Toilet device

Abstract

To provide a toilet device capable of more appropriately suppressing the influence of common mode noise.SOLUTION: A toilet seat having an internal space, a seating surface, and an inner surface, a heater provided in the internal space and configured to heat the seating surface from inside by AC power supplied from a power supply, a conductive thermal diffusion portion provided on the inner surface and configured to diffuse heat of the heater to the inner surface, and a power supply circuit configured to convert the AC power supplied from the power supply into DC power, A toilet device includes a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of a thermal diffusion unit, a control circuit that controls energization to a heater based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, and a noise suppression member that is provided on at least one of a first path between a power supply and the heater and a second path between the temperature sensor and the control circuit and suppresses noise flowing through the at least one path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION Aspects of the present invention generally relate to toilet systems. [Background technology]

[0002] In toilet devices such as warm water washing toilet seats, which are considered plumbing products, many loads, such as solenoid valves, nozzles, flow regulators, and hot water heaters, are connected to the internal controller circuit. These loads tend to be strongly coupled to the earth due to resistance components such as water. Water passes through a flow path and pipes, which are electrically connected to the earth. For this reason, for example, when the flow path or tank contains water, the secondary load is equivalent to being grounded to the earth via the water.

[0003] These toilet devices are susceptible to common mode noise that enters through the power supply, and measures must be taken to prevent malfunctions and component failures. Particularly in environments with poor power quality, such as overseas markets or industrial areas, high-frequency common mode noise can enter the product's power line and cause problems such as failure of internal controller components or product malfunctions.

[0004] Furthermore, when safety functions such as preventing high temperature detection in warm water washing toilet seats are controlled, responsiveness to changes in normal and abnormal signals is required, and in many cases, the specifications are set to be highly sensitive. In this case, the device may react sensitively to the above-mentioned high frequency common mode noise, mistakenly identifying the noise signal as an abnormal signal, causing the product to stop operating and causing discomfort to the user.

[0005] For example, it has been proposed to install Y capacitors or varistors between the lines of the input filter section and between the lines and earth, and have the control section detect the common mode noise current flowing through these components, and at the same time, drive a switching section located between the Y capacitor or varistor and earth, which allows the noise to flow directly to earth, thereby suppressing noise entering through the power outlet.

[0006] As described above, a common noise suppression configuration is to suppress noise in the input filter section on the primary side, which is the power supply entrance where noise enters. However, when a similar configuration was attempted to counter common mode noise in toilet devices, it was found that it was not possible to adequately suppress noise and that there was a possibility that the malfunction of the secondary circuit would not be resolved. For this reason, it is desirable to be able to more appropriately suppress the effects of common mode noise in toilet devices. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-78352 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present invention has been made based on the recognition of such problems, and aims to provide a toilet device that can more appropriately suppress the effects of common mode noise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] a power supply circuit that converts the AC power supplied from the power source into DC power; a temperature sensor attached to the thermal diffusion unit and operating based on the DC power supplied from the power supply circuit to detect the temperature of the thermal diffusion unit; a control circuit that operates based on the DC power supplied from the power supply circuit and controls the supply of power to the heater based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor to heat the toilet seat to a predetermined temperature; and a noise suppression member provided on at least one of a first path between the power source and the heater and a second path between the temperature sensor and the control circuit to suppress noise flowing along at least one of the first path between the power source and the heater and a second path between the temperature sensor and the control circuit.

[0010] This toilet device uses a noise suppression member to suppress common-mode noise that propagates from the power supply to the control circuit via the heater, thermal diffusion unit, and temperature sensor. This stabilizes the operation of the control circuit and prevents malfunctions of the product. This provides a toilet device that can more appropriately suppress the effects of common-mode noise.

[0011] A second invention is the toilet apparatus according to the first invention, characterized in that the noise suppression member is provided on the second path.

[0012] This toilet device can attenuate common-mode noise by the capacitance between the heater and the thermal diffusion unit and the capacitance between the thermal diffusion unit and the temperature sensor, simplifying the configuration of the noise suppression member compared to when the noise suppression member is provided on the first path. For example, a noise suppression member with a smaller inductance component can adequately suppress common-mode noise, allowing for a smaller, more affordable noise suppression member. Furthermore, propagation of noise generated in the power supply circuit to the heater can be suppressed.

[0013] A third invention is a toilet device according to the second invention, characterized in that the control circuit has a control board and a control unit provided on the control board that controls the flow of electricity to the heater based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, and the noise suppression member is provided on the control board.

[0014] In this toilet device, by providing the noise suppression member on the control board, the configuration of the noise suppression member can be simplified compared to when the noise suppression member is provided on a wiring member such as a harness between the temperature sensor and the control circuit, which makes it easier to reduce the size and cost of the noise suppression member.

[0015] A fourth invention is the toilet device according to the second invention, characterized in that two noise suppression members are provided, one of the two noise suppression members being provided on one end side of the temperature sensor, and the other of the two noise suppression members being provided on the other end side of the temperature sensor.

[0016] According to this toilet device, by providing two noise suppression members, common mode noise propagating to the control circuit can be more appropriately suppressed, and noise propagating from the power supply circuit to the heater side can also be more appropriately suppressed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to an aspect of the present invention, a toilet apparatus is provided that can more appropriately suppress the influence of common mode noise. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a toilet device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a portion of a toilet seat according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically illustrating a heating unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a part of a heating unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the electrical configuration of the toilet seat device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a control circuit according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a modified example of the electrical configuration of the toilet seat device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like components are designated by like reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted where appropriate. FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a toilet device according to an embodiment. 1, the toilet device 2 includes a Western-style seated toilet bowl (hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, simply referred to as the "toilet bowl") 4 and a toilet seat device 10 provided thereon. The toilet seat device 10 includes a main body 12, a toilet seat 14, and a toilet lid 16.

