Patent Grant
10837162
This application is a national stage application under 35 USC 371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2017/012295, filed Mar. 27, 2017, which claims the priority of Japanese Application No. 2016-066845, filed Mar. 29, 2016, and Japanese Application No. 2016-073272, filed Mar. 31, 2016, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a toilet device.
A known toilet device includes a toilet main body, a base plate and a cover (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). The base plate is provided on an upper portion of the toilet main body. On the base plate, a functional unit having various functional devices such as a private part-washing device and a deodorizing device, and functional components are mounted. The functional unit has a cover that covers the functional unit from an upper side. In such a toilet device, the base plate is provided along an upper end surface of the toilet main body, and the cover is provided on an upper portion of the base plate such that the functional unit is accommodated therein.
However, if there is a gap between the toilet main body and the base plate, splashing from a toilet bowl enters into the gap, causing a problem in that cleaning becomes troublesome. In this respect, a gasket is provided in the gap between the toilet main body and the base plate to prevent splashing from entering into the gap. Even with this configuration, since splashing from the toilet bowl adheres to the gasket, the splash which has adhered to the gasket has to be cleaned, causing a problem in that cleaning becomes troublesome.
In a next exemplarily configuration, a toilet device is configured to include a toilet main body, a washing mechanism unit, and a toilet seat unit. The toilet main body includes a bowl portion and a rim portion of a toilet bowl. The washing mechanism unit is provided on a rear portion of the toilet main body. The washing mechanism unit, for example, detects a remote control operation of a user, and discharges flush water into the toilet main body. The toilet seat unit includes a toilet seat and a toilet lid.
In this exemplary constitution, the washing mechanism unit is integrally provided on the rear portion of the toilet main body in an attachable/detachable manner. The washing mechanism unit is accommodated inside a cover case. The washing mechanism unit includes an opening/closing valve such as an electromagnetic valve and a control valve that control opening and closing of a flush water flow channel via a remote control operation. Using this opening/closing valve, the washing mechanism unit performs functions of switching between rim water discharging and jet water discharging, and controlling the flow rate of the discharging water. In the rim water discharging, the flush water flows in the rim portion of the toilet main body. In the jet water discharging, the flush water flows in the bowl portion of the toilet main body and in a water sealing portion.
The cover case is configured to include a base (base plate) which is installed on an upper surface of the rear portion of the toilet main body, and a cover (outer shell body) which is assembled in the base and forms an accommodation space. Generally, a toilet device including a private part-washing device, a warm air drying device, and the like is configured to accommodate the private part-washing device, the warm air drying device, and the like together with the washing mechanism unit in the cover case.
On the other hand, there is a toilet device including a human body detection sensor which causes a toilet lid to be automatically opened and closed and causes a washing mechanism unit or the like to be driven when the sensor detects a person, such as a user using the toilet device, as the person enters or leaves a bathroom. The human body detection sensor such as a pyroelectric sensor is installed to be accommodated inside a cover case. The human body detection sensor is configured to detect a human body through a sensor window attached to an opening portion formed to penetrate the cover case (for example, refer to Patent Document 2).
Here, in a toilet device in the related art, in order to make logos of a manufacturer, a product name, and the like noticeable, the logos are often provided on an upper surface in the middle of a cover case in a width direction so that the logos easily come into sight of a user, and in order to make a sensor window unnoticeable as much as possible, the sensor window is often provided on a side portion of the cover case in the width direction.
Accordingly, various logos such as a brand logo and a product logo, and the sensor window independently function and are individually provided in a scattered manner, so that it is difficult to establish a uniformity in the sense of design, and sometimes a poor quality of the design is caused.
Since the sensor window is provided on the side portion of the cover case in the width direction in order to make the sensor window unnoticeable as much as possible, the detection range (the center of the detection range) of the human body detection sensor is positioned in an oblique area starting from the side portion of the toilet device in the width direction and shifting toward the center in the width direction as the range extends to the front of the toilet device. That is, the range of human detection is set to obliquely intersect with the orientation of a user or the like when the user is facing the toilet device from the center position in front of the toilet device. Therefore, in regard to the detection range, compared to a case where the detection range is set forward from the center of the toilet device, the detection accuracy becomes lower.
