JP7085117B2 - Toilet seat device - Google Patents

Description

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to toilet seat devices.

It is known that an electrostatic sensor for detecting the sitting of a human body is provided inside the toilet seat of the toilet seat device (Patent Document 1). The electrostatic sensor has electrodes and can detect the human body based on the capacitance formed by the human body approaching the electrodes.

The electrostatic sensor cannot detect the human body when the user sits on a part other than the part where the electrodes are installed. Therefore, for example, when used by a small child or by a person with a poor sitting posture, the human body cannot be detected if the person sits on the opening side of the toilet seat rather than the place where the electrostatic sensor is installed. As a means for solving this problem, for example, it is conceivable to use a metal film for transferring heat of a heater for heating the toilet seat as an electrode (Patent Document 2).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-008831 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-196744

However, since such a metal film is widely provided on the entire inner surface of the toilet seat, there is a problem that the detection range is too wide and false detection is likely to occur. Further, in a toilet seat in which a metal film is connected to the ground, there is a problem that the metal film cannot be used as an electrode.

The present invention has been made based on the recognition of such a problem, and in a toilet seat device having an electrostatic sensor provided on a toilet seat, it is possible to widen the detection range of the electrostatic sensor while suppressing false detection. It is intended to provide a toilet seat device.

The first invention is a first detection for detecting a hollow toilet seat having an opening, a seating portion, and an inner surface, and a user provided on the seating portion side of the inner surface of the toilet seat and sitting on the toilet seat. The first detection electrode comprises an electrode and an electrostatic sensor having a second detection electrode provided at a position vertically separated from the first detection electrode and capacitively coupled to the first detection electrode. The detection electrode has a first portion that overlaps with the second detection electrode, and a second portion that is provided between the first portion and the opening and does not overlap with the first portion. The second portion is a toilet seat device characterized by being electrically connected to the first portion.

According to this toilet seat device, the detection range of the electrostatic sensor can be widened by arranging a part (second part) of the first detection electrode on the opening side of the toilet seat. As a result, it is easy to detect sitting even on the opening side of the toilet seat, which is likely to be seated when used by a child or the like. On the other hand, unlike the case where, for example, a metal film for transferring the heat of the heater for heating the toilet seat is used as the electrode, it is possible to suppress the detection range from becoming too wide, so that false detection can be suppressed.

A second aspect of the present invention is, in the first invention, the electrostatic sensor includes a circuit portion that outputs a detection signal from the second detection electrode, a case that covers the second detection electrode, and the circuit portion. It is a toilet seat device characterized by further having.

According to this toilet seat device, by providing the case, the circuit portion and the second detection electrode can be protected from corrosion due to water droplets or the like.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in the first or second invention, the toilet seat has a side wall portion extending downward from the inner peripheral side of the seating portion and a curved portion located between the seating portion and the side wall portion. The second portion is a toilet seat device provided along the inner surface of the curved portion.

According to this toilet seat device, by arranging a part (second part) of the first detection electrode on the inner surface of the curved portion that is easily touched when a human body such as a child falls into the opening of the toilet seat, it is more reliable. It is possible to detect the sitting of a child or the like. Further, by arranging the second portion of the first detection electrode along the inner surface of the curved portion, it is possible to suppress a decrease in detection accuracy due to a gap between the inner surface of the toilet seat and the second portion. Can be done.

A fourth aspect of the invention is a toilet seat device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the area of the first portion is larger than the area of the second detection electrode.

According to this toilet seat device, since the area of the first portion is larger than the area of the second detection electrode, the second detection electrode is less likely to shift from the first portion when the second detection electrode is arranged. As a result, the first portion and the second detection electrode can be capacitively coupled more reliably, so that the detection accuracy can be improved.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is the fifth invention, in which the heater is provided on the inner surface and heats the toilet seat from the inside, and the heat of the heater is transferred to the inner surface of the toilet seat. Further comprising a metal film, the metal film includes a first notch portion that overlaps with the first portion and the second detection electrode, a second notch portion that overlaps with the second portion, and the first portion. The toilet seat device is characterized by having an intervening portion located between the notch 1 and the second notch.

