Eye dish

Abstract

To provide a technique for accurately detecting a discharge state of a liquid.SOLUTION: A catch basin 13 installed at a discharge port comprises: a catch basin body 20 having a shape that can be installed in the discharge port; an electrode 72 for sensing a liquid; and a liquid guide part 74 for guiding the liquid flowing into the catch basin body 20 to a position of the electrode 72.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a strainer provided at a liquid discharge port in a toilet or the like.

Background Art

[0002] As a method for detecting clogging of a urinal, a technique of incorporating a sensor into a urinal has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a Doppler sensor that transmits a propagation wave to a water seal provided in a part of a drainage section and generates a Doppler signal by receiving the propagation wave reflected by the water seal surface of the water seal, a water supply section that supplies water toward the drainage section, and a control section that controls the water supply section to supply water and acquires the time from when the water is supplied until the width of the amplitude intensity of the Doppler signal becomes equal to or less than a first threshold value, and when the acquired time exceeds a second threshold value, a detection section that detects that clogging has occurred in the drainage section.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to detect clogging of a urinal by applying the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to replace an existing urinal with the urinal disclosed in Patent Document 1, so the introduction cost can be extremely high. A technique that can accurately detect the drainage state in a urinal or the like while suppressing the introduction cost is desired.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for accurately detecting the liquid discharge state.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a strainer according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a strainer installed at a discharge port, and includes a main body having a shape that can be installed at the discharge port, a detection unit for detecting a liquid, and a liquid guiding unit for guiding the liquid flowing into the main body to the position of the detection unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 5

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Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] As an embodiment of the present disclosure, a technique of incorporating a detection device including a detection unit for detecting drainage and a transmission unit for transmitting information related to the detection result by the detection unit to the outside into a strainer installed at the discharge port of a urinal will be described.

[0009] Figs. 1 to 3 show the configuration of a urinal according to an embodiment. Fig. 1 is a front view of the urinal 1. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the urinal 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line U-U in Fig. 2. The urinal 1 includes a urinal body 10, a urinal bowl 11, a water discharge part 12, and a splash guard 13.

[0010] The urinal body 10 has an upper end surface 10A, a left side surface 10B, and a right side surface 10C. The upper end surface 10A is in a flat plate shape, has a width in the front-rear direction (front and rear are the front side and the back side in Fig. 1, the same hereinafter), and extends in the left-right direction (left and right are the left side and the right side in Fig. 1, the same hereinafter). The left and right central portions at the front end of the upper end surface 10A are recessed rearward and curved.

[0011] The left side surface 10B has a width in the front-rear direction and extends downward from the left end of the upper end surface 10A (down is the lower side in Fig. 1, the same hereinafter). Also, the right side surface 10C has a width in the front-rear direction and extends downward from the right end of the upper end surface 10A. The dimensions between the left side surface 10B and the right side surface 10C become smaller as they go downward. Also, the front sides of the lower end portions of the left side surface 10B and the right side surface 10C protrude forward and extend toward the left and right center and are connected to each other at the left and right center. Also, the left and right central portions where the left side surface 10B and the right side surface 10C are connected recede toward the lower end. The rear ends of the upper end surface 10A, the left side surface 10B, and the right side surface 10C of the urinal body 10 are formed on the same plane. Thereby, the urinal body 10 can be attached by abutting the rear ends of the upper end surface 10A, the left side surface 10B, and the right side surface 10C formed on the same plane against the installation wall surface W (see Figs. 2 and 3).

