JP4409129B2

JP4409129B2 - Optical sensor and toilet seat apparatus using the optical sensor

Info

Publication number: JP4409129B2
Application number: JP2001271667A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 康利千葉; 洋一中野; 裕士高橋
Original assignee: Seiko Precision Inc
Current assignee: Seiko Precision Inc
Priority date: 2001-09-07
Filing date: 2001-09-07
Publication date: 2010-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 2021-09-07
Also published as: JP2003075554A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、物体検知を行う光センサおよびこの光センサを用いた便座装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、複数の投受光素子を用いて複数位置での物体検知等を行う場合には、１つの投受光素子と投受光素子の光学系部材と投受光素子の制御回路を搭載した回路基板とを１つのホルダに組み込んで光センサを構成するとともに、この光センサを複数個組み合わせて用いるようにしていた。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
前記の従来技術では、光センサを複数個組み合わせて用いていたので、全体として大型化し、かつ高コストになるばかりでなく、製品への組み込みも煩雑であるという問題点があった。また、各光センサの光軸、すなわち各投光素子から発せられる投光ビームの光軸が互いに平行に設定されており、製品への各光センサの組込位置が制約されるという問題があった。
【０００４】
そこで本発明は、複数の投受光素子等を単一のホルダに一体的に構成して小型化、低コストを図るとともに、少なくとも２つの投受光素子の各投光素子から発せられる投光ビームの光軸を非平行にして異なる位置での物体検知を可能にし、製品への組み込み位置の自由度を向上する。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明に係る光センサは、物体検知を行う投光素子と受光素子とで構成される第１投受光素子と、物体検知を行う投光素子と受光素子とで構成される第２投受光素子と、前記第１投受光素子と前記第２投受光素子とが取り付けられる単一のホルダとを有し、前記第１投受光素子と前記第２投受光素子とは、前記投光素子から発せられる投光ビームの光軸が互いに非平行となるように配設され、前記第１投受光素子および前記第２投受光素子の少なくとも一方の前記投光素子は、当該投光素子から発せられる投光ビームの光軸の向きを可変とするように前記ホルダに位置調整可能に取り付けられていることを特徴としている。この構成により、複数の投受光素子等が全体として一体的に構成されて小型化、低コスト化を達成でき、また製品への組み込みも容易となる。また、第１投受光素子の投光素子から発せられる投光ビームの光軸と第２投受光素子の投光素子から発せられる投光ビームの光軸とが非平行とされて第１投受光素子と第２投受光素子とにより異なる方向の物体検知が可能となり、製品への各光センサの組込位置の自由度が向上する。また、投光素子から発せられる投光ビームの光軸の向きを任意に調整することが可能になり、任意の方向の物体検知を容易に行うことができる。
【０００７】
また、本発明に係る光センサを用いた便座装置では、便器上方に独立して開閉駆動可能に配設された便蓋および便座と、請求項１または２の光センサとを有し、前記光センサの物体検知情報に基づいて前記便蓋および前記便座が開閉駆動制御されることを特徴としている。この構成により、小型化、低コスト化、製品への組み込みの容易化が可能な光センサが用いられるので、小型化、低コスト化、光センサの組み込みの容易化が可能となる。また、投光素子から発せられる投光ビームの光軸が非平行な第１投受光素子および第２投受光素子を有する光センサが用いられるので、各光センサの組込位置の自由度が向上する。
【０００８】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の実施の一形態について説明する。
【０００９】
図５および図６に光センサを用いた便座装置を示している。便座装置は光センサの情報に基づいて制御される対象制御装置の一例であって、図示しない便器の後方上面に装置本体２が固定されている。装置本体２の内部には、光センサとの間で信号の授受を行う制御回路１０が備わっている。便器の上方には、独立して開閉駆動可能に便蓋３および便座４が配設されている。装置本体２には、便蓋３および便座４の後端の近傍に利用者がトイレに入室したことを検知し、かつ利用者が便座４に着座したことを検知するための光センサ５が配設されている。また、装置本体２の内部には、便蓋３および便座４を開閉駆動する自動開閉装置６として、便蓋駆動モータ６ａと便座駆動モータ６ｂとが配設してある。また、装置本体２の内部には、図示しない水道水圧源から供給パイプ７を通して通水された洗浄水により、利用者が便座４に着座したときにのみ作動するようにした局部洗浄装置８が配設してある。洗浄の開始を指示する操作スイッチ９は、便座４に着座した利用者が手動操作し易い位置に配設してある。自動開閉装置６および局部洗浄装置８は制御回路１０により制御される。
【００１０】
図１〜図４に光センサ５を示している。この光センサ５は、２組の投受光素子と、これらの投受光素子を制御する制御回路と、各投受光素子の各光学系部材とを１つのホルダに納めたものである。即ち、図４に示すように、光センサ５には、ホルダ１１が設けられ、このホルダ１１に前記各投受光素子と各光学系部材と制御回路とが収納保持されている。投受光素子は、投光素子と受光素子とで構成され、投光素子から発した光が被検知物体で反射して受光素子にて受光されたときに、受光素子上の受光位置により被検知物体までの距離を検知できるものである。便座装置１に用いられる場合には、検知距離が所定の距離ａよりも小さいときに利用者がトイレに入室したと判断し、検知距離が所定の距離ａよりも小さい所定の距離ｂよりも更に小さいときに利用者が便座４に着座したと判断するようになっている。２組の投受光素子を設けたのは、便蓋３が閉じているときと便蓋３が開いているときのいずれの場合であっても、便蓋３が妨げとなることなく、利用者のトイレへの入室および利用者の便座４への着座を確実に検知できるようにするためである。すなわち、利用者のトイレへの入室時に便蓋３が閉じているときには、一方の投受光素子によってトイレへの利用者の入室を検知し、その後、利用者が便蓋３を開放して便座４に着座したときには他方の投受光素子によって便座４への利用者の着座を検知する。また、利用者のトイレへの入室時に便蓋３が開いているときには、他方の投受光素子によってトイレへの利用者の入室を検知し、その後、利用者が便座４に着座したときにも他方の投受光素子によって便座４への利用者の着座を検知する。
【００１１】
