Toilet device

Abstract

To provide a toilet device capable of inhibiting misdetection of a radio wave sensor for human body detection.SOLUTION: A toilet device 1 comprises a toilet seat 11, an electric opening / closing part 4 that performs electric opening / closing drive of the toilet seat 11 or a toilet lid 12, and a radio wave sensor 3 for human body detection. The whole radio wave sensor 3 is arranged on the front side with respect to metal components 41, 42, 43, 44a, 44b and 45 of the electric opening / closing part 4, when a longitudinal direction in a view from a person sitting on the toilet seat 11 is set to be a longitudinal direction of the toilet device 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, toilet devices equipped with a radio wave sensor for detecting a human body have been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the toilet device described in Patent Document 1, an electric opening / closing unit that electrically opens and closes the toilet seat is arranged to overlap the radio wave sensor for detecting a human body in a side view. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-136245 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In toilet devices in which the electric opening and closing part that electrically drives the toilet seat to open and close is positioned overlapping the radio wave sensor for detecting human bodies when viewed from the side, there is a possibility that the radio waves emitted from the radio wave sensor for detecting human bodies will be reflected by the electric opening and closing part of the toilet seat that is positioned to the side of the radio wave sensor and result in a false detection, which may deteriorate the detection performance of the radio wave sensor.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a toilet device that can suppress false detections by a radio wave sensor for detecting a human body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a toilet device comprising a toilet seat, an electric opening / closing unit that electrically drives the toilet seat or toilet lid to open and close, and a radio wave sensor for detecting a human body, wherein the entire radio wave sensor is positioned forward of the metal parts of the electric opening / closing unit when the front-to-back direction as seen by a person sitting on the toilet seat is the front-to-back direction of the toilet device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a toilet device of a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover member is removed from a functional part of the toilet device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the structure around the radio wave sensor. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2, showing a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion where a radio wave sensor is disposed. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the radio wave sensor with the front cover removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a view of the radio wave sensor as seen from the front side of the toilet device. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a toilet device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a radio wave sensor according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a toilet device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another embodiment in which the radio wave sensor is provided on one side of the center in the left-right direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the front-to-back direction as seen from a user (person) seated on the toilet seat 11 is referred to as the front-to-back direction. The left-to-right direction as seen from a user seated on the toilet seat 11 is referred to as the left-to-right direction. In the left-to-right direction, the side inside the functional part 2 where the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 is arranged is referred to as one side (the left side in FIG. 3), and the side inside the functional part 2 where the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 is not arranged is referred to as the other side (the right side in FIG. 3). The up-down direction is the direction perpendicular to the floor surface on which the toilet bowl 13 is placed.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet device 1 of the first embodiment includes a toilet seat 11, a toilet lid 12, a toilet bowl 13, and a functional part 2.

[0010] The toilet bowl 13 is formed with an opening facing upward and is made of, for example, ceramic. A toilet seat 11 and a toilet lid 12 are arranged on top of the toilet bowl 13. The toilet seat 11 and the toilet lid 12 are attached to the front side of the functional part 2 so as to be rotatable relative to the toilet bowl 13.

[0011] The functional unit 2 is disposed on the rear side of the upper part of the toilet bowl 13. As shown in Figure 2, the functional unit 2 includes a base member 21 having a front base plate 211 and a rear base plate 212, a functional component 22 disposed on the upper part of the base member 21, and a cover member 23 that covers the functional component 22.

[0012] Fig. 2 shows only some of the functional components 22. The functional components 22 include, for example, a human body detection radio wave sensor 3 (described later) having the function of detecting a human body, an electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 (electric opening / closing section) (described later) that electrically drives the toilet seat 11 to open and close, an electric toilet lid opening / closing unit 5 (described later) that electrically drives the toilet lid 12 to open and close, a toilet flushing device equipped with a flushing tank, a shower nozzle that cleans the user's private parts, a water circuit 7 (see Fig. 3) equipped with a hose 71, a power supply unit, a control board 8 (board) (described later), a valve unit, various pipes, etc. Details of the functional components 22 arranged in the functional section 2 will be described later.