According to this toilet seat device, the toilet seat can be heated by a heater and a metal film. Further, by providing a part (intervening portion) of the metal film between the first notch portion and the second notch portion, it is possible to prevent the metal film from being largely cut out. This makes it possible to prevent the user from feeling the coldness of the toilet seat.

In a sixth aspect of the invention, in the fifth aspect, the second portion is separated from the first portion, and the first detection electrode is provided between the first portion and the second portion. The width of the wiring portion is such that the first portion and the second portion are provided with a wiring portion that electrically connects the first portion, and the width of the wiring portion is perpendicular to the direction in which the first portion and the second portion are aligned. The toilet seat device is smaller than the width of the first portion and smaller than the width of the second portion.

According to this toilet seat device, it is possible to suppress the capacitive coupling between the wiring portion and the intervening portion of the metal film overlapping the wiring portion, and it is possible to more reliably detect the seating by the first detection electrode.

A seventh aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the fifth or sixth aspect, at least a part of the heater is arranged between the first notch and the second notch. It is a toilet seat device.

According to this toilet seat device, since the space between the first notch and the second notch can be heated by a heater, it is possible to further suppress the user from feeling the coldness of the toilet seat. ..

According to the aspect of the present invention, in the toilet seat device having an electrostatic sensor provided on the toilet seat, the toilet seat device capable of widening the detection range of the electrostatic sensor while suppressing erroneous detection is provided.

It is a top view which illustrates the toilet seat device which concerns on embodiment. It is sectional drawing which illustrates the toilet seat device which concerns on embodiment. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views and plan views illustrating the toilet seat device according to the embodiment. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are diagrams illustrating the circuit configuration of the electrostatic sensor according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, similar components are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating the toilet seat device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the toilet seat device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 2 shows a cross section taken along the line A1-A1 shown in FIG. FIG. 1 shows the toilet seat device 100 and a part of the inside thereof as seen along the arrow A shown in FIG.
The toilet seat device 100 according to the embodiment is a toilet seat device provided on a toilet bowl (Western style sitting toilet bowl) (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet seat device 100 has a toilet seat 10 on which the user sits. The toilet seat 10 is pivotally supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the toilet bowl. This example shows a so-called O-shaped toilet seat 10 in which a through-hole-shaped opening 11 arranged on a bowl of a toilet bowl is formed. The toilet seat 10 is not limited to the O-shape, but may be a U-shape or the like. The opening 11 is not limited to a through hole shape, but may be a notch shape. A non-metal material such as resin is used as the material of the toilet seat 10. For example, a resin such as polypropylene is used as the material of the toilet seat 10.

Here, in the present specification, the upper part is referred to as "upper" when viewed from the user sitting on the toilet seat 10, and the lower part is referred to as "lower" when viewed from the user sitting on the toilet seat 10. In addition, the front is "front", the back is "rear", and the right side is "right side" when viewed from the user sitting on the toilet seat 10 with his back to the shaft branch that supports the toilet seat 10 with respect to the toilet bowl. The left side is the "left side".

As shown in FIG. 2, the toilet seat 10 is hollow and has an inner surface 12. The toilet seat 10 has a seating portion 13a on which the user is seated, a side wall portion 13b extending downward from the inner peripheral side of the seating portion 13a, and a curved portion 13c located between the seating portion 13a and the side wall portion 13b. .. A heater 15, a metal film 17, and an electrostatic sensor 30 (seating sensor) are provided on the upper side (seat portion 13a side) of the inner surface 12 of the toilet seat 10. The heater 15 and the metal film 17 are provided as necessary and can be omitted.

The heater 15 is provided on the inner surface 12 of the toilet seat 10 and heats the toilet seat 10 (seat portion 13a) from the inside to warm it. The heater 15 is provided along the circumference of the opening 11 of the toilet seat 10. The toilet seat 10 is warmed by energizing the heater 15. As the heater 15, for example, a tubing heater, a sheathed heater, a halogen heater, a carbon heater, or the like is used. The heater 15 is made of, for example, a metal member such as aluminum or copper. Further, as the shape of the metal member of the heater 15, various shapes such as a sheet shape, a wire shape, and a mesh shape can be adopted.

