Toilet seat device and toilet bowl device

Abstract

To reduce the risk that heat generated by a heating device for heating a toilet seat will adversely affect a detection device for optically detecting excrement provided in the toilet seat. [Solution] The toilet seat device of this embodiment is a toilet seat device that is attached to the top of a toilet bowl formed with a bowl portion for receiving excrement, and comprises a toilet seat upper plate that forms the seating surface on which the user sits, a toilet seat bottom plate that is joined to the toilet seat upper plate and faces the top surface of the toilet bowl, a heating device that is provided between the toilet seat upper plate and the toilet seat bottom plate and heats the toilet seat upper plate, and a detection device that is provided on the toilet seat and optically detects excrement, the detection device being positioned so that it is not in contact with the heating device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to toilet seat and toilet bowl systems. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, toilet seat devices equipped with a detection device capable of detecting excrement excreted in a toilet bowl are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The detection device used in the toilet seat device described in Patent Document 1 has a light-emitting unit that can irradiate excrement with infrared light and a light-receiving unit that can receive light reflected from the excrement. It is possible to estimate the user's health condition from information about the excrement detected by this detection device. The detection device is also placed inside the toilet seat so that the user is not aware that their excrement is being detected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-146244 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When a toilet seat device has a heating function, a heater, such as a heater for heating the toilet seat, is installed within the toilet seat for heating purposes. However, when a detection device for optically detecting excrement is placed within a narrow device such as a toilet seat, as in the toilet seat device described in Patent Document 1, the heat generated by the heating device may adversely affect the detection device. For example, if a device with low heat resistance is used as the detection device, repeated heat generation by the heating device may lead to deterioration or damage of the device. Furthermore, when a detection device is used to obtain various information related to excrement, such as the color and shape of the excrement, in addition to the presence or absence of excrement, a certain level of accuracy is required for the optical information obtained by the detection device. However, if the degree of heat generation by the heating device varies due to appropriate adjustments by the user, the thermal effect on the detection device is not necessarily stable, which may result in fluctuations or variations in the accuracy of a single excrement detection and the accuracy of continuous detection over time.

[0006] The disclosed embodiment solves the above-mentioned problem, and aims to reduce the risk that heat generated by a heating device that actively heats the toilet seat will adversely affect the detection device in a toilet seat device in which a detection device for optically detecting excrement is installed inside the toilet seat. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment is a toilet seat device that is attached to the top of a toilet bowl that has a bowl portion for receiving excrement, and is characterized by comprising: a toilet seat upper plate that forms the seating surface on which a user sits; a toilet seat bottom plate that is joined to the toilet seat upper plate and faces the top surface of the toilet bowl; a heating device that is provided between the toilet seat upper plate and the toilet seat bottom plate and heats the toilet seat upper plate; and a detection device that is provided on the toilet seat and optically detects excrement, the detection device being positioned so as to be out of contact with the heating device. In one aspect of the embodiment, the toilet seat device has a heating device disposed between the seat top plate and the seat bottom plate, and a detection device disposed on the toilet seat so that they are not in contact with each other, thereby reducing the risk of heat generated by the heating device adversely affecting the detection device.

[0008] In this embodiment, "non-contact" refers to the arrangement of the heating device and the detection device at a predetermined distance to reduce the risk of the detection device being affected by the heat generated by the heating device. In other words, even if the heating wire of the heating device is covered with a heat-resistant resin (for example, hard polyvinyl chloride), this does not mean that the heating device is "arranged so as to be "non-contact" with the detection device."

[0009] The toilet seat apparatus according to one aspect of the embodiment preferably includes a heat transfer suppression means for suppressing the transfer of heat generated by the heating device to the detection device. According to one aspect of the embodiment, the toilet seat device is equipped with a heat transfer suppression means that suppresses the heat generated by the heating device from being transferred to the detection device, thereby reducing the risk of the heat generated by the heating device adversely affecting the detection device.

[0010] In the toilet seat apparatus according to one aspect of the embodiment, the heat transfer suppression means is preferably made of a heat insulating material, and this heat insulating material is disposed between the heating device and the detection device. According to one aspect of the embodiment of the toilet seat device, an insulating material is placed between the heating device and the detection device, thereby reducing the risk that the heat generated by the heating device will have an adverse effect on the detection device.

[0011] In the toilet seat apparatus according to one aspect of the embodiment, a gap is provided between the insulating material and the heating device, and between the insulating material and the detection device. For example, to prevent heat from being transmitted from the heating device to the detector, it is desirable to provide a gap (air layer) between the heating device and the insulating material disposed between the heating device and the detector, thereby preventing direct transmission of heat from the heating device to the insulating material. In this case, it is possible to position the insulating material in contact with the detector to ensure as large a gap as possible to prevent direct transmission of heat from the heating device to the insulating material. However, when such a configuration is adopted, since the insulating material and the detector of the present invention are mounted on the toilet seat, when a person sits on the toilet seat, the toilet seat may bend under the weight of the person, causing the insulating material to come into contact with the detector, potentially generating abnormal noises unintended by the designer. Therefore, by intentionally providing a gap between the insulating material and the detector, a toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment can suppress heat transmission from the heating device to the insulating material and the detector while reducing the risk of abnormal noises occurring when the toilet seat is in use.