[0013] 1, the cover member 23 is a cover that forms the outer shape of the functional unit 2 at the rear side of the toilet bowl 13 and covers the functional components 22 of the functional unit 2. The cover member 23 has a pair of side walls 231 arranged at both left and right ends, an upper cover 232 arranged on the top of the functional unit 2, and a back wall 233 that extends in the left and right direction at the rear of the upper cover 232 to connect the pair of side walls 231, and is formed to surround the top, sides, and rear of the functional unit 2.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the toilet seat 11 is placed on top of the toilet bowl 13. The toilet seat 11 is the part on which a user sits. The toilet seat 11 is placed on the edge of the opening of the toilet bowl 13 and is formed in a ring shape.

[0015] 2, the toilet seat 11 includes a toilet seat body 111 and a pair of toilet seat hinge portions 112 (hinge portions). The toilet seat body 111 is formed in an annular shape with an opening formed in the center.

[0016] The toilet seat body 111 is hollow, and the surface exposed to the outside is made of a resin material. The toilet seat 11 has a metal sheet 113 (toilet seat metal part) placed inside the toilet seat body 111. The metal sheet 113 is formed in a sheet shape from a metal material such as aluminum. The metal sheet 113 is attached to the inner surface of the top panel 111a of the toilet seat body 111 at the rear part of the toilet seat body 111 inside the toilet seat body 111 in order to increase the thermal conductivity of the surface of the toilet seat 11. Note that a metal heating wire (toilet seat metal part) for a heater to heat the toilet seat 11 may be housed inside the toilet seat 11.

[0017] The pair of toilet seat hinge parts 112 are arranged at a distance in the left-right direction on the rear side of the toilet seat 11. The pair of toilet seat hinge parts 112 are arranged at both left-right ends on the rear end side of the toilet seat 11 in the left-right direction, and extend from both left-right ends on the rear side of the toilet seat main body 111 to the rear of the toilet seat 11. The pair of toilet seat hinge parts 112 are rotatably attached to both left-right ends of the functional part 2 in front of the cover member 23 of the functional part 2.

[0018] 2, the pair of toilet seat hinge parts 112 are configured to be rotatable about the rotation axis J1 in conjunction with the opening and closing of the toilet seat 11. As a result, the toilet seat 11 is configured to be openable and closable relative to the toilet bowl 13 by the pair of toilet seat hinge parts 112 rotating about the rotation axis J1.

[0019] An electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 (electric opening / closing unit) is connected to one toilet seat hinge part 112a of the pair of toilet seat hinge parts 112. As a result, the toilet seat 11 is attached to the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 (electric opening / closing unit), and is configured to be electrically rotatable by driving the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4. The electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 is a functional part 22 arranged inside the cover member 23 of the functional part 2. The configuration of the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 will be described later.

[0020] The toilet lid 12 is placed on top of the toilet seat 11. The toilet lid 12 is a lid that can open and close and cover the opening of the toilet seat 11 and the opening of the toilet bowl 13. The toilet lid 12 comprises a toilet lid body 121 and a pair of toilet lid hinge portions 122 of the toilet lid body 121.

[0021] The pair of toilet lid hinge parts 122 are arranged apart in the left-right direction on the rear side of the toilet lid 12. The pair of toilet lid hinge parts 122 are rotatably attached to both ends in the left-right direction of the functional part 2, behind the part where the pair of toilet seat hinge parts 112 of the toilet seat 11 are attached to the functional part 2.

[0022] 2, the pair of toilet lid hinge portions 122 are configured to be rotatable about the rotation axis J2 as the toilet lid 12 is opened or closed. As a result, the toilet lid 12 is configured to be able to be opened and closed relative to the toilet bowl 13 by the pair of toilet lid hinge portions 122 rotating about the rotation axis J2.

[0023] An electric toilet lid opening / closing unit 5 (electric opening / closing unit) is connected to one of the pair of toilet lid hinge units 122, the toilet lid hinge unit 122a. As a result, the toilet lid 12 is attached to the electric toilet lid opening / closing unit 5 and is configured to be electrically rotatable by driving the electric toilet lid opening / closing unit 5. The electric toilet lid opening / closing unit 5 is a functional part 22 that is placed inside the cover member 23 of the functional unit 2. The configuration of the electric toilet lid opening / closing unit 5 will be described later.

