JP7734334B2 - Toilet bowl and toilet seat devices - Google Patents

Description

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

Recently, in order to prevent the spread of contaminants contained in feces when flushing the toilet, it is recommended that after defecating, the bowl be flushed with the toilet lid closed, so that droplets containing contaminants contained in the feces excreted in the bowl do not scatter outside the bowl.

To ensure that the bowl is flushed reliably 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

Incidentally, toilet flushes in toilet devices can be performed when the flushing control is operated during defecation or urination, or when the user leaves the toilet seat, as well as timer flushes that are performed automatically at regular or irregular intervals, regardless of the timing of defecation or urination. Examples of timer flushes include automatic cleaning (flushing) that is performed at a specified time if the toilet has not been flushed for 24 hours.

Therefore, if a toilet device performs a sequence of operations, such as closing the toilet lid and flushing the bowl, when a flush command is received, then such sequence operations will also be performed in the case of a timer flush.

However, there are cases where the timing of such timer flushes overlaps with the user's use of the toilet, which can cause inconvenience. For example, if a male urinates while standing and the timer flush occurs at the same time, particularly if the timer flush occurs while the male is urinating, the closing of the toilet lid due to the sequence operation can interrupt the urination, and urine may splash onto the toilet lid or floor.

The present invention was proposed in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a toilet bowl apparatus and toilet seat apparatus that notify the person using the toilet that the toilet lid closing operation due to timer flushing has begun.

To achieve the above object, the toilet device of the present invention comprises a bowl, a toilet flushing unit that supplies flush water to the bowl to flush the inside of the bowl, a toilet lid, a toilet lid open/close detection unit that detects whether the toilet lid is open or closed, a toilet lid drive unit that opens and closes the toilet lid, a flush command means that outputs a flush command to the toilet flushing unit, a timing unit, an alarm unit, and a control unit; and when a flush command is issued by the flush command means, if the toilet lid is open, a sequence operation is permitted in which the toilet lid drive unit begins closing the toilet lid, and after the closed state of the toilet lid is detected, a flush operation is performed by the toilet flushing unit; the flush command issued by the flush command means includes a timer-set flush command; and when the timer-set flush command is issued, if the toilet lid is open, the control unit causes the alarm unit to notify the timer-set sequence operation that the timer-set sequence operation will be performed before the sequence operation is performed.

The toilet seat device of the present invention is characterized in that it is attached to the toilet bowl body and includes a toilet seat, a toilet lid, a toilet lid open/close detection unit that detects whether the toilet lid is open or closed, a toilet lid drive unit that opens and closes the toilet lid, a bowl flush command means that outputs a flush command to the toilet bowl body, a toilet seat-side notification unit, and a toilet seat-side control unit, and is configured such that when a flush command is issued by the bowl flush command means or the toilet bowl body, if the toilet lid is open, the toilet lid drive unit initiates the toilet lid closing operation, and after the closed state of the toilet lid is detected, a sequence process is permitted that outputs a flush command to the toilet bowl body, the flush command issued by the bowl flush command means or the toilet bowl body includes a timer-set flush command, and when the timer-set flush command is issued, if the toilet lid is open, the toilet seat-side control unit notifies the toilet seat-side notification unit or the toilet bowl body's notification unit that the timer-set sequence process will be executed before the sequence process is executed.

Because the toilet bowl device and toilet seat device of the present invention are each configured as described above, they can notify the person using the device that the toilet lid closing operation due to the timer flush has begun.

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

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The toilet devices 1 and 3 described below are designed to flush the bowl 12 with the toilet lid 20, 40 closed, in order to prevent the spread of contaminants contained in excrement. Therefore, if a flush command is issued and the toilet lid 20, 40 is open, the toilet lid drive unit 22, 42 will initiate the operation to close the toilet lid 20, 40, and after the closed state of the toilet lid 20, 40 is detected, a sequence operation is executed in which the toilet flushing unit 13 performs a flushing operation. In the case of a flush command based on a timer setting, the toilet devices 1 and 3 are configured to have the alarm unit 7 or toilet seat-side alarm unit 37 notify the user that the timer-set sequence operation will be performed before the sequence operation is executed.

