Toilet equipment

Abstract

To provide a toilet device capable of inhibiting urine from scattering by hitting against a toilet lid even when urination in a standing posture is done immediately after leaving a toilet seat is detected while washing a toilet bowl with the toilet lid closed automatically after use.SOLUTION: A toilet device includes a toilet bowl, a toilet bowl washing part for washing the toilet bowl, a toilet seat, a toilet lid, a drive part for opening and closing the toilet lid, a control part, a seating detection part for detecting seating of a user on a toilet seat, and a toilet seat opening / closing detection for detecting an opening / closing state of the toilet seat. When the toilet seat opening / closing detection part does not detect an open state of the toilet seat within a predetermined time after the seating detection part detects the user's leaving of the toilet seat, the control part executes a closing operation for bringing the toilet lid into a closed state by the drive part, and then executes a toilet bowl washing operation for washing the toilet bowl by the toilet bowl washing part. When the toilet seat opening / closing detection part detects an open state of the toilet seat within a predetermined time after the seating detection part detects the user's leaving of the toilet seat, the control part does not execute the closing operation and the toilet bowl washing operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] It is known that toilet devices automatically close the toilet lid and flush the toilet after use in order to prevent the spread of contaminants contained in the excrement of users who have been administered anticancer drugs (for example, Patent Document 1). In such toilet devices, when it is detected that the user has left the toilet seat, the device is controlled to automatically close the toilet lid and flush the toilet.

[0003] However, in such toilet devices, for example, if a user attempts to urinate while standing immediately after leaving the toilet seat, or if the next user enters the toilet room and attempts to urinate while standing immediately after the previous user leaves the seat, the toilet lid may begin to close while the user is urinating, causing the urine to hit the toilet lid and splash. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-62774 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been made based on the recognition of such problems, and aims to provide a toilet device that automatically closes the toilet lid and flushes the toilet after use, while preventing urination from hitting the toilet lid and splashing, even if the user urinates while standing immediately after detecting that the user has left the seat. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first invention includes a toilet having a bowl in which a user excretes, a toilet flushing unit that supplies flushing water to the toilet bowl to flush the toilet bowl, a toilet seat that is openable and closable relative to the toilet bowl, a toilet lid that is openable and closable relative to the toilet seat and covers the bowl when closed, a drive unit that opens and closes the toilet lid, a control unit that controls the toilet flushing unit and the drive unit, a seating detection unit that detects when the user is sitting on the toilet seat, and a toilet seat open / close detection unit that detects the open / closed state of the toilet seat, This toilet device is characterized in that, if the toilet seat open / close detection unit does not detect the toilet seat being open within a predetermined time after the seating detection unit detects the user leaving his / her seat, the drive unit performs a closing operation to close the toilet lid, and then the toilet flushing unit performs a toilet flushing operation to flush the toilet, and if the toilet seat open / close detection unit detects the toilet seat being open within the predetermined time after the seating detection unit detects the user leaving his / her seat, the closing operation and the toilet flushing operation are not performed.

[0007] According to this toilet device, if the toilet seat is not detected as open within a predetermined time after detecting leaving the seat, the toilet lid is closed and the toilet is flushed, so that the toilet can be flushed automatically with the toilet lid closed after the user has used the seat. On the other hand, if the toilet seat is detected as open within a predetermined time after detecting leaving the seat, the toilet lid is not closed and the toilet is not flushed, so that even if the user urinates while standing immediately after detecting leaving the seat, the toilet lid is prevented from starting to close while the user is urinates. This prevents urine from hitting the toilet lid and splashing, even if the user urinates while standing immediately after detecting leaving the seat. Also, even if the toilet lid is closed, the toilet lid closing operation starts a predetermined time after detecting leaving the seat, so the toilet lid is prevented from hitting the user, compared to when the toilet lid closing operation starts immediately after detecting leaving the seat.

[0008] The second invention is a toilet device according to the first invention, further comprising an approach detection unit provided on a side wall of the toilet room for detecting the approach of the user, and a toilet lid open / close detection unit for detecting the open / closed state of the toilet lid, and the control unit performs the closing operation and then the toilet flushing operation when the approach detection unit detects the approach of the user and the toilet lid open / close detection unit detects the open state of the toilet lid.

[0009] According to this toilet device, by providing an approach detection unit that detects the approach of a user, the toilet lid can be closed and the toilet flushed thereafter by a non-contact operation such as by waving a hand.