[0012] The toilet bowl 11 has an opposing surface 11A, a pair of left and right cleaning steps 11B, a discharge port 11C, and a convex portion 11D. The opposing surface 11A has a depression and curve in the rear direction at the left and right central portions, faces forward, and extends in the vertical direction. Specifically, on the opposing surface 11A, a left and right intermediate portion 11G having a width in the left and right direction and extending in the vertical direction is formed from the upper part to the lower part of the left and right central portions. This left and right intermediate portion 11G has a slight depression and curve in the rear direction at the left and right central portions, faces forward, and is formed in a substantially planar shape. Further, on the opposing surface 11A, a flat portion 11K formed in a planar shape is provided at the upper end portion of the left and right intermediate portion 11G. Further, on the opposing surface 11A, a pair of curved surfaces 11H curved forward from both the left and right sides of the left and right intermediate portion 11G are formed. These curved surfaces 11H are symmetric with respect to the left and right center. These curved surfaces 11H are continuous with each other at the upper end of the left and right intermediate portion 11G and extend to the upper end of the opposing surface 11A. Further, these curved surfaces 11H are continuous with each other at the lower end of the left and right intermediate portion 11G and extend to the lower end portion of the opposing surface 11A. The opposing surface 11A has a curvature radius of the curved surface 11H gradually decreasing downward in the horizontal cross-sectional shape in the use state. Further, in the toilet bowl 11, a bowl-shaped portion 11J expanding upward in a bowl shape is formed at the lower end portion. The rear side of the bowl-shaped portion 11J is the lower end portion of the opposing surface 11A. The toilet bowl 11 has the upper end of the opposing surface 11A connected to the front end of the upper end surface 10A of the urinal body 10. Further, the toilet bowl 11 has both the left and right ends of the opposing surface 11A and the upper end of the front side of the bowl-shaped portion 11J connected to the front ends of the left side surface 10B and the right side surface 10C of the urinal body 10, respectively. Further, on the opposing surface 11A, an insertion hole 11F penetrating in the front-rear direction is provided in the flat portion 11K formed at the upper end portion of the left and right intermediate portion 11G.

[0013] A pair of left and right cleaning steps 11B are provided on both the left and right sides of the toilet bowl 11, extending in the vertical direction. Specifically, the pair of left and right cleaning steps 11B are respectively provided on a pair of curved surfaces 11H symmetrically with respect to the left and right center. Also, the upper ends of the pair of left and right cleaning steps 11B are located in the vicinity of both the left and right sides of the left and right middle portions 11G. Further, the pair of left and right cleaning steps 11B are provided below the insertion hole 11F with a predetermined interval between them and the insertion hole 11F provided in a flat portion 11K formed at the upper end portion of the left and right middle portion 11G of the opposing surface 11A. Also, the pair of left and right cleaning steps 11B extend by inclining the curved surface 11H of the opposing surface 11A forward at the lower part. Specifically, the pair of left and right cleaning steps 11B are recessed and curved downward and extend by inclining forward at the lower part (see Fig. 3). Also, the left and right dimensions between the pair of left and right cleaning steps 11B increase from the upper end toward the vertical central part (see Fig. 1). Also, the left and right dimensions between the pair of left and right cleaning steps 11B decrease from the vertical central part toward the lower end (see Fig. 1). Also, the lower ends of the pair of left and right cleaning steps 11B are connected to each other at the left and right center on the front side of the bowl-shaped portion 11J of the toilet bowl 11 (see Fig. 2).

[0014] The discharge port 11C is provided at the lower end of the bowl-shaped portion 11J of the toilet bowl 11, opening in the vertical direction. That is, the discharge port 11C is formed at the lower end of the toilet bowl 11. The discharge port 11C is located at the rear side of the lower ends of the pair of left and right cleaning steps 11B. The discharge port 11C is connected to a drain pipe D drawn out from the wall surface W to be installed via a discharge path 10K provided on the downstream side of the discharge port 11C (see Fig. 3).

[0015] In the use state, the convex portion 11D protrudes forward at the left and right central portions of the opposing surface 11A and extends in the vertical direction. The upper end of the convex portion 11D is located below the upper ends of the pair of left and right cleaning steps 11B and extends downward. Specifically, the upper end of the convex portion 11D is below the upper ends of the pair of left and right cleaning steps 11B and is located in the vicinity of the upper ends of the pair of left and right cleaning steps 11B (see Fig. 1). Also, the lower end of the convex portion 11D extends to the lower end portion which is the lower part of the opposing surface 11A. The convex portion 11D is formed to gradually protrude forward as it goes toward the left and right center of the opposing surface 11A. Also, the left and right dimension of the central portion in the vertical direction of the convex portion 11D is larger than the left and right dimensions of the upper end portion and the lower end portion (see Fig. 1). Also, the dimension by which the central portion in the vertical direction of the convex portion 11D protrudes forward is larger than the dimensions by which the upper end portion and the lower end portion protrude forward.