図２および図３に示すように、ホルダ１１には、第１の投光素子１４を収納保持する収納室１１ａと、第２の投光素子１５を収納保持する収納室１１ｂと、第１の投光素子１４と対をなす第１の受光素子（不図示）を収納保持する図示しない収納室と、第２の投光素子１５と対をなす第２の受光素子１６を収納保持する収納室１１ｃと、収納室１１ａと連通し第１の投光素子１４の前方に配設される光学系部材としての光学レンズ１７を収納保持する収納室１１ｄと、収納室１１ｂと連通し第２の投光素子１５の前方に配設される光学系部材としての光学レンズ１８を収納保持する収納室１１ｅと、第１の受光素子（不図示）を収納保持する図示しない収納室と連通し第１の受光素子（不図示）の前方に配設される光学系部材としての光学レンズ１９を収納保持する収納室１１ｆと、収納室１１ｃと連通し第２の受光素子１５の前方に配設される光学系部材としての光学レンズ２０を収納保持する収納室１１ｇとが設けられている。すなわち、ホルダ１１には、第１の投光素子１４および第１の投光素子１４と対をなす第１の受光素子（不図示）とで構成される投受光素子と、第２の投光素子１５および第２の投光素子１５と対をなす第２の受光素子１６とで構成される投受光素子との２組の投受光素子および各投受光素子の光学レンズ１７，１８，１９，２０が単一のホルダ１１に組み込まれている。各光学レンズ１７、１８，１９、２０はその外周縁全周に亘って収納室１１ｄ、１１ｅ、１１ｆ、１１ｇの内壁に密着固定されて収納室１１ａ、収納室１１ｂ、１１ｃおよび第１の受光素子（不図示）を収納保持する図示しない収納室の前部を密閉して防水構造としている。なお、各光学レンズ１７、１８，１９、２０には、その全周に亘って図示しない接着剤が塗布され、この接着剤により収納室１１ｄ、１１ｅ、１１ｆ、１１ｇの各内壁に密着固定されて収納室１１ｄ、１１ｅ、１１ｆ、１１ｇの内壁との間がシールされている。
【００１２】
また、ホルダ１１には、主電源がオンであることや利用者がトイレに入室したこと等の物体検知状態を発光表示するための、例えば、赤と緑の２色に発光させる表示素子２１を収納保持するとともに表示素子２１の前方に位置して表示素子２１を覆う透明な表示素子カバー２２が取り付けられる素子取付部１１ｈが設けてある。素子取付部１１ｈには、表示素子２１を収納保持する収納室が設けられ、当該収納室の前部が表示素子カバー２２によって密閉されて防水構造となっている。なお、表示素子カバー２２には、その全周に亘って図示しない接着剤が塗布され、この接着剤により表示素子２１の収納室の壁面に密着固定されて表示素子２１の収納室の壁面との間がシールされている。
【００１３】
ホルダ１１の背面には、第１の投光素子１４が取り付けられる基板２４と、第２の投光素子１５が取り付けられる基板２５と、第１の受光素子（不図示）が取り付けられる図示しない基板と、第２の受光素子１６および表示素子２１が取り付けられる基板２６とが取り付けられており、これらの基板を介して第１の投光素子１４、第２の投光素子１５、第１の投光素子１４と対をなす第１の受光素子（不図示）、第２の受光素子１６および表示素子２１の各素子がそれぞれの各収納室に収納保持されている。そして、第１の投光素子１４から発せられる投光ビームの光軸Ｌ１と第２の投光素子１５から発せられる投光ビームの光軸Ｌ２とが非平行に設定されている。すなわち、第１の投光素子１４から発せられる投光ビームの光軸Ｌ１の向きと第２の投光素子１５から発せられる投光ビームの光軸Ｌ２の向きとが異なる向きとなっている。基板２４，２５，２６および第１の受光素子（不図示）が取り付けられる図示しない基板は、それぞれ位置調整可能となっている。一例として、基板２５の位置調整構造について説明する。図２に示すように、基板２５には、図２左右方向に延出するガイド溝（不図示）が設けられ、ホルダ１１に突設したピン２５ａ，２５ｂがこのガイド溝内に位置されてガイド溝の長さだけ図２左右方向に位置調整可能となっている。そして、基板２５の位置を調整することにより、第２の投光素子１５の位置を図２左右方向に調整することができ、これによりレンズ１８の中心を通る第２の投光素子１５から発せられる投光ビームの光軸Ｌ２の向きを調整できるようになっている。図示しないが、基板２４も同様な構成となっており、第１の投光素子１４から発せられる投光ビームの光軸Ｌ１の向きも調整できるようになっている。また、ガイド溝の長手方向を図２左右方向でなく図３上下方向にして第１の投光素子１４から発せられる投光ビームの光軸Ｌ１の向きと第２の投光素子１５から発せられる投光ビームの光軸Ｌ２の向きを調整することも可能である。第１の投光素子１４から発せられる投光ビームの光軸Ｌ１の向きと第２の投光素子１５から発せられる投光ビームの光軸Ｌ２の向きを調整可能としたのは、光センサ５を所望の位置に設置する際にその位置や状況に応じて、第１の投光素子１４、第２の投光素子１５から発せられる投光ビームの投光方向を変える必要を生じることがあり、これに対応するために必要に応じて第１の投光素子１４、第２の投光素子１５から発せられる投光ビームの光軸Ｌ１、Ｌ２を調整できるようにしたものである。
【００１４】
ホルダ１１の底面には、第１の投光素子１４および第２の投光素子１５と電気的に接続されて第１の投光素子１４および第２の投光素子１５を制御する制御回路を搭載するとともに、表示素子２１と電気的に接続され、かつ便座装置１との間で信号の授受を行う回路基板２３が取り付けられた基板取付部１１ｉが設けてある。すなわち、ホルダ１１には各投受光素子の制御回路を搭載した回路基板２３が組み込まれている。回路基板２３は基板２４，２５，２６および第１の受光素子（不図示）が取り付けられる基板（不図示）の各基板に接続されている。回路基板２３と基板２４，２５および第１の受光素子（不図示）が取り付けられる基板（不図示）の各基板との接続にはリード線が用いられ、基板２６と回路基板２３との接続にはフレキシブルケーブル２７が用いられている。すなわち、表示素子２１が回路基板２３に電気的に接続されて制御回路１０との間の信号の授受が、各投受光素子および表示素子２１の全ての接続線、即ち後述のケーブル２９のように一体化して、まとめて便座装置１の制御回路１０に接続されている。
【００１５】
ホルダ１１の両側面には、それぞれ係止部１１ｊが形成され、これらの係止部１１ｊに前カバー１２が着脱可能に係止されている。前カバー１２には、ホルダ１１の前面に対向する前面部１２ａと、ホルダ１１の上面に対向する上面部１２ｂと、ホルダ１１の両側面に対向する側面部１２ｃとからなり、ホルダ１１の背面を露出する背面開口１２ｄと、ホルダ１１の底面を露出する底面開口１２ｅが設けてある。側面部１２ｃには、ホルダ１１の係止部１１ｊに係止する係止窓１２ｆが設けてある。前面部１２ａには、表示素子カバー２２に対向する位置に窓穴１２ｇが設けてあり、この窓穴１２ｇに光を透過する部材を嵌合しかつ接合して表示窓部２８を形成している。前面部１２ａは可視光をカットしてホルダ１１の前面を視認不可能とし、化粧カバーとして機能して外観見栄えを向上している。背面開口１２ｄはホルダ１１に前カバー１２を係止した後でも、基板２４、２５、２６および第１の受光素子（不図示）が取り付けられる基板（不図示）の各基板を位置調節可能とし、各投光素子または各受光素子の位置調整を自由に行うことができる。表示窓部２８には、表示素子カバー２２が近接配置されている。すなわち、表示素子カバー２２は、前面に突出部２２ａを有し、この突出部２２ａにより表示窓部２８との間の間隔を狭くして表示窓部２８に光を導く導光機能を果たすようになっている。
【００１６】
