JP7499586B2 - Wireless Power Supply System - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a wireless power supply system.

There is a wireless power supply system that wirelessly supplies power from a toilet device to a remote control device using radio waves (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-238271 A

If wireless power supply is activated when there is a person in the toilet space, the person may be exposed to strong radio waves for a long period of time.

This disclosure was made in light of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a wireless power supply system that can prevent people from being exposed to strong radio waves for long periods of time.

One aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless power supply system having a toilet device provided in a toilet space and a remote control device powered by radio waves from the toilet device, the wireless power supply system including a power supply unit that wirelessly supplies a first amount of power to the remote control device by transmitting radio waves to the remote control device, the power supply unit performing wireless power supply at a second amount of power less than the first amount of power or stopping wireless power supply to the remote control device when at least one of the following occurs: a predetermined function of at least one of the toilet device and the remote control device is activated by a human action on at least one of the toilet device and the remote control device; or a predetermined operation is performed on at least one of the toilet device and the remote control device.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a first control device and a remote control device according to the present embodiment. 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating control patterns of wireless power supply in the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the operation of the toilet device of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the operation of the toilet device of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless power supply system 1 includes a toilet device 2 and a remote control device 3. The wireless power supply system 1 wirelessly supplies power from the toilet device 2 to the remote control device 3. The wireless power supply in this embodiment is a method of supplying power to the remote control device in a non-contact manner by transmitting radio waves from the toilet device 2 to the remote control device 3. The toilet device 2 includes a toilet bowl 4 and a toilet seat device 5.

The toilet bowl 4 is installed on the floor surface in the toilet space 100. A toilet seat device 5 is installed on the top of the toilet bowl 4. The toilet seat device 5 is installed on the toilet bowl 4 provided in the toilet space 100. The toilet seat device 5 includes a main body cover 6, a toilet seat 7, and a toilet lid 8. However, the toilet seat device 5 does not have to include the toilet lid 8. The main body cover 6 is placed on the rear part of the toilet bowl 4 and on top of the toilet bowl 4. The main body cover 6 houses a first control device 9. The toilet seat 7 is supported by the main body cover 6. The toilet seat 7 rotates relative to the main body cover 6. The toilet lid 8 is supported by the main body cover 6. The toilet lid 8 rotates relative to the main body cover 6.

The first control device 9 has a first antenna 51. The first control device 9 wirelessly supplies power by transmitting radio waves from the first antenna 51 to the remote control device 3. The first control device 9 performs two-way or one-way wireless communication with the remote control device 3 using radio waves or infrared rays. One-way wireless communication is wireless communication from the remote control device 3 to the first control device 9. The radio waves used for wireless power supply and the radio waves used for wireless communication may be different radio waves or may be the same radio waves.

The first control device 9 has an opening/closing function, a seating detection function, a personal part cleaning function, and a toilet bowl cleaning function. The opening/closing function is a function that electrically opens and closes at least one of the toilet seat 7 and the toilet lid 8 when the presence of a person is detected in the toilet space 100. The seating function is a function that detects sitting on the toilet seat 7. The personal part cleaning function is a function that cleans the personal parts of the body of a person sitting on the toilet seat 7. The toilet bowl cleaning function is a function that spouts water into the bowl of the toilet bowl 4.

The remote control device 3 controls the toilet device 2 remotely. The remote control device 3 is installed at a predetermined position in the toilet space 100. This predetermined position is, for example, a wall surface of the toilet space 100. The remote control device 3 includes an operation unit 20 and a second control device 30. The remote control device 3 has an operation detection function that detects that the operation unit 20 has been operated. When the operation unit 20 is operated, the remote control device 3 has a transmission function that transmits information corresponding to the operation to the first control device 9 using radio waves or infrared rays. The operation detection function and transmission function are included in the predetermined functions described later.

The operation unit 20 is operated by the user. The operation unit 20 may include one or more push buttons 21.

The push button 21 is connected to the second control device 30. When the push button 21 is pressed by the user, it is in an ON state. When the push button 21 is not pressed by the user, it is in an OFF state. For example, the multiple push buttons 21 are a first push button 21a, a second push button 21b, a third push button 21c, and a fourth push button 21d.

