Toilet seat device, toilet bowl device and control device

Abstract

This invention provides a technology that can suppress situations in which a toilet seat device performs unnecessary actions in response to the detection results of a radio wave sensor. [Solution] The toilet seat device may include a toilet seat, a radio wave sensor for detecting moving objects, and a control unit that causes the toilet seat device to perform a predetermined operation based on the detection result of the radio wave sensor. The radio wave sensor may detect the moving object in a plurality of detection areas, including a first detection area located on the toilet seat side and a second detection area that does not include the first detection area and is further away from the toilet seat than the first detection area. The control unit may perform the predetermined operation when the moving object is detected in the second detection area.

Description

Technical Field

[0003]

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a toilet device. The toilet device includes a toilet seat, a support portion on which the toilet seat is pivotally supported, a toilet bowl on which the support portion is placed, and a radio wave sensor that radiates radio waves to detect a human body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Depending on the detection performance, the radio wave sensor may detect the operation of devices arranged in the toilet device, such as the water surface in the toilet device and the cleaning nozzle. In a toilet device that performs a predetermined operation when a user is detected by the radio wave sensor, when an operation other than that of the user is detected, the predetermined operation is executed unnecessarily.

[0005] In this specification, in the toilet seat device, a technology is provided that can suppress a situation in which the toilet seat device unnecessarily performs an operation according to the detection result of the radio wave sensor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The technology disclosed herein relates to a toilet seat device. The toilet seat device may include a toilet seat, a radio wave sensor for detecting moving objects, and a control unit that causes the toilet seat device to perform a predetermined operation based on the detection result of the radio wave sensor. The radio wave sensor may detect the moving object in a plurality of detection areas, including a first detection area located on the toilet seat side and a second detection area that does not include the first detection area and is further away from the toilet seat than the first detection area. The control unit may perform the predetermined operation when the moving object is detected in the second detection area.

[0007] Other technologies disclosed herein relate to toilet devices. A toilet device may include a toilet seat device and a toilet body located below the toilet seat.

[0008] Other technologies disclosed herein relate to control devices. A control device may include a radio wave sensor for detecting moving objects and a control unit that causes a toilet device to perform a predetermined operation based on the detection result of the radio wave sensor. The radio wave sensor may detect the moving object in a plurality of detection areas, including a first detection area located on the toilet seat side of the toilet device and a second detection area that does not include the first detection area and is further away from the toilet seat than the first detection area. The control unit may perform the predetermined operation if the moving object is detected in the second detection area. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A perspective view of the toilet device of this embodiment is shown. [Figure 2] This diagram shows how the radio wave sensor of this embodiment detects movement in the water seal surface. [Figure 3] This shows a side view illustrating the configuration of the first detection area and the second detection area of ​​this embodiment. [Figure 4] This side view shows the configuration of the first to fourth detection areas of this embodiment. [Figure 5] This diagram shows a plan view illustrating the configuration of the first to fourth detection areas of this embodiment. [Figure 6] A flowchart of the operation execution process of this embodiment is shown. [Figure 7] This shows a side view illustrating the positional relationship between the toilet device S18 of this embodiment and the user. [Figure 8] This shows a side view illustrating the positional relationship between the toilet device and the user in S32 of this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] (Embodiment) (Configuration of toilet device 10) As shown in Figure 1, the toilet device 10 is a flush toilet. The toilet device 10 comprises a toilet body 12 and a toilet seat device 20. The toilet body 12 has a toilet bowl 16 for receiving waste and a drainage path (not shown) located at the lower end of the toilet bowl 16. When flushing water is supplied to the toilet bowl 16, the waste is discharged to the outside of the toilet bowl 16 along with the flushing water through the drainage path.

[0011] (Configuration of toilet seat device 20) The toilet seat device 20 is placed on the upper end 12a of the toilet bowl body 12. The toilet seat device 20 comprises a support part 21, a toilet seat 22, a toilet lid 44, and a control device 46. The toilet seat 22 is placed on the upper end 12a of the toilet bowl body 12. The toilet lid 44 is positioned above the toilet seat 22. The support part 21 is positioned behind the toilet seat 22. The support part 21 rotatably supports the toilet seat 22 and the toilet lid 44 relative to the toilet bowl body 12. The support part 21 includes a rotating part 29. The toilet seat 22 and the toilet lid 44 are mechanically connected to the rotating part 29.

