Toilet seat device

Abstract

This toilet seat device according to an embodiment is a toilet seat device placed on a toilet bowl body, and includes: a seat portion that has a seat surface on which a user sits; a blood flow sensor that is disposed in the seat portion and measures the blood flow of a user seated on the seat surface; and a load distribution means that is provided on a bottom surface side of the seat portion, that comes into contact with the toilet bowl body, and disperses a load applied to the seat surface. The blood flow sensor is disposed in a position not overlapping with the load distribution means in a top view of the seat portion.

Description

Toilet seat device

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to a toilet seat apparatus.

[0002] Conventionally, flush toilets have been proposed that measure blood flow information using an optical sensor attached to the toilet seat and notify the user of their health condition based on the blood flow information (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-073103

[0004] As in the above-mentioned conventional technology, in order to properly measure blood flow information using an optical sensor or the like, the user's body (measurement site) needs to be in proper contact with the location of the sensor, but since users' physiques and seating positions vary, poor contact can occur, which can reduce the accuracy of measuring the blood flow status. As such, the conventional technology has room for improvement in terms of accurately measuring the blood flow status of a seated user.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the embodiment is to provide a toilet seat device that can accurately measure the blood flow state of a seated user.

[0006] A toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment is a toilet seat device that is placed on a toilet body, and includes a seat portion having a seating surface on which a user sits, a blood flow sensor that is disposed within the seat portion and measures the blood flow of a user seated on the seating surface, and a load distribution means that is disposed on the bottom side of the seat portion and comes into contact with the toilet body and distributes the load applied to the seating surface, and is characterized in that the blood flow sensor is disposed in a position that does not overlap with the load distribution means when viewed from above the seat portion.

[0007] For example, if too much load is applied to the location where the blood flow sensor is located, i.e., the part that the user comes into contact with during measurement, the contact with the human body may be too strong, making it difficult to perform an appropriate measurement, and therefore it is necessary to relieve the load. According to one aspect of the embodiment, the toilet seat device can disperse the load by deflecting the seating surface, even when a load from a human body or the like is applied from above the location where the blood flow sensor is located. Furthermore, according to one aspect of the embodiment, the load dispersing means that contacts the toilet body is positioned away from the blood flow sensor, so the position of the blood flow sensor can be separated (displaced) from the position of the fulcrum of the reaction force from the toilet body. As a result, according to one aspect of the embodiment, the blood flow sensor is less susceptible to the reaction force, and the seating surface corresponding to the location where the blood flow sensor is located can be configured to deflect appropriately. Therefore, the toilet seat device allows the user's body to appropriately contact the location where the blood flow sensor is located, thereby accurately measuring the blood flow status of a seated user.

[0008] Furthermore, in a toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment, at least two or more load distribution means are provided on the bottom surface of the seat portion, and the blood flow sensor is positioned in a position sandwiched between the load distribution means in the circumferential direction of the seat portion.

[0009] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the toilet seat device has a blood flow sensor disposed between two load distribution means, and therefore the seating surface can be configured to bend at the position where the blood flow sensor is disposed across the load distribution means. This allows the toilet seat device to appropriately bring the user's body into contact with the position where the blood flow sensor is disposed, thereby enabling accurate measurement of the blood flow state of the seated user.

[0010] Furthermore, in a toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment, two load distribution means are provided on the bottom surface of the seat portion, arranged in the front-to-back direction of the seat portion, and the blood flow sensor is positioned between the two load distribution means.

[0011] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the toilet seat device can distribute the load on the location of the blood flow sensor in the front-to-back direction, where the contact points of one foot are most frequent. This allows the toilet seat device to appropriately bring the location of the blood flow sensor into contact with the user's body, thereby enabling accurate measurement of the blood flow state of the seated user.

[0012] Furthermore, in a toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the blood flow sensor is arranged in a front region of the seat portion, which is an area forward of the center of the opening of the seat portion in the front-to-back direction of the seat portion.

[0013] Providing a blood flow sensor in front of the toilet bowl (seat) allows measurements to be taken regardless of body size, but there is a problem of excessive load being applied. According to one aspect of the embodiment, a toilet seat device can reliably measure blood flow while distributing the load applied to the location of the blood flow sensor using a load distribution means or the like. This allows the toilet seat device to accurately measure the blood flow state of a seated user.

[0014] Furthermore, in a toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the load distribution means is provided on the bottom surface of the seat portion in the front region, on one side and the other side of the left-right center line of the opening of the seat portion, and the blood flow sensor is positioned in a position sandwiched between the load distribution means in the circumferential direction of the seat portion.

[0015] According to one aspect of the embodiment, even when the blood flow sensor is disposed at the front, the load applied to the location of the blood flow sensor can be distributed in the front-to-rear direction where the contact points of one foot are most frequent. This allows the toilet seat device to appropriately bring the location of the blood flow sensor into contact with the user's body, thereby enabling accurate measurement of the blood flow state of the seated user.

[0016] Furthermore, in a toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the blood flow sensor is positioned in a position in the front region of the bottom surface of the seat portion, when viewed from above, that does not overlap with the left-right center line of the opening of the seat portion.

[0017] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the blood flow sensor is provided at a location other than the center in the left-right direction where the human body, such as the legs, is unlikely to come into contact with the sensor, thereby distributing the load on the location of the blood flow sensor and enabling reliable measurement. This allows the toilet seat device to accurately measure the blood flow state of a seated user.

[0018] In addition, in a toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the seating surface has an inclined surface that slopes toward the bottom surface of the seat portion as it approaches the opening of the seat portion, and the blood flow sensor is arranged along the slope of the inclined surface.

[0019] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the seat surface corresponding to the location of the blood flow sensor is inclined, so that the load acting on the location of the blood flow sensor can be released obliquely. This allows the toilet seat device to appropriately bring the user's body into contact with the location of the blood flow sensor, thereby enabling accurate measurement of the blood flow state of the seated user.

