JP7621192B2 - Toilet seat device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a toilet seat device.

Conventionally, toilet seat devices of this type have been proposed that sterilize toilet seats by irradiating them with ultraviolet light. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a device in which multiple ultraviolet LEDs are attached to the underside of the toilet lid, and while the toilet lid is closed, the ultraviolet LEDs constantly irradiate the seating surface of the toilet seat with ultraviolet light. Patent Document 2 describes a device in which a movable ultraviolet light irradiating unit is provided on the underside of the toilet lid, and when the ultraviolet light irradiating unit is moved, a distance sensor measures the distance to the toilet seat, and ultraviolet light is irradiated based on the irradiation time set from the measured distance.

Utility Model Registration No. 3193623 Special table number 2020-515348

In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, ultraviolet light is constantly emitted while the toilet lid is closed, so ultraviolet light continues to be emitted even after sterilization is complete. This causes the ultraviolet LED to be turned on more than necessary, which may shorten the lifespan of the ultraviolet LED or cause the toilet seat to deteriorate. In addition, in Patent Document 2, a distance sensor must be installed to set the irradiation time, which leads to an increase in the size of the device and costs.

The main objective of the present invention is to properly sterilize toilet seats using a simple configuration that prevents the toilet seat device from becoming larger and increasing costs.

The present invention takes the following measures to achieve the above-mentioned main objective.

The toilet seat device of the present invention comprises:
The toilet seat,
A toilet lid that covers the toilet seat in a closed state;
A plurality of ultraviolet light emitting elements attached to the underside of the toilet lid;
a control device that controls the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting devices so as to irradiate ultraviolet light onto a seating surface of the toilet seat when the toilet lid is in a closed state;
A toilet seat device comprising:
The plurality of ultraviolet light emitting elements are each determined to have different specifications with respect to at least one of the ultraviolet wavelength, output, and light distribution angle depending on the mounting position of each element,
The control device controls irradiation of ultraviolet light based on a predetermined irradiation time for each of the ultraviolet light emitting elements.

In the toilet seat device of the present invention, ultraviolet light emitting elements with different specifications for at least one of the ultraviolet wavelength, output, and light distribution angle depending on the mounting position are attached to the back of the toilet lid, and the irradiation of ultraviolet light is controlled based on the irradiation time that is predetermined for each. This makes it possible to irradiate ultraviolet light in the right amount to perform appropriate sterilization, and prevents the toilet seat from deteriorating due to irradiation of ultraviolet light more than necessary. In addition, since the ultraviolet light emitting elements are not movable and a distance sensor is not provided, a simple configuration can be used to prevent the toilet lid from becoming large. Therefore, the toilet seat can be properly sterilized with a simple configuration that prevents the toilet seat device from becoming large and the cost from increasing.

In the toilet seat device of the present invention, the specifications and irradiation time of each of the ultraviolet light emitting elements may be determined so that the ultraviolet energy irradiated to the seating surface is approximately equal depending on the distance from the seating surface to the respective mounting positions. In this way, ultraviolet light can be irradiated uniformly over the entire seating surface, allowing for more appropriate sterilization.

In the toilet seat device of the present invention, the control device may control the ultraviolet light emitting element whose irradiation time is less than a predetermined time to irradiate ultraviolet light continuously from the start of ultraviolet light irradiation until the irradiation time has elapsed, and control the ultraviolet light emitting element whose irradiation time exceeds the predetermined time to irradiate ultraviolet light intermittently until the total irradiation time from the start of ultraviolet light irradiation reaches the irradiation time. In this way, the ultraviolet light emitting element is prevented from irradiating continuously beyond the predetermined time, so excessive heat generation of the ultraviolet light emitting element can be suppressed, and the decrease in illuminance and the decrease in lifespan due to heat generation can be suppressed. In addition, since there is no need to provide a heat sink for cooling or the like on the toilet lid, the toilet lid can be prevented from becoming large.

