Hand-washing device, method, and program

Abstract

To prevent propagation of various bacteria even when an autonomous circulation type hand washing device is not used for a long term.SOLUTION: A hand washing device includes a tank and a circulation unit. The tank is discharged with washing water. The circulation unit cleans drainage from the tank and circulates it as washing water. The circulation unit re-cleans cleaned water at predetermined timing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hand washing device, a method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] An autonomous circulation type hand washing device has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). In the hand washing device described in Patent Document 1, for example, impurities contained in water after hand washing are removed by a filter. The water from which the impurities have been removed is added with hypochlorous acid and held in a water storage tank. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6877065 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The hand washing device discharges water when a user washes their hands. Therefore, if no user appears, the hand washing device will not discharge water until a user appears. In other words, the hand washing device may not be used for a long period of time in an environment with few users. If it is not used for a long period of time, water does not circulate in the hand washing device, so the added hypochlorous acid reacts with organic matter and the free hypochlorite ions effective for sterilization decrease. This reduces the sterilization ability, so it is necessary to replace all the water inside the device to suppress the proliferation of unnecessary germs.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide an autonomous circulation type hand washing device that can prevent the growth of germs even if the hand washing device is not used for a long period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The hand washing device includes a tub and a circulation unit. Wash water is discharged from the tub. The circulation unit purifies wastewater from the tub and circulates it as wash water. The circulation unit purifies the purified water again at a predetermined timing. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the growth of bacteria can be prevented even if an autonomous circulation type hand washing device is not used for a long period of time. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a hand washing device 1 according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a hand washing device 1 according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a top view of the hand washing device 1. [Figure 4] A block diagram showing the chemical unit 5, circulation unit 6, and control unit 60 of the hand-washing device 1. [Diagram 5] 2 is a front view of the external module 7 shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the water discharge process of the hand-washing device 1. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing the drainage process of the hand washing device 1. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing the membrane filtration process of the hand washing device 1. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a control process for the hand-washing indicator 15. [Figure 10] 13 is a diagram illustrating the display mode of the hand-washing indicator 15. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings for explaining the embodiment, the same components are generally designated by the same reference numerals, and the repeated description will be omitted.

[0010] <Summary> The hand-washing device 1 according to this embodiment discharges water from the faucet at a predetermined timing even when no user is present. This allows water to circulate in the hand-washing device 1 even when no user is present, making it possible to prevent the reduction of free hypochlorite ions in the water tank. This makes it possible to suppress the proliferation of unwanted bacteria in the water tank.

[0011] <Overall composition> The overall configuration of the hand washing device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. The hand-washing device 1 is an autonomous circulation-type hand-washing device, and can be installed in various locations, such as indoors and outdoors. Specifically, the hand-washing device 1 is installed indoors, for example, near the entrance of a building, in the office space of a business operator who occupies the building, near the entrance of a store, etc. In addition, the hand-washing device 1 is installed in a location where check-in takes place, for example, when the building is a facility for accommodation, exercise, entertainment, etc., and check-in is required to use the facility. For example, it is expected that a user will wash his / her hands in the hand-washing device 1 before or after filling out certain information with a shared writing instrument in order to check in.

[0012] The hand-washing device 1 has a function of sterilizing objects carried by a user who washes his / her hands. Examples of objects that the hand-washing device 1 sterilizes include smartphones, tablet devices, etc. Note that the hand-washing device 1 may also sterilize other objects. For example, when a person visiting a restaurant washes their hands upon entering the restaurant, the sterilization of objects by the hand-washing device 1 is performed at the same time as the action of washing the hands.

[0013] Figures 1 and 2 are external perspective views of the hand-washing device 1 of this embodiment. Figure 3 is a top view of the hand-washing device 1. In the following description, the side on which a user who uses the hand-washing device 1 stands is referred to as the front side of the hand-washing device 1, and the opposite side is referred to as the back side of the hand-washing device. As shown in FIG. 1, the hand-washing device 1 includes a housing 2 and an external module 7.

[0014] <Configuration of Chassis 2> The housing 2 is provided with a hand washing basin 11, a water faucet 12, and a dispenser 14. The housing 2 has a cylindrical shape. The housing 2 is formed by processing, for example, a drum can. A top plate 10 is provided on the upper part of the housing 2. An installation hole penetrating the top plate 10 is formed in the center of the top plate 10.

[0015] A door 3 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of housing 2 for accessing circulation unit 6 provided inside housing 2. The manager of hand-washing device 1 can perform maintenance on circulation unit 6 with door 3 open. The circulation unit 6 is not entirely provided inside the housing 2, but at least a portion of it is disposed outside the housing 2 as a part of an external module 7.

[0016] 2, a handle 4 extending laterally is provided on the rear surface of the housing 2. A plurality of wheels 19 are provided on the bottom surface of the housing 2. A user can move the housing 2 by moving the wheels 19 while holding the handle 4.

[0017] 3, hand-washing basin 11 is provided in a part of housing 2, and has a circular bowl shape when viewed from above. In the illustrated example, hand-washing basin 11 is arranged so as to be fitted into an installation hole in top plate 10 provided in housing 2.

[0018] A drain port 17 is formed at the bottom of hand-washing tub 11 to drain the wash water discharged into the tub. An overflow hole 18 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of hand-washing tub 11 to drain the wash water when the wash water in the tub exceeds a predetermined water level and to prevent the wash water from overflowing onto top plate 10.

[0019] A water outlet 13 for discharging flush water is formed at the tip of the faucet 12. Flush water is discharged from the water outlet 13 at a predetermined timing. The faucet 12 is provided with an infrared sensor 23 (see FIG. 4). The infrared sensor 23 is provided, for example, at the tip of the faucet 12 alongside the water outlet 13. If an object is detected by the infrared sensor 23 when flush water is not being discharged from the water outlet 13, flush water is discharged from the water outlet 13 of the faucet 12. Also, if an object is detected by the infrared sensor 23 when flush water is being discharged from the water outlet 13, the discharge of flush water from the water outlet 13 is temporarily stopped, and then flush water is discharged from the water outlet 13. The position of the infrared sensor 23 provided on the faucet 12 is not limited to the tip, but can be changed arbitrarily.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the base of the faucet 12 is attached to the top plate 10. The faucet 12 extends upward from the base to the tip, and is curved in the middle so that the spout 13 located at the tip faces downward.

[0021] Dispenser 14 ejects a skin hygiene agent from nozzle 53 toward the inside of hand-washing basin 11. The skin hygiene agent includes a cleanser for washing the skin (e.g., a detergent such as soapy water) and a bactericidal liquid or hand lotion (e.g., a disinfectant containing an ingredient such as alcohol).

[0022] Dispenser 14 is provided with infrared sensor 52 (see FIG. 4). Infrared sensor 52 is provided, for example, near the base of nozzle 53 of dispenser 14 so as to be able to detect a hand approaching hand washing basin 11. When an object is detected by infrared sensor 52, medicine is ejected from the tip of nozzle 53 of dispenser 14.