[0020] Furthermore, in a toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the seat portion has curved portions at both ends on the seating surface side in a cross section intersecting the circumferential direction of the seat portion, and the blood flow sensor is positioned between the curved portions at both ends when viewed from above the seat portion.

[0021] Since curved surfaces are generally less likely to bend, in one aspect of the embodiment, the toilet seat device places the blood flow sensor on a portion other than the curved surface at both ends of the seating surface. This allows the toilet seat device to properly bring the blood flow sensor into contact with the user's body, enabling accurate measurement of the blood flow state of the seated user.

[0022] A toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment is a toilet seat device that is placed on a toilet body, and comprises a seat portion having a seating surface on which a user sits, a blood flow sensor that is disposed within the seat portion and measures the blood flow of a user seated on the seating surface, and a protrusion that protrudes from the bottom side of the seat portion and comes into contact with the toilet body, and is characterized in that the blood flow sensor is disposed in a position where at least a portion of it overlaps with the protrusion when viewed from above the seat portion.

[0023] For example, if the location of the blood flow sensor is deformed by a load, the orientation of the blood flow sensor may change, changing the measurement mode of the blood flow sensor and making it difficult to perform appropriate measurement. According to one aspect of the embodiment, the toilet seat device is configured so that the protrusion overlaps the location of the blood flow sensor in a top view, thereby suppressing deformation of the seating surface corresponding to the location of the blood flow sensor and suppressing changes in the measurement mode of the blood flow sensor. Therefore, the toilet seat device allows the user's body to appropriately contact the location of the blood flow sensor, thereby enabling accurate measurement of the blood flow state of the seated user.

[0024] In addition, in a toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the seating surface has an inclined surface that slopes in a direction approaching the bottom surface of the seat portion as it approaches the opening of the seat portion.

[0025] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the seat surface corresponding to the location of the blood flow sensor is inclined, so that the load acting on the location of the blood flow sensor can be released obliquely, and changes in the measurement mode, such as changes in the position of the blood flow sensor due to deflection of the seat surface, can be suppressed. As a result, the toilet seat device can appropriately bring the user's body into contact with the location of the blood flow sensor, thereby enabling accurate measurement of the blood flow state of the seated user.

[0026] In addition, in the toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the blood flow sensor is arranged along the slope of the inclined surface.

[0027] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the blood flow sensor is disposed along the slope of the inclined surface, which prevents changes in measurement mode, such as changes in the position of the blood flow sensor, due to bending of the seating surface. This allows the toilet seat device to appropriately bring the location of the blood flow sensor into contact with the user's body, thereby enabling accurate measurement of the blood flow state of the seated user.

[0028] Furthermore, in a toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the blood flow sensor is arranged in a front region of the seat portion, which is an area forward of the center of the opening of the seat portion in the front-to-back direction of the seat portion.

[0029] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the protrusion is arranged to overlap the location of the blood flow sensor in a top view, so that even on the front side where loads are more likely to be applied, deflection of the seating surface corresponding to the location of the blood flow sensor can be suppressed. This allows the toilet seat device to appropriately bring the user's body into contact with the location of the blood flow sensor, thereby enabling accurate measurement of the blood flow status of the seated user.

[0030] In addition, in a toilet seat device according to one aspect of the embodiment, the blood flow sensor is disposed at a position that is included in the protrusion when viewed from above the seat portion.

[0031] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the toilet seat device is provided with a blood flow sensor that is included in the protrusion when viewed from above, which more reliably prevents deformation of the seating surface corresponding to the location of the blood flow sensor and more reliably prevents changes in the measurement mode of the blood flow sensor. Therefore, the toilet seat device allows the user's body to appropriately contact the location of the blood flow sensor, thereby enabling accurate measurement of the blood flow state of the seated user.

[0032] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the blood flow state of a seated user can be measured with high accuracy.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flush toilet apparatus equipped with a toilet seat device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of a flush toilet apparatus equipped with a toilet seat device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a measurement system. FIG. 4 is a top view of a seat unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the seat unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a side view of the seat unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the seat unit when a load is applied to the seating surface. FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a seat unit according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a side view of a seat unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the seat unit when a load is applied to the seating surface. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a flush toilet apparatus equipped with a toilet seat device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a side view of a flush toilet apparatus equipped with a toilet seat device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a top view of a seat unit according to the third embodiment. FIG. 15 is a bottom view of a seat unit according to the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a side view of a seat unit according to the third embodiment. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG.

[0034] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the toilet seat device disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0035] (First embodiment) A toilet seat device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a flush toilet device equipped with the toilet seat device according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a side view of a flush toilet device equipped with the toilet seat device according to the first embodiment. For example, Figure 2 is a side view of the flush toilet device 1 with the toilet lid 36 of the toilet seat device 20 removed. Note that Figures 1, 2, and 4 onwards are all schematic diagrams.

[0036] For ease of explanation, Figure 1 and other figures illustrate a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system in which mutually orthogonal X-, Y-, and Z-axis directions are defined, with the positive Z-axis direction being the vertically upward direction. In the following description, the positive X-axis direction may be referred to as the "left," the negative X-axis direction as the "right," the positive Y-axis direction as the "rear," and the negative Y-axis direction as the "front." In other words, the terms "left," "right," "rear," and "front" may be used with respect to a center point CT (described below). Therefore, in the following description, the X-axis may be referred to as the left-right direction, the Y-axis as the front-to-rear direction, and the Z-axis as the up-down direction (vertical direction). Furthermore, the terms "left side," "right side," "rear side," and "front" may be used with respect to the center point CT (described below). For example, Figure 2 is a side view of the flush toilet apparatus 1 equipped with the toilet seat apparatus 20 shown in Figure 1, viewed from the right side.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the flush toilet device 1 comprises a toilet body 10 and a toilet seat device 20. The toilet body 10 comprises a bowl portion 11. The bowl portion 11 is formed in a bowl shape capable of receiving waste. Flush water is discharged into the bowl portion 11 to clean it, and the flush water that has cleaned the bowl portion 11 is discharged through a drainage pipe (not shown). The toilet body 10 is made of, for example, ceramic. However, the toilet body 10 is not limited to being made of ceramic, and may be made of, for example, resin, or a combination of ceramic and resin.

