This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2016-122830 filed on Jun. 21, 2016, and 2017-085476 filed on Apr. 24, 2017, with the Japan Patent Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
The present disclosure relates to a buttock wiping arm used for a buttock wiping device for wiping the buttocks, and more specifically, relates to a buttock wiping arm configured so that the buttocks can be wiped with proper pressure.
Typically, devices described in JP-A-2009-061126, JP-A-2009-263859, JP-A-2011-062532, JP-A-2011-143233, JP-A-2011-144623, JP-A-2011-200627, JP-A-2012-172486, JP-A-2014-064885, JP-A-2014-094261, JP-A-2014-113508, JP-A-2014-131775, JP-A-2014-132155, JP-A-2014-207949, JP-A-2014-233309, JP-A-2015-006603, JP-A-2015-062712, JP-A-2015-062825, JP-A-2015-104617, JP-A-2015-192893, JP-A-2016-028750, JP-A-2016-028751, JP-A-2016-034565, JP-A-2016-040013, JP-A-2016-041894, Chinese Utility Model Publication No. 2682113, Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 101368403, WO 2005/087067 A, German Patent No. 251031, WO 2016/152881 A, JP-A-2016-104222, JP-A-2016-179002, JP-A-2016-179003, JP-A-2016-214924, JP-A-2016-202588, JP-A-2016-221116, JP-A-2017-006619, JP-A-2017-006622, JP-A-2017-008679, JP-A-2017-008701, JP-A-2017-006616, and JP-A-2017-006617 have been known as a device for mechanically wiping, e.g., moisture or dirt on the buttocks. Each device described in JP-A-2009-061126, JP-A-2009-263859, JP-A-2011-062532, JP-A-2011-143233, JP-A-2011-144623, JP-A-2011-200627, JP-A-2012-172486, JP-A-2014-064885, JP-A-2014-094261, JP-A-2014-113508, JP-A-2014-131775, JP-A-2014-132155, JP-A-2014-207949, JP-A-2014-233309, JP-A-2015-006603, JP-A-2015-062712, JP-A-2015-062825, JP-A-2015-104617, JP-A-2015-192893, JP-A-2016-028750, JP-A-2016-028751, JP-A-2016-034565, JP-A-2016-040013, and JP-A-2016-041894 includes a wiping arm for attachment of toilet paper, and a wiping arm drive unit configured to drive the wiping arm. These devices are each configured so that the moisture etc. on the buttocks can be wiped in a state in which a head portion of the wiping arm to which the toilet paper is attached is pressed against the buttocks. Each buttock wiping device as described in WO 2016/152881 A, JP-A-2017-006616, and JP-A-2017-006617 is the following device configured so that the moisture etc. on the buttocks can be wiped: the buttock wiping device uses a paper placement guide driven separately from the wiping arm to move the wiping material such as toilet paper to below the buttocks, and then, the head portion of the wiping arm is moved upward from below the wiping material to press the wiping material against the buttocks.
Typically, JP-A-2011-200627 describes, in paragraph 0570, that the pressure of the wiping arm for pressing the buttocks may be changed according to a user's instruction. Moreover, JP-A-2012-172486 describes, in paragraph 0069, that a switch configured to select wiping pressure according to preferences may be provided.
Moreover, WO 2016/152881 A, JP-A-2017-006616, and JP-A-2017-006617 each describe that a pressure sensor may be provided at the head portion (a pressing portion) to measure the pressure on the buttocks and control a motor. However, WO 2016/152881 A, JP-A-2017-006616, and JP-A-2017-006617 have not been published at the priority date, and therefore, are not taken as the related art. Note that WO 2016/152881 A, JP-A-2017-006616, and JP-A-2017-006617 each describe that when the pressing portion contacts the buttocks with a pressure of equal to or higher than a certain value, such pressing is weakened by an upper-to-lower motor so that the pressing pressure can be adjusted. Moreover, WO 2016/152881 A, JP-A-2017-006616, and JP-A-2017-006617 each describe that for motor torque detection, a pressure sensor attached to the pressing portion may be used.