[0023] 1 to 3, a hand-washing indicator 15, which is an indicator light that displays an estimate of the user's hand-washing time, is provided on the top surface of the housing 2. The hand-washing indicator 15 is disposed on the top surface of the top plate 10 of the housing 2. The hand-washing indicator 15 is disposed on the outer side of the hand-washing basin 11 on the upper surface of the top plate 10, and is formed on the upper edge of the hand-washing basin 11 so as to surround the hand-washing basin 11.

[0024] Hand-washing indicator 15 is composed of, for example, a plurality of LED lights. The plurality of LED lights are arranged, for example, at intervals in the circumferential direction on the upper edge of hand-washing basin 11. In this embodiment, hand-washing indicator 15 is composed of, for example, 30 LED lights.

[0025] <Composition of Drug Unit 5 and Circulation Unit 6> Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the chemical unit 5, circulation unit 6, and control unit 60 of the hand-washing device 1. As shown in Fig. 4, inside the housing 2, there are provided the chemical unit 5 that supplies chemicals, the circulation unit 6 that purifies and circulates the wash water, and the control unit 60 that controls the circulation unit 6.

[0026] The control unit 60 is realized by the processor reading out a program stored in the storage, expanding the program on the memory, and executing instructions included in the expanded program. The processor is hardware for executing an instruction set described in the program, and is composed of an arithmetic unit, a register, peripheral circuits, etc. The storage is a storage device for saving data, such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive (HDD). The memory is for temporarily storing programs and data processed by the programs, etc., and is a volatile memory, such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM).

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the circulation unit 6 includes at least a water discharge unit 20, a drainage unit 30, and a purification unit .

[0028] The water discharge unit 20 has a function of discharging the water purified by the purification unit 40 from the water outlet 13 of the faucet 12 in the circulation unit 6 .

[0029] The water discharge unit 20 mainly includes a water discharge pump 21, a UV sterilization section 22, and an infrared sensor 23.

[0030] The discharge pump 21 is disposed downstream of the water storage tank 46 provided in the purification unit 40. The discharge pump 21 is operated under the control of the control unit 60, and sends out water stored in the water storage tank 46 to the UV sterilization unit 22.

[0031] For example, the control unit 60 operates the water discharge pump 21 at a predetermined timing or in response to detection of an object by the infrared sensor 23. Specifically, for example, the control unit 60 operates the water discharge pump 21 when a predetermined timing occurs in a state where no object is detected by the infrared sensor 23. In this embodiment, the predetermined timing is, for example, as follows. - The preset time has arrived -Pre-set period (e.g. 1 hour) A preset time (period) has elapsed since the discharge pump 21 was last driven. - The time required for equipment maintenance has elapsed based on predicted patterns of equipment usage. - The time deemed necessary for equipment maintenance based on the condition of the water quality in the filter or tank has elapsed.

[0032] The control unit 60 stops the water discharge pump 21 when a preset time has elapsed since the water discharge pump 21 was operated. For example, the control unit 60 stops the water discharge pump 21 about one minute after the water discharge pump 21 was operated. The control unit 60 may stop the water discharge pump 21 when a predetermined volume of water is discharged by the water discharge pump 21.

[0033] By discharging the water stored in water storage tank 46 at a predetermined timing, it is possible to forcibly circulate the water in hand-washing device 1. This makes it possible to prevent water from remaining stored in water storage tank 46 for a long period of time, and thus makes it possible to suppress a decrease in free hypochlorite ions.

[0034] When the control unit 60 is operating the water discharge pump 21 at a predetermined timing and an object is detected by the infrared sensor 23, the control unit 60 stops the operation of the water discharge pump 21. Note that the stopping of the operation of the water discharge pump 21 at a predetermined timing is not limited to the detection of an object by the infrared sensor 23. For example, the control unit 60 stops the operation of the water discharge pump 21 when the user is about to wash his / her hands using the hand washing device 1.

[0035] Specifically, for example, when a monitoring device is placed around the hand-washing device 1, the control unit 60 may stop the operation of the water discharge pump 21 based on monitoring data acquired by the monitoring device. For example, when it is determined based on monitoring data acquired by the monitoring device that a user is approaching the hand-washing device 1, the control unit 60 may stop the operation of the water discharge pump 21. Furthermore, for example, the control unit 60 may stop the operation of the water discharge pump 21 in response to the user placing a portable item on the UV sterilization device 80. Furthermore, for example, when an object is detected by the infrared sensor 52 of the dispenser 14, the control unit 60 may stop the operation of the water discharge pump 21.

[0036] Also, for example, the control unit 60 operates the discharge pump 21 while an object is detected by the infrared sensor 23. When the infrared sensor 23 no longer detects an object, the control unit 60 stops the discharge pump 21.

[0037] Control unit 60 manages, for example, data related to water circulated by operation of discharge pump 21 at a predetermined timing in a manner that allows for distinction between data related to water circulated by operation of discharge pump 21 in response to detection of an object by infrared sensor 23. This makes it possible to prevent data related to water intended for water circulation from becoming noise in data related to actual hand-washing.

[0038] The UV sterilization unit 22 is disposed between the discharge pump 21 and the faucet 12. The UV sterilization unit 22 irradiates the water discharged from the discharge pump 21 with ultraviolet light to sterilize the water. The water that has passed through the UV sterilization unit 22 is discharged from the water outlet 13 of the faucet 12 as wash water. An air vent 72 for removing air from the water discharged from the water discharge pump 21 is provided between the water discharge pump 21 and the UV sterilization unit 22.

[0039] Drainage unit 30 has the function of draining wash water discharged from faucet 12 toward hand-washing basin 11 in circulation unit 6.

[0040] The drainage unit 30 mainly includes a trap 35 , a capacitance sensor 31 , and a drainage pump 32 . Trap 35 is provided in the pipe that drains the wash water from hand-washing basin 11. Trap 35 prevents, for example, bad odors or gases from flowing back, and prevents foreign matter that has entered through drain outlet 17 from reaching purification unit 40.

[0041] The drainage pump 32 is disposed after the trap 35. The drainage pump 32 is operated under the control of the control unit 60, and sends the water that has passed through the trap 35 to a pre-treatment filter 41 provided in the purification unit 40. Specifically, the control unit 60 operates the drainage pump 32 in response to the detection of water by the capacitance sensor 31. For example, the control unit 60 operates the drainage pump 32 while water is detected by the capacitance sensor 31. The control unit 60 stops the drainage pump 32 when water is no longer detected by the capacitance sensor 31.

[0042] Capacitance sensor 31 is disposed between trap 35 and drain pump 32. Capacitance sensor 31 detects the capacitance in the drain pipe. This allows detection of water drained from hand-washing basin 11 and supplied via trap 35. Note that the sensor for detecting the water supply is not limited to capacitance sensor 31. The water supply may be detected by referring to other sensing results.