First, an overview of the toilet device 1 according to this embodiment will be described below. This toilet device 1 has the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2, and is capable of selectively performing the operations shown in Figures 3 and 4.

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 open/close 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 a flush instruction means that outputs flush instructions to the toilet flushing unit 13, a timing unit 6, an alarm unit 7, and a control unit 5. Here, the flush instruction means includes flush instructions based on the user's flushing operation, automatic flush instructions based on the user leaving the seat, and automatic flush instructions based on a timer setting.

In this toilet device 1, if the toilet lid 20 is open when a flushing command is issued by the flushing command means, the toilet lid drive unit 22 starts closing the toilet lid 20, and after detecting that the toilet lid 20 is closed, a sequence operation is allowed in which the toilet flushing unit 13 performs a flushing operation.
There are several basic actions to be taken when a cleaning command is issued.

In the example operation shown in Figure 3, if the toilet lid 20 is open when a flush command is issued via the timer setting, the toilet lid drive unit 22 will begin closing the toilet lid 20 after a predetermined time has elapsed after the alarm is issued by the alarm unit 7.

In the example operation shown in Figure 4, the notification unit 7 issues a sequence notification when a sequence operation is performed, and when a cleaning command is issued based on a timer setting, the notification issued before the sequence operation is a different notification (alarm) from the sequence notification.

By performing any of the above operations, even if the timer-set flushing is performed at the timing of the person using the toilet, the notification unit 7 will notify the person using the toilet in advance that the timer-set sequence operation will be performed. Therefore, the person using the toilet can take action to avoid contact with the toilet lid 20 before the toilet lid 20 closing operation begins.
Next, the detailed configuration, structure and basic operation of the toilet device 1 will be described.

Figures 1 to 4 are explanatory diagrams of the toilet device 1. As mentioned above, Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of one example of the operation of the toilet device 1, and Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of another example of operation. 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 seated Western-style toilet device that is fixed to the floor or wall within a toilet space. The toilet body 10 of this toilet device 1 is constructed so that the bowl 12, which opens upward, is surrounded by a skirt portion 11, and above the bowl 12 is a toilet seat 24 and toilet lid 20, which can rotate and are able to rise and fall freely relative to the opening of the bowl 12.

The internal space of the skirt portion 11 contains a toilet flushing unit 13 that drains wastewater from the bowl 12 and supplies flushing water from a water supply port 14 into the bowl 12 to clean the inside of the bowl 12. This toilet flushing unit 13 has a water supply mechanism and a drainage mechanism.

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

The drainage mechanism shown in Figure 2(a) has a cylindrical, curved trap 17 that is connected to extend rearward from the bottom of the bowl 12, and the trap 17 extends further downward to connect to a drain outlet 18. This type of drainage mechanism includes siphon, siphon jet, and siphon vortex types, and is a mechanism that creates a drained or sealed state through siphon action.

The drainage mechanism may also be a structure with a movable trap 17A as shown in Figure 2(b). This trap 17A is rotated in the direction of the arrow by a drive unit (not shown) to establish a drainage state or a water-sealed state. In the illustrated example, trap 17A is in 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 enclosed in a trap case (not shown) to prevent sewage and odors from leaking to the outside.

Furthermore, the toilet device 1 can also be applied to drainage mechanisms that are neither siphon type nor movable type, such as wash-down type drainage mechanisms.

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.

As described above and shown in Figure 1, the toilet device 1 is equipped with a toilet lid open/close detection unit 21, a toilet lid drive unit 22, and a toilet lid operation unit 23 that receives open/close instructions from the user to the toilet lid drive unit 22. The toilet device 1 is also equipped with 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 open/close instructions to the toilet seat drive unit 26, and is also equipped with a seating detection unit 28.

The seating detection unit 28 may be, for example, a load sensor built into the toilet seat 24 that detects whether a person is sitting or leaving the seat, or an infrared sensor that detects whether a person is sitting or leaving the seat near the rotation axis of the toilet seat 24. The toilet lid open/close detection unit 21 and the toilet seat open/close detection unit 25 are configured to detect the open/close state based on the opening angle.

The toilet lid drive unit 22 and toilet seat drive unit 26 are each composed of a motor or the like. 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.