[0024] Of the functional components 22 arranged inside the cover member 23 of the functional part 2, the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4, the electric toilet lid opening / closing unit 5, the water circuit 7 with the hose 71, the control board 8 (board), and the radio wave sensor 3 will be described.

[0025] The following describes the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4, which is connected to one of the pair of toilet seat hinge parts 112a. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 is disposed on the front side of one of the left-right directions inside the cover member 23, and extends from the inner side of one of the pair of toilet seat hinge parts 112a of the toilet seat 11 toward the center in the left-right direction.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3 , the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 includes a metal motor 41 (metal component), a metal base plate 42 (metal component), multiple metal gears 43 (metal component), metal mounting plates 44a and 44b (metal component), a metal spring member 45 (metal component) attached to a rotating shaft member 4a connected to the toilet seat hinge portion 112a on one side of the toilet seat 11, and a resin case member 46 arranged outside the motor 41, base plate 42, gears 43, mounting plates 44a and 44b, and spring member 45, etc., so as to cover the motor 41, base plate 42, gears 43, mounting plates 44a and 44b, and spring member 45, etc. Note that the types of components constituting the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 are illustrative and are not limited to the components described in this embodiment. The metal components described in this embodiment are merely examples, and other metal components may also be used, such as a metal mounting frame or other metal components.

[0027] The electric toilet lid opening / closing unit 5, which is connected to one of the pair of toilet lid hinge parts 122, 122a, will now be described. The electric toilet lid opening / closing unit 5 is located diagonally above and rearward of the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 on one side in the left-right direction inside the cover member 23, and extends from the inner left-right portion of one of the pair of toilet lid hinge parts 122, 122a, of the toilet lid 12, towards the center in the left-right direction. The component configuration of the electric toilet lid opening / closing unit 5 is the same as that of the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4, so description thereof will be omitted.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 and the electric toilet lid opening / closing unit 5 are attached to the base member 21 of the functional part 2 by being fixed directly or indirectly to the base member 21 at mounting parts 461, 561 of the resin case members 46, 56, respectively. The mounting parts 461, 561 are formed to protrude forward on the other left-right side of the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 and the electric toilet lid opening / closing unit 5. Because the case members 46, 56 are made of resin, the mounting parts 461, 561 are also made of resin.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 3, the water circuit 7 has a hose 71 in the functional unit 2 through which water flows. The hose 71 is, for example, a hose for supplying water from a tank that stores cleansing water to a shower nozzle that cleanses the user's private parts. The hose 71 is located on the front side near the center in the left-right direction inside the cover member 23 of the functional unit 2, and is formed to extend in the left-right direction. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the hose 71 is located on the front side near the center in the left-right direction, and behind the radio wave sensor 3 (described below).

[0030] The control board 8 is arranged on the other side of the center in the left-right direction of the functional unit 2. The control board 8 is, for example, connected by a harness to predetermined functional components arranged in the functional unit 2 and controls the predetermined functional components. The control board 8 is formed in the shape of a plate having a thickness in the vertical direction and is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view. Electrical components (not shown) are arranged on the control board 8. The control board 8 is made of metal.

[0031] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the radio wave sensor 3 is disposed inside the cover member 23 of the functional unit 2, on the front side of the center in the left-right direction. The radio wave sensor 3 is a sensor for detecting a human body. As shown in Figure 5, the radio wave sensor 3 has an antenna unit 33 having an antenna surface 331. The antenna surface 331 is formed in a planar shape extending vertically and left-right so as to face the horizontal direction on the front side of the toilet device 1.

[0032] The radio wave sensor 3 can detect a person standing to the side in front of the toilet device 1, or a person sitting on the toilet seat 11. The radio wave sensor 3 is a sensor that can detect a human body as a detection target by emitting high-frequency radio waves, such as microwaves or millimeter waves, with wavelengths longer than those of infrared rays from the antenna surface 331, reflecting the radio waves off the human body as a detection target, and receiving the radio waves reflected from the human body. The radio waves radiated from the radio wave sensor 3 are high-frequency radio waves, such as microwaves or millimeter waves, with wavelengths longer than those of infrared rays, and can therefore pass through resin materials.