[0010] A third invention is the toilet device according to the first or second invention, further comprising an informing unit that informs the user that the closing operation is to be performed.

[0011] According to this toilet device, by providing a notification unit, it is possible to notify the user in advance that the toilet lid will be closed, thereby preventing the toilet lid from hitting the user during the closing operation. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to an aspect of the present invention, a toilet device is provided that automatically closes the toilet lid and flushes the toilet after use, and can prevent urination from hitting the toilet lid and splashing even if the user urinates while standing immediately after detecting that the user has left the seat. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a toilet room in which a toilet device according to an embodiment is installed. [Diagram 2] 1 is a side view showing a toilet room in which a toilet device according to an embodiment is installed. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a part of a toilet device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 4(a) and 4(b) are a side view and a cross-sectional view showing the approach detector according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a side view showing an installation position of a proximity detection unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a side view showing an installation position of a proximity detection unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a side view showing an installation position of a proximity detection unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a side view showing an installation position of a proximity detection unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the toilet device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the toilet device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a toilet room in which a toilet device according to an embodiment is installed. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a toilet room in which the toilet device according to the embodiment is installed. 1 and 2, a toilet device 100 according to an embodiment is installed in a toilet room TR. The toilet device 100 includes, for example, a toilet bowl 10, a casing 20, a toilet seat 30, a toilet lid 40, and an approach detection unit 50.

[0016] The toilet 10 is, for example, a floor-standing Western-style toilet (Western-style seated toilet). The toilet 10 has a bowl 10a that is recessed downward. A user excretes into the bowl 10a. The toilet 10 is provided with a toilet flushing unit 15 that flushes the toilet 10.

[0017] The casing 20 is provided on the rear of the toilet bowl 10. A drive unit 45, a control unit 60, and the like are housed inside the casing 20. For example, a private parts washing unit having a nozzle for washing the private parts of the user may be housed inside the casing 20.

[0018] The toilet seat 30 is pivotally supported on the casing 20 and is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the toilet bowl 10. The toilet lid 40 is pivotally supported on the casing 20 via a drive unit 45 and is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the toilet seat 30. The toilet lid 40 covers the bowl 10a and the toilet seat 30 in the closed state. The drive unit 45 opens and closes the toilet lid 40. Figure 1 shows the toilet seat 30 in the closed state and the toilet lid 40 in the open state. Figure 2 shows the toilet seat 30 in the closed state and the toilet lid 40 in the closed state.

[0019] In this specification, the above, below, front, rear, right side, and left side as viewed from a user sitting on the toilet seat 30 with their back to the toilet lid 40 will be referred to as "above," "below," "front," "rear," "right side," and "left side," respectively.

[0020] The toilet room TR is, for example, a box-shaped space surrounded by walls on all four sides. The toilet room TR has a floor portion FS, first to fourth wall portions TW1 to TW4, and a door TD. The floor portion FS is located at the bottom of the toilet room TR. The first to fourth wall portions TW1 to TW4 are provided to rise upward from the front, rear, left and right ends of the floor portion FS. The first wall portion TW1 is the front wall of the toilet room TR. The second wall portion TW2 is the rear wall of the toilet room TR. The third wall portion TW3 is the right wall of the toilet room TR. The fourth wall portion TW4 is the left wall of the toilet room TR. In this example, the door TD is provided on the first wall portion TW1. The door TD may be provided on the third wall portion TW3 or the fourth wall portion TW4.

[0021] The approach detection unit 50 is provided on a side wall of the toilet room TR. In this example, the approach detection unit 50 is provided on the third wall portion TW3. The approach detection unit 50 may be provided on the fourth wall portion TW4. The approach detection unit 50 will be described later.

[0022] In this example, the toilet apparatus 100 further includes a remote control 80. The remote control 80 is an operation unit provided with switches for instructing operations such as opening and closing the toilet lid 40 and flushing the toilet bowl 10. In this example, the remote control 80 is provided on the third wall portion TW3. The remote control 80 may also be provided on the fourth wall portion TW4. The remote control 80 is provided as necessary and can be omitted.

[0023] In this example, the toilet apparatus 100 further includes a toilet paper holder 90. The toilet paper holder 90 holds toilet paper TP. In this example, the toilet paper holder 90 is provided on the third wall portion TW3. The toilet paper holder 90 may be provided on the fourth wall portion TW4.