[0020] In the following description of the embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "right side," and "left side" are used, and these directions are those seen from the perspective of a user sitting on the toilet seat 14, as shown in Figure 1.

[0021] The toilet 4 has a bowl portion 4a that is recessed downward. The bowl portion 4a of the toilet 4 receives excrement such as urine and feces from the user. The main body portion 12 of the toilet seat device 10 is provided above and behind the bowl portion 4a of the toilet 4. The main body portion 12 pivotally supports the toilet seat 14 and toilet lid 16 so that they can be opened and closed.

[0022] The toilet seat 14 has an opening 14a. The toilet seat 14 is installed on the toilet bowl 4 so as to surround the outer edge of the bowl portion 4a, exposing the bowl portion 4a through the opening 14a. This allows a user to defecate into the bowl portion 4a while sitting on the toilet seat 14. In this example, the toilet seat 14 is a so-called O-shaped toilet seat with a through-hole-like opening 14a formed therein. The toilet seat 14 is not limited to an O-shape and may be U-shaped or the like.

[0023] The toilet seat device 10 has a toilet seat heating function that warms the seating surface of the toilet seat 14. The toilet seat device 10 also has a sanitary washing function that cleans the private parts, such as the buttocks, of a user sitting on the toilet seat 14. In other words, the toilet seat device 10 is a sanitary washing device. However, the toilet seat device 10 does not necessarily have to have the sanitary washing function. The toilet seat device 10 only needs to have at least the toilet seat heating function. In other words, the toilet seat device 10 may be a heated toilet seat device.

[0024] The toilet seat device 10 has a nozzle 20 for washing the private parts of the human body. The nozzle 20 is provided in the main body 12 and moves back and forth between a position where it is stored in the main body 12 and a position where it is advanced from the main body 12 into the bowl 4a. Note that Fig. 1 shows the state where the nozzle 20 is advanced into the bowl 4a.

[0025] Main body 12 is configured to be able to communicate with operation unit 6 such as a remote control. Communication between main body 12 and operation unit 6 may be wired or wireless. Main body 12 advances nozzle 20 into bowl 4a in response to an operation instruction input from operation unit 6, for example.

[0026] The nozzle 20 ejects water toward the human private parts to cleanse them. A bidet cleansing outlet 20a and a rear cleansing outlet 20b are provided at the tip of the nozzle 20. The nozzle 20 can eject water from the bidet cleansing outlet 20a provided at its tip to clean the female private parts of a woman sitting on the toilet seat 14. Alternatively, the nozzle 20 can eject water from the rear cleansing outlet 20b provided at its tip to clean the "rear parts" of a user sitting on the toilet seat 14. In this specification, the term "water" includes not only cold water but also heated hot water.

[0027] The "bottom" cleansing mode includes, for example, a "bottom cleansing" and a "soft cleansing" that gently cleanses with a softer water flow than the "bottom cleansing." The nozzle 20 can perform, for example, a "bidet cleansing," a "bottom cleansing," and a "soft cleansing."

[0028] 1, the bidet cleansing water outlet 20a is provided closer to the tip of the nozzle 20 than the posterior cleansing water outlet 20b, but the installation positions of the bidet cleansing water outlet 20a and the posterior cleansing water outlet 20b are not limited to this. The bidet cleansing water outlet 20a may also be provided closer to the rear end of the nozzle 20 than the posterior cleansing water outlet 20b. Furthermore, although the nozzle 20 shown in FIG. 1 has two water outlets, three or more water outlets may also be provided.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows a part of the toilet seat according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross section taken along line A1-A2 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the toilet seat 14 has an internal space SP. In other words, the toilet seat 14 is hollow. The toilet seat 14 has, for example, an upper plate 30 and a lower plate 32, which are joined together to form the internal space SP between the upper plate 30 and the lower plate 32. The upper plate 30 has a seating surface 30a on which a user sits and an inner surface 30b facing the lower plate 32. In other words, the inner surface 30b is the surface facing the opposite side of the seating surface 30a within the internal space SP. The upper plate 30 and the lower plate 32 may be joined by adhesive or by welding using vibration welding or the like. However, the configuration of the toilet seat 14 is not limited to the above and may be any configuration having at least the internal space SP, the seating surface 30a, and the inner surface 30b.

[0030] The toilet seat 14 has a heating unit 34. The heating unit 34 heats the seating surface 30a of the upper plate 30. The heating unit 34 is provided, for example, on the inner surface 30b in the internal space SP. The heating unit 34 is, for example, attached to the inner surface 30b. In this way, the heating unit 34 heats the seating surface 30a from the inside.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically illustrating a heating unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a part of a heating unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross section taken along line B1-B2 in FIG. 3 and 4, the heating unit 34 includes a thermal diffusion unit 41 and a heater 43. The heater 43 generates heat when an electric current is passed through it. The heater 43 includes, for example, a heating wire 43a and a coating 43b that covers the heating wire 43a. The coating 43b is an insulator made of, for example, resin. The heater 43 is provided in the internal space SP and heats the seating surface 30a from the inside via the inner surface 30b using AC power supplied from an external power source.