[0038] The toilet seat device 20 is placed on the toilet body 10. The toilet seat device 20 is attached to the top of the toilet body 10 and includes a seat unit 30, a toilet lid 36, a functional unit 38, and a sensor 40. The toilet seat device 20 may be detachably attached to the toilet body 10, or may be attached so as to be integrated with the toilet body 10.

[0039] The seat portion 30 functions as a toilet seat. The seat portion 30 has a seating surface 31 on which a user sits and a bottom surface 32, and is formed in an annular shape with an opening 33 in the center when viewed from above. For example, the seat portion 30 is arranged along the rim portion 12 with the bottom surface 32 facing the rim portion 12, and the opening 33 is arranged in a position overlapping with the bowl portion 11 (opening) of the toilet body 10.

[0040] The seating surface 31 supports the buttocks, thighs, etc. of a seated user. As shown in FIG. 2 , the bottom surface 32 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 34 that protrude downward from the bottom surface 32. The protrusions 34 are legs (supporting parts) that contact the rim portion 12 of the toilet body 10 and support the seat portion 30 when the bottom surface 32 faces the rim portion 12. For example, the plurality of protrusions 34 function as load distribution means that distribute the load applied to the seating surface 31. For example, when a user sits on the seating surface 31, the plurality of protrusions 34 distribute the load applied to parts of the user's body that come into contact with the body.

[0041] In FIG. 2, which is a side view from the right side, two protrusions 34c and 34d are shown on the right side of the seat portion 30, but four protrusions 34a to 34d are provided on the bottom surface 32. When the protrusions 34a to 34d are not particularly distinguished from one another, they may be referred to as "protrusions 34." As shown in FIG. 2, the protrusions 34 are provided on the bottom surface 32 of the seat portion 30 and come into contact with the toilet body 10 to distribute the load applied to the seating surface 31. For example, at least two or more protrusions 34 are provided on the bottom surface 32 of the seat portion 30. Details of the seat portion 30, such as the arrangement of the protrusions 34, will be described later.

[0042] The toilet lid 36 is attached to the seat unit 30 so as to be able to open and close. The functional unit 38 houses, for example, a nozzle device, and sprays cleansing water from the nozzle device onto the user's body to cleanse the private parts. Note that the toilet seat device 20 may be configured without the toilet lid 36 or functional unit 38 described above.

[0043] The sensor 40 is a sensor (blood flow sensor) capable of measuring the blood flow state of a user seated on the seat 30. An optical biosensor (optical sensor) can be used as the sensor 40. The sensor 40 is disposed within the seat 30 and measures the blood flow of a user seated on the seating surface 31. The arrangement of the sensor 40 will be described in detail below. A measurement system including the sensor 40 will now be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the measurement system.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3 , the measurement system 100 includes the sensor 40, the control device 70, and the display device 80. The sensor 40 irradiates, for example, infrared light, visible light, or a laser onto a user seated on the seat 30. More specifically, while the user is seated on the seat 30, the sensor 40 irradiates infrared light or the like toward a measurement site on the user's buttocks or thighs. The sensor 40 reflects the irradiated light off the user's blood vessels (blood flow) and receives the reflected light (scattered light). The sensor 40 outputs signals related to the irradiated light and the reflected light, such as the frequency of the irradiated light and the reflected light, to the control device 70.

[0045] The control device 70 includes a control unit 71, a storage unit 72, and a communication unit 73. The control device 70 is housed in, for example, the functional unit 38 (see FIG. 1) of the toilet seat device 20, but is not limited to this.

[0046] The control unit 71 is realized by, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro processing unit (MPU) executing a program stored in the storage unit 72 using a random access memory (RAM) as a work area. The control unit 71 can also be realized by hardware such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The storage unit 72 has volatile and non-volatile memory, and is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory.

[0047] The control unit 71 measures the user's blood flow status, such as the user's pulse rate, pulse rate variability, and blood flow rate, based on the signal output from the sensor 40. For example, the control unit 71 performs a process of detecting changes in the flow rate of red blood cells flowing through blood vessels using infrared rays. The control unit 71 performs a process of detecting frequencies at which Doppler shifts occur due to red blood cells flowing through blood vessels. That is, the control unit 71 measures the blood flow status by analyzing signals related to irradiated light and reflected light. Note that the blood flow status to be measured is not limited to the user's pulse rate, pulse rate variability, blood flow rate, etc., as described above, and may be any status related to the user's blood flow.

[0048] The communication unit 73 transmits and receives information to and from the display device 80. The control device 70 and the display device 80 may be connected via wireless communication or wired communication. The control unit 71 outputs information indicating the measured blood flow state to the display device 80 via the communication unit 73.

[0049] The display device 80 displays information indicating the measured blood flow state, thereby allowing the user to confirm (understand) their own blood flow state. Note that the display device 80 may be the display unit of a remote control that outputs operation instructions for the toilet seat device 20 and instructions for flushing the toilet body 10, or the display unit of a mobile terminal used by the user, but these are merely examples and are not limited thereto.

[0050] Next, the seat unit 30, the sensor 40, and the like will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 4 to 7. Fig. 4 is a top view of the seat unit according to the first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the seat unit according to the first embodiment. Fig. 6 is a side view of the seat unit according to the first embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 6 is a side view of the seat unit 30 as viewed from the left side.

[0051] 5 and 6, the sensor 40 is hidden by the seat portion 30 (the seat portion 30 is located in front), but the sensor 40 is shown by a dashed line to indicate the location of the sensor 40. Also, Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 4. Specifically, Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the shape of a cross section that includes the location where the sensor 40 is located and intersects with the circumferential direction of the seat portion 30.

[0052] First, the lines and points shown in Fig. 4 and elsewhere will be described using Fig. 4. A front end line AE in Fig. 4 is a line indicating the front end (foremost end) of the opening 33 of the seat portion 30. A rear end line BE in Fig. 4 is a line indicating the rear end (rearmost end) of the opening 33 of the seat portion 30. A front-to-rear center line C1 in Fig. 4 is a line indicating the center of the opening 33 of the seat portion 30 in the front-to-rear direction. The front-to-rear center line C1 is a line that passes through the centers of the front end line AE and the rear end line BE.

