Patent Application
20240426093
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-100636, filed on Jun. 20, 2023; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2024-016575, filed on Feb. 6, 2024; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Embodiments described herein relate generally to a toilet device.
Corrosion of electronic components and the like inside the case of a toilet device may cause discrepancies such as unintended operations of the toilet device or failure of the toilet device to operate. Condensation due to moisture is considered to be one cause of such corrosion. In a toilet device known in the art, to suppress such condensation due to moisture, an opening part for suctioning air that is inside the case is disposed in the deodorizing device for suctioning air that is inside the toilet; and the moisture inside the case is suctioned through the opening part (2002-266406 JP A and 2007-092396 JP A).
In the toilet device described above, there is a possibility that the opening part that is disposed in the deodorizing device and suctions the air that is inside the case may degrade the air suction ability of the opening part suctioning the air that is inside the toilet. Sufficient deodorizing performance may not be obtained if the suction ability is degraded.
According to the embodiment, a toilet device includes a case and a deodorizing device. The deodorizing device is disposed inside the case. The deodorizing device includes a first opening part, a second opening part, a third opening part, a suction fan, a first deodorizing path part, and a second deodorizing path part. The first opening part is configured to suction air outside the case. The second opening part is configured to suction air inside the case. The third opening part is configured to exhaust out of the case air suctioned by the first and second openings. The suction fan is configured to suction the air outside and inside the case through the first and second opening parts. The first deodorizing path part connects the suction fan with the first and second opening parts. The second deodorizing path part connects the suction fan and the third opening part. The second opening part has a smaller opening area than the first opening part.
A toilet device according to an aspect of an embodiment of the invention includes a case, and a deodorizing device disposed inside the case; the deodorizing device includes a first opening part configured to suction air outside the case, a second opening part configured to suction air inside the case, a third opening part configured to exhaust, out of the case, air suctioned by the first and second opening parts, a suction fan configured to suction the air outside and inside the case through the first and second opening parts, a first deodorizing path part connecting the suction fan with the first and second opening parts, and a second deodorizing path part connecting the suction fan and the third opening part; and the second opening part has a smaller opening area than the first opening part.
According to the toilet device according to the aspect of the embodiment, the second opening part has a smaller opening area than the first opening part. Therefore, the airflow rate suctioned through the second opening part when the suction fan is driven can be less than the airflow rate suctioned through the first opening part. Accordingly, degradation of the suction ability of the first opening part caused by disposing the second opening part in the deodorizing device can be suppressed.
A toilet device according to an aspect of an embodiment further includes a human body detection sensor configured to detect a human body; and the suction fan rotates at a prescribed rotational speed from when the human body detection sensor changes from a state of detecting a human body to a state of not detecting the human body until a first period has elapsed, and rotates at a lower rotational speed than the prescribed rotational speed from when the first period has elapsed until a second period has elapsed.
According to the toilet device according to the aspect of the embodiment, the suction fan rotates at a prescribed rotational speed from when the human body detection sensor changes from a state of detecting a human body to a state of not detecting the human body until the first period has elapsed, and rotates at a lower rotational speed than the prescribed rotational speed from when the first period has elapsed until the second period has elapsed. As a result, the driving noise of the suction fan in the second period can be less than the driving noise of the suction fan in the first period. Therefore, condensation inside the case can be suppressed while suppressing discomfort due to the driving noise of the suction fan even when a user is inside the toilet room in which the toilet device is disposed when moisture is being suctioned in the second period, and even when the user switches with another user entering the toilet room after the user is done using the toilet device.
A toilet device according to an aspect of an embodiment further includes a human body detection sensor configured to detect a human body; and the suction fan rotates at a prescribed rotational speed from when the human body detection sensor changes from a state of detecting a human body to a state of not detecting the human body until a first period has elapsed, rotates at a higher rotational speed than the prescribed rotational speed from when the first period has elapsed until a second period has elapsed, and rotates at a lower rotational speed than the prescribed rotational speed from when the second period has elapsed until a third period has elapsed.
