Toilet seat device

Abstract

To surely image excrement without being obstructed by buttocks while arranging a detection part at a position where the face and private parts of a user are not imaged without making the user have a feeling of dislike.SOLUTION: The toilet seat device 5 includes the toilet seat 13 provided on the upper surface of the toilet bowl 4 having the bowl 8, the main part 11 connected to one end part of the toilet seat 13 and configured to be capable of opening and closing the toilet seat 13, the swelling part 18 provided on the toilet bowl inner side of the main part 11 and swelling toward the toilet bowl inner side, the irradiation part 22 provided in the swelling part 18 and irradiating the laser light toward the toilet bowl 4, and the detector 24 provided in the main part 11 at the peripheral part 19 positioned between the swelling part 18 and the edge of the bowl 8 and detecting the reflected light of the laser light irradiated from the irradiation part 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a toilet seat apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, toilet devices are known that capture images of excrement that has fallen into a toilet bowl to determine the health condition of a user.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a toilet device that has an image sensor on the back of the toilet seat and uses the image sensor to detect the state of excrement that has fallen into the toilet bowl and determine the health condition of the user.

[0004] However, with the technology described in Patent Document 1, when the toilet seat is open, the image sensor faces the front of the toilet bowl, which may result in capturing images of parts of the user that the user does not want to be captured, and this may result in a failure to protect the user's privacy. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-055522 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to position a detection unit in a position where the user's face or private parts are not imaged, without causing disgust to the user, and to reliably image excrement without being obstructed by the buttocks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a toilet seat device comprises a toilet seat provided on the upper surface of a toilet having a bowl portion, a main body portion connected to one end of the toilet seat and configured to open and close the toilet seat, a bulge portion provided on the inside of the toilet bowl of the main body portion and bulging toward the inside of the toilet bowl, an irradiation portion provided on the bulge portion and irradiating laser light toward the toilet bowl, and a detection portion provided on the main body portion in a peripheral portion located between the bulge portion and the edge of the bowl portion and detecting reflected light of the laser light irradiated from the irradiation portion.

[0008] According to this configuration, the irradiation unit is located in the peripheral area between the bulge on the bottom surface of the main body and the edge of the toilet bowl, and the detection unit is located in the bulge. This allows the irradiation unit and detection unit to be directed toward the toilet bowl regardless of whether the toilet seat is open or closed. Therefore, laser light can be irradiated onto excrement that has fallen into the toilet, and the detection unit can reliably detect the light reflected from the excrement. Furthermore, because the detection unit is always directed toward the toilet bowl, it does not detect the user's face or body, thereby protecting privacy. Furthermore, because the emitting surface of the irradiation unit is located further back than the detection unit, making it less visible to the user, it prevents the user from recognizing the irradiation unit and the detection unit and feeling disgusted. Furthermore, because the light-receiving surface of the detection unit is located behind the bulge, a bulge that bulges toward the toilet bowl is located between the light-receiving surface and the user's buttocks. Therefore, reflected light from the buttocks does not enter the light-receiving surface, preventing the user from capturing unwanted images of the user's body parts, thereby enhancing privacy protection.

[0009] In addition, in the toilet seat device according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the irradiation unit comprises a light-emitting unit that emits laser light, and a prism that is arranged on a projection line through which the laser light emitted by the light-emitting unit passes and diffuses the laser light.

[0010] With this configuration, the laser light is diffused by the prism and irradiated evenly onto the water-containing portion of the bowl of the toilet, so that it is also irradiated onto excrement that has fallen into the toilet, and the reflected light can be detected by the detection unit.

[0011] Furthermore, in the toilet seat device according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the bulge portion is provided at the front end of the main body portion, the upper surface of the front side of the main body portion has an inclined surface that rises from the front end toward the rear, and the irradiation portion is stored inside the tall rear inclined surface.

[0012] With this configuration, the thickness (height) of the main body is greater in the part where the irradiation unit is located than in the part where the detection unit is located, so the irradiation unit, which has a configuration in which the light-emitting unit and prism are arranged in a straight line, can be stored within the main body without any difficulty.

[0013] In addition, in the toilet seat device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the bulging portion is formed so that the left and right ends are thinner relative to the center line of the toilet bowl, and the emission surface of the irradiation unit and the light receiving surface of the detection unit are arranged offset to the left and right relative to the center line of the toilet bowl.

[0014] With this configuration, the laser light emitted from the irradiating unit is irradiated onto the inside of the toilet bowl through the thin area of ​​the bulging unit, so it is less likely to be obstructed by the bulging unit and the detection performance of the detecting unit is not impaired.

[0015] In addition, in the toilet seat device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, one or more cleaning nozzles are provided that are arranged through the center line of the toilet bowl, and the cleaning nozzles are capable of advancing from the main body portion into the inside of the toilet bowl, and one of the irradiation unit and the detection unit is provided on the left side of the cleaning nozzle in the bulging portion, and the other is provided on the right side.

