Toilet seat, toilet seat device, toilet bowl device, control device, control method, and computer program

Abstract

This toilet seat device comprises: a toilet seat body that has a seating surface; a heat source that controls the temperature of the seating surface; and a control unit that executes illusion-generation processing. In the illusion-generation processing, the control unit may control the heat source such that a first temperature region and a second temperature region with a lower temperature than the first temperature region are formed on the seating surface so that an illusion is created to make a user seated on the seating surface feel that the temperature difference between the first temperature region and the second temperature region, as felt from the seating surface, is felt to be less than the actual temperature difference between the first temperature region and the second temperature region.

Description

Toilet seat, toilet seat device, toilet device, control device, control method and computer program

[0001] The technology disclosed in the present specification relates to a toilet seat, a toilet seat device, a toilet device, a control device, a control method and a computer program.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a toilet seat. In the toilet seat, a linear heater is arranged across the entire back surface of a toilet seat upper plate so as to uniformly transfer the heat of the linear heater to the entire seating surface of the toilet seat.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-88981

[0004] The above technology is premised on uniformly heating the seating surface, and reduction of power consumption has not been studied. The present specification provides a technology that eliminates the need to uniformly heat the seating surface.

[0005] The technology disclosed in the present specification relates to a toilet seat device. The toilet seat device includes a toilet seat main body having a seating surface, a heat source that controls the temperature of the seating surface, and a control unit that executes illusion generation processing. In the illusion generation processing, the control unit forms a first temperature region and a second temperature region having a lower temperature than the first temperature region on the seating surface, thereby causing a user sitting on the seating surface to have an illusion that a temperature difference between the first temperature region and the second temperature region perceived from the seating surface is smaller than an actual temperature difference between the first temperature region and the second temperature region. The heat source may be controlled to cause such an illusion.

[0006] Another technology disclosed in the present specification relates to a toilet seat device. The toilet seat device includes a toilet seat main body having a seating surface, a heat source that forms a first temperature region and a second temperature region having a lower temperature than the first temperature region on the seating surface, and a control unit that executes illusion generation processing. In the illusion generation processing, the control unit may control the heat source such that, by utilizing the illusion caused by the first temperature region and the second temperature region, a user sitting on the seating surface perceives a temperature higher than an actual temperature of the second temperature region as the temperature of the second temperature region.

[0007] Other technologies disclosed herein relate to a control device for controlling the heat source of a toilet seat device. The control device may perform an illusion-generating process, and in the illusion-generating process, it may control the heat source such that a user sitting on the seat surface feels that the temperature difference between the first and second temperature regions perceived from the seat surface is smaller than the actual temperature difference between the first and second temperature regions, by forming a first temperature region and a second temperature region with a lower temperature than the first temperature region on the seat surface of the toilet seat body.

[0008] Other techniques disclosed herein relate to methods performed by a control device that controls the heat source of a toilet seat device. The method comprises the control device performing an illusion-generating process, wherein the control device may, in the illusion-generating process, control the heat source such that a user sitting on the seat surface feels that the temperature difference between the first and second temperature regions perceived from the seat surface is smaller than the actual temperature difference between the first and second temperature regions, by forming a first temperature region and a second temperature region having a lower temperature than the first temperature region on the seat surface of the toilet seat body.

[0009] Other technologies disclosed herein relate to a computer program for a control device that controls a heat source for a toilet seat device. The computer program comprises causing the control device to perform an illusion-generating process, in which the control device may control the heat source in the illusion-generating process to cause a user sitting on the seat surface to feel that the temperature difference between the first and second temperature regions perceived from the seat surface is smaller than the actual temperature difference between the first and second temperature regions, by forming a first temperature region and a second temperature region having a lower temperature than the first temperature region on the seat surface of the toilet seat body.

[0010] Other technologies disclosed herein relate to toilet seats. The toilet seat comprises a toilet seat body having a seating surface, and a heat source that forms a first temperature region and a second temperature region having a lower temperature than the first temperature region on the seating surface, wherein the second temperature region is formed between the first temperature regions which are spaced apart in a particular direction, and at least a portion of the first temperature region may be formed on at least one of the inner and outer edges of the seating surface.

[0011] A perspective view of the toilet device of the first embodiment is shown. A plan view of the toilet seat of the first embodiment, viewed from above with the toilet seat closed, is shown. A cross-sectional view of the toilet seat of the first embodiment, viewed from below with the toilet seat closed, is shown. A block diagram of the control configuration of the first embodiment is shown. A flowchart of the toilet seat heating process of the first embodiment is shown. A flowchart of the toilet seat heating process of the first embodiment is shown. The configuration of the temperature detection unit of the second embodiment is shown. The configuration of the temperature detection unit of the third embodiment is shown. A flowchart of the toilet seat heating process of the third embodiment is shown. A flowchart of the toilet seat heating process of the third embodiment is shown. A block diagram of the control configuration of the fourth embodiment is shown. A flowchart of the toilet seat heating process in the first heater unit of the fifth embodiment is shown. A flowchart of the toilet seat heating process in the first heater unit of the fifth embodiment is shown. A flowchart of the toilet seat heating process in the second heater unit of the fifth embodiment is shown. A flowchart of the toilet seat heating process in the second heater unit of the sixth embodiment is shown. A flowchart of the toilet seat heating process in the second heater unit of the sixth embodiment is shown. A flowchart of the toilet seat heating process in the first heater section of the sixth embodiment is shown. A flowchart of the toilet seat heating process in the first heater section of the sixth embodiment is shown. A plan view showing a modified seat surface is shown. A plan view showing a modified seat surface is shown. A plan view showing a modified seat surface is shown. A plan view showing a modified seat surface is shown. A plan view showing a modified seat surface is shown. A plan view showing a modified seat surface is shown. A plan view showing a modified seat surface is shown.

[0012] (First Embodiment) (Configuration of Toilet Device 10) As shown in Figure 1, the toilet device 10 is a flush toilet. The toilet device 10 is placed on the floor. In a modified example, the toilet device 10 may be attached to the wall of the room in which the toilet device 10 is placed. The toilet device 10 comprises a toilet bowl 12, a functional unit 17, a toilet lid 18, a toilet seat device 20, an entry detection unit 42 (see Figure 4), and a seat detection unit 44 (see Figure 4). The toilet bowl 12 has a toilet body 14. The toilet body 14 has a toilet bowl 16 for receiving waste and a drain (not shown) located at the lower end of the toilet bowl 16. When flushing water flows into the toilet bowl 16 to clean the toilet bowl 16, the waste is discharged to the outside of the toilet bowl 16 through the drain along with the flushing water.

[0013] Hereinafter, the direction in which the toilet seat 22 and the functional unit 17 are aligned will be referred to as the front-to-back direction. The direction perpendicular to the floor surface of the toilet unit 10 will be referred to as the up-down direction. The direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction and the up-to-back direction will be referred to as the left-to-right direction. "Up," "down," "left," "right," "front," and "back" of the toilet unit 10 refer to the orientation when the user is looking at the toilet unit 10 from the front, respectively.

[0014] The upper end 14a of the toilet bowl body 14 opens upward to the toilet bowl 16. The toilet seat device 20 is placed on the upper end 14a of the toilet bowl body 14. The toilet lid 18 is attached to the toilet bowl 12 so that the opening 23 of the toilet seat device 20 can be opened and closed. The functional unit 17 is located at the rear of the toilet seat device 20. The functional unit 17 is located on the toilet bowl body 14. The functional unit 17 may have functions such as an opening and closing function that automatically opens and closes at least one of the toilet lid 18 and the toilet seat 22 in accordance with the user's actions, a local washing function, a warm air drying function, a deodorizing function, etc.

[0015] (Configuration of the toilet seat device) The toilet seat device 20 comprises a toilet seat portion 22, a temperature sensing unit 36, and a control unit 50. The toilet seat portion 22 is rotatably mounted on the toilet bowl body 14. The temperature sensing unit 36 ​​is located on the toilet seat portion 22. In a modified example, the toilet seat device 20 may not include the temperature sensing unit 36. For example, the temperature sensing unit 36 ​​may be located outside the toilet seat device 20.

[0016] (Configuration of the toilet seat) The toilet seat 22 comprises a toilet seat body 24 and a heater 30 (see Figures 2 and 3). The toilet seat body 24 is positioned at the upper end 14a of the toilet bowl body 14. The toilet seat body 24 is an annular member having an opening 23. The opening 23 of the toilet seat body 24 extends along the opening of the toilet bowl 12. The toilet seat body 24 has a seating surface 24a on which the user sits.