ホルダ１１には、後カバー１３が図示しないビスで取り付けられている。後カバー１３は、ホルダ１１の底面に対向する底面部１３ａと、ホルダ１１の背面に対向する背面部１３ｂとからなる。そして、後カバー１３の取付状態では、背面部１３ｂがホルダ１１の背面および底面に密着接合されて前カバー１２の背面開口１２ｄが背面部１３ｂで塞がれるとともに、前カバー１２の底面開口１２ｅが底面部１３ａで塞がれるようになっている。背面部１３ｂには、回路基板２３に接続されている束状の接続線であるケーブル２９の引出部となる第１の開口１３ｃが設けてある。ケーブル２９には表示素子２１の接続線も含まれている。後カバー１３の背面には、第１の開口１３ｃの周囲を包囲し、ケーブル２９を安定して固定するための封止用の枠部１３ｄが形成してある。封止用の枠部１３ｄには蓋体３０が嵌合され、この蓋体３０には第１の開口１３ｃに対して位置ずれした第２の開口３０ａが設けてある。ケーブル２９は両開口１３ｃ、３０ａに挿通されて中間部が屈曲した状態にて図３に示すように後カバー１３の背面側に引き出されている。蓋体３０には、図３に示すように、取付ねじ３１が挿通され、この取付ねじ３１を介して後カバー１３と共にホルダ１１に固定されている。取付ねじ３１は後カバー１３を貫通してホルダ１１に螺合されている。すなわち、後カバー１３と蓋体３０とは、１本の取付ねじ３１によりホルダ１１にねじ止めされている。
【００１７】
蓋体３０の背後には、枠部１３ｄに囲まれた空間にシリコン等の封止材３２が充填されており、封止材３２によってケーブル２９の引出部が封止されて防水構造となっている。封止材３２を蓋体３０の背後に充填する際には、封止材３２がホルダ１１の背面側に流入しないようになっている。すなわち、ケーブル２９の中間部が屈曲して第２の開口３０ａを通過し、ケーブル２９により第２の開口３０ａが塞がれた状態となっているので、封止材３２の充填の際に、封止材３２が第２の開口３０ａから蓋体３０の内側へ、更に第１の開口１３ｃから後カバー１３の内側に浸入することを防止する。封止材３２から後カバー１３の背後に引き出されたケーブル２９の先端には、図４に示すコネクタ３３が接続され、コネクタ３３を介して図６に示す便座装置１の制御回路１０に接続されている。
【００１８】
次に便座装置１の作用について説明する。
【００１９】
トイレへの利用者の入室時に便座４および便蓋３が共に閉じているときには、第１の投光素子１４から発した光を第１の受光素子（不図示）で受光して利用者までの距離を検知する。利用者までの検知距離が所定の距離ａよりも小さいときには利用者がトイレに入室したと判断し、この検知情報に基づいて制御回路１０により表示素子２１が点灯されるとともに便蓋駆動モータ６ａが駆動されて便蓋３が開放される。この際、便座駆動モータ６ｂは駆動されず、便座４が不必要に開放されることはなく、便蓋３に利用者が着座可能となる。便蓋３の開放後は、第２の投光素子１５から発した光を第２の受光素子１６で受光して利用者までの距離を検知する。利用者までの検知距離が所定の距離ａよりも小さい所定の距離ｂよりも更に小さいときには利用者が便座４に着座したと判断し、この検知情報に基づいて制御回路１０により局部洗浄装置８が作動可能となる。そして、利用者が操作スイッチ９を手動操作すれば、局部洗浄装置８が作動し、種々の態様の洗浄が可能となる。
【００２０】
トイレへの利用者の入室時に便座４および便蓋３が共に開いているときには、第２の投光素子１５から発した光を第２の受光素子１６で受光して利用者までの距離を検知する。利用者までの検知距離が所定の距離ａよりも小さいときには利用者がトイレに入室したと判断し、この検知情報に基づいて制御回路１０により表示素子２１が点灯されるとともに便座駆動モータ６ｂが駆動されて便座４が閉じられる。この際、便蓋駆動モータ６ａは駆動されず、便蓋３が不必要に閉じられることはなく、便座４に利用者が着座可能となる。便座４が閉じられた後は、第２の投光素子１５から発した光を第２の受光素子１６で受光して利用者までの距離を検知する。利用者までの検知距離が所定の距離ａよりも小さい所定の距離ｂよりも更に小さいときには利用者が便座４に着座したと判断し、この検知情報に基づいて制御回路１０により局部洗浄装置８が作動可能となる。そして、利用者が操作スイッチ９を手動操作すれば、局部洗浄装置８が作動し、種々の態様の洗浄が可能となる。
【００２１】
トイレへの利用者の入室時に便座４が閉じられて便蓋３が開いているときには、第２の投光素子１５から発した光を第２の受光素子１６で受光して利用者までの距離を検知する。利用者までの検知距離が所定の距離ａよりも小さいときには利用者がトイレに入室したと判断し、この検知情報に基づいて制御回路１０により表示素子２１が点灯される。この際、便蓋駆動モータ６ａおよび便座駆動モータ６ｂは駆動されず、便蓋３が不必要に閉じられたり、便座４が不必要に開放されたりすることはなく、便座４に利用者が着座可能となる。その後も、第２の投光素子１５から発した光を第２の受光素子１６で受光して利用者までの距離を検知する。利用者までの検知距離が所定の距離ａよりも小さい所定の距離ｂよりも更に小さいときには利用者が便座４に着座したと判断し、この検知情報に基づいて制御回路１０により局部洗浄装置８が作動可能となる。そして、利用者が操作スイッチ９を手動操作すれば、局部洗浄装置８が作動し、種々の態様の洗浄が可能となる。
【００２２】
このようにして便蓋３および便座４の開閉駆動制御用として用いられる光センサ５では、第１の投光素子１４と当該第１の投光素子１４と対をなす第１の受光素子（不図示）とで構成される第１の投受光素子と、第２の投光素子１５と当該第２の投光素子１５と対をなす第２の受光素子１６とで構成される第２の投受光素子との２組の投受光素子、各投受光素子の光学レンズ１７、１８、１９、２０および各投受光素子の制御回路を搭載した回路基板２３が単一のホルダ１１に組み込まれているので、２組の投受光素子等が全体として一体的に構成されて小型化、低コスト化が可能となり、また便座装置の装置本体２への組み込みも容易となる。また、光センサ５を用いた便座装置では、光センサ５の小型化、低コスト化に伴い、小型化、低コスト化が可能となる。なお、２組の投受光素子を単一のホルダ１１に組み込む場合に限らず、３組以上の投受光素子を単一のホルダ１１に組み込んだ場合にも同様の効果が得られる
また、光センサ５では、単一のホルダ１１に表示素子２１が取り付けられる素子取付部１１ｈが設けられ、２組の投受光素子に加えて表示素子２１が単一のホルダ１１に保持されているので、表示素子２１を専用のホルダに設ける必要がなく、構成が簡単となり、これによっても小型化、低コスト化が可能となる。また、光センサ５の小型化、低コスト化に伴い、便座装置の小型化、低コスト化が可能となる。なお、この場合にも、２組の投受光素子を単一のホルダ１１に組み込む場合に限らず、３組以上の投受光素子を単一のホルダ１１に組み込んだ場合にも同様の効果が得られる。
【００２３】
また、光センサ５では、表示素子２１が回路基板２３に接続され、回路基板２３を介して表示素子２１が２組の投受光素子と共にケーブル２９により共通の引出部を通して制御回路１０に接続されているので、コネクタ３３を制御回路１０に接続するだけで２組の投受光素子および表示素子２１を簡単に制御回路１０に接続でき、これによっても低コスト化が可能となる。また、光センサ５を用いた便座装置では、回路基板２３への投受光素子および表示素子２１の接続を簡単にした光センサ５が用いられているので、２組の投受光素子および表示素子２１の接続線を一体として光センサ５を容易に組み込むことができ、これによっても低コスト化が可能となる。この場合にも、２組の投受光素子を設ける場合に限らず、１組あるいは３組以上の投受光素子を単一のホルダ１１に組み込むようにしても同様の効果が得られる。
【００２４】
また、光センサ５では、ホルダ１１の前方に前カバー１２が設けられ、この前カバー１２の表示窓部２８を通して表示素子２１によりトイレに利用者が入室したときにその旨を発光表示するが、表示素子カバー２２に表示窓部２８へ接近して表示窓部２８への導光機能を有する突出部２２ａを設けたので、表示素子２１から発せられる光が効率よく表示窓部２８に導かれ、利用者が入室したときにその旨を表示窓部２８に鮮明に発光表示でき、視認性が向上する。このため、表示素子カバー２２と表示窓部２８との間に専用の導光部材を設ける必要がなく、これによっても低コスト化が可能となる。
