Control device and toilet device

Abstract

To provide a technique that can adjust a flow rate of water supplied to a toilet bowl when a feedback signal from a controlled object is not normally acquired.SOLUTION: A control device may control a water supply device that adjusts a flow rate of water supplied to a toilet bowl. When a status signal indicating an operating state of the controlled water supply device is not normally acquired from a detection unit, the control device may provide the water supply device with an instruction to adjust the flow rate of the water supplied to the toilet bowl.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a control device and a toilet device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a toilet device that includes a pump that sends water toward a toilet bowl, a control device that controls the pump motor, and a rotation speed detection circuit that supplies a motor rotation speed signal indicating the pump motor rotation speed to the control device. The control device controls the motor through feedback control using the motor rotation speed signal obtained from the rotation speed detection circuit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-165234 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the toilet device of Patent Document 1, if the control device does not properly receive the motor rotation speed signal from the rotation speed detection circuit, feedback control cannot be performed. As a result, the control device cannot control the pump. In this case, the flow rate of water supplied from the water supply device to the toilet bowl cannot be properly adjusted.

[0005] This specification provides a technique that can adjust the flow rate of water supplied to a toilet bowl when a feedback signal from a controlled object is not normally acquired. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The control device disclosed herein may control a water supply device that adjusts the flow rate of water supplied to a toilet bowl. When a status signal indicating the operating state of the controlled water supply device is not normally acquired from a detection unit, the control device may provide the water supply device with an instruction to adjust the flow rate of the water supplied to the toilet bowl. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 shows a perspective view of a toilet device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the toilet body and toilet seat taken at the center in the left-right direction and perpendicular to the left-right direction. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 shows a configuration block diagram of a water discharge unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl and upper rim portion taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 1 shows a side view of a water discharge portion of an embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 shows a plan view of a water discharge portion of an embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 shows a flowchart of an abnormality handling process according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (Configuration of toilet device 10) As shown in Figure 1, the toilet apparatus 10 is a flush toilet. The toilet apparatus 10 is fixed to the floor when in use. The toilet apparatus 10 may also be, for example, a so-called wall-hung flush toilet that is fixed to a wall.

[0009] The toilet apparatus 10 comprises a toilet bowl section 12, a toilet seat 14, a functional section 16, a reservoir 18 (see Figure 2), a water supply on-off valve 19, a water discharge section 40 (see Figure 3), a control section 100, and a seating sensor 90. Figure 2 shows a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction at the center of the left-right direction of a toilet bowl 22. As shown in Figure 2, the toilet bowl section 12 comprises a toilet body 20 and an upper rim section 30. The toilet body 20 is made of ceramic. The toilet body 20 comprises a toilet bowl 22 that receives waste. A reservoir 18 is housed in the toilet body 20 at its lower end. The reservoir 18 stores flush water for flushing the toilet bowl 22. Water is supplied to the reservoir 18 from a clean water pipe (not shown). The water supply on-off valve 19 switches between communication and cut-off between the clean water pipe and the reservoir 18. The toilet apparatus 10 is equipped with a flush button (not shown) electrically connected to the water discharger 40. When the flush button is operated by a user, a flushing process is performed in which flush water is discharged from the reservoir 18 via the water discharger 40 into the toilet bowl 22. The functional unit 16 may have functions such as an opening / closing function that automatically opens and closes the toilet lid (not shown) in accordance with the user's actions, an alarm function that issues alarms using sound or light, and functions such as local cleaning, warm air drying, and deodorizing.

[0010] In the toilet apparatus 10, the flushing process may be performed by operating a lever arranged on the toilet apparatus 10, in addition to operating the flush button. The flush button may be arranged on a remote controller that is electrically connected to the water discharger 40 either wired or wirelessly. Flush water in the reservoir 18 may be supplied to the toilet bowl 22 without any operation by the user. For example, flush water in the reservoir 18 may be supplied to the toilet bowl 22 when the sensor no longer detects the user. In the toilet apparatus 10, one of two flushing processes, a large flushing process or a small flushing process, is performed in accordance with at least one of the user's operation and settings. For example, the flush button may have multiple buttons that can select either a large flush or a small flush, and one of the two flushing processes, a large flushing process or a small flushing process, is performed depending on the button selected by the user.

[0011] The toilet seat 14 is attached to the toilet bowl body 20 so as to be able to open and close. A user sits on the toilet seat 14. The toilet seat 14 has an opening 14a. A seating sensor 90 is arranged on the toilet seat 14. When a user sits on the toilet seat 14, the toilet seat 14 moves downward. The seating sensor 90 detects the up and down movement of the toilet seat 14, thereby detecting the user sitting and leaving the seat. In a modified example, the seating sensor 90 may be a contact sensor, an infrared sensor, a capacitance sensor, or the like that directly detects the user. Instead of the seating sensor 90, a human presence sensor (e.g., an infrared sensor, a camera, etc.) that detects the user may also be used.

