Toilet seat lifting device

Abstract

To provide a user-friendly toilet seat lifting and lowering device.SOLUTION: A toilet seat lifting and lowering device for lifting and lowering a toilet seat body 111 where a user sits relative to a toilet bowl 100 includes: a determination part (a first determination part 10) for determining an elevated position where the toilet seat 111 is elevated most as an arbitrary position appropriate for the user; a storage part 30 for storing information on the elevated position determined by the determination part; a drive part 40 for elevating the toilet seat body 111 based on the information on the elevated position stored by the storage part 30; and an operation part 50 for receiving an operation to make the drive part 40 elevate the toilet seat body 111 to the elevated position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a toilet seat lifting device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional toilet seat lifting device. This toilet seat lifting device raises and lowers the toilet seat by a lifting device from the use position, which is the position during use, to the highest position above this use position in order to assist the user's standing-up motion from the toilet seat.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the case of Patent Document 1, although the highest position, which is the position where the toilet seat is raised most, can be changed, it can only be changed by selecting a preset position. In this case, depending on the build of the user, the height of the highest position may not be a position suitable for assistance, and it is difficult to say that the usability is sufficient.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above conventional situation, and an object to be solved is to provide a toilet seat lifting device with good usability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, a toilet seat lifting device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a toilet seat lifting device that raises and lowers a toilet seat body relative to a toilet bowl, comprising: a determination unit that determines the highest raised position of the toilet seat body to an arbitrary position according to the user; a storage unit that stores information regarding the determined raised position; a drive unit that raises the toilet seat body to the raised position based on the information regarding the raised position; and an operation unit that receives an operation from the drive unit to raise the toilet seat body to the raised position. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a toilet device equipped with a toilet seat lifting device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view showing a toilet device equipped with a toilet seat lifting device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is a side view showing a toilet device equipped with a toilet seat lifting device according to Embodiment 1, showing the toilet seat in its upper limit position. [Figure 4] This is a side view showing a toilet device equipped with a toilet seat lifting device according to Embodiment 1, showing the toilet seat in its lowest position. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of a toilet seat lifting device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] This diagram schematically shows the operating surface of the operating unit according to Embodiment 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] <Embodiment 1> The toilet seat lifting device 1 according to Embodiment 1 is provided in the toilet device T shown in Figures 1 to 4. The toilet device T comprises the toilet seat lifting device 1, a toilet bowl 100, and a toilet seat device 110. The toilet bowl 100 is a typical Western-style toilet equipped with a toilet bowl body 101 and a tank 102. The toilet bowl 100 is fixed to the floor surface F, which serves as the installation surface.

[0009] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the toilet seat device 110 is positioned above the toilet bowl 100. The toilet seat device 110 comprises a toilet seat body 111 and a functional unit 112. The toilet seat body 111 has a seat surface 111A that serves as the user's seating surface. The toilet seat body 111 is rotatably mounted relative to the toilet bowl 100 via the functional unit 112. The functional unit 112 is positioned at the rear of the toilet bowl 100. The functional unit 112 houses internally functional components (not shown) for performing functions such as local washing and opening and closing the toilet seat.

[0010] The toilet seat lifting device 1 moves the toilet seat body 111 relative to the toilet bowl 100. This allows the toilet seat lifting device 1 to change the height of the seat surface 111A of the toilet seat body 111 relative to the floor surface F to a height position desired by the user, within the range of the mechanical upper and lower limits of the toilet seat lifting device 1 in its installed state. In this embodiment, the toilet seat lifting device 1 raises and lowers the entire toilet seat device 110, including the toilet seat body 111, relative to the toilet bowl 100.

[0011] The toilet seat lifting device 1 has an automatic operation function. The toilet seat lifting device 1 can automatically raise the toilet seat 110 to any desired raised position. This raised position is an arbitrary height that can be set arbitrarily by the user of the toilet seat lifting device 1. The raised position is the stopping position when the toilet seat 110 is automatically raised in automatic operation. The toilet seat lifting device 1 can automatically raise the toilet seat 110 to a raised position which is an arbitrary height according to the user. In this embodiment, the toilet seat lifting device 1 can also automatically lower the toilet seat 110. The toilet seat lifting device 1 can automatically lower the toilet seat 110 to the lowest position of the toilet seat lifting device 1 in its installed state.