The metal film 17 is, for example, a metal foil (for example, an aluminum foil). The metal film 17 may be composed of one metal foil or may be composed of a plurality of metal foils. A part 17a of the metal film 17 is located between the heater 15 and the inner surface 12, and is in contact with each of the heater 15 and the inner surface 12. Another part (intervening part) 17b of the metal film 17 is located between the heater 15 and a part of the electrostatic sensor 30, and is in contact with each of the heater 15 and the part of the electrostatic sensor 30. As a result, the metal film 17 transfers the heat of the heater 15 to the toilet seat 10 (seat portion 13a).

The electrostatic sensor 30 can detect the user's seating (and leaving) on the toilet seat 10. The electrostatic sensor 30 is attached to the inner surface 12 by an adhesive body 40. In other words, the adhesive body 40 is provided between the inner surface 12 and the electrostatic sensor 30, and adheres the electrostatic sensor 30 to the inner surface 12. A part of the electrostatic sensor 30 is provided along the inner surface of the curved portion 13c.

As the adhesive (adhesive 40 and the adhesives 41 and 42 described later), various materials having adhesiveness or adhesiveness at least a part of the surface and capable of connecting the two can be used. As the adhesive, an adhesive, an adhesive, double-sided tape, or the like can be used. The material of the adhesive is, for example, a resin such as acrylic, and it is desirable that it does not contain metal.

The electrostatic sensor 30 is provided, for example, on the front side of the toilet seat 10. Further, the electrostatic sensor 30 is provided, for example, on the right side or the left side of the opening 11. As shown in FIG. 1, in this example, the electrostatic sensor 30 is provided on the left side side of the opening 11 on the front side of the toilet seat 10. In this position, the human body can easily touch the electrostatic sensor 30 regardless of whether an adult or a child is seated.

The toilet seat device 100 may have a functional unit. The functional part is located on the back of the toilet bowl. The functional unit has a local cleaning function for cleaning a local part of the human body (for example, "buttocks") and a drying function for drying the local part of the human body. That is, the toilet seat device 100 may be, for example, a sanitary cleaning device.

The functional unit includes a nozzle for discharging washing water, a heat exchanger for heating the water supplied to the nozzle, a hot air heater, and the like. Further, the toilet seat device 100 has a control unit 51 (control circuit) that controls the operation of the heater 15, the electrostatic sensor 30, the nozzle, the heat exchanger, the hot air heater, and the like. For example, the control unit 51 controls the energization of the heater 15 or operates the electrostatic sensor 30 to receive the detection result.

For example, in a state where the electrostatic sensor 30 detects the sitting of the user, the user operates a remote controller or the like to send a signal to the control unit 51, so that the user discharges the washing water from the nozzle. Can be done. In the embodiment, the functional unit (nozzle, heat exchanger, hot air heater, etc.) may not necessarily be provided.

3A and 3B are cross-sectional views and plan views illustrating the toilet seat device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the electrostatic sensor 30 shown in FIG. FIG. 3B is a plan view of the vicinity of the electrostatic sensor 30 as viewed from below. Further, in FIG. 3B, some elements are omitted for the sake of readability.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the electrostatic sensor 30 includes a case 31, a substrate 32, a first detection electrode 33a, a second detection electrode 33b, a shield electrode 34, and a circuit. It has a portion 35, insulating films 36a and 36b, and a molding material 37.

The first detection electrode 33a is located between the two insulating films 36a and 36b. The first detection electrode 33a sandwiched between the two insulating films 36a and 36b is adhered to the inner surface 12 via the adhesive body 40.

The substrate 32, the second detection electrode 33b, the shield electrode 34, and the circuit unit 35 are housed inside the case 31 so as to be covered with the case 31. The case 31 is sealed with a molding material 37 such as resin. Further, for example, resin is used as the material of the case 31. The case 31 is adhered to the insulating film 36b by the adhesive body 41.

The second detection electrode 33b, the shield electrode 34, and the circuit unit 35 are provided on the substrate 32. In this example, the second detection electrode 33b and the shield electrode 34 are connected to the upper surface of the substrate 32, and the circuit unit 35 is connected to the lower surface of the substrate 32. The substrate 32 provided with the second detection electrode 33b, the shield electrode 34, and the circuit portion 35 is adhered to the inside of the case 31 by the adhesive body 42.

The first detection electrode 33a is an electrode for detecting a user sitting on the toilet seat 10. By capacitively coupling the first detection electrode 33a and the human body of the user seated on the toilet seat 10, the user seated on the toilet seat 10 can be detected.