Moreover, in an exemplary related art, in order to reduce the visible area size of the sensor window as much as possible, the sensor window is attached to an opening portion, which is formed to penetrate the cover case from the outer surface to the inner surface, by fitting the sensor window into the opening portion from the inner surface of the cover case. This configuration requires a holding member or the like on the inner surface of the cover case which prevents the sensor window from being dislocated even if the sensor window attached from the inner surface of the cover case is pressed from the outer surface side of the cover case.
The connecting portion between the circumferential end of the opening portion in the cover case and the outer circumference of the sensor window fitted into the opening portion may cause a poor visual impression, if this connecting portion is exposed without any cover. Therefore, it is also necessary to ensure the attractive appearance by separately attaching a decorative member covering the connecting portion, from the outer surface side of the cover case.
Consequently, there are disadvantages in that the number of members increases and attaching work of the sensor window becomes complicated.
PATENT DOCUMENT 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2003-105830
PATENT DOCUMENT 2 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2013-076216
The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems described above, and a first object thereof is to provide a toilet device in which cleaning can be easily performed.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a toilet device in which a sensor window of a human body detection system having favorable appearance can be provided.
In order to achieve the foregoing objects, the present invention provides the following means.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a toilet device is provided, including a toilet main body, a base plate which is provided on an upper portion of the toilet main body and on which a functional unit is mounted, and a cover which covers the base plate from an upper side such that the functional unit is accommodated. The cover has a protrusion portion that protrudes further downward than the base plate and that is positioned closer to a toilet bowl of the toilet main body than the base plate.
In the present invention, the cover has the protrusion portion that protrudes at a position closer to the toilet bowl of the toilet main body than the base plate and protrudes further downward than the base plate. Therefore, the protrusion portion is positioned closer to the toilet bowl than the gap between the base plate and the toilet main body. Because of this configuration, the protrusion portion can prevent the splashing coming from the toilet bowl from entering into the gap between the toilet main body and the base plate. As a result, cleaning can be easily performed.
In the toilet device according to a second aspect of the present invention, a recess portion, which communicates with the toilet bowl and is recessed downward than an upper end surface of the toilet main body, may be formed in the toilet main body. The base plate may be arranged on the recess portion.
In such a configuration, compared to a case where the base plate is mounted on the upper end surface of the toilet main body, the base plate can be installed at a lower position. Therefore, installation positions of the base plate, the functional unit, and the cover can be lowered, so that a toilet device having a compact design can be realized.
In such a configuration, compared to a case where the base plate is mounted on the upper end surface of the toilet main body, the position of the gap between the toilet main body and the base plate is lowered. Accordingly, splashing from the toilet bowl is more likely to enter into the gap. However, since the protrusion portion is arranged at a position closer to the toilet bowl than the gap between the base plate and the toilet main body, even though the position of the gap between the toilet main body and the base plate is lowered, the protrusion portion can prevent splashing coming from the toilet bowl from entering into the gap between the toilet main body and the base plate.
In the toilet device according to a third aspect of the present invention, a gasket may be provided in a gap between the toilet main body and the base plate. The protrusion portion may be arranged at a position closer to the toilet bowl of the gasket.
In such a configuration, the protrusion portion and the gasket can prevent splashing coming from the toilet bowl from entering into the gap between the toilet main body and the base plate.
The protrusion portion is arranged at a position closer to the toilet bowl than the gasket. Therefore, since the protrusion portion can prevent splashing from the toilet bowl onto the gasket, it is possible to minimize splashing from the toilet bowl contaminating the gasket.
Moreover, since the protrusion portion is arranged at a position closer to the toilet bowl than the gasket, it is difficult for a user to see the gasket, so that the aesthetic appearance can be improved.
In the toilet device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the functional unit may have a private part-washing device. The private part-washing device may have a shutter provided at a position facing the toilet bowl. A cut-out portion, in which the shutter is arranged, may be formed in the protrusion portion.
This configuration can prevent the protrusion portion from interfering with the shutter of the private part-washing device.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a toilet device is provided, including a human body detection system that includes a sensor window which is installed by being fitted into a sensor window attachment portion having an opening portion formed to penetrate an outer shell body, and a human body detection sensor which detects a person through a translucent sensor window portion covering the opening portion for the sensor window and is installed inside the outer shell body. A mark to be visually recognized by a person is provided on the sensor window portion.
In the toilet device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the sensor window may be formed to include a decorative portion installed along a connecting portion between the sensor window and the sensor window attachment portion of the outer shell body.
