Toilet seat device, toilet bowl device, control device, computer program, and control method

Abstract

To provide a new technique related to energy transmitted from a toilet seat to a user.SOLUTION: The toilet seat device may include a toilet seat on which a user is seated, an energy unit disposed on the toilet seat to generate thermal energy to be transmitted to the user in a contact region where the user is in contact with the toilet seat and to transmit non-uniform thermal energy to the user in contact with the contact region, and a controller configured to control the thermal energy output from the energy unit to limit and maintain non-uniformity of the thermal energy transmitted to the user in the contact region from when the user is seated until a prescribed period elapses after the user leaves the seat.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a toilet seat device, a toilet bowl device, a control device, a computer program, and a control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a toilet seat in which a linear heater is arranged so as to transmit heat energy uniformly over the entire seating surface of the toilet seat. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-88981 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Provided herein is a novel technology relating to the energy transferred from the toilet seat to the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a toilet seat apparatus, which may include: a toilet seat on which a user sits; an energy unit disposed on the toilet seat to generate thermal energy to be transferred to the user in a contact area where the user contacts the toilet seat and to transfer the thermal energy non-uniformly to the user who is in contact with the contact area; and a control device that controls the thermal energy output from the energy unit to limit and maintain the non-uniformity of the thermal energy transferred to the user in the contact area from the time the user sits down until a predetermined period of time has passed since the user left the seat.

[0006] Another technology disclosed in this specification relates to a control device. The control device may generate energy to be transferred to a user seated on a toilet seat in a contact area where the user contacts the toilet seat, and may control the thermal energy output from an energy unit disposed on the toilet seat to transfer non-uniform thermal energy to the user in contact with the contact area, while limiting and maintaining the non-uniformity of the thermal energy transferred to the user in the contact area from the time the user sits down until a predetermined period has elapsed since the user left the seat.

[0007] Another technology disclosed in this specification relates to a computer program for a control device, which may cause the control device to generate energy to be transferred to a user seated on the toilet seat in a contact area where the user touches the toilet seat, and control the thermal energy output from an energy unit disposed on the toilet seat to transfer non-uniform thermal energy to the user in contact with the contact area, while limiting the non-uniformity of the thermal energy transferred to the user in the contact area, from the time the user sits down until a predetermined period has elapsed since the user left the seat.

[0008] Another technology disclosed herein relates to a method executed by a control device, the method including generating energy to be transferred to a user seated on a toilet seat in a contact area where the user touches the toilet seat, and outputting the thermal energy from an energy unit disposed on the toilet seat so as to transfer non-uniform thermal energy to the user in contact with the contact area, and controlling the thermal energy to maintain the non-uniformity of the thermal energy transferred to the user in the contact area while limiting it, from the time the user sits down until a predetermined period has elapsed since the user left the seat. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a toilet apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a view showing the inner surface of the upper part of the toilet seat body of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the contact area of ​​the toilet seat body of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a control configuration according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 3 shows a flowchart of a toilet seat heating process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 4 shows a flowchart of illusion generation control in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 shows a time chart of the toilet seat heating process of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of a control configuration according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 shows a flowchart of a toilet seat heating process according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 shows a time chart of the toilet seat heating process of the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the control of the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the control of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the control of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the control of the sixth embodiment. [Figure 15] 13 shows a flowchart of illusion generation control in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a modified example of the toilet seat portion. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a modified example of the toilet seat portion. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a modified example of the toilet seat portion. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a modified example of the toilet seat portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (First embodiment) (Configuration of toilet device 10) As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet apparatus 10 is a flush toilet. The toilet apparatus 10 is placed on the floor. In a variant, the toilet apparatus 10 may be attached to the wall of the room in which the toilet apparatus 10 is placed. The toilet apparatus 10 comprises a toilet bowl 12 and a toilet seat apparatus 20. The toilet bowl 12 has a toilet body 14. The toilet body 14 has a toilet bowl 16 that receives waste, and a drain outlet (not shown) located at the bottom end of the toilet bowl 16. When flushing water flows into the toilet bowl 16 to clean it, the waste is discharged outside the toilet bowl 16 together with the flushing water through the drain outlet. An upper end 14a of the toilet body 14 opens upwardly from the toilet bowl 16.

[0011] (Configuration of toilet seat device) The toilet seat device 20 is placed on the upper end 14a of the toilet body 14. The toilet seat device 20 includes a toilet seat support part 21, a toilet seat part 22, a toilet lid 44, a user detection part 46 (see FIG. 4), a seating detection part 48 (see FIG. 4), and a control part 50. The toilet seat part 22 is rotatably attached to the toilet body 14 by the toilet seat support part 21. The user detection part 46 and the seating detection part 48 are disposed on the toilet seat support part 21. In a modified example, the user detection part 46 and the seating detection part 48 may be disposed on the toilet 12. The toilet lid 44 is attached to the toilet body 14 so as to be able to open and close.

[0012] Hereinafter, the direction in which the toilet seat portion 22 and the toilet seat support portion 21 are aligned will be referred to as the front-rear direction. The direction perpendicular to the floor surface of the toilet apparatus 10 will be referred to as the up-down direction. The direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction will be referred to as the left-right direction. The terms "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," and "rear" of the toilet apparatus 10 each refer to the orientations when the user is looking at the toilet apparatus 10 from the front.

[0013] (Toilet seat configuration) The toilet seat 22 includes a toilet seat body 24 on which a user sits, and a heater unit 32 (see FIG. 2). The heater unit 32 is disposed inside the toilet seat body 24.

[0014] (Toilet seat body configuration) The toilet seat body 24 is an annular member having an opening 23. The opening 23 of the toilet seat body 24 extends along the opening of the toilet bowl 12. The toilet seat body 24 has an upper end surface 24a and a lower end surface 24b. The toilet seat body 24 has an upper portion 26 including the upper end surface 24a, and a lower portion 28 located below the upper portion 26 and including the lower end surface 24b. An accommodation space is defined by the upper portion 26 and the lower portion 28. The toilet seat body 24 has an accommodation space therein that accommodates the heater unit 32. The accommodation space extends within the toilet seat body 24 over the entire circumferential length of the toilet seat body 24.

[0015] Figure 2 is a view of the toilet seat 22 when it is closed, viewed from below. That is, the direction from the front side of the paper to the back side of the paper in Figure 2 is the upward direction of the toilet apparatus 10. As shown in Figure 2, the upper portion 26 has an upper wall 26a that includes the upper end surface 24a of the toilet seat body 24, and an inner peripheral wall 26b and an outer peripheral wall 26c that extend from the upper wall 26a toward the lower portion 28. The inner peripheral wall 26b defines the opening 23. The outer peripheral wall 26c is located on the opposite side of the inner peripheral wall 26b from the upper wall 26a.

[0016] 1, the lower portion 28 is located below the upper portion 26 and includes the lower end surface 24b of the toilet seat body 24. The lower portion 28 has a lower wall that includes the lower end surface 24b of the toilet seat body 24, and inner and outer peripheral walls that extend from the lower wall toward the upper portion 26. The inner and outer peripheral walls of the lower portion 28 are configured in the same manner as those of the upper portion 26.

[0017] The upper end surface 24a of the toilet seat body 24 comes into contact with a user sitting on the toilet seat body 24. Specifically, when the user uses the toilet seat device 20, the upper end surface 24a comes into contact with the skin of the user's buttocks, thighs, etc.