[0016] The water discharge portion 12 has a spreader 12A which is a water discharge tool. The spreader 12A has a disk shape, and the central axis of the disk shape extends in the front-rear direction. The rear end surface of the spreader 12A is formed in a planar shape. The spreader 12A abuts on a planar portion 11K formed at the upper end portion of the left and right intermediate portion 11G of the opposing surface 11A, and is attached so as to cover the insertion hole 11F formed at the upper end portion of the opposing surface 11A from the front side. Thus, the spreader 12A is provided above the convex portion 11D and the pair of left and right cleaning steps 11B. Also, the spreader 12A is attached to the planar portion 11K formed at the upper end portion of the left and right intermediate portion 11G of the opposing surface 11A. Also, a human body detection sensor is provided on the front end surface of the disk shape of the spreader 12A.

[0017] The eye plate 13 is disc-shaped, and the central axis of the disc shape extends in the vertical direction. The outer diameter of the eye plate 13 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the discharge port 11C. A plurality of protrusions (not shown) are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the disc-shaped eye plate 13 so as to face radially outward. The dimensions of these plurality of protrusions protruding from the outer peripheral surface are the same as each other. The eye plate 13 is placed on the discharge port 11C. At this time, the plurality of protrusions of the eye plate 13 abut against the inner peripheral surface of the discharge port 11C. Thereby, the outer peripheral surface of the disc shape of the eye plate 13 does not abut against the inner peripheral surface of the discharge port 11C, and a predetermined interval can be provided between the outer peripheral surface of the disc shape and the inner peripheral surface of the discharge port 11C. At this time, a space is provided between the lower end of the convex portion 11D provided on the opposing surface 11A of the toilet bowl 11 and the outer peripheral edge of the eye plate 13.

[0018] FIG. 4 shows the appearance of the eye plate according to the embodiment. The eye plate 13 includes an eye plate main body 20 and a detection device 30 placed so as to be fitted inside the eye plate main body 20. The detection device 30 detects the liquid present in the toilet bowl 11 above the discharge port 11C and transmits information related to the detected result to an external estimation device. The information to be transmitted may be the detected result itself or information generated from the detected result. The estimation device estimates the discharge state in the discharge port 11C or the discharge path (such as the discharge path 10K and the drain pipe D) based on the information received from the detection device 30.

[0019] The detection device 30 may be integrally configured with the eye plate main body 20 or may be configured separately from the eye plate main body 20. In the former case, the technology of this embodiment can be applied only by replacing the eye plate of the existing urinal with the eye plate 13 of this embodiment without replacing or repairing the urinal itself, so the introduction cost can be reduced. In the latter case, the detection device 30 may have a shape that can be fitted or placed on the existing eye plate main body 20. Thereby, the technology of this embodiment can be applied only by fitting or placing the detection device 30 of this embodiment on the eye plate of the existing urinal without replacing or repairing the urinal itself, so the introduction cost can be reduced.

[0020] FIG. 5 schematically shows the configuration of the dish for eyes according to the embodiment. The dish body 20 has a bowl-like shape with a recess 21 on the inside, and the detection device 30 has an outer shape that fits into the recess 21 of the dish body 20. The detection device 30 includes a main body 31, a substrate 51 on which a communication device functioning as a transmission unit is mounted, and a pair of electrodes 54 functioning as a detection unit.

[0021] The main body 31 includes a cover 40, a housing portion 50, and a bottom surface 60. The housing portion 50 houses the substrate 51, the electrodes 54, and a battery (not shown) that supplies power to the substrate 51. The substrate 51 includes a processing device 52 and a communication device 53. The processing device 52 includes an ammeter that measures the current flowing between the pair of electrodes 54. The processing device 52 generates communication data to be transmitted to the estimation device based on the measurement result by the ammeter. The processing device 52 may, for example, use the current value or resistance value measured by the ammeter as the communication data as it is, or may count the time during which the current value measured by the ammeter has continuously been equal to or greater than a predetermined value and use it as the communication data. The communication device 53 wirelessly transmits the communication data generated by the processing device 52 to the estimation device.