[0043] An air vent 70 is provided between the drainage pump 32 and the purification unit 40 to remove air from the water discharged from the drainage pump 32.

[0044] The purification unit 40 has a function of purifying the water supplied from the drainage unit 30 in the circulation unit 6. The purification unit 40 mainly includes a pre-treatment filter 41, a reverse osmosis membrane 42, a post-treatment filter 43, an intermediate tank 44, a drainage tank 45, a water storage tank 46, and a membrane filtration pump 47.

[0045] The pre-treatment filter 41 is disposed after the drainage pump 32. The pre-treatment filter 41 performs pre-treatment on the water discharged from the drainage pump 32 to remove solid matter, water pollutant components, low molecular weight surfactants, carbonic acid components (detergent components), and the like.

[0046] In this embodiment, an activated carbon filter is used as the pretreatment filter 41, but is not limited thereto. For example, at least one of a thread-wound filter, a sediment filter, a MF (microfiltration membrane), a UF (ultrafiltration membrane), a NF (nanofiltration membrane), a ceramic filter, an ion exchange filter, and a metal membrane may be selected. In this embodiment, the pretreatment filter 41 is disposed outside the housing 2 as a part of the external module 7.

[0047] A pressure sensor 33 is disposed upstream of the pre-treatment filter 41. The pressure sensor 33 detects the pressure of the water supplied to the pre-treatment filter 41.

[0048] A flow rate sensor 34 is disposed downstream of the pre-treatment filter 41. The flow rate sensor 34 detects the flow rate of the water that has been pre-treated by the pre-treatment filter 41.

[0049] The intermediate tank 44 is disposed after the pre-treatment filter 41. The intermediate tank 44 is a tank for storing the supplied water. Water that has been pre-treated by the pre-treatment filter 41 and concentrated water that has been separated by the reverse osmosis membrane 42 and passed through the two-way solenoid valve 74 flow into the intermediate tank 44. The intermediate tank 44 stores the water that flows in from the two systems. A water level sensor is disposed in the intermediate tank 44. The water level sensor detects the level of the water stored in the intermediate tank 44.

[0050] The membrane filtration pump 47 is disposed between the intermediate tank 44 and the reverse osmosis membrane 42 . The membrane filtration pump 47 is operated under the control of the control unit 60, and increases the pressure of the water stored in the intermediate tank 44 to a preset pressure, and supplies the water to the reverse osmosis membrane 42. Note that the preset pressure is, for example, a pressure that is at least higher than the osmotic pressure.

[0051] The reverse osmosis membrane 42 separates the water, which is boosted to a high pressure by the membrane filtration pump 47 and supplied, into permeate from which dissolved components have been removed and concentrated water from which dissolved components have been concentrated. The reverse osmosis membrane 42 is realized, for example, by a spiral reverse osmosis membrane. The reverse osmosis membrane 42 is, for example, an example of a cross-flow type filtration membrane. The cross-flow type filtration membrane refers to a filtration membrane that performs filtration while suppressing deposition of suspended matter and colloids in the wastewater supplied to the membrane on the membrane surface by creating a flow parallel to the membrane surface. In other words, the cross-flow type filtration membrane refers to a membrane that performs filtration by pumping wastewater at a pressure higher than the osmotic pressure of the membrane. As such a cross-flow type filtration membrane, a nanofiltration membrane (NF membrane), an ultrafiltration membrane (UF membrane), a microfiltration membrane (MF membrane), or the like may be adopted instead of a reverse osmosis membrane.

[0052] The concentrated water separated by the reverse osmosis membrane 42 is discharged to the intermediate tank 44 via the two-way solenoid valve 74 and the pressure regulating valve 73 when the two-way solenoid valve 74 is open. The concentrated water separated by the reverse osmosis membrane 42 is discharged to the wastewater tank 45 via the two-way solenoid valve 75 when the two-way solenoid valve 75 is open. The permeated water separated by the reverse osmosis membrane 42 is discharged to the post-treatment filter 43.

[0053] The two-way solenoid valve 74 is a device that opens and closes the valve by the electromagnetic force of an electromagnetic coil. The two-way solenoid valve 74 is structured so that the valve is open in a normal state and closes in response to a signal from the control unit 60.

[0054] The pressure regulating valve 73 adjusts the flow rate or pressure of the concentrated water supplied to the intermediate tank 44 .

[0055] The two-way solenoid valve 75 is a device that opens and closes the valve by the electromagnetic force of an electromagnetic coil. The two-way solenoid valve 75 is structured so that the valve is closed in a normal state and opens in response to a signal from the control unit 60.

[0056] A sensor unit 61 is disposed upstream of the reverse osmosis membrane 42. In the illustrated example, the sensor unit 61 has a pressure sensor, a flow rate sensor, and an EC / temperature sensor.

[0057] The pressure sensor detects the pressure of the water supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane 42 .

[0058] The flow rate sensor detects the flow rate of water supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane 42 .

[0059] The EC / temperature sensor detects the electrical conductivity and temperature of the water supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane 42 . In addition to the above-mentioned sensors, the sensor unit 61 may have a sensor that senses at least one of the following: (1) pH, oxidation-reduction potential, alkalinity, ion concentration, hardness (2) Turbidity, color, viscosity, dissolved oxygen (3) Odor, ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, total nitrogen, residual chlorine, total phosphorus, total organic carbon, total inorganic carbon, total trihalomethanes (4) Detection results of microbial sensors, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, (5) Cyanide, mercury, oil, surfactants (6) Detection results of optical sensors and TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) sensors (7) Mass spectrometry results, fine particles, zeta potential, surface potential

[0060] An air vent 71 for removing air from the water discharged from the membrane filtration pump 47 is provided between the membrane filtration pump 47 and the sensor unit 61 .

[0061] The post-treatment filter 43 is disposed downstream of the reverse osmosis membrane 42. The post-treatment filter 43 performs post-treatment on the permeated water discharged from the reverse osmosis membrane 42 to remove impurities that could not be completely filtered by the reverse osmosis membrane 42.

[0062] In this embodiment, an activated carbon filter is used as the post-treatment filter 43, but is not limited thereto. For example, at least one of a thread-wound filter, a sediment filter, a MF (microfiltration membrane), a UF (ultrafiltration membrane), a NF (nanofiltration membrane), a ceramic filter, an ion exchange filter, and a metal membrane may be selected. In this embodiment, the post-treatment filter 43 is disposed outside the housing 2 as a part of the external module 7.

[0063] A sensor unit 62 is disposed in front of the post-processing filter 43. In the illustrated example, the sensor unit 62 has a pressure sensor, a flow rate sensor, and an EC / temperature sensor.

[0064] The pressure sensor detects the pressure of the permeated water supplied to the post-treatment filter 43 .

[0065] The flow rate sensor detects the flow rate of the permeated water supplied to the post-treatment filter 43 .