[0018] (Contact area configuration) FIG. 3 is a view of the toilet seat 22 as viewed from above when the toilet seat 22 is closed. That is, the direction from the front side of the page to the back side of the page in FIG. 3 is the downward direction of the toilet apparatus 10. FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a contact area 30 that a user comes into contact with when sitting on the toilet seat main body 24. The contact area 30 varies depending on the user's physique. FIG. 3 shows the contact area 30 of a specific user as a specific example. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper end surface 24a of the toilet seat main body 24 is defined with a contact area 30 and a non-contact area 31. The non-contact area 31 is an area that the user does not come into contact with when sitting on the toilet seat main body 24. The non-contact area 31 is an area of ​​the upper end surface 24a other than the contact area 30.

[0019] The contact area 30 is divided into an inner circumferential area 30a, a central area 30b, and an outer circumferential area 30c, from the inner circumferential side to the outer circumferential side of the toilet seat body 24. The inner circumferential area 30a, the central area 30b, and the outer circumferential area 30c each surround the toilet seat body 24. The inner circumferential area 30a is defined as the area closest to the inner circumferential wall 26b of the toilet seat body 24. Typically, the inner circumferential area 30a is in contact with the inner circumferential wall 26b. The outer circumferential area 30c is defined as the area closest to the outer circumferential wall 26c of the toilet seat body 24. Typically, the outer circumferential area 30c extends to the outer circumferential wall 26c on the front side. The area between the inner circumferential area 30a and the outer circumferential area 30c is defined as the central area 30b.

[0020] (Configuration of the upper end surface of the toilet seat body) The upper end surface 24a of the toilet seat body 24 is divided into a front region 25a, intermediate regions 25b and 25c, and a rear region 25d along the front-rear direction. The front region 25a, the intermediate regions 25b and 25c, and the rear region 25d each extend across the entire length of the upper end surface 24a in the left-right direction. The front region 25a is located closer to the front than the opening 23 of the toilet seat body 24. The rear region 25d is located closer to the rear than the opening 23 of the toilet seat body 24. The intermediate regions 25b and 25c extend between the front region 25a and the rear region 25d. The intermediate regions 25b and 25c are divided into the intermediate region 25b, which is located closer to the front than the center point C of the opening 23, and the intermediate region 25c, which is located farther back than the center point C of the opening 23.

[0021] Contact area 30 typically has portions that overlap with front area 25a, middle areas 25b and 25c, and back area 25d. However, depending on the user's body type and sitting posture, contact area 30 may not overlap with at least one of front area 25a, middle areas 25b and 25c, and back area 25d. For example, in the case of a small person such as an infant, contact area 30 does not overlap with back area 25d.

[0022] (Heater unit configuration) As shown in FIG. 2, the heater unit 32 includes heater portions 34 and 36, an adjustment portion 38, and temperature detection portions 40 and 42. The heater portions 34 and 36 generate thermal energy in the contact area 30 and transfer the thermal energy to a user who touches the contact area 30. As a result, the user receives a stimulus from the heater portions 34 and 36. Each of the heater portions 34 and 36 includes a linear heater wire as shown in the figure and a covering portion (not shown) that covers the heater wire from the side opposite the upper end surface 24a. The heater wire is an electric heating wire such as a nickel-chrome wire or an iron-chrome wire. The covering portion is a sheet made of a metal such as an aluminum alloy. The heater portions 34 and 36 receive power from a power supply portion 39. The power supply portion 39 is an external power source. The power supply portion 39 is electrically connected to the heater portions 34 and 36 via the adjustment portion 38. The adjustment portion 38 has a switch. The adjustment unit 38 switches between a power-on state and a power-off state between the power supply unit 39 and the heater units 34, 36. When the adjustment unit 38 is in the power-on state, it adjusts the power supplied from the power supply unit 39 and outputs the power to the heater units 34, 36.

[0023] Each of the heater units 34, 36 is disposed on the back side of the upper end surface 24a of the toilet seat body 24. Specifically, each of the heater units 34, 36 is disposed on the inner surface of the upper portion 26 of the toilet seat body 24. That is, the heater units 34, 36 are disposed in contact with the contact area 30 of the toilet seat body 24 so as to be able to transfer thermal energy. This allows the heater units 34, 36 to efficiently generate thermal energy in the contact area 30. In a modified example, each of the heater units 34, 36 is not limited to being disposed inside the toilet seat body 24, but may be located outside the toilet seat body 24. For example, each of the heater units 34, 36 may be disposed on the lower end surface 24b (see FIG. 1).

[0024] The heater section 34 is disposed in the front region 25a (see FIG. 3). A temperature detection section 40 is disposed near the heater section 34. The temperature detection section 40 detects the temperature near the heater section 34. The temperature detection section 40 is a thermistor. The heater section 36 is disposed across the intermediate regions 25b, 25c and the rear region 25d. A temperature detection section 42 is disposed near the heater section 36. The temperature detection section 42 detects the temperature near the heater section 36. The temperature detection section 42 is a thermistor.

[0025] The heater units 34, 36 are arranged approximately bilaterally symmetrically on the upper end surface 24a of the toilet seat body 24. "Approximately bilaterally symmetrical" means that when the left-side heating region is moved symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry X (see FIG. 3) that is parallel to the front-rear direction and passes through the center point C, the overlapping area of ​​the symmetrically moved left-side heating region and the right-side heating region is 70% or more of the respective areas of the left-side heating region and the right-side heating region. The heater units 34, 36 do not have to be approximately bilaterally symmetrical across the entire upper end surface 24a. In a modified example, the heater units 34, 36 may be approximately bilaterally symmetrical at least in the contact region 30.

[0026] 3, the area where heat energy is generated by the heaters 34, 36 (referred to as the heated area), i.e., the area covered by the covering portion, is shown by hatching. The heated area shown by hatching is the area where the heaters 34, 36 come into contact with the inner surface of the upper portion 26.

[0027] The heater units 34, 36 are arranged intermittently in the front-to-rear direction in the central region 30b and the outer peripheral region 30c. Specifically, in the central region 30b and the outer peripheral region 30c, heated regions and regions where heat energy (i.e., stimulation) is not generated by the heater units 34, 36 (hereinafter referred to as "non-heated regions") are arranged alternately in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, the heater units 34, 36 are arranged so that heat energy transferred to the user is uneven in the central region 30b and the outer peripheral region 30c. The heater unit 36 ​​is arranged continuously along the inner circumferential wall 26b in the inner circumferential region 30a.

[0028] The heater units 34, 36 are arranged at a higher density in the contact area 30 in the front region 25a than in the region including the intermediate regions 25b, 25c and the rear region 25d. The front region 25a is likely to be the first area that a user comes into contact with when sitting on the toilet seat 22. Therefore, by arranging the heater units 34, 36 at a higher density in the front region 25a, the user can feel that the toilet seat body 24 is warm immediately after sitting down. In a modified example, the heater units 34, 36 may be arranged at a higher density in the contact area 30 in the region including the front region 25a and the intermediate region 25b than in the region including the intermediate region 25c and the rear region 25d.

[0029] The density at which the heater units 34, 36 are arranged in the contact area 30 is lowest in the rear region 25d. The rear region 25d is likely to be the location of the buttocks, which have less sensation than the thighs. Even if the density at which the heater units 34, 36 are arranged in the contact area 30 is lower in the rear region 25d, the user will not notice it. Therefore, by arranging the heater units 34, 36 at a lower density in the rear region 25d than in other regions, the heat energy output by the heater units 34, 36 as a whole can be reduced. This reduces the power consumption of the toilet seat apparatus 20. In a modified example, the density at which the heater units 34, 36 are arranged in the contact area 30 may be lowest in the region including the intermediate region 25c and the rear region 25d.