[0024] A cabinet may be provided in the third wall portion TW3 or the fourth wall portion TW4. The cabinet may include, for example, a counter, a shelf, a hand washing basin, etc. When a cabinet is provided, the toilet paper holder 90 may be provided in the cabinet.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a part of the toilet device according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the toilet device 100 has, for example, a seating detection unit 35, an approach detection unit 50, a toilet seat open / close detection unit 38, a toilet lid open / close detection unit 48, a toilet flushing unit 15, a drive unit 45, and a control unit 60.

[0026] The seating detection unit 35 detects a user sitting on the toilet seat 30. The seating detection unit 35 can detect a change from a state in which the user is seated on the toilet seat 30 to a state in which the user is not sitting on the toilet seat 30 (i.e., leaving the seat). The seating detection unit 35 has, for example, an electrostatic sensor that detects the user sitting on the toilet seat 30 by a change in electrostatic capacitance. The seating detection unit 35 is provided, for example, inside the toilet seat 30. The seating detection unit 35 is communicably connected to the control unit 60 and transmits the detection result to the control unit 60. The seating detection unit 35 is connected, for example, by wire to the control unit 60.

[0027] The approach detection unit 50 detects the approach of a user. The approach detection unit 50 detects, for example, the approach of a user's hand. The approach detection unit 50 has, for example, an infrared light projecting distance measuring sensor. As described above, the approach detection unit 50 is provided on a side wall (for example, the third wall portion TW3) of the toilet room TR. The approach detection unit 50 is communicatively connected to the control unit 60, and transmits the detection result to the control unit 60. The approach detection unit 50 is, for example, wirelessly connected to the control unit 60. The approach detection unit 50 may be connected to the control unit 60 by wire.

[0028] The toilet seat open / close detection unit 38 detects the open / closed state of the toilet seat 30. The toilet seat open / close detection unit 38 is provided, for example, on the pivot of the toilet seat 30 and has a Hall IC or a rotary encoder that detects the rotational position of the toilet seat 30. For example, the toilet seat open / close detection unit 38 determines that the toilet seat 30 is in the closed state when the toilet seat 30 is between the fully closed position and an intermediate position rotated a predetermined angle (for example, 30 degrees) in the open direction, and determines that the toilet seat 30 is in the open state when the toilet seat 30 is between the intermediate position and the fully open position. The toilet seat open / close detection unit 38 is connected to the control unit 60 so as to be able to communicate with the control unit 60, and transmits the detection result to the control unit 60. The toilet seat open / close detection unit 38 is connected to the control unit 60 by wire, for example.

[0029] The toilet lid open / close detection unit 48 detects the open / closed state of the toilet lid 40. The toilet lid open / close detection unit 48 is provided, for example, on the pivot of the toilet lid 40 and has a Hall IC or a rotary encoder that detects the rotational position of the toilet lid 40. The toilet lid open / close detection unit 48 determines, for example, that the toilet lid 40 is in a closed state when the toilet lid 40 is between a fully closed position and an intermediate position rotated a predetermined angle (for example, 30 degrees) in the open direction, and determines that the toilet lid 40 is in an open state when the toilet lid 40 is between the intermediate position and the fully open position. The toilet lid open / close detection unit 48 is communicably connected to the control unit 60 and transmits the detection result to the control unit 60. The toilet lid open / close detection unit 48 is, for example, connected to the control unit 60 by wire.

[0030] The toilet flushing unit 15 is connected to a water supply source, and based on a signal from the control unit 60, supplies flush water from the water supply source to the toilet 10 to flush the toilet 10. The toilet flushing unit 15 has, for example, a solenoid valve, and starts the supply of flush water to the toilet 10 by opening the solenoid valve, and stops the supply of flush water to the toilet 10 by closing the solenoid valve. The toilet flushing unit 15 is connected to the control unit 60 so as to be able to communicate with it, and operates based on a control signal from the control unit 60. The toilet flushing unit 15 is connected to the control unit 60 by wire, for example.

[0031] The drive unit 45 is provided on the pivot support of the toilet lid 40, and electrically opens and closes the toilet lid 40 based on a signal from the control unit 60. The drive unit 45 has, for example, a motor, and opens and closes the toilet lid 40 by transmitting torque generated by driving the motor to the toilet lid 40. The toilet lid open / close detection unit 48 is provided, for example, in the drive unit 45. The drive unit 45 is communicatively connected to the control unit 60, and operates based on a control signal from the control unit 60. The drive unit 45 is connected to the control unit 60 by wire, for example.

