JP7653638B2 - Toilet bowl and toilet seat device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a toilet bowl device having a toilet lid and a toilet lid drive unit, and a toilet seat device having a toilet lid and a toilet lid drive unit that is attached to a toilet bowl body and used.

Recently, from the perspective of preventing the spread of contaminants contained in excrement when flushing the toilet bowl, it is recommended that after defecating, the bowl be flushed with the toilet lid closed, so that droplets containing contaminants contained in the stool excreted in the bowl do not scatter outside the bowl.

In order to ensure that the bowl is flushed with the toilet lid closed, a toilet device has been proposed that, when a flush command is received, first electrically closes the toilet lid using a toilet lid drive unit, and then flushes the bowl (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-158142

However, although such electrically operated toilet lids are supposed to close when triggered by a flush command, there are times when they may stop working, either from the beginning or midway, due to various factors. In such cases, the sequence of operations, which is to flush after the toilet lid is closed, naturally results in the bowl being never flushed.

For example, if there is an obstacle in front of the raised toilet lid, or if the toilet lid drive unit or the toilet lid is broken, the toilet lid will not close. One possible obstacle is when the user tries to stop the toilet lid from closing with their hand after issuing a flush command by pressing a button, etc., in order to check how the waste is flushing away. It is inconvenient if the toilet lid closing action is stopped by an obstacle (such as a human hand) in this way, and the bowl flush is not performed for a long time afterwards.

The present invention has been proposed in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a toilet apparatus and toilet seat apparatus that flushes the bowl even if the toilet lid closing action, which is executed in response to a flush command, is not executed properly.

To achieve the above object, the toilet device of the present invention comprises a bowl, a toilet flushing unit that supplies flushing water to the bowl to flush the inside of the bowl, a toilet lid, a toilet lid opening/closing detection unit that detects the opening/closing of the toilet lid, a toilet lid drive unit that opens and closes the toilet lid, a flushing instruction means that outputs a flushing instruction to the toilet flushing unit, a notification unit, and a control unit, and if the toilet lid is open when a flushing instruction is given by the flushing instruction means, the toilet lid drive unit starts the operation of closing the toilet lid before flushing by the toilet flushing unit, and then flushing is performed by the toilet flushing unit, and the control unit is characterized in that, when the flushing instruction is received, the control unit causes the notification unit to notify that the flushing instruction has been received before the toilet lid operation begins.

Another toilet device of the present invention may further include a timing unit, and the control unit may be configured to start a timer for a predetermined time if the toilet lid is open when the flushing command is received, and to cause the toilet flushing unit to start flushing when the predetermined time has elapsed.
Another toilet device of the present invention may further include a timing unit, and when the control unit receives the flushing command, if the toilet lid is open, it starts a timer for a predetermined time, and if it detects that the toilet lid has been closed before the predetermined time has elapsed, it causes the toilet flushing unit to start flushing at that timing, whereas if it does not detect that the toilet lid has been closed when the predetermined time has elapsed, it causes the toilet flushing unit to start flushing at that timing.
In addition, another toilet apparatus of the present invention may be configured such that the flush instruction means includes operation by a remote control that enables flushing operation.

The toilet seat device of the present invention is a toilet seat device that is attached to the toilet bowl body and includes a toilet seat, a toilet lid, a toilet lid opening/closing detection unit that detects the opening/closing of the toilet lid, a toilet lid drive unit that opens and closes the toilet lid, a bowl flush command means that receives a flush command for the toilet bowl body, a notification unit, and a toilet seat side control unit, and is configured such that if the toilet lid is open when a flush command is issued by the bowl flush command means, the toilet lid drive unit starts the operation of closing the toilet lid before outputting a flush command to the toilet bowl body, and then outputs a flush command to the toilet bowl body, and the toilet seat side control unit, when receiving the flush command, causes the notification unit to notify that the flush command has been received before the toilet lid operation begins.

Another toilet seat device of the present invention may further include a timing unit, and the toilet seat side control unit may be configured to start a timer for a predetermined time if the toilet lid is open when the flushing command is received, and output a flushing command to the toilet body when the predetermined time has elapsed.
Another toilet seat device of the present invention may further include a timing unit, and when the toilet seat side control unit receives the flushing command, if the toilet lid is open, it starts a timer for a predetermined time, and if it detects that the toilet lid has been closed before the predetermined time has elapsed, it outputs a flushing command to the toilet body at that timing, while if it does not detect that the toilet lid has been closed when the predetermined time has elapsed, it outputs a flushing command to the toilet body at that timing.
In another toilet seat apparatus of the present invention, the bowl flush instruction means may include an operation by a remote control that enables a flush operation.
In another toilet seat device of the present invention, the toilet seat side control unit may be configured to perform an operation similar to the operation performed when a flushing command is received from the bowl flushing command means, even when a flushing command is received from the toilet body.