[0030] The heater portions 34, 36 are arranged at a higher density in the inner circumferential region 30a than in the central region 30b and the outer circumferential region 30c. This configuration allows the inner circumferential region 30a to be preferentially heated in the contact region 30. In a modified example, the heater portions 34, 36 may be arranged at a higher density in the inner circumferential region 30a than in either the central region 30b or the outer circumferential region 30c.

[0031] (Configuration of control unit) As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 50 is housed within the toilet seat support unit 21. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 50 is communicatively connected to the adjustment unit 38, the temperature detection units 40 and 42, the user detection unit 46, and the seating detection unit 48. The user detection unit 46 is an infrared human body detection sensor. The user detection unit 46 detects the presence of a user within a predetermined distance from the toilet seat device 20, i.e., the user's approach to the toilet seat device 20. When the user detection unit 46 detects the user's approach to the toilet seat device 20, it transmits a signal indicating the user's approach to the control unit 50. The control unit 50 can predict that the user will use the toilet seat device 20 by receiving the signal indicating the user's approach from the user detection unit 46. When the control unit 50 detects the user's approach, it opens the toilet lid 44. In a modified example, the user detection unit 46 may detect the user's approach by the toilet lid 44 opening. The seating detection unit 48 detects whether the user is seated. The seating detection unit 48 is, for example, an infrared seating sensor. When the seating detection unit 48 detects whether the user is seated, it transmits a signal indicating that the user is seated to the control unit 50. In a modified example, the seating sensor may be a contact sensor or a capacitance sensor that directly detects the user.

[0032] The control unit 50 acquires signals from the user detection unit 46, the seating detection unit 48, and the temperature detection units 40 and 42. The control unit 50 controls the adjustment unit 38 based on the acquired signals. Specifically, the control unit 50 switches between an energized state and an unenergized state between the power supply unit 39 and the heater units 34 and 36. The control unit 50 causes the adjustment unit 38 to adjust the power from the power supply unit 39 and supply power to the heater units 34 and 36. As a result, the control unit 50 causes the heater units 34 and 36 to output thermal energy. In a modified example, the control unit 50 may be communicatively connected to another operation unit, such as an operation button or a remote controller, that is operated by the user of the toilet apparatus 10. In this case, the control unit 50 may control the adjustment unit 38 based on the signal acquired from the user.

[0033] The control unit 50 includes a CPU and a storage unit. The storage unit has volatile and non-volatile memory. The control unit 50 controls the adjustment unit 38 and the thermal energy output from the heater units 34, 36 by executing a toilet seat heating process in accordance with a computer program pre-stored in the memory.

[0034] (Toilet seat heating treatment) Fig. 5 shows a flowchart of the toilet seat heating process. The control unit 50 executes the toilet seat heating process to control the toilet seat device 20. As shown in Fig. 5, in S10, the control unit 50 monitors whether a user is predicted to use the toilet seat device 20. When a signal indicating the approach of a user is acquired from the user detection unit 46, the control unit 50 determines that a user is predicted to use the toilet seat device 20 (YES in S10), and executes illusion generation control in S20.

[0035] (Control of illusion generation) In S20, the control unit 50 performs illusion generation control in accordance with the processes of S22 to S28 in Fig. 6. In the illusion generation control, heated areas and unheated areas are generated in the contact area 30, and the thermal energy output from the heater units 34, 36 is controlled so as to generate an illusion for the user when the user sits down. When the user sits down, the thermal energy output from the heater units 34, 36 provides a stimulus to the user.

[0036] In the optical illusion generation control, power is supplied separately to a first region A11 and a second region A12 shown in FIG. 3. The first region A11 is the front region 25a. The second region A12 is a region further back than the front region 25a. Specifically, the second region A12 includes intermediate regions 25b and 25c and a back region 25d. The heater unit 34 is disposed in the first region A11, and the heater unit 36 ​​is disposed in the second region A12.

[0037] In S22, the control unit 50 determines whether the heater units 34, 36 are in a non-energized state. The control unit 50 stores in memory whether the power supply unit 39 and the heater units 34, 36 are in an energized state or an unenergized state. If the power supply unit 39 and the heater units 34, 36 are in an unenergized state, the control unit 50 determines that the heater units 34, 36 are in an energized state (YES in S22) and proceeds to S24. If the power supply unit 39 and the heater units 34, 36 are in an energized state, the control unit 50 determines that the heater units 34, 36 are already energized (NO in S22) and proceeds to S26.

[0038] In S24, the control unit 50 energizes the heater unit 34 arranged in the first area A11 and the heater unit 36 ​​arranged in the second area A12 on the upper end surface 24a of the toilet seat body 24.

[0039] In S26, the control unit 50 controls the thermal energy output in the first area A11. Specifically, the control unit 50 controls the adjustment unit 38, compares a predetermined set temperature with the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 40, and adjusts the power supplied to the heater unit 34. In this way, the control unit 50 controls the thermal energy output from the heater unit 34 in the first area A11. The stimulus received by the heater unit 34 by the user is controlled. The greater the difference between the set temperature and the detected temperature, the more the control unit 50 increases the power supplied to the heater unit 34.

[0040] In S28, the control unit 50 controls the thermal energy output to the second area A12 of the contact area 30. This controls the stimulation that the user receives from the heater unit 36. Specifically, similar to S26, the control unit 50 controls the adjustment unit 38 to compare a predetermined set temperature with the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 42 and adjust the power output to the heater unit 36. Through the processes from S26 to S28, the heater unit 34 can be caused to output thermal energy, and then the heater unit 36 ​​can be caused to output thermal energy. This configuration makes it possible to prioritize heating of the front area 25a, which the user contacts first when sitting down.

[0041] Returning to Fig. 5, in S30, the control unit 50 monitors whether a user is seated on the toilet seat body 24. If a signal indicating that a user is seated is acquired (YES in S30), the control unit 50 proceeds to illusion continuation control in S34. If a signal indicating that a user is not seated is acquired (NO in S30), the control unit 50 proceeds to S40.

[0042] (Illusion continuity control) In S34, the control unit 50 performs illusion continuation control. In illusion continuation control, the control unit 50 controls the thermal energy output from the heater units 34, 36 so that the seated user experiences an illusion and maintains the user's illusionary state. Specifically, the control unit 50 controls the thermal energy output from the heater units 34, 36 so that the difference in surface temperature between the heated area and the non-heated area in the contact area 30 is maintained within a certain temperature range. The control unit 50 limits the thermal energy output from the heater units 34, 36 so that the surface temperature in the heated area falls within a specific temperature range. The specific temperature range is, for example, higher than approximately 15°C. The specific temperature range is, for example, lower than approximately 43°C. This temperature range prevents the user from feeling uncomfortable due to the temperature of the toilet seat body 24.

[0043] In S36, the control unit 50 monitors whether the user has left the toilet seat body 24. Specifically, if a signal indicating that the user has left the seat is acquired (YES in S36), the control unit 50 proceeds to S40. If a signal indicating that the user has not left the seat is acquired (NO in S36), the control unit 50 returns to S34 and continues the illusion continuation control.

[0044] (Illusion termination control) In S38, the control unit 50 performs illusion termination control. In the illusion termination control, the control unit 50 reduces the thermal energy output from the heater units 34 and 36 to end the state that creates the illusion for the user. After detecting the user leaving the seat in S36, the control unit 50 maintains the reduced thermal energy output from the heater units 34 and 36 for a predetermined period of time. In S42, the control unit 50 determines whether the reduced thermal energy output has been maintained for the predetermined period of time. If the reduced thermal energy output has been maintained for the predetermined period of time (YES in S42), in S43, the control unit 50 controls the adjustment unit 38 to switch the power supply unit 39 and the heater units 34 and 36 from a conducting state to a cut-off state, and the process returns to S10. If the reduced thermal energy output has not been maintained for the predetermined period of time (NO in S42), in S44, the control unit 50 determines whether the user is expected to use the toilet seat device 20. Specifically, similarly to S10, when a signal indicating the approach of a user is acquired, the control unit 50 determines that the use of the toilet seat device 20 by a user is predicted (YES in S44) and returns to S20. When a signal indicating the entry of a user is not acquired, the control unit 50 determines that the use of the toilet seat device 20 by a user is not predicted (NO in S44) and returns to S42.

