply device) 6 toilet seats

Claims

1. a toilet bowl having a toilet bowl; a toilet seat disposed above the toilet bowl; a deodorizing device having an opening facing the inside of the toilet bowl, which deodorizes by sucking air from inside the toilet bowl through the opening; 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 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 executes dust suppression control that suppresses the floating of dust in the toilet bowl when the state determination control is executed.

2. The toilet device described in claim 1, characterized in that the control device controls the deodorizing device in the dust suppression control so that the flow rate per unit time of air sucked by the deodorizing device when the state determination control is executed is zero, or is smaller than the flow rate per unit time of air sucked by the deodorizing device when the state determination control is not executed.

3. a human body detection sensor that transmits a human body detection signal to the control device when a human body is present near the toilet bowl; 3. The toilet device according to claim 2, wherein the control device, in the dust suppression control, operates the deodorizing device to suck in air at a first flow rate based on the start of reception of the human body detection signal.

4. a seat detection sensor that transmits a seat detection signal to the control device when a user is seated on the toilet seat; The toilet device described in claim 3, characterized in that, in the dust suppression control, the control device stops the deodorizing device or operates the deodorizing device to suck in air at a second flow rate smaller than the first flow rate based on the start of reception of the seating detection signal.

5. The toilet device according to claim 4, characterized in that the control device stops the deodorizing device or operates the deodorizing device to suck in air at the second flow rate after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of reception of the seating detection signal.

6. The toilet device according to claim 4, wherein the control device operates the light receiving unit based on the start of reception of the seating detection signal.

7. a local cleaning nozzle for discharging water to clean the local areas of a user; The toilet device described in claim 2, characterized in that the control device starts operation of the deodorizing device based on the completion of water discharge from the private parts washing nozzle, or operates the deodorizing device so that the flow rate per unit time of air sucked into the deodorizing device is greater than the flow rate per unit time of air sucked into the deodorizing device during the dust suppression control.

8. a user authentication means for authenticating a user who desires to determine the state of excrement; The toilet device according to claim 2, wherein the control device executes the dust suppression control only when the user has been successfully authenticated.

9. The toilet device according to claim 1, wherein the light receiving unit and the opening of the deodorizing device are arranged apart from each other.

10. a water supply device for supplying water into the toilet bowl; The toilet apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control device operates the water supply device during the dust suppression control.

11. a human body detection sensor that transmits a human body detection signal to the control device when a human body is present near the toilet bowl; The toilet apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control device operates the water supply device based on the start of reception of the human body detection signal during the dust suppression control.

12. a seat detection sensor that transmits a seat detection signal to the control device when a user is seated on the toilet seat; The toilet apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control device operates the water supply device based on the start of reception of the seating detection signal during the dust suppression control.

13. 12. The toilet apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the water dispenser is configured to dispense hydrogen ions and oxygen ions onto the surface of the toilet bowl when the human body detection signal is not received.

Images