[0012] The rotating section 29 has two opening / closing motors (i.e., electric opening / closing devices) that rotate the toilet seat 22 and the toilet lid 44 relative to the toilet bowl body 12, respectively. The toilet seat 22 is rotated relative to the toilet bowl body 12 by the rotating section 29. This allows it to move between a closed state (see Figure 1) where it is positioned on the upper end 12a of the toilet bowl body 12 and an open state (see Figure 8) where it is upright relative to the toilet bowl body 12. The toilet lid 44 is rotated relative to the toilet bowl body 12 by the drive of the opening / closing motors, allowing it to move between a closed state (see Figure 2) where it covers the toilet seat 22 and an open state (see Figure 3) where it is upright relative to the toilet bowl body 12. The support section 21 is a housing that accommodates functional components such as a washing nozzle (not shown), a washing nozzle shutter (not shown), a speaker (not shown), a deodorizing fan (not shown), and a foaming device (not shown). The speaker has an audio output function. The deodorizing fan has a deodorizing function.

[0013] Hereinafter, the direction in which the toilet seat 22 and the support part 21 are aligned will be referred to as the front-to-back direction. The direction perpendicular to the floor surface of the toilet unit 10 will be referred to as the up-and-down direction. The direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction and the up-and-down direction will be referred to as the left-to-right direction. The "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," and "rear" directions of the toilet unit 10 are defined based on the orientation as seen from the perspective of the user sitting on the toilet seat 22.

[0014] The toilet seat 22 has an annular shape with an opening 23. The user can sit on the toilet seat 22 and use the toilet unit 10 (see Figure 7). The toilet seat 22 is equipped with a heater unit (not shown) for warming the toilet seat 22.

[0015] (Configuration of control device 46) The control device 46 includes a radio wave sensor 48 and a control unit 50. The radio wave sensor 48 is a millimeter wave sensor. The radio wave sensor 48 has a radio wave transmitting unit (not shown) and a radio wave receiving unit (not shown). The radio wave sensor 48 transmits electromagnetic waves in the frequency band from 30 GHz to 300 GHz from the radio wave transmitting unit. The electromagnetic waves transmitted from the radio wave transmitting unit are reflected by an object around the radio wave sensor 48. The radio wave receiving unit of the radio wave sensor 48 receives the reflected electromagnetic waves. The radio wave sensor 48 detects an object based on the received electromagnetic waves and calculates the distance from the radio wave sensor 48 to the object. The radio wave sensor 48 is used to detect the distance from the toilet device 10 to the user.

[0016] Based on the detection result of the radio wave sensor 48, the control unit 50 causes the toilet device 10 to execute a predetermined operation. The control unit 50 includes a CPU and a memory. The memory has volatile and non-volatile storage units. The control unit 50 controls each part of the toilet device 10 by executing processing according to a computer program pre-stored in the memory by the CPU.

[0017] The radio wave sensor 48 and the control unit 50 are arranged on the support part 21. As shown in FIG. 1, the radio wave sensor 48 is arranged above the toilet main body 12 and behind the toilet seat 22. The radio wave sensor 48 is arranged at the center in the left-right direction at the front end of the support part 21. The arrangement of the radio wave sensor 48 is not particularly limited. The radio wave sensor 48 may be arranged at a position where the distance between the toilet main body 12 and the user can be detected. For example, the radio wave sensor 48 may be arranged at the front end of the toilet main body 12. The radio wave sensor 48 may be arranged on a wall that defines the space where the toilet device 10 is arranged.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 2, when the toilet lid 44 is in the closed state, the radio waves transmitted from the radio wave sensor 48 may be reflected toward the toilet bowl 16 on the inner surface 44a of the toilet lid 44. The electromagnetic waves reflected by the toilet lid 44 and directed toward the toilet bowl 16 are reflected on the surface of the standing water accumulated in the toilet bowl 16. The radio wave sensor 48 having a millimeter-wave sensor has high detection performance. The radio wave sensor 48 having high detection performance may detect the electromagnetic waves reflected on the surface of the standing water. When the surface of the standing water fluctuates, the radio wave sensor 48 may detect the surface of the standing water as the movement of an object, i.e., a moving body, even though the user is absent from the toilet body 12.