[0045] If the answer is NO in S30, in S40, the control unit 50 determines whether the user has not been seated for a predetermined period of time. The control unit 50 accumulates the period since the user's use was predicted in S10. If the accumulated period is equal to or greater than the predetermined period (e.g., several minutes) (YES in S40), the control unit 50 proceeds to S38. If the accumulated period is less than the predetermined period (NO in S40), the control unit 50 returns to S30. In a modified example, when the control unit 50 detects that the toilet seat 22 has rotated from the closed position where it is placed on the toilet body 14 to the open position where it has moved away from the toilet body 14, it may determine that the user is not seated and proceed to S38. In this case, the control unit 50 may be able to detect whether the toilet seat 22 is open or closed from the rotor rotation position of the motor that rotates the toilet seat 22.

[0046] FIG. 7 shows a time chart of an example of the operation of the toilet seat device 20. Time t1 indicates the timing when a user enters the room. For example, at time t1, the entry of the user may be detected by an entry sensor. At time t2, the user detection unit 46 detects the user's approach to the toilet seat device 20 (YES in S10 of FIG. 5). This causes the control unit 50 to predict the user's use of the toilet seat device 20. At time t3, the seat detection unit 48 detects the user's sitting (YES in S30 of FIG. 5). At time t4, the seat detection unit 48 detects the user leaving the seat (YES in S36 of FIG. 5), and automatic flushing is performed inside the toilet bowl 16. In a modified example, flushing inside the toilet bowl 16 may be performed manually by the user's operation. Time t5 is the time when a predetermined period has elapsed since the user left the seat (YES in S42 of FIG. 5).

[0047] Between time t1 and t3, the user has entered the room but is not seated (U1). During this time, the toilet seat device 20 is in a state before use by the user (TS1). Between time t3 and t4, the user is in a state while seated (U2). During this time, the toilet seat device 20 is in use by the user (TS2). After time t4, the state of the user changes from a state where the user has left the room (U3) to a state where the user has left the room (U4). That is, after time t4, the toilet seat device 20 is in a state after use by the user (TS3).

[0048] In Fig. 7, a time chart showing whether the heater units 34, 36 in this embodiment are energized or cut off is shown by a solid line E1a, a chain line E1b, and a chain line E1c. The solid line E1a represents a case where a user approaches the toilet seat device 20 when the heater units 34, 36 are cut off. The chain line E1b represents a case where a user approaches the toilet seat device 20 when the heater units 34, 36 are energized. The chain line E1c represents a case where a user approaches the toilet seat device 20 when the heater units 34, 36 are energized (YES in S44 in Fig. 5), that is, when it is within a predetermined period of time since the illusion termination control was implemented (NO in S42 in Fig. 5).

[0049] In the solid line E1a, when a user's approach is detected at time t2, the power supply unit 39 and the heater units 34, 36 are switched from a disconnected state (i.e., OFF in FIG. 7) to a powered state (i.e., ON in FIG. 7). Between times t2 and t3, the control unit 50 performs the illusion generation control (S20 in FIG. 5). That is, the control unit 50 causes the heater units 34, 36 to output thermal energy. As a result, the temperature difference ΔTx between the heated and unheated areas in the contact area 30 increases over time. In the initial stage of the illusion generation control, i.e., the initial stage between times t2 and t3, the temperature difference ΔTx has not yet reached the temperature difference that creates the illusion. This period can be considered a period during which the warm-up control (EC1) is performed, in which the temperature difference is increased to create the illusion. During the warm-up control (EC1), the toilet seat unit 22 is in a warm-up state (SC1). Between times t2 and t3, after the warm-up control, if the temperature difference ΔTx reaches a temperature difference that causes an illusion, the control transitions to illusion arrival control (EC2). During the illusion arrival control (EC2) period, the state of the toilet seat 22 is the illusion generating state (SC2).

[0050] Between times t2 and t4, the power supply unit 39 and the heater units 34 and 36 remain energized. During this time, when the user's seating is detected at time t3, the control unit 50 starts the illusion continuation control (EC3, S34 in FIG. 5) and controls the temperature difference ΔTx between the heated area and the non-heated area in the contact area 30 to be within the temperature difference ΔT1 and the temperature difference ΔT2. The range between ΔT1 and ΔT2 is the temperature range in which the user can experience the illusion. Between times t3 and t4, the toilet seat unit 22 is in the illusion maintenance state (SC3).

[0051] At time t4, when the user's removal from the seat is detected (YES in S36 in FIG. 5), the control unit 50 starts the illusion termination control (EC4, S38 in FIG. 5). After time t4, the toilet seat unit 22 is in the illusion termination state (SC4), which terminates the illusion provided to the user. Between times t4 and t5, the control unit 50 reduces the thermal energy output from the heater units 34, 36 and maintains that output. During this time, the power supply unit 39 and the heater units 34, 36 are maintained in an energized state. If no new user is detected between times t4 and t5, the power supply unit 39 and the heater units 34, 36 are switched from an energized state to an unenergized state. After time t4, the temperature difference ΔTx in the contact area 30 between the heated area and the non-heated area is slowly reduced over time. There are cases where a state in which electricity is supplied between the power supply unit 39 and the heater units 34, 36 has been maintained since before time t2. Specifically, if it is predicted that a new user will use the toilet seat device 20 between times t4 and t5 (YES in S44), the illusion generation control (S20 in FIG. 5) is started (i.e., time t2) in a state in which electricity is supplied between the power supply unit 39 and the heater units 34, 36 (i.e., dashed line E1c). In this case, as shown by dashed line E1b, electricity is supplied between the power supply unit 39 and the heater units 34, 36 before time t2.

[0052] In a modified example, if it is not predicted that the user will use the toilet seat device 20 until time t5, the output power to the heater units 34, 36 may be maintained at a low output. After time t5, the power supply unit 39 and the heater units 34, 36 may remain electrically connected.

[0053] In this embodiment, the heater units 32 are arranged approximately symmetrically with respect to the contact area 30 of the toilet seat body 24 so that the thermal energy transferred to the user is non-uniform across the contact area 30. In other words, the stimulation (i.e., thermal stimulation) provided to the user is non-uniform across the contact area 30. With this configuration, when the user contacts the contact area 30 of the toilet seat body 24 (i.e., when the user sits down), two different locations on the skin on both the left and right sides of the user's body are stimulated simultaneously by the heated areas. In this case, due to the illusion effect of thermal phantom sensation, the user is given the illusion of being heated in the unheated areas between the heated areas. Due to the illusion effect, the user feels a warm sensation in the unheated areas, similar to that in the heated areas. As a result, the illusion of uniform thermal energy being transferred to the user across the entire contact area 30 can be created, even though the thermal energy is not actually transferred across the entire contact area 30 of the toilet seat body 24. Therefore, the area in which the heater unit 32 is disposed can be reduced compared to when the heater unit 32 is disposed so as to transmit heat energy uniformly over the entire contact area 30 of the toilet seat body 24. This allows the power consumption of the toilet seat apparatus 20 to be reduced.