[0032] The thermal diffusion unit 41 is provided on the inner surface 30b. The thermal diffusion unit 41 is, for example, sheet-shaped. In other words, the thermal diffusion unit 41 is a thermal diffusion sheet. The heater 43 is, for example, cord-shaped. The area of ​​the thermal diffusion unit 41 is larger than the area of ​​the heater 43. As a result, the thermal diffusion unit 41 diffuses the heat of the heater 43 to the inner surface 30b.

[0033] A first adhesive 44 is provided between the thermal diffusion unit 41 and the heater 43. The first adhesive 44 bonds the thermal diffusion unit 41 and the heater 43 together.

[0034] A second adhesive 45 is provided between the thermal diffusion unit 41 and the inner surface 30b of the upper plate 30. The second adhesive 45 bonds the thermal diffusion unit 41 to the inner surface 30b of the upper plate 30. As a result, the thermal diffusion unit 41 is provided on the inner surface 30b of the upper plate 30. In this example, the thermal diffusion unit 41 is provided on the inner surface 30b, and the heater 43 is provided on the thermal diffusion unit 41. Conversely, the heater 43 may be provided on the inner surface 30b, and the thermal diffusion unit 41 may be provided on the heater 43. In other words, the heater 43 may be provided between the inner surface 30b and the thermal diffusion unit 41.

[0035] The thermal diffusion member 41 is a conductor. The thermal diffusion member 41 is, for example, a metal foil. The thermal conductivity of the metal foil is higher than the thermal conductivity of the upper plate 30. The thermal diffusion member 41 is, for example, an aluminum foil or a copper foil.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, the heater 43 snakes around the thermal diffusion unit 41 and is disposed over substantially the entire thermal diffusion unit 41. As shown in FIG. 2, the heating unit 34 is disposed over substantially the entire inner surface 30b of the upper plate 30. In other words, the thermal diffusion unit 41 is disposed over substantially the entire inner surface 30b of the upper plate 30. The heater 43 snakes around under the inner surface 30b of the upper plate 30 and is disposed over substantially the entire inner surface 30b. In this manner, the cord-shaped heater 43 is disposed on the inner surface 30b while being bent. Note that the heater 43 is not limited to being cord-shaped, and may be sheet-shaped or the like. The heater 43 may have any configuration that can heat the seating surface 30a from the inside.

[0037] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the toilet seat device 10 further includes a temperature sensor 46. The temperature sensor 46 detects the temperature of the thermal diffusion unit 41. In other words, the temperature sensor 46 detects the temperature of the seating surface 30a of the toilet seat 14. The temperature sensor 46 is attached to the thermal diffusion unit 41. The temperature sensor 46 is attached to the thermal diffusion unit 41 by, for example, bonding or adhesion, and thereby detects the temperature of the thermal diffusion unit 41. In other words, the temperature sensor 46 detects the temperature of the seating surface 30a via the thermal diffusion unit 41 and the inner surface 30b.

[0038] In this example, the thermal diffusion unit 41 is provided on the inner surface 30b, and the temperature sensor 46 is provided on the thermal diffusion unit 41. However, without being limited to this, the temperature sensor 46 may be provided on the inner surface 30b, and the thermal diffusion unit 41 may be provided on the temperature sensor 46. In other words, the temperature sensor 46 may be provided between the inner surface 30b and the thermal diffusion unit 41. The temperature sensor 46 may be attached to the thermal diffusion unit 41 at any position where it can appropriately detect the temperature of the thermal diffusion unit 41 (the temperature of the seating surface 30a).

[0039] The temperature sensor 46 may be, for example, a thermistor (thermal resistor). However, the temperature sensor 46 is not limited to a thermistor and may be, for example, a thermocouple or a resistance temperature detector. The temperature sensor 46 may be any sensor that can properly detect the temperature of the thermal diffusion unit 41 when attached to the thermal diffusion unit 41. In other words, the temperature sensor 46 may be any contact-type sensor.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the electrical configuration of the toilet seat device according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the toilet seat device 10 includes a power supply circuit 50 and a control circuit 52. The power supply circuit 50 is electrically connected to a power supply PS. The power supply circuit 50 converts AC power supplied from the power supply PS into DC power, and supplies the converted DC power to each component of the toilet seat device 10, such as the temperature sensor 46 and the control circuit 52. The power supply circuit 50 is a so-called AC-DC converter. Each component of the toilet seat device 10, such as the temperature sensor 46 and the control circuit 52, operates in response to the supply of DC power from the power supply circuit 50. The temperature sensor 46 is attached to the thermal diffusion unit 41, and operates based on the DC power supplied from the power supply circuit 50 to detect the temperature of the thermal diffusion unit 41.

[0041] The control circuit 52 comprehensively controls the operation of each part of the toilet seat device 10. The control circuit 52 operates based on DC power supplied from the power supply circuit 50, and controls the power supply to the heater 43 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 46, thereby heating the toilet seat 14 to a predetermined temperature.

[0042] The toilet seat apparatus 10 has, for example, a plurality of control loads (not shown). The control loads include, for example, a motor for moving the nozzle 20 back and forth, and a solenoid valve for switching between supplying water to the nozzle 20 (spouting water from the nozzle 20) and stopping the supply of water to the nozzle 20. The control load may further include, for example, a heat exchanger for heating the water supplied to the nozzle 20, a switching valve for switching the paths of the bidet cleansing outlet 20a and the posterior cleansing outlet 20b, and a deodorizing device for sucking in and deodorizing the air within the bowl portion 4a. The control loads are operated by DC power supplied from the power supply circuit 50.