[0022] The electrode 54 is provided so as to protrude outside the accommodating portion 50. When there is drainage between the electrodes 54, since the electrodes 54 are electrically connected by the drainage, a current is detected by the ammeter. While the urinal 1 is in use, or while the cleaning water is being discharged after or during non-use of the urinal 1, the drainage flows inside the strainer 13, so a current is detected by the ammeter. When the state of the discharge port 11C and the discharge path is normal, after a certain period of time, the liquid level of the drainage becomes lower than the electrode 54, so the electrodes 54 are no longer electrically connected and no current is detected by the ammeter. However, when the discharge port 11C or the discharge path is clogged and the drainage cannot be discharged normally, the time for the drainage to accumulate inside the strainer 13 becomes longer, so the time for the current to be detected by the ammeter becomes longer. Therefore, in the present embodiment, based on the time during which the current is continuously detected, it is estimated whether the discharge port 11C or the discharge path is clogged, the degree of clogging, the amount of drainage remaining in the toilet bowl 11, the overflow of the drainage from the toilet bowl 11, etc., that is, the discharge state of the drainage from the discharge port 11C. Thereby, since the discharge state can be accurately estimated with a simple configuration, the introduction cost can be reduced.

[0023] Urine contains more ions than the service water used as cleaning water. Therefore, when urine is flowing between the electrodes 54, the resistance value measured by the ammeter is smaller than when only cleaning water is flowing. Therefore, by analyzing the current value or resistance value measured by the ammeter, the number of urinations, amount, time, components, etc. can be estimated. Even when the drainage is being discharged normally, a current is continuously detected by the ammeter during the period of urination and the period when the cleaning water is being discharged. However, since the urination time and amount vary from person to person, the period during which the current is continuously detected by the ammeter also varies from person to person. Therefore, the period of urination may be identified based on the current value or resistance value measured by the ammeter. Thereby, the influence due to individual differences in urination time can be reduced, so the discharge state of the drainage can be estimated more accurately. When water containing a detergent or the like rather than just service water is used as the cleaning water, the current value or resistance value of the cleaning water may be measured in advance.

[0024] The cover 40 has a cylindrical portion 41, an upper surface 42, and a water collecting portion 45. The accommodating portion 50 is accommodated in a watertight space formed by the cylindrical portion 41, the upper surface 42, and the bottom surface 60. An opening 43 is provided between the upper surface 42 and the water collecting portion 45 above the position of the electrode 54 in the cylindrical portion 41. The upper surface 42 is inclined so as to be lower toward the opening 43. An opening 44 is also provided between the upper surface 42 and the water collecting portion 45 on the side opposite to the opening 43. The water collecting portion 45 is formed in a donut shape so as to smoothly connect to the edge portion 22 of the strainer main body 20. The upper surface of the water collecting portion 45 is inclined so that the upper part of the opening 43 is lower. Drainage water flows from the edge portion 22 of the strainer main body 20 to the water collecting portion 45 and falls from the central opening of the water collecting portion 45 to the upper surface 42. When a large amount of drainage water remains, the drainage water is discharged from both the opening 43 and the opening 44. However, when the amount of drainage water becomes small, the remaining drainage water flows toward the lower opening 43 due to the inclination of the upper surface 42 and is discharged between the opening 43 and the electrode 54. Thereby, it is possible to more reliably detect that drainage water remains in the toilet bowl 11.

[0025] FIG. 6 shows a state when drainage water has accumulated in the toilet bowl. When the communication device 53 is submerged in the drainage water, the radio wave transmitted from the communication device 53 may be attenuated, causing a problem in communication. Therefore, at least the communication device 53 is configured to float on water. In the present embodiment, since the substrate 51 on which the communication device 53 is mounted is accommodated in the accommodating portion 50 and the accommodating portion 50 is accommodated in the main body 31, the entire detection device 30 is configured to float on water. In another example, only the communication device 53, or only the communication device 53 and a part of the configuration may float on water, and the other configurations may be configured to sink together with the strainer main body 20. With such a configuration, the communication strength of the communication device 53 can be ensured, and the stability of wireless communication can be improved. In addition, since the power required for communication can be reduced, the battery can be made to last longer.