[0054] "Thermal phantom sensation" is a phenomenon in human tactile perception where, when thermal stimuli are applied to two different points on the skin, these thermal stimuli fuse together and an illusory thermal stimulus is perceived at a single location between the two points. It is known that the perceived location of the thermal stimulus is biased toward the thermal stimulus with the higher intensity depending on the intensity ratio of the thermal stimuli at the two points. In a modified example, the heater unit may give the user a cooling sensation by applying a thermal stimulus to the user at the contact area 30.

[0055] In particular, in this embodiment, the heater units 34, 36 are arranged intermittently in a specific direction (i.e., toward the front and rear in this embodiment) in the central region 30b. With this configuration, even if the contact area 30 is moved by the user, by arranging the heater units 34, 36 intermittently in the central region 30b included in the contact area 30, an illusion can be created by the user regardless of the movement of the contact area 30 by the user.

[0056] In this embodiment, the control unit 50 controls the heat energy from the heater units 34, 36 so that the non-uniformity of the heat energy transferred to the user in the contact area 30 increases from when it is predicted that the user will use the toilet seat device 20 until the user sits down. With this configuration, the control unit 50 can increase the non-uniformity of the heat energy transferred to the user in the contact area 30 to a temperature difference between the heated area and the non-heated area that can be perceived as an illusion by the user before the user sits down. Therefore, the illusion can be stably created for the user when the user sits down.

[0057] In this embodiment, the control unit 50 limits and maintains the non-uniformity of the heat energy output from the heater units 34, 36 from the time the user sits down until the user leaves the seat and a predetermined period of time has passed. In other words, after the user sits down, the control unit 50 limits and maintains the heat energy output from the heater units 34, 36 so that it does not become too high. Therefore, the power consumption by the heater units 34, 36 is reduced.

[0058] In this embodiment, the heater unit 32 is an example of an "energy unit."

[0059] (Second embodiment) With reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, the differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the configuration of the user detection unit 146 and a portion of the toilet seat heating control by the control unit 50 are different. As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the user detection unit 146 is an infrared entry sensor. The user detection unit 146 detects the presence of a user in the indoor space in which the toilet bowl apparatus 10 (i.e., the toilet seat apparatus 20) is placed, i.e., the user's entry. When the user detection unit 146 detects the user's entry, it transmits a signal indicating the user's entry to the control unit 50. The control unit 50 can predict that the user will use the toilet seat apparatus 20 by receiving the signal indicating the user's entry from the user detection unit 146. With this configuration, the control unit 50 can predict that the user will use the toilet seat apparatus 20 at an earlier timing than when the user detection unit 46 of the first embodiment is used. The entry sensor may be placed on the ceiling of the indoor space in which the toilet seat apparatus 20 is placed. In a modified example, the entry sensor may be a door opening / closing sensor located at the entrance to the space in which the toilet apparatus 10 is located.

[0060] 9 shows a flowchart of the toilet seat heating process of this embodiment. In S110, the control unit 50 monitors whether a user is predicted to use the toilet seat device 20. If a signal indicating a user's entry is acquired, the control unit 50 determines that a user is predicted to use the toilet seat device 20 (YES in S110) and performs illusion generation control in S120. If a signal indicating a user's entry is not acquired (NO in S110), the control unit 50 repeats S110. In S110, illusion generation control is performed after a user's entry is detected.

[0061] S120 to S130 are the same as S20 to S30 in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. In S132, the control unit 50 determines whether the user has been seated for a predetermined period of time. The control unit 50 accumulates the period since the user's seating was detected in S130. If the accumulated period is equal to or greater than a predetermined period (e.g., several seconds) (YES in S132), the control unit 50 proceeds to illusion continuation control in S134. If the accumulated period is less than the predetermined period (NO in S132), the control unit 50 returns to S130. By maintaining the state of the heated and unheated regions generated in the contact area 30 in the illusion generation control in S120 (i.e., the difference in surface temperature that generates an illusion for the user) for a predetermined period of time, the illusion can be stably generated for the user. In a modified example, the control unit 50 does not need to execute the process of S132. In this case, the control unit 50 may immediately carry out the illusion continuation control in S134 as soon as a seated person is detected in S130 (YES in S130).

[0062] In the illusion continuation control in S134, the control unit 50 reduces the thermal energy output from the heater units 34, 36 so as to reduce the difference in surface temperature between the heated and non-heated areas within a range in which the seated user's illusion state is maintained. With this configuration, the power consumption used by the heater units 34, 36 is reduced by the amount of reduced thermal energy. Specifically, the control unit 50 reduces the temperature difference between the heated and non-heated areas based on the body temperature acquired from a body temperature sensor (not shown).

[0063] When the user's body temperature is low, for example, below approximately 36°C, the control unit 50 reduces the heat energy output from the heater units 34, 36. When the user's body temperature is low, the temperature difference between the surface temperature of the toilet seat body 24 and the user's body temperature is small. Therefore, even if the heat energy output from the heater units 34, 36 is reduced, the user is less likely to feel cold. When the user's body temperature is, for example, above approximately 37°C, the control unit 50 limits the change in the heat energy output from the heater units 34, 36 more than when the body temperature is low. When the user's body temperature is high, the temperature difference between the surface temperature of the toilet seat body 24 and the user's body temperature is large. Therefore, when the heat energy output from the heater units 34, 36 is reduced, the user is more likely to feel cold. Therefore, by controlling the temperature difference between the heated and unheated areas according to the user's body temperature, the power consumption of the heater units 34, 36 can be reduced without causing discomfort to the user. In a variant, the control unit 50 may be communicatively connected to or acquire information from an electronic device owned by the user. The electronic device includes, for example, mobile terminals such as mobile phones, smartphones, laptops, tablets, and wearable terminals, as well as stationary terminals such as PCs. In S134, the control unit 50 may slowly reduce the thermal energy output from the heater units 34, 36 over time. By slowly reducing the thermal energy from the heater units 34, 36, it becomes difficult for the user to notice a temperature change occurring in the contact area 30, based on human sensory characteristics.

[0064] S136 and S140 are the same as S36 and S40 in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. If the answer is YES in either S136 or S140, in illusion termination control in S138, the control unit 50 controls the adjustment unit 38 to switch the state between the power supply unit 39 and the heater units 34, 36 from an energized state to an energized state. In other words, the heater units 34, 36 are energized immediately after the user gets up from their seat, thereby reducing the power consumption used by the heater units 34, 36. When S138 ends, the process returns to S110.

[0065] FIG. 10 shows a time chart of an example of the operation of the toilet seat device 20. In FIG. 10, a time chart showing whether the heater units 34, 36 are energized or de-energized in this embodiment is indicated by a solid line E2a. In the solid line E2a, when a user's entry into the toilet seat device 20 is detected at time t1, the connection between the power supply unit 39 and the heater units 34, 36 is switched from a de-energized state (i.e., OFF in FIG. 10) to an energized state (i.e., ON in FIG. 10). Between times t1 and t3, the control unit 50 performs illusion generation control (EC1-EC2, S120 in FIG. 9). That is, thermal energy is output from the heater units 34, 36. As a result, the temperature difference ΔTx between the heated and non-heated areas of the contact area 30 increases over time. In particular, in the second embodiment, warm-up control (EC1) is initiated at time t1, and transitions to illusion reaching control (EC2) in which the temperature difference ΔTx reaches a temperature difference that creates an illusion at an earlier timing than in the first embodiment. After seating is detected at time t3 (YES in S130), the control unit 50 maintains the temperature difference ΔTx between the heated area and the non-heated area for a predetermined period (e.g., several seconds), and then performs illusion continuing control (S134 in FIG. 9). Between times t3 and t4, the control unit 50 reduces the thermal energy output from the heater units 34, 36 over time within a range in which the illusion is maintained for the user (i.e., between the temperature difference ΔT1 and the temperature difference ΔT2). At time t4, when the user's leaving the seat is detected (YES in S136 in Figure 9), the control unit 50 performs illusion termination control (S138 in Figure 9), and the power supply unit 39 and the heater units 34 and 36 are switched from an energized state to an unenergized state.