[0032] The control unit 60 is a control circuit including an IC element. The control unit 60 is communicably connected to each of the seating detection unit 35, the approach detection unit 50, the toilet seat open / close detection unit 38, the toilet lid open / close detection unit 48, the toilet flushing unit 15, and the drive unit 45. The control unit 60 controls the operation of the toilet flushing unit 15 and the drive unit 45 by sending control signals to the toilet flushing unit 15 and the drive unit 45 based on the detection results received from the seating detection unit 35, the approach detection unit 50, the toilet seat open / close detection unit 38, and the toilet lid open / close detection unit 48.

[0033] In addition, when a remote control 80 is provided, the control unit 60 controls the operation of the toilet flushing unit 15 and the drive unit 45 by sending control signals to the toilet flushing unit 15 and the drive unit 45 based on a signal instructing an operation input on the remote control 80.

[0034] The following describes an example of the approach detection unit 50. In the following, an example will be described in which the approach detection unit 50 has an infrared projection type distance measurement sensor, but the approach detection unit 50 is not limited to this and may be any unit that has a sensor that can detect the approach of a user in a non-contact manner.

[0035] 4(a) and 4(b) are a side view and a cross-sectional view showing the approach detector according to the embodiment. FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A1-A2 shown in FIG. 4(a). As shown in FIG. 4( a ) and FIG. 4 ( b ), the approach detection unit 50 has a light projecting unit 51 and a light receiving unit 52 .

[0036] The light-projecting unit 51 has, for example, a light-emitting element that projects infrared light. The light-receiving unit 52 has, for example, a light-receiving element that receives infrared light. The light-receiving unit 52 is provided at a position a distance D1 away from the light-projecting unit 51 in a direction along a wall (for example, the third wall TW3) of the toilet room TR to which the approach detection unit 50 is attached. The distance D1 is preferably set to 10 mm or more and 20 mm or less (for example, about 15 mm).

[0037] The detection range DR of the approach detection unit 50 is represented by an overlapping region of a light projection range LR1 where the infrared light is projected from the light projection unit 51 and a light receiving range LR2 where the infrared light can be received by the light receiving unit 52. The angle θ1 of the light projection range LR1 is preferably set to 40 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less (e.g., about 63 degrees). The angle θ2 of the light receiving range LR2 is preferably set to, for example, 40 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less (e.g., about 66 degrees).

[0038] The detection range DR of the approach detection unit 50 is formed, for example, between a position that is a distance D2 away from the approach detection unit 50 and a position that is a distance D3 away from the approach detection unit 50. The distance D2 is preferably 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less (for example, about 7.5 mm). The distance D3 is preferably 120 mm or more and 150 mm or less (for example, about 135 mm).

[0039] FIG. 5 is a side view showing the installation position of the approach detection unit according to the embodiment. 5, the approach detection unit 50 is provided, for example, in a side wall (for example, the third wall TW3) of the toilet room TR, avoiding the first region R1. In other words, the approach detection unit 50 is provided, for example, in a position that does not overlap with the first region R1 in a side view.

[0040] The first area R1 is a part of a side wall of the toilet room TR, and is an area in which, when the approach detection unit 50 is provided, a user U1 standing in front of the toilet bowl 10 to urinate can be detected by the approach detection unit 50. In other words, when the approach detection unit 50 is provided in the first area R1, the approach detection unit 50 detects a user U1 standing in front of the toilet bowl 10 to urinate.

[0041] For example, in a side view, the first region R1 is between a position that is a distance L2 forward from the front end 10b of the toilet bowl 10 and a position that is a distance L3 rearward from the front end 10b of the toilet bowl 10, and is within a range of height H2 or less from the floor FS. The distance L2 is, for example, 295 mm. The distance L3 is, for example, 110 mm. The height H2 is, for example, 1481 mm.

[0042] Distance L2 and distance L3 were calculated from the monitoring results of 10 large men. Height H2 was calculated from the 95th percentile value of the shoulder height of men in the largest age group (e.g., 30s) based on the "Japanese Anthropometric Data" from the Human Life Engineering Research Center.