[0066] The EC / temperature sensor detects the electrical conductivity and temperature of the permeate supplied to the post-treatment filter 43. In addition, the sensor unit 62 may have a sensor that senses at least one of the sensors (1) to (7) shown in the sensor unit 61, in addition to the above sensors.

[0067] The drainage tank 45 (second tank) is disposed downstream of the two-way solenoid valve 75. The drainage tank 45 is a tank for storing the drainage water that is supplied. The drainage tank 45 can be removed from the purification unit 40 and taken out through the door 3. Concentrated water that has been separated by the reverse osmosis membrane 42 and passed through the two-way solenoid valve 75 flows into the drainage tank 45. The drainage tank 45 stores the inflowing concentrated water. A water level sensor is disposed in the drainage tank 45. The water level sensor detects the water level of the drainage water stored in the drainage tank 45.

[0068] The water storage tank 46 (third tank) is disposed downstream of the post-treatment filter 43. The water storage tank 46 is a tank for storing the supplied water. Water that has been post-treated by the post-treatment filter 43 flows into the water storage tank 46. Hypochlorous acid water has been added to the water that flows into the water storage tank 46. The water storage tank 46 stores the flowing water to which hypochlorous acid water has been added. A water level sensor is disposed in the water storage tank 46. The water level sensor detects the level of water stored in the water storage tank 46.

[0069] The purification unit 40 includes a chlorine tank 67 and a chlorine pump 68 . The chlorine tank 67 is a tank for storing hypochlorous acid water. The hypochlorous acid water is generated, for example, by dissolving a hypochlorous acid tablet in water supplied to the chlorine tank 67. Alternatively, the hypochlorous acid water may be generated by dissolving salt in water supplied to the chlorine tank 67 and electrolyzing the salt water. In addition, an electrolysis unit that performs electrolysis on saline water to generate hypochlorous acid water may be provided separately downstream of the chlorine tank 67.

[0070] A water level sensor is disposed in the chlorine tank 67. The water level sensor detects the water level of the hypochlorous acid water stored in the chlorine tank 67. The chlorine pump 68 is disposed downstream of the chlorine tank 67. The chlorine pump 68 is operated under the control of the control unit 60, and adds hypochlorous acid water stored in the chlorine tank 67 to the water that has been post-treated by the post-treatment filter 43.

[0071] Inside the housing 2, a drug tank 50 and a dispenser 14 are provided as the drug unit 5. The dispenser 14 includes a drug pump 51, an infrared sensor 52, and a nozzle 53. Inside the nozzle 53, for example, an antenna for transmitting and receiving data is mounted.

[0072] The chemical pump 51 is disposed downstream of the chemical tank 50. The chemical pump 51 is operated under the control of the control unit 60, and delivers the chemical (e.g., soapy water) stored in the chemical tank 50 to the nozzle 53 of the dispenser 14.

[0073] Specifically, the control unit 60 operates the drug pump 51 in response to detection of an object by the infrared sensor 52 of the dispenser 14. For example, the control unit 60 operates the drug pump 51 while an object is detected by the infrared sensor 52. The control unit 60 stops the drug pump 51 when the object is no longer detected by the infrared sensor 52.

[0074] The drug tank 50 is a tank for storing a drug. A water level sensor is disposed in the drug tank 50. The water level sensor detects the water level of the drug stored in the drug tank 50. When the water level of the drug falls below a predetermined value, the drug is replenished.

[0075] <External module 7 configuration> Fig. 5 is a front view of the external module 7 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 5, the external module 7 has a pre-processing filter 41 and a post-processing filter 43.

[0076] The pretreatment filter 41 and the post-treatment filter 43 are arranged side by side outside the housing 2. More specifically, the pretreatment filter 41 and the post-treatment filter 43 are arranged side by side horizontally outside the housing 2. The pretreatment filter 41 is removably attached to the attachment portion 8. The post-treatment filter 43 is removably attached to the attachment portion 9.

[0077] The pretreatment filter 41 and the post-treatment filter 43 are stored in a container with permeability and an internally visible interior. For this reason, the pretreatment of water by the pretreatment filter 41 and the post-treatment of water by the post-treatment filter 43 are visible from the outside. Turbid water can be visually confirmed during the pretreatment with the pretreatment filter 41. Also, it can be visually confirmed that the water is purified into clean water during the post-treatment with the post-treatment filter 43.

[0078] <Configuration of the UV sterilizer 80> The UV sterilizer 80 shown in FIG. 4 is controlled by the control unit 60. The UV sterilizer 80 (sterilizer) has a function of irradiating ultraviolet rays to an object of a person who washes hands with washing water to sterilize the surface of the object. Examples of the user's carried items include the following. (1) Items worn on the user's body such as glasses and watches (2) Items that the user holds by hand and uses for other items or devices (for example, a key used to lock or unlock a door, a card with a communication chip built in for communicating with a payment device, etc.) (3) Devices that the user operates by hand such as a smartphone In the present embodiment, as an example of a carried item, a smartphone carried by the user will be described.

[0079] The UV sterilization device 80 is provided inside the housing 2. As shown in Fig. 1, a hole connected to an insertion port 81 of the UV sterilization device 80 is formed in the top plate 10. The hole is formed on the opposite side of the hand-washing basin 11 to the external module 7. Here, the UV sterilization device 80 may open in another direction, such as to the side, in addition to opening upward as shown in the figure.

[0080] The user inserts the smartphone into the insertion slot 81 . When a smartphone is inserted through insertion port 81 and placed on a base (not shown) inside UV sterilization device 80, UV sterilization device 80 lowers the base and pulls the smartphone into the inside of UV sterilization device 80. When the base is lowered to a predetermined position inside UV sterilization device 80, UV sterilization device 80 closes a lid (not shown). When the lid is closed, UV sterilization device 80 turns on the ultraviolet light source (lamp).

[0081] At this time, the light source may irradiate ultraviolet light in a direction toward a specific area of ​​the smartphone that is likely to be particularly dirty, such as the vicinity of the home button or the central area of ​​the display. The specific position may be set statistically based on typical examples of smartphone operation. The specific position may also be set based on the operation log of the inserted smartphone. In this way, by concentrating the irradiation of ultraviolet light on a particularly dirty area, it is possible to shorten the time required for sterilization.

[0082] The UV sterilization device 80 may, for example, obtain information about a user's carried item (for example, a device with a communication function such as a smartphone) by the hand-washing device 1 communicating with the user's carried item or information about the user.

[0083] Specifically, (1) when the hand-washing device 1 is provided with a communication unit that communicates with a smartphone or the like via short-range wireless communication (NFC using an IC chip or the like, high-speed wireless communication standard, etc.), the user first places the smartphone in a predetermined position on the hand-washing device 1 before sterilizing the smartphone with the UV sterilization device 80 in the hand-washing device 1. This causes the smartphone to transmit predetermined information to the hand-washing device 1.