Because the toilet device and toilet seat device of the present invention are configured as described above, the bowl is flushed even if the toilet lid closing operation, which is executed in response to a flush command, is not executed properly.

1 is a basic block diagram of a toilet device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a schematic side view showing the inside of the toilet device, and FIG. 2B is a schematic side view showing the inside of a toilet device of another example. 2 is a flowchart showing a basic operation according to one embodiment of the toilet apparatus of FIG. 1 . 10 is a flowchart showing a basic operation according to another aspect of the toilet device. 10 is a flowchart showing a basic operation according to still another aspect of the toilet apparatus. FIG. 2A is a basic block diagram of a toilet device and a toilet seat device used therein according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a schematic side view showing the interior of the toilet device.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings. The toilet devices 1 and 3 described below are based on the principle of flushing the bowl 12 with the toilet lid 20 closed, from the viewpoint of preventing the diffusion of contaminants contained in excrement. Therefore, if the toilet lid 20, 40 is not closed when a flushing command is issued, the toilet lid 20, 40 is normally closed automatically and electrically before flushing in order to close the toilet lid 20, 40.

First, an overview of the toilet device 1 according to this embodiment will be described below. This toilet device 1 is a device having a configuration as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and is capable of selectively executing the basic operations of the multiple modes shown in Figs. 3 to 5.

The toilet device 1 comprises a bowl 12, a toilet flushing unit 13 that supplies flushing water to the bowl 12 to flush the inside of the bowl 12, a toilet lid 20, a toilet lid opening/closing detection unit 21 that detects whether the toilet lid 20 is open or closed, and a toilet lid drive unit 22 that opens and closes the toilet lid 20. The toilet device 1 also comprises flush instruction means that outputs flush instructions to the toilet flushing unit 13, a timer unit 6, and a control unit 5. Here, the flush instruction means can be one that is initiated by the user's flushing operation or one that is automatic based on the user's actions, and more details will be provided below.

This toilet device 1 is configured such that if the toilet lid 20 is open when a flushing command is issued by the flushing command means, the toilet lid drive unit 22 will begin closing the toilet lid 20 before flushing by the toilet flushing unit 13, whereas if the toilet lid 20 is closed, flushing by the toilet flushing unit 13 will be performed.
There are several basic operations.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, if the toilet lid 20 is open when the control unit 5 receives a flushing command, it starts a timer for a predetermined time, and if it detects that the toilet lid 20 has been closed before the predetermined time has elapsed, it causes the toilet flushing unit 13 to start flushing at that timing. Also, if the control unit 5 does not detect that the toilet lid 20 has been closed after the predetermined time has elapsed, it causes the toilet flushing unit 13 to start flushing at that timing (when the predetermined time has elapsed).

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, if the toilet lid 20 is open when the control unit 5 receives a flushing command, it starts a timer for a predetermined time and causes the toilet flushing unit 13 to start flushing when the predetermined time has elapsed.

By executing any of the above operations, even if the closing operation of the toilet lid 20 when a flushing command is received is not completed for some reason (the toilet lid 20 does not close), the bowl 12 can be flushed thereafter without any problems.
Next, the detailed configuration, structure and basic operation of the toilet device 1 will be described.

Figures 1 to 5 are explanatory diagrams of the toilet device 1. As mentioned above, Figures 3 and 4 are explanatory diagrams of one operating mode, and Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of another operating mode. Note that Figures 2(a) and (b) are schematic side views showing the interior of the toilet device 1 in two forms with different flushing methods (structures), and either method may be used.

The toilet device 1 is a seat-type Western-style toilet device that is fixed to the floor or wall within the toilet space. The main body 10 of this toilet device 1 is built in such a way that the bowl 12, which opens upward, is surrounded by a skirt part 11, and above the bowl 12, a toilet seat 24 and a toilet lid 20 are provided, which are mutually arranged on the same rotation axis and can be raised and lowered freely relative to the opening surface of the bowl 12.

A toilet flushing section 13 is arranged in the internal space of the skirt section 11, which drains wastewater from the bowl 12 and supplies flushing water from a water supply port 14 into the bowl 12 to flush the inside of the bowl 12. This toilet flushing section 13 has a water supply mechanism and a drainage mechanism.

The water supply mechanism includes a water supply port 14, a cleaning water supply passage 15 that supplies cleaning water from a water pipe (not shown) into the bowl 12 through the water supply port 14, and a water supply valve 16 that is disposed midway along the cleaning water supply passage 15 and supplies or cuts off the water supply to the bowl 12.

The drainage mechanism shown in FIG. 2(a) has a cylindrical, bent trap 17 that is connected to extend rearward from the bottom of the bowl 12, and the trap 17 extends further downward and is connected to a drain port 18. This type of drainage mechanism includes the siphon type, siphon jet type, and siphon vortex type, and is a mechanism that creates a drainage state or a water-sealing state by the siphon action.