In the toilet device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the sensor window portion may be installed to protrude outward from a surface of the outer shell body.
In the toilet device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the sensor window may be provided on an upper surface and at a center of a cover case in a width direction in a width direction, the cover case constituting the outer shell body of the toilet device.
In the toilet device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the sensor window may be fitted into the sensor window attachment portion from the outer side of the outer shell body.
According to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention described above, cleaning can be easily performed.
According to the fifth to ninth aspects of the present invention described above, a mark such as a logo is formed in the sensor window portion of the sensor window. Therefore, it is possible to integrally provide the sensor window together with marks such as a brand logo and a product logo which have been individually scattered and have independently functioned in the related art. Accordingly, the design of the appearance can be improved.
Thus, according to the fifth to ninth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide a sensor window of the human body detection system having favorable appearance.
Hereinafter, a toilet device according to an embodiment A of the present invention will be described based on
As shown in
A toilet bowl 121 is formed in the toilet main body 12. The base plate 14 is provided on an upper portion of the toilet main body 12, and a functional unit 13 is mounted on the base plate 14. The cover 15 covers the base plate 14 from above such that the functional unit 13 is accommodated. The toilet device 11 has a toilet seat 16 and a toilet lid 17. The toilet seat 16 and the toilet lid 17 are provided on the upper portion of the toilet main body 12 and are supported by the functional unit 13 in a pivotable manner.
The functional unit 13 has various functional devices such as a private part-washing device 131 (refer to
A side of the toilet device 11 on which the functional unit 13 is provided will be referred to as the rear side in the forward/rearward direction. A side on which the toilet seat 16 is provided will be referred to as a front side in the forward/rearward direction. A horizontal direction orthogonal to the forward/rearward direction will be referred to as a width direction. The direction toward both end portions with respect to the center portion in the width direction will be referred to as outward. The direction toward the center portion with respect to the both end portions will be referred to as inward.
As shown in
A recess portion 125, which is recessed downward than an upper end surface of the toilet main body 12 and is open toward upward and toward forward, is formed at an intermediate portion in the width direction of a front part 123 of the functional unit installation space 122. In a state where the functional unit 13 is not installed, the recess portion 125 communicates with the toilet bowl 121 in the forward/rearward direction. The upper end surface of the toilet main body 12 is connected to both sides of the recess portion 125 in the width direction.
A rear part 124 of the functional unit installation space 122 is formed in the toilet main body 12 substantially in its entirety in a height direction, and a bottom portion thereof also serves as a bottom portion of the toilet main body 12.
A front edge portion of the functional unit installation space 122 is curved to protrude backwards along a rear portion of the inner surface of the toilet bowl 121.
As shown in
The inner plate portion 142 is formed into a plate shape recessed downward along the recess portion 125 of the functional unit installation space 122. The pair of outer plate portions 143 and 143 is formed into a flat plate shape along the upper end surface of the toilet main body 12 and is each connected to both sides of the recess portion 125 in the width direction.
The front-end portion of the pair of outer plate portions 143 and 143 are arranged rearward than the front-end portion of the inner plate portion 142.
In embodiment A, a shutter 132 of the private part-washing device 131 is arranged on an upper part in the vicinity of the front edge portion of the inner plate portion 142. The shutter 132 is formed into a plate shape. The shutter 132 is configured to be pivotable about a pivot shaft extending in the width direction.
In embodiment A, a gasket 18 is provided between the front part 141 of the base plate 14 and the recess portion 125 (refer to
As shown in
The upper plate portion 151 is arranged over the functional unit 13 (refer to
A rear part 1511 of the upper plate portion 151 is formed into a substantially semicircular shape curved to protrude rearward in the plan view. A front part 1512 of the upper plate portion 151 is formed into a substantially rectangular shape elongated in the width direction in the plan view. The rear part 1511 of the upper plate portion 151 is formed to have dimensions in the width direction greater than those of the front part 1512. The rear part 1511 of the upper plate portion 151 protrudes outward in the width direction from the front part 1512.
The pair of connection plate portions 154 and 154 extends downward from parts protruding outward in the width direction from the front part 1512 of the rear part 1511 of the upper plate portion 151.