[0043] By providing the proximity detection unit 50 away from the first region R1, it is possible to prevent the user U1 who is urinating from being erroneously detected as standing by the proximity detection unit 50. This prevents the toilet lid 40 from starting to close while the user U1 is urinating while standing, and prevents urine from hitting the toilet lid 40 and splashing.

[0044] FIG. 6 is a side view showing the installation position of the approach detector according to the embodiment. 6, the approach detection unit 50 is provided, for example, in a side wall (for example, the third wall TW3) of the toilet room TR, avoiding the second region R2. In other words, the approach detection unit 50 is provided, for example, in a position that does not overlap with the second region R2 in a side view.

[0045] The second area R2 is a part of a side wall of the toilet room TR, and is an area where the approach detection unit 50 can detect the user U2 sitting on the toilet seat 30 when the approach detection unit 50 is provided. In other words, when the approach detection unit 50 is provided in the second area R2, the approach detection unit 50 detects the user U2 sitting on the toilet seat 30.

[0046] For example, in a side view, the second region R2 is between the rear end of the first region R1 and a position that is a distance L4 away from the rear end of the first region R1, and is within a range of a height H3 or less from the seating surface of the toilet seat 30. The distance L4 is, for example, 358 mm. The height H3 is, for example, 652 mm.

[0047] Distance L4 was calculated from the position of the rear edge of the opening of toilet seat 30. Height H3 was calculated from the 95th percentile value of the shoulder height when sitting for men in the largest age group (for example, those in their 30s) based on the "Japanese Anthropometric Data" from the Human Life Engineering Research Center.

[0048] Providing the approach detection unit 50 away from the second region R2 can prevent the approach detection unit 50 from erroneously detecting the user U2 sitting on the toilet seat 30. This prevents the toilet lid 40 from starting to close while the user U2 is sitting, and prevents the toilet lid 40 from hitting the user U2 while sitting.

[0049] FIG. 7 is a side view showing the installation position of the approach detection unit according to the embodiment. 7, the approach detection unit 50 is provided, for example, in a side wall (for example, a third wall TW3) of the toilet room TR, avoiding the third region R3. In other words, the approach detection unit 50 is provided, for example, in a position that does not overlap with the third region R3 in a side view.

[0050] The third area R3 is a part of a side wall of the toilet room TR, and is an area located forward of the first area R1. The third area R3 is an area where, for example, when the approach detection unit 50 is provided, a backpack RU of a user U3 who stands in front of the toilet 10 to urinate can be detected by the approach detection unit 50. In other words, when the approach detection unit 50 is provided in the third area R3, the approach detection unit 50 detects, for example, a backpack RU of a user U3 who stands in front of the toilet 10 to urinate.

[0051] The third region R3 is a region located forward of the first region R1, and has a height from the floor FS of, for example, H4 or less. The height H4 is the same as the height H2 of the first region R1.

[0052] By providing the approach detection unit 50 away from the third region R3, even if the user U3 is carrying a backpack RU or the like, the approach detection unit 50 can prevent the user U3 urinating while standing from being erroneously detected. This prevents the toilet lid 40 from starting to close while the user U3 is urinating while standing, and prevents urine from hitting the toilet lid 40 and splashing.

[0053] FIG. 8 is a side view showing the installation position of the approach detection unit according to the embodiment. 8, the approach detection unit 50 is provided, for example, in a side wall (for example, the third wall TW3) of the toilet room TR, avoiding the fourth region R4. In other words, the approach detection unit 50 is provided, for example, in a position that does not overlap with the fourth region R4 in a side view.

[0054] The fourth region R4 is a part of the side wall of the toilet room TR, and in a side view, is an area that overlaps with the trajectory of the opening and closing of the toilet lid 40. In other words, when the approach detector 50 is provided in the fourth region R4, the approach detector 50 detects, for example, the toilet lid 40 opening and closing.

[0055] By providing the approach detection unit 50 away from the fourth region R4, it is possible to prevent the toilet lid 40 from being erroneously detected as it opens and closes by the approach detection unit 50. This makes it possible to prevent the toilet lid 40 from being erroneously detected as it is open and starting to close.

[0056] As described above, the approach detection unit 50 is provided, for example, in a side wall (for example, the third wall TW3) of the toilet room TR, avoiding the first area R1, the second area R2, the third area R3, and the fourth area R4. In addition, the approach detection unit 50 is preferably provided, for example, above the toilet bowl 10.