[0012] In a toilet seat apparatus according to one aspect of the embodiment, a heating device is not provided directly above the detection device, but a heat transfer means is provided directly above the detection device, and the heat transfer means and the heating device are in contact with each other. In one embodiment of the toilet seat device, since a heating device is not provided directly above the detection device, heat from the heating device is not easily transferred to the detection device, reducing the possibility of the detection device deteriorating or being damaged. Since there is no heating device directly above the detection device, the toilet seat surface is not easily heated, which may cause a user sitting on the toilet seat to feel cold in certain areas. Therefore, by providing a heat transfer means directly above the detection device that indirectly transfers heat from the heating device to the outside, it is possible to prevent the relevant areas of the toilet seat from becoming cold.

[0013] In the toilet seat apparatus according to one aspect of the present embodiment, the detection device is preferably arranged so that a portion thereof protrudes from the toilet seat bottom plate and the remaining portion thereof is recessed inside the toilet seat. In one aspect of the embodiment, the toilet seat device has a detection device that protrudes from the toilet seat bottom plate and is recessed inside the toilet seat, allowing the heating device and the detection device to be spaced apart sufficiently, thereby reducing the risk of heat generated by the heating device adversely affecting the detection device.

[0014] In the toilet seat device according to one aspect of the present embodiment, the height of the detection device that extends inside the toilet seat is shorter than the distance between the heating device and the detection device. According to the toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment, even if the detection device is inserted inside the toilet seat, the detection device can be prevented from being damaged by the heating device.

[0015] Furthermore, a toilet device according to one aspect of this embodiment is a toilet device equipped with a rim spout that spouts flushing water along the rim portion of the toilet, and is characterized by having a toilet and a toilet seat device that is attached to the top of the toilet.

[0016] In a toilet apparatus according to one aspect of the present embodiment, the detection device is preferably disposed in a position that does not face the rim spout. In a toilet device according to one aspect of this embodiment, the detection device is positioned so as not to face the rim spout, thereby reducing the risk of the flush water ejected from the rim spout coming into contact with the detection device and adversely affecting it.

[0017] In the toilet apparatus according to one aspect of the present embodiment, the detection device is preferably positioned inside the inner periphery of the rim portion. In a toilet apparatus according to one aspect of this embodiment, the detection device is positioned inside the inner periphery of the rim, which allows a portion of the detection device to protrude below the top surface of the toilet. This means that the heating device and the detection device can be spaced far enough apart. This reduces the risk of heat generated by the heating device adversely affecting the detection device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to reduce the risk that the heat generated by the heating device that heats the toilet seat will adversely affect the detection device that is installed inside the toilet seat and that optically detects excrement. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a toilet apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a top view showing an example of the configuration of a toilet apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a toilet seat device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a detection device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of data analysis of the shape of excrement. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of data analysis of excrement color. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between excrement and blood. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of data analysis of excrement color. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of data analysis of excrement color. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a toilet seat device with another configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The following describes in detail embodiments of a toilet seat apparatus and a toilet bowl apparatus disclosed in the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0021] <1. Configuration of the toilet equipment> First, the configuration of a toilet apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a toilet apparatus according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a top view showing an example of the configuration of a toilet apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, the toilet apparatus 1 includes a toilet seat apparatus 2 and a Western-style toilet bowl (hereinafter referred to as "toilet bowl") 7. As shown in Fig. 1, the toilet bowl 7 is installed on the floor surface F of the toilet room R. In the following, the direction facing the interior of the toilet room R from the floor surface F will be described as "up."

[0023] The toilet bowl 7 is made of ceramic, for example. The toilet bowl 7 is formed with a bowl portion 8. The bowl portion 8 is concave downwards and is the portion that receives the excrement excreted by the user. The toilet bowl 7 is not limited to being a floor-standing type as shown in the figure, but may also be a wall-mounted type. A flush water tank for storing flush water may be installed at the upper rear of the toilet bowl 7, or the toilet may be a so-called tankless type that does not have a flush water tank.

[0024] A rim portion 9 is formed on the upper edge of the toilet bowl 7. The top surface of the rim portion 9 faces the underside of the toilet seat 5 when closed. The rim portion 9 is provided with a rim spout 9a (see Figure 2). The rim spout 9a spouts flushing water into the bowl portion 8 along the inner circumferential surface of the rim portion 9, to expel the user's waste from the toilet bowl 7.