[0066] (Third embodiment) With reference to FIG. 11, differences between the present embodiment and the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a top view of the toilet seat 122 when the toilet seat 122 is closed. In this embodiment, the positions of the heaters 34, 36 on the toilet seat body 24 of the toilet seat 122 are different. That is, the relative positions of the first region A31 where the heater 34 is disposed and the second region A32 where the heater 36 is disposed are different. As shown in FIG. 11, the first region A31 is located at the rear side of the upper end surface 24a of the toilet seat body 24. The first region A31 is, for example, the rear region 25d shown in FIG. 3. The second region A32 is located closer to the front than the first region A31. With this configuration, it is possible to preferentially heat the rear region 25d, where the user's buttocks may be located, when the user sits down.

[0067] (Fourth embodiment) With reference to FIG. 12, differences between the present embodiment and the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a top view of the toilet seat 222 when the toilet seat 222 is closed. In this embodiment, the positions of the heaters 34, 36 on the toilet seat body 24 of the toilet seat 222 are different. That is, the relative positions of the first region A41 where the heater 34 is disposed and the second region A42 where the heater 36 is disposed are different. As shown in FIG. 12, the first region A41 is located on the inner circumferential side of the upper end surface 24a of the toilet seat body 24. The first region A41 includes, for example, the inner circumferential region 30a of the contact area 30 shown in FIG. 3. The second region A42 is located on the outer circumferential side of the first region A41. With this configuration, the inner circumferential region 30a can be preferentially heated when the user sits down.

[0068] (Fifth embodiment) With reference to FIG. 13, differences between the present embodiment and the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a top view of the toilet seat 322 when the toilet seat 322 is closed. In this embodiment, the positions of the heaters 34, 36 on the toilet seat body 24 of the toilet seat 322 are different. That is, the positional relationship between the first region A51 and the second region A52 is different. As shown in FIG. 13, the first region A51 is located on the outer periphery of the upper end surface 24a of the toilet seat body 24. The first region A51 includes, for example, the outer periphery region 30c of the contact area 30 shown in FIG. 3. The second region A52 is located more inward than the first region A51. With this configuration, the outer periphery region 30c can be preferentially heated when the user sits down.

[0069] (Sixth embodiment) Differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. Figure 14 is a top view of the toilet seat 422 when the toilet seat 422 is closed. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the heater unit 32 of the toilet seat 422 and the illusion generation control. The heater unit 32 has three or more heater units (hereinafter referred to as multiple heater units) not shown in Figure 14. Each of the multiple heater units is located in one of multiple regions 25a, 25d, 425e, 425f, 425g, and 425h divided on the upper end surface 24a of the toilet seat body 24. Each of the multiple heater units is located in a different region 25a, 25d, 425e, 425f, 425g, and 425h. A temperature detection unit is located near each of the multiple heater units.

[0070] The multiple regions 25a, 25d, 425e, 425f, 425g, and 425h are divided into a front region 25a, a rear region 25d, a front region 25a, and intermediate regions 425e, 425g, 425g, and 425h located between the front region 25a and the rear region 25d. The intermediate region 425e is in contact with the inner circumferential wall 26b and extends along the inner circumferential wall 26b. The intermediate region 425f is in contact with the outer circumferential wall 26c and extends along the outer circumferential wall 26c. The intermediate regions 425g and 425h are located between the intermediate regions 425e and 425f. The intermediate region 425g is located closer to the front than the center point C of the opening 23 of the toilet seat body 24 in the front-rear direction. The intermediate region 425h is located on the rear side of the center point C of the opening 23 of the toilet seat body 24 in the front-rear direction.

[0071] FIG. 15 shows a flowchart of the illusion generation control of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, S222 is similar to S22 of the first embodiment, and therefore its description is omitted. In S222, if the plurality of heater units are in a non-energized state (YES in S222), the process proceeds to S224. In S224, the control unit 50 energizes one or more heater units arranged in a predetermined region among the plurality of regions 25a, 25d, 425e, 425f, 425g, and 425h on the upper end surface 24a of the toilet seat body 24 based on the contact region 30. The control unit 50 controls the adjustment unit 38 to switch the state between the one or more heater units arranged in the predetermined region and the power supply unit 39 from a disconnected state to an energized state.

[0072] The predetermined area includes one or more of the multiple areas 25a, 25d, 425e, 425f, 425g, and 425h. The predetermined area varies depending on the contact area 30. That is, the predetermined area varies depending on the user's physique. The predetermined area extends along the contact area 30. The predetermined area largely overlaps with the contact area 30. The control unit 50 stores a table in memory in which the user's height and weight are recorded in combination with the predetermined area. The table records multiple predetermined areas according to the user's height and weight. The control unit 50 identifies the predetermined area recorded in the table in combination with, for example, the user's height and weight information input by the user. FIG. 14 shows an example of the predetermined area identified by the contact area 30. The predetermined area is hatched in FIG. 14. The predetermined area includes the front area 25a and the middle areas 425e, 425g, and 425h. 14, a portion of the contact area 30 on the far side is not included in the predetermined area. The predetermined area is set so that 80% or more of the predetermined area overlaps with the contact area 30. The predetermined area includes 80% or more of the contact area 30.

[0073] In S226, the control unit 50 controls the heat energy output in a first region A61 of the predetermined region. The first region A61 is the front region 25a. The control unit 50 controls the adjustment unit 38 to compare a predetermined set temperature with the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit in the front region 25a and adjust the power supplied to the heater unit located in the first region A61. In this way, the control unit 50 controls the heat energy output from the multiple heater units in the predetermined region.

[0074] In S228, the control unit 50 controls the heat energy output in the second region A62 of the predetermined region. The second region A62 is a region further back than the front region 25a. Specifically, the second region A62 is the intermediate regions 425e, 425g, and 425h. The control unit 50 controls the adjustment unit 38 to compare a predetermined set temperature with the temperatures detected by the temperature detection units of the intermediate regions 425e, 425g, and 425h, and adjusts the power supplied to each heater unit located in the second region A62. In this way, the control unit 50 controls the heat energy output from the multiple heater units in the second region A62 of the predetermined region. The control unit 50 may store a combination of the first region A61 and the second region A62 in the predetermined region.

[0075] In this embodiment, the control unit 50 supplies power to multiple heater units located in a predetermined region. That is, the control unit 50 supplies power to multiple heater units located in the front region 25a and the middle regions 425e, 425g, and 425h. The control unit 50 does not supply power to multiple heater units located in regions other than the predetermined region. That is, the control unit 50 does not supply power to multiple heater units located in the back region 25d and the middle region 425f. This configuration makes it possible to selectively supply power only to the predetermined region that is likely to be touched by the user. This reduces the power consumption used by the multiple heater units.

[0076] In a modified example, the control unit 50 may supply more power to the heaters located in the predetermined area than to the heaters located in other areas. This configuration allows selectively increasing the power supplied only to the predetermined area where the user is likely to come into contact. This reduces the power consumed by the heaters.