[0012] Hereinafter, the direction in which the toilet seat 14 and the functional unit 16 are aligned will be referred to as the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, the side on which the toilet seat 14 is arranged relative to the functional unit 16 will be referred to as the front side of the front-rear direction, and the opposite side will be referred to as the rear side. The horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction will be referred to as the left-right direction. In the left-right direction, the rear side of the paper in FIG. 1 will be referred to as the right side, and the front side of the paper in FIG. 1 will be referred to as the left side. The left and right directions correspond to the left and right as seen by a user facing the toilet device 10. The vertical direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction will be referred to as the up-down direction. In the up-down direction, the side on which the reservoir 18 is arranged relative to the toilet body 20 will be referred to as the lower side, and the opposite side will be referred to as the upper side.

[0013] The toilet bowl 22 has a shape that is generally recessed downward. As shown in FIG. 2, the toilet bowl 22 has a water collection section 24 that is located at the bottom end of the toilet bowl 22. The toilet body 20 has a drain pipe 36 that communicates with the water collection section 24, and a drain outlet 34 that opens into the water collection section 24. Water collects in the water collection section 24 up to the water level WS. The water level WS coincides with the curved position 36a of the drain pipe 36. In other words, when flush water is not being supplied to the toilet bowl 22, the area below the water level WS is referred to as the water collection section 24.

[0014] The water collection section 24 is connected to a drain pipe 36 through a drain outlet 34. The drain pipe 36 extends upward from the drain outlet 34. The drain pipe 36 bends downward at a bending position 36a and continues to extend downward. The drain pipe 36 extends to the outside of the toilet bowl section 12.

[0015] An upper rim portion 30 is disposed at the upper end of the toilet bowl 22, surrounding the upper edge 22a of the toilet bowl 22. The upper rim portion 30 is disposed at the upper end of the toilet body 20. The upper rim portion 30 protrudes inward from the upper edge 22a so as to face the surface of the toilet bowl 22. The lower surface 30a of the upper rim portion 30 is disposed vertically in the up-down direction.

[0016] The toilet bowl 22 has a front surface 23, side surfaces 26, and a rear surface 25 in the area above the water collection section 24. The front surface 23 is a surface located in front of the front edge WS1 of the water surface WS. The side surfaces 26 extend from the rear end of the front surface 23 in the rear direction along both the left and right ends of the water surface WS. The side surfaces 26 extend in the rear direction to a position aligned with the rear edge of the water surface WS. The rear surface 25 is a region that connects the rear ends of the left and right side surfaces 26 along the rear edge WS2 of the water surface WS.

[0017] The front surface 23 has a linear shape 23a that slopes downward from the upper edge 22a toward the rear, i.e., the water surface WS, and a curved shape 23b that curves downward from the bottom of the linear shape 23a to the water surface WS. In a "downwardly curved curved shape," in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction, a line segment representing a plane located between any two points on the curved shape is located below the line connecting those two points. The linear shape 23a extends tangentially to the curved shape 23b. The boundary between the linear shape 23a and the curved shape 23b is smooth and continuous without any steps. The front surface 23 has a curved shape 23b that curves downward in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction at any position in the front-rear direction. The same is true for the front surface 23 in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction at any position in the left-right direction of the toilet bowl 22. The front surface 23 does not have an upwardly bulging shape.

[0018] In a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction at the center of the left-right direction of the toilet bowl 22, the portion of the water collecting section 24 located below the front surface 23 has a linear shape that slopes backward as it extends downward.

[0019] The linear shape 23a has a plane that slopes downward from the upper edge 22a toward the water surface WS in a cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction at any position in the front-rear direction. The curved shape 23b curves downward from the lower end of the linear shape 23a to the water surface WS in a cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction at any position in the front-rear direction.

[0020] In a cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction, the side surface 26 has different shapes in the front and rear portions. The front portion of the side surface 26 has a curved shape that continues from the front surface 23 and curves downward. This curved shape extends beyond the water surface WS to the water pool 24. As shown in FIG. 4 , in the rear portion, in a cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction, the side surface 26 has a linear shape 26a that slopes downward from the upper edge 22a toward the water surface WS, a curved shape 26b that curves downward at an intermediate position between the bottom of the linear shape 26a and the water surface WS, and a curved shape 26c that curves upward from the bottom of the curved shape 26b to the water surface WS. The curved shape 26c extends beyond the water surface WS to the water pool 24. The portion having the curved shape 26c is the rear portion, and the portion not having the curved shape 26c is the front portion. That is, the boundary between the front portion and the rear portion is defined between the side surface 26 having the curved shape 26b and the curved shape 26c and the side surface 26 having the curved shape 26b but not the curved shape 26c. The boundary between the front portion and the rear portion may be defined at the position of the drain outlet 34 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction at the center of the toilet bowl 22, the rear surface 25 has a linear shape 25a that slopes downward from the upper edge 22a toward the front, i.e., toward the water surface WS, a curved shape 25b that curves downward at an intermediate position between the bottom of the linear shape 25a and the water surface WS, and a curved shape 25c that curves upward from the bottom of the curved shape 25b to the water surface WS. The linear shape 25a may be parallel to the vertical direction. The rear surface 25 is located further back than the rear edge of the opening 14a of the toilet seat 14. This makes the rear surface 25 less visible to the user.