The lower plate portion 156 surrounds the pair of side plate portions 153 and 153 and the front plate portion 155. The lower plate portion is formed into a substantially C-shape being open rearward in the plan view. When the cover 15 is arranged at a normal position with respect to the toilet main body 12 and the base plate 14, both end portions of the lower plate portion 156 in the width direction are arranged substantially right above both end portions of the toilet main body 12 in the width direction. In the lower plate portion 156, an intermediate part in the width direction extending forward from the lower end portion of the front plate portion 155 constitutes an inner side lower plate portion 1561, and parts in the vicinity of both end portions in the width direction extending forward from the lower end portions of the pair of connection plate portions 154 and 154 constitute a pair of outer lower plate portions 1562 and 1562.
As shown in
Gasket 19 and 19 are provided on a lower surface in the vicinity of the front edge portion of the pair of outer lower plate portions 1562 and 1562. The gaskets 19 are arranged in a state of being interposed between the pair of outer lower plate portions 1562 and 1562 and the upper end surface of the toilet main body 12.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The front surface of the protrusion portion 157 is arranged to be substantially continuous with or substantially co-planer with a part 121a of the inner surface of the toilet bowl 121 adjacent to the protrusion portion 157 in the width direction (refer to
Next, operations and effects of the toilet device according to embodiment A will be described by using the drawings.
In the toilet device 11 according to embodiment A described above, the cover 15 has the protrusion portion 157 which protrudes at a position further forward (closer to the toilet bowl 121) along the forward direction with respect to the toilet main body 12 than the base plate 14. The protrusion portion 157 protrudes further downward than the upper end surface of the toilet main body 12. Accordingly, the protrusion portion 157 is arranged in front of a gap between the base plate 14 and the toilet main body 12. Therefore, the protrusion portion 157 can prevent splashing coming from the toilet bowl 121 from entering into the gap between the toilet main body 12 and the base plate 14. As a result, cleaning can be easily performed.
The recess portion 125, which communicates with the toilet bowl 121 and is recessed downward than the upper end surface of the toilet main body 12, is formed in the toilet main body 12, and the base plate 14 is arranged on the recess portion 125. Accordingly, compared to a case where the base plate 14 is mounted on the upper end surface of the toilet main body 12, the base plate 14 can be installed at a low position. Therefore, installation positions of the base plate 14, the functional unit 13, and the cover 15 can be lowered, so that a toilet device 11 having compact design can be realized.
In the toilet device 11 according to embodiment A, compared to a case where the base plate 14 is mounted on the upper end surface of the toilet main body 12, the position of the gap between the toilet main body 12 and the base plate 14 is lowered. Accordingly, splashing from the toilet bowl 121 is more likely to enter into the gap. However, since the protrusion portion 157 is arranged in front of the gap between the base plate 14 and the toilet main body 12, even though the position of the gap between the toilet main body 12 and the base plate 14 is lowered, the protrusion portion 157 can prevent splashing coming from the toilet bowl 121 from entering into the gap between the toilet main body 12 and the base plate 14.
The gaskets 19 are provided in the gap between the toilet main body 12 and the base plate 14, and the protrusion portion 157 is arranged in front of the gaskets 19. Accordingly, the protrusion portion 157 and the gaskets 19 can more reliably prevent splashing from the toilet bowl 121 from entering into the gap between the toilet main body 12 and the base plate 14.
Since the protrusion portion 157 minimizes the amount of splashing from the toilet bowl 121 scattered onto the gaskets 19, it is possible to minimize splashing from the toilet bowl 121 contaminating the gaskets 19.
Moreover, since the gaskets 19 are not apparent from the user, aesthetic appearance can be improved.
The functional unit 13 has the private part-washing device 131 having the shutter 132 provided at a position facing the toilet bowl 121, and the cut-out portion 1571, in which the shutter 132 is arranged, is formed in the protrusion portion 157. This configuration can prevent the protrusion portion 157 from interfering with the shutter 132 of the private part-washing device 131.
Hereinabove, embodiment A of the toilet device according to the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to embodiment A and can be suitably changed within a range not departing from the gist thereof.
For example, in embodiment A, the recess portion 125 is formed in the installation space for the functional unit 13 in the toilet main body 12, and the base plate 14 and the functional unit 13 are arranged in the recess portion 125. However, the installation space may be formed on a flat surface, instead of forming a recess portion 125.