[0017] Figure 2 is a top view of the toilet seat 22 when it is closed. That is, the direction from the front to the back of the paper in Figure 2 is the downward direction of the toilet device 10. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, when the toilet seat 22 is closed, the seating surface 24a is located at the upper end of the toilet seat body 24. The seating surface 24a is the part that comes into contact with the user when the user sits on the toilet seat 22. For example, the skin of the seated user's buttocks and thighs comes into contact with the seating surface 24a. On each of the left and right sides of the toilet seat body 24, hinge portions 24d protrude toward the back. The user's skin does not come into contact with the hinge portions 24d. Therefore, the hinge portions 24d are not included in the seating surface 24a. In Figure 2, the boundary line BL between the seating surface 24a and the hinge portions 24d is shown by a dashed line. The seating surface 24a includes the entire outer surface of the toilet seat portion 22, excluding the hinge portion 24d, and includes an upward vector component when the toilet seat portion 22 is closed.

[0018] The heater 30 is located on the toilet seat body 24. The heater 30 controls the temperature of the seat surface 24a on which the user sits. The heater 30 controls the temperature of the seat surface 24a by switching between an operating state and a stopped state. The heater 30 generates thermal energy on the seat surface 24a and transmits the generated thermal energy to the user who is seated. As a result, the user receives thermal stimulation from the seat surface 24a.

[0019] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the toilet seat 22 from below, with the seat closed. That is, the direction from the front to the back of the paper in Figure 2 is the upward direction of the toilet device 10. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the vertical direction, located slightly above the upper end of the outer case portion that covers the lower end of the toilet seat 22. The toilet seat 22 has a cavity defined by the outer case portion. As shown in Figure 3, the heater 30 is located on the underside of the seating surface 24a of the toilet seat body 24. Specifically, the heater 30 is located on the underside 24e of the inner surface of the toilet seat body 24, facing away from the seating surface 24a. The heater 30 includes a linear heater wire 30a and a covering portion (not shown) that covers the heater wire 30a from the opposite side of the seating surface 24a. The heater wire 30a is an electric heating wire such as nickel-chromium wire or iron-chromium wire. The covering is a sheet made of metal such as aluminum alloy. The covering completely covers the heater wire 30a. The heater 30 is powered by an external power source connected to the toilet seat device 20.

[0020] The heater 30 is positioned on the toilet seat body 24 in contact with the seating surface 24a so as to be able to transfer thermal energy. This allows the heater 30 to efficiently generate thermal energy on the seating surface 24a. In a modified example, the heater 30 does not have to be positioned on the inner surface of the toilet seat body 24. For example, the heater 30 may be positioned on the outer surface of the toilet seat body 24. In this case, the heater 30 may be positioned on the outer surface of the toilet seat body 24 that is opposite to the seating surface 24a. The heater 30 is positioned to form a non-uniform temperature distribution on the seating surface 24a. A temperature sensing unit 36 ​​is positioned near the heater 30. The temperature sensing unit 36 ​​detects the temperature near the heater 30. The temperature sensing unit 36 ​​is a thermistor.

[0021] Figure 2 shows the uneven temperature distribution formed on the seating surface 24a when a user is seated on it. In Figure 2, the hatched areas on the seating surface 24a represent high-temperature areas 26, and the unhatched areas represent low-temperature areas 28. In Figure 2, the heater 30 located on the back surface 24e is shown by a dashed line. The high-temperature areas 26 and low-temperature areas 28 are formed by the heater 30. The temperature of the low-temperature area 28 is lower than the temperature of the high-temperature area 26. The temperature of the high-temperature area 26 is approximately 42 degrees Celsius or lower. The temperature of the low-temperature area 28 is approximately 28 degrees Celsius or higher. This temperature range helps to prevent users from experiencing discomfort due to the temperature of the seating surface 24a when seated.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, when the seating surface 24a is viewed from above, the heater 30 is positioned across both the high-temperature region 26 and the low-temperature region 28. The heater 30 forms the high-temperature region 26 and the low-temperature region 28 through its arrangement. The density of heaters 30 in the high-temperature region 26 is higher than the density of heaters 30 in the low-temperature region 28. The temperatures of the high-temperature region 26 and the low-temperature region 28 are relative to each other. The heater 30 is positioned so that the temperatures of both the high-temperature region 26 and the low-temperature region 28 can be controlled within the target temperature range. For example, if the target temperature of the seating surface 24a as a whole is T (°C), the target temperature T1 (°C) of the high-temperature region 26 is in the range of T ≤ T1 ≤ T + 5. The target temperature T2 (°C) of the low-temperature region 28 is in the range of T - 5 ≤ T2 ≤ T - 3. The target temperature T1 of the high-temperature region 26 is set to be equal to or higher than the target temperature T of the seating surface 24a. The target temperature T2 of the low-temperature region 28 is set lower than the target temperature T of the seating surface 24a. The temperature detection unit 36 ​​is located in the high-temperature region 26. The temperature detection unit 36 ​​detects the temperature of the high-temperature region 26. The position of the temperature detection unit 36 ​​may be such that it overlaps with the heater 30, rather than being in the vicinity of the heater 30. The target temperature T1 (°C) of the high-temperature region 26 may be in the range of T+1 ≤ T1 ≤ T+10. The target temperature T2 (°C) of the low-temperature region 28 may be in the range of T-10 ≤ T2, or in the range of T2 ≤ T-2.

[0023] (Configuration of high-temperature and low-temperature regions) The low-temperature region 28 is formed between high-temperature regions 26 that are spaced apart by a distance D in the circumferential direction of the seating surface 24a. "Circumferential direction" refers to the direction along the inner peripheral edge 24b of the seating surface 24a. The low-temperature region 28 is not limited to the circumferential direction, but may be formed between high-temperature regions 26 that are spaced apart by a distance D in a specific direction on the seating surface 24a.

[0024] The distance D between the high-temperature regions 26 that enclose the low-temperature region 28 is, for example, about 150 mm or less. The length of the low-temperature region 28 sandwiched between the high-temperature regions 26, i.e., the distance D, may be 140 mm or less, 130 mm or less, 120 mm or less, 110 mm or less, 100 mm or less, 90 mm or less, or 80 mm or less. In another modification, the distance D between the high-temperature regions 26 that enclose the low-temperature region 28 may be greater than 150 mm. The distance D may be 70 mm or more, 60 mm or more, or 80 mm or more.

[0025] The high-temperature region 26 extends substantially radially from the inner peripheral edge 24b to the outer peripheral edge 24c, centered on the opening 23. Therefore, a portion of the high-temperature region 26 is formed on both the inner peripheral edge 24b and the outer peripheral edge 24c of the seating surface 24a. With this configuration, the user can feel that the seating surface 24a is warm even at the inner peripheral edge 24b and the outer peripheral edge 24c. The low-temperature region 28 has multiple regions 28 that are isolated from each other by the high-temperature region 26.

[0026] The total area of ​​the high-temperature region 26 on the seating surface 24a is approximately 1 / 5 or more and less than 1 / 5 of the total area of ​​the seating surface 24a. With this configuration, the user can also feel that the low-temperature region 28 is warm. Therefore, by using an illusion to make the user feel that the low-temperature region 28 is warm, the low-temperature region 28 can be made up to approximately 2 / 3 of the total area of ​​the seating surface 24a. This makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the toilet seat device 20. In a modified example, the total area of ​​the high-temperature region 26 on the seating surface 24a may be approximately 1 / 3 or more, approximately 2 / 5 or more, approximately 1 / 2 or more, approximately 3 / 5 or more, approximately 2 / 3 or more, and approximately 4 / 5 or more of the total area of ​​the seating surface 24a.

[0027] (Configuration of the control unit) As shown in Figure 1, the control unit 50 is located on the toilet bowl body 14 together with the functional unit 17. As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 50 is communicated with the temperature detection unit 36, the room entry detection unit 42, and the seating detection unit 44. The temperature detection unit 36 ​​supplies the detected temperature to the control unit 50.

[0028] The entry detection unit 42 is an infrared human body detection sensor. The entry detection unit 42 detects when a user enters a space (a so-called toilet room) within a predetermined range from the toilet seat device 20. When the entry detection unit 42 detects a user entering, it supplies a signal to the control unit 50 indicating the user's entry. When the control unit 50 receives the signal indicating the user's entry, it determines that it has detected a user entering. By receiving the signal indicating the user's entry, the control unit 50 can predict that the user will sit on the seat surface 24a. When the control unit 50 changes from a state where the signal indicating the user's entry is received to a state where it is not received, it determines that it has detected the user leaving. When the control unit 50 detects a user entering, it opens the toilet lid 18. In a modified example, the entry detection unit 42 may be located on the ceiling above the toilet seat device 20. In another modified example, the entry detection unit 42 may be an opening / closing sensor, and the entry of a user may be detected when the toilet room door opens. In yet another variation, the entry detection unit 42 may detect a user's entry when the toilet lid 18 is opened by user operation.

[0029] The seating detection unit 44 detects when a user sits on the seating surface 24a. The seating detection unit 44 is, for example, an infrared seating sensor. When the seating detection unit 44 detects that a user has sat down, it supplies a signal to the control unit 50 indicating that the user has sat down. When the control unit 50 receives the signal indicating that the user has sat down, it determines that it has detected the user sitting down. When the control unit 50 changes from a state where the signal indicating the user has sat down to a state where it is no longer received, it determines that it has detected the user leaving the seat. In modified examples, the seating sensor may be a contact-type sensor, a capacitive-type sensor, or the like that directly detects the user.