[0012] In the following description, the up / down, left / right, and front / back directions refer to the front / back, left / right, and up / down directions as viewed from the perspective of a user using the toilet device T while seated in a normal posture on the seat surface 111A of the toilet seat body 111. The X, Y, and Z axes shown in each figure represent the front / back, left / right, and up / down directions, respectively. For the X, Y, and Z axes, the positive direction of each axis is defined as forward, left, and upward, respectively.

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, the toilet seat lifting device 1 comprises a fixing part 2, a relative movement part 3, and a lifting mechanism part 4. The fixing part 2 is fixedly positioned relative to the toilet bowl 100. The fixing part 2 is fixed to the toilet bowl 100 using a pair of mounting holes 100A in the toilet bowl 100. The pair of mounting holes 100A are holes used when fixing the toilet seat to the toilet bowl 100.

[0014] The relative movement unit 3 is positioned to move relative to the toilet bowl 100. The toilet seat device 110 is fixedly mounted on the relative movement unit 3. As shown in Figure 2, the relative movement unit 3 has a pair of toilet seat mounting holes 3A. The toilet seat device 110 is fixed to the relative movement unit 3 using this pair of toilet seat mounting holes 3A. The pair of toilet seat mounting holes 3A are formed at the same spacing as the mounting holes 100A in the toilet bowl 100. The toilet seat lifting device 1 can be fitted with various existing toilet seat devices other than the toilet seat device 110 by using the pair of toilet seat mounting holes 3A.

[0015] The lifting mechanism 4 is interposed between the fixed part 2 and the relative moving part 3. In this embodiment, a pair of lifting mechanisms 4 are provided on the left and right sides of the toilet bowl 100. The lifting mechanism 4 is composed of, for example, an actuator such as an electric cylinder, a link mechanism, etc. The toilet seat lifting device 1 can freely raise and lower the toilet seat device 110 between the upper limit position shown in Figure 3 and the lower limit position shown in Figure 4. These upper and lower limit positions are the positions of the mechanically raised and lowered ends of the toilet seat lifting device 1 in its installed state. The lower limit position is the height position when the user uses the toilet. In this embodiment, the distance traveled between the upper limit position and the lower limit position is 124 mm. At the upper limit position, the toilet seat lifting device 1 tilts the toilet seat device 110 forward by approximately 5° from the position at the lower limit position.

[0016] In this embodiment, the toilet seat lifting device 1 has a position information acquisition means (not shown) for determining the height position of the toilet seat device 110. The position information acquisition means is configured to include, for example, various measuring instruments and detectors such as a potentiometer, optical sensor, and acceleration sensor.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in the case of this embodiment, the toilet seat lifting device 1 includes armrests 90. The armrests 90 are provided in parallel with each of the left and right relative movement parts 3. The armrests 90 move relative to the toilet 100 as the toilet seat device 110 moves relative to the toilet 100. A pair of armrests 90 are arranged on the left and right sides of the toilet 100 respectively. The height of the upper surface of the armrest 90 relative to the seat surface 111A of the toilet seat main body 111 can be freely adjusted using the height adjustment knob 91. By adjusting the height, the height of the upper surface can be set to a position below the height of the seat surface 111A of the toilet seat main body 111.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 5, in terms of its electrical configuration, the toilet seat lifting device 1 is configured to include a first determination unit 10, a second determination unit 20, a storage unit 30, a drive unit 40, an operation unit 50, a notification unit 60, and a control unit 70. In the toilet seat lifting device 1, the first determination unit 10, the second determination unit 20, the storage unit 30, the drive unit 40, the operation unit 50, and the notification unit 60 are respectively connected to the control unit 70. The toilet seat lifting device 1 is configured such that the operation control of each part is controlled by the control unit 70. The control unit 70 is configured as, for example, a CPU.