[0022] (Configuration of water discharge section 40) Water discharger 40 discharges flush water from reservoir 18 into toilet bowl 22. Water discharger 40 also discharges foam generated by mixing a surfactant and water into toilet bowl 22. As shown in FIG. 3 , water discharger 40 includes pump 42, rotation speed detection sensor 42a, communication pipe 44, check valve 45, switching valve device 46, communication state detection sensor 46a, branch pipes 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d, left rim water discharge port 50, right rim water discharge port 52, jet water discharge port 54, and foam discharger 61.

[0023] The pump 42 draws in flush water from the reservoir 18 and pressurizes it. The pump 42 sends the pressurized flush water to a communicating pipe 44. The communicating pipe 44 is in communication with the pump 42. The communicating pipe 44 defines a flow path through which the flush water flows. The communicating pipe 44 is in communication with a switching valve device 46 via a check valve 45. The check valve 45 allows flush water to flow from the pump 42 toward the switching valve device 46. The check valve 45 restricts flush water from flowing from the switching valve device 46 toward the pump 42. This makes it possible to prevent flush water from flowing back into the pump 42 via the communicating pipe 44. By arranging the check valve 45 closer to the pump 42 than the switching valve device 46, the number of check valves 45 can be reduced.

[0024] The rotation speed detection sensor 42a uses, for example, a Hall element to detect the rotation speed of the pump 42. The rotation speed detection sensor 42a supplies a rotation speed feedback signal indicating the detected rotation speed of the pump 42 to the control unit 100. Hereinafter, the feedback signal will also be referred to as an "FB signal."

[0025] The switching valve device 46 connects the communicating pipe 44 to at least one of the branch pipes 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d. The communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipes 48a, 48b, and 48c are each made of a resin such as a synthetic resin. The switching valve device 46 includes a plurality of valve elements. Each of the valve elements is disposed between the communicating pipe 44 and each of the branch pipes 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d. Each of the valve elements moves between an open state and a closed state, thereby switching between communication between the communicating pipe 44 and each of the branch pipes 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d and disconnection. The communication state detection sensor 46a detects the position of each of the valve elements of the switching valve device 46, for example, using a Hall element. This allows the communication state detection sensor 46a to detect the communication state (i.e., communication / blockage) between the communicating pipe 44 and each of the branch pipes 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d. The communication state detection sensor 46a supplies a communication state signal indicating the detected communication state to the control unit 100.

[0026] Synthetic rubber is used in branch pipes 48a, 48c to improve liquid-tightness at least in the connecting portion with the switching valve device 46 and in the connecting portion with the rim spouts 50, 52. Branch pipe 48d has an upstream portion 48e extending from the pump 42 made of the same resin as branch pipe 48a. Meanwhile, downstream of upstream portion 48e of branch pipe 48d is a downstream portion 48f that is disposed in the toilet body 20. Downstream portion 48f is made of ceramic.

[0027] Branch pipe 48a is in communication with left rim spout 50. When communication pipe 44 is in communication with branch pipe 48a via switching valve device 46, flush water is discharged from left rim spout 50 into toilet bowl 22. Branch pipe 48b is in communication with spreader 60 of foam discharge section 61. When communication pipe 44 is in communication with branch pipe 48b via switching valve device 46, flush water is discharged from spreader 60 into toilet bowl 22. Branch pipe 48c is in communication with right rim spout 52. When communication pipe 44 is in communication with branch pipe 48c via switching valve device 46, flush water is discharged from right rim spout 52 into toilet bowl 22. Branch pipe 48d is in communication with jet spout 54. When the communication pipe 44 is connected to the branch pipe 48d via the switching valve device 46, flush water is discharged from the jet water discharge port 54 into the toilet bowl 22.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, the left rim spout 50, the right rim spout 52, and the spreader 60 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The left rim spout 50 is arranged near the top edge of the toilet bowl 22. The left rim spout 50 has an opening 50a that is long in the vertical direction. The right rim spout 52 is arranged symmetrically to the left rim spout 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the jet spout 54 opens into the water collection section 24. The jet spout 54 opens from the front side toward the drain outlet 34 on the back side. When flush water is discharged from the jet spout 54, the flush water from the jet spout 54 is discharged toward the drain outlet 34. The flush water in the water collection section 24 is drained into the drain pipe 36 together with the flush water from the jet spout 54. Waste in the water collection section 24 and any objects floating in the water in the water collection section 24 are also discharged from the drain pipe 36 to the outside of the toilet body 20.

