Portable toilet

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a portable toilet capable of detecting the excreted amount of excrement discharged by a user. A portable toilet 100 comprises: a container 30 into which excrement is discharged; and strain gauges 75 for detecting the excreted amount of the excrement discharged into the container 30. The number of strain gauges 75 is at least one.

Description

portable toilet

[0001] The present application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-059010, filed on March 31, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an excrement amount measuring device that measures the amount of excrement excreted in a fixed toilet. The toilet includes a toilet bowl and a U-shaped, tubular trap section that is connected to the toilet bowl via an expandable section and is concave downward. The excrement excreted in the toilet bowl is temporarily collected in the trap section.

[0003] The excrement measurement device is equipped with a weight sensor that supports the trap section from below. When excrement accumulates in the trap section of the toilet, the trap section is lowered by the extension / contraction section, and the detected value of the weight sensor increases. The excrement amount can be measured based on the increase in the detected value.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. Hei 8-299348

[0005] Incidentally, in portable toilets that are not fixed toilets as described above but are used to assist users such as elderly people, there may be a desire to measure the amount of excretion in order to understand the user's health condition. However, many portable toilets do not have a trap like the toilet disclosed in Patent Document 1, and in such cases, the amount of excretion cannot be measured using the excretion amount measuring device disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its object is to provide a portable toilet that is capable of detecting the amount of excrement discharged by a user.

[0007] The portable toilet of the present invention includes a container for disposing of excrement, and a strain gauge for detecting the amount of excrement disposed in the container. The strain gauge is at least one.

[0008] According to the portable toilet, the use of strain gauges allows for accurate detection of excrement volume. Strain gauges are also well suited for use in portable toilets due to their high detection accuracy, low susceptibility to temperature changes, fast response time, small size, and long lifespan.

[0009] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the portable toilet includes an excrement detector having a load cell, the load cell including a strain element that strains in response to a load applied to the excrement detector when excrement is discharged into the container, and the strain gauge provided on the strain element.

[0010] According to the above aspect, the strain gauge provided on the strain body can easily detect the strain of the strain body because the strain body is likely to strain accurately in response to the load applied from the container. Therefore, by using a load cell equipped with a strain body, the amount of excrement can be detected more accurately by the strain of the strain body.

[0011] According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the excrement amount detector supports the container from below. The excrement amount detector includes a fixing member for fixing the position of the detector, and a load member disposed above the fixing member and on which the container is placed. The load cell is sandwiched between the fixing member and the load member.

[0012] According to the above aspect, the strain element of the load cell can be strained in accordance with the load applied from the container to the load member when excrement is discharged into the container, and therefore the amount of excrement can be detected based on the load from the container applied to the load member.

[0013] According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the strain generating element has a beam shape extending in the front-rear direction.

[0014] According to the above aspect, by forming the strain body into a beam shape extending in the front-rear direction, it is possible to make it easy to strain. Therefore, it is possible to detect the amount of excretion with high accuracy. Furthermore, by forming the strain body into a beam shape, it is possible to make the direction in which the strain body extends the strain body the direction in which the strain body is easy to strain.

[0015] According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the excrement amount detector includes a first fixing part that fixes the load cell and the fixing member, and a second fixing part that fixes the load cell and the load member. When the strain element is not distorted, the fixing member and the load member are spaced apart. The fixing member and the load member are configured so that when a load equal to or greater than a predetermined maximum load is applied to the excrement amount detector, the strain element distorts and the fixing member and the load member come into contact with each other at any contact point.

[0016] According to the above aspect, when a load equal to or greater than the maximum load is applied to the load member, the load member comes into contact with the fixed member at a contact point, preventing the load member from moving downward below the fixed member and suppressing the maximum strain of the strain element, thereby making it difficult for the strain element to undergo permanent deformation and preventing damage to the strain element.

[0017] According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, when the vertical distance between the fixing member and the load member when the strain element is not distorted is defined as a separation distance and the maximum distance between the first fixing portion and the contact point is defined as a maximum distance, the separation distance / maximum distance is 0.01 to 0.1.

[0018] According to the above aspect, by setting the separation distance / maximum distance to 0.01 to 0.1, it is possible to prevent the maximum distance between the first fixed portion and the contact point from becoming too long, thereby making the excrement amount detector compact. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the strain-generating body from becoming too strained, making it less susceptible to permanent deformation and preventing damage to the strain-generating body.

[0019] According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the flexure element has a first contact portion that is provided on the lower surface of the flexure element and that comes into contact with the fixed member when the flexure element is fixed to the fixed member by the first fixing portion. A fixed-side space is formed between the fixed member and a portion of the lower surface of the flexure element excluding the first contact portion.

[0020] According to the above aspect, when the strain body is distorted downward toward the fixed member, the distorted portion of the strain body can be released into the fixed-side space, thereby making it difficult for the portion of the lower surface of the strain body other than the first contact portion to come into contact with the fixed member, thereby enabling the amount of excretion to be detected with high accuracy.

[0021] According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the flexure element has a second contact portion that is provided on the upper surface of the flexure element and that comes into contact with the load member when the flexure element is fixed to the load member by the second fixing portion, and a load-side space is formed between the load member and a portion of the upper surface of the flexure element excluding the second contact portion.

[0022] According to the above aspect, when the strain body is distorted upward toward the load member, the distorted portion of the strain body can be released into the load-side space, making it difficult for the portion of the upper surface of the strain body other than the second contact portion to come into contact with the load member, thereby enabling the amount of excrement to be detected with high accuracy.

[0023] According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the portable toilet includes a main body having a bottom wall that supports the excrement detector from below, one of the bottom wall of the main body and the bottom of the fixing member includes a support recess, and the other of the bottom wall of the main body and the bottom of the fixing member includes a support protrusion that fits into the support recess.

[0024] According to the above aspect, the position of the fixing member relative to the bottom wall of the main body can be determined by fitting the support protrusion into the support recess, which makes it easy to align the excretion amount detector relative to the bottom wall of the main body, thereby enabling accurate detection of the excretion amount.

[0025] According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the support recess has a recess-side inclined surface provided on an inner circumferential surface, and the support protrusion has a convex-side inclined surface provided on an outer circumferential surface and in contact with the recess-side inclined surface.

[0026] According to the above aspect, by bringing the recess-side inclined surface and the protrusion-side inclined surface into contact with each other, it is possible to easily guide the support protrusion in the direction of fitting into the support recess, thereby making it possible to easily align the excretion amount detector with the bottom wall of the main body and to accurately detect the amount of excretion.

[0027] According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the portable toilet includes an excrement receiving portion that is arranged to surround at least a portion of the container in a plan view, and a toilet seat that is arranged above the container and the excrement receiving portion. The excrement amount detector supports the container from below. The container has a container body that opens upward. The container body is spaced apart from the excrement receiving portion and the toilet seat.

[0028] According to the above aspect, it is possible to make it difficult for a load to be applied from the toilet seat to the container, and to make it difficult for a load to be applied from the excrement receiving portion to the container. Therefore, the excrement amount detector is not subjected to loads from the toilet seat and the excrement receiving portion, but is subjected to load from the container when excrement is discharged. Therefore, when a user sits on the toilet seat, it is possible to make it difficult for an impact load to be applied to the excrement amount detector, and because loads are not easily transmitted from the excrement receiving portion to the container, a load corresponding to the amount of excrement discharged into the container is applied to the excrement amount detector, thereby making it possible to accurately detect the amount of excrement.

[0029] According to the present invention, a portable toilet can be provided that is capable of detecting the amount of excrement discharged by a user.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable toilet according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portable toilet according to an embodiment, showing a state in which the lid is removed. FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view showing a main body, a container, an excrement receiving portion, a toilet seat, and an excrement amount detector. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main body. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the main body. FIG. 6 is a front view showing a state in which the excrement amount detector supports a container. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the container. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the container. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the excrement receiving portion. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the excrement amount detector. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the excrement amount detector. FIG. 12 is a right side view of the excrement amount detector. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a load cell of the excrement amount detector. FIG. 14 is a right side cross-sectional view of the excrement amount detector, showing a state in which the excrement amount detector supports a container and is supported by the main body. FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a fixing member of the excrement amount detector. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the rear of the main body and a control device. Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing a fixing member of the excretion amount detector, and Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing a load member of the excretion amount detector.

[0031] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below is merely one embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used to designate components and parts that perform the same functions, and redundant descriptions will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0032] 1 and 2 are perspective views showing a portable toilet 100 according to this embodiment. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom of the portable toilet 100 refer to the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom as seen from the perspective of a user using the portable toilet 100 and sitting on a toilet seat 50 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later. In addition, in the drawings, the symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D respectively indicate the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom of the portable toilet 100. However, these directions are merely defined for the convenience of explanation and do not in any way limit the installation mode of the portable toilet 100 or the present invention.