As described above, for the wiping arm used for the typical buttock wiping device, adjustment of the pressing pressure on the buttocks has been suggested, but specific mechanism, structure, principle, and function for adjustment of the pressing pressure on the buttocks have not been clearly described in detail.
Specifically, there is an individual difference in the degree of lowering of the buttocks. For example, in comparison between a person whose anus is greatly lowered from a toilet seat due to one's small pelvis and a person whose anus is positioned at the same height as that of the toilet seat, the allowable rising height of the wiping arm varies. In the latter case, the wiping arm needs to be moved up higher than in the former case. In the former case, when the wiping arm is moved up to the height of the latter case, the wiping arm pushes up the buttocks of the person of the former case more than necessary. When excessive force is applied to the buttocks by the wiping arm, there is a risk of damage on a private area such as the anus. Moreover, due to motor overload, there is a probability that the motor is damaged. For these reasons, for practical use of the buttock wiping device, it is an essential function to adjust the pressing pressure in wiping by the wiping arm.
Thus, the present disclosure is intended to provide a buttock wiping device configured so that pressure on the buttocks in wiping can be adjusted and a buttock wiping arm used for the buttock wiping device.
For solving the above-described problems, the present disclosure has the following features. The present disclosure relates to a buttock wiping arm whose operation is controlled by a buttock wiping device for wiping the buttocks with a wiping material. The buttock wiping arm includes an arm portion, a head portion configured to press the wiping material against the buttocks, and a force detection unit configured to detect force when the wiping material is pressed against the buttocks.
Preferably, the force detection unit may be a strain gauge, a load cell, or a semiconductor pressure sensor.
Preferably, the force detection unit may be attached such that the head portion applies the force to the force detection unit when the wiping material is pressed against the buttocks.
Preferably, the head portion may include an openable portion configured to hold the wiping material, and the force detection unit may be attached to the openable portion of the head portion.
Preferably, the force detection unit may be attached to the head portion.
Preferably, the force detection unit may be attached to the arm portion or the vicinity of the arm portion.
Preferably, the force detection unit may be a strain gauge attached to the arm portion, and the strain gauge may be configured to detect strain when the arm portion strains, thereby detecting the force.
Preferably, the force detection unit may be a load cell attached to a base portion of the arm portion, and the load cell may be configured to detect the force of pushing the load cell when the arm portion bends, thereby detecting the force.
The present disclosure relates to a buttock wiping device including the buttock wiping arm according to any one of the above-described aspects.
According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the buttock wiping arm includes the force detection unit so that the force of pressing the head portion against the buttocks can be controlled. Thus, the buttock wiping device configured so that the pressure on the buttocks in wiping can be adjusted and the buttock wiping arm used for the buttock wiping device can be provided.
Since the strain gauge, the load cell, or the semiconductor pressure sensor is used as the force detection unit, the pressure can be detected with accuracy.
Since the head portion applies the pressure to the force detection unit, it is not necessary that the force detection unit directly contacts the buttocks. Thus, in cleansing of the head portion, it is not necessary to cleanse the force detection unit. Consequently, waterproofing of an electric system is facilitated.
With attachment of the force detection unit to the openable portion, the force can be also controlled at the openable head portion.
In the case of directly attaching the force detection unit to the head portion, the pressure can be also detected.
With attachment of the force detection unit to the arm portion or the vicinity thereof, it is not necessary to attach the force detection unit to the head portion. Thus, a maintenance process such as cleansing of the head portion is facilitated.
For example, attachment of the strain gauge to the arm portion or attachment of the load cell to the base portion not only allows force detection with a simple structure, but also facilitates the maintenance process such as cleansing of the head portion.
These objects, features, aspects, and advantageous effects of the present disclosure and other objects, features, aspects, and advantageous effects of the present disclosure will be, with reference to the attached drawings, further apparent from description made below.
In the following detailed description, for purpose of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing.