The toilet seat device of the present invention may include a notification unit that notifies the user, and the control device may control the notification unit to notify the user that ultraviolet light is being emitted when ultraviolet light is being emitted from at least one of the ultraviolet light emitting elements. In this way, the user can be made aware that sterilization is in progress, and the toilet lid can be prevented from being opened, allowing the toilet seat to be sterilized appropriately.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a toilet bowl 1 to which a toilet seat device 10 is attached. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the toilet seat device 10 with the toilet lid 14 in a closed state. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a toilet seat device 10. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the arrangement of ultraviolet LEDs 30. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the arrangement of ultraviolet LEDs 30. FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a selection table of ultraviolet LED specifications and irradiation times. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the specifications and irradiation pattern of each ultraviolet LED 30. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a toilet seat sterilization processing routine. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of how ultraviolet light is irradiated.

Next, we will explain the form for implementing the present invention.

Figure 1 is an external perspective view of a toilet bowl 1 to which a toilet seat device 10 is attached, Figure 2 is an external perspective view of the toilet seat device 10 with the toilet lid 14 closed, and Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the toilet seat device 10. As shown in Figure 1, the toilet seat device 10 is attached to the top surface of the toilet bowl 1 and comprises a toilet seat device main body 12, a toilet seat 13 and a toilet lid 14 supported so as to be openable and closable relative to the toilet seat device main body 12, an operation panel 18 that allows the user to perform various operations, and a control device 20 (see Figure 3) that controls the entire device. Note that in this embodiment, the left-right direction, front-rear direction, and up-down direction are as shown in Figure 1.

The toilet seat device main body 12 includes a toilet lid opening/closing device 16 that automatically opens and closes the toilet lid 14, multiple ultraviolet LEDs 30 that irradiate ultraviolet light to sterilize the toilet seat 13, and multiple visible light LEDs 40 that act as notification lamps to notify various conditions. The toilet seat device main body 12 also includes a heat exchange unit that heats the water (cleaning water) supplied from a water supply passage connected to a water supply pipe (tap piping), a switching valve that switches the flow rate and supply destination of the cleaning water, a cleaning nozzle that sprays the cleaning water supplied through the switching valve onto a human body part, and a movement mechanism that moves the cleaning nozzle back and forth.

The toilet lid opening/closing device 16 is equipped with an opening/closing motor 16a and a rotation angle sensor 16b, and transmits the driving force of the opening/closing motor 16a via a transmission gear or output shaft (not shown) to automatically open and close the toilet lid 14. The rotation angle sensor 16b is, for example, a rotary potentiometer that detects the rotation angle of a detection gear (not shown) provided on the output shaft. In addition to being automatically opened and closed by the drive of the opening/closing motor 16a of the toilet lid opening/closing device 16, the toilet lid 14 can also be manually opened and closed by the user. The toilet seat 13 may also be configured to be automatically opened and closed like the toilet lid 14.

All of the multiple ultraviolet LEDs 30 are provided on the back (inner surface) of the toilet lid 14. For ease of illustration and explanation, as an example, eight ultraviolet LEDs 30 are attached to the back of the toilet lid 14, four on each of the left and right ends, at symmetrical attachment positions. From the top of Figure 1, the ultraviolet LEDs 30 are designated ultraviolet LEDs 31 (31a, 31b), 32 (32a, 32b), 33 (33a, 33b), and 34 (34a, 34b).