[0029] Flush water discharged from the left rim spout 50 flows near the top of the toilet bowl 22, along the upper rim portion 30. The flush water flow path defined from branch pipe 48a by the left rim spout 50 is called the left rim flow path. Flush water discharged from the right rim spout 52 flows near the top of the toilet bowl 22, along the upper rim portion 30. The flush water flow path defined from branch pipe 48c by the right rim spout 52 is called the right rim flow path. Flush water discharged from the rim spouts 50, 52 flows downward from near the top. Flush water discharged from the rim spouts 50, 52 flows over a wide area of ​​the toilet bowl 22, from the top to the bottom. Flush water discharged from spreader 60 passes through branch pipe 48b and hits the spreader 60, spreading out in all directions before being discharged into the toilet bowl 22. The flush water flow path defined from branch pipe 48b by the spreader 60 is called the spreader flow path. The flush water discharged from the jet water discharge port 54 functions as a so-called jet water discharge to drain away waste and the like in the water reservoir 24. The flush water flow path defined by the jet water discharge port 54 from the branch pipe 48d is called the jet flow path.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the foam discharge unit 61 includes a foam valve 62, an ejector 64, supply pipes 65 and 66, a spreader 60, and a storage reservoir 68. The ejector 64 is in communication with the check valve 45 via the supply pipe 65. A foam valve 62 is disposed in the supply pipe 65. The foam valve 62 switches between a state in which the check valve 45 and the ejector 64 are in communication with each other via the supply pipe 65, and a state in which the supply pipe 65 is shut off, thereby shutting off the check valve 45 and the ejector 64. The supply pipes 65 and 66 are made of the same resin as the communication pipe 44.

[0031] A storage reservoir 68 is connected to the ejector 64. A surfactant such as a detergent is stored in the storage reservoir 68. A communication pipe 68a extending from the storage reservoir 68 communicates with the ejector 64. For example, a foam pump (not shown) is provided between the storage reservoir 68 and the communication pipe 68a, which sends the surfactant stored in the storage reservoir 68 to the ejector 64 via the communication pipe 68a. In addition, an air vent pipe 69 (see FIG. 6) communicates with the ejector 64. The air vent pipe 69 communicates with the atmosphere. The ejector 64 generates negative pressure within the ejector 64 by reducing the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path of the cleaning water supplied from the supply pipe 65. The negative pressure generated in the ejector 64 draws air into the ejector 64 through the air vent pipe 69. As a result, the cleaning water, the surfactant, and the air are mixed within the ejector 64, generating foam. A supply pipe 66 that connects the ejector 64 and the spreader 60 is connected to the downstream side of the ejector 64. The foam generated in the ejector 64 passes through the supply pipe 66 and is discharged from the spreader 60 into the toilet bowl 22. The supply pipe 66 merges with the branch pipe 48b downstream of the ejector 64. A check valve is disposed at the downstream end of the ejector 64 to prevent flush water from flowing back from the branch pipe 48b to the ejector 64. The supply pipe 66 downstream from the point where it merges with the branch pipe 48b defines the spreader flow path.

[0032] Figures 5 and 6 show the configuration of each part of the water discharger 40. All parts of the water discharger 40, except for the branch pipe 48d and the jet water discharge port 54, are housed in the toilet body 20 at the back of the toilet bowl 22. In the toilet body 20, each part of the water discharger 40 is housed in a small space. In each of Figures 5 and 6, some of the configuration has been simplified to prioritize ease of viewing.

[0033] The spreader 60 is attached to the rear surface 25 at the rear of the toilet bowl 22. The spreader 60 is inserted into a through-hole that penetrates the toilet body 20 and is fixed to the toilet body 20. The spreader 60 protrudes from the rear surface 25 into the inside of the toilet bowl 22. The spreader 60 has one or more outlets in each of the up, down, left, and right directions. Flush water and foam that flow into the spreader 60 from the supply pipe 66 collide with the front portion of the spreader 60 and spread in the up, down, left, and right directions. The colliding flush water and foam are then discharged onto the toilet bowl 22 from the multiple outlets of the spreader 60. This allows the flush water and foam discharged from the spreader 60 to be discharged in multiple directions, including upward, downward, left, and right, from the multiple outlets. This makes it easier to spread the flush water and foam over the surface of the toilet bowl 22.