[0077] In another variation, the control unit 50 may acquire information about the user's height and weight from an electronic device communicatively connected to the control unit 50. In another variation, the predetermined area may be determined based on the user's actual usage history of the toilet seat device 20. In this case, the toilet seat device 20 may have multiple seating detection units disposed in each of the multiple areas 25a, 25d, 425e, 425f, 425g, and 425h. The multiple seating detection units may be load detection sensors. The control unit 50 may measure the user's contact area on the toilet seat body 24 using the multiple seating detection units while the toilet seat device 20 is in use. The control unit 50 may specify the predetermined area using the measured contact area. For example, the predetermined area may be specified to overlap 80% or more of the contact area. For example, the predetermined area may be specified to overlap 90% or more of the contact area. For example, the predetermined region may be specified by considering the region that overlaps with the contact region and the region that does not overlap with the contact region for each of the plurality of regions 25a, 25d, 425e, 425f, 425g, and 425h.

[0078] In the illusion generation control of this embodiment, after energizing the heater units located in a predetermined region, the control unit 50 causes the heater units located in the first region A61 in the predetermined region to output higher heat energy than the heater units located in the second region A62. In this embodiment, the first region A61 is the front region 25a, and the second region A62 is the middle regions 425e, 425g, and 425h. With this configuration, the front region 25a, which the user touches first, can be heated preferentially over the other predetermined regions (i.e., the middle regions 425e, 425g, and 425h).

[0079] In a modified example, the first region may be the intermediate regions 425e, 425g, and 425h. In this case, the second region may be the front region 25a. With this configuration, the region located relatively farther back can be heated preferentially over the front region 25a. In another modified example, the first region may be the front region 25a and the intermediate region 425e. In this case, the second region may be the intermediate regions 425g and 425h. With this configuration, in addition to the front region 25a, the intermediate region 425e located on the inner periphery can be heated preferentially over the region located on the outer periphery (i.e., the intermediate regions 425g and 425h). Alternatively, the first region may be the front region 25a and the intermediate regions 425g and 425h. In this case, the second region may be the intermediate region 425e. According to this configuration, in addition to the front region 25a, the middle regions 425g and 425h located on the outer periphery can be heated with priority over the region located on the inner periphery thereof (i.e., the middle region 425e). The user can freely set which of the predetermined regions is to be heated with priority according to the user's preference by operating an operation unit such as a remote control.

[0080] Aspects of the technology disclosed in this specification are listed below.

[0081] In a first aspect, a toilet seat device may include a toilet seat on which a user sits, an energy unit that is arranged on the toilet seat to generate thermal energy to be transferred to the user in a contact area where the user contacts the toilet seat and transfer the thermal energy unevenly to the user who is in contact with the contact area, and a control device that controls the thermal energy output from the energy unit to limit and maintain the unevenness of the thermal energy transferred to the user in the contact area from the time the user sits down until the user leaves the seat and a predetermined period of time has passed.

[0082] In a second aspect, in the first aspect described above, the control device may control the thermal energy output from the energy unit based on a predetermined condition.

[0083] In a third aspect, in the second aspect described above, the predetermined condition may include a condition using an index related to a body temperature of the user sitting on the toilet seat.

[0084] In a fourth aspect, in the second aspect described above, the predetermined condition may include a condition using an index relating to the ambient temperature of the toilet seat.

[0085] In a fifth aspect, in the second aspect described above, when an instruction regarding the output of the thermal energy is obtained from a user, the control device may control the thermal energy output in the energy unit in accordance with the instruction.

[0086] In a sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects described above, the control device may reduce the thermal energy output from the energy unit over time while the user is seated.

[0087] In a seventh aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects described above, the control device may reduce the heat energy output from the energy unit when the user leaves their seat, and maintain the reduced change in heat energy over the specified period.

[0088] In an eighth aspect, in the seventh aspect described above, the control device may maintain the reduced change in thermal energy for a predetermined period after the user leaves the seat, and reduce the thermal energy output from the energy unit if no new user sits down.

[0089] In a ninth aspect, a toilet apparatus may include the toilet seat apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects described above, and a toilet on which the toilet seat apparatus is placed.

[0090] In a tenth aspect, the control device generates energy to be transmitted to a user seated on the toilet seat in a contact area where the user contacts the toilet seat, and the heat energy is output from an energy unit arranged on the toilet seat so as to transmit non-uniform heat energy to the user who is in contact with the contact area, and may control the heat energy so as to limit and maintain the non-uniformity of the heat energy transmitted to the user in the contact area from the time the user sits down until the user leaves the seat and a predetermined period of time has passed.

[0091] In an eleventh aspect, there is provided a computer program for a control device, the computer program causing the control device to generate energy to be transferred to a user seated on a toilet seat in a contact area where the user contacts the toilet seat, and to control the thermal energy output from an energy unit arranged on the toilet seat so as to transfer non-uniform thermal energy to the user in contact with the contact area, while limiting and maintaining the non-uniformity of the thermal energy transferred to the user in the contact area from the time the user sits down until the user leaves the seat and a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

[0092] In a twelfth aspect, there is provided a method executed by a control device, the method generating energy to be transferred to a user seated on a toilet seat at a contact area where the user contacts the toilet seat, and outputting the thermal energy from an energy unit arranged on the toilet seat so as to transfer non-uniform thermal energy to the user in contact with the contact area, the method controlling the thermal energy so as to limit and maintain the non-uniformity of the thermal energy transferred to the user at the contact area from the time the user sits down until the user leaves the seat and a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

[0093] 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.

[0094] (1) The arrangement of the heater units 34, 36 on the toilet seat body 24 can be changed in various ways. As shown in Fig. 16, the heater units 34, 36 may be arranged more densely in the contact area 30 in the area including the front area 25a and the middle area 25b than in the area including the middle area 25c and the back area 25d. With this configuration, regardless of the movement of the contact area 30 by the user, it is possible to preferentially heat the front side that the user touches first.

[0095] (2) As shown in FIG. 17, the density of the heater portions 34, 36 may be higher at the rear side than at the front side. In particular, the density of the heater portions 34, 36 may be highest at the rear side of the contact area 30. With this configuration, when a user sits down, it is possible to preferentially heat the rear side where the user's buttocks may be placed, for example. In the intermediate region (e.g., intermediate regions 25b, 25c shown in FIGS. 3 and 16) in the front direction of the upper end surface 24a of the toilet seat body 24, the density may be higher in the outer peripheral region than in the inner peripheral region. With this configuration, when a user sits down in a contact area larger than the contact area 30 of the toilet seat portion 22 shown in FIG. 17, it is possible to preferentially heat the outer peripheral side.

[0096] (3) As in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the heater portions 34, 36 may be arranged intermittently in a specific direction at least in the central region 30b. The specific direction refers to a direction included in the surface direction of the contact region 30. In a modified example, the specific direction may be a direction including a vector component in the front-to-back direction. In another modified example, as shown in FIG. 18, the specific direction may be a left-to-right direction or a direction including a vector component in the left-to-right direction.

[0097] (4) As shown in FIG. 19, the heater portions 34, 36 may be arranged intermittently in the circumferential direction in the contact area 30. The circumferential direction is an example of the specific direction. In a modified example, the specific direction may be a direction including a vector component of the circumferential direction. Multiple heating areas in the contact area 30 may be arranged apart from each other. This configuration allows localized heating in the contact area 30. The multiple heating areas arranged in the contact area 30 may have a spot shape.

[0098] (5) The determination of whether the user's use of the toilet seat device 20 is predicted to start the toilet seat heating process may be made by means other than an entrance sensor or a human body sensor. In a modified example, the control unit 50 may obtain information indicating the timing at which the user will use the toilet seat device 20 by utilizing a schedule function or daily behavior history built into an electronic device owned by the user, and may use this information to determine whether the user will use the toilet seat device 20. In another modified example, the control unit 50 may predict the timing at which the user will use the toilet seat device 20 based on the results of learning from the user's usage history of the toilet seat device 20.