4 and 5 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the arrangement of the ultraviolet LEDs 30, where FIG. 4 shows an example of a cross section along the front-rear direction of the toilet seat 13 and the toilet lid 14, and FIG. 5 shows an example of a cross section along a direction perpendicular to FIG. 4. The distance D between each ultraviolet LED 30 and the seating surface (upper surface) of the toilet seat 13 is in the order of the distance D1 of the ultraviolet LED 31, the distance D2 of the ultraviolet LED 32, the distance D3 of the ultraviolet LED 33, and the distance D4 of the ultraviolet LED 34, from the shortest. In addition, the toilet lid 14 has a double lid structure having a toilet lid main body 14a pivoted on the toilet seat device main body 12 and an inner lid 14b attached to the inside of the toilet lid main body 14a. Each ultraviolet LED 30 is provided between the toilet lid main body 14a and the inner lid 14b while being attached to a relatively thin substrate, and is exposed from a through hole formed in the inner lid 14b so that ultraviolet light can be irradiated. Therefore, even if each ultraviolet LED 30 is provided on the toilet lid 14, the thickness t of the toilet lid 14 can be prevented from increasing, and the toilet lid 14 can be prevented from becoming larger. Although not shown in the figure, the wiring of each ultraviolet LED 30 passes between the toilet lid main body 14a and the inner lid 14b, and through the axis of the toilet lid 14, and is connected to the control device 20 in the toilet seat device main body 12.

The multiple visible light LEDs 40 include three: visible light LEDs 41 and 42 provided on the back surface of the toilet lid 14, and a visible light LED 43 provided on the right side surface of the toilet seat device main body 12. For example, the visible light LED 41 emits blue light, the visible light LED 42 emits red light, and the visible light LED 43 emits green light. In addition, the visible light LEDs 41 and 42 are provided between the toilet lid main body 14a and the inner lid 14b at a position above each ultraviolet LED 30 when the toilet lid 14 is open, and are exposed from a through hole formed in the inner lid 14b so that they can irradiate visible light.

The operation panel 18 is provided with an open/close switch 18a for instructing the opening and closing of the toilet lid 14, a sterilization switch 18b for the user to instruct sterilization of the toilet seat 13, and a stop switch 18c for instructing the user to stop sterilization and other operations. In addition, the operation panel 18 is provided with a wash switch for instructing private parts washing, and various adjustment switches for adjusting the washing strength and washing position.

The control device 20 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, input/output ports, etc. (not shown). The control device 20 receives, via the input port, a detection signal from a human body detection sensor 22 that detects a human body (user) in the toilet room (room) in which the toilet seat device 10 is placed, a detection signal from a seating detection sensor 24 that detects a user sitting on the toilet seat 13, operation signals from each operation switch provided on the operation panel 18, a detection angle from the rotation angle sensor 16b, etc. The control device 20 calculates the angle (opening degree) of the toilet lid 14 based on the rotation angle input from the rotation angle sensor 16b, and detects whether the toilet lid 14 is open or closed. The control device 20 also outputs an opening/closing signal to the toilet lid opening/closing device 16, a lighting signal to the multiple ultraviolet LEDs 30, a lighting signal to the multiple visible light LEDs 40, etc. via the output port.

For example, the control device 20 turns on the visible light LED 41 and turns off the visible light LED 42 when the toilet seat device 10 is in a normal state where no abnormality occurs. The blue light of the visible light LED 41 can inform the user that the toilet seat device 10 is in a normal state. Also, when the toilet seat device 10 is in an abnormal state where some abnormality occurs, the visible light LED 42 is turned on and turned off. The red light of the visible light LED 42 can inform the user that the toilet seat device 10 is in an abnormal state. The visible light LEDs 41 and 42 are provided at an upper position when the toilet lid 14 is in an open state, making them easy for the user to see and to easily understand whether the toilet seat device 10 is in a normal state or an abnormal state. The control device 20 turns on either the visible light LED 41 or 42 when the toilet lid 14 is in an open state (not in a closed state). Also, the visible light LED 43 is turned on when a sterilization process using ultraviolet light is being performed, and details will be described later.