[0026] When drainage accumulates in the toilet bowl 11 and the structure including the communication device 53 floats in the drainage, a floating height detection unit for detecting the floating height may be further provided. The floating height detection unit may include, for example, a resistance wire extending in the vertical direction and an ammeter for measuring the resistance value of the resistance wire. In this case, the lower end of the resistance wire is attached to the strainer body 20 or a structure that does not float in water and maintains a state of sinking together with the strainer body 20, and an electrical contact configured to change the conduction position with the resistance wire according to the floating height is provided in the structure that floats in the drainage. The floating position detection unit may be an ultrasonic sensor, a distance measurement sensor, etc. for detecting the height between the floating structure and the strainer body 20 or the like. Based on the floating height detected by the floating height detection unit, the water level of the drainage accumulated in the toilet bowl 11 can be estimated, so that the discharge state of the drainage can be estimated more accurately. In addition, it is possible to detect the overflow of the drainage from the toilet bowl 11 or issue a warning before the drainage overflows from the toilet bowl 11.

[0027] FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the estimation device 100 according to the embodiment. The estimation device 100 includes a communication device 101, a display device 102, an input device 103, a storage device 120, and a control device 110. The estimation device 100 may be a server device, a device such as a personal computer, or a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone terminal, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal.

[0028] The communication device 101 controls communication with other devices. The communication device 101 receives information from the communication device 53 of the detection device 30 by wireless communication. The communication device 101 may communicate with other devices by any wired or wireless communication method.

[0029] The display device 102 displays a screen generated by the control device 110. The display device 102 may be a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, or the like. The input device 103 transmits an instruction input by the user of the estimation device 100 to the control device 110. The input device 103 may be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch pad, or the like. The display device 102 and the input device 103 may be implemented as a touch panel.

[0030] The storage device 120 stores programs, data, etc. used by the control device 110. The storage device 120 may be a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, or the like. The detection information holding unit 121 and the estimation reference holding unit 122 are stored in the storage device 120.

[0031] The detection information holding unit 121 holds the information received from the detection device 30. The estimation reference holding unit 122 holds an estimation reference for estimating the discharge state of the drainage water from the discharge port 11C of the urinal 1.

[0032] The estimation reference may be a reference regarding the time during which the presence of drainage water is continuously detected by the detection device 30. For example, when the time during which the presence of drainage water is continuously detected exceeds a predetermined threshold value, it may be estimated that the discharge port 11C or the discharge path is clogged. Also, the degree of clogging of the discharge port 11C or the discharge path may be estimated according to the time during which the presence of drainage water is continuously detected.

[0033] When a current value or a resistance value is measured by an ammeter, the estimation reference may be a reference regarding the measured current value or resistance value. For example, based on the measured current value or resistance value, it is determined whether urination is in progress, and by subtracting the period during which urination has occurred from the time during which the presence of drainage water is continuously detected, the time until the flushing water discharged after urination is discharged is calculated, and the discharge state of the drainage water is estimated based on the calculated time. The estimation reference may be a reference regarding statistical values such as an average value, a maximum value, a minimum value, a median value, a change rate, an average value of change rates, and a change rate of change rates calculated from time-series current values or resistance values. The estimation reference may be a reference regarding the shape of a waveform indicating the time change of the current value or the resistance value.

[0034] The estimation criterion may be an algorithm that inputs the detection information received from the detection device 30 or the generated information generated from the detection information, and outputs the discharge state of the wastewater from the discharge port 11C of the urinal 1. This algorithm may be realized by a neural network or the like and may be learned by machine learning. In machine learning, a set of past detection information or generated information and information indicating the discharge state of the wastewater at that time may be used as learning data. In this case, when the past detection information or generated information is input to the input layer of the neural network, the intermediate layer of the neural network may be adjusted so that the information indicating the discharge state of the wastewater at that time is output from the output layer of the neural network.