[0025] For example, when a user operates a flushing operation unit (not shown) provided in the toilet room R, a toilet flush is performed in which flush water is supplied from the rim spout 9a into the bowl portion 8. This cleans the surface of the bowl portion 8 and also expels the user's excrement from within the bowl portion 8.

[0026] The toilet seat device 2 is attached to the top of the toilet bowl 7 and includes a functional part 3, a toilet lid 4, and a toilet seat 5. The toilet seat device 2 may be attached to the toilet bowl 7 in a detachable manner, or may be attached to the toilet bowl 7 so as to be integrated with it.

[0027] The toilet seat device 2 is equipped with a mechanism for performing a heating function that warms the bottom of a user seated on the toilet seat 5, and a mechanism for performing an excrement detection function. The excrement detection function is a function that detects excrement (especially feces) excreted by a user seated on the toilet seat 5 of the toilet seat device 2 and acquires information about the excrement. Information about the excrement refers to the presence or absence of excrement and the properties of the excrement (shape, size, hardness, color, etc.). The excrement detection function may also be equipped with a function that detects the presence of toilet paper or foreign objects in addition to excrement. The processes executed by a control device provided in the function unit 3 and the configuration provided in the toilet seat 5 to perform the heating function and excrement detection function will be described later.

[0028] The toilet seat device 2 may also be equipped with a mechanism for performing a sanitary washing function. That is, the toilet seat device 2 may be configured to include a water discharge nozzle 6 that sprays water toward the buttocks, etc. of a user seated on the toilet seat 5. The toilet seat device 2 may also be equipped with mechanisms for performing a warm air drying function and a deodorizing function. That is, the toilet seat device 2 may be configured to include an air blowing unit that blows warm air toward the buttocks, etc. of a user seated on the toilet seat 5, or a deodorizing unit that sucks air from within the bowl portion 8.

[0029] The toilet seat 5 is formed in an annular shape with an opening 50 in the center, and is positioned along the upper surface of the rim portion 9 so as to cover part of the opening formed above the bowl portion 8. In other words, the toilet seat 5 is shaped so that part of it extends inward beyond the inner periphery of the rim portion 9. The toilet seat 5 also functions as a seating portion that supports the buttocks of a seated user.

[0030] The toilet lid 4 and toilet seat 5 are each pivotally supported at one end by the functional part 3 and are attached so as to be rotatable (openable and closable) around the pivotal part of the functional part 3. When closed, the toilet lid 4 can cover the top of the toilet seat 5. The toilet lid 4 is attached to the toilet seat device 2 as needed, and the toilet seat device 2 does not necessarily have to be equipped with a toilet lid 4.

[0031] <2. Configuration of the toilet seat device> Next, the configuration of a toilet seat device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 5. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a toilet seat device according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a cross section taken along line AA in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 4.

[0032] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the toilet seat 5 comprises, from top to bottom, a toilet seat upper plate 11, a heating device 13, a detection device 15, and a toilet seat bottom plate 17. The heating device 13 and the detection device 15 are disposed in a cavity 19 formed between the toilet seat upper plate 11 and the toilet seat bottom plate 17. In other words, the toilet seat 5 comprises the heating device 13 for performing a heating function and the detection device 15 for performing an excrement detection function within the toilet seat 5. In addition, the toilet seat 5 preferably comprises heat transfer suppression means 21 between the heating device 13 and the detection device 15.

[0033] The toilet seat 5 is formed by joining the toilet seat top plate 11 and the toilet seat bottom plate 17 by a fusion method such as vibration fusion. The toilet seat 5 may also be formed by fitting the toilet seat top plate 11 and the toilet seat bottom plate 17 together. The toilet seat top plate 11 and the toilet seat bottom plate 17 are formed from thermoplastic resins such as fiber reinforced plastics (FRP) and polypropylene (PP).

[0034] As shown in Figure 4, the toilet seat upper plate 11 is made up of an annular seating portion 11a that forms the seating surface (the upper surface of the toilet seat) that is inclined diagonally downward toward the toilet bowl portion 8, an inner peripheral portion 11b that extends downward from the inner edge of the seating portion 11a, and an outer peripheral portion 11c that extends downward from the outer edge of the seating portion 11a. The toilet seat upper plate 11 is made thinner than the inner peripheral portion 11b and the outer peripheral portion 11c in order to quickly transfer heat generated by the heating device 13 to the seating surface.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, the heating device 13 is disposed on the underside of the seating portion 11a within the cavity 19. For example, the heating device 13 is a heat transfer wire (heater) that generates heat. The heating device 13 may be a heater that generates heat according to the amount of electricity controlled by a control device (not shown) provided in the functional unit 3. The heat transfer means (not shown) is a heat spreader that is provided on the underside of the seating portion 11a and uniformly transfers heat from the heater to the seating portion 11a. The heater extends over substantially the entire underside of the seating portion 11a via the heat spreader, for example, and heats the toilet seat 5 from the inside. The heat transfer means is a metal member such as aluminum. Here, the heating device 13 is not provided directly above the detection device 15, but a heat transfer means is provided directly above it, and the heat transfer means and the heating device 13 (heating means) are in contact with each other. 4, the heating device 13 is not provided on the rear surface of the seating portion 11a above the detection device 15, but a heat transfer means (heat equalizer) is provided. For example, the heating device 13 is not provided on the rear surface of the seating portion 11a facing the upper surface of the detection device 15, but a heat transfer means (heat equalizer) is provided.