The first push button 21a is a button that a user who is seated on the toilet seat 7 presses when washing the buttocks with washing water. The second push button 21b is a button that a user presses when adjusting the water pressure of the washing water. The third push button 21c is a button that a user presses when making the toilet seat device 5 generate a sound. The fourth push button 21d is a button that a user presses when stopping at least one of the washing of the buttocks and the generation of the sound. The operation unit 20 may have a toilet flush operation unit that is operated when a user causes water to be discharged into the toilet bowl of the toilet 4.

The second control device 30 includes a second antenna 31, a power receiving unit 32, a radio wave intensity detection unit 33, a power storage unit 34, a communication unit 36, and a control unit 37.

The second antenna 31 receives radio waves transmitted from the first antenna 51. When the second antenna 31 receives radio waves, it outputs a signal corresponding to the received radio waves to the power receiving unit 32. For example, the second antenna 31 may be a loop antenna or a dipole antenna.

The power receiving unit 32 receives power from the toilet device 2 via the second antenna 31. The power receiving unit 32 converts the received power into DC power by rectifying it. For example, the power receiving unit 32 includes a rectifier circuit that generates a DC voltage by rectifying the signal transmitted from the second antenna 31. The power receiving unit 32 outputs the converted DC power to the power storage unit 34.

The power storage unit 34 stores the received power received by the power receiving unit 32. The power storage unit 34 is connected to the power receiving unit 32. For example, the power storage unit 34 stores the direct current power converted by the power receiving unit 32. For example, the power storage unit 34 is a secondary battery. For example, the power storage unit 34 is a nickel-metal hydride battery or a lithium-ion battery. For example, the power storage unit 34 may be a capacitor.

The charge amount detection unit 35 determines the charge amount Q charged in the power storage unit 34. For example, the charge amount detection unit 35 determines the output voltage of the power storage unit 34 as the charge amount Q. However, the charge amount Q is not limited to the output voltage and may be SOC (State Of Charge). The charge amount detection unit 35 outputs the determined charge amount Q to the control unit 37.

The communication unit 36 wirelessly communicates with the first control device 9 using radio waves or infrared rays. For example, when the communication unit 36 communicates using radio waves, the communication unit 36 wirelessly communicates with the first control device 9 using any one of the wireless communication standards Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). However, the communication unit 36 is not particularly limited to the communication standard and radio frequency band as long as it can communicate with the first control device 9 using radio waves or infrared rays.

The control unit 37 operates using the power stored in the power storage unit 34. The control unit 37 receives information from the first control device 9 via the communication unit 36. When at least one of the multiple push buttons 21 is turned on, the control unit 37 outputs identification information corresponding to the on-state push button 21 to the communication unit 36. As a result, the communication unit 36 wirelessly transmits the identification signal from the control unit 37 to the first control device 9. When the control unit 37 acquires the charge amount Q from the charge amount detection unit 35, the control unit 37 outputs the charge amount Q to the communication unit 36. As a result, the communication unit 36 wirelessly transmits the charge amount Q from the control unit 37 to the first control device 9.

The configuration of the first control device 9 of this embodiment will be described below. The first control device 9 includes a power conversion unit 10, a human body detection sensor 11, a communication unit 12, a seating sensor 13, a local cleaning device 14, a toilet flushing device 15, an opening/closing device 16, a control unit 17, and a power supply unit 18.

The power conversion unit 10 is supplied with power via a cable from a socket in the toilet space 100. The power conversion unit 10 converts the supplied power into a predetermined power. The power conversion unit 10 supplies the converted power to each of the power conversion unit 10, the human body detection sensor 11, the communication unit 12, the seating sensor 13, the local cleaning device 14, the opening and closing device 16, the control unit 17, and the power supply unit 18. For example, the power conversion unit 10 is an AC-DC converter. The power conversion unit 10 may further include a DC-DC converter that steps down the output of the AC-DC converter.

The human body detection sensor 11 detects a person who has entered the toilet space 100. The human body detection sensor 11 is an entry detection sensor that detects entry into the toilet space 100. The detection area of the human body detection sensor 11 is the area in front of the toilet device 2. The front is the direction forward as seen from a user sitting on the toilet seat 7. The human body detection sensor 11 detects a person who is present in a position away from the toilet seat 7 in front of it. For example, the human body detection sensor 11 is any one of a pyroelectric sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and a distance sensor. The human body detection sensor 11 is connected to the control unit 17. When the human body detection sensor 11 detects that a person has entered the toilet space 100, it outputs the detection result to the control unit 17.