The drainage mechanism may also have a structure having a movable trap 17A as shown in FIG. 2(b). This trap 17A is rotated in the direction of the arrow by a drive unit (not shown) to form a drainage state or a water-sealed state. In the illustrated example, trap 17A is in a position for a water-sealed state, and in the drainage state, it rotates so that the open end of trap 17A faces drain outlet 18. The trap 17A is surrounded by a trap case (not shown) to prevent wastewater and odors from leaking to the outside.

In addition, the toilet device 1 can also be used with a drainage mechanism that is neither a siphon type nor a movable type, such as a wash-down type drainage mechanism.

In addition, the illustrated example shows the toilet device 1 as a tankless type that is directly connected to the water supply and does not have a flush tank (low tank), but it may also be configured with a flush tank.

1, the toilet device 1 includes a toilet lid open/close detection unit 21, a toilet lid drive unit 22, and a toilet lid operation unit 23 that receives an open/close command from the user to the toilet lid drive unit 22. The toilet device 1 also includes a toilet seat 24, a toilet seat open/close detection unit 25 that detects whether the toilet seat 24 is open or closed, a toilet seat drive unit 26 that opens and closes the toilet seat 24, a toilet seat operation unit 27 that receives an open/close command to the toilet seat drive unit 26, and also includes a seated detection unit 28.

As the seating detection unit 28, for example, a load sensor that detects sitting/leaving the seat and is built into the toilet seat 24, or an infrared sensor that detects sitting/leaving the seat near the rotation shaft of the toilet seat 24, is used. As the toilet lid opening/closing detection unit 21 and the toilet seat opening/closing detection unit 25, those that are configured to detect the open/closed state based on the opening angle are used.

The toilet lid drive unit 22 and the toilet seat drive unit 26 are each composed of a motor, etc. The toilet lid drive unit 22 electrically opens and closes (raises and lowers) the toilet lid 20 when instructed to do so by the toilet lid operation unit 23, and the toilet seat drive unit 26 electrically opens and closes (raises and lowers) the toilet seat 24 when instructed to do so by the toilet seat operation unit 27, etc.

In this specification, the toilet lid 20 and the toilet seat 24 are in an approximately vertically upright position, and in a approximately horizontal position, approximately parallel to the opening of the bowl 12, are in a closed position.

In this toilet device 1, if the toilet lid 20 and toilet seat 24 are both open when an instruction to close the toilet lid 20 is given by the toilet lid operating unit 23 or the like, the toilet seat 24 will first perform the closing operation, and after it is closed (stopped in the closed state), the toilet lid 20 will perform the closing operation in conjunction with the closing operation of the toilet seat 24. Also, if the toilet seat 24 and toilet lid 20 are both closed when an instruction to open the toilet seat 24 is given by the toilet seat operating unit 27 or the like, the toilet lid 20 will first perform the opening operation, and after it is opened (stopped in the open state), the toilet seat 24 will perform the opening operation in conjunction with the opening operation of the toilet lid 20.

The toilet device 1 may further be configured with various functional devices, such as a deodorizing device that deodorizes the inside of the bowl 12, a heating device that warms the toilet seat 24, and a private parts cleaning device that cleanses the private parts.

The toilet device 1 further includes a flushing operation unit 29. This flushing operation unit 29 includes a stool flush button 29a and a urination flush button 29b that output flushing instructions to the toilet flushing unit 13 via the control unit 5, which will be described later.

It is preferable that the cleaning operation unit 29 is provided on both the main body operation unit (not shown) and the remote control (not shown). These are provided with operation switches and buttons for performing various operations and settings. A remote control that uses infrared communication is preferably used. It goes without saying that the remote control is provided with a transmitting unit (not shown) and the main body 10 is provided with a receiving unit (not shown).

Operation of the flush operation unit 29 acts as a flush instruction means, but in addition, a change in state from seated to up, detected by the seating detection unit 28, also acts as a flush instruction means. In other words, when a person stands up from the toilet seat 24 while seated, automatic flushing is performed instead of operating the flush button.

In addition, instead of providing both the stool flush button 29a and the urination flush button 29b, a flush command may be output using a single flush button. In other words, in this case, the amount of flush water supplied to the bowl 12 is limited to only one type, large volume for stool, without distinction between large volume for stool and small volume for urination.

The toilet device 1 includes a control unit 5 that controls the above-mentioned controlled objects (such as the water supply valve 16 of the toilet flushing unit 13, the toilet lid drive unit 22, and the toilet seat drive unit 26), while also receiving output signals from the flushing operation unit 29, the toilet lid open/close detection unit 21, the toilet seat open/close detection unit 25, and the seating detection unit 28. This control unit 5 includes a processor such as a CPU or MPU, and various programs. The toilet device 1 further includes a timer unit 6 and a power supply unit (not shown).