[0036] The heater may be a so-called tubing heater, a sheathed heater, a halogen heater, a carbon heater, etc. The heater may be in any shape such as a wire shape, a sheet shape, or a mesh shape. The heat spreader is made of a foil of a metal having a high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or copper.

[0037] In this embodiment, a case has been described in which a resistance heating system is used as the heating device 13, but the heating device 13 may also use, for example, an induction heating system that performs heating by electromagnetic induction.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 4, the detector 15 is disposed in the cavity 19 so as not to be in contact with the heater 13. This reduces the risk that the heat generated by the heater 13 will adversely affect the detector 15. The detailed structure of the detector 15 will be described in detail in the description of Fig. 6.

[0039] The toilet seat bottom plate 17 is a bottom plate that forms the underside of the toilet seat 5. As shown in Fig. 4, a toilet seat cushion 20 is attached to the toilet seat bottom plate 17, which supports the toilet seat 5 by coming into contact with the upper surface of the toilet bowl 7 when the toilet seat 5 is closed. Also, as shown in Fig. 4, a recess 17a is formed in the toilet seat bottom plate 17 so that a part of the detection device 15 can protrude downward from the toilet seat bottom plate 17. This recess 17a is sealed with a packing or the like to prevent moisture from entering the toilet seat 5 from the outside.

[0040] Furthermore, recess 17a can prevent toilet seat bottom plate 17 from being deformed by the load generated when a user sits on toilet seat 5. In other words, recess 17a can reinforce the area around detection device 15, making it possible to prevent adverse effects such as damage to detection device 15 or a decrease in detection accuracy due to misalignment of detection device 15 that may occur as a result of deformation of toilet seat bottom plate 17.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4 , the heat transfer suppression means 21 is provided within the cavity 19 between the heating device 13 and the detection device 15. For example, the heat transfer suppression means 21 is a heat insulating material provided between the heating device 13 and the detection device 15. For example, the heat insulating material may be a resin plate or a metal plate, or more preferably, a foam insulation material such as urethane, which has excellent thermal insulation properties. The heat transfer suppression means 21 may be formed of a vacuum insulation material that reduces heat conduction by gas by creating a vacuum around it, a fibrous insulation material (such as glass wool or rock wool) that reduces heat conduction due to its physical and chemical properties, or a foam insulation material (such as urethane foam or polystyrene foam). Therefore, the heat transfer suppression means 21 can reduce the risk of heat generated by the heating device 13 adversely affecting the detection device 15.

[0042] Although heat transfer suppressing means 21 made of foam-based insulating material is inexpensive, there is a risk of it burning if abnormal heat generation occurs due to a wire break in the heater, which is heating device 13. For this reason, heat transfer suppressing means 21 is preferably placed a predetermined distance away from heating device 13 so as to be out of contact with it.

[0043] Furthermore, it is preferable that the heat transfer suppression means 21 is arranged so as to contact the underside of the toilet seat bottom plate 17. This can suppress the heat generated by the heating device 13 from radiating toward the toilet seat bottom plate 17, thereby shortening the time it takes for the heat generated by the heating device 13 to be transferred to the seating portion 11a, thereby achieving energy savings. Note that the heat transfer suppression means 21 described above is merely one example, and for example, the heat transfer suppression means can also include forming the toilet seat bottom plate from a plate with lower thermal conductivity than the toilet seat top plate 11.

[0044] <3. Configuration of the detection device> Next, the configuration of the detection device will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a detection device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Note that the configuration of the detection device 15 shown in Fig. 6 is merely an example, and the detection device is composed of, for example, a lens, a light receiving sensor, a light emitting unit (such as an LED), and a housing that houses these.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 6, the detection device 15 includes a light-emitting unit 23 that emits light in response to an electrical signal controlled by a control device (not shown) provided in the functional unit 3, a light-receiving unit 25 that receives light reflected from the user's excrement in response to the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 23, and a housing 27 for supporting the light-emitting unit 23 and the light-receiving unit 25. The detection device 15 detects excrement (particularly feces) excreted by the user and acquires data related to the excrement. The detection device 15 detects, for example, data related to the presence or absence of excrement and the properties of the excrement (shape, size, hardness, color, etc.). The processing performed by the functional unit 3 on the data detected by the detection device 15 will be described later.