[0084] Here, the predetermined information may include information on the model of the smartphone, information on the attributes of the smartphone user, etc. that may be read by the hand-washing device 1. Information on the attributes of the smartphone user may include, for example, an employee code if the user is an employee, etc., an age group of the user if the user is a general consumer, membership number information if the user is registered for a service provided by a store or the like, information used when processing a payment (user identification information of the payment application, credit card information, etc.), and an operation log of the user's operation of the smartphone (coordinates of touching the touch screen, operation history of the application, etc.). The range of information provided from the smartphone to the hand-washing device 1 may be set by the user, for example.

[0085] Also, (2) the hand-washing device 1 is managed by an external server or the like and is capable of communicating with the external server or the like. A two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) containing information for identifying the hand-washing device 1 (for example, a URL containing the identification information of the hand-washing device 1) is attached to the hand-washing device 1 or displayed on the screen. The two-dimensional code is read by a user's smartphone, and the smartphone communicates information including the identification information of the hand-washing device 1 with the external server or the like, so that the external server or the like can transmit information such as the model of the smartphone to the hand-washing device 1.

[0086] In addition, (3) if the hand-washing device 1 has a reading unit (such as an optical scanner) that reads a two-dimensional code (including information about the smartphone model) displayed on a smartphone or the like, the user may display the two-dimensional code on the smartphone screen and have the hand-washing device 1 read it.

[0087] Although an example in which the hand-washing device 1 and the smartphone communicate wirelessly has been described above, (4) the hand-washing device 1 and the smartphone or the like may be directly connected. The hand-washing device 1 may determine the range of the smartphone to be irradiated with ultraviolet light by the UV sterilization device 80 based on the information of the smartphone model. For example, the hand-washing device 1 may preferentially irradiate with ultraviolet light the position of the home button on the smartphone (the size of the smartphone and the position of the home button are determined depending on the smartphone model), the area from the bottom to the center of the screen when the user operates the smartphone in portrait mode (the area where the user's fingers frequently touch when the user operates the smartphone in portrait mode), and the areas near the left and right sides of the screen when the user operates the smartphone in landscape mode, compared to other areas. For example, when the time for sterilization by the UV sterilization device 80 (time for ultraviolet light irradiation) is set to a fixed time in conjunction with the time for hand-washing, the hand-washing device 1 may determine the area to be preferentially irradiated by the UV sterilization device 80 within the fixed time as described above.

[0088] The hand-washing device 1 may also determine the time for hand-washing and the time for sterilization by the UV sterilization device 80 based on information on the attributes of the user. For example, when the hand-washing device 1 is used by an employee or other related person of the facility where the hand-washing device 1 is installed, the hand-washing device 1 may read the information of the related person, and the hand-washing time and the time for sterilization by the UV sterilization device 80 may be set according to the attributes of the related person. Some users may be in a profession that is expected to involve a lot of contact with people, and may particularly require hand-washing and sterilization of their belongings. In this way, the hand-washing device 1 transmits a log of the time when the employee washed their hands and sterilized their belongings with the hand-washing device 1 to an external server or the like. If the external server or the like manages entry and exit to the facility, entry and exit may be controlled based on the history of the user washing their hands with the hand-washing device 1. For example, there may be some rooms where the user can enter even if they have not washed their hands with the hand-washing device 1, and there may be other rooms where the user cannot enter if they have not washed their hands. In this way, the facility manager can restrict entry and exit based on the history of the user washing their hands with the hand-washing device 1.

[0089] The UV sterilization device 80 turns on the UV light for a preset period of time, and then turns off the UV light. The preset period corresponds to, for example, a generally recommended time for hand-washing. When the UV sterilization device 80 turns off the UV light, it opens the cover and raises the base to a predetermined position. The predetermined position refers to a position where a part of the smartphone protrudes from the insertion port 81 so that it can be touched by the user.

[0090] This allows the user to insert and remove the smartphone without touching the UV sterilization device 80 while sterilizing the smartphone. The hand-washing device 1 may be configured to discharge water from the water outlet 13 in response to a user placing a portable item on the UV sterilization device 80. This may prevent the user from forgetting to sterilize the portable item with the UV sterilization device 80.

[0091] <Communication unit configuration> The hand-washing device 1 includes a communication unit (not shown). The communication unit is configured to control communication with, for example, an external device, and includes, for example, an antenna provided in the dispenser 14. The external device includes, for example, the hand-washing device 1, a server that configures a predetermined system, and a terminal device owned by the user.

[0092] The hand-washing device 1 stores, for example, data related to the use history of the hand-washing device 1, data obtained by monitoring the hand-washing device 1 from a monitoring device, data detected by a group of sensors installed in the hand-washing device 1, data related to replacement parts, data related to users who have used the hand-washing device 1, and the like in a storage (storage unit) provided in the hand-washing device 1. At this time, the hand-washing device 1 does not include, for example, the discharge of washing water at a predetermined timing in the use history of the hand-washing device 1. In addition, the hand-washing device 1 stores in the storage data detected about the water circulated at a predetermined timing and data detected about the water circulated in response to the detection of an object by the infrared sensor 23, separately. In other words, the hand-washing device 1 stores in the storage data detected about the water circulated at a predetermined timing and data detected about the water circulated in response to the detection of an object by the infrared sensor 23 in a distinguishable manner.

[0093] The communication unit transmits at least one of the data stored in the storage to the server.

[0094] <Control process of hand washing device 1> Next, a description will be given of the control process of the hand-washing device 1. Fig. 6 to Fig. 8 are explanatory diagrams showing the control process of the hand-washing device 1.

[0095] (Water discharge process of the water discharge unit 20) First, the water discharge process from the faucet 12 in the water discharge unit 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 60 turns off the water discharge pump 21 (step S11).

[0096] The control unit 60 judges whether a predetermined timing has arrived (step S12). Specifically, the control unit 60 judges whether a preset time has arrived, whether a preset period has elapsed, or whether a preset time has elapsed since the water discharge pump 21 was last driven. If the predetermined timing has arrived (Yes in step S12), the control unit 60 operates the water discharge pump 21 (step S13). This causes water to circulate in the hand-washing device 1 at times other than when the user washes his or her hands.

[0097] The discharge pump 21 sends out water stored in the water storage tank 46, and passes the water through the UV sterilization unit 22. The UV sterilization unit 22 sterilizes the water sent out from the discharge pump 21 by irradiating the water with ultraviolet rays. The water that has passed through the UV sterilization unit 22 is discharged from the outlet 13 of the faucet 12 as cleaning water.

[0098] The control unit 60 determines whether or not an object has been detected by the infrared sensor 23 (step S14). When using the hand-washing device 1, the user places his / her hand in the hand-washing basin 11 and causes the infrared sensor 23 disposed at the tip of the faucet 12 to detect the hand and fingers.

[0099] In response to detection of a hand by infrared sensor 23 (YES in step S14), control unit 60 stops water discharge pump 21 (step S15). When a user washes their hands, water discharge pump 21 is temporarily stopped, making it possible to distinguish between forced water discharge and water discharge due to hand washing. After stopping water discharge pump 21, control unit 60 operates water discharge pump 21 again as operation due to hand washing (step S16).