[0033] The portable toilet 100 is a toilet primarily used by so-called care recipients, such as the elderly and physically disabled, and is suitable for use with assistance. Furthermore, the portable toilet 100 is not a toilet that is fixed to the floor, but is a mobile toilet. As shown in Figure 2, the portable toilet 100 includes a main body 10, legs 20, a container 30, a waste receiving portion 40 (see Figure 3), a toilet seat 50, a lid 59 (see Figure 1), armrests 60, and a backrest 65.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view showing the main body 10, the container 30, the excrement receiving portion 40, the toilet seat 50, and the excrement amount detector 70 (described later). FIGS. 4 and 5 are a perspective view and a plan view, respectively, of the main body 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the main body 10 is box-shaped and opens upward. Here, the main body 10 has a main body opening 11, which is the portion that opens upward. The main body opening 11 forms the upper portion of the main body 10. The main body 10 has an internal space 12 therein, which is in communication with the open portion of the main body opening 11. As shown in FIG. 5, the main body 10 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The detailed configuration of the main body 10 will be described later.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1 , the main body 10 is supported by legs 20. The legs 20 extend downward from the bottom of the main body 10. In this embodiment, there are four legs 20. The legs 20 are provided at the left front, left rear, right front, and right rear of the main body 10. Note that in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the right rear leg 20 is hidden by the main body 10. Note that, although a detailed explanation will be omitted, the legs 20 are configured so that the length extending downward from the main body 10 can be adjusted. By adjusting the length of the legs 20 extending downward from the main body 10, the height of the main body 10 (in other words, the toilet seat 50) can be adjusted to suit the user's physique.

[0036] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, a container 30 is housed in the internal space 12 of the main body 10. The container 30 is used to discharge excrement such as urine and feces from the user of the portable toilet 100. The container 30 is a so-called bucket. As will be described in detail later, the container 30 is attached to the internal space 12 through the main body opening 11 of the main body 10 and opens upward. The container 30 is configured to be detachable from the main body 10 in the vertical direction. The configuration of the container 30 will be described later.

[0037] An excrement receptacle 40 is provided on the upper part of the main body 10. Here, the excrement receptacle 40 is placed on the upper end of the main body 10. The excrement receptacle 40 is a member for preventing excrement (e.g., urine) from flowing into or adhering to the main body 10. The excrement receptacle 40 can also receive feces in addition to urine, and more specifically, it receives excrement that has leaked to the outside from the container 30 or the toilet seat 50. The excrement receptacle 40 is a so-called tray. The excrement receptacle 40 is detachably disposed on the main body 10. This makes it easy to clean the excrement receptacle 40. The detailed configuration of the excrement receptacle 40 will be described later.

[0038] In this embodiment, a toilet seat 50 is disposed above the main body 10. The toilet seat 50 is disposed on top of the waste receptacle 40. The toilet seat 50 is the portion on which a user sits. Here, the toilet seat 50 is attached to the waste receptacle 40 so as to be rotatable around its rear end relative to the main body 10. The toilet seat 50 is rotatably supported by the waste receptacle 40. Here, a hinge (not shown) provided in the waste receptacle 40 is attached to the rear end of the toilet seat 50, and the toilet seat 50 is configured to be rotatable relative to the waste receptacle 40 via the hinge. The toilet seat 50 can be rotated back and forth. By rotating the toilet seat 50 forward, the toilet seat 50 can be positioned directly above the main body 10 and horizontally. At this time, the toilet seat 50 is positioned above the receptacle 30, allowing a user to sit on the toilet seat 50 and discharge waste into the receptacle 30. On the other hand, when the toilet seat 50 is rotated rearward, the toilet seat 50 can be placed upright at the rear of the main body 10. At this time, the internal space 12 of the main body 10 can be opened upward. Therefore, by placing the toilet seat 50 in the upright position, the container 30 can be removed upward from the main body 10. Furthermore, by placing the toilet seat 50 in the upright position, the container 30 can be attached to the main body 10 from above.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, the toilet seat 50 has a seat surface 51 on which the user rests their buttocks. The seat surface 51 forms the upper surface of the toilet seat 50. A toilet seat opening 52 is formed in the center of the toilet seat 50. The toilet seat opening 52 penetrates the toilet seat 50 from top to bottom.

[0040] The lid 59 shown in FIG. 1 covers the container 30 from above. The lid 59 is configured to be rotatable around the rear end portion relative to the main body 10 and is detachably attached to the main body 10. In this embodiment, the lid 59 is configured to be foldable, but it does not have to be foldable. For example, by rotating the lid 59 forward and unfolding it, the toilet seat 50 and the container 30 can be covered with the lid 59, as shown in FIG. 1. By rotating the lid 59 backward and folding it, the toilet seat 50 and the container 30 are opened. This allows a user to sit on the toilet seat 50.

[0041] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 , armrests 60 are provided on both the left and right sides of the toilet seat 50. The armrests 60 are provided for a user to rest their elbows on while seated on the toilet seat 50. The armrests 60 extend in the front-to-rear direction. Here, a pair of front and rear armrest supports 61, 62 are provided on the left and right sides of the main body 10, respectively, and the armrest supports 61, 62 extend upward from the main body 10. Here, the armrest support 61 is positioned forward and spaced apart from the armrest support 62. The armrest 60 is supported across the pair of front and rear armrest supports 61, 62. In this embodiment, the armrest supports 61, 62 are configured to be movable up and down relative to the main body 10, allowing the length of the armrest supports 61, 62 extending upward from the main body 10 to be adjusted. The height of the armrest 60 can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the armrest supports 61, 62 extending upward from the main body 10.

[0042] A backrest 65 is provided behind the toilet seat 50. A user sitting on the toilet seat 50 leans against the backrest 65. The backrest 65 is disposed above the rear of the main body 10. Here, a pair of left and right backrest supports 66, 67 are provided at the rear of the main body 10, and the backrest supports 66, 67 extend upward from the main body 10. The backrest support 66 is provided at the right rear of the main body 10. The backrest support 67 is provided at the left rear of the main body 10, spaced to the left from the backrest support 66. The backrest 65 spans the pair of left and right backrest supports 66, 67. Here, a backrest opening 69 is provided below the backrest 65, surrounded by the backrest 65 and the backrest supports 66, 67. When the lid 59 is rotated rearward, the lid 59 passes through the backrest opening 69 .

[0043] In this embodiment, the backrest 65 extends left and right. The backrest 65 is longer left and right than up and down, and is longer left and right than front and back. In a plan view, the front surface of the backrest 65 is concave, curving backward as it approaches the center. A backrest portion 68 is provided on the front surface of the backrest 65. The backrest portion 68 is the portion on which the user directly leans. The backrest portion 68 may be made of a material with cushioning properties, but here it is made of a material without cushioning properties.

[0044] Portable toilet 100 may also be equipped with a paper holder for supporting toilet paper and casters for movement provided on legs 20 that are used when moving portable toilet 100. Additionally, the contact surfaces of legs 20 with the floor may be provided with anti-slip members made of a flexible material such as rubber or elastomer.

[0045] Furthermore, the materials used for the portable toilet 100 are not particularly limited. In this embodiment, any material, such as metal or resin, can be used for the components of the portable toilet 100, such as the main body 10, legs 20, container 30, waste receptacle 40, toilet seat 50, lid 59, armrests 60, and backrest 65. Among these, resin materials are preferred, particularly considering weight. Any so-called hard resin can be used, such as styrene-based resins such as acrylonitrile butadiene resin (ABS), polycarbonate-based resins such as polycarbonate resin (PC) and PC / ABS alloy resin, polyester-based resins such as polybutylene terephthalate resin, vinyl chloride-based resins such as polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC) and chlorinated polyethylene resin, and polyolefin-based resins such as polypropylene resin (PP) and polyethylene resin (PE). Furthermore, the portable toilet 100 can be manufactured using any molding method, such as injection molding, press molding, vacuum molding, blow molding, or molding using a 3D printer.

[0046] In this embodiment, the portable toilet 100 is capable of measuring the amount of excrement discharged by the user. As shown in FIG. 3 , the portable toilet 100 is equipped with an excrement amount detector 70. The excrement amount detector 70 detects the amount of excrement discharged into the container 30 (here, this is mass, but it may also be volume, etc.). More specifically, the excrement amount detector 70 detects a change in amount corresponding to the amount of excrement discharged into the container 30. In the following description, "detecting a change in amount corresponding to the excrement amount" is also simply referred to as "detecting the excrement amount." Note that the placement position of the excrement amount detector 70 relative to the portable toilet 100 is not particularly limited as long as it can detect the amount of excrement. In this embodiment, the excrement amount detector 70 is disposed below the excrement receiving portion 40.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a front view showing a state in which the excretion amount detector 70 supports the container 30. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the excretion amount detector 70 is provided on the container 30. More specifically, the excretion amount detector 70 is provided on the bottom of the container 30. Here, the excretion amount detector 70 is disposed below the container 30 so as to support the container 30 from below. The container 30 is placed on the excretion amount detector 70. However, the container 30 may also be supported by being engaged with or suspended from the excretion amount detector 70. For example, the excretion amount detector 70 may be provided with a structure that engages with or suspends a side wall portion 36 or an outer edge portion 37 of the container 30 (described later) when the excretion receiving portion 40 and a container body portion 31 (see FIG. 3 ) of the container 30 (described later) are spaced apart, so that the excretion amount detector 70 supports the container 30.