[0016] With this configuration, the irradiation unit and the detection unit are provided separately on the left and right sides of the washing nozzle, which makes it possible to prevent the water used to wash the washing nozzle from getting on the irradiation unit or the detection unit, compared to when the irradiation unit and the detection unit are provided separately on the top and bottom sides of the washing nozzle. Also, compared to when the irradiation unit and the detection unit are provided separately on the top and bottom sides of the washing nozzle, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the washing nozzle will physically interfere with the irradiation and detection of the laser light, even when the detection unit detects reflected light of the laser light when the washing nozzle is advanced inside the toilet bowl.

[0017] In addition, in the toilet seat device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect, the bulging portion has a front surface facing forward and a rear surface facing rearward, and a shutter is further provided on the front surface so as to open when the cleaning nozzle advances and close when it retreats, and the irradiation portion is provided on the rear surface.

[0018] With this configuration, since there is no shutter on the rear surface, the irradiating portion remains exposed to the inside of the toilet bowl regardless of whether the shutter is open or closed, and laser light can be irradiated onto excrement.

[0019] In addition, in the toilet seat device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, a cover capable of covering either the irradiation unit or the detection unit is provided on the bulge, and the cover is partially or entirely light-transmitting and is configured to be able to be opened and closed between an open state in which it does not cover either the irradiation unit or the detection unit, and a closed state in which it does cover either the irradiation unit or the detection unit.

[0020] With this configuration, the cover is easier to clean in the open state and it is easier to visually confirm that the dirt has been removed, compared to when the cover is not configured to be openable and is fixed in the closed state.

[0021] In addition, in the toilet seat device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, a cover capable of covering either the irradiation unit or the detection unit is provided on the bulge, and part or all of the cover is light-transmitting and configured to be attachable and detachable to the bulge.

[0022] According to this configuration, compared to when the cover cannot be removed, the cover can be easily cleaned by removing it, and it is easy to visually confirm that the dirt has been removed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] The detection unit can be arranged at a position where the face or private parts of the user are not photographed, without causing the user to feel disgusted, and excrement can be surely photographed without being obstructed by the buttocks. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the overall configuration of a toilet system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the toilet device of FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the toilet device shown in FIG. 2 taken along the line AA. [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic diagram of the toilet device shown in FIG. 3 when viewed from direction B with the shutter removed. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the bulging portion of the toilet device as viewed from the left in the toilet system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cover in FIG. 5 when it is in an open state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same components in each drawing will be denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0026] ---First embodiment--- First, a toilet system according to a first embodiment will be described.

[0027] <Overall structure> FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the overall configuration of a toilet system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 1, the toilet system 1 includes an operating device 2 and a toilet device 3. The operating device 2 and the toilet device 3 are provided, for example, in a toilet room R. In the toilet room R, the toilet device 3 is installed on a floor surface F. When viewed from a user seated on the toilet device 3, the front is "front," the rear is "rear," the vertically upward is "up," and the vertically downward is "down."

[0029] The operating device 2 is provided, for example, on a wall surface of the toilet room R. The operating device 2 is provided in a position where it can be operated by a user, for example, where it can be operated when the user is seated on the toilet device 3. The operating device 2 can communicate with the toilet device 3 via wired or wireless communication, and can send and receive information. The operating device 2 accepts various operations from the user via a touch panel or buttons, and executes processing.

[0030] The toilet device 3 is a device for treating excrement of a user. The toilet device 3 includes a toilet bowl 4, a toilet seat device 5, and a control device 7.

[0031] The toilet 4 is, for example, a ceramic toilet bowl. The toilet 4 is formed with a bowl portion 8. The bowl portion 8 is concave downwards and is a toilet bowl that receives the user's excrement. The toilet 4 is provided with a rim 10 around the entire edge of the opening that the bowl portion 8 faces. The toilet 4 is not limited to being a floor-standing type as shown in the figure, but may also be a wall-mounted type or other type. Furthermore, the toilet room R may be provided with, for example, a flush water tank that stores flush water near the toilet 4, or may be a so-called tankless type that does not have a flush water tank. For example, when the user operates an operating lever operating device (not shown), flush water is supplied to the bowl portion 8 of the toilet 4 and the toilet is flushed.

[0032] The toilet seat device 5 is attached to the top of a toilet 4 having a bowl portion. The toilet seat device 5 comprises a main body portion 11, a toilet lid 12, a toilet seat 13, and a flushing nozzle 20. The toilet seat device 5 may be detachably attached to the toilet 4, or may be attached so as to be integrated with the toilet 4. The toilet seat device 5 is placed on the toilet 4 so that the flushing nozzle 20 advances into the bowl portion 8 before spraying flushing water.

[0033] The main body 11 is a housing connected to one end of the toilet seat 13 and placed on the rim 10 where the bowl 8 is not formed. The main body 11 is attached and fixed to the toilet bowl 4. The main body 11 is connected to the toilet lid 12 and is rotatable around a pivotal support portion relative to the main body 11. This allows the toilet lid 12 and toilet seat 13 to be opened and closed relative to the toilet bowl 4.