[0033] In this embodiment, the radio wave sensor 3 has both a human body detection function that detects a person standing in front of or to the side of the toilet device 1 and a seated person detection function that detects a person sitting on the toilet seat 11. The radio wave sensor 3 can distinguish between whether a person is in front of or to the side of the toilet device 1 and whether a person is sitting on the toilet seat 11. Note that the radio wave sensor 3 only needs to have at least the human body detection function that detects a person standing in front of or to the side of the toilet device 1, and does not have to have the seated person detection function that detects a person sitting on the toilet seat 11.

[0034] The radio waves emitted from the radio wave sensor 3 can penetrate resin materials to detect a human body. Therefore, when the radio wave sensor 3 is installed in the toilet device 1 as a human body detection sensor, there is no need to provide a sensor detection window exposed to the outside, and the radio wave sensor 3 can be placed inside the resin cover member 23 of the functional unit 2. Therefore, by using the radio wave sensor 3, the radio wave sensor 3 can be installed without providing a sensor detection window, which results in a cleaner appearance and improved design compared to when a conventional infrared sensor is used, which requires a sensor detection window.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 3, the radio wave sensor 3 is disposed between a pair of toilet seat hinge portions 112 of the toilet seat 11 in the left-right direction. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the radio wave sensor 3 is disposed forward of the hose 71 of the water circuit 7 disposed inside the cover member 23 of the functional unit 2. In a side view of the toilet device 1, the radio wave sensor 3 is disposed forward of the control board 8 disposed inside the cover member 23 of the functional unit 2.

[0036] When the toilet seat 11 is in the closed position, the radio wave sensor 3 is located behind the rear end 11a of the toilet seat body 111 in the left-right center of the toilet seat 11. In this embodiment, the radio wave sensor 3 is located immediately behind the rear side of the rear end 11a of the toilet seat body 111 in the left-right center of the toilet seat 11. "Immediately behind the rear side of the rear end 11a of the toilet seat 11" means a distance of 0 to 5 cm behind the rear end 11a of the toilet seat body 111 in the left-right center of the toilet seat 11.

[0037] 3 and 4, the entire radio wave sensor 3 is disposed forward of the metal components of the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 (metal motor 41, metal substrate 42, multiple metal gears 43, metal mounting plates 44a, 44b, and metal spring member 45) in the front-to-rear direction of the toilet apparatus 1. In this embodiment, the entire radio wave sensor 3 is disposed forward of both the metal components of the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 (metal motor 41, metal substrate 42, multiple metal gears 43, metal mounting plates 44a, 44b, and metal spring member 45) and the metal components of the electric toilet lid opening / closing unit 5 in the front-to-rear direction of the toilet apparatus 1. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, an imaginary line L extending in the left-right direction along the surface of the rearmost end of the radio wave sensor 3 is located forward of the metal components of the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 (metal motor 41, metal circuit board 42, multiple metal gears 43, metal mounting plates 44a, 44b, and metal spring member 45) in the front-rear direction of the toilet apparatus 1. In this embodiment, the entire radio wave sensor 3 is located forward of the front ends of the metal mounting plates 44a, 44b, which are located at the frontmost of the metal components of the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4. Note that, as shown in Fig. 4, a portion of the radio wave sensor 3 is located in a position overlapping with a mounting portion 461 of a resin case member 46 in a side view.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 5, the radio wave sensor 3 includes a case part 31 having a case main body 311 and a cover member 312, and an antenna part 33.

[0039] The antenna part 33 is disposed on the front surface at the top of the case part 31, and is therefore disposed at the top of the entire radio wave sensor 3, in the center of the toilet device 1 in the left-right direction.

[0040] 4 and 6, when the toilet seat 11 is in the closed position, the antenna unit 33 is disposed above the metal sheet 113 (toilet seat metal part) disposed inside the toilet seat 11. This allows the antenna unit 33 to be disposed in a position in front of it where there is nothing that would obstruct the radio waves emitted from the antenna unit 33 when the toilet seat 11 is in the closed position.