Note that the raised portion 13 is not necessarily provided. The thickness of the toilet seat 12 may be increased such that the clearance 13a is provided at the toilet seat 12, and in this manner, the wiping arm 4 may be exposed on the toilet bowl side through the clearance 13a. Alternatively, the toilet seat 12 or the warm-water cleansing device 10 may be slightly raised such that the wiping arm 4 is exposed through a clearance formed between the toilet bowl 11 and the toilet seat 12 by such raising.
That is, the present disclosure is not limited to the case of using the raised portion. Thus, the present disclosure is also usable for, e.g., a structure in which a toilet seat lifting/lowering device is used to form a clearance between the toilet bowl and the toilet seat such that the wiping arm is exposed on the toilet bowl side through such a clearance. Moreover, the present disclosure is also usable for, e.g., a structure in which a hole is formed at the toilet bowl such that the wiping arm is exposed on the toilet bowl side through such a hole.
In
Various mechanisms configured to move the wiping arm 4 are conceivable. For example, as illustrated in
An outline structure of the buttock wiping device 1 using the paper placement guide 7 has been described above. Next, an outline structure of a buttock wiping device 1 having the structure of holding a wiping material by a head portion 41 will be described.
In
The wiping arm drive unit 3 includes a plurality of motors, and is configured to move the wiping arm 4 back and forth, up and down, or right to left. As illustrated in
The openable portion 43 is, through a wire, coupled to the wire traction motor 35. The wire traction motor 35 has a mechanism to pull or loose the wire to open/close the openable portion 43. The openable portion 43 is closed with the wiping material being placed on the openable portion 43, and therefore, the wiping material is attached to the head portion 41.
The paper feeding unit 9 is a device configured to automatically supply the wiping material onto the head portion 41. For example, the paper feeding unit 9 is a device configured so that toilet paper in a roll shape is fed out, folded, and cut to a predetermined length. Note that in the case of using a thick wiping material, the paper feeding unit 9 may cut, without folding, the wiping material to the predetermined length, and may supply the wiping material onto the head portion 41. The paper feeding unit 9 is controlled by the automatic paper feeding control unit 8. The automatic paper feeding control unit 8 is controlled by the control unit 2. When an instruction for wiping operation is provided by the operation unit 5, the control unit 2 instructs the automatic paper feeding control unit 8 to feed paper. Accordingly, the automatic paper feeding control unit 8 controls operation of the paper feeding unit 9 to form the wiping material cut in a folded state, and then, places such a wiping material on the head portion 41. By inserting a not-shown paper attachment portion into a clearance formed in opening/closing of the openable portion 43 of the head portion 41, the wiping material is inserted into the head portion 41. Subsequently, the openable portion 43 is closed such that the wiping material is attached to the head portion 41. Note that the paper feeding unit 9 is not limited to above, and a device configured to place, one by one, the pre-cut wiping material on the head portion 41 may be used.
After attachment of the wiping material, wiping is executed in such a manner that the wiping arm 4 is moved from a retracted position to an exposed position as illustrated in
The outline mechanism of the buttock wiping device 1 in the case where the wiping material is held by the head portion 41 has been described above.
The present disclosure may be applicable not only to the buttock wiping device 1 using the paper placement guide 7, but also to the buttock wiping device 1 configured such that the wiping material is held by the head portion 41. In any case, the wiping arm 4 includes the force sensor 42. The force sensor 42 is configured to detect force when the head portion 41 is pressed against the buttocks, thereby transmitting a signal on the detected force to the control unit 2. The control unit 2 receives the signal from the force sensor 42, and determines whether or not the force applied in wiping exceeds a predetermined force or falls within a predetermined force range, for example. Then, the control unit 2 controls operation of the wiping arm drive unit 3 such that the head portion 41 contacts the buttocks with proper force.