The toilet device 1 also includes a notification unit 7 that is made up of a speaker or the like that notifies the user of device abnormalities, status, and guidance using sound or voice synthesis. Note that the notification unit 7 may also be configured with a display such as an LED instead of or in addition to a sound output device.

Next, the basic operations of the toilet device 1 will be described based on the flowcharts in Figures 3 to 5. All of these operations are performed by the control unit 5 when a flush command is issued by the flush command means.

The toilet device 1 may be configured to perform any one of the operations shown in Figures 3 to 5 when a flush command is received, but the settings for the toilet device 1 may be changed so that any one of the operations is performed. Also, if a flush command is received by the flush operation unit 29 while the user is seated, the toilet device 1 does not accept the flush command.

In the following operation description, the open/closed state of the toilet lid 20 and the open/closed state of the toilet seat 24 are detected by the various detection units, but a description of the operation of these detection units will be omitted. Also, the opening and closing operations of the toilet lid 20 and the toilet seat 24 are detected by the various drive units, but a description of the operation of these drive units will be omitted.

First, the operation of FIG. 3 will be explained according to the flowchart shown in steps S100 to S113. Note that in the following explanation, the operation steps of FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 will be abbreviated to "Sxxx" instead of "Step Sxxx".

When a flush command is received from the flush command means, the notification unit 7 first notifies the user of this, for example by making an electronic beep (S100). The open/closed state of the toilet lid 20 is then determined, and if it is closed, flushing of the bowl 12 is immediately carried out (N in S101, S111).

Although not shown in FIG. 3, after the flushing in S111 is completed, the toilet lid 20 opens, and after a certain time has passed since it was opened, the toilet lid 20 that was in the open state closes and goes into a standby state (the toilet lid 20 is closed).

This action of opening the toilet lid 20 after flushing is performed so that the user can check whether waste remains in the bowl 12 after flushing. In other words, the user does not need to manually open the toilet lid 20 to check inside the bowl 12 after flushing.

Instead of delaying for a certain period of time, the toilet may be returned to the standby state when the motion sensor no longer detects a human being. Of course, the toilet lid 20 can be closed by the user using the toilet lid operating unit 23, so it is not necessary to automatically return to the standby state.

If the toilet lid 20 is open when a flushing command is received, a timer for a predetermined time is started (Y in S101, S102). This timer is for forcibly starting flushing for a limited period of time if the toilet seat 24 and toilet lid 20 are not closed within the predetermined time during the subsequent closing operation of the toilet seat 24 and toilet lid 20.

In addition, this toilet device 1 also electrically opens and closes the toilet seat 24. Therefore, if the toilet seat 24 is open due to a command to close the toilet lid 20 due to a flushing command, the toilet seat 24 must also be closed, and therefore it is desirable to set the specified time to take into account the time required for both the toilet seat 24 closing operation and the toilet lid 20 closing operation.

After the timer is started, the state of the toilet seat 24 is determined, and if the toilet seat 24 is open, the operation to close the toilet seat 24 is started (Y in S103, S104). If the toilet seat 24 is not closed before the timer times out, the notification unit 7 notifies the user that the timer has timed out, and flushing is started (S105, N in S106, Y in S105, S112, S113).

The notification at this time is of a warning level to initiate forced cleaning, so it is best to have a clearly audible sound, such as an electronic beep, and it is desirable for cleaning to start after the sound has finished so that it is not drowned out by the subsequent cleaning sound.

Next, when the toilet seat 24 closes without the timer running out, or if the toilet seat 24 is closed at the timing of the flush command, the toilet lid 20 will start closing (Y in S106, N in S103, S107). If the toilet lid 20 is not closed before the timer runs out, a notification that the timer is up will be issued and flushing will start (S108, N in S109, Y in S108, S112, S113).

If the toilet lid 20 closes before the timer expires, an electronic beep or similar sound different from that heard when a flush command is issued will notify the user that the toilet lid 20 is closed, and the bowl 12 will be flushed (Y in S109, S110, S111). Note that instead of notifying the user that the toilet lid 20 is closed, a notification that flushing will be performed may be issued. In that case, a notification will also be issued when the toilet lid 20 is closed after a flush command is issued (N in S101).

In principle, this toilet device 1 starts flushing when the toilet lid 20 is closed, but there are exceptions where flushing occurs when the timer expires (Y in S105, Y in S108). Possible causes of the timer expiring before the toilet seat 24 closes include, for example, a malfunction of the toilet seat drive unit 26 or the toilet seat 24, or when the toilet seat 24 is stopped by hand during the closing operation. Possible causes of the timer expiring before the toilet lid 20 closes include, for example, a malfunction of the toilet lid drive unit 22 or the toilet lid 20, or when the toilet lid 20 is stopped by hand during the closing operation.

