Smart toilet control systems and methods.

Abstract

Advertisement announcement set, January 24, 2019. The control system of a smart toilet includes devices that trigger its actions. Toilet seat for operating the toilet seat, device for activating the cover. The seat cover is for operation, and the control circuit includes a user detector. Detecting the presence of users and miniature controllers to trigger device actions. Activates the toilet seat and activates the seat cover. Between the male mode of action and the female mode of action within the male mode of action. Toilet seat activation device and toilet lid activation device. The seat is activated to perform the action for lifting the toilet seat and seat cover in operation mode. The female device stimulating the seat cover operation activates the function for lifting the lid. The seat cover with integrated control system is user-friendly and prevents contamination from the user's hands by... Experience the smart toilet. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revised the invention summary on 17 / 06 / 2016. The control system of a smart toilet includes devices that trigger its actions. Toilet seat for operating the toilet seat, device for activating the cover. The seat cover is for operation, and the control circuit includes a user detector. Detecting the presence of users and miniature control devices to trigger device operations. Activates the toilet seat and activates the seat cover. Between the male mode of action and the female mode of action within the male mode of action. Toilet seat activation device and toilet lid activation device. The seat is activated to perform the action for lifting the toilet seat and seat cover in operation mode. The female device stimulating the seat cover operation activates the function for lifting the lid. The seat cover facilitates easy use of the control system and protects the user's hands from dirt and stains. Experience the smart toilet. ------------------------------------------------------ The control system of a smart toilet includes devices that trigger its actions. Toilet seat for toilet seat operation; device for stimulating the operation of the toilet seat cover. The seat is designed for operation with the seat cover and control circuit, which includes a user detector. Detecting the presence of users and miniature controllers to trigger device actions. Activates the toilet seat and activates the seat cover. Between the male mode of action and the female mode of action within the male mode of action. Toilet seat activation device and toilet lid activation device. The seat is stimulated to perform the action for lifting the toilet seat and seat cover in operation mode. The female device stimulating the seat cover operation activates the function for lifting the lid. The seat cover with integrated control system is user-friendly and prevents contamination from the user's hands. Experience the smart toilet;

Description

A control method for a smart toilet [Technical Field] This invention relates to intelligent toilets, and more particularly to a control method for an intelligent toilet. [Background Technology] Smart toilets originated in the United States for medical and elderly care purposes, initially featuring a warm water washing function. Later, South Korean and Japanese bathroom companies gradually adopted the technology and began manufacturing them, adding functions such as heated seat, warm water washing, warm air drying, and sterilization. Currently, smart toilets on the market typically include automatic seat heating and insulation, warm water washing after use, and warm air drying. While smart toilets were initially positioned for the elderly and family healthcare, as they have gained wider acceptance and their application scenarios and suitable populations have expanded, some issues have arisen that need to be addressed. In public restrooms (such as hotel restrooms and public restrooms), the opening and closing of the seat cover and seat ring of smart toilets requires manual operation, which poses a potential hygiene hazard that cannot be ignored. It is necessary to consider contactless automatic seat ring and cover functions. There are different requirements for the use of smart toilets for men and women, and contactless seat ring and cover functions need to be addressed with targeted solutions. Previously, infrared light was used to detect the approach of a human body to achieve some automatic flip-top functions, but this could not solve the problems of short lifespan caused by infrared light attenuation and large interference from the external environment. At the same time, opening a window on the top cover would bring water sealing problems. Utility model patent CN200920199983.0 provides an automatic opening and closing device for a toilet seat and lid. The seat and lid are mounted on the toilet with the same axis. A seat drive motor and a lid drive motor are respectively connected to the seat shaft and lid shaft and are respectively mounted on the toilet and lid. Each motor has a starting circuit and a control circuit. The seat shaft and lid shaft are connected by a gear composed of wedge teeth. A spring is installed between the core shaft and the sleeve shaft of the seat shaft, and