[0053] Also, the right edge line RE in Fig. 4 is a line indicating the right edge (rightmost edge) of the opening 33 of the seat portion 30. The left edge line LE in Fig. 4 is a line indicating the left edge (leftmost edge) of the opening 33 of the seat portion 30. The left-right center line C2 in Fig. 4 is a line indicating the center of the opening 33 of the seat portion 30 in the left-right direction. The left-right center line C2 is a line passing through the center of the right edge line RE and the left edge line LE.

[0054] 4 indicates the center of the opening 33 of the seat portion 30. For example, the center point CT indicates the center of the opening 33 of the seat portion 30 when viewed from above (plan view). The center point CT is the intersection of the front-to-rear center line C1 and the left-to-right center line C2. The curve CD along the outer periphery of the seat portion 30 is a line that schematically indicates the circumferential direction of the seat portion 30. In other words, the circumferential direction of the seat portion 30 is a direction that follows the shape of the seat portion 30 when viewed from above. The circumferential direction of the seat portion 30 may also be a direction corresponding to a center line that passes through the center of the width of the seat portion 30.

[0055] Next, an example of the arrangement of the protrusions 34 will be specifically described with reference to Fig. 5. In the example of Fig. 5, four protrusions 34a to 34d are provided on the bottom surface 32. That is, a plurality of protrusions 34, which are load distribution means, are provided on the bottom surface 32.

[0056] For example, the protrusion 34a is provided on the rear left side of the bottom surface 32, and the protrusion 34b is provided on the front left side of the bottom surface 32. In this manner, the two protrusions 34a, 34b are provided on the bottom surface 32 of the seat portion 30, side by side in the front-to-rear direction of the seat portion 30. Furthermore, for example, the protrusion 34d is provided on the rear right end of the bottom surface 32, and the protrusion 34c is provided on the front right end of the bottom surface 32. In this manner, the two protrusions 34c, 34d are provided on the bottom surface 32 of the seat portion 30, side by side in the front-to-rear direction of the seat portion 30.

[0057] 5, the protrusions 34a and 34d are arranged in line symmetry with respect to the left-right center line C2, and the protrusions 34b and 34c are arranged in line symmetry with respect to the left-right center line C2. Note that the number and arrangement of the protrusions 34 shown in FIG. 5 are merely examples, and any number and arrangement of the protrusions 34 can be adopted.

[0058] Next, the arrangement of the sensor 40 will be described. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the sensor 40 is arranged in a position that does not overlap with the protrusions 34 when viewed from above the seat portion 30. The sensor 40 is arranged in a position sandwiched between two protrusions 34. For example, the sensor 40 is arranged in a position sandwiched between the protrusions 34a and 34b in the circumferential direction of the seat portion 30.

[0059] 4 to 6 are merely examples, and the sensor 40 may be placed in any position as long as it does not overlap with the protrusions 34 in a top view of the seat portion 30 and is sandwiched between two protrusions 34. For example, the sensor 40 may be placed in a position sandwiched between the protrusions 34c and 34d in the circumferential direction of the seat portion 30.

[0060] The sensor 40 is disposed in a region (front region) of the seat portion 30 that is forward of a center point CT, which is the center of the opening 33 of the seat portion 30 in the front-rear direction of the seat portion 30. In the example of Figures 4 to 6, the sensor 40 is disposed in a front region of the seat portion 30 that is forward of a front-rear center line C1.

[0061] Furthermore, when viewed from above, the sensor 40 is disposed in a position in the front region of the bottom surface 32 of the seat 30 that does not overlap with the left-right center line C2, which is the left-right center line of the opening 33 of the seat 30. In this way, the toilet seat device 20 disposes the sensor 40 outside the left-right center where it is unlikely that the human body, such as the legs, will come into contact, thereby allowing the user's body to appropriately come into contact with the location where the sensor 40 is disposed.

[0062] 7, the sensor measurement portion 50 is a hole formed in the seating surface 31 of the seat portion 30. For example, the sensor measurement portion 50 is a hole provided in the seating surface 31 and has an opening facing the seating surface 31. Note that the sensor measurement portion 50 does not have to be a hole as long as it allows measurement by the sensor 40. For example, the sensor measurement portion 50 may be a thin portion formed thinner than other portions of the seating surface 31.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 7 , the sensor 40 contains a sensor substrate (not shown) and other components. A window 41 that transmits irradiated light and reflected light is provided at the top of the sensor 40. That is, the sensor 40 irradiates the user with irradiated light through the window 41 and receives light reflected by the user's blood vessels through the window 41. Note that the shape of the sensor 40 shown in FIG. 7 and other figures is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of the sensor 40. The sensor 40 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 7 and other figures, and any shape can be adopted. For example, the arrangement position of the sensor 40 may be maintained in any manner. For example, the position of the sensor 40 may be maintained by being attached (fitted) to the sensor measurement unit 50, or by being supported from the bottom surface 32.

[0064] The sensor 40 is provided inside the seat portion 30. The sensor 40 is arranged inside the seat portion 30 so that the window portion 41 is aligned with the seating surface 31. For example, the sensor 40 is arranged inside the seat portion 30 so that the window portion 41 faces the outside of the seat portion 30 from the sensor measurement portion 50 provided in the seat portion 30.

[0065] As a result, when the sensor measurement portion 50 is a hole, the window portion 41 of the sensor 40 is exposed from the seating surface 31. In this case, the measurement site on the buttocks or thigh of the user seated on the seating surface 31 comes into contact with the window portion 41 of the sensor 40, and the sensor 40 measures the user's blood flow.