In such a case, when the timer expires, the flush command takes priority and flushing is forcibly performed regardless of the state of the toilet lid 20 (toilet seat 24). The operation of the toilet seat 24 and toilet lid 20 may be stopped at the user's discretion, but in order to encourage the user to release the restriction on the toilet seat 24 and toilet lid 20, it is desirable to be notified that the toilet seat 24 and toilet lid 20 are not closed (time expired) (S112), as described above.

In addition, the operational mode for flushing before the toilet lid 20 is closed may be one in which timers are individually monitored for the toilet seat 24 and the toilet lid 20, as shown in the flow chart (S200 to S214) in Figure 4.

When a flushing command is received, the user is first notified of this by, for example, an electronic beep (S200). The open/closed state of the toilet lid 20 is then determined, and if it is closed, the bowl 12 is immediately flushed (N in S201, S212). As with the embodiment in FIG. 3, the toilet lid 20 opens after flushing is completed in S212, and after a certain time has passed since it was opened, the open toilet lid 20 closes and enters a standby state (the toilet lid 20 is closed).

If the toilet lid 20 is open when a flush command is received, the state of the toilet seat 24 is further determined, and if the toilet seat 24 is open, a timer (timer #1) for a predetermined time is started (Y in S201, Y in S202, S203). This timer monitors the closing operation of the toilet seat 24, and is used to forcibly start flushing if the toilet seat 24 is not closed.

After the timer is started, the toilet seat 24 begins to close (S204). If the toilet seat 24 is not closed before timer #1 times out, the time is notified and flushing begins (S205, N in S206, Y in S205, S213, S214). As with the example in Figure 3, this toilet device 1 generally begins flushing when the toilet lid 20 is closed, but exceptionally, flushing occurs before the toilet lid 20 (toilet seat 24) is closed when the timer times out.

Next, when the toilet seat 24 closes without the timer running out, or if the toilet seat 24 is closed at the timing of the flush command, a timer for a predetermined time (timer #2) is started and the toilet lid 20 is started to close (Y in S206, N in S202, S207, S208). If the toilet lid 20 is not closed before timer #2 runs out, a notification that the timer is up is issued and flushing is started (S209, N in S210, Y in S209, S213, S214).

If the toilet lid 20 closes before the timer expires, an electronic sound that is different from that used when a flush command is issued, such as a "beep", is generated to notify the user that the toilet lid 20 is closed, and the bowl 12 is flushed (Y in S210, S211, S212). Note that instead of notifying the user that the toilet lid 20 is closed, a notification that flushing will be performed may be generated. In that case, a notification will also be generated when the toilet lid 20 is closed after a flush command is issued (N in S201).

As shown above, in the toilet device 1, as in FIG. 3, flushing is generally started when the toilet lid 20 is closed, but as an exception, flushing is performed before the toilet lid 20 is closed when the time is up (Y in S205, Y in S209).

In this way, in the operation of FIG. 4, the closing operation of each of the toilet seat 24 and toilet lid 20 is monitored by a timer separately. Therefore, the closing operation is monitored at different time intervals when only the toilet lid 20 is open and when both the toilet seat 24 and toilet lid 20 are open, allowing the closing operation to be monitored at a more appropriate time and flushing to be performed at a more appropriate timing. For example, when only the toilet lid 20 is open (such as immediately after defecation), the closing operation is monitored by one timer (timer #2), but when both the toilet seat 24 and toilet lid 20 are open, the closing operation is monitored by both timers (timer #1 + timer #2).

As described above, in both the embodiments of Figures 3 and 4, even if the toilet lid 20 (including the toilet seat 24) is not detected as closed when the timer is up, flushing is performed when the timer is up. Therefore, even if the toilet lid 20 does not close due to a malfunction of the toilet seat 24 or toilet lid 20, or the toilet seat 24 or toilet lid 20 being stopped midway by the user's hand, etc., flushing is not suspended while the cause of the failure to close occurs, and flushing is forcibly performed. This makes it possible to avoid a situation where no flushing is performed for a long period of time.

In addition, with this type of forced flushing due to a timeout, the flushing is performed with the toilet lid 20 open, which may cause the scattering of contaminants. However, if the user is present, they can simply close the toilet lid 20 by hand as soon as flushing begins, and this poses almost no problem.

In addition, if the closure of the toilet lid 20 is detected before the timer is up, flushing will be performed at that detection timing, which prevents the flushing from being delayed more than necessary due to the timer.

Next, the operation of FIG. 5 will be explained according to the flowchart (S300 to S314).