[0048] In this embodiment, when excrement is discharged into the container 30, a load is applied from the container 30 toward the excrement amount detector 70. The excrement amount detector 70 detects the change in the magnitude of the load applied from the container 30 as the amount of excrement. Therefore, when a user sits on the toilet seat 50 and discharges excrement, it is preferable that no load other than the excrement be applied to the container 30. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , at least the container body 31 of the container 30 is configured not to come into direct contact with the main body 10, the excrement receiving portion 40, and the toilet seat 50 when housed in the internal space 12 of the main body 10. In other words, at least the container body 31 of the container 30 is configured to be separated from the main body 10, the excrement receiving portion 40, and the toilet seat 50.

[0049] Next, a configuration in which the container body 31 of the container 30 and the excrement receiving portion 40 are spaced apart, and the container 30 and the toilet seat 50 are spaced apart, will be described.

[0050] 7 and 8 are perspective views showing the container 30. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the container 30 has a container body 31 and a handle 33. The container body 31 is container-shaped and opens upward. As shown in FIG. 8, the container body 31 has a plate-shaped bottom wall 35, a side wall 36 extending upward from the bottom wall 35, and an outer edge 37 provided at the upper end of the side wall 36. The bottom wall 35 forms the bottom of the container 30. The bottom wall 35 has a circular shape in a plan view, but the shape of the bottom wall 35 is not particularly limited.

[0051] An annular protrusion 38 extending downward is provided on the rear surface of the bottom wall 35. The annular protrusion 38 is a curved plate. A recess 38a is formed inside the annular protrusion 38. The recess 38a is surrounded by the annular protrusion 38 and recessed upward. As will be described in detail later, a portion of the annular protrusion 38 is notched. This notched portion of the annular protrusion 38 is referred to as an anti-rotation recess 39. Here, the bottom of the container 30 has the anti-rotation recess 39. Sloping portions 39a are formed at both circumferential ends of the annular protrusion 38 in the anti-rotation recess 39. The sloped portions 39a slope outward from the anti-rotation recess 39 as they extend downward. The sloped portions 39a are curved so as to be convex downward. Note that the number and positions of the anti-rotation recesses 39 are not particularly limited. In this embodiment, two anti-rotation recesses 39 are provided, one on the front and one on the rear of the annular protrusion 38. The two anti-rotation recesses 39 face each other.

[0052] The side wall portion 36 extends upward from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion 35, and more specifically, extends outward from the container 30 as it extends upward. Here, a side wall recess 36a is formed in the front portion of the side wall portion 36. The side wall recess 36a is configured so that the inner circumferential surface of the front portion of the container 30 (here, the inner circumferential surface of the front portion of the side wall portion 36) is recessed forward, and is inclined so as to extend outward more than the side wall portion 36 other than the side wall recess 36a as it extends upward. In a plan view, the side wall recess 36a is located forward of the bottom wall portion 35.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 7 , the outer edge 37 is provided to extend outward from the upper portion of the container body 31 (more specifically, the upper end of the side wall 36) toward the outside of the container 30. The outer edge 37 has an annular shape in a plan view. Here, the outer edge 37 has a horizontal edge 37a extending outward from the upper end of the side wall 36 and a vertical edge 37b extending downward from the outer end of the horizontal edge 37a. As shown in FIG. 8 , a plurality of edge ribs 37c are formed between the horizontal edge 37a and the vertical edge 37b. Here, a space is formed by the upper end of the side wall 36, the horizontal edge 37a, and the vertical edge 37b, and the plurality of edge ribs 37c are provided in this space.

[0054] Although not shown, a container lid is detachably attached to the top of the container body 31. The container lid can be attached to the upper end (here, the outer edge 37) of the container body 31 and closes the interior of the container body 31. When the container 30 is not in use, i.e., when no excrement is being discharged into the container 30, the container lid is attached to the outer edge 37 so as to close the container body 31 from above. As shown in FIG. 7 , the handle 33 is, for example, a curved rod-shaped handle that spans the annular outer edge 37. Here, the handle 33 is connected to and spans the left and right portions of the outer edge 37. The handle 33 is configured to be rotatable relative to the outer edge 37. In this embodiment, a user can hold the handle 33 in their hand to remove the container 30 from the main body 10 or store it back into the main body 10. When the container 30 is housed in the main body 10, the handle 33 may or may not abut the excrement receiving portion 40. For example, the handle 33 abutting the excrement receiving portion 40 can make the container 30 less likely to shake. Making the container 30 less likely to shake is thought to improve the accuracy of excrement amount detection by the excrement amount detector 70. However, the handle 33 abutting the excrement receiving portion 40 may cause a change in the load on the container 30. Therefore, for example, the handle 33 may abut the excrement receiving portion 40 to an extent that does not reduce the accuracy of excrement amount detection by the excrement amount detector 70. For example, the handle 33 may abut the excrement receiving portion 40 to an extent that the center of gravity of the handle 33 (here, the central portion of the handle 33) is lightly placed on the excrement receiving portion 40. The handle 33 may also be detachable from the container main body 31. When the container 30 is housed in the main body 10, the handle 33 may be removed from the container main body 31.

[0055] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the excrement receiving portion 40. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the excrement receiving portion 40 has an excrement receiving opening 41 formed in its central portion. The excrement receiving opening 41 penetrates the excrement receiving portion 40 from top to bottom. As shown in FIG. 3, the excrement receiving opening 41 has a larger opening area than the toilet seat opening 52 of the toilet seat 50. As shown in FIG. 9, the excrement receiving portion 40 has a plate-shaped, annular bottom wall 42, an inner peripheral wall 43, an outer peripheral wall 44, a horizontal wall 45, and a vertical wall 46. Although not shown, the front portion of the bottom wall 42 is raised higher than the remaining portions. The inner peripheral wall 43 extends upward from the inner peripheral edge of the bottom wall 42. The portion surrounded by the inner peripheral wall 43 is the excrement receiving opening 41. The outer peripheral wall 44 extends upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall 42. 3, the vertical length of the outer peripheral wall 44 is longer than the vertical length of the inner peripheral wall 43. The upper end of the outer peripheral wall 44 is positioned higher than the upper end of the inner peripheral wall 43. A protrusion (not shown) that protrudes forward from the side wall 45 and upward from the bottom wall 42 may be provided at the rear of the waste receptacle 40. The handle 33 of the container 30 may abut against this protrusion. In this case, the protrusion should be positioned so as not to abut against the central portion of the handle 33 (the portion that is easily grasped by a user). For example, two protrusions may be provided so as to abut against the left and right portions of the handle 33 excluding the central portion.

[0056] The horizontal wall 45 extends laterally (e.g., horizontally) from the upper end of the outer peripheral wall 44. The horizontal wall 45 extends from the upper end of the outer peripheral wall 44 outward from the excrement receiving portion 40. As shown in Figure 9, the horizontal wall 45 is plate-shaped and annular. The vertical wall 46 extends upward from the outer peripheral edge of the horizontal wall 45. In this example, the vertical wall 46 extends upward from the left end of the horizontal wall 45 and also extends upward from the right end of the horizontal wall 45.

[0057] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , when the container 30 is housed in the internal space 12 of the main body 10 and supported by the excrement detector 70, the container body 31 of the container 30 is spaced apart from the excrement receiving portion 40. The following description refers to the state in which the container 30 is supported by the excrement detector 70. The container body 31 is not in contact with the excrement receiving portion 40. Here, at least a portion of the outer edge 37 of the container 30 is disposed within the excrement receiving portion 40 and is spaced apart from the excrement receiving portion 40 (specifically, the bottom wall 42, inner peripheral wall 43, outer peripheral wall 44, horizontal wall 45, and vertical wall 46). Here, the outer edge 37 of the container 30 is disposed above the bottom wall 42 and inner peripheral wall 43 of the excrement receiving portion 40. Specifically, the outer peripheral edge (here, vertical edge 37b) of the outer peripheral portion 37 is positioned outward from the inner peripheral wall 43 of the excrement receiving portion 40 and is positioned so as to overlap with the bottom wall 42 of the excrement receiving portion 40 in a plan view. Here, the outer peripheral wall 44 of the excrement receiving portion 40 is positioned outward from the outer peripheral portion 37 of the container 30 and extends upward to approximately the upper end of the outer peripheral portion 37. Furthermore, the vertical wall 46 of the excrement receiving portion 40 is positioned outward from the outer peripheral portion 37 of the container 30, and the upper end of the vertical wall 46 is positioned higher than the container 30. Therefore, most of the outer peripheral portion 37 of the container 30 is positioned within the excrement receiving portion 40. Therefore, excrement splashed from the outer peripheral portion 37 of the container 30 can be received by the excrement receiving portion 40. In this embodiment, it is sufficient that at least the container body 31 of the container 30 is separated from the excrement receiving portion 40, and for example, the handle 33 does not have to be separated from the excrement receiving portion 40. However, the handle 33 may be separated from the excrement receiving portion 40, that is, the entire container 30 may be separated from the excrement receiving portion 40.