[0046] Light-emitting unit 23 includes a light-emitting element (not shown), such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). Note that the light-emitting element included in light-emitting unit 23 is not limited to an LED, and various other elements may be used. Furthermore, the light emitted from light-emitting unit 23 is not limited to white light having a uniform wavelength of visible light, but may be colored light having only a specific wavelength, or invisible light such as infrared light.

[0047] The light receiving unit 25 includes a lens 26 and a light receiving element (not shown). The light receiving element is formed by, for example, a line sensor or area sensor in which CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensors or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensors are arranged. The light receiving unit may also have a spectroscopic function such as a spectral filter.

[0048] In this embodiment, the light-emitting unit 23 and the light-receiving unit 25 are supported by the same housing 27, in other words, the detection device 15 is configured so that the light-emitting unit 23 and the light-receiving unit 25 are integrated. However, the light-emitting unit 23 and the light-receiving unit 25 may each be supported by a different housing 27, in other words, the light-emitting unit 23 and the light-receiving unit 25 are arranged as separate units, and the functions of the detection device 15 are performed by the functions that each unit has.

[0049] The light-emitting unit 23 and the light-receiving unit 25 may be adversely affected by heat generated by the heating device 13. Specifically, if the light-emitting unit 23 is used in an environment with a high ambient temperature, components such as capacitors mounted on the power supply board may be damaged, or the lifespan of the light-emitting element may be shortened, resulting in variations in illuminance and reduced detection accuracy. Furthermore, the detection sensitivity of the light-receiving element of the light-receiving unit 25 may vary depending on whether the user adjusts the level of heat generated by the heating device 13. This may result in fluctuations or variations in the accuracy of a single excrement detection or in the accuracy of continuous excrement detection over time.

[0050] <4. Location of the detection device> Next, the arrangement position of the detection device will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0051] The detection device 15 is positioned so as not to face the rim water spout 9a. For example, as shown in Figure 2, if the rim water spout 9a is located on the left side in the left-right direction of the toilet bowl 7, the detection device 15 is positioned on the right side in the left-right direction of the toilet bowl 7. This makes it possible to prevent flush water discharged from the rim water spout 9a from splashing onto the detection device 15.

[0052] If water droplets adhere to the lens 26 of the detection device 15, when the light reflected from the excrement passes through the water droplets, the light may be diffused or the intensity of the light may be attenuated, and the water droplets may dry and deposit scale, which may reduce the accuracy of excrement detection by the detection device 15. The above-mentioned arrangement position makes it possible to reduce the risk that the sensitivity of the detection device 15 will be adversely affected by the flush water discharged from the rim water outlet 9a.

[0053] The placement position of the detection device 15 is not limited to the above-mentioned placement example, as long as it is in a position where it will not be splashed with flush water discharged from the rim water outlet 9a. For example, as shown in Figure 3, if the rim water outlet 9a located on the right side in the left-right direction of the toilet bowl 7 discharges flush water toward the rear of the toilet bowl, the detection device 15 may be placed on the right side in the left-right direction of the toilet bowl 7, further forward of the rim water outlet 9a.

[0054] 5, the light-emitting unit 23 and the light-receiving unit 25 of the detection device 15 are arranged to protrude from the toilet seat bottom plate 17 through a recess 17a provided in the toilet seat bottom plate 17. This makes it possible to provide a sufficient distance between the heating device 13 and the light-emitting unit 23 and the light-receiving unit 25. This makes it possible to reduce the risk that the heat generated by the heating device 13 will adversely affect the light-emitting unit 23 and the light-receiving unit 25.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 4 , the detection device 15 is positioned inside the inner periphery of the rim portion 9. More specifically, the detection device 15 is positioned along the inner periphery 11b of the toilet seat top plate 11. Because the toilet seat 5 has a shape that partially protrudes inward from the inner periphery of the rim portion 9, by positioning the detection device 15 along the inner periphery 11b of the toilet seat top plate 11, the light-emitting unit 23 and the light-receiving unit 25 of the detection device 15 can be positioned to protrude downward from the top surface of the rim portion 9. This allows for a sufficient distance between the heating device 13 and the light-emitting unit 23 and the light-receiving unit 25. Furthermore, by positioning the detection device 15 inside the inner periphery of the rim portion 9, the detection device 15 is less likely to be exposed to flush water swirling along the inner periphery of the rim portion 9. This further reduces the risk of heat generated by the heating device 13 adversely affecting the light-emitting unit 23 and the light-receiving unit 25.

[0056] 5, the detection device 15 is hooked onto a rim portion 17b formed on the inner circumferential surface of the recess 17a. Specifically, the detection device 15 is hooked onto the rim portion 17b by hooking a portion of the detection device 15 onto the rim portion 17b. This allows the detection device 15 to be detachable from the rim portion 17b. If the detection device 15 is not attached to the rim portion 17b, a cover that can hide the recess 17a can be configured to be hooked onto the rim portion 17b, thereby allowing the toilet seat bottom plate 17 to be used in common regardless of whether the detection device 15 is installed or not.