When a person dwells inside the toilet room after the toilet flushing ends, or when a person enters the toilet room and switches with another person after the other person has used the toilet and the toilet flushing has ended, there is a risk that the driving noise of the suction fan may cause discomfort. On the other hand, because the rotational speed of the intake fan when the person is seated is suppressed so that the seated person does not experience discomfort, it is favorable to suction offensive odors and/or moisture as much as possible after the person has left the seat and while nobody is inside the toilet room. Therefore, according to the toilet device according to the aspect of the embodiment, condensation inside the case can be further suppressed by improving the suction ability of the suction fan while suppressing discomfort of the person due to the driving noise of the suction fan.
In a toilet device according to an aspect of an embodiment, the second period is shorter than the third period.
According to the toilet device according to the aspect of the embodiment, by setting the period of the rotational speed that is higher than the prescribed rotational speed to be shorter than the period of the rotational speed that is lower than the prescribed rotational speed, the suction fan can be prevented from being driven at a higher rotational speed than the prescribed rotational speed for a long period of time; and discomfort of the person due to the driving noise can be further suppressed.
In a toilet device according to an aspect of an embodiment, the case further includes a fourth opening part configured to pass the air from outside the case and inside the case.
According to the toilet device according to the aspect of the embodiment, the case further includes a fourth opening part configured to pass the air from outside the case and inside the case. As a result, the air inside the case easily flows out, the air outside the case easily flows in, and the air pressure difference inside and outside the case can be reduced. For example, when the case has a gap connecting the interior and outside of the case, and when the case interior has a negative pressure due to the air being suctioned through the second opening part, there is a risk that moisture may flow into the case more easily through the gap; however, by reducing the air pressure difference between the interior and outside of the case, the flow of the moisture into the case can be suppressed.
In a toilet device according to an aspect of an embodiment, a filter that includes a mesh is disposed in the fourth opening part.
According to the toilet device according to the aspect of the embodiment, a filter that includes a mesh is disposed in the fourth opening part. Therefore, for example, even when the case interior has a negative pressure, dirt and/or dust can be prevented from passing through the fourth opening part and entering the case interior.
In a toilet device according to an aspect of an embodiment, the deodorizing device further includes a rib configured to suppress suction of air from a prescribed direction toward the second opening part.
According to the toilet device according to the aspect of the embodiment, the deodorizing device includes a rib configured to suppress suction of air from a prescribed direction toward the second opening part. As a result, the rib can suppress suction from the prescribed direction toward the second opening part, and can preferentially suction air from a direction other than the prescribed direction. For example, the suction of air from a direction connecting the second opening part and a location inside the case at which condensation does not easily occur can be suppressed, and the moisture at a location inside the case at which condensation easily occurs can be preferentially suctioned. Accordingly, condensation inside the case can be suppressed, and constraints of the component layout inside the case such as needing to mount electronic components only at locations inside the case at which condensation does not easily occur, etc., can be suppressed. A location inside the case at which condensation easily occurs is, for example, a location that tends to be cool because no heat-generating unit is disposed nearby, etc.; and a location inside the case at which condensation does not easily occur is, for example, a location having a heat-generating unit disposed nearby.
A toilet device according to an aspect of an embodiment further includes a human body detection sensor configured to detect a human body; the suction fan rotates at a prescribed rotational speed when the human body detection sensor detects a human body; and when the human body detection sensor no longer detects the human body, the suction fan rotates at a lower rotational speed than the prescribed rotational speed from when the human body is no longer detected until a prescribed period has elapsed.
According to the toilet device according to the aspect of the embodiment, condensation inside the case can be suppressed while suppressing discomfort due to the driving noise of the suction fan, even when other users frequently enter the toilet room and switch with the user after the use by the user has ended.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Similar components in the drawings are marked with the same reference numerals; and a detailed description is omitted as appropriate.
The toilet device 10 is mounted to the upper surface of the toilet 2 at the back side. The toilet device 10 may be mounted as a continuous body with the toilet 2, or may be detachably mounted to the toilet 2. The toilet device 10 includes the case 20 formed in a box-like shape having a hollow interior, and a deodorizing device 40 that is disposed inside the case 20 and includes a function of reducing offensive odors.