[0058] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , a toilet seat 50 is placed on the upper surface of the side wall 45 of the excrement receiving portion 40. Here, the toilet seat 50 has a seat wall 55, a seat inner peripheral wall 56, and a seat outer peripheral wall 57. The upper surface of the seat wall 55 is the seat surface 51. As shown in FIG. 2 , the seat wall 55 is plate-shaped and annular, and slopes downward toward the inside of the toilet seat 50. As shown in FIG. 3 , the toilet seat inner peripheral wall 56 extends downward from the inner peripheral edge of the seat wall 55. Here, the portion surrounded by the toilet seat inner peripheral wall 56 is the toilet seat opening 52. The toilet seat outer peripheral wall 57 extends downward from the outer peripheral edge of the seat wall 55. Here, the lower end of the toilet seat outer peripheral wall 57 is positioned higher than the lower end of the toilet seat inner peripheral wall 56. The lower end of the toilet seat outer peripheral wall 57 is placed on the upper surface of the side wall 45 of the excrement receiving portion 40.

[0059] In the toilet seat 50 of this embodiment, the seat wall 55, the toilet seat inner wall 56, and the toilet seat outer wall 57 are continuous and curved. Here, the area surrounded by the seat wall 55, the toilet seat inner wall 56, and the toilet seat outer wall 57 is referred to as the toilet seat recess 58. The toilet seat recess 58 has an upwardly concave shape.

[0060] When the toilet seat 50 is placed on the excrement receiving portion 40, the container 30 is spaced apart from the toilet seat 50. At this time, the container body 31 of the container 30 is located below the seat wall 55 of the toilet seat 50. The inner peripheral wall 56 of the toilet seat 50 is located within the upper end of the container body 31 and spaced apart from it. Here, the inner peripheral wall 56 is located inward of the side wall 36 of the container body 31 and spaced apart from it. In addition, the outer edge 37 of the container 30 is located below the seat wall 55 of the toilet seat 50 and spaced apart from it. The handle 33 of the container 30 is located within the toilet seat recess 58 of the toilet seat 50 and spaced apart from the seat wall 55, inner peripheral wall 56, and outer peripheral wall 57 of the toilet seat 50.

[0061] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 , the main body 10 has a main body bottom wall 15, a main body inner peripheral wall 16, a main body upper wall 17, and a main body outer peripheral wall 18. As shown in FIG. 5 , the main body bottom wall 15 forms the bottom of the main body 10. As shown in FIG. 3 , a container 30 is disposed above the main body bottom wall 15. The main body inner peripheral wall 16 extends upward from the periphery of the main body bottom wall 15. Here, the space surrounded by the main body bottom wall 15 and the main body inner peripheral wall 16 is the internal space 12. The upper end of the main body inner peripheral wall 16 also forms a main body opening 11. Here, a step 16a is formed in the main body inner peripheral wall 16. The step 16a is a step in which the upper side is positioned further outward than the lower side.

[0062] The upper body wall 17 extends laterally (e.g., horizontally) from the upper end of the inner circumferential wall 16. The upper body wall 17 extends outward from the upper end of the inner circumferential wall 16 toward the outside of the main body portion 10. As shown in FIG. 3, an excrement receiving portion 40 is placed on the upper body wall 17. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, vertically extending cylindrical leg tube portions 17a are provided on the left front, left rear, right front, and right rear portions of the upper body wall 17. As shown in FIG. 1, legs 20 are fitted into the leg tube portions 17a. As shown in FIG. 4, the outer circumferential wall 18 extends downward from the outer periphery of the upper body wall 17.

[0063] Next, the excretion amount detector 70 will be described. As shown in Fig. 3, the excretion amount detector 70 is configured to support the container 30 from below while being housed in the internal space 12 of the main body 10. The excretion amount detector 70 is supported on the main body bottom wall 15 of the main body 10. Here, the excretion amount detector 70 is placed on the main body bottom wall 15.

[0064] 10 , 11 , and 12 are a perspective view, a plan view, and a right side view, respectively, of the excrement amount detector 70. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the load cell 71 of the excrement amount detector 70. FIG. 14 is a right side cross-sectional view of the excrement amount detector 70, showing the excrement amount detector 70 supporting the container 30 and supported on the main body bottom wall 15 of the main body 10. As shown in FIG. 13 , the excrement amount detector 70 is equipped with a strain gauge 75. Here, strain refers to the amount of deformation of a material that expands or contracts in proportion to an external force applied to the material, and the strain gauge 75 is a sensor that detects strain. Here, the excrement amount detector 70 detects the amount of excrement using the strain gauge 75 from the strain caused by the load applied from the container 30 when excrement is discharged into the container 30.

[0065] There are no particular limitations on the specific type of strain gauge 75. Any type of strain gauge can be used as the strain gauge 75, such as a uniaxial or multiaxial foil strain gauge, a wire strain gauge, a semiconductor strain gauge, or a self-temperature-compensated strain gauge. Of these, it is preferable to use a foil strain gauge as the strain gauge 75 from the viewpoint of moisture resistance, and it is preferable to use a self-temperature-compensated strain gauge from the viewpoint of detection accuracy.

[0066] In this embodiment, the excrement amount detector 70 includes a load cell 71 incorporating a strain gauge 75. The load cell 71 is configured with the above-mentioned strain gauge 75 and includes the strain gauge 75 and a strain body 73. The strain body 73 generates deflection deformation, i.e., strain, due to an external force (here, the load from the container 30). Here, the strain body 73 is a long beam extending in the front-to-rear direction. The strain body 73 is formed with a strain hole 73a penetrating from left to right. This strain hole 73a makes it easy for strain to occur at a predetermined position in the strain body 73. However, the shape of the strain body 73 is not particularly limited. The strain gauge 75 is provided on the strain body 73. The strain gauge 75 is fixed to the strain body 73 by a fixing means such as adhesive, and the strain gauge 75 is simultaneously strained in accordance with the strain of the strain body 73. In this embodiment, the strain gauge 75 is provided in the center of the upper surface of the flexure body 73, facing the strain hole 73a. However, the position at which the strain gauge 75 is provided relative to the flexure body 73 is not particularly limited, and it may be provided, for example, on the lower surface of the flexure body 73 or on the inner surface of the strain hole 73a. Furthermore, the number of strain gauges 75 is not limited to one, and there may be more than one. When there are more than one strain gauges 75, they may be provided on both the upper and lower surfaces of the flexure body 73. Furthermore, although there is one load cell 71 in this embodiment, there may be more than one.

[0067] The material for forming the strain element 73 is not particularly limited, and any metal or resin can be used. Of these, it is preferable to use a metal material as the material for forming the strain element 73 from the viewpoint of suppressing thermal expansion due to temperature. Examples of metal materials that can be used include aluminum alloys, stainless steel alloys, copper alloys, and tin alloys. Of these metal materials, it is preferable to use aluminum alloys or stainless steel alloys from the viewpoint of being less susceptible to rust and permanent deformation.

[0068] In the load cell 71 of this embodiment, the strain element 73 is distorted by flexural deformation in response to the load applied from the container 30 when excrement is discharged into the container 30, and the strain gauge 75 is also distorted in the same manner. The electrical resistance value of the strain gauge 75 changes in response to the amount of strain. The electrical resistance value of this strain gauge 75 is detected by a control device 110 (see FIG. 15 ), which will be described later, and the change in the electrical resistance value is detected as the amount of excrement (here, mass).

[0069] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12 , the excrement amount detector 70 includes a fixing member 76 and a load member 77. The fixing member 76 is fixed in position and is a portion of the excrement amount detector 70 that is directly supported by the main body 10 as shown in FIG. 3 . The load member 77 is a portion to which a load is applied from the container 30. In this embodiment, the load member 77 is disposed above the fixing member 76. The load member 77 and the fixing member 76 are disposed so as to be stacked one on top of the other. The shapes of the fixing member 76 and the load member 77 are not particularly limited, but here they are disk-shaped as shown in FIG. 10 , and are circular in plan view as shown in FIG. 11 . In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14 , the fixing member 76 and the load member 77 have a cross-sectional shape that is downwardly U-shaped.

[0070] The materials for forming the fixing member 76 and the load member 77 are not particularly limited. In this embodiment, any material, such as metal or resin, can be used to form the fixing member 76 and the load member 77. Of these, resin is preferred from the standpoint of weight. Examples of resins that can be used include styrene-based resins such as acrylonitrile butadiene resin (ABS), polycarbonate-based resins such as polycarbonate resin (PC) and PC / ABS alloy resin, polyester-based resins such as polybutylene terephthalate resin, vinyl chloride-based resins such as polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC) and chlorinated polyethylene resin, and polyolefin-based resins such as polypropylene resin (PP) and polyethylene (PE) resin. Among these hard resins, polypropylene resin, a relatively flexible or impact-resistant polyolefin-based resin, is preferred from the standpoints of water resistance and preventing damage to the load cell 71 from impact loads. Furthermore, the fixing member 76 and the load member 77 can be manufactured using any molding method, such as injection molding, press molding, vacuum molding, blow molding, or molding using a 3D printer. Of these molding methods, injection molding is preferred from the viewpoint of productivity.