[0030] The control unit 50 acquires detection signals from the room entry detection unit 42 and the seating detection unit 44. Based on the acquired signals, the control unit 50 controls the heater 30. Specifically, the control unit 50 switches the heater 30 between an operating state and a stopped state by controlling the power supplied to the heater 30. The control unit 50 operates the heater 30 by supplying power to it. That is, the amount of thermal energy generated from the heater 30 to the seating surface 24a increases. The control unit 50 stops the operation of the heater 30 by cutting off the power supply to the heater 30. That is, the amount of thermal energy generated from the heater 30 to the seating surface 24a decreases. In a modified example, the control unit 50 may be connected to communicate with other operating units operated by the user of the toilet device 10, such as operation buttons or a remote controller. In this case, the control unit 50 may control the heater 30 based on signals acquired from the user.

[0031] The control unit 50 acquires the temperature detected by the temperature sensing unit 36. The control unit 50 controls the heater 30 using the acquired temperature. In this way, the control unit 50 controls the temperature of the low-temperature region 28. The control unit 50 stores the target temperature of the high-temperature region 26. The target temperature of the high-temperature region 26 is determined relative to the target temperature of the low-temperature region 28. The control unit 50 compares the target temperature of the high-temperature region 26 with the temperature detected in the high-temperature region 26 and controls the heater 30. If the temperature detected is below a predetermined temperature, the control unit 50 activates the heater 30. If the temperature detected is above the predetermined temperature, the control unit 50 stops the heater 30. This predetermined temperature refers to the target temperature of the high-temperature region 26.

[0032] The control unit 50 includes a CPU and a storage unit. The storage unit has volatile and non-volatile memory. The control unit 50 controls the heater 30 by executing a toilet seat heating process according to a computer program pre-stored in the memory.

[0033] (Toilet Seat Heating Process) Figures 5 and 6 show the flowchart of the toilet seat heating process. The control unit 50 performs the toilet seat heating process, which controls the heater 30 of the toilet seat device 20. As shown in Figure 5, in S2, the control unit 50 monitors the entry of a user. If a signal indicating user entry is obtained from the entry detection unit 42 (YES in S2), the control unit 50 identifies that a user has entered the room and proceeds to S3 to start the illusion generation process.

[0034] (Illusion Generation Process) The control unit 50 executes an illusion generation process according to the series of processes from S3 to S28. In the illusion generation process, the heater 30 is controlled so that the temperature difference between the high-temperature region 26 and the low-temperature region 28 felt by the seated user from the seated surface 24a is smaller than the actual temperature difference between the high-temperature region 26 and the low-temperature region 28, by forming a high-temperature region 26 and a low-temperature region 28 on the seating surface 24a.

[0035] In S3, the control unit 50 determines whether the heater 30 is operating or not. If the heater 30 is already operating (YES in S3), the control unit 50 proceeds to S6. If the heater 30 is not operating (NO in S3), in S4, the control unit 50 activates the heater 30. Specifically, the control unit 50 activates the heater 30 by supplying power to it.

[0036] In S6, the control unit 50 monitors whether the user is seated on the seating surface 24a. If a signal indicating that the user is seated is obtained from the seating detection unit 44 (YES in S6), the control unit 50 proceeds to S8.

[0037] In S8, the control unit 50 stops the heater 30. Specifically, the control unit 50 stops the heater 30 by cutting off the power supply to the heater 30.

[0038] In S10, the control unit 50 determines whether the detected temperature obtained from the temperature detection unit 36 ​​is below a predetermined temperature.

[0039] In S10, if the detected temperature falls below a predetermined temperature (YES in S10), the control unit 50 activates the heater 30 in S12 to S14. Specifically, in S12, the control unit 50 determines whether the heater 30 is operating or not. If the heater 30 is already operating (YES in S12), the control unit 50 maintains the operating state of the heater 30 and proceeds to S20. If the heater 30 is not operating (NO in S12), in S14, the control unit 50 activates the heater 30 by supplying power to it and proceeds to S20.

[0040] In S10, if the detected temperature is above a predetermined temperature (NO in S10), the control unit 50 stops the heater 30 in S16 to S18. Specifically, in S16, the control unit 50 determines whether the heater 30 is stopped or not. If the heater 30 is already stopped (YES in S16), the control unit 50 maintains the stopped state of the heater 30 and proceeds to S20. If the heater 30 is not stopped (NO in S16), in S18, the control unit 50 stops the heater 30 by cutting off the power supply to the heater 30 and proceeds to S20.

[0041] In S20, the control unit 50 monitors whether the user is dismounting from the seating surface 24a. Specifically, if a signal indicating the user is seated is acquired from the seating detection unit 44 (NO in S20), the control unit 50 returns to S10 and repeats the processes from S10 to S18. If the state changes from one where a signal indicating the user is seated is acquired from the seating detection unit 44 to one where it is not acquired (YES in S20), the control unit 50 stops the illusion generation process and proceeds to S22.

[0042] In steps S22 to S24, the control unit 50 performs the same processing as in steps S16 to S18 and puts the heater 30 into a stopped state.

[0043] In S26, the control unit 50 determines whether the detected temperature obtained from the temperature detection unit 36 ​​is below the standby temperature. The control unit 50 stores the standby temperature. This standby temperature refers to a temperature that is, for example, several degrees lower than the predetermined temperature in the illusion generation process of this embodiment (i.e., the target temperature of the high-temperature region 26).

[0044] In S26, if the detected temperature is lower than the standby temperature (YES in S26), the control unit 50 executes the same processing as that from S12 to S14 from S28 to S30, and puts the heater 30 into an operating state. Specifically, in S28, if the heater 30 is already operating (YES in S28), the control unit 50 maintains the operating state of the heater 30 and proceeds to S36. If the heater 30 is not operating (NO in S28), in S30, the control unit 50 activates the heater 30 and proceeds to S36.

[0045] In S26, if the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the standby temperature (NO in S26), the control unit 50 executes the same processing as that from S16 to S18 from S32 to S34, and puts the heater 30 into a stopped state. Specifically, in S32, if the heater 30 is already stopped (YES in S32), the control unit 50 maintains the stopped state of the heater 30 and proceeds to S36. If the heater 30 is not stopped (NO in S32), in S34, the control unit 50 stops the heater 30 and proceeds to S36.

[0046] In S36, the control unit 50 monitors whether the user sits on the seating surface 24a again. If a signal indicating that the user is seated is acquired from the seating detection unit 44 (YES in S36), the control unit 50 returns to S10 in FIG. 5. If a signal indicating that the user is seated is not acquired from the seating detection unit 44 (NO in S36), the control unit 50 proceeds to S38.

[0047] In S38, the control unit 50 monitors whether the user leaves the room. When a signal indicating the user's entry into the room is acquired from the entry detection unit 42 (NO in S38), the control unit 50 returns to S26. When the state changes from a state where a signal indicating the user's entry into the room is acquired from the entry detection unit 42 to a state where no such signal is acquired (YES in S38), the control unit 50 proceeds to S40. From S40 to S42, the control unit 50 executes the same processing as from S16 to S18, and puts the heater 30 into a stopped state. Specifically, in S40, when the heater 30 is already stopped (YES in S40), the control unit 50 maintains the stopped state of the heater 30 and ends the processing. When the heater 30 is not stopped (NO in S40), in S42, the control unit 50 stops the heater 30. Through the above steps, the toilet seat heating process ends.

[0048] In a modification, the control unit 50 may end the toilet seat heating process after executing the process of S24 without executing the processes from S26 to S40. In this case, when the user leaving the seat is detected in S20 (NO in S20), the control unit 50 immediately stops the heater 30 and ends the toilet seat heating process. This makes it possible to suppress the power consumption of the toilet seat device 20.

[0049] In this embodiment, a high-temperature region 26 and a low-temperature region 28 are formed on the seating surface 24a, with the low-temperature region 28 being formed between the high-temperature regions 26 which are spaced apart by a distance D in the circumferential direction of the seating surface 24a. With this configuration, a user sitting on the seating surface 24a comes into contact with both high-temperature regions 26 and the low-temperature region 28 formed between them simultaneously. Therefore, the user is locally subjected to thermal stimulation on the seating surface 24a. In this case, the illusion effect caused by thermal phantom sensation can make the user feel that not only the high-temperature region 26 but also the low-temperature region 28 is warm. Due to this illusion effect, the user can perceive the temperature difference between the high-temperature region 26 and the low-temperature region 28 felt on the seating surface 24a as smaller than the actual temperature difference between the high-temperature region 26 and the low-temperature region 28. As a result, the user can perceive that the temperature of the high-temperature region 26 and the low-temperature region 28 on the seating surface 24a are substantially uniform. In other words, even if there are temperature variations on the seating surface 24a, the user can feel that the seating surface 24a is warm almost uniformly across its entire surface.