Here, the multiple ultraviolet LEDs 30 are attached with different specifications depending on the respective mounting positions. This will be explained below. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a selection table of ultraviolet LED specifications and irradiation times, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the specifications and irradiation patterns of each ultraviolet LED 30. As shown in FIG. 6, the above-mentioned distances D1, D2, D3, and D4 are, for example, 10 mm, 20 mm, 40 mm, and 80 mm. In this embodiment, the specifications of the ultraviolet LEDs 30 differ depending on the distance D at each mounting position, and ultraviolet LEDs 30 with the same specifications are attached at mounting positions symmetrical to the left and right.

Figure 6 shows four specifications (1) to (4) of ultraviolet LEDs that combine two types of wavelengths and two types of output, and shows the cost and irradiation time for each by distance. It is known that the sterilization effect (sterilization performance) of ultraviolet light is highest at a wavelength around 265 nm, and in this embodiment, either 265 nm (a specific wavelength) or a wavelength with a lower sterilization effect, such as 280 nm, is selected. In addition, either a low output, such as 3 mw, or a high output, such as 30 mw, is selected for output. The sterilization effect and cost are highest for specification (2) with a wavelength of 265 nm and an output of 30 mw, lowest for specification (3) with a wavelength of 280 nm and an output of 3 mw, and intermediate for specification (1) with a wavelength of 265 nm and an output of 3 mw and specification (4) with a wavelength of 280 nm and an output of 30 mw.

The sterilization effect is determined by the distance D and irradiation time in addition to the wavelength and output, and decreases in inverse proportion to the square of the distance D and increases in proportion to the output and irradiation time. Here, it is assumed that it takes 80 seconds for the ultraviolet LED of specification (1) to irradiate an irradiation surface at a distance D1 (10 mm) away with a predetermined ultraviolet energy to obtain the required sterilization effect. In addition, since the distance D2 is twice the distance D1, the sterilization effect of ultraviolet rays decreases to about 1/4 inverse proportion to the square of the distance D, and 320 seconds, which is four times the distance D1, is required to make the ultraviolet energy approximately the same. Similarly, the distances D3 and D4 are four and eight times the distance D1, so 1280 seconds and 5120 seconds, which are 16 and 64 times the distance D1, are required. In addition, since the output of specification (2) is 10 times that of specification (1), the irradiation time may be 1/10 of that of specification (1) to make the ultraviolet energy approximately the same. Therefore, in the case of the UV LED of specification (2), the irradiation times are 8 s, 32 s, 128 s, and 512 s at distances D1, D2, D3, and D4, respectively. In addition, the sterilization effect of the wavelength of 280 nm tends to be about 20% to 30% lower than that of the specific wavelength of 265 nm. In order to take this decrease into account and achieve approximately the same UV energy, the irradiation time of 265 nm was set to be 25% longer. In other words, each irradiation time of specification (3) was set to be 25% longer than each irradiation time of specification (1). Also, similar to the relationship between specifications (1) and (2), each irradiation time of specification (4) was set to 1/10 of each irradiation time of specification (3).