[0057] 5. Data Analysis 7 and 8, data analysis of properties such as shape and color of excrement (feces) detected by the detection device will be described. In the following, a case where a control device provided in the functional unit 3 executes processing of data analysis of shape and color of excrement (feces) will be described as an example. Note that this data analysis may be performed by an external device (not shown) connected to the toilet seat device 2 or the detection device 15 by wire or wirelessly.

[0058] <5-1. Shape of excrement> First, data analysis regarding the shape of excrement will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of data analysis regarding the shape of excrement.

[0059] The object OB1 in Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of excrement (feces) to be detected, and an overview of how the shape of excrement is measured will be explained using the object OB1 as an example. In the following explanation, the longitudinal direction of the object OB1 is defined as the up-down direction, and the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (short direction) is defined as the lateral direction. Such an object OB1 falls in a direction along the up-down direction.

[0060] Each measurement result RS1 to RS3 is a graph showing the reflectance of light reflected from excrement detected by each pixel of the light receiving element. Each measurement result RS1 to RS3 shows a measurement result corresponding to each position in the vertical direction of the object OB1. Measurement result RS1 shows a measurement result corresponding to the top end of the object OB1. Measurement result RS2 shows a measurement result corresponding to the center in the vertical direction of the object OB1. Measurement result RS3 shows a measurement result corresponding to the bottom end of the object OB1.

[0061] The control device provided in the functional unit 3 detects whether or not there is reflectance for each pixel where light is received by the light receiving element. The control device finds the peak value from among the pixels where reflection occurred. In each of the measurement results RS1 to RS3, the central part has the peak value. For example, in measurement result RS2, the control device identifies pixel X0 as the image with the peak value.

[0062] The control device compares the difference in reflectance between the pixel having the peak value and the adjacent pixel, and if it finds that the reflectance is above or below a predetermined value, it assumes that the light is reflected from excrement. The control device processes color in the same manner.

[0063] If the control device confirms that the light is reflected from excrement, it performs the same process on the pixel adjacent to that pixel. In this way, the control device identifies the edge of the excrement and estimates the width of the excrement. For example, in measurement result RS2, the control device estimates that the range from pixel X1 to image X2 is excrement. In measurement result RS1, the control device estimates that the width of the excrement is width L, which is narrower than the range from pixel X1 to image X2 in measurement result RS2. The control device analyzes the shape of the excrement by stacking each measurement result RS1 to RS3, etc. In the example of FIG. 7, the control device analyzes that the part corresponding to measurement result RS2 (center) is the widest and the width narrows toward the part corresponding to measurement result RS1 (top end) and the part corresponding to measurement result RS3 (bottom end).

[0064] Through the above-described process, the toilet seat device 2 detects the object OB1 falling from the user toward the bowl portion 8 of the toilet 7. For example, the object OB1, which is excrement while falling, passes in front of the light-emitting unit 23 and the light-receiving unit 25, in the order of the bottom end, center, and top end, and is detected in that order from bottom to top. Specifically, the object OB1, which is excrement while falling, is detected in the order of measurement result RS3, measurement result RS2, and measurement result RS1. This allows the toilet seat device 2 to detect excrement (feces) falling from the user. Note that the toilet seat device 2 is not limited to detecting excrement while falling, and may also detect excrement after it has been submerged in the sealed water in the bowl portion 8.

[0065] <5-2. Color of excrement> First, data analysis regarding the color of excrement will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of data analysis of the color of excrement. Note that the same parts as in Fig. 7 will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0066] Object OB2 in Fig. 8 represents hypothetical excrement (feces), and differs from object OB1 in Fig. 7 in that object OB2 includes a blood region BD in the center. Measurement results RS1 to RS3 shown in Fig. 8 correspond to measurement results RS1 to RS3 of object OB1 in Fig. 7, which does not have a blood region BD.

[0067] The control device identifies pixels having peak values ​​for light of wavelengths having reflectance characteristic of blood from among the light irradiated onto the object OB2 that is excrement. For example, the control device identifies pixels having peak values ​​for light including a wavelength of 670 nm having reflectance characteristic of blood from among the light irradiated onto the object OB2 that is excrement.

[0068] The control device then calculates the reflectance for light of other wavelengths detected by the pixel with the peak value. The control device estimates the color from the ratio of the reflectance for other wavelengths, including 670 nm, detected by the same pixel. Measurement result RS4 shown in Figure 8 represents the measurement result for a location that includes a blood region BD, such as object OB2. For example, measurement result RS4 shown in Figure 8 represents the measurement result when light that does not include 670 nm is irradiated onto a portion of object OB2 that includes a blood region BD.