[0034] The toilet lid 12 is a lid body connected to the main body 11. By rotating the toilet lid 12 relative to the main body 11, when closed it can close the bowl 8, and when opened it can expose the bowl 8. The toilet lid 12 may be omitted.

[0035] The toilet seat 13 is the part on which a user sits. The toilet seat 13 functions as a seating portion that supports the buttocks of a seated user. The toilet seat 13 is a ring-shaped member with an opening 16 in the center. The toilet seat 13 is provided on the upper surface of the toilet bowl 4, and is positioned relative to the toilet bowl 4 so that the bowl portion 8 and the opening 16 of the toilet seat 13 overlap. In other words, the toilet seat 13 is placed on the rim 10, and is positioned relative to the toilet bowl 4 so that the ring-shaped portion of the toilet seat 13 and the rim 10 overlap. Therefore, a user sitting on the toilet seat 13 can defecate into the bowl portion 8 of the toilet bowl 4.

[0036] The cleaning nozzle 20 is a nozzle for discharging water for cleaning (cleaning water). This cleaning nozzle 20 is a nozzle for cleaning private parts that can spray cleaning water toward a user sitting on the toilet seat 13. There is no limit to the number of cleaning nozzles 20, and one or more cleaning nozzles 20 may be provided. The cleaning nozzle 20 is configured to be able to advance from the housing of the main body 11 to the inside of the toilet bowl 4 (hereinafter referred to as "inside the toilet bowl") by driving a driving source such as an electric motor. The cleaning nozzle 20 is also connected to a water source such as a water pipe (not shown). Figure 1 shows the cleaning nozzle 20 in an advanced position, where it is advanced relative to the housing of the main body 11. When in the advanced position, the cleaning nozzle 20 sprays water from the water source toward the user's body to clean the private parts.

[0037] The control device 7 is an information processing device that processes the user's excrement, and includes, for example, a CPU, memory, a communication unit, a storage device, etc. The control device 7 receives information obtained by optically measuring the excrement, such as spectral information, light intensity, refractive index, distance from the excrement, or time lapse information. The control device 7 determines the state of the excrement based on the information obtained by optically measuring the excrement. The state refers to the state of the excrement, such as the presence or absence of excrement, color, amount, flow rate (excrement amount per unit time), urination time (defecation time), shape, and properties. The state can be set appropriately depending on the purpose, such as health observation. Furthermore, there are no limitations on the method for calculating the state of urine, feces, etc. based on the information obtained by optically measuring the excrement, and various methods can be applied.

[0038] The control device 7 records (stores) the results of the excrement determination. This allows for excretion recording. The excretion record can be checked by the user or the like. The excretion record may be recorded in the control device 7 or may be recorded on a server, and the recording location is not limited. In one example, the control device 7 is provided in the toilet seat device 5, but the location where the control device 7 is provided is not limited.

[0039] Fig. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the toilet device 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the toilet device 3 shown in Fig. 2 taken along the line AA. Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the toilet device 3 shown in Fig. 3 when viewed from the direction B with the shutter 60 removed.

[0040] 2 and 3, the main body 11 of the toilet device 3 has a bulging portion 18, which is a portion of the bottom surface of the main body 11 that bulges downward toward the toilet bowl 4. The bulging portion 18 is a portion that protrudes diagonally downward from the edge of the bowl portion of the toilet bowl 4, and more specifically, is a portion that bulges downward below the upper surface of the toilet bowl 4, and bulges toward the inside of the bowl portion 8.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 2, the main body 11 of the toilet device 3 is provided with the above-mentioned flushing nozzle 20 and excretion detection unit 21. As shown in Fig. 4, the bulging portion 18 has a shape in which, for example, the center portion bulges toward the inside of the bowl portion 8. The direction perpendicular to the bulging direction of the bulging portion 18 is the left-right direction, and when viewed from a user seated on the toilet seat 13, the left side is the "left" and the right side is the "right."

[0042] The excretion detection unit 21 is a sensor that detects excretion excreted in the bowl unit 8. The excretion detection unit 21 includes an irradiation unit 22 and a detection unit 24.