Based on the selection table of these relationships, the specifications of each ultraviolet LED 30 are determined so that the irradiation time is about several minutes while keeping costs and output (power consumption) as low as possible. For example, in the case of the ultraviolet LED 31 at the distance D1, the irradiation time is short at less than 2 minutes for all specifications, so the low-cost specification (3) was selected with an emphasis on cost. In the case of the ultraviolet LED 32 at the distance D2, specifications (1) and (3) with irradiation times of about several minutes were candidates, and specification (1) was selected. Note that specification (3) may also be used with an emphasis on cost. In the case of the ultraviolet LED 33 at the distance D3, specifications (2) and (4) with irradiation times of about several minutes were candidates, and specification (4) was selected with an emphasis on cost. In the case of the ultraviolet LED 34 at the distance D4, specification (2) was selected because it is the most expensive but has an irradiation time of about several minutes less than 10 minutes.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the light distribution angle of each ultraviolet LED 30 is different, with the light distribution angles A1, A2, A3, and A4 from widest. Here, if the light distribution angle of each ultraviolet LED 30 is the same, the smaller the distance D, the narrower the irradiation range on the seating surface of the toilet seat 13. Therefore, in order to irradiate ultraviolet rays as widely as possible, the light distribution angle is selected to be wider as the distance D is smaller. Note that, although four ultraviolet LEDs 30 are illustrated on each side, it is sufficient to install the number of ultraviolet LEDs 30 necessary to irradiate ultraviolet rays evenly over the entire seating surface, taking into account the light distribution angle and mounting position of each ultraviolet LED 30.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the irradiation pattern of each ultraviolet LED 30 is also determined. In addition to the above-mentioned irradiation time, the irradiation pattern also determines whether or not irradiation is interrupted, and the time of intermittent lighting and extinguishing in the case of interruption. In this embodiment, when the irradiation time is equal to or less than a predetermined time, such as 100 s, ultraviolet rays are continuously irradiated until the irradiation time has elapsed, and when the irradiation time exceeds the predetermined time, ultraviolet rays are intermittently irradiated until the total time of ultraviolet irradiation becomes the irradiation time. For this reason, in the case of the ultraviolet LED 31, a continuous irradiation pattern without interruption is determined, and in the case of the ultraviolet LEDs 32 to 34, an intermittent irradiation pattern with interruptions is determined. The intermittent irradiation pattern is a pattern in which the illumination is turned on for 100 s and then turned off for a predetermined interruption time (for example, 30 s), and then the illumination is turned on for 100 s or less, so that the total illumination time is the illumination time. For example, in the case of the ultraviolet LED 32, the illumination is turned on for 100 s and turned off for 30 s three times, and then the illumination is turned on for 20 s, thereby ensuring a total illumination time of 320 s. The ultraviolet LEDs 33 and 34 also have a set irradiation pattern, and the explanation will be omitted. Note that the on and off times are merely examples and are not limited to 100 s and 30 s. For example, the on time may be a time that divides the irradiation time approximately evenly so that it is equal to or shorter than a predetermined time.

Next, the operation of the toilet seat device 10 configured in this manner, particularly the operation when sterilizing the seating surface of the toilet seat 13, will be described. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a toilet seat sterilization processing routine.

In the toilet seat sterilization processing routine of FIG. 8, the control device 20 determines whether the seat detection sensor 24 is off (S100) and whether the human body detection sensor 22 is off (S110). If it is determined that the seat detection sensor 24 is on or the human body detection sensor 22 is on, the toilet seat sterilization processing routine ends. On the other hand, if the control device 20 determines that the seat detection sensor 24 is off and the human body detection sensor 22 is off, that is, that the user is not seated on the toilet seat 13 and is not present in the toilet compartment, the control device 20 determines whether the sterilization processing has been performed during the absence state (S120). During the absence state after the sterilization processing is performed by irradiating ultraviolet light from each ultraviolet LED 30 in the processing described below, the control device 20 determines in S120 that the sterilization processing has been performed, and ends the toilet seat sterilization processing routine. Note that even if the sterilization process has been performed, the control device 20 clears the execution history of the sterilization process when the seating detection sensor 24 turns on and the toilet seat 13 is used. Therefore, if the user who has used the toilet seat 13 leaves the toilet, it will be determined in S120 that the sterilization process has not been performed.

When the control device 20 determines in S120 that the sterilization process has not been completed, it determines whether the toilet lid 14 is open (S130). When the control device 20 determines that the toilet lid 14 is open, it closes the toilet lid 14 using the toilet lid opening/closing device 16 to place it in a closed state (S140). Next, the control device 20 starts the sterilization process by turning on each ultraviolet LED 30 to start irradiating ultraviolet light (S150), and turns on the visible light LED 43 on the side of the toilet seat device main body 12 (S160). By turning on the visible light LED 43 with green light, it notifies the user that the sterilization process is in progress. In other words, the visible light LED 43 functions as a notification unit that notifies the user that the sterilization process is in progress.