[0019] (Configuration of Detection Range 60) As shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the radio wave sensor 48 detects an object located in the detection range 60. The radio wave sensor 48 supplies a detection signal representing the distance from the radio wave sensor 48 to the object to the control unit 50. As shown in Fig. 2, the control unit 50 differentiates the detection range 60 into a first detection area 62 and a second detection area 64. The first detection area 62 extends forward from the radio wave sensor 48. The outer edge 62a of the first detection area 62 is located in front of the front end portion 22a of the toilet seat 22. The second detection area 64 is arranged adjacent to the first detection area 62 at the outer edge 62a of the first detection area 62. The second detection area 64 extends forward from the outer edge 62a. The inner edge 64b of the second detection area 64 overlaps with the outer edge 62a of the first detection area 62. The outer edge 64a of the second detection area 64 is located in front of the outer edge 62a of the first detection area 62.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 4, the control unit 50 further differentiates the detection range 60 into a third detection area 66 and a fourth detection area 68. The third detection area 66 extends forward from the radio wave sensor 48. The outer edge 66a of the third detection area 66 is located behind the front end portion 22a of the toilet seat 22. The outer edge 66a is located behind the outer edge 62a of the first detection area 62. The third detection area 66 is an area closer to the radio wave sensor 48 compared to the first detection area 62.

[0021] The fourth detection area 68 extends further away from the radio wave sensor 48 than the third detection area 66. The fourth detection area 68 is located away from the outer edge 66a of the third detection area 66. In a side view, the inner edge 68b of the fourth detection area 68 is located forward of the outer edge 66a of the third detection area 66. The inner edge 68b is located behind the front end 22a of the toilet seat 22. The inner edge 68b is located behind the outer edge 62a and the inner edge 64b. The outer edge 68a of the fourth detection area 68 is located forward of the inner edge 64b of the second detection area 64. The outer edge 68a is located behind the outer edge 64a.

[0022] (Details of the prescribed operation) The following describes predetermined operations that the control unit 50 causes the toilet unit 10 and the equipment located around the toilet unit 10 to perform. These predetermined operations include opening and closing the toilet lid 44, opening and closing the toilet seat 22, turning the lights on and off, cleaning the washing nozzle, draining the water from the washing nozzle, cleaning the washing nozzle shutter, dispensing foam into the toilet bowl 16, dispensing water into the toilet bowl 16, driving and stopping the deodorizing fan, heating and stopping the toilet seat 22, operating and stopping the heater, and outputting sound from the speaker.

[0023] The control unit 50 operates the rotating unit 29 to open and close the toilet lid 44 and the toilet seat 22. The control unit 50 is connected to the lighting attached to the toilet unit 10. The control unit 50 controls the lighting to turn it on and off. The control unit 50 supplies water to the washing nozzle to clean the washing nozzle, drain the water from the washing nozzle, and clean the washing nozzle shutter. This keeps the area around the washing nozzle clean. The control unit 50 discharges foam from the foaming device into the toilet bowl 16 to disperse foam into the toilet bowl 16. This prevents the user's urine from splashing when it hits the toilet bowl 16.

[0024] The control unit 50 controls the flushing water supply device to discharge flushing water into the toilet bowl 16, thereby discharging water into the toilet bowl 16. This allows water that has been accumulated in the toilet bowl 16 for a long period of time to be discharged from the toilet bowl 16. The control unit 50 controls the deodorizing fan to start and stop it. This allows odors to be discharged from the space in which the toilet unit 10 is installed. The control unit 50 controls the heater unit of the toilet seat 22 to start and stop the heating of the toilet seat 22. The control unit 50 is connected to the heating device attached to the toilet unit 10. The control unit 50 controls the heating device to start and stop the heating. The control unit 50 controls the speaker to output, for example, the sound of flushing water flowing.

[0025] (Execution process) Figure 6 shows a flowchart of the operation execution process. The control unit 50 executes an operation execution process that causes the toilet device 10 to perform a predetermined operation. The control unit 50 continuously executes the operation execution process as long as power is supplied to the control unit 50. As shown in Figure 6, in S10, the control unit 50 monitors the radio wave sensor 48 for the detection of object movement, i.e., for the detection of a moving object. Specifically, when a change occurs in the received electromagnetic waves, the radio wave sensor 48 detects the distance to the object as the movement of the object. The radio wave sensor 48 transmits a detection signal to the control unit 50 that represents the distance to the detected object. When the control unit 50 receives a detection signal from the radio wave sensor 48, it determines that a moving object has been detected (YES in S10) and proceeds to the process in S12.