[0069] The wavelength having a characteristic reflectance for blood is not limited to 670 nm, but may be in the range of 600 nm to 800 nm, because in this wavelength band, when blood is present in the stool, the reflectance for the color of the blood is more prominently detected than the color of the stool.

[0070] Here, the relationship between excrement and blood will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between excrement and blood. Graph GR1 shown in Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the reflection of stool and the reflection of blood attached to the stool for each wavelength.

[0071] Line FL1 in graph GR1 in FIG. 9 shows the reflectance of excrement (feces) at each wavelength (approximately 600 nm to approximately 870 nm). As shown by line FL1 in FIG. 9, in the case of excrement (feces), the reflectance increases as the wavelength becomes longer. As shown by line FL1 in FIG. 9, in the case of excrement (feces), the reflectance is lowest near 600 nm and highest near 870 nm. Furthermore, line BD1 in graph GR1 in FIG. 9 shows the reflectance of blood adhering to the stool at each wavelength (approximately 600 nm to approximately 870 nm). As shown by line BD1 in FIG. 9, in the case of blood adhering to the stool, the difference from line FL1 in the reflectance near 670 nm is smallest, and the difference from line FL1 in the reflectance increases as the wavelength moves away from 670 nm.

[0072] Graph GR1 in Figure 9 shows that the ratio of the reflectance of blood adhering to the stool to the reflectance of the stool is greatest near 670 nm and decreases as the wavelength increases away from 670 nm. Thus, graph GR1 shown in Figure 9 shows that the ratio of the reflectance of blood adhering to the stool to the reflectance of the stool is large at a wavelength of 670 nm, and the ratio of the reflectance of blood to the reflectance of the stool is small at a wavelength of 870 nm.

[0073] Therefore, the toilet seat device 2 can detect blood adhering to excrement (feces) based on the ratio of reflectance at each wavelength as described above. Also, the toilet seat device 2 can analyze the color of excrement based on the ratio of reflectance at each wavelength as described above. This point will be explained using Figures 10 and 11. Figures 10 and 11 are diagrams showing an example of data analysis of excrement color.

[0074] 10 show measurement results when different colored excrement (feces) were used as measurement targets. For example, the colors of the excrement (feces) being measured may become darker in the order of measurement results RS11, RS12, and RS13. For example, measurement result RS11 may be the measurement result of ochre-colored excrement (feces), measurement result RS12 may be the measurement result of brown excrement (feces), and measurement result RS13 may be the measurement result of dark brown excrement (feces).

[0075] 10, LED#1, LED#2, and LED#3 are light-emitting elements that emit light, and the curves for LED#1, LED#2, and LED#3 indicate the relationship between pixel and reflectance. Note that LED#1, LED#2, and LED#3 may be light-emitting elements that emit light in any wavelength range.

[0076] For example, the darker the color of the stool, the lower the reflectance for each wavelength. In the example of Fig. 10, of the measurement results RS11 to RS13, measurement result RS13, which has the darkest color of excrement (stool), has a lower reflectance for each wavelength, and the ratio of each reflectance becomes larger.

[0077] On the other hand, for example, the lighter the color of the stool, the greater the reflectance for each wavelength. In the example of Fig. 10, of the measurement results RS11 to RS13, measurement result RS11, which has the lightest color of excrement (stool), has a greater reflectance for each wavelength, and the ratio of each reflectance becomes smaller. For example, the closer to a lighter color, the more strongly light at each wavelength is reflected, and the smaller the difference in reflectance for each wavelength becomes.

[0078] Therefore, the toilet seat device 2 can classify the color of excrement (feces) by analyzing based on the relationship between wavelength and reflectance as described above. For example, the toilet seat device 2 classifies the color of excrement (feces) in each measurement by classifying the measurement results RS11 to RS13 based on the ratio of reflectance for each of LED#1, LED#2, and LED#3, as in the classification result RS21 shown in Fig. 11.

[0079] For example, the toilet seat device 2 classifies the color of the excrement (feces) in each of the measurement results RS11 to RS13 using the ratio between the reflectance of LED#1 and the reflectance of LED#2, or the ratio between the reflectance of LED#3 and the reflectance of LED#2. For example, the toilet seat device 2 classifies the color of the excrement (feces) in each of the measurement results RS11 to RS13 according to the position of each of the measurement results RS11 to RS13, with "reflectance of LED#1 / reflectance of LED#2" as the X-axis and "reflectance of LED#3 / reflectance of LED#2" as the Y-axis. For example, the toilet seat device 2 classifies the color of the excrement (feces) in a measurement as "ochre" if the X-axis direction is less than X1 and the Y-axis direction is less than Y1. For example, the toilet seat device 2 classifies the color of the excrement (feces) in a measurement as "brown" if the X-axis direction is greater than or equal to X1 and less than X2 and the Y-axis direction is greater than or equal to Y1 and less than Y2. For example, if the X-axis direction is greater than or equal to X2 and the Y-axis direction is greater than or equal to Y2, the toilet seat device classifies the color of the excrement (feces) in that measurement as "dark brown." Note that the above is just one example, and the toilet seat device 2 may use any method to classify the color of the excrement (feces) in each measurement.