[0071] Here, the load cell 71 is sandwiched between the load member 77 and the fixing member 76. The load cell 71 is disposed at the center of the load member 77 and at the center of the fixing member 76 in a plan view. However, the position of the load cell 71 is not limited to the center of the load member 77 and the fixing member 76, and may be disposed in front of or behind the center. Here, the detection sensitivity of the excretion amount detector 70 can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the load cell 71 relative to the load member 77 and the fixing member 76. In this embodiment, the excretion amount detector 70 includes a first fixing portion 81 that fixes the load cell 71 to the fixing member 76 and a second fixing portion 82 that fixes the load cell 71 to the load member 77. The first fixing portion 81 fixes the rear portion of the strain element 73 of the load cell 71 (here, the portion rearward of the strain gauge 75) to the fixing member 76. Here, the first fixing portion 81 fixes the load cell 71 to the fixing member 76 from below. In this embodiment, the number of first fixing portions 81 is two, but it may be one, or three or more. The configuration of the first fixing portion 81 is not particularly limited.

[0072] Here, the first fixing portion 81 is a so-called screw. The first fixing portion 81 has a first head 81a and a first rod-shaped portion 81b extending upward from the first head 81a. A male screw is formed on the circumferential surface of the first rod-shaped portion 81b. In this embodiment, the strain body 73 is formed with a first contact portion 83a and a first fixing hole 83b. The first contact portion 83a is the surface on which the first fixing portion 81 is provided and constitutes the lower surface of the rear portion of the strain body 73. The first contact portion 83a comes into contact with the fixing member 76 when the fixing member 76 is fixed to the load cell 71. The first fixing hole 83b is formed in the first contact portion 83a. A female screw that screws into the first rod-shaped portion 81b is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the first fixing hole 83b.

[0073] The fixing member 76 is also provided with a fixed-side fixing portion 76b to which the load cell 71 is fixed. A fixing hole 76a is formed in the fixed-side fixing portion 76b. Here, as shown in FIG. 14 , a plurality of ribs 76c are formed around the periphery of the fixed-side fixing portion 76b, and the fixed-side fixing portion 76b is surrounded by the plurality of ribs 76c. In this embodiment, the load cell 71 is disposed on the fixing member 76 so that the first fixing hole 83b of the strain body 73 and the fixing hole 76a of the fixing member 76 overlap. Then, the first rod-shaped portion 81b is inserted into the first fixing hole 83b and the fixing hole 76a and fastened, whereby the load cell 71 is fixed to the fixing member 76 by the first fixing portion 81. When the load cell 71 is fixed to the fixed member 76, the first contact portion 83a of the strain body 73 comes into contact with the upper surface of the fixed member 76 (here, the fixed-side fixed portion 76b), and the portion of the lower surface of the strain body 73 other than the first contact portion 83a does not come into contact with the upper surface of the fixed member 76. Here, a metal sleeve may be provided on the inner circumferential surface of the fixing hole 76a of the fixed member 76 to prevent deformation or destruction of the fixed member 76 caused by the fastening force applied to the fixed member 76 by the first fixing portion 81 becoming too large.

[0074] FIG. 15 is a plan view showing the fixing member 76 of the excretion amount detector 70. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, a contact wall 76d extending upward from the fixing member 76 is provided around the fixed-side fixing portion 76b. The contact wall 76d is plate-shaped and has a flat surface. Here, the flat surface of the contact wall 76d extends in the longitudinal direction (here, the front-rear direction) of the load cell 71 (in other words, the strain body 73). In other words, the contact wall 76d is arranged so that the flat surface extends in the longitudinal direction of the load cell 71. The strain body 73 of the load cell 71 is provided with a contact surface 73b that contacts the contact wall 76d. The contact surface 73b is a flat surface. The contact wall 76d and the contact surface 73b contact each other at their flat surfaces. Here, when the load cell 71 is fixed to the fixed member 76, the abutment surface 73b of the strain body 73 is abutted against the abutment wall 76d of the fixed member 76, which makes it easier to determine the position of the load cell 71 relative to the fixed member 76. In this way, it is preferable to fix the load cell 71 to the fixed member 76 by the first fixing portion 81 with the abutment surface 73b abutting against the abutment wall 76d.

[0075] In this embodiment, a flexure projection 73c is provided on the surface of the flexure body 73 opposite the abutment surface 73b. Unlike the abutment surface 73b, the flexure projection 73c protrudes laterally from the flexure body 73. Therefore, for example, if the load cell 71 is placed on the fixing member 76 so that the flexure body 73 faces in the opposite direction, the flexure projection 73c will come into contact with the abutment wall 76d. This makes it easy to determine if the orientation of the flexure body 73 relative to the fixing member 76 is incorrect. The flexure projection 73 serves to cover the connection between the strain gauge 75 and a cable 111 (see FIG. 15 ), which will be described later, and is internally coated with a waterproof coating. This prevents breakage due to external contact and malfunction due to the intrusion of moisture or water.

[0076] 14 , the second fixing portion 82 fixes the front portion of the strain element 73 of the load cell 71 (here, the portion forward of the strain gauge 75) to the load member 77. Here, the second fixing portion 82 fixes the load cell 71 and the load member 77 from above. In this embodiment, the number of second fixing portions 82 is two, but it may also be one, or three or more. The configuration of the second fixing portion 82 is not particularly limited.

[0077] Here, the second fixing portion 82 is a so-called screw. The second fixing portion 82 has a second head 82a, a second rod-shaped portion 82b extending downward from the second head 82a, and a nut 82c. A male thread is formed on the circumferential surface of the second rod-shaped portion 82b. A female thread that screws into the second rod-shaped portion 82b is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the nut 82c. In this embodiment, the strain body 73 is formed with a second contact portion 84a and a second fixing hole 84b. The second contact portion 84a is the surface on which the second fixing portion 82 is provided and constitutes the upper surface of the front part of the strain body 73. The second contact portion 84a comes into contact with the load member 77 when the load member 77 is fixed to the load cell 71. The second fixing hole 84b is formed in the second contact portion 84a.

[0078] The load member 77 also has a fixing hole groove 77a and a fixing hole 77b. The fixing hole groove 77a is formed on the upper surface of the load member 77 and is recessed downward. The fixing hole 77b extends downward from the fixing hole groove 77a and penetrates the load member 77 vertically. In a plan view, the fixing hole 77b is smaller than the fixing hole groove 77a. Here, the load cell 71 is placed on the load member 77 so that the second fixing hole 84b of the strain body 73 and the fixing hole 77b of the load member 77 overlap. Then, the second rod-shaped portion 82b is inserted into the second fixing hole 84b and the fixing hole 77b, and the second rod-shaped portion 82b penetrates the load member 77 vertically. Thereafter, the nut 82c is tightened to the second rod-shaped portion 82b from below the load member 77. This fixes the load cell 71 to the load member 77 by the second fixing portion 82. When the load cell 71 is fixed to the load member 77, the second contact portion 84a of the flexure body 73 comes into contact with the underside of the load member 77, and the portion of the upper surface of the flexure body 73 other than the second contact portion 84a does not come into contact with the underside of the load member 77. When the load cell 71 is fixed to the load member 77, the second head 82a of the second fixing portion 82 is disposed in the fixing hole groove 77a of the load member 77. Here, in order to prevent deformation or destruction of the load member 77 caused by the fastening force of the second fixing portion 82 on the load member 77 becoming too large, metal sleeves may be provided on the inner circumferential surfaces of the fixing hole groove 77a and the fixing hole 77b of the load member 77.

[0079] In this embodiment, the fixed member 76 and the load member 77 are spaced apart with the load cell 71 sandwiched between them. Here, the upper surface of the fixed member 76 is spaced apart from the lower surface of the load member 77. When a load is applied from the container 30 placed on the load member 77, the strain body 73 of the load cell 71 is distorted (for example, in the direction of arrow A1 in FIG. 14 ). The strain of the strain body 73 causes the load member 77 to move relative to the fixed member 76 (typically, tilt slightly). The direction of distortion of the strain body 73 changes depending on the position of the load member 77 to which the load is applied, resulting in a change in the tilt direction of the load member 77. When the load applied from the container 30 to the load member 77 exceeds a predetermined maximum load (hereinafter referred to as the expected maximum load), the load member 77 comes into contact with the fixed member 76 at a contact point P1. This contact point P1 changes depending on the position of the load member 77 to which the load is applied. In this way, by contacting the fixed member 76 and the load member 77 at the contact point P1, even if a load greater than the expected maximum load is applied, excessive strain on the strain element 73 can be prevented, and the load cell 71 can be made less susceptible to damage.

[0080] Here, when no load is applied to the load member 77, i.e., when the strain body 73 is not distorted, the upper surface of the fixed member 76 and the lower surface of the load member 77 are spaced apart so as to be parallel to each other. The distance between the fixed member 76 and the load member 77 at this time is referred to as the separation distance H1. The separation distance H1 refers to the vertical distance between the upper end of the fixed member 76 and the lower end of the load member 77 when no load is applied to the load member 77. The maximum distance from the first fixed portion 81 to the contact point P1 is referred to as the maximum distance L1. Here, the contact point P1 is a point whose position changes depending on the assumed maximum load applied to the load member 77, as described above, so the term maximum distance L1 is used. The maximum distance L1 typically refers to the distance between the contact point P1 and the first fixed portion 81 when the contact point P1 is at the front end of the fixed member 76 and the load member 77.