【００２５】
また、光センサ５では、前カバー１２にホルダ１１の背面を露出する背面開口１２ｄが設けられ、この背面開口１２ｄを通して第１の投光素子１４が取り付けられる基板２４と、第２の投光素子１５が取り付けられる基板２５と、第１の受光素子（不図示）が取り付けられる図示しない基板と、第２の受光素子１６および表示素子２１が取り付けられる基板２６とが位置調整可能となっているので、前カバー１２をホルダ１１に係止して前カバー１２でホルダ１１を覆った後でも背面開口１２ｄを通して各投光素子や各受光素子の位置を調整して第１の投光素子１４や第２の投光素子１５から発せられる投光ビームの光軸の向きを必要に応じて容易に調整することができ、便座装置への組み込みも容易となる。また、背面開口１２ｄが後カバー１３で塞がれるので、防水、防塵上の不都合を生じることもない。また、ホルダ１１の底面に回路基板２３が取り付けられるとともに、前カバー１２にホルダ１１の底面を露出する底面開口１２ｅが形成されているので、前カバー１２でホルダ１１を覆った後でも底面開口１２ｅを通して便座装置の制御回路１０と回路基板２３との接続状態の調整等を行うことができる。また、底面開口１２ｅが後カバー１３で塞がれているので、防水、防塵上の不都合を生じることもない。また、後カバー１３がホルダ１１の背面および底面に密着接合されているので、防水、防塵上の不都合を簡単かつ確実に解消することができる。
【００２６】
また、光センサ５では、後カバー１３に第１の開口１３ｃが設けられるとともに蓋体３０にケーブル２９の中間部を屈曲状態として外部に引き出す第２の開口３０ａが形成され、後カバー１３および蓋体３０によりケーブル２９の中間部を屈曲状態として背面側から外部に引き出す構成としたので、外力によりケーブル２９に引張力が作用した場合であってもケーブル２９の回路基板２３との接続部に応力を生じることがなく、導通不良を生じない。また、後カバー１３と蓋体３０とが同一の取付ねじ３１によりホルダ１１にねじ止めされているので、蓋体３０を後カバー１３と共に容易に組み付けることができる。また、蓋体３０の背後の枠部１３ｄにより囲まれた空間に封止材３２が充填されて防水構造とされているので、封止材３２の使用料を削減でき、低コストである。
【００２７】
また、光センサ５では、第１の投光素子１４から発せられる投光ビームの光軸Ｌ１と第２の投光素子１５から発せられる投光ビームの光軸Ｌ２とが非平行に設けられているので、異なる向きでの物体検知が可能となり、便座装置への組込位置の自由度が向上し、便座装置のデザインや設計の自由度が向上する。また、第１の投光素子１４から発せられる投光ビームの光軸Ｌ１と第２の投光素子１５から発せられる投光ビームの光軸Ｌ２とがその向きを調節可能となっているので、第１の投光素子１４から発せられる投光ビームの光軸Ｌ１と第２の投光素子１５から発せられる投光ビームの光軸Ｌ２のそれぞれの向きを任意に調整することができ、トイレへの利用者の入室位置等に応じて任意の方向の検知を容易に行うことができる。
【００２８】
【発明の効果】
本発明に係る光センサによれば、１つのホルダに複数の投受光素子が取り付けられるので、複数の投受光素子が全体として一体的に構成されて小型化、低コスト化を達成でき、また製品への組み込みも容易となる。また、複数の投受光素子のうち、少なくとも第１投受光素子の投光素子から発せられる投光ビームの光軸と第２投受光素子の投光素子の投光素子から発せられる投光ビームの光軸とが非平行とされて第１投受光素子と第２投受光素子とにより異なる方向の物体検知が可能となり、製品への組込位置の自由度が向上する。また、投光素子から発せられる投光ビームの光軸の向きを可変とするように第１投受光素子および第２投受光素子の投光素子の少なくとも一方をホルダに位置調整可能に取り付ければ、投光素子から発せられる投光ビームの光軸の向きを任意に調整することが可能になり、任意の方向の物体検知を容易に行うことができる。
【００２９】
また、本発明に係る光センサを用いた便座装置によれば、小型化、低コスト化、製品への組み込みの容易化が可能な光センサが用いられて小型化、低コスト化、光センサの組み込みの容易化が可能となる。また、投光素子から発せられる投光ビームの光軸が非平行な第１投受光素子と第２投受光素子とを有する光センサが用いられて光センサの組込位置の自由度が向上する。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の一形態を示す要部正面図である。
【図２】図１Ａ−Ａ線断面図である。
【図３】図１Ｂ−Ｂ線断面図である。
【図４】図１の分解斜視図である。
【図５】本発明の光センサを用いた便座装置を示す縮小平面図である。
【図６】便座装置の構成を示すブロック図である。
【符号の説明】
３便蓋
４便座
５光センサ
１１ホルダ
１４第１投受光素子
１５，１６第２投受光素子
Ｌ光軸[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical sensor for detecting an object and a toilet seat device using the optical sensor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when performing object detection at a plurality of positions using a plurality of light emitting / receiving elements, a single light projecting / receiving element, an optical member of the light projecting / receiving element, and a circuit board on which a control circuit for the light projecting / receiving element is mounted. A photosensor is configured by being incorporated in one holder, and a plurality of photosensors are used in combination.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the prior art, since a plurality of optical sensors are used in combination, there is a problem that not only the overall size is increased and the cost is increased, but also the incorporation into a product is complicated. In addition, the optical axis of each optical sensor, that is, the optical axis of the light projection beam emitted from each light projecting element is set in parallel with each other, and there is a problem that the position where each optical sensor is incorporated into the product is restricted. It was.