[0043] An emission surface 221 of the irradiation unit 22 is provided on the main body 11, particularly on the bulge 18 provided on the front end of the main body 11, and irradiates laser light toward the bowl 8. The irradiation unit 22 irradiates the laser light downward below the upper surface of the toilet 4, thereby irradiating the laser light onto excrement excreted in the bowl 8. The irradiation unit 22 includes a light-emitting unit that emits laser light, and a prism that is arranged on a projection line through which the laser light emitted by the light-emitting unit passes and that diffuses the laser light.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, the light-receiving surface 241 of the detection unit 24 is provided in the peripheral portion 19 located between the bulge portion 18 and the edge of the bowl portion 8 of the toilet bowl 4, and detects the reflected light of the laser light emitted from the irradiation unit 22. Specifically, the detection unit 24 detects the reflected light of the laser light reflected by the excrement in the bowl portion 8. The detection unit 24 is equipped with a configuration for detecting the laser light, such as a condenser lens or a detection sensor (CMOS). The detection unit 24 is located further back than the emission surface 221 of the irradiation unit 22 so that it is less visible to the user, which prevents the user from recognizing the irradiation unit 22 and the detection unit 24 and feeling disgusted. Furthermore, the irradiation unit 22 and the detection unit 24 are positioned offset from each other, which prevents the laser light from the irradiation unit 22 and the reflected light from the excrement from hitting the user's buttocks and causing scattering.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, the upper surface 18a on the front side of the main body 11 has an inclined surface that rises from the front end toward the rear, and the irradiation unit 22 is stored inside the tall rear inclined surface.

[0046] The information on the excrement detected by the excrement detection unit 21 is, for example, spectral information, light intensity, refractive index, distance from the excrement, or time lapse information thereof, etc. The information on the excrement detected by the excrement detection unit 21 is output to the control device 7 described above.

[0047] <Detailed configuration of the bulging portion 18> The detailed configuration of the bulging portion 18 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0048] As shown in Figure 3, the bulging portion 18 has a front surface 181 that is located inside the toilet bowl 4 and below the top surface of the toilet bowl 4, facing forward, and a rear surface 182 that is located inside the toilet bowl 4, below the top surface of the toilet bowl 4, and behind the front surface 181, facing rearward. A cleaning unit 201 is provided inside the main body 11, and a shutter 60 is provided on the front surface 181. The shutter 60 is located on the front surface 181 and is openable and closable so that it opens when the cleaning nozzle 20 advances and closes when it retreats. An irradiation unit 22 is provided on the rear surface 182 of the bulging portion 18, below the top surface of the toilet bowl 4. A detection unit 24 is provided between the bulging portion 18 and the edge of the bowl portion 8 of the toilet bowl 4.

[0049] The shutter 60 is configured to be openable and closable so as to be housed in the bulge 18 when the cleaning nozzle 20 retracts toward the main body 11. That is, when advancing, the shutter 60 opens and the cleaning nozzle 20 advances forward, and when retracting, the cleaning nozzle 20 retracts rearward and the shutter 60 closes and is housed. Specifically, the shutter 60 is rotatably attached to the bulge 18 via a pivot shaft (not shown). The pivot shaft extends in the left-right direction. The shutter 60 opens by rotating in one direction around the pivot shaft, and closes by rotating in the opposite direction.

[0050] The cleaning nozzle 20 performs a cleaning operation while protruding into the bulging portion 18. That is, the cleaning nozzle 20 performs a cleaning operation using water (hereinafter referred to as "nozzle cleaning water") while protruding into the bulging portion 18. For example, a cleaning section 201 is provided corresponding to the storage position of the cleaning nozzle 20 in the bulging portion 18, and discharges nozzle cleaning water to the cleaning nozzle 20. This cleans the discharge port of the cleaning nozzle 20. Note that the cleaning nozzle 20 may be self-cleaning by the cleaning nozzle 20 itself discharging nozzle cleaning water.

[0051] 4, it can be seen that the bulging portion 18 bulges out toward the bowl portion 8. As shown in Fig. 4, a front surface 181 of the bulging portion 18 is provided with a cleaning nozzle 20, a warm air drying device 50, an ion supplying device 55, a right shutter locking claw 62, and a left shutter locking claw 64. A rear surface 182 of the bulging portion 18 is provided with an irradiation unit 22 and a detection unit 24, which are indicated by dotted lines.

[0052] 4, the center line 18L of the bulging portion 18 in the left-right direction is indicated by a dotted line, and the bulging portion 18 has a right end 184 located at the right end with respect to the center line 18L and a left end 185 located at the left end. The bulging portion 18 is formed so that the left and right ends are thinner with respect to the center line 18L of the toilet bowl 4 and so that the portion near the center line 18L is thicker, and the emission surface 221 of the irradiation unit 22 and the light receiving surface 241 of the detection unit 24 are provided offset to the left and right with respect to the center line of the toilet bowl 4. One of the irradiation unit 22 and the detection unit 24 is provided on the left side of the cleaning nozzle 20 in the bulging portion 18, and the other is provided on the right side.