[0026] In S12, the control unit 50 determines whether a moving object is detected in the second detection area 64, using the distance of the object represented by the detection signal acquired in S10. Specifically, it determines whether the object represented by the detection signal acquired in S10 is located in the second detection area 64. If the object is located in the second detection area 64, the control unit 50 determines that a moving object is detected in the second detection area 64 (YES in S12). If YES in S12, in S14, the control unit 50 causes the toilet device 10 to perform a first predetermined operation. That is, the control unit 50 controls a predetermined operation of the toilet seat device 20 based on the detection signal from the second detection area 64 of the detection signals from the first detection area 62 and the second detection area 64 of the radio wave sensor 48. The first predetermined operation includes opening the toilet lid 44 and turning on the lights.

[0027] If the object is not located in the second detection area 64, the control unit 50 determines that no moving object is detected in the second detection area 64 (NO in S12). If NO in S12, the control unit 50 returns to the process of S10. In the situation where the object is not located in the second detection area 64 (NO in S12), the radio wave sensor 48 has detected a moving object in the first detection area 62. If a moving object is detected in the first detection area 62 before a moving object is detected in the second detection area 64, it is highly likely that a moving object that is not the user of the toilet device 10 has been detected. If NO in S12, the first predetermined operation is not executed. In the operation execution process, as shown in Figure 2, when the toilet lid 44 is closed, the electromagnetic waves emitted from the radio wave sensor 48 are reflected off the inner surface 44a of the toilet lid 44, and even if the first detection area 62 detects a disturbance in the water surface inside the toilet bowl 16, the first predetermined operation is not executed. This configuration makes it possible to avoid the situation in which a predetermined operation is unnecessarily executed when the object is not located in the second detection area 64.

[0028] After the first predetermined operation is started in S14, in S16 the control unit 50 determines whether or not a detection signal for detecting a moving object in the third detection area 66 is obtained from the radio wave sensor 48. If it is determined that a moving object is detected in the third detection area 66 (YES in S16), in S18 the control unit 50 determines from the rotating unit 29 whether or not the toilet lid 44 is in the open state and the toilet seat 22 is in the closed state.

[0029] If it is determined that the toilet lid 44 is open and the toilet seat 22 is closed (YES in S18), then in S20, as shown in Figure 7, the control unit 50 determines that the user 70 is seated on the toilet seat 22. Following S20, in S24, the control unit 50 causes the toilet device 10 to perform a second predetermined operation. The second predetermined operation includes cleaning the washing nozzle, draining the water from the washing nozzle, and cleaning the washing nozzle shutter. Either the first predetermined operation or the second predetermined operation may include foaming into the toilet bowl 16, discharging water into the toilet bowl 16, driving the deodorizing fan, heating the toilet seat 22, operating the heater, and outputting sound from the speaker. After starting the execution of the second predetermined operation in S24, the control unit 50 proceeds to the process in S40. With this configuration, the control unit 50 can cause the toilet device 10 and peripheral equipment to perform the second predetermined operation that should be performed when a user uses the toilet device 10. The control unit 50 can execute the second predetermined operation at a different timing than the first predetermined operation, namely at the time the user sits down, so that the second predetermined operation is executed at the time it is determined that the user will actually use the toilet device 10. This prevents the second predetermined operation from being executed when the user approaches the toilet device 10 but does not use it.

[0030] If it is determined in S16 that no moving object is detected in the third detection area 66 (NO in S16), then in S30, the control unit 50 uses the distance of the moving object, represented by the detection signal obtained from the radio wave sensor 48, to determine whether or not the object is located in the fourth detection area 68. If it is determined that the moving object is located in the fourth detection area 68 (YES in S30), the control unit 50 proceeds to the process in S32. As shown in Figure 8, it is assumed that the user 70 is standing in front of the toilet unit 10 to urinate. In S32, the control unit 50 prohibits the operation of the toilet seat 22 by the rotating part 29. With this configuration, the control unit 50 can prevent the toilet seat 22 from operating unnecessarily while the user 70 is urinating. If the user accidentally performs an operation to close the toilet seat 22 on the operating part of the toilet unit 10, the closing operation of the toilet seat 22 can be prevented. If the control unit 50 determines, using the distance of the object represented by the detection signal acquired from the radio wave sensor 48, that the object is not located in the fourth detection area 68 (NO in S30), the control unit 50 proceeds to the process in S40.