The first detection electrode 33a has a first portion 38a, a second portion 38b, and a wiring portion 38c. The first portion 38a is vertically separated from the second detection electrode 33b. That is, the first portion 38a overlaps with the second detection electrode 33b in the bottom view. In this example, the first portion 38a is provided between the seated portion 13a side of the inner surface 12 and the second detection electrode 33b. The second portion 38b is provided between the first portion 38a and the opening 11. In this example, the second portion 38b is provided at a position separated from the first portion 38a in the direction toward the opening 11. The second portion 38b may be provided so as to be continuous with the first portion 38a. The second portion 38b does not overlap with the first portion 38a in the bottom view. The first portion 38a and the second portion 38b are electrically connected to each other. In this example, the first portion 38a and the second portion 38b are electrically connected by a wiring portion 38c provided between the first portion 38a and the second portion 38b. The wiring portion 38c extends from the left end of the second portion 38b toward the right end of the first portion 38a to the left.

In this example, the first portion 38a is provided between the seating portion 13a side of the inner surface 12 and the second detection electrode 33b, but the second detection electrode 33b is the seating portion of the inner surface 12. It may be provided between the 13a side and the first portion 38a. In other words, the first portion 38a may be provided at a position separated downward from the second detection electrode 33b. In this case, for example, the second portion 38b provided on the inner surface 12 and the first portion 38a provided below the second detection electrode 33b are electrically connected by the wiring portion 38c. The wiring portion 38c may extend diagonally downward to the left from the left end of the second portion 38b toward the right end of the first portion 38a, for example. Alternatively, for example, the wiring portion 38c extends to the left from the left end of the second portion 38b to the right end of the case 31, and downwards along the side wall of the case 31 from the right end of the case 31 to the right end of the first portion 38a. May extend to.

The insulating films 36a and 36b are provided above and below the first detection electrode 33a, respectively. The insulating film 36a is located between the adhesive body 40 and the first detection electrode 33a, and insulates the upper surface (seat portion 13a side) of the first detection electrode 33a. The insulating film 36b is located between the adhesive body 41 and the first detection electrode 33a, and insulates the lower surface (intervening portion 17b side) of the first detection electrode 33a.

It is desirable that the first detection electrode 33a, the insulating films 36a and 36b are, for example, bendable. The first detection electrode 33a sandwiched between the two insulating films 36a and 36b is, for example, a flexible substrate. In this case, for example, the coverlay of the flexible substrate and the base material layer such as polyimide correspond to the insulating films 36a and 36b, respectively, and the metal layer such as the copper foil provided between them corresponds to the first detection electrode 33a. .. If the first detection electrode 33a, the insulating films 36a and 36b are bendable, for example, a second portion 38b of the first detection electrode 33a can be provided along the inner surface of the curved portion 13c of the toilet seat 10. The first detection electrode 33a is not limited to this, and may be any metal foil or the like having conductivity. Further, the insulating films 36a and 36b are not limited to this, and may be any material that can be insulated such as a resin.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the first portion 38a and the second portion 38b have a substantially rectangular shape (for example, a substantially square shape) in a bottom view. The wiring portion 38c has a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the direction from the first portion 38a toward the opening 11 in the bottom view. The width W3 of the wiring portion 38c is smaller than the width W1 of the first portion 38a in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the first portion 38a and the second portion 38b are aligned. The width W3 of the wiring portion 38c is smaller than the width W2 of the second portion 38b. Further, in this example, the width W1 of the first portion 38a is larger than the width W2 of the second portion 38b. Further, the area of the first portion 38a is larger than the area of the second portion 38b. Further, the area of the first portion 38a is larger than the area of the second detection electrode 33b.

The second detection electrode 33b is an electrode for capacitively coupling with the first detection electrode 33a and receiving a detection signal from the first portion 38a of the first detection electrode 33a. The second detection electrode 33b is provided at a position vertically separated from the first portion 38a of the first detection electrode 33a. In this example, the second detection electrode 33b is provided at a position separated downward from the first portion 38a of the first detection electrode 33a. The second detection electrode 33b is electrically connected to the circuit unit 35, and transmits the detection signal received from the first portion 38a of the first detection electrode 33a to the circuit unit 35.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the shield electrode 34 is an electrode that surrounds the second detection electrode 33b. The shield electrode 34 can prevent the detection accuracy of the electrostatic sensor 30 from deteriorating even when the first notch portion 18a is made smaller.