An opening/closing unit (not illustrated) that controls the open/close operation of the toilet lid 14 and/or the toilet seat 12, a washing unit (not illustrated) that washes a human body private part, a communication unit (not illustrated) configured to communicate with an operation unit such as a remote control, etc., are embedded inside the case 20 as necessary. The case 20 pivotally supports the toilet seat 12 and the toilet lid 14 to be rotatable at the back side. The toilet lid 14 may be included in the toilet device 10 as necessary, and may not be included.
The toilet seat 12 includes a seating detection sensor 13 that is a human body detection sensor configured to detect a human body and detects whether or not the user is seated. The seating detection sensor 13 detects the state in which the human body is detected, that is, the state in which the user is seated. The seating detection sensor 13 may detect the state in which the human body is not detected, that is, the state in which the user is not seated (the state of having left the seat). The location at which the seating detection sensor is disposed is not limited to the toilet seat and may be, for example, the case. Instead of a seating detection sensor, for example, a room entrance detection sensor that detects a human body entering the toilet room and/or a proximity detection sensor detecting a human body approaching the toilet device may be used as the human body detection sensor.
As shown in
According to the embodiment as shown in
According to the embodiment as shown in
According to the embodiment as shown in
The third opening part 29 includes multiple louvers 30. As shown in
As shown in
The case 20 may be wiped with a wet dust cloth when cleaned by a person, or may be sprayed with water from a shower, etc. In such a case, the water may penetrate through the louver openings 29a. However, the louvers 30 are inclined upward from the outside toward the interior of the case 20, making it difficult for the water to penetrate the interior of the case 20.
As shown in
Similarly, the second exhaust opening part 34 and the third opening part 29 may be formed to have a continuous body, or the second exhaust opening part may be formed to extend to the back side plate of the case and may function as the third opening part. By such configurations, the second exhaust opening part can be configured to exhaust the air suctioned by the first and second opening parts out of the case by itself or by having a continuous body with the third opening part.
The deodorizing device 40 deodorizes the suctioned air and discharges the air from the third opening part 29. Specifically, the deodorizing device 40 suctions air F1 that is inside the toilet 2 and air F2 that is inside the case 20. Subsequently, the deodorizing device 40 reduces the odorous components of feces, urine, etc., included in the suctioned air, and discharges the deodorized air F outside from the third opening part 29 (the louver openings 29a) of the case 20. Similarly, the moisture included in the air suctioned through the interior of the toilet device 10 also is discharged outside from the third opening part 29 (the louver openings 29a) of the case 20. The deodorizing device 40 includes the first deodorizing path part 41, a fan 42, the second deodorizing path part 43, and a deodorizing catalyst 48.
As shown in
As shown in
The controller 15 also can transmit a command to the fan 42 to drive the fan 42 at a predesignated timing and at a designated rotational speed. For example, a command can be transmitted to the fan 42 to rotate at a prescribed rotational speed for a first period from when the user leaves the toilet seat 12, and rotate at a lower rotational speed than the prescribed rotational speed from when the first period has elapsed until a second period has elapsed. The first period is, for example, 2minutes; and the second period is, for example, longer than the first period, e.g., 30 minutes. The prescribed rotational speed in the first period is, for example, 3,700 rpm; and the rotational speed that is lower than the prescribed rotational speed in the second period is, for example, 1,900 rpm. The drive control of the fan 42 performed by the controller 15 is described below in detail.
The first deodorizing path part 41, the fan 42, and the second deodorizing path part 43 connect between the first opening part 28 and the third opening part 29. The first deodorizing path part 41 is a duct that passes the air F1 suctioned by the fan 42 through the first opening part 28 toward the fan 42. As shown in
According to the embodiment as shown in
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According to the embodiment as shown in
The rib 50 suppresses the suction of air toward the second opening part 31 from the prescribed direction. The prescribed direction is, for example, the direction of an advance port 57 of a private part washing nozzle 55 and the gap 44. As illustrated by the arrow in
The rib 50 is formed to suppress the suction of air from locations inside the case 20 where, for example, condensation does not easily occur, and is formed so that more air is preferentially suctioned from locations where condensation easily occurs than locations where condensation does not easily occur. For example, locations where condensation does not easily occur refer to units such as the controller 15 and the washing unit (not illustrated) that generate heat when operating, as well as the locations at which such units are disposed. Locations where condensation easily occurs refer to, for example, locations not adjacent to units emitting heat, such as a remote control light-receiving part 51 (see
The drive control processing of the fan 42 shown in
At a time t0, the seating detection sensor 13 (the human body detection sensor) is switched on (seated). When a seating signal transmitted from the seating detection sensor 13 is received, the controller 15 transmits a first drive signal toward the fan 42. When receiving the first drive signal, the fan 42 starts to operate at a rotational speed N1 (e.g., 3,700 rpm).