[0043] The control circuit 52 controls, for example, the power supply to the heater 43 and also controls the operation of each control load. The control load may be any device that operates using DC power supplied from the power supply circuit 50 and whose operation is controlled by the control circuit 52.

[0044] The control circuit 52 is also communicatively connected to the operation unit 6 via, for example, a communication circuit (not shown). Various operation instructions are input to the control circuit 52 in response to the operation of the operation unit 6, such as to perform local cleaning with the nozzle 20 and to stop local cleaning. The control circuit 52 controls the operation of each control load in response to the operation instructions input from the operation unit 6. As a result, the control circuit 52 controls the performance of local cleaning with the nozzle 20 and to stop local cleaning, etc., in response to the operation of the operation unit 6.

[0045] The control circuit 52 includes a control unit 54 and a detection circuit 56. The control unit 54 controls the supply of electricity to the heater 43 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 46. The control unit 54 is, for example, a microcomputer.

[0046] The detection circuit 56 is electrically connected to the temperature sensor 46. The detection circuit 56 detects the temperature of the thermal diffusion unit 41 using the temperature sensor 46 under the control of the control unit 54, and inputs the detection result to the control unit 54. For example, when the temperature sensor 46 is a thermistor, the detection circuit 56 is a circuit that enables the control unit 54 to read changes in resistance value that accompany changes in the temperature of the temperature sensor 46 (thermistor).

[0047] The power supply circuit 50 is electrically connected to, for example, a power supply terminal 58. The power supply circuit 50 is electrically connected to a power supply PS via the power supply terminal 58. The power supply PS is, for example, a commercial power supply of AC 100 V (effective value). The power supply terminal 58 is, for example, an outlet plug.

[0048] The power supply circuit 50 includes, for example, a rectifier circuit 60, a smoothing capacitor 61, and a conversion circuit 62. The rectifier circuit 60 rectifies AC power supplied from the power supply PS and converts it into pulsating rectified power. The rectifier circuit 60 is, for example, a full-wave rectifier using a diode bridge, and converts the AC power into full-wave rectified power. The rectifier circuit 60 may also be, for example, a half-wave rectifier.

[0049] The smoothing capacitor 61 smoothes the rectified power rectified by the rectifier circuit 60 and converts the rectified power into DC power.

[0050] The conversion circuit 62 converts the DC power converted by the smoothing capacitor 61 into another DC power compatible with the temperature sensor 46, the control circuit 52, etc. The conversion circuit 62 is a so-called DC-DC converter. The conversion circuit 62 converts, for example, 100V DC power into DC power of approximately 5V to 24V. In other words, the conversion circuit 62 is a step-down converter. The conversion circuit 62 supplies the converted DC power to each part of the toilet seat device 10, such as the temperature sensor 46 and the control circuit 52. This enables each part, such as the temperature sensor 46 and the control circuit 52, to operate in response to the supply of DC power from the conversion circuit 62 (power supply circuit 50).

[0051] The conversion circuit 62 includes, for example, a switching element 63, and by switching the switching element 63, converts the DC power converted by the smoothing capacitor 61 into another DC power compatible with the temperature sensor 46, the control circuit 52, etc. The conversion circuit 62 also includes, for example, a transformer 64 that electrically insulates the primary side (power supply PS side) from the secondary side (load side). The conversion circuit 62 is, for example, an isolated converter. The conversion circuit 62 is, for example, a flyback converter. This can prevent, for example, a worker performing work on a control load from receiving an electric shock due to the relatively high primary-side power. However, the conversion circuit 62 does not necessarily have to be an isolated converter. The conversion circuit 62 may be configured in any way that can convert the DC power converted by the smoothing capacitor 61 into another DC power compatible with the temperature sensor 46, the control circuit 52, etc.

[0052] The heater 43 of the heating unit 34 is connected to a connection point between a power supply terminal 58 and a power supply circuit 50 (rectifier circuit 60). In other words, the heater 43 is electrically connected to a wiring path between the power supply terminal 58 and the power supply circuit 50. As a result, AC power is supplied to the heater 43 from the power supply PS. A switching element 70 is provided between the heater 43 and the power supply terminal 58 to switch between supplying and stopping the supply of AC power to the heater 43. The switching element 70 is connected to a control circuit 52 (control unit 54). The control circuit 52 controls the on / off switching of the switching element 70. As a result, the control circuit 52 controls the supply of electricity to the heater 43 (supplying and stopping the supply of AC power). The switching element 70 is, for example, a bidirectional optical thyristor. As a result, the control circuit 52, which is connected to the secondary side of the power supply circuit 50, can be appropriately electrically insulated from the AC power on the primary side.

[0053] The control circuit 52 (control unit 54) heats the toilet seat 14 (thermal diffusion unit 41) to a predetermined temperature by controlling the supply of electricity to the heater 43 based on the temperature of the thermal diffusion unit 41 detected by the temperature sensor 46. In this way, the control circuit 52 controls the supply of electricity to the heater 43 based on the temperature of the thermal diffusion unit 41 detected by the temperature sensor 46.