[0057] More specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the approach detection unit 50 is preferably provided so that, for example, in a side view, the center of the approach detection unit 50 is a distance L1 away from the front end 10b of the toilet 10 rearward, and at a height H1 from the floor FS. The distance L1 is preferably 200 mm or more and 300 mm or less (e.g., about 250 mm). The height H1 is preferably 1100 mm or more and 1300 mm or less (e.g., about 1200 mm).

[0058] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the toilet device according to the embodiment. 9, the control unit 60 operates, for example, in the first mode. The first mode is an operation mode in which the approach detection unit 50 is used to open and close the toilet lid 40 and flush the toilet.

[0059] In the first mode, the control unit 60 waits until the approach detection unit 50 detects the approach of a user (step S101: No). When the approach detection unit 50 detects the approach of a user (step S101: Yes), the control unit 60 determines whether the toilet lid open / close detection unit 48 has detected that the toilet lid 40 is open (step S102).

[0060] When the toilet lid open / close detection unit 48 detects that the toilet lid 40 is open (Step S102: Yes), the control unit 60 performs a closing operation to close the toilet lid 40 using the drive unit 45 (Step S103). When the toilet lid 40 is closed, the control unit 60 determines whether a predetermined time has passed since the toilet lid 40 was closed (Step S104).

[0061] The control unit 60 waits until a predetermined time has elapsed since the closing operation of the toilet lid 40 was performed (step S104: No). The predetermined time in step S104 is set to, for example, 5 seconds. The predetermined time in step S104 is not limited to this, and can be set to any time between 3 seconds and 10 seconds, for example.

[0062] When a predetermined time has passed since the toilet lid 40 was closed (Step S104: Yes), the control unit 60 performs a toilet flushing operation to flush the toilet 10 using the toilet flushing unit 15 (Step S105), and ends operation in the first mode. That is, when the approach detection unit 50 detects the approach of a user and the toilet lid open / close detection unit 48 detects that the toilet lid 40 is open, the control unit 60 performs the toilet flushing operation after performing the toilet lid 40 closing operation.

[0063] On the other hand, if the toilet lid open / close detection unit 48 does not detect that the toilet lid 40 is open (step S102: No), the control unit 60 performs an opening operation to open the toilet lid 40 using the drive unit 45 (step S106), and ends operation in the first mode. After that, for example, when the seating detection unit 35 detects that the user is seated on the toilet seat 30, the control unit 60 operates in the second mode, which will be described later.

[0064] In this way, by providing an approach detection unit 50 that detects the approach of a user, the toilet lid 40 can be closed and the toilet flushing operation can be performed by a non-contact operation such as by waving a hand.

[0065] In addition, when the toilet lid 40 is in the open position, the toilet lid 40 is closed and the toilet is flushed, and when the toilet lid 40 is in the closed position, the toilet lid 40 is opened, so that the approach detection unit 50 can be used as an operating unit for opening and closing the toilet lid 40 without contact.

[0066] In the first mode, when the toilet seat 30 is in an open position when the toilet lid 40 is closed (step S103), the driving force applied from the drive unit 45 to the toilet lid 40 closes both the toilet seat 30 and the toilet lid 40. In other words, by pushing the toilet seat 30 with the toilet lid 40, both the toilet seat 30 and the toilet lid 40 can be closed. At this time, if the driving force of the drive unit 45 is kept constant, when the toilet seat 30 is in an open position, the toilet seat 30 is subjected to an additional load, and there is a risk that the toilet lid 40 will not be closed within the specified time.

[0067] Therefore, it is preferable that the control unit 60 changes the driving force of the drive unit 45 depending on the open / closed state of the toilet seat 30, for example. More specifically, it is preferable that the control unit 60 drives the drive unit 45 with a first driving force when the toilet seat open / close detection unit 38 detects that the toilet seat 30 is closed, and drives the drive unit 45 with a second driving force that is greater than the first driving force when the toilet seat open / close detection unit 38 detects that the toilet seat 30 is open. This makes it possible to close the toilet lid 40 within a predetermined time even if the toilet seat 30 is open.

[0068] Alternatively, the control unit 60 may set the predetermined time in step S104 based on the time it takes for the toilet lid 40 to close when the toilet seat 30 is open. This allows the toilet lid 40 to close within the predetermined time with a constant driving force even when the toilet seat 30 is open.