[0053] The warm air drying device 50 is a device that blows warm air toward the user's private parts. The warm air drying device 50 dries the user's private parts by blowing warm air onto the user's private parts that have become wet, for example, during private washing. The warm air drying device 50 has a warm air generating unit (not shown) and a warm air blowing unit 52. The warm air generating unit heats the air that is sent to the outside of the bulging portion 18 by the warm air blowing unit 52. The warm air blowing unit 52 blows the warm air to the outside. The warm air blowing unit 52 is provided on the left or right side of the washing nozzle 20 in the bulging portion 18. In the first embodiment, the warm air blowing unit 52 is provided on the left side of the washing nozzle 20. The warm air blowing unit 52 is configured to be able to advance and retreat toward the inside of the toilet bowl 4 relative to the main body 11 by being driven by a drive source such as an electric motor. When the hot air blower 52 moves back relative to the main body 11, the shutter 60 closes and the hot air blower 52 is housed within the main body 11. The hot air drying device 50 may be operated by the operating device 2.

[0054] The ion supply device 55 is a device that ionizes air to generate ions, blows gas containing the ions, and sterilizes and disinfects an object to be blown. The ion supply device 55 has an ion generation unit (not shown) that generates ions, and an ion supply unit 57. The ion supply unit supplies the ions to the outside. The ion supply unit 57 is provided on the left or right side of the cleaning nozzle 20 in the bulging portion 18. In the first embodiment, the ion supply unit 57 is provided on the right side of the cleaning nozzle 20. Note that the ion supply device 55 may be a device that ejects or sprays a liquid, in addition to a device that blows gas. The ion supply device 55 may be operated by the operating device 2.

[0055] The right shutter locking claw 62 and the left shutter locking claw 64 are claws for locking the shutter 60 shown in Figure 3 to the front surface 181 of the bulging portion 18. By engaging the shutter 60 with each of the locking claws 62, 64, the shutter 60 is locked to the front surface 181 of the bulging portion 18.

[0056] Because the irradiation unit 22 requires a configuration for emitting laser light, the irradiation unit 22 is larger than the detection unit 24. For this reason, the irradiation unit 22 is housed inside the tall rear inclined surface (upper surface 18a). The surface from which the laser light is emitted from the irradiation unit 22 to the outside is called the emission surface 221. This emission surface 221 faces from the bulge portion 18 toward the inside of the bowl portion 8. Furthermore, the surface of the detection unit 24 that receives reflected light from the outside is called the light-receiving surface 241. The light-receiving surface 241 of the detection unit 24 faces from the peripheral portion 19 toward the inside of the bowl portion 8.

[0057] The cleaning nozzle 20 is cleaned inside the main body 11, and there is a possibility that nozzle cleaning water may splash around during cleaning. There is also a possibility that the nozzle cleaning water may move along components, for example. The excretion detection unit 21 emits and detects laser light to detect excrement, and if the nozzle cleaning water adheres to the irradiation unit 22 or the detection unit 24, the detection accuracy may be degraded. In particular, if the nozzle cleaning water adheres to the emission surface 221 or the light receiving surface 241, the detection accuracy may be affected.

[0058] For this reason, the irradiation unit 22 and the detection unit 24 are provided on both left and right sides of the main body 11, sandwiching the cleaning nozzle 20, the warm air blower 52, and the ion supply unit 57. That is, they are arranged so that the cleaning nozzle 20, the warm air blower 52, and the ion supply unit 57 are located between the irradiation unit 22 and the detection unit 24 when stored. This arrangement can prevent the nozzle cleaning water from splashing on the irradiation unit 22 or the detection unit 24, compared to when the irradiation unit 22 and the detection unit 24 are separately provided on both vertical sides of the cleaning nozzle 20.

[0059] The right end portion 184 is an end portion where the bulging portion 18 is connected to the main body portion 11 in the right direction of the bulging portion 18.

[0060] The left end 185 is the end of the bulging portion 18 at which the bulging portion 18 is connected to the main body portion 11 on the left side of the bulging portion 18 .

[0061] The ratio of the distance from the center line 18L to the irradiation unit 22 to the distance from the irradiation unit 22 to the left end 185 may be 9:1 to 1:9, preferably 9:1 to 1:1, and more preferably 9:1, 8:1, 7:1, 6:1, 5:1, 4:1, 3:1, or 2:1. The ratio of the distance from the center line 18L to the irradiation unit 22 to the distance from the left end 185 to the irradiation unit 22 may include any of the above-mentioned combinations of numerical values. The farther the irradiation unit 22 is installed from the center line 18L, the less likely it is that the cleaning nozzle 20 will physically interfere with the irradiation and detection of the laser light, even when the detection unit 24 detects reflected light of the laser light when the cleaning nozzle 20 is advanced inside the toilet bowl 4.

[0062] The ratio of the distance from the center line 18L to the detection unit 24 to the distance from the detection unit 24 to the right end 184 may be 9:1 to 1:9, preferably 9:1 to 1:1, and more preferably 9:1, 8:1, 7:1, 6:1, 5:1, 4:1, 3:1, or 2:1. The ratio of the distance from the center line 18L to the detection unit 24 to the distance from the right end 184 to the detection unit 24 may include any of the above-mentioned numerical combinations. The farther the detection unit 24 is installed from the center line 18L, the less likely it is that the cleaning nozzle 20 will physically interfere with the irradiation and detection of laser light, even when the detection unit 24 detects reflected light of laser light while the cleaning nozzle 20 is advanced inside the toilet bowl 4.