[0081] In this embodiment, the ratio of the separation distance H1 to the maximum distance L1 is 0.01 to 0.1, preferably 0.02 to 0.08, particularly preferably 0.03 to 0.06, for example, 0.04. For example, when the maximum distance L1 is 120 mm, the separation distance H1 is, for example, 1.2 mm to 12 mm, preferably 2.4 mm to 9.6 mm, particularly preferably 3.6 mm to 7.2 mm.

[0082] Although not shown in the figure, in order to prevent deformation or destruction of the load cell 71 due to the impact of the load applied to the excretion amount detector 70, the contact point P1 and the fixing member 76 and the load member 77 located around it may be provided with members or structures that absorb the above-mentioned impact.

[0083] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14 , when the load cell 71 and the load member 77 are fixed together, the load cell 71 is configured so that portions of the load cell 71 other than the second contact portion 84a of the flexure body 73 do not come into contact with the load member 77. Here, a load recess 85 recessed upward is formed on the lower surface of the load member 77. The load recess 85 is formed at a position overlapping the portion of the upper surface of the flexure body 73 other than the second contact portion 84a in a plan view. In this embodiment, the space between the load member 77 and the upper surface of the flexure body 73 is referred to as a load-side space 85a. The load-side space 85a is formed within the load recess 85. As a result, even if the rear portion of the flexure body 73 is distorted upward, the rear portion of the flexure body 73 distorts toward the load-side space 85a within the load recess 85. Therefore, when the flexure body 73 is distorted, the strain gauge 75 provided on the upper surface of the flexure body 73 is less likely to come into contact with the load member 77, thereby preventing damage to the strain gauge 75.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the load cell 71 and the fixing member 76 are fixed, a portion of the load cell 71 other than the first contact portion 83a of the strain body 73 does not come into contact with the fixing member 76. Here, a fixing recess 86 that is recessed downward is formed on the upper surface of the fixing member 76. The fixing recess 86 is formed at a position that overlaps with the portion of the lower surface of the strain body 73 other than the first contact portion 83a in a plan view. In this embodiment, the space between the fixing member 76 and the lower surface of the strain body 73 is referred to as a fixed-side space 86a. The fixed-side space 86a is formed within the fixing recess 86. As a result, even if the front portion of the strain body 73 is distorted downward, the front portion of the strain body 73 distorts toward the fixed-side space 86a within the fixing recess 86. This makes it less likely for the strain body 73 to come into contact with the fixing member 76 when distorted, thereby improving the accuracy of detecting the amount of excretion.

[0085] In this embodiment, the bottom surface 87 forming the fixing recess 86 becomes gradually lower as it gets further away from the first fixing portion 81. Here, a work hole 87a (see FIG. 17) is formed in the portion of the bottom surface 87 located directly below the second fixing portion 82. A nut 82c can be attached to the second rod-shaped portion 82b of the second fixing portion 82 through the work hole 87a, and the load cell 71 can be fixed to the load member 77 by the second fixing portion 82.

[0086] Next, the configuration of the main body 10 supporting the excretion amount detector 70 will be described. As shown in FIG. 14 , as described above, the excretion amount detector 70 is placed on the main body bottom wall 15 of the main body 10 and is supported from below by the main body bottom wall 15. In this embodiment, a support recess 15a recessed downward is formed in the main body bottom wall 15. The excretion amount detector 70 includes a support protrusion 90 that fits into the support recess 15a. The support protrusion 90 forms the bottom of the fixing member 76 and protrudes downward below the upper surface of the fixing member 76. In this embodiment, the support protrusion 90 includes a disk-shaped protrusion main body 91 that is smaller than the support recess 15a and a protrusion protrusion 92 provided on the side of the protrusion main body 91. The protrusion protrusion 92 protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the protrusion main body 91. The shape of the protrusion protrusion 92 is not particularly limited, but as shown in FIG. 12 , the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion protrusion 92 is a downward-facing U-shape.

[0087] Here, the outer side (tip) of the convex projection 92 is provided with a convex-side inclined surface 93 that slopes outward as it goes upward. A curved surface 94 is provided below the convex-side inclined surface 93. The number of convex projections 92 is not particularly limited, but here there are four, as shown in Figure 11. The convex projections 92 are provided on both the left and right sides and the front and rear sides of the convex main body 91.

[0088] 14 , the inner circumferential surface of the support recess 15a of the main body 10 is a recess-side inclined surface 15b that slopes outward as it extends upward. A curved surface 15d is formed between the upper surface 15c of the main body bottom wall 15 and the recess-side inclined surface 15b of the support recess 15a. Here, the radius of curvature of the curved surface 94 of the fixing member 76 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the curved surface 15d of the main body 10. In this embodiment, when the excretion amount detector 70 is placed on the main body bottom wall 15 of the main body 10, the curved surface 94 of the fixing member 76 comes into contact with the curved surface 15d of the main body 10. Then, the excretion amount detector 70 moves so that the convex-side inclined surface 93 of the convex projection 92 of the fixing member 76 follows the recess-side inclined surface 15b of the support recess 15a of the main body 10, and the support protrusion 90 of the fixing member 76 fits into the support recess 15a of the main body 10. In this way, the excretion amount detector 70 can be positioned while being supported on the main body bottom wall 15 of the main body portion 10 .

[0089] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the support recess 15a of the main body 10 is provided with an engagement recess 15e that is recessed outward in a plan view. The position of the engagement recess 15e is not particularly limited, but here it is formed on the recess-side inclined surface 15b at the rear of the support recess 15a. One of the convex protrusions 92 (see Fig. 11) of the fixing member 76 engages with the engagement recess 15e. In this way, engagement of the convex protrusion 92 with the engagement recess 15e prevents the excretion amount detector 70 from rotating relative to the main body bottom wall 15 of the main body 10.

[0090] Next, a configuration in which the excretion amount detector 70 supports the container 30 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6 , as described above, the container 30 is supported by being placed on the excretion amount detector 70. Here, the container 30 is supported by the load member 77 of the excretion amount detector 70. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 , the load member 77 of the excretion amount detector 70 is provided with a convex portion 95 that protrudes upward. As shown in FIG. 3 , the convex portion 95 is fitted into a recess 38a surrounded by the annular convex portion 38 of the container 30. Therefore, the shape of the outer periphery of the convex portion 95 corresponds to the shape of the inner periphery of the annular convex portion 38 of the container 30. Here, the shape of the outer periphery of the convex portion 95 and the shape of the inner periphery of the recess 38a are circular. Note that, although the convex portion 95 is annular here as shown in FIG. 10 , it does not have to be annular. In this way, the convex portion 95 of the load member 77 is fitted into the concave portion 38 a of the container 30 , making it easier to align the container 30 with the load member 77 .

[0091] In this embodiment, the protrusion 95 of the load member 77 is provided with an anti-rotation protrusion 96 that protrudes outward. As shown in FIG. 6 , the anti-rotation protrusion 96 is fitted into the anti-rotation recess 39 formed in the annular protrusion 38 of the container 30. An inclined portion 96a is formed at the circumferential end of the anti-rotation protrusion 96. The inclined portion 96a is inclined inward of the anti-rotation protrusion 96 as it extends upward. Here, when the anti-rotation protrusion 96 is fitted into the anti-rotation recess 39, the inclined portion 96a of the anti-rotation protrusion 96 comes into contact with the inclined portion 39a of the anti-rotation recess 39, making the fitting easy. Here, fitting the anti-rotation protrusion 96 into the anti-rotation recess 39 prevents the container 30 from rotating relative to the excretion amount detector 70. Furthermore, since the container 30 is difficult to rotate relative to the excrement amount detector 70, it is possible to prevent the container body 31 of the container 30 from coming into contact with the excrement receiving portion 40 as a result of the rotation.

[0092] In this embodiment, the fixing member 76 and the load member 77 have a cross-sectional shape that is a downward U-shape and reinforced. As shown in FIG. 17 , a first fixing rib 76e and a second fixing rib 76f are formed on the back surface of the fixing member 76. The first fixing rib 76e is an annular rib extending in the circumferential direction of the fixing member 76. The first fixing rib 76e is disposed between the center of the fixing member 76 and the circumferential edge of the fixing member 76. The second fixing rib 76f extends in the radial direction of the fixing member 76. Here, the second fixing rib 76f includes a fixed outer rib 76g extending radially outward from the first fixing rib 76e and a fixed inner rib 76h extending radially inward from the first fixing rib 76e. In this embodiment, the number of fixed outer ribs 76g is smaller than the number of fixed inner ribs 76h, but the number may be the same as or greater than the number of fixed inner ribs 76h. In this embodiment, the plurality of ribs 76c formed around the fixed side fixed portion 76b refer to the first fixed rib 76e and the fixed inner rib 76h.