[0031] After starting the process in S32, the control unit 50 proceeds to the process in S34. In S34, the control unit 50 monitors whether the moving object is no longer detected in the fourth detection area 68, using the distance of the object represented by the detection signal acquired from the radio wave sensor 48. While the moving object is detected in the fourth detection area 68 (NO in S32), the control unit 50 continues to prohibit the operation of the toilet seat 22 by the rotating part 29 in S32. If the control unit 50 determines that the moving object is no longer detected in the fourth detection area 68 (YES in S34), in S36, the control unit 50 executes the fourth predetermined operation. The fourth predetermined operation includes the closing operation of the toilet seat 22. For example, if the toilet seat 22 is in the closed state in S36, such as when the user manually moves the toilet seat 22 from the open state to the closed state, the closing operation of the toilet seat 22 does not need to be executed. After starting the execution of the process in S36, the control unit 50 proceeds to the process in S40.

[0032] In S18, if it is determined that the toilet lid 44 is open and the toilet seat 22 is not closed (NO in S18), in S22, the control unit 50 uses the distance of the moving object, represented by the detection signal obtained from the radio wave sensor 48, to determine whether the moving object is located in the third detection area 66. If it is determined that the moving object is located in the third detection area 66 (YES in S22), the control unit 50 returns to the process in S18. If it is determined that the object is not located in the third detection area 66 (NO in S22), the control unit 50 proceeds to the process in S40.

[0033] In S40, the control unit 50 determines whether the object is located in the second detection area 64 using the distance of the object represented by the detection signal acquired from the radio wave sensor 48. If it is determined in S40 that the moving object is located in the second detection area 64 (YES in S40), the control unit 50 waits until the object is no longer located in the second detection area 64. If it is determined that the object is not located in the second detection area 64 (NO in S40), in S42, the control unit 50 causes the toilet device 10 to perform a third predetermined operation. The third predetermined operation includes closing the toilet lid 44 and turning off the lights. In a modified example, the third predetermined operation may also include closing the toilet seat 22 if it is in the open state. The third predetermined operation may also include stopping the deodorizing fan, stopping the heating of the toilet seat 22, and stopping the heater. In S42, after starting to execute the third predetermined operation, the control unit 50 returns to S10.

[0034] (effect) In the operation execution process, the control unit 50 executes the first predetermined operation (S14) if a moving object is detected in the second detection area 64, which is further away from the toilet seat 22 than the first detection area 62 (YES in S12). With this configuration, the first predetermined operation can be executed when the user is located in the second detection area 64. Preparation for use can be performed even before the user uses the toilet device 10. The control unit 50 does not execute the first predetermined operation (NO in S12) if no moving object is detected in the second detection area 64, but a moving object is detected in the first detection area 62. With this configuration, if the movement of an object other than the user (for example, the water surface of the toilet bowl 16) is detected by the radio wave sensor 48 in the first detection area 62, the first predetermined operation does not need to be executed. Unnecessary execution of predetermined operations can be suppressed.

[0035] The toilet seat 22 is further equipped with a support portion 21 located behind it. The radio wave sensor 48 is positioned on the support portion 21. With the above configuration, the radio wave sensor 48 can detect the distance to an object located in front of the support portion 21. The radio wave sensor 48 can also detect the distance from the toilet bowl body 12.

[0036] The first detection area 62 extends from the radio wave sensor 48, and the second detection area 64 extends further away from the radio wave sensor 48 than the first detection area 62. With the above configuration, the ranges of the first detection area 62 and the second detection area 64 can be defined with respect to the radio wave sensor 48.

[0037] The radio wave sensor 48 includes a millimeter-wave sensor. With this configuration, the toilet seat device 20 can detect the distance from the radio wave sensor 48 to an object with high precision using electromagnetic waves.