[0066] If the sensor measurement portion 50 is a thin portion rather than a hole, the window portion 41 of the sensor 40 is arranged along the thin portion of the sensor measurement portion 50. For example, the sensor 40 is arranged with the window portion 41 along the underside (inner surface) of the thin portion of the sensor measurement portion 50. In this case, the measurement site on the buttocks or thigh of a user seated on the seating surface 31 comes into contact with the upper surface (outer surface) of the thin portion of the sensor measurement portion 50, and the user's blood flow is measured by the sensor 40 arranged on the underside (inner surface) of the thin portion of the sensor measurement portion 50. In other words, the toilet seat device 20 may measure the user's blood flow in a manner where the sensor 40 is not exposed and the thin portion of the sensor measurement portion 50 comes into contact with the user's body.

[0067] In this way, the location of the sensor 40 in the toilet seat device 20 is not limited to the configuration of the sensor 40 itself, but may be other configurations corresponding to the location where the sensor 40 is located, such as a thin portion of the sensor measurement portion 50. In other words, in the toilet seat device 20, the sensor 40 itself is not limited to being exposed and in contact with the user, and as long as the sensor 40 is capable of measurement, various measurement modes can be adopted, such as when the sensor measurement portion 50 comes into contact as described above, and the sensor 40 itself does not have to come into contact with the user.

[0068] 7 , the seat portion 30 has a first curved surface 311 and a second curved surface 312, which are curved surfaces, at both ends on the seating surface 31 side in a cross section intersecting the circumferential direction of the seat portion 30. For example, the first curved surface 311 is a curved surface (inner curved surface) provided on the opening 33 side. The second curved surface 312 is a curved surface (outer curved surface) provided on the outside of the seat portion 30. The first curved surface 311 and the second curved surface 312 may be included in the seating surface 31. The seating surface 31 has an inclined surface 313 that inclines toward the bottom surface 32 of the seat portion 30 as it approaches the opening 33 of the seat portion 30.

[0069] The sensor 40 is disposed between the first curved surface 311 and the second curved surface 312 at both ends of the seat unit 30 when viewed from above. In FIG. 7 , the sensor 40 is disposed in a region overlapping the inclined surface 313 formed between the first curved surface 311 and the second curved surface 312 when viewed from above the seat unit 30. The sensor 40 is also disposed along the inclination of the inclined surface 313. For example, the sensor 40 is disposed with the window portion 41 aligned with the inclination of the inclined surface 313. That is, the sensor 40 is disposed with the window portion 41 facing inclined toward the opening 33 of the seat unit 30. In this way, by arranging the sensor 40 on the inclined surface 313, the toilet seat device 20 can release the load obliquely. Furthermore, by arranging the sensor 40 along the inclination of the inclined surface 313, the toilet seat device 20 allows the user's body to appropriately come into contact with the location where the sensor 40 is disposed.

[0070] Here, an example of a load applied to the seating surface 31 will be described using FIG. 8 . FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the seat portion when a load is applied to the seating surface. Specifically, FIG. 8 is a side view of the seat portion 30 viewed from the left side when a load is applied to the seating surface 31. Note that in FIG. 8 , the spacing between the protrusions 34 a and 34 b is wider than in FIG. 6 and other figures to clearly show the deflection. The arrows extending from top to bottom in FIG. 8 schematically indicate the direction in which the load acts, and the arrows extending from bottom to top in FIG. 8 schematically indicate the direction in which the reaction force from the toilet body 10 acts. The dotted line above the seating surface 31 in FIG. 8 indicates the shape of the seating surface 31 before a load is applied to the seating surface 31, and the solid line below the seating surface 31 indicates the shape of the seating surface 31 when a load is applied to the seating surface 31.

[0071] 8, the area of ​​the seating surface 31 between the protrusions 34a and 34b where the sensor 40 is located bends downward in response to the load on the seating surface 31, and is subjected to an appropriate surface pressure. In this way, the toilet seat device 20 can be configured so that the sensor 40 bends across the protrusions 34, since the sensor 40 is located between the two protrusions 34. This allows the toilet seat device to appropriately bring the user's body into contact with the location where the sensor 40 is located.

[0072] Second Embodiment As described above, the sensor 40 may be disposed in any position as long as it does not overlap with the protrusions 34 when viewed from above on the seat unit 30 and is sandwiched between two protrusions 34. An example of this point will be described with reference to Figs. 9 and 10 as a toilet seat device 20 according to a second embodiment. Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the seat unit according to the second embodiment. Fig. 10 is a side view of the seat unit according to the second embodiment. In the flush toilet device 1 according to the second embodiment, the toilet seat device 20 according to the second embodiment is used instead of the toilet seat device 20 according to the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, descriptions of the same aspects as in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0073] 9 and 10, in the toilet seat device 20 according to the second embodiment, four protrusions 34a to 34d are provided on the bottom surface 32, similar to the toilet seat device 20 according to the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the toilet seat device 20 according to the second embodiment, protrusions 34b and 34c are provided on the bottom surface 32 of the seat portion 30 in the front region, on one side and the other side of the left-right center line C2, which is the center line of the opening 33 of the seat portion 30 in the left-right direction.

[0074] For example, the protrusion 34b is arranged in a front left region, which is a region to the left of the lateral center line C2, in the front region forward of the longitudinal center line C1 of the bottom surface 32. Furthermore, for example, the protrusion 34c is arranged in a front right region, which is a region to the right of the lateral center line C2, in the front region forward of the longitudinal center line C1 of the bottom surface 32.

[0075] 9 and 10, the sensor 40 is disposed at a position sandwiched between the protrusions 34b and 34c in the circumferential direction of the seat portion 30. In this way, in the toilet seat device 20 according to the second embodiment, the sensor 40 is disposed between the protrusion 34b disposed on one side (left side) of the left-right center line C2 and the protrusion 34c disposed on the other side (right side) of the left-right center line C2.

[0076] That is, the sensor 40 is disposed at a position that does not overlap with the protrusions 34 when viewed from above the seat portion 30. The sensor 40 is disposed at a position sandwiched between the two protrusions 34. The sensor 40 is also disposed at a position sandwiched between the protrusions 34b and 34c in the circumferential direction of the seat portion 30.