[0063] <Action and effect> As described above, the toilet seat device 5 of this embodiment comprises a toilet seat 13 provided on the top surface of a toilet bowl 4 having a bowl portion 8, a main body portion 11 connected to one end of the toilet seat 13 and configured to allow the toilet seat 13 to be opened and closed, a bulge portion 18 provided on the inside of the toilet bowl of the main body portion 11 and bulging toward the inside of the toilet bowl, an irradiation portion 22 provided on the bulge portion 18 and irradiating laser light toward the toilet bowl 4, and a detection portion 24 provided on the main body portion 11 in a peripheral portion 19 located between the bulge portion 18 and the edge of the bowl portion 8 and detecting reflected light of the laser light irradiated from the irradiation portion 22.

[0064] According to this configuration, by providing the radiation surface 221 of the irradiation unit 22 on the bulge 18 and the light receiving surface 241 of the detection unit 24 on the peripheral portion 19 between the bulge 18 on the bottom surface of the main body 11 and the edge of the bowl portion 8 of the toilet 4, the irradiation unit 22 and the detection unit 24 can be directed toward the bowl portion 8 of the toilet 4 regardless of whether the toilet seat 4 is open or closed. Therefore, by irradiating excrement that has fallen into the toilet 4 with laser light, the detection unit 24 can reliably detect the light reflected from the excrement. Furthermore, because the detection unit 24 is always directed toward the bowl portion of the toilet 4, it will not detect the face or body of the user, thereby protecting privacy. Furthermore, because the detection unit 24 is located further back than the radiation surface 221 of the irradiation unit 22 and less visible to the user, it is possible to prevent the user from recognizing the irradiation unit 22 and the detection unit 24 and feeling a sense of disgust. In addition, because the irradiation unit 22 and the detection unit 24 are positioned offset from each other in the front and rear, scattering of the laser light from the irradiation unit 22 and the light reflected from the excrement is suppressed. Furthermore, because the light receiving surface 241 of the detection unit 24 is positioned behind the bulging portion 18, the bulging portion 18, which bulges toward the toilet bowl 4, is positioned between the light receiving surface 241 of the detection unit 24 and the user's buttocks. Therefore, reflected light from the buttocks does not enter the light receiving surface 241 of the detection unit 24, preventing areas of the user that the user does not want to be imaged from being imaged, thereby strengthening protection of the user's privacy.

[0065] In addition, in the toilet seat device 5, the irradiation unit 22 includes a light emitting unit that emits laser light, and a prism that is arranged on a projection line through which the laser light emitted by the light emitting unit passes and that diffuses the laser light.

[0066] With this configuration, the laser light is diffused by the prism and irradiated evenly onto the water-filled portion of the bowl of the toilet, so that it is also irradiated onto excrement that has fallen into the toilet 4, and the reflected light can be detected by the detection unit 24.

[0067] In addition, in the toilet seat device 5, the bulge portion 18 is provided at the front end portion of the main body portion 11, and the upper surface 18a on the front side of the main body portion 11 has an inclined surface that rises from the front end toward the rear, and the irradiation portion 22 is stored inside the tall rear inclined surface.

[0068] According to this configuration, the thickness (height) of the main body 11 is ensured to be thicker (higher) at the portion where the irradiation unit 22 is arranged than at the portion where the detection unit 24 is arranged, so that the irradiation unit 22, which has a configuration in which the light-emitting unit and prism are arranged in a straight line, can be stored within the main body 11 without difficulty.

[0069] In addition, in the toilet seat device 5, the bulge portion 18 is formed so that the left and right ends are thinner relative to the center line 18L of the toilet bowl 4, and the radiation surface 221 of the irradiation unit 22 and the light receiving surface 241 of the detection unit 24 are arranged offset to the left and right relative to the center line 18L of the toilet bowl 4.

[0070] According to this configuration, the laser light emitted from the irradiation unit 22 passes through the lower area of ​​the bulge 18 and is irradiated onto the inside of the toilet bowl 4, so it is less likely to be obstructed by the bulge 18 and the detection performance of the detection unit 24 is not impaired.

[0071] In addition, the toilet seat device 5 is provided with one or more cleaning nozzles 20 arranged through the center line 18L of the toilet bowl 4, and the cleaning nozzles 20 are capable of advancing from the main body portion 11 into the inside of the toilet bowl 4, and one of the irradiation portion 22 and the detection portion 24 is provided on the left side of the cleaning nozzle 20 in the bulge portion 18, and the other is provided on the right side.