In this specification, the open state refers to the state in which the toilet lid 20 and toilet seat 24 are upright and approximately vertical, and the closed state refers to the state in which they are tilted approximately horizontally and parallel to the opening of the bowl 12. The toilet lid 20 may be closed as long as it is closed to an angle that covers the opening of the bowl 12. For example, if the toilet lid 20 is closed to a slight angle with the top surface of the bowl 12, such as less than 2 degrees or less than 5 degrees, the toilet lid 20 will cover the opening of the bowl 12, thereby reducing the risk of droplets being scattered around the toilet body 10 even when flushing of the bowl 12 begins. The same may be true for the closed state of the toilet seat 24. The toilet lid 20 and toilet seat 24 may also be closed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the closing operation began.

In this toilet device 1, if the toilet lid 20 and toilet seat 24 are both in the open position when a command 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 has closed (stopped in the closed position), 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 in the closed position when a command 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 has opened (stopped in the open position), 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 also 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 also has a flushing operation unit 29. This flushing operation unit 29 has a defecation 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 desirable that the flushing operation unit 29 be provided on both the main unit operation unit (not shown) and the remote control (not shown). These are also provided with operation switches and buttons that allow various operations and settings to be performed. A remote control that uses infrared communication is preferably used. It goes without saying that the remote control is provided with a transmitter (not shown) and the toilet main unit 10 is provided with a receiver (not shown).

Operation of the flush operation unit 29 acts as a flush instruction means, but a change in state from seated to up, detected by the seat 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, an automatic flush is performed instead of operating the flush button.

Also, instead of providing both the stool flush button 29a and the urination flush button 29b, a single flush button may be used to output a flush command. In other words, in this case, the amount of flush water supplied to the bowl 12 will not be differentiated between a large volume for stool and a small volume for urination, but will be limited to a single volume, that of a large volume for stool.

Furthermore, the toilet device 1 is equipped with a timer flush setting unit 8. The timer flush setting unit 8 is an operation setting unit for setting timer flushes, such as regular toilet flushes and automatic cleaning functions, which are performed regardless of the user's defecation or urination. Timer flushes are a function that cleans the bowl 12 when the toilet has not been used for an extended period of time, and regular cleaning is performed through cooperation between the control unit 5, timing unit 6, and toilet flushing unit 13.

For example, automatic cleaning can be performed at regular times during the night when the appliance is not used much, such as every 24 hours, or every 6 hours when the appliance is away. Timer cleaning also includes cleaning that occurs 6 hours after the appliance was last used if it has not been used for 6 hours.

The timer flush setting unit 8 is used for various settings related to such flush timing. Once the flush timing is set, flushing will be initiated by the toilet flushing unit 13 at the specified time or after a specified time has elapsed. Flush instructions issued by such timer settings are also included as flush instructions issued by the flush instruction means.

The toilet device 1 is equipped with 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 flush operation unit 29, toilet lid open/close detection unit 21, toilet seat open/close detection unit 25, and seat occupancy detection unit 28. This control unit 5 is composed of a processor such as a CPU or MPU, and various programs. The toilet device 1 also has a timer unit 6 that operates during timer flushing, etc., and a power supply unit (not shown).

The toilet device 1 also has a notification unit 7, which is composed of a speaker or other device that notifies of device abnormalities, status, and guidance using sound or voice synthesis. 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, examples of the operation of this toilet device 1 will be explained based on the flowcharts in Figures 3 and 4. 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 the operations shown in Figures 3 and 4 when a flush command is received, but the settings for the toilet device 1 may be changed so that either operation is performed.

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

First, the operation of Figure 3 will be explained following the flowchart shown in steps S100 to S116. Note that in the following explanation, the operational steps in Figures 3 and 4 will be abbreviated to "Sxxx" instead of "Step Sxxx," which is just the reference number.

When a flush command is received from the flush command means, it is first determined whether the flush command is due to a timer setting (timer flush). If it is not a timer flush, the notification unit 7 notifies the user that a flush command has been received (S100, N in S101, S102). This notification by the notification unit 7 is made, for example, by an electronic beep. The open/closed state of the toilet lid 20 is then determined, and if it is closed, the bowl 12 is flushed (N in S103, S109). Furthermore, even if the toilet lid 20 is open, if the user is seated on the toilet seat 24, the bowl 12 is flushed (Y in S103, Y in S104, S109).