an electromagnet is installed on one side of the core shaft. This invention applies the principle of an electromagnet mechanism and a ratchet. The ratchet mechanism works by designing the seat ring to be driven independently by a motor to close and open along with the lid. The opening and closing of the lid are also designed to be automatic, controlled by sensors. The seat ring closes as needed and opens automatically with the lid. However, this invention cannot determine whether the seat ring needs to open simultaneously with the lid or whether the lid needs to open independently. The user still needs to touch the seat ring, which is not only inconvenient but also increases the possibility of hand contamination. [Summary of the Invention] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a control method for an intelligent toilet that is highly intelligent, easy to use, and whose user's hands are not easily contaminated. To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is a control method for an intelligent toilet. The intelligent toilet includes a seat ring driving device, a lid driving device, and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a sensor and a microcontroller. The opening modes of the seat ring and lid include a male urination mode and a female urination mode. In the male urination mode, when the sensor detects that a user is approaching, the microcontroller opens the lid and seat ring through the seat ring driving device and the lid driving device. In the female urination mode, when the sensor detects that a user is approaching, the microcontroller opens the lid through the lid driving device. In the control method described above, when the sensor detects that the user has left, the microcontroller uses the seat ring drive device and the cover drive device to close the opened cover and seat ring. The control method described above uses a microwave detector as the sensor. The opening method of the seat ring and cover is set by a microcontroller. The control circuit includes a foot switch, the output of which is connected to the microcontroller. In male urination mode, the user touches the foot switch, and the microcontroller lowers the seat ring via the seat ring drive device. The control method described above uses a sensor comprising two microwave detectors, the outputs of which are respectively connected to a microcontroller. The two microwave detectors are mounted on the top cover of the smart toilet, one on the left and one on the right. Based on the user's gestures, the two microwave detectors sequentially output signals to the microcontroller. The opening method of the seat ring and cover plate is determined by the order of the output signals from the two microwave detectors. The control method described above includes a control circuit comprising a foot switch, the output of which is connected to a microcontroller. When the user touches the foot switch without detecting any user gesture, the microcontroller opens the cover and seat ring via a cover drive device and a seat ring drive device. The control method described above includes a seat ring drive device and a cover plate drive device, each comprising a DC motor, a motor drive circuit, and a potentiometer. The movable contact of the potentiometer is driven by the DC motor. The two fixed terminals of the potentiometer resistor are connected to the positive terminal of the power supply and ground, respectively. The movable contact of the potentiometer serves as the sampling terminal for the seat ring or cover plate angle and is connected to the microcontroller. The DC motor uses PWM speed regulation. During the lifting or lowering process of the seat ring or cover plate, the microcontroller samples the angle of the seat ring or cover plate multiple times through the potentiometer and calculates the angular velocity of the seat ring or cover plate during lifting or lowering. When the angular velocity of the seat ring or cover plate exceeds the set value, the duty cycle of the DC motor current is reduced. The control method described above divides the process of the seat ring or cover plate falling into multiple intervals, with the highest angular velocity setting value in the interval at the beginning of the fall and the lowest angular velocity setting value in the interval at the end of the fall; the process of the seat ring or cover plate rising into multiple intervals is also divided into multiple intervals, with the lowest angular velocity setting value in the interval at the beginning of the rise and the lowest angular velocity setting value in the interval at the end of the rise. The control method described above defines the following settings: the seat ring or cover plate is fully engaged at 0° and fully open at 120°; during the descent of the seat ring or cover plate, the angular velocity is set to 70° per second in the 120° to 75° range; 35° per second in the 75° to 40° range; and 25° per second in the 40° to 0° range; during the lifting of the seat ring or cover plate, the angular velocity is set to 70° per second in the 0° to 40° range; 35° per second in the 40° to 80° range; and 25° per second in the 80° to 120° range. The control method described above, wherein the seat ring drive device and the cover plate drive