In embodiment A, the gaskets 19 are provided in the gap between the toilet main body 12 and the base plate 14. However, the gaskets 19 do not have to be provided. The protrusion portion 157 does not have to be arranged on the front side of the gaskets 19.
In embodiment A, the private part-washing device 131 is provided in the functional unit 13, and the cut-out portion 1571, in which the shutter 132 of the private part-washing device 131 is arranged, is formed in the protrusion portion 157. However, the private part-washing device 131 does not have to be provided in the functional unit 3, and the cut-out portion 1571 in which the shutter 132 is arranged does not have to be formed in the protrusion portion 157.
In embodiment A, the protrusion portion 157 formed into a plate shape is provided. However, the form of the protrusion portion 157 may be suitably arranged.
In embodiment A, the gasket 18 is provided between the pair of outer plate portions 143 and 143 of the cover 15 and the upper end surface of the toilet main body 12. However, the gasket 18 does not have to be provided.
Hereinafter, with reference to
As shown in
The washing mechanism unit 22 is provided on the rear portion of the toilet main body 21, and configured to, for example, detect a remote control operation of a user, and to discharge flush water into the toilet main body 21. The toilet seat unit 23 is configured including a toilet seat 23a and a toilet lid 23b.
The washing mechanism unit 22 is integrally provided on the rear portion of the toilet main body 21 in an attachable/detachable manner and is provided to be accommodated inside a cover case 24. For example, the washing mechanism unit 22 includes an opening/closing valve such as an electromagnetic valve and a control valve that control opening and closing of a flush water flow channel through a remote control operation. The washing mechanism unit 22 is configured to perform switching between rim water discharging and jet water discharging. In the rim water discharging, flush water flows in a rim portion of the toilet main body 21. In the jet water discharging, flush water flows in a bowl portion of the toilet main body 21 and in a water sealing portion. The washing mechanism unit 22 is configured to also perform controlling of the flow rate of discharging water, by using the opening/closing valve.
The cover case 24 is configured to include a base (base plate) and a cover (outer shell body) 24a. The base is installed on the upper surface of the rear portion of the toilet main body 21. The cover 24a is assembled in the base and forms an accommodation space.
The toilet seat unit 23 is connected to the cover case 24 in an attachable/detachable manner and is provided to be pivotable around a pivot shaft 2O1 (upward/downward direction). The pivot shaft extends in a width direction 2T1 which is the traverse direction.
The toilet device 2A of embodiment B is provided with a human body detection system 2B which causes the toilet lid 23b to be automatically opened and closed and causes the washing mechanism unit 22 or the like to be driven when the system detected, for example, a person such as a user, as the person enters or leaves the bathroom.
As shown in
The sensor window 26 is attached to an opening portion 27 formed to penetrate the cover case 24 from the upper surface (outer surface) 24b to the lower surface (inner surface) 24c at the center thereof in the width direction 2T1. The sensor window 26 is installed in order to allow heat energy (infrared light) radiated from, for example, a human body to be transmitted therethrough and to be transferred to and detected by the human body detection sensor 25 provided inside the cover case 24.
As shown in
The window-holding member 210 is formed into a substantially rectangular ring shape. The sensor window main body 211 is formed into a lid shape such that the window-holding member 210 is fitted from above and is integrally attached thereto. The window attachment member 212 is formed into a substantially rectangular ring shape which is a shape substantially similar to and slightly larger than that of the window-holding member 210. The sensor window main body 211 and the window-holding member 210 are fitted from above and are integrally attached thereto.
The window-holding member 210 is, for example, a resin molded product. As shown in
The sensor window main body 211 is a translucent resin molded product. As shown in
An inner engagement projection portion 211c protruding to inward from the inner surface and an outer engagement projection portion 211d protruding outward from the outer surface are provided in the fitting wall portion 211b of the sensor window main body 211. While the engagement recess portion 210b of the side wall portion 210a and the inner engagement projection portion 211c of the fitting wall portion 211b engage with each other, the side wall portion 210a is fitted such that the side wall portion 210a overlaps with the inner side of the fitting wall portion 211b. Accordingly, the window-holding member 210 is integrally attached to the sensor window main body 211.