[0080] <6. Other configurations of the toilet seat device> The configuration of the toilet seat device 2 described above is merely an example, and the toilet seat device 2 is not limited to the above configuration. An opening may be formed in the toilet seat bottom plate 17 of the toilet seat device 2. For example, the recess 17a in the toilet seat bottom plate 17 of the toilet seat device 2 may be an opening 17a provided in the toilet seat bottom plate 17. For example, the opening 17a communicates with the interior space of the toilet seat 5 and the exterior space. A toilet seat device 2 having this configuration will be described below with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a toilet seat device with a different configuration. For example, FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a toilet seat device 2 having an opening 17a instead of the recess 17a, taken along line AA in FIG. 2. The toilet seat device 2 configured as shown in FIG. 12 has the same configuration as the toilet seat device 2 described above, except that the recess 17a is an opening 17a. Therefore, explanations of the same points as those described above will be omitted as appropriate.

[0081] In the example of FIG. 12 , a gap is provided between the heat transfer suppression means 21 formed from a thermal insulating material and the detection device 15. The gap here refers to, for example, a space filled with air. The area surrounded by the heat transfer suppression means 21, the toilet seat bottom plate 17, and the detection device 15 in FIG. 12 corresponds to the gap between the heat transfer suppression means 21 and the detection device 15. Thus, in the example of FIG. 12 , a gap is provided between the heat transfer suppression means 21 formed from a thermal insulating material and the heating device 13, and between the heat transfer suppression means 21 and the detection device 15. Note that the gap between the heat transfer suppression means 21 and the detection device 15 is preferably 0.3 mm or more. In other words, the distance between the heat transfer suppression means 21 and the detection device 15 is preferably 0.3 mm or more. Furthermore, the heat transfer suppression means 21 formed from a thermal insulating material is located closer to the detection device 15 than the heating device 13.

[0082] 12, detection device 15 is disposed so that a portion thereof protrudes from toilet seat bottom plate 17 and the remaining portion thereof is recessed inside toilet seat 5. In this manner, detection device 15 passes through opening 17a and is disposed so that a portion thereof protrudes from toilet seat bottom plate 17 and the remaining portion thereof is recessed inside toilet seat 5. Furthermore, the height direction length of detection device 15 that protrudes inside toilet seat 5 is shorter than the distance between heating device 13 and detection device 15. In the example of FIG. 12, the distance from the top surface of detection device 15 to the bottom surface of toilet seat bottom plate 17 is shorter than the shortest distance connecting heating device 13 and detection device 15.

[0083] The above-described embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction in the processing content.

[0084] Further advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1... Toilet device 2. Toilet seat device 3. Functional section 4... Toilet lid 5. Toilet seat 6. Water discharge nozzle 7. Toilet 8. Bowl 9 Rim 9a Rim spout 11. Toilet seat top 13...Heating device 15. Detection device 17···Toilet seat base 17a Recess 17b Rim 19...Cavity part 21. Heat transfer suppression means 23 Light-emitting part 25... Light receiving section

Claims

1. A toilet seat device that is attached to the top of a toilet bowl formed with a bowl portion for receiving excrement, a toilet seat upper plate that forms a seating surface on which a user sits; a toilet seat bottom plate joined to the toilet seat top plate and facing the toilet bowl; a heating device provided between the toilet seat upper plate and the toilet seat bottom plate for heating the toilet seat upper plate; a detection device provided on the toilet seat for optically detecting the excrement; a heat transfer suppression means for suppressing the transfer of heat generated by the heating device to the detection device, the detection device is disposed so as not to be in contact with the heating device; the heat transfer suppression means is made of a heat insulating material having a heat insulating function, The toilet seat device, wherein the heat insulating material is disposed between the heating device and the detection device.

2. The toilet seat apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a gap is provided between the heat insulating material and the heating device, and between the heat insulating material and the detection device.

3. the heating device is not provided directly above the detection device, and a heat transfer means is provided directly above the detection device; The toilet seat apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat transfer means and the heating device are in contact with each other.

4. 4. The toilet seat apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection device is disposed so that a portion thereof protrudes from the toilet seat bottom plate and the remaining portion thereof is recessed inside the toilet seat.

5. The toilet seat apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a height of the detection device extending into the toilet seat is shorter than a distance between the heating device and the detection device.

6. A toilet apparatus equipped with a rim spout that spouts flush water along the rim of the toilet, The toilet bowl; a toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 attached to an upper portion of the toilet bowl; A toilet apparatus comprising:

7. The toilet apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the detection device is disposed in a position that does not face the rim spout.

8. The toilet apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the detection device is disposed inside the inner periphery of the rim portion.

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