[0050] The temperature difference between the high-temperature region 26 and the low-temperature region 28 perceived from the seating surface 24a is smaller than the actual temperature difference between the high-temperature region 26 and the low-temperature region 28, which can be determined by sensory evaluation by multiple subjects.

[0051] "Thermal phantom sensation" is a phenomenon in human tactile perception where, when thermal stimuli are applied to two different points on the skin, these thermal stimuli merge, and a perceived thermal stimulus is generated at a single location between the two points. It is known that the perceived location of this thermal stimulus is biased towards the point with the higher thermal stimulus intensity, depending on the intensity ratio of the two thermal stimuli.

[0052] In this embodiment, the distance D between the high-temperature regions 26 that enclose the low-temperature region 28 is, for example, about 150 mm or less. With this configuration, the above illusion can be created in a seated user.

[0053] The low-temperature region 28 has multiple regions 28 that are isolated from each other by the high-temperature region 26. By isolating the low-temperature region 28 from each other, the high-temperature region 26 can be arranged around the low-temperature region 28. This makes it easier to create an illusion of temperature in the low-temperature region 28 due to the high-temperature region 26.

[0054] In this embodiment, the heater 30 is controlled to make the user feel that the low-temperature region 28 is hotter than it actually is, by utilizing the aforementioned illusion between the high-temperature region 26 and the low-temperature region 28. With this configuration, the user can perceive the temperature difference between the high-temperature region 26 and the low-temperature region 28 felt from the seating surface 24a as smaller than the actual temperature difference between the high-temperature region 26 and the low-temperature region 28.

[0055] In this embodiment, the control unit 50 performs illusion generation processing from the time the user sits on the seat until they get off. With this configuration, the user can be made to experience an illusion throughout the period they are seated.

[0056] In this embodiment, the control unit 50 executes an illusion generation process before the user sits down when it is predicted that the user will sit down. With this configuration, the seating surface 24a can be brought to a state where the user perceives it as being real before the user sits down. Therefore, an illusion can be reliably created for the user when they sit down.

[0057] Subsequently, if a signal indicating that a user is seated is acquired, the power supply to the heater 30 is cut off, i.e., the heater 30 is stopped. By bringing the seating surface 24a to a state that the user perceives as being warm before the user sits down, and stopping the heater 30 in response to the user sitting down, power consumption after the user sits down can be suppressed. By immediately stopping the heater 30 after the user sits down, the temperature of the seating surface 24a rises, preventing the user from experiencing discomfort due to the seating surface 24a.

[0058] In this embodiment, the high-temperature region 26 is an example of a "first temperature region". The low-temperature region 28 is an example of a "second temperature region". The heater 30 is an example of a "heat source". The circumferential direction is an example of a "specific direction". The detected temperature of the high-temperature region 26 is an example of an "actual temperature". When a signal indicating seating is acquired from the seating detection unit 44, this is an example of a "detection result indicating seating". When the state changes from one in which a signal indicating the user is seated being acquired from the seating detection unit 44 to one in which it is no longer acquired, this is an example of a "detection result indicating dissipation".

[0059] (Second Embodiment) Referring to Figure 7, the differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment will be explained. In this embodiment, the arrangement of the temperature detection unit 138 is different. As shown in Figure 7, the temperature detection unit 138 is located in the low-temperature region 28 and detects the temperature of the low-temperature region 28. The temperature detection unit 138 is configured in the same way as the temperature detection unit 36 ​​in other respects. The control unit 50 acquires the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 138. The control unit 50 controls the heater 30 using the acquired temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 138. In this way, the control unit 50 controls the temperature of the low-temperature region 28. The control unit 50 stores the target temperature of the low-temperature region 28. The control unit 50 compares the target temperature of the low-temperature region 28 with the detected temperature of the low-temperature region 28 and controls the heater 30. The control unit 50 performs the toilet seat heating process according to the flowcharts in Figures 5 and 6, similar to the first embodiment. In the illusion generation process, the predetermined temperature refers to the target temperature of the low-temperature region 28, and the standby temperature refers to a value that is, for example, several degrees lower than the target temperature of the low-temperature region 28.

[0060] In this embodiment, the detected temperature in the low-temperature region 28 is an example of an "actual temperature".

[0061] (Third Embodiment) Referring to Figures 8 to 10, the differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment will be explained. In this embodiment, the configuration of the temperature detection units 36 and 138 and the configuration of the toilet seat heating process are different. As shown in Figure 8, the toilet seat 22 has a temperature detection unit 36 ​​similar to that of the first embodiment and a temperature detection unit 138 similar to that of the second embodiment. The control unit 50 obtains the detected temperature of the high-temperature region 26 from the temperature detection unit 36 ​​and the detected temperature of the low-temperature region 28 from the temperature detection unit 138. The control unit 50 controls the heater 30 using the detected temperatures obtained from the temperature detection units 36 and 138. In this way, the control unit 50 controls the temperature of the high-temperature region 26 and the temperature of the low-temperature region 28, respectively. The control unit 50 controls the heater 30 by comparing the target temperature of the low-temperature region 28 with the detected temperature of the low-temperature region 28, and also controls the heater 30 by comparing the target temperature of the high-temperature region 26 with the detected temperature of the high-temperature region 26. The control unit 50 stores the target temperature of the high-temperature region 26 and the target temperature of the low-temperature region 28.

[0062] Figures 9 to 10 show a flowchart of the toilet seat heating process in this embodiment. The control unit 50 executes the toilet seat heating process, which controls the heater 30 of the toilet seat device 20.

[0063] As shown in Figure 9, the processes from S102 to S108 are the same as those from S2 to S8 in the first embodiment shown in Figure 5, so their explanation is omitted.

[0064] In steps S110 to S118, the control unit 50 performs the same processing as in steps S10 to S18 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 5, and controls the temperature of the low-temperature region 28 using the detected temperature obtained from the temperature detection unit 138. In this case, the predetermined temperature in S110 refers to the target temperature of the low-temperature region 28.

[0065] In S120, the control unit 50 monitors whether the user has left the seating surface 24a. If a signal indicating the user is seated is acquired from the seating detection unit 44 (NO in S120), the control unit 50 proceeds to S121. In S121, the control unit 50 switches the region for which temperature control is performed and returns to S110. Subsequently, from S110 to S118, the control unit 50 controls the temperature of the high-temperature region 26 using the detected temperature acquired from the temperature detection unit 36. In this case, the predetermined temperature in S110 refers to the target temperature of the high-temperature region 26. In S120, the control unit 50 executes the process in S121 until the state in which a signal indicating the user is seated changes from being acquired to not being acquired from the seating detection unit 44 (YES in S120), and then returns to S110. Subsequently, the control unit 50 repeatedly executes the series of processes from S110 to S118, alternately controlling the temperature of the low-temperature region 28 and the high-temperature region 26.

[0066] In S120, if the state in which the seating detection unit 44 receives a signal indicating that the user is seated changes from a state in which it receives a signal to a state in which it does not receive a signal (YES in S120), the control unit 50 stops the illusion generation process and proceeds to S122.

[0067] The processes from S122 to S124 are the same as those from S22 to S24 in the first embodiment shown in Figure 5, so their explanation is omitted.

[0068] As shown in Figure 10, in steps S126 to S134, the control unit 50 performs the same processing as in steps S26 to S34 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 6, and controls the temperature of the low-temperature region 28 using the detected temperature already obtained from the temperature detection unit 138. In this case, the standby temperature in S126 refers to a temperature several degrees lower than the target temperature of the low-temperature region 28. The processing in S136 is the same as the processing in S36 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 6, so its explanation is omitted. In S138, the control unit 50 monitors for the user leaving the room. If a signal indicating the user's entry is obtained from the entry detection unit 42 (NO in S138), the control unit 50 proceeds to S139. In S139, the control unit 50 switches the region for which temperature control is performed and returns to the processing in S126. After that, the control unit 50 performs the processing from S126 to S134, and controls the temperature of the high-temperature region 26 using the detected temperature already obtained from the temperature detection unit 36. In this case, the standby temperature in S126 is a temperature several degrees lower than the target temperature of the high-temperature region 26. In S138, the control unit 50 executes the process in S139 until the state changes from when a signal indicating user entry is received from the entry detection unit 42 to when it is not received (YES in S138), and then returns to S126. After that, the control unit 50 repeatedly executes the series of processes from S126 to S136, alternately controlling the temperature of the low-temperature region 28 and the high-temperature region 26.

[0069] The process from S140 to S142 is the same as the process from S40 to S42 in the first embodiment shown in Figure 6, so its explanation is omitted. With this, the toilet seat heating process is completed.

[0070] The detected temperature in the high-temperature region 26 is an example of the "actual first temperature." The detected temperature in the low-temperature region 28 is an example of the "actual second temperature."