[0035] When there is a correlation between the detection information or the generated information and the water level of the wastewater accumulated in the toilet bowl 11, an estimation criterion for estimating the water level of the wastewater from the detection information or the generated information based on the correlation may be held in the estimation criterion holding unit 122. This estimation criterion may be an algorithm that inputs the detection information or the generated information and outputs the water level of the wastewater. This algorithm may also be realized by a neural network or the like and may be learned by machine learning. When the above-described floating height detection unit is provided in the urinal 1, the water level of the wastewater may be estimated from the information detected by the floating height detection unit.

[0036] The control device 110 includes a detection information receiving unit 111, a discharge state estimating unit 112, a water level estimating unit 113, an estimation result output unit 114, and an estimation criterion setting unit 115. These configurations are realized by the CPU, memory, and other LSIs of an arbitrary computer in terms of hardware, and are realized by a program or the like loaded into the memory in terms of software. Here, however, functional blocks realized by their cooperation are depicted. Therefore, it is understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms, such as only by hardware or a combination of hardware and software.

[0037] The detection information receiving unit 111 receives detection information from the detection device 30 and stores it in the detection information holding unit 121. When the estimation criteria held in the estimation criteria holding unit 122 use the generated information generated from the detection information received from the detection device 30, the detection information receiving unit 111 generates generated information from the detection information received from the detection device 30 and stores it in the detection information holding unit 121.

[0038] The discharge state estimation unit 112 uses the estimation criteria held in the estimation criteria holding unit 122 to estimate the discharge state of the drainage in the urinal 1 based on the detection information or the generated information held in the detection information holding unit 121. The discharge state estimation unit 112 estimates whether the discharge port 11C or the discharge path of the urinal 1 is clogged or the degree of clogging.

[0039] In addition to the information received from the detection device 30, the discharge state estimation unit 112 may further estimate the discharge state of the drainage in the urinal 1 based on information that can be received from other devices or the like. For example, when the discharge state of the drainage is estimated based on the time during which the drainage is continuously detected, the discharge state estimation unit 112 may further obtain information such as the time when the user is detected by the human body detection sensor of the urinal 1 and the time when the washing water is discharged from the water spraying unit 12, and estimate the discharge state of the drainage. Thereby, the discharge state of the drainage can be estimated more accurately.

[0040] The water level estimation unit 113 uses the estimation criteria held in the estimation criteria holding unit 122 to estimate the water level of the drainage accumulated in the urinal 11 of the urinal 1 based on the detection information or the generated information held in the detection information holding unit 121.

[0041] The estimation result output unit 114 outputs the results estimated by the discharge state estimation unit 112 and the water level estimation unit 113. The estimation result output unit 114 may, for example, display the estimation result on the display device 102, output the estimation result as audio from a speaker (not shown), or transmit the estimation result to an external device via the communication device 101. The estimation result output unit 114 may determine the output destination according to the content of the estimation result. For example, when the time during which continuous drainage is detected by the detection device 30 becomes longer than a first threshold value and signs of the drain port 11C or the discharge path becoming completely clogged are observed, the estimation result may be transmitted to the management entity or maintenance entity of the facility where the urinal 1 is installed. When the drain port 11C or the discharge path is clogged and the time during which continuous drainage is detected by the detection device 30 becomes longer than a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value, in addition to the management entity or maintenance entity, the estimation result may also be transmitted to the cleaning contractor responsible for cleaning the urinal 1. Also, when it is estimated that the water level of the drainage accumulated in the toilet bowl 1 has reached a level at which there is a risk of overflow or when it is already estimated that there is an overflow, in addition to the management entity or maintenance entity, the estimation result may also be transmitted to the cleaning contractor. Thereby, appropriate measures can be taken by appropriate entities according to the discharge state of the drainage in the urinal 1.