As a result, the deodorizing device 40 can reduce odorous components based on feces and/or urine of the user. The humidity inside the toilet 2 increases due to the user seated on the toilet seat 12. By starting to drive the fan 42 when the user is seated on the toilet seat 12, the toilet device 10 can suppress the increase of the humidity inside the case 20 by smoothly circulating the air inside the case 20.
At a time t1, the seating detection sensor 13 (the human body detection sensor) is switched off (unseated). When receiving an unseated signal transmitted from the seating detection sensor 13, the controller 15 measures (counts) the first period. The first period is several seconds to several minutes (e.g., 2 minutes), and is prestored in a storage part of the controller 15.
At a time t2 when the first period has elapsed from the time t1, the fan 42 is driven at a rotational speed N2 (e.g., 1,900 rpm). In other words, the controller 15 transmits a second drive signal toward the fan 42 when the first period has elapsed from when the user left the toilet seat 12. When receiving the second drive signal, the fan 42 reduces the rotational speed from the rotational speed N1 to the rotational speed N2. Also, the controller 15 measures (counts) the second period from the time t2. The second period is set to be longer than the first period, and is prestored in the storage part of the controller 15. The second period is several minutes to several tens of minutes (e.g., 30 minutes).
The period from the time t1 to the time t2 is from 0 minutes to several minutes; and the rotational speed may be reduced from the rotational speed N1 to the rotational speed N2 simultaneously with the user leaving the toilet seat 12. In other words, the first period may not be set. The controller 15 rotates the fan 42 at the prescribed rotational speed (the rotational speed N1) when the seating detection sensor 13 (the human body detection sensor) detects a human body (the time t0). Then, when the seating detection sensor 13 no longer detects the human body (the time t1), the controller 15 rotates the fan 42 at the rotational speed N2 that is less than the prescribed rotational speed from when the human body was no longer detected until a prescribed period has elapsed (from the time t1 to a time t3). The prescribed period is, for example, 30 minutes.
As a result, condensation inside the case 20 can be suppressed while suppressing discomfort due to the driving noise of the fan 42, even when other users frequently enter the toilet room and switch with the user after the use by the user has ended.
When the user uses the toilet device 10, the humidity inside the toilet 2 is increased by excrement, the body temperature of the user, etc. Also, the private part washing nozzle 55 (see
Therefore, the fan 42 continues to be driven after the user has left the toilet seat 12. In the first period after the user has left the toilet seat 12, deodorizing can be performed efficiently by increasing the rotational speed of the fan 42. In the second period after the first period has elapsed, the fan 42 is driven at the rotational speed N2 that is less than the prescribed rotational speed (the rotational speed N1) of the first period.
As a result, the driving noise of the fan 42 in the second period can be less than the driving noise of the fan 42 in the first period. Therefore, condensation inside the case 20 can be suppressed while suppressing discomfort due to the driving noise of the fan 42 even when the user is inside the toilet room in which the toilet device 10 is disposed when the moisture is suctioned in the second period, or when other users enter the toilet room and switch with the user after the use by the user has ended.
Then, at the time t3 when the second period has elapsed from the time t2, the controller 15 stops driving the fan 42. As a result, the toilet device 10 can deodorize efficiently, and condensation inside the case 20 can be suppressed. When the human body detection sensor (the seating detection sensor 13) detects the user between the time t2 and the time t3 (in the second period), the rotational speed N2 of the fan 42 is changed to the rotational speed N1; and the control processing from the time t0 is performed.