The circuit unit 35 includes a constant current circuit, a switching circuit, and the like, and is electrically connected to the second detection electrode 33b. The circuit unit 35 determines whether or not the user is seated or unoccupied as the potential of the second detection electrode 33b changes. The circuit unit 35 is electrically connected to the control unit 51, and transmits (outputs) the detection result to the control unit 51.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the metal film 17 has a first notch portion 18a and a second notch portion 18b in the vicinity of the electrostatic sensor 30. The first notched portion 18a overlaps the first portion 38a and the second detection electrode 33b in the bottom view. In other words, the first notched portion 18a is a portion where the metal film 17 is notched at the position where the first portion 38a and the second detection electrode 33b are provided. The second notched portion 18b overlaps with the second portion 38b in the bottom view. In other words, the second notched portion 18b is a portion where the metal film 17 is notched at the position where the second portion 38b is provided.

In the specification of the present application, the “notch portion” means a portion where the metal film 17 is not formed. For example, the first notch portion 18a and the second notch portion 18b are openings (holes) or notches provided in the metal film 17. The method for forming the first notch portion 18a and the second notch portion 18b is arbitrary and does not necessarily have to be formed by notching (cutting out) the metal film 17.

The first notch 18a is separated from the second notch 18b. That is, an intervening portion 17b is provided between the first notch portion 18a and the second notch portion 18b. The intervening portion 17b is a part of the metal film 17. The intervening portion 17b is located below the wiring portion 38c of the first detection electrode 33a. The intervening portion 17b overlaps with the wiring portion 38c in the bottom view. Further, in this example, the heater 15 is provided under the intervening portion 17b. In other words, at least a part of the heater 15 is arranged between the first notch 18a and the second notch 18b. With these, it is possible to heat between the first notch portion 18a and the second notch portion 18b.

The shapes of the first notch portion 18a and the second notch portion 18b are arbitrary, but for example, a shape matching the first portion 38a and the second portion 38b of the first detection electrode 33a is desirable. In this example, the shape of the first notch portion 18a and the second notch portion 18b is rectangular in accordance with the first portion 38a and the second portion 38b of the rectangle. As a result, it is possible to prevent the first notch portion 18a and the second notch portion 18b from becoming large.

4 (a) and 4 (b) are diagrams illustrating the circuit configuration of the electrostatic sensor according to the embodiment.
An example of the circuit configuration of the electrostatic sensor 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b).
FIG. 4A shows a case where the user is not sitting on the toilet seat 10, and FIG. 4B shows a case where the user is sitting on the toilet seat 10.

The electrostatic sensor 30 has, for example, a constant current source 35a and a reference capacitor 35b. One end of the reference capacitor 35b is connected to the constant current source 35a, and the other end of the reference capacitor 35b is connected to the ground potential. The second detection electrode 33b is connected to the constant current source 35a in parallel with the reference capacitor 35b. The first portion 38a of the first detection electrode 33a is capacitively coupled to the second detection electrode 33b. The first portion 38a and the second portion 38b of the first detection electrode 33a are electrically connected to each other via the wiring portion 38c.

When the user is not sitting on the toilet seat 10, as shown in FIG. 4A, the second portion 38b of the first detection electrode 33a is, for example, in an open state.

When the user sits on the toilet seat 10, for example, the thigh of the user comes into contact with the seating portion 13a directly above the electrostatic sensor 30. For example, when the seating of the user is detected by the second portion 38b of the first detection electrode 33a, as shown in FIG. 4B, the human body (user) and the second portion of the first detection electrode 33a are detected. A capacitor 61 is formed between the capacitor 61 and the 38b. The human body side of the capacitor 61 is connected to the ground potential via the capacitor 62 (capacity of the human body) and the capacitor 63 (capacity of the user's footwear). Further, the human body side of the capacitor 61 is connected to the ground potential via the capacitor 64 (capacity of the toilet seat or the toilet bowl). The capacitor 64 is in parallel with the capacitors 62 and 63. On the other hand, the second detection electrode 33b and the first portion 38a of the first detection electrode 33a are capacitively coupled, and a capacitor 60 is formed between them. The shield electrode 34 and the metal film 17 are each connected to the ground potential. The metal film 17 does not have to be connected to the installation potential.