[0093] Here, the rib configuration of the load member 77 is the same as the rib configuration of the fixing member 76. That is, as shown in FIG. 18 , a first load rib 77e and a second load rib 77f are formed on the back surface of the load member 77. The first load rib 77e is an annular rib extending in the circumferential direction of the load member 77 and is disposed between the center of the load member 77 and the circumferential edge of the load member 77. The second load rib 77f extends in the radial direction of the load member 77. Here, the second load rib 77f has an outer load rib 77g extending radially outward from the first load rib 77e and an inner load rib 77h extending radially inward from the first load rib 77e. In this embodiment, the number of outer load ribs 77g is smaller than the number of inner load ribs 77h, but the number may be the same as or greater than the number of inner load ribs 77h.

[0094] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 15, the portable toilet 100 is equipped with a control device 110. Figure 15 shows the excrement amount detector 70 without the load member 77. The control device 110 is a device that controls the management of the use of the portable toilet 100. Here, the control device 110 controls the amount of excrement discharged into the container 30. The configuration of the control device 110 is not particularly limited. The control device 110 is, for example, a microcomputer. The control device 110 includes, for example, an I / F, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a storage device. Furthermore, the control device 110 includes a wired or wireless output device that is communicatively connected to an external storage device, and a display device.

[0095] In this embodiment, the control device 110 is communicatively connected to the excretion amount detector 70. For example, the control device 110 supplies a constant current to the strain gauge 75 of the excretion amount detector 70 and simultaneously measures the current value to obtain the electrical resistance value of the strain gauge 75. Here, the electrical resistance value before excretion by the user of the portable toilet 100 is set as an initial value. The control device 110 obtains the electrical resistance value of the strain gauge 75 after the user excretes as a post-excretion resistance value. The control device 110 then converts the amount of change in the electrical resistance value (here, the difference between the initial value and the post-excretion resistance value) into the amount of change in mass to obtain the amount of excretion. This conversion from the electrical resistance value to the amount of excretion (mass) may be performed by a calculation device (program) included in the control device 110 or by a calculation device (program) included in an external storage device. In other words, the conversion to the amount of excretion may be performed by the control device 110 or the external storage device. In this embodiment, the control device 110 can record or acquire the time and amount of excrement discharged for each user. Furthermore, the control device 110 can acquire the change in mass over time during the user's excretory activity. Note that the external storage device may be provided with a notification function that notifies the user of the acquired record of the amount of excrement, the time of excretion, etc.

[0096] In this embodiment, the control device 110 and the excrement amount detector 70 are connected by a cable 111. More specifically, the cable 111 connects the control device 110 and the strain gauge 75 of the load cell 71. The cable 111 is detachably connected to the control device 110. In this embodiment, the fixing member 76 is formed with a cable bundling portion 115 for bundling the cable 111 and fixing it to the fixing member 76. The cable bundling portion 115 is, for example, groove-shaped. The shape of the cable bundling portion 115 is not particularly limited, but in this example, it is a linear groove. By fitting the cable 111 into the cable bundling portion 115 in this manner, the position of the cable 111 relative to the fixing member 76 can be fixed. Furthermore, the cable bundling portion 115 can make it less likely for the strain gauge 75 and the cable 111 to break.

[0097] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the main body 10 and the control device 110. FIG. 16 shows a state in which the control device 110 is detached from the main body 10. In this embodiment, the control device 110 is detachably attached to the main body 10. The control device 110 is preferably disposed in a position that does not interfere with the user's use of the portable toilet 100. Here, the control device 110 is attached to the rear of the main body 10, below the backrest 65 and behind the container 30 and the toilet seat 50. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, a mounting portion 120 that opens upward is provided in the central portion of the rear of the main body 10. Also, as shown in FIG. 16, a hook 122 is provided on the control device 110. The hook 122 is configured to be hooked onto the mounting portion 120. The control device 110 can be attached to the mounting portion 120 by hooking the hook 122 onto the mounting portion 120, as indicated by arrow A2 in FIG. 16. On the other hand, by removing the hook 122 from the mounting portion 120, the control device 110 can be removed from the mounting portion 120. Note that, although the control device 110 is attached to the rear of the main body 10 here, the control device 110 can be attached to any position on the portable toilet 10 as long as it does not interfere with the user's use of the portable toilet 100. Also, in this embodiment, the control device 110 is separate from the excretion amount detector 70, but it may be part of the excretion amount detector 70. In other words, the control device 110 may be provided in the excretion amount detector 70.

[0098] Next, an example of how the portable toilet 100 according to this embodiment is used will be described. When a user uses the portable toilet 100, as shown in FIG. 3 , an excrement amount detector 70 is placed on the bottom wall 15 of the main body 10, and a container 30 is placed on the load member 77 of the excrement amount detector 70. In addition, an excrement receiving portion 40 is disposed on the upper portion of the main body 10. At this time, the container main body 31 of the container 30 is disposed so as to be spaced apart from the excrement receiving portion 40. A toilet seat 50 is disposed above the container 30. A user sits on the toilet seat 50 and discharges excrement into the container 30. At this time, the container 30 is filled with water. When excrement is discharged into the container 30, the load applied from the container 30 to the excrement amount detector 70 changes depending on the amount of excrement. A change in the load changes the amount of strain in the strain element 73 of the excrement amount detector 70, and the amount of change in the electrical resistance value of the strain gauge 75 corresponding to the amount of strain is acquired by the control device 110 via the cable 111 as shown in FIG. 15 , and is then transmitted from the control device 110 to the external storage device. The external storage device converts the amount of excrement from the received amount of change in the electrical resistance value into mass and also stores the time of reception. The external storage device stores the time of excrement discharge and the amount of excrement for each user in association with each other, and manages the amount of excrement.

[0099] As described above, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 , the portable toilet 100 includes the container 30 into which excrement is discharged and a strain gauge 75 (see FIG. 13 ) that detects the amount of excrement discharged into the container 30. There is at least one strain gauge 75. In this way, by using the strain gauge 75, the amount of excrement can be detected with high accuracy. Furthermore, the strain gauge 75 is excellent for application to the portable toilet 100 from the viewpoints of high detection accuracy, low susceptibility to temperature influences, fast response time, small size, and long lifespan.

[0100] In this embodiment, the portable toilet 100 is equipped with an excrement amount detector 70 (see FIGS. 12 and 14 ) having a load cell 71. As shown in FIG. 13 , the load cell 71 is equipped with a strain body 73 that strains in response to the load applied to the excrement amount detector 70 when excrement is discharged into the container 30, and a strain gauge 75 provided on the strain body 73. Here, the strain body 73 is likely to strain accurately in response to the load applied from the container 30, so the strain gauge 75 provided on the strain body 73 can easily detect the strain of the strain body 73. Therefore, by using the load cell 71 equipped with the strain body 73, the amount of excrement can be detected more accurately based on the strain of the strain body 73.

[0101] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, the excrement amount detector 70 supports the container 30 from below. The excrement amount detector 70 includes a fixing member 76 that fixes the position of the detector, and a load member 77 that is disposed above the fixing member 76 and on which the container 30 is placed. The load cell 71 is sandwiched between the fixing member 76 and the load member 77. This allows the strain element 73 of the load cell 71 to be distorted in accordance with the load applied from the container 30 to the load member 77 when excrement is discharged into the container 30. Therefore, the amount of excrement can be detected by the load from the container 30 that is applied to the load member 77.

[0102] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 13, the strain body 73 has a beam-like shape extending in the front-rear direction. By making the strain body 73 beam-shaped in this way, it is possible to make it easier to strain. Therefore, it is possible to detect the amount of excrement with high accuracy. Furthermore, by making the strain body 73 beam-shaped, the extension direction of the strain body 73 can be made the strain direction, which is the direction in which the strain body 73 is easy to strain.

[0103] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14 , the excrement amount detector 70 includes a first fixing portion 81 that fixes the load cell 71 and the fixing member 76, and a second fixing portion 82 that fixes the load cell 71 and the load member 77. When the strain body 73 is not distorted, the fixing member 76 and the load member 77 are spaced apart. The fixing member 76 and the load member 77 are configured so that when a load equal to or greater than a predetermined maximum load (here, the assumed maximum load) is applied to the excrement amount detector 70, the strain body 73 distorts (for example, in the direction of arrow A1 in FIG. 14 ) and contacts each other at an arbitrary contact point P1. As a result, when a load equal to or greater than the assumed maximum load is applied to the load member 77, the load member 77 contacts the fixing member 76 at the contact point P1, preventing the load member 77 from moving downward below the fixing member 76 and suppressing the maximum strain of the strain body 73. This makes it difficult for the strain body 73 to undergo permanent deformation, and prevents damage to the strain body 73. Here, permanent deformation refers to deformation that does not return to its original state after deformation.