When the sterilization process is started in this manner, the control device 20 determines whether the irradiation time of any of the ultraviolet LEDs 30 has been reached (S170), and if it is determined that the irradiation time has been reached, turns off the ultraviolet LED 30 (S180) and proceeds to S220. As described above, for the ultraviolet LEDs 30 in the irradiation pattern with interruptions, it is determined in S170 whether the total illumination time has reached a predetermined irradiation time (see FIG. 7).

When the control device 20 determines in S170 that the irradiation time has not been reached, it determines whether it is time to interrupt irradiation of any of the ultraviolet LEDs 30 (S190) and whether a predetermined interruption time (30 seconds of the off time) has elapsed for the ultraviolet LEDs 30 for which irradiation has been interrupted (S200). For example, for the ultraviolet LEDs 32 to 34, when 100 seconds have elapsed since the start of illumination, it determines in S190 that it is time to interrupt irradiation. Also, when 30 seconds have elapsed since irradiation was interrupted, it determines in S200 that the off time has elapsed.

When the control device 20 determines in S190 that it is time to interrupt irradiation of any of the ultraviolet LEDs 30, it turns off that ultraviolet LED 30, i.e., interrupts irradiation (S180), and proceeds to S220. Also, when the control device 20 determines in S200 that the interruption time (light-off time) has elapsed, it turns on the ultraviolet LED 30 whose irradiation has been interrupted again (S210), and proceeds to S220. Note that if it is not time to interrupt irradiation in S190 and it is determined in S200 that the interruption time has not elapsed, it proceeds directly to S220.

Then, the control device 20 judges whether all the ultraviolet LEDs 30 have been turned off after their irradiation time has elapsed (S220), and if it judges that they have not been turned off, it returns to S170. On the other hand, if the control device 20 judges that all the ultraviolet LEDs 30 have been turned off after their irradiation time has elapsed, i.e., that the sterilization process is completed, it turns off the visible light LEDs 43 (S230) and ends the toilet seat sterilization process routine. Although not shown in the figure, if the toilet lid 14 is opened or the stop switch 18c is operated during the sterilization process from S150 onwards, it is sufficient to turn off each of the ultraviolet LEDs 30 and the visible light LEDs 43, and end the sterilization process.

In the toilet seat device 10 described above, the ultraviolet LEDs 30, which have different ultraviolet wavelengths, outputs, and light distribution angles depending on the installation position, are controlled to emit ultraviolet light based on a predetermined emission time for each. This makes it possible to irradiate ultraviolet light just enough to perform appropriate sterilization, and prevents the toilet seat 13 from deteriorating due to irradiation of ultraviolet light more than necessary. In addition, since the ultraviolet LEDs 30 are not movable and no distance sensor is provided, a simple configuration can be used to prevent the toilet lid 14 from becoming large. Therefore, the toilet seat 13 can be appropriately sterilized with a simple configuration that prevents the toilet seat device 10 from becoming larger and the costs from increasing.

In addition, the specifications and irradiation time are set so that the ultraviolet energy irradiated onto the seating surface from each ultraviolet LED 30 is approximately equal (approximately uniform), so ultraviolet light can be irradiated evenly and uniformly across the entire seating surface of the toilet seat 13, enabling more appropriate sterilization.

In addition, if the irradiation time is less than a predetermined time (100 s), ultraviolet rays are irradiated continuously, and if the irradiation time exceeds the predetermined time, ultraviolet rays are irradiated intermittently, so that the ultraviolet LED 30 can be prevented from irradiating continuously for more than the predetermined time. This can suppress excessive heat generation and suppress the decrease in illuminance and shortened lifespan due to heat generation. In addition, since there is no need to provide a heat sink for cooling or the like on the toilet lid 14, it is possible to prevent the toilet lid 14 from becoming large.