When a flushing command is received, the system first notifies the user of this, for example by making an electronic beep (S300). The system then determines whether the toilet lid 20 is open or closed, and if it is closed, the system immediately starts flushing the bowl 12 (N in S301, S312).

As in the example of Figure 3, the toilet lid 20 opens after the flush is completed, and after a certain time has passed since it was opened, the toilet lid 20 closes and enters a standby state (the toilet lid 20 is closed).

If the toilet lid 20 is open when a flushing command is received, a timer for a predetermined time is started (Y in S301, S302). This timer is for forcibly starting flushing if the toilet lid 20 does not close within the predetermined time during the subsequent closing operation of the toilet lid 20.

After the timer is started, the state of the toilet seat 24 is determined, and if the toilet seat 24 is open, the operation to close the toilet seat 24 is started (S303, S304). If the toilet seat 24 is not closed before the timer expires, a notification that the timer has expired is issued, and flushing is started (S305, N in S306, Y in S305, S313, S314).

Next, when the toilet seat 24 closes without the timer running out, or if the toilet seat 24 is closed at the timing of the flush command, the toilet lid 20 will begin to close (Y in S306, N in S303, S307). Furthermore, if the toilet lid 20 is not closed before the timer runs out, a notification that the timer is up will be issued and flushing will begin (S308, N in S309, Y in S308, S313, S314).

If the toilet lid 20 closes before the timer expires, the system waits for the timer to expire, and then notifies the user that the toilet lid 20 is closed with an electronic sound such as a "beep" sound that is different from the sound when a flush is instructed, and flushes the bowl 12 (Y in S310, S311, S312). Note that the notification may be made immediately after the toilet lid 20 closes, rather than after the timer expires.

As in FIG. 3, flushing generally starts when the toilet lid 20 is closed, but there are exceptions where flushing occurs when the timer is up (Y in S305, Y in S308).

The operational mode of FIG. 5 differs from that of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 in that even if the closing operation of the toilet lid 20 is completed within the specified time, flushing is not performed until the timer is up, and flushing starts when the timer is up (Y in S310, S311, S312). In other words, in the operational mode of FIG. 5, flushing starts only when the timer is up, unless a flush command is given when the toilet lid 20 is closed (N in S301, S312).

In this way, once the timer is started, cleaning will not start without the timer running out under any circumstances, so the timing to start cleaning can be created with simpler processing. In other words, there is no need to use the processing logic as shown in Figure 5; cleaning can be forcibly started with an interrupt-like processing when the timer runs out, making programming easier.

In addition, in the case of an operation mode in which cleaning is performed when the timer is up, a configuration using two timers may be used, as shown in FIG. 4.

In the operational modes shown in Figures 3 to 5, if a flush command is issued by the flush operation unit 29 while the user is seated, the flush command is not accepted, but the operational mode may be such that flushing is performed while the user is seated. In that case, the toilet lid 20 is not closed.

When flushing occurs while the user is seated, the operation may be the same as when the toilet lid 20 is closed (N of S101, S111 in FIG. 1), but flushing may also occur after a predetermined time has elapsed. In other words, in this case, the toilet lid 20 will come into contact with the user's body as it closes, stopping the closing operation of the toilet lid 20, and flushing will begin when the timer expires (similar to S108, S112, S113 in FIG. 1).

It is sufficient if either the operational mode of FIG. 3, FIG. 4, or the operational mode of FIG. 5 described above can be executed, and for example, one of them may be set by a setting operation unit (not shown).

Note that the operations in Figures 3 to 5 can also be applied to the case of urination, but may be excluded from the case of urination. For example, if the urination flush button 29b is operated and the toilet seat 24 is open, it may be determined that the person is urin- ating in a standing position, and an operation to flush the toilet seat 24 and toilet lid 20 may be performed without closing them.

The toilet device 1 described above has an operational configuration in which the toilet lid 20 starts closing when the toilet seat 24 is closed, but they may also operate simultaneously, or the toilet lid 20 may close with a slight delay after the toilet seat 24 is closed.

The toilet device 1 is not limited to the above, and may be one in which the toilet seat 24 and toilet cover 20 are replaceable as a single unit. In particular, it may be a toilet device 3 to which a toilet seat device 30 as shown in FIG. 6 has been added (or replaced). The basic structure of a toilet device 3 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6(a) and (b). Note that in this embodiment, a movable trap 17A is shown in FIG. 6(b) as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to toilets in which the toilet body has a siphon-type trap 17 (see FIG. 2(a)) or other types.

Specifically, the toilet device 3 includes a bowl 12, a toilet flushing unit 13 that supplies flushing water to the bowl 12 to flush the inside of the bowl 12, a toilet seat device 30, a flushing operation unit 29 that outputs a flushing command to the toilet flushing unit 13, a control unit 5, a timing unit 6, and an alarm unit 7.