The sensor window main body 211 (and the window-holding member 210) is formed such that its width dimensions in the width direction 2T1 gradually increases from the rear end, i.e., the far end, toward the front end, i.e., the end closer to the user along the forward/rearward direction 2T2. In the sensor window main body 211, the sensor window portion 211a is formed into a projected arc shape in a lateral cross-sectional view, the center of the arc being at the center in the width direction 2T1. The sensor window main body 211 is formed into a projected arc shape in a vertical cross-sectional view, the center of the arc substantially being at the center (slightly forward than the center) in the forward/rearward direction 2T2.
Moreover, in embodiment B, a logo (mark) 2M such as a manufacturer or a product name is printed on the upper surface of the sensor window portion 211a of the sensor window main body 211 at a front portion, wherein the width is wider. A mark such as a logo may be adhered on the sensor window portion 211a as a sticker or the like.
The sensor window main body 211 is made of resin such as high density polyethylene, which has low adhesion with respect to ink, an adhesive, and the like. Accordingly, there is a concern that abrasion resistance or the like of the logo (mark) 2M may not be enough if a general printing step is performed by itself. Therefore, in embodiment B, surface modification treatment is performed as treatment prior to a printing step to the portion being subjected to the printing (i.e., upper surface) of the sensor window main body 211. Examples of such surface modification treatment include frame treatment, plasma discharge treatment, ultraviolet irradiation treatment, and corona discharge treatment. A logo is printed by using ink having strong and significant adhesiveness or the like with respect to a resin material having bottom surface energy.
As shown in
In embodiment B, at least the upper surface of the decorative portion 212c of the window attachment member 212 is subjected to plating treatment. The decorative portion 212c may be formed by performing other types of decorative treatment such as mirror surface treatment and coloring with suitable color.
An engagement recess portion 212d is provided on the inner side of the window attachment member 212. The window attachment member 212 integrally attached to the sensor window main body 211 and the window-holding member 210, while the outer engagement projection portion 211d of the sensor window main body 211 and the engagement recess portion 212d of the window attachment member 212 engage with each other and the sensor window main body 211 and the window-holding member 210 are fitted into the middle hole from above.
In embodiment B, the window-holding member 210 and the upper surface of the attachment portion 212a of the window attachment member 212 are bonded to each other by using a double-sided tape 213 or the like, thereby being firmly integrated together.
On the other hand, as shown in
As shown in
In a state where the sensor window 26 is attached to the sensor window attachment portion 215 of the cover case 24, the opening portion 27 formed in the cover case 24 is covered with the translucent sensor window portion 211a, and the sensor window portion 211a is installed to slightly protrude upward from the upper surface 24b of the cover case 24.
Moreover, in a state where the sensor window 26 is attached to the sensor window attachment portion 215, the decorative portion 212c of the window attachment member 212 is installed along a connecting portion (i.e., an engaging portion, or the boundary part) of the sensor window 26 and the sensor window attachment portion 215 of the cover case 24.
Next, as shown in
The human body detection sensor 25 of embodiment B is provided to detect a human body through a region having no logo 2M, the region located upper than the region in which the logo 2M is printed on the lower end side of the sensor window portion 211a.
Moreover, in embodiment B, the logo 2M (at least a part of the logo 2M) is provided at a position facing the attachment seat portion 24e of the sensor window attachment portion 215, that is, a position overlapping the attachment seat portion 24e thereof in the upward/downward direction.
In the toilet device 2A of embodiment B, the sensor window 26 is arranged at the center of the cover case 24 in the width direction 2T1, and the logo (mark) 2M is formed in the sensor window portion 211a. Therefore, it is possible to integrally provide the logo 2M such as a brand logo and a product logo, and the sensor window 26 which have been individually scattered and had been functionally disconnected from each other in the related art. Accordingly, the appearance design of the toilet device 2A can be improved.
In embodiment B, the sensor window 26 and the human body detection sensor 25 are provided at the center, instead of at the side portion of the toilet device 2A in the width direction 2T1 as in the related art. Accordingly, a detection range 2H can be set to be wider than that in the related art, so that the detection accuracy can be enhanced.
In embodiment B, the sensor window 26 is attached to the sensor window attachment portion 215, and the decorative portion 212c of the window attachment member 212 of the sensor window 26 is installed along the connecting portion of the sensor window 26 and the sensor window attachment portion 215 of the cover case 24. Accordingly, the outer circumference of the sensor window portion 211a is formed to be fringed by the decorative portion 212c which is subjected to plating treatment, such that a favorable appearance can be achieved. That is, since the logo 2M is provided in the sensor window portion 211a and the outer circumference is fringed by the decorative portion 212c, the sensor window 26 can be finished like an emblem while being unrecognizable as the sensor window 26. Accordingly, the appearance design can be further improved.