[0077] Here, an example of a case where a load is applied to the seating surface 31 will be described using FIG. 11 . FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the seat portion when a load is applied to the seating surface. Specifically, FIG. 11 is a side view of the seat portion 30 viewed from the front when a load is applied to the seating surface 31. Note that the arrows extending from top to bottom in FIG. 11 schematically indicate the direction in which the load acts, and the arrows extending from bottom to top in FIG. 11 schematically indicate the direction in which the reaction force received by the protrusion 34 from the toilet body 10 acts. Also, the dotted line above the seating surface 31 in FIG. 11 indicates the shape of the seating surface 31 before a load is applied to the seating surface 31, and the solid line below the seating surface 31 indicates the shape of the seating surface 31 when a load is applied to the seating surface 31.

[0078] 11, the area of ​​the seating surface 31 between the protrusions 34b and 34c where the sensor 40 is located bends downward in response to the load on the seating surface 31, and is subjected to an appropriate surface pressure. In this way, the toilet seat device 20 can be configured so that the sensor 40 bends across the protrusions 34, since the sensor 40 is located between the two protrusions 34. This allows the toilet seat device to appropriately bring the user's body into contact with the location where the sensor 40 is located.

[0079] (Third embodiment) The toilet seat device is not limited to the configuration described above, and may have various other configurations. A toilet seat device according to a third embodiment, which is an example of this, will be described with reference to Figs. 12 and 13. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a flush toilet device equipped with a toilet seat device according to the third embodiment. Fig. 13 is a side view of a flush toilet device equipped with a toilet seat device according to the third embodiment. For example, Fig. 13 is a side view of a flush toilet device 1A with the toilet lid 36 of the toilet seat device 20A removed. Figs. 12, 13, and 14 onwards are all schematic diagrams.

[0080] Note that explanations of the same points as those in the flush toilet apparatus 1 described in the first or second embodiment will be omitted as appropriate. For example, explanations of directional specifications will be omitted as they are the same as those described above. For example, Figure 13 is a side view of the flush toilet apparatus 1A equipped with the toilet seat apparatus 20A shown in Figure 12, viewed from the right side.

[0081] As shown in Figure 12, the flush toilet apparatus 1A comprises a toilet body 10 and a toilet seat apparatus 20A. The toilet seat apparatus 20A is placed on the toilet body 10. The toilet seat apparatus 20A is attached to the top of the toilet body 10 and comprises a seat portion 30A, a toilet lid 36, a functional portion 38, and a sensor 40. The toilet seat apparatus 20A is the same as the toilet seat apparatus 20 except for the provision of the seat portion 30A instead of the seat portion 30, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, the seat portion 30A is the same as the seat portion 30 except for the arrangement of the protrusions 34, so a detailed description of the aspects other than the arrangement will be omitted.

[0082] Next, the seat portion 30A, the sensor 40, and the like will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 14 to 17. Fig. 14 is a top view of the seat portion according to the third embodiment. Fig. 15 is a bottom view of the seat portion according to the third embodiment. Fig. 16 is a side view of the seat portion according to the third embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 16 is a side view of the seat portion 30A as viewed from the left side.

[0083] 15 and 16, the sensor 40 is hidden by the seat portion 30A (the seat portion 30A is positioned in front), but the sensor 40 is shown by a dashed line to indicate the location of the sensor 40. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 14. Specifically, FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the shape of a cross section that includes the location of the sensor 40 and intersects with the circumferential direction of the seat portion 30A. Note that the seat portion 30A shown in FIG. 14 is similar to the seat portion 30 described above when viewed from above, and therefore detailed description of this point will be omitted.

[0084] An example of the arrangement of the protrusions 34 will be specifically described with reference to Figure 15. In the example of Figure 15, four protrusions 34a to 34d are provided on the bottom surface 32. That is, a plurality of protrusions 34 are provided on the bottom surface 32.

[0085] For example, protrusion 34a is provided on the rear left side of the bottom surface 32, and protrusion 34b is provided on the front left side of the bottom surface 32. In this manner, the two protrusions 34a, 34b are provided on the bottom surface 32 of the seat portion 30A, side by side in the front-to-rear direction of the seat portion 30A. Also, for example, protrusion 34d is provided on the rear right end of the bottom surface 32, and protrusion 34c is provided on the front right end of the bottom surface 32. In this manner, the two protrusions 34c, 34d are provided on the bottom surface 32 of the seat portion 30A, side by side in the front-to-rear direction of the seat portion 30A.

[0086] 15, the protrusions 34a and 34d are arranged in line symmetry with respect to the left-right center line C2, and the protrusions 34b and 34c are arranged in line symmetry with respect to the left-right center line C2. Note that the number and arrangement of the protrusions 34 shown in FIG. 15 are merely examples, and any number and arrangement of the protrusions 34 can be adopted.

[0087] Next, the placement of the sensor 40 will be described. As shown in Figures 14 to 16, the sensor 40 is placed in a position where at least a portion of the sensor 40 overlaps with the protrusion 34 when viewed from above the seat 30A. In the example shown in Figures 14 to 16, the sensor 40 is placed in a position that is included in the protrusion 34b when viewed from above the seat 30A. For example, the sensor 40 is placed in a position that completely overlaps (is hidden by) the protrusion 34b when viewed from above the seat 30A.

[0088] 14 to 16 are merely examples, and the sensor 40 may be placed in any position as long as at least a portion of the sensor 40 overlaps with the protrusion 34 in a top view of the seat 30A. For example, the sensor 40 may be placed so that at least an area corresponding to the window 41 is included in the protrusion 34b in a top view of the seat 30A. Alternatively, for example, the sensor 40 may be placed in a position that is included in the protrusion 34c in a top view of the seat 30A.

[0089] The sensor 40 is disposed in a region (front region) of the seat 30A that is forward of a center point CT, which is the center of the opening 33 of the seat 30A in the front-to-rear direction of the seat 30A. In the example of Figures 14 to 16, the sensor 40 is disposed in a front region of the seat 30A that is forward of the front-to-rear center line C1.