The toilet seat device 30 is a separate, detachable unit from the toilet body of the toilet device 3 (parts excluding the toilet seat device 30). The toilet seat device 30 includes a toilet lid 40, a toilet lid open/close detection unit 41, a toilet lid drive unit 42, a toilet lid operation unit 43, a toilet seat 44, a toilet seat open/close detection unit 45, a toilet seat drive unit 46, a toilet seat operation unit 47, a seating detection unit 48, a bowl flush operation unit 49, a toilet seat side control unit 35, a timing unit 36, and an alarm unit 37. Electrical signals can be sent and received between the toilet seat device 30 and the toilet body.

The configuration of the toilet device 3 (toilet body) excluding the toilet seat device 30 is generally similar to that shown in FIG. 1, so detailed explanations will be omitted. In addition, the toilet lid 40, toilet lid open/close detection unit 41, toilet lid drive unit 42, toilet lid operation unit 43, toilet seat 44, toilet seat open/close detection unit 45, toilet seat drive unit 46, toilet seat operation unit 47, and seating detection unit 48 provided in the toilet seat device 30 are also generally similar to those shown in FIG. 1, so explanations will be omitted.

The toilet seat device 30 in FIG. 6 is configured so that an instruction to flush the bowl 12 can be output from the toilet seat device 30 to the toilet flushing unit 13. Specifically, when a flushing instruction is issued from the bowl flushing operation unit 49, the toilet seat side control unit 35 of the toilet seat device 30 receives this instruction and controls the toilet flushing unit 13 via the control unit 5 on the toilet body side to flush the bowl 12. Alternatively, the toilet seat side control unit 35 may be configured to directly control the toilet flushing unit 13.

As shown in FIG. 6, the toilet device 3 includes not only the bowl flush operation unit 49 on the toilet seat device 30 side, but also the flush operation unit 29 on the toilet body side. In other words, the toilet device in FIG. 6 is configured so that flush commands can be issued from either the flush operation unit 29 or the bowl flush operation unit 49. It is also possible to have a configuration in which the flush operation unit 29 is not provided on the toilet body side, and flush commands can be issued only from the bowl flush operation unit 49. It is also preferable that the bowl flush operation unit 49 also has a stool flush button and a urination flush button.

Operation of the bowl flush operation unit 49 acts as a bowl flush command means, but in addition, a state change from sitting to standing up detected by the seating detection unit 48 also acts as a bowl flush command means. In other words, when the user stands up from the toilet seat 44 while sitting, automatic flushing is performed instead of operating the flush button.

Like the toilet device 1 in Fig. 1, this toilet device 3 is capable of performing the operations shown in Figs. 3 to 5. In other words, when a flush command is received from the bowl flush command means (bowl flush operation unit 49), the toilet flushing unit 13 will, in principle, flush the bowl 12 with the toilet lid 40 closed. If the toilet lid 40 is open when a flush command is received, a closing operation will be performed, but this is monitored by a timer, and when the timer is up, flushing will be performed even if the toilet lid 40 is not closed.

As described above, the toilet seat device 30 comprises a toilet seat 44, a toilet lid 40, a toilet lid opening/closing detection unit 41 that detects whether the toilet lid 40 is open or closed, and a toilet lid drive unit 42 that opens and closes the toilet lid 40. The toilet seat device 30 is a device that is attached to the toilet body and comprises a bowl flush command means that receives a flush command for the toilet body, a timing unit 36, and a toilet seat side control unit 35. If the toilet lid 40 is open when a flush command is issued by the bowl flush command means, the toilet seat device 30 starts the toilet lid drive unit 42 to close the toilet lid 40 before outputting a flush command to the toilet body. If the toilet lid 40 is closed, the toilet seat device 30 outputs a flush command to the toilet body.

If the toilet lid 40 is open when the toilet seat side control unit 35 receives a flushing command, it starts a timer for a predetermined time, and if it detects that the toilet lid 40 has been closed before the predetermined time has elapsed, it outputs a flushing command to the toilet body at that timing. Also, if the toilet seat side control unit 35 does not detect that the toilet lid 40 has been closed after the predetermined time has elapsed, it outputs a flushing command to the toilet body at that timing. In other words, this operation corresponds to that shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The toilet seat-side control unit 35 may also be configured to start a timer for a predetermined time if the toilet lid 40 is open when the flush command is received, and output a flush command to the toilet body when the predetermined time has elapsed. In other words, this operation corresponds to that shown in FIG. 5.

In addition, it is desirable that the toilet seat device 30 be configured to perform an operation similar to that performed by the flush command from the bowl flush operation unit 49 when it receives a flush command from the flush operation unit 29 of the toilet body instead of a flush command from the bowl flush operation unit 49.