According to the toilet device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention, the second opening part 31 has a smaller opening area than the first opening part 28. Therefore, when the fan 42 is driven, the airflow rate suctioned through the second opening part 31 can be less than the airflow rate suctioned through the first opening part 28. Accordingly, by including the second opening part 31 in the deodorizing device 40, degradation of the suction ability of the first opening part 28 can be suppressed while suppressing condensation due to the moisture inside the case 20.
According to the toilet device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention, the fan 42 rotates at a prescribed rotational speed from when the user leaves the toilet seat 12 until the first period has elapsed, and rotates at a lower rotational speed than the prescribed rotational speed from when the first period has elapsed until the second period has elapsed. As a result, the driving noise of the fan 42 in the second period can be less than the driving noise of the fan 42 in the first period. Therefore, condensation inside the case 20 can be suppressed while suppressing discomfort due to the driving noise of the fan 42 even when the user is inside the toilet room in which the toilet device 10 is disposed when the moisture is suctioned in the second period, or when another user has entered the toilet room and switched with the user after the use by the user has ended.
For example, if the fan 42 that is being driven as a condensation countermeasure is stopped by using a remote control, etc., the likelihood of condensation occurring inside the case 20 is high. Here, by reducing the discomfort described above, the likelihood that such a fan 42 that is being operated would be undesirably stopped by the use of a remote control, etc., can be reduced.
According to the toilet device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention, the case 20 further includes the fourth opening part 32 configured to pass the air from outside the case 20 and inside the case 20. As a result, the air inside the case 20 can flow out easily, the air outside the case 20 can flow in easily, and the air pressure difference between the interior and outside of the case 20 can be reduced. Because the gap 44 that connects the interior and outside of the case 20 is included in the case 20, there is a risk that moisture may flow more easily through the gap 44 into the case 20 when, for example, the interior of the case 20 has a negative pressure due to the air being suctioned through the second opening part 31; however, the moisture can be prevented from flowing into the case 20 by reducing the air pressure difference between the interior and outside of the case 20. Also, because the fourth opening part 32 connects the outside of the toilet 2 and the interior of the case 20, the moisture can be prevented from flowing into the case 20 from the interior of the toilet 2 via the fourth opening part 32 compared to when the interior of the toilet 2 and the interior of the case 20 are connected.
According to the toilet device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention, the filter 45 that includes the mesh 46 is included. Therefore, the penetration of dirt and/or dust into the interior of the case 20 by passing through the fourth opening part 32 can be suppressed, even when the interior of the case 20 has a negative pressure due to the air being suctioned through the second opening part 31.
According to the toilet device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention, the deodorizing device 40 includes the rib 50 suppressing the suction of air toward the second opening part 31 from a prescribed direction. As a result, the rib 50 can suppress the suction toward the second opening part 31 from the prescribed direction; and air can be preferentially suctioned from a direction other than the prescribed direction. By suppressing the suction of air from a direction connecting the second opening part 31 and locations inside the case 20 where condensation does not easily occur, the moisture inside the case 20 at locations where condensation easily occurs can be preferentially suctioned. Accordingly, condensation inside the case 20 can be suppressed, and component layout constraints inside the case 20 such as needing to mount electronic components inside the case only at locations where condensation does not easily occur, performing potting of the electronic components, etc., can be suppressed.
According to the embodiment above, an example is described in which the rotational speed (the output) of the fan 42 is modified in the two stages of the first and second periods. However, aspects of the invention are not limited thereto; for example, as in the modification shown in
Specifically, at the time t0, the seating detection sensor 13 (the human body detection sensor) is switched on (seated). When receiving the seating signal transmitted from the seating detection sensor 13, the controller 15 transmits the first drive signal toward the fan 42. When receiving the first drive signal, the fan 42 starts operating at the rotational speed N1 (e.g., 3,700 rpm).
As a result, the deodorizing device 40 can reduce odorous components based on feces and/or urine of the user. The humidity inside the toilet 2 is increased by the user being seated on the toilet seat 12. By starting to drive the fan 42 when the user is seated on the toilet seat 12, the toilet device 10 can suppress the increase of the humidity inside the case 20 by smoothly circulating the air inside the case 20.