[0019] The first determination unit 10 determines the ascending position. The ascending position is the height position where the toilet seat device 110 is lifted to the highest level. The ascending position is determined as the desired height position when the user sitting on the toilet seat main body 111 in the toilet seat device 110 stands up, transfers to a wheelchair, etc. This ascending position can be arbitrarily set by the user through the operation of the operation unit 50 according to the user of the toilet seat lifting device 1. The ascending position can be arbitrarily set within the range between the above-mentioned upper limit position and lower limit position. The ascending position is determined by the first determination unit 10 when a specific operation for determining the ascending position is input to the operation unit 50. In the case of this embodiment, the first determination unit 10 determines the height position of the toilet seat device 110 at that time as the ascending position when any one of the automatic switches 53, 54, 55 and the determination switch 56 described later in the operation unit 50 are simultaneously pressed.

[0020] The second determination unit 20 determines an ascending speed, which is the moving speed when the toilet seat device 110 automatically ascends to the ascending position, and a descending speed, which is the moving speed when the toilet seat device 110 automatically descends to the lower limit position. The ascending speed and the descending speed can be arbitrarily set by the user through the operation of the operation unit 50. The ascending speed and the descending speed are determined by the second determination unit 20 when a specific operation for determining the ascending speed and the descending speed is input to the operation unit 50. In the case of this embodiment, during automatic operation, when a determination switch 56 (to be described later) in the operation unit 50 is pressed, the second determination unit 20 determines the ascending and descending speed at that time as the ascending and descending speed during automatic operation.

[0021] The storage unit 30 stores information regarding the ascending position determined by the first determination unit 10, information regarding the ascending and descending speed determined by the second determination unit 20, and the like. The storage unit 30 can store a plurality of pieces of information regarding the ascending position determined by the first determination unit 10. The storage unit 30 can store a plurality of pieces of information regarding the ascending speed and the descending speed determined by the second determination unit 20. The storage unit 30 is configured to include a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. A system program and the like that can control each part in the toilet seat lifting device 1 are stored in the storage unit 30 in advance.

[0022] The drive unit 40 executes drive control to automatically raise the toilet seat device 110 to the ascending position based on the information regarding the ascending position stored in the storage unit 30. The drive unit 40 receives a control signal output from the control unit ⑦ and drives the lifting mechanism unit 4. In addition to the automatic operation to the ascending position, the drive unit ⑩ executes drive control such as automatic operation to the lower limit position and raising and lowering the toilet seat device 110 to an arbitrary height position between the upper limit position and the lower limit position by a manual operation of the user. During the automatic operation to the ascending position and the descending position, the drive unit 40 executes drive control to raise and lower the toilet seat device 110 at an arbitrary moving speed determined by the user.

[0023] It should be noted that there seems to be an unclear symbol "⑦" in the original text in the description of the drive unit 40. I have translated it as "⑦" as it is, but it might need to be corrected according to the actual situation. Also, the symbol " " etc. are preserved as they are without further translation as per the requirements.The control unit 50 receives input for various operations related to the operation and settings of the toilet seat lifting device 1. Specifically, the control unit 50 receives input for operations such as raising, lowering, determining the raised position of the toilet seat device 110, determining the lifting speed during automatic lifting, automatic raising to the raised position, automatic lowering to the lower limit position, and emergency stop. The control unit 50 may be configured with various known switches such as push-button switches, rotary switches, and touch switches.

[0024] In this embodiment, the operating unit 50 is configured with a plurality of switches 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, and 57 as shown in Figure 6. Each of the switches 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, and 57 is a push-button switch. Switch 51 is a lift switch. The lift switch 51 is used to raise the toilet seat device 110 to an arbitrary height. The toilet seat lifting device 1 raises the toilet seat device 110 only while the lift switch 51 is pressed alone, and stops raising when the pressure is released.

[0025] Switch 52 is a lowering switch. The lowering switch 52 is used to lower the toilet seat device 110 to a desired height. The toilet seat lifting device 1 lowers the toilet seat device 110 only while the lowering switch 52 is pressed alone, and stops lowering when the pressure is released. The raising switch 51 and the lowering switch 52 are also used to change the lifting speed when automatically raising the toilet seat device 110 to the raised position and when automatically lowering it to the lower limit position, respectively.

[0026] Switches 53, 54, and 55 are automatic switches. Automatic switches 53, 54, and 55 are used to automatically raise the toilet seat device 110 to any desired position according to the user. Automatic switches 53, 54, and 55 are also used to automatically lower the toilet seat device 110 to its lowest position. When raising the toilet seat device 110 to any desired position according to the user, automatic switches 53, 54, and 55 are used in combination with the rise switch 51. When lowering the toilet seat device 110 to its lowest position, automatic switches 53, 54, and 55 are used in combination with the lower switch 52.