[0071] (Fourth Embodiment) Referring to Figure 11, the differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment will be explained. As shown in Figure 11, the configuration of the temperature sensing units 36 and 138 and the heater 230 is different in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the temperature sensing units 36 and 138 are configured in the same way as in the third embodiment. The control unit 50 acquires the detected temperature from the temperature sensing units 36 and 138, respectively. The heater 230 has a first heater unit 232 and a second heater unit 234. The first heater unit 232 and the second heater unit 234 are each connected to the control unit 50 in a way that allows communication. Therefore, the control unit 50 can control the first heater unit 232 and the second heater unit 234 separately. Instead of heater wires 30a, Peltier elements are used in each heater unit 232 and 234. The first heater unit 232 is located in the high-temperature region 26. The second heater unit 234 is located in the low-temperature region 28. The control unit 50 stores the target temperature of the high-temperature region 26 and the target temperature of the low-temperature region 28. The target temperature of the high-temperature region 26 and the target temperature of the low-temperature region 28 are determined independently of each other. The control unit 50 compares the target temperature of the high-temperature region 26 with the detected temperature obtained from the temperature detection unit 36 ​​(i.e., the detected temperature of the high-temperature region 26) and controls the first heater unit 232. The control unit 50 executes the toilet seat heating process of the first embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 6 and controls the first heater unit 232. In this way, the control unit 50 controls the temperature of the high-temperature region 26. The control unit 50 compares the target temperature of the low-temperature region 28 with the detected temperature obtained from the temperature detection unit 138 (i.e., the detected temperature of the low-temperature region 28) and controls the second heater unit 234. The control unit 50 executes the toilet seat heating process of the first embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 6 and controls the second heater unit 234. In this way, the control unit 50 controls the temperature of the low-temperature region 28.

[0072] In this embodiment, the control unit 50 controls the first heater unit 232 using the detected temperature of the acquired high-temperature region 26, and controls the second heater unit 234 using the detected temperature of the acquired low-temperature region 28. With this configuration, the temperature of both the high-temperature region 26 and the low-temperature region 28 can be controlled with high precision.

[0073] In this embodiment, the heater 230 is an example of a "heat source". The first heater section 232 is an example of a "first part". The second heater section 234 is an example of a "second part".

[0074] (Fifth Embodiment) Referring to Figures 12 to 15, the differences between this embodiment and the fourth embodiment will be explained. In this embodiment, the configuration of the toilet seat heating process is different. In this toilet seat heating process, the control unit 50 controls the heater units 232 and 234 respectively to form a low-temperature region 28 over the entire seating surface 24a before starting the illusion generation process, and then executes the illusion generation process. Figures 12 to 13 show the toilet seat heating process in the first heater unit 232. Figures 14 to 15 show the toilet seat heating process in the second heater unit 234. The control unit 50 simultaneously executes the toilet seat heating process in the first heater unit 232 shown in Figures 12 to 13 and the toilet seat heating process in the second heater unit 234 shown in Figures 14 to 15.

[0075] (Control of the first heater unit) Referring to Figures 12 to 13, the toilet seat heating process that controls the first heater unit 232 will be described.

[0076] As shown in Figure 12, in S202, the control unit 50 determines whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the last time the user used the toilet seat device 20. If the predetermined period of time has elapsed (YES in S202), the control unit 50 proceeds to S203 and starts the toilet seat heating process. In a modified example, the control unit 50 may predict when the user will sit down based on user instructions such as remote control operation.

[0077] In S203, the control unit 50 determines whether the first heater unit 232 is operating or not. If the first heater unit 232 is already operating (YES in S203), the control unit 50 proceeds to S6. If the first heater unit 232 is not operating (NO in S203), in S204, the control unit 50 activates the first heater unit 232. Specifically, the control unit 50 activates the first heater unit 232 by supplying power to it.

[0078] In steps S206 to S214, the control unit 50 controls the first heater unit 232 to the target temperature of the low-temperature region 28. In step S206, the control unit 50 determines whether the detected temperature obtained from the temperature detection unit 36 ​​is below the second predetermined temperature. The second predetermined temperature refers to the target temperature of the low-temperature region 28.

[0079] In S206, if the detected temperature falls below the second predetermined temperature (YES in S206), the control unit 50 activates the first heater unit 232 in S208 to S210. Specifically, in S208, the control unit 50 determines whether the first heater unit 232 is operating or not. If the first heater unit 232 is already operating (YES in S208), the control unit 50 maintains the operating state of the first heater unit 232 and proceeds to S216. If the first heater unit 232 is not operating (NO in S208), in S210, the control unit 50 activates the first heater unit 232 by supplying power to it and proceeds to S216.

[0080] In S206, if the detected temperature is above the second predetermined temperature (NO in S206), the control unit 50 stops the first heater unit 232 in S212 to S214. Specifically, in S212, the control unit 50 determines whether the first heater unit 232 is stopped or not. If the first heater unit 232 is already stopped (YES in S212), the control unit 50 maintains the stopped state of the first heater unit 232 and proceeds to S216. If the first heater unit 232 is not stopped (NO in S212), in S214, the control unit 50 stops the first heater unit 232 by cutting off the power supply to the first heater unit 232 and proceeds to S216.

[0081] In S216, the control unit 50 monitors for user entry. If no signal indicating user entry is received from the entry detection unit 42 (NO in S216), the control unit 50 returns to S206 and repeats the process from S206 to S214. If a signal indicating user entry is received from the entry detection unit 42 (YES in S216), the control unit 50 determines that a user is expected to be seated, proceeds to S218, and starts the illusion generation process.

[0082] In steps S218 to S236, the control unit 50 performs an illusion generation process. In steps S218 to S220, the control unit 50 performs the same process as in steps S208 to S210 and activates the first heater unit 232. Specifically, in step S218, it is determined whether the first heater unit 232 is stopped or not. If the first heater unit 232 is already operating in step S218 (YES in step S218), the control unit 50 maintains the operating state of the first heater unit 232 and proceeds to step S222. If the first heater unit 232 is not operating in step S218 (NO in step S218), in step S220, the control unit 50 activates the first heater unit 232 and proceeds to step S222.

[0083] In S222, the control unit 50 monitors whether the user sits on the seating surface 24a. If no signal indicating the user has sat down is obtained (NO in S222), in S224, the control unit 50 determines whether a predetermined period has elapsed since detecting the user's entry in S216. If the predetermined period has not elapsed (NO in S224), the control unit 50 returns to S222. If the predetermined period has elapsed (YES in S224), the control unit 50 returns to S206. If a signal indicating the user has sat down is obtained in S222 (YES in S222), the control unit 50 proceeds to S226 in Figure 13.

[0084] As shown in Figure 13, in steps S226 to S234, the control unit 50 controls the first heater unit 232 to the target temperature of the high-temperature region 26. In step S226, the control unit 50 determines whether the detected temperature obtained from the temperature detection unit 36 ​​is below a first predetermined temperature. The first predetermined temperature refers to the target temperature of the high-temperature region 26. If the detected temperature is below the first predetermined temperature (YES in S226), the control unit 50 performs the same processing as in steps S208 to S210 in steps S228 to S230, activates the first heater unit 232, and proceeds to step S236. If the detected temperature is above the first predetermined temperature (NO in S226), the control unit 50 performs the same processing as in steps S212 to S214 in steps S232 to S234, stops the first heater unit 232, and proceeds to step S236.

[0085] In S236, the control unit 50 monitors whether the user is dismounting from the seating surface 24a. Specifically, if a signal indicating the user is seated is acquired from the seating detection unit 44 (NO in S236), the control unit 50 returns to S226 and executes the processes from S226 to S234. If the state changes from one where a signal indicating the user is seated is acquired from the seating detection unit 44 to one where it is not acquired (YES in S236), the control unit 50 stops the illusion generation process and proceeds to S238.

[0086] In S238, the control unit 50 determines whether the detected temperature obtained from the temperature detection unit 36 ​​is below the standby temperature. The control unit 50 stores the standby temperature of the first heater unit 232. This standby temperature refers to a temperature several degrees lower than the first predetermined temperature (i.e., the target temperature of the high-temperature region 26). If the detected temperature is below the standby temperature (YES in S238), the control unit 50 performs the same processing as in S208 to S210 in Figure 12 in S240 to S242, activates the first heater unit 232, and proceeds to S248. If the detected temperature is above the standby temperature (NO in S238), the control unit 50 performs the same processing as in S212 to S214 in S244 to S246, stops the first heater unit 232, and proceeds to S248.

[0087] In S248, the control unit 50 monitors whether the user sits on the seat surface 24a again. If a signal indicating that the user is seated is obtained from the seat detection unit 44 (YES in S248), the control unit 50 returns to S226. If a signal indicating that the user is seated is not obtained from the seat detection unit 44 (NO in S248), the control unit 50 proceeds to S250.