device respectively include a DC motor, The circuit includes a motor drive circuit and a power-off deceleration circuit. The output of the motor drive circuit is connected to the input of the DC motor, and its control terminal is connected to the first control signal output of the microcontroller. The power-off deceleration circuit comprises a current-limiting resistor, an electronic switch, and a relay. The control coils of the electronic switch and relay are connected in series, with one end connected to the power supply and the other end grounded. The control terminal of the electronic switch is connected to the second control signal output of the microcontroller. The windings of the DC motor, the current-limiting resistor, and the normally closed contact of the relay form a series circuit. The intelligent toilet of this invention eliminates the need for users to touch the seat or lid with their hands, making it not only more convenient to use but also reducing the possibility of contamination of the user's hands. [Image Description] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of the intelligent toilet control circuit of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 2 is a front view of the intelligent toilet of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 3 is the output waveform diagram of the microwave detector when it detects continuous motion in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of the intelligent toilet control circuit of Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the installation of two microwave detectors in the intelligent toilet of Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the power-off slow-down circuit of Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Detailed Implementation] The principle of the intelligent toilet control method of Embodiment 1 of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 3. As shown in Figure 1, the intelligent toilet includes a seat ring driving device, a lid driving device, and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a microwave detector, a mode setting button, a foot switch, and a microcontroller. The outputs of the microwave detector, mode setting button, and foot switch are connected to a microcontroller. The two outputs of the microcontroller are then connected to the seat ring drive device and the cover plate drive device, respectively. As shown in Figure 2, the microwave detector is a 24.125GHz high-frequency microwave transmitter and receiver antenna probe, connected via an I / O interface circuit and a microcontroller (MCU). The microwave detector 2 is mounted on the top cover 101 of the toilet seat 1. At the very center, the detector emits 24.125 GHz electromagnetic waves when it is working. It determines whether there is movement by analyzing the frequency and gain changes of the electromagnetic waves reflected back (within a certain angle range directly in front, usually 30°). The microwave detector analyzes for movement every 1.5 seconds. A foot switch 3 is installed at the lower front of the toilet bowl 1. For ease of use, the detection range of microwave detector 2 is defined as an area with a radius of 0.5 meters centered on the foot switch at the bottom front of the toilet bowl, detecting any human movement. When a person enters this 0.5-meter radius area, the microwave detector sends a sensing command within 0.1 seconds. As shown in Figure 3, when the microwave detector detects that an object is moving within its range (within a radius of 0.5m), the output pin of the microwave detector outputs a low level with a pulse width of 0.5s. The microwave detector re-detects every 1.5s. Human actions include arrival, departure, and presence. Arrival and presence are detected by the microwave detector's output pin continuously outputting a low-level signal, while departure is detected if the microwave detector's output pin does not output any low-level signal within 5 seconds. The MCU of the smart toilet control circuit can be set to male and female modes via a mode setting button. In male mode, when the microwave detector detects a human approach, the MCU of the toilet control circuit receives a signal from the microwave detector and opens the seat and lid via the seat ring drive mechanism and lid drive mechanism. In male urination mode, when the user needs to lower the seat, they need to kick the foot switch, and the microcontroller lowers the seat via the seat ring drive mechanism. In female mode, when the microwave detector detects a human approach, the MCU of the toilet control circuit receives a signal from the microwave detector and opens the lid via the lid drive mechanism, while the seat remains stationary. When the microwave detector detects that the user has left, the microcontroller uses the seat ring drive device and the cover drive device to close the opened cover and seat ring. The principle of the intelligent toilet control method of Embodiment 2 of the present invention is shown in Figures 4 and 5. As shown in Figure 4... As shown in Figure 5, the smart toilet in this embodiment also includes a seat drive device, a lid drive device, and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a foot switch, a microcontroller, and two microwave detectors, the outputs of which