The human body detection sensor 11 only needs to be provided within the toilet space 100, and does not have to be provided in the toilet device 2. For example, the human body detection sensor 11 may be provided on a wall or ceiling within the toilet space 100. The human body detection sensor 11 may also be provided in the remote control device 3.

The communication unit 12 wirelessly communicates with the communication unit 36 using radio waves. The communication unit 12 communicates with the communication unit 36 using the same wireless communication standard. For example, the communication unit 12 wirelessly communicates with the communication unit 36 using any one of the wireless communication standards of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and BLE.

The seating sensor 13 detects when a user sits on the toilet seat 7. When the seating sensor 13 detects when a user sits on the toilet seat 7, it outputs a seating detection signal to the control unit 17. The seating sensor 13 detecting when a user sits on the toilet seat 7 is an example of the operation of the seating detection function.

When the local area cleaning device 14 receives a first cleaning signal from the control unit 17, it advances a nozzle (not shown) provided on the toilet seat device 5 and ejects cleaning water from the tip of the nozzle. As a result, the local area cleaning device 14 is activated by the first cleaning signal to clean the local areas of the user seated on the toilet seat 7. The activation of the local area cleaning device 14 is an example of the operation of the local area cleaning function.

When the toilet flushing device 15 is supplied with a second flush signal, which is a signal from the control unit 17, it discharges water into the bowl of the toilet 4. As a result, the toilet flushing device 15 is activated by the second flush signal to discharge water into the bowl of the toilet 4, thereby cleaning the inside of the bowl of the toilet 4. The activation of the toilet flushing device 15 is an example of the operation of the toilet flushing function.

The opening/closing device 16 controls the operation of the opening/closing body. The opening/closing body is at least one of the toilet seat 7 and the toilet lid 8. The opening/closing body may be the toilet seat 7, the toilet lid 8, or both the toilet seat 7 and the toilet lid 8. The opening/closing device 16 is operated by a first drive signal from the control unit 17. When operated by the first drive signal, the opening/closing device 16 operates the opening/closing body in the open direction to a first position, which is a predetermined position. The opening/closing device 16 is operated by a second drive signal from the control unit 17. When operated by the second drive signal, the opening/closing device 16 operates the opening/closing body in the closed direction to a second position, which is a predetermined position. The opening/closing device 16 electrically operates the opening/closing body in the open direction or closed direction.

The opening/closing device 16 detects that the opening/closing body has been manually operated. The opening/closing device 16 is activated when the opening/closing body is manually operated in the opening direction, and moves the opening/closing body in the opening direction. In this way, the opening/closing device 16 assists the user in manually operating the opening/closing body. The opening/closing device 16 is activated when the opening/closing body is manually operated in the closing direction, and generates a braking force on the opening/closing body moving in the closing direction. The opening/closing device 16 may move the opening/closing body in the closing direction to the second position while generating a braking force. The operation of the opening/closing device 16 is an example of the operation of the opening/closing function.

The control unit 17 is electrically connected to the communication unit 12. The control unit 17 transmits information to the communication unit 12. The control unit 17 receives information from the remote control device 3 via the communication unit 12. When the operation unit 20 is operated, the control unit 17 receives identification information from the remote control device 3 via the communication unit 12. The control unit 37 receives the charge amount Q from the remote control device 3 via the communication unit 12.

The control unit 17 detects that the operation unit 20 has been operated by receiving identification information from the remote control device 3. When the first push button 21a is operated, the control unit 17 transmits a first wash signal to the local washing device 14. When the second push button 21b is operated, the control unit 17 changes the water pressure of the washing water for the local washing. This function of changing the water pressure of the washing water for the local washing is included in the predetermined functions described below. When the third push button 21c is operated, the control unit 17 generates a sound from the toilet seat device 5. This function of generating a sound from the toilet seat device 5 is included in the predetermined functions described below. When the fourth push button 21b is operated, the control unit 17 stops at least one of the local washing and the generation of the sound. This function of stopping at least one of the local washing and the generation of the sound is included in the predetermined functions described below.