[0088] In S250, the control unit 50 monitors for the user leaving the room. If a signal indicating the user's entry is received from the entry detection unit 42 (NO in S250), the control unit 50 returns to S238. If the state changes from receiving a signal indicating the user's entry from the entry detection unit 42 to no longer receiving one (YES in S250), the control unit 50 proceeds to S252. From S252 to S253, the control unit 50 performs the same processing as in S212 to S214 in Figure 12, stops the first heater unit 232, and terminates the toilet seat heating process in the first heater unit 232.

[0089] (Control of the second heater unit) Referring to Figures 14 to 15, the toilet seat heating process that controls the second heater unit 234 will be explained.

[0090] As shown in Figure 14, the process from S254 to S256 is the same as the process from S202 to S204 of the toilet seat heating process of the first heater unit 232 in Figure 12, except that the second heater unit 234 is controlled instead of the first heater unit 232, so its explanation is omitted.

[0091] In steps S258 to S266, the control unit 50 controls the second heater unit 234 to the target temperature of the low-temperature region 28, in the same manner as in steps S206 to S214 of the toilet seat heating process of the first heater unit 232 in Figure 12. In step S258, the control unit 50 determines whether the detected temperature obtained from the temperature detection unit 138 is below the second predetermined temperature (i.e., the target temperature of the low-temperature region 28).

[0092] In S258, if the detected temperature falls below the second predetermined temperature (YES in S258), the control unit 50 activates the second heater unit 234 in S260 to S262. Specifically, in S260, the control unit 50 determines whether the second heater unit 234 is operating or not. If the second heater unit 234 is already operating (YES in S260), the control unit 50 maintains the operating state of the second heater unit 234 and proceeds to S268. If the second heater unit 234 is not operating (NO in S260), in S262, the control unit 50 activates the second heater unit 234 by supplying power to it and proceeds to S268.

[0093] In S258, if the detected temperature is above the second predetermined temperature (NO in S258), in S264 to S266, the control unit 50 puts the second heater unit 234 into a stopped state. Specifically, in S264, the control unit 50 determines whether the second heater unit 234 is stopped or not. If the second heater unit 234 is already stopped (YES in S264), the control unit 50 maintains the stopped state of the second heater unit 234 and proceeds to S268. If the second heater unit 234 is not stopped (NO in S264), in S266, the control unit 50 stops the second heater unit 234 by cutting off the power supply to the second heater unit 234 and proceeds to S268. While the processes from S258 to S266 are being executed, the illusion generation process is started.

[0094] In S268, the control unit 50 monitors whether the user is seated on the seating surface 24a. If no signal indicating the user is seated is obtained (NO in S268), the control unit 50 returns to S258. If a signal indicating the user is seated is obtained in S268 (YES in S268), the control unit 50 proceeds to S270 in Figure 15.

[0095] As shown in Figure 15, the processes from S270 to S278 are the same as those from S258 to S266 in Figure 14, so their explanation is omitted.

[0096] In S280, the control unit 50 monitors whether the user is dismounting from the seating surface 24a. If a signal indicating the user is seated is acquired from the seating detection unit 44 (NO in S280), the control unit 50 returns to S270. In S280, if the state changes from acquiring a signal indicating the user is seated from the seating detection unit 44 to not acquiring one (YES in S280), the control unit 50 stops the illusion generation process and proceeds to S282.

[0097] In S282, the control unit 50 determines whether the detected temperature obtained from the temperature detection unit 138 is below the standby temperature. The control unit 50 stores the standby temperature of the second heater unit 234. This standby temperature refers to a temperature several degrees lower than the second predetermined temperature (i.e., the target temperature of the low-temperature region 28). If the detected temperature is below the standby temperature (YES in S282), the control unit 50 performs the same processing as in S260 to S262 in Figure 14 in S284 to S286, activates the second heater unit 234, and proceeds to S292. If the detected temperature is above the standby temperature (NO in S282), the control unit 50 performs the same processing as in S264 to S266 in Figure 14 in S288 to S290, stops the second heater unit 234, and proceeds to S292.

[0098] In S292, the control unit 50 monitors whether the user sits on the seating surface 24a again. If a signal indicating the user has sat down is obtained (YES in S292), the control unit 50 returns to S270. If a signal indicating the user has sat down is not obtained (NO in S292), the control unit 50 proceeds to S294.

[0099] In S294, the control unit 50 monitors for the user leaving the room. If a signal indicating the user's entry is received from the entry detection unit 42 (NO in S294), the control unit 50 returns to S282. If the state in which the entry detection unit 42 receives a signal indicating the user's entry changes to a state where it does not receive a signal (YES in S294), the control unit 50 proceeds to S296. From S296 to S297, the control unit 50 performs the same processing as in S264 to S266 in Figure 14, stops the second heater unit 234, and terminates the toilet seat heating process in the second heater unit 234.

[0100] In this embodiment, the control unit 50 controls the heater units 232 and 234, respectively, even before the user's entry into the room is detected. Therefore, a longer period can be secured between the start of control of the heater units 232 and 234 and the time the user sits down. This makes it possible to consistently create an illusion for the seated user.

[0101] (Sixth Embodiment) Referring to Figures 16 to 19, the differences between this embodiment and the fifth embodiment will be explained. In this embodiment, the configuration of the toilet seat heating process is different. Before starting the illusion generation process, the control unit 50 controls the heater units 232 and 234 respectively to form a high-temperature region 26 over the entire seating surface 24a, and then executes the illusion generation process. Figures 16 to 17 show the toilet seat heating process in the second heater unit 234. Figures 18 to 19 show the toilet seat heating process in the first heater unit 232. The control unit 50 simultaneously executes the toilet seat heating process in the second heater unit 234 shown in Figures 16 to 17 and the toilet seat heating process in the first heater unit 232 shown in Figures 18 to 19.

[0102] (Control of the second heater unit) Referring to Figures 16 to 17, the toilet seat heating process that controls the second heater unit 234 will be described.

[0103] As shown in Figure 16, the processes from S302 to S304 are the same as the processes from S254 to S256 in the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 14, so their explanation is omitted.

[0104] In steps S306 to S314, the control unit 50 controls the second heater unit 234 to the target temperature of the high-temperature region 26. In step S306, the control unit 50 determines whether the detected temperature obtained from the temperature detection unit 138 is below the first predetermined temperature (the target temperature of the high-temperature region 26).

[0105] In S306, if the detected temperature falls below the first predetermined temperature (YES in S306), the control unit 50 performs the same processing as in S260 to S262 of the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 14 in S308 to S310, and activates the second heater unit 234. Specifically, in S308, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the second heater unit 234 is operating. If the second heater unit 234 is already operating (YES in S308), the control unit 50 maintains the operating state of the second heater unit 234 and proceeds to S316. If the second heater unit 234 is not operating (NO in S308), in S310, the control unit 50 activates the second heater unit 234 by supplying power to it and proceeds to S316.

[0106] If the detected temperature is above the first predetermined temperature (NO in S306), the control unit 50 performs the same processing as in S264 to S266 of the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 14 in S312 to S314, and puts the second heater unit 234 into a stopped state. Specifically, in S312, the control unit 50 determines whether the second heater unit 234 is stopped or not. If the second heater unit 234 is already stopped (YES in S312), the control unit 50 maintains the stopped state of the second heater unit 234 and proceeds to S316. If the second heater unit 234 is not stopped (NO in S312), in S314, the control unit 50 stops the second heater unit 234 by cutting off the power supply to the second heater unit 234 and proceeds to S316.

[0107] In S316, the control unit 50 monitors for user entry. If no signal indicating user entry is received from the entry detection unit 42 (NO in S316), the control unit 50 returns to S306 and repeats the process from S306 to S314. If a signal indicating user entry is received (YES in S316), the control unit 50 determines that a user is expected to be seated, proceeds to S318, and starts the illusion generation process.

[0108] From S318 to S336, the control unit 50 executes an illusion generation process. From S318 to S320, the control unit 50 executes the same process as in S312 to S314 and puts the second heater unit 234 into a stopped state. Specifically, in S318, the control unit 50 determines whether the second heater unit 234 is stopped or not. If the second heater unit 234 is already stopped (YES in S318), the control unit 50 maintains the stopped state of the second heater unit 234 and proceeds to S322. If the second heater unit 234 is not stopped (NO in S318), in S320, the control unit 50 stops the second heater unit 234 and proceeds to S322.

[0109] In S322, the control unit 50 monitors whether the user sits on the seating surface 24a. If no signal indicating the user has sat down is obtained (NO in S322), in S324, the control unit 50 determines whether a predetermined period has elapsed since detecting the user's entry in S316. If the predetermined period has not elapsed (NO in S324), the control unit 50 returns to S322. If the predetermined period has elapsed (YES in S324), the control unit 50 returns to S306. If a signal indicating the user has sat down is obtained in S322 (YES in S322), the control unit 50 proceeds to S326 in Figure 17.

[0110] As shown in Figure 17, the process from S326 to S353 is the same as the process from S270 to S297 in the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 15, so its explanation is omitted. With this, the control unit 50 completes the toilet seat heating process in the second heater unit 234.