are connected to the microcontroller. As shown in Figure 5, the two microwave detectors 2A and 2B are installed on the top cover of the smart toilet, one on the left and one on the right. The two microwave detectors 2A and 2B output signals to the microcontroller sequentially based on the user's gestures. The microcontroller determines the opening method of the seat and lid based on the order of the output signals from the two microwave detectors. The smart toilet in this embodiment uses two microwave detectors to judge gestures (from left to right or from right to left) to determine whether it is a male or female application mode, without using a microcontroller to set the application mode. For example, when the microwave detector detects that a person's gesture is from left to right, the MCU receives a signal and starts to open the cover and seat ring, which is the male urination mode; When the microwave detector detects that a person's gesture is from right to left, the MCU starts to open the seat ring while the cover remains stationary. This is the female mode (or male defecation mode). In this embodiment, the gesture signal from left to right or right to left serves as the I / O input signal for the MCU, used to set the opening mode of the seat and cover and trigger the MCU to open the seat and / or cover. When the microwave detector only detects a human body approaching, the output signal of the microwave detector needs to be logically processed with the foot switch. For example, for elderly people with limited mobility whose gesture operation cannot be guaranteed, the foot switch can ensure that the cover and seat are open. In the above embodiments, when the MCU detects a human body approaching and lingering through a high-frequency microwave detector, it can automatically open the seat ring and cover to avoid human hand contact with the seat ring and cover. The opening time of the seat ring and cover is program-controlled, plus gesture control, achieving multiple methods. In Example 1, when the smart toilet is equipped with a forward-facing microwave detector and a foot switch, the opening methods of the male and female toilet seat and lid can be selected and controlled: In male mode, when the microwave detector detects a person approaching, the MCU receives a signal to open the toilet seat and lid; when the lid needs to be lowered, [further steps are required]. You need to kick the foot switch; in the female mode, when a human body is detected approaching, the MCU starts to open the seat ring, while the cover does not move. In Example 2, when the smart toilet is equipped with two upper microwave detectors, the opening methods of the male and female toilet lids and seat rings can be selected and controlled: In male mode, when the upper microwave detector detects a person's gesture from left to right, the MCU receives a signal to start opening the lid and seat ring (male urination mode); In female mode (including male defecation mode), when the upper microwave detector detects a person's gesture from right to left, the MCU starts opening the lid, while the seat ring remains stationary. The automatic damping of the cover plate and seat ring during descent is achieved by driving a DC motor. The DC motor has five pins, of which pins 1 and 2 are the positive and negative terminals, controlling the motor's rotation. Pins 3, 4, and 5 are potentiometer pins connected to the motor. Of the two fixed terminals of the potentiometer resistor, pin 3 is the +5V pin, and pin 4 is the GND pin; pin 5 serves as the movable contact of the potentiometer, acting as an AD sampling (voltage sampling) pin, which is used to sample the angle of the seat ring or cover plate and connects to the microcontroller. For driving a DC motor, the forward and reverse rotation of the motor can be achieved by controlling the voltage across the two ends of the motor. For example, if pin 1 is the positive pin and pin 2 is the negative pin, the motor will rotate forward by controlling pin 1 to be high and pin 2 to be low; the motor will rotate in reverse by controlling pin 1 to be low and pin 2 to be high; the motor can be stopped when pins 1 and 2 are both high, and the motor is stopped when pins 1 and 2 are both low. There are two methods for speed control of DC motors: 1. The speed is controlled by adjusting the voltage between pins 1 and 2 of the motor. The higher the voltage, the faster the motor speed. 2. By using PWM speed control, the voltage applied between pins 1 and 2 of the motor is made into a square wave. The smaller the duty cycle of the motor current, the slower the motor speed. The embodiment of this invention achieves motor speed control using the second method; therefore, the damping software algorithm is... The core technology for controlling the flip-up effect. Currently, the control range for the cover plate and seat ring is 0° to 120° (0° to 120° is the process range, and the normal control range is 0° to 110°). 