[0041] As shown in Figure 6, at least a portion of the radio wave sensor 3 other than the antenna unit 33 is positioned so as to overlap the metal sheet 113 of the toilet seat 11 when the toilet apparatus 1 is viewed from the front. Specifically, the portion of the entire radio wave sensor 3 below the antenna unit 33 extends downward and overlaps the metal sheet 113 of the toilet seat 11 when the toilet apparatus 1 is viewed from the front. This ensures that the case 31 has sufficient length in the up-down direction, so the case 31 does not need to be long in the left-right direction, and the radio wave sensor 3 does not need to be long in the left-right direction, allowing it to be formed compactly.

[0042] The antenna unit 33 has an antenna surface 331. The antenna surface 331 is the front surface of the antenna unit 33 and faces the front side of the toilet device 1. In this embodiment, the antenna surface 331 extends vertically and left and right. Radio waves are emitted from the antenna surface 331, and when the emitted radio waves are reflected by a human body, the radio waves reflected from the human body are received. The radio waves emitted from the antenna surface 331 are emitted forward or to the side of the antenna unit 33 based on the directivity of the radio waves emitted from the antenna unit 33.

[0043] The radio wave sensor 3 configured as above has a thin case 31 and the antenna section 33 disposed inside the case 31, so that the width in the front-rear direction is thin and the sensor can be made compact.

[0044] According to this embodiment, the following effects are achieved: The toilet apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a toilet seat 11, an electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 that electrically drives the toilet seat 11 to open and close, and a radio wave sensor 3 for detecting a human body, and the entire radio wave sensor 3 is positioned forward of the metal components of the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 (metal motor 41, metal substrate 42, multiple metal gears 43, metal mounting plates 44a, 44b, and metal spring member 45).

[0045] As a result, the radio waves emitted from the radio wave sensor 3 are less likely to be affected by the metal parts of the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 (metal motor 41, metal circuit board 42, multiple metal gears 43, metal mounting plates 44a and 44b, and metal spring member 45), thereby reducing false detections by the radio wave sensor 3 used to detect a human body. As shown in FIG. 4, a portion of the radio wave sensor 3 is positioned so as to overlap with an attachment portion 461 of a resin case member 46 in a side view. However, because the attachment portion 461 of the case member 46 is made of resin and the radio waves from the radio wave sensor 3 pass through the resin attachment portion 461 of the case member 46, the radio wave sensor 3 is not affected by the attachment portion 461 of the case member 46.

[0046] In this embodiment, the antenna unit 33 of the radio wave sensor 3 is disposed above the metal sheet 113 disposed inside the toilet seat 11. This makes it difficult for the radio waves from the antenna unit 33 of the radio wave sensor 3 to be affected by the metal sheet 113 of the toilet seat 11, thereby reducing false detections by the radio wave sensor 3 used to detect a human body.

[0047] In this embodiment, at least a portion of the radio wave sensor 3 other than the antenna unit 33 is positioned so as to overlap the metal sheet 113 of the toilet seat 11 when the toilet apparatus 1 is viewed from the front. Therefore, the portion of the radio wave sensor 3 other than the antenna unit 33 can be formed to extend downward toward the metal sheet 113 of the toilet seat 11, so the radio wave sensor 3 does not need to be formed large in the left-right direction. This allows the radio wave sensor 3 to be formed compactly in length in the left-right direction, improving the design and aesthetic appeal.

[0048] Furthermore, by positioning at least a portion of the radio wave sensor 3 other than the antenna portion 33 in a position overlapping the metal sheet 113 of the toilet seat 11, the front side of the radio wave sensor 3 is blocked and shielded by the metal sheet 113 of the toilet seat 11, making the radio wave sensor 3 less susceptible to noise from the front side and less likely to make false detections.

[0049] In this embodiment, the radio wave sensor 3 is disposed on the rear side of the rear end 11a of the toilet seat 11. As a result, even if a person leans forward when sitting on the toilet seat 11, the influence of the person's posture such as leaning forward is small, and the radio wave sensor 3 for human body detection can reliably detect that a person has sat on the toilet seat 11.