[0104] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14 , the vertical distance between the fixing member 76 and the load member 77 when the strain body 73 is not distorted is defined as the separation distance H1. The maximum distance between the first fixing portion 81 and the contact point P1 is defined as the maximum distance L1. In this case, the ratio of separation distance H1 / maximum distance L1 is 0.01 to 0.1. By setting separation distance H1 / maximum distance L1 within the above range, it is possible to prevent the maximum distance L1 between the first fixing portion 81 and the contact point P1 from being too long, thereby making it possible to make the excrement amount detector 70 more compact. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the strain body 73 from being excessively distorted, making it less susceptible to permanent deformation and preventing damage to the strain body 73.

[0105] 14 , the flexure body 73 has a first contact portion 83a that is provided on the underside of the flexure body 73 and that comes into contact with the fixed member 76 when the flexure body 73 is fixed to the fixed member 76 by the first fixing portion 81. A fixed-side space 86a is formed between the fixed member 76 and the portion of the underside of the flexure body 73 excluding the first contact portion 83a. This allows the distorted portion of the flexure body 73 to escape into the fixed-side space 86a when the flexure body 73 is distorted downward toward the fixed member 76. This makes it difficult for the portion of the underside of the flexure body 73 other than the first contact portion 83a to come into contact with the fixed member 76, allowing the amount of excrement to be detected with high accuracy.

[0106] 14 , the flexure element 73 has a second contact portion 84a that is provided on the upper surface of the flexure element 73 and that comes into contact with the load member 77 when the flexure element 73 is fixed to the load member 77 by the second fixing portion 82. A load-side space 85a is formed between the load member 77 and the portion of the upper surface of the flexure element 73 excluding the second contact portion 84a. This allows the distorted portion of the flexure element 73 to escape into the load-side space 85a when the flexure element 73 is distorted upward toward the load member 77. Therefore, the strain gauges 75 provided on the upper surface of the flexure element 73 other than the second contact portion 84a are less likely to come into contact with the load member 77, preventing damage to the strain gauges 75.

[0107] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 14, the portable toilet 100 includes a main body 10 having a main body bottom wall 15 that supports the excretion amount detector 70 from below. The main body bottom wall 15 includes a support recess 15a. The bottom of the fixing member 76 includes a support protrusion 90 that fits into the support recess 15a. Here, fitting the support protrusion 90 into the support recess 15a allows the position of the fixing member 76 relative to the main body bottom wall 15 to be determined. This makes it easy to align the excretion amount detector 70 with the main body bottom wall 15, allowing for accurate detection of the amount of excretion.

[0108] 14 , in this embodiment, the support recess 15a has a recess-side inclined surface 15b provided on its inner circumferential surface. The support protrusion 90 has a convex-side inclined surface 93 provided on its outer circumferential surface that contacts the recess-side inclined surface 15b. This makes it easier to guide the support protrusion 90 in the direction of fitting into the support recess 15a by bringing the recess-side inclined surface 15b into contact with the convex-side inclined surface 93. This makes it easy to align the excrement amount detector 70 with the main body bottom wall 15, and enables accurate detection of the amount of excrement.

[0109] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the portable toilet 100 includes, in a plan view, an excrement receiving portion 40 that is arranged to surround at least a portion of the container 30, and a toilet seat 50 that is arranged above the container 30 and the excrement receiving portion 40. The excrement amount detector 70 supports the container 30 from below. The container 30 has a container body 31 that opens upward. The container body 31 is spaced apart from the excrement receiving portion 40 and the toilet seat 50. This makes it difficult for the toilet seat 50 to apply a load to the container 30, and also makes it difficult for the excrement receiving portion 40 to apply a load to the container 30. Therefore, when excrement is discharged, the excrement amount detector 70 is subjected to a load from the container 30, without being subjected to a load from the toilet seat 50 and the excrement receiving portion 40. Therefore, when a user sits on the toilet seat 50, it is possible to prevent an impact load from being applied to the excrement amount detector 70, and since the load is not easily transmitted from the excrement receiving portion 40 to the container 30, a load corresponding to the amount of excrement discharged into the container 30 is applied to the excrement amount detector 70, thereby enabling the amount of excrement to be detected accurately.

[0110] In this embodiment, the main body bottom wall 15 of the main body 10 is provided with the support recess 15a, and the fixing member 76 is provided with the support protrusion 90 at the bottom. However, the main body bottom wall 15 may be provided with a support protrusion that protrudes upward. In this case, the fixing member 76 may be provided with a support recess that is recessed upward.

[0111] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 13, the strain gauge 75 is provided on the beam-shaped strain element 73. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, the container 30 and the excrement receptacle 40 are arranged to be spaced apart. However, for example, when the container 30 is supported by being suspended from the excrement receptacle 40, the strain gauge 75 may be provided on the side wall (side wall 36) or bottom wall (bottom wall 35) of the container 30, or may be provided on the excrement receptacle 40. In this case, the strain gauge 75 may detect strain in the container 30 or the excrement receptacle 40 caused by the load of excrement. In this case, the container 30 or the excrement receptacle 40 may be made of a relatively flexible material.

[0112] In the present embodiment, one load cell 71 equipped with a strain gauge 75 is provided in the excretion amount detector 70. However, the number of load cells 71 equipped with a strain gauge 75 is not limited to one and may be two or more. That is, the number of strain gauges 75 provided in the portable toilet 100 may be two or more. For example, when three load cells 71 are provided in the excretion amount detector 70, the three load cells 71 may be arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the excretion amount detector 70 (e.g., the fixed member 76 or the load member 77) and may be arranged so as to extend in the radial direction (in other words, extending toward the center of the excretion amount detector 70). In this case, the strain element 73 provided in the load cell 71 may be smaller. Furthermore, in this case, the load cell 71 is fixed to the fixed member 76 but does not have to be fixed to the load member 77. For example, the load member 77 may be placed on the load cell 71. Furthermore, in order to facilitate vertical movement of the load member 77, a guide mechanism for guiding vertical movement may be provided.

[0113] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Main body 15 Main body bottom wall 15a Support recess 15d Recess side inclined surface 30 Container 40 Excrement receiving portion 50 Toilet seat 70 Excretion amount detector 71 Load cell 73 Strain generating body 75 Strain gauge 76 Fixing member 77 Load member 81 First fixing portion 82 Second fixing portion 83a First contact portion 84a Second contact portion 85a Load side space 86a Fixing side space 90 Support protrusion 93 Protrusion side inclined surface 100 Portable toilet H1 Separation distance L1 Maximum distance P1 Contact point

Claims

1. A portable toilet comprising: a container into which excrement is discharged; and a strain gauge for detecting the amount of excrement discharged into said container, said strain gauge being at least one.

2. A portable toilet as described in claim 1, comprising an excretion amount detector having a load cell, the load cell comprising: a strain body that distorts in response to a load applied to the excretion amount detector when excreta is discharged into the container; and a strain gauge provided on the strain body.

3. A portable toilet as described in claim 2, wherein the excrement detector supports the container from below, the excrement detector comprises: a fixed member whose position is fixed; and a load member disposed above the fixed member and on which the container is placed; and the load cell is sandwiched between the fixed member and the load member.

4. A portable toilet as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the elastic body has a beam shape extending in the front-rear direction.

5. A portable toilet as described in claim 3 or 4, wherein the excretion amount detector comprises: a first fixing part that fixes the load cell and the fixed member; and a second fixing part that fixes the load cell and the load member; when the strain body is not distorted, the fixed member and the load member are spaced apart; and when a load equal to or greater than a predetermined maximum load is applied to the excretion amount detector, the strain body distorts and the fixed member and the load member come into contact with each other at any contact point.

6. The portable toilet of claim 5, wherein the vertical distance between the fixed member and the load member when the strain body is not distorted is defined as the separation distance, and the maximum distance is defined as the maximum distance between the first fixed portion and the contact point, said separation distance / said maximum distance being 0.01 to 0.

1.

7. A portable toilet as described in claim 5 or 6, wherein the flexure body has a first contact portion provided on the underside of the flexure body and that comes into contact with the fixed member when the flexure body is fixed to the fixed member by the first fixed portion, and a fixed-side space is formed between the fixed member and the part of the underside of the flexure body excluding the first contact portion.

8. A portable toilet as described in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the flexure body has a second contact portion that is provided on the upper surface of the flexure body and comes into contact with the load member when the flexure body is fixed to the load member by the second fixing portion, and a load side space is formed between the load member and the portion of the upper surface of the flexure body excluding the second contact portion.

9. A portable toilet as described in any one of claims 3 to 8, comprising a main body having a bottom wall that supports the excretion detector from below, one of the bottom wall of the main body and the bottom of the fixing member having a support recess, and the other of the bottom wall of the main body and the bottom of the fixing member having a support protrusion that fits into the support recess.

10. A portable toilet as described in claim 9, wherein the supporting recess has a recess-side inclined surface provided on the inner peripheral surface, and the supporting protrusion has a convex-side inclined surface provided on the outer peripheral surface that contacts the recess-side inclined surface.

11. A portable toilet as described in claim 2, comprising: an excrement receiving portion arranged to surround at least a portion of the container in a plan view; and a toilet seat arranged above the container and the excrement receiving portion; wherein the excrement amount detector supports the container from below; the container has a container body portion that opens upward; and the container body portion is spaced apart from the excrement receiving portion and the toilet seat.