In embodiment B, the sensor window 26 is provided such that the sensor window portion 211a protrudes outward than the upper surface (surface) 24b of the cover case 24. Accordingly, the logo 2M becomes more noticeable, and the sensor window 26 becomes less apparent to be a sensor window.
The brand of a product can be easily changed by only changing the logo (mark) 2M provided in the sensor window 26, so that it is possible to easily cope with OEM products or the like, for example.
Moreover, since the sensor window 26 is configured to be fitted into the sensor window attachment portion 215 (opening portion 27) from the outer side of the cover case 24, e.g., the outer side of the toilet device 2A, and is configured to be attached in an attachable/detachable manner. Accordingly, there is no need to provide a holding member on the inner side as in the related art. Accordingly, the sensor window 26 can be easily attached and detached, and the number of members can also be reduced.
Since the sensor window 26 is configured to include the window-holding member 210 (and/or the window attachment member 212) in addition to the sensor window main body 211, the strength of the sensor window 26 can be favorably ensured.
Since the sensor window portion 211a protrudes outward from the surface of the cover case 24, the human body detection sensor 25 (sensor substrate) or the like can be arranged upward in accordance with its protruding amount. In other words, the human body detection sensor 25 or the like can be arranged close to the opening portion 27.
Accordingly, the degree of freedom for a layout inside the cover case 24 can be improved and the human body detection sensor 25 can be arranged close to the sensor window portion 211a. Therefore, the detection range 2H can become further wider and the detection accuracy can be further improved.
Due to the decorative portion 212c, even if the sensor window portion 211a protrudes outward from the surface of the cover case 24, it is possible to have a favorable appearance. In other words, since the decorative portion 212c is provided, there is no need to bring surfaces of the sensor window portion 211a and the cover case 24 into flush with each other, so that the restriction on attachment of the sensor window 26 can be reduced.
Moreover, in embodiment B, since the sensor window portion 211a is formed into a projected arc shape in a lateral cross-sectional view and a vertical cross-sectional view, the human body detection sensor 25 (sensor substrate) or the like can be arranged at a further upper position. In this respect as well, the detection range 2H can be widened and the detection accuracy can be improved.
Since the sensor window portion 211a is formed such that its width increases from the rear end toward the front end, the detection range 2H for the human body detection sensor 25 can be further widened and the detection accuracy can be further improved.
Hereinabove, an embodiment of the toilet device according to the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to embodiment B and can be suitably changed within a range not departing from the gist thereof.
For example, in embodiment B, the sensor window 26 (and the human body detection sensor 25) according to the present invention is attached to the upper surface 24b side and at the center of the cover case 24. However, the sensor window 26 (and the human body detection sensor 25) may be provided in a different portion of the cover case 24 or in a different outer shell body forming an outer shell of the toilet device 2A other than the cover case 24.
A pattern or the like may be displayed in the sensor window portion 211a of the sensor window 26, instead of the logo 2M. That is, there is no need to limit the type of the mark 2M to be displayed in the sensor window portion 211a to a logo. Moreover, as long as the human body detection sensor 25 can detect a person, the mark 2M to be displayed in the sensor window portion 211a may be provided to overlap the detection range 2H for the human body detection sensor 25.
In embodiment B, description has given based on the configuration in which the toilet device according to the present invention includes the toilet main body 21, the washing mechanism unit 22, and the toilet seat unit 23 including the toilet seat 23a and the toilet lid 23b. In this respect, the toilet device according to the present invention may be configured to include a human body detection system 2B at least including a sensor window and a human body detection sensor. For example, the toilet device according to the present invention may be configured to have the washing mechanism unit 22, the toilet seat unit 23 including the toilet seat 23a and the toilet lid 23b, the cover case 24, and the human body detection system 2B.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-066845 | Mar 2016 | JP | national |
| 2016-073272 | Mar 2016 | JP | national |
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| PCT/JP2017/012295 | 3/27/2017 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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| WO2017/170349 | 10/5/2017 | WO | A |
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| 20190112797 A1 | Apr 2019 | US |