[0054] The control circuit 52 controls the power supply to the heater 43 so that the temperature of the thermal diffusion unit 41 (seating surface 30a) detected by the temperature sensor 46 becomes a predetermined temperature set by operating the operation unit 6. In this case, the control circuit 52 performs so-called PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control, which changes the on / off duty ratio of the switching element 70 depending on the temperature difference between the set temperature and the detected temperature. This allows for more accurate adjustment of the temperature of the thermal diffusion unit 41 (seating surface 30a). Note that the on / off control of the switching element 70 is not limited to PWM control, and may also be so-called PFM (Pulse Frequency Modulation) control, which changes the frequency of on / off pulses.

[0055] Furthermore, when a seating detection sensor (not shown) does not detect that a user is sitting on the toilet seat 14, the control circuit 52 sets the temperature of the thermal diffusion unit 41 (seating surface 30a) lower than the set temperature. When a seating detection sensor (not shown) detects that a user is sitting on the toilet seat 14, the control circuit 52 raises the temperature of the thermal diffusion unit 41 (seating surface 30a) to the set temperature. This reduces unnecessary power consumption when the toilet seat device 10 is not in use, and reduces the power consumption of the toilet seat device 10.

[0056] The power supply circuit 50 further includes, for example, a current fuse 65 and a filter circuit 66. The current fuse 65 is provided between the power supply PS (power supply terminal 58) and one of two branch points BP1 and BP2, which branch off a path from the power supply PS (power supply terminal 58) to the power supply circuit 50 and a path from the power supply PS to the heater 43. The branch point BP1 is, in other words, a connection point between one end of the heater 43 and one of a pair of wiring paths between the power supply PS (power supply terminal 58) and the power supply circuit 50. The branch point BP2 is, in other words, a connection point between the other end of the heater 43 and the other of the pair of wiring paths between the power supply PS and the power supply circuit 50.

[0057] The current fuse 65 melts when the total current magnitude of the current flowing from the power supply PS to the power supply circuit 50 and the current flowing from the power supply PS to the heater 43 exceeds a predetermined value. In this way, the current fuse 65 prevents an overcurrent from flowing to the power supply circuit 50 and the heater 43. The current fuse 65 prevents the power supply circuit 50 and the heater 43 from failing due to an overcurrent.

[0058] The filter circuit 66 is provided between the two branch points BP1, BP2 and the rectifier circuit 60. The filter circuit 66 suppresses switching noise caused by switching of the switching element 63 of the conversion circuit 62, thereby suppressing propagation of the switching noise of the conversion circuit 62 to the power supply PS side and the heater 43 side.

[0059] The toilet seat 14 further includes, for example, a thermal fuse 48. The thermal fuse 48 is provided, for example, in the internal space SP, and melts down when the temperature of the seating surface 30a (thermal diffusion portion 41) reaches or exceeds a predetermined temperature, thereby physically preventing the heater 43 from abnormally heating the seating surface 30a.

[0060] FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a control circuit according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the control circuit 52 has a control board 80. The control unit 54 is provided on the control board 80. The control board 80 is, for example, a printed wiring board that allows components such as the control unit 54 (e.g., a microcomputer) to be mounted and that wires the mounted components. The detection circuit 56 is provided on the control board 80 together with the control unit 54. However, the detection circuit 56 may be provided on a board separate from the control board 80 and electrically connected to the control unit 54 via wiring or the like.

[0061] When the temperature sensor 46 is a thermistor, thermocouple, resistance thermometer, or the like, the temperature sensor 46 is a two-terminal element. The detection circuit 56 is electrically connected to both ends of the temperature sensor 46. The detection circuit 56 electrically connects one end of the temperature sensor 46 to a high-potential DC output terminal of the power supply circuit 50. The detection circuit 56 has a resistive element 82. The detection circuit 56 electrically connects one end of the resistive element 82 to the other end of the temperature sensor 46. The detection circuit 56 electrically connects the other end of the resistive element 82 to a low-potential DC output terminal of the power supply circuit 50. As a result, DC power supplied from the power supply circuit 50 is supplied to the temperature sensor 46 via the detection circuit 56. The detection circuit 56 electrically connects the connection point between the temperature sensor 46 and the resistive element 82 to the control unit 54. As a result, the magnitude of the voltage of the DC power supplied from the power supply circuit 50 divided by the temperature sensor 46 and the resistance element 82 is input to the control unit 54 as the detection result, and the control unit 54 can read the change in resistance value that accompanies the change in temperature of the temperature sensor 46.

[0062] The configuration of the detection circuit 56 is not limited to the above. For example, the detection circuit 56 is not limited to a configuration in which the DC power supplied from the power supply circuit 50 is directly supplied to the temperature sensor 46, but may step down the DC power supplied from the power supply circuit 50 and supply it to the temperature sensor 46. The detection circuit 56 may be configured in any way that allows the temperature sensor 46 to detect the temperature of the thermal diffusion unit 41 and input the detection result to the control unit 54. The configuration of the detection circuit 56 may be set appropriately depending on the DC power supplied from the power supply circuit 50, the configuration of the temperature sensor 46, etc.

[0063] Furthermore, when DC power supplied from the power supply circuit 50 is supplied directly to the temperature sensor 46, for example, one end of the temperature sensor 46 may be electrically connected directly to the high-potential DC output terminal of the power supply circuit 50 without going through the detection circuit 56 (control circuit 52). The temperature sensor 46 may be supplied with DC power directly from the power supply circuit 50. The configuration for supplying DC power to the temperature sensor 46 may be any configuration that can appropriately supply DC power to the temperature sensor 46.

[0064] The toilet seat device 10 (toilet device 2) further includes noise suppression members 90 and 92. The noise suppression members 90 and 92 are provided on the path between the temperature sensor 46 and the control circuit 52, and suppress noise flowing in the path between the temperature sensor 46 and the control circuit 52.