[0100] The control unit 60 determines whether or not an object has been detected by the infrared sensor 23 (step S17). When the user finishes washing his / her hands or when the user wants to cause the dispenser 14 to eject medicine, the user moves his / her fingers away from the infrared sensor 23 disposed at the tip of the faucet 12. The control unit 60 stops the water discharge pump 21 (step S11) in response to non-detection of a finger by the infrared sensor 23 (NO in step S17).

[0101] In step S17, if the infrared sensor 23 does not detect the presence of a finger (YES in step S17), the control unit 60 continues to operate the water discharge pump 21 (step S16).

[0102] In step S12, if the predetermined timing has not arrived (No in step S12), control unit 60 determines whether or not an object has been detected by infrared sensor 23 (step S18). When using hand-washing device 1, a user places his / her hand in hand-washing basin 11 and causes infrared sensor 23, which is disposed at the tip of faucet 12, to detect the hand and fingers.

[0103] In response to the detection of a finger by the infrared sensor 23 (YES in step S18), the control unit 60 operates the water discharge pump 21 (step S19). On the other hand, in step S18, if the infrared sensor 23 does not detect a finger (NO in step S18), the control unit 60 does not operate the water discharge pump 21 (step S11).

[0104] The control unit 60 determines whether or not an object has been detected by the infrared sensor 23 (step S110). When the user finishes washing his / her hands or when the user wants to cause the dispenser 14 to eject medicine, the user moves his / her fingers away from the infrared sensor 23 disposed at the tip of the faucet 12. The control unit 60 stops the water discharge pump 21 (step S11) in response to non-detection of a finger by the infrared sensor 23 (NO in step S110).

[0105] In step S110, if the infrared sensor 23 does not detect the presence of a finger (YES in step S110), the control unit 60 continues to operate the water discharge pump 21 (step S19).

[0106] In step S14, if the infrared sensor 23 does not detect a finger (NO in step S14), the control unit 60 judges whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the discharge pump 21 was operated (step S111). If the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S111), the control unit 60 stops the discharge pump 21 (step S11). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in step S111), the control unit 60 continues to operate the discharge pump 21 (step S13). The water discharge unit 20 repeats these processes to discharge flush water from the faucet 12. The control unit 60 may measure the time during which the infrared sensor 23 detects the finger, and when the finger is detected for a certain period of time, stop the discharge of water. In the example shown in FIG. 6, a case has been described in which it is determined in step S14 whether or not the user's fingers have been detected by infrared sensor 23, but the determination made in step S14 is not limited to detection by infrared sensor 23. For example, control unit 60 may determine whether or not the user is likely to wash his / her hands using hand-washing device 1. For example, control unit 60 may determine whether or not the user is likely to wash his / her hands using hand-washing device 1 by determining whether or not the user is approaching hand-washing device 1 using a monitoring device. Control unit 60 may also determine whether or not the user is likely to wash his / her hands using hand-washing device 1 by determining whether or not a portable item has been placed on UV sterilization device 80.

[0107] (Drainage treatment of drainage unit 30) Next, the drainage treatment in the drainage unit 30 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, when there is no drainage from hand-washing basin 11, drainage pump 32 is stopped (Step S21). Then, when the wash water discharged from faucet 12 toward hand-washing basin 11 is drained from drain outlet 17 of hand-washing basin 11, capacitance sensor 31 detects the drainage (step S22).

[0108] When the capacitance sensor 31 detects drainage (YES in step S22), the control unit 60 operates the drainage pump 32 (step S23). On the other hand, if the capacitance sensor 31 does not detect drainage (NO in step S22), the control unit 60 does not operate the drainage pump 32 (step S21).

[0109] In step S23, the drain pump 32 sends out wastewater to the pre-treatment filter 41. The water that has been pre-treated in the pre-treatment filter 41 flows into the intermediate tank 44 and is stored in the intermediate tank 44. The pressure sensor 33 detects the pressure of the water sent to the pre-treatment filter 41. The flow rate sensor 34 detects the flow rate of the water that has been pre-treated in the pre-treatment filter 41.

[0110] After step S23, when the capacitance sensor 31 detects that no more wastewater is flowing in from the drain outlet 17 (NO in step S24), the control unit 60 stops the drain pump 32 (step S21).

[0111] On the other hand, in step S24, if the capacitance sensor 31 detects that wastewater continues to flow in from the drain outlet 17 (YES in step S24), the control unit 60 continues to operate the drain pump 32 (step S23).

[0112] The drainage unit 30 repeats these processes, and supplies the water discharged from the drain outlet 17 of the hand-washing basin 11 to the pre-treatment filter 41.

[0113] (Control process of purification unit 40) Next, the cleaning process in the purification unit 40 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, initially, the membrane filtration pump 47 is stopped (step S31).

[0114] The control unit 60 determines whether the drain pump 32 is operating (step S32). If the drainage pump 32 is operating (YES in step S32), the control unit 60 operates the membrane filtration pump 47 (step S33). As a result, the water stored in the intermediate tank 44 is supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane 42 at high pressure by the membrane filtration pump 47.

[0115] On the other hand, when the drainage pump 32 is not operating (NO in step S32), the control unit 60 keeps the membrane filtration pump 47 not operating (step S31).

[0116] In step S33, the water supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane 42 is separated into concentrated water and permeated water by the reverse osmosis membrane 42. The permeated water is supplied to the post-treatment filter 43. The concentrated water flows into the intermediate tank 44 through the two-way electromagnetic valve 74. The concentrated water does not flow into the drain tank 45 because the two-way electromagnetic valve 75 is in a closed state.

[0117] In the post-treatment filter 43, post-treatment is performed on the permeated water. Then, the permeated water that has been post-treated in the post-treatment filter 43 flows into the water storage tank 46 after hypochlorous acid water is added thereto.

[0118] After step S33, the control unit 60 determines whether the electrical conductivity detected by the EC / temperature sensor of the sensor unit 61 arranged upstream of the reverse osmosis membrane 42 is less than a predetermined value (step S34). If the electrical conductivity detected by the EC / temperature sensor is less than the predetermined value (YES in S34), the control unit 60 determines whether the drainage pump 32 is operating (step S35). If the drainage pump 32 is operating (YES in step S35), the control unit 60 continues to operate the membrane filtration pump 47 (step S33).

[0119] On the other hand, in step S34, when the electrical conductivity detected by the EC / temperature sensor becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined value (NO in step S34), the control unit 60 turns on the two-way solenoid valve 74 and the two-way solenoid valve 75 (step S36). As a result, the two-way solenoid valve 74 is closed and the two-way solenoid valve 75 is opened.