[0038] When a moving object is detected in the second detection area 64, the control unit 50 executes a first predetermined operation, including opening the toilet lid 44, if the toilet lid 44 is closed. With the above configuration, the toilet lid 44 can be opened when the user 70 is located in the second detection area 64. The user can then sit down smoothly on the toilet seat 22.

[0039] The detection range 60 is located closer to the toilet seat 22 than the second detection area 64 and includes a third detection area 66, the latter part of which is further away from the second detection area 64 than the outer edge 62a of the first detection area 62. The control unit 50 can determine that a user 70 is seated in the toilet seat 22 when a moving object is detected in the third detection area 66 after a user has been detected in the second detection area 64, while the toilet seat 22 is closed.

[0040] At least a portion of the first detection area 62 overlaps with the toilet seat 22 in a plan view. With this configuration, the inner edge 64b of the second detection area 64 can be set closer to the toilet seat 22. Objects located around the toilet seat device 20 can be detected more reliably.

[0041] At least a portion of the first detection area 62 extends forward of the toilet seat 22 in a plan view. With this configuration, the toilet seat 22 can be included in the first detection area 62. This allows the first detection area 62 to be properly configured.

[0042] When the toilet seat 22 is open, the control unit 50 will execute a closing operation on at least one of the toilet seat 22 and the toilet lid 44 after detecting a moving object in the fourth detection area 68 and then when no more moving objects are detected in the fourth detection area 68. With the above configuration, when the user 70 has finished urinating and has left the front of the toilet unit 10, the closing operation on at least one of the toilet seat 22 and the toilet lid 44 can be executed. This saves the user 70 the trouble of urinating.

[0043] After executing the second predetermined operation, the control unit 50 executes the closing operation of the toilet lid 44 if no motion is detected in the second detection area 64. With the above configuration, the closing operation of the toilet lid 44 can be executed when the user 70 has finished using the toilet seat device 20 and has left the second detection area 64. This reduces the effort required of the user 70 after using the toilet seat device 20.

[0044] In this embodiment, the control unit 50 executes the closing operation of the toilet lid 44 if no motion is detected in the third detection area 66 after executing the second predetermined operation. With the above configuration, the closing operation of the toilet lid 44 can be executed when the user 70 stands up from the toilet seat 22 after using the toilet seat device 20. This reduces the effort required of the user 70 after using the toilet seat device 20.

[0045] (Correspondence) The following are aspects of the technology disclosed herein.

[0046] The first embodiment relates to a toilet seat device equipped with a toilet seat. The toilet seat device may include a radio wave sensor for detecting moving objects and a control unit that causes the toilet seat device to perform a predetermined operation based on the detection result of the radio wave sensor. The radio wave sensor may detect the moving object in a plurality of detection areas, including a first detection area located on the toilet seat side and a second detection area that does not include the first detection area and is further away from the toilet seat than the first detection area. The control unit may perform the predetermined operation when the moving object is detected in the second detection area.

[0047] A second embodiment may further include a support portion located behind the toilet seat and rotatably supporting the toilet seat, in the first embodiment. The radio wave sensor may be located on the support portion.

[0048] In a third embodiment, in any one of the first to second embodiments described above, the first detection area may extend from the radio wave sensor, and the second detection area may extend to a position further away from the radio wave sensor than the first detection area.

[0049] The fourth embodiment is one of the first to third embodiments described above, in which the predetermined operation includes opening the toilet lid of the toilet seat device, opening the toilet seat, turning on the lighting used in the space in which the toilet seat device is located, cleaning the washing nozzle located in the toilet seat device, draining the water from the washing nozzle, cleaning the washing nozzle shutter located in the toilet seat device, spraying foam onto the toilet bowl in which the toilet seat device is located, spraying water onto the toilet bowl, performing the deodorizing function of the toilet seat device, heating the toilet seat, performing the heating function of the toilet seat device, and performing the voice output function of the toilet seat device.

[0050] In the fifth embodiment, in any one of the first to fourth embodiments described above, the radio wave sensor may include a millimeter-wave sensor.

[0051] The sixth embodiment may further include a toilet lid that covers the toilet seat, in any one of the first to fifth embodiments described above. The control unit may, when the moving body is detected in the second detection area, perform the predetermined operation, including opening the toilet lid, if the toilet lid is closed.