[0027] Multiple automatic switches 53, 54, and 55 are provided. The toilet seat lifting device 1 can set multiple lifting positions, lifting speeds, and lowering speeds of the toilet seat device 110, each corresponding to one of the multiple automatic switches 53, 54, and 55.

[0028] Switch 56 is a decision switch. The decision switch 56 is used to determine an arbitrary raised position for the toilet seat lifting device 1 according to the user. When determining an arbitrary raised position, the decision switch 56 is used in combination with the automatic switches 53, 54, and 55. The decision switch 56 is also used to determine the lifting speed when automatically raising the toilet seat device 110 to the raised position and when automatically lowering it to the lower limit position.

[0029] Switch 57 is an emergency stop switch. By pressing the emergency stop switch 57 while the toilet seat unit 110 is automatically raising or lowering, the toilet seat unit 110 can be stopped in place while it is moving. Once the emergency stop switch 57 is pressed, the pressed state is maintained until it is released.

[0030] The notification unit 60 notifies the outside when the toilet seat lifting device 1, while in automatic operation, approaches a stopping position such as the raised position or the lower limit position. The notification unit 60 controls the drive of notification means (not shown) that emit voice or electronic sounds, such as a speaker or buzzer. The notification unit 60 may also notify the outside, for example, that the device is in automatic operation or that the operation unit 50 has received an operation.

[0031] When a specific operation for automatically raising the toilet seat to the raised position is input to the control unit 50 of the toilet seat lifting device 1, the toilet seat lifting device 1 automatically raises the toilet seat 110 to a raised position determined according to the user. In this embodiment, this specific operation is that the lift switch 51 is pressed while one of the multiple automatic switches 53, 54, 55 is pressed. When the toilet seat 110 is automatically raised, the toilet seat lifting device 1 raises the toilet seat 110 at a speed determined according to the user during the automatic operation to the raised position.

[0032] When a specific operation for determining the raised position is input to the operation unit 50 of the toilet seat lifting device 1, the device determines the height position of the toilet seat 110 at that time as the raised position. In this embodiment, this specific operation is the pressing of the determination switch 56 while one of the multiple automatic switches 53, 54, 55 is pressed. The toilet seat lifting device 1 determines the height position of the toilet seat 110 at that time as the raised position corresponding to one of the pressed automatic switches 53, 54, 55. Information regarding the determined raised position is stored in the storage unit 30.

[0033] During automatic operation to the raised position, the toilet seat lifting device 1 increases or decreases the lifting speed when either the lift switch 51 or the lower switch 52 is operated. In this state, when a specific operation to determine the lifting speed is input to the operation unit 50, the toilet seat lifting device 1 determines that lifting speed as the speed for automatic operation to the raised position thereafter. In this embodiment, this specific operation is pressing the determination switch 56 during movement to the raised position. Information regarding the determined lifting speed is stored in the storage unit 30.

[0034] When the lowering switch 52 is pressed while one of the multiple automatic switches 53, 54, or 55 is pressed, the toilet seat lifting device 1 automatically lowers the toilet seat 110 to its lowest position. At this time, the toilet seat lifting device 1 lowers the toilet seat 110 at a lowering speed determined according to the user and set in accordance with each of the automatic switches 53, 54, or 55.

[0035] The toilet seat lifting device 1 can increase or decrease its movement speed when either the lift switch 51 or the lower switch 52 is operated during automatic operation to the lower limit position. The toilet seat lifting device 1 changes the lowering speed during automatic operation to the lower limit position, and then, when the determination switch 56 is operated, that lowering speed is determined to be the speed for subsequent automatic operation to the lower limit position. Information regarding the determined lowering speed is stored in the storage unit 30. However, the lowering speed during automatic operation to the lower limit position can only be set to a speed lower than the speed set as the movement speed during automatic operation to the raised position.

[0036] The operation of the toilet seat lifting device 1 with the above configuration will be explained together with the method of using the toilet unit T. When sitting on the toilet seat unit 110 in order to use the toilet unit T, the user of the toilet unit T raises the entire toilet seat unit 110, including the toilet seat body 111, to the raised position. The toilet seat lifting device 1 can automatically raise the toilet seat unit 110 to a raised position arbitrarily determined by the user, making it easy to use.