[0120] By closing the two-way solenoid valve 74 and opening the two-way solenoid valve 75, the concentrated water separated by the reverse osmosis membrane 42 flows into the drain tank 45 via the two-way solenoid valve 75. That is, the control unit 60 determines the amount of impurities in the concentrated water based on the change in electrical conductivity detected by the EC / temperature sensor. Concentrated water determined to have a large amount of impurities is discharged into the drain tank 45.

[0121] When the water level of the concentrated water stored in drainage tank 45 reaches a predetermined value, an alert is issued, for example, to a manager of hand-washing device 1. When the manager confirms the alert, he or she discards the water stored in drainage tank 45.

[0122] The control unit 60 continues the process of step S36 for a predetermined time (step S37), and after the predetermined time has elapsed, turns off the two-way solenoid valves 74 and 75. As a result, the two-way solenoid valve 74 is opened and the two-way solenoid valve 75 is closed. In this way, the two-way solenoid valve 74 is opened and the two-way solenoid valve 75 is closed, so that the concentrated water separated by the reverse osmosis membrane 42 flows into the intermediate tank 44 through the two-way solenoid valve 74. Then, the control unit 60 stops the membrane filtration pump 47 (step S31).

[0123] In step S35, when the drainage pump 32 is stopped (NO in step S35), the control unit 60 stops the membrane filtration pump 47 (step S31) after a predetermined time has elapsed (step S38).

[0124] The purification unit 40 repeats these processes, purifying the water drained by the drainage unit 30 and storing it in the water storage tank 46.

[0125] (Control process and display mode of hand-washing indicator 15) Next, a description will be given of the display mode and control process of hand-washing indicator 15. Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the control process of hand-washing indicator 15. Fig. 10 is a diagram explaining the display mode of hand-washing indicator 15.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 9, when the hand-washing device 1 is not in use, the LED light constituting the hand-washing indicator 15 is turned off (step S41).

[0127] Next, control unit 60 determines whether dispenser 14 has been operated (step S42). When a user using hand-washing device 1 holds his / her hand under dispenser 14, infrared sensor 52 of dispenser 14 detects the hand. When infrared sensor 52 detects the hand, control unit 60 operates drug pump 51 to eject drug from dispenser 14. When dispenser 14 is operating (YES in step S42), control unit 60 turns on hand-washing indicator 15 (steps S43 to S44).

[0128] Specifically, the control unit 60 turns on the 30 LED lights constituting the hand-washing indicator 15 in order clockwise from the LED light located near the base of the faucet 12 in top view as shown in Fig. 10A. At this time, the control unit 60 turns on all the LED lights in, for example, about 1 to 2 seconds (step S43).

[0129] Then, as shown in Fig. 10B, when all the LED lights are turned on (step S44), the control unit 60 maintains the turned-on state for a predetermined time thereafter. After the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 60 turns off the LED lights in order clockwise starting from the LED light located near the base of the faucet 12 as shown in Fig. 10C (step S45). At this time, the control unit 60 turns off all the LED lights in, for example, about 30 to 40 seconds.

[0130] The hand-washing device 1 may detect the user's fingers with the infrared sensor 23 and sequentially turn off the hand-washing indicators 15 over time as described above in response to the discharge of water from the water outlet 13. This allows the hand-washing indicators 15 to change their illuminated state as water is discharged from the water outlet 13, allowing the user to recognize the time from the discharge of water to the completion of hand-washing.

[0131] In addition, when the hand-washing device 1 does not detect a user's hands or fingers using the infrared sensor 23, it may notify users around the hand-washing device 1 to encourage them to wash their hands by, for example, lighting up the hand-washing indicator 15 in a predetermined manner (such as by emitting light in a predetermined color).

[0132] Then, as shown in FIG. 10D, when all the LED lights are turned off (step S45), the state returns to the initial state (step S41). The time taken for the hand-washing indicators 15 to turn on and off in sequence is set to a generally recommended hand-washing time, for example, about 40 seconds, so that the hand-washing device 1 can present the user with a rough guide for the hand-washing time that can be expected to produce a sufficient washing effect.

[0133] As described above, in the above embodiment, the hand-washing device 1 has the hand-washing tub 11 from which the washing water is discharged, and the circulation unit 6 that purifies the wastewater from the hand-washing tub 11 and circulates it as washing water. The circulation unit 6 purifies the purified water again at a predetermined timing. As a result, even if the hand-washing device 1 is not used for a long period of time, the water is purified again in the hand-washing device, so that the added hypochlorous acid is prevented from reacting with organic matter. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in free hypochlorite ions, which are effective for sterilization. In addition, by performing circulation again at a predetermined timing, it is possible to check whether the hand-washing device 1 has been affected by any external factors between the previous circulation and the current circulation, such as, but not limited to, changes in the outside temperature and humidity, or fluctuations in the number of people passing by or the degree of congestion.

[0134] Therefore, even if the self-sustaining circulation type hand washing device is not used for a long period of time, it is possible to prevent the growth of bacteria. As a result, even if the hand washing device 1 is not used for a long period of time, it is not necessary to replace all the water inside the device.

[0135] In the above embodiment, circulation unit 6 has purification unit 40 that purifies wastewater from hand-washing basin 11, and water discharge unit 20 that discharges the water purified by purification unit 40 into hand-washing basin 11 as cleaning water in response to a request from a user and discharges the water into hand-washing basin 11 as cleaning water at a predetermined timing. This makes it possible to purify water again at a predetermined timing without adding a new component to hand-washing device 1. In other words, it becomes possible to circulate water at a predetermined timing without adding a new component to hand-washing device 1.

[0136] In the above embodiment, the circulation unit 6 stops the second purification upon a request from the user. This makes it possible to prevent purification at a predetermined timing from interfering with the user's hand washing. In other words, even if the hand washing device 1 has a function of purifying water at a predetermined timing, the user can use the hand washing device 1 at any timing. In addition, the hand washing device 1 can accurately grasp the normal purification of the washing water and the second purification for forced circulation.

[0137] In the above embodiment, the water discharge unit 20 stops discharging wash water into the hand-washing tub 11 at a predetermined timing upon a request from the user. This makes it possible to prevent the discharge of wash water at a predetermined timing from interfering with the user's hand-washing. In addition, the hand-washing device 1 is able to accurately distinguish between normal discharge of wash water and discharge for forced circulation.

[0138] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a memory unit (storage) is provided that stores data on water used by a user in hand-washing basin 11 separately from data on water that has been purified again. This makes it possible to prevent data on water that has been purified again from becoming noise when analyzing hand-washing.

[0139] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a storage unit is provided that stores as history the discharge of wash water into hand-washing basin 11 based on a request from the user, but does not store as history the discharge of wash water into hand-washing basin 11 at a predetermined timing. This makes it possible to prevent the discharge of wash water at a predetermined timing from becoming noise when analyzing hand-washing.