In a control method by the control unit 2, in a case where the control unit 2 determines, based on the signal from the force sensor 42, that the force exceeds the predetermined force (wiping force is too strong), the control unit 2 controls the wiping arm drive unit 3 to lower the force sensor 42, for example. Conversely, in a case where the control unit 2 determines, based on the signal from the force sensor 42, that the force is equal to or smaller than the predetermined force (the wiping force is too weak), the control unit 2 controls the wiping arm drive unit 3 to lift the force sensor 42. With this structure, in the case where the force exceeds the predetermined force, contact force of the head portion 41 can be weakened, and therefore, the head portion 41 can contact within the predetermined force range. The control method is not limited to these methods, and the control unit 2 controls, according to the force detected by the force sensor 42, the wiping arm drive unit 3 to adjust the level of force of wiping by the wiping arm 4.
For example, a strain gauge, a load cell, or a semiconductor pressure sensor can be used as the force sensor 42, but the present disclosure is not limited to these sensors. As long as the force of pressing the head portion 41 can be detected, any force sensors may be used. Note that for preventing narrow interpretation of the scope of the present disclosure by use of the term “sensor,” units configured to detect force are collectively referred to as a “force detection unit” in the present disclosure.
Next, attachment of the force sensor 42 to the wiping arm 4 will be specifically described with reference to multiple embodiments.
A force sensor 42 is attached to the tip end of the arm portion 44. A line 42a from the force sensor 42 passes through the inside of the arm portion 44, and then, is electrically connected to a control unit 2. Note that an electric system of the force sensor 42 may be, as necessary, subjected to waterproofing. By waterproofing, the head portion 41 can be cleansed.
A protrusion 44b is provided inside the head portion 41, and is provided at a position which is to contact the force sensor 42. A slight clearance is provided between the hole 41a and the rotary shaft 44a. Thus, when the head portion 41 contacts the buttocks, force applied from the protrusion 44b to the force sensor 42 increases/decreases according to the intensity of contact force. A greater contact force results in a higher pressure applied from the protrusion 44b to the force sensor 42. Thus, the control unit 2 can recognize firm contact of the head portion 41. On the other hand, a smaller contact force results in a lower pressure applied from the protrusion 44b to the force sensor 42. Thus, the control unit 2 can recognize gentle contact of the head portion 41.
As described above, as illustrated in
Note that in addition to opening/closing of the openable portion by pulling of the wire, e.g., a mechanism for opening/closing the openable portion by pushing/pulling of a rod or rotation of a rod may be provided. For pushing/pulling the rod, an electromagnetic solenoid or a direct drive type motor may be used. In this case, a mechanism such as a gear for rotating the head by pushing/pulling of the rod may be provided in the head portion 41. For rotating the rod, a motor may be used. In this case, a mechanism such as a gear for converting rotation movement of the rod into opening/closing movement of the openable portion may be provided in the head portion 41.
Note that in
(Variations)
A location where the force detection unit is placed is not limited to the inside of the head portion 41. The force detection unit may be provided at the arm portion 44 or in the vicinity of the arm portion 44. Variations in such a case will be described below.
Thus, as illustrated in
Note that the structure for attaching the wiping material to the wiping arm is not limited to the structure using the openable portion 43. For example, the head portion 41 does not necessarily open/close, and an wiping arm having a holding portion for holding the wiping material may be used for the arm portion 44. Moreover, such a wiping arm may include the force detection unit at the head portion 41, or may include the force detection unit at the arm portion 44 or in the vicinity thereof. An example of the structure in the case of providing the holding portion at the arm portion 44 will be described below.
Note that in
As described above, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the wiping arm includes the force sensor so that the contact force of the head portion 41 on the buttocks can be controlled. Thus, the buttock wiping device configured to adjust the pressure on the buttocks in wiping can be provided.
The present disclosure has been described above in detail. However, such description has been merely an example of the present disclosure in every respect, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Needless to say, various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The constituent features of the present disclosure in the present specification are regarded as independent features. Embodiments made by combination of the constituent features in any combination methods are included in the present disclosure.
The present disclosure relates to a buttock wiping device, and is industrially applicable.
The foregoing detailed description has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the subject matter described herein to the precise form disclosed. Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims appended hereto.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2016-122830 | Jun 2016 | JP | national |
2017-085476 | Apr 2017 | JP | national |