At a time t11, the seating detection sensor 13 (the human body detection sensor) is switched off (unseated). When receiving the unseated signal transmitted from the seating detection sensor 13, the controller 15 measures (counts) the first period. The first period is several seconds to several minutes (e.g., 10 seconds), and is prestored in the storage part of the controller 15.
At a time t12 when the first period has elapsed from the time t11, the fan 42 is driven at a rotational speed N3 (e.g., 6,300 rpm). The rotational speed N3 is, for example, the maximum output value of the fan 42. In other words, when the first period has elapsed from when the user left the toilet seat 12, the controller 15 transmits a maximum drive signal toward the fan 42. When receiving the maximum drive signal, the fan 42 increases the rotational speed from the rotational speed N1 to the rotational speed N3. It is sufficient for the rotational speed N3 to be greater than the rotational speed N1; the rotational speed N3 may not be the maximum output value of the fan 42.
The controller 15 measures (counts) the second period from the time t12. The second period is set to be longer than the first period, and is prestored in the storage part of the controller 15. The second period is from several tens of seconds to several minutes (e.g., 60 seconds). The second period may be set to be shorter than the first period.
For example, the second period is set by assuming the period from when the user using the toilet device 10 leaves the toilet device 10 until the next user uses the toilet device 10. In other words, the second period is the user switching period. The toilet device 10 can suction as much offensive odor and/or moisture as possible by increasing the output of the fan 42 in the second period when a user is not inside the toilet room.
At a time t13 when the second period has elapsed from the time t12, the fan 42 is driven at the rotational speed N2 (e.g., 1,900 rpm). In other words, the controller 15 transmits the second drive signal toward the fan 42 when the second period has elapsed. When receiving the second drive signal, the fan 42 reduces the rotational speed from the rotational speed N3 to the rotational speed N2. The controller 15 measures (counts) the third period from the time t13. The third period is set to be longer than the first and second periods, and is prestored in the storage part of the controller 15. The third period is several minutes to several tens of minutes (e.g., 30 minutes).
Then, at a time t14 when the third period has elapsed from the time t13, the controller 15 stops the driving of the fan 42. As a result, the toilet device 10 can efficiently deodorize, and can suppress condensation inside the case 20. According to the modification, the driving of the fan 42 is controlled by assuming whether or not the user is proximate to the toilet device 10. Accordingly, the toilet device 10 considers the noise based on the driving noise of the fan 42 as well as the deodorizing performance and the condensation suppression of the electronic components inside the case 20.
When the human body detection sensor (the seating detection sensor 13) detects the user between the time t12 and the time t14 (in the second and third periods), the rotational speeds N3 and N2 of the fan 42 are changed to the rotational speed N1; and the control processing from the time t0 is performed.
According to the toilet device 10 according to the modification, the second period is shorter than the third period. As a result, offensive odors and/or moisture can be suctioned as much as possible in the second period in which the person has left the seat and is not inside the toilet room. The fan 42 can be prevented from being driven at a higher rotational speed than the prescribed rotational speed for a long period of time; and discomfort of the person due to the driving noise can be further suppressed.
Examples are described in the embodiments and modifications described above in which the rotational speed of the fan 42 is changed in two stages or three stages. However, aspects of the invention are not limited thereto; for example, the rotational speed of the fan 42 may be changed in four or more stages.
Embodiments may include the following configurations.
A toilet device, comprising:
The toilet device according to Configuration 1, further comprising:
The toilet device according to Configuration 1, further comprising:
The toilet device according to Configuration 3, wherein
Configuration 5
The toilet device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 4, wherein
The toilet device according to Configuration 5, wherein
The toilet device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 6, wherein
The toilet device according to Configuration 1, further comprising:
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. For example, the shape, the dimension, the material, the disposition, the installation feature or the like of the components included in the toilet device is not limited to the illustration and can be appropriately modified. The components included in the embodiments described above may be combined within the extent of technical feasibility, and any combinations of these components also are included in the scope of the invention to the extent that they include the feature of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-100636 | Jun 2023 | JP | national |
| 2024-016575 | Feb 2024 | JP | national |