Although not shown in Figure 3, after flushing is complete, the toilet lid 20 opens, and after a certain period of time has passed since it was opened, the open toilet lid 20 closes and enters 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 any 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 the contents of the bowl 12 after flushing.

Instead of delaying for a certain period of time, the toilet may return to the standby state when the motion sensor no longer detects a person. 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 and the user is not seated on the toilet seat 24, the open/closed state of the toilet seat 24 is determined (Y in S103, N in S104, S105). If the toilet seat 24 is closed, the closing operation is performed after that, or if the toilet seat 24 is open, the closing operation of the toilet lid 20 is performed after the toilet seat 24 is closed (S106, S107). Then, when the toilet lid 20 is closed, the notification unit 7 notifies the user of this with an electronic beep or other sound different from the notification in S102, and then flushing is performed (S108, S109). Note that this notification may be made when the toilet lid 20 is almost closed, just before closing, or when the toilet lid 20 is completely closed. The notification unit 7 may also notify the user that flushing will be performed. In other words, in this case, the notification unit 7 will also notify the user when the toilet lid 20 is closed (N in S103) after a flush command is issued.

In this way, the above operations are carried out when a flush command is issued by the flush operation unit 29 or an automatic flush command is issued upon detection of a change in state from seated to up. In other words, the toilet device 1 generally flushes with the toilet lid 20 in the closed position, and if the toilet lid 20 is open when a flush command is issued by the flush command means, the toilet lid 20 is closed. Then, after the closed state of the toilet lid 20 is detected, a sequence operation is carried out in which a flush operation is carried out by the toilet flushing unit 13. Of course, if the toilet seat 24 is open, the toilet seat 24 is closed before the toilet lid 20 is closed.

On the other hand, when the flush command is based on a timer setting, the open/closed state of the toilet lid 20 is determined, and if the toilet lid 20 is closed, flushing is performed immediately (Y in S101, N in S110, S116). When the flush command is based on a timer setting and the toilet lid 20 is open, the alarm unit 7 notifies the user that the timer-set sequence will be performed before the sequence is performed (Y in S101, Y in S110, S111). This notification is performed by the alarm unit 7 using, for example, an electronic beep sound. After the notification by the alarm unit 7, the open/closed state of the toilet seat 24 is determined after a predetermined time has passed, and if the toilet seat 24 is closed, the closing operation is performed after that, or if the toilet seat 24 is open, the closing operation is performed after the toilet seat 24 is closed, and then the closing operation of the toilet lid 20 is performed (S112-S115). When the toilet lid 20 is closed, flushing is performed (S116). The predetermined delay provided after the notification by the notification unit 7 may be from a few seconds to approximately 10 seconds.

In this way, if the flush command is based on a timer setting, a predetermined delay is set after the notification by the notification unit 7. The person using the toilet will be notified by the notification by the notification unit 7 that it is time for a timer flush, and can easily avoid contact with the toilet lid 20 before the toilet lid 20 begins closing. Furthermore, even if a timer flush coincides with a male attempting to urinate while standing, the notification unit 7 will notify the person before the sequence operation is executed. Therefore, a male attempting to urinate while standing can avoid urine splashing around as the toilet lid 20 attempts to close. Furthermore, because the flush is executed after the toilet lid 20 is closed, splashing of droplets containing contaminants around the toilet body 10 is suppressed.

Although not shown in Figure 3, even if the flush command is set by a timer and the toilet lid 20 is open, flushing may be performed after a notification from the notification unit 7 as long as the toilet seat 24 is being sat on. Also, even if the flush command is set by a timer, if the toilet seat 24 is being sat on, flushing may be performed without a notification from the notification unit 7, assuming that the toilet lid 20 is closed.

Also, although not shown in Figure 3, if the toilet lid 20 is in the open position when a flush command is issued via the timer setting, the operation may be configured to monitor the toilet lid 20 for a change to the closed position during a predetermined delay after the alarm is issued by the alarm unit 7. In this case, if the toilet lid 20 is closed during the delay, flushing can be initiated immediately. If the toilet lid 20 remains open after the delay, the open/closed state of the toilet seat 24 is determined, and if the toilet seat 24 is closed, the toilet lid 20 is closed after that, or if the toilet seat 24 is open, the toilet seat 24 is closed and then the toilet lid 20 is closed. If the toilet lid 20 is closed, flushing is initiated.