The electrostatic sensor 30 can also detect the sitting of the user on both the first portion 38a and the second portion 38b of the first detection electrode 33a. In this case, a capacitor is formed between the human body (user) and the second portion 38b of the first detection electrode 33a, and the human body (user) and the first portion 38a of the first detection electrode 33a are formed. A capacitor is formed between them.

The constant current source 35a causes a current to flow, and charges are stored in the reference capacitor 35b and the second detection electrode 33b (capacitor 60). At this time, the voltage generated in the reference capacitor 35b changes depending on whether or not the user is seated. By measuring the voltage of the reference capacitor 35b, it is possible to detect the sitting or leaving of the user.

As described above, the electrostatic sensor 30 utilizes the capacitance formed between the user seated on the toilet seat 10 and the first portion 38a and / or the second portion 38b of the first detection electrode 33a. The seating of the user is detected based on the amount of electric charge accumulated in the second detection electrode 33b.

As described above, in the embodiment, a part of the first detection electrode 33a (second portion 38b) is arranged on the opening 11 side of the toilet seat 10. This makes it possible to detect seating not only in the first portion 38a of the first detection electrode 33a but also in the second portion 38b. That is, the detection range of the electrostatic sensor 30 can be widened. As a result, it is easy to detect sitting even on the opening 11 side of the toilet seat 10, which is likely to be seated when used by a child or the like. On the other hand, unlike the case where the metal film 17 for transferring the heat of the heater 15 for heating the toilet seat 10 is used as an electrode, for example, it is possible to suppress the detection range from becoming too wide, so that false detection can be suppressed. can.

Further, in the embodiment, the electrostatic sensor 30 is provided with a case 31 that covers the second detection electrode 33b and the circuit portion 35. Thereby, the circuit portion 35 and the second detection electrode 33b can be protected from corrosion due to water droplets or the like.

Further, in the embodiment, a part (second portion 38b) of the first detection electrode 33a is arranged on the curved portion 13c of the toilet seat 10 which is easily touched when a human body such as a child falls into the opening 11 of the toilet seat 10. .. This makes it possible to more reliably detect the sitting of a child or the like. Further, in the embodiment, the second portion 38b of the first detection electrode 33a is made of a bendable material, and the second portion 38b is arranged along the inner surface of the curved portion 13c. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in detection accuracy due to a gap between the inner surface of the curved portion 13c and the second portion 38b.

Further, when the second detection electrode 33b of the electrostatic sensor 30 is attached, if the second detection electrode 33b is displaced from the position where the first portion 38a of the first detection electrode 33a is attached, capacitive coupling is unlikely to occur and detection is performed. The accuracy may be low. On the other hand, in the embodiment, the area of the first portion 38a is made wider than the area of the second detection electrode 33b. As a result, when the second detection electrode 33b is arranged, the second detection electrode 33b is less likely to shift from the position where the first portion 38a of the first detection electrode 33a is attached. Therefore, the first portion 38a of the first detection electrode 33a and the second detection electrode 33b can be more reliably capacitively coupled, and the detection accuracy can be improved.

Further, in the embodiment, the toilet seat 10 can be heated by providing the heater 15 and the metal film 17 on the inner surface 12 of the toilet seat 10. On the other hand, if there is a metal film 17 between the first detection electrode 33a and the inner surface 12, it cannot be detected. Therefore, in the embodiment, in the metal film 17, a first notch portion 18a is provided at a position corresponding to the first portion 38a of the first detection electrode 33a, and the second portion 38b of the first detection electrode 33a is provided. A second notch 18b is provided at the corresponding position. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in detection accuracy due to the metal film 17, and to more reliably detect seating by the first detection electrode 33a.

Further, for example, when the first notch portion 18a and the second notch portion 18b are connected and provided, the metal film 17 that transfers the heat of the heater 15 is largely cut out, so that the toilet seat 10 tends to become cold. .. On the other hand, in the embodiment, a part (intervening portion) 17b of the metal film 17 is arranged between the first notch portion 18a and the second notch portion 18b. As a result, it is possible to prevent the metal film 17 from being largely cut out and to prevent the toilet seat 10 from becoming cold.