[0037] When raising the toilet seat device 110 to the raised position, the user inputs a specific operation to the control unit 50 to raise the toilet seat device 110 to the raised position. In this embodiment, this specific operation is to press one of the automatic switches 53, 54, or 55 while simultaneously pressing the rise switch 51. Therefore, the toilet seat lifting device 1 can prevent accidental automatic operation compared to operating only one switch.

[0038] For example, when the automatic switch 53 is pressed and the lift switch 51 is pressed, the toilet seat lifting device 1 will raise the toilet seat 110 to the raised position determined in correspondence with the automatic switch 53. If the other automatic switches 54 and 55 are pressed instead of the automatic switch 53, the toilet seat lifting device 1 will raise the toilet seat 110 to the raised position determined in correspondence with these other automatic switches 54 and 55. In this way, the toilet seat lifting device 1 accepts multiple different operations corresponding to multiple raised positions at the operation unit 50 and raises the toilet seat 110 to the raised position corresponding to each operation.

[0039] When a specific operation to raise the toilet seat device 110 to the raised position is input to the operation unit 50, the toilet seat lifting device 1 outputs a control signal from the control unit 70 to the drive unit 40. Upon receiving the control signal from the control unit 70, the drive unit 40 starts drive control to automatically raise the toilet seat device 110 to the raised position. The drive unit 40 performs drive control based on the information regarding the raised position stored in the memory unit 30. The drive unit 40 raises the toilet seat device 110 while determining the height position using position information acquisition means (not shown). The drive unit 40 terminates drive control when the toilet seat device 110 has risen to the raised position. As a result, the toilet seat device 110 rises to a raised position arbitrarily determined according to the user.

[0040] The raised position is determined as follows: The user of the toilet seat lifting device 1 operates the raise switch 51 and the lower switch 52 on the control unit 50 to adjust the toilet seat 110 to the desired height. The toilet seat lifting device 1 allows the user to determine the raised position by confirming the actual height of the toilet seat body 111, for example, by raising or lowering the toilet seat 110 themselves while seated. At this time, the raise switch 51 and the lower switch 52 raise or lower the toilet seat 110 only while pressed, and stop raising or lowering when the pressure is released. For this reason, the toilet seat lifting device 1 is easy to use when adjusting the height of the toilet seat 110.

[0041] Once the toilet seat device 110 has been raised to the desired height, the user inputs a specific operation to the operation unit 50 to determine the raised position. In this embodiment, the specific operation to determine the raised position is to press one of the multiple automatic switches 53, 54, 55 while simultaneously pressing the determination switch 56. When the first determination unit 10 receives the specific operation to determine the raised position from the operation unit 50, it determines the current height position of the toilet seat device 110 as the raised position. Information regarding the determined raised position is stored in the storage unit 30. This determines the raised position corresponding to one of the multiple automatic switches 53, 54, 55.

[0042] During automatic operation to the raised position, the drive unit 40 refers to the information stored in the memory unit 30 regarding the raising speed when raising to the raised position, and raises the toilet seat device 110 at a speed based on this information. Since the raising speed is arbitrarily determined according to the user, it is comfortable for that user.

[0043] The determination of the lifting speed during automatic operation to the raised position is performed as follows: The user of the toilet seat lifting device 1 operates the lift switch 51 and the lower switch 52 while the toilet seat lifting device 1 is in automatic operation. This causes the toilet seat lifting device 1 to increase or decrease the movement speed of the toilet seat device 110 during automatic operation. Once the user of the toilet seat lifting device 1 has adjusted the movement speed of the toilet seat device 110 to the desired speed, they input a specific operation to the operation unit 50 to determine the lifting speed. In this embodiment, the specific operation to determine the lifting speed during automatic operation is the operation of pressing the determination switch 56 during automatic operation to the raised position. When the second determination unit 20 receives the specific operation to determine the lifting speed from the operation unit 50, it determines the current movement speed of the toilet seat device 110 as the lifting speed during automatic operation. Information regarding the determined lifting speed is stored in the storage unit 30. This determines the lifting speed corresponding to one of the multiple automatic switches 53, 54, 55.