[0034] The reservoir 18 extends to the right side of the toilet body 20, up to near the top of the toilet body 20. A water level sensor 18a is located at the top of the reservoir 18. The water level sensor 18a is equipped with a float that rises above the water surface when the water level in the reservoir 18 reaches a predetermined position, and a sensor unit that detects whether the float is floating or not. A water supply on-off valve 19 is located at the top of the reservoir 18. The water supply on-off valve 19 switches between connecting and blocking communication between the reservoir 18 and the clean water pipe.

[0035] (Processing by the control unit) As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 100 is housed in the toilet apparatus 10. The control unit 100 is communicatively connected to each of the water level sensor 18a (see FIG. 5), the water supply on-off valve 19, the pump 42 (see FIG. 3), the switching valve device 46 (see FIG. 3), the foam valve 62 (see FIG. 3), the functional unit 16, the seat sensor 90, the rotation speed detection sensor 42a (see FIG. 3), and the communication state detection sensor 46a (see FIG. 3). The control unit 100 controls the water level sensor 18a, the water supply on-off valve 19, the pump 42, the switching valve device 46, the foam valve 62, the functional unit 16, the seat sensor 90, the rotation speed detection sensor 42a, and the communication state detection sensor 46a. The control unit 100 is also communicatively connected to operation units operated by the user, such as a flush button and a remote controller.

[0036] The control unit 100 includes a CPU and a memory. The memory has a volatile and a nonvolatile storage section. The control unit 100 controls the water level sensor 18a, the water supply valve 19, the pump 42, the switching valve device 46, the foam valve 62, the function unit 16, the seating sensor 90, the rotation speed detection sensor 42a, and the communication state detection sensor 46a by the CPU executing processing in accordance with a computer program pre-stored in the memory.

[0037] When flush water is to be supplied to the toilet bowl 22, for example through user operation, the control unit 100 operates the pump 42 and the switching valve device 46 to supply flush water to the toilet bowl 22 from the left rim spout 50, the right rim spout 52, the spreader 60, and the jet spout 54. Waste within the toilet bowl 22 is expelled to the outside of the toilet body 20 by the flush water. In addition to cleaning the toilet bowl 22 with flush water, the control unit 100 also cleans the toilet bowl 22 with foam.

[0038] When starting operation of pump 42, control unit 100 issues a command to pump 42 so that pump 42 operates at a low rotation speed (for example, 2000 rotations or less). Thereafter, control unit 100 feedback-controls pump 42 using a rotation speed FB signal (i.e., the rotation speed of pump 42) supplied from rotation speed detection sensor 42a. In this way, control unit 100 adjusts the rotation speed of pump 42 and adjusts the flow rate of flush water supplied to toilet bowl 22. Control unit 100 identifies the communication state or blockage in switching valve device 46 using the communication state signal (i.e., the communication state) supplied from communication state detection sensor 46a. In a modified example, control unit 100 may adjust the flow rate of flush water supplied to toilet bowl 22 by feedback-controlling the opening degrees of multiple valve elements of switching valve device 46 using the communication state signal (i.e., the communication state) supplied from communication state detection sensor 46a.

[0039] However, if the signal path between the control unit 100 and at least one of the rotation speed detection sensor 42a and the communication status detection sensor 46a is interrupted due to, for example, a broken signal line, a poor connection at the connector, or a transmission / reception error in wireless communication, a situation will arise in which the status signals from the sensors (i.e., the rotation speed FB signal, the communication status signal) will no longer be supplied to the control unit 100. In this situation, the control unit 100 executes the abnormality response process shown in FIG. 7 to adjust the flow rate of water discharged into the toilet bowl 22.

[0040] (Anomaly response process: Figure 7) Control unit 100 executes an abnormality response process when flush water is supplied using pump 42 during a flushing process or the like. Specifically, when executing a flushing process in accordance with at least one of a user's operation and a setting, control unit 100 supplies pump 42 with a pump operation signal to operate pump 42, and supplies switching valve device 46 with a valve opening signal to open one of the valve bodies of switching valve device 46. When control unit 100 supplies the pump operation signal and the valve opening signal, it starts the abnormality response process. In the abnormality response process, if flush water is being supplied to toilet bowl 22 but a status signal (i.e., rotation speed FB signal, communication status signal) is not acquired from at least one of rotation speed detection sensor 42a and communication status detection sensor 46a, the flow rate of flush water supplied to toilet bowl 22 is adjusted.