On the other hand, since the intervening portion 17b is located below the wiring portion 38c of the first detection electrode 33a, the wiring portion 38c and the intervening portion 17b may be capacitively coupled to reduce the detection accuracy. On the other hand, in the embodiment, the width W3 in the direction along the opening 11 of the wiring portion 38c is made smaller than the width W1 and the width W2 in the direction along the opening 11 of the first portion 38a and the second portion 38b. As a result, the capacitive coupling between the wiring portion 38c and the intervening portion 17b can be suppressed, and the seating can be detected more reliably by the first detection electrode 33a.

Further, in the portion of the toilet seat 10 where the first notch portion 18a and the second notch portion 18b are provided, the heat from the heater 15 is difficult to transfer because there is no metal film 17. Therefore, the temperature of the portion tends to be lower than the temperature of the portion covered with the metal film 17. Further, in order to accurately detect the sitting of the user, the electrostatic sensor 30 is arranged at a position where the user's skin (thigh, etc.) can be easily touched. Therefore, in the portion where the first notch portion 18a and the second notch portion 18b are provided, the user can easily feel the coldness of the toilet seat 10. On the other hand, in the embodiment, the heater 15 is arranged between the first notch portion 18a and the second notch portion 18b. As a result, the space between the first notch portion 18a and the second notch portion 18b can be heated by the heater 15, so that it is possible to further suppress the user from feeling cold.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. The above-mentioned embodiments which have been appropriately designed by those skilled in the art are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, size, material, arrangement, installation form, and the like of each element included in the toilet seat device are not limited to those exemplified, and can be appropriately changed.
Further, the elements included in each of the above-described embodiments can be combined as much as technically possible, and the combination thereof is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as the features of the present invention are included.

10 toilet seat, 11 opening, 12 inner surface, 13a seating part, 13b side wall part, 13c curved part, 15 heater, 17 metal film, 17a part, 17b intervening part, 18a, 18b first and second notches , 30 Electrostatic sensor, 31 case, 32 board, 33a, 33b 1st and 2nd detection electrodes, 34 shield electrode, 35 circuit section, 35a constant current source, 35b reference capacitor, 36a, 36b insulation film, 37 mold material , 38a, 38b 1st and 2nd parts, 38c wiring part, 40-42 adhesive, 51 control part, 60-64 capacitors, 100 toilet seat device, W1-W3 width

Claims (6)

A hollow toilet seat having an opening , a seating portion , a side wall portion extending downward from the inner peripheral side of the seating portion, a curved portion located between the seating portion and the side wall portion, and an inner surface. ,
The first detection electrode provided on the seating portion side of the inner surface of the toilet seat and detecting a user sitting on the toilet seat, and the first detection electrode provided at a position vertically separated from the first detection electrode. An electrostatic sensor having a second detection electrode that is capacitively coupled to the detection electrode of
Equipped with
The first detection electrode is
The first portion that overlaps with the second detection electrode and
A second portion provided between the first portion and the opening along the inner surface of the curved portion and not overlapping the first portion,
Have,
The second portion is a toilet seat device that is electrically connected to the first portion. The first aspect of the present invention, wherein the electrostatic sensor further includes a circuit unit that outputs a detection signal from the second detection electrode, and a case that covers the second detection electrode and the circuit unit. Toilet seat device. The toilet seat device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the area of the first portion is larger than the area of the second detection electrode. A heater provided on the inner surface and heating the toilet seat from the inside,
A metal film that transfers the heat of the heater to the inner surface of the toilet seat, and
Further prepare
The metal film has a first notch portion that overlaps with the first portion and the second detection electrode, a second notch portion that overlaps with the second portion, and the first notch portion and the first portion. An intervening part located between the notch of 2 and
The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the toilet seat device is characterized by having. The second part is separated from the first part.
The first detection electrode is provided between the first portion and the second portion, and has a wiring portion that electrically connects the first portion and the second portion.
The width of the wiring portion is smaller than the width of the first portion and smaller than the width of the second portion in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the first portion and the second portion are aligned. The toilet seat device according to claim 4 . The toilet seat device according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein at least a part of the heater is arranged between the first notch and the second notch.

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