[0044] During automatic operation to the raised position, the drive unit 40 reduces the lifting speed as the toilet seat device 110 approaches the raised position. When the toilet seat device 110 approaches the raised position, the toilet seat lifting device 1 notifies the outside via the notification unit 60. Through these measures, the toilet seat lifting device 1 improves safety during automatic operation to the raised position.

[0045] When the toilet seat 110 is in the raised position, the user can sit on the toilet seat 110 more easily, for example, by reducing the amount of knee bending required compared to when the toilet seat 110 is in a lower position. In this embodiment, the raised position can be arbitrarily determined according to the user, making it even easier for that user to sit on the toilet seat 110. The toilet seat lifting device 1 is equipped with a handrail 90 that moves up and down together with the toilet seat 110, making it even easier for the user to sit on the toilet seat 110 and stand up from it.

[0046] The toilet seat device 110 is raised to the raised position, and once the user sits on the toilet seat device 110, the user lowers the toilet seat device 110 to the lower limit position. The toilet seat lifting device 1 can automatically lower the toilet seat device 110 to the lower limit position, making it easy to use. At this time, the toilet seat lifting device 1 refers to the information regarding the lowering speed when lowering to the lower limit position stored in the memory unit 30, and lowers the toilet seat device 110 to the lower limit position at a speed based on this information.

[0047] During automatic operation to the lower limit position, the drive unit 40 refers to the information regarding the descent speed, which is the speed at which the toilet seat device 110 descends to the lower limit position, stored in the memory unit 30, and lowers the toilet seat device 110 at a speed based on this information. Since the descent speed is arbitrarily determined according to the user, it is comfortable for that user.

[0048] The descent speed during automatic operation to the lower limit is determined by pressing the determination switch 56 during automatic operation, similar to the determination of the ascending speed during automatic operation to the ascending position. When a specific operation for determining the descent speed is input to the operation unit 50, the second determination unit 20 determines the current movement speed of the toilet seat device 110 to the speed during automatic operation to the lower limit. The information regarding the determined descent speed is stored in the storage unit 30. This determines the descent speed corresponding to one of the multiple automatic switches 53, 54, and 55.

[0049] In this embodiment, the descent speed during automatic operation to the lower limit position can only be set to a speed lower than the ascending speed during automatic operation to the raised position. When the toilet seat lifting device 110 approaches the lower limit position, the notification unit 60 notifies the outside. Through these measures, the toilet seat lifting device 1 aims to improve safety during automatic operation to the lower limit position.

[0050] When the user leaves the toilet seat device 110, the user raises the toilet seat device 110 back to the raised position as described above.

[0051] As described above, the toilet seat lifting device 1 according to Embodiment 1 comprises a first determination unit 10 as a determination unit, a storage unit 30, a drive unit 40, and an operation unit 50. The first determination unit 10 determines the highest possible lifting position of the toilet seat body 111 to any height according to the user. The storage unit 30 stores information regarding the lifting position determined by the first determination unit 10. The drive unit 40 raises the toilet seat body 111 to the lifting position based on the lifting position information stored in the storage unit 30. The operation unit 50 receives an operation from the drive unit 40 to raise the toilet seat body 111 to the lifting position.

[0052] With this configuration, the toilet seat lifting device 1 can freely set the raised position of the toilet seat body 111, which is the height position during sitting and standing, to the user's desired height according to the user's physique. Therefore, the toilet seat lifting device 1 is easy to use.

[0053] In the toilet seat lifting device 1, the first determination unit 10, which acts as a determination unit, determines the position where the toilet seat body 111 is moved to the height desired by the user as the raised position. Therefore, the toilet seat lifting device 1 allows the user to confirm the actual height of the toilet seat body 111 and then determine that position as the raised position, resulting in a user-friendly design.

[0054] In the toilet seat lifting device 1, the memory unit 30 stores multiple pieces of information regarding the raised position. That is, the toilet seat lifting device 1 can determine multiple different height positions as the raised position. Therefore, the toilet seat lifting device 1 can determine different raised positions for each user, for example, when used by multiple different users in a nursing home or similar facility. Because the toilet seat lifting device 1 can determine multiple different height positions as the raised position, it is also possible to set different height positions for the raised position when sitting down and when standing up for a single user. In this way, the toilet seat lifting device 1 is easy to use.