[0004]
In view of this, the present invention has a structure in which a plurality of light projecting / receiving elements and the like are integrally formed in a single holder to reduce the size and cost, and the light projecting beams emitted from the light projecting elements of at least two light projecting / receiving elements. The optical axis is made non-parallel to enable object detection at different positions, and the degree of freedom of the installation position in the product is improved.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An optical sensor according to the present invention includes a first light projecting / receiving element composed of a light projecting element that performs object detection and a light receiving element, and a second light projecting / receiving element composed of a light projecting element that performs object detection and a light receiving element. And a single holder to which the first light projecting / receiving element and the second light projecting / receiving element are attached, and the first light projecting / receiving element and the second light projecting / receiving element are emitted from the light projecting element. Arranged so that the optical axes of the projected beams are non-parallel to each other.The position of the light projecting element of at least one of the first light projecting / receiving element and the second light projecting / receiving element is adjusted to the holder so that the direction of the optical axis of the light projecting beam emitted from the light projecting element is variable. Can be mountedIt is characterized by having. With this configuration, a plurality of light projecting / receiving elements and the like are integrally configured as a whole, so that downsizing and cost reduction can be achieved, and incorporation into a product is facilitated. The optical axis of the light projecting beam emitted from the light projecting element of the first light projecting / receiving element and the optical axis of the light projecting beam emitted from the light projecting element of the second light projecting / receiving element are made non-parallel to each other. The element and the second light projecting / receiving element can detect an object in different directions, and the degree of freedom of the position where each optical sensor is incorporated into the product is improved.In addition, it is possible to arbitrarily adjust the direction of the optical axis of the light projection beam emitted from the light projecting element, and it is possible to easily detect an object in any direction.
[0007]
The toilet seat device using the optical sensor according to the present invention includes a toilet lid and a toilet seat that are independently openable and closable above the toilet, and the optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the light The toilet lid and the toilet seat are controlled to be opened and closed based on the object detection information of the sensor. With this configuration, an optical sensor that can be reduced in size, reduced in cost, and easily incorporated into a product is used. Therefore, downsizing, low cost, and easy integration of the optical sensor can be achieved. In addition, since an optical sensor having a first light projecting / receiving element and a second light projecting / receiving element in which the optical axes of the light projecting beams emitted from the light projecting elements are non-parallel is used, the degree of freedom of the mounting position of each light sensor is improved To do.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0009]
5 and 6 show a toilet seat device using an optical sensor. The toilet seat device is an example of a target control device that is controlled based on information from an optical sensor, and the device main body 2 is fixed to the rear upper surface of a toilet (not shown). Inside the apparatus main body 2 is provided a control circuit 10 that exchanges signals with the optical sensor. Above the toilet bowl, a toilet lid 3 and a toilet seat 4 are disposed so as to be independently opened and closed. The apparatus main body 2 is provided with an optical sensor 5 for detecting that the user has entered the toilet in the vicinity of the rear end of the toilet lid 3 and the toilet seat 4 and detecting that the user has been seated on the toilet seat 4. It is installed. In the apparatus main body 2, a toilet lid drive motor 6a and a toilet seat drive motor 6b are disposed as an automatic opening / closing device 6 that opens and closes the toilet lid 3 and the toilet seat 4. In addition, a local cleaning device 8 that is activated only when a user is seated on the toilet seat 4 by cleaning water that has been passed through a supply pipe 7 from a tap water pressure source (not shown) is disposed inside the device body 2. It is set up. The operation switch 9 for instructing the start of washing is disposed at a position where a user seated on the toilet seat 4 can easily perform manual operation. The automatic opening / closing device 6 and the local cleaning device 8 are controlled by a control circuit 10.
[0010]
The optical sensor 5 is shown in FIGS. The optical sensor 5 includes two sets of light projecting / receiving elements, a control circuit for controlling these light projecting / receiving elements, and each optical system member of each light projecting / receiving element in one holder. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the optical sensor 5 is provided with a holder 11 in which each of the light projecting and receiving elements, each optical system member, and the control circuit are housed and held. The light projecting / receiving element is composed of a light projecting element and a light receiving element. When light emitted from the light projecting element is reflected by the object to be detected and received by the light receiving element, the light projecting / receiving element is detected by the light receiving position on the light receiving element. It can detect the distance to an object. When used in the toilet seat apparatus 1, it is determined that the user has entered the toilet when the detection distance is smaller than the predetermined distance a, and the detection distance is further smaller than the predetermined distance b smaller than the predetermined distance a. When the user is small, it is determined that the user is seated on the toilet seat 4. Two sets of light emitting / receiving elements are provided without any obstruction to the toilet lid 3 regardless of whether the toilet lid 3 is closed or the toilet lid 3 is open. This is to make it possible to reliably detect entry into the toilet and seating of the user on the toilet seat 4. That is, when the toilet lid 3 is closed when the user enters the toilet, the user's entrance to the toilet is detected by one of the light projecting and receiving elements, and then the user opens the toilet lid 3 and opens the toilet seat 4. When the user sits on the toilet seat 4, the other light projecting / receiving element detects the seating of the user on the toilet seat 4. Further, when the toilet lid 3 is opened when the user enters the toilet, the other light emitting / receiving element detects the user's entry into the toilet, and when the user sits on the toilet seat 4 thereafter, the other The seating of the user on the toilet seat 4 is detected by the light emitting / receiving element.
[0011]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the holder 11 has a storage chamber 11a for storing and holding the first light projecting element 14, a storage chamber 11b for storing and holding the second light projecting element 15, and a first chamber. A storage chamber (not shown) that stores and holds a first light receiving element (not shown) that forms a pair with the light projecting element 14 and a storage chamber that stores and holds a second light receiving element 16 that forms a pair with the second light projecting element 15. 11c, a storage chamber 11d communicating with the storage chamber 11a, a storage chamber 11d for storing and holding an optical lens 17 as an optical system member disposed in front of the first light projecting element 14, and a second projection through the storage chamber 11b. A storage chamber 11e that stores and holds an optical lens 18 as an optical system member disposed in front of the optical element 15 and a storage chamber (not shown) that stores and holds a first light receiving element (not shown) communicate with the first chamber. An optical label as an optical member disposed in front of a light receiving element (not shown). A storage chamber 11f for storing and holding the housing 19; and a storage chamber 11g for storing and holding the optical lens 20 as an optical member disposed in front of the second light receiving element 15 in communication with the storage chamber 11c. Yes. That is, the holder 11 includes a first light projecting element 14 and a first light receiving element (not shown) paired with the first light projecting element 14 and a second light projecting element. Two sets of light projecting / receiving elements composed of the element 15 and the second light receiving element 16 paired with the second light projecting element 15 and the optical lenses 17, 18, 19, 20 is incorporated in a single holder 11. The optical lenses 17, 18, 19, and 20 are tightly fixed to the inner walls of the storage chambers 11d, 11e, 11f, and 11g along the entire outer periphery of the optical lenses 17a, 11b, 11c, and the first light receiving element. The front portion of a storage chamber (not shown) that stores and holds (not shown) is sealed to form a waterproof structure. Note that an adhesive (not shown) is applied to each optical lens 17, 18, 19, and 20 over the entire circumference, and is adhered and fixed to the inner walls of the storage chambers 11d, 11e, 11f, and 11g by this adhesive. The spaces between the storage walls 11d, 11e, 11f, and 11g are sealed.