[0050] In this embodiment, the radio wave sensor 3 is disposed between a pair of toilet seat hinge portions 112 of the toilet seat 11. This allows the radio wave sensor 3 to be disposed closer to the toilet seat 11, so that it can reliably detect when a person sits on the toilet seat 11.

[0051] In this embodiment, the radio wave sensor 3 is positioned forward of the hose 71 of the water circuit 7. If water flows through the hose 71 of the water circuit 7, there is a possibility that the radio wave sensor 3 will mistakenly detect the water as a conductor, but in this embodiment, because the hose 71 is positioned behind the radio wave sensor 3, even if water flows through the hose 71 of the water circuit 7, it is possible to prevent the radio wave sensor 3 used to detect a human body from making a mistaken detection.

[0052] In this embodiment, the radio wave sensor 3 is disposed forward of the control board 8 in a side view of the toilet device 1. By disposing the radio wave sensor 3 forward of the control board 8, the radio waves emitted from the radio wave sensor 3 are less likely to be affected by the metallic control board 8, and false detection by the radio wave sensor 3 for detecting a human body can be reduced.

[0053] Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The configuration of the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4A (electric opening / closing section) of the second embodiment is mainly different from the configuration of the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 (electric opening / closing section) of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and their description will be omitted.

[0054] 7, the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4A (electric opening / closing section) of the second embodiment is formed to extend further toward the center in the left-right direction than the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 (electric opening / closing section) of the first embodiment. At least a part of the radio wave sensor 3 is disposed in a position overlapping with an extension part 48 that extends toward the center in the left-right direction of the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4A when the toilet apparatus 1 is viewed from the front side.

[0055] The entire radio wave sensor 3 is disposed forward of the metal components of the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4A (for example, the metal motor 41, metal substrate 42, multiple metal gears 43, metal mounting plates 44a and 44b, and metal spring member 45 shown in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment). In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, at least a portion of the radio wave sensor 3 is disposed in a position overlapping with the extension portion 48 of the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4A when the toilet apparatus 1 is viewed from the front. As a result, radio waves emitted from the radio wave sensor 3 are blocked and shielded by the metal components disposed inside the extension portion 48 of the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4A (for example, the metal motor 41, metal substrate 42, multiple metal gears 43, metal mounting plates 44a and 44b, and metal spring member 45 shown in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment), and are reflected forward, making it less likely that the radio wave sensor 3 for detecting a human body will make an erroneous detection.

[0056] Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the third embodiment, the direction in which the antenna surface 331A of the antenna unit 33A of the radio wave sensor 3A faces is different from the direction in which the antenna surface 331 of the antenna unit 33 of the radio wave sensor 3 of the first embodiment faces. In the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and their description will be omitted.

[0057] 8, the radio wave sensor 3A of the third embodiment includes a case 31 and an antenna unit 33A having an antenna surface 331A. The antenna surface 331A of the antenna unit 33 is arranged to face diagonally upward on the front side of the toilet device 1. The antenna surface 331A is formed as an inclined plane that extends linearly and is inclined from the bottom side to the top side as it moves from the front side to the rear side.

[0058] As a result, radio waves from the radio wave sensor 3A are emitted diagonally upward on the front side, preventing them from being emitted toward water accumulated in the toilet bowl 13 located diagonally downward on the front side, thereby preventing false detection by the radio wave sensor 3A when flushing water accumulated in the toilet bowl 13 diagonally downward on the front side.

[0059] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The configuration of the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4B (electric opening / closing section) of the fourth embodiment is mainly different from the configuration of the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 (electric opening / closing section) of the first embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and their description will be omitted.

[0060] As shown in Figure 9, the electric opening / closing unit 4B for a toilet seat (electric opening / closing part) of the fourth embodiment is attached to the base member 21 of the functional part 2 by being fixed directly or indirectly to the base member 21 at an attachment part 462 formed to protrude rearward from a resin case member 46 on the other left-right side of the electric opening / closing unit 4B for a toilet seat.