Next, the operation of Figure 4 will be explained using the flowchart shown in steps S200 to S215.

When a flush command is received from the flush command means, it is first determined whether the flush command is due to a timer setting (timer flush). If it is not a timer flush, an alarm is issued by the alarm unit 7 (S200, N in S201, S202). This alarm by the alarm unit 7 is a sequence alarm issued when a sequence operation is being performed, and is implemented, for example, by an electronic beep sound. Next, the open/closed state of the toilet lid 20 is determined, and if it is closed, the bowl 12 is flushed (N in S203, S209). Furthermore, even if the toilet lid 20 is open, if the toilet seat 24 is being seated, the bowl 12 is flushed (Y in S203, Y in S204, S209).

Although not shown in Figure 4, after flushing is complete, the toilet lid 20 opens, and after a certain period of time has passed since it was opened, the open toilet lid 20 closes and enters 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 any 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 the contents of the bowl 12 after flushing.

Instead of delaying for a certain period of time, the toilet may return to the standby state when the motion sensor no longer detects a person. 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 and the user is not seated on the toilet seat 24, the open/closed state of the toilet seat 24 is determined (Y in S203, N in S204, S205). If the toilet seat 24 is closed, the toilet lid 20 is then closed, or if the toilet seat 24 is open, the closing operation is performed after the toilet seat 24 is closed, and then the toilet lid 20 is closed (S206, S207). Then, once the toilet lid 20 is closed, the alarm unit 7 notifies the user (sequence alarm) with an electronic beep or other sound that the toilet lid 20 has been closed as a result of the execution of the sequence operation, and then flushing is performed (S208, S209). Note that this notification may be made when the toilet lid 20 is almost closed just before closing, or when the toilet lid 20 is completely closed. A notification (sequence alarm) that flushing will be performed may also be made. In other words, in this case, the notification will also be sent when the toilet lid 20 is closed (N in S203) after a flush command is issued.

In this way, the above operations are performed when a flush command is issued by the flush operation unit 29 or an automatic flush command is issued upon detection of a change in state from seated to up. In other words, the toilet device 1 is assumed to flush with the toilet lid 20 in the closed position, and if the toilet lid 20 is open when a flush command is issued by the flush command means, the toilet lid 20 will close. Then, after the closed state of the toilet lid 20 is detected, a sequence operation is performed in which a flush operation is performed by the toilet flushing unit 13. Of course, if the toilet seat 24 is open, the toilet seat 24 will close before the toilet lid 20 is closed.

On the other hand, when the flush command is based on a timer setting, the open/closed state of the toilet lid 20 is determined, and if the toilet lid 20 is closed, flushing is performed immediately (Y in S201, N in S210, S215). When the flush command is based on a timer setting and the toilet lid 20 is open, the notification unit 7 issues an alarm (warning) before the sequence operation is performed, indicating that the timer-set sequence operation will be performed (Y in S201, Y in S210, S211). This alarm is issued by the notification unit 7 with an electronic beep or similar sound whose output pattern and duration differ from the sequence alarm. After the alarm is issued by the notification unit 7, the open/closed state of the toilet seat 24 is determined, and if the toilet seat 24 is closed, the closing operation is performed thereafter, or if the toilet seat 24 is open, the closing operation is performed after the toilet seat 24 is closed (S212-S214). Once the toilet lid 20 is closed, flushing is performed (S215).

As such, if the flush command is based on a timer setting, the notification unit 7 issues a different type of notification (alarm) than the sequence notification. This different type of alarm notifies the user in advance that the timer flush will begin closing the toilet lid 20, allowing them to easily avoid contact with the toilet lid 20. Even if a timer flush coincides with a male user attempting to urinate while standing, the notification unit 7 issues a warning before the sequence operation is executed. Therefore, a male user attempting to urinate while standing can avoid urine from splashing around the toilet lid 20 as it closes. Furthermore, because flushing is executed after the toilet lid 20 is closed, splashing of droplets containing contaminants around the toilet body 10 is suppressed. It is desirable that the notification unit 7 issues a different type of notification (alarm) for a period of several to approximately 10 seconds to act as a delay until the toilet lid 20 closes. A warning period of several to approximately 10 seconds allows the user to easily avoid contact with the toilet lid 20.