[0042] The estimation criterion setting unit 115 generates or acquires the estimation criteria used by the discharge state estimation unit 112 and the water level estimation unit 113 and stores them in the estimation criterion holding unit 122. The estimation criterion setting unit 115 may acquire the estimation criteria from an external device via the communication device 101. Further, the estimation criteria may be received from the administrator via the input device 103. The threshold of the time during which drainage is continuously detected, which should be estimated that the drain outlet 11C or the discharge path is clogged, may vary depending on the amount of washing water discharged in the urinal 1, the discharge time, the attributes of the person using the urinal 1, the type of the facility where the urinal 1 is installed, etc., the discharge performance of the drain outlet 11C and the discharge path of the urinal 1, the volume of the urinal 11 of the urinal 1, etc. Therefore, the estimation criteria may be set from an external device or the input device 103 via the estimation criterion setting unit 115. Further, the estimation criteria may be changed according to changes in the usage status of the urinal 1, etc. When the algorithm of the estimation criteria is learned by an external learning device, the learned estimation criteria may be acquired from the learning device.

[0043] The estimation criterion setting unit 115 may machine-learn the estimation criteria using the detection information held in the detection information holding unit 121 as learning data and update the estimation criteria. The estimation criterion setting unit 115 may change the estimation criteria based on the history of the detection information held in the detection information holding unit 121.

[0044] Part or all of the configuration of the estimation device 100 may be provided in the detection device 30. In this case, those configurations may be provided on the substrate 51 of the detection device 30 or may be realized by the processing device 52.

[0045] In the above embodiment, an example in which the detection device 30 is installed on the strainer 13 placed on the drain outlet 11C of the urinal 1 and the discharge state of the drainage from the drain outlet 11C is estimated has been described. However, the technology of this embodiment can also be used to estimate the discharge state of the drainage from the drain outlets of arbitrary toilets, washbasins, bathrooms, bathtubs, kitchen sinks, etc. Further, it can also be used to estimate the discharge state of the liquid from any drain outlet for discharging the liquid.

[0046] FIG. 8 shows another example of the eye plate according to the embodiment. In the example shown in this figure, the detection device is built into the eye plate 13. FIG. 8(a) is a top view of the eye plate 13, and FIG. 8(b) is a side view of the eye plate 13. A circular recess 71 is formed near the center of the upper surface of the eye plate 13, and an electrode 72 that functions as a detection unit for detecting liquid is provided at the bottom near the center of the recess 71. The peripheral edge 70 of the upper surface of the eye plate 13 is inclined so as to become lower toward the end, and an opening 73 is provided on the inclined surface. The lower part of the eye plate 13 has a shape that fits into the discharge port 11C, and an electrode 54 is provided on the side surface below the opening 73.

[0047] Since the electrode 72 is provided on the upper surface of the eye plate 13 and is configured such that when the user urinates, a part of the urine accumulates in the recess 71, urination can be detected more reliably by the electrode 72. After the washing water is flowed after urination, an opening for dropping the drainage accumulated in the recess 71 to the discharge port 11C may be provided in the recess 71.

[0048] When drainage remains in the toilet bowl 11, the drainage that falls from the opening 73 of the peripheral edge 70 of the eye plate 13 toward the discharge port 11C can be detected more reliably by the electrode 54.

[0049] The processing device 52 and the communication device 53 are provided inside the eye plate 13. The eye plate 13 in this figure is also configured to float on water. Thereby, the communication intensity of the communication device 53 can be ensured and the stability of wireless communication can be improved. In addition, since the power required for communication can be reduced, the battery can be made to last longer.

[0050] FIG. 9 shows another example of the eye plate according to the embodiment. FIG. 9(a) is a perspective view of the eye plate 13 viewed obliquely from above, and FIG. 9(b) is a perspective view of the eye plate 13 viewed obliquely from below. The eye plate 13 shown in this figure includes a liquid guiding portion 74 for guiding the liquid flowing into the eye plate 13 to the position of the electrode 72 in addition to the configuration of the eye plate 13 shown in FIG. 8.

[0051] The liquid guiding part 74 is provided at the peripheral edge part 70 around the electrode 72 provided near the center of the upper surface of the eye plate 13. The liquid guiding part 74 is provided at at least four positions, namely, the front, rear, left, and right of the electrode 72. The liquid guiding part 74 includes a convex part protruding from the upper surface of the peripheral edge part 70. The convex part is provided along the radial direction from the end of the upper surface of the eye plate 13 toward the vicinity of the center. In the example of this figure, two convex parts are provided along the radial direction at four positions, namely, the front, rear, left, and right of the electrode 72 so as to face each other, and a flow path is formed from the end of the upper surface of the eye plate 13 toward the vicinity of the center. Thereby, urine can be collected from the front, rear, left, and right directions of the electrode 72 to the electrode 72.