Timer processing in the toilet device 3 can be performed by the clock unit 36 of the toilet seat device 30, but the clock unit 6 of the toilet body can also be used. Also, various notifications can be performed by the notification unit 37 of the toilet seat device 30, but the notification unit 7 of the toilet body can also be used.

The toilet seat device 30 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 6. For example, the toilet seat device 30 may be configured to include a private parts cleansing device, or may have a toilet seat operating unit (not shown) that can operate and set various functions (e.g., the private parts cleansing device).

Description of the Reference Signs 1, 3 Western-style toilet device 5 Control unit 6 Timekeeping unit 7 Notification unit 12 Bowl 13 Toilet bowl flushing unit 20 Toilet lid 21 Toilet lid open/close detection unit 22 Toilet lid drive unit 23 Toilet lid operation unit 24 Toilet seat 25 Toilet seat open/close detection unit 26 Toilet seat drive unit 27 Toilet seat operation unit 28 Sitting detection unit 29 Flush operation unit 30 Toilet seat device 35 Toilet seat side control unit 36 Timekeeping unit 37 Notification unit 40 Toilet lid 41 Toilet lid open/close detection unit 42 Toilet lid drive unit 43 Toilet lid operation unit 44 Toilet seat 45 Toilet seat open/close detection unit 46 Toilet seat drive unit 47 Toilet seat operation unit 48 Sitting detection unit 49 Bowl flush operation unit

Claims (9)

The toilet comprises a bowl, a toilet flushing unit which supplies flushing water to the bowl to flush the inside of the bowl, a toilet lid, a toilet lid opening/closing detection unit which detects the opening/closing of the toilet lid, a toilet lid drive unit which opens and closes the toilet lid, a flushing instruction means which outputs a flushing instruction to the toilet flushing unit, an alarm unit, and a control unit,
A toilet apparatus, comprising: a toilet lid driving unit that starts a closing operation of the toilet lid before flushing by the toilet flushing unit if the toilet lid is open when a flushing command is issued by the flushing command means; and a toilet lid driving unit that starts a closing operation of the toilet lid before flushing by the toilet flushing unit; and then, flushing by the toilet flushing unit is performed;
The control unit is
The toilet apparatus is characterized in that, when the flushing command is received, the notification unit notifies the user that the flushing command has been received before the toilet lid operation starts. In claim 1,
Further comprising a timing unit,
The control unit is
The toilet apparatus is characterized in that if the toilet lid is open when the flush command is received, a timer is started for a predetermined time, and when the predetermined time has elapsed, the toilet flushing unit is caused to start flushing. In claim 1,
Further comprising a timing unit,
The control unit is
This toilet device is characterized in that if the toilet lid is open when the flushing command is received, a timer for a predetermined time is started, and if the closure of the toilet lid is detected before the predetermined time has elapsed, the toilet flushing unit is caused to start flushing at that timing, while if the closure of the toilet lid is not detected when the predetermined time has elapsed, the toilet flushing unit is caused to start flushing at that timing. In any one of claims 1 to 3,
A toilet apparatus, wherein the flush instruction means includes an operation by a remote control that enables a flush operation. The toilet comprises a toilet seat, a toilet lid, a toilet lid opening/closing detection unit that detects the opening/closing of the toilet lid, a toilet lid drive unit that opens and closes the toilet lid, a bowl flush command means that receives a flush command for the toilet body, an alarm unit, and a toilet seat side control unit,
A toilet seat device attached to the toilet body, configured such that if the toilet lid is open when a flush command is issued by the bowl flush command means, a closing operation of the toilet lid by the toilet lid drive unit is started before a flush command is output to the toilet body, and then a flush command is output to the toilet body,
The toilet seat side control unit is
The toilet seat apparatus is characterized in that, when the flushing instruction is received, the notification unit notifies the user that the flushing instruction has been received before the toilet lid operation starts. In claim 5,
Further comprising a timing unit,
The toilet seat side control unit is
A toilet seat device characterized in that if the toilet lid is open when the flush command is received, a timer is started for a predetermined time, and a flush command is output to the toilet bowl body when the predetermined time has elapsed. In claim 5,
Further comprising a timing unit,
The toilet seat side control unit is
This toilet seat device is characterized in that if the toilet lid is open when the flushing command is received, a timer for a predetermined time is started, and if the toilet lid is detected to be closed before the predetermined time has elapsed, a flushing command is output to the toilet body at that timing, while if the toilet lid is not detected to be closed when the predetermined time has elapsed, a flushing command is output to the toilet body at that timing. In any one of claims 5 to 7,
The toilet seat apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bowl flush instruction means includes an operation using a remote control that enables a flush operation. In any one of claims 5 to 8,
The toilet seat device, wherein when a flush command is received from the toilet body, the toilet seat side control unit executes an operation similar to that performed when a flush command is received from the bowl flush command means.

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