[0111] (Control of the first heater unit) Referring to Figures 18 to 19, the toilet seat heating process that controls the first heater unit 232 will be described.

[0112] As shown in Figure 18, steps S354 to S366 are the same as steps S202 to S204 in the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 12, so their explanation is omitted.

[0113] In steps S358 to S366, the control unit 50 controls the first heater unit 232 to the target temperature of the high-temperature region 26, instead of the second heater unit 234, similar to steps S306 to S314 of the toilet seat heating process of the second heater unit 234 in Figure 16. In step S358, the control unit 50 determines whether the detected temperature obtained from the temperature detection unit 36 ​​is below the first predetermined temperature (i.e., the target temperature of the high-temperature region 26).

[0114] In S358, if the detected temperature falls below the first predetermined temperature (YES in S358), the control unit 50 activates the first heater unit 232 in S360 to S362. Specifically, in S360, the control unit 50 determines whether the first heater unit 232 is operating or not. If the first heater unit 232 is already operating (YES in S360), the control unit 50 maintains the operating state of the first heater unit 232 and proceeds to S368. If the first heater unit 232 is not operating (NO in S260), in S362, the control unit 50 activates the first heater unit 232 by supplying power to it and proceeds to S368.

[0115] In S358, if the detected temperature is above the first predetermined temperature (NO in S358), in S364 to S366, the control unit 50 puts the first heater unit 232 into a stopped state. Specifically, in S364, the control unit 50 determines whether the first heater unit 232 is stopped or not. If the first heater unit 232 is already stopped (YES in S364), the control unit 50 maintains the stopped state of the first heater unit 232 and proceeds to S368. If the first heater unit 232 is not stopped (NO in S364), in S366, the control unit 50 stops the first heater unit 232 by cutting off the power supply to the first heater unit 232 and proceeds to S368. While the processes from S358 to S366 are being executed, the illusion generation process is started.

[0116] In S368, the control unit 50 monitors whether the user is seated on the seating surface 24a. If no signal indicating the user is seated is obtained (NO in S368), the control unit 50 returns to S358. If a signal indicating the user is seated is obtained in S368 (YES in S368), the control unit 50 proceeds to S370 in Figure 19.

[0117] As shown in Figure 19, the process from S370 to S397 is the same as the process from S226 to S253 in the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 13, so its explanation is omitted. With this, the control unit 50 completes the toilet seat heating process in the first heater unit 232.

[0118] The following are aspects of the technology disclosed herein.

[0119] The first embodiment relates to a toilet seat device. The toilet seat device comprises a toilet seat body having a seating surface, a heat source for controlling the temperature of the seating surface, and a control unit for performing an illusion generation process. In the illusion generation process, the control unit may control the heat source to cause a user sitting on the seating surface to feel that the temperature difference between the first and second temperature regions perceived from the seating surface is smaller than the actual temperature difference between the first and second temperature regions, by forming a first temperature region and a second temperature region having a lower temperature than the first temperature region on the seating surface.

[0120] In a second embodiment, in the first embodiment described above, the control unit may, in the illusion generation process, control the heat source to cause the user to perceive a temperature higher than the actual temperature of the second temperature region, using the illusion.

[0121] A third aspect relates to a toilet seat device. The toilet seat device comprises a toilet seat body having a seating surface, a heat source that forms a first temperature region and a second temperature region having a lower temperature than the first temperature region on the seating surface, and a control unit that performs an illusion generation process to control the heat source. In the illusion generation process, the control unit may use the illusion created by the first temperature region and the second temperature region to control the heat source so that a user sitting on the seating surface perceives the temperature of the second temperature region as higher than the actual temperature of the second temperature region.

[0122] In the fourth embodiment, in any one of the first to third embodiments described above, the control unit may, in the illusion generation process, locally provide thermal stimulation to the user from the seating surface.

[0123] In a fifth embodiment, in any one of the first to fourth embodiments described above, the control unit may cause the user to experience the illusion in the illusion generation process by having the user come into contact with at least two of the first temperature regions that are spaced apart in a particular direction and with the second temperature region formed between at least two of the first temperature regions.

[0124] In a sixth embodiment, in any one of the first to fifth embodiments described above, the control unit may perform the illusion generation process from the time the user sits on the seat surface until they get off. In a seventh embodiment, in any one of the first to sixth embodiments described above, the control unit may perform the illusion generation process by controlling the power supplied to the heat source.

[0125] In the eighth embodiment, in any one of the first to seventh embodiments described above, the control unit may acquire the actual temperature of at least one of the first temperature region and the second temperature region, and use the acquired actual temperature to control the heat source.

[0126] In the ninth embodiment, in any one of the first to eighth embodiments described above, the heat source has a first part located in the first temperature region and a second part located in the second temperature region, and the control unit may acquire the actual first temperature in the first temperature region and the actual second temperature in the second temperature region, control the first part using the acquired first temperature, and control the second part using the acquired second temperature.

[0127] In the tenth embodiment, in any one of the first to ninth embodiments described above, the control unit may start the illusion generation process before the user sits down if it is predicted that the user will sit down on the seating surface.

[0128] In the eleventh embodiment, in the tenth embodiment described above, the control unit may, after predicting the user's seating, cut off the power supply to the heat source when a detection result indicating that the user has sat on the seating surface is obtained.

[0129] In the twelfth embodiment, in any one of the first to eleventh embodiments described above, the control unit may stop the illusion generation process if it obtains a detection result indicating that the user has left the seating surface.

[0130] The thirteenth aspect relates to a toilet device. The toilet device may include a toilet bowl and a toilet seat device according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects described above, which is placed on the toilet bowl.

[0131] A fourteenth aspect relates to a control device for controlling the heat source of a toilet seat device. The control device may perform an illusion generation process, and in the illusion generation process, it may control the heat source in such a way that it causes a user sitting on the seat surface to feel that the temperature difference between the first temperature region and the second temperature region perceived from the seat surface is smaller than the actual temperature difference between the first temperature region and the second temperature region.

[0132] A fifteenth aspect relates to a method performed by a control device that controls the heat source of a toilet seat device. The method comprises the control device performing an illusion-generating process, wherein the control device may, in the illusion-generating process, control the heat source to cause a user sitting on the seat surface to feel that the temperature difference between the first temperature region and the second temperature region perceived from the seat surface is smaller than the actual temperature difference between the first temperature region and the second temperature region, by forming a first temperature region and a second temperature region having a lower temperature than the first temperature region on the seat surface of the toilet seat body.

[0133] A sixteenth aspect relates to a computer program for a control device that controls the heat source of a toilet seat device. The computer program includes causing the control device to perform an illusion-generating process, and in the illusion-generating process, the control device may control the heat source in such a way that it causes a user sitting on the seat surface to feel that the temperature difference between the first and second temperature regions perceived from the seat surface is smaller than the actual temperature difference between the first and second temperature regions, by forming a first temperature region and a second temperature region with a lower temperature than the first temperature region on the seat surface of the toilet seat body.

[0134] The seventeenth embodiment relates to a toilet seat. The toilet seat comprises a toilet seat body having a seating surface, and a heat source that forms a first temperature region and a second temperature region having a lower temperature than the first temperature region on the seating surface, wherein the second temperature region is formed between the first temperature regions which are spaced apart in a particular direction, and at least a portion of the first temperature region may be formed on at least one of the inner and outer edges of the seating surface.

[0135] In the eighteenth embodiment, in the seventeenth embodiment described above, at least a portion of the first temperature region may be formed on both the inner and outer edges of the seating surface.

[0136] In the 19th embodiment, in any one of the 17th to 18th embodiments described above, at least a portion of the first temperature region may extend along at least one of the inner and outer edges of the seating surface.

[0137] In the 20th embodiment, in any one of the 17th to 19th embodiments described above, the second temperature region may have a plurality of regions separated from each other by the first temperature region.

[0138] In the 21st embodiment, in any one of the 17th to 20th embodiments described above, the total area of ​​the first temperature region on the seating surface may be one-fifth or more of the area of ​​the seating surface.

[0139] The 22nd aspect relates to a toilet device. The toilet device may include a toilet bowl and a toilet seat, which is placed on the toilet bowl, according to any one of the 17th to 21st aspects described above.

[0140] The specific examples of the technology disclosed herein have been described in detail above. These are merely illustrative examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. Modifications of the above embodiments are listed below.

[0141] (1) The high-temperature region 26 does not have to have at least two regions. The high-temperature region 26 may be just one region. The low-temperature region 28 does not have to have multiple regions isolated by the high-temperature region 26. That is, the low-temperature region 28 may be just one region. The seating surface 24a is formed with at least two high-temperature regions 26 arranged with a gap D between them in a particular direction, and a low-temperature region 28 positioned between the at least two high-temperature regions 26.