0° indicates the cover or seat ring is engaged, and 120° indicates the cover or seat ring is open. Assuming the seat cover is open, the potentiometer of the cover or seat indicates that the seat or cover is currently at 110°-120°. To achieve the effect of closing the seat and cover, the control is as follows: First, rotate the motor with a 100% duty cycle to make the motor rotate, and at the same time, sample the value of the potentiometer in real time. 1. When the motor angle rotates between 120° and 75°, the calculated motor speed should be 70° / second. The specific calculation method is as follows: Current A / D chips (analog-to-digital converters) use 10-bit sampling, dividing 5V into 1024 parts. Each angle corresponds to a specific voltage, and the microcontroller converts this voltage into an A / D value. Assuming the voltage corresponding to 120° is 3.5V, then the resulting A / D value is 716. The A / D value is calculated every 500 milliseconds, and the speed of the motor is determined based on the time it takes for the A / D value to change by each unit. For example, if the A / D value of the first sample is 120° and the A / D value of the second sample is 85°, the resulting angle of motor rotation is 120° - 85° = 35°. Therefore, the motor angular velocity is calculated to be 70° / second. If the actual speed is greater than this speed, the PWM duty cycle is adjusted down using the PI algorithm to slow down the speed. If it is less than 70° / second, the duty cycle value is increased (provided that the duty cycle value does not reach 100%). 2. When the motor angle is between 75° and 40°, the algorithm is the same as above, but the angular velocity is controlled at 35° / second. 3. When the motor angle is between 40° and 0°, control the motor angular velocity at 25° / second. The process of opening the coil and lid works on the same principle as closing the coil and lid. Only the angle and speed are set. The values ​​are slightly different. With the seat ring or cover plate in the engaged state, the motor angle is measured to be 0° by sampling with a potentiometer. The control process is as follows: 1. First, rotate the motor with a 100% duty cycle while simultaneously sampling the potentiometer. 2. The motor angle is between 0° and 45°, and it rotates at an angular velocity of 70° per second. 3. The motor angle is between 45° and 80°, and it rotates at an angular velocity of 35° per second. 4. The motor angle is between 80° and 120°, and it rotates at an angular velocity of 25° per second. The principle of the power-off slow-down circuit in Embodiment 3 of the present invention is shown in Figure 6. The automatic flipping ring and flipping cover functions are achieved through an automatic damping device and MCU control circuit. The power failure slow-descent circuit is an additional protection circuit of the MCU control circuit. Under normal circumstances, this part of the circuit does not work, but only works in abnormal situations such as power failure and power outage, to provide protection for users and prevent the seat ring and cover from falling too fast during power failure and power outage, which may cause discomfort to users. The seat ring drive and cover plate drive each include a DC motor M1, a motor driver chip DRV8843, and a power-off soft-close circuit. The output of the motor driver chip DRV8843 is connected to the input of the DC motor, and the control terminal of the motor driver chip is connected to the first control signal output of the microcontroller (MCU). The power-off soft-close circuit includes a current-limiting resistor R1, a transistor Q1, and a relay RLY1. The collector of transistor Q1 is connected to the first terminal of the control coil of relay RLY1, and the emitter is grounded. The second terminal of the control coil of relay RLY1 is connected to the power supply. The base of transistor Q1 is connected to the second control signal output of the microcontroller through a resistor R2. The windings of the DC motor M1, the current-limiting resistor R1, and the normally closed contact of relay RLY1 form a series circuit. When the system is powered on, the MCU controls the relay RLY1 through resistor R2 and transistor Q1. When the normally closed contact of relay RLY1 is open, the DC motor M1 can be driven normally by the motor driver chip IC2 (TI's dual-channel H-bridge driver integrated circuit DRV8843). When the system is powered off, the normally closed contact of relay RLY1 automatically closes under the action of the internal spring mechanism. Resistor R1 forms a closed-loop circuit with the motor windings. When the motor rotates under external force, a current is generated in the closed-loop circuit and consumed by resistor R1 and the internal resistance of the motor windings. This current impedes the rotation of the motor, enabling the smart toilet seat and seat ring to passively and softly close. The above embodiments of the present invention utilize high-frequency microwave detection technology to effectively solve the problem of automatic detection, automatic opening of the seat ring and seat cover, and can reasonably distinguish between male and female users through human gesture control. Furthermore, an automatic damping device is used in the crucial mechanism for opening the seat ring and seat cover to achieve a reasonable opening speed, preventing rapid descent and startling of the user in the event of a power outage. Moreover, for users of different ages and heights, the smart toilet is equipped with a foot-operated switch at the bottom, greatly facilitating user selection.