[0052] FIG. 10 schematically shows the flow of liquid in the eye plate 13 shown in FIG. 9. Liquids such as urine flowing from the toilet bowl 11 onto the upper surface of the eye plate 13 are guided by the liquid guiding part 74 to flow toward the vicinity of the center of the upper surface of the eye plate 13, flow down along the inclined surface of the concave part 71, and are collected at the position of the electrode 72. Thereby, even a small amount of urine can be detected more reliably. Further, even when the orientation (rotation) of the eye plate 13 cannot be fixed when the eye plate 13 is installed, since liquids such as urine flowing onto the upper surface of the eye plate 13 can be collected from all directions to the position of the electrode 72 for detection, the detection accuracy can be improved.

[0053] FIG. 11 shows another example of the eye plate according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the eye plate 13 viewed obliquely from above. The eye plate 13 shown in this figure includes a liquid guiding part 74 having a shape different from that of the eye plate 13 shown in FIG. 9.

[0054] In the example of FIG. 9, two liquid guiding parts 74 are provided at each of the front, rear, left, and right of the electrode 72, but in the example of FIG. 11, one liquid guiding part 74 is provided at each of the four directions of the electrode 72. Also in this case, even a small amount of urine can be detected more reliably. Further, even when the orientation (rotation) of the eye plate 13 cannot be fixed when the eye plate 13 is installed, since liquids such as urine flowing onto the upper surface of the eye plate 13 can be collected from all directions to the position of the electrode 72 for detection, the detection accuracy can be improved.

[0055] The number, position, shape, height, etc. of the liquid guiding portion 74 may be arbitrarily adjusted according to the shape, size of the upper surface of the strainer 13, the position of the electrode 72, etc.

[0056] As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, the embodiments merely show the principles and applications of the present invention. Also, in the embodiments, many modifications and arrangement changes are possible without departing from the idea of the present invention defined in the claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0057] 1 Urinal, 10 Urinal main body, 10K Discharge path, 11 Toilet bowl, 11C Drain outlet, 12 Water spraying portion, 13 Strainer, 20 Strainer main body, 21 Concave portion, 22 Edge portion, 30 Detection device, 31 Main body, 40 Cover, 41 Cylindrical portion, 42 Upper surface, 43 Opening, 44 Opening, 45 Water collecting portion, 50 Accommodating portion, 51 Substrate, 52 Processing device, 53 Communication device, 54 Electrode, 60 Bottom surface, 70 Peripheral portion, 71 Concave portion, 72 Electrode, 73 Opening, 74 Liquid guiding portion, 100 Estimation device, 111 Detection information receiving portion, 112 Discharge state estimation portion, 113 Water level estimation portion, 114 Estimation result output portion, 115 Estimation reference setting portion, 121 Detection information holding portion, 122 Estimation reference holding portion.

Claims

Claim 1 A strainer plate installed at a drain outlet, comprising: a main body having a shape that can be installed at the drain outlet; a detection unit having electrodes that are electrically connected by drainage and are used to detect the presence of a liquid; a liquid guiding unit for guiding the liquid flowing into the main body to the position of the detection unit; and the strainer plate is provided with the above components. Claim 2 The strainer plate according to Claim 1, wherein the liquid guiding unit includes a convex portion protruding from the upper surface of the main body. The strainer plate according to Claim 1. Claim 3 The detection unit is provided near the center of the upper surface of the main body, and the liquid guiding unit is provided around the detection unit. The strainer plate according to Claim 1 or 2. Claim 4 The strainer plate according to Claim 3, wherein the liquid guiding unit is provided at least on the front, rear, left, and right of the detection unit. The strainer plate according to Claim 3. Claim 5 The detection unit is provided in a concave portion on the upper surface of the main body, and is provided with an inclined surface for flowing the liquid from the liquid guiding unit towards the detection unit. The strainer plate according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

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