When the control unit 17 detects that the toilet flush operation unit has been operated, it transmits a second flush signal to the toilet flushing device 15. The toilet flush operation unit may be provided in the remote control device 3 or in the toilet device 2. The toilet flush operation unit may be provided in a location other than the remote control device 3 and the toilet device 2 within the toilet space 100. For example, the toilet flush operation unit may be a lever provided in the toilet device 2. The toilet flush operation unit may have an infrared sensor. When the control unit 17 detects from an output signal of the infrared sensor that the user has held their hand over the toilet flush operation unit, it may transmit a second flush signal to the toilet flushing device 15.

The control unit 17 may send a second flushing signal to the toilet flushing device 15 when the seating sensor 13 detects the user sitting on the toilet seat 7 and then no longer detects the user sitting on the toilet seat 7.

The control unit 17 controls wireless power supply from the toilet device 2 to the remote control device 3. The control unit 17 permits the first wireless power supply when no person is present in the toilet space 100. The first wireless power supply is wireless power supply that supplies a first amount of power to the remote control device 3 by transmitting a first radio wave to the remote control device 3. The first amount of power is an integral value of time and power. When a person is present in the toilet space 100, the control unit 17 permits only the second wireless power supply, or prohibits all wireless power supply. The second wireless power supply is wireless power supply that supplies an amount of power equal to or less than a second amount of power lower than the first amount of power to the remote control device 3 by transmitting a second radio wave to the remote control device 3. The second wireless power supply only needs to supply an amount of power equal to or less than a second amount of power lower than the first amount of power, and may have a plurality of power supply patterns with different amounts of power supplied.

For example, the second wireless power supply has a first power supply pattern and a second power supply pattern. The first power supply pattern is a power supply pattern that supplies a second amount of power. The second power supply pattern is a power supply pattern that supplies a third amount of power that is lower than the second amount of power. The second amount of power may be any amount lower than the first amount of power. For example, the second amount of power is an amount that does not affect people, pacemakers, etc.

The power supply method of the second wireless power supply may be any method capable of supplying an amount of power equal to or less than the second amount of power. For example, the second wireless power supply may transmit the second radio wave using at least one of the power supply methods from the first power supply method to the third power supply method. The first power supply method is a power supply method in which the radio wave strength of the second radio wave is lower than the radio wave strength of the first radio wave. The second power supply method is a power supply method in which the transmission period of the second radio wave is longer than the transmission period of the first radio wave. The transmission period is a period during which the radio wave is transmitted from the toilet device 2 to the remote control device 3. The third power supply method is a power supply method in which the transmission period of the second radio wave is shorter than the transmission period of the first radio wave. The transmission period is a period during which the radio wave is transmitted from the toilet device 2 to the remote control device 3.

The following describes how the control unit 17 determines whether or not a person is present in the toilet space 100.

The control unit 17 executes a process of determining whether or not a person is present in the toilet space 100 at a predetermined cycle. The control unit 17 determines that a person is present in the toilet space 100 when at least one of the following cases is true: a predetermined function in at least one of the toilet device 2 and the remote control device 3 is activated by a human action on at least one of the toilet device 2 and the remote control device 3, or a predetermined operation is performed on at least one of the toilet device 2 and the remote control device 3. This determination process does not include a determination of whether or not a human body is detected by the human body detection sensor 11.

The human action on at least one of the toilet device 2 and the remote control device 3 includes the human operation on the operation unit 20 of the remote control device 3. For example, the human action on at least one of the toilet device 2 and the remote control device 3 is the operation of pressing at least one of the first push button 21a, the second push button 21b, the third push button 21c, and the fourth push button 21d. For example, the human action on at least one of the toilet device 2 and the remote control device 3 is the action performed by a person on at least one of the toilet device 2 and the remote control device 3 to execute at least one of the opening/closing function, the private parts washing function, and the toilet bowl flushing function. The human action on at least one of the toilet device 2 and the remote control device 3 includes the action of a person sitting on the toilet seat 7. However, the human action on at least one of the toilet device 2 and the remote control device 3 does not include the action of a person simply entering the toilet space 100.

For example, a case where a specific function is activated is a case where at least one of the following functions is activated: the opening/closing function, the seating detection function, the private parts cleaning function, and the toilet flushing function. For example, a case where a specific operation is performed is a case where at least one of the following is performed: the operation unit 20 of the remote control device 3 is operated, and the opening/closing body is operated in the open or closed direction by a human operation.