[0072] According to this configuration, the irradiation unit 22 and the detection unit 24 are provided separately on the left and right sides of the cleaning nozzle 20, which makes it possible to prevent the water used to clean the cleaning nozzle 20 from splashing on the irradiation unit 22 and the detection unit 24, compared to when the irradiation unit 22 and the detection unit 24 are provided separately on the top and bottom sides of the cleaning nozzle 20. Also, compared to when the irradiation unit 22 and the detection unit 24 are provided separately on the top and bottom sides of the cleaning nozzle 20, even when the cleaning nozzle 20 is advanced inside the toilet bowl 4 and the detection unit 24 detects reflected light of the laser light, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the cleaning nozzle 20 will physically interfere with the irradiation and detection of the laser light.

[0073] In addition, in the toilet seat device 5, the bulge portion 18 has a front surface 181 facing forward and a rear surface 182 facing rearward, and a shutter 60 is further provided on the front surface 181 so as to open when the cleaning nozzle 20 advances and close when it retreats, and the irradiation portion 22 is provided on the rear surface 182.

[0074] According to this configuration, since the shutter 60 is not provided on the rear surface 182, the irradiation section 22 is exposed to the inside of the toilet bowl 4 regardless of whether the shutter 60 is open or closed, and laser light can be irradiated onto excrement.

[0075] ---Second embodiment--- Next, a toilet system according to a second embodiment will be described.

[0076] In the second embodiment, the configuration of the bulging portion 18 is different from that of the first embodiment. Note that a description of the same points as in the first embodiment will be omitted. Also, the second embodiment can be combined with the first embodiment.

[0077] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the bulging portion 18 of the toilet device as seen from the left in the toilet system according to the second embodiment.

[0078] 5, a cover 70 is provided at the bottom of the bulging portion 18. Below, a configuration in which the cover 70 covers the irradiation unit 22 will be described, but the cover 70 may also be configured to cover the detection unit 24. Alternatively, the cover 70 may be configured to cover both the irradiation unit 22 and the detection unit 24.

[0079] The cover 70 is provided on the bulge 18 so as to be able to cover the irradiation unit 22. This configuration prevents nozzle cleaning water, water splashed from the toilet bowl, urine, etc. from adhering to the irradiation unit 22, and also prevents a decrease in the detection accuracy of the detection unit 24, compared to when the cover 70 is not provided. The cover 70 is partially or entirely translucent. This allows the irradiation unit 22 to irradiate excrement with laser light even when the irradiation unit 22 is covered by the cover 70. The base portion 70a of the cover 70 is configured to overlap a rear surface 182 that is located inside the toilet bowl 4, below the top surface of the toilet bowl 4, and behind the front surface 181, facing rearward, and the tip portion 70b of the cover 70 is configured to overlap a peripheral portion 19 that is located between the bulge 18 and the edge of the bowl portion 8 of the toilet bowl 4.

[0080] The cover 70 is attached to the bulge portion 18 so as to be openable and closable between an open state in which it does not cover the irradiation unit 22 and a closed state in which it covers the irradiation unit 22. Specifically, the cover 70 is attached to the lowest part of the bulge portion 18 so as to be rotatable via a rotation shaft 70c. In this embodiment, the rotation shaft 70c extends from the front side to the back side in the figure. The cover 70 opens by rotating in one direction around the rotation shaft 70c and closes by rotating in the opposite direction. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cover 70 in the open state in which it has rotated around the rotation shaft 70c. The cover 70 may also be attached to the bulge portion 18 so as to be detachable.

[0081] <Action and effect> As described above, in the toilet seat device 5 of this embodiment, a cover 70 capable of covering either the irradiation unit 22 or the detection unit 24 is provided on the bulge portion 18, and part or all of the cover 70 is light-transmitting, and is configured to be able to be opened and closed between an open state in which it does not cover either the irradiation unit 22 or the detection unit 24, and a closed state in which it does cover either the irradiation unit 22 or the detection unit 24.

[0082] With this configuration, the cover 70 is easier to clean in the open state, and it is easier to visually confirm that the dirt has been removed, compared to when the cover 70 is not configured to be openable and is fixed in the closed state.

[0083] In addition, in the toilet seat device 5, a cover 70 that can cover either the irradiation section 22 or the detection section 24 is provided on the bulge section 18, and part or all of the cover 70 is light-transmitting and is configured to be attachable and detachable to the bulge section 18.

[0084] According to this configuration, compared to when the cover 70 cannot be removed, the cover 70 can be easily cleaned by removing it, and it is easy to visually confirm that the dirt has been removed.

[0085] ---Variations--- The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. In other words, designs that are produced by those skilled in the art with appropriate design modifications to the above-described specific examples are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention. Furthermore, the elements of the above-described embodiments and the following modifications 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.

[0086] For example, in the first embodiment, bulging portion 18 has a shape in which the center portion bulges toward the inside of bowl portion 8, but the shape of bulging portion 18 is not limited to the above. For example, bulging portion 18 may have a shape that protrudes into bowl portion 8 in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Furthermore, the bulging direction of bulging portion 18 is not limited to a direction toward the inside of bowl portion 8, and it may bulge, for example, toward the upper or front inside of toilet bowl 4.