[0065] The noise suppression members 90, 92 are provided, for example, on the control board 80. In other words, the noise suppression members 90, 92 are provided on the path between the temperature sensor 46 and the control unit 54. The noise suppression members 90, 92 may be, for example, chip ferrite beads, chip inductors, or common mode choke coils.

[0066] However, the noise suppression members 90, 92 are not limited to being provided on the control board 80, and may be provided, for example, on the wiring member that electrically connects the temperature sensor 46 and the control circuit 52. The noise suppression members 90, 92 may be, for example, a ferrite core provided on the wiring member between the temperature sensor 46 and the control circuit 52.

[0067] The positions at which the noise suppression members 90, 92 are provided are not limited to those described above and may be any positions on the path between the temperature sensor 46 and the control circuit 52 (controller 54). The noise suppression members 90, 92 are not limited to chip ferrite beads, chip inductors, common mode choke coils, ferrite cores, etc., and may be any members that have an inductance component and can appropriately suppress noise flowing in the path between the temperature sensor 46 and the control circuit 52 (controller 54).

[0068] The toilet seat apparatus 10 (toilet apparatus 2) also includes, for example, two noise suppression members 90, 92. In other words, two noise suppression members are provided. One of the two noise suppression members 90, 92, the noise suppression member 90, is provided on one end side of the two-terminal temperature sensor 46. The other of the two noise suppression members 90, 92, the noise suppression member 92, is provided on the other end side of the two-terminal temperature sensor 46.

[0069] In other words, the noise suppression member 90 is provided between one end of the temperature sensor 46 and the power supply circuit 50. In other words, the noise suppression member 92 is provided between the other end of the temperature sensor 46 and the control circuit 52 (controller 54). In other words, the toilet seat device 10 (toilet device 2) includes the noise suppression member 92 provided on the path between the temperature sensor 46 and the control circuit 52 (controller 54), and further includes the noise suppression member 90 provided on the path between the temperature sensor 46 and the power supply circuit 50.

[0070] However, the number of noise suppression members is not limited to two, and may be one, or three or more. At least one noise suppression member may be provided on the path between the temperature sensor 46 and the control circuit 52 (control unit 54).

[0071] The control circuit 52 (control unit 54) heats the toilet seat 14 to a predetermined temperature by, for example, controlling the supply of electricity to the heater 43 based on the temperature of the thermal diffusion unit 41 detected by the temperature sensor 46, and stops the supply of electricity to the heater 43 when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 46 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature.

[0072] In this way, when suppressing abnormal heating of the seating surface 30a by the heater 43 in a controlled manner, responsiveness to changes between normal and abnormal signals is required. For this reason, the control circuit 52 is often designed to be highly sensitive to the temperature detection results of the temperature sensor 46. For example, the control circuit 52 often sets a relatively high sampling period for the temperature detection results of the temperature sensor 46.

[0073] In this way, when the heater 43 is controlled to prevent abnormal heating of the seating surface 30a, if common mode noise enters from the power supply PS, the control circuit 52 may malfunction and unintentionally stop powering the heater 43. If the control circuit 52 stops powering the heater 43 in response to the detection of a temperature above a predetermined temperature, the control circuit 52 may continue to stop powering the heater 43 even after the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 46 falls below the predetermined temperature, until a predetermined reset operation is performed. This may result in the user sitting on a cold toilet seat 14, causing discomfort to the user.

[0074] For this reason, toilet devices are required to be able to suppress the effects of common mode noise entering from the power supply PS. A common countermeasure against common mode noise is to provide a Y capacitor or varistor at the input section of the power supply circuit 50. However, even if countermeasures are implemented at the input section of the power supply circuit 50, the effects of common mode noise cannot be adequately suppressed in toilet devices, which may cause the control circuit 52 to malfunction.

[0075] As a result of extensive research, the inventors of the present application have discovered that the cause of the malfunction of the control circuit 52 is common mode noise propagating through the input path of the detection result of the temperature sensor 46.

[0076] The heater 43 is provided in close contact with the thermal diffusion unit 41. Therefore, the heater 43 is capacitively coupled to the thermal diffusion unit 41. When the temperature sensor 46 is attached to the thermal diffusion unit 41, the temperature sensor 46 is also capacitively coupled to the thermal diffusion unit 41. In other words, the temperature sensor 46 may be any temperature sensor that is attached to the thermal diffusion unit 41 and has the potential to be capacitively coupled to the thermal diffusion unit 41.

[0077] Therefore, in the toilet device, as shown by the arrow A1 in Figure 5, common mode noise that has entered from the power supply PS propagates to the heater 43, then to the thermal diffusion unit 41 via the capacitive coupling between the heater 43 and the thermal diffusion unit 41, then to the temperature sensor 46 via the capacitive coupling between the thermal diffusion unit 41 and the temperature sensor 46, and finally to the control circuit 52 via the wiring between the temperature sensor 46 and the control circuit 52.

[0078] Furthermore, in the toilet device, the control load connected to the control circuit 52 is electrically connected to the ground via the piping and the water flowing in the piping, etc. Therefore, the common mode noise propagated to the control circuit 52 propagates to the ground via the control load, etc.