[0142] (2) The arrangement of the high-temperature region 26 and the low-temperature region 28 formed on the seating surface 24a can be changed in various ways. The high-temperature region 26 does not have to be located on both the inner peripheral edge 24b and the outer peripheral edge 24c of the seating surface 24a. The high-temperature region 26 may be located on the inner peripheral edge 24b of the seating surface 24a and not on the outer peripheral edge 24c. The high-temperature region 26 may be located on the outer peripheral edge 24c of the seating surface 24a and not on the inner peripheral edge 24b.

[0143] (3) The high-temperature region 26 and the low-temperature region 28 do not necessarily have to extend substantially radially from the inner peripheral edge 24b to the outer peripheral edge 24c. For example, as shown in Figure 20, the high-temperature region 26 and the low-temperature region 28 may extend in a stripe-like manner in the left-right direction on the seating surface 24a. In this case, the front-back direction is an example of a "specific direction".

[0144] In another modification, as shown in Figure 21, the high-temperature region 26 and the low-temperature region 28 may extend in a striped pattern in the front-to-back direction on the seating surface 24a. In yet another modification, as shown in Figure 22, the direction in which the high-temperature region 26 and the low-temperature region 28 extend from the inner peripheral edge 24b to the outer peripheral edge 24c may differ on the front and back sides of the seating surface 24a. On the front side of the seating surface 24a, the high-temperature region 26 may extend substantially radially from the inner peripheral edge 24b to the outer peripheral edge 24c, centered on the opening 23, while on the back side of the seating surface 24a, it may extend in a striped pattern in the left-to-right direction. In this case, the circumferential direction is an example of a "specific direction" on the front side of the seating surface 24a, and the left-to-right direction is an example of a "specific direction" on the back side of the seating surface 24a.

[0145] (4) In the first embodiment, the high-temperature region 26 is arranged at intervals along the inner peripheral edge 24b and the outer peripheral edge 24c. In a modified example, the high-temperature region 26 may extend along the outer peripheral edge 24c. This configuration allows the outer periphery of the seating surface 24a to be heated. For example, as shown in Figure 23, the high-temperature region 26 may extend continuously along the outer peripheral edge 24c over the entire outer peripheral edge 24c. The high-temperature region 26 may extend continuously along the outer peripheral edge 24c in a part of the outer peripheral edge 24c.

[0146] In another variation, the high-temperature region 26 may extend along the inner periphery 24b at the inner periphery 24b. This configuration allows the inner periphery of the seating surface 24a to be heated. For example, as shown in Figure 24, the high-temperature region 26 may extend continuously along the inner periphery 24b over the entire inner periphery 24b. The high-temperature region 26 may extend continuously along the inner periphery 24b in a portion of the inner periphery 24b.

[0147] In yet another variation, the high-temperature region 26 may extend along the inner periphery 24b at the inner periphery 24b and along the outer periphery 24c at the outer periphery 24c. This configuration allows both the outer and inner sides of the seating surface 24a to be heated. For example, as shown in Figure 25, the high-temperature region 26 may extend continuously along the inner periphery 24b over the entire inner periphery 24b and along the outer periphery 24c over the entire outer periphery 24c. The high-temperature region 26 may extend continuously along the inner periphery 24b in a part of the inner periphery 24b and along the outer periphery 24c in a part of the outer periphery 24c.

[0148] (5) As shown in Figure 26, the high-temperature region 26 and the low-temperature region 28 do not have to extend from the inner peripheral edge 24b to the outer peripheral edge 24c. In this case, the high-temperature region 26 may have a double annular shape. That is, the two high-temperature regions 26, located on the inner peripheral edge 24b side and the outer peripheral edge 24c side, may extend along the circumferential direction with one low-temperature region 28 in between. As shown in Figure 27, the high-temperature region 26 may have a triple annular shape.

[0149] (6) In the first to sixth embodiments described above, each temperature sensing unit 36, 138 has one thermistor. In a modified example, each temperature sensing unit 36, 138 may have multiple thermistors. In that case, the control unit 50 may control the heaters 30, 230 using the average value of multiple detected temperatures obtained from the multiple thermistors.

[0150] The technical elements described in at least one of this specification and the drawings exhibit technical utility individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. The technologies exemplified in at least one of this specification and the drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives itself constitutes technical utility.

[0151] 10: Toilet device, 12: Toilet, 14: Toilet body, 20: Toilet seat device, 22: Toilet seat section, 23: Opening, 24: Toilet seat body, 24a: Seating surface, 24b: Inner edge, 24c: Outer edge, 30, 230: Heater, 232: First heater section, 234: Second heater section, 36, 138: Temperature detection section, 42: Entry detection section, 44: Seating detection section, 50: Control unit

Claims

1. A toilet seat device comprising: a toilet seat body having a seating surface; a heat source for controlling the temperature of the seating surface; and a control unit for performing an illusion generation process, wherein the control unit controls the heat source in the illusion generation process to cause a user sitting on the seating surface to feel that the temperature difference between the first temperature region and the second temperature region perceived from the seating surface is smaller than the actual temperature difference between the first temperature region and the second temperature region, by forming a first temperature region and a second temperature region having a lower temperature than the first temperature region on the seating surface.

2. The toilet seat device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the heat source in the illusion generation process to cause the user to perceive a temperature higher than the actual temperature of the second temperature region, using the illusion.

3. A toilet seat device comprising: a toilet seat body having a seating surface; a heat source that forms a first temperature region and a second temperature region having a lower temperature than the first temperature region on the seating surface; and a control unit that performs an illusion generation process, wherein the control unit, in the illusion generation process, utilizes the illusion created by the first temperature region and the second temperature region to control the heat source so that a user sitting on the seating surface perceives the temperature of the second temperature region as higher than the actual temperature of the second temperature region.

4. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit provides localized thermal stimulation to the user from the seating surface in the illusion generation process.

5. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit causes the user to experience the illusion in the illusion generation process by having the user come into contact with at least two first temperature regions that are spaced apart in a specific direction and a second temperature region formed between at least two first temperature regions.

6. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit performs the illusion generation process from the time the user sits on the seat surface until they get off the seat.

7. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit performs the illusion generation process by controlling the power supplied to the heat source.

8. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control unit acquires the actual temperature of at least one of the first temperature range and the second temperature range, and controls the heat source using the acquired actual temperature.

9. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the heat source has a first part located in the first temperature region and a second part located in the second temperature region, and the control unit acquires the actual first temperature of the first temperature region and the actual second temperature of the second temperature region, controls the first part using the acquired first temperature, and controls the second part using the acquired second temperature.

10. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the control unit starts the illusion generation process before the user sits down when it is predicted that the user will sit down on the seat surface.

11. The toilet seat device according to claim 10, wherein the control unit, after predicting the user's seating, cuts off the power supply to the heat source when a detection result indicating that the user has sat on the seating surface is obtained.

12. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the control unit stops the illusion generation process when it obtains a detection result indicating that the user has left the seat surface.

13. A toilet device comprising a toilet bowl and a toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, which is placed on the toilet bowl.

14. A control device for controlling the heat source of a toilet seat device, wherein the control device performs an illusion generation process, and in the illusion generation process, it controls the heat source such that it causes a user sitting on the seat surface to feel that the temperature difference between the first temperature region and the second temperature region perceived from the seat surface is smaller than the actual temperature difference between the first temperature region and the second temperature region.

15. A method performed by a control device for controlling the heat source of a toilet seat device, the method comprising the control device performing an illusion-generating process, wherein the control device, in the illusion-generating process, controls the heat source such that a user sitting on the seat surface feels that the temperature difference between the first temperature region and the second temperature region is smaller than the actual temperature difference between the first temperature region and the second temperature region, by forming a first temperature region and a second temperature region having a lower temperature than the first temperature region on the seat surface of the toilet seat body.

16. A computer program for a control device that controls the heat source of a toilet seat device, wherein the computer program includes causing the control device to execute an illusion-generating process, and the control device controls the heat source in the illusion-generating process by forming a first temperature region and a second temperature region having a lower temperature than the first temperature region on the seating surface of the toilet seat body, thereby causing a user sitting on the seating surface to perceive the temperature difference between the first temperature region and the second temperature region as being smaller than the actual temperature difference between the first and second temperature regions.

17. A toilet seat comprising: a toilet seat body having a seating surface; and a heat source that forms a first temperature region and a second temperature region having a lower temperature than the first temperature region on the seating surface, wherein the second temperature region is formed between the first temperature regions which are spaced apart in a particular direction, and at least a portion of the first temperature region is formed on at least one of the inner and outer edges of the seating surface.

18. The toilet seat according to claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the first temperature region is formed on both the inner and outer edges of the seating surface.

19. The toilet seat according to any one of claims 17 to 18, wherein at least a portion of the first temperature region extends along at least one of the inner and outer edges of the seating surface.

20. The toilet seat according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the second temperature region has a plurality of regions isolated from each other by the first temperature region.

21. The toilet seat according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the total area of ​​the first temperature region on the seating surface is one-fifth or more of the area of ​​the seating surface.

22. A toilet device comprising a toilet bowl and a toilet seat according to any one of claims 17 to 21, which is placed on the toilet bowl.

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