[0099] (6) In the optical illusion generation control, power may be supplied separately to the first, second, and third regions. In this case, the heater units may be controlled to output power in the order of the first, second, and third regions. In another variation, power may be supplied separately to four or more regions.

[0100] (7) In the illusion generation control, the control unit 50 may adjust the heat energy output from the heater units 34, 36 based on the ambient environment of the toilet seat device 20, such as the room temperature, air temperature, and season of the indoor space in which the toilet seat device 20 is placed. When the air temperature is high (e.g., 30°C or higher), the surface temperature of the toilet seat body 24 is also relatively high, making it difficult for the user to feel cold when sitting on it. In this case, the control unit 50 may set the heat energy output from the heater units 34, 36 to be relatively low. When the air temperature is low (e.g., 15°C or lower), the surface temperature of the toilet seat body 24 is also relatively low, making it easy for the user to feel cold. In this case, the control unit 50 may set the heat energy output from the heater units 34, 36 to be relatively high. With this configuration, the heat energy output can be reduced when heating is not necessary, depending on the ambient environment of the toilet seat device 20. This reduces the power consumption of the heater units 34, 36.

[0101] (8) In the illusion generation control, the control unit 50 may cause the heater units 34, 36 located in the first and second regions to output heat energy at the same timing.

[0102] (9) In the illusion continuation control of S134 of the second embodiment, the control unit 50 may reduce the temperature difference between the heated area and the non-heated area based on a predetermined condition other than the user's body temperature. The predetermined condition may be an indicator related to the ambient temperature of the toilet seat device 20. For example, when the room temperature is high (e.g., 30°C or higher), the control unit 50 reduces the heat energy output from the heater units 34, 36. When the room temperature is high, the surface temperature of the toilet seat body 24 is also high, and the temperature difference with the user's body temperature is small. Therefore, even if the heat energy output from the heater units 34, 36 is reduced, the user is less likely to feel cold. For example, when the room temperature is low (e.g., 15°C or lower), the control unit 50 limits the change in the heat energy output from the heater units 34, 36 more than when the body temperature is low. When the room temperature is low, the surface temperature of the toilet seat body 24 is also low, and the temperature difference with the user's body temperature is large. Therefore, by controlling the temperature difference between the heated area and the non-heated area according to the user's body temperature, the power consumption of the heater units 34, 36 can be reduced without causing discomfort to the user. In a modified example, the predetermined condition may be a user instruction. When a user instruction regarding the output of thermal energy is acquired, the control unit 50 may control the thermal energy output from the heater units 34, 36 in accordance with the user instruction.

[0103] (10) The user detection unit may have a human body detection sensor and an entry sensor. The control unit 50 may predict the user's use of the toilet seat device 20 by using both the human body detection sensor and the entry sensor. With this configuration, the control unit 50 can predict the user's use of the toilet seat device 20 with higher accuracy than when making a prediction using only one of the human body detection sensor and the entry sensor.

[0104] (11) In all the embodiments herein, the contact area 30 on which the user sits is configured to transmit thermal energy unevenly to the user. However, the energy is not limited to thermal energy and may be other energy that provides a stimulus to the user to create an illusion. For example, the other energy may be physical energy such as electrical energy, vibration energy, or light energy. In another variation, the stimulus to create an illusion may be provided to the user by a chemical substance such as capsaicin or menthol applied to the upper end surface 24a of the toilet seat body 24.

[0105] (12) The heater units 34, 36 do not have to be arranged substantially symmetrically in the contact area 30. The toilet seat 22 may include a toilet seat body 24 having a contact area 30 that the user comes into contact with, and heater units 34, 36 that generate a stimulus to be given to the user in the contact area 30 and give the stimulus to the user who is in contact with the contact area 30. The heater units 34, 36 may be arranged in the contact area 30 so that the stimulus given to the user is uneven.

[0106] (13) The toilet seat portion 22 may include a toilet seat body 24 and a stimulation unit that generates a stimulation to be given to a user sitting on the toilet seat body 24, and gives different stimulations to different parts of the user's skin, thereby giving the user an illusory sensation of warmth or cold.

[0107] 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]

[0108] 10: toilet bowl device, 12: toilet bowl, 20: toilet seat device, 22: toilet seat portion, 24: toilet seat body, 24a: upper end surface, 25a: front side region, 25b, 25c, 425e, 425f, 425g, 425h: middle region, 25d: rear side region, 30: contact region, 30a: inner peripheral region, 30b: central region, 30c: outer peripheral region, 32: heater unit, 34, 36: heater portion, 40, 42: temperature detection portion, 46, 146: user detection portion, 48: sitting detection portion, 50: control portion

Claims

1. a toilet seat on which a user sits; an energy unit that generates thermal energy to be transferred to the user in a contact area where the user contacts the toilet seat, and is disposed on the toilet seat so as to transfer the thermal energy non-uniformly to the user who is in contact with the contact area; A toilet seat device comprising: a control device that controls the thermal energy output from the energy unit so as to limit and maintain the unevenness of the thermal energy transferred to the user in the contact area from the time the user sits down until the time the user leaves the seat and a predetermined period of time has passed.

2. The toilet seat apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control device controls the heat energy output from the energy unit based on a predetermined condition.

3. The toilet seat apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the predetermined condition includes a condition using an index related to a body temperature of the user sitting on the toilet seat.

4. The toilet seat apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the predetermined condition includes a condition using an index related to the ambient temperature of the toilet seat.

5. The toilet seat device according to claim 1 , wherein when a user's instruction regarding the output of the thermal energy is acquired, the control device controls the thermal energy output from the energy unit in accordance with the instruction.

6. The toilet seat apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control device reduces the heat energy output from the energy unit over time while the user is seated.

7. 7. The toilet seat device according to claim 6, wherein the control device reduces the heat energy output from the energy unit when the user leaves the seat, and maintains the reduced change in heat energy for a predetermined period of time.

8. The toilet seat device according to claim 7, wherein the control device maintains the reduced change in thermal energy for a predetermined period after the user leaves the seat, and reduces the thermal energy output from the energy unit when no new user sits down.

9. A toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; a toilet on which the toilet seat device is placed.

10. A control device that generates energy to be transmitted to a user sitting on a toilet seat in a contact area where the user contacts the toilet seat, and outputs the thermal energy from an energy unit arranged on the toilet seat so as to transmit non-uniform thermal energy to the user who is in contact with the contact area, and controls the thermal energy so as to limit and maintain the non-uniformity of the thermal energy transmitted to the user in the contact area from the time the user sits down until the time the user leaves the seat and a predetermined period of time has passed.

11. A computer program for a control device, comprising: The control device A computer program claim for generating energy to be transferred to a user sitting on a toilet seat in a contact area where the user contacts the toilet seat, and outputting the thermal energy from an energy unit arranged on the toilet seat so as to transfer non-uniform thermal energy to the user who is in contact with the contact area, the computer program controlling the thermal energy to maintain, while limiting the non-uniformity of the thermal energy transferred to the user in the contact area, from the time the user sits down until the time the user leaves the seat and a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

12. A method performed by a controller, comprising: The method comprises: A method for controlling the thermal energy output from an energy unit disposed on the toilet seat so as to generate energy to be transferred to a user in a contact area where the user sits on the toilet seat and contacts the toilet seat, the energy being transferred non-uniformly to the user in contact with the contact area, from the time the user sits on the toilet seat until a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the user leaves the seat, while limiting and maintaining the non-uniformity of the thermal energy transferred to the user in the contact area.

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