[0079] As a result of careful investigation, the inventors of the present application have discovered that, in the toilet apparatus, there is a noise intrusion path in which common mode noise entering from the power supply PS propagates to the ground via the heater 43, thermal diffusion unit 41, temperature sensor 46, control circuit 52, and control load. For this reason, even if countermeasure components against common mode noise are installed between branch points BP1, BP2 and power supply circuit 50 (rectifier circuit 60), the effects of common mode noise cannot be adequately suppressed, and there is a possibility that control circuit 52 may malfunction.

[0080] In contrast, the toilet device 2 according to this embodiment is provided with noise suppression members 90, 92 that are provided on the path between the temperature sensor 46 and the control circuit 52 and that suppress noise flowing in the path between the temperature sensor 46 and the control circuit 52.

[0081] As a result, in the toilet device 2 according to this embodiment, the noise suppression members 90, 92 can suppress common mode noise propagating from the power supply PS to the control circuit 52 via the heater 43, thermal diffusion unit 41, and temperature sensor 46. This stabilizes the operation of the control circuit 52 and suppresses malfunctions of the product. Therefore, it is possible to provide a toilet device 2 that can more appropriately suppress the effects of common mode noise.

[0082] More specifically, the noise suppression members 90 and 92 suppress common mode noise entering from the power supply PS. The common mode noise is relatively high-frequency noise that propagates through the capacitive coupling between the heater 43 and the thermal diffusion unit 41 and the capacitive coupling between the thermal diffusion unit 41 and the temperature sensor 46. The frequency of the common mode noise is, for example, 10 MHz or higher. The noise suppression members 90 and 92 may be any member capable of appropriately attenuating the amplitude of noise with a frequency of, for example, 10 MHz or higher to a range that does not affect the operation of the control circuit 52.

[0083] Furthermore, in the toilet device 2 according to this embodiment, by providing the noise suppression members 90, 92 on the control board 80, the configuration of the noise suppression members 90, 92 can be simplified compared to when noise suppression members are provided on wiring members such as harnesses between the temperature sensor 46 and the control circuit 52. For example, it becomes easier to reduce the size and cost of the noise suppression members 90, 92.

[0084] Furthermore, in the toilet device 2 according to this embodiment, by providing two noise suppression members 90, 92, it is possible to more appropriately suppress common mode noise propagating to the control circuit 52, and also to more appropriately suppress noise propagating from the power supply circuit 50 to the heater 43. More specifically, by providing two noise suppression members 90, 92, it is possible to also suppress propagation of switching noise accompanying switching of the switching element 63 of the conversion circuit 62 of the power supply circuit 50 to the heater 43.

[0085] Furthermore, by providing a noise suppression member 90 between one end of the temperature sensor 46 and the power supply circuit 50 and a noise suppression member 92 between the other end of the temperature sensor 46 and the control circuit 52 (control unit 54), it is possible to prevent, for example, noise propagated to the temperature sensor 46 from being propagated to the control circuit 52 via the power supply circuit 50.

[0086] FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing a modified example of the electrical configuration of the toilet seat device according to the embodiment. 7, the toilet seat device 10a (toilet device 2a) is provided with noise suppression members 94 and 96 that are provided on the path between the power supply PS and the heater 43 and suppress noise flowing in the path between the power supply PS and the heater 43. As with the noise suppression members 90 and 92, the noise suppression members 94 and 96 may be, for example, chip ferrite beads, chip inductors, common mode choke coils, ferrite cores, or the like.

[0087] In this way, the noise suppression members 94, 96 may be provided on the path between the power supply PS and the heater 43. In this case, as in the above embodiment, it is possible to suppress common mode noise propagating from the power supply PS to the control circuit 52 via the heater 43, the thermal diffusion unit 41, and the temperature sensor 46.

[0088] The toilet seat apparatus 10a is provided with two noise suppression members 94, 96: a noise suppression member 94 provided between one end of the heater 43 and one AC terminal of the power supply PS, and a noise suppression member 96 provided between the other end of the heater 43 and the other AC terminal of the power supply PS. This makes it possible to more appropriately suppress common mode noise propagating from the power supply PS to the control circuit 52. However, the toilet seat apparatus 10a may be configured to include only one of the noise suppression members 94, 96.

[0089] When the noise suppression members 94, 96 are provided on the path between the power supply PS and the heater 43, it is more preferable to provide the noise suppression members 94, 96 between the branch points BP1, BP2 and the heater 43. In other words, the noise suppression member 94 is provided between the branch point BP1 and one end of the heater 43. In other words, the noise suppression member 96 is provided between the branch point BP2 and the other end of the heater 43.

[0090] As a result, part of the common-mode noise that has entered from the power supply PS propagates to the power supply circuit 50 side, and the more attenuated common-mode noise is attenuated by the noise suppression members 94, 96. This allows the configuration of the noise suppression members 94, 96 to be simpler than, for example, when the noise suppression members 94, 96 are provided between the power supply PS and the branch points BP1, BP2. For example, common-mode noise can be appropriately suppressed with the noise suppression members 94, 96 having a smaller inductance component, which allows the noise suppression members 94, 96 to be made smaller and more affordable.

[0091] In this case, an insulating converter is used for the conversion circuit 62 of the power supply circuit 50. This makes it possible to prevent a portion of the common mode noise propagated to the power supply circuit 50 side from propagating to the control circuit 52 side.