[0055] In the toilet seat lifting device 1, the operating unit 50 accepts multiple different operations corresponding to multiple lifting positions. Specifically, the toilet seat lifting device 1 allows the user to select from multiple lifting positions by operating one of the multiple automatic switches 53, 54, and 55, which are associated with multiple lifting positions. Therefore, compared to the case where the operation corresponding to multiple lifting positions is the same, the desired lifting position can be reliably selected.

[0056] The toilet seat lifting device 1 includes a second determination unit 20 that determines the lifting speed of the toilet seat body 111 to a speed of any choice according to the user. In this way, the toilet seat lifting device 1 can raise and lower the toilet seat body 110 at the user's desired speed, making it easy to use.

[0057] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and in the drawings, and the technical scope of this disclosure also includes, for example, the following embodiments.

[0058] The toilet seat body relating to this disclosure does not have to be provided in a toilet seat device having a functional part, etc. The toilet seat body may be provided as a standalone unit, for example. The toilet seat body may be provided in a toilet seat device that does not have, for example, a local washing function, a toilet seat opening and closing function, etc.

[0059] The configuration of the control unit, the input format of operations accepted by the control unit, etc., are not limited to the above embodiment. The configuration of the control unit according to this disclosure is not particularly limited, as long as it accepts an operation from the drive unit to raise the toilet seat body to the raised position.

[0060] The number of upward positions stored by the memory unit is not limited to the above embodiment. The memory unit only needs to store one or more upward positions.

[0061] It is not mandatory for the toilet seat lifting device to include a second determination part. The toilet seat lifting device may raise the toilet seat body to the raised position at a predetermined speed.

[0062] If the toilet seat lifting device includes a second determination unit, the second determination unit may determine not only the lifting speed but also the lowering speed during automatic operation down to the lower limit position.

[0063] The toilet seat lifting device may, for example, reduce its lowering speed when the toilet seat approaches its lowest position during automatic operation to the lowest position.

[0064] It is not mandatory for a toilet seat lifting device to have a notification unit. If a notification unit is provided, it may, for example, notify the outside when the toilet seat body approaches the lower limit position during automatic operation to the lower limit position.

[0065] In this embodiment, the term "user" is intended to include not only the person actually sitting on the toilet seat, but also the caregiver assisting that person. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1...Toilet seat lifting device, 10...First decision unit, 20...Second decision unit, 30...Memory unit, 40...Drive unit, 50...Operation unit, 100...Toilet bowl, 111...Toilet seat body

Claims

1. A toilet seat lifting device that raises and lowers a toilet seat body provided in the functional section relative to the toilet bowl, A determination unit that determines the highest raised position of the toilet seat body to an arbitrary position according to the user, A storage unit that stores information regarding the determined upward position, A drive unit that raises the toilet seat body to the raised position based on the information regarding the raised position, The drive unit includes an operating unit that receives an operation to raise the toilet seat body to the raised position, The toilet seat body and the handrail that moves up and down together with the functional unit, A toilet seat lifting device equipped with this feature.

2. The toilet seat lifting device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the position where the toilet seat body has been moved to a height desired by the user as the raised position.

3. The toilet seat lifting device according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the storage unit stores a plurality of pieces of information relating to the raised position.

4. The toilet seat lifting device according to claim 3, wherein the operating unit accepts a plurality of different operations corresponding to a plurality of raised positions.

5. A toilet seat lifting device for raising and lowering the toilet seat body relative to the toilet bowl, A first determination unit determines the highest raised position of the toilet seat body to an arbitrary position according to the user, A storage unit that stores information regarding the determined upward position, A drive unit that raises the toilet seat body to the raised position based on the information regarding the raised position, The drive unit includes an operating unit that receives an operation to raise the toilet seat body to the raised position, A handrail that moves up and down together with the toilet seat body, A second determination unit determines the speed at which the toilet seat body rises to the raised position to a speed of any choice according to the user, A toilet seat lifting device equipped with this feature.

6. The toilet seat lifting device according to claim 5, wherein the second determination unit determines the lowering speed when the toilet seat body lowers to the lower limit position to an arbitrary speed according to the user.

7. The toilet seat lifting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the handrail moves forward together with the toilet seat body when in the raised position.

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