[0069] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the toilet device according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 60 operates, for example, in the second mode. The second mode is an operation mode in which the toilet lid 40 is closed and the toilet is flushed automatically when leaving the seat is detected. In other words, the second mode is an automatic flushing mode. It is preferable that the second mode can be switched between ON and OFF by the user. For example, the second mode is initially set to OFF.

[0070] In the second mode, the control unit 60 waits until the seating detection unit 35 detects that the user has left the seat (step S201: No). When the seating detection unit 35 detects that the user has left the seat (step S201: Yes), the control unit 60 determines whether the previous seating time was equal to or longer than a predetermined time (step S202).

[0071] If the immediately preceding seating time is less than the predetermined time (step S202: No), the control unit 60 ends the operation of the second mode. The predetermined time in step S202 is set to, for example, 6 seconds. The predetermined time in step S202 is not limited to this, and can be set to any time between 3 seconds and 10 seconds.

[0072] If the immediately preceding seated time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time (step S202: Yes), the control unit 60 determines whether the toilet seat open / close detection unit 38 detects the toilet seat 30 in a closed state (step S203).

[0073] If the toilet seat open / close detection unit 38 detects that the toilet seat 30 is closed (step S203: Yes), the control unit 60 determines whether a predetermined time has passed since detecting leaving the seat (step S204).

[0074] If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the seating departure was detected (step S204: No), the control unit 60 returns to step S203. The predetermined time in step S204 is set to, for example, 15 seconds. The predetermined time in step S204 is not limited to this, and can be set to any time between 10 seconds and 20 seconds.

[0075] When a predetermined time has elapsed since detecting the user leaving the seat (step S204: Yes), the control unit 60 performs a closing operation to close the toilet lid 40 using the drive unit 45 (step S205). After performing the closing operation of the toilet lid 40, the control unit 60 determines whether the toilet seat open / close detection unit 38 has detected that the toilet seat 30 is closed (step S206).

[0076] If the toilet seat open / close detection unit 38 detects that the toilet seat 30 is closed (Step S206: Yes), the control unit 60 determines whether a predetermined time has passed since the toilet lid 40 was closed (Step S207).

[0077] If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the closing operation of the toilet lid 40 was performed (step S207: No), the control unit 60 returns to step S206. The predetermined time in step S207 is set to, for example, 5 seconds. The predetermined time in step S207 is not limited to this, and can be set to any time between 3 seconds and 10 seconds.

[0078] When a predetermined time has passed since the toilet lid 40 was closed (Step S207: Yes), the control unit 60 performs a toilet flushing operation to flush the toilet 10 using the toilet flushing unit 15 (Step S208), and ends the operation of the second mode. That is, if the toilet seat open / close detection unit 38 does not detect that the toilet seat 30 is open within a predetermined time after detecting leaving the seat, the control unit 60 performs a toilet flushing operation after performing a closing operation of the toilet lid 40.

[0079] On the other hand, if the toilet seat open / close detection unit 38 detects that the toilet seat 30 is open before the predetermined time has elapsed after detecting leaving the seat (step S203: No), the control unit 60 ends the operation of the second mode without closing the toilet lid 40 (step S205) or flushing the toilet (step S208). In other words, if the toilet seat open / close detection unit 38 detects that the toilet seat 30 is open within the predetermined time after detecting leaving the seat, the control unit 60 will not close the toilet lid 40 or flush the toilet.

[0080] Furthermore, if the toilet seat open / close detection unit 38 detects that the toilet seat 30 is open before a predetermined time has elapsed since the toilet lid 40 was closed (step S206: No), the control unit 60 ends the second mode operation without performing the toilet flushing operation (step S208). In other words, if the toilet seat open / close detection unit 38 detects that the toilet seat 30 is open within a predetermined time after the toilet lid 40 was closed, the control unit 60 does not perform the toilet flushing operation.

[0081] In this way, when the open state of the toilet seat 30 is not detected within a predetermined time after detecting leaving the seat, the toilet lid 40 is closed and the toilet bowl 10 is flushed automatically with the toilet lid 40 closed after the user uses the toilet seat 30. On the other hand, when the open state of the toilet seat 30 is detected within a predetermined time after detecting leaving the seat, the toilet lid 40 is not closed and the toilet bowl is not flushed, so that even if the user urinates while standing immediately after detecting leaving the seat, the toilet lid 40 is prevented from starting to close while the user is urinates. This prevents urine from hitting the toilet lid 40 and splashing, even if the user urinates while standing immediately after detecting leaving the seat. Also, when the toilet lid 40 is closed, the toilet lid 40 closing operation starts a predetermined time after detecting leaving the seat, so the toilet lid 40 is prevented from hitting the user, compared to when the toilet lid 40 closing operation starts immediately after detecting leaving the seat.