[0012]
The holder 11 is provided with a display element 21 that emits light of, for example, two colors of red and green, for displaying an object detection state such as that the main power is on or the user has entered the toilet. There is provided an element attachment portion 11h to which a transparent display element cover 22 that is housed and held and is positioned in front of the display element 21 and covers the display element 21 is attached. The element mounting portion 11h is provided with a storage chamber for storing and holding the display element 21, and the front portion of the storage chamber is sealed by the display element cover 22 to have a waterproof structure. Note that an adhesive (not shown) is applied to the display element cover 22 over its entire circumference, and is adhered and fixed to the wall surface of the storage chamber of the display element 21 by this adhesive, so that The space is sealed.
[0013]
On the back surface of the holder 11, a substrate 24 to which the first light projecting element 14 is attached, a substrate 25 to which the second light projecting element 15 is attached, and a substrate (not shown) to which a first light receiving element (not shown) is attached. And a substrate 26 to which the second light receiving element 16 and the display element 21 are attached. Through these substrates, the first light projecting element 14, the second light projecting element 15, and the first light projecting element 15 are mounted. The first light receiving element (not shown), the second light receiving element 16 and the display element 21 which are paired with the optical element 14 are housed and held in the respective housing chambers. The optical axis L1 of the light projection beam emitted from the first light projection element 14 and the optical axis L2 of the light projection beam emitted from the second light projection element 15 are set to be non-parallel. That is, the direction of the optical axis L1 of the light projecting beam emitted from the first light projecting element 14 is different from the direction of the optical axis L2 of the light projecting beam emitted from the second light projecting element 15. The positions of the substrates (not shown) to which the substrates 24, 25, 26 and the first light receiving element (not shown) are attached can be adjusted. As an example, a position adjustment structure of the substrate 25 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the substrate 25 is provided with guide grooves (not shown) extending in the left-right direction in FIG. 2, and pins 25a and 25b projecting from the holder 11 are positioned in the guide grooves and guided. The position can be adjusted in the horizontal direction in FIG. 2 by the length of the groove. Then, by adjusting the position of the substrate 25, the position of the second light projecting element 15 can be adjusted in the left-right direction in FIG. 2, thereby emitting light from the second light projecting element 15 passing through the center of the lens 18. The direction of the optical axis L2 of the projected light beam can be adjusted. Although not shown, the substrate 24 has the same configuration, and the direction of the optical axis L1 of the light projecting beam emitted from the first light projecting element 14 can be adjusted. Further, the direction of the optical axis L1 of the light projecting beam emitted from the first light projecting element 14 and the second light projecting element 15 are set so that the longitudinal direction of the guide groove is not the horizontal direction in FIG. It is also possible to adjust the direction of the optical axis L2 of the projection beam. It is possible to adjust the direction of the optical axis L1 of the light projection beam emitted from the first light projecting element 14 and the direction of the optical axis L2 of the light projection beam emitted from the second light projection element 15. When the projector is installed at a desired position, it may be necessary to change the projection direction of the projection beam emitted from the first projection element 14 or the second projection element 15 depending on the position or situation. In order to cope with this, the optical axes L1 and L2 of the light projecting beams emitted from the first light projecting element 14 and the second light projecting element 15 can be adjusted as necessary.
[0014]
A control circuit that is electrically connected to the first light projecting element 14 and the second light projecting element 15 and controls the first light projecting element 14 and the second light projecting element 15 is provided on the bottom surface of the holder 11. There is provided a board attachment portion 11i to which a circuit board 23 that is mounted and electrically connected to the display element 21 and exchanges signals with the toilet seat device 1 is attached. That is, a circuit board 23 on which a control circuit for each light emitting / receiving element is mounted is incorporated in the holder 11. The circuit board 23 is connected to each of the boards (not shown) to which the boards 24, 25 and 26 and the first light receiving element (not shown) are attached. A lead wire is used to connect the circuit board 23 to the boards 24 and 25 and a board (not shown) to which a first light receiving element (not shown) is attached, and the board 26 and the circuit board 23 are connected to each other. A flexible cable 27 is used. That is, the display element 21 is electrically connected to the circuit board 23, and transmission and reception of signals to and from the control circuit 10 is performed as in all connection lines of each light emitting / receiving element and the display element 21, that is, a cable 29 described later. They are integrated and collectively connected to the control circuit 10 of the toilet seat device 1.
[0015]
Locking portions 11j are formed on both side surfaces of the holder 11, and the front cover 12 is detachably locked to these locking portions 11j. The front cover 12 includes a front surface portion 12 a that faces the front surface of the holder 11, an upper surface portion 12 b that faces the upper surface of the holder 11, and side surface portions 12 c that face both side surfaces of the holder 11. An exposed back surface opening 12d and a bottom surface opening 12e exposing the bottom surface of the holder 11 are provided. The side surface portion 12 c is provided with a locking window 12 f that is locked to the locking portion 11 j of the holder 11. A window hole 12g is provided on the front surface portion 12a at a position facing the display element cover 22, and a member that transmits light is fitted into and joined to the window hole 12g to form the display window portion 28. . The front surface portion 12a cuts visible light to make the front surface of the holder 11 invisible, and functions as a decorative cover to improve the appearance. The rear opening 12d can adjust the positions of the substrates 24, 25, 26 and the substrate (not shown) to which the first light receiving element (not shown) is attached even after the front cover 12 is locked to the holder 11. Position adjustment of each light projecting element or each light receiving element can be performed freely. The display element cover 22 is disposed close to the display window 28. That is, the display element cover 22 has a protruding portion 22a on the front surface, and the protruding portion 22a narrows the space between the display window portion 28 and performs a light guiding function for guiding light to the display window portion 28. It has become.