[0041] In S4, the control unit 100 determines whether a state in which the rotation speed FB signal is not acquired from the rotation speed detection sensor 42a has continued for a predetermined period (e.g., 50 msec). Normally, the rotation speed detection sensor 42a continuously supplies the rotation speed FB signal to the control unit 100 at predetermined time intervals (e.g., 5 msec). The predetermined period used in the determination in S4 is a period (e.g., 10 times longer) than the time interval at which the rotation speed detection sensor 42a normally supplies the rotation speed FB signal to the control unit 100. In S4, even if the supply of the rotation speed FB signal from the rotation speed detection sensor 42a to the control unit 100 is interrupted, if the supply of the rotation speed FB signal is resumed immediately thereafter, a determination of NO is made. If the rotation speed FB signal is not supplied from the rotation speed detection sensor 42a to the control unit 100 for a relatively long period, a determination of YES is made. In S4, if the state in which the control unit 100 does not acquire the rotation speed FB signal has not continued for the predetermined period (i.e., if the control unit 100 acquires the rotation speed FB signal) (NO), the process proceeds to S6. In S4, if the state in which the control unit 100 does not acquire the rotation speed FB signal continues for a predetermined period of time (if YES), the process proceeds to S8.

[0042] In S6, the control unit 100 determines whether a state in which a communication state signal is not received from the communication state detection sensor 46a has continued for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 50 msec). Normally, the communication state detection sensor 46a continuously supplies the communication state signal to the control unit 100 at predetermined time intervals (e.g., 5 msec). The predetermined period used in the determination in S6 is a period longer (e.g., 10 times longer) than the time interval at which the communication state detection sensor 46a normally supplies the communication state signal to the control unit 100. In S6, even if the supply of the communication state signal from the communication state detection sensor 46a to the control unit 100 is interrupted, if the supply of the communication state signal is resumed immediately thereafter, a NO determination is made. If the communication state signal is not supplied from the communication state detection sensor 46a to the control unit 100 for a relatively long period of time, a YES determination is made. In S6, if the state in which the control unit 100 does not receive a communication status signal continues for a predetermined period of time (i.e., if the control unit 100 receives a communication status signal) (NO), the abnormality response process ends. In S6, if the state in which the control unit 100 does not receive a communication status signal continues for a predetermined period of time (YES), the process proceeds to S8.

[0043] In a modified example, the control unit 100 may request a communication status signal from the communication status detection sensor 46a. The communication status detection sensor 46a may supply the communication status signal to the control unit 100 in response to a request from the control unit 100. In this case, the control unit 100 may determine NO in S6 if a communication status signal is acquired from the communication status detection sensor 46a in response to a request for a communication status signal from the communication status detection sensor 46a. The control unit 100 may determine YES in S6 if a communication status signal is not acquired from the communication status detection sensor 46a even after requesting a communication status signal from the communication status detection sensor 46a.

[0044] In S8, control unit 100 supplies water discharger 40 with an instruction to reduce the flow rate of flush water supplied to toilet bowl 22. Specifically, in S8, control unit 100 supplies pump 42 with an instruction to reduce the rotation speed of pump 42. The instruction to reduce the rotation speed of pump 42 may be an instruction to stop pump 42. The instruction to reduce the rotation speed of pump 42 may be an instruction to reduce the rotation speed of pump 42 to a speed lower than that before S8. The instruction to reduce the rotation speed of pump 42 may be an instruction to set an upper limit on the rotation speed of pump 42 so that the rotation speed of pump 42 does not exceed a predetermined speed after S8. In these cases, the flow rate of water delivered by pump 42 is reduced, and therefore the flow rate of flush water supplied to toilet bowl 22 is reduced.

[0045] In a modified example, in S8, the control unit 100 issues a command to the switching valve device 46 to decrease the opening of the valve element that is open. For example, if the valve element provided between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a is open (i.e., if water is being discharged from the left rim spout 50 via the left rim flow path), the control unit 100 issues a command to the switching valve device 46 to decrease the opening of the valve element provided between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a. In this case, the flow rate of water flowing through the left rim flow path decreases, and therefore the flow rate of flush water supplied from the left rim spout 50 to the toilet bowl 22 decreases. The same applies when water is being discharged from the right rim spout 52, when water is being discharged from the spreader 60, or when water is being discharged from the jet spout 54.

[0046] In S10, the control unit 100 causes the functional unit 16 to issue a notification indicating that a status signal (i.e., a rotation speed FB signal, a communication status signal) has not been acquired from the sensor. For example, the control unit 100 causes the functional unit 16 to issue a notification by voice or by flashing a light-emitting element (e.g., an LED). After S10, the abnormality response process ends. The control unit 100 may be communicably connected to a user's terminal device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, etc.). The control unit 100 may communicate with the terminal device and cause the terminal device to issue a notification indicating that a status signal has not been acquired from the sensor. The control unit 100 may cause the remote controller of the toilet apparatus 10 to issue a notification by voice or by flashing a light-emitting element (e.g., an LED).