[0082] The control unit 60 can execute the operation of the first mode even while operating in the second mode. That is, when the approach detection unit 50 detects the approach of the user after the seating detection unit 35 detects that the user has left the seat, the control unit 60 may close the toilet lid 40 and perform the subsequent toilet flushing operation (steps S103 to S105) even before the predetermined time in step S204 has elapsed. In this case, the control unit 60 ends the operation of the second mode when the closing operation of the toilet lid 40 and the toilet flushing operation have been performed.

[0083] Furthermore, in the first and second modes, when performing the closing operation of the toilet lid 40 (step S103 or step S205), the control unit 60 preferably notifies the user that the closing operation will be performed. That is, the toilet device 100 preferably further includes an alarm unit 70 that notifies the user that the closing operation of the toilet lid 40 will be performed. The alarm unit 70 notifies the user that the closing operation of the toilet lid 40 will be performed, for example, by at least one of sound and light. The alarm unit 70 is provided in, for example, the remote control 80. The alarm unit 70 may also be provided in, for example, the casing 20, the approach detection unit 50, etc.

[0084] In this way, by providing the notification unit 70, it is possible to notify the user in advance that the closing operation of the toilet lid 40 will be performed. This makes it possible to prevent the toilet lid 40 from hitting the user during the closing operation.

[0085] As described above, according to the embodiment, a toilet device is provided that automatically closes the toilet lid and flushes the toilet after use, and can prevent urination from hitting the toilet lid and splashing even if the user urinates while standing immediately after detecting that the user has left the seat.

[0086] The above describes the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. Any design modifications made by a person skilled in the art to the above-mentioned embodiments are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they have the characteristics of the present invention. For example, the shape, dimensions, materials, arrangement, installation form, etc. of each element of the toilet bowl, toilet seat, toilet lid, drive unit, control unit, toilet flushing means, seating detection means, human body detection means, urine volume measurement means, etc. are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the elements of each of the above-described embodiments can be combined to the extent technically possible, and such combinations are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 10 toilet bowl, 10a bowl, 15 toilet bowl flushing unit, 20 casing, 30 toilet seat, 35 sitting detection unit, 38 toilet seat opening / closing detection unit, 40 toilet lid, 45 drive unit, 48 toilet lid opening / closing detection unit, 50 approach detection unit, 51 light emitting unit, 52 light receiving unit, 60 control unit, 70 notification unit, 80 remote control, 90 toilet paper holder, 100 toilet device

Claims

1. a toilet having a bowl in which a user relieves themselves; a toilet flushing unit that supplies flush water to the toilet to flush the toilet; A toilet seat that is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the toilet bowl; a toilet lid that is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the toilet seat and covers the bowl in a closed state; A drive unit that opens and closes the toilet lid; A control unit that controls the toilet flushing unit and the drive unit; A seating detection unit that detects the user sitting on the toilet seat; a toilet seat open / close detection unit that detects the open / close state of the toilet seat; An approach detection unit provided on a side wall of the toilet room and configured to detect the approach of the user; A toilet lid open / close detection unit that detects the open / close state of the toilet lid; Equipped with The control unit is If the toilet seat open / close detection unit does not detect the toilet seat being open within a predetermined time after the seating detection unit detects that the user has left the seat, a closing operation is performed by the drive unit to close the toilet lid, and then a toilet flushing operation is performed by the toilet flushing unit to flush the toilet, When the toilet seat opening / closing detection unit detects the toilet seat being open within the predetermined time after the seating detection unit detects that the user has left the seat, the toilet closing operation and the toilet flushing operation are not performed, A toilet device characterized in that, when the approach detection unit detects the approach of the user and the toilet lid opening / closing detection unit detects the toilet lid being in an open state, the toilet device performs the closing operation and then the toilet flushing operation.

2. The toilet device according to claim 1, further comprising an alarm unit that alarms the user that the closing operation is to be performed.

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