When the control unit 17 determines that no person is present in the toilet space 100, it permits the first wireless power supply. When the control unit 17 determines that a person is present in the toilet space 100, it prohibits the first wireless power supply and permits the second wireless power supply. However, this is not limited to this, and the control unit 17 may prohibit all wireless power supply when it determines that a person is present in the toilet space 100. For example, when the control unit 17 permits the first wireless power supply, it outputs a first control signal to the power supply unit 18. For example, when the control unit 17 prohibits the first wireless power supply and permits the second wireless power supply, it outputs a second control signal to the power supply unit 18. For example, when the control unit 17 prohibits all wireless power supply, it outputs a third control signal to the power supply unit 18.

The control unit 17 may determine whether or not charging of the power storage unit 34 is necessary. When the control unit 17 determines that a person is present in the toilet space 100, the control unit 17 may permit the second wireless power supply only when it determines that charging of the power storage unit 34 is necessary. When the control unit 17 determines that a person is present in the toilet space 100, the control unit 17 may prohibit all wireless power supply when it determines that charging of the power storage unit 34 is not necessary.

For example, the control unit 17 determines whether the charge amount Q is equal to or less than a first charge amount threshold Q1, which is a predetermined threshold. When the charge amount Q is equal to or less than the first charge amount threshold Q1, the control unit 17 determines that charging of the power storage unit 34 is necessary. A case in which charging of the power storage unit 34 is necessary means that the charge amount Q of the power storage unit 34 is insufficient or close to being insufficient when the remote control device 3 operates.

The control unit 17 determines whether the charge amount Q is equal to or greater than the second charge amount threshold Q2. When the charge amount Q is equal to or greater than the second charge amount threshold Q2, the power storage unit 34 is either fully charged or close to being fully charged. The second charge amount threshold Q2 is a value higher than the first charge amount threshold Q1.

The control unit 17 may perform a determination process when the human body detection sensor 11 detects the presence of a person in the toilet space 100.

The power supply unit 18 operates by obtaining power from the power conversion unit 10. The power supply unit 18 performs either the first wireless power supply or the second wireless power supply. The power supply unit 18 cannot perform the first wireless power supply and the second wireless power supply simultaneously. The radio waves transmitted by the power supply unit 18 to the remote control device 3 may be, for example, 920 MHz or microwaves.

The power supply unit 18 performs either the second wireless power supply for a predetermined time or stops wireless power supply to the remote control device 3 when a predetermined function in at least one of the toilet device 2 and the remote control device 3 is activated by a human action on at least one of the toilet device 2 and the remote control device 3, or when a predetermined operation is performed on at least one of the toilet device 2 and the remote control device 3.

For example, when the control unit 17 determines that a person is present in the toilet space 100, the power supply unit 18 performs the second wireless power supply for a predetermined time. After performing the second wireless power supply for a predetermined time, the power supply unit 18 may perform the first wireless power supply on the condition that the determination process determines that no person is present in the toilet space 100.

When the control unit 17 determines that a person is present in the toilet space 100, the power supply unit 18 may prohibit all wireless power supply for a predetermined time. After prohibiting all wireless power supply for a predetermined time, the power supply unit 18 may execute either the first wireless power supply or the second wireless power supply on the condition that it is determined in the determination process that no person is present in the toilet space 100. For example, after prohibiting all wireless power supply for a predetermined time, the power supply unit 18 may execute the first wireless power supply on the condition that no human body is detected by the human body detection sensor 11 and it is determined in the determination process that no person is present in the toilet space 100. After prohibiting all wireless power supply for a predetermined time, the power supply unit 18 may execute the second wireless power supply on the condition that a human body is detected by the human body detection sensor 11 and it is determined in the determination process that no person is present in the toilet space 100.

The power supply unit 18 includes a power transmission unit 50 and a first antenna 51. The power transmission unit 50 is electrically connected to the first antenna 51. The power transmission unit 50 has an oscillator that generates a transmission signal, which is a signal of a predetermined frequency. The power supply unit 18 may amplify the transmission signal. The power transmission unit 50 may adjust the amplification factor of the transmission signal based on either the first control signal or the second control signal. For example, when the power transmission unit 50 receives the first control signal, it may amplify the transmission signal with a first amplification factor. When the power transmission unit 50 receives the second control signal, it may amplify the transmission signal with a second amplification factor lower than the first amplification factor. The power transmission unit 50 may adjust the phase of the transmission signal. When the power transmission unit 50 receives either the first control signal or the second control signal, it outputs the transmission signal with the amplification factor and phase adjusted to the first antenna 51. When the power transmission unit 50 receives the third control signal, it stops outputting the transmission signal to the first antenna 51.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the determination process determines that a person is present in the toilet space 100, the power supply unit 18 performs the second wireless power supply or stops the wireless power supply. When the determination process determines that no person is present in the toilet space 100, the power supply unit 18 performs the first wireless power supply. When the charge amount Q is equal to or greater than the second charge amount threshold Q2, the power supply unit 18 stops all wireless power supply, including the first wireless power supply and the second wireless power supply.