[0061] For this reason, in the fourth embodiment, the entire radio wave sensor 3 is positioned further forward than the entire electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4B. In this embodiment, the entire radio wave sensor 3 is positioned further forward than both the entire electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4B and the entire electric toilet lid opening / closing unit 5. As a result, the radio waves emitted from the radio wave sensor 3 are less likely to be affected by the entire electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4B and the entire electric toilet lid opening / closing unit 5, and are also less likely to be affected by the metal parts of the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4B (metal motor 41, metal circuit board 42, multiple metal gears 43, metal mounting plates 44a, 44b, metal spring member 45) and the metal parts of the electric toilet lid opening / closing unit 5, thereby reducing false detections by the radio wave sensor 3 used to detect a human body.

[0062] Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified as appropriate.

[0063] For example, in the first and second embodiments, the radio wave sensor 3 is disposed on the front side of the center in the left-right direction inside the cover member 23 of the functional unit 2, but is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, the radio wave sensor 3B may be disposed on the other side of the center in the left-right direction inside the cover member 23 of the functional unit 2.

[0064] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the entire radio wave sensor 3 is positioned forward of both the metal components of the electric toilet seat opening / closing unit 4 and the metal components of the electric toilet lid opening / closing unit 5, but this is not limited to this. For example, if only the electric opening / closing unit for the toilet seat 11 is provided, the entire radio wave sensor 3 may be positioned forward of the metal components of the electric opening / closing unit for the toilet seat 11. Furthermore, if only the electric opening / closing unit for the toilet lid 12 is provided, the entire radio wave sensor 3 may be positioned forward of the metal components of the electric opening / closing unit for the toilet lid 12.

[0065] In addition, the entire radio wave sensor 3 may be positioned so that it overlaps the metal parts of the electric opening and closing unit (electric opening and closing unit 4 for toilet seat, electric opening and closing unit 5 for toilet lid) when viewed from the side, or the entire radio wave sensor 3 may be positioned further rearward than the metal parts of the electric opening and closing unit (electric opening and closing unit 4 for toilet seat, electric opening and closing unit 5 for toilet lid).

[0066] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the entire radio wave sensor 3 is positioned forward of both the entire toilet seat opening / closing unit 4B and the entire toilet lid opening / closing unit 5, but this is not limited to this. For example, if only the electric opening / closing unit for the toilet seat 11 is provided, the entire radio wave sensor 3 may be positioned forward of the entire electric opening / closing unit for the toilet seat 11. Furthermore, if only the electric opening / closing unit for the toilet lid 12 is provided, the entire radio wave sensor 3 may be positioned forward of the entire electric opening / closing unit for the toilet lid 12.

[0067] In addition, the entire radio wave sensor 3 may be positioned so that it overlaps the electric opening and closing parts (electric opening and closing unit 4 for the toilet seat, electric opening and closing unit 5 for the toilet lid) when viewed from the side, or the entire radio wave sensor 3 may be positioned further rearward than the electric opening and closing parts (electric opening and closing unit 4 for the toilet seat, electric opening and closing unit 5 for the toilet lid).

[0068] In addition, in the first embodiment, the toilet seat metal part of the toilet seat 11 is made up of the metal sheet 113 arranged inside the toilet seat 11, but this is not limited to this. For example, the toilet seat metal part of the toilet seat 11 may be made up of a metal heating wire for a heater arranged inside the toilet seat 11 to heat the toilet seat 11.

[0069] The present disclosure includes a toilet apparatus according to the following aspects.

[0070] <Aspect 1> Toilet seat and an electric opening / closing unit that electrically drives the toilet seat or toilet lid to open and close; A toilet device comprising a radio wave sensor for detecting a human body, A toilet device in which the entire radio wave sensor is positioned forward of the metal parts of the electric opening and closing unit when the front-to-back direction as seen by a person sitting on the toilet seat is defined as the front-to-back direction of the toilet device.

[0071] <Aspect 2> The toilet apparatus according to aspect 1, wherein the entire radio wave sensor is disposed forward of the entire power opening / closing unit.

[0072] <Aspect 3> 3. The toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electric opening / closing unit includes the metal part and a resin case member disposed outside the metal part.

[0073] <Aspect 4> The toilet seat has a toilet seat metal part, The radio wave sensor has an antenna unit, A toilet apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the antenna portion of the radio wave sensor is disposed above the toilet seat metal portion of the toilet seat.