[0052] The seventh embodiment may further include a toilet lid covering the toilet seat in any one of the first to sixth embodiments described above. The plurality of detection areas may include a third detection area located closer to the toilet seat than the second detection area, and at least a portion of which is further away from the second detection area than the outer edge of the first detection area. The control unit may determine that a user is seated if the toilet seat is closed when the moving body is detected in the third detection area.

[0053] The eighth embodiment may further include a toilet lid that covers the toilet seat, in any one of the first to seventh embodiments described above. The control unit does not have to perform the toilet lid opening operation if the moving body is detected in the first detection area when the moving body is not detected in the second detection area.

[0054] The ninth embodiment is that, in any one of the first to eighth embodiments, at least a portion of the first detection area may overlap with the toilet seat in a plan view.

[0055] In the tenth embodiment, in any one of the first to ninth embodiments, at least a portion of the first detection area may extend forward of the toilet seat in a plan view.

[0056] In the eleventh embodiment, in any one of the first to tenth embodiments, the plurality of detection areas may include a fourth detection area having a region that extends further away from the toilet seat than the first detection area and a region that extends closer to the toilet seat than the second detection area. The control unit does not have to perform the closing operation of the toilet seat while the moving body is detected in the fourth detection area when the toilet seat is open.

[0057] In the twelfth embodiment, the control unit may, when the toilet seat is open, perform a closing operation on at least one of the toilet seat and the toilet lid after the motion is detected in the fourth detection area and the motion is no longer detected in the fourth detection area.

[0058] The 13th embodiment may further include a toilet lid that covers the toilet seat, in any one of the first to 12 embodiments described above. If, after executing the predetermined operation, the control unit does not detect the moving body in the second detection area, it may execute the closing operation of the toilet lid.

[0059] In the 14th embodiment, in any one of the 7th, 11th, and 12th embodiments described above, the control unit may, after executing the predetermined operation, execute the closing operation of the toilet lid if no moving body is detected in the 3rd detection area.

[0060] The 15th aspect relates to a toilet device. The toilet device may include a toilet seat device of any one of the first to 14 aspects and a toilet body located below the toilet seat.

[0061] The sixteenth aspect relates to a control device. The control device may include a radio wave sensor for detecting moving objects and a control unit that causes the toilet device to perform a predetermined operation based on the detection result of the radio wave sensor. The radio wave sensor may detect the moving object in a plurality of detection areas, including a first detection area located on the toilet seat side of the toilet device and a second detection area that does not include the first detection area and is further away from the toilet seat than the first detection area. The control unit may perform the predetermined operation when the moving object is detected in the second detection area.

[0062] The specific examples of the technology disclosed herein have been described in detail above. These are merely illustrative examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. Modifications of the above embodiments are listed below.

[0063] (1) At least a portion of the outer edge 62a of the first detection area 62 may overlap with at least a portion of the front end 22a of the toilet seat 22. At least a portion of the outer edge 66a of the third detection area 66 may overlap with at least a portion of the front end 22a of the toilet seat 22.

[0064] (2) At least a portion of the outer edge 62a of the first detection area 62 may overlap with at least a portion of the outer edge 66a of the third detection area 66.

[0065] (3) At least a portion of the outer edge 64a of the second detection area 64 may overlap with at least a portion of the outer edge 68a of the fourth detection area 68.

[0066] (4) At least a portion of the inner edge 68b of the fourth detection area 68 may overlap with at least a portion of the front end 22a of the toilet seat 22. At least a portion of the inner edge 68b of the fourth detection area 68 may extend forward beyond at least a portion of the front end 22a of the toilet seat 22.

[0067] (5) The control unit 50 may cause at least one of the operations performed in the second predetermined operation to be performed as the first predetermined operation.

[0068] (6) The control unit 50 may execute the processes from S10 to S14 in the operation execution process. The control unit 50 does not have to execute the processes from S16 onwards. In this case, the control unit 50 may distinguish between the first detection area 62 and the second detection area 64. The control unit 50 does not have to distinguish between the third detection area 66 and the fourth detection area 68.