[0092] 5 and 6, it is more preferable to provide the noise suppression members on the path between the temperature sensor 46 and the control circuit 52. This allows common-mode noise to be further attenuated by the capacitance components between the heater 43 and the thermal diffusion unit 41 and between the thermal diffusion unit 41 and the temperature sensor 46, and simplifies the configuration of the noise suppression members 90 and 92 compared to providing them on the path between the power supply PS and the heater 43. For example, the noise suppression members 90 and 92 have a smaller inductance component, allowing for appropriate common-mode noise suppression, thereby enabling the noise suppression members 90 and 92 to be made smaller and less expensive. Furthermore, propagation of noise generated in the power supply circuit 50 to the heater 43 can be suppressed.

[0093] The toilet seat device 10a (toilet device 2a) may be configured to include, for example, noise suppression members 94, 96 provided on the path between the power supply PS and the heater 43, and noise suppression members 90, 92 provided on the path between the temperature sensor 46 and the control circuit 52. The noise suppression members may be configured to be provided on at least one of the first path between the power supply PS and the heater 43 and the second path between the temperature sensor 46 and the control circuit 52, and may have any configuration that suppresses noise flowing in at least one of the paths.

[0094] In the above embodiment, a toilet apparatus 2 (2a) is shown that includes a toilet bowl 4 and a toilet seat apparatus 10 (10a). The toilet apparatus does not necessarily have to include the toilet bowl 4. In other words, the toilet seat apparatus 10 (10a) may be the toilet apparatus. The toilet apparatus may have any configuration that includes at least a toilet seat 14, a heater 43, a thermal diffusion unit 41, a power supply circuit 50, a temperature sensor 46, a control circuit 52, and noise suppression members 90, 92, 94, and 96.

[0095] The present embodiment includes the following aspects. (Appendix 1) a toilet seat having an interior space and including a seating surface and an inner surface facing the opposite side of the seating surface within the interior space; a heater provided in the internal space and configured to heat the seating surface from the inside via the inner surface by AC power supplied from a power source; a conductive heat diffusion portion provided on the inner surface, having an area larger than that of the heater, and diffusing heat from the heater to the inner surface; a power supply circuit that converts AC power supplied from the power supply into DC power; a temperature sensor attached to the thermal diffusion unit, which operates based on DC power supplied from the power supply circuit to detect the temperature of the thermal diffusion unit; a control circuit that operates based on DC power supplied from the power supply circuit and controls the supply of electricity to the heater based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, thereby heating the toilet seat to a predetermined temperature; a noise suppression member provided on at least one of a first path between the power supply and the heater and a second path between the temperature sensor and the control circuit, the noise suppression member suppressing noise flowing in the at least one of the paths; A toilet device comprising:

[0096] (Appendix 2) 2. The toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the noise suppression member is provided on the second path.

[0097] (Appendix 3) The control circuit A control board; a control unit provided on the control board and configured to control power supply to the heater based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor; and 3. The toilet apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the noise suppression member is provided on the control board.

[0098] (Appendix 4) Two noise suppression members are provided, one of the two noise suppression members is provided on one end side of the temperature sensor, The toilet apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the other of the two noise suppression members is provided on the other end side of the temperature sensor.

[0099] The above describes the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. Design modifications made by a person skilled in the art to the above-described embodiments are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they incorporate the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, dimensions, materials, and arrangement of each element of the toilet device 2, toilet seat device 10, etc. are not limited to those illustrated and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the elements of each of the above-described embodiments can be combined to the extent technically possible, and such combinations are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 2, 2a toilet device, 4 toilet bowl, 6 operation unit, 10, 10a toilet seat device, 12 main body, 14 toilet seat, 16 toilet lid, 20 nozzle, 30 upper plate, 30a seating surface, 30b inner surface, 32 lower plate, 34 heating unit, 41 heat diffusion unit, 43 heater, 44 first adhesive, 45 second adhesive, 46 temperature sensor, 48 temperature fuse, 50 power supply circuit, 52 control circuit, 54 control unit, 56 detection circuit, 58 power supply terminal, 60 rectifier circuit, 61 smoothing capacitor, 62 conversion circuit, 63 switching element, 64 transformer, 65 current fuse, 66 filter circuit, 70 switching element, 80 control board, 82 resistance element, 90, 92, 94, 96: Noise suppression member, BP1, BP2: Branch point, SP: Internal space

Claims

1. a toilet seat having an interior space and including a seating surface and an inner surface facing the opposite side of the seating surface within the interior space; a heater provided in the internal space and configured to heat the seating surface from the inside via the inner surface by AC power supplied from a power source; a conductive heat diffusion portion provided on the inner surface, having an area larger than that of the heater, and diffusing heat from the heater to the inner surface; a power supply circuit that converts AC power supplied from the power supply into DC power; a temperature sensor attached to the thermal diffusion unit, which operates based on DC power supplied from the power supply circuit to detect the temperature of the thermal diffusion unit; a control circuit that operates based on DC power supplied from the power supply circuit and controls the supply of electricity to the heater based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, thereby heating the toilet seat to a predetermined temperature; a noise suppression member provided on at least one of a first path between the power supply and the heater and a second path between the temperature sensor and the control circuit, the noise suppression member suppressing noise flowing in the at least one of the paths; A toilet device comprising:

2. 2. The toilet device according to claim 1, wherein the noise suppressing member is provided on the second path.

3. The control circuit A control board; a control unit provided on the control board and configured to control power supply to the heater based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor; and 3. The toilet device according to claim 2, wherein the noise suppressing member is provided on the control board.

4. Two noise suppression members are provided, one of the two noise suppression members is provided on one end side of the temperature sensor, 3. The toilet device according to claim 2, wherein the other of the two noise suppression members is provided on the other end side of the temperature sensor.

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