The first antenna 51 transmits radio waves to the remote control device 3 by receiving a transmission signal from the power transmission unit 50. In the case of the first wireless power supply, the first antenna 51 transmits the first radio wave toward the remote control device 3. In the case of the second wireless power supply, the first antenna 51 transmits the second radio wave toward the remote control device 3. For example, the first antenna 51 is a loop antenna. The first antenna 51 may be an array antenna having multiple antenna elements. The first antenna 51 is provided inside the main body cover 6 on the side where the remote control device 3 is located as seen from a user sitting on the toilet seat 7. For example, when the remote control device 3 is located on the wall surface on the right side of the toilet device 2, the first antenna 51 is provided at least in a specific area on the right side as seen from a user sitting on the toilet seat 7. For example, when the remote control device 3 is located on the wall surface on the left side of the toilet device 2, the first antenna 51 is provided at least in a specific area on the left side as seen from a user sitting on the toilet seat 7. The specific area on the right side may be within the main body cover 6 to the right of the center line 300 when the toilet space 100 is viewed from above. The specific area on the left side may be within the main body cover 6 to the left of the center line 300 when the toilet space 100 is viewed from above.

For example, the first antenna 51 may be provided at least on either the left or right end of the main body cover 6. For example, if the remote control device 3 is provided on the wall to the right of the toilet device 2, the first antenna 51 is provided at the right end of the main body cover 6. For example, if the remote control device 3 is provided on the wall to the left of the toilet device 2, the first antenna 51 is provided at the left end of the main body cover 6. For example, the first antenna 51 is provided in a functional section in the main body cover 6 provided behind the toilet bowl 4.

A first example of the operation flow of the toilet device 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The control unit 17 determines whether the charge amount Q is equal to or greater than the second charge amount threshold Q2 (step S101). When the charge amount Q is equal to or greater than the second charge amount threshold Q2, the control unit 17 prohibits all wireless power supply (step S102). When the charge amount Q is less than the second charge amount threshold Q2, the control unit 17 executes a determination process (step S103). That is, as the determination process, the control unit 17 determines whether at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: a first condition in which a predetermined function in at least one of the toilet device 2 and the remote control device 3 is activated by a human action on at least one of the toilet device 2 and the remote control device 3, and a second condition in which a predetermined operation is performed on at least one of the toilet device 2 and the remote control device 3.

When either the first condition or the second condition is satisfied, the control unit 17 determines that a person is present in the toilet space 100. When the control unit 17 determines that a person is present in the toilet space 100, it permits the second wireless power supply (step S104). When the control unit 17 determines that a person is present in the toilet space 100, it may permit the second wireless power supply for a predetermined time in step 104. When the control unit 17 determines that a person is present in the toilet space 100, it may prohibit all wireless power supply in step 104. When the control unit 17 determines that a person is present in the toilet space 100, it may prohibit all wireless power supply for a predetermined time in step 104. When the control unit 17 determines that a person is not present in the toilet space 100 in step S103, it permits the first wireless power supply (step S105).

A second example of the operation flow of the toilet device 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The control unit 17 determines whether the charge amount Q is equal to or greater than the second charge amount threshold Q2 (step S201). When the charge amount Q is equal to or greater than the second charge amount threshold Q2, the control unit 17 prohibits all wireless power supply (step S202). When the charge amount Q is less than the second charge amount threshold Q2, the control unit 17 executes a determination process (step S203). When the control unit 17 determines that a person is present in the toilet space 100 as a result of the determination process, the control unit 17 determines whether the charge amount Q is equal to or less than the first charge amount threshold Q1 (step S204). When the charge amount Q is equal to or less than the first charge amount threshold Q1, the control unit 17 permits the second wireless power supply (step S205). When the charge amount Q is equal to or less than the first charge amount threshold Q1, the control unit 17 may permit the second wireless power supply for a predetermined time in step S205.