[0090] Furthermore, when viewed from above, the sensor 40 is disposed in a position in the front region of the bottom surface 32 of the seat 30A that does not overlap with the left-right center line C2, which is the left-right center line of the opening 33 of the seat 30A. In this way, the toilet seat device 20A has the sensor 40 disposed outside the left-right center where the human body, such as the legs, is unlikely to come into contact, thereby allowing the user's body to appropriately come into contact with the location of the sensor 40.

[0091] 17, the sensor measurement portion 50 is a hole formed in the seating surface 31 of the seat portion 30A. For example, the sensor measurement portion 50 is a hole provided in the seating surface 31 and has an opening facing the seating surface 31. Note that the sensor measurement portion 50 does not have to be a hole as long as it allows measurement by the sensor 40. For example, the sensor measurement portion 50 may be a thin portion formed thinner than other portions of the seating surface 31.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 17 , the sensor 40 houses a sensor substrate (not shown) and other components. A window 41 that transmits irradiated light and reflected light is provided at the top of the sensor 40. That is, the sensor 40 irradiates the user with irradiated light through the window 41 and receives light reflected by the user's blood vessels through the window 41. Note that the shape of the sensor 40 shown in FIG. 17 and other figures is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of the sensor 40. The sensor 40 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 17 and other figures, and any shape can be adopted. For example, the arrangement position of the sensor 40 may be maintained in any manner. For example, the position of the sensor 40 may be maintained by being attached (fitted) to the sensor measurement unit 50, or by being supported from the bottom surface 32.

[0093] The sensor 40 is provided inside the seat portion 30A. The sensor 40 is arranged inside the seat portion 30A so that the window portion 41 is aligned with the seating surface 31. For example, the sensor 40 is arranged inside the seat portion 30A so that the window portion 41 faces the outside of the seat portion 30A from the sensor measurement portion 50 provided in the seat portion 30A.

[0094] As a result, when the sensor measurement portion 50 is a hole, the window portion 41 of the sensor 40 is exposed from the seating surface 31. In this case, the measurement site on the buttocks or thigh of the user seated on the seating surface 31 comes into contact with the window portion 41 of the sensor 40, and the sensor 40 measures the user's blood flow.

[0095] In addition, when the sensor measurement portion 50 is a thin portion rather than a hole, the window portion 41 of the sensor 40 is arranged along the thin portion of the sensor measurement portion 50. For example, the sensor 40 is arranged with the window portion 41 along the underside (inner surface) of the thin portion of the sensor measurement portion 50. In this case, the measurement site on the buttocks or thigh of a user seated on the seating surface 31 comes into contact with the upper surface (outer surface) of the thin portion of the sensor measurement portion 50, and the user's blood flow is measured by the sensor 40 arranged on the underside (inner surface) of the thin portion of the sensor measurement portion 50. In other words, the toilet seat device 20A may measure the user's blood flow in a manner where the sensor 40 is not exposed and the thin portion of the sensor measurement portion 50 comes into contact with the user's body.

[0096] In this way, the location of the sensor 40 in the toilet seat device 20A is not limited to the configuration of the sensor 40 itself, but may be other configurations corresponding to the location where the sensor 40 is located, such as a thin portion of the sensor measurement portion 50. In other words, in the toilet seat device 20A, the sensor 40 is not limited to being exposed and coming into contact with the user, and as long as the sensor 40 is capable of measurement, various measurement modes can be adopted, such as when the sensor measurement portion 50 comes into contact as described above, and the sensor 40 itself does not have to come into contact with the user.

[0097] 17 , the seat portion 30A has a first end 311 and a second end 312 at both ends on the seating surface 31 side in a cross section intersecting the circumferential direction of the seat portion 30A. For example, the first end 311 is an end (inner end) provided on the opening 33 side. The second end 312 is an end (outer end) provided on the outer side of the seat portion 30A. The first end 311 and the second end 312 may be included in the seating surface 31. The seating surface 31 has an inclined surface 313 that inclines toward the bottom surface 32 of the seat portion 30A as it approaches the opening 33 of the seat portion 30A.

[0098] The sensor 40 is disposed between the first end 311 and the second end 312 at both ends of the seat portion 30A when viewed from above. In FIG. 17 , the sensor 40 is disposed in a region overlapping with the inclined surface 313 formed between the first end 311 and the second end 312 at both ends of the seat portion 30A when viewed from above. The sensor 40 is also disposed along the inclination of the inclined surface 313. For example, the sensor 40 is disposed with the window portion 41 aligned with the inclination of the inclined surface 313. That is, the sensor 40 is disposed with the facing direction of the window portion 41 tilted toward the opening 33 of the seat portion 30A. By disposing the sensor 40 along the inclination of the inclined surface 313, the toilet seat device 20A allows the user's body to appropriately come into contact with the location where the sensor 40 is disposed.

[0099] Note that, as long as at least a portion of the sensor 40 overlaps the inclined surface 313 when viewed from above the seat 30A, another portion may overlap the first end 311 or the second end 312. For example, as long as the region of the sensor 40 corresponding to the window 41 overlaps the inclined surface 313 when viewed from above the seat 30A, another region (such as the region corresponding to the bottom side of the sensor 40) may overlap the first end 311 or the second end 312. In this way, any arrangement of the sensor 40 is possible as long as it is arranged in a position where at least a portion of the sensor 40 overlaps the protrusion 34 when viewed from above the seat 30A.

[0100] For example, in the toilet seat device 20A, the area of ​​the seating surface 31 where the protrusion 34 is located on the opposing bottom surface 32 is less likely to sag than other areas due to the reaction force that the protrusion 34 receives from the toilet body 10. Therefore, in the toilet seat device 20A, the sensor 40 is disposed in a position where at least a portion of the sensor 40 overlaps with the protrusion 34 when viewed from above the seat portion 30A. In this way, in the toilet seat device 20A, the sensor 40 is disposed in a position where at least a portion of the sensor 40 overlaps with the protrusion 34 when viewed from above the seat portion 30A, which makes it possible to suppress deformation of the location where the sensor 40 is disposed and to suppress changes in the measurement mode of the sensor 40. This allows the toilet seat device to appropriately bring the user's body into contact with the location where the sensor 40 is disposed.