[0140] <Modification> In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which water is periodically circulated in the hand-washing device 1 by discharging wash water from the faucet 12 at a predetermined timing. However, the method for periodically circulating water in the hand-washing device 1 is not limited to this. For example, the following method may be adopted. The water stored in the water tank 46 is supplied to the pre-treatment filter 41 at a predetermined timing. The water stored in the water tank 46 is supplied to the post-treatment filter 43 at a predetermined timing. The water stored in the water tank 46 is supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane 42 at a predetermined timing.

[0141] In the above embodiment, the case where water is discharged from faucet 12 has been described as an example. However, the supply of water to drainage unit 30 is not limited to discharging water into hand-washing basin 11. Water may be discharged into overflow hole 18, into a drain pipe of drainage unit 30, or the like.

[0142] Furthermore, the above embodiment does not describe the state of the hand-washing device 1. The hand-washing device 1 may be configured to update the state when cleaning is performed again at a predetermined timing.

[0143] In the above embodiment, the hand-washing device 1 is described as purifying the circulated water again at a predetermined timing. However, the device that purifies the circulated water again is not limited to the hand-washing device 1. A body washing device such as an indoor or outdoor shower booth may purify the circulated water again at a predetermined timing. The body washing device has a structure similar to that of the hand-washing device 1. In this case, the tank from which the wash water is discharged corresponds to an area from which water is discharged, such as a shower pan.

[0144] Although the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiment, and the present disclosure includes the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. In addition, the configurations of the devices described in the above embodiments and modifications can be partially omitted or combined as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

[0145] The matters described in the above embodiments will be supplemented below.

[0146] (Appendix 1) The hand washing device is provided with a tank 11 from which washing water is discharged, and a circulation unit 6 which purifies wastewater from the tank and circulates it as washing water, and which purifies the purified water again at a predetermined timing. (Appendix 2) The circulation unit is a hand-washing device described in Appendix 1, which has a purification unit 40 that purifies wastewater from the tub, and a water discharge unit 20 that discharges the water purified by the purification unit 40 into the tub as cleaning water upon request from the user, and also discharges the water into the tub as cleaning water at a predetermined timing. (Appendix 3) A hand-washing device as described in (Appendix 1) or (Appendix 2), wherein the circulation unit stops re-purification upon a request from the user. (Appendix 4) A hand-washing device as described in Appendix 2, wherein the water discharge unit stops discharging wash water into the tub at a predetermined timing upon a request from the user. (Appendix 5) A hand-washing device as described in any one of (Appendix 1) to (Appendix 4), comprising a memory unit that stores data relating to water used by a user in the tub separately from data relating to water that has been purified again. (Appendix 6) A hand-washing device as described in (Appendix 2) or (Appendix 4), which is equipped with a memory unit that stores the discharge of cleaning water into the tub based on a request from the user as history, and does not store the discharge of cleaning water into the tub at a specified timing as history. (Appendix 7) A method executed in a hand washing device having a control unit realized by a processor, a tub from which cleaning water is discharged, and a circulation unit that purifies wastewater from the tub and circulates it as cleaning water, in which the control unit re-purifies the purified water at a predetermined timing. (Appendix 8) A program to be executed by the control unit of a hand washing device having a control unit realized by a processor, a tub from which cleaning water is discharged, and a circulation unit that purifies wastewater from the tub and circulates it as cleaning water, the program causing the control unit to execute a step of re-purifying the purified water in the circulation unit at a predetermined timing. (Appendix 9) The body washing device is provided with an area where washing water is discharged, and a circulation unit that purifies wastewater from the area and circulates it as washing water, and that purifies the purified water again at a predetermined timing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0147] 1. Hand washing equipment 10…Tabletop 11...Hand-washing basin 12…Faucet 13…Water outlet 14…Dispenser 15…Handwashing indicator 17…Drain port 18…Overflow hole 19...Wheel 2. Housing 3. Door 4…Handle 8…Mounting part 9…Mounting part 20…Water discharge unit 21...Water discharge pump 22...UV sterilization section 23...Infrared sensor 30…Drainage unit 31...Capacitive sensor 32…Drainage pump 33...Pressure sensor 34...Flow sensor 35…Trap 40…Purification unit 41...Processing filter 42...Permeable membrane 43...Post-processing filter 44…Intermediate tank 45…Drainage tank 46…Water tank 47…Membrane filtration pump 5. Drug unit 50…Chemical tank 51...Drug pump 52...Infrared sensor 53…Nozzle 6…Circulation unit 60...Control unit 61...Sensor section 62…Sensor section 67…Chlorine tank 68…Chlorine pump 7…External module 70…Air vent 71...Air vent 72…Air vent 73...Pressure regulating valve 74...Two-way solenoid valve 75...Two-way solenoid valve 80…UV sterilizer 81…insertion slot

Claims

1. A tank into which cleaning water is discharged; a circulation unit that purifies the wastewater from the tank and circulates it as the cleaning water; a control unit that discharges the cleaning water from the circulation unit into the tank in response to a lapse of a preset time since the cleaning water was last discharged, thereby purifying the water purified by the circulation unit again; A circulating water purification device comprising:

2. The circulation unit includes: a purification unit for purifying wastewater from the tank; a water discharge unit that discharges the water purified by the purification unit into the tank as the cleaning water in response to a request from a user, and discharges the water into the tank as the cleaning water in response to a predetermined time having elapsed since the cleaning water was last discharged; 2. The circulating water purification apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:

3. 3. The circulating water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the circulation unit stops the second purification upon a request from a user.

4. The circulating water purification device of claim 2, wherein the water discharge unit stops discharging the cleaning water into the tank upon a request from a user when a predetermined time has elapsed since the cleaning water was last discharged.

5. 5. The circulating water purification device according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores data relating to water used by a user in the tank and data relating to the re-purified water separately.

6. A circulating water purification device as described in claim 2 or 4, comprising a memory unit that stores as history the discharge of cleaning water into the tank based on a request from the user, and does not store as history the discharge of cleaning water into the tank in response to the elapse of a predetermined time since the last discharge of the cleaning water.

7. A method executed in a circulating water purification device including a control unit realized by a processor, a tank into which cleaning water is discharged, and a circulation unit that purifies wastewater from the tank and circulates the purified water as the cleaning water, the method comprising: A method for repurifying water purified by the circulation unit by discharging the cleaning water from the circulation unit into the tank when a preset time has elapsed since the cleaning water was last discharged.

8. A program to be executed by a control unit of a circulating water purification device including a control unit realized by a processor, a tank into which cleaning water is discharged, and a circulation unit that purifies wastewater from the tank and circulates the purified water as the cleaning water, the program causing the control unit to: A program that executes a step of discharging the cleaning water from the circulation unit into the tank in response to a predetermined time having elapsed since the cleaning water was last discharged, thereby re-purifying the water purified by the circulation unit.

9. An area where cleaning water is discharged; a circulation unit that purifies wastewater from the area and circulates it as the cleaning water; a control unit that discharges the cleaning water from the circulation unit to the area in response to a lapse of a preset time since the cleaning water was last discharged, thereby purifying the water purified by the circulation unit again; A body washing device comprising:

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