[0074] <Aspect 5> The toilet device according to aspect 4, wherein at least a portion of the radio wave sensor other than the antenna portion is positioned so as to overlap the toilet seat metal portion of the toilet seat when the toilet device is viewed from the front side.

[0075] <Aspect 6> A toilet apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the radio wave sensor is disposed behind the rear end of the toilet seat.

[0076] <Aspect 7> 7. The toilet device according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein at least a portion of the radio wave sensor is disposed in a position overlapping the power opening / closing unit when the toilet device is viewed from the front side.

[0077] <Aspect 8> the toilet seat has a pair of hinge portions disposed at a rear side thereof and spaced apart in the left-right direction, Aspect 8. The toilet apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein the radio wave sensor is disposed between the pair of hinge portions.

[0078] <Aspect 9> a water circuit having a hose through which water flows; Aspect 9. The toilet apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, wherein the radio wave sensor is disposed forward of the hose.

[0079] <Aspect 10> A substrate on which electrical components are arranged, 10. The toilet apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, wherein the radio wave sensor is disposed further forward than the board in a side view of the toilet apparatus.

[0080] <Aspect 11> The toilet device according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, wherein the antenna surface of the antenna part of the radio wave sensor is formed so as to face horizontally on the front side of the toilet device or diagonally upward on the front side.

[0081] <Aspect 12> A toilet device according to any one of aspects 1 to 11, wherein the radio wave sensor for detecting a human body has a human body detection function for detecting a person standing in front of or to the side of the toilet device, and further has a seating detection function for detecting a person sitting on the toilet seat. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1 toilet device, 3 radio wave sensor, 4 toilet seat electric opening / closing unit (electric opening / closing part), 7 water circuit, 8 control board (board), 11 toilet seat, 12 toilet lid, 33 antenna part, 41 motor (metal part), 42 board (metal part), 43 gear (metal part), 44a, 44b mounting plate (metal part), 45 spring part (metal part), 46 case part, 71 hose, 112 toilet seat hinge part (hinge part), 113 metal sheet (toilet seat metal part)

Claims

1. Toilet seat and an electric opening / closing unit that electrically drives the toilet seat or toilet lid to open and close; A toilet device comprising a radio wave sensor for detecting a human body, A toilet device in which the entire radio wave sensor is positioned forward of the metal parts of the electric opening and closing unit when the front-to-back direction as seen by a person sitting on the toilet seat is defined as the front-to-back direction of the toilet device.

2. The toilet device according to claim 1 , wherein the entire radio wave sensor is disposed forward of the entire power opening / closing unit.

3. The toilet apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electric opening / closing unit includes the metal part and a resin case member disposed outside the metal part.

4. The toilet seat has a toilet seat metal part, The radio wave sensor has an antenna unit, The toilet apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the antenna portion of the radio wave sensor is disposed above the toilet seat metal portion of the toilet seat.

5. The toilet device according to claim 4, wherein at least a part of the radio wave sensor other than the antenna portion is positioned so as to overlap the toilet seat metal portion of the toilet seat when the toilet device is viewed from the front side.

6. The toilet apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the radio wave sensor is disposed behind a rear end of the toilet seat.

7. The toilet device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the radio wave sensor is disposed in a position overlapping the electric opening / closing unit when the toilet device is viewed from the front side.

8. the toilet seat has a pair of hinge portions disposed at a rear side thereof and spaced apart in the left-right direction, The toilet apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the radio wave sensor is disposed between the pair of hinge portions.

9. a water circuit having a hose through which water flows; The toilet apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the radio wave sensor is disposed forward of the hose.

10. A substrate on which electrical components are arranged, The toilet device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the radio wave sensor is disposed forward of the board in a side view of the toilet device.

11. The toilet device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an antenna surface of the antenna part of the radio wave sensor is formed so as to face horizontally on the front side of the toilet device or diagonally upward on the front side of the toilet device.

12. The toilet device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the radio wave sensor for detecting a human body has a human body detection function for detecting a person standing in front of or to the side of the toilet device, and further has a seating detection function for detecting a person sitting on the toilet seat.

Images