[0047] (Advantages of abnormality response processing) When the control unit 100 controls the pump 42 by feedback control, if the rotation speed FB signal is not acquired from the rotation speed detection sensor 42a, the pump 42 cannot be controlled appropriately. For example, if the control unit 100 determines that the pump 42 is not operating and executes control to increase the rotation speed of the pump 42 when the rotation speed FB signal is not acquired, the pump 42 may operate at a high rotation speed, and more water than the design value may be supplied to the toilet bowl 22. In this embodiment, the control unit 100 can reduce the rotation speed of the pump 42 when the rotation speed FB signal is not acquired. This prevents more water than the design value from being supplied to the toilet bowl 22.

[0048] If the control unit 100 does not acquire a communication state signal, operating the pump 42 will not supply water to the toilet bowl 22. In this embodiment, if the control unit 100 does not acquire a communication state signal, it can reduce the rotation speed of the pump 42. This prevents the pump 42 from continuing to operate at high rotation speed when water is not being supplied to the toilet bowl 22. In an embodiment in which the pump 42 is stopped, the pump 42 can be stopped when water is not being supplied to the toilet bowl 22.

[0049] (Correspondence) The water discharge unit 40 is an example of a "water supply device." The control unit 100 is an example of a "control unit." The rotation speed detection sensor 42a and the communication state detection sensor 46a are each an example of a "detection unit." The rotation speed FB signal and the communication state signal are each an example of a "status signal." The rotation speed FB signal is an example of a "feedback signal." The function unit 16 is an example of an "alarm unit." An instruction to stop the pump 42, an instruction to reduce the rotation speed of the pump 42 to a lower rotation speed than before, an instruction to set an upper limit on the rotation speed of the pump 42 so that the rotation speed of the pump 42 does not exceed a predetermined rotation speed thereafter, and an instruction to reduce the opening of an open valve disc are each an example of an "instruction to adjust the flow rate of the water supplied to the toilet bowl." An audio alert and an alert by flashing a light-emitting element are each an example of an "alarm related to abnormal input of a status signal."

[0050] Aspects of the technology disclosed in this specification are listed below.

[0051] A first aspect is a control device. The control device may control a water supply device that adjusts the flow rate of water supplied to a toilet bowl. When a status signal indicating the controlled operating state of the water supply device is not normally acquired from a detection unit, the control device may provide the water supply device with an instruction to adjust the flow rate of the water supplied to the toilet bowl.

[0052] In a second aspect, in the first aspect, when the status signal is not acquired, the control device may supply an instruction to the water supply device to adjust the flow rate of the water supplied to the toilet bowl.

[0053] A third aspect is any one of the first and second aspects above, wherein the control device may supply an instruction to the water supply device to adjust the flow rate of the water supplied to the toilet bowl if the status signal is not acquired normally for a predetermined period of time.

[0054] In a fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the control device may, if the status signal is not acquired normally, provide an instruction to the water supply device to reduce the flow rate of the water supplied to the toilet bowl.

[0055] In a fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the water supply device may include a pump that delivers the water toward the toilet bowl. The status signal may include a feedback signal that indicates the operating status of the pump. If the feedback signal is not normally acquired, the control device may issue an instruction to reduce the rotation speed of the pump.

[0056] In a sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the water supply device may include a pump that delivers the water toward the toilet bowl. The status signal may include a feedback signal that indicates the operating status of the pump. If the feedback signal is not normally acquired, the control device may issue an instruction to stop the pump.

[0057] In a seventh aspect, in any one of the first to sixth aspects above, when the status signal is not acquired normally, the control device may cause an alarm unit of the toilet device to issue an alarm related to the status signal not being input normally.

[0058] An eighth aspect is a toilet apparatus. The toilet apparatus may include a toilet body having a toilet bowl, a water supply device that supplies water to the toilet bowl, and the control device of any one of the first to seventh aspects.

[0059] Specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above. These are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above embodiments are listed below.

[0060] (1) When the control unit 100 acquires a rotation speed FB signal, it may determine whether the rotation speed FB signal is normal. For example, the control unit 100 may determine that the rotation speed FB signal is normal if the rotation speed represented by the acquired rotation speed FB signal is within a predetermined range. The control unit 100 may determine that the rotation speed FB signal is abnormal if the rotation speed represented by the acquired rotation speed FB signal is outside the predetermined range. Furthermore, the control unit 100 may determine that the rotation speed FB signal is abnormal if the rotation speed of the pump 42 identified from the acquired rotation speed FB signal does not fluctuate. When it is determined that the rotation speed FB signal is abnormal, the control unit 100 may adjust the flow rate of flush water supplied to the toilet bowl 22. Similarly, when the control unit 100 acquires a communication status signal, it may determine whether the communication status signal is normal. For example, the control unit 100 may determine that the communication status signal is abnormal if the communication status represented by the acquired communication status signal differs from the control by the control unit 100. If the control unit 100 determines that the communication status signal is not normal, it may adjust the flow rate of flush water supplied to the toilet bowl 22. If the control unit 100 determines that at least one of the acquired rotation speed FB signal and the communication status signal is not normal, it may execute the process of S8 in Figure 7 and reduce the flow rate of flush water supplied to the toilet bowl 22.