If the charge amount Q exceeds the first charge amount threshold Q1 in step S204, the control unit 17 prohibits all wireless power supply (step S206). If the charge amount Q exceeds the first charge amount threshold Q1 in step S204, the control unit 17 may prohibit all wireless power supply for a predetermined time in step S206. If it is determined in step S203 that no person is present in the toilet space 100, the control unit 17 permits the first wireless power supply (step S207). If it is determined in step S203 that no person is present in the toilet space 100, the control unit 17 may permit the first wireless power supply for a predetermined time in step S207.

As described above, when at least one of the first condition and the second condition is satisfied, the power supply unit 18 reduces the amount of power supplied wirelessly for a predetermined period of time or stops wireless power supply. This allows the wireless power supply system 1 to prevent people in the toilet space 100 from being exposed to strong radio waves for a long period of time.

The first control device 9 may have a sensor that detects a person standing in front of the toilet device 2 when the toilet seat 7 is in an upright position. This sensor detects a person urinating by operating the toilet seat 7 to an upright position. When the control unit 17 detects a person urinating using this sensor, it controls the opening and closing device 16 so that the toilet seat 7 does not lower. The function of controlling the opening and closing device 16 so that the toilet seat 7 does not lower may be included in the predetermined function. When the first control device 9 detects a person standing in front of the toilet device 2 using this sensor in the determination process, it may determine that a person is present in the toilet space 100. When the first control device 9 controls the opening and closing device 16 so that the toilet seat 7 does not lower, it may determine that a person is present in the toilet space 100.

The control unit 37 may operate on DC power output from the power receiving unit 32. For example, if the remote control device 3 does not have a power storage unit 34, the control unit 37 operates on DC power output from the power receiving unit 32. For example, if the remote control device 3 is powered wirelessly, the remote control device 3 may charge the power storage unit 34 and operate the control unit 37 with DC power output from the power receiving unit. If the remote control device 3 is not powered wirelessly, the control unit 37 may operate with the power stored in the power storage unit 34.

For example, the control unit 17 includes a processor. For example, the processor is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). For example, the control unit 17 may be a microcontroller. The control unit 17 may include at least one of a non-volatile semiconductor and a volatile semiconductor. The control unit 17 may be realized by the processor executing a program. At least some of the components of the control unit 17 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

For example, the hardware is at least one of an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The program may be stored in a storage device in advance. The storage device is a non-transient storage medium. For example, the storage device is at least one of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and a flash memory. The program may be stored in a removable storage medium. In this case, the program may be installed in the storage device by mounting the storage medium in a drive device. The storage medium is a non-transient storage medium. For example, the recording medium is either a DVD or a CD-ROM.

1...Wireless power supply system, 2...Toilet device, 3...Remote control device, 18...Power supply unit

Claims (1)

A wireless power supply system having a toilet device provided in a toilet space and a remote control device that is powered by radio waves from the toilet device,
a human body detection sensor for detecting the presence of a person in an area in front of the toilet device;
a power supply unit that wirelessly supplies a first amount of power to the remote control device by transmitting radio waves to the remote control device ,
the power supply unit performs wireless power supply at or below a second amount of power that is less than the first amount of power, or stops wireless power supply to the remote control device, when a person is present outside the area in front of the toilet device, the human body detection sensor does not detect the presence of a person in the toilet space, and at least one of the following is true: a person's action on at least one of the toilet device and the remote control device causes a predetermined function in at least one of the toilet device and the remote control device to be activated, or a predetermined operation is performed on at least one of the toilet device and the remote control device ;
The case where the predetermined function is activated means a case where at least one of the following functions is activated: an opening/closing function for opening and closing at least one of a toilet seat and a toilet lid provided in the toilet device, a seating detection function for detecting a person sitting on the toilet seat, a private parts washing function for washing private parts of the human body in the toilet device, and a toilet bowl flushing function for discharging water into the toilet bowl of the toilet device;
The case where the predetermined operation is performed is at least one of the case where an operation unit of the remote control device is operated and the case where at least one of a toilet seat and a toilet lid provided in the toilet device is operated by a human operation.
Wireless power supply system.

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