Although not shown in Figure 4, even if the flush command is set by a timer and the toilet lid 20 is open, flushing may be performed after a notification (alarm) from the notification unit 7 is issued as long as the toilet seat 24 is being sat on. Also, even if the flush command is set by a timer, if the toilet seat 24 is being sat on, flushing may be performed without a notification (alarm) from the notification unit 7, assuming that the toilet lid 20 is closed.

Although not shown in Figure 4, if the toilet lid 20 is open when a flush command is issued via the timer setting, a predetermined delay may be set after the alarm issued by the alarm unit 7. Alternatively, the operation may be configured to monitor whether the toilet lid 20 has changed to a closed state during this delay. In this case, flushing can be initiated immediately if the toilet lid 20 is closed during the delay. If the toilet lid 20 remains open after the delay, the open/closed state of the toilet seat 24 is determined. If the toilet seat 24 is closed, the toilet seat 24 is closed, or if the toilet seat 24 is open, the toilet seat 24 is closed, and then the toilet lid 20 is closed. Once the toilet lid 20 is closed, flushing is initiated. In this operational mode, a delay is set after the alarm, making it easy for users to avoid contact with the toilet lid 20 in advance. Furthermore, because a delay is set after the alarm in this operational mode, the alarm time does not need to be a few seconds to approximately 10 seconds, which would serve as a delay.

The alarm shown in Figure 4 is an electronic sound that differs from the sequence notification, but is not limited to this. The alarm may be a synthesized voice, such as "Timer flushing will begin." The alarm may also be a light output rather than an audio output, such as a lit or flashing LED, or a message displayed on a display. Furthermore, the alarm may be a combination of the above-mentioned synthesized voice and optical output in addition to an electronic sound that is the same as or different from the sequence notification. The alarm may also be a sound that changes in pitch or volume without changing the sound output pattern or sound output time from the electronic sounds of the sequence notification, such as "beep" and "beep beep." It is sufficient for these alarms to be heard by people within the toilet space, and they do not need to be communicated to people outside the toilet space.

Note that the operational examples shown in Figures 3 and 4 are merely examples, and different operational modes may be used. For example, the flush command may be based on a timer setting, the toilet lid 20 may be in an open position, and after the toilet lid 20 is closed, the closed position of the toilet lid 20 may be detected and then the notification unit 7 may issue a notification or alarm. Also, in the above explanation, when it is determined that both the toilet lid 20 and toilet seat 24 are in an open position, the toilet seat 24 is first closed, and then the toilet lid 20 is closed; however, the toilet lid 20 may be closed in conjunction with the toilet seat 24 closing.

Furthermore, the toilet apparatus 1 is not limited to the above, and may be one in which the toilet seat 24 and toilet lid 20 are replaceable as a single unit. In particular, it may be a toilet apparatus 3 to which a toilet seat apparatus 30 as shown in Figure 5 has been retrofitted (or replaced). The basic configuration of a toilet apparatus 3 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figures 5(a) and (b). Note that in this embodiment, a movable trap 17A is illustrated in Figure 5(b), but the present invention is also applicable to toilets in which the toilet body has a siphon-type trap 17 (see Figure 2(a)) or other types.

Specifically, the toilet device 3 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 seat device 30, and a flush operation unit 29 that outputs flushing instructions to the toilet flushing unit 13. The toilet device 3 further comprises a control unit 5, a timing unit 6, an alarm unit 7, and a timer flush setting unit 8.

The toilet seat device 30 is a separate, detachable unit from the toilet body of the toilet device 3 (portions 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 seat occupancy detection unit 48, a bowl flush operation unit 49, a toilet seat-side control unit 35, and a toilet seat-side notification unit 37. 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 the same as that shown in Figure 1, so a detailed description will be omitted. Furthermore, the toilet seat device 30 is equipped with a toilet lid 40, toilet lid open/close detector 41, toilet lid drive unit 42, toilet lid operation unit 43, toilet seat 44, toilet seat open/close detector 45, toilet seat drive unit 46, toilet seat operation unit 47, and seat occupancy detector 48, which are generally the same as those shown in Figure 1, so a description thereof will be omitted.