In addition, in the toilet seat device 10, the visible light LEDs 43 are turned on while the ultraviolet LEDs 30 are irradiating ultraviolet light, so the user can be made aware that ultraviolet light is being irradiated, i.e., that sterilization processing is in progress. This prevents the toilet lid 14 from being left open, allowing the toilet seat 13 to be sterilized appropriately.

In addition, the toilet seat device 10 turns on the visible light LED 41 in a normal state, and notifies the user of the normal state with the blue light of the visible light LED 41, and turns on the visible light LED 42 in an abnormal state, and notifies the user of the abnormal state with the red light of the visible light LED 42. The visible light LEDs 41, 42 are provided in a position that is at the top when the toilet lid 14 is open, so that the user can be appropriately notified of the normal state or the abnormal state. Note that, since the wiring for the visible light LEDs 41, 42 can be provided when providing wiring for each ultraviolet LED 30, the installation of the visible light LEDs 41, 42 does not significantly increase the workload. In addition, the visible light LEDs 41, 42 are not limited to those that notify the user of the normal state or the abnormal state, but may be those that notify the user of some information such as the content of the abnormality (content of the malfunction).

In the embodiment, the visible light LED (lamp) 43 is turned on during the sterilization process, but this is not limited to this, and instead of or in addition to the visible light LED 43, a speaker may be provided to notify the user that the sterilization process is in progress by a sound (such as a voice message or an alarm sound). The visible light LED 43 is provided on the side of the toilet seat device main body 12, but this is not limited to this, and the visible light LED 43 may be provided on the top surface of the toilet seat device main body 12, or on the top surface (surface) of the toilet lid 14 in the closed state. Alternatively, such a visible light LED 43 or speaker may not be provided, and it is not necessary to notify the user that the sterilization process is in progress. A visible light LED that notifies the user that the sterilization process has been completed may be provided, allowing the user to easily recognize whether the toilet seat 13 has been sterilized or not. This visible light LED may be a visible light LED different from the visible light LED 43, or the visible light LED 43 may be turned on in a manner different from that during the sterilization process. In addition, in the embodiment, visible light LEDs 41 and 42 are provided, but this is not limited thereto, and visible light LEDs 41 and 42 do not have to be provided.

In the embodiment, the specifications of the ultraviolet LED 30 are different in three aspects: wavelength, output, and light distribution angle, but this is not limited thereto, and any two or one of the wavelength, output, and light distribution angle may be different, as long as at least one of them is different. For example, when the wavelength is different depending on the distance D, the cost can be reduced by using a wavelength with a low sterilization effect at an installation position where the distance D is close, and the irradiation time can be shortened by using a wavelength (specific wavelength) with a high sterilization effect at an installation position where the distance D is far. Also, when the output is different depending on the distance D, the cost can be reduced by using an output with a low sterilization effect at an installation position where the distance D is close, and the irradiation time can be shortened by using an output with a high sterilization effect at an installation position where the distance D is far.

In the embodiment, ultraviolet rays are continuously irradiated for those whose irradiation time is less than a predetermined time, and ultraviolet rays are intermittently irradiated for those whose irradiation time exceeds the predetermined time, but this is not limited to this, and all ultraviolet LEDs 30 may irradiate ultraviolet rays intermittently. Alternatively, all ultraviolet LEDs 30 may irradiate ultraviolet rays continuously, and the processes of S190 to S210 in FIG. 8 may be omitted. In this case, the ultraviolet LEDs 30 may be cooled by providing a heat sink or the like, but it is preferable to use the embodiment in order to prevent the toilet lid 14 from becoming large. In addition, the time required to irradiate the same ultraviolet energy according to the specifications and distance D of each ultraviolet LED 30 is determined as the irradiation time for each ultraviolet LED 30, but this is not limited to this, and each irradiation time may be determined in advance, such as being determined appropriately according to the specifications of each ultraviolet LED 30.