[0101] Further advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0102] The above-described embodiments and modified examples may have the following configurations, but are not limited to them. (1) A toilet seat device to be placed on a toilet body, comprising: a seat portion having a seating surface on which a user sits; a blood flow sensor disposed within the seat portion for measuring the blood flow of a user seated on the seating surface; and a load distribution means disposed on the bottom surface of the seat portion, in contact with the toilet body, and distributing a load applied to the seating surface, wherein the blood flow sensor is disposed in a position that does not overlap with the load distribution means when viewed from above. (2) The toilet seat device described in (1), wherein at least two or more load distribution means are provided on the bottom surface of the seat portion, and the blood flow sensor is disposed in a position sandwiched between the load distribution means in the circumferential direction of the seat portion. (3) The toilet seat device described in (2), wherein two load distribution means are provided on the bottom surface of the seat portion, lined up in the front-to-rear direction of the seat portion, and the blood flow sensor is disposed in a position sandwiched between the two load distribution means. (4) The toilet seat device according to any one of (1) to (3), characterized in that the blood flow sensor is disposed in a front region of the seat portion, which is a region forward of the center of the opening of the seat portion in the front-to-rear direction of the seat portion. (5) The toilet seat device according to (4), characterized in that the load distribution means are provided on each of the front region of the bottom surface of the seat portion, on one side and the other side of the center line of the opening in the left-to-right direction of the seat portion, and the blood flow sensor is disposed in a position sandwiched between the load distribution means in the circumferential direction of the seat portion. (6) The toilet seat device according to (4) or (5), characterized in that the blood flow sensor is disposed in a position in the front region of the bottom surface of the seat portion that does not overlap with the center line of the opening in the left-to-right direction of the seat portion, in a top view of the seat portion. (7) The toilet seat device according to any one of (1) to (6), characterized in that the seating surface has an inclined surface that inclines toward the bottom surface of the seat portion as it approaches the opening of the seat portion, and the blood flow sensor is disposed along the inclination of the inclined surface.(8) A toilet seat device described in any one of (1) to (7), characterized in that the seat portion has curved portions at both ends on the seating surface side in a cross section intersecting the circumferential direction of the seat portion, and the blood flow sensor is positioned between the curved portions at both ends when viewed from above the seat portion.

[0103] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and modified examples may have the following configurations, but are not limited to them. (1A) A toilet seat device to be placed on a toilet body, comprising: a seat portion having a seating surface on which a user sits; a blood flow sensor disposed within the seat portion for measuring the blood flow of a user seated on the seating surface; and a protrusion protruding toward the bottom surface of the seat portion and contacting the toilet body, wherein the blood flow sensor is disposed in a position where at least a portion of the blood flow sensor overlaps with the protrusion when viewed from above the seat portion. (2A) The toilet seat device described in (1A), wherein the seating surface of the seat portion has an inclined surface that slopes toward the bottom surface of the seat portion as it approaches the opening of the seat portion. (3A) The toilet seat device described in (2A), wherein the blood flow sensor is disposed along the slope of the inclined surface. (4A) The toilet seat apparatus according to any one of (1A) to (3A), characterized in that the blood flow sensor is disposed in a front region of the seat portion, which is a region of the seat portion that is forward of the center of the opening of the seat portion in the front-rear direction of the seat portion. (5A) The toilet seat apparatus according to any one of (1A) to (4A), characterized in that the blood flow sensor is disposed at a position that is included in the protrusion when viewed from above the seat portion.

[0104] 20 Toilet seat device 30 Seat portion 31 Seating surface 311 First curved surface (curved surface portion) 312 Second curved surface (curved surface portion) 313 Inclined surface 32 Bottom surface 33 Opening 34 Protrusion (load distribution means) 40 Sensor 41 Window portion 50 Sensor measurement portion

Claims

1. A toilet seat device to be placed on a toilet body, comprising: a seat portion having a seating surface on which a user sits; a blood flow sensor disposed within the seat portion for measuring the blood flow of a user seated on the seating surface; and a load distribution means provided on the bottom side of the seat portion, in contact with the toilet body, and distributing the load applied to the seating surface, wherein the blood flow sensor is disposed in a position that does not overlap with the load distribution means when viewed from above the seat portion.

2. A toilet seat device as described in claim 1, characterized in that at least two or more load distribution means are provided on the bottom surface of the seat portion, and the blood flow sensor is positioned in a position sandwiched between the load distribution means in the circumferential direction of the seat portion.

3. The toilet seat device according to claim 2, characterized in that two load distribution means are provided on the bottom surface of the seat portion, lined up in the front-to-rear direction of the seat portion, and the blood flow sensor is positioned at a position sandwiched between the two load distribution means.

4. A toilet seat device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the blood flow sensor is positioned in a front region of the sheet portion, which is an area forward of the center of the opening of the sheet portion in the front-to-rear direction of the sheet portion.

5. A toilet seat device as described in claim 4, characterized in that the load distribution means is provided on the bottom surface of the seat portion in the front region, on both sides of the left-right center line of the opening of the seat portion, and the blood flow sensor is positioned in a position sandwiched between the load distribution means in the circumferential direction of the seat portion.

6. The toilet seat device according to claim 4, characterized in that the blood flow sensor is positioned in a position in the front region of the bottom surface of the seat portion that does not overlap with the left-right center line of the opening of the seat portion when viewed from above.

7. A toilet seat device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the seating surface has an inclined surface that inclines in a direction approaching the bottom surface of the seat portion as it approaches the opening of the seat portion, and the blood flow sensor is positioned along the inclination of the inclined surface.

8. A toilet seat device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the seat portion has curved portions at both ends on the seating surface side in a cross section intersecting the circumferential direction of the seat portion, and the blood flow sensor is positioned between the curved portions at both ends when viewed from above the seat portion.

Images