[0069] The technical elements described in at least one of this specification and the drawings exhibit technical utility individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. The technologies illustrated in at least one of this specification and the drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives itself constitutes technical utility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 10: Toilet assembly, 12: Toilet body, 16: Toilet bowl, 20: Toilet seat assembly, 21: Support part, 22: Toilet seat, 22a: Front end, 44: Toilet lid, 46: Control device, 48: Radio wave sensor, 50: Control unit, 60: Detection range, 62: First detection area, 64: Second detection area, 66: Third detection area, 68: Fourth detection area

Claims

1. A toilet seat device equipped with a toilet seat, A radio wave sensor that detects motion, The system includes a control unit that causes the toilet seat device to perform a predetermined operation based on the detection result of the radio wave sensor, The radio wave sensor detects the moving object in a plurality of detection areas, which include a first detection area located on the toilet seat side and a second detection area that does not include the first detection area and is further away from the toilet seat than the first detection area. The control unit causes the toilet seat device to perform the predetermined operation when the moving body is detected in the second detection area.

2. The toilet seat is further provided with a support part located behind the toilet seat that rotatably supports the toilet seat, The toilet seat device according to claim 1, wherein the radio wave sensor is arranged in the support portion.

3. The first detection area extends from the radio wave sensor, The toilet seat device according to claim 1, wherein the second detection area extends to a position further away from the radio wave sensor than the first detection area.

4. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined operation includes at least one of the following: opening the toilet lid arranged on the toilet seat device; opening the toilet seat; turning on the lighting used in the space where the toilet seat device is arranged; cleaning the cleaning nozzle arranged on the toilet seat device; draining the water in the cleaning nozzle; cleaning the cleaning nozzle shutter arranged on the toilet seat device; spraying foam onto the toilet bowl where the toilet seat device is arranged; spraying water onto the toilet bowl; performing a deodorizing function of the toilet seat device; heating the toilet seat; performing a heating function arranged on the toilet seat device; and performing an audio output function arranged on the toilet seat device.

5. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the radio wave sensor includes a millimeter wave sensor.

6. The toilet further comprises a toilet lid that covers the aforementioned toilet seat, The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit causes the toilet lid to perform the predetermined operation, including opening the toilet lid, when the moving body is detected in the second detection area and the toilet lid is closed.

7. The toilet further comprises a toilet lid that covers the aforementioned toilet seat, The plurality of detection areas are located closer to the toilet seat than the second detection area and include a third detection area in which at least a portion is further away from the second detection area than the outer edge of the first detection area. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit determines that a user is seated when the toilet seat is closed after detecting the moving body in the third detection area.

8. The toilet further comprises a toilet lid that covers the aforementioned toilet seat, The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit does not perform the toilet lid opening operation when the moving body is detected in the first detection area while the moving body is not detected in the second detection area.

9. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least a portion of the first detection area overlaps with the toilet seat in a plan view.

10. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least a portion of the first detection area extends forward of the toilet seat in a plan view.

11. The plurality of detection areas include a fourth detection area having a region that extends further away from the toilet seat than the first detection area and a region that extends closer to the toilet seat than the second detection area. The toilet seat device according to claim 7, wherein the control unit does not perform the closing operation of the toilet seat while the moving body is detected in the fourth detection area when the toilet seat is open.

12. The toilet seat device according to claim 11, wherein the control unit, when the toilet seat is open, causes the control unit to perform a closing operation on at least one of the toilet seat and the toilet lid after the motion is detected in the fourth detection area and the motion is no longer detected in the fourth detection area.

13. The toilet further comprises a toilet lid that covers the aforementioned toilet seat, The control unit, The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein if no moving body is detected in the second detection area after the predetermined operation is performed, the toilet lid closing operation is performed.

14. The control unit, The toilet seat device according to claim 7, wherein if no motion is detected in the third detection area after the predetermined operation is performed, the toilet lid closing operation is performed.

15. A toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A toilet device comprising a toilet bowl body located below the aforementioned toilet seat.

16. A radio wave sensor that detects motion, The system includes a control unit that causes the toilet device to perform a predetermined operation based on the detection result of the radio wave sensor, The radio wave sensor detects the moving object in a plurality of detection areas, which include a first detection area located on the toilet seat side of the toilet device, and a second detection area that does not include the first detection area and is further away from the toilet seat than the first detection area. The control unit is a control device that, when the moving body is detected in the second detection area, causes the predetermined operation to be executed.

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