[0016]
A rear cover 13 is attached to the holder 11 with a screw (not shown). The rear cover 13 includes a bottom surface portion 13 a that faces the bottom surface of the holder 11 and a back surface portion 13 b that faces the back surface of the holder 11. In the attached state of the rear cover 13, the back surface portion 13b is tightly bonded to the back surface and the bottom surface of the holder 11, the back surface opening 12d of the front cover 12 is blocked by the back surface portion 13b, and the bottom surface opening 12e of the front cover 12 is closed. The bottom portion 13a is closed. The back surface portion 13 b is provided with a first opening 13 c serving as a lead-out portion of the cable 29, which is a bundled connection line connected to the circuit board 23. The cable 29 also includes a connection line for the display element 21. On the rear surface of the rear cover 13, a sealing frame portion 13 d is formed so as to surround the first opening 13 c and to stably fix the cable 29. A lid 30 is fitted to the sealing frame portion 13d, and the lid 30 is provided with a second opening 30a that is displaced with respect to the first opening 13c. The cable 29 is pulled out to the back side of the rear cover 13 as shown in FIG. 3 in a state where the cable 29 is inserted into both the openings 13c and 30a and the intermediate portion is bent. As shown in FIG. 3, an attachment screw 31 is inserted through the lid 30, and is fixed to the holder 11 together with the rear cover 13 via the attachment screw 31. The attachment screw 31 passes through the rear cover 13 and is screwed into the holder 11. That is, the rear cover 13 and the lid body 30 are screwed to the holder 11 by one mounting screw 31.
[0017]
Behind the lid body 30, a space surrounded by the frame portion 13 d is filled with a sealing material 32 such as silicon, and the drawn portion of the cable 29 is sealed by the sealing material 32 to form a waterproof structure. Yes. When the sealing material 32 is filled behind the lid body 30, the sealing material 32 does not flow into the back side of the holder 11. That is, since the middle portion of the cable 29 is bent and passes through the second opening 30a, and the second opening 30a is closed by the cable 29, when the sealing material 32 is filled, The sealing material 32 is prevented from entering the inside of the lid 30 from the second opening 30a and further entering the inside of the rear cover 13 from the first opening 13c. A connector 33 shown in FIG. 4 is connected to the tip of the cable 29 drawn out from the sealing material 32 to the back of the rear cover 13, and is connected to the control circuit 10 of the toilet seat apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 6 via the connector 33. ing.
[0018]
Next, the operation of the toilet seat device 1 will be described.
[0019]
When the toilet seat 4 and the toilet lid 3 are both closed when the user enters the toilet, the light emitted from the first light projecting element 14 is received by the first light receiving element (not shown) and the light is transmitted to the user. Detect distance. When the detection distance to the user is smaller than the predetermined distance a, it is determined that the user has entered the toilet. Based on this detection information, the display element 21 is turned on by the control circuit 10 and the toilet lid drive motor 6a is turned on. It is driven and the toilet lid 3 is opened. At this time, the toilet seat drive motor 6b is not driven, the toilet seat 4 is not unnecessarily opened, and the user can sit on the toilet lid 3. After the toilet lid 3 is opened, the light emitted from the second light projecting element 15 is received by the second light receiving element 16 to detect the distance to the user. When the detection distance to the user is further smaller than the predetermined distance b smaller than the predetermined distance a, it is determined that the user is seated on the toilet seat 4, and the local cleaning device 8 is controlled by the control circuit 10 based on this detection information. It becomes possible to operate. And if a user operates the operation switch 9 manually, the local washing | cleaning apparatus 8 will act | operate and the washing | cleaning of a various aspect will be attained.
[0020]
When the toilet seat 4 and the toilet lid 3 are both open when the user enters the toilet, the second light receiving element 16 receives light emitted from the second light projecting element 15 to detect the distance to the user. To do. When the detection distance to the user is smaller than the predetermined distance a, it is determined that the user has entered the toilet. Based on this detection information, the display element 21 is turned on by the control circuit 10 and the toilet seat drive motor 6b is driven. The toilet seat 4 is closed. At this time, the toilet lid drive motor 6a is not driven, the toilet lid 3 is not unnecessarily closed, and the user can sit on the toilet seat 4. After the toilet seat 4 is closed, the light emitted from the second light projecting element 15 is received by the second light receiving element 16 to detect the distance to the user. When the detection distance to the user is further smaller than the predetermined distance b smaller than the predetermined distance a, it is determined that the user is seated on the toilet seat 4, and the local cleaning device 8 is controlled by the control circuit 10 based on this detection information. It becomes possible to operate. And if a user operates the operation switch 9 manually, the local washing | cleaning apparatus 8 will act | operate and the washing | cleaning of a various aspect will be attained.
[0021]
When the toilet seat 4 is closed and the toilet lid 3 is opened when the user enters the toilet, the light emitted from the second light projecting element 15 is received by the second light receiving element 16 and the distance to the user Is detected. When the detection distance to the user is smaller than the predetermined distance a, it is determined that the user has entered the toilet, and the display element 21 is turned on by the control circuit 10 based on this detection information. At this time, the toilet lid driving motor 6a and the toilet seat driving motor 6b are not driven, and the toilet lid 3 is not unnecessarily closed and the toilet seat 4 is not unnecessarily opened, and the user sits on the toilet seat 4. It becomes possible. Thereafter, the light emitted from the second light projecting element 15 is received by the second light receiving element 16 and the distance to the user is detected. When the detection distance to the user is further smaller than the predetermined distance b smaller than the predetermined distance a, it is determined that the user is seated on the toilet seat 4, and the local cleaning device 8 is controlled by the control circuit 10 based on this detection information. It becomes possible to operate. And if a user operates the operation switch 9 manually, the local washing | cleaning apparatus 8 will act | operate and the washing | cleaning of a various aspect will be attained.
[0022]
In this way, in the optical sensor 5 used for opening / closing drive control of the toilet lid 3 and the toilet seat 4, the first light projecting element 14 and the first light receiving element (a non-photosensitive element) paired with the first light projecting element 14 are used. And a second light projecting element composed of a second light projecting element 15 and a second light receiving element 16 paired with the second light projecting element 15. Two sets of light projecting / receiving elements with the light receiving elements, optical lenses 17, 18, 19, 20 of each light projecting / receiving element and a circuit board 23 on which a control circuit for each light projecting / receiving element is mounted are incorporated in a single holder 11. Therefore, the two sets of light projecting / receiving elements and the like are integrally configured as a whole, so that the size and cost can be reduced, and the toilet seat device can be easily incorporated into the apparatus body 2. Further, in the toilet seat device using the optical sensor 5, the optical sensor 5 can be reduced in size and cost as the optical sensor 5 is reduced in size and cost. The same effect can be obtained not only when two sets of light projecting / receiving elements are incorporated in a single holder 11 but also when three or more sets of light projecting / receiving elements are incorporated in a single holder 11.
In the optical sensor 5, an element attachment portion 11 h to which the display element 21 is attached is provided on the single holder 11, and the display element 21 is held by the single holder 11 in addition to the two sets of light projecting / receiving elements. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the display element 21 in a dedicated holder, and the configuration becomes simple, and this also enables downsizing and cost reduction. Further, with the downsizing and cost reduction of the optical sensor 5, the toilet seat device can be downsized and cost reduced. In this case, the same effect can be obtained not only when two sets of light projecting / receiving elements are incorporated in the single holder 11 but also when three or more sets of light projecting / receiving elements are incorporated in the single holder 11. It is done.