The toilet seat device 30 in Figure 5 is configured so that a command to flush the bowl 12 can be output from the toilet seat device 30 to the toilet flushing unit 13. Specifically, when a flushing command is received from the bowl flushing operation unit 49, the toilet seat side control unit 35 of the toilet seat device 30 receives this command and notifies the toilet body of the flushing command, and controls the toilet flushing unit 13 via the toilet body side control unit 5 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 Figure 5, the toilet device 3 is configured to include not only the bowl flush operation unit 49 on the toilet seat device 30 side, but also the flush operation unit 29 on the main body side. In other words, the toilet device shown in Figure 5 is configured so that flush commands can be issued using either the flush operation unit 29 or the bowl flush operation unit 49. It is also possible to configure the device so that the flush operation unit 29 is not provided on the main body side, and flush commands can be issued only using the bowl flush operation unit 49. It is also desirable that the bowl flush operation unit 49 also has a stool flush button and a urination flush button.

Operation of the bowl flush operating unit 49 acts as a bowl flush instruction means, but a change in state from seated to up, detected by the seating detection unit 48, also acts as a bowl flush instruction means. In other words, if a person stands up from the toilet seat 44 while seated, an automatic flush is performed instead of operating the flush button.

Furthermore, flushing instructions from the toilet body include timer-set flushing instructions, similar to the toilet device 1 shown in Figure 1, and the toilet seat device 30 accepts flushing instructions from the bowl flushing instruction means and the flushing operation unit 29 on the toilet body, as well as timer-set flushing instructions.

When a flush command is received, this toilet device 3, like the toilet device 1 in Figure 1, is capable of performing the operations shown in Figures 3 and 4. In other words, when a flush command is received from the bowl flush command means (bowl flush operation unit 49) or the toilet body, the toilet flushing unit 13 will, in principle, flush the bowl 12 after detecting that the toilet lid 40 is closed. Then, when a flush command based on a timer setting is received from the toilet body, the operations shown in Figures 3 and 4 are performed.

As described above, the toilet seat device 30 comprises a toilet seat 44, a toilet lid 40, a toilet lid open/close 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 also comprises a bowl flush command means that outputs a flush command to the toilet body, a toilet seat-side notification unit 37, and a toilet seat-side control unit 35, and is a device that is attached to the toilet body. When a flush command is issued by the bowl flush command means or the toilet body, and the toilet lid 40 is open, the toilet seat device 30 initiates the toilet lid drive unit 42 to close the toilet lid 40. The toilet seat device 30 is then allowed to perform a sequence process that outputs a flush command to the toilet body after detecting that the toilet lid 40 is closed.

When the toilet body receives this flushing command, it begins flushing the bowl 12. In other words, the sequence processing by the toilet seat device 30 involves the execution of a sequence operation (similar to the sequence operation shown in Figure 1) by the toilet device 3 (the cooperation between the toilet seat device 30 and the toilet body).

The flush command issued by the bowl flush command means or the toilet body includes a timer-set flush command. When a timer-set flush command is issued and the toilet lid 40 is open, the toilet seat-side control unit 35 notifies the toilet seat-side notification unit 37 or the toilet body notification unit 7 that the timer-set sequence process will be executed before the sequence process is executed, if the toilet lid 40 is open.

Furthermore, if the toilet lid 40 is open when a flush command is issued via the timer setting, the toilet lid drive unit 42 may begin closing the toilet lid 40 after a predetermined time has elapsed after an alert is issued by the toilet seat-side alert unit 37 or the alert unit 7 on the toilet body. In other words, this operation corresponds to that shown in Figure 3.

Furthermore, the toilet seat-side notification unit 37 or the notification unit 7 of the toilet body may issue a sequence notification when the sequence process is being executed, and the notification issued before the sequence process when a flush command is issued based on the timer setting may be a notification in a different format from the sequence notification. In other words, this operation corresponds to that shown in Figure 4.