[0087] In the first embodiment, the irradiation unit 22 and the detection unit 24 are disposed on either side of the cleaning nozzle 20, but the irradiation unit 22 and the detection unit 24 do not have to be disposed on either side of the cleaning nozzle 20. For example, the irradiation unit 22 may be disposed in the center of the bulging portion 18 in the left-right direction, or the irradiation unit 22 may be disposed on the front surface 181.

[0088] Furthermore, each element such as the cleaning nozzle 20, the warm air blower 52, the ion supplier 57, etc. may be provided on either the front surface 181 or the rear surface 182 of the bulging portion .

[0089] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the case where one washing nozzle 20 is provided has been described, but a plurality of washing nozzles 20, such as a buttocks nozzle and a bidet nozzle, may be provided.

[0090] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the irradiation unit 22 is described as being larger than the detection unit 24, but the size of the irradiation unit 22 relative to the detection unit 24 is not limited to the above, and for example, the irradiation unit 22 may be smaller than or about the same as the detection unit 24.

[0091] Furthermore, the illumination unit 22 or the detection unit 24 may be configured to be able to move toward and away from the inside of the toilet bowl 4 relative to the main body 11 by being driven by a drive source such as an electric motor. Furthermore, the illumination unit 22 or the detection unit 24 may be turned on and off by the operating device 2.

[0092] Furthermore, when opening and closing the shutter 60, the way in which the shutter 60 moves is not limited. For example, the shutter 60 may have a structure that allows it to be opened and closed by sliding. The shutter 60 may also be provided on the rear surface 182. Furthermore, the shutter 60 may also be provided on a part or all of the front surface 181.

[0093] Alternatively, two covers 70 may be provided, with the irradiation unit 22 covered by one cover 70 and the detection unit 24 covered by the other cover 70. Alternatively, one cover 70 may cover both the irradiation unit 22 and the detection unit 24.

[0094] The cover 70 may be opened, closed, or attached / detached manually or automatically. The cover 70 may be opened and closed by the operating device 2. Only the center of the cover 70 may be translucent, or the entire cover 70 may be translucent.

[0095] Furthermore, the operating device 2 is described as being provided on the wall surface of the toilet room R, but it may also be provided integrally with the toilet seat device 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 4: Toilet 5: Toilet seat device 11: Main body 13: Toilet seat 18 :bulge 19: Periphery 20: Cleaning nozzle 22: Irradiation unit 24: Detection unit 50: Warm air drying device 52: Warm air blower 55: Ion supply device 57: Ion supply unit 60: Shutter 70: Cover 181:Front 182: Rear

Claims

1. a toilet seat provided on an upper surface of a toilet bowl having a bowl portion; a main body connected to one end of the toilet seat and configured to be able to open and close the toilet seat; a bulging portion provided on the main body portion inside the toilet bowl and bulging toward the inside of the toilet bowl; an irradiation unit provided in the bulging portion and irradiating laser light toward the toilet bowl; a detection unit provided on the main body in a peripheral portion located between the bulge portion and an edge of the bowl portion, the detection unit detecting reflected light of the laser light irradiated from the irradiation unit; A toilet seat device comprising:

2. 2. The toilet seat device according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation unit comprises: a light-emitting unit that emits laser light; and a prism that is arranged on a projection line through which the laser light emitted by the light-emitting unit passes and that diffuses the laser light.

3. 2. The toilet seat device according to claim 1, wherein the bulge is provided at the front end of the main body, the upper surface of the front side of the main body has an inclined surface that rises from the front end toward the rear, and the irradiation unit is stored inside the tall rear inclined surface.

4. The toilet seat device according to claim 1, wherein the bulging portion is formed so that the left and right ends are thinner relative to the center line of the toilet bowl, and the emitting surface of the irradiating portion and the light receiving surface of the detecting portion are positioned offset to the left and right relative to the center line of the toilet bowl.

5. One or more flushing nozzles are provided, the nozzles being positioned through a centerline of the toilet bowl; The cleaning nozzle is extendable from the main body to the inside of the toilet bowl, The toilet seat apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein one of the irradiating unit and the detecting unit is provided on the left side of the washing nozzle in the bulging portion, and the other is provided on the right side.

6. The bulge portion has a front surface facing forward and a rear surface facing rearward, A shutter is further provided on the front surface, the shutter opening when the cleaning nozzle advances and closing when the cleaning nozzle retreats, The toilet seat apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the irradiating unit is provided on the rear surface.

7. a cover capable of covering either the irradiation unit or the detection unit is provided on the bulging portion; The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cover is partially or entirely light-transmitting and is configured to be openable and closable between an open state in which it does not cover either the irradiation unit or the detection unit and a closed state in which it covers either the irradiation unit or the detection unit.

8. a cover capable of covering either the irradiation unit or the detection unit is provided on the bulging portion; The toilet seat apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cover is partially or entirely light-transmitting and configured to be detachable from the bulge.

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