[0023]
Further, in the optical sensor 5, the display element 21 is connected to the circuit board 23, and the display element 21 is connected to the control circuit 10 via the circuit board 23 through the common lead-out portion together with the two sets of light projecting and receiving elements. Therefore, by simply connecting the connector 33 to the control circuit 10, the two sets of light projecting / receiving elements and the display element 21 can be easily connected to the control circuit 10, and this also makes it possible to reduce the cost. Further, in the toilet seat device using the optical sensor 5, the optical sensor 5 in which the connection of the light emitting / receiving element and the display element 21 to the circuit board 23 is simplified is used, so that two sets of the light emitting / receiving element and the display element 21 are used. As a result, the optical sensor 5 can be easily incorporated as an integrated connection line, and this also makes it possible to reduce the cost. Also in this case, the same effect can be obtained not only when two sets of light projecting / receiving elements are provided, but also when one set or three or more sets of light projecting / receiving elements are incorporated in a single holder 11.
[0024]
Further, in the optical sensor 5, a front cover 12 is provided in front of the holder 11, and when a user enters the toilet by the display element 21 through the display window portion 28 of the front cover 12, a light is displayed to that effect. Since the display element cover 22 is provided with the projecting portion 22a having a function of guiding light to the display window portion 28 by approaching the display window portion 28, the light emitted from the display element 21 is efficiently guided to the display window portion 28, When the user enters the room, the fact can be clearly displayed on the display window 28, and the visibility is improved. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated light guide member between the display element cover 22 and the display window portion 28, and this also makes it possible to reduce the cost.
[0025]
Further, in the optical sensor 5, the front cover 12 is provided with a back surface opening 12d that exposes the back surface of the holder 11, and a substrate 24 to which the first light projecting element 14 is attached through the back surface opening 12d, and a second light projecting element. The position of the substrate 25 to which 15 is attached, the substrate (not shown) to which the first light receiving element (not shown) is attached, and the substrate 26 to which the second light receiving element 16 and the display element 21 are attached can be adjusted. Even after the front cover 12 is locked to the holder 11 and the holder 11 is covered with the front cover 12, the positions of the light projecting elements and the light receiving elements are adjusted through the rear opening 12d to adjust the first light projecting elements 14 and The direction of the optical axis of the light projecting beam emitted from the second light projecting element 15 can be easily adjusted as necessary, and can be easily incorporated into the toilet seat apparatus. Further, since the rear opening 12d is closed by the rear cover 13, there is no problem in waterproofing and dustproofing. In addition, since the circuit board 23 is attached to the bottom surface of the holder 11 and the bottom surface opening 12e that exposes the bottom surface of the holder 11 is formed in the front cover 12, the bottom surface opening 12e even after the holder 11 is covered with the front cover 12. The adjustment of the connection state between the control circuit 10 of the toilet seat device and the circuit board 23 can be performed. Further, since the bottom opening 12e is closed by the rear cover 13, there is no problem in terms of waterproofing and dustproofing. In addition, since the rear cover 13 is tightly bonded to the back and bottom surfaces of the holder 11, inconveniences regarding waterproofing and dustproofing can be easily and reliably eliminated.
[0026]
Further, in the optical sensor 5, the rear cover 13 is provided with the first opening 13c, and the lid 30 is formed with the second opening 30a that is drawn out with the intermediate portion of the cable 29 bent, and the rear cover 13 and the lid Since the intermediate portion of the cable 29 is bent and pulled out from the back side by the body 30, stress is applied to the connection portion of the cable 29 to the circuit board 23 even when a tensile force is applied to the cable 29 by an external force. Does not occur, and conduction failure does not occur. Further, since the rear cover 13 and the lid 30 are screwed to the holder 11 by the same mounting screw 31, the lid 30 can be easily assembled together with the rear cover 13. Further, since the space surrounded by the frame portion 13d behind the lid 30 is filled with the sealing material 32 to form a waterproof structure, the usage fee of the sealing material 32 can be reduced, and the cost is low.
[0027]
Further, in the optical sensor 5, the optical axis L1 of the light projection beam emitted from the first light projection element 14 and the optical axis L2 of the light projection beam emitted from the second light projection element 15 are provided in non-parallel. Therefore, it is possible to detect an object in a different direction, and the degree of freedom of the assembly position in the toilet seat device is improved, and the degree of freedom of design and design of the toilet seat device is improved. In addition, since the optical axis L1 of the projection beam emitted from the first projection element 14 and the optical axis L2 of the projection beam emitted from the second projection element 15 can be adjusted, The directions of the optical axis L1 of the light projecting beam emitted from the first light projecting element 14 and the optical axis L2 of the light projecting beam emitted from the second light projecting element 15 can be arbitrarily adjusted. It is possible to easily detect an arbitrary direction according to the user's entrance position or the like.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
According to the optical sensor of the present invention, since a plurality of light projecting / receiving elements are attached to one holder, the plurality of light projecting / receiving elements are integrally configured as a whole to achieve downsizing and cost reduction. It becomes easy to incorporate it into. Further, among the plurality of light projecting / receiving elements, at least the optical axis of the light projecting beam emitted from the light projecting element of the first light projecting / receiving element and the light projecting beam emitted from the light projecting element of the light projecting element of the second light projecting / receiving element. By making the optical axis non-parallel, the first light projecting / receiving element and the second light projecting / receiving element can detect objects in different directions, and the degree of freedom of the assembly position in the product is improved. If at least one of the light projecting elements of the first light projecting / receiving element and the second light projecting / receiving element is attached to the holder so that the position of the light projecting beam emitted from the light projecting element is variable, The direction of the optical axis of the light projection beam emitted from the light projecting element can be arbitrarily adjusted, and object detection in an arbitrary direction can be easily performed.
[0029]
Further, according to the toilet seat device using the optical sensor according to the present invention, an optical sensor that can be reduced in size, reduced in cost, and easily incorporated into a product is used. Easy integration is possible. Moreover, the optical sensor having the first light projecting / receiving element and the second light projecting / receiving element in which the optical axes of the light projecting beams emitted from the light projecting elements are non-parallel is used, and the degree of freedom of the position where the light sensor is assembled is improved. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of an essential part showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 1;
4 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a reduced plan view showing a toilet seat device using the optical sensor of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a toilet seat device.
[Explanation of symbols]
3 Toilet lid
4 Toilet seat
5 Light sensor
11 Holder
14 First light emitting / receiving element
15, 16 Second light emitting / receiving element
L Optical axis

Claims

A first light projecting / receiving element composed of a light projecting element and a light receiving element for detecting an object, a second light projecting / receiving element composed of a light projecting element and a light receiving element for detecting an object, and the first light projecting / receiving element. And a single holder to which the second light projecting / receiving element is attached,
Wherein the first light emitting and receiving element and the second light emitting and receiving element, the optical axis of the projected beam emitted from the light emitting element is arranged so as to be non-parallel to each other, the first light emitting and receiving element and the second The light projecting element of at least one of the two light projecting / receiving elements is attached to the holder such that the direction of the optical axis of the light projecting beam emitted from the light projecting element is variable. Light sensor.

A toilet lid and a toilet seat, which are disposed so as to be independently openable and closable above the toilet, and the optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the toilet lid and the toilet seat are driven to open and close based on object detection information of the optical sensor. A toilet seat device that is controlled.