[0061] (2) Water discharger 40 may not be equipped with pump 42. In this case, water discharger 40 may be configured to supply water from the clean water pipe to toilet bowl 22 without going through reservoir 18. In other words, water discharger 40 may be configured to supply flush water to toilet bowl 22 by utilizing the pressure of the clean water pipe. Alternatively, water discharger 40 may be equipped with a pressure-feeding device (e.g., a booster) other than pump 42. In this case, control unit 100 may issue an instruction to the pressure-feeding device to reduce its output in the process of S8 in FIG. 7.

[0062] (3) The predetermined period used in the determination at S4 in Fig. 7 may be the same as the time interval during which the rotation speed detection sensor 42a normally supplies the rotation speed FB signal to the control unit 100. In this example, if the period during which the rotation speed FB signal is not supplied to the control unit 100 becomes even slightly longer than normal in S4, a determination of YES is made. Similarly, the predetermined period used in the determination at S6 in Fig. 7 may be the same as the time interval during which the communication status detection sensor 46a normally supplies the communication status signal to the control unit 100. In this example, if the period during which the communication status signal is not supplied to the control unit 100 becomes even slightly longer than normal in S6, a determination of YES is made.

[0063] (4) S6 in Fig. 7 may be omitted. That is, even if the control unit 100 does not acquire a communication state signal from the communication state detection sensor 46a, it is not necessary for the control unit 100 to issue an instruction to reduce the flow rate of flush water supplied to the toilet bowl 22. In this example, the water discharger 40 does not need to be equipped with the communication state detection sensor 46a.

[0064] (5) S10 in Fig. 7 may be omitted. That is, even if the control unit 100 does not acquire a status signal (i.e., a rotation speed FB signal or a communication status signal) from the sensor, the control unit 100 may be configured not to notify the function unit 16 of this fact.

[0065] (6) The functional unit 16 may be provided with a water outlet for discharging flush water. The water outlet 40 may supply flush water stored in the reservoir 18 to the toilet bowl 22 via the water outlet provided in the functional unit 16.

[0066] The technical elements described in at least one of the specification and drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. The technologies exemplified in at least one of the specification and drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of those objectives is itself technically useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 10: toilet device, 12: toilet bowl, 14: toilet seat, 14a: opening, 16: functional part, 18: reservoir, 18a: water level sensor, 19: water supply opening / closing valve, 20: toilet body, 22: toilet bowl, 23: front surface, 24: water storage part, 25: back surface, 26: side surface, 30: upper rim part, 34: drain outlet, 36: drain pipe, 40: water discharge part, 42: pump, 42a: rotation speed detection sensor, 44: connecting pipe , 45: check valve, 46: switching valve device, 46a: communication state detection sensor, 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d: branch pipe, 50: left rim water outlet, 52: right rim water outlet, 54: jet water outlet, 60: spreader, 61: foam discharge part, 62: foam valve, 64: ejector, 65, 66: supply pipe, 68: storage reservoir, 69: ventilation pipe, 90: seating sensor, 100: control part,

Claims

1. A control device controls a water supply device that adjusts the flow rate of water supplied to a toilet bowl, and when a status signal representing the operating state of the controlled water supply device is not normally obtained from a detection unit, supplies an instruction to the water supply device to adjust the flow rate of the water supplied to the toilet bowl.

2. The control device of claim 1 , further comprising: if the status signal is not obtained, providing instructions to the water supply device to adjust the flow rate of the water supplied to the toilet bowl.

3. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein if the status signal is not normally acquired for a predetermined period of time, an instruction to the water supply device to adjust the flow rate of the water supplied to the toilet bowl is provided.

4. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein when the status signal is not normally acquired, the control device issues an instruction to the water supply device to reduce the flow rate of the water supplied to the toilet bowl.

5. The water supply device includes a pump that delivers the water toward the toilet bowl, the status signal includes a feedback signal representative of the operating status of the pump; The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the control device issues an instruction to reduce the rotational speed of the pump when the feedback signal is not normally acquired.

6. The water supply device includes a pump that delivers the water toward the toilet bowl, the status signal includes a feedback signal representative of the operating status of the pump; The control device of claim 1 , wherein the control device provides an instruction to stop the pump if the feedback signal is not properly acquired.

7. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein, when the status signal is not normally acquired, the notification unit of the toilet device is caused to issue a notification relating to the status signal not being normally input.

8. a toilet body having a toilet bowl; a water supply device for supplying water to the toilet bowl; A toilet apparatus comprising the control device according to claim 1.

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