In the embodiment, the specifications of the ultraviolet LED 30 are different depending on the distance D at each mounting position, but this is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient that the specifications of the ultraviolet LED 30 are different depending on each mounting position. Since the shape of the seating surface of the opposing toilet seat 13 differs depending on each mounting position, the specifications such as the light distribution angle may be different taking into account the shape of the seating surface.

In the embodiment, the control device 20 automatically performs the sterilization process of the toilet seat 13, but this is not limited to the above. The control device 20 may perform the sterilization process of the toilet seat 13 based on the operation of the sterilization switch 18b by the user, that is, upon receiving a sterilization instruction.

In the embodiment, a toilet seat device 10 equipped with a toilet lid opening/closing device 16 has been exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be applied to a toilet seat device that does not have a toilet lid opening/closing device 16. In such a case, if it is determined in S130 of the toilet seat sterilization processing routine that the toilet lid 14 is in the open state, the toilet seat sterilization processing routine can be ended as is.

The correspondence between the main elements of this embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the section on means for solving the problem will be described. In this embodiment, the toilet seat 13 corresponds to the "toilet seat", the toilet lid 14 corresponds to the "toilet lid", the ultraviolet LED 30 corresponds to the "ultraviolet light emitting element", and the control device 20 corresponds to the "control device". The visible light LED 43 corresponds to the "alarm unit".

The correspondence between the main elements of this embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column is not intended to limit the elements of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column, since this embodiment is an example for specifically explaining the form for implementing the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column. In other words, the interpretation of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column should be based on the description in that column, and this embodiment is merely a specific example of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column.

The above describes the form for carrying out the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be carried out in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The present invention can be used in the toilet seat manufacturing industry, etc.

1 toilet bowl, 10 toilet seat device, 12 toilet seat device main body, 13 toilet seat, 14 toilet lid, 14a toilet lid main body, 14b inner lid, 16 toilet lid opening and closing device, 16a opening and closing motor, 16b rotation angle sensor, 18 operation panel, 18a flushing switch, 18b opening and closing switch, 18c sterilization switch, 18d stop switch, 20 control device, 22 human body detection sensor, 24 seating detection sensor, 30, 31 (31a, 31b), 32 (32a, 32b), 33 (33a, 33b), 34 (34a, 34b) ultraviolet LED, 40, 41, 42, 43 visible light LED.

Claims (3)

The toilet seat,
A toilet lid that covers the toilet seat in a closed state;
A plurality of ultraviolet light emitting elements attached to the underside of the toilet lid;
a control device that controls the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting devices so as to irradiate ultraviolet light onto a seating surface of the toilet seat when the toilet lid is in a closed state;
A toilet seat device comprising:
The plurality of ultraviolet light emitting elements are each determined to have different specifications with respect to at least one of the ultraviolet wavelength, output, and light distribution angle depending on the mounting position of each element,
The control device controls the irradiation of ultraviolet light based on a predetermined irradiation time for each of the ultraviolet light emitting elements ,
The specifications and irradiation times of the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting elements are determined so that the ultraviolet energy irradiated to the seating surface is approximately equal depending on the distance from the mounting position of each element to the seating surface.
Toilet seat device. 2. A toilet seat apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The control device controls the ultraviolet light-emitting elements whose irradiation time is a predetermined time or less to irradiate ultraviolet light continuously from the start of ultraviolet light irradiation until the irradiation time has elapsed, and controls the ultraviolet light-emitting elements whose irradiation time is more than the predetermined time to irradiate ultraviolet light intermittently until the total irradiation time from the start of ultraviolet light irradiation reaches the irradiation time. 3. A toilet seat device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
A notification unit is provided for notifying a user,
The control device controls the notification unit to provide a notification that ultraviolet light is being emitted when ultraviolet light is being emitted from at least any of the ultraviolet light-emitting elements.

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