Various notifications, such as notifications of flush command timing during the operation of the toilet device 3 and notifications of sequence operations using timer flushes, may be made by either the toilet seat-side notification unit 37 of the toilet seat device 30 or the notification unit 7 of the toilet body. Furthermore, notifications (alarms) other than sequence notifications during sequence processing and sequence notifications using timer flushes may also be made by either the toilet seat-side notification unit 37 of the toilet seat device 30 or the notification unit 7 of the toilet body. Furthermore, although not shown in Figure 5, the toilet seat device 30 may also be equipped with a timing unit. In that case, various times may be measured by either the timing unit of the toilet seat device 30 or the timing unit 6 of the toilet body.

Note that the toilet seat device 30 is not limited to the one shown in Figure 5. For example, the toilet seat device 30 may be configured to include a private parts cleansing device, or may be configured to include a toilet seat operating unit (not shown) that can be used to operate and set various functions (for example, the private parts cleansing device).

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1, 3 Toilet device 5 Control unit 6 Timing unit 7 Notification unit 8 Timer setting unit 12 Bowl 13 Toilet flushing unit 20 Toilet lid 21 Toilet lid open/close detection unit 22 Toilet lid drive unit 24 Toilet seat 29 Flush operation unit 30 Toilet seat device 35 Toilet seat side control unit 37 Toilet seat side notification unit 40 Toilet lid 41 Toilet lid open/close detection unit 42 Toilet lid drive unit 44 Toilet seat 49 Bowl flushing operation unit

Claims (6)

A toilet device comprising 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 open/close detection unit that detects the opening and closing of the toilet lid, a toilet lid drive unit that opens and closes the toilet lid, a flush instruction means that outputs a flush instruction to the toilet flushing unit, a timing unit, an alarm unit, and a control unit,
When a flushing command is issued by the flushing command means, if the toilet lid is open, a sequence operation is permitted in which the toilet lid driving unit starts a closing operation of the toilet lid, and after the closed state of the toilet lid is detected, a flushing operation is performed by the toilet bowl flushing unit;
The cleaning instruction by the cleaning instruction means includes a cleaning instruction by timer setting,
The control unit
A toilet device characterized in that when a flushing command is given based on the timer setting and the toilet lid is open, the notification unit notifies the user that the sequence operation based on the timer setting will be performed before the sequence operation is performed. In claim 1,
A toilet device characterized in that when a flushing command is given by the timer setting and the toilet lid is open, the toilet lid driving unit starts the toilet lid closing operation after a predetermined time has elapsed after the alarm unit issues an alarm. In claim 1 or claim 2,
the notification unit performs a sequence notification when the sequence operation is executed,
The toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification before the sequence operation when a flush command is issued by the timer setting is a notification in a manner different from the sequence notification. A toilet seat device comprising a toilet seat, a toilet lid, a toilet lid open/close detection unit that detects the opening and closing of the toilet lid, a toilet lid drive unit that opens and closes the toilet lid, a bowl flush command unit that outputs a flush command to the toilet body, a toilet seat side notification unit, and a toilet seat side control unit, and is attached to the toilet body,
When a flush command is issued by the bowl flush command means or the toilet body, if the toilet lid is open, the toilet lid drive unit starts closing the toilet lid, and after the closed state of the toilet lid is detected, a sequence process is permitted to output a flush command to the toilet body;
The flush instruction issued by the bowl flush instruction means or the toilet body includes a flush instruction based on a timer setting,
The toilet seat side control unit
A toilet seat device characterized in that when a flushing command is issued based on the timer setting and the toilet lid is open, the toilet seat side notification unit or the notification unit of the toilet bowl body notifies the user that the sequence processing based on the timer setting will be executed before the sequence processing is executed. In claim 4,
This toilet seat device is characterized in that when a flushing command is given by the timer setting and the toilet lid is open, the toilet lid closing operation is initiated by the toilet lid drive unit after a predetermined time has elapsed after an alarm is issued by the toilet seat side alarm unit or the alarm unit of the toilet bowl body. In claim 4 or claim 5,
The toilet seat notification unit or the notification unit of the toilet bowl body issues a sequence notification when the sequence processing is executed,
The toilet seat apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification before the sequence processing when a flush command